A/N: All right, a lot needed to happen in this chapter, so it's a long one. Hope it's not too much.

Thanks again to everyone for reading and for the reviews. It really means a lot to me. I hope you'll all enjoy this chapter.

Cheers.


Chapter 3. Betrayal

Arthur strode through the town at a pace that had the townspeople scurrying out of his way and Merlin and a small pack of guards practically jogging to keep up.

"All I'm saying is..."

"I'm not interested."

"That they're still only human..."

"Not interested."

"Even if they are knights of Camelot."

Arthur stopped abruptly and Merlin couldn't avoid bumping into him before he came to a halt.

"Merlin. Listen to me very carefully." Arthur spoke slowly and deliberately. "These men are from noble families. They train diligently, day in and day out. They put themselves at risk of significant physical danger and give their lives if required all for the good of Camelot. For all these reasons, I refuse to believe that any of my knights could possibly be behind these attacks."

Merlin nodded wordlessly, but Arthur wasn't done yet.

"More than that, though, I trust them. To question them is to question me, my judgement and everything I work for. I meant what I said to my father – I will stake my life that each and every one of my knights is innocent. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, Arthur. I'm sorry. I meant no disrespect." Merlin spoke sincerely, and wished he'd held his tongue in the first place. For whatever reason, the prince was volatile enough to begin with and Merlin suspected that the best way to help him was to stay 'on his side' come what may.

"Right," Arthur said, slightly taken aback by Merlin's compliance. "Let's get on with it then. We need to catch whoever's doing this, and quickly. I don't want any slipups. No need to give my father and Morgana anything else to complain about."

"Arthur," Merlin started, once again resuming his awkward jog at the prince's side. "What's going on with them? Have you fought with your father? Or Morgana?"

Arthur shook his head. "What would be the point in that? You should always pick your arguments, and I am never going to win against that pair."

The bitterness in the young man's tone made the hairs on the back of Merlin's neck stand on end. What was going on here? What had changed while he had been away to cause this rift, this distrust? He didn't have to ask, for Arthur was obviously happy to talk.

"My father has always been loath to admit mistake to anyone, especially me. And Morgana, with the, shall we say, influence she has, is always going to be able to convince Uther to carry her banner, even if it's against me. I can't win, so why bother trying? That's all become a lot clearer to me of late."

Merlin had his mouth open ready to speak but was interrupted by Sir Leon, who was approaching from the opposite direction.

"My lord, the guard has been increased and notice of the curfew given. The sweep of the lower town has been completed and returned nothing of interest. The patrols are ready for tonight."

"Very good." Arthur continued walking and Merlin had to drop back to make room for Sir Leon. "I want to hear every piece of information tonight. Should anything or anyone suspicious be found I want it brought to my attention immediately."

"Of course, Sire. I..." Sir Leon stopped walking and turned to face Arthur. "I wanted to say that I am sorry for the way things unfolded this morning. I had no intention of putting you in that position with your father. In your absence it was my responsibility to ensure the man behind the attacks was caught and I could not. King Uther should understand that this has been my failure, not yours."

Arthur shook his head and reached out to clap Leon on the shoulder. "I appreciate the motive behind that declaration, Sir Leon, though I cannot accept your culpability, as that lies with me. Let us focus our energy on catching this imposter and restoring the good name of Camelot's knights."

Sir Leon nodded in agreeance, his expression resolute, before heading off to continue his work.

Arthur turned to Merlin. "Let's go. I want to hear from some of these 'eye witnesses' myself."

Merlin followed along behind. He desperately wanted to ask Arthur about this earlier comments about Morgana and Uther but the moment had passed and he cautioned himself to bide his time. There were other matters at hand.


Arthur ducked his head as he exited through the door of the small house. Merlin had waited outside with Gwen so he hadn't heard what the young woman had had to say, but judging by Arthur's solemn expression, it hadn't been good.

With the door closed behind him, Arthur ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "Her story was...hard to fault," he muttered. "She is certain the man was at least dressed as a knight, and I'm inclined to believe her."

Arthur squinted up at the sky where the last rays of late afternoon light were throwing an orange glow on the lower levels of thick cloud.

"Curfew will be in place soon. You need to be off the streets, Guinevere."

The handmaid nodded. "I have to get Morgana ready for the feast." She smiled at Arthur more with her eyes than her lips. "Good luck tonight."

She turned to leave but felt Arthur's hand catch her wrist. She looked back at him.

"Thank you for your help, Guinevere, for showing us to the right house. Make sure you take care until this man is caught."

"I will." Her hand touched his for the briefest moment and his heart worked faster within his chest. Then she turned and began weaving her way along the street, through the people hurriedly finishing up their business, on her way back to the castle and Morgana.


Only torches now lit the empty streets. As they passed some of the houses they could hear a soft hum of voices, but mostly it was quiet. The cold night was sharp and felt as though it could seep clear through to ones bones. Merlin drew his arms across his chest and buried his chin a little further down in his scarf.

"I almost wish I was serving at the feast," Merlin muttered, breaking the silence which had extended between the pair for some time.

Arthur turned to look at him with raised eyebrows.

"I did say almost."

Arthur directed his gaze along a side street and then back at Merlin. "We're better off out here."

They continued on quietly. A noise to their left caught their attention and Arthur drew his sword but lowered it when a large rat scampered out from a stack of baskets. Merlin laughed with nervous tension.

It was then that the bells rang out from the castle and all hell broke loose.

Arthur clenched his sword tightly in his fist and the pair took off along the street at speed in the direction of the castle. They could hear shouting coming from up ahead and other sets of feet running along behind them. Curious eyes looked out from inside the dimly lit houses. By the time they reached the courtyard, Sir Leon was striding along to meet them.

"There's been an attack inside the castle," he informed them as first Arthur and then Merlin came to a panting stop before him.

"Did you catch him?" Arthur demanded.

Sir Leon responded with a shake of the head. "He'd gone by the time the guards arrived. It happened right outside the Hall as the feast began. I'd have to assume he's still in the castle somewhere."

"Seal the drawbridge," Arthur barked, turning to the guards. "Let no one past. No one."

"Is anyone hurt?" Merlin asked, still panting slightly from his run.

Leon nodded. "Gaius is with her now. Lady Morgana's maid."

Merlin felt all the breath leave his body as though he'd been punched in the stomach. He turned to look at Arthur, who was staring open-mouthed at Leon.

"Arthur," he began. But the prince was already running, sword in hand, scattering men left and right as he went.

Merlin took off after him.


By the time Arthur and Merlin reached the Hall, an uneasy hum had filled the air as groups of disgruntled men and nervous-looking women stood in groups, the meal abandoned. Guards and knights were milling about, unsure of what they should be looking for, awaiting instruction.

Merlin saw Arthur scanning the room frantically, his blue eyes wide and his chest heaving from the run. Merlin craned to look around the small huddles of people, but it was quickly apparent that neither Guinevere nor Gaius was in the room. Arthur's eyes lit upon Merlin at the same time as Uther spoke his son's name and laid a hand on his shoulder. Merlin read the silent plea the prince sent his way.

"I'll find her," he mouthed, before Arthur turned to speak to his father.

Merlin began picking his way through the crowd and felt an icy chill as Morgana swept past him, her eyes fixed on his but unreadable. She moved directly towards where the two Pendragon's stood speaking and Merlin stopped and watched as the young woman stepped up behind Uther and whispered in his ear. Whatever she said, the effect was instantaneous.

"Guards!" Uther bellowed. "Call in anyone in the corridor and lock the doors. No knight is to leave this room."

"Father?" Arthur began, but he was silenced with a raised hand.

All chatter died away and when the locks on the doors were slid across the noise was unnaturally loud. Certain that he had everyone's attention, Uther spoke.

"This is going to end now. I will not have my people in danger, especially not within the walls of my own castle. In this kingdom, no one is above the law, be he peasant, noble or knight." He turned to Morgana. "Bring in the girl."

Her hands clasped almost piously in front of her, Morgana began walking towards a door. Anyone who had been standing in her way slipped back and allowed her through. All eyes were upon her. As she neared, the two guards at the door opened it for her and Merlin found himself staring at the empty space she had just vacated. A moment later, she reappeared with Gwen on her arm.

Even from yards away, Merlin could hear Arthur's sharp intake of breath as he laid eyes upon Gwen. Her head was bowed and she was holding a compress to the badly bruised right side of her face. Merlin could tell she was terrified and wished there was some way to put an end to this spectacle. But there was not, and the young woman was forced to continue her slow progress through the crowd of inquisitive nobles, with Morgana walking at her side, murmuring continually in comforting tones.

They came to a halt before Uther and Arthur, and Merlin saw the latter lift one hand slightly towards her before letting it drop. He suspected it was taking all the prince had not to reach out and hold her.

"I'm sorry this has been allowed to happen to you," Uther used his most reassuring tone as he considered the handmaiden. "But there is no need to fear telling us the truth. I will ensure your safety."

Arthur's hands clenched into fists at his sides.

"Tell me what you saw," Uther directed.

Gwen's head remained bowed. Morgana began speaking to her in hushed tones, encouraging her confidence, and yet she said nothing. The gathered nobles began to whisper to each other.

"Guinevere," Arthur's voice cut through the hum of voices, low and painfully controlled. "Tell me who did this to you."

She looked up at him then, her dark eyes meeting his light ones, and it seemed to Merlin that she looked almost apologetic. "I...I was bringing Lady Morgana the necklace she had forgotten," she began, her voice soft, as though she were speaking only to Arthur. "He stopped me in the hallway. He hit me and... took the necklace." Tears fell despite her best efforts. "It...He looked like...Sir Cenwig."

Disorder broke out immediately. Cries of shock came from the onlookers, a rumble of discontent rose from the assembled knights and in the corner of the room, all eyes upon him, a young knight with dark hair, who Merlin knew to be a favourite of Arthur's and a good and loyal man, called out in protest.

"No! It was not I! I would never..."

He bit back his words obediently as Arthur interjected.

"Sir Cenwig, you will be heard in a moment." The prince was visibly shaken but when he turned his attention back to Gwen, his tone was once again calm and controlled. "It looked like Sir Cenwig or it was Sir Cenwig?" he asked. "This is important, Guinevere. Did you see his face?"

Merlin watched as Gwen's face crumpled. "I did, Sire," she whispered. "I'm so sorry."

Arthur set his mouth in a firm line and shook his head slightly. "You have nothing to be sorry for," he said quietly.

Things moved quickly from there. Sir Cenwig came before Uther, was searched and found to be in possession of the stolen necklace. Gwen was lead away to 'rest' and, although Sir Cenwig had protested his innocence vehemently, Uther had charged him with breeching both the Knights' Code and the laws of Camelot.

Arthur remained silent throughout, even as Sir Cenwig was stripped of his weapons and led away to the dungeons by a pair of rough-handed guards. The prince's face was blank and unreadable, but Merlin knew that turmoil lay buried not far beneath the surface.

"Friends." Uther's voice broke into Merlin's thoughts and seemed to pound against his already aching skull. "Let us leave this unpleasantness behind us. The night, after all, is still young."

He turned to Morgana, who offered her hand delicately and allowed herself to be led back to her seat at the head table. Merlin found himself watching Arthur from behind, waiting for him to follow this father and Morgana, but he appeared rooted to the spot. Then, without warning, he turned and began to walk from the Hall.

"Arthur?"

Uther's call was sharp, a warning not to be ignored. But ignore it Arthur did and seconds later he was gone. With an awkward look around the room at all the intrigued and watchful faces, Merlin turned tail and scurried after his master.


Merlin winced in anticipation as Arthur swept the tray of goblets from his table with one movement of his arm, but it didn't lessen the harshness of the noise as they hit the wall and then clattered to the floor.

"Why would he do that?"

Arthur's tone demanded an answer but Merlin wasn't sure he had one. Not one the prince was going to want to hear.

"I don't know. Maybe...maybe it wasn't him."

"Then how did the necklace come to be secreted about his person?" Arthur threw back. "And how was it that Guinevere named him as the one who attacked her?"

Merlin shook his head helplessly. "But it seems so unlike him, Arthur. Maybe there is more to it than we know?" He thought of Morgana's composed features throughout the events, unflinching even when all about her were gasping with surprise. "Maybe there is magic behind it?" he suggested, cautiously.

Arthur snorted. "Magic? Careful, Merlin, you're sounding as paranoid as my father. No. There can be nothing more behind it than a lack of honour... and some spectacularly poor judgement on my part." Arthur leaned against the table and pinched the bridge of his nose. "The whole Kingdom must think me a fool."

"No one thinks that of you, Arthur. You can't keep thinking like this. I know this betrayal of your trust hurts, but he is only one man."

The laugh that escaped Arthur's lips was bitter. "Would that he was," he muttered, as he sank down into the chair at the head of his table, his arms lying limply on the rests. He looked the picture of utter dejection.

Merlin couldn't help himself. Regardless of the propriety of it, he pulled out the next chair, sat himself down and leaned forward to put his face in Arthur's line of sight. "What's going on, Arthur? You were your usual supercilious, dollop-head self when I left, and now you're all sullen and moody, there's obviously something going on between you and your father, and, frankly, you look like hell. Are you unwell? Have you seen Gaius?"

"There's nothing Gaius could do to help," Arthur said softly, his eyes blank and unfocussed. "I can't rest. I lie down to sleep but I wake up so...angry. I can't get past this."

"What?" Merlin asked, in a tone as low as Arthur's.

"The lies," he answered, flicking his eyes to meet Merlin's, the words falling from his tongue agonisingly slowly. "I know there have been secrets being kept from me. And now I know the truth. And the truth changes everything."

Merlin felt his blood turn cold as Arthur's gaze bore into him. He hadn't seen this coming. He wasn't ready for this. "It doesn't have to," he offered weakly.

"Of course it does!" Arthur protested, life suddenly flooding back into his features so that he looked almost unnaturally alert. "I don't want it to, but it does! If someone keeps such an important truth from you, hides part of themselves, how do you look them in the eye once you know?"

Arthur stood up abruptly and Merlin shot to his feet in turn.

"It doesn't have to change anything, Arthur," he insisted, desperation and fear rising inside him in equal parts.

But Arthur had turned his back on him and was walking off across the room. "And as angry as it makes me, knowing how things really are, the thing that I can't get out of my mind is 'why keep it from me?' Was it sheer cowardice or was I not to be trusted?"

"Arthur." Merlin was beginning to panic in the face of the rage that seemed to be rising in his master. He desperately wanted the chance to explain himself but the words were too hard to find and Arthur didn't seem to want to hear them anyway.

"But then I watched him," Arthur continued. "I watched him take her by the hand and go back to their meal as if nothing had happened, as if Sir Cenwig's disgrace didn't matter, as if that betrayal didn't hurt him." Arthur's voice was rising, his fury evident in every word, and Merlin watched on in utter confusion. "And I realised, betrayal is part of who he is. Betrayal is something he lives with everyday so that he can remain the perfect king. The great, untouchable King Uther. He who judges all around him but hides his mistakes so that he can never be held to account. What kind of man does this?"

"I don't understand," Merlin murmured truthfully, as Arthur turned to look at him once again.

"My father," Arthur spat, each word careful and calculated, "is Morgana's father."

Merlin's mouth fell open as his mind worked to clear the confusion that was clouding his thinking. This wasn't about him. Relief pounded through him.

"How do you know this?" he asked, breathless.

"I just know," Arthur responded, his voice cold and hard. "I woke up one night and I knew the truth. Every night I become surer. Every night the veil is lifted further from my eyes."

The relief that had flooded through every part of Merlin's body a moment before disappeared. What Arthur was saying felt strange and dangerous. His face looked so unfamiliar and the energy flowing from his was vibrant and enraged.

"So, you haven't spoken about this with your father or Morgana?" he asked, cautiously.

"No," Arthur allowed. "No, but I should. I should now."

"Arthur, that's not what I meant!" Merlin exclaimed.

But the prince had taken hold of the idea and to Merlin's horror he began to walk purposefully towards the door. Merlin dashed to his side and laid a restraining hand on his chest.

"Talk to him, Arthur, but not now. The feast is still going on. You don't want to do this in front of all those people." He tried to smile, tried to make the gasp of laughter that he forced out sound natural and calming.

"Get your hand off me, Merlin."

"Maybe you could see him tonight, once the feast..."

"Get your hand off me!"

Arthur's roar and the fury in his face convinced Merlin to let go but as he attempted to step back to put some space between them he realised something was holding him in place. A wave of energy swept up Merlin's body, hot and fierce, and settled around his throat where is started to squeeze like a pair of invisible hands, choking the breath out of him and lifting him, helpless, high off the ground.

Merlin's eyes bulged in shock and, as he looked desperately to Arthur, the only things he could see were the prince's eyes, fixed on him, and dancing with golden light.