And it starts again…

Arthur POV

It is a knocking that wakes me. "Enter," I yell. As I haven't opened my eyes yet, I hear Merlin come in and place a jug and my breakfast on the table. Wait…Merlin never knocks. I sit up quickly and open my eyes. I look at the servant in my room, it isn't my Merlin. As the servant goes to open my drapes and windows, I open my mouth and quickly close it as more light enters from the windows. These are not my rooms, at least not since I was prince. That is when it hits me…I died!

Memories come back quickly: Morgana a sorceress; Mordred; the battle of Camlan; Freya; Merlin, a warlock; all that Merlin told me, everything he has done for me, our friends, and everything he's lost, my injuries, my death and the choice I made to return and hopefully change things, admitting my love to both myself and to Merlin. Now, thanks to Freya, I have been given a chance to change everything for the better and to hopefully show my love and support for Merlin each and every day.

"…do, Sire?" I hear the servant ask with his eyes downward. Merlin would be looking up if not sneaking some of my food, I think fondly. That's when I realize that I haven't heard a word. Hell, I don't even know the man's name; if I'm being honest with myself, the longest I ever had a manservant last was a week or two before Merlin. Merlin who I had fired and rehired more times then I can count because I knew I could never be apart from him for long.

"Excuse me. What did you say?" I ask. As the man looks at me, I remember I have to act more like the prat that Merlin calls me, at least for now, as to not make people suspicious or think I am enchanted.

"Your breakfast is on the table; as well as some documents that the King would like you to go over. You have training with the knights this morning and the King requests your company during the midday meal." (I snort. Requests more like demands, I think.) "I will layout your clothing and armour or when you are ready for them and your sword has been sharpened. Is there anything else you require me to do, Sire?"

"Yes, clean my rooms, take my dogs for a walk, and have my horse ready for after my meal with …my father. I feel like a ride," my voice catching briefly on the word father. My father…how do I feel and what do about him? I do love him, after all he was, no is, my father; however, now I know so much more about him and why he behaves the way he does. He has done some much against magic and magic users. Hell, he'd kill Merlin given half the chance and has tried a couple of the times in the past (or well future). Can I forgive him and how? Maybe I can change his mind some how? All I know now is that I understand that it isn't magic that is evil or good; it is the person who uses it.

The one thing I know for sure is that magic isn't what corrupts a person; after all Merlin was born with his and he only used his powers for good. Most magic users probably, certainly only attacked Camelot because the King was killing them and for the most part for no reason. Actually, it was an evil cycle…His father turned against magic (even though it helped to create me) when my mother died. He started the Purge in his grief, killing anyone with or anyone even associated with magic. Then the magic users attacked Camelot and Uther again just ups his attacks and murders more of them.

"Really this cycle must come to an end. There must be some way to stop it from continuing. I just need time to think about my options," Arthur thinks to himself.

"Actually, Sire," the servant is saying, "you are to attend the execution with the King this afternoon."

"Yes, of course." Arthur agrees. "Remind me again, what were the charges?"

"Sorcery, Sire."

"Yes, yes. But what did the sorcerer do with magic?"

"I don't…I don't know, Sire."

I decided to leave it for now. As I eat the food the servant brought me, I look over the documents from my father. The servant (I really need to stop calling him by this job and learn his name) cleans and then helps me into my clothing and armour. It's obvious that Michael (Merlin would be so proud of me and the fact that I asked the servant what his name is) hasn't done it before as it isn't fastened correctly. He tries twice more before I have had enough.

"Never mind, someone else can help me with it. Just do the chores that I assigned you earlier. Now, leave me," I tell Michael.

"Yes, Sire," Michael says bowing as he leaves my rooms. I take a deep breathe before following him out.

Out in the corridor, I literally have a run in with Morgana. I am torn between wanting my sister back and knowing what she had turned into. I am hoping that this time around Merlin and I can help her in so many different ways. However, out of reaction, my hand goes to the hilt of my sword before I can stop myself.

Morgana, of course, notices this and arches her eyebrow and then smirks.

"Really, Arthur, what are you planning to do? Run my through?" She laughs.

I have to remind myself that she hasn't done anything wrong and that maybe, hopefully, I can change her future so that she doesn't feel the need to repeat the destruction she had before. I move my hand way quickly.

With a forced smile, I tell her, "No, of course not. My servant just didn't put my armour on correctly and everything just feels wrong."

Morgana tilts her head as she regards what I've said. "Oh here comes Gwen. She might be able to help you out with that."

Sure enough Guinevere is walking towards us. For a moment, I feel guilty because here is my wife and I am in love with Merlin. Then I remember that I have nothing to feel guilty about. This path is different than the first time around, I am not married nor do I plan on marrying her.

"Gwen, dear," Morgana starts, "could you help Arthur out with fastening his armour correctly?"

"Yes, My Lady."

"Morgana, are you attending the execution this afternoon with…Father and I?" I ask her while Guinevere quickly fixes Michael's errors.

"No, I am not. I think the practice is horrid. Supposedly, all the man did was use a little magic to help some crops grow. Really, how is that a threat to Camelot, I ask you?" She looks at me as though she expects me to side with Uther, which in the past I would have done without thinking, I realize. Now at least I know what the poor man is accused of, I have to agree with Morgana. Guinevere is finished and curtseys before stepping back, keeping her eyes lowered.

"I have training with the knights right now. However, let's speak to…Father at mid-meal and see if we can change his mind," I tell Morgana. "Oh…Guinevere, thank you for the assistance with my armour."

General POV

As Arthur turns and heads to the lists, he misses the twin looks of surprise on the faces of Morgana and Guinevere. He has a lot of thinking to do. Though his main thought is when will he meet Merlin again. He really hopes it's soon.