Author's note:

Hello, guys! Wow, your reviews and responses to this make me really happy, and I'm extremely grateful that you all are enjoying it!

Let me just say something: when I say "many more chapters to come," I mean many. I have about 18 chapters already written, and I'm not very close to resolving everything.

Another thing is how I will upload these chapters: For the longer chapters, I will post once a week (Saturdays, probably). With shorter chapters (Less than 800 words) I will post two a week. Hopefully that makes sense... If not, just kinda check back about once a week, there should be a new chapter.

Thanks for all your support and follows!


Gaius had originally intended to go down to the dungeons to visit Merlin, but once he saw that that he was being followed by the guards, decided to head back to his chambers.

Gwaine needed to talk to Gaius about Merlin. He needed answers about his friend if he was going to defend him. Walking into Gaius' chambers, Gwaine saw Gaius, sitting by an empty bed, with no patient. It was obvious the old man had been crying.

"I'm sorry, if this isn't a good time…" Gwaine felt suddenly self conscious about his barging in unannounced.

"No, no Sir, please, come in, sit down," said Gaius hurriedly, dabbing at his eyes. "I know why you're here. You have questions and a friend facing death." His voice faltered slightly at the last word.

"Yes, I do. I want to do what I can for Merlin, I need to help him out of this. I owe him a lot, you could say," replied Gwaine, thinking of all the trouble he had gotten Merlin into in the past.

"Well, there's quite a lot. What's really important is that the King realizes all that Merlin has done for him and in his name. Magic is not inherently evil, but this seems to have escaped the Pendragon family. It is what the sorcerer or warlock does with his or her magic that determines whether they are 'good' or 'evil.' There is both light and dark magic in everyone; it simply depends on which you act on that determines your status in this world."

"And Merlin has only used his for good?"

"Yes, though I know that he has been sorely tempted by the dark side several times, especially when things look bleak for his future and that of those he loves. And, due to his immense power as a warlock, he is wanted as an asset by those who practice dark magic, though many on that side also want him dead. He has stuck with Arthur for far too long for there to be any real hope of him switching sides. Though Arthur's decision in the next few days could possible change that."

"Do you really think so? You think Merlin would really fight against Camelot?"

Gaius paused. "No," he finally said. "But if Arthur decided to persecute him, he, and anyone else for that matter if they were in his place, would be less inclined to work with Arthur to help him."

"Can you tell me more about Merlin's… gift? Arthur called it a curse, but in a different world I think it's the coolest thing."

Gaius then started on a whole speech that almost sounded rehearsed, about magic, specifically Merlin's magic, his powers, his connections, and his past. Gwaine listened attentively, interrupting only when confused by a term or he needed further explanation.


Mordred had left for the dungeons after the council meeting. He needed to talk to Merlin. Of course, Mordred had been there when Merlin revealed his power and had listened to the whole thing. When Arthur had called for anyone who knew about Merlin's magic, he knew there could be no way of explaining himself out of that without revealing his own secret.

Finally reaching Merlin's cell, he looked in. Merlin was sitting on the ground against the wall, his eyes closed and anxiety written across his face.

"Merlin."

His eyes opened, and he looked blankly at Mordred.

"Hey. What are you doing down here?"

"Just checking in. Are you alright? Well, at least as alright as you can be?"

"Yes, I suppose. The thing I hate about the dungeons most is that there's nothing to do. Usually I'm running around after Arthur, doing all his chores and working for Gaius. But, well… you know." He gestured around the room. "This just gives me too much time to think about what happened and what I could have done better; I've been rerunning all the times I could have said something, all the times when Arthur was definitely open to change that I let pass. I can't believe I've been such an idiot!"

"Why don't you just break out then? I know you can."

Merlin shook his head, "No, I need to know what Arthur's decision is. I need to show him that I will always remain loyal to him." He thought for a moment, "even if he decides to execute me."

"You don't really think that he will?"

"I don't know…" he looked truly lost and desperate.

"Well don't worry. I've been advocating for you. I'm doing everything in my power to persuade the King to spare your life."

Merlin looked surprised at this. "Really? Thank you, Mordred. To be honest, I didn't expect that from you…" he looked at Mordred curiously.

"Of course," said Mordred, looking rather affronted. "Of course I would. We're kin, Merlin, you and I. We share the same gift, the same persecution. I can only imagine what you're going through."

They stood, looking at each other, trying to figure the other out. Finally Mordred took his leave, explaining that he would be missed soon if someone noticed his absence. Merlin was left to his own musings.

Why would Mordred try to help him? Merlin had shown in the past that he was more or less willing to kill Mordred himself. The old words haunted him as he thought back: I shall never forgive this, Emrys. And I shall never forget.