King Arthur and his Queen are having supper. They sit at a table in their chambers. Merlin serves his king and refills his goblet with wine. It is silently in that room. That normally so relaxing and laughing trio don't know how to handle the situation. Gwen takes heart, as she looks up to Merlin to ask: "Merlin, you have been in the dungeon? Haven't you? How is the old man?" Arthur stops breathing, carefully he looks up to his friend. Merlin puts down his jar, he doesn't know what to answer. He wispers: "Yes, I've brought him some food and water." This is the moment when Arthur lays down his fork back on his plate. He has lost every appetite. Merlin looks down to him: "Doesn't taste your evening meal today MyLord?" Angrily Arthur stands up, he shouts: "Merlin, damned!" Gwen tries to calm down the situation: "Please Arthur.. please sit down." She looks up to Merlin: "Merlin your soup was lovely. As always. Would you clear the table, please?" Merlin nods, as he puts all plates together, a lonely single tear drops down on the highest plate.
Both Arthur and Gwen have noticed that. It is Gwen again, who takes the word: "Merlin, why don't you go home for today. Have an early night. We'll manage. Get some rest." The young sorcerer nods, puts down the plates, turns arround and leaves the room. Leaving, he dries his face with his shirt. As the door closes, Arthur takes a deep breath, he looks up to Gwen: "Thank you. I don't know, how to handle. I don't know, what to do." His Queen stands up and walks arround the table. She stands behind her husband and puts her arms arround him: "Arhur, I'm sure, you'll make the right decision." Arthur looks up into her eyes: "This is so complicated. He is my most loyal friend. I don't want to loose him. But I can't ignore the laws. They are clearly. Magic, not used to defend, isn't allowed. The old man knew." He closes his eyes. Gwen strokes over his head: "Arthur, you have to do what you think is right. Merlin will accept it, whatever you decide. I'm pretty sure." Arthur shakes his head: "Maybe, but it will always stand between us." Gwen walks back to her place: "And if you think about an alternative? If you don't execute this sorcerer? You are the king, you changed the laws once. You could do it again." King Arthur opens his eyes again: "Don't you think that I already thought about that? But it isn't that easy. You know that. To change the laws again, I need the support of the people and the council of Camelot. And if it is about magic, I don't get it."
Gwen smiles: "But you have some more time. As a wise king you decided to have this trial in two days. In between talk to your knights, talk with the council. You have time. And if you make a decision, be sure with it. Whatever you decide, you have to be sure. Only then, you will be able to look into your own and your friend's eyes." She smiles. And for the first time, after the old sorcerer was brought into the council chamber, Arthur smiles.