I wanted to start proofreading a little bit sooner but my brother and his girlfriend went to visit and we talked for at least four hours, and they told us they were finally getting married yay! :D Anyway, have you seen the new episode of Supernatural? I wrote a coda for it, it's chapter 4 of my fanfic called "The Family Business", so check it out if you want ;) I hope you'll like the chapter!

CHAPTER 4
Stubborn Father


"Seize him!"

The words rang in Arthur's head like the warning bell. Loud and clear and still he refused to believe them. But they were real. And they were coming from his father's mouth. Because it was happening. His worst nightmare was coming true – Uther knew about Merlin's magic now. He couldn't even imagine what Gaius' face would look like once he found out.

But he couldn't let that happen, he couldn't. He'd lose everything. And his father looked as if he wanted to run Merlin through right there. He probably thought Merlin was behind the attack and believed the dragons would stop once Merlin was dead.

That could not happen.

"No!" Arthur screamed, completely forgetting about the dragons behind him. Some of his knights luckily took care of that as Arthur ran to Merlin and stepped in front of him with his sword pointing at his father's knights.

"Arthur, step away!" Uther hissed through his gritted teeth. "We must execute him while we still can and the dragons will disappear!"

"No! You can't do that!" Arthur yelled at his father. Uther seemed taken aback, but Arthur didn't care. "He's not behind the attack! He is possibly the only person alive that can stop the dragons and the army! He can help Camelot!"

"Nonsense!" Uther yelled and stepped closer, but Arthur pointed his sword at him to show him he's serious.

"Father, Merlin is on our side." Arthur tried. A loud crash sounded from the back of the courtyard, but they all ignored it. Arthur's knights were running there anyway and Merlin's safety was far more important now. "He's been helping us win wars and he's been saving me ever since the first day he came to Camelot! You cannot kill him! If you do, then Camelot is lost and the dragons destroy the castle!"

"He must have enchanted you." Uther reasoned and Arthur couldn't help but roll his eyes. It was always an enchantment if Arthur disagreed with him, wasn't it?

Uther looked behind Arthur at Merlin. The boy looked hopeless and scared to death. He truly was a great actor, Uther thought. He's fooled them all.

"I am not enchanted!" Arthur yelled back.

A growl of the dragon silenced Uther and he looked up to see that the dragons were leaving. They were really leaving, flying away from Camelot until they disappeared in the distance, in the dark night sky.

Uther turned back to his son and his manservant. The danger was over, but the boy was still a sorcerer and he was guilty. And his son was as well. "Guards, seize them both and put them in the dungeons." He ordered.

Arthur seemed a bit relieved that Uther didn't want to kill Merlin right then, but he still tried to fight back against the strong arms of his knights.

"The execution of the servant will be held tomorrow morning." Uther announced and started walking away, back into the castle.

He ignored Arthur's cries as he called, "No! Father, you can't do that! He's not evil!" Arthur didn't care how many people saw him grasping his servant's hands desperately, trying to protect him, defend him.

Uther turned around one more time. "Once he's dead, the enchantment will break and you will see I was right." With that, he entered the castle and left Arthur and Merlin behind.

The guards took away Arthur's sword and took him and Merlin by their shoulders and wrists, leading them down to the dark stinky dungeon.

The nightmare came true.

xoXÖXox

And the nightmare continued.

An hour later, they were both still in the dungeon. Uther had placed them in two different cells to avoid any conversation, but Merlin wouldn't be Merlin if he wouldn't try anything stupid, would he? And that's why he spent the last hour, silently and secretly (and carefully) using his magic, to make a hole into the wall of his cell. Arthur must have been on the other side.

Approaching footsteps signalling that someone was coming to him, made him stop though. He quickly covered the hole by pressing his back against it and sat down to the ground. He pulled his knees up to his chin and hugged them to look hopeless (and yes, that was exactly his position the first few minutes he spent in the cell).

Then a guard walked by to look at him. It was a man probably in his 50s, with a brown beard and hair and eyes. Eyes that were filled with hatred, directed at Merlin. It made Merlin sad when he realized Uther managed to change minds of so many people. Some of them hated magic just as much as he did even though they didn't really have a reason to.

The man spat through the bars at the ground and walked away.

When Merlin was sure he was gone, he quickly turned around and continued in his work. He didn't care the man hated his gift, hated him, all he cared about was getting to Arthur and talking to him. He needed to hear his voice.

A few minutes of concentrated digging later, Merlin managed to make a finger-sized hole into the wall. He put his finger in it and it went through. A big smile appeared on his face and he sped up the process to make the hole bigger.

Another couple of spells later, there was a hole big enough for his fist to get through. Merlin laid down to the hay on the cold stone ground and looked through the hole. And he saw him. He saw Arthur.

His prince was sitting on the ground, leaning against the opposite wall and his head was in his hands. He looked... just as hopeless as Merlin did. It was breaking Merlin's heart to see him like that. He shouldn't have been so reckless, so careless. He wanted to save Arthur, but he should have been more careful, should have made sure Uther couldn't see him.

"Arthur?" Merlin whispered. He frowned when Arthur didn't even notice him. Seriously, was he asleep or what? "Arthur!" Merlin tried a little bit louder. Then he remembered he had magic, so he reached out his hand and directed it at Arthur. "Blostma," he whispered.

Arthur suddenly jerked his head and put his hands away from his face. The red rose that had materialised in his palms fell to the ground and as Arthur looked at it, he smiled. A similar smile appeared on Merlin's face – he didn't forget. Arthur remembered the first spell he ever taught him.

Then Arthur looked up and his smile turned into a grin. He immediately got up and with a quick glance to the bars to check if the guards weren't there and watching them, he moved to the hole in the wall and put his fingers through it. Merlin smiled and touched Arthur's fingers with his own.

With their fingers still touching, they looked through the hole. "Hi," Merlin said. What a stupid start of their conversation, but hey, they haven't seen each other in more than an hour! That was a long time. Especially because of what happened in the courtyard.

"Merlin!" Arthur smiled. "How the hell did you do this?" He asked, gesturing to the hole in the wall.

"I have magic, you clotpole." Merlin rolled his eyes affectionately. "It took me almost an hour."

"How come I didn't notice?" Arthur laughed silently, glancing back at the bars.

"You often don't notice things that are literally right in front of you." Merlin replied, laughing himself.

Arthur just rolled his eyes, but didn't continue in their usual banter. Instead, he grew serious. "He can't execute you. I won't let him."

Knowing well that Arthur meant his father, Merlin looked down and sighed. "There is nothing you can do, Arthur." When Arthur wanted to protest, Merlin squeezed his fingers and continued. "But I agree, I can't die if there's danger coming to Camelot. That's why... that's why I want to run away and meet Kilgharrah. He has to know something about this."

"Is that your dragon friend? The one that attacked Camelot a year ago?"

"Yeah, but he wasn't attacking this time. That's how I know I can ask him about it." Merlin said. He wished Arthur could go with him, but if he did, Uther would still think his son was enchanted and he'd hunt them down, killing Merlin and 'freeing' Arthur from the spell. If Merlin ran away alone though, Arthur could pretend he wasn't enchanted anymore and Uther would hopefully believe him because Merlin wouldn't be there.

But either way... it was over. Between them. Which made Merlin feel miserable. It was over because there was only one option for him. Run away, stop Morgana and Morgause and then continue running and never return to Camelot, hoping Uther wouldn't try to find him. Or Arthur would go with him and they'd run away together, but would have no life – Uther would always, always find his way back to them. And Arthur wouldn't have a chance to become a king if he wasn't in Camelot.

No, Merlin had to go alone.

"Great, I've wanted to meet him ever since you said he wasn't actually dead." Arthur lied because hello, he was trying to kill that dragon when he attacked Camelot and he was sure Kilgharrah didn't forget that.

His reply made Merlin pause though and look at Arthur with a sad expression. "You're not coming with me." Merlin told him softly, as if trying not to break him, but also trying to sound that he had already decided that. "I dug the hole to... to say goodbye."

"No way, Merlin," Arthur grabbed Merlin's fingers, trying to keep him there as long as he could. "I'm still your prince and you're my servant, and I might be dating you, but you still have to obey my orders. And this is an order – I am coming with you. Like it or not."

The look in his eyes when Merlin looked through the hole was stern, but also afraid and desperate. He hated it that Arthur could make him do absolutely anything only by making a face Merlin couldn't resist. And Merlin couldn't resist any Arthur's face. Especially when it looked like this.

He sighed and closed his eyes briefly. Arthur felt Merlin's breath on his fingers and he shivered. He knew he couldn't make Merlin do what he wanted, but he really hoped Merlin didn't actually want to leave him.

"Alright." Merlin whispered.

As soon as the words left his lips, Arthur tugged at Merlin's fingers, pulling them closer through the hole and he kissed them.

"I'd kiss you if I could right now."

"And I'd kiss you right back." Merlin smiled with tears in eyes.

Arthur grinned and loved that Merlin blushed. At least the part of Merlin's face that he could see through the hole was blushing. He leaned a little down to see Merlin better and smiled up at him. "Okay and now break us out of here, we have to get out of Camelot and meet your friendly dragon."

Merlin nodded and squeezed Arthur's fingers one more time, giving them a little kiss and then letting go. Arthur's eyes saddened at the lost connection, but the thought of holding Merlin in his arms in the near future made him happier.

He went back to the opposite wall and leaned against it, still standing. He heard footsteps again and saw a guard slowly coming his way. He was young and looked curious. He didn't stop at Arthur's cell though, he turned to look at Merlin. He probably only wanted to see an actual sorcerer.

After a few moments he was gone, and Arthur heard Merlin whispering something. He was definitely using magic to get them out of their cells. He heard the lock click and the silent creak of the bars, and when Merlin's face peeked at him through the bars of his cell, he grinned. Merlin worked quickly. He pressed his hand on the lock and said a spell under his breath. His eyes flashed gold – Arthur always loved this part even though it often gave him shivers to see how powerful his idiotic boyfriend could be – and the lock clicked, setting Arthur free.

As soon as the spell was done, Arthur opened his cell and pulled Merlin in for a hug. "I'm not mad at you or anything, but just be more careful next time." He mumbled into Merlin's hair. Merlin laughed quietly, but then he tensed.

"I don't think there will be a next time. Everyone knows I have magic now." Merlin pulled away to look into Arthur's eyes. Arthur looked right back, wishing he could delete the last three hours and instead spend it with Merlin, safe in his chambers, lost and buried under his – their – blankets.

"I'll protect you." He said and Merlin nodded. "Now let's go."

Merlin nodded again and grabbed Arthur's hand.

"Wait." Arthur stopped him. Merlin looked at him questioningly and Arthur's eyes narrowed. "Where's the sword I gave you?" He asked.

Merlin rolled his eyes. "We're literally in the middle of running away from your father's prison and you're worried about your sword?" He asked disbelievingly.

"I liked that sword!" Arthur argued quietly. "I've had it for at least four yea-" He didn't get to finish his sentence because Merlin started dragging him away from the cells. He didn't say he probably left the sword in the forest, it really wasn't important now. And he was glad Arthur shut up.

They began walking away, as fast as they could, right until they reached the guards near the staircase. Merlin used one of his magic tricks that he had used before and when the knights were gone (chasing dice again), they ran up the stairs, hand in hand.

"Arthur," Merlin whispered and continued without waiting for Arthur's response. "There's something I should tell you... I can't control the dragons."

"I think I've realized that by now." Arthur told him in hushed voice as they were half running, half walking through Camelot. "Why?" He added, turning to Merlin when they hid behind a corner where no one could see them.

"They said I can't control them because they're already dead." Merlin shrugged. "Someone must have revived them."

Arthur opened his mouth to reply, but the sound of someone approaching them stopped him. They hid and waited until the person walked away, and without continuing in their conversation, they started running away again.

Merlin considered going to Gaius's chambers and telling him everything that happened, but he knew Gaius must have heard about it. The attack might have been short, but Gaius (and Gwen probably) were surely taking care of injured knights and citizens. And in the morning, Gaius would hear that the sorcerer had escaped with Arthur.

Or not? Merlin thought because when they reached the courtyard (that was empty because people feared to go outside and it was already late at night), they turned a corner to hide behind the pillars and saw... Uther.

xoXÖXox

As soon as Morgause finished talking in dragon tongue, Morgana turned to her, her eyes full of anger and confusion. "Why did you call the dragons back?" She asked. "Camelot isn't destroyed yet, Arthur and Uther surely aren't dead, we have to let the dragons finish what they started!"

"No, we're not going to do that." Morgause told her as she took a piece of cloth and wiped the blood off the dagger. "This wasn't meant to destroy Camelot or kill the king and prince, this was just to show Camelot what is about to come."

"I don't understand, I want them dead!" Morgana exclaimed.

Morgause stopped what she was doing and looked at her sister. She stepped closer and put a hand on her shoulder to calm her down. "We can't destroy them right away, sister." She said. "That way Camelot would already be destroyed by the time Cendred's army reaches the gates. We're going to let the dragons attack again tomorrow so they scare the people, burn the villages and kill Arthur," she paused and a pleased smile appeared on her lips, "and then once Cenred's army takes over Camelot, you can kill Uther yourself."

Morgana smirked slightly and nodded.

Morgause continued. "You wouldn't want the castle to be in ruins before you take the throne. You'd have no kingdom to rule then."

"You're right." Morgana smiled and sighed. "But the attack tomorrow will have to last a bit longer, that's what the dragons are here for."

Morgause nodded. "And that's what the dagger is here for." She smirked as she looked at the dagger and placed it back on the altar.

The bloodguards had already removed the dead body of the girl. They didn't need it anymore. As long as they were in possession of the dragon dagger, they didn't have to worry about anything. The dragons had to obey them.

A few minutes later, all of their dragons arrived and landed down on the ground and some into the water. Morgana and Morgause looked up at them in awe and smiled. "Go and hunt, my friends!" Morgause talked to them. "Hunt and scare the kingdom!"

The dragons nodded and spread their wings, flying away again. Morgana with Morgause smirked as they watched their disappearing silhouettes in the starry night sky. Then they turned around and headed to bed. It was very late after all.

In the morning Morgause would join the army that was already marching to Camelot and leave the dagger with Morgana. Her sister was strong enough to wield it, both because she got stronger and because her magic was a part of the ritual.

But there was a lot of time before the morning would come. And no army ever won a battle without a good night's sleep.

xoXÖXox

Merlin softly tugged at Arthur's sleeve, making him stop. The prince hasn't noticed his father yet, but once he stopped, Uther noticed them. Merlin's eyes widened and when Arthur saw his expression, he realized something was wrong. He turned around and saw his father, running towards them.

"No!" Arthur yelled at him once he was close enough and it was clear he was going for Merlin. "No, you won't hurt him, father!" He said.

"Break the enchantment!" Uther hissed at Merlin, who unconsciously hid behind Arthur. Or was it Arthur's hand that shoved him backwards to protect him?

"There's no enchantment!" Merlin and Arthur said in unison.

Uther's eyes were full of rage as he tried to unsheathe his sword. Arthur blocked him and used Uther's sword to point at him. Thank god there weren't any guards around.

"Father," Arthur began and then paused. He had no clue how to begin, but he knew the conversation had to happen. This was the moment he'd tell his father about his relationship with Merlin and try to persuade him to let them go.

Before Arthur thought of what to say, Uther cut him off, pointing at Merlin. "Arthur, he's a sorcerer! You're not thinking clearly, we have to kill him!"

"No!" Arthur tightened his grip on the hilt of the sword to remind Uther that he was the one with power now. "I'm sorry father, but I can't do that. Merlin's also my friend and I couldn't bear to lose him." He turned to Merlin (did he have tears in eyes?) and took his hand, slowly entwining their fingers. Then he turned back to face his father, whose eyes widened as he looked at his son's and the sorcerer's joined hands.

"Arthur, you can't-"

"I can." Arthur interrupted him. "I can and I will love Merlin till the day I die." A little smile crossed his face and he turned to Merlin, who was smiling back. "Ever since you sent us to that village to kill the beast... Merlin and I... we grew closer." Arthur explained to Uther.

"Have you lost your mind?" Uther told Arthur and then he turned to poor Merlin. "Is this another enchantment? Break it, sorcerer!"

Merlin visibly winced and tightened his hold on Arthur's hand. Arthur noticed that and frowned at his father. "Father, what I said earlier wasn't a lie. Merlin is the only one who can stop the dragons and save Camelot, but he will need help. And I can help him. We'll save Camelot, you'll see." Arthur said.

"What I want to see is your execution!" Uther turned to Merlin.

"Father, stop!" Arthur frowned again. "I love Merlin, and Merlin loves me and he's also the last Dragonlord." When Uther's eyes widened, Arthur squeezed Merlin's hand and explained. "He's the one who saved Camelot when the great dragon attacked. It was never me. Balinor was Merlin's father, that's how he became a Dragonlord."

Uther didn't seem to believe any of it, but he remained silent and let Arthur continue.

"There's a prophecy." Arthur began. Merlin closed his eyes briefly. He couldn't believe Arthur was about to tell Uther everything. "And in that prophecy, there is a king and a sorcerer, working together. The king is called the Once and Future King and the sorcerer's name is Emrys. He is the most powerful sorcerer ever to walk the Earth, and they work together to unite the five kingdoms and create a land called Albion. A land where is peace and magic."

"Why would I care abou-"

"It's us, father." Arthur finished, looking at him. "Merlin is Emrys, and I'm the Once and Future King."

"Arthur," Merlin whispered, but Arthur ignored him. He had to tell this to his father. Uther had to know how wrong he was about magic.

"And like it or not, we're going to fulfil our destinies because you were wrong and we are right. You were wrong about magic, it's not always evil. It's only a power. Merlin isn't evil and he's probably the only sorcerer on our side right now, so if you kill him, you'll kill us too."

"Arthur, you can't possibly believe this nonsense!" Uther asked, now sincerely believing his son had gone insane. There was more confusion in his voice than anger, but Merlin was sure he still wanted to kill him.

"I do, father. Merlin isn't evil." Arthur paused and then looked at Merlin. "He's the love of my life."

Merlin gasped softly and squeezed Arthur's hand, stepping forward. Then he looked at Uther. "I have never used magic on Arthur, my lord." He said. "And I never intend to, unless it's in his own benefit. I love your son and I'll never hurt him."

Uther had no idea what to do anymore. He slowly stepped closer to them and opened his mouth to call the guards, but Arthur stopped him one more time.

"You can't stop us." He said as he lowered Uther's sword and put it in his own sheath in his belt. He was going to need it much more in the next few days after all. "We're leaving right now and we're going to stop the dragons. For some reason they are alive again and Merlin can't control them even though he should be able to. Cenred's army isn't that big and Camelot can fight it and win, but the knights will need strength and they won't have it if the dragons keep attacking. So we'll go and take care of that and then we'll return." Arthur promised. "I hope you'll change your mind until then."

Arthur looked at Merlin and nodded. They turned around and started walking towards the gate, and to their confusion, Uther didn't call the guards. They didn't dare to turn around though.

xoXÖXox

Morgause and Morgana were walking down the corridor of their castle, side by side, ready to go to sleep. They shared a room because when Morgana first arrived there and spent a year with her sister, she still used to have nightmares from time to time that even the healing bracelet couldn't stop. And Morgause always helped her with them, more than Gaius ever could.

"Sister, there is something I should mention." Morgause suddenly said. Morgana nodded and briefly looked out of the window they were passing by. It was already dark out there and she could hear the crickets.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Do you remember how you told me that your maid, the girl..."

"Gwen."

"Yes. You told me she saw Arthur with another." Morgause finished her question.

"Yes, she told me that. Do you know more?" Morgana stopped walking and turned to her sister. If the girl wasn't a maid, then they had a problem. Even if she was another maid they sort of had a problem because if Arthur was truly in love with her, he would want to marry her and she would become the queen instead of Morgana. "Have you seen them?" She frowned.

"Yes, but..." Morgause paused. "It wasn't any girl." When Morgana didn't say anything and just stared at her, waiting for an explanation, Morgause added, "it's the boy. Merlin."

"What!?" Morgana gasped. "Surely you must be mistaken, sister..."

"When I went to take Merlin's blood, I saw them together." Morgause explained. "But if you're sure other princes normally kiss their manservants and put flowers in their hair then sure."

Morgana didn't know what to say. She opened and closed her mouth and then nudged Morgause to start moving again. "I'm sorry I doubted you." She stuttered then and before Morgause could reply, Morgana turned to her and grasped her forearm. "But that is great news! No king can ever have his serving boy as a partner or a consort, especially not on the throne with him. There can never be two kings instead of a king and a queen, that makes no sense!"

Morgause smiled. "Then all we need to do is take Camelot and make you a queen."

Morgana smiled back and nodded. "And that won't be a problem with our new friends." She looked behind Morgause into another window until the high priestess turned around and they looked out of that window together.

There were the dragons, relaxing on the broken courtyard and around the castle in the water. Some of them were still flying around the kingdom, but most of them had already returned. A good thing about having a pet that's already been dead and then brought back to life is that you don't have to feed it and it doesn't have to sleep.

But Camelot knights need at least a few hours a day to sleep. That was their disadvantage in the great war that was coming.

TBC

A fun fact: my brother was born only three days later than Colin Morgan, like literally the same month and year, they're the same age! :D I hope you liked the chapter and that you're looking forward to the next one! Definitely let me know what you think, I love to read your reviews! ;)