Chapter 4

(The next week Gwen is standing outside the door to the council chambers, trying to calm herself as she is very nervous, then Merlin comes up to her)

Merlin: Looking nervous there Gwen

Gwen: I have been apprehensive about this day ever since I became become just a few short weeks ago.

Merlin: Imagine how I feel, I've only had 6 days to prepare myself for today.

Gwen: I'm glad that this is a first time for both of us, we can help each other through it can't we?

Merlin: Sure

(Arthur comes down the stairs)

Arthur: Gwen, Merlin are you ready?

Gwen: As I'll ever be.

Arthur: Great, let's do this.

(Arthur and Gwen walk into the room, and see all the knights plus Gaius standing in front of their seats at the round table, Merlin follows them in and all three take their seats, everyone takes their seats apart from Arthur)

Arthur: Before we get down to business let me just ask that we take it easy on Queen Guinevere and Sir Merlin; it is their first time in a council meeting.

(All the knights nod in approval)

Arthur: All right then let's get down to business shall we, Sir Leon, I believe you have something to report.

(Arthur sits down)

Leon: Thank you Sire, I have disturbing news, word of the witch Morgana is spreading throughout many of the outlying villages. Many people report to have seen her, so I cannot tell which is true.

Gwaine: If any of them are true it just goes to show that she or Mordred are not daring to show their faces near the city.

Arthur: That's possible, but this is Morgana we're talking about.

Merlin: Sorry to interrupt, but may I but in?

Arthur: Sure

Merlin: Because of the powers Morgana learnt from her sister Morgause which I suppose is also your half sister sire, as well as the magic she has learnt since then Morgana is now technically the last High Priestess of the Old Religion. This means that she is very powerful.

Percival: Is she as powerful as you though Merlin?

Merlin: I'd say we're equal, but on different ends of the scale if you know what I mean.

Elyan: Meaning that she uses dark magic and you use good.

Merlin: Exactly.

Arthur; We should send out small teams of knights to investigate some of these sightings?

Leon: I will arrange it.

Arthur: What else is on the agenda?

Elyan: The taxes on the people must be increased sire; we need to pay for repairs needed to the castle and the city walls as well as materials needed for traders in the market and food and medicine.

Gaius: Which I am running out of by the way.

Gwen: NO!

Arthur; I'm sorry Guinevere, what do you mean?

Gwen: I mean no more taxes, speaking as someone who was once one of them, and will always feel like one of them, I know how it feels when taxes are increased. Many people can barely cope now, I found it hard and I had a stable job, many of them don't have that, so if the taxes are increased, many people, such as children will be forced to go without food.

Arthur: It is not something I would do out of choice, and believe me, If had another option, I would choose it.

Merlin: I may be able to help, I know some food replication spells, so you can increase the taxes to pay for things that are needed and using magic I can help to feed the people.

Arthur: Seriously, you can do that?

Merlin: Yeah, I've often done it with your food, when I've been hungry.

(There are smirks from the table and 20 minutes later the meeting ends and everyone leaves)

End of Chapter