As Arthur suspected, after an hour or so passed in silence, Merlin appeared a tray of food in his hands. He lingered in the door way as though he feared to come too close. He was probably remembering the goblet and wondering what else Arthur might throw at him.

Arthur sighed. " Merlin, you're inexorable." Merlin ventured to come closer, laying the food on a nearby table.

"I thought you might be hungry."

" You're joking?"

"Well, you still have to eat, right?"

Arthur looked at him, desperately trying not to smile.

" Merlin…listen carefully…I want to be alone, with my father."

Merlin nodded. " I'll just leave it here then. In case you change your mind."

Arthur nodded distractedly. " Thank you, Merlin."

"Yes, Sire."

After Merlin left, Arthur stood and stretching his stiff limbs turned to the window. He blinked his eyes in disbelief. There gathered in the court yard were a growing crowd of people holding candles, their eager eyes turned toward the castle. They're saying good bye all ready. Thought Arthur a strange mixture of gratitude and anger filling him. Can they not at least wait until all hope is lost? Or is it.. Arthur turned away from the window and back to his father.

The king lay in a restless sleep. His head tossed on the pillow and a cold sweat covered his face. The bandage on his head was spotted with dried blood. The king muttered in his sleep and Arthur went to him. Gently, Arthur dipped a cloth into the basin of water by the bed and wiped the sweat from his father's face and brow. He rested his hand on the king's forehead and closed his eyes, then he spoke.

"Rest Father, I'm here." He took another deep breath, " We're all here. We'll take care of you."

There was no response from Uther, but he lay still and seemed to sleep more peacefully. Arthur nodded his head and returned to his seat by the bed. In the time that followed all the emotion and stress of the evenings events seemed to settle upon him and soon sleep was upon him.

The stone chamber seemed emmense to him as he surveyed it. He recognized the hanging flags and large table where his father conducted affairs of state. But everything seemed out of proportion, it didn't take him long to realize it was not the setting that had grown bigger, but that he was smaller. He was a boy again, no more than five at most and he was standing before his father, even in dream it was clear to him that he had done something to displease him.

" What is this?" his father's voice was both firm and amused. This was not the first or the last time his son had gotten into trouble. " Arthur…what have you done now?"

The disapproving voice of his tutor spoke somewhere off to the side. " Sire, he's been fighting again."

Arthur could see his father trying to look disapproving, but never the less the obvious laughter showed in his eyes.

"Arthur…must we speak of this again? If you wish to be a knight, you must act like one. You must hold your temper."

Arthur felt shame fill him, but also indignation. " It wasn't my fault! If you'd heard what they said!"

"Who are they?" His father seemed weary and eager to be done with matters. Arthur pursed his lips.

"The other squires…they thought I wasn't listening…but I was! They said things…about you and about…about Mother. "

Uther's smile faded, his head came up. " Leave us." He said to the others and they were left alone. Arthur could feel the hot tears of anger in his eyes.

"Arthur, come here."

Slowly Arthur, looking through the eyes of his younger self approached the throne. His father motioned for him to climb up on the throne beside him. Arthur did as he was told and his father turned to him seriously.

" Who said these things?"

" Cai, Percy and Leon."

" I see…I'll have to speak to their lords about that. What did they say that was so terrible?"

Arthur felt a sudden reluctance fill him. " I don't want to say."

"Tell me, I shan't be hurt."

" They said you aren't the real king. That Morganna isn't my real sister…that you killed the real king."

Arthur saw his father's eyes grow deep and sorrowful. But his voice was calm. " Did they now…those are fierce words…I don't blame you for what you did."

"It isn't true…is it father?"

" It is true that Morganna is not your sister by blood…she was King Gorlois's daughter. But I didn't kill him, he died in battle for this kingdom. I came here to protect your mother and Morganna."

" Are you the real king then?"

Uther chuckled, " Of course! How could the people follow me if I were not? Pay no attention to the words of fools Arthur, they're useless."

" Father….may I ask another question?"

" Of course."

" How did mother die?"

Arthur remembered the last part clearly, even awake he had often recalled it. In the silence after the question Uther dropped his scepter. Arthur felt the same thrill of fear.

"Father, are you allright?"

The king had nodded then, seeming to gather himself. " Your mother died when your lungs had barely begun to cry. She was delicate and it was all too much for her…I…I can't explain. When your older Arthur, you will understand."

Arthur felt the heaviness on his young heart. " I understand….you didn't kill mother. I did."

" Arthur, listen to me…never say that again. You were not to blame."

He felt his father ruff his hair again. " Now go find those other squires and tell them the king says if he catches them being disrespectful again he'll have them switched."

"Yes, father."

Arthur jumped down from the throne and hurried toward the door. But he heard his father's voice behind him.

"Arthur!"

He turned his father's eyes had that soft,sad look he so seldom saw any more. The king seemed to be struggling with his words. " I…that is, you are…" finally the king closed his eyes and spoke. " You're a fine boy Arthur."

Arthur felt his heart swell with pride his lips formed a smile and he turned to go.

"Arthur?"

A gentle shake brought Arthur back to his senses. Shaking himself, he found Gwenivere beside him holding fresh bandages. He sighed slightly, stretching. " I must have dozed off. " his eyes flickered to his father, there was no change. Gwen layed the bandages next to the tray of food Merlin had brought. Then still not turning her voice casual she spoke.

" Arthur, is there a reason Merlin is asleep outside the door?"

"Blast it!"

Gwenivere stifled a laugh, " Leave him, Arthur. He's worried for you." She moved closer to him, her voice deeper with emotion, " We all are."

" I'm not the one to worry about. I'm fine. Where is Gaius?"

Gwenivere turned back to the bandages, " One of the knights fell off his horse…it couldn't be helped."

Arthur gritted his teeth. " Of course…life does go on." Arthur turned to the window again, just as Gwen drew the curtains.

"Don't look at that. It won't do anyone any good."

Arthur sighed, " It's too late, I know they're there now. I can feel their eyes..waiting."

" They don't know anything."

"Neither do we. Gwen, I swear I'm going to lose my mind…I keep going over things in my head. What did I do? We've fought a hundred times before and…" Arthur trailed off, " But this time was different wasn't it? I MEANT what I said…every terrible word. I don't now of course, but it's too late for that."

Gwenivere layed a hand on his shoulder, " Don't torture yourself, Arthur. This isn't your fault, it would have happened anyway."

"How can you be so sure of everything? How do you know it wasn't our fight that pushed him over the limit?"

Gwenivere's tone was kind as she gently kneaded his shoulder. " I don't. But I know it won't change anything wondering."

Arthur bowed his head wearily. Gwenivere gave him a fond shove. " Let me watch for a while, you need your rest."

" Not you too."

" You won't do any good to anyone if you're worn out. Go, rest, I promise to send for you if there's any change."

Arthur yawned and ran a hand over his face, reluctantly he rose his eyes drifting to his father. He stepped closer, taking his hand. " I'll be back soon, father..Gwen will take care of you." Then slowly woodenly he turned, but he paused by Gwen.

" If anything at all changes.."

Gwenivere hushed him, " Have I ever let you down before? "

Arthur nodded absently and walked toward the door. Gwen called after him.

"You know I love you?" she asked her eyes earnest. Arthur smiled wanly , " It is the only thing I know sometimes." With that he turned and left his father's chambers.

After nearly tripping over Merlin, Arthur had no choice but to let him follow him to his chambers. Good old loyal Merlin, couldn't he be a bit less loyal tonight? As they entered the chamber, Arthur put things bluntly.

"Go,Merlin."

Merlin looked at him, Arthur could see him wrestling with himself, he turned to go and just as quickly turned back.

"You'll be all right won't you?"

"I am more than capable of taking care of myself, Merlin. Thank you."

" I know…it's just."

Arthur walked to the window and turned his back on Merlin. " I thought I told you to go."

Arthur could hear Merlin making his slow progress toward the door. The sound of the poker in the fire place. The grating sound of bed curtains being drawn. When the pillow fluffing began Arthur spoke again.

"MERLIN!" but suddenly a wave of gratitude stole over him, how many people would take his abuse and still care about him so much. It was something he should be greatful for, it was something he would miss if it were gone. He took a deep breath, " I'm sorry, I…appreciate your concern…but I want to be alone."

" I know. I'm sorry. It's just…I can't help feeling like I should be here. Like..like you might need me…need a friend." Merlin waited abashedly as though expecting a rebuke. Arthur felt his defenses falling and he closed his eyes to prevent his emotions coming to the surface.

"Not now Merlin."

Merlin nodded. " As you wish, sire." Arthur heard the door knob turn and suddenly a strange panic seized him. It was as though once Merlin left he would never return, it was horrifyingly real. Real enough to send Arthur a step forward before he caught himself.

"Merlin!"

Merlin turned, furrowing his brow at him his hand still on the door knob. " What did I do now? Is the door knob just polished?"

Arthur ran a hand over his face, "I am going mad. Merlin…stay…please?"

Merlin smiled, " Took you long enough."

" I hate this…this helplessness. I ..I feel like I'm dying too."

Merlin stood awkwardly, his hand slowly sliding from the door knob. " I wish I had some advice for you. I wish I could take all of this off your shoulders, somehow. " he paused, " But I suppose that just sounds sentimental."

Arthur turned back to the window. " No, Merlin….any other night I'd have told you it was…but not tonight. Tonight, I'll tell you the truth. It's a damn noble thing to say."

Merlin was silent for a few moments. "He's holding his own, maybe…maybe he'll be all right after all."

" We can only, pray."

"You should rest, I think that's best."

"Now you're telling me what's best for me?"

Merlin shook his head, " Who said anything about you? It's best for me! Gwen will kill me if I keep you up."

Arthur shook his head with a smile. " Thank you, Merlin. You can go now."

Merlin nodded and left taking the candle with him. It seemed to Arthur light and warmth followed him, in the dim fire light he lay on his bed and let the images that filled his mind play before his eyes like images on a child's mobile. The King is dying. Long live the King….The father is dying…God help the son.

He closed his eyes against the images and with the warmth of his first tears running down his cheeks he fell into a restless sleep.

The moon light shone through the chamber windows. At her dressing table the lady stood humming softly, turning a small object over and over again in her fingers. The light from the fire made her long, dark locks flare with light. She smiled as her hand drifted to the open book before her, holding the ring close to her lips she whispered to it in a language few in Camelot dared to speak. The language of the druids, the language of magic. The ring shimmered with light then returned to its original form.

With porcelain fingers, the lady lifted a withered rose from her table. Placing the ring on her finger she touched the bloom and immediately it became fresh and full. She then turned to a second blossom beside her, this one full and beautiful. At her touch, it withered until it was just as dry as it's cousin had been. The Lady drew up the corners of the blood red bow of her mouth and spoke to her own reflection in the glass. " Sister." The glass shimmered and in place of the woman's reflection an older, darker face showed. The mirror woman's hair was blond instead of black and her eyes a grey blue, she smiled. " Well done, Sister. Are you ready to complete our plan?" "Yes," The lady's voice was breathless, " I've wasted too much time already. I will give the ring to Arthur tonight." The mirror woman raised her hand, " Careful, Sister. Great haste brings great loss. You must move carefully."

"But, they say the king will not last the night….if he dies Arthur becomes king."

" Then it must be done tonight. But be cautious…that serving boy will be a problem."

"Merlin?" Morganna sneered, "Even he cannot see all ends. Besides, Arthur has his haste against him."

"Then go Sister."

The Lady nodded and turned away but the mirror woman called to her once again. " Morganna?"

The Lady turned and the eyes of the mirror woman seemed to burn into her soul. " Be careful, you do this for us both."

The Lady put her hand to the glass as the mirror woman raised her own to meet it. "Yes." She said, " Yes, Morgause."