AN: AUGH! So nervous! I LOVE this episode and I really hope I did it justice. There was so much opportunity in it so this is one of my longer chapters I think. Enjoy!

Arthur couldn't believe how idiotic Merlin could be sometimes. He knew his servant had been with the woman testifying to his father and by the guilty look on his face there was no doubt in Arthur's mind that he had been the one to conjure the smoke-horse.

"It was sorcery you saw, you're certain of it?" Uther asked, his voice dark and dangerous.

"Yes, sire." The woman said, her voice trembling but her resolve not fading.

"And you swear this before your king?" Uther asked.

"I swear it." She insisted.

"Perhaps your eyes deceived you." Arthur suggested though he knew what really happened. "A trick of the light." Maybe the woman could be dissuaded.

"The smoke was alive I tell you! I feared for my life!" She seemed nervous, like she didn't think anyone would believe her. Arthur noticed Merlin looked peeved with the last statement.

"I thank you for bringing this to my attention." Uther told her. "Your loyalty will not go unrewarded."

"Thank you." The woman, Cathryn, said as she was led away.

"It cannot continue." Uther said.

"I will hunt down those responsible, father, I promise they will not escape unpunished." He said calmly, now trying to dissuade his father's fear. It was partially true, there was no way Arthur was going to let Merlin get away with this without some kind of punishment… whether he knew what it was for or not.

"No." His father said thoughtfully. "Stronger methods are called for."

Arthur felt a chill at the words though he didn't know exactly what his father was implying.

"Send for the witch-finder!" Uther declared and Arthur felt the chill disappear into the pit in his stomach.

~.~.~.~

Arthur leaned forward as Aredian built up to the climax of his long performance. For a man who claimed that sorcery was only found through subtle means, he was quite flamboyant. Aredian claimed that there was someone in the room with sorcery, Arthur held his breath, waiting for the accusation almost knowing in his heart who it would be. He had tried to feel out Aredian earlier, tried to insert himself into the process but with no luck. He had no way to protect Merlin and had no doubt that the boy would be easily accused.

So he wasn't surprised when Aredian turned and pointed at Merlin, at least not as surprised as Merlin looked. That was good, it made him look more innocent, but really, even Arthur knew Merlin had magic, did he really think he was such a master of secrecy that he wouldn't be suspected? There were gasps of surprise around the room Arthur managed to put on an incredulous face. "Merlin?" He asked. "You can't be serious…" He said the words slowly with an exaggerated disbelieving tone.

Unfortunately Aredian was.

"I'm certain that a thorough search of the boy's chambers will deliver us all we need." He said a smug look on his face.

"Merlin?" Arthur was pleased to hear the respectful tone his father used when addressing Merlin. It was strange that when Merlin was accused of sorcery was when his father showed most respect, allowing the boy to speak up for himself.

"I have nothing to hide from him." Merlin said confidently.

Arthur was sure that that was true, Merlin no doubt hid anything damning when they first heard of the witch-finder arriving… or at least he hoped he did. After Merlin was secured Arthur walked beside Aredian to Gaius and Merlin's chambers.

He couldn't help but wince as the guards and knights tore through Gaius' chambers. Gaius cry as they threw his papers all over the ground finally caused him to speak up.

"There's nothing here, Aredian!"

"I'll be the judge of that." He said and then proceeded to order Arthur's men around some more.

It was Leon who discovered the bracelet when he knocked down a jar of some kind of powder. Arthur held his breath, surely Merlin wouldn't have been stupid enough to believe the object would be safe there!

Gaius looked just as confused as Arthur who stepped forward, his mind searching for some kind of explanation, but even he realized that there was nothing that could be said to save Merlin from this mess.

"Were you aware, physician, that your assistant kept instruments of sorcery?" Aredian asked.

Gaius' answer was hesitant. "No." He said regretfully.

"Well, our work is done." Aredian said happily even as Arthur's heart dropped into his shoes in hopelessness. "I must inform the king."

This was it, this was the end of Merlin's secret, the end of Merlin himself and there was nothing Arthur could do about it.

"Aredian!" Gaius called. "I know for certain that that amulet does not belong to Merlin."

"Oh, who does it belong to then?" Aredian asked and Arthur really wanted to punch him for his smugness because he was pretty sure he knew what Gaius was going to say.

"It belongs to me." Gaius stated, and, in that moment, Arthur didn't know whether to feel relieved or even worse.

~.~.~.~

Arthur couldn't bring himself to say anything when he released Merlin but Merlin could tell something had happened just by looking at him. Still he didn't ask any questions as he was led out of the cell.

After talking to the guards to make sure they treated Gaius well he headed towards Gaius' chambers. It hadn't been his plan but he had somehow found his feet heading that direction. When he walked in Merlin was bent over gathering papers from the floor, Arthur heard him sniffle and wipe at his nose. Great, what am I supposed to do with a crying Merlin? He asked himself, he was just about to turn and leave but stepped on a broken pot as he walked out, Merlin's head snapped towards the crackling noise.

His eyes were cold, even with tears streaming down his cheeks, and he turned from Arthur back to gathering the papers. "Can I help you with something, sire?" He asked, his voice dropping the temperature in the room by ten degrees.

Arthur didn't know what to say. Should he apologize? Should he show concern? Should he just banter like Merlin always did to distract Arthur when he was in a bad mood? Somehow he didn't think any of those would have the desired effect.

He walked over and crouched down next to Merlin and began gathering papers beside him. Merlin looked up in surprise a moment. Arthur's eyes were apologetic, his face determined and stoic. He nodded at Merlin and Merlin nodded back before they turned back to their task.

Sometimes there just weren't enough words. Arthur was a man of action, whether that be charging into a battle or simply helping a friend.

~.~.~.~

Arthur left sometime later, in truth he hadn't really been able to help much, cleaning wasn't his specialty, he'd never had to do it before but he could tell that just being there had helped. Now he sat with his father and Aredian, pushing his food around on his plate, he really didn't feel all that hungry.

"Gaius served me with unfailing dedication." Uther stated. "Without his knowledge, his wisdom, I would not be sitting here today."

"You show great faith in him sire." Aredian responded while Arthur continued to push his food around. If Uther truly had faith in Gaius he would release him from the dungeons, instead he trusted this stranger, Aredian, who had more to gain from Gaius being a sorcerer than not. "Great faith indeed, considering that he was known to practice sorcery."

Arthur started at this news and looked up at Aredian incredulously. Surely that wasn't true.

"Gaius?" he asked disbelievingly.

Aredian nodded with a grunt of affirmation.

"You're mistaken." Arthur said bitterly.

"No, Arthur, he speaks the truth." Uther admitted, much to Arthur's surprise. "I'm well aware of his past, but I have every reason to believe he's turned his back on sorcery."

"Until now." Aredian added.

"We don't know that." Uther protested. "This amulet you found could just be a stupid mistake."

"Or maybe he's fallen back into old habits." Aredian suggested.

"We must give him the benefit of the doubt, surely?" Arthur stated.

"Why?" One question. One word. It was enough that Arthur didn't have an answer. Not one good enough to put forth anyway, he didn't think 'Because!' would be well received.

"Anyway, there's a sure way to establish his guilt." Establish… not discover. Almost like he was trying to make Gaius guilty.

"I know your methods are effective, Aredian, but Gaius is an old man, he could not withstand such treatment." Uther protested weakly.

"It's the only way to rid your mind of doubt." Aredian insisted.

Arthur looked to his father, hoping he would remain steadfast in his faith of Gaius, but one look told him all he needed to know. Uther was caving to Aredian's manipulation and there really was nothing else Arthur could say that hadn't already been said.

He stood up excusing himself from the table shortly and stalking out of the room. His meal hardly touched.

~.~.~.~

While everyone else was staring at Gaius in the middle of the throne room as he was dragged away, Arthur's eyes were on Merlin*, watching him, waiting for his reaction. So when the boy charged at Aredian angrily Arthur was out of his seat before anyone else could move.

"You're a liar." Merlin said dangerously. Aredian held up his hand towards the boy but Arthur quickly grabbed Merlin and began dragging him out.

"You're a liar!" Merlin screamed as he was dragged away, his voice showing his utter agony at the whole situation.

"I'll deal with this." He said quietly to the guards.

Arthur forced Merlin to walk through the halls down to the dungeons, never saying a word. When they finally got there he pushed Merlin away sighing sadly as he did so, he expected the sloppily thrown punch and easily evaded it twisting Merlin's arm behind his back to keep the boy from attacking him as he spoke in calm words.

"I know you're upset. I know you're angry. It's all right I'm not throwing you in jail." He tried to assure the secret warlock.

"Then what are you doing?" Merlin asked his voice showing the betrayal he felt.

Arthur released Merlin roughly. "Breaking the law." He said unhappily. It wasn't like he didn't do this every day simply by allowing Merlin to live but he still wasn't keen on it. "I can only give you a few minutes." He told Merlin as he unlocked the cell door, but the boy was already running to his mentor.

Arthur was tempted to listen in but moved down the hallway to give them their privacy. This could be the last moments Merlin had with his friend. He waited for several minutes, edgy, pacing back and forth and keeping an eye and ear out for anyone who might approach. Finally he could wait no longer.

He walked back unlocking the door. "Merlin." He said simply. Merlin looked back at him, his emotions torn between despair at being taken away from his mentor and gratitude for being able to see Gaius at all.

Merlin wrapped his arms around Gaius one last time before Arthur took him gently by the arm and led him out of the cell, locking the door behind him. He forced himself to look up at Gaius and was surprised when the image was blurry, he blinked a few times and managed to keep the tears from falling, but only just, before he turned away.

The look in Gaius' eyes had not been accusing, he had only seen love in those eyes, but somehow that was way worse.

~.~.~.~

"Easy there!" Arthur shouted at the guards rough treatment of Gaius. "Show some respect!" It did little to change the way they pulled him onto the pyre, Arthur hated himself more and more each second for not being able to stop this, for not being able to stop an innocent man's death.

"Arthur!" Gwen called as she pushed through the crowd. "Arthur, you've got to stop this!"

Arthur looked away, wishing he could. "I can't, Gwen, you know I can't." He told her hoping she didn't hate him too.

"Merlin has proof that Gaius is innocent!" Gwen stated.

Arthur looked at her sadly. "My father has already passed sentence, there's nothing I can do." he stated his tone frustrated. His punishment would be severe if he defied his father and he probably wouldn't listen anyway.

"You can do the right thing, Arthur Pendragon!" She scolded him. "You can show some faith in a loyal friend or you can stand by and watch and innocent man die."

"Guinevere…" Arthur stated not meeting her eyes.

"You did it once before to my father." She said her eyes accusing. "Are you really willing to let it happen again?" He stared at her in amazement, he never knew she blamed him for that. "And you can stop looking at me like that, I know I'm only a servant. I thought you were a prince so start behaving like one!" She sounded like such a mom, Guinevere would be a good mother, Arthur decided.

He looked at Merlin who was glancing between Gaius and Arthur anxiously. He knew without a doubt that if he didn't do anything three people would never forgive him: Merlin, Guinevere, and himself. No matter the repercussions he could not live with that.

He blinked, coming out of his thoughts he held out a hand to Aredian. "Wait!" He commanded. Pleased when the witchfinder obeyed him.

"New evidence has come to light." Arthur stated.

Aredian looked suspicious. "What evidence?" He asked.

Arthur looked up to discover that his father was no longer standing on the balcony. "Merlin will present it to the king." He said. "Take Gaius back to his cell." He commanded the guards.

"Merlin, gather your evidence and meet us in the throne room."

"This is outrageous! What proof could he have that would counteract Gaius' own confession?" Aredian asked angrily.

"We will hear him out." Arthur stated, his voice dangerous and low. Aredian hesitated and then bowed his head as they headed towards the court room. A few minutes later Merlin arrived and stood nervously before the king.

He held up a bottle trying to appear confident and failing. "This bottle contains a tincture known to cause hallucinations, called Belladonna. It was sold by this man who unknowingly received it, not knowing its effects." Merlin took a deep breath before continuing.

"Sire, the witnesses saw nothing, but hallucinations," he hesitated looking at Aredian before speaking again nervously, "induced by the Belladonna in these eye-drops." He held the bottle up for only a fraction of a second, Arthur could tell how nervous he was being the center of attention.

Uther held his hand out and Merlin handed the bottle to him. "And you bought this Belladonna from this man?" Uther asked the three women witnesses. They all nodded.

"Where did you get it from?" Uther asked.

The man glanced around nervously. "Don't be afraid, no harm can come to you here." Uther reassured the man.

"The witchfinder, he gave them to me." The man stated.

"Did he tell you what it was for?" Uther asked.

"No. Only that if I did not sell it he would have me burned at the stake." The throne room erupted in quiet murmurings between the witnesses watching.

"How do you answer to these accusations?" Uther asked turning to Aredian.

"They are absurd!" Aredian said lightly. "The boy has clearly concocted these lies, hoping to save his master."

"Then you won't mind if we search your chambers?" Merlin asked smugly. Arthur winced knowing that wouldn't go over well with Uther… he was right.

"Silence! You have no authority here." Uther ordered. Merlin looked properly chastised and Arthur decided this was his moment to step forward.

"Father." he called Uther's attention to him and away from Merlin. "Let's settle this once and for all." He suggested. "If what Merlin says is wrong, he must bear the consequences." Arthur said his voice taking on a slightly teasing tone as he looked at Merlin, in a voice that clearly stated he would kill Merlin if he was wrong, while at the same time showing the boy that he had complete faith in him. "If there is some truth in what he says. . ." Arthur let the sentence trail off, allowing his father to understand his inflection.

"I have nothing to hide." Aredian repeated Merlin's previous words, making Arthur slightly nervous, but he chose to trust Merlin anyway.

"You're wasting your time." Aredian stated as they searched his chambers.

"I'll be the judge of that."** Arthur stated smugly. "Cupboard over there." He ordered, the guard moved and opened the cupboard spilling out the majority of its contents.

There was a suspicious amount of magical amulets, as well as a large supply of the Belladonna. "This is a trick!" Aredian stated.

Arthur drew out his sword slowly, as Aredian tried to clear his throat. "That boy plots against me!" Aredian stumbled, placing his hand on the table in front of him and coughing some more.

He began to gag and looked like he was going to be sick, Arthur took a few steps back to avoid any unseemly projectiles… and then… there was a toad on the floor…

Arthur looked up at Aredian with a mixture of disgust and surprise, not as much surprise as his father who immediately pulled out his sword, all doubts having disappeared. "Sorcerer!" He accused.

Aredian was quick however, grabbing Morgana with one hand and a knife with the other. Uther stepped forward in alarm. "Aredian, think carefully about what you are doing." Uther said calmly. "You'll never escape from Camelot alive."

"I will if you value the life of your ward, hmm?" Aredian stated.

Arthur's mind was spinning, trying to think of a way to save Morgana, he heard Merlin whisper something behind him and saw Aredian clutching his hand suddenly in pain… could that idiot be any more obvious?

Aredian took one step back too many and tripped over a chest hitting the window hard enough for it to shatter and fall. Arthur and Uther ran to the window reaching it just in time to see the man hit the ground. Arthur jumped when he impacted, staring down at the ground in morbid fascination, then breathed a sigh of relief, glad this whole thing was over.

~.~.~.~

It wasn't until later that night that Arthur saw Merlin when he brought him his dinner. "Ah, Merlin." Arthur stated from where he sat at his table. "Gaius settling back in alright?" He asked.

Merlin smiled but it was still reserved. "Yes, though I think it will take him awhile to fully recover." He said seriously.

Arthur nodded his face turning serious as well as he turned to eat the dinner Merlin had brought him.

"Arthur, I wanted to say thank you." Merlin said quickly. "If it weren't for you trusting me, Gaius would be dead now."

Arthur looked up at Merlin. "Gaius is lucky to have such a faithful ward. It was risky for you to stand up to Aredian. I didn't know you had it in you." Arthur teased taking a bite of his dinner.

Merlin laughed and quipped back. Arthur was glad to hear it, things between them had been far too serious the past few days. It was good to get back to normalcy. He hoped that no matter what happened in the future, this never changed.

AN: Wow I was reading through this again and it almost sounds rushed! Which is crazy since the chapter it already SO long! I'm sorry if you felt the same way but I didn't want to spend more time on it than I had too.

So obviously a few added scenes in this episode, hope you liked them, they were fun to write. Since this is written from Arthur's POV I really wanted to try and get more of his emotions, like him being upset about Gaius being executed and not knowing what to say to cheer Merlin up etc.

Also:

*If you watch the episode you can see that Arthur actually is watching Merlin as Gaius is being dragged away… how sweet is that?

**Arthur never said this in the show but I felt like he should've so I added it *sheepish look*

God bless!