Once Arthur had to go back to his duties and spent the time training with the knights. The Powys knights joined in and Arthur was impressed with their skill. Gwaine was the most talented having a very fluid and loose style that made him hard to beat. Merlin sat and watched the training then went with Arthur as his blood guard swore their oaths to Arthur. The alpha was well aware that all was not as appeared, but if it allowed them to stay with Merlin he was happy. They would be expected to go on some patrols but only one at a time and only if there was no known threat to Merlin.

The following day Arthur went out on a patrol that would keep him away from the castle for four days. When Arthur told Merlin he had wanted to go with him but Arthur refused.

"It would be too dangerous we are going after some bandits" Arthur told the younger man "I would end up so worried about you that I wouldn't be able to do my job" He held Merlin close before looking into his eyes "Please Merlin you will be fine, I want you to spend time with Morgana and get to know the other omegas. You also have your studying to do as well as get to know the castle, Percy is going with me to get to know the area but Lancelot and Gwaine will stay with you. Just go to Morgana if you need anything and keep out of the way of father, but if you do see him just stay polite and do as he asks, ok?"

Merlin agreed he didn't like it but he understood what Arthur was saying. He cuddled as close as he could to Arthur that night and in the morning went up to the battlements with the knights and watched until Arthur was out of sight.

Uther had been waiting for the opportunity to be able to make sure that Merlin knew his place, so once Arthur was well away he made sure to visit the omega as he attended a study session with Geoffrey of Monmouth. Once there he started to question Merlin on the laws and regulations making Merlin splutter with nerves. He had only just started learning so was still very unsure. Lancelot stood listening and knew there was little he could do. One knight would be with Merlin twenty four hours a day and neither trusted the King of Camelot.

Geoffrey clearly understood what had been happening and praised Merlin for his progress. He felt sorry for the omega and had been one of the few to vote against Uther in the original council meeting. But Merlin was left clearly very nervous after the lesson. He brightened up after attending a meeting of the omegas, he was on familiar ground with them. He clearly adorned Morgana and was pleased to see and talk to Freya and find out how she was progressing with Elyan. He was surprised to find out that Elyan was Gwen's brother.

That night Will slept in his room again in case Merlin wanted anything in the night. As George had gone with Arthur it allowed the two friends some time together, they had always been more than just servant and master.

The following day was one that would be etched in Merlin's mind for ever. It had started much as the day before. Then Merlin had gone down to the stables with Gwaine to see Aithusa and one the way back had seen a pyre being built in the courtyard. He hurried inside and asked Morgana what was happening. Morgana looked very upset.

"Uther has condemned a sorcerer to burn" she told him. "He wasn't doing any harm he had saved his neighbours by putting out a fire, and for that he must die. We have been ordered to attend with Uther"

"But why of he had done nothing wrong" Merlin asked

"Because having magic is enough, if we weren't wearing these things and omegas he would burn us as well" She gestured to the bangle on her wrist.

Merlin looked stunned "I won't go, I won't watch"

"We have to Merlin, I'm so sorry, I hate it, when I refused to go before the King punished Gwen in my stead. I close my eyes but I can still hear the screams and smell the burning flesh." She shuddered.

"But how can he punish servants for our actions?"

"Uther says that way we will do as we are told but aren't damaged, as 'breeding stock' we are too precious and he won't risk upsetting the alphas, even Arthur can't stop him he's tried. I'm sorry Merlin but as part of the royal family we have no choice"

"What did he do to Gwen?" Merlin asked wondering if he could expect Will to pay the price if it was a day in the stocks he probably would.

Morgana looked at Merlin and shuddered "Six lashes"

Merlin knew he couldn't ask Will to suffer that for him. So later when they were summoned Morgana and Merlin walked out onto the balcony as the prisoner was dragged out from the cells. He didn't even have Gwaine or Lancelot for company they had been forced to watch from below with the other knights. It was clear to Merlin that the man had been maltreated whist waiting and Merlin felt sick at what he was seeing. Once the prisoner was tied to the steak Uther moved forward and spoke

"I have fought a battle against sorcery for twenty years, it was a cancer in the fabric of our society eating away at our people. I will continue to fight its evil until it is removed from this land. This man was found to be using magic and for that he will pay the price." Uther looked round for effect before turning to the men below him "Set the flames"

The man tied to the stake started to cry for mercy, shouting that he had only used magic to save a life. Then his cries turned to screams as the flames licked at his flesh. It was clear to Merlin that the wood was damp to make the process longer. The young Prince closed his eyes and tried to cut out the screams and smell. Then looking round and realising that no one was looking at him his eyes flashed gold and the flames burnt quicker and the cries stopped. Merlin and Morgana weren't allowed in until the fire had died down.

Morgana and Merlin gripped each other as they moved to go inside. Uther turned to Merlin "This is how we deal with magic in this Kingdom, it is an abomination and will be eradicated."

Merlin looked at Uther in disgust "Then why are we here? Why do you get your alphas to go and find omegas?" he realised he should have kept silent but he was so upset he couldn't. Morgana squeezed his arm in warning.

"I have to, my knights are alphas and inbreeding has caused problems that is why I cut omegas off from their magic, all alpha and beta mage's are burnt as I would have normally have done to you, my son was wrong to bring you here" with that he turned and walked away. Leaving Merlin shaking, why he had spoken so to the alpha King? Arthur would be so cross with him.

That night Merlin had a nightmare and woke screaming, his magic broke loose and he set fire to the drapes around the bed. Hearing his screams Will called for help and Lancelot ran in and put out the fire and calmed Merlin asking for the Physician to be called. Thinking fast Lancelot placed a candle in the burnt remains to make it look like an accident. He had also been ordered to watch the burning of the sorcerer and guessed the reason for the nightmare, but he was surprised and worried that Merlin had still used magic in his sleep despite the suppressing bangle he was wearing.

Gaius arrived and checked that Merlin was unharmed and gave the boy a sedative to make him sleep and Will spent the rest of the night holding Merlin, who had been placed in the room attached to Arthur's as Arthur's bed was wet and damaged. As soon as Gwaine and Lancelot were happy that Merlin was safe they left him in Wills care and Gwaine went back to bed.