A/N: OK, so this is the penultimate chapter. I'm trying to tidy things up so I hope you enjoy it! Thanks to Reverie Indigo, Kitty O, Misthea (I've not published anything else yet but I've got some stuff waiting), and serial blogger (lol, no, it's fine, I liked him too! Yeah, I've enjoyed your long reviews, it's nice to know you've really enjoyed the chapter!).

Also, can I say, the BBC official trailer made me very excited!

Disclaimer: I own nothing. The BBC, on the other hand, owns everything.

Chapter 9

Merlin watched his master leave the room and slid down in his bed, numb and broken. Gaius stuck his head around the door to see if he was all right and retreated once Merlin assured him he was. Right now, the warlock really could not deal with explaining to his guardian why he would soon either have to escape Camelot or accept the execution his erstwhile friend was planning.

It was a cruel twist of fate that he had willingly died at Arthur's hands a few short days ago, only to be brought back to face death again, this time because Arthur's laws demanded it rather than to any purpose. Merlin truly believed that the king did not want him dead, his honestly joyful reaction when Merlin woke up told him as much, but when it came down to it, the king had chosen duty over friendship. Although there were many ways in which Arthur was different to his father, his stance on magic could not be changed. It was the mainstay of his father's reign and Merlin was not surprised he felt a duty to maintain the law - anything else would seem like a betrayal of everything his father had stood for. Still, it cut deeply to know that his friend would execute him, even if he didn't derive any satisfaction from it.

So it appeared he had a choice: he could either await his execution, or take this opportunity to escape and save himself. Maybe that was Arthur's intention all along, after all, most sorcerers would have been moved to the cells by now or at very least be placed under heavy guard. Perhaps his warning and lack of security were his attempt to save his servant even if he could not officially sanction such an action.

Merlin lay considering his options and the fruitless waste of his life for hours. When Gwen and Gwaine visited him towards the evening, he just pretended to sleep. He did not want to have to either lie to them or provide them with the explanations they most likely wanted. Gwen especially, probably knew his secret by now; he could not imagine Arthur keeping such a thing from his wife.

Eventually he fell into an uneasy slumber, waking in the morning no more rested than when he fell asleep. This time however, Gaius came to inform him that Arthur had sent for him. The physician was clearly annoyed at having his patient forced out of his sickbed but since Merlin was no longer in any immediate danger, it would not be wise to disobey the king.

It was with a heavy heart and a sick stomach that Merlin made his way to Arthur's chambers, although he was grateful that there were no guards sent to escort him, nor was he summoned to the throne room. Perhaps his sentence and execution were to be kept private.

Reaching the king's chambers, Merlin took a deep breath and straightened his shoulders before pushing open the door and stepping inside. Arthur was stood looking at some documents, wearing his chain-mail, which had been polished to a bright sheen, his thick fur-lined cloak and his crown. Merlin couldn't help the way seeing Arthur dressed in his ceremonial garb made his fear ratchet up another notch. He lingered nervously just inside the room, waiting for the king to notice him.

After what seemed like an eternity, Arthur finally looked over at him, his expression unreadable. "You look terrible," he said, disapprovingly.

It was a bit unreasonable of Arthur to think that living with inevitable execution hanging over his head was not going to take its toll but he decided that antagonising the king would not help his case. If he even had a case to help.

"Sorry."

"Never mind. I know you probably shouldn't be out of bed but I wanted to get this done as soon as possible." Merlin nodded reluctantly, unable to speak his mouth was so dry. "Hand me my sword."

He picked up the sword from the nearby table and took a few faltering steps over to his master. Arthur took the weapon and buckled it around his waist. "Come on then," he said, taking a few steps towards the door.

Merlin fell in behind him, although his legs were so heavy it felt like he was wading through a bog. Arthur came to a sudden halt and Merlin nearly crashed into him but somehow managed to avoid doing so, although the sharp movement pulled painfully on his injuries, and he watched in utter confusion as Arthur went to the wardrobe and pulled out his newly repaired spare cloak, draping it carelessly over his servant's shoulders.

"Honestly, Merlin, get some better clothes. It really isn't the done thing to keep borrowing mine." The king strode out the room and, completely bewildered, Merlin followed close behind.

Merlin followed Arthur in silence through the palace and out to the balcony overlooking the courtyard. A large crowd had gathered expectantly in the courtyard below, jostling each other and chatting amongst themselves, with the knights stood ready to restore order if necessary. Despite the cold, the citizens of Camelot were in high spirits, they were safe and protected from violence, hunger and the weather. There were few commoners who could ask for more during such a harsh winter.

Gwen was already stood on the balcony, looking regal and confident. Arthur stood next to her brushing his hand against hers before looking out over the crowd. As soon as the people caught sight of their beloved king, they fell respectfully silent and waited to hear what he had to tell them. Merlin felt a brief moment of pride that his friends had become such loved rulers but the feeling was quickly replaced by the gut churning anxiety that had begun when Arthur had reiterated the law on magic. Although he had to take some comfort from the fact that this was not how any of the executions he had witnessed under Uther's rule had started. That and there was no executioner's block, gallows or pyre. There was still Arthur's very sharp sword however. Quietly he made his way to the corner at the back of the balcony - whatever the reason for the king bringing him here, the crowd wanted to see their king and queen and as a servant he should not be seen. He was oblivious to the fact that most of Camelot's citizens were used to seeing him next to their king while they bickered like siblings.

"Citizens of Camelot," Arthur began, "more than twenty years ago, this kingdom was slowly being torn apart from within. Those with magic abused their power and corruption ran deep throughout the heart of our country. My father took a firm stance against this corruption, deeming magic and any who practised it to be in contravention of the law, punishable by the harshest of penalties." Merlin couldn't help the panic that bubbled up in his chest but he remained firmly rooted to the spot, after all there was little point in running now. "It was this law and my father's determination to wipe out any hint of corruption or evil, that made this kingdom strong." Arthur paused, taking a deep breath. "But such harsh restrictions have not wiped out magic, or those who use it. Even now, there will be those amongst you who have magic, or have friends or loved-ones with it." People in the crowd below started to look at each other nervously. Even an innocent association with a sorcerer could lead to imprisonment or, worse, execution.

"Before the responsibility for this kingdom fell to me," Arthur continued, "I once told my father that I had a sense of the Camelot I wished to live in. A just kingdom, where the punishment fit the crime. But in recent years, I have to ask myself if it is truly just to punish people for a crime they have not committed, and if magic is inherently evil or it is simply abused by evil people.

"I must admit, that I have seen magic used to hurt and harm more than I have seen it used for good, but I have seen it used for good. There have been times when, without my consent or request, magic has been used to save my life. Therefore, with that knowledge, I cannot in good conscience continue to punish people who have never committed any real crime, other than being different. With that in mind, I am rescinding the law banning magic." A shocked gasp rose from the crowd and even some of the knights lost their composure, looking up at the balcony and their king in disbelief. Arthur held up a hand for silence.

"I declare the war on magic to be over!"