AN: Thanks for all the lovely reviews! I'm glad you're all enjoying the story and how I'm handling the season. I hope you like this chapter and please leave a comment to let me know! Thanks again!

Alright, so I won't be updating for a little while, so I wanted to give you guys this before I go off grid so you guys don't get upset with me.

Discaimer: I don't own anything related to Merlin.

Chapter 10: A Choice Made

Emerlyn jerked awake, her heart pounding wildly. It was as if she'd woken from a nightmare, only she'd actually been having a lovely dream featuring a shirtless Arthur. So she was confused about what had startled her awake.

As she sat up in bed, trying to calm herself, she heard a high pitched ringing in the air and felt the humming of her blood that signified magic. Powerful magic. Somewhere in Camelot, someone was doing very powerful magic.

Fearful that the city was under attack, the girl sprang out of bed and pulled her boots on, completely forgetting that she only wore an almost sheer white shift. Grabbing up the small dagger Arthur had let her borrow, she crept from the tower, thankful that Gaius seemed to be absent.

The witch made it out to the courtyard just in time to see Arthur leading the guards and a prisoner back towards the citadel. It was too dark to make out the bound man, and when she tried to move forward to ask what had happened, a strong hand shot out and grasped her shoulder.

Giving a startled yelp, the witch spun around, dagger coming up to slash at her attacker. When she was met with the face of Sir Richard, she lowered the weapon, but the damage was already done.

"I'm so sorry!" Emerlyn grabbed at the arm she'd cut, trying to stop the blood flow even as minimal as it was.

"It's just a scratch. What are you doing out here so late? And armed?" The knight questioned, trying to keep his eyes level with hers. Arthur would not take kindly to him ogling Emerlyn, even when it was almost impossible not to.

The servant only wore a white shift or night gown, he wasn't really sure. And her hair was down from its ever present braid, spilling over her shoulders and down her back in silky raven curls. She looked as if she'd just rolled out of someone's bed and the picture it made was very enticing.

"I-I thought I heard something. And with Camelot always being attacked, I wanted to check it out." She tried to explain, blushing at her carless actions. But the bleeding had stopped already, so she lowered her hand.

"It's been taken care of. Best get back to bed before the prince sees you." Eyes darting over to the retreating back of the guards, she gave a quick nod.

"Of course, Sir Richard. I'm sorry about your arm." She bit her bottom lip, making the man have to silently remind himself that this particular servant was off limits.

"It's fine. Go." Emerlyn waver goodbye to the knight before moving back into the castle.

When she entered the chamber, Gaius had returned and was writing at his stand. Hearing the door open, the physician looked over.

"I thought you were sleeping." The witch shuffled into the room, closing the door behind her.

"I felt powerful magic being used, so I went to investigate."

"In your night clothes? Really, Emerlyn." She gave a sheepish shrug, having forgotten that fact.

"I was in a hurry." Gaius just shook his head at her, not knowing what he was going to do with her. The two were interrupted when Gwen came barging in, face shadowed with fear.

"Gwen! What's wrong?" Emerlyn asked as her friend rushed over to her, large doe eyes filled with panic.

"My father's been arrested." She cried, shocking the other two.

"Arrest? What for?" Emerlyn's mind flashed back to Arthur and the guards leading a man into the castle. How could she have not known it was Gwen's father?

"They say he was making weapons for a sorcerer. They're charging him with treason!" She exclaimed, overwhelmed.

"Oh, Gwen. I'm so sorry." The witch gave her a hug, hating the pain she was in.

"I just don't understand. My father would never work for a sorcerer. Not when the punishment is death! Emerlyn, you've got to help him. Please!" Gwen pleaded, desperate.

"I…I'll try my best, I promise. You should go see your father; let him know you believe he's innocent." Gwen gave a tearful nod, glancing between the witch and physician before leaving.

"Uther will not let this go unpunished. The sentence for treason is execution." Gaius said softly.

"I won't let Gwen lose her father. Even if it means he has to go into hiding, I won't let him be killed."

"Be careful, Emerlyn. If you're caught, you'll be executed too."

"I'll be careful." She promised before heading for her room.

"Get dressed. We'll meet Gwen down in the dungeon to see what Tom says." The old man called out, knowing they'd need more information.

"Good idea." The girl replied before shutting her door to get changed. No need to be seen in her nightdress by anyone else.

/*/

She was resting next to a post, watching over Gwen, when the ringing started again. Either Tauren had found someone else to help him forge gold or the stone Gwen mentioned was calling out to her.

Even after all she'd seen, it was still a little unbelievable that alchemy of all things was actually a real thing. It was an amazing thought, what one could do if they had a never ending supply of gold.

Kingdoms would wage war over such a resource. Emerlyn doubted Uther would even turn down the opportunity, even when it required magic. The tyrant would probably imprisons a sorcerer and force them to do it just to stay alive.

Her musings were cut shorty when her door opened and the Lady Morgana stepped inside.

"Emerlyn." The elegant woman greeted, sparing her a glance before focusing on her maid.

"Morgana?"

"How is she?" Emerlyn came to stand next to her, both peering down at their sleeping friend.

"She's doing okay. As best as she can."

"We should let her rest." The two turned away from Gwen and exited the room, not wanting to disturb her.

"Morgana, have you spoken to Uther? He must realize that this is a mistake. Whatever Tom was doing, it wasn't plotting against the King." The women stopped at the bottom of the stairs.

"I know that. Of course I do. Arthur and I both tried to reason with him, to get Tom's punishment lessened. But, Uther…Uther only sees enemies."

"But Tom is the most gentle soul I've ever met. Surely with Arthur's backing, he'd be given a lesser sentence." Emerlyn said, pride for the prince filling her even as fear for Tom fought for space. Morgana sighed and shook her head.

"It doesn't matter what Arthur or I say. He was seen with Tauren. That makes him an enemy; in Uther's eyes at least." Morgana replied bitterly before heading for the door.

"Then…there's little hope?" The witch questioned, making the lady turn back to look her in the eyes.

"There's no hope, Emerlyn. None at all." Morgana said before striding from the room.

Sighing, Emerlyn glanced back at Gwen's sleeping form. It was settled then; she'd have to sneak Tom out tonight after everyone had gone to sleep, as it was doubtful he'd be found innocent at his trial. There was no possibility of Uther finding him innocent at his trial tomorrow, and she could not just sit by and let an innocent man be executed by the paranoid king.

/*/

Hoping she could talk Arthur into fighting his father's order in case she couldn't sneak Tom out, Emerlyn set out looking for the prince. After a fruitless search of the castle, she finally spotted his golden head out past the gates of the citadel courtyard, where there appeared to be a gathering.

"What's going on?" She questioned once she'd reached him. Arthur spared her a glance before looking forward, watching as guards started leading people up from the lower town.

"These people have been convicted of treason for housing and feeding Tauren." The prince explained, not missing the horrified expression that filtered over Emerlyn's face.

"They're to be executed?"

"Yes, Emerlyn." Arthur replied, hating having to see any of his people so severely punished.

"By order of the King?"

"They committed a very serious crime."

"Giving a man a bed for the night?" She asked in outrage, hating that he seemed not to care. Where had the man who was willing to die for his people gone?

"Not a man. A sorcerer."

"Arthur! It's highly doubtful he let it be known what he was! You're killing these people for simply doing their jobs; for making a living."

"It is not for you to question my father's actions. Is that understood?" Arthur demanded angrily, despising the guilt that her words intensified. But his head strong servant didn't back down.

"Then it should be yours! How you forget so quickly that these are the very people you fought to save only weeks ago. Now you condemn them under the pretenses of following the law. There is nothing far or justified about this!" She almost shouted, forgetting for a moment that they were very much in public.

"If you don't want to end up on a noose, I'd suggest you go on to wherever you should be." Arthur bit out, glaring furiously at her.

How he could find her completely maddening, and yet, irresistible at the same time, he hadn't a clue. He should send her to the dungeons for how she'd spoken, but the prince couldn't help but admire her for it. Emerlyn was never afraid to speak her mind; at least, while not in front of the king. And he admired that. Even when her words made him feel like a dung beetle.

"Yes, sire. Of course." She gave a sarcastic curtsy before marching away, silently cursing him the whole way. She hoped that one day he'd grow enough of a back bone to refuse his father, as he'd done about the cutting off of rations order.

Arthur Pendragon needed to become his own man and stop trying to please his father if they ever had a hope of changing anything.

/*/

"I'm gonna get your father out of Camelot." Emerlyn said softly, squeezing Gwen's hand.

"Be careful, Emerlyn. If anything were to happen—"

"It'll be fine." The witch smiled in reassurance before standing. She grabbed the bag her and Gwen had put together for Tom and slung it over her shoulder.

"You must be quick and quiet." Gaius uttered, not liking this plan at all. But there was no swaying his ward.

"I know." Taking a calming breathe, Emerlyn nodded to both of them before leaving. It was now or never.

She'd only made it two steps when the warning bells sounded, startling the woman ad making fear shoot through her. If Tom had tried to escape, there was no way the guards wouldn't just kill him on sight.

"What is that?" Gwen rushed form the chamber, eyes wide with fright.

"You both need to come back inside. You don't want to be seen/" Gaius's voice sounded from the doorway, drawing their attention.

"But—"

"Emerlyn, now." The witch bit her lip as she followed his command.

"M-My father…he wouldn't have tried to escape. Right?" Gwen's voice broke as she sat heavily on a stool. Emerlyn and Gaius exchanged a look, not really sure of anything.

"We won't know until morning. Go get in bed. If anyone sees you up and about, you could get blamed." The old man muttered, knowing sleep would be unlikely for either female. But he wouldn't let them risk themselves by going out; especially not since Tom was most likely already dead.

"C'mon." Emerlyn pulled Gwen up and helped her to the bed, saddened that she hadn't been fast enough. She didn't know how her friend would get through this.

/*/

"Are you alright, Gwen?" Emerlyn asked, entering her room. She'd seen her friend's reaction to her father's body being carted off and wished there was some way she could help.

"I just don't understand why'd he try to escape. His trial was this morning, so he should have waited. At least then you'd have gotten him away." The main replied sadly, reddened eyes meeting the witch's.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't quicker."

"It wasn't your fault, Em. You only wanted to help him. I just wish he would have waited." The two friends fell into a sorrowful silence, neither knowing how to make this better. Not that it could ever be made better.

They looked to the door when knocking started, both surprised when Arthur walked into the room. Emerlyn felt a rush of hot anger at the sight of him, even though she knew he'd disagreed with Uther about Tom's sentencing.

"Sire." Gwen stood up respectfully. Arthur gave a heavy sigh and stepped forward, his entire being riddled with guilt. If only he'd fought harder on Tom's behalf, Gwen might not be fatherless. It didn't seem to matter now that he'd gotten the others' sentences reduced.

"Guinevere, I want you to know that your job is safe. And that your home is yours for life. I guarantee you that. I know that under the circumstances, it's not much, but anything you want, anything you need, all you have to do is ask." The crown-prince murmured, glancing at his servant, the guilt clear as day in his blue eyes.

Gwen didn't know what to say, as grief choked her. Emerlyn felt a little of her anger subside, knowing Arthur didn't have to make any such promises. The fact that he would anyways made the servant think he hadn't fallen back as far as she'd feared.

"I'm sorry." The blonde man said after a moment of silence and turned away, shame of his father almost overwhelming.

"Thank you, sire." Gwen spoke up, finally finding her voice. He gave a slight nod before exiting, Emerlyn following at his heels.

"That was very kind of you." Arthur gave a bitter scoff.

"It's the least I could do, after my father killed her and all." Placing a gentle hand on his shoulder, Emerlyn made him meet her gaze.

"It was still very kind and thoughtful. We both know the King would not have made such promises. I'm just thankful that you would." Her words were spoken softly, privately. Arthur gave a tired sigh, rubbing at his eyes.

"I just…Gwen shouldn't have lost her father. Now she has no one." Emerlyn slid her arms around his neck, all her anger melting away.

"She'll have us to help her through this. And I'm sure Morgana will give her some time to grieve."

"After she's released from the dungeons, you mean." Arthur replied, hands resting on her hips.

"What're you talking about?"

"Morgana said some things to the king that he didn't take lightly. She'll be down there until she learns her lesson; or so my father says." Emerlyn gave a surprised sound.

"He locked her up for simply speaking her mind?"

"The things she said were treasonous, Emerlyn. And unlike me, the king is not as forgiving of the sharp tongues of opinionated women." Arthur replied, arching a brow at her.

"Everything to the King is treasonous. It's a good thing you didn't speak of our argument or I'd be chained up next to her!" She said angrily, her hate for Uther Pendragon building by the minute. She pulled away from Arthur and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Emerlyn."

"No, don't even bother. I can't believe he'd do something so…and to his own ward. It disgusts me." The prince hated the venom in her voice, wanting to ease her fury. Why she got so worked up about every decision of his father's, he didn't know. But he was starting to realize that the outspoken servant merely voiced his own inner thoughts.

"I'm going to try and persuade my father to release her. He'll make her spend the night, but I think I can convince him to let her out early."

"You…really?" She turned back with a hopeful look.

"Of course. Morgana's like my sister and I hate to see her in irons. I had planned to speak with my father after leaving here." The witch gave a happy sound and threw her arms around his broad shoulders.

"I'm so glad you're actually becoming a man that I can respect." He wasn't sure if he should be upset by her words or happy. Thankfully, he didn't have to decide as their mouths were quickly sealed.

"I'll take it you're not mad at me anymore." He concluded when they broke apart.

"Oh you know me, I can't stay upset with you. Besides, you were following orders, so I shouldn't have gotten so mad anyway. The fact that you came here today proves that while you can't always make the king see reason, at least you understand the impact of those decisions and actually feel remorseful." Emerlyn explained, giving him another kiss before stepping back.

"You're on your way to becoming a great king, Arthur Pendragon." She said seriously. The prince rolled his eyes at her before leaving, knowing his father expected hi for dinner. He really didn't understand his servant sometimes.

/*/

"Kilgharrah!" Emerlyn called loudly, waking the slumbering beast. The dragon gave a tired sigh as he sat up.

"It's a little early for your usual visit, young witch. I take that to mean something is wrong?" The witch gave a little shrug, knowing there was no use in denying the obvious.

"I just…I need your help."

"Of course you do. But this time, will you heed my words?" Emerlyn gave a sheepish look, knowing he had a point.

"Maybe. I just don't know what to do. The sorcerer Tauren is plotting to kill the king. He has made an ally of Morgana, which is understandable since Uther chained her up in the dungeons for challenging him. I just…" She trailed off, her pretty face pinched in confusion and worry.

"Do nothing." Kilgharrah said, as if the choice was obvious.

"What do you mean? If I do nothing, Uther will die."

"Don't you want Uther dead? It is Uther that persecutes you and your kind, Emerlyn. It is Uther that murders the innocent…"

"I don't care about Uther's life! I care about Arthur. And as much as he's grown, Arthur is not ready to be king. The death of his father will break him, and Camelot will fall to its enemies." She explained.

"You do not give the young prince enough credit, Emerlyn. Let Arthur's reign begin and fulfill your destiny." The dragon said firmly before flying up and away, cutting the discussion off.

"Thanks so much. You were so helpful!" She yelled sarcastically before leaving, no more decided then when she'd arrived.

/*/

After her discussion with Gaius and Gwen, Emerlyn knew she couldn't let Uther die. Especially not by a sorcerer. Arthur wasn't ready to be king or to lose his father, so she'd just have to get past her own feelings. Besides, nowhere did it say she was a murderer, even if she did hate the king.

This realization is what caused her to be out in the woods, using the sidhe staff to dispatch Tauren's men. She had to admit it was very effective and kept her out of hitting range. Unfortunately, it did not work very well against the mage stone, which absorbed the bolt then shot it back at her.

By the time she regained consciousness, Tauren had already made it to the king. When she crested the kill, she was met with the sight of Uther and Morgana embracing.

Thankful Morgana hadn't gone through with it, the witch hunkered down until she was well hidden. It'd be too risky to try and escape, what with no men to mask her noise.

The king and his ward spent several minutes embracing before they headed back to their horses. Emerlyn waited until they were out of sight before she made her way to Tauren's body.

Grimacing at the sight of his lifeless eyes, the witch patted him down until she felt the bulge of the mage stone in his pocket. Knowing she couldn't risk it falling into the wrong hands, or especially Uther's, Emerlyn pushed aside her disgust and dug into his pocket until she was able to pull the stone free.

The minute it touched her skin, the stone lit up and started ringing, making her quickly grab for its bag before anyone else heard it. How Uther could have just forgotten about it completely was mind boggling and yet, very beneficial all at the same time. Now all she had to do was make sure the stone remained safely hidden away.

AN: So how'd you like it? I know it was short, but please review and let me know. I wasn't even going to do this episode, but I thought it was needed to show how Emerlyn perceives Uther and why she keeps saving him. Let me know what you think.