Morgana, Uther, Arthur and I were standing in the Hedgehog Chamber talking, Morgana and I in our nightgowns.
"Treason?!" Morgana asked Uther when he told us about Tom.
"Yes, Morgana, treason. The blacksmith was consorting with a known enemy." he told us.
"Enemy? What enemy?" I asked him.
"Tauren. The leader of a band of renegade sorcerers sworn to bring down the King." Arthur said looking at me.
"And where is this Tauren now?" I asked him.
"He escaped." Arthur answered.
"Well, then how can you be sure?" Morgana asked looking between the two men.
"Because Arthur saw him with his own eyes." Uther told us.
"Well, even if the man is who you say he is, you can't sentence Tom to death for just being seen with him!?" Morgana told Uther.
"We have reason to believe he was forging weapons for Tauren." Uther told us and I looked at him confused.
"Rubbish! He would never do such a thing." Morgana told him.
"Every man has a price." Uther told us as Arthur slid a lump of gold across the table to us. I picked it up and studied it.
"Found this on the blacksmith." Arthur told us.
"So he was paid! He's a blacksmith. He could've been paid for shoeing Tauren's horse!" Morgana told them.
"In gold?" Uther asked her.
"This is madness! You're condemning a man with no proof!" I told him putting the lump of gold down.
"I have enough proof." Uther told me.
"Arthur! Have you nothing to say?" I asked him.
"Father, the blacksmith committed a crime, but we don't know for certain he meant treason." Arthur told his father.
"No. You're right. Nothing's certain. Save one thing. The law stands or this kingdom falls." Uther told us.
"But the law must give him a fair trial!" Morgana yelled at him.
"He'll get a fair trial, and he'll be found guilty, 'cause that's what he is." Uther told her.
"You execute Gwen's father, and I will never forgive you. Never." Morgana said before storming out of the room.
"Maybe we should investigate further." I suggested to them.
"Tauren slept somewhere, he fed somewhere. Find anyone who helped him in any way. They must be punished. The people must see the laws of Camelot are not to be trifled with." Uther told us.
"Yes, Father." Arthur said. He and I then walked out of the room and back to ours.
Arthur and I were walking down a corridor when I looked stopped and looked into the courtyard, thinking of what was to happen.
"Liz? Are you alright?" he asked me and I turned to him.
"I just don't understand what would a sorcerer want with Tom." I told him. I could feel the tears wheel up in my eyes and Arthur walked to me and put his arm around my waist and we continued walking a bit.
"His work is the finest in the kingdom. Maybe father was right and he wanted Tom to make weapons." Arthur told me.
"I don't believe that. I don't believe Tom knew that he was a sorcerer or that he was making weapons." I told him as we continued walking.
"We don't know that for sure." He told me.
"Then what did he want Tom for?" I asked him.
"I wish I knew, Liz." Arthur told me.
"Do you think maybe Gaius would know?" I asked him.
"I don't know. For now I'll do what my father says and investigate further. You should relax and spend some time with your brother and Gaius if you want." he told me.
"Alright, just be careful." I told him.
"Aren't I always?" he asked me smiling.
"Do I have to answer that honestly?" I joked with him smiling finally.
"No, because I know you answer." he told me and we laughed as we continued walking until we had to part ways.
I was sitting next to Gwen as she slept with Merlin close by.
"Merlin. Liz." I turned to the doorway to see Morgana there.
"Morgana." Merlin said as she watched Gwen sleep.
"How is she?" she asked us.
"She's doing OK." I told her.
"We should let her rest." she said walking out of the door way.
"Yeah." I said pulling Merlin with me out of the room.
"Morgana, Liz, have you twp spoken to Uther? He must realize this is a mistake. Whatever Tom was doing, it wasn't plotting against the King." Merlin told us.
"We know that. Of course we do. But Uther...Uther only sees enemies." I reminded him looking back at Gwen.
"But Tom is the most gentle soul I've ever met." Merlin old me.
"But he was seen with Tauren, and that makes him an enemy." Morgana told him turning to leave.
"Then..." Merlin started asking making her stop walking. "...there's little hope?"
"There's no hope, Merlin. None at all." I told him looking from the sleeping girl to my brother. Morgana walked out of the room as Merlin and I stared at each other.
"What's happening?" I asked him.
"Gaius thinks Tauren is using alchemy. Making lead into gold that sort of thing." he told me.
"Why would he involve Tom and Gwen in this?" I asked looking back at Gwen. Merlin didn't answer but he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and tried to comfort me.
I watched as the executioner and some guards escort some men into the Square.
"They're to be executed?" Merlin asked next to Arthur.
"Yes, Merlin." Arthur told him.
"By order of the King?" Merlin asked him again.
"They committed a serious crime." Arthur told him. I could hear the words coming out of his mouth but I had a feeling he didn't believe them.
"Giving a man a bed for the night?!" Merlin asked him, not believing the words he heard.
"Not a man. A sorcerer." Arthur told him.
"Maybe they didn't know that." Merlin told him, trying to help them.
"It is not for you to question my father's actions. Is that understood?" Arthur told him.
"Yes, Sire." Merlin said. I put my hand on his arm and smiled lightly at Merlin.
"Now go get on with whatever you're meant to be doing." Arthur told him and Merlin walked off.
"Please don't be so hard on him. This is just as hard for you as it is for him." I told him, trying to be a voice of reason.
"This isn't hard on him as it is on me. I'm the one having to arrest my people while Merlin just does the laundry." Arthur told me.
"Yes, but he is just as compassionate as you are about trying to protect the people. You should see that better than anyone." I told him.
"And why is that? Because he's my servant?" he asked me.
"No. Because you see him everyday and he's your friend." I told him walking away from him.
I heard Gwen's wails echoing in the Square the next morning and looked out my window.
"Nooooooo...!" I watched her run down the steps to her father's body, which was being carried off on a car by a pair of guards. "No, Father! No, Father!"
I sat on Merlin's bed with Gwen when Merlin entered.
"All right?" Merlin asked her.
"I just don't understand. Why did he try to escape? His trial was this morning." Gwen said and I held her close. Someone knocked gently on the door and Arthur entered. Gwen stood quickly to face him. "Sire."
"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, erm, anything you want, anything you need, all you have to do is ask." He told her. That was the best he could do for her and we knew it. Arthur began to leave but paused and turned back to her. "I'm sorry."
"Thank you, Sire." she said. I stood and put my hand on her should then left with Arthur.
"How is she doing?" he asked me.
"She's a strong girl, but everyone has their limits." I told him as we walked.
Arthur and I walked to the dungeon where Morgana was being held.
"I can't believe your father locked her up." I told him.
"You know how he can get." he told me as we arrived at the door.
"We all do." I told him. when we walked in she was sitting on the floor and we walked in and stood off to the side.
"You two. How proud the two of you must be. Son of the mighty Uther and his little princess. How you must look up to him. Does the King's little helpers bring a message? Or have you just come to gloat?" she asked us with a look on her face.
"Guards!" Arthur called out. Morgana stood and backed away, pulling on her chains as the guards walked in.
"Get away from me, you cowards!" Morgana called to them.
"You're free to go." Arthur told her as the guards removed her manacles and left. She walked to the door in a rush to leave.
"Morgana." I called to her and she stopped just behind Arthur and I.
"Yes?" she asked me.
"We swore to him you'd never challenge his authority again. Arthur swore that you'd learned your lesson. Tread carefully. Next time, we may not be able to help you." I told her.
"Thank you. Arthur, you're a better man than your father. Always were." she told him before leaving.
"Come on Arthur, let's go back." I told him smiling a little. He walked out holding my hand as we went. "Will you be okay?" I asked him.
"I have to be." he told me and I squeezed his hand lightly.
"Not around me." I reminded him and we stopped walking. He turned to me and looked around to make sure we were alone.
"I have to be okay with killing someone who could have been innocent. and leaving a child an orphan. I have to be because I will be king one day and I might have to make the same decision." he told me low so no one could over here. I put my hands on both sides of his face.
"And you will make a wonderful king, and you will have many people helping you make the right decisions." I told him smiling.
"How do you know? What if I make the wrong decision and get someone I love killed." he asked me and I kissed him deeply.
"You will do the best you can and that's all that anyone can ask." I told him smiling.
I sat in my room, dinner on the table untouched. I heard a knock on my door and walked to it. When I opened it I saw Arthur and moved back so he could come in. He walked in and I closed the door behind him.
"I wasn't expecting to see anyone tonight." I told him.
"I came to check on you. How are you doing?" he asked me looking from the food to me.
"Fine." I told him. He gave me a look and I sighed before sitting at the table.
"Why aren't you eating?" he asked me sitting across from me.
"I'm not hungry tonight." I told him.
"You should still eat. It wont do good for you to be weak." he told me.
"Arthur..." I started saying but he didn't let me finish.
"I only meant, that we can't have a member of the court being confined to her room because she isn't hungry." he told me and I gave him a dark look.
"Thanks for your concern but I don't care what people think about me right now." I told him looking to the sky through the window, making sure I didn't look at him.
"I didn't mean that, Liz. I meant..."
"It doesn't matter." I told him ignoring his sentence.
"Liz! Just listen to me. I meant that everyone would be worried about you. Me, my father, your brother, Morgana, and the people. You made yourself a friend of the people and if you're unwell they worry just as much as everyone in the court does." he said moving from one side of the table to my side and make me face him.
"Arthur."
"I'm sorry, I hadn't meant for my words to hurt you." he told me and I smiled.
"Don't worry, Arthur. I'm sorry about drawing to conclusions. I should have let you finish talking." I told him smiling. He hugged me and held me close and I listened to his heart beat.
"Do you think Uther's a good king?" Merlin asked me in my chambers the next day.
"Why are you asking me that?" I asked him writing in my journal.
"Uther. Do you think he's good for the kingdom?" he asked me. I sighed and out my quill away. I rose my from my seat and walked to him.
"Yes, I do. Recent events made me question that, everyone probably. Are you questioning that he is? I asked him.
"Definitely." he told me.
"Merlin..." I said but he didn't let me finish.
"Everyone hates him." he reminded me.
"It is not his job to be liked. It is the king's job to protect the kingdom. Most of his methods are right even if he goes to far." I told him.
"Really? You mean like executing anyone who even passes a sorcerer on the street?" he asked me.
"Despite Uther's failings, he has brought peace and prosperity to this kingdom." I told him.
"But at what cost? At the cost of women and children, fathers and sons! When will it end?" he asked me and I gave him a look.
"When Arthur is King." I told him.
"Then why not let Arthur be King now?" Merlin asked me and I gave him a confused look.
"Arthur's not ready. The responsibility would be too much for him alone. He lacks the experience and the judgement to lead. Besides if Arthur is killed by magic then why would he bring magic back? Is something going on? You can tell me." I told him.
"I can't...I, I just...No, I can't. You've just got to trust me. This is something I've got to work out for myself. Trust me." he told me.
"I do trust you, Merlin. I always have." I told him smiling.
"Elizabeth!" I stopped writing once more and looked up to see Arthur's head peaking into my chambers. I smiled and he entered. "I'm not interrupting you, am I? he asked me.
"Not at all." I told him putting my quill away.
"I've been speaking to my father on some matters. He told me that he and Morgana are to go and visit her father's grave tomorrow and I thought it would be nice if we went on a picnic. Just the two of us." he said and I gave him a look.
"And what would the king say when he finds out when we were alone together? He'll lecture the two of us then order Merlin and Amanda to stay at our sides. We would never be alone again." I told him.
"I already spoke to my father and he's given the all clear." he told me as he sat down across from me.
"He's letting us be alone in the middle of the woods? No guards? No servants?" I asked him and he smiled at me.
"I've been thinking what's happened recently and the toll it must have on you. You and Gwen are close so I thought you might like some time away from the castle for a while. We can clear our heads." he told me.
"That would be wonderful. To get away from everything, even for a short time, would be a relief." I told him, returning his smile.
"Good, I'll arrange everything. All you will have to do is look beautiful." he told me.
"Should I eat before we go then?" I joked with him and he laughed.
"I supposed I should allow you to eat, shouldn't I?" he joked back.
"Well, you did invite me on this picnic. Allowing me to eat would be nice." We laughed and he left with a large grin on his face.
Arthur and I saw Uther and Morgana off the next morning then headed out for our picnic. When we arrived at the designated picnic spot Arthur helped me off my horse and set everything up.
"Are you sure you're going to be able to do this alone?" I asked him jokingly.
"Haha." I laughed at him as he continued setting up. When he finished I sat down next to him as he set up food.
"This looks wonderful." I told him. He smiled and served me a plate. "Thank you." We ate while talking and laughing about anything and everything.
"This is amazing. I'm glad you suggested it." I told him, smiling more.
"So am I. I've been wanting to get you alone for a while now." he told me and my smile grew, if possible.
"Oh, and why is that?" I asked him. He played with the blanket as though he was nervous.
"I've been wanting to ask you something. Shall we go to the river?" he asked me.
"Sure, if you want." I told him. We got and walked to the river, hand in hand.
"Do you know what I'm afraid of?" he asked me suddenly.
"You're afraid of something?" I asked him.
"Yes." he said laughing.
"What are you afraid of?" I asked him.
"That I'll lose someone I love. Someone very close to me." he told me. I smiled and sat on a log that was close to the back as he continued standing.
"Who?" I asked him. He knelt before me and looked me in the eyes.
"You." he told me.
"Arthur..." I said but he held his hand up to stop me talking before he continued talking.
"I don't think I've ever been more nervous in my life. I know we haven't been courting for long and I know a lot has happened since we met, but I don't think I've ever loved anyone more than I have you." He told me, pulling something out of his pocket. "I want you by my side, forever. My Princess would you do the honor of becoming my wife?" He asked me revealing a ring in his hand. I gasped at him and looked at him in shock. A smile spread wide across my face as I nodded to him.
"Yes! Yes! Of course I will!" I told him. He smiled wide at me and pulled me into a large hug. When we got back to the castle we told the news to the most important people in our lives and asked for Uther's blessing. He gave it with a large smile on his face. He pulled me into a hug, welcoming me to his family before letting me go. He saw the ring and I could have sworn tears came to his eyes.
"My Lord?" I said looking at his face.
"This belonged to Arthur's mother. This was her wedding band." he told me I looked down at the ring then to Arthur who was talking with Morgana. "Is everything alright?" Uther asked me.
"Yes. This ring has become much more important to me, that's all." I told him smiling. We all talked a little longer before night came and I went to sleep the happiest woman alive.
