Disclaimer: I think you already know the answer to this one, but, just in case... I do not own any of the character's below. Which is a bit tragic.
Firstly a special thanks to all my reviewers. Over 100 reviews. :) It really is greatly appreciated and encourages me to keep writing. :) Anyway, onto chapter 12. I hope you all enjoy, despite my fears that they may be a little OOC (especailly Arthur... :S)
Chapter Twelve
"GUARDS!" The word was out of Uther's mouth before Merlin skilfully extinguished the flames; the chair, however, remained a smouldering wreck.
"What? Father, no!" Arthur interrupted and the two guards had paused in their rush to restrain the young sorcerer. Arthur turned to Merlin, the pain of betrayal showing on his face and Uther's fury subsided for a brief second, understanding how his son must feel at the shock of learning his manservant dabbled in magic.
Merlin looked directly at Arthur, briefly aware of the shock showing perfectly on everyone's faces. "Arthur… I… I can explain," Merlin said.
"You? A Sorcerer?" Arthur seemed shocked and actually took a step back to support himself on a column. "But…"
"Merlin?" Gaius questioned, taking a cautious step towards the boy in question. "Why did you not tell me?" The physician sounded hurt.
"I… you know why I couldn't tell you," Merlin managed. "All of you," he turned to look at Morgana and Gwen, both of whom were trying their best to look shocked. "But I promise I only use my magic for good," he continued adamantly, turning back to Arthur. "You know that, don't you? I swear it's only for good."
"Liar!" Uther's rage returned as his voice rang out once more. "No sorcerer is capable of using magic for good. Good magic does not exist!"
"But it does!" Merlin answered back; he was going to be sent to the dungeons anyway, what bad could a little arguing do? "I saved your son! I saved Arthur from his death."
"He did," Arthur pointed out, seemingly recovered from his initial shock.
"That proves nothing. One small good deed does not equate to a lifetime of bad ones."
"Uther!" Morgana said clearly, her earlier shock subsided. "I know Merlin. I know he isn't evil," and behind her, Gwen nodded, eagerly.
"Of course you are going to say that. I saw the way you were attached to that Druid boy."
"She had a point, father," Arthur cut in, turning to look at Merlin once more. "Merlin may be a sorcerer and the biggest idiot in the world, but he's not evil. As if he'd be capable of that. I mean look at him!" Arthur gestured at the rather innocent looking Merlin.
"Looks can be deceiving," Uther stated. "Guards," He commanded again, with a wave of his hand, and the two of them ran forward in synchronisation. Merlin barely struggled as he was contained; knowing he was no match for two fully fit and trained guards of Camelot.
"What are you doing? You can't take away my manservant," Arthur further protested, taking a step towards where Merlin was being held, but turning to look at his father.
"He is no longer your manservant, Arthur," Uther told his son. "He is a sorcerer and must be dealt with accordingly."
"You can't seriously be thinking of executing him!" Morgana voiced what they were all thinking.
"Can't I?" Uther turned to face her.
"He is just a boy, Uther!"
"Sire, I must protest. The Lady Morgana is right; Merlin is just a boy, what harm can he do?" Gaius added and Morgana nodded.
"He may be a boy, but he is a sorcerer first and foremost. No matter what apparently heroic acts he has performed I will be dealing with him as I would any other sorcerer which crosses my path."
"Father, you can't!"
"Sire, please."
"Guards, take him away to the dungeons and send word to the executioner," Uther commanded, ignoring their protests. "I believe his services will be required."
Arthur, Gaius, Morgana and Gwen watched, in true disbelief and horror as Merlin was dragged away; the doors of the hall closing loudly behind him.
"Sire, I…"
"Gaius, don't make this hard on yourself," Uther said, rather harshly, to the physician. "I know you are fond of the boy, but I cannot allow for such people to exist in this city," Gaius opened his mouth to retort, but instantly thought better of it.
"I won't allow you to execute him, Uther," Morgana threatened. "I will never forgive you if you do."
Uther rolled his eyes. "How many times have I heard that one?" His voice hardened as he continued. "No, Morgana. You will do as you are told and not interfere with this. Surely you disagree with Arthur having a sorcerer as a manservant."
"No. I don't. Because I know Merlin and I know he wouldn't hurt a fly," Morgana disagreed, before gesturing to Gwen and turning away in one sweeping motion. "You will not hear the end of this, Uther," she warned, calling over her shoulder as the two of them left the hall.
"I suggest you talk some sense into that woman, Arthur," The King told his son.
Arthur paused and gave a small pout before answering. "No, I don't think I will," The Prince turned to Gaius and the two remaining guards at the door. "Do you mind leaving us for a moment? I need to have a word with my father in private."
"Certainly Sire," The guards replied in unison, before marching stiffly away. Gaius gave a simple nod of his head, directed at both King and Prince before backing away and turning to leave.
"Gaius!" Arthur called and the physician turned around to face him once more. "Make sure he's treated well."
Gaius gave another nod. "I will, Sire. And thank you," Arthur waved it off and once the doors had been closed again he turned to face his father, who was once again seated and the look his gave simply threatened Arthur to protest.
"I'm not going to let you do this," Arthur said, his voice a low, angry whisper.
"You can't stop me," Uther said simply, but the words were harsh and only heightened Arthur's anger.
"I can try!" Arthur shouted. "I can make you see sense!" Uther didn't respond, so Arthur continued. "You can't execute Merlin. He's my manservant! What am I supposed to do without him?"
"Get another one."
"What if I don't want to? What if I like him?"
"Like him?" Uther roared with a frown and Arthur gulped nervously. "He's a manservant, there is nothing to like. He's below you and is only there to wash your clothes and polish your armour. Nothing more."
"He is more than that, though. He's a good friend and he's saved my life more times than you know!" Arthur cried. "Don't you understand that?" Uther opened his mouth to reply, but Arthur beat him to it. "No, you probably don't, do you. I doubt you actually have anyone you could class as a friend!" He knew the words were insensitive, but carried on nonetheless.
"Why should I need friends when I rule the Kingdom?" Uther replied, just as cruelly, knowing that his statement wasn't remotely true.
Arthur shook his head. "You just don't get it do you? The concept of friendship, the concept of kindness. You don't get any of it! Now I understand what people meant when they said you were an unkind ruler. I'd always stuck up for you, but not now."
"How dare you say that?!"
"I pity you, father," Arthur spat. "Why do you hate magic? What has it ever done to you?"
Uther visibly paled as his mind turned to the reason behind his hatred. How could he like it? Accept it? Magic was the one thing that had taken away his true love, nothing else. There was no way he was going to rest until he made sure every last bit of magic was wiped off the Earth. Sorcery did not deserve a mention in his Kingdom, not when it caused so much pain and suffering. He knew he had to do the right thing, he knew he had to get rid of that manservant before he caused the same pain to his son. That was reason enough.
"Go on, tell me," Arthur said, his voice softening the slightest bit at his father's apparent discomfort. "I need to understand why you are doing this."
"That is a subject for another day," Uther said gravely, his voice low and dangerous. "When you are King, you will be told of why magic needs to be kept at bay. Until then, there is no need for you to question me or my judgments. Is that understood?"
"No, it's not understood!" Arthur retorted. "What are you keeping from me?"
"I'm keeping nothing from you, Arthur. I am only protecting you."
"I don't need protecting. Least of all from you; Merlin is not going to harm me. Don't you think that if he was, he would have done so already?"
"That is not for me to say. I have said it before; he is a sorcerer and must be dealt with as the law of Camelot commands. I have sent for the executioner and that will be the last you ever hear of your manservant. I don't want to see you get hurt and I'm going to make sure his head is chopped clean off tomorrow and there will be nothing you can do about it!" Uther concluded, managing to sound both smug and furious.
"You are never going to learn are you?" Arthur said, his anger suddenly disappearing, replaced by grim determination. "And I pity you for that. Camelot is never going to advance if you hold us back like this. Magic deserves a place in his Kingdom and I assure you, that when you are gone, I will bring it back."
"You cannot mean that," Uther stated, his voice changing to a mixture of anger and shock.
"Oh, I do," Arthur assured him with a nod. "The evil sorcerers must be eradicated, I admit, but not everyone is evil. They can help, be an asset."
"We've been through this, Arthur," Uther began.
"We have, but there is nothing more to say. And you certainly won't be hearing anything further from me. Not until you learn. Not until you learn how to accept that magic has a part in this word and there is nothing you can do to deny it. Until that day, I am no longer proud to call you my father," Arthur finished, defiantly. Turning, he walked somewhat calmly away, ignoring his father's stunned silence as he did.
