"Thank you, Gwen." I said to my friend as she helped tidy my chambers.
After the morning's events, I returned to my chambers with Gwen, where I bathed and changed into a red gown, leaving my hair out. The bracelet length sleeves clearly revealed the red marks left by the shackles. I wasn't petty, but as long as the marks remained I was happy for them to remind Uther and Arthur of their mistake.
"I still can't believe how cruel Aredian was." She said, shaking her head.
"Aredian never caught sorcerers, he just planted evidence and tortures his victims until they confess whether they're guilty or not." I replied, as there was a knock on the door.
Gwen went to open it and Uther stepped into my chambers, followed by Arthur.
"Sire." I curtseyed politely, although I felt like being everything but polite.
"Princess. Please, allow me to give you my deepest apologies." Uther said. "Aredian…he had us fooled."
"Not everyone, sire." I replied. "Gwaine, Merlin and Gwen were the only ones with faith in me." I added, half aiming it at Arthur.
"And if you were innocent, why did you confess?" He asked.
"Because he threatened to have Merlin and Gwen executed. And since it didn't take much to convince you that I was an enemy, I knew you wouldn't lose any sleep sentencing two servants to death." I replied politely, but with just enough sharpness to my words to let him know just what I thought of him.
"And you'd risk your life for those of two servants?" He asked perplexed, and I couldn't believe he asked that with Gwen standing in the room.
"A life is a life. A person is person. Just because you're a royal doesn't make your life more important than that of a commoner. It's about who you are not what you were born as." I replied and happened to glance at Arthur who had a proud smile plastered on his face.
"And I know I speak out of place, sire. But you see enemies where there are friends. You hear the word magic and you become blinded. Allies are hard to come by at this time and if you're not careful, you will find yourself alone." I finished.
"You are right." Uther said. "I owe you a debt for exposing the Witch Finder."
"You owe me nothing. It was Merlin and Gwen you owe." I replied and he nodded, although not meeting my eyes. "If that is all, sire." I said, curtseying and he stayed a moment longer before leaving.
"Gwen, could you give us a moment?" Arthur asked, and I looked up at him, not realizing he was still here.
"Of course, sire." She said, eyeing me carefully before quickly leaving my chambers.
"I too owe you an apology, Circa." Arthur said, putting his hand on the back of a chair as I stood by the table.
"You did nothing…" I replied.
"No. I …" he began.
"No. You did nothing." I interrupted, meaning he did nothing, not nothing wrong. He was silent for a moment. "Have I ever given you a reason not to trust me?"
"Of course you haven't. And you didn't deserve any of this. I-I don't know how to apologise." He said and I could see tears starting to form in his eyes.
"I think you should go." I said, but my earlier terseness had gone.
He looked at me despairingly, before turning and leaving my chambers.