A pool and secrets

Chapter Twenty-five

"This is absolutely preposterous! You cannot do this Sire!" yelled Lord Farrow as he banged his hands on the table. "This is not right. Imagine what your father would say. This law has kept us safe for many years and you just want to allow them free reign over our kingdom?" His old grey eyes practically bulging out of his scull as he yelled at the king.

"Do you see my father standing here today? No. He is dead and I am not my father. If you wish to live in a realm run by somebody like my father then you know where our borders end. Leave if you do not wish to be here. I'm not giving them free reign over this kingdom so I would remind you exactly who you are speaking to. They will abide by the same rules as anyone who lives in this kingdom. They will just be free to be who they are meant to be." Arthur spoke very calmly as he sat in his throne talking to the eight men who made up the royal advisors.

"What about our treaty with Emerald? King Vincent won't take kindly to this new law. He hates magical people even more than your father did. If he breaks the treaty what will we do?" Asked Lord Edward. Arthur looked at him in contemplation. Lord Edward had always been loyal to those who have ruled Camelot but Arthur knew that if it came down to it Lord Edward would do anything to protect his family. "If King Vincent wanted to start a war over this then I fear that Camelot could not withstand such an attack."

"I understand your fears Lord Edward but I feel deep in my heart that this is the path I and Camelot must take for the better of my people. Long has this kingdom been under attack by magical people and you know why?"

"Because they are terrible people who use their powers for terrible reasons. Just look at your sister Morgana and all she has done to this kingdom, to your father and even to you." Lord Farrow spat at Arthur.

"I admit Morgana has done many terrible things to this kingdom but do you know why? Fear. Fear has corrupted the person I once knew. The woman I grew up with. Fear for her life that would have been taken had it been known that she could wield magic. How many innocent lives have been taken just because the wield magic. Not because they have done something terrible to someone else. No. They were burned alive just for being born with an ability beyond their control. I cannot stand by and watch this happen anymore. That is why I have created this new law. To give people the freedom to live their lives without the fear of being killed just because they were born with magic. Not all those who possess magic are evil. Take the druids who hide in the forest in fear of prosecution. They do not harm others with their magic. All they do is live their lives day by day in fear that one day they may be discovered and killed. I have done a lot of reflection over this last month or so. I want to tell you about the last couple of times I have left Camelot and been attacked. There have been at least two occasions where we have received help from a wizard. They have saved my life twice even though if caught our laws would call for their death." Arthur sighed at the end of his speech.

He looked around the table at the old men before him. Many looked as they were seriously considering his reasons but a few did not and he took a mental note of those few who could be a danger in the future.

"That is a lot take in and consider my lord. Please let us think about this before you pass the law?" asked Lord Andret.

"Yes at least give us time to go over this law change to make sure everything is in order. How are we supposed to know that you have not been bewitched Sire?" asked Lord Yarrow.

Arthur glared at the man once again. "I suggest you hold that forked tongue of yours Lord Farrow before you find yourself in my dungeons charged with treason. Do you all not trust your king to write sound laws for his people" Arthur asked the others at the table.

"No. No, that is not what we meant Sire." Lord Andret said fearfully.

"Right. Well then there is no reason for you to go over it then. Is there? No? Good." Arthur looked up to his knights standing near the door who were trying to hide their smiles. "Please give word to the people that the king has an announcement that must be read out to all. That they must gather in the courtyard where all can hear." The knights bowed before leaving to go do as they were asked. "Right Gentlemen. Please be present for the announcement of the changes to the law. After that please have a good afternoon." Arthur said before he too took his leave.

-AMAMAMAMAMAMAMAM-

Merlin sobbed as Alar carved a line down Mordred's face; also cutting off the gag from his mouth. "Please. Please. I...I...I won't go anywhere. Please leave him alone!" Pleaded Merlin. All He could do was plead for mercy from a man that he knew had none. Merlin placed his hands on his stomach as he felt his child kicking up a storm. All this stress could not be good for the baby.

"Now. Now. Merlin. I believe you have to learn that you cannot escape from me. Maybe I should give Mordred to my men to have a little fun with?" Alar spoke as he once again brought his face closer to Merlin's. Merlin started to shake his head from side to side. "No? But how will you and he learn? I'm not stupid. I know this little escape plan had Mordred all over it. But, hmm what to do?" Alar mumbled as he back away while tapping a finger to his chin. "Alar? What is going on here? Why have you not returned on schedule?" A deep voice asked from within the crowed. Merlin and Mordred watched as the men parted to reveal a tall man with dark brown haired man with a long scar running from the bottom of his left eye to the bottom of his chin. The man looked to scene before him as his eyes landed on the two figures tied to a tree in the middle of the crowd.

"Alaric? What are you doing here?" Alar asked as he looked on the familiar face of his older brother.

"Lady Morgana sent me to look for you as you were late to report back to her. What have you been doing? Why do you have a pregnant woman and Mordred tied to a tree? Lady Morgana won't be pleased to know you tied up her favourite person." Alaric scowled looking down at Mordred. He has always been jealous the love and trust that Morgana had for Mordred. The scarred man quite liked the sight of Mordred tied and bound to the tree. Not to leave out the obvious beating that had been given to him.

"Woman? This is no woman Alaric. Do you not recognise him? Picture him with short black hair and a red scarf around his neck." Alar spoke as he walked up to Merlin and grabbed his hair before pulling it back a bit so that his brother could get a better look at his face. Alaric stared at Merlin with a frown before a look of recognition came across his face.

"Oh Alar. Morgana will be most pleased by your catch. This is very good for us. She will pay us handsomely for his head. There is no secret of the impact Merlin has on Arthur and his decisions. Any moron knows of the trust and loyalty Arthur shows for his servant." Alaric smirked in glee.

"That is not all brother. Look at his stomach. He is pregnant and you will never guess who his spawn belongs to." Alar said to his brother with a laugh.

"Whose?" Alaric asked as he approached the two men attached to the tree.

"Arthur's himself! He cheated on his future wife with Merlin. Can you believe it?" Alar laughed looking at his elder brother.

"Surely not." Alaric shook his head in disbelief.

"Believe it brother. Mister prim and proper daddy's boy actually slept with his servant. We will be rolling in gold and power." Alar laughed as he released Merlin's hair. "And they are tied to a tree as they tried to escape today."

"Speaking of, why is Mordred tied to the tree? Not that I am complaining. I love seeing Lady Morgana's pet tied up to a tree. But you can say goodbye to the gold and power is she finds out you had her chosen beaten and tied to a tree like the dog we both know he is." Alaric spoke as he glared down at the beaten and bloody man before him.

"We caught him trying to help Merlin. We went to investigate when Mordred and the men he travelled with didn't show at the meeting sot at the designated time and place. Imagine our shock upon arrival to see him living the simple life with dear Merlin here." Alar explained not taking his eyes off Merlin who continued to sob throughout the brothers' whole conversation.

"Oh that is news indeed brother." Alaric knelt down to look Mordred in the eyes. "Years I have dreamed of this moment. That you would show Lady Morgana your true side. I have always felt you were weak and not ready for the glorious world our lady will bring to this land. It is a great day indeed."

Mordred spat at the man's face when all of a sudden there was a loud roar from the sky before a burst of flames landed on the tent closest to the crowd. "We are under attack! Men find where the flames are coming from and kill whoever is responsible!" Alaric yelled to the men around him. "You! Watch these two and make sure they don't get away in the chaos." He yelled to one of the men nearby who had yet to leave.

Merlin and Mordred looked at each other with hope in their eyes. "Kilgarrah" they said together. Both men watched as the old dragon flew overhead burning all that he could. While flying around the dragon spotted the men he was after tied to a tree in a small clearing in the tents he landed when it was safe. Before he could take a step forward however a man came forward holding his sword towards the dragon. Kilgarrah gave a growl and swiped his foot at the man sending him flying. When he got closer he used a claw to cut the rope binding the men to the tree.

"Come. We must go. It isn't safe to linger any more than we need to." Kilgarrah spoke as they stood before him. The men held the arms up to the dragon showing their bound hands. Just as he was about to cut them as well Kilgarrah noticed a group of men getting closer.

"Kill the dragon! Don't let them escape!" Alar yelled to his men as they got closer.

"Come. We must go now! We can remove the bindings when we are safe. He bowed allowing Mordred to help Merlin climb up before he was also able to climb atop the dragon. When both men were up safely Kilgarrah took off to safety.

"Thank You Kilgarrah. Now please take us home." Merlin said before he slumped forward in a faint.

"Merlin!" yelled Mordred as he steadied Merlin in his arms. Kilgarrah flew faster worried about his friend and master.

-AMAMAMAMAMAMAM-

Arthur stared at his subjects gathered in the courtyard before him. "Good people of Camelot I have gathered you all here this fine day to advise you of a change to one of our laws. The law pertaining to all magic users found in the kingdom." The people all gasped and began to talk amongst themselves. Arthur held up his hand and they all became quiet once again. "I have not completely cut the law but I have changed it. I have thought over this law for the last month or so and I believe I have come to the right conclusion. Some of you may remember the time before this law and how magic users were cherished. How they helped people who came to them. My father forgot about this in his campaign to wipe out magic users. I will admit that Camelot has had its share of wizards who has wished harm to Camelot but in my contemplation I have begun to understand them. They are born with a gift but are forced to keep it hidden or face death. They do not ask to have magic but are born with it. Imagine to fear something you are born with."

Arthur looked down at the people giving them a chance to take in all that he has just spoken to them. He could see so many scared faces on the people down below him and could feel the dirty looks from some of the advisors behind him. But he knew that this needed to be done in order to protect Merlin and his unborn child. Thinking of Merlin brought pain to his chest. He hoped that the dragon had found Merlin safe and was bringing him home to him now. "The penalty of being burnt alive has been removed and all magic wielders are free to use their powers as long as they are used for the right reasons and not used to harm others. Anyone found to be using magic for illegal means or against anyone without their permission will find themselves held for their crimes and punished according to that crime."

Arthur waited for the talking to die down to a small whisper once again. "As I'm sure this law change will increase the number of people accusing magical users of wrong doings I have personally appointed a magical advisor."

"What?!" Arthur heard behind him.

Ignoring Lord Farrow's outburst Arthur continued to speak. "As I mentioned I have appointed a magical advisor who can shed some light on any accusations against magical wrong doings. Many should know of this person as he has been beside me for many years now and many know that I already hold his thoughts in high esteem. He is not here right now as he was taken captive by people who wished to use his power but he has been rescued safely. The person I speak of is my old servant Merlin. Some of you may also know that he has been missing for last two months or so. As you may have guessed he left due to magic and another reason that at this point in time I do not wish to mention. I would like to thank you for your time today. It will take time for you all to get used to the changes brought before you today and I'm sure even longer for those with magic to have the courage to practice their arts before others. I have always thought of Camelot as a great kingdom and I feel that these changes will give rise to a momentous age for us all."

As he finished his speech and people began to slowly filter out of the courtyard he noticed a huge figure in the distance. "Merlin" he whispered in happiness.

"Sire we must talk about this so called magical advisor." Began Lord Farrow stepping in Arthur's path.

"Not now Lord Farrow. I have more important matters to attend to." Arthur said as he pushed passed Lord Farrow.

"What is more important than the kingdom!" Was yelled behind him but Arthur only had one thing on his mind.