Arthur supervised the prisoners before going to report to his father, in the rush he didn't notice Sir Codon disappear. He gave the man no thought until he reached the throne room to see said knight coming out. Arthur glowered at him "Couldn't wait could you. Well next time I go out don't come with me. If you can't help my other men before you run to get your word in first you are not welcome."

"I am a loyal knight to the King I was asked to report" Codon retorted

"Are you suggesting I'm not loyal? And why would you have be asked to report on a simple hunting trip" Arthur looked at the knight "I don't appreciate being spied upon. Get out of my sight."

Arthur entered to find his father waiting for him. Deciding to get the first word in Arthur spoke "I have come to give my report Sire. We were attacked on our hunting trip by a large force but thanks to the sorcerer prevailed, with only their witch escaping, they are in the dungeons awaiting your pleasure."

"You let the boy go uncollared" Uther growled

"No, if you wish to listen to a knight who should have been helping secure the prisoners you should realise that it would be given to favour him. The witch freed Merlin, he however defeated her and healed us, when he could have escaped or joined forces with her." Arthur stood his ground. "I left the collar off until he recovered from the drain the use of his magic caused, then replaced it. Such a loyal act deserved to be treated as such. I didn't want him damaged by saving us"

Arthur watched his father's face for signs of what would follow "Sir Codon reports that it was the boy's power that injured you all." Uther said "That doesn't sound loyal to me"

"It was the witch who used magic against us, Sir Codon is mistaken, he is a man who looks after himself, you should realise that when he left his duty to run to you" Arthur knew his men would back him they were all grateful to Merlin. "I have no need for such men as he, in my patrols or hunts in future"

Uther nodded his head but was determined on one thing "Where is the boy?"

"Where he should be, in my rooms chained to the wall" Arthur told his father.

Uther called a guard "Give your key to the guard" then turning to the guard "Bring the mage from the Princes chambers."

Uther looked at Arthur "The collar needs to be replaced, it may have been weakened. I will get a new one" with that he walked out and came back at the same time as the guard arrived with Merlin. He walked up to Merlin and removed the collar by passing a gem over it. Arthur watched with interest it was the first time he had ever seen his father remove a collar. He filed the information away. The King then replaced the collar with a new one. As it snapped shut Merlin's knees gave way. Uther looked down at Merlin with satisfaction.

"The collar is larger and more powerful, he will adjust in the next few days. His power is greater than I thought if he could do so much with it. For withholding that he will have fifteen lashes"

Arthur looked astounded "No! He saved us all when he could have ran. It is the collar that holds his power in not him."

"You appear to be getting fond of your mage. I think I will remove him and replace him for another. You must realise son that they are but tools, not human like us. Like a dog if you pet them they become worthless at their job"

Arthur felt anger boiling up he would not tolerate this "You gifted him to me, in front of the whole court, he is mine and not yours to take back. I will not have him replaced. He has proven his loyalty to me by risking his life to save us." He turned and helped Merlin to his feet. "Follow me" with that he started to walk out followed by Merlin.

"Stop!" Uther shouted Arthur turned to his father "As you say he was a gift, you can keep him for now but if I ever have any doubt to his power or loyalty or indeed yours and he will be flogged to death. His collar is never to be removed again he has had his chance"

Arthur bowed his head "Your Majesty" with that they left the throne room.

When they got back to Arthur's room the Prince looked at Merlin "I am sorry, you deserve better, I and the knights thank you"

Merlin got down onto his knees "I am sorry Sire I have caused trouble between you and the King"

"Merlin get up, and no you have not, the king and I have begun to part ways I find some of his actions unacceptable. I tell you this knowing you will not repeat it" Arthur gave the warlock a smile

"I have no one to tell Sire" Merlin said and then he went to curl up on his blanket.

"Does it hurt? Your new collar?" Arthur enquired

"No but it drains me. I told you I was due a new one, it was what I expected. Thank you for saving me the whipping, I have been whipped before and it is not good" Merlin clearly wasn't expecting an answer and let his exhaustion pull him under.

Arthur sat and looked at the boy he knew to be his cousin and wondered if he had done right by him. He had thought of riding away from Camelot not to return taking Merlin with him, but he had a duty to his people and to Morgana, He could see nothing else he could have done but it stung to see Merlin treated as he was. Camelot's laws didn't permit the keeping of slaves but what else were the mages if not slaves.

Later when George brought him his supper he made sure to give Merlin the lions share, and a goblet of wine in the hope it would help fortify the boy. He wondered where his father kept the stone he had used to remove the collar and what it was and decided to speak to Gaius when he had the chance.

Before he turned in for the night Morgana came to visit, seeing Merlin asleep she kept her voice down "Arthur after you left I had another of my visions. What happened?"

Arthur told her what happened and also what happened when they returned. Morgana paled "I have seen the woman with blonde hair in my dreams, I fear you haven't seen the last of her. But Merlin saved you! I saw you led slain your throat cut. I think it was her"

Arthur hugged his sister "Merlin did save me he saved us all. Then I brought him back to this!"

"You had to, he wouldn't have let you risk his family, one day they will be free I am sure" Morgana looked at Arthur "You will be a just King Arthur, in the end it will be worth it all"