Dear readers,

Thanks so much for all that feedback yesterday. I created a poll on my profile so that you can vote officially, so please check that out after you've read this chapter (the subject is whether or shot I should have a Dark!Merlin plot in the sequel- Please say yes, I think it will be quite exciting :D )

Warning: This chapter features Uther acting as bit of a bitch (excuse my French), so be warned! Personally I think he's a lovely guy… Just a bit of an odd-bod when it comes to magic -x-

MerlinFan: I love your comments, they always cheer me up! Thanks for the support with the Dark!Merlin idea -x-

Aurora89: I intend to do that as well- The Dark!Merlin sequel idea will only be a small part of the story (that will also see Arthur using magic to save Camelot and rescue Merlin from being evil). If you still don't fancy the idea then don't worry; I understand -x-

Oojuniperberry: Yay! I love your reviews :D Thank-you for being so lovely- your story is one of my favourites too -x-

Sylvanara: Thanks for the review, it really made me rethink the idea- you definitely have a strong point; Some Dark!Merlin fics prove that Uther is right about his hatred of magic.

In the case of my story Merlin (if the idea gets enough votes) will be 'poisoned' by Morgana (in an act of revenge from the consequences of this story) and wont be in charge of his actions

(I know my argument doesn't really have any other strong points apart from the fact that I think Merlin is totally sexy when he's evil!) -does that encourage you to vote yes? I hope so but if the Dark!Merlin idea doesn't get enough votes then I'll just have to except that. I'm not going to resort to rigging the election!

So far the Dark!Merlin idea currently stands at 4-3 with more supporters than detractors of my plan.

But I digress… Here's the next chapter…

Love from,

The-Mysterious-Scribe

-xxx-

Arthur's POV

"NO!" Morgana shouted. "Sister!"

She ran towards Merlin and screamed, her eyes flashed gold and all the windows shattered in her rage.

"You will pay for that!"

Her eyes flashed again as she roared fiercely, making the tables shake and dust fall from the ceiling.

"Nídgenga, swicol ongéanhweorf!" Merlin said quietly said and

she floated eerily in the air for a few seconds until a small hurricane seemed to suck her up and dispel her from sight.

"Noooo!" she screamed as the whirlwind grew stronger and she slowly vanished from sight.

Silenced echoed around the hall for a few minutes. Then the great hall erupted in chatter and nervous whispering.

"Guards!" father yelled suddenly and the low murmur of voices stopped at once.

"If I may my lord," Merlin spoke calmly, avoiding eye contact with me. "The guards have been sent far away. That was the witch sisters doing."

The way he said the word 'witch' made me shiver and a poor woman next to him clutched on to her husband in fear. I don't think he meant to scare her though, when he noticed the girl's fear his face clearly showed an unspoken apology.

"Then I will have my knights carry you to the dungeons instead." father threatened and gestured for the knights nearest to him.

I heard rusting of chains and guessed that my knights must've approached Merlin.

"Take him to the dungeons and tell the executioner that his services will be required for tomorrow morning." My father ordered.

"No!" Lancelot called out from where he stood. "He saved your son's life."

"He only did so by using the most evilest of means." he paused dramatically, "Sorcerery."

"But sire-" Lancelot pressed.

"No Lancelot, I have earned my fate." I heard Merlin interrupt him bravely.

"Get him out of my sight." My father said finally and I heard the sound of movement becoming dimmer and dimmer.

I realised Merlin had left the hall. I kept stared down at my plate, so shocked that I couldn't be sure if I would ever look up again.

Gradually the chatter in the hall erupted once again, people started anxiously filing out of the room in quite a hurry.

I looked up and saw an empty hall, decorations scattered over the floor and food left on plates as the guests were too scared to finish.

They were scared of Merlin, it just wasn't right.

Merlin was a sorcerer… I just couldn't get my head around the idea.

My fellow nobles finally stood up and wished myself and father good night.

I followed my father out of the great hall and turned left to walk in the direction of the royal quarters. Up the beautiful wooden staircase and along the corridor I was just about to turn left and enter the corridor that led to my chambers when my father put a hand out to stop me.

"Arthur, I don't want you going down to see the sorcerer."

"But father, he saved my life. Surely he deserves a proper thanking."

"Arthur, have you lost your mind? He is a sorcerer, do you have any idea of the problems they can cause?"

"He has done nothing bad to anyone, in fact he has proven himself to be on our side."

"What, you think that by killing Morgause he has earned my favour? Then you are a fool my son."

I tried not to show it but my father's words hurt me.

"If Merlin was a knight or even a competitor in a tournament who saved my life you would thank him with money and glory, but instead you imprison him in a dungeon and treat him like a traitor!"

My father spun around, an evil glint lurked in his aged eyes. A vein was pulsing in his forehead, he looked truly deranged.

"How dare you?" He spat. "How dare you defy me when I am king? The boy will be burnt tomorrow and you will watch my son, you will watch him die. Because he is a traitor!"

"You let your prejudices of magic stop you from seeing the truth!" I yelled at my father.

For once I saw him as others saw him; a murderer, a bitter old man, who's hatred of magic acted as a hindrance.

"How would you know what the truth was? You were just a child during the Great Purge, you know nothing."

My anger gushed out of control. Out of nowhere an intense burning behind my eye sockets began, again I felt that strange happiness.

After a while it developed into a sort of zingy feeling, as though a thousand tiny needles were pricking into the back of my eye. I stumbled awkwardly as the magic weakened me slightly.

I looked up to see my father staring intently at my face. "Did you just…. No, never mind." He answered himself. Deciding that my sudden change in eye colour must've been down to the lights.

"Father, I am going to see him. He needs my thanks, Merlin has been my loyal manservant for nearly three and a half years now. He deserves my thanks even if there is nothing else I can do for him."

"Arthur, I forbid you from seeing him. He has lied to you all the time that you've known him. Do you have no shame?"

My breath caught in my throat as my I pondered over my fathers words. They were all true and there was no doubting that hurt. But who was I to judge Merlin without even giving him a chance to explain himself? Surely every man deserved a trial.

"Of course I have shame father. But sometimes you need to overlook your shame and do what is right."

He looked down at me with his unfaltering steely gaze.

"Guard," he called as a man wearing a red uniform with the golden Pendragon crest rounded the corner.

"Yes My Lord?" The guard asked, bowing slightly.

"Take my son to his room. Do not let him out of his chambers under any circumstances. Do you understand me?"

"Yes My Lord." He grabbed my upper arm tightly and attempted to drag me down the corridor.

"Hang on a second father!… Do you not think you're overreacting just a bit?"

I struggled violently in the grasp of my oppressor and finally freed myself; the guard may be strong, but, as the first knight of Camelot he was no match for me.

"All I did was speak my mind, and now you're confining me to my chambers?"

"You did not merely speak your mind Arthur, you also deliberately tried to undermine me. You are lucky that it is just your chambers in which I am confining you; if the sorcerer was not currently occupying the dungeons I would place you there without hesitation."

"Deliberately try to undermine you? I'm not a child anymore father, am I not allowed to voice my opinions?"

"Not when your opinions are about something I have already decided upon."

He looked up and down the corridor, the angry glint still apparent in eyes.

"Guards!" My father called and at once three brawny men marched up the hallway.

All three bowed to my father and I. "Yes My Lord?" They asked.

"Help this guard escort my son to his quarters at once." His tone was sharp and the three men flinched.

"Wait…no!" but my struggling was futile against the four men who dragged me down the corridor almost effortlessly.

"You must learn," My father said "That sometimes it is best if your mind remains unspoken."

Author's Note: So, how was that? It took quite a long time to write because I kept getting Uther all wrong- he's still a bit OOC but he kind of has to be (He has to stop Arthur from seeing Merlin at the moment). I hope you liked it -x-

Please review (and don't forget to vote in your review!)

Remember- I have also set up a poll on my profile.

(My profile also has information on other possible future stories and links to my stories that are already published -but not yet complete- so why not check them out if you get the time?)

Thanks for reading, I plan to update on Tuesday.

-xxx-