Sarrum went to walk out the room when Balinor stopped him "Not so quick! I have some questions that need answering" he looked at the Pendragon King "Did you know of this plan to attack my son? Or was this….. working alone?"
"I knew nothing" Uther told the Powys King.
"Now do I believe you?" Balinor looked at Uther and frowned clearly not convinced.
"I don't lie!" Uther protested "The truth is I knew nothing" after all he hadn't, he had suspected but that's not the same as knowing he tells himself.
"You may not lie" Nimueh stepped forward "But you killed hundreds of innocent people to conceal the truth"
Uther went white as Nimueh continued "Have you told your son the truth yet? I doubt it, have you told him how you allowed his mother, your beloved wife to die so he could be born then blame the magic community for your actions?" Uther had stepped forward to stop Nimueh speaking but she continued regardless. "A man who that would do would allow his son in law to die"
Arthur stared at his father "What is she talking about?"
Uther looked defeated for a moment then rallied "It was you! You did it you killed your friend!"
"I did what she asked and I have regretted it ever since. She did it for you!" Nimueh protested.
Balinor knowing what was going to come out spoke "Everyone leave accept for Prince Arthur, King Uther and Nimueh" he demanded "Alvarr and Gwaine let no one in"
No one agued with the Powys King and all filed out. Uther's knights glanced at him for permission and saw their King nod in agreement. Once everyone had left and the door shut Balinor spoke once more "Sorry Arthur but it's right you know" he looked at Uther "I suggest you tell your son"
Uther looked at Arthur "I never meant it to happen! Your mother couldn't conceive and we needed an heir, I could have taken a broodmare, but your mother wanted to be a mother. Nimueh was my advisor and I asked her to find a way to help us. She used magic. But your mother died giving birth to you, she didn't tell me!"
"I did! I warned you a life for a life! I told both of you! I also told you I couldn't control who died. But you wanted a son so badly, Ygraine would have done anything for you, she knew, as soon as she had conceived, it would be her life, I told both of you if she got rid of the child quickly she would live, but you wouldn't hear of it and she loved you so much, she would have agreed to anything!" Nimueh glared at Uther "I have lived with my guilt ever since." She looked at a stunned Arthur "Then your father turned on magic users blamed them and the purge began. Would you believe a man like that!"
Arthur sunk to his knees "My mother, I always blamed myself for killing her" he looked up at his father "Why didn't you tell me?"
"She lies, she never warned me I would lose her, I thought it would be some peasant" Uther told his son. "Your mother so wanted a child."
"Any life was wrong, you can't give someone else's life!" Arthur protested. "All those people you had killed burnt on the pyre for something you did."
Balinor walked up to Arthur and put a hand on his shoulder "I'm sorry my boy that you should find out like this" Balinor walked up to Uther but before he got there Arthur was on his feet and facing his father.
"Did you know about the attack on Merlin? Don't lie to me, not in this" he demanded. As he looked into his father's face he saw the truth. "You knew, you knew and didn't stop it."
"No I didn't, I had my suspicions but I didn't know" Uther told his son.
"You did nothing to stop it, you who knows what it's like to lose a partner, you did this to us!" Arthur drew his sword "I should gut you here and now, but I will let you fight, I'll give you more of a chance you were going to give to Merlin" rage coursed through Arthur he didn't care that he was about to kill his own father.
Once more Balinor intervened "Stop son! You will never forgive yourself, and it's not something that will help your Kingdom, or Merlin, I know my son he would blame himself"
Balinor looked at Uther "You are unfit to be King, abdicate in favour of your son, and you can live, not in free in exile as you would cause problems, but as my 'guest' in Powys until the day you die. It's that or I will join your son in a war to overthrow you, my dragons will ensure we win that war. But your people will suffer. That is the only choice you have, that way your son will be king and your grandsons after you, your dynasty will continue as you wanted when you made the bargain for a child"
"No he dies" Arthur shouted "I'll kill him for what he allowed not only Merlin but my unborn child!" Balinor grabbed Arthur had held him. The much bigger man managing to contain the Prince.
"No son, think about what you are doing. Go and talk to Merlin, your father will still be here, don't do anything rash. Actions taken in haste are often wrong." Balinor looked at Arthur with sympathy "Don't worry he won't get away with this.
Arthur shook Balinor off and turned back to his father anger and hatred clear in his face "You killed my mother and tried to kill my husband and child, I no longer acknowledge you as my king. I will do as Balinor says and consider my actions, but until them you are to go to the dungeons and await my pleasure. But I warn you aside from the family you have hurt, you have killed hundreds of innocent people and have bound the magic of the omegas without thought of the harm you do them. Magic will be legal once more and all omegas will be free from your restraints. Your legacy is one of darkness and hatred." Arthur turned to Gwaine "I know you are not my knight but can you take ..this.. to the dungeons and ask my loyal knights to guard him well, shackle him" Arthur asked the brunette.
"Go to Merlin" Balinor told Arthur. "I will make sure Sarrum doesn't run away before the morning"
Arthur nodded and as he walked out the door found Leon and Elyan waiting "Uther is under arrest and will be kept prisoner until I have cleared my head" with that Arthur walked off to his chambers to check on his husband.
When he got to his chambers he stood outside forcing himself to calm down, the last thing he wanted to do was to upset his pregnant omega. He walked through his chambers and entered Merlin's and found Merlin sat up in bed looking better than he had done since before the attack. Going straight to Merlin's side Arthur sat down by him and drew him into a hug. "Oh Merlin, it's good to see you better"
Merlin looked at Arthur and even in his present state realised something was bothering his alpha "What's the matter? What happened?"
Arthur smiled down at Merlin "Sarrum will be dead by tomorrow. You will be safe my love"
"Oh Arthur be careful, I couldn't bear to lose you" Merlin looked distressed.
"Don't worry brother" a voice came from the door as Mordred walked in "I beat Arthur to it, it will be me fighting him tomorrow"
Merlin looked at Arthur in surprise "It's true the challenged Sarrum before I had the chance." He looked at his brother in law "I'm not sure I forgive you for that!"
"Merlin in my brother I had as much right as you" Mordred looked at Merlin "Don't worry he's as good as dead., this way Arthur won't have to kill as guest, it is a dispute between two visitors, I know Sarrum's son he won't care he will be too pleased to get his father's throne, Like Father like son"
"Take care Mordred he is a fierce fighter, he plays dirty" Arthur warned him the younger man.
"Like Gwaine said he taught me, I don't fight dirty but I know the tricks" Mordred smiled at his brother, "Don't worry I will take care."
"Something else is bothering you?" Merlin asked looking at his alpha.
Arthur told Merlin what his father had done and that he had known about the planned attack. "I'm not sure what to do, I want to kill him. I can't risk starting a civil war if I send him to Powys will that stop one? I feel it best if he dies he deserves to for all the misery and death he has caused."
Merlin looked at his alpha "You can't kill your own father, not for me, you would come to hate me!" Merlin looked at Arthur "What about the council, what do they say?"
Arthur looked at Merlin with surprise "Of course the council, why didn't I think of that! They should be involved it would reduce the risk of civil war. Merlin you are a genius"
Hunith spoke for the first time, Arthur hadn't even seen her sitting in the room. "Your omega is a thinker Arthur, he hates conflict and has always been good at resolving things." Queen Hunith looked at Merlin then Arthur. "Merlin is weary, might I suggest you call your council then come back and keep your omega company."
"Thank you my Lady" Arthur looked down at Merlin "Rest my love I won't be long"
As he left the room Hunith followed him out and stopped him before he went very far "Arthur think carefully, killing your father no matter what his actions is not an action to be taken lightly, He is your King you kill him and it gives cause for others to kill you. Think long and hard, we are here if you wish to talk to us"
Arthur looked at the mother in law he had only just met and felt a wave of gratitude to her "Thank you my Lady, I will consider your words"
Arthur went out and arranged for a full council meeting to take place immediately. They wouldn't get much done tonight but at least he would inform them. Before going to the council room he went to see his sister. Knocking on the door of her chambers he went in as she called.
"Arthur! What are these rumours I have heard, I cannot find Leon" Morgana demanded
"Calm yourself, sister, Leon is guarding a prisoner for me, but we are about to have a council meeting. I won't keep him from you long" Arthur told her. As she was pregnant he didn't want to cause her stress.
"Then it's true, you have put Uther in the dungeons!" Morgana looked at her brother "Was he involved with Merlin's attack?"
"He knew about it and didn't stop it, but that's not all it seemed he used magic to help my conception knowing it would kill my mother, then had the audacity to blame all magic users, that was the reason for the great Purge and you Omegas wearing those suppressors. He's had lied to me all these years it is him that is evil not sorcerers" Arthur looked at his sister "He is your father, do you wish to attend the council to help decide his fate? I can't risk a civil war. Balinor has offered to hold him prisoner in Powys, I was going to run him through"
Morgana looked at Arthur in surprise "What do you plan Arthur?"
Arthur looked at his sister "I don't know" he admitted "Tonight I will tell the council the facts then tomorrow we will have a full council meeting. But I cannot let him continue to rule, he is unfit to lead our people"
Morgana put her hand on his arm "Go tell the council, tomorrow I will go with you, after all he was my father, much as I hate him for what he has done. We have all night to think of something"
Arthur felt better for having spoken to his sister, but he wondered if he had killed his father on the spot if it wouldn't have been easier. His father had a lot of supporters on the council. One thing Arthur did know was that he had King Balinor's full support and the threat of the dragons, if used carefully, would most likely tilt the balance in his favour.