HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERY ONE

...

Merlin slept for hours, when he did wake he was in pain and felt sore, he opened his eyes and found a concerned and grieving Arthur looking down at him. The look on his alpha's face brought back what had happened. He had lost his baby, his alphas baby! He closed his eyes letting a tear escape as Arthur wiped the tear away with his thumb Merlin opened his eyes once more. Looking anywhere but at Arthur he spoke in a cracked voice "I am sorry, so sorry I lost the baby, I couldn't save it. You must hate me…..please kill me now"

Arthur heart clenched as he heard his omegas words, he clearly blamed himself. "Little Hawk I couldn't harm you! I love you, and it is I who should be sorry, it is my job to protect you. I failed YOU. I allowed that monster to kill our little one and hurt you. Can you ever forgive me?" Arthur gently pulled Merlin into his arms and held him as they both cried. It was the first time Arthur could ever remember letting go of his emotions like this. But somehow it felt the right thing to do, after all the babe had been both of theirs.

Merlin fell back into an exhausted sleep, Arthur led and watched him, but thought of what need to be done next. He had Adrian to deal with and the dowager Queen. He had no proof that Catrina had anything to do with Merlin's earlier kidnapping, but he knew in his own mind that she played a part. He decided that she should at least be exiled, but for now he would have her put under guard in her room, after all she was in mourning officially. He would investigate further before making a final decision.

Adrian was however a different thing all together, Arthur wanted his punishment to be as harsh as possible. Not just for what he had done to Merlin and their unborn baby but for all the magic users he had tortured and those who didn't even have magic. Arthur wondered just how many deaths he had been involved in. In his heart he wanted nothing more than to go down to the cells and kill the man with his own hands. But he was King now and justice had to be seen to be done, but he knew he had to stamp his mark and what he did at the beginning of his reign would shape that reign and what his people thought of him. He wanted all his people to feel safe and that Justice would be done.

As he pondered his sister arrived and offered to sit with Merlin saying "Arthur you need to speak to the people, I understand rumours are starting. I will stay with Merlin and have you called if needed"

Arthur looked at his sister, he knew she was right "I don't want to leave him" he told her, then added "I will make all omegas free, I want you to sit on the council as is your right as my sister. I have so many changes to make" he felt overwhelmed at that moment.

Morgana seeing her brother was grieving and finding thinking difficult went and hugged him "Take your time Arthur, do not rush things through. I know you will get there in the end. Make your position solid first, ensure you have a coronation as soon as possible and send out word to Camelot's neighbours, then and only then look at changing your new kingdom" she advised. You have good men round you trust them to help you"

Arthur looked at his sister "When did you get so wise?"

Morgana gave an encouraging smile "I always have been you just never noticed before." She paused before adding "We all understand your loss brother, but you are both young. You have all our support at this time your both do, but you must stay strong for Merlin's sake…and your peoples"

Arthur got up and washing his face put on some outer clothing, his sister placed his Camelot cape round his shoulders. "Gwen will sit with Merlin if you want me by your side when you speak to the people"

"Thank you Morgana, I will go now, if I have you next to me it will show that all omegas are to be treated differently from now….come let get this over with"

Arthur kissed the still sleeping Merlin as Morgana called for Gwen. Then they headed down to the throne room and the balcony. As the council and populace were summoned Arthur went through things in his mind. This would be one of the most defining moments of his Kingship, it need to be right. As he stepped out on the balcony there was a cheer from below. Arthur had always been popular with the ordinary people. Some of the nobles looked less than delighted but were wish enough to keep silent.

As the noise settled Arthur started to speak.

"Citizens of Camelot I know the rumours surrounding the late King Uther's death have reached you. I will confirm he is dead and that I killed him in a fair fight. He had ordered my unborn child murdered and my beloved omega tortured by the witch finder Adrian." He held up his hand to silence the murmurs "Added to that Great Purge that has killed so many, was started as a direct result of the late King using witchcraft to allow me to be conceived, knowing that Queen Ygraine would die, to make a live another must be lost. A King cannot be tried for treason by his people but he could not be allowed to continue, part of the coronation oath is to protect the weak and the citizens of Camelot. He failed in that duty."

Arthur paused to let his words sink in before continuing "I make this promise today that no more innocent magic users will be killed, any person committing a crime whether by magical means for not will be treated to the same justice. The new laws will be drafted. Also there will be news laws protecting Omegas, They will no longer be classed as chattels but as human beings with free will and rights. Although I will swear my oaths to you all today there will be a public coronation when my Omega is well enough to attend as he will be crowned my consort. We will marry on the same day." Arthur voice rose as he added "I promise you all this I will always reign for the love and benefit of Camelot and all its peoples"

There was an echo as the people shouted out "For the love of Camelot"

Then Sir Leon stepped forward and shouted "The King of dead, Long live King Arthur"

Arthur walked off the balcony hearing the cries of 'long live the King' he was met by Sir Geoffrey and the other councillors. "When will you wish to be crowned your majesty?"

Arthur looked round the highest nobles in the land "Has anyone any objections to now. After all I fully intend a full ceremony later, there is no reason not to swear your oaths now. Unless of course you have another person in mind for the crown" the challenge was thrown down.

"After the people's reception that would be foolish Your Majesty, and not called for" Lord Heathy said looking at the rest of the councillors in defiance. Arthur was surprised in some ways that the Lord in question had spoken, he had been one of the late Kings supporters. But then again he would want to retain his position under the new King. "But I assume the changes you mentioned will be discussed by the council"

Arthur's eyebrow raised in what he hoped was a Gaius type gesture "They will be, but only in detail. They will pass regardless, I have no intention of being a puppet King nor of going back on my word" he looked at Geoffrey. "I will be back in one hour, my future husband needs me, is that enough time to organise everything?"

Geoffrey smiled "Yes Sire, one hour is sufficient."

Arthur looked once more at the nobles. "No need for pomp and ceremony, just be here if you wish to serve me, or leave now if you do not. I will expect anyone remaining to swear fealty."

Arthur walked out of the room shouting for George. "George I am to be crowned in one hour, a bath and make sure the crown is with Sir Geoffrey. I will use the anteroom to get ready I do not want Omega Merlin to be disturbed"

Then he headed to the cells where he stopped outside Aredian's cell, he saw Percy still guarding the prisoner. Looking at the man chained to the walls, suffering clearly from a few bruises gained no doubt from his knights as they incarcerated him. In a hard voice that showed nothing but hatred Arthur spoke "I won't come in or I would surely tear you limb from limb. But I warn you, you will stand trial for what you have done, and your death will not be a quick nor pleasant one. Think about that as you wait"

"The King ordered me to do it" Aredian said defiance even now in his voice "He will not allow this"

Arthur smirked and his voice became chilling "In an hour I will be crowned king! I killed my father, the last King, and you think you will fare better? No you killed my child and dare to hurt my love. Think of all the things you subjected others to over the years and double it. You might get close to what is going to happen to you" Arthur turned and walked away leaving a terrified man behind in the cells.

Percy who was normally a gentle giant looked at the man in the cell. He liked and respected Arthur a great deal "I wouldn't want to be in your shoes" he told the prisoner. "I bet your shitting yourself, I would be. What's it like being on the other side?"