There are some uploading problems with fanfiction so you may not have received an alert about the last chapter so check if you've read it :/. Here's chapter 26:
"This is outrageous!" Bayard shouted.
"It's this or be executed for attacking Camelot."
"I'd rather be executed!"
"You'll be the Lord of Mercia which is a generous offer after what you've done."
"You're a coward king. You can only take Mercia by capturing their leader and threatening them while they're weak."
"Oh believe me Camelot could easily take Mercia but we do not wish for soldiers to die, we wish to spill as little blood as possible." Uther reasoned
"Give me time to think over your offer," Bayard replied in a calmer tone and rubbed his face.
"Thank you, I respect how you will consider my offer for peace." Uther left the dungeons and went back to his chambers to continue writing the letter to Mercia.
When he reached his chambers Merlin was already there waiting for him.
"Merlin? Do you need something?"
"I came to speak to you," Merlin explained solemnly.
"Why are you so down?" Uther interrupted and approached him worried.
"I need to speak about your idea to unite the kingdoms."
"Why's that?"
"You remember the Great Dragon?"
"Yeah,"
"Well his name is Kilgharrah and, well, he's not dead..."
"What? I thought Arthur killed him." His tone had a slight hint of anger creeping in.
"As if he could kill him, no, I just told Arthur he did. You see the last Dragonlord Balinor was Igraine's brother and with no children, I was his only optional heir to his power. When he died I received his Dragonlord powers and I commanded Kilgharrah to never attack Camelot again, I couldn't find it in me kill him. He's been a massive help to the kingdom and he's saved me as well. Anyway, he told me I had a destiny to unite the kingdoms together to form Albion which ruled under one banner. I'm worried for you because it's my destiny to do it with Arthur with him as king which is why I worry for your safety. I fear something will become of you if you initiate this idea making Arthur king in turn."
Uther listened thoughtfully. "I understand your concern but I must do what's best for the kingdom even if it means my life."
"But we need you, I don't want to lose you and neither does Arthur. I've barely got to know you properly and Arthur isn't ready to be king,"
"You underestimate him, he is more than ready,"
"That doesn't change the fact we still need you, father."
Uther's stomach began to churn with his conflicting emotions. If he didn't do anything he'd be passing up a great opportunity and if he didn't do this he'd be failing in protecting his people. "I need to do this Merlin, for Camelot."
"I don't want you to die,"
"I'm sure I'll be fine."
"Don't say that, you'll just set yourself up to be killed."
"What else am I supposed to say?" Uther's pitch of voice rose exasperated.
Merlin stood lost for words. "I'm going to go train..." He spun on his heel and left.
"This must be an insult!" The Head knight Owen of Mercia shouted as he slammed the parchment - adorning the Camelot crest - to the table which made it tremble under him. "Bayard is a coward. How could he agree to these terms?"
"Watch your tongue, that is the king you are talking about." Head councillor Malik snapped.
"We will not agree to these terms," Owen growled back.
"You are not in charge of the kingdom Owen, you are in charge of our army. I am in charge in Sire's absence." Malik sneered causing Owen to glower back.
"Then what do you propose oh great Malik!"
"We shall not agree and appear weak, we will declare war against Camelot to save our king and knights."
"Sir the king told us to stand down and let Camelot take reign of Mercia." Another councillor piped up.
"They're probably forcing him to say such nonsense. Our king is strong and would never say such things, he'd want us to go to war with Camelot after how humiliated he must feel by being captured."
The councillor bowed apologising for his mistake.
Malik smiled at the formalities. It is nice being treated so formally. Perhaps I'll arrange for a little accident involving Bayard so I will take the throne. He thought with a smirk.
"Ready the army Sir Owen we have a war to win."
"Understood." Sir Owen bowed and strode off briskly, cape billowing behind him, to start arrangements.
Once the letter was sent Uther knew there was a good chance of a war. As he dismissed the courier he went straight to Arthur to order him to ready the army in the unfortunate case of a war outbreak.
"Why didn't you go through this with me before hand?" Arthur's voice was filled with anger at this issue being kept from him after Uther had explained what had happened.
"Because I knew you'd refuse. This is the only way to start creating peace Arthur, I hope you see why I'm risking our knight's lives. In the case of lives being lost, they'll know they are dying for a noble cause." Uther placed his hands on Arthur's shoulders hoping to get through to him.
Arthur roughly shoved his hands away and took a few paces back. "You plan to fill our knight's minds with fantasies and false hopes?"
"They won't be fantasies Arthur, just you see. Once we take Mercia we'll have a large strong army at our command. Kingdoms are going to tremble at our name and when we spread our reign out they will back down creating one big kingdom under Pendragon rule."
"How do you think we're going to do this? Our army is weak too from Morgana's attack. You've rushed into this father without thinking about it properly."Arthur stumbled over his words in anger and from having so much to say.
"You have forgotten Arthur, our kingdom is the only kingdom to legalise magic which means we have many soldiers with magical ability who are willing to give life and limb to protect the kingdom and their freedom."
"Is there really no turning back?" Arthur's demeanour fell.
"By now the letter would have reached Mercia." Uther ran a hand through his greying hair.
"I'll gather the knights." Arthur left without another word.
Uther watched his son go and leant his weight on the table and bowed his head. This plan was teeming with risks, was it all going to worth it in the end? His thought strayed to Merlin's worried warning of this battle ending his untimely end but he shook his head with a chuckle.
"All that boy does it worry about everyone but himself."
One of the worst things about being a king is that you would never get to see your child take your place on the throne and grow into a king the people love and adore. He thought of how much he'd miss when he did pass, would he be able to watch over them like a guardian angel? Whilst he knew it would be hard for the boys as he was their last parent he knew they'd cope just fine without him. He knew they'd make him proud.