Arthur left to check on Merlin who was now led in a bed far more suited to his status than the blanket on the floor. He was sleeping, Gaius's sleeping potion allowing his body to get the rest it needed. Hunith was sat by his side watching him and holding his hand. She looked up at Arthur "Thank you Sire, for giving me my son back and for caring for him so long. I can never repay you"

Arthur shook his head "I did very little I should have acted long ago" he admitted "I knew a long time ago right back to Morgana's head injury, but I was frightened to act"

Hunith stood up and approached Arthur "You did what you could, if you had acted to early it would have been a disaster. I do not blame you and nor will Merlin, I know he has come to think a lot of you"

"How is he?" Arthur enquired

"His leg is broken and his neck and body needs to recover from the pain the King caused with his collar" Hunith looked at her son

"I am going to remove it now" Arthur stepped forward but Hunith stopped him.

"No please, my uncle says it must not be removed yet, the surge of Magic will harm him in this state, he asked me to suggest that you allow a little magic through using your normal method, just so he heals quicker." She paused "I would love him not to wear it, he has had a collar since he was four, but we must be careful"

Arthur nodded "I will speak to Gaius and be guided by him, but you have my word he will be free of it as soon as it is safe." He put his hands on Hunith's shoulder "I have a lot to make up to you for what my family did, I cannot return your husband but I hope you feel you can stay here, I want to get to know you properly Aunt" Arthur was sincere in what he said, he really didn't want the three of them to leave but could understand if they wished to.

"It wasn't you, only your father and I do not blame you for his actions, my husband loved you as his own, as do I. We will stay" Hunith smiled

"Thank you, I must go and see the King, he still lives. Please have me called if Merlin wakes and if you need anything just ask"

Arthur left the room and with a heavy heart made his way to the Kings chambers. Gaius had said it was just a matter of time, but as yet the King had not given up his hold on life. Until he did Arthur's hands were tied in so many ways. As he passed the guards on the chamber door he walked in to see Gaius stood by the bed with two of the senior counsellors. It would be Sir Geoffrey's job to inform the people when the King was no more and that Arthur was the new King. Lord Edward was there to ensure that the King was cared for until he died and to witness the death.

Gaius left Uther's side and walked to Arthur. In a low voice so the others couldn't hear he spoke to the Prince "Sire he still lives, but it is a matter of time, there is nothing I can do"

Arthur nodded but asked the question he felt he should ask, after all the man in the bed was his father and King. "Could he be saved as Morgana was?"

Gaius kept his face neutral showing none of this thoughts "I doubt it Sire, the damage is more extensive, and anyway Merlin will not be in any condition for some time to help and Kilgarrah could not be forced to assist anyone else even if they had enough power." Gaius looked across to the bed "I think it best for all Sire that this takes its natural course. I realise he is your father but…."

Arthur sighed "Your right of course but I had to know and I wouldn't ask such a thing of Merlin, if he did recover it would after all mean all your deaths"

"Yet Merlin would do it, he is a gentle soul" Gaius said "If you asked him he would try"

"I know" Arthur admitted. Stepping forward he stared down at the man who had sired him and felt nothing but sadness that it should end like this, he wondered what would have happened if his mother had lived. Yet the man led in the bed had sent hundreds to a cruel and needless death and had treated his own family as worse than slaves. Using the thing he claimed to hate, magic, to control magic users and would have even used a magical creature, the dragon to kill even more. He hardened his heart and in a voice loud enough for all to hear said "Call me should anything change, I need to make plans for the approaching enemy"

As Arthur left the room he went towards the stairs to the cavern, before he did anything else he wanted to inform Kilgarrah that Uther was dead and that he could safely contact his dragonlord, once he woke. For the first time he ignored the guards as he walked down the staircase. He stood on the platform and immediately Kilgarrah flew down onto his perch "Uther Pendragon is dying, and Merlin's powers are awakening, he is unconscious at the moment but Gaius says he will be alright, but we must take care in removing his collar."

Kilgarrah let out a roar "I felt the magic shift I had hoped the butcher was already dead."

"It is my father you talk off" Arthur said still unwilling to hear such a word being used about his sire.

"Who he is does not change what he became" Kilgarrah said "You are not your father, you are the other half to the warlocks coin, you are the once and future King. Peace now has a chance."

"Yet I understand Morgause and Cenred approach with a large army, I will have to lead them to victory but I have no authority until Uther dies" Arthur said

"You have all the authority you need, you are regent even now. Have faith in yourself or your men will have none in you" Kilgarrah said wisely.

"If I free you now will you promise not to hurt my people?"

Kilgarrah snorted "You need to ask, my anger was against Uther Pendragon, but alas you cannot free me, for that you need the dragonlord. When he is fit get him to bring a virgin sword and then he can free me." He paused "Fear not for the Witch Morgause, Emrys has beaten her before and yet then he was not in full power. The witch you call sister has chosen wisely, she will help when the time comes" With that the dragon flew into the depths of the cavern.