The group talked long into the night before coming up with a plan that they all thought would work, and more importantly protect Merlin. Although they in principle thought it was a good idea the men were all resistant until he convinced them it would work without affecting him in the long term. They then settled in to make the most of what sleep they could get. With one of the men remaining awake to keep an eye out for any unwanted visitors. The next morning after eating and washing they made their way down to the large hall, where they found the community's representatives waiting. James started the talking.
"We have talked it over and we all agree we cannot in all honesty do anything other than a death sentence to the worse of the captives. None of us feel we can spare the food and resources to look after them, especially as for the safety of our people we would have to keep some confined. The less dangerous we could maybe just make them leave the area with a promise not to come back or then we will kill them." James looked at Arthur and Balinor "If you aren't up to it we will do it." It was clear from the mutterings that the groups feelings were strong on the matter. "Either that or you take um with you. Times aren't like before we can't afford jails."
Arthur held up his hand for quiet. "We have also given the matter a great deal of thought. It was Merlin who said we would be no better than then if we killed then all, and I agree, tempting as it might be. It was also Merlin who has suggested a solution." Arthur paused and look at his son with pride "Would you like to explain Merlin?"
Merlin stood forward and tried to hide his nerves, it was one thing talking to people he knew but these people looked angry. Balinor winked at his son and gave him a smile of encouragement. Merlin squared his shoulders and spoke "I know I have used my magic to kill, but I never want to again. I have listened to what the world used to be like and know it had many problems, ones I don't want our new world to have. For several years now I have been studying my magic and my teacher has been making me do more and more. So, my magic has grown. I didn't realise how much until your old leader made me pull down the buildings. But this has given me an idea. I know there are some islands not far off the coast. The prisoners could be placed there with enough supplies to start them off and then left. They would have to work together if they want to survive, and they could hurt anyone else" Merlin looked around to see what they all thought.
"And who says they will stay there? And why should be give them anything?" one of the men demanded.
"The supplies could come from both our commumintees. We aren't talking large amounts. Just a few livestock and seeds. I know for a fact you have some good stores, gained from these same men and women. As to staying there they would have no choice. Similar to the same start we all had after the disease struck. Merlin says he can create a shield of sorts that will stop them leaving. It will be hard for them but that's the point, that will be their punishment. Most of the worst offenders aren't used to manual work. But they will all need to pull together. Clearly there will need to be a trial first, not everyone will need to go to the island. Others like you said can be exiled. But what we don't want is them roaming the area causing trouble."
"Your boy can do that? And it will stay there this shield?" James asked.
Merlin rolled his eyes, why were they asking his Papa? "I can and it will, I can use the lands magic to hold the shield once I cast it. I can't explain how it works but it will it will last until I release it."
Arthur looked at the group in front of them. "Why don't we have the trials then ask the ones convicted of the worse crimes what they want….death or exile? Anyone one else who wants to go can, there may be women who want to follow their men."
The discussion continued for a couple of hours before they decided to hold the trials. Many of the men held were not hard men, but had joined Cenred to help keep their families safe. These were allowed to stay, as long as they caused no more trouble, although they would be watched. There was a hardcore of twenty men and eight women who would stand trial. Of these Cenred, Agravaine and Valiant were considered the most dangerous. It took very little time to convict them. The trials took a week afterwards all for the most serious cases were found guilty. It was a surprise to most when a group of fifty opted to go to the island. Nearly a third were women, there were even a few children going with their parents.
Arthur had a request from Agravaine who wanted to speak to him in the hope that Arthur would allow him to return to Camelot. Arthur went down to the area he was being held where his uncle was waiting to talk to him."I am your family Arthur, your mother wouldn't want you to go this, not to me"
"You have to be joking!" Arthur snarled "We gave you every chance and you betrayed us, you sold out my son! And have been involved in rape!"
"He isn't blood Arthur I am!" Agravaine pleaded. "And the woman deserved what she got. Think what you are doing. I am not cut out for the life on an island, I could help you, with my organisational skills and your charisma and leadership we could soon be the power in this new country."
"What are you talking about!" Arthur demanded. "Merlin may not be my blood but he is my son and I am very proud of him, unlike you. You may be a blood relative but to me what you did was inexcusable. I no longer think of you as anything to do with me. You are clearly drunk on power. I wouldn't side with you if you were the last man alive. Face it you are going to the island, just be thankful you aren't getting the death sentence. Because believe you me if it hadn't been for Merlin you would be." Arthur was livid "Maybe hard work will do you good, although I doubt it."
With that Arthur turned away and left. One thing he couldn't understand is why his Uncle had ever thought he would forgive him for what he had done. Later that day as the group from Camelot got together they were joined by Peter.
"I have some news for you, Cenred and Agravaine are dead, they have been poisoned. It seems that the woman Viviane decided to do them both in. She was caught and admitted it." He paused before adding "I have spoken to our group and we agree she should be let go. They treated her like no woman should be treated. No good will come of punishing her further."
Arthur and the others couldn't find it in themselves to argue. Nor were they that worried by what happened. Secretly Arthur believed it was probably for the best. Balinor and Gwaine weren't as reticent about showing their feelings. "Good luck to bad rubbish" was the comment.
Merlin was having a bath when the news arrived and Balinor would tell him later. "I doubt he will be happy he hates death, but you can't blame her, no matter what she did."
Percy was sent to Camelot with Elyan to arrange for some livestock to be taken to the cast so they could be sent to the island as their part of the deal. Balinor. Merlin and Gwaine went to the coast where they would go and check that the island was uninhabited before using it. It was a small island but large enough to allow a group to become self-sufficient. It also had a water supply and an inland cave system for living. There were woods and a native herd of deer, as well as a population of rabbits. It would be a hard life, with the island in the Irish sea, but then it was effectively a prison. Merlin worked to get the shields in place. Finding that the island had a strong ley line connected to magic. It was idea for the purpose. Within a few weeks, the group was sent to the island and left to make new homes for themselves.
Arthur and the group them headed back to Camelot, new contacts now established with the other group with the plan to keep in touch and help each other. Everyone was so pleased to see Merlin returned. They were also very interested in what had happened. Leon pointing out that a prison island my well be useful in the future. Saying pessimistically "This new world won't be that much different that the old one. Men will still want power and willing to do whatever it takes it get it."
Things were beginning to settle down when Balinor announced that he was leaving for a while. He wanted to go and see if he could find any of his old friends and a few relatives who lived in Anglesey. But he promised his son he would return. It had been clear for some time that Balinor was finding the situation hard. The grave of his beloved wife a constant reminder of his failure to protect her. He knew his son was being looked after and need to go away and clear his head. Merlin was upset and begged his father to stay, but in the end had to accept that he wouldn't be successful. But he again promised to return.
But it would be some years before they would see him again and much would happen to them all before they did..
