Back in the Hall Arthur was astounded by Merlin's display, no matter how often he saw the Warlocks powers demonstrated it surprised him. Arthur heard a small giggle from his Queen, and although he was annoyed he could also understand why Merlin had done it. The King glanced across to Sarrum and was silently please to see that the man was sat in shock. Merlin's powers were far in excess of anything he would have seen before. He also noticed Morgana smirking and moving into Merlin's chair next to Sarrum. Morgana leaned towards Sarrum and speaking quietly so Arthur could only just hear said:

"Impressive wasn't it, not like your normal hedge witch, I would be careful how you insult him if I were you. So young for such powers, far better to have on your side than against you." the Morgana spoke to her King "Sire I will go now as well if you don't mind"

Arthur smiled at his sister and thought that might well be a good idea, before she got ideas of her own. "Of course"

Then Morgana decided to make her own dramatic exit. She stood up and with a short incantation disappeared, but left behind a strong smell of wild flowers and a dusting of fairy dust in the air where she had been stood.

Once the two magic users were gone Sarrum seemed to relax and was soon regaling Arthur and his Queen with tales of his exploits, unfortunately these seemed to involve misfortune and even torture of poor souls who found themselves on the wrong end of Sarrum's temper. It wasn't long before the Queen excused herself saying her condition was making her tired. This resulted in the King having to explain that his wife was expecting their first child.

After that Arthur had to listen to details of how Sarrum's, now dead wife, had got pregnant within a month of their marriage and how he had sired at least a dozen illegitimate children, suggesting by inference, that Arthur was less virile than him. Arthur was only to please when he too could retire for the night. In fact Arthur was beginning to wish Merlin would turn the visiting King into a toad.

The next morning Arthur had to send out a search party of knights looking for his Court Warlock, he was in hiding, suspecting he would be in trouble for the night before. In the end it was Lancelot who found him up in one of the towers. Merlin was dragged to the Kings chambers protesting his innocence. Morgana was already there when Lancelot dragged Merlin into the Kings chambers. But to his surprise Arthur said nothing accept that he wanted both of them at the meeting that morning. Merlin agreed thinking he had got of lightly until Arthur added a small caveat , they were both to wear what they had been wearing for the feast. Merlin's face paled than he looked at the King a picture of innocence. "I'm sorry Sire it seems to have disappeared I can't find it anywhere."

"Oh magical vanished did it? Well magically unvanish it or I will find you something else to wear." Arthur replied "And I'm sure I can find something good, we have a costume somewhere with feathers, that's got a hat as well."Arthur paused "I want you both in the council room in one hour. You will be telling Sarrum what it is you do that benefits Camelot other than party tricks. Now both of you go and change, oh and Morgana leave the cat behind this time."

Arthur went and started the talks with Sarrum and they started to go through the benefits of the treaty, such as trade and mutual defence. Then Arthur deliberately raised the issue of magic.

"We have found since we legalised magic in the kingdom we have seen increased prosperity." Arthur told Sarrum.

"I will never have sorcerers in my Kingdom, they are the scum of the earth and should be exterminated, and your father had the right idea." Sarrum protested.

"I have asked my Court Warlock and High Priestess to attend and explain how they have benefitted Camelot" at that there was a knock on the door "There they are now, all I ask is that you listen I think you may be surprised."

Morgana and Merlin entered, Merlin looking very self conscious in his warlock suit.

"I suppose we will have more party tricks like last night." Sarrum growled "If we do the talks will be over. I didn't travel all this way for such childish games."

"If they're so childish I'd like to see you do them." Merlin muttered. Both Kings ignored him.

"Now please sit the pair of you, Morgana could you please start by outlining some of the benefits you provide for the Kingdom."

Morgana looked directly at Sarrum refusing to be intimidated by the look he gave her and the way he almost stripped her with his eyes. How she wished she had something else on.

"As High Priestess I help in many aspects of the day to day running of the Kingdom. Helping to increase the yields of our crops and fighting disease in both our people and livestock, by interceding with the triple goddess. I also help with the communications with other states so we can get messages quickly to each other in times of emergency. I help keep the balance of life so we can all prosper." Morgana looked at the visiting King waiting for his response.

"Merlin your role please" Arthur told the Warlock.

"I protect the King and his people and allies from magical attack, I am the Kings guardian. I decide on the laws regarding the use of magic and it's misused within the Kingdom and the punishments for such misuse. I can if need be bind a magic users magic to prevent such misuse. I provide Wards to protect travellers with in the Kingdom and to make our roads safe. I help with healing and protecting those who cannot protect themselves in times of need. I also help defend the realm and those of Camelot's allies against magical attacks. I am Lord Emrys known by the Druids and act as liaison between our peoples."

"In short these two help our people prosper and also help others we have treaties with when needed. Since magic has returned tour land our people have prospered and attacks against in have diminished. They are invaluable to our peace and prosperity." Arthur told Sarrum. "There are many other things they do but I think they have explained themselves well enough. If a treaty is signed between out states and magic is allowed to return to Amata these things can benefit your people to."

"I will never have their filthy ways in my Kingdom. They are scum to be squashed under foot." Sarrum replied. "If I sign a treaty with you it will not include any deal on magic."

"Can you not see the benefits to your people of plentiful food and peace?" Arthur asked Sarrum.

"You will make our people soft, the peasants were born to hardship, it is what they know best. These sorcerers would make us soft and then attack our soft underbelly." Sarrum argued.

"By sticking together we can fight the Saxon invaders, we already have successfully, if our people are well fed and strong they are better fighters, if they are happy they have something to fight for." Arthur argued.

"If your Warlock is so good why not have him kill the Saxons as they land, No need for our armies them, shall I tell you why he won't, because he wants us to fear them, it makes him more powerful. You cannot trust their like your father knew that."

Merlin had kept silent for long enough "I am not a weapon to be used. I will protect from magical attack and even the balance. But I will not seek power for myself or others. Power corrupts and twists the soul. We should work together for all our peoples."

"You boy should do as you're told" Sarrum told Merlin then turning to Arthur he said "Put cuffs on him if you must keep him. Keep him like the dog he is. Make him earn his keep and when he is no longer useful burn him. Your sister, well, I will take her as a sweetener for this treaty, I will soon tame her. Now let's talk sense and stop wasting time on scum."

Both Morgana and Merlin were incensed at the vitriol they were being exposed to. Arthur could see that Merlin's normally placid nature was being stretched to it's limits and Morgana was never one to be talked down to.

"You may go thank you" Arthur told them turning the Sarrum "You have insulted two of my ministers and family I think we need to break so you can consider your position.