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Merlin went on with his normal duties for the day, the other servants if anyone would have asked them, would have told them that he was in a hurry they didn't know about him.

After Merlin fetch Arthur's lunch, he disappeared from the castle until early evening. He had asked Guise to cover for him if anyone should come and asked for him. The only one who knew where he went was Arthur.

Merlin gave a soft smile and focus his magic to the Druid camp. He could feel them moving about. There was fear in the air, but also hope. With a slight thump was he next to a tree by the camp. His movement made them looked up. An old man moved forward to him.

"Young man, who might you be?" His voice was horse. Merlin gave them a slight nod as greeting. "Emrys. Crown Prince Arthur send me." The whole group looked around in fear. Immediately the old man was angry. "Why would he send you? Hasn't he done enough damaged? And you the supposed one to help us to freedom."

Before he could say anything else was there a magic barrier trapping them. "You would listen today and hear the truth. Arthur doesn't want to do this; he sees you as his people. The King is losing his mind and his son is taking the brunt of his anger." Merlin's voice was harsh. His magic was showing them what was going on in the castle. Letting them hear the screaming matches that happens almost daily.

"I will help you move 50 miles from here. You would be safe there for the time begin." As suddenly as his anger flamed up did, he calmed down.

There was suddenly a flurry of movement as they started to get ready to move away. Merlin gave a sigh and watch them.

Arthur looked at the tactical map again. He pushed himself away from the map and pushed his hair backwards, the gesture was new on him.

He glared at the map again, he could only hope that Merlin would get them to safety. But what if that isn't enough anymore? He knows he would be punished for failing to kill them, for not doing as ordered. He could send out a few scouts five miles to north, east and west.

The sudden rap against the door pushed him out of his thought. Sir Leon was standing in the door. "Sire, the King has called for you in the throne room, there was a sorcerer captured." His voice was socked.

Arthur walked to the door. "Who bought the case in front of the king?" Arthur hope it wasn't someone young again. "Two guards Sire, she was caught trying to heal her goat." Leon stopped walking suddenly. "Arthur, she is young." Arthur's stepped falter.

"How young?"

"10 summers Sire." Arthur turn to look at him. There was a slight pleading look in his eyes. "Please tell me you are lying." "I am sorry Sire." Before Leon can say anything has Arthur started to run to the throne room. He knows his father won't give a damn that it is still a child.

Before he knows it was, he in front of the throne room. The guards pressed the doors open for him.

"Good of you to join us Arthur." Uther's voice was harsh. There was a small family in front of the throne. A small girl was silently crying as her parents were forced away from her.

Arthur didn't walk further into the room. "Throw her in the dungeon, she will be executed tomorrow morning at dawn."

"Father, you can't do that." Arthur felt a small trickle of fear going through him. But he kept his eyes on Uther. The looked sent his why made him go cold. The king didn't say anything, but his eyes made his message very clear. Everyone immediately started to leave the room.

The king pushed himself up. "And might I asked, why do you question me before my subjects?" His voice was colder than ice. He made his why to Arthur.
"Because she is still a child. She doesn't deserve to die. She was just trying to safe her goat; she didn't hurt anyone."

TBC