Mordred walked confidently into Camelot. The guards let him walk by with no trouble. No civilians were outside it felt like a ghost town. He remembered what it was like even a blind man could tell there was different.

He walked up into the castle and saw a body which was rotting. He paid it no head and carried on walking. He finally made it to Morgana's chambers. He knocked and entered.

When he walked in, Morgana was sat waiting for him, "How is my little spy?" Morgana said with smirk.

"I am fine, the king suspects nothing."

"Tell me everything that has happened"

Arthur was sat fuming; he didn't realise his knights waking up around him. He just stared at where Gwaine was standing. Of all the people to betray him, he didn't expect Gwaine to be one of them. He clenched his fists. In his haze of anger, he heard Leon calling out to him and walked in front him his back facing the door of the cell.

"Arthur, What the fuck have you done?!"

"Merlin left us out there waiting for too long what was I supposed to do?"

"Be patient! We are guests! You wouldn't do this at Nermeth or Kent or anywhere, Why would you do this here?!"

"Because we don't have time for this!"

"Well we won't have time for Morgana if Emrys kills us!"

"Why are you calling Merlin, Emrys?"

"Because this isn't Merlin. Get that IDEA out of your head and start by actually respecting the man. Because he isn't your servant anymore. He is a king and a powerful one. Probably the most powerful. And if Gilli is to be believed, which he is, Emrys won't stand bullshit."

"Merlin isn't powerful!"

"He has the backing of every kingdom in Albion. Of course, he is powerful. If anything, he is the most powerful!"

"He doesn't have Camelot."

"Well turns out Camelot wasn't that powerful because Camelot lost to half-crazy witch!"

"Tread carefully Leon." Arthur took a few menacing steps towards Leon. But Leon didn't look scared in fact he looked angrier.

"Or-!"

"Arthur!" They were too angry that they didn't realise Gwen was behind them until she shouted his name. Leon stepped away from the door and made his way away from Gwen and Arthur to the furthest part away from the Arthur.

"Guinevere what are you doing here?!" Arthur put his hands through the bars so they could hold hands.

"Merlin has let me come here to tell you what is going to happen."

"So, he's going to hear us." Arthur said with a grin and squeezed her hands. When he realised the action wasn't reciprocated. He knew something was wrong.

"The people are demanding justice Arthur."

"What justice?"

"Arthur, you assaulted guards and burst in the chamber with a sword in hand. The punishment for just assaulting guards twenty lashes-!"

"Good joke. If a guard can't take one hit, what is the point of them?"

"Arthur this isn't a joke! Each knight will get twenty lashes. That's ignoring the two death penalties that you and the knights face for bursting in the court chamber with a sword in hand."

"So, we apologise, and we move on to Morgana. It's not a big deal. I am king of Camelot, Guinevere. It'll be fine."

"ARTHUR THIS IS A BIG DEAL! The problem is that you are a former king of Camelot! Everyone in this kingdom wants you dead. The only reason you are not dead is because Merlin has accepted your asylum!" Guinevere shouted at him, "I don't know what's going to happen, I… I can't read him anymore. He isn't Merlin."

"Oh, please Guinevere the Merlin we knew was a facade this is the real Merlin the one we never saw. This is what mag-!" He was cut off by Guinevere slapping him across the face.

"Magic didn't do this to Merlin! We did. You locked him. And we… we stood by and did nothing. We are responsible for the situation we are in. Magic had no hand in it. You're not going to use magic as your scapegoat again. To stop yourself blaming yourself. This your fault as well as mine."

They talked for awhile before a small man walked in, hate and anger in his eyes, to the dungeons. His jaw was clenched tight as he spoke, "Hello my name is John I am here to make sure that you get a fair trial. Not that you deserve it. Since when did you or your father ever give a fair trial to a sorcerer. But Emrys says we always have to have a fair trial for our enemies or else we are no better then them." Arthur could clearly see John despised him and hated him.

Before he could open his mouth, Guinevere butted in, "Thank You John I know helping us in any capacity must be difficult."

The man scoffed, "More than you could possibly believe. But I am just following orders." The man finishes with a smirk, an inside joke possibly. Who knew with sorcerers? "Come Emrys doesn't tolerate lateness." The man's eyes glowed gold and the door opened.

When they walked into the hall, everyone was jeering him. Shouting swear words and profanities at him and the knights it took all his self-restraint to not fight back.

They eventually made it to table and chairs, and they sat down. Opposite them sat Merlin, by himself. To their left sat meek man who looked like John. He presumed that they were siblings. Merlin stood up and everything fell to silence, "Five years ago, I was being tried for possession for found out because I saved their lives. I was found guilty and locked in the oubliette. Now the men who did performed the trial are now being tried by the man who they locked up. If that isn't irony, I don't know what is?" The people laughed at Merlin's joke, "So I promise to the people of Drakonia that will be a fair trial to the defending party. We will read out the list of the offences and call witnesses the defending party will be able to give their versions of events and contest should they wish. I would also like to say that John and Adam are only here to make sure that this fair trial. So, don't hold it against them. They are only doing as I have asked of them."

That's when it began.

There was a rapid fire of questioning witnesses and the assaulted guards. But Arthur kept his eyes trained on Merlin. What was this? His mind was so stuck focusing on Merlin he didn't realise he was being called up until he was nudged harshly by John, who gestured his head to a box. He didn't even realise they bought in a box.

He stood up and got in the box. There was even a chair in the box. He sat down and waited for whatever this was to begin. He probably should've focused. Adam the other man walked closer to the box and spoke to Arthur loudly. "So, Arthur how long have you been king of Camelot?"

"Urhm eight years, I think."

"Eight years? That's quite a long reign. How many people have you killed?"

"Emrys relevance." John uttered out forcing the words out of his mouth.

Emrys shrugged his shoulders, "Stick to the point Adam. That is a trial from another day."

Adam ground out loudly to Arthur, "Fine. Why did you fight the guards?"

Arthur turned to face Merlin and answered, "Because Merlin kept us waiting for too long." As soon as he said the name 'Merlin' he saw Merlin's jaw clench and his eyes widen in anger. Everything froze. The people. The two meek men, supposing to keep the trial fair. Everyone waited to see what Merlin was going to do. But Merlin did nothing and all he did was nod to Adam.

So, Adam wiped the sweat away from his brow and continued, "So because a man kept you waiting. That's just not any man this a man you wanted help from. You decided you wanted bust down the door and threaten him with a sword?"

"I… I didn't threaten him with a sword."

"So why did you have your sword out? Do swords have a different meaning in Camelot?"

"Right now, this thing isn't the biggest thing happening right now. Morgana has taken over Camelot. Camelot can not be under a power-crazy witch. Or else it would be destroyed."

John stood up from his seat and starting shouting at Arthur, "Camelot aren't our allies; we are not compelled to help the people who slaughter-!"

"John restrain yourself." Emrys turned to the man, who was supposed to be supporting him.

"How?! You brought me the man who hunts us, and you want me to defend him?"

"I know it is difficult, but you have to try."

"Why are we doing this? We all know he's guilty as fuck. Even his own wife knows, this shithead is guilty as fuck."

"So, what I abandon the idea of a trial and just execute him? How about I cut this part out and just executed every person who commits a crime? Would you want me to do that?"

"No. but-."

"Then what do you want me to do?"

"Just don't ask me to defend him. This shithead and his family killed mine and Adam's entire family and now I have to make sure he gets the fairness that our family deserved."

"I understand John-."

"If you truly understand than you will declare his and his knights' punishment is execution by the pyre."

"Tell me John if this was your family or any of your family would you have wanted a fair trial to say your piece?"

"Yes-."

"Then John don't ask me to rob someone else of that." Merlin stood up and faced the quiet crowd, "We are better than them! Because we showed mercy! We gave them a chance and they spat it in our faces! This trial will continue until all ends are exhausted!"

The trial lasted another hour before, all the witnesses, all the knights, all the guards had spoken. Emrys stood up and stared at the heart of the crowd, "We will take a break, and I will announce the punishment."

Merlin walked out of the court and went through a door. Guinevere quickly followed him and started to talk to him, "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For not letting the mob win." Emrys laughs.

"Oh no the mob is going to win in the end I can't stop that. I'm just letting those people inside that room hear The Great King Arthur squeal!"

"You shouldn't do this to him he's been through a lot. He's lost his kingdom."

"If he can't handle the pressure than he shouldn't be a king."

"You can't say that! Arthur is a good king!"

"He's a good king, eh?" Emrys snorted, "if you can't hold on to you kingdom and seem to lose to a half-crazy witch at every turn, you're not really a good king, are you?"

"Morgana maybe crazy but she is intelligent."

"No, she isn't. Well I mean compared to Arthur; she is. But even then, a chicken can beat Arthur at chess."

"Merlin if you really hate Arthur why did you put that shield spell on Camelot?" Emrys thought back what on earth was she talking about he hadn't put any shield spell on Camelot.

"A shield spell? What- oh that spell!" Emrys burst out laughing.

"What is so funny?"

"Well it wasn't a shield spell. It was a confining spell."

"What do you mean?"

"It stops people from leaving. It was the ultimate siege spell."

"Why would you want to besiege Camelot?"

"In case Arthur ever came after Drakonia. We would activate the spell. Thereby stopping everyone from leaving. We wouldn't have to physically be there, and we would just starve you out. When activated it makes Camelot a dead zone."

"Meaning?"

"You can't teleport in or out, that was just in case Morgana ever attacked us when she became Queen. We also put spells on the storage room so it would teleport your supplies into somewhere outside of Drakonia."

"So, you had a plan to take over Camelot?"

"No."

"You've just explained a plan to conquer Camelot. If that isn't a plan for conquering, then what is it?"

"It was a plan to destroy Camelot. We asked other rulers if they wanted Camelot. Rodor, Lot, Godwyn, Annis, even fucking Odin. They all said no. So, we agreed if Camelot sought one of us out in its insanity, we would burn it to the fucking ground. And forget about it."

"That was your plan?"

"Camelot is a unsavable because of its king. When you rule its either you win or die, there is no in-between. Arthur has made his choice and he will die."

"You will kill him?!"

"No, I will not kill him. As I think there is someone else who wants to kill him more than me."

"Who?"

"The half-crazy witch Morgana."

"Merlin what have you done?"

"Nothing yet. But should all go well, only eight people will have to be sacrificed to secure peace. Then I can worry about the men coming from the north and south, without worrying about Arthur fucking everything up."

"Eight people am I to assume that is the knights, me and Arthur?" Emrys smirked.

"You would be correct."

"Why?"

"Why, what? Why would I do that? Well other than all the political reasons, I do happen to have quite a lot of personal reasons."

"Merlin, I am sorry! I am sorry I didn't do anything to help you. I am sorry I… I assumed the worst of you. I am sorry." Emrys just stared at Guinevere.

"What am I supposed to do with a sorry? Is that supposed to fix everything? Is that supposed to fix all the shit I went through to protect everyone in Camelot. The same people who fucking turned on me. Is that supposed to fix the days I wake up in the fucking hole again. And I remember what I had done to deserve this. I don't have time to forgive. I don't have time to hear people apologise. All I have time for is forgetting or punishing. And Arthur will be punished."

"You are talking about time like you are running out of it, are… are you dying?"

Emrys stared at her and lied at point blank, "No. I am not dying. I just have had enough will all your self-serving bullshit. And I have bigger problems than a fucking man-child with the world's most fragile ego."

"Merlin, I know when you are lying, you are really dying, aren't you?" Merlin forced a good fake laugh.

"Then maybe you don't know me so well Guinevere."

"You keep calling me Guinevere, not Gwen, why?"

"Because you are not Gwen anymore." Gwen was a sweet and loyal friend. But now, you are just a cold-hearted Queen using an old ghost's face."

"What makes you say that?"

"The only reason you are talking to me is because you want something. You want me to ease the blame off your shoulders. You want me to forgive you. But right now, that isn't important to you, the thing you want the most is for me to save Camelot."

"I-!"

"Do you want to know why I won't save Camelot? Because it doesn't make sense why would I bleed for kingdom that would burn me. Why would I force men to fight in a war to return power to a tyrant? It makes no sense." Merlin began to walk away before he turned back "I don't forgive you Guinevere." Guinevere stood shell-shocked, "Now if you excuse me, I would like peace and quiet." Merlin turned around and carried on walking.

Emrys stood in silence forcing his body to relax. Things were getting out of hand now. People were demanding Arthur's death. And he would be lying if he said he wasn't tempted to grant the people their wish.

But if he wanted to secure Camelot's alliance, he would need Arthur alive to trade over to Morgana.

Even then Morgana probably wouldn't be inclined to listen to his proposal. But getting Arthur to her would be in the step in the right direction. If he was being honest, he didn't want Morgana as queen of Camelot. It complicated things. She was brash and emotional. Not exactly what people wanted or expected in a ruler. But just because he didn't want Morgana in charge. That didn't mean he wanted Arthur in charge.

Ruling Drakonia often felt like ruling England in its entirety. If the rulers had disputes, they would come to him for the solution. He was tired... too tired and he was running out of time.

If that wasn't bad enough, he felt a huge intake of wind. He turned around to see a blond woman with one blue eye and one green eye. It was Elaine. Elaine is high priestess. A true high priestess. She was one of the few that had a true connection to the bitch upstairs. If that wasn't bad enough, she was Morgause's sister, "Morning Elaine."

"It's the afternoon, Merlin." she drawled out.

"What do you want?"

"There is a chance to fix destiny-."

"Of course, destiny."

"Merlin she is willing to forgive you for your transgressions-."

"If I what? Give up my throne and kingdom and give it to Arthur?! Or do I have to go on my hands and knees and swear fealty to Arthur?!" Elaine had the decency to look ashamed, Emrys scoffed, "You have got to be shitting me. Does she not realise that if I do any of these things Drakonia will rebel and kill her precious 'Once and future king'?"

"Merlin just do as she says or-!"

"Or what? What more could she do?"

"You have a kingdom in your grasp, you have friends, you have a mother. The question is not more could she take. The question is what should she take?" Emrys stood up and faced her.

"Are you threatening me?" Emrys whispered dangerously, "Because if you are be sure you can carry through with it. Because if you take your shot and miss. I'll burn you to the ground. I'll destroy you and no one. Not even the bitch upstairs can save you." She didn't back down and she stood her ground.

"Merlin don't make this a war. People will die. Innocents."

"It won't be on my conscience. When you've courted war as much as I have, I accepted that innocents will always die. All we can do is minimise those casualties as much as possible."

"Ah yes your war with those who oppose magic. The men you killed will all be in Avalon." Elaine said viciously. Emrys smiled gently.

"Thank you."

"WHAT?!" His smile broadened.

"I said thank you."

"Why?"

"One man's heaven is another man's hell. Avalon is a place of magic. Those men who I killed, hate and fear magic more than they love life. You've just put them in their worst hell." Emrys bowed his head, "Thank you for prolonging their punishment beyond the grave." She rolled her eyes and vanished before his eyes.

He sighed. He had to get back to the trial.

Arthur was directed back to his seat, at table next to John. Despite not understanding the court system, he knew he had really done badly. Guinevere walked back in the room looking pale and the verge of crying. He felt his blood boil, if Merlin had done anything to Guinevere, he would kill him.

Despite the fact they had entered the room, facing the angry crowd everything had quieted down. It was pitch quiet. Not even his knights were talking amongst each other. He turned his gaze to Merlin's throne where a Gwaine and a recognisable man stood. He tried to remember the man, but his mind couldn't put name to the face.

Before he knew it, Merlin walked back in the room looking angrier than before he left. He sat down and scratched his jaw. The silent excitement of the crowd behind him was remarkably palpable. He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand as soon as Merlin stood up and looked at the crowd, "I have heard all the evidence. I have heard all witnesses. And I have decided. The reason provided was not sufficient. Arthur Pendragon and his collaborators are found guilty and they will be punished-." The crowd started clapping and cheering. Merlin just sat down and waited for them to stop, when they finally stopped, Merlin stood back up, "As I said Arthur Pendragon and his collaborators will be punished. They will each receive twenty lashings." Arthur immediately felt his mouth run dry. He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. "The lashings will take place after lunch. This court is disbanded." The people stood up and walked out of the room leaving the knights and the former king in stupor.

WHAT THE FUCK?!