Arthur hurried down the hallway after Uther, Gaius not far behind him. "Father, wait! It was an accident!"
"I don't believe it," snapped Uther over his shoulder, not checking his stride.
"Morgana is fine. The fire was no one's fault-"
"Then tell me," said Uther, stopping abruptly and turning on his son. "How is it you were able to pull her from a fire that almost completely engulfed her bed but left not a mark on her? The guards told me about the state both you and she were in when they found you. How was there enough smoke already to nearly incapacitate you both, but the fire, which lit the same bed she was lying in, didn't hurt her? You three are lying to me!"
"I doubt Arthur would lie about something like that," said Gaius. Arthur chose not to meet his eyes.
"Morgana was attacked last night!"
"No!"
"I say yes! And I say it was magic! The druids arrive and then a day later my ward is attacked!"
"She simply forgot to put out her candle before sleep and it fell onto the bed! That is all!"
"No! Something unnatural occurred."
Arthur switched tactics. "What if, for the sake of argument, she was? We don't know who is responsible. I swear there was a fire. And I believe the fire. But even if it had been caused by magic, we can't just dive into blaming it on the druids. Because we don't know who the intended victim would be: Morgana your ward…or Morgana the woman with magic. There are other people in this castle who aren't happy at the prospect of making peace with magic. So even if there had been an attack: we don't know that magic is involved and we don't know what the motive would be."
Gaius glanced at him, a flicker of respect in his expression. "Arthur is right, your majesty. We invited these people here in good faith. To accuse them without evidence would be a betrayal of that and set up Camelot for grave rebuke from its neighbors and allies."
Uther let out a grunt of frustration and started walking again.
"I beg of you," said Arthur, "Show some restraint!"
They reached the dining hall and entered.
The table was laid for breakfast but no one was seated. Everyone in the room was standing around, looking tense and uneasy. The druids were alone in one area, clumped together and whispering in low voices. Word had clearly spread of last night and Arthur could tell his father wasn't the only one not buying Merlin's and his story of events.
Uther stopped near Iseldir and looked at him coldly. "Well?"
Iseldir sighed resignedly and shook his head. "I give you my word, if there any foul play last night, we were not involved. I am committed to making this peace work and I beg you not to throw this opportunity away just because of one incident which was likely an accident."
"An incident? My ward could have died last night!"
"And it's automatically our fault," snapped Relveer. "It seems despite all your pretty words, nothing has really changed. You will still, consistently, blame magic for everything that goes wrong in Camelot!"
"Relveer, please," said Elaine.
"He is only waiting for an excuse to arrest us all. I vote we leave Camelot at once!"
"No!" Morgana exclaimed, stepping forward hastily. "Please. It was me who had the accident," she said, turning to Uther. "If anyone has a right to be scared I do, and I'm not. Because I know that no one caused it. You have to believe me."
Merlin stepped up beside her and addressed the druids. "Please don't go. This was never going to be easy but it can work."
"You would both be wise to come with us," said Relveer. "There will always be a place for you among the druids. My camp would be honored to offer you both a home."
Arthur tried next. "Look, the king isn't trying to pick a fight. He's concerned for Morgana's safety and that is all. Aren't you?" He turned to Uther.
Uther remained in unyielding silence.
Relveer snorted. "Behold: Camelot's offer of peace," he sneered. "You blame us now at the first chance. And after this? What if something else were to happen. We cannot trust you and Camelot is nothing more than a trap waiting to spring on us.
"That's not true!" insisted Arthur desperately.
Sybil shifted uneasily and Ernald looked torn.
"This peace is important for everyone," argued Merlin, "For Camelot and the druids, but also every man, woman and child who wants to see a better future."
"Please, your majesty," tried Morgana, "magic was not to blame for the fire last night. You know this. And," she turned to the druids. "You can't leave. This is too important. I beg of you. You have my word you will be safe here in Camelot. Don't go. These negotiations are in good faith."
"What does the Princess Guinevere say?" Everyone turned to look at the speaker: Elaine.
"What?" Gwen asked, surprised. She exchanged a confused glance with Arthur.
"I know your history," said Elaine calmly. "You were the blacksmith's daughter and Uther had your father killed. Do you believe Uther is in good faith? And do you believe he deserves the chance to prove it?"
"Guinevere is very new to court," interrupted Uther. "I think she would rather be left out of these political matters."
"No," said Gwen suddenly, stepping forward. "I want to answer the Lady Elaine's question…I believe every man deserves a chance to prove himself. My father was denied that chance. Countless people have been denied that chance. The chance to prove themselves good men and women. Denied it because they had magic or trusted the wrong person, or helped someone in need. For too long that has been enough to see them convicted and executed. And what of magic? Those with magic have not been blameless. Provoked, hunted, slaughtered, yes. But magic has also been used to attack Camelot. Innocent people have died in these attacks. Mistakes have been made on both sides. A wrong cannot be met with wrong. Now is the time to give second chances, to allow that we have made mistakes and show that those mistakes are not who we are. Just as my father's mistake was not who he was. I don't wish his fate on Uther. And neither would my father. He died because he wanted to create a better future for me. And now we can all create a better future for countless others. Whether I believe Uther acts in good faith or not is unimportant. Because I believe he deserves a chance to prove it."
As Guinevere finished speaking, Uther looked at her with a mixed expression of surprise and respect.
Elaine nodded. "Then we stay."
A quite, awkward breakfast was eaten, no one wishing to risk the uneasy truce that had been declared. Afterwards, Arthur found a moment to pull Gwen aside.
"That was amazing," he said, smiling at her.
She returned his smile for a moment and then it flickered away and her expression turned grave. "Tell me what's going on Arthur. I heard you leave last night, and you didn't come back until quite late. Then you happened to be on hand to save Morgana? What's really going on?"
Arthur looked around. Too many people were at hand. He lowered his voice: "I can't explain it right now. I promise I will later." She nodded.
There was a sound of a throat being cleared and they both looked up. Uther had approached them.
"Guinevere."
"Your Majesty."
"Thank you," he said slowly and apparently with some difficulty. "I admit I was not thinking clearly. You saved the situation very…diplomatically. I realize the mention of your father must have been difficult. I wanted to thank you for setting aside your personal feelings for an important cause."
"Everything I said I meant," said Gwen.
Uther nodded. "Perhaps you have a gift then that many do not; of truly being able to separate the past from the future…I would appreciate it if you would join us in the discussions with the druids."
She blinked. "Really?"
"They clearly respect you. And they may very well trust you more as you are not Camelot nobility…of course you are now," he added hastily. "But you are not associated with Camelot's long-standing position against magic. I think you presence at the negotiations may help."
"I would be honored your majesty."