Another update?! Whaaaaaat?! Sorry if these are kind of short, but I end them where I feel they should end. Also, the medical stuff in the last chapter, I have no idea what they actually would've done back then for a lung punctured by a broken rib, so i made it up. Arthur probably would've died, but Gaius and Merlin are the best physicians ever and they knew what to do, ok? ok.

"No more."

Uther stared back at him, and was almost afraid. He tilted his head downward and wore the most stoic expression he could muster. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You will listen to me, Pendragon!" Gaius started, his tone sharp and forceful, "Had the his manservant not come in early today, Arthur would be dead, and his blood would be on your hands. This is not something I find easily excusable, even if you are the king. What could have possibly possessed you to do such a thing?!" As he had spoke, Gaius's voice lowered to an almost menacing whisper.

"I'm sorry, I let my anger get the best of me yesterday."

Gaius's initial reaction would have been to shove him, but his mind reminded him of who it was he was speaking to, even if the man before him didn't deserve his title. "Yesterday?! Just judging by the scars on his abdomen, it's been a lot longer than a single day. This is abuse, Uther."

The king turned his head so that he didn't have to look the court physician in the eye. "I couldn't help it."

"Couldn't help it?! That's your excuse? You are in control of your own actions, Sire." The normally respectful title was bitter on Gaius's tongue as he continued. "I am absolutely certain that you could help it."

Uther was becoming angry now. "What right do you have to speak to me in this manner?! I am your king!"

"A king of Camelot is meant to be noble and brave, assuring the well being of his subjects, including his own children! You are no king." Uther's rage grew even stronger, and he slammed his fist against the wall beside him. Gaius took a step back and sighed. "How could you do this to your son?"

Uther's voice lowered and in his eyes Gaius saw a hatred in him that he had only seen once before, the night of Igraine's death. "Arthur is no son of mine." Gaius could hardly believe what he was hearing.

"How can you say that, Uther? That boy is your flesh and blood, you've raised him since he birth! You taught him how to ride his horse and how to hold his sword, and until now, you've never once thought of him as anything but your boy, whom you have always loved and cherished."

"He's changed, Gaius. He is no longer loyal, he questions my judgement and I fear that he will one day turn on me completely. He was born of magic, Gaius. What if somehow, it changes him? How can I leave the kingdom in the hands of someone I cannot trust?"

"Magic? Is that what this is about? Has hatred spread and deepened now, Uther? In that case, it is time for you to arrest the entire kingdom. Burn down the castle and execute those who survive, because if you have found blame in Arthur, then surely you have found blame in us all. There is not a single person alive who has not been, in some way, affected by magic. You can let the punishment start with me," he held out his hands, as if the king was going to restrain him, "and finish with yourself. Because you are guilty, Sire, far more guilty than Arthur. If you look deep within yourself, you will find that it is not hatred for the boy that resides within you, or even hatred for magic. No, the real hatred here, Uther Pendragon, is the hatred you harbor for yourself."

"Silence! That's enough!" Gaius stepped forward once more, coming dangerously close to the angry king.

"Deep down, you know that all of this has been an attempt to find recompence for what you made happen to Igraine. That's all you've ever really hated, what you did to her. And now, despite that, you've nearly destroyed the only trace of her you have left. But let me tell you something right now: This is over, right now."

Uther tried to step around him to get to Arthur's door. "I will see him." Gaius shifted again, his eyes daring the king to take another step.

"You will not."

In an angry huff, Uther stormed off, and Gaius released the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.