Hello my lovelies. I would like to thank OechsnerC, Guest, Sinbad729, Guest, the only daughter of Pluto, Guardian of the Inheritance, NCVII, emrysmorgan, GhostWriterGirl-1, Merille Marc (Guest), gaylelbf, darkpegasuzz and Gingeraffealene for the awesome reviews. I would also like to thank those of you who have favoured and followed since my last update.
So here is the next chapter. There is only one more chapter to go (I think) and then the epilogue. So nearly at an end. I hope you have enjoyed reading it so far, and will enjoy the last couple I write.
Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.
All the council and every member of the court that could had squeezed their way into the throne room to hear the trial of the High Priestess Morgause. They all stood there with batted breath, the hum of anticipation high in the air as they all waited to hear the sorceress be condemned to death. Waited for their new king to order his first burning of someone with magic. No one other than those who knew expected anything different, and none of them thought Morgause deserved anything more.
When the doors opened to reveal Arthur walking with Morgana at his side they all smiled, though most were calculating in their mind what this would mean for them. Because they all thought that this was Arthur's declaration of who would be his queen. It was something that many had thought would be a good match, though Uther had never pressed for it. They also all saw Merlin walking behind the pair, but none of the court thought anything of it, even if he was wearing clothes that were of much too high a quality for a servant. Those that noticed were sure it was just Arthur's way of repaying him for his service. It was well known after all how close they were.
In fact most of court didn't really think anything about him at all until they started to notice the response of the council to his presence. Before they noticed the way that those men seemed to straighten and look at the serving boy with forced respect. It was then they turned and truly looked at the man who had been serving their king for so many years. And for the first time they saw him standing straight, head held high and when his eyes met any of those in the crowd he did not look away in humility as he was supposed to. What was going on? But before they could ask their neighbours if they knew anything, the king was in front of them clearing his throat. A sound that made silence descend upon those present.
"Good people of Camelot. We are here to conduct the trial of High Priestess Morgause, but before I being I wish to make my first official appointment as your King. I have known many of you here all my life. You have watched me grow into the man I am today, but it is something I could not have achieved without the unwavering support of one man. A man whom most never notice, and yet whose advice I have followed time again to betterment of Camelot itself. He has selflessly placed himself in danger to protect both my kingdom and her people repeatedly, and asked for no reward or recognition in return. It is time for that to change. As such as my right as ruler of Camelot I name my first advisor, Lord Merlin Emrys."
Arthur's announcement was followed by a moment of silence as all those present tried to first work out who this lord was, and then when they realised it was his manservant, time to come to terms with that idea in their head. Time to understand that a servant, a peasant boy, now stood as not just one of them, but above them. Because he had the king's ear in a way none of them ever would. He now had a power that they had all secretly, or not so secretly, hoped to have themselves. It would require some definite reshuffling of their goals and ambitions to accommodate him into them.
Luckily the silence was broken by those who already knew of the appointment. A small section of the knights began loudly cheering and whistling. They were soon joined by most of the other knights that served under Arthur. Joined by all those who had gone into battle with Arthur and his man servant. Those who had seen what he was willing to risk to protect the life of the king.
Those cheers were soon joined by polite applause from the rest of the court, as even if they couldn't get there head around the idea of Merlin now being a lord, they knew better than to show the discontent in front of the king. His reign was still too new for any to voice upset. They needed to see what sort of king he would be, before they could determine how they would achieve the most advantageous positions for themselves or family members. And if that meant accepting a servant into their ranks, well they wasn't really anything they could do about it right then was there?
Arthur allowed the cheers to sound longer than was truly necessary, but he wanted to make sure that those who he knew would question the appointment understood that he would not be swayed on this. He also wanted to give Merlin a chance to feel the recognition for all he had done for his kingdom, even if the people below him had no idea of what that was. He did, and he knew Merlin deserved more than he could ever give him.
Merlin for his part was trying really hard not to glare at his king while all eyes were on him. He really would prefer to be hiding in the background, especially when Arthur pronounced Morgause's sentence. But of course the prat had to go and make him centre of attention now. He was so going to make him pay for that. Hmm, maybe he could work out how that goblin had given him donkey ears and do it again, that would be great payment in his mind.
Finally Arthur held up his hands and the room silenced instantly. They were sure this was it. Time for the trial and for Morgause's death. There was an almost fevered air of excitement in their anticipation.
"I have one more announcement to make before proceeding to the trial. That is to name my heir. These are troubled times for Camelot, and if anything were to happen to me, I do not want to leave my kingdom and her people without a suitable and strong leader. As I am currently unmarried and without a child, the role of heir will become my sister's until such time as I wed and place a queen on the throne beside me. the ceremony to formally allow her to accept this role will be held in a few days, but for now I would like to formally acknowledge my sister and present to you Morgana Pendragon, Crown Princess of Camelot."
The silence that followed these words was even more deafening than that that followed Merlin's appointment announcement. Mainly because most there were under the impression that Morgana would be their next queen through a marriage to Arthur, not that she was his sister. Uther had never accepted her as such, she had always only been his ward. Why was Arthur recognising her in such a role, when Uther did not?
Morgana for her part wanted to roll her eyes at the stupidity of the crowd in front of her, but instead she stood from the chair she was sitting in to step forwards, before turning to Arthur and performing a perfect curtsey.
"I thank you for the honour, my king. And I graciously accept, brother." She said with her head bowed at just the right angle when talking to the king, but the smile on her face that all the crowd could see was one of deep affection. It was those words that pulled people out of their silent shock so that they could cheer the one who could well become their next queen. And Merlin standing to side watching the siblings smiled widely. Because not only was his best friend recognising the woman he loved for who she was born to be, but by making her his heir, Arthur was changing destiny in ways Merlin could never have foreseen. He was cementing Morgana's path at his side, and pulling her further and further away from the darkness which could have consumed her. It made his heart and magic swell at knowing that everything was finally going the way he needed it to. Albion was so close he could almost touch it, and he couldn't wait to see what they, all of them together, would make of the future that was to come.
Arthur raised his hands once more and silence descended again, though this time there was uncertainty in the anticipation. Would now be the time for the trial, or did the king have any other announcements he needed to make. Did he have any other way to shock those who had crowded in to watch him sentence the sorceress to burn?
But Arthur didn't. So instead he called out, "bring in the prisoner."
The crowd parted as the doors opened, giving a clear path from them to the royal siblings and the first advisor who stood at Arthur's right shoulder. All eyes watched as Morgause made her way slowly, but purposefully towards them. She had her head held high but her face was expressionless. Her chained wrists were calmly held in front of her, as they were nothing more than a fashion accessory, rather than the sign of captivity that they were. But then they were not magic supressing ones. Merlin had refused to let them be used, claiming they were torture to the magic users who they were placed on. As such the only thing stopping Morgause from releasing her magic then and there were the three people she was walking towards. It was her choice to put her life in their hands, but she trusted them. Trusted Emrys to make sure their king showed these people the man he truly was. Trusted her sister to do what must be done for their people. Yes, the future was safe in these people's hands.
When she reached Arthur she knelt before him without needed to be commanded to, and she bowed her head in a sign of respect.
"High Priestess Morgause, you are charged with the invasion and capture of Camelot, resulting in countless deaths and the oppression of her people. Do you have anything to say in your defence?" Arthur asked staring down at the woman at his feet.
At his question Morgause raised her head so her eyes met his. "Only that I thought you dead, sire. The persecution on my people and the war between us needs to end. I believed that you would have the ability to see this, but when I heard of your demise I knew that that was no longer possible. My aim was to put your sister on the throne in your stead, hoping that she would be as opened minded as I have always believed you to be." She stated clearly causing eyebrows to raise throughout the room. They had never seen Arthur behave in any way that suggested he was inclined to make peace with people who practised magic. So where had she gotten that idea from?
"You also ordered the execution of my father, Uther former king of Camelot." Arthur responded not taking his eyes off of hers to see what people's reactions were to her words. He couldn't let it seem as if he wasn't strong in his decision, and he could not let those here sway him from his chosen course.
"When I heard you were alive, I gave him a choice, sire. He could abdicate his throne to you, or die. He chose his death, not me." Morgause replied, reminding everyone there that she had indeed done that. In this very room in front of them all in fact.
"Why?" Arthur asked wanting to make sure everyone heard her reasons. Make sure they would hopefully understand his when the time came for him to announce the sentence.
"As much as I and all my people believed he deserved death for the persecution of innocent people for years, I knew you would never accept magic if he died by its hand." Morgause answered simply. It was the truth, she knew that. Just as she had known it when Morgana had said to her.
"You are right that the time of war between our people needs to end. There has been too much blood shed by both sides. The past shows us that revenge and retribution only brings more death. It is time for a different approach. One which looks to the future and does not dwell on the past, though we do not forget. We will never forget those that have died in this war through the years, but we must learn from those deaths. Learn the lessons history has taught us time and again, and look to a brighter future. One of peace and prosperity for all. With that in mind I cannot sentence you to death. Cannot countenance an act that will cause more death and destruction in its wake. Camelot has wronged you people and they have wrongs us. As such, as an offer of goodwill I give you your life.
But I cannot countenance the pain and destruction you have caused on my kingdom over the last few days. Retribution must be paid, and if not with your blood then I will take your freedom, and your magic. I sentence you to the Isle of the Blessed, where you will remain for the rest of your days. Your magic will be bound, and you will live a life of repentance for all the lives you have taken.
But I am not a cruel king, and as such I will offer you the same deal that you gave my father. You can take this sentence, or I will have you executed at dawn. What is your decision?" Arthur asked still not looking away from the sorceress in front of him, even when he heard the gasps that echoed round the room.
"I accept you sentence, sire. And I promise I will do all I can to repent for the pain and destruction I have caused, for both our peoples." Morgause replied bowing her head once more, in a way that showed complete supplication to the man in front of her, though in truth she was doing to both him and Emrys.
"Guards take her to the physician's quarters and await us there." Arthur called out, and for the first time he looked at his people. He could see the uncertainty in their eyes at his words. The confusion at him allowing her to live, he needed to explain. Needed them to understand that it had to be this way, if true peace was going to be achieved.
Therefore once the doors had closed behind the prisoner he turned back to his people.
"I have been taught from the moment I could speak that magic was evil. It took a long time for me to see that this was not true. Magic has many uses, violence is only one. The good, amazing things that magic can achieve are worth more than the pain it can cause in the wrong hands. It is not magic that is evil, but the people who chose to wield it in such a way. The time of Camelot's persecution of people who hold this power is over. I want all of my people to live in peace within my borders, and that includes those who can do things I cannot. We do not persecute those who can heal, or grow the best crops, so why do we persecute those who can do that with a different kind of power? The laws regarding magic will be changing, and freedom will be given to all to be who they truly are. I have seen the good magic can do and I hope that one day, you all will too." He said staring down those he knew would be the most against what he was saying. Oh he knew it would take more than his words then to change people's minds, especially after all that had happened. But he needed to start this now. Needed to start sowing the seeds into people's minds so that when the day came and he removed the ban on magic it would not be such a shock. That when that day came they would not react with anger, but acceptance of the new future he hoped to build. It was all he could do for the moment, but it was enough for now. Soon he would do more, soon he would make sure his friend and sister where free of the fear and pain they had lived with under Uther's reign. Soon they would be free to be who he knew they were, but for now, this would have to be enough.
And Merlin who was standing just behind him couldn't help the soft smile that spread across his lips, nor the moisture that gathered on his lashes as he heard the promise in the words Arthur spoke. Soon all his dreams and wishes would come true. Soon everything he had done would be rewarded and Albion and the golden age would begin. And he couldn't wait to see it, with the woman he loved at his side.