"It's beautiful!" Gwen gasped, looking over her new dress with its bright colors and intricate buttons.

"Well, you're a beautiful girl, Gwen. You deserve beautiful things," her father said, smiling down at her.

"But how? I mean...it must have been expensive," she said, running her hand over the fabric. The few things she had so colorful and fine were the things Morgana gave her. They'd never had problems with money, but they could hardly afford such finery with just her and her father.

"Oh, very. But we're on the up now. Things are going to be different."

"What's going on?"

"It'll be all right. Trust me." He kissed her cheek. "I won't be back for supper."

She watched him go for a moment before shaking out of her stupor. "Wait."

He stopped and she came to his side. "Do you have to go out tonight?"

"I've got a job. The buyer won't be by until late."

"It's just…" She bit her lip and glanced around at the people wandering around before tugging him to a quiet corner. "Prince Arthur told me to stay in. He said they've gotten word a dangerous sorcerer was in town. They think he's going to be in our area tonight and the knights and guards are going to be doing raids. I don't want you to be caught in the middle. Can you ask your buyer to come by another time?"

"I don't know. He was specific about the time."

"Please, Father. Arthur said Tauren is very dangerous."

"Tauren?" he said, looking shocked.

"Yes, why?"

He looked away.

"What is it?"

Arthur was discussing the plans for the night with Leon and the Captain of the Guard while Merlin fiddled about in the background when a knock sounded at his door. "Who is it?"

"Your Highness, please, I need to speak with you," came Guinevere's voice.

"It will have to wait," Arthur said, even as Merlin went to open the door.

"What's wrong, Gwen?" he asked.

"My father needs to speak to Arthur immediately. Please, it's important."

Merlin turned to Arthur, who glanced at his guests and shook his head.

"It's about tonight."

Arthur frowned and nodded. "Let her in."

Guinevere came in with her father just behind her. "Thank you, Your Highness," she said, giving a curtsy as her father bowed.

"Say what you have to say. I don't have much time."

She nodded and turned to Tom. "Tell him. Prince Arthur is fair, he won't hurt you."

Arthur's frown grew at her words and her father's nerves.

"I…" the man started. He glanced between Arthur, Leon, and the captain before dropping to his knees. "I beg mercy, Your Highness. I swear, I had no idea."

He gestured for him to continue.

"A man came to my forge and offered to pay me a fortune for my help. I-I didn't know who he was. I never would have agreed if I'd known. I would have gone straight to the guards."

Arthur felt something sink into his stomach and glanced up at Guinevere. "Who was he?"

"H-He said his name… was Tauren," Tom said before continuing quickly on. "I didn't know he was a sorcerer. I meant no harm, I swear."

The captain stepped forward, but Arthur held out his hand to stop him. "What have you done for him?"

"Nothing. He was supposed to come to my forge tonight."

"What did he want from you?"

"Not weapons, I would have been more suspicious if that's what he'd asked for. He needed my help and forge for an experiment or something."

"What kind of experiment?"

"He didn't say."

Arthur nodded and waved the two out. "Wait outside, I need to discuss this with Sir Leon and the Captain of the Guard. Do not leave."

He nodded and Guinevere lead him out, whispering reassurances.

"Sire, if he'd been consorting with the sorcerer -"

"You believe he's lying about not knowing?"

The captain frowned. "I'm not sure."

"I believe he's honest," Leon said.

"As do I," Arthur agreed. "And even if he isn't, he's clearly recognized his error. More importantly, he's given us an opportunity.

"Opportunity?"

Arthur pointed at Tom's forge on the map of the market. "Now we'll know exactly where he's going to be tonight."

"You wish to use the blacksmith as bait," the captain said, sounding intrigued.

Merlin shot Arthur a glare, but he ignored him.

"It's a better plan than having multiple raids and hoping Tauren or his spies don't spot one."

Leon nodded and the captain took his lead.

Arthur called Tom back in.

Guinevere grew even more nervous when she saw Merlin was still glaring at Arthur, but he ignored her as well. He stared down at Tom, who retook his position on his knees. "Consorting with sorcerers is a serious crime."

Both servants gave him disbelieving glares, which was fair, but it wasn't his fault Tom had confessed in front of a knight and the Captain of the Guard.

"I know."

"Unfortunately, it is not in my power to pass judgment on such a crime. However, I will see that you are given a fair trial before my father and ensure he knows you came forward of your own free will as soon as you learned Tauren. I will also speak on your behalf to request you are given leniency as such."

"Th-thank you, Your Highness," Tom said, bowing his head.

"That said, while I do not have the power to pass judgment, it is in my power to grant you a pardon." Tom looked up with wide eyes and Arthur held his hand up before he could speak. "I will offer you this pardon, in return, you will meet with Tauren as planned."

"I-I don't understand."

"Your meeting gives us an opportunity. Tonight there was meant to be raids to track down this sorcerer," he explained, as if he wasn't well aware Tom knew this already because Arthur had told confidential information to a handmaid. "If you keep your meeting, then we will know exactly where Tauren is going to be. When Tauren arrives, you will give us a signal and we will move in to apprehend him. I warn you, this may be dangerous, but, unfortunately, it is likely the only way I can guarantee you will face no punishment for your dealings."

"Father, you can't," Guinevere whispered.

"I'll do it."

"Father!"

Tom stood and took her hands. "I should have never agreed to this, but I didn't want to let an opportunity pass. I knew you wouldn't like it, Gwen, that's why I didn't tell you. I should have been more cautious, like you. I need to make this right." She shook her head, but he turned to Arthur. "What do you need me to do?"

Tom glanced around nervously as he worked the bellows.

He heard a hiss and turned to see the black cat that had been lounging in his forge all afternoon and night darting out of the forge.

"Is it prepared?"

Tom flinched and turned to see Tauren step out of the shadows.

"Yes. Look." Tom stepped away from the bellows. His eyes went to a crate that was supposed to have a mirror atop it, but the mirror was gone.

"Very good."

He focused back on Tauren to see that the sorcerer had pulled down his hood to get a better look at the lead. He pulled out a stone with silver metalworking wrapped around it in the shape of claws.

"What is that?" Tom asked.

"I'm not paying you to ask questions," Tauren said, not looking up. "The lead, please."

Suddenly guards burst through the doors led by Prince Arthur, Sir Leon, and a knight Tom didn't know.

"Seize him!" Arthur ordered and two guards grabbed Tom while Tauren ran for the back of the shop. "Quickly, after him!"

The sorcerer threw down a table and fled into the night.

"Stop!" the unfamiliar knight yelled as he and Sir Leon led the rest of the guards to take chase.

"He must be caught!" Prince Arthur yelled after them.

"Stop that man!"

The Prince turned to Tom and he bowed his head. "Sire, please…"

"You're under arrest. Take him to the dungeons," Arthur ordered.

The men nodded and dragged him out. They brought him up to the castle and in the direction of the dungeons, but took a wrong turn at the last minute. When they reached a door, one of the guards opened it to reveal a small bedroom. Inside were Gwen, the Lady Morgana, and Gwen's friend Merlin.

"Father," his daughter shouted, throwing her arms around him as soon as the guards released him.

"I'm alright, Gwen. I'm fine."

"It's good to hear it," the Lady Morgana said, and he bowed to her. "None of that. Gwen is my closest friend. I won't have her father treating me as anything but her friend."

Tom wasn't sure how to respond to that, but thankfully he didn't have to as Prince Arthur came into the room at that moment.

"Well?" the Lady Morgana asked.

"We lost him."

"So you put Gwen's father in danger for nothing."

The prince ignored her and turned to Tom. "You will have to stay here for the night and most of tomorrow. After that, we will spread word that you were tried and found not guilty due to a lack of knowledge so you can return to your home in peace. Tauren should have no reason to think you betrayed him."

"Thank you, Your Highness. And I'm sorry. I tried to alert you, but the mirror disappeared."

"I know. Sir Leon saw it vanish. Tauren's work, we assume. He must have worried a passerby would catch sight of him. Thankfully we had a backup. Were you able to find out what Tauren wanted from you?"

"No. He had some stone, but you arrived before he could do anything more than pull it out and he wouldn't answer my questions."

The prince nodded and gestured for the guards to leave. "We will let you rest then. I will inform you when you can leave."

"Thank you again."

The prince glanced at Morgana, who rolled her eyes and gave Gwen a hug before leaving with the prince.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Gwen asked and he kissed her cheek.

"I'm fine. I'm more worried about you walking to an empty home at this time of night."

"She can take my room," Merlin offered and they turned to him. "Gaius isn't caring for anyone right now so I can sleep on the patient's cot in the main room with him."

"Oh Merlin, I couldn't," she objected and he shook his head.

"It's fine, Gwen. It really is too late to be walking home."

Tom studied the boy, then turned to his daughter. "I'd feel better if you stayed in the castle, especially with Tauren still out there."

She stared up at him, then Merlin. "Alright."

Merlin smiled and walked to the door. "I'll let you guys say your goodbyes."

"Do you have any idea what this experiment might have been?" Arthur asked, eyeing Merlin.

"No, not without knowing what the stone was. The-" Merlin yelped and ducked a blow. "There are all kinds of things he could have been doing with lead."

"Faster, Merlin," Arthur huffed, swiping at Merlin again, his sword hitting Merlin's and knocking it out of his hands. "You need a tighter grip. Do you think you could figure it out if Guinevere got a description of the stone from her father?"

"Maybe," he groaned, rubbing his wrist as he went to fetch his blade. "Depending on how significant the stone is, I might be able to find something in Gaius's books. I can ask her to talk to him once she's awake. Can't we talk about this after training?"

"No. You need to learn to multitask in a battle. Now then -" Arthur cut off at the sound of footsteps and the two turned to see Morgana walking up.

"Merlin, have you seen Gwen?"

"She's asleep in my room. Her father didn't want her walking home alone so I offered my bed."

She looked relieved and turned to leave, only for Leon to come running up.

"Sire!"

"What's wrong?"

"Your father has just had Tom arrested."

"What?" Morgana and Arthur shouted at the same time before they both took off across the field.

"Father!" he called as they came into the Council Chambers to see Uther standing next to the table. "Why has Sir Leon just informed me you've arrested Tom the Blacksmith?"

The king glared at him, then over his shoulder. He glanced back to see Leon and Merlin had followed them, Leon ducking his head at the king's ire.

"The blacksmith has been consorting with sorcerers. You should have had him arrested last night."

"Tom was acting under my orders. Surely Sir Leon explained that he assisted us in our attempt to lure Tauren into a trap."

"He explained. He explained that the blacksmith had already had dealings with the sorcerer before he came to you in a desperate attempt to save his own skin."

The look on Morgana's was deadly so Arthur quickly stepped between her and his father, saying, "He had no idea Tauren was a sorcerer and as soon as he realized it, he came to me personally to confess. He had no desire to break the law, let alone have anything to do with magic."

"So he says."

"Father, I granted him my pardon in return for him putting himself in danger by meeting Tauren. You cannot keep him imprisoned."

"You should never have granted him such," Uther spat. "The law -"

"He broke no law!" Morgana spat back, pushing Arthur aside. "He did business with a man, and when he realized his client was a criminal, he came here for refuge. Do you plan to imprison anyone who reports crimes from now on? I'm sure that will make the knights' and guards' jobs far easier!"

"Enough! Guards!" A pair of guards stepped into the room at the king's call. "Escort Morgana to her chambers."

Morgana scowled, slipping away from the men when they tried to grab her and marching up to the king. "You're a monster, Uther Pendragon!"

"May I remind you that you're speaking to your King."

"May I remind you that a king is wise and just. You are neither. You rule only with the sword."

"Morgana," Arthur said and she turned her glare on him.

"You know nothing of what it means to be King. The fate of Camelot rests in my hands. It's my responsibility to protect the people of this land from its enemies."

"Then the kingdom is doomed!" she snapped, turning back to Uther. "For one by one, you make enemies of us all!"

"You speak treason, Morgana."

"Only a mad man hears the truth as treason."

"Take care, child, or I'll have you restrained."

"You just try."

"Guards, escort Morgana to the dungeons. I will soon follow."

They finally grabbed hold of the lady and led her out as she hissed, "You hurt Gwen's father, and I will never forgive you. Never."

"Father, pl-" Arthur cut off when his father raised his hand.

"I will hear no more about this." He set his hands on the table, facing away from Arthur. "Given the circumstances, I will allow for leniency. He will be fined a fee of ten gold."

"What about his trial?"

"He has already confessed, what use is there for a trial?"

"I… will see that it is done."

"Tauren slept somewhere, he fed somewhere," Uther added. "Find anyone who helped him in any way. They must be punished. The people must see the laws of Camelot are not to be trifled with."

"Yes, Father."

Uther dismissed him and he gestured Merlin and Leon out ahead of him.

"See that Tom is released and sent home as planned," he told the knight.

"What abou-"

"The money will be sent to the treasury."

Leon bowed his head and left.

"You should go to Guinevere before she finds out from someone else," Arthur sighed. "I need to talk to the Captain of the Guard."

He felt Merlin's hand on his shoulder for a second then the warlock was gone.

Gwen sighed as she reached her house. She had come to clean up before her father got home, but she felt awful knowing her father was down in the dungeons and wouldn't be released for another night due to Uther's interference.

She stepped into the house and closed the door.

Suddenly there was a hand over her mouth.

"I want the stone! Where is it?"

"I think I've found something," Merlin said, coming into Arthur's chambers.

"Merlin."

He looked up from his book to see Gwen alone in the room. "Where's Arthur? Why are you crying?"

"I came to talk to him. I thought… But Leon said he's in the lower tower searching for signs of Tauren. I don't…"

"Gwen," he said, setting the book on Arthur's desk and taking her hands. "What's wrong?"

"It's… It's Tauren. He was in my home. He wants the stone, the one my father saw. He must have dropped it and he…"

His eyes narrowed. "He threatened you."

"He wants me to bring it to him in the Darkling Woods, but I don't know where it is. I checked everywhere in the forge. I wouldn't have taken it to him, but -"

"I know, Gwen. It's okay. I'll tell Arthur. He and the knights will scour the woods."

"That's just it, I thought he'd already be searching by now."

"What do you mean?"

She looked down at the floor. "You weren't the first person I told. I-I didn't want to get you involved. You've already done so much. I thought…"

"Gwen."

"Morgana. I told her what happened this morning. She said she was going to send the guards."

He frowned. "Arthur hasn't heard anything about this, and the guards definitely would have told him."

"I know."

"We need to find Morgana."

They were halfway to her chambers when Merlin froze. There was a noise, or a feeling, or something in the air. A ringing buzzing something that sent a shiver down his spine and tugged at him. It was unfamiliar, yet he'd felt it before. The morning after the raid. He'd thought it was just the lack of sleep, but…

"Merlin?"

"Follow me," was all he said, before leading Gwen down a different hall. His senses were going crazy and they easily slipped past guards until they reached a landing with windows overlooking the square.

They looked out to see a woman's figure in a cloak slipping out of the castle.

"Morgana?" Gwen asked.

"She's got the stone." He set his hand on her shoulder. "Go back to Arthur's chambers. He should be back soon. Explain what's going on."

She shook her head. "I'm coming with you. She's doing this for me."

"Arthur needs to know what's happening. I'll watch out for her."

Gwen hesitated.

"We'll be alright, I promise, but we don't have time to argue."

"Okay. Be careful."

"Aren't I alw- Nevermind. We'll be fine."

"There you are," Gwen said, sitting down next to Merlin. "What are you doing down here?" she asked, looking around the darkened staircase they were sitting on. It was one that led to the dungeons, but most never used it.

He shook his head, face pressed against his knees. "Just thinking."

"Alright. Are you okay? I haven't seen you since you ran after Morgana. Was everything okay? When Arthur brought her home, she didn't have a scratch on her. She said Tauren just took the stone and left."

He hummed, but didn't answer.

"Merlin."

"I… Uther's done so much harm."

"Yes?"

"He… Your father was arrested even though he didn't do anything wrong and Arthur gave him a pardon. And he arrested so many people just for -"

"What's this about?"

"I just…"

"Merlin," she said, moving in front of him and grabbing his chin so he would look at her. "What's wrong?"

"Morgana… She didn't just give Tauren the stone. She… She made a deal with him."

"A deal?"

A pulled away to press his face back to his knees. "To kill Uther."

Gwen sucked in a breath.

"I don't know what to do?" he whispered. He looked up at her. "The dragon thinks I should let him die and maybe that would be best because then Arthur would be king, but Arthur, if he found out, and Gaius thinks Arthur's not ready to be king yet - I didn't tell him what's going on, but I asked some questions - and I… can I really just sit back and let this happen, but -"

"No."

He swallowed and waited.

"Of course you can't just sit back, we wouldn't be having this conversation if you could. You're too good for that. If you just sat back, you would be as bad as Uther, and you're not."

"You're right. Of course, you're right." He shakily got to his feet. "I don't know what got into me."

"You've had the wrong people whispering in your ear," she said, standing up to hug him.

"I need to go. I have to stop her."

She squeezed him then stepped back. "Hurry. They've already left."

As soon as he was gone she scowled and turned towards the dungeons.

"You told him to let Uther die!" she shouted as she marched into the dragon's cavern.

"My Lady," the dragon called before he landed on his platform. "Uther -"

"Is a tyrant and a madman, but he's also the father of Merlin's best friend. What do you think Arthur would have done to him if he'd discovered Merlin knew? Not to mention you were trying to get Merlin to go along with cold-blooded murder!"

He started to growl. "It would not be -"

"It would. Don't bother trying to use whatever excuses you used on Merlin. It would be murder and if you don't realize that then you're insane." She ignored his growls and stepped closer to point a finger at him. "I understand you hate Uther, you have a right to. I'm not too fond of the king myself right now, but leave Merlin out of your revenge fantasies. He is a good person and I won't have you corrupting him."

"Uther must die for Arthur's reign to begin and for their destiny to come to pass."

"But not yet, and not with Merlin taking any fault," she ordered before leaving.

"YOU WHAT!?"

Merlin flinched. He wanted to hide behind Gwen, but stood his ground.

"I can't believe you wou- I should have you arrested!"

"I know. I'm so sorry, Arthur."

"Get out! I can't even… Get out!"

He bowed and left, tears in his eyes.

"He'll calm down," Gwen said softly when she caught back up to him.

"I deserve it."

Gwen looped her arm with his. "You knew it was wrong and you tried to stop it."

"I almost didn't."

"But you did."

"Thanks to you."

She squeezed his arm. "You underestimate yourself."

When he didn't respond, she laid her head on his shoulder.

"Come to dinner with my father and me."

"I don't think I'll be very good company."

"I think you're the one in need of company. Come on, please."

He finally gave a small smile. "Okay, but only if you let me help. I don't want you having to cook for me."

By the time they'd reached her house, an almost pleasant mood had settled over them. However, it quickly fled when they spotted the home.

"Father?" Gwen said, running over to where Tom was placing a box onto a packed cart. "What's going on?"

He gave her a sad smile and brought her into the house. Merlin hovered in the doorway, unsure if he should leave or not.

"I've decided to leave the city," Tom said once the two were sitting.

"What? Why?" Gwen said, shaking her head.

"You know every time a sorcerer is around, the first people the guards look at are always those who've been accused in the past. You have the Lady Morgana's protection, but I… We were lucky this time that Prince Arthur was generous enough to pay my fine. If he hadn't, we likely would have lost everything trying to pay it. Next time, we might not be so lucky and I won't risk you having to pay the price for it. I can't stay here with the threat of Uther's rath."

Her eyes teared up and she nodded. "O-okay. I'll pack -" she started, but he cut her off with a shake of his head.

"You have a life here, Gwen. I can't take you away from that." He pressed a bag into her hand. "There's enough coin in here to get you through until I am settled and can send more."

"But -"

"No, I won't hear any arguments. I know you want to stay, and I want you to stay."

She threw her arms around him, crying. "Where will you go?"

"I heard rumors your brother might be in a small town near the DeGrance lands," he said hugging her back. "I don't know if they're true, but I spoke to Sir Leon and he's agreed to let me retake my old forge at the manor. Hopefully some good might come from this."

She squeezed him tighter and sobbed, "I'll miss you."

Merlin took that as his cue to leave.