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DISCLAIMER - I do not own Merlin, the characters this fanfiction are based on rightfully belong to the BBC.

Chapter Five - A King's Word is Law

It was silent at the round table, in all his time as King, Arthur had never encountered a quiet such as this.

Merlin stood before them, wringing his hands nervously. It was difficult to believe that the gangly serving boy who stood in front of them was also the most powerful of sorcerers.

But Arthur could not forget.

"Merlin," He began, and every single man in the room held onto his words. "I know, as well as any man here, that you have done your duty for your King and for Camelot. You have protected us, as evidenced by your..." He hesitated, grappling for the right words "...display in the woods. And for that we thank you."

Merlin raised his head slightly, a smile beginning to light his face.

"However, the law is clear and sorcery is illegal in Camelot." Arthur continued. "We will allow you to carry on living as you are on the basis that you will stop practising magic."

The smile vanished from Merlin's face, he looked frantically around the table. None of the Knights would meet his eye and Arthur stood solemnly over them, his expression grave.

"You can't be serious?" Merlin choked. "Arthur, think about this!"

Arthur found his throat turning dry. "I have made my decision."

Merlin shook his head, disbelieving. "I can't stop practising magic. I was born with it! You might as well ask me to stop breathing.|"

"That is the law, Merlin!"

"You are the King, Arthur!" Merlin shouted, visibly shaking. "You MAKE the law, you can just as easily change it!"

Arthur could not bring himself to stare into Merlin's anguished face any longer, he looked to his right to see Gwaine and Percival both looking as anguished as he felt.

"What would you have me do Merlin?" Arthur demanded finally, "Give up on my beliefs? Give up on what has made Camelot a peaceful land?"

Merlin's eyes narrowed. "YOU have made Camelot a peaceful land but you would not be here if it were not for magic - I have made certain of that."

Arthur allowed the truth of Merlin's words to sink into the air around him. What Merlin said was true...but sorcery...sorcery was a crime.

"Please Arthur, give up your father's notion of magic and embrace it what for what it really is." Merlin begged.

"It is evil." Arthur said, but even he did not sound so sure any more.

"There is no evil in sorcery, only in the hearts of men." Merlin spread out his hands in hope, "Am I not proof of that?"

Silence resumed once more in the hall.

"Arthur... please." Merlin said, his voice cracking. "I have protected you and I will go on protecting for as long as you wish it. But do not ask this of me. Asking me to stop using magic is like asking me to cut away a part of myself and I can't..." He shook his head, as if trying to shake off a terrible thought. "I can't..."

Arthur sat back down, he had not realized just how hard he had been gripping the table, his knuckles had turned white.

Sir Gwaine leaned forward, "If I may Sire, we will need Merlin's magic if we are to fight against Morgana at Camlann..."

Arthur looked at Merlin, he did not wish to hurt his friend and never before had he so many conflicting feelings ambushing him...and then of course there was the threat of Morgana.

"Very well." He said finally, "We hold off judgement until after Camlann. Then we will decide the fate of magic."

The relief on Merlin's face was instant, he held up both his hands to his mouth as if to stifle a gasp of joy. He smiled up at Arthur.

"You will not regret this, Arthur."

The King nodded, and looking into Merlin's face, and all the hope that was displayed there - he believed him.

A rather short chapter I know but I felt it was needed :)

MsDeacs xx