Uther then turned to Arthur "Did you know your wife had magic?" without waiting for an answer he added "She will be held for execution!"
Arthur ignored his father and turned to Leon "Ailfrid" with that Leon and Elyan ran for the door to check on the Baby Prince taking several knights with them.
At that same second Uther found a sword blade at his throat "No I don't think so" Gwaine said as his father blade joined his over Uther's heart
"Nor do I" Balinor growled. "Merlin has just saved your miserable hide. No one else could have stopped your hall and castle falling. You owe the Pure One a debt of honour. We will take Merlin and Ailfrid with us when we leave"
Arthur looked up "I will also leave if they do" he looked at his father with loathing "I will not stay where Merlin is not welcome" he clutched Merlin to him only releasing him as Gaius approached. Merlin was awake but barely, he looked at his husband fighting the waves of exhaustion.
"My son" he gasped "I must see my son"
Leon and Elyan arrived at the Princes chambers to find several of the enemy dead in the corridor and doorway. Running into the room they found Lancelot and Percival with Hunith holding the baby Prince and Drea and Freya beside her. Mordred was also by the side of Hunith with his sword drawn. What they didn't see was the small but invisible Mab who had been responsible for most of the deaths, including the sorcerer laying at Percival's feet.
Skidding to a halt Leon took in the scene "Is the young Prince unharmed?"
"He is" Conformed Percival. "Thanks in part to Mordred"
Leon looked at his trainee knight and raised an eyebrow "Mordred what are you doing here?"
Mordred looked at Leon defiantly as if expecting to be rebuked "I was in the room next to mothers when I saw her speaking to Morgause about killing Prince Ailfrid and the King. She didn't know I was there. I couldn't let her so as soon as I could I ran here to warn the knights and help protect my Prince." He looked torn "I know I should have been loyal to my mother but she is wrong."
Leon nodded. "The high Priestess has been killed and your mother was stopped, but she is alive" he told the boy. "As is everyone else. The situation is …..difficult." he had no idea what had happened to Merlin. "I need you all to stay here, the knights will remain" with that he turned and went back to the throne room.
On his return Leon found a stand-off between the Kings. Gwaine had dropped his sword from Uther's throat on his father's order and Balinor had stepped back but also still had his sword drawn. But there was a palpable tension in the air.
Merlin saw Leon enter and his face asked the question everyone wanted to know. Leon gave Arthur and Merlin a reassuring smile "The Young Prince is safe as is everyone else."
"I must see him" Merlin said weakly.
Uther was by now trying to take charge once more. "Bring him here!"
Leon left as Arthur spoke "You will not touch my son!"
"He is my Grandson!" Uther said "And as such under my keeping"
Balinor snorted "He is also my Grandson, you will not have him, and he will stay with Merlin"
"A witch! I think not. Magic is illegal in Camelot" Uther said harshly "The penalty is death"
"Do you want WAR because if you do you will get it" Balinor said with force. The Gangani King had already reminded Uther of the Dragon under his control should Kilgarrah be needed.
"Or I could just kill you now and save all the trouble" Gwaine said clearly not happy. "Your son would make a far better King"
Arthur held Merlin tightly to stop him falling. Looking at his father he spoke "Merlin saved your life, he saved all our lives, does that not count for anything? Or are you so embittered. You have already turned your daughter against you because of your hatred and her fear." He saw the hurt on this father's face at the mention of Morgana "How many have you already killed that would have lived peacefully if not for your inability to think of all the citizens of Camelot. Magic is no different than a sword it is the user who makes it good or evil."
Leon chose that moment to arrive with Ailfrid who was till in Hunith's arms. Mordred, Lancelot and Percival were with them. Merlin held out his arms and Hunith passed the small bundle to Arthur who held him next to the weak Merlin. "My son!"
"He is an heir of Camelot first and foremost." Uther said. Ailfrid reached out for Merlin and the safety he felt there. Arthur put him in Merlin's arms as he sat the raven haired man in a chair and supported him. He knew Merlin would not settle until he held the tiny bundle.
Ailfrid could sense the tension in his parents and started to cry. Merlin soothed him then looked at Uther "I will not let you take him from me!"
The anger was clear in his voice and Ailfrid looked at his Camelot Grandfather and his eyes flashed gold as he clung onto Merlin, It wasn't clear what he had done but it was clearly seen by Uther "You have contaminated my Grandson!"
"He was born with magic as was I" Merlin said "Will you kill him for that?" by now Merlin was running on his anger and adrenaline and was close to collapse.
Arthur knelt next to Merlin and held onto him "You need to rest my love" Arthur looked at his father. "I am taking Merlin to our rooms to rest I suggest you think hard about what you want. Because once Merlin is rested we will be leaving with King Balinor."
Uther looked at his son and then turned to the guards and ordered then out of the room. This was family business and he would not allow family disagreements to be discussed in front of witnesses. Then he turned to Arthur. "You are a fool!" he snarled in an attempt to rescue the situation. "Remember what magic has done to you!"
Silence met his words, then Arthur heard a chuckle by his ear as Mab, still invisible said "You aren't so bad for a Pratt." With that she removed her invisibility and flew across and sat on Gwaine's shoulder "Shall I tell you his weakness?" she didn't wait for the reply but instead said to Uther "He is terrified of looking weak, and that people will know the guilt he carries for his wife's death. He soon knew he should have stopped his hatred of innocent people but he had gone too far and couldn't back down. He has killed hundred's for his pride. Now he fears his children will leave him and his dynasty will end with him." Mab flew to the shocked Uther and flew in front of his face mocking him "You are a coward Uther Pendragon, if you were not you would admit you were wrong but 'Pendragon's must never apologise" she said the last words in an exact imitation of his voice. "But I warn you, you will not touch either the Pure One or the little Prince or the wrath of Gods will descend upon you"
With that Mab disappeared once more. Although Merlin felt the light weight settle on his shoulder and he knew his son was protected. Merlin knew he was losing his battle to stay awake had leant up against Arthur and closed his eyes. Mordred who had been watching Merlin and the baby carefully rushed forwards and took the bundle from Merlin with great care. It was then that they discovered what Ailfrid's flashing eyes had done. His blanket was attached to Merlin's clothing, he hadn't intended to be separated from him. Hunith stepped forward and unwrapped her grandson and took him carefully. Immediately Mordred took of his jacket and wrapped it round the little Prince to keep him warm.
Arthur picked Merlin up the raven haired man shrank into Arthur's arms, too tired to move or even care, and the group set off for Arthur's chambers, Hunith. Mordred and the three knights following.
Balinor looked at Uther "You would do well to think carefully about what Mab has told you, not many get the chance to change. If you do you, you may yet get to save your relationship with your son"
He walked away following the other group. Prince Gwaine faced Uther and snarled "I meant every word I said, you harm any of my family and you will not live another day. You may be King here but you are not all powerful. There is a rather large dragon waiting for the word to attack and you won't stop him, that's if I don't slit your throat first." he paused for effect before adding "I should feel sorry for you, after all you have screwed up things for yourself but I don't I want Merlin to return with us, I never wanted to lose Merlin. This was I even gain a brother in law because whatever you think Arthur won't leave Merlin not for you or anything."