Uther looked at the group as they left and sagged down unsure how things had got so out of hand. There was only one other person in the room and Gaius moved forward to his old friend. "Sire you should order the knights out to stop Cenred's army."

Uther looked up and nodded trying to pull himself together. He called in the guard and sent them to get Sir Leon, who he then ordered to see what Cenred's army was doing. Leon looked at the King who he thought looked like he had aged ten years. "Sire they started to withdraw once it was known that Morgause was dead. I have already sent men to shadow them and make sure they don't come back" with that her left the room. Leon had already decided if Arthur eft so would he. He could no longer follow such a King.

Once he was gone Uther spoke to Gaius "How did it come to this, my son leaving and my daughter a magic user?"

Gaius was tempted to turn and walk away but instead said "You have been too proud. Mab was right you know. What you did when Ygraine died was unforgivable"

Uther looked up his eyes haunted "Why did you stay"

"To help who I could" Gaius said simply. "And in hope that you would see sense once your grief had cooled. Then because it was my home. I have lost so much, through you, but now is your chance to put things right. Step down and allow Arthur to become King. Give up your hatred of magic a

nd try to mend your relationship with your children. Maybe live quietly with the Princess and heal both your wounds. The Pure One may have magic, in fact I believe together Arthur and Merlin can change Camelot for the better. Otherwise lose your son and grandson for good." Gaius paused "Would you burn your grandson?"

In a voice that Gaius could hardly hear Uther admitted "No! No I couldn't"

"Then you cannot burn any other magic user. I leave you to your thoughts Sire" Gaius left and went to check on Merlin.

Once Merlin was back in bed Gaius declared it was exhaustion once more "I know of no other warlock who could have done such thing. Easier to destroy than out back. He is truly remarkable. Let him rest he will be fine."

The rest left the two men alone, although the three knights stood guard not trusting Uther to keep away. Gwaine also joined them, glad now he hadn't drank as much as usual. Hunith and Balinor retired to their rooms. Balinor asked Mab to keep an eye on Camelot's king "I don't trust him, you can remain invisible"

Mab agreed reluctantly and only when she realised that Gwaine was watching over his brother and nephew. Mordred crept down to the cells, He felt so guilty at what he had done, even though he would have done the same again if he had to. The guards let him passed after all he had lost his father recently. Morgana was in one of the better cells, with a chair and table as well as a small bed. But she had cold iron shackles round her wrist. Mordred walked up to the bars and watched for a moment before speaking "Mother are you alright, I have brought you something to eat"

The woman was led on the bed with her arm over her eyes. On hearing her son she looked up. "Why? What have I done to you that you should betray me? Don't deny it, I saw it before but wouldn't believe it"

"You have done nothing to me mother and I am sorry, but I couldn't stand by while you helped kill your family. The little Prince didn't deserve that" Mordred begged his mother to understand. "I kept telling you I never wanted to be King, I know what you were doing….you and father. I knew you had magic, but I kept silent about, that I am your son and I love you" by now he had tears running down his face he was so torn.

Morgana looked at her son and tried to push down her feelings of disappointment in him. She had such high hope when he had been born but they had come to nothing, now she was in a cell thanks in part to him. "You preferred to side with them against your own mother?" she asked bitterly.

"No I would have preferred to been able to support you mother, but you were going to kill a baby, just so you could have a crown." His voice broke "You were a Princess was that not enough? I don't understand."

Mordred was not yet eleven, he knew those less fortunate than him would have already been working for several years, he was training for knighthood but he was still protected. Yet he would have given that up for a mother who loved him for what he was and not what her ambitions were. Mordred looked at his mother "Why couldn't you have been happy with who you are?"

"Because I deserve more! I would be a better ruler than Arthur" she sneered.

"So your family didn't matter? It was all about the crown?"

"You have no idea Mordred, I have magic my own father would have burnt me at the stake if he had known, do you know how that feels?" Morgana was right up against the bars by this point.

"You never gave me the chance" Uther's voice came from behind Mordred. "You are my daughter I would never have harmed you, yet you wanted to kill me. How does that make you better?"

"I was fighting for my life, it has always been Arthur with you hasn't it? You only offered Mordred the title of heir to make him marry, you had no intention of ever allowing it did you?" Morgana turned her anger on her father. "Then he married that insipid woman and would you believe it she has magic! You made your son marry a sorcerer!" Morgana threw back her head and laughed

Uther put his arm around his grandson's shoulders. "Mordred would have been King if Arthur had never had children. But Arthur was always going to succeed me. It is the way of the world. Knights would not follow a woman." He paused and then softly said "You are right I did want Arthur to marry Merlin, it was a good political match. I had no idea he would fall in love. But I am glad he did, everyone should have that right. I was wrong to try to force him. After all I allowed you your match."

Morgana quite forgot her son was listening in her anger at her father "Uther Pendragon admitting he is wrong!" she spat out "I never loved Agravaine he was away of making my claim to the throne stronger. Nothing more! After all he was the brother of your beloved Ygraine"

Uther looked at his daughter as if seeing her for the first time. Then he felt Mordred shaking under his hand. He looked down at his grandson with sympathy. "My boy your father loved you, remember that. Whatever his choices you were important to him."

"I'm not to her!" Mordred said brokenly "I was a means to an end she doesn't care, I am a disappointment to my own mother"

Uther looked from Morgana to Mordred and back "That isn't true Mordred your mother does love you. She is just upset"

Seeing her son's face Morgana realised for the first time that he must think she didn't care for him and that was untrue. Yes she was disappointed in his lack of ambition. But clearly her own ambition had ruined her young son's life he would now be an orphan and the son of disgraced parents. She reached her hands through the bars and Uther called for the guard. "Unlock the door"

Once the door was unlocked Mordred went into his mother. Uther looking on from the door, he locking once more "I'm sure you understand my reluctance to trust you just yet." He told his daughter.

Morgana snorted at her father hatred still in her eyes "You are wise not to" but she hugged her son and looked down at him. Marvelling how much he seemed to have grown. "Mordred I do love you. You are my son and for that I will always thank your father. I ….I clearly wanted a different life for you and for that I will not apologise. But all I can say is try to remember me fondly and make a good life for yourself"

Mordred no longer felt the knight in training but wanted to hold his mother and not let her go. He looked round at his grandfather "You can't burn her I won't let you!"

"No I won't, nor will I have your mother executed. The fault for her actions lays with myself as well as your mother. I will think this through." Uther looked at his daughter "I suggest you do the same. I will leave you in privacy you have half an hour before the guard is to let you Mordred. Then Mordred I want you to go to Sir Leon and report to him you are to go on a patrol, but I promise you nothing will happen to your mother whilst you are gone, I think we all need to consider out options."

Uther walked away, he had much to consider. The words Mab and Gaius had said to him played on his mind and he had never felt so old and so lonely. He would have a long and sleepless night. The next morning Uther made his way to his son's chambers. As he approached Percival stopped him and then Gwaine came out of the alcove where he had been sitting. He had not left the corridor all night. Uther looked at the two men "Tell my son I wish to speak with him"

Gwaine knocked and went into see his brother in law. Arthur was still lying in bed with Merlin. He had been cuddled up all night not letting the younger man out of his sight for one moment. The crib was at the bed side where the Prince could also see his son. "Princess your father wishes to speak to you, he's outside"

Arthur looked up surprised to see the other Prince. "You look like you've been sleeping rough all night."

"Not quite, but I have been outside with Percival all night, keeping them safe" he admitted "Now are you coming or do I tell him to bugger off" The Gangani Prince asked "Then I am going to make sure we all eat"

Arthur got up and pulled a shirt over his head and walked to the door and looked out at his father. Seeing Uther's expression he beckoned the other man in. "You wanted to see me Sire" he said bluntly. "Because my mind had not been altered as soon as Merlin is recovered we are all leaving" Arthur had spent much of the night working through his options and being parted from Merlin or his son was not one of them.

"There is no need." Uther looked at Gwaine who was stood in the bedchamber doorway where he could see both Uther and Merlin. "I wish to speak to you alone" Uther sounded tired and resigned but he still had a sharp edge to his voice.

"If you think I trust you near Merlin" Gwaine snarled

"Gwaine can you wait with Merlin we will speak in here?" Arthur asked.

Arthur sat down and waited for his father to talk. Uther looked long and hard at his son "You have grown to be a fine man, I don't think I realised it until now" the King said "I also realise I have not always been the father I should have, you either you or our sister. You will understand one day how hard it is to be King and parent."

"It's a bit late" Arthur said briskly not intending to be talked out of his decision. "As for Merlin's magic you knew Gangani was a place where magic was accepted. So to now threaten to execute one of their royal family is wrong in so many ways. To think you would execute your own grandson let alone daughter and my partner. In a way I can understand Morgana she was after all going to kill you. But Merlin saved us all"

"Arthur I do not intend to execute anyone."

" I intend to take Merlin and Ailfrid as far away from you as I can." Arthur said not letting his father finish "We are all welcome in Gangani King Balinor has made that plain."

"Arthur listen please, this is hard enough for me as it is." Uther paused "The fairy.."

"Her name is Mab"

"Mab was right I have allowed my grief at the death of your mother take over my life. And I have blamed Magic for her death, when perhaps I should have blamed myself and one other single magic user. But that is a story for another time. I have let both you and your sister down that much is clear. I will not execute my own daughter for fearing for her life. She should have been able to come to me, instead her fear turned to hatred and that in turn led us to the place we are now. She told me yesterday she only married Agravaine to give her a better claim to the throne." Uther gazed out of the window before continuing "I tried to force you into marriage and did, it is good that you found love, I have come to understand that is necessary if one is to rule wisely. My love for your mother…. Well when she died it left me empty and full of hatred. I won't do that to you. You clearly love your wife. I am going to leave and give you the throne. I intend to try and find a place where I can try to rebuild my relationship with your sister. If I can't I will make sure she is cared for and kept away from causing more harm. As King you can repair the damage I have caused, with your wife you can restore Magic to the land and give my grandson the life he should have free of fear. It was fear that ruined your sister."

To say Arthur was shocked was an understatement he never thought his father would give up the throne or change his mind on magic. Before he had time to speak Uther continued. "I am a prideful man who lost my way. I ask that you allow Mordred to stay here, he is already uncommonly attached to his cousin and I believe he will be a good friend and advisor when the time comes. Much Like Gaius was to me until I became bitter and would no longer listen to him. Can I ask when did you know Merlin had magic?"

Arthur decided there had been enough lies so told the truth "Almost as soon as we met. But there is something else you should know, normally I would let Merlin tell you but this shouldn't wait. You need to know everything if you are giving up the crown as this may change your mind. And Merlin should not have to hide anymore." Arthur took a deep breath "Merlin is a Prince not a Princess. I also knew that before we married. But he is able to carry a child thanks to his strong magic. Our son is both of ours"

Uther looked gobsmacked "I have never hear of such a thing it's unnatural. Is that why you agreed to marry? I knew you preferred the male but thought you had got over it"

"I married Merlin because we love each other. That he is male is of no matter. He can give me an heir so you should be happy" Arthur said bluntly

"Son I am happy if you are. I won't pretend this is not a shock and you will have to be careful how you tell the people. Tell me why did he agree to such a deceit? To live as a woman must have been humiliating for him".

"You do not understand Merlin and his family have always known he could both sire and bear children. He himself was kept sheltered as a child and there was no deliberate deceit he was delicate as a child. The boundaries between male and female are more fluid in Gangani. The woman fight of they wish and they all wear want we consider to be more masculine clothing because of the harsh conditions and the sailing they do. Merlin also knew from a young age that he was special, his magic was stronger and earlier than normal. Their High Priestess and Druids have legends about him. The Emrys would marry the Once and Future King and rule over the five kingdoms of Avalon and make peace with Hibernia. Merlin himself was happy to come here to marry, happier than his family were, there was no pressure on him." Arthur looked at his father "Merlin has made me happier than I ever expected to be, he is what I want and more. I will not be parted from him not even for the Crown of Camelot."

"This is unexpected" Uther admitted "But I will not change my mind, the crown is ours if the High Council agrees. But I would like to speak to your ….. What do you call him? You can't call him your wife or Queen for that matter."

"I don't suspect Merlin will care, but he will be my partner my love, the mother of my children, my consort." But before I decide I will need to talk to him, if he would rather return to Gangani then we will go" Arthur said firmly. "He has suffered greatly here and may prefer to be elsewhere. If you leave where will you go?"

"Tintagel, it was Ygraine's home, the ancestral home of the De Bois, I will keep Morgana there with me. If necessary I will have some more delicate magic suppressors made for her, although I would prefer her to be free. I fear it will be a long time before we trust each other." Uther admitted

"You might want to speak to Merlin and his family, there might be other help they can give. I understand sometimes they need to control magic users if they use their magic for dark purposes. Now if you will excuse me I want to be with my man and child"

Arthur returned to the bedroom and Gwaine emerged. The Gangani Prince looked at Uther "You surprise me" he said honestly

"You were eavesdropping?" Uther snarled nit liking the idea of other than family listening to what he had said to his son. It annoyed him but he wasn't surprised. After all he knew he had not made the best of impressions. It had taken the birth of his second grandchild, the hated his daughter showed and the thought of losing his son for him to see sense, he had to lose nearly everything to realise what was most important. He hoped one day to have the same relationship with his children as Balinor had.

"I was, you didn't think I would trust you did you. Arthur is my family now" Gwaine said without a trace of embarrassment.

"I suppose he is." Uther admitted "You are a strange one for a Prince, rather to gregarious and uncouth but I cannot but admire your loyalty. Is the fairy yours?"

"Mab?" Gwaine laughed "Mab belongs to know one she is her own person. But if you were to ask who she sides with most then I'd say Merlin and now Ailfrid. So watch your step she can be a vengeful bitch"

With that Mab materialised on the table next to them "Oh Gwaine I thought you loved me" then she looked at Uther "You could change, I didn't think you could. But remember I will watch you and her, and if anything happens to The Pure One or his son nothing will stop me from arranging the most gruesome death for you" she grinned as she spoke "You see I am not human therefore I don't have to follow your rules. Chivalry is for humans and idiots."

Gwaine tipped back his head and laughed heartily "Oh Mab, At Last you have found someone else to torment." The Prince looked at Uther "She has never forgiven me for making Merlin cry when he was five! But at least now she might forgive me"

Mab looked scandalised "No I will not. You, Prince Apples, will never be forgiven. I have enough vengeful nature for both of you. Even if your punishment is lighter." She jumped up on Gwaine's shoulder and whispered in his ear "I know you fear boredom more than anything other than your family being hurt. So I won't let you get bored" with that she was gone.

"Does she do a lot of that….appearing and disappearing?" Uther asked

"Yep, she also always keeps her word. And she loves Merlin something awful so you best take her seriously. As far as I know she is already 100 and is young yet, so she will be about for as long as you live" Gwaine licked up and apple from the bowl on the table and bit into it, then spat it out as it was rotten.

A disembodied voice laughed "You should never disclose a ladies age."

When Merlin woke he found a new world for him and his son. He felt sorry in many ways for Uther, but knew the man deserved everything that happened to him. Now hopefully he could end his days a happier man.