Everyone one slept well that night to exhausted to do anything else. It had been a busy day. As Arthur looked out his window the next morning he could see all the street cleaners busy down below. There were still a few people hanging around in case they saw anything. Arthur had watched the early news and seen all the celebrations that had followed his coronation and felt humbled. This really was a new stage of his life and he fully intended to be a better man than his father. He wanted to leave behind the arrogance his father had showed and so wanted to make people understand that he felt himself no better than his subjects. He hadn't said it in his speech, as he knew he couldn't with the trial yet to be held, but he felt his father's views had destroyed his own family and held back the monarchy.

That thought turned his mind to his brother. Arthur was to go a Royal Tour to Australia and New Zealand, something he couldn't get out of. Normally he would have been delighted but now he had Merlin to think of. He would be gone for ten days then back for four before heading for Canada for a week. He was a King and had responsibilities above that of his family. He hadn't told Merlin yet but knew he couldn't delay it. He would be leaving in a week. Arthur would have taken Merlin with him but feared it would be too much. Merlin would be better off at home with Morgana this time. Arthur still couldn't understand why his father had done what he had, nor could he forgive him and it filled him with sorrow. Arthur was a religious person but simply couldn't bring himself to forgive his father's sins and it disturbed him.

Arthur would be back in the country for the trial and would be called as a witness as would Morgana. That would make for history in itself. The Prime Minister had suggested that they could just give a statement and not attend but Arthur had insisted, it was the least he felt he could do for his brother. That was another reason that the foreign tours to the Commonwealth were so important. The Royal family had had enough bad press due to the case and a new start was needed. Arthur glanced at his watch, it was nearly eight, taking a deep breath Arthur decided to go and see if his brother was up, he needed to eat anyway he hadn't had breakfast yet and they had kept up the tradition of eating together. Arthur rather liked it. Before they had all had their first meal in their own rooms and it was nice to make sure they started to day together.

Morgana had also been up early, she had woken at six and decided to get up. Like her brother she had watched the early news, it seemed strange to have taken part in something that had been seen by millions across the world. She knew her brother would be a good King and hoped she never had to take his place. He needed to find that special someone. Morgana herself had been developing strong feelings for someone, although they had yet to go out on a date, and she wondered what Arthur would think. She thought he would approve but knew she should talk to him before anyone else noticed and the news broke. Up until now the focus had been on Arthur and Merlin she had managed to keep out of the press, except for the change in the law that made her heir to the throne. Part of her wanted to go back to Clarence house to live, independently, but she couldn't leave Merlin. So she would remain under the same roof as her brothers. Then her thoughts also turned to her brothers planned tours, she would miss him they had become much closer since Merlin had come back into their lives and she liked that. Morgana hoped the two brothers would cope well with the separation, but like Arthur she knew it was unavoidable. Being part of the Royal family had many perks but it also had its down side. One's life wasn't one's own, not completely duty had to come first. She also felt if their family had not been Royal they would have probably grown up with their younger brother and her mother would have been alive.

Arthur arrived at Merlin's suite at the same time as his sister, she smiled as they went in "Can I have a word after?" she asked nervously.

"Off course come to my office anytime this morning, I have the PM this afternoon" Arthur rolled his eyes "No peace for the wicked"

Merlin was sat at his desk with Aithusa at his feet. He was drawing as he saw who had come in he got up and handed Arthur a drawing. Arthur took it and looked it was a drawing of the crowning. "Thank you Merlin I will treasure this, in fact I will have it framed and put on my desk."

Merlin looked at his sister "I haven't finished yours"

"That's alright Merlin you can give it to me later, can I see it?"

"Not until it's finished" Merlin told her solemnly. He was stroking his dogs head something he did when he was worried or nervous

Arthur noticed "What's the matter Merlin are you worried about something?"

Merlin nodded he looked at Arthur then with suspiciously moist eyes he bowed "Your majesty Arthur, why are you going away, did I do something wrong?"

Arthur stiffened as he saw Merlin bow and use his title, it showed just how upset Merlin was. "No Merlin, do you mean my tour? Who told you?"

Merlin kept his eyes on the floor "They said on news you were going away"

Arthur stepped closer and hugged Merlin "I'm sorry I was going to tell you today, with the coronation and everything I didn't want to tell you before. I won't be gone for long Merlin, but I have to go and visit some of the Commonwealth counties. I am their King as well. But I will be back and Morgana will still be here."

Merlin looked at his brother as if trying to make up his mind if Arthur was telling him the truth. "Promise?"

Arthur ruffled his brother's hair "I promise, and I will bring you presents and ring you up every day"

They had their breakfast but both Arthur and Morgana noticed that Merlin was still not happy. They tried to reassure him but he became silent and withdrawn. So Morgana contacted Gwen. "What can we do Gwen? Arthur has to go and Merlin isn't ready for that sort of pressure so he can't go with him"

"I will speak to Dr Mithian your Royal Highness and get back to you" Gwen promised. Mithian rang back within half an hour.

"I was hoping this wouldn't happen ma'am" Mithian said "It is due to his past treatment I'm afraid. As we were going through things it became clear that when your father was away on tours Merlin's punishments became more extreme. The Prince is associating King Arthur's going away with bad things happening to him. I will come and see him this afternoon but he will need reassurance."

Morgana went straight to see her older brother. As she went in Arthur looked up and smiled "So what was it you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Oh that, no first I have to tell you something else. I have just spoken to Mithian about Merlin, you know how he was so worried earlier? Well it seems when Uther went away on tours Merlin's …." She paused trying to control her emotions.

Arthur got up from his chair and sat by his sister on the couch. "Go on" he told her

"She said his punishments became more extreme when Uther was away. Arthur when is he going to feel safe?"

"Shit! Of course they did, what did she suggest?"

"She's coming to see him this afternoon. She said he will need reassurance. I thought he trusted us Arthur!"

"He does Morgana, but it hasn't been that long yet, his brain still can't believe the change I expect. We will deal with this however we have to"

The siblings hugged each other. The Arthur looked down at his sister "Now what else did you what to tell me?"

Morgana gave a weak grin "I thought you should know that Leon has asked me out."

"About time! I could see you were getting closer Morgana and I'm glad"

"You are?"

"Yes you deserve to be happy and Leon is a great man, he is my best friend after all! If he wants to put up with you, you have my blessing and I hope it works out for you"