After that the interview became serious, Arthur assured the girl that if she was telling the whole truth he would look on the security breech with some sympathy as she had come forward. He was just angry that they hadn't thought of Mordred themselves, although to be fair he had been out of the picture by then. Or so they thought. The police immediately put out a warrant for Mordred's arrest. And asked Arthur and Morgana not to say anything to anyone as yet. Morgana asked for half an hour with Mordred alone and Arthur hoped the police thought she was joking although he knew she wasn't. God help him if she got her wish. Morgana was a tigress when it came to Merlin and his safety.

Once the police had left with Kara to take statements Arthur and Morgana sat in stunned silence. Until it was broken by Arthur "How could I have ever thought that man would be a good companion for Merlin?"

"Don't blame yourself Arthur so did I. We should have looked at his father, its times like these that I wished you still had the divine right of Kings. I'd have him hung drawn and quartered and his head put on a pike at tower hill." Morgana said.

Arthur looked at his sister sharply "Heavens no, can you imagine what Uther would have been like!"

"Perhaps not then, but I want him to suffer" Morgana said

"He's not been found guilty yet Morgana, although I do agree it looks bad. He has been nothing but trouble. If he is guilty, and like you I am sure he is, I will push for the full weight of the law to come down on him. But at least now hopefully Merlin can be given his freedom back."

"Talking of Merlin, we have missed every one of his birthdays for sixteen years including his twenty first we have three months to plan his twenty second. So you had better think hard, I want to take him to somewhere really special on holiday. It will be good for him as the trial should be over then." Morgana had a gleam in her eye that her brother worried about.

"I agree somewhere special, but Morgana it has to be something he will enjoy! So no big parties"

"I know I'm not an idiot. Also I have heard you have arranged some medals. What about Merlin presenting them. That would make it really special for Gwaine and Merlin. I swear they are as close as brothers, not that I mind but Gwaine as a brother! It's bad enough having you"

Arthur ignored his sister, although he did think it might be nice for Merlin to present the medals, although he had planned on doing it himself. He would put his mind to Merlin's birthday as see what he could come up with.

The police soon got back to Arthur it seemed that the girl had been telling the truth, at least in as much as she had been to Australia with Mordred at his expense. Mordred had been arrested and denied everything. He said that Kara was bitter because he had got fed up with her. His father had of course hired an expensive lawyer. He didn't want his family name being dragged further into the mud. The police continued the investigation and found the box in one of the unused rooms, from its fittings it was clear that it had held a disassembled gun. Finger prints tied it to both Kara and the user of the gun and one partial one matched Mordred. It was shaky evidence but enough to hold him on.

So two days after his arrest Mordred asked Arthur to visit him. It was a strange request but Arthur decided to go. If it meant that Mordred could be persuaded to plead guilty it would be one less trial to have to go through. He was secreted into the room where he was to meet with Mordred. One of the Palace lawyers at his side. He refused to go without. A police officer was also present.

Mordred sat in front of Arthur and then started speaking "Your Majesty, I wanted to speak to you to explain I thought you would understand and help me if I did."

Arthur raised an eyebrow "Understand that you wanted my brother dead"

"I didn't but you know of all people what it's like to have a father that you can never please, that nothing you do is ever good enough. Well unlike you I am not the eldest son. I have always disappointed my father no matter how I tried. I never wanted to befriend Prince Merlin I was ordered to, it wasn't my thing but he told me he would cut off all my allowance if I didn't. He wanted me to help him get close to you so he could gain influence. He said you had hardly any family and so he could gain power."

Arthur could see just exactly what happened "You hadn't thought of using your good education to find a job of work so you weren't reliant on your father?" Arthur asked the younger man.

"Why should I! Father has more than enough for me, he gives the others money. Anyway he wouldn't want me to work" Mordred insisted.

"I was board keeping your brother company I mean he knows nothing about anything I am interested in" Then Mordred realised that that was not the way to talk "I mean no disrespect."

"It didn't dawn on you that's why we wanted a friend for him, to try and show him all the things he missed. We welcomed you into our home and lives." Arthur said crossly.

"Only because my father forced me. Please understand, you have to I mean your father wasn't much different. Look what he did" Mordred was desperate "He doesn't love me he has his heir and a spare I am so far down as to be useless to him. Then when the Prince was hurt he cut off my money and grounded me. That's the only reason I went to America I needed the money! I wouldn't have done it otherwise it was all father's fault"

"And the gun? Was that his fault as well?" Arthur demanded "Will you take any responsibility for your actions"

Mordred's lawyer whispered in his ear. Mordred turned on him "you are paid by my dad I'm not listening to you" then he turned to Arthur "I didn't know there was a gun in it. I was offered a holiday to Australia with some bird and a wodge of money. Yes I took it and so would you. People like us aren't used to being poor. I got twenty five grand for getting some silly chave to take a box into the Palace. It was going to tide me over until the old man coughed up" he paused "You must understand"

Arthur looked at Mordred and felt nothing but disgust. "Your actions nearly caused the death of my brother as well as injuring two men. You have an excellent education you didn't need to live off your father. You compare us to try to get my sympathy but I would have gladly sacrificed my life style to have save my brother one hour of what he went through. All you want is money and an easy life. Yet all you do is try to make me feel sorry for you, I do but not how you think. Yes you have a hard father but that doesn't excuse what you did. Own up and learn from your mistakes and when you get out of jail make something of your life." Arthur stood up

"Oh and keep away from my family, my sister wants you hung drawn and quartered and listening to you I think she's right. You not only helped endanger my brother and the security but you used a young girl without thought of what your actions were doing to her. She thought you loved her. Now her life could be in ruins yet I haven't heard one word of remorse for anything you have done."