As Merlin's eyes went golden once more a wave of energy burst from him and towards Morgause, it was so great it blew several trees over as it passed her. When his eyes cleared to their normal blue there was no sign of the High Priestess. Merlin ran to Arthur's side and not able to wake the Prince up he poured his magic into the blonde healing the gashes and bruises. As he saw Arthur's chest rise and fall he ran round all the other Camelot knights healing them. He felt so guilty. He was just wondering what to do with all the enemy, after all he didn't want to hurt anyone, when Arthur touched his shoulder "Stop Merlin you will exhaust yourself." It was clear from Merlin's stance and the fact that he was teetering that he would collapse soon.
Merlin looked up at his master and Arthur asked "Where is the sorceress?"
Merlin looked guilty "She was going to kill you so I sent her away, I don't know where"
Arthur picked up the dagger of the ground "Thank you Merlin." Then he caught the boy as he began to sag and lay him carefully on the ground. By now the other knights were standing and looking around in disbelief. Of all the knights that had accompanied Arthur on the hunt only one was more loyal to the King than Arthur.
He turned and drew his sword "He attacked us, I saw him as the witch took his collar off he attacked"
Arthur looked at the Knight "Put you're sword away, in case you hadn't noticed he also saved us, the witch unleased his trapped power it wasn't his fault. Not one of you have a bruise or scratch now tie up the enemy before they wake."
Arthur looked down and picked up the discarded collar. Merlin was free, but if he didn't return Hunith and Gaius lives would be forfeit. But he could not indeed wouldn't not see the collar replaced. Leon stepped forward "What would you have us do Sire?"
"Let's get out of this cursed valley and make camp, then I must think" he looked down at Merlin "He saved all our lives, he had no need to after all we haven't treated him well."
Leon nodded and supervised the removal to a safer camp site. Then Arthur picked up Merlin after putting the collar in his pocket. Mounting his horse he made his way to the new camp site and sat and drank a hot drink trying to work out the best thing to do. If it had been just his own men he would have had a chance to cover up but not now. But he would not see Merlin collared again or punished surely his father could see the boy was loyal, he had healed than all, when he could have either joined the witch or just left them to die.
Sir Codon walked up to the Prince "Sire we should either kill the sorcerer or knock him out until he can collared again. He is dangerous"
Arthur looked up "Did you not hear me, He saved our lives. Why would he do that if he intended to take them now?"
"It is the law Sire" Codon continued
"Out here I am the law, mind your tongue or I will have you arrested!" Arthur said "You forget I am your Crown Prince"
Codon went to the other side of the camp and watched Merlin like a hawk. Arthur touched Merlin's shoulder and the boy opened his eyes "He is right Sire it is the law"
"You'd have me replace your collar?" Arthur said kindly. "Merlin why didn't you run?"
"I couldn't I had to save you, you will be a great King one day, anyway if I don't go back mother and Gaius will suffer" Merlin whispered, he looked sad and dejected.
"What if I promised you they wouldn't, would you run? You could go to the druids" Arthur told the younger lad
"Then they would be hunted down, no our best chance is with you, I must protect you until you are King" Merlin said determinedly "Put the collar back on Sire you must"
Leon walked up he had heard the last part of their conversation and crouched down by Arthur "The boy is right Sire, if he runs your father will hunt him down, and no one would be safe. At least this way he has proven his loyalty to you."
"If Sir Codon hadn't been with us you could have said the boy had died but even then the King would have wanted proof" Leon looked at his Prince "I know you hate this but you must do it."
Arthur took the collar out of his pocket and looked at it. "Is there any way you can stop this working?"
Merlin gave a weak grin "The King would know, anyway as it has been removed he will replace it, it was getting tight. The next one will be more powerful. They always are when I have a bigger one" his tone was resigned and rueful.
Arthur looked down at Merlin "Make sure you look asleep and I won't have to do anything yet"
As they all packed up and headed back to Camelot with their prisoners Merlin was tied on his horse but as they gat nearer the citadel Arthur called a halt and untied Merlin and very reluctantly put the collar back on Merlin. "I promise you I will free you"
Merlin smiled "I know, you will free us all"