Elyan went into the castle and after making a few enquiries found his sister in the sewing room. He stood and looked at her before speaking. It had been several years since he had seen her last. After their mother had died he had left, no longer able to cope with his father's insistence that he become a blacksmith. He wanted to travel and see the world but his father couldn't understand that. In their grief they lost their tempers and he had walked out never to return. Leaving Gwen to cope with her father. He regretted not even saying goodbye to her and hoped she would forgive him.

"Hello Gwennie"

Gwen looked up in shock "Elyan….. is that really you?" she jumped up and flew at him hugging him as hard as she could. Then she moved away and slapped him across the face "How dare you leave us like that, and not even contacting us to say you were ok!"

Elyan rubbed his face and grimaced "Sorry I guess I deserved that, how are you both?"

"We are fine, you broke father heart when you left, it was like losing both of you, how could you when we had just lost mother?"

"I couldn't cope Gwennie, I just didn't want to be a blacksmith, I still don't."

"Have you seen Dad?"

"Not yet, I wanted to see you first, I'm not leaving, not for a while at least, but I still won't be a blacksmith" Elyan admitted.

"Dad has a partner now, he's one of the old guards, and he didn't like what he was doing, so Dad took him on as an apprentice after you left. Teaching someone gave him focus. William stayed on, he's was from Sir Leon's family estate, William is a good man, a bit gruff and rude sometimes but has a heart of gold" she paused "He will be pleased to see you"

Elyan let out the breath he had been holding, he was glad his father had found someone to help him, he wanted to see his father but had been worried about what reaction he would receive

"I am nearly finished, so wait and we will go home together."

Arthur was determined to remove Aredain, the man was becoming more and more extreme in his methods to track down magic users, in fact Arthur was convinced that half those executed had no trace of magic, and those that did were using it for helpful purposes like healing. With that in mind he went down to speak to Gaius. Finding the physician alone Arthur got straight down to business. "Gaius do you know if there are any magical artefact's in the castle that the king wouldn't be familiar with?"

Gaius's eyebrows rose and he looked puzzled as he asked "I'm sure there are, but you need to be more specific my boy"

"I intend to use then to rid Camelot of Aredain. Not only is he becoming worse in his methods but I am worried, I know Merlin will be coming into his dragon lord powers soon and I don't want him suffering through the witch finder"

Gaius snorted "That man is a charlatan and a danger to everyone. One word from him and a person is burnt. I have never understood the Kings reliance on him. But you are right Merlin's time will be soon. Your father will know through the collar but I dare say Aredain will also be involved." He paused "I do know of somethings, Balinor hid them when your father became more extreme. They are somewhere no one will find them."

Arthur looked impatient "Do you know where they are?"

Gaius smiled "I do…. In Kilgarrah's cavern, before he was imprisoned there he used to sleep there at nights. There is a small cave, I will go down tonight and collect a few things. I assume you want it to look like Aredain is a magic user himself?" Gaius could tell from Arthurs face that he had guessed right. "I will bring up a bangle, a dagger and a stone possession of any of them would condemn a man under the present laws."

"Would the King recognise then a magical items?"

"They are covered in symbols, yes he would know, but please try to make sure they are not destroyed. The knife has many uses but can be used to kill any beast with a small cut. The bangle allows the wearer to enchant and the stone allows transportation. I tell you this so you can plan"

"Thank you Gaius, You will have a visit in the morning from Gwaine, he will lay the trap. It would be better if I wasn't involved. We have a new man in the citadel who is not connected with me, to make the accusation. We will act tomorrow so make sure you are available if needed"

Arthur was pleased be got Percival to see Elyan and tell him what was needed and now it was a case of wait and see. After speaking to those he waited for the morning to arrive, giving Merlin most of his breakfast Arthur went to the council chamber to attend the meeting. It was a normal boring meeting with Aredain telling them that he had news of a large druid camp in the forest and he was asked to find the whereabouts so it could be destroyed. Then near the end there a knock on the door and a guard appeared. "Sir a man is here to report seeing someone using magic in Darkling woods."

Uther stood up "Bring then in, I will hear this now" The nobles got up as if to leave "Stay here, this won't take long"

The guards escorted Elyan in, he looked nervous and ill at ease being brought before the entire council. Uther looked at him "Speak up man"

"Your majesty, I arrived in Camelot yesterday it see my sister, after I had spoken to her I went out to the woods to clear my mind" he stammered, playing the peasant to perfection. "As I was sitting by the small stream I heard some speaking. Taking care in case it was bandits I looked and saw a man he wearing a long black cloak and was by a small fire and was chanting, then I saw a strange figure appear out of the air, it was a man but I could see right through him. I was t scared to move, they spoke for a time them the see through man disappeared." Elyan paused "then the man came into the citadel."

Uther immediately spat out "Sorcerer!" he glared at Elyan "why didn't you come immediately to report it" he demanded.

Elyan looked both contrite and scared "Sire I was going to but then a guard called him 'Sire' and I was scared, so I waited until he had left and then asked who the man was. When I heard he was close to your majesty I was too frightened to speak, but I have worried all night and I don't want my sister to be near a sorcerer"

"You did right in the end, and you have nothing to fear any sorcerer faces the same penalty no matter what their standing. Speak the name you were told." Uther demanded

"It was Aredain Sire"

The council was in uproar as they heard the name. Uther looked in disbelief at the witch finder, who looked at Elyan in disbelief "It wasn't me, the guard lied.

Uther glared at Elyan "Did you see the man's face at all?"

"Not his face Sire, for although he took the cloak off as he left the woods his back was turned, he was dressed all in black, but I did see his boots, they were very distinctive they were black and far taller than usual, they reached his knees. He also had fair or grey hair" Elyan continued.

"You lie, who paid you to accuse me" Aredain shouted out. Arthur moved quickly and drew his sword and placed the point on Aredain's chest.

"You are no different than anyone you heard the King, anyone accused of sorcery will be treated the same." Arthur snarled.

Uther looked at the witch finder and seemed unsure what to do as his main supporter of the purge had been accused. Arthur looked at his father "I suggest we search his rooms Sire? But in the meantime I will take him to the dungeons"

"I demand to go with you if you do, this is a set up!" Aredian glared at Arthur "This is your doing"

That seemed to break Uther out of his trance "How dare you accuse the Crown Prince! Yes we will search your rooms I will lead the search personally, Arthur bring him with you"

Arthur called out to the guard and threw a key at him. "Get Sir Leon to collect my collared one" he turned to his father once more "If he is guilty we don't want him using magic to escape" he explained.

"You are right, we will take the two who are outside the door as well" Uther ordered as Ari and Edwin walked in. The group made their way up to the witch finder's quarters, Arthur keeping his sword at Aredain's back. A search was soon underway and nothing appeared to be there. Leon who had arrived with Merlin looked at what was happening and he turned to the guards "He won't hide anything where it can be found easily try the floor boards and behind furniture, after all he could use magic to hide anything."

Uther took what Leon was saying o board and turned to Edwin "Look for anything magical and tell the guards if you sense anything" Uther activated the collar so Edwin could use his magic.

Edwin glared at Uther but did as he was asked, he hated Aredian so it was no problem, much as he hated outing magic users, As he felt out he pointed to a large cabinet against the wall. It took 3 guards to move it and behind they found a loose stone in the wall. There was a cloth bag. They pulled it out, and handed it to the King. Uther opened it and pulled out the contents, a dagger, stone and bangle. As he looked at them they were covered in Runes. He turned and glared at Aredian in disbelief. "These are magical artefacts, what do you have to say?"

Aredain looked at his friend "I am innocent, they were planted" he said.

As all eyes were on the King and witch finder Merlin looked to the ground as he forced his magic out at a far higher degree than was normal allowed by the collar. He had with Arthur's encouragement been using larger amounts in the past few months as he neared puberty, his eyes flashed gold and Aredain found himself moving against his will. His hand went out as if he was going to try to grab for the dagger. Uther saw what was happening and moved back as Arthur plunged his sword into the Witch finder's chest and he fell to the ground.

Uther also plunged the rune covered dagger into his friend believing that the other man had planned to kill him. He looked down at Aredain in contempt as the eyes began to go glazed "You should have burned you traitor" he turned to the guards "Take his body and burn it"

The King sat down "Why? I don't understand"

"Well you said all the sorcerers were nearly gone, perhaps he intended to wait until there was no one to stop him and take power for himself, I always found it strange how he could smell out sorcerers, he obviously used magic"

Uther looked at his son, and comprehension crossed his face. "He was the inventor of the collars, he must have been planning this for years"

Arthur shook his head "I will supervise the burning" He gathered up the artefacts " I will have these smashed and burnt on the forge" Uther nodded hardly taking in what his son had said. The events had left him stunned and shaken. He walked back to the council chamber and found Elyan waiting there under guard.

"Thank you, you have done Camelot a great service this day, your bravery shall be rewarded. A position in the Royal household I think"

Elyan looked at the King "With respect I am no servant Sire, I wanted to be a knight but I am not nobility."

"No but you can become one of the guards." The King paused in thought "there is a position as handler of the collared ones. You would have no power over them, but you need to make sure they are looked after and train. I will get a knight to do the training with you."

Elyan couldn't believe his luck but tried hard to look unenthusiastic. Uther noticing his expression, hardened his resolve, who did he think he was his King was giving him a job. "Yes that's what you shall do I will speak to the Prince and arrange for you to work with a knight." With that he walked off.

After making sure Aredain's body was burnt Arthur returned the artefacts to Gaius to be returned from where he got them. Then he returned to his father. Uther told him how he had rewarded Elyan, Arthur nearly let out a whoop of joy. They couldn't been seen to be treated to much better but it would allow some improvement in their care. Arthur offered to oversee but Uther declined "You already have enough to do. I thought Sir Cador"

"I need him in the field he is to experienced, what about Pellinore?" Arthur suggested.

Uther nodded "As you will now I want you to head out to the druid camp and kill every person there. I see no reason why Aredain was lying if your theory is right." This was one of the last stages in Uther's campaign. Arthur had no choice so the force set out the next day, with Merlin, Jonus and Ari. Arthur sent out scouts ahead of the main group, one of whom was Gwaine who had the job of warning the druids. So when they got to the site the area had been cleared.

Setting up a search Cador found a small group and Arthur found him killing them all, men, woman and children. The brutality sickened the Prince but it was almost over by the time he arrived. Lancelot was with them, but hadn't been able to stop Cador from killing nearly everyone. The site was a blood bath and Merlin threw up as he looked at the bodies. Arthur saw a teenage boy and two younger children hiding up a tree and spoke in a whisper to Merlin "Can you cast a glamour to hide them?"

Merlin nodded, with Arthur's support he had been increasing his skills from the attack and defensive skills Uther permitted them to know. At least Arthur could make sure the three got away. Going to the base of the tree he spoke quietly to the now hidden druids "You are not visible, stay there and keep quiet until we have gone. More of your kind have got away, find them"

Cador's group was the only one to find druids so the casualties were far lower than would have otherwise have occurred. Merlin told Arthur of several other small groups hidden by glamour's. It seemed the other collared ones couldn't see through them, either that or they also ignored them. Over one hundred and fifty druids escaped the slaughter. After a further three days Arthur and the knights returned to Camelot. Arthur left a message behind, in a drop site he had set up with the druid chieftain, to warn him to keep the groups small as Uther was becoming more active once more.

While Arthur was away Uther also heard back from a man he was hoping to marry Morgana. King Oden was a widower who was looking for a younger wife as his only son had recently been killed in fight with the Saxons. Morgana had been acknowledged as his daughter, after the infamous scene she had caused at the feast. King Odin it seemed was willing to ignore her illegitimacy due to her age and beauty. So one evening Uther went to her chambers to inform her of the offer. By telling her in the evening he felt she would have overnight to calm down. Uther waited until Morgana had sent Hunith down to the kitchens to get her supper and was alone.

Walking in he smiled at Morgana, he was truly fond of her and hoped she wouldn't make too much of a scene. Morgana saw Uther "Sire" she turned and forced herself to smile back.

"Morgana I have come to tell you that I am arranging a match for you, you are to become a Queen. King Odin will be your husband and your children his heirs"

Morgana was horrified she turned to Uther in shock "No! I won't marry him!"

Uther's face hardened "You have no choice, you are of marriageable age and he is willing to overlook your illegitimacy for a link to Camelot. For you to be a Queen is a great honour."

Morgana started to panic and she felt angry and dizzy then all of a sudden her mirror exploded and the windows blew out wards she then collapsed. Uther looked at her in horror as what he was seeing sunk in. His daughter had magic! She was a witch! He needed to sort this out without too much fuss. So he called the guards and claimed they had been attacked, then had his daughter up onto her bed. He left her with Gaius and Hunith who had arrived back with the food went to his room and came back and made everyone but Gaius and Hunith to leave the room.

"Did either of you know?" he demanded glaring at them.

"Know what Sire" Gaius asked

"Don't give me that, she has magic!" he turned to Hunith "Did you teach her, was this to get back at me?"

"No Sire you have to believe me" Hunith was scared what Uther would do to her son.

Uther removed a collar from his pocket, the only reason he had left the room, and placed it round Morgana's neck "I will speak to her when she wakes, but cover that" he gestured to the collar "For now no one is to know"

It took Morgana a day before she woke, when she found the collar round her neck she became inconsolable. Uther visited her and questioned her and she told him that no one had known, she had been too scared to tell anyone, it had just happened to her. Uther seemed to buy her story, but told her for her own sake she would have to wear the collar. But for now he would keep her secret.

Uther was at a loss, he loved Morgana but at the same time wanted to burn her. He asked Gaius to look for a way to destroy the magic in her, to free her of it, he also warned the old man that if anyone else found out he would have Merlin burnt "And it will be with damp wood so his suffering is long"

Gaius didn't tell the King that Morgana had been born with her magic, it had just taken until she was older to come active. There was no cure. He only hoped that Arthur would act soon. Morgana was distraught, Uther was allowing her to move around as normal and she was using a scarf to hide her collar. She was trying to be patient and wait for Arthur's return but it wasn't easy. She felt so tired, Hunith told her it was because she was cut off from her magic.

Morgana was with Hunith in the market one morning when she was approached by an old lady "I know your problem, get rid of your maid and I can give you the cure"

Morgana looked at the old lady, she seemed frial and helpless. She decided for some reason to trust her. Turning to Hunith "Can you go back to the first stall we looked at an get the red velvet?"

"I should stay with you my lady" Hunith protested

"I am too tired to move for a while, I will wait here don't worry" Morgana smile sweetly. As there were plenty of guards about Hunith did as she was asked, she knew Morgana needed cheering up. The Minute Hunith was out of ear shot the old lady looked at Morgana. Much to Morgana's surprise she was no longer an old lady.

"Don't worry I am letting you see through my glamour. I need to speak to you alone" the woman handed Morgana a ring "Do you recognise that?"

Morgana looked down it was her mother's seal, looking up in shock she demanded "Who are you!"

"Shush keep your voice down, I am your half-sister my name is Morgause, I can sense your magic has been cut off from you. It made me come to your earlier than I had intended. If you come with me I can remove the collar and train you to use your powers, you are Uther Pendragon's oldest child you deserve better than this how dare he treat you so!" Morgause went on to tell Morgana things only her mother's daughter would know.

Morgana gave a start "You're the witch!"

"I am a High Priestess of the old religion, not a witch! Look I will allow you time to think I will meet you at the woods edge if you decide to be free or what to know more of our mother. Join me and I will make you Queen of Camelot and together we can free magic to take its rightful place once more. I will wait for three nights" with that she walked off into the crowd.

Morgana thought about what Morgause had said and looked down at the ring in her hand, she knew that she had just spoken to her half-sister. All of a sudden she had two siblings when at one time she had thought she was all alone. Hunith returned and noticed her mistress seemed very preoccupied so they made their way back to Morgana's chambers. After a time Morgana opened up to Hunith and told her what happened.

"Should I met her? She asked her friend and confidant.

"That is something only you can decide my child, but ask yourself what she wants of you and whether you wish to give it." Hunith said wisely.

Morgana sat and thought, but she also remembered her dreams, she didn't want Arthur and Merlin to die. She also loved Arthur and she knew he intended to act against their father for what he was doing to his people. She hoped Arthur would get home soon she needed to talk to him.

Arthur arrived back later that day and reported to his father on return and Uther wasn't happy that so many Druids had escaped, but vowed to continue in the fight. Then he dropped "While you away I heard back from King Odin, he is looking for a second wife. I was going to agree a match with Morgana, but she refused. I need to think further." He didn't tell his son of her magic, he knew the Prince would disapprove of the collar but he could see no way round it, hopefully Gaius would come up with a cure soon.

"Sire he is nearly three times her age!" Arthur protested "I can see why she protested"

"Arthur it will aid Camelot, and even though she is illegitimate she will be a Queen, far better than she could normally aspire to." Uther argued "Leave her to think I am sure she will see reason"

Arthur went to his room and bathed and ate some food, letting Merlin have the water after him and half the large supper George had provided. Arthur was sure George knew where the food went, but he was loyal enough to say nothing. The manservant's toadying attitude did get on Arthur's nerves but he couldn't fault the man's faithfulness.

After the prince had eaten he headed to his sisters room, he wanted to make sure she was alright and knew she had his support in whatever she decided. He knocked on the door and Hunith let him in. She looked vexed, something Arthur wasn't used to. Hunith let him in and Morgana said "You may go Hunith I wish to speak to Arthur alone."