As Hunith walked out Arthur went closer to his sister "He has told me what he has asked of you, I won't let him marry you to such a man" he reassured his sister.
Morgana stepped back as Arthur reached out for her "He didn't tell you did he? He didn't tell you about this" she pulled the scarf away that she was using to hide the collar.
Arthur moved forward his eyes hardened as he looked at her neck and the band around it. "How dare he! It is not enough that he has Merlin and the others collared. What happened?" he demanded
"He told me of my marriage to Odin I lost control while he was in the room. He tried to blame Hunith and Gaius for 'turning me to evil', for teaching me. I swore they didn't know" Morgana was clearly distressed "I have to keep it covered but he lets me out, he doesn't want people to know his own daughter is a witch"
"I will make him remove it. I swear to you" Arthur told her
"He won't Arthur, but I won't live like this, and I won't see Merlin continue to wear this thing" Morgana paced the room. "Arthur something else has happened" she paused "Please sit down you are making me nervous"
Arthur reluctantly sat and waited not trusting himself to talk. Morgana faced him once more "I had a visit from Morgause, she is my half-sister and she wants me to join her to overthrow Uther"
Arthur frowned "Could she prove this?" he didn't ask when she had seen the witch, after all the woman could appear when she wanted to.
"She did, she knew things she couldn't have known otherwise, she also gave me Mothers ring. Arthur she wants me to go against you! I can't do that, I know that you will make a good King given the chance." She paused before continuing in more hushed tones. "I think this is where I have to choose, if I go with her my vision will come true and both you and Merlin will die, I can't do that, even if I do want to get to know her. She says she will make me Queen"
"Do you want that Morgana? Because if you want to be Queen you can, we could rule together. We are after all both Uther's blood." Arthur offered
"Oh Arthur! That would never work, a kingdom needs a strong ruler, I will admit I did think about it, but not because I want to replace you, but because I want this to end! It's not just me it's Merlin and Hunith!" Morgana said honestly. "So I didn't met her, I knew she could convince me, but I love you and I don't know her. I think she is as bad as Uther in her own way, I think she will treat non magic users like Uther's treats sorcerers and that will cause nothing but trouble for years to come."
Arthur got to his feet "I am proud of you Morgana. You are right all must be free, we must learn to live together. It will end Morgana, I won't let him do this to you. He has gone too far and I won't tolerate it." Arthur stood up and hugged his sister "I will stop this now"
The Prince turned and walked to the door his anger boiling in his veins. As he about to open the door when Morgana called after him "Arthur! I can wait, make sure you are ready you can't fail" she grabbed his arm "The night before this happened I dreamt that a large force was attacking Camelot. I am sure Morgause will attack soon, if you do anything now it will weaken Camelot and she will win"
Arthur turned back to face her "You want to keep wearing that!" he spat out.
"No I don't, but you have to use your brain, you're a brilliant strategist, even Uther says so. He will be expecting something now don't play into his hands. Promise me you will do nothing tonight" Morgana pleaded.
Arthur took a deep breath to calm himself. "I promise, but I won't promise anything for tomorrow"
"That's all I ask, that you sleep on it, calm down and think calmly. I love you Arthur you are a good man. If it means I have to wear this for a bit longer then I will."
"You are a good person Morgana I hope I can justify your faith in me" Arthur walked out and went to his room. He slammed the door and cursed, hitting the wall with his fist. Merlin shot up from his blanket looking round to see what was happening.
"What the hell Merlin" Arthur snapped as the teenager approached him. Merlin looked concerned and a bit fearful but he come closer and took Arthur's hand in his.
"Can I heal it?" he asked timidly. He wasn't about to be cheeky, he wasn't used to seeing Arthur so mad.
Arthur snorted "Yes you can, it's a pity you can't cure everything so easily."
Merlin let his magic go into Arthurs hand and the broken bone mended and the skin healed over. Merlin looked at Arthur before he went to the fire and put more logs on it. He said nothing waiting to see if the Prince would tell him or not. Although Arthur often spoke to him, almost as a friend, Merlin never took such things for granted. After all he was a collared one, even if Arthur was good to him. He was always frightened that one day Arthur would send him back to the cell with the others, or worse still that the King would claim him. Arthur seemed to pick up on Merlin's mood.
"I'm sorry Merlin, I have a lot on my mind. The King has found out that my sister has magic and he has put her in a collar, He is keeping it secret for now, and I don't know what to do" Arthur turned and looked at Merlin, not sure what he was expecting. Merlin's eyes were as big as saucers, he looked shocked.
"You will do what you always do, the best thing." He said calmly "You are a good man"
"That's what my sister said, but I don't know what to do, not this time" he looked at Merlin "Morgana seems to think Morgause will attack soon."
Merlin looked slightly uncomfortable and then said "The other collared ones think so to, the druids say that she has joined with Cenred and that the time for destiny is coming"
"Merlin! Why didn't you tell me?" the blonde demanded
"The druids are always talking about destiny, it makes no sense to me" he paused "I am frightened" he admitted
Arthur looked Merlin in the eye and said softly "What about?"
"I have heard voices in my head, and I have been feeling strange, Ari tells me it is because I am becoming of age and my powers will grow, he said the King will know and make me go to him" Merlin looked at the floor and mumbled "I don't want to leave you"
Arthur put his hand on Merlin's shoulder "I won't let him, you will stay with me"
Merlin's eyes became watery as he answered "You can't stop him! He will use me to kill Morgause, and once he knows my powers are growing he will burn me I know he will, what will happen to my mother and Uncle Gaius?"
Arthur ran his hands through his hair before replying "Merlin I promise I will not let my father have you, and I will free Morgana, if the druids are right we have a battle on our hands first, but I will keep you safe. If I'm not here stay with Pellinore or Elyan they will look after you."
"I'm not worried about me! If I die I will be free, no I am scared about my family, if I'm gone or if I disobey the King, what will happen to them" Merlin was almost shouting in his anxiety.
As Arthur looked at Merlin he noticed the boy's eyes fleck with gold, yet he wasn't using his magic. Was he right was he coming into his dragon lord powers? And if he was how long did they have until Uther knew.
"Merlin keep calm, your eyes are flecked with gold, and we need to hide your growing magic from my father. Come on we need to go and see Gaius he might be able to help" Arthur unlocked Merlin's chain and hurried him down the corridors, making sure to keep away from any that the king might use.
Gaius gave Merlin a sleeping draft "Take that tonight my boy, I have been expecting this, I will need to start making a different potion, but it must be fresh each day" he turned to Arthur "Can you bring him back tomorrow late morning I will have it ready by then"
"I will, now come on Merlin let's get back before we're seen"
Arthur spent a restless night his thoughts a jumble. The next morning before he had made a decision his father sent for him to go to the throne room. So as soon as they had eaten Arthur walked down, as always when he was out, Merlin went with him as his magical protection. Normally if it was a council meeting he would wait outside, but as Arthur entered Uther called out "Bring the sorcerer in"
Arthur tensed, he hoped it just meant that they were going to be sent on patrol and the king wanted to stress to Merlin the need to protect his master, and nothing more sinister. "Good morning Sire, you sent for me"
"I did, I have reason to suspect that the witch Morgause is planning to attack, my sources say she has joined forces with Cenred. He has always wanted to increase his territory."
"I will leave immediately" Arthur bowed
"You will leave the boy here, I have plans for him" Uther said calmly as he looked at Merlin speculatively.
Merlin felt as if he was being inspected like a piece of merchandise. No new with the King but he still hated it. He shrunk into himself. "Sorry Sire I will need him on patrol" Arthur said with a hint of stubbornness.
Uther looked at his son "You misunderstand, that was an order, the time has come to remove him from your service and back to me. I have need of his…particular service"
Merlin started to move backwards, he was so frightened he didn't even realise what he was doing. Uther noticed and touched something in his pocket and Merlin's hands flew to his neck and a screech of pain came from him "Stay were you are boy" Uther snarled. "Did you think I wouldn't notice the change in you over the past few days?"
"What are you talking about?" Arthur demanded
"Your pet is a dragonlord, he is now of age and is coming into his powers, I will control him from now, the dragon will be most….useful" Uther had an almost fanatical expression in his eyes as he spoke.
"There are no dragons left, or that's what you always told me" Arthur wasn't going to admit he knew about the giant creature under the castle or Merlin's link with it.
"There is one, I have it prisoner for just this moment, with a dragon at my command I can take the whole of Albion and destroy magic everywhere."
This was too much for Merlin "I won't let you! You will not use such a wonderful creature of magic for your own mad ends!" then he let out a scream and fell to the ground writhing in agony pulling at his collar. Arthur knelt at his side and looked at the man who sired him and wondered, yet again if he was sane.
"You have no choice and nor will he" Uther laughed "You forget I have your family"
"No, they wouldn't want me to do it" Merlin gasped out "They would rather die than see so many die to save them" his voice getting stronger as the pain subsided.
Uther stood up and walked nearer "I could give your mother to the soldiers before burning her slowly over damp wood and your uncle I will torture him while you watch, no you WILL do as you're told you have no choice."
This was too much for Arthur, he knew the time had come he would not allow this to go any further. He stood up and faced Uther "Stop! You are mad. I will not allow you to do this"
Uther looked at his son in surprise "You will do as you are told, I realise you are fond of this scum, don't think I haven't noticed. Have you been using him?"
Arthur felt bile rise in his throat "No I have not!" then trying to find a way to protect Merlin he asked "Will you treat Morgana like this, if you find a use for her?"
"Leave her out of this! This scum corrupted her, I will find a cure he will not have her. He however is filth, an abomination and I will do with him as I please"
Arthur stood between his father and cousin "You will do nothing. I won't let you. How could you do this to mother's nephew!"
Uther was shocked for a few seconds then he looked at Merlin "You have just sealed your mother's fate, you were told what would happen" he shouted and he once more activated the collar making Merlin scream out in torment as the pain went through him.
Arthur grabbed at his father's hand and removed the control "He didn't tell me! Nor did his family. Now stop this now!" Uther looked at Merlin in hatred and he raised his leg and stamped down on Merlin's left leg that was resting on the lower right leg, there was a snap of bone, then Uther started kicking where ever he could. The loss of the controller would not stop him hurting Merlin. Arthur grabbed pushed his father and as the older man raised his leg once more Arthur grabbed it and as Uther toppled he fell and his head contacted with the stone floor and he went limp.
After checking that his father would not try anything else he turned to Merlin and bent down. Merlin had passed out in pain, there was blood coming from his mouth and his leg was bent at an unnatural angle.
Arthur went to the door, surprised that the guards had not already entered with all the shouting. They had heard but knew to their cost what happened if they burst in without being called, so had remained where they were. Arthur looked at them. "Get the physician and Sir Leon Now" he demanded.
Leon was there first, he came in and looked at the scene before him before checking on the King. "He is alive"
"Pity" Arthur snarled. "He is mad, totally insane" by now Arthur was knelt beside Merlin feeling totally helpless "I should have killed him"
Leon stood up and went to the door "Get the Princes first Knights and tell them I want them yesterday" he turned to Arthur "We need to get Merlin and the King out of here and work out what to do next"
"I am taking over, Uther is not fit to rule." He told his first knight, I should have acted before this.
With that Gaius came in, he looked at the scene in front of him and checked his great nephew first "He was a broken leg and I assume his collar was used as punishment. He needs to be moved as soon as possible. I will splint his leg first." He then walked over the King after checking him he gave a grim smile "I shouldn't say this as a physician but… I can do nothing for him, nor do I want to. His head injury is severe, he will die in hours." Gaius looked up at Arthur "You are the King now Sire"
"What do we say?" Leon asked "If it is known you killed your father we will have trouble." He saw Arthur's face "I'm not saying you meant to or that you shouldn't have"
"He's right Sire, however I suspect the whole castle heard your argument. I believe that the King had an Apoplexy (old name for a Stroke) and hit his head as he fell causing a softening of the brain (old mane for a brain haemorrhage). It will allow you to take over without problems after all it is almost true. Better for the Kingdom that way" Gaius told the Prince.
"And Merlin?" Arthur asked
"I'm sorry to say but I hardly think anyone will even question what happened to him" Leon said "He is a collared one"
"His true status will be announced immediately. I will be honest and say the King knew who he was and that was what the argument was about, after all there are people about who knew his father, in fact some must know who the Lady Hunith is" Arthur said.
"Always best to keep to as much of the true as you can Sire. Now let's get these two sorted."
As Gaius stopped speaking Gwaine, Lancelot, Percival and Pellinore arrived. Giaus soon has Merlin's leg splinted, working quickly before he woke. Leon arranged to the guards to carry the King to his room on a board, and Percival carefully picked up Merlin "Take him to the room next to mine." Arthur ordered. I will go and speak to my sister. I want you to guard both rooms." Arthur looked down at the controller he had picked up. It was a strange coloured stone much like the one he had, but this was bigger and had more runes carved into it. "Strange that a man who hated magic so much should use it himself"
Arthur left the men to do as he asked and went to his sister's room. As he entered she stood up looking very concerned "I heard the shouting what happened."
Arthur paused then said without emotion "He is dying, Gaius says he will be dead within hours. Merlin has been injured." He turned to Hunith as he heard her gasp out. "He is in the room next to mine, my lady, you will both be recognised for who you are, I am sorry I could say nothing before, but I couldn't risk him realising I knew"
Hunith smiled "Thank you, for my son, I know you have cared for him as much as you could, you are a good boy, like your mother"
Morgana turned to her friend "Go! Later we can have fun getting you the clothes you deserve, I will come and see Merlin soon."
"May the gods bless you both" Hunith hurried out of the room.
Arthur went towards his sister "Come on let me get that thing off your neck. I can't change everything now but soon your powers will be legal, the ban on magic will be lifted, but I have to wait until he is dead and his body at rest. I am sorry it took me so long"
"I don't care Arthur, you did it as soon as you could, that's all that matters." As Morgana spoke she noticed Arthur's hands were shaking "Are you all right?" she asked concerned.
Arthur sat down and put his head in his hands "I killed him Morgana, I killed my own father, I didn't mean to, not then. I knew I would have to, but it was so pointless"
Morgan put her arms round her brother "You did what you had to do, for your people, his death and save many more. The fact that you feel bad about it shows what a good man you are"
"But I am too young to rule! I am not even eighteen until next month! How can I lead my people and with a war coming" came the anguished cry.
"Arthur you have been leading your men in battles since you were sixteen. What makes you think you can't rule?"