Arthur handed Alvarr and Ari over to Leon, before he left he told them "I will ask Gaius to check you over to see if it is safe to just release your collars or if you need to do it in stages, but for now I will increase the power you can draw on now. Leon will see you fed and housed. Rest and sleep well and thank you for agreeing to help me"
Leon went to fins a servant to fetch food and bedding. Alvarr looked at the Crown Prince "You are the Once and future King together with Emrys you will bring about Albion. It is a pleasure to serve you. May we see Emrys?"
"Again ask Gaius when he checks you before you sleep, I am guided by him on this. I will send him to you. One other thing speak of this to no one, as yet the King still lives"
As the Crown Prince walked away Alvarr turned to his friend. "That can't remain the case, Emrys must be free and Arthur the King or we will never see Albion"
Ari nodded "We must take care, magic must not be seen to play a part" he said "Or we might never see Albion, but one thing is for sure I will not see Emrys hurt further, what has happened to him should never be"
Alvarr smirked to his friend "We need to act tonight"
"Of course!" Ari grinned back "I don't know about you but I think I could manage a short glamour, enough to get us passed any guards"
Leon arrived back shortly afterwards and the men were soon given beds and food, Gaius arrived and said he thought that by morning they would be ready for their collars to be removed. "I know the Prince has increased your power already and unlike Merlin you were adults when you were collared, you may see Merlin in the morning he is sleeping and I don't want him disturbed tonight"
"Thank you. We don't pretend to have his power either so I am sure removing this" he gestured to the collar round his neck "To cause a problem" Ari admitted
"Thank you for agreeing to help Arthur, he is a far better man than his father" Gaius admitted. "It will be a good thing when he is gone."
"Will he go soon?" Alvarr asked
"He should have passed already, he has a strong will" Gaius left shaking his head as he headed back to the King's chambers, after all it would be deemed suspicious if the Court healer was not present until it was time for him to retire for the night.
Once the castle was quiet the two mages got up and Ari used his magic to make it appear they were still in their beds if anyone should glance, it would not fool close inspection but it was the best he could do with the power he had. Then they made their way to the King's chambers Alvarr using his magic to divert any guards they saw. As it happened there was a minimal guard within the castle overnight, as Arthur wanted as many men to be fresh in the morning as he expected the front of the army to arrive. So most men were watching the perimeter.
As the two men reached the Kings chambers they put a sleeping spell on the guards at the door then waited and listened before carefully opening the door. Gaius had left and so it was only two nobles who were sitting with the King. Both of them were dozing in their chairs. Alvarr and Ari couldn't believe their luck. They knew the two nobles where strong supporters of the King so no blame could be levied at the Prince. Alvarr cast his spell as Ari made sure the nobles did not waken until after the King was dead. They watched as the spell did its job. Just as Uther was taking his last gasping breath he opened his eyes and saw the mages and knew in those last moments that magic had won. Alvarr whispered the last words that the King would ever hear. "Emrys will be free and the dragon will fly again"
With that they slipped out and back to their rooms, none in the castle was any wiser they had ever left. Ari lifted the sleeping spell as they went round the corner and out of sight. They were in their beds before the bells sounded to announce the Kings death. Arthur was woken and went and stood as Gaius and Geoffrey of Monmouth recorded Uther Pendragon's time of death in the records. The two nobles bowed to Arthur knowing that they would need to ingratiate themselves if they wished to keep their status as councillors.
Arthur looked at them "You witnessed the Kings last breaths?"
As neither of the men wished to admit they had slept they nodded "We did Sire, he had a peaceful end."
Arthur looked at the body of the man who had sired him and wondered, the King did not look as if his end had been peaceful, as his expression was one of surprise and pain. But with two witnesses who had been fiercely loyal to the late King, he did not question further. Either way it was good news for the Kingdom and for Arthur and his family.
Gaius was not so easily fooled, but kept his thoughts to himself, after all he felt no sorrow at the tyrant's death. The man had caused his family immense disservice and caused Merlin not only to lose his father but be a prisoner all his life and to have no childhood to speak off. No it was good the man had gone and that they had a new King. He turned to Arthur and bowed "Your Majesty, the late King will need to be prepared for lying in state"
Arthur looked at the two Nobles "I assume as a last act to for your King you will wish to do that service. I will send a manservant to help you" he had a good idea that neither man was keen, but it was normal practice for those closest to the deceased to prepare them for viewing. So technically it was a great honour he was bestowing on them.
Arthur looked out of the window "It will be several hours before daylight. Geoffrey can you arrange for all the court to be in the throne room at first light."
Geoffrey looked at the young man, who not quite eighteen was now his King and he felt optimism for the future of the Kingdom, despite the threat of War. "I will sire. The servants will be dispatched in time to raise everyone."
Arthur went back towards his room and quietly went in to see Merlin. Hunith had clearly retired and left Merlin sleeping, but he was not alone Sir Gwaine was sat by the bed. He stirred as Arthur entered "I heard the bells, I assume you are now King"
"I will be in the morning" Arthur admitted "How is Merlin?"
"He sleeps like a babe, his colour is much better and he no longer seems to be in pain." Gwaine said looking fondly at the youngster. "So now his life can start, the last fourteen years haven't been good ones, he has a lot of making up to do"
"He does, and I will see to it that he can, Sir Gwaine will you take the position as his personal guar? there will be those who wish him ill and I don't want him to have to use his magic to repel them. He hates using magic for those things" Arthur asked the brunette
"Try and stop me Sire, my mother still considers Lady Hunith to be her best friend, even though she had no idea if she still lived. So I consider Merlin to be my brother in all but blood."
Arthur turned and went to his room, a new part of his life had just began and he had a lot to do if he was to ever hold his Kingdom together.