As hurt as he was Merlin couldn't be angry with Arthur, he kept seeing how distraught he was when Gwen was sentenced to death. Merlin himself was in a mild stage of panic, Gwen was his friend and he was going to do anything in his power to save her. Slowly he walked into Arthur's room, he was standing by the window looking down at the pyre being constructed in the courtyard. The blonde turned to see who it was, there wasn't any malice in his eyes, only regret and sadness.

"I'm sorry" He said quietly

"I know" Merlin replied, "I'm worried too, we need to find a way to smuggle her out of Camelot"

"Father has me under constant watch, guards outside and in the square" Arthur's voice cracked

"I can't watch her die Merlin" Arthur said finally on the verge of tears, "I won't"

"He may have you under constant watch, but he doesn't have me" Merlin smiled, "He heard we were fighting, he wont suspect me helping you"

"So...?"

"We just pretend we are angry at each other, he wont watch me, I'll find a way to save her" Merlin promised, "Now um, pretend I'm father and yell, let off some steam, we need to make them all think we're furious with each other and that I'm on fathers side"

"Thankyou" Arthur whispered honestly, "I don't mean anything I'm about to say"

"Me either" Merlin nodded

To an outside listener, which was actually most of the castle, the princes were obviously furious with each other. Their insults echoed through the corridors and out into the square. It was truly a sight to behold, or rather, hear.

Merlin burst dramatically out of the elder princes chambers, a goblet flying through the air after him, hitting the wall. Accompanied by a Arthur's call of "And don't come back!"

Merlin suppressed a grin as he made his way down tot he dungeons, no doubt one of Arthur's guards had gone to tell Uther of his sons row. Taking advantage of this he took the time to talk to Gwen.

"How is Arthur?" She asked straight away

"He will do everything in his power to convince father that you are innocent" Merlin implored, quickly taking his time to explain the 'fight' between them.

"I'll find a way to convince him" Merlin tried

"He wont change his mind, you know he wont" Gwen sobbed

"We will free you Gwen" Merlin gave her a brief hug, "You know we will"

...

Merlin paced around his room, trying to think of anything that could change Uther's mind. Nothing worked. He needed irrefutable proof that Gwen did not enchant Arthur but how...?

Unless...

That was it! There was no magic but Uther would never believe that so, if it was an evil sorcerer he wanted, that is what he will get! He would be caught 'enchanting' Arthur and then use magic to escape. He'd need a disguise though. It would need to be good though, his father couldn't recognise him.

After some time he settled on an ageing spell, it was difficult and complicated magic. He would need to mix a potion to help him, Gaius would have the herbs he needed. He walked down to the physicians rooms and began to rummage through the various potions and glasses containing various plants dried and otherwise.

"Ahem" Gaius coughed, making Merlin spin around

"Gaius! I uh..." Merlin fumbled before accepting Gaius couldn't be fooled by him now, "I need herbs to make an ageing potion"

"Why?" Asked the physician suspiciously

"I'm going to pretend to be an evil enchanting sorcerer and prove Gwen is innocent" Merlin admitted much to Gaius's horror, "Don't worry, once I'm caught I'll confess, get locked up then use magic to escape and turn back into myself!"

"That will be very dangerous Merlin" Gaius scolded, "That magic is very powerful, you might not be able to change back so easily"

"I have to do it" merlin replied with determination in his eyes, "for Gwen"

The physician relented seeing the prince so desperate and grabbed the herbs he would need. Thanking him, Merlin quickly locked himself in his room, using the excuse of wanted to let off some steam due to his fight with Arthur. Gaius had been right, this spell was powerful, carefully he ground the plants into dust, and began his spell.

"Miht dagan, beþecce me. Adeadaþ þisne gast min freondum ond min feondum!"

The dust burst into flames.

...

It had taken a few minutes to get used to what he looked like. All old and wrinkled, his hair was long and silvery white. He couldn't believe that one day he would actually look like he did right now, it wasn't flattering.

Treading carefully, his legs ached, he made his way to Arthur's rooms, distracting the guards by using magic to tip over a suit of armour a few feet away. Once he was in the room he felt a sword on his back.

"Don't be a prat it's me" Merlin grumbled

"Merlin?" Arthur gaped, putting away the sword and taking in his brothers appearance, "How...what?"

"I'm an evil sorcerer" Merlin grinned, "Here to enchant you then mysteriously escape from the dungeons"

Arthur smiled widely for the first time since the ordeal began, "Merlin you are amazing!"

"Yes I know" Merlin smiled, "Now hurry and call your guards so I can be arrested"

"Guards!" Arthur bellowed doing his best to stop the smile on his face, "Guards!"

They came running in and managed to subdue the 'threat' of Merlin, dragging him off to see the king roughly. Arthur gave him a wink. Merlin was presented to his father with shackles on his wrists, hatred boiled in the kings eyes.

"You enchanted my son?" Uther growled

"yes, there is no point in denying it" Merlin croaked disguising his voice

"Why? Who are you" Asked Uther. Oh crap. He hadn't thought of that...

"If Arthur were to fall in love with a servant girl it would bring shame to Camelot" Merlin fumbled, "I am...Dragoon...the great!"

The king looked at him strangely, "Have I wronged you in some way"

"You have wronged, so many people in so many ways" Merlin muttered darkly, he may as well speak his mind, "Your blinded by your hatred of magic, you cannot even accept your own son"

Maybe he should not of said that. Luckily it was just Uther and him at that moment. Uther's eyes widened.

"You know...You will e executed, you are your accomplice!" He bellowed

"The girl in entirely innocent!" Merlin added quickly, "I enchanted her too"

"How did you know about my sons magic?" Uther hissed quietly, now he was really regretting saying that.

"Those who have magic, simply know" He said finally, "Your son would know I have magic simply by looking deep enough"

"Get him out of my sight!" Uther yelled furious, "Release the girl, tomorrow this man, Dragoon, will take her place on the pyre!"

Sorry this took so long but you guys have no idea how busy my life is right now. Seriously. I try and write a little bit everyday though