Chapter 4

The day that was to break the heart of Camelot began much like any other. There was a normality to it, as everyone went about their usual tasks, but it was a normality that would be gone completely by the time the day had ended. But as fate would have it, Merlin's fever had worsened during the night: not enough to be serious, but enough not only keep to him in bed but also to leave him oblivious of the events that were about to unfold.

As Gaius sat in his room reading, in rather more peace and quiet than he normally had when Merlin was around, there was a knock on the door and Sir Leon walked in.

"Gaius, the king has requested your presence in the council chambers." The knight then glanced around the room and, not seeing Merlin, asked after his welfare. When the physician informed him that he probably wouldn't be up for a day or two, Leon jokingly added, "I expect Arthur's regretting dragging him out in the rain the other day. He'll be missing him already!"

And Gaius answered with a smile, "I'm sure he will!"

There was nothing unusual about the Council gathering – it was common practice to meet together on a regular basis, particularly if there were matters that went beyond the boundaries of Camelot. All of the inner circle of Arthur's knights were there, as was Gwen and several other of the servants, should they be required. Uther began to address those present after Gaius and Leon had taken their places.

"We have received an official message from Bayard. It is undoubtedly concerning Arthur and his visit there."

As was customary on these occasions, Geoffrey of Monmouth acted both as scribe and reader if there were official documents to be dealt with. He broke open the seal of the folded parchment that was in his hand, and looked down at the writing on it. A frown came to his face as he glanced over the page, and it was quite clear to everyone present that something was not right.

"My lord, the seal on the letter is definitely that of Mercia but I do not believe that its contents are from Bayard. The writing is quite unlike the style of their court."

The king, who was seated on his usual high chair, looked surprised, "Well, what does it say?"

And Geoffrey began to read: "For too many years the reign of Uther Pendragon has….." He paused as his eyes scanned forwards, wondering whether he should go on or not. Uther, however, after years on the throne, was quite used to the protests of those who disagreed with his methods and his ideas and was fortunate (in his position) to be blessed with a thick skin, and so he simply said "Continue."

Geoffrey started again. "For too many years the reign of Uther Pendragon has brought nothing but fear and suffering to many who have sought only to live their lives in peace and freedom. His hatred of magic has cut short the lives of countless men and women whose only crime has to been to practise a craft of which Uther understands little and which he loathes without good reason. This cannot be allowed to continue." Geoffrey paused once again and glanced up at Uther, who had the look of a man who was slightly bored and who had heard it all before. "Just carry on…."

So Geoffrey began once again. "As a foretaste of the reckoning that is to come, the life of one of Camelot's citizens has been forfeit in payment for Uther's crimes, suffering the same cruel and agonising death which Uther has inflicted on others who were innocent. In an act of mercy, we have enclosed a token taken from the victim so that he may be identified by his family. Be sure to know his blood is on the hands of Uther Pendragon."

The bored look had disappeared from Uther's face completely, and had been replaced by a look of outrage, and when he spoke he could barely contain his contempt.

"It is those who practice magic who are solely to blame for such abominable treatment of our citizens, and it is they who shall continue to pay for their crimes!" He turned back to Geoffrey, "Bring me the token."

Uther rose from his chair to take the small object from him, but it took a moment for the familiarity of the silver ring to sink in. And as the realisation of what he was holding dawned on him, a sudden and terrible panic gripped his heart. The rest of the Council watched as the ashen faced king swayed on his feet and grabbed the arm of the chair to keep himself upright, letting the ring fall to the ground as he did so. And they all heard him whisper the words:

"Ygraine's Ring… Arthur….." And with that he collapsed into the chair behind him.

The gasps that reverberated around the court room were a small indication of the shock and horror that was felt by each person there. All of Arthur's knights stood in stunned silence, unable to take in the enormity of what they were being told, none of them showing emotion simply because they could not believe that their captain was dead. Elyan looked over to his sister, who put her hand to her mouth, but she couldn't stifle the cry of pain that escaped from her. She too swayed and became unsteady on her feet, but as Elyan went to take hold of her, fearing that she was about to faint, she simply turned and ran from the courtroom sobbing, and Elyan ran after her.

Gaius had also wanted to leave immediately, but knew that it was his responsibility first and foremost to tend to the king, who already looked like a broken man. And it was only when Gaius had taken the king to his chambers and made sure that his immediate needs were met, that he was able to take his leave and face the terrible duty that awaited him. But when he finally, with a heart that was heavier than it had ever been, plucked up the courage to open the door to Merlin's bedroom, he found him still in his bed, swinging back and forth between hot sweats and cold shivers, and in no fit state to take anything in, let alone the news that would shatter his world and bring it crashing down. And Gaius, as he stood looking down on the young man he cared for so deeply, suddenly looked as if he'd aged considerably, and he felt it too. He slowly and painfully closed the door behind him again, and went over to his table, with each step seeming to take an enormous effort as he carried the burden of the unspoken news. And when he'd sat down, he rested his elbow on the table and put his head in his hand, and the tears began to run down his face. There was no sound from him that gave any indication of the physician's deep pain - only the silent tears that he shed as he thought not only of the prince he had helped bring into the world, but also his friend whose whole life was about to be rocked to its very core and whose heart was about to be so cruelly broken.

And as Merlin lay sleeping, unaware of all that was happening around him and of the unbearable pain that he was soon to feel, not very far away, in a house in the lower town, Elyan held his sister as her whole body was racked by deep sobs.