AN: To clarify so you know the time frame for when this story takes place, it takes place a some time after 'The Sins of the Father' in season two.

Also, thank you so much for all the positive reviews . It means a lot, *a lot*.

Chapter 3

He probably should have made a hasty exit at around that point, somewhere in the back of his mind a voice was yelling at him to be careful. But Arthur ignored it. He was gripped by an overwhelming necessity to make this stop. To make Uther, Gaius, Merlin, and from the strange looks she was giving him, Morgana, remember him.

"I'm your son!" he yelled. "You have to remember me!"

Uther's face instantly went from perplexed to stony. "I do not have a son."

"Yes! You do! Look I don't know what's going on here but you have to believe me!"

"If I were you," said Uther, his voice cold. "I would leave now."

"There has to be a way I can prove this to you! Look last week, there was the meeting with the Ambassador sent by King Halren? We were the only three in the room. I can tell you exactly what he said. The terms that were proposed for a treaty to govern the southern woods that border his territory-"

Uther stood up abruptly. "How do you know about that?"

"Because I'm as the Prince of Camelot I sat in on the meeting! There were only the three of us there!"

"As heir to the throne of Camelot *Morgana* was present. You, I have never seen before in my life. And the knowledge you have of the meeting is suspicious to say the least."

"Your Majesty," said Gaius quickly. "I don't think he is anything sinister. He's just confused. No doubt he's sick in the head."

"That would not explain how he knows the contents of a private meeting that transpired in this castle! Morgana," he said, turning to her, "I assume you told no one?"

"No, of course not," she shook her head.

Uther turned back towards Arthur and studied him very gravely. "I must ask you, and for your own sake I strongly urge you to tell me the truth; how do you know what was discussed during that meeting?"

Arthur wavered. He knew that look of his father's. He had seen it directed at other people but never at himself. It never boded well. But he had to make Uther listen. He had to make him believe him.

"Please father," said Arthur, desperation slipping into his voice. "Just give me a few minutes. I can tell you more things, things only your son would know! I am your son! Look at me! Look at my face. You always said I had my mother's eyes, her hair. I-"

He knew instantly he'd gone the wrong direction.

Uther's face turned furious and he gestured angrily to two guards who instantly stepped forward and grabbed Arthur by the arms.

"If," said Uther, anger seething from his voice, "You do not feel like disclosing your sources at the moment, perhaps you will feel more inclined after a few days in the dungeons? Take him away!"

"Please, Your Majesty, I know this man," said a tentative voice from the doorway. Everyone turned.

"Gwen," breathed Arthur, relief surging through him.

"You know him Gwen?" asked Morgana surprised.

"Yes." Gwen stepped further into the room. Her arms were filled with a stack of sheets. Arthur has never felt happier to see her.

"Who is he?" demanded Uther.

But would he believe her? Arthur wondered. Would his father take the word of a servant girl? Even one close to Morgana? As he remembered the look on his father's face when he had mentioned his mother, Arthur doubted it.

"Well I don't know him personally," said Gwen, a little hesitantly. "He's been around the poorer parts of Camelot these past few weeks."

What? Arthur looked at her sharply.

"I think he came here from the village Gorrick. They say he was in a battle many years ago and got a terrible head wound and he's never been the same since. He thinks he's someone new practically every week." Gwen's voice grew steadier as she continued. "Last week he said he was an important diplomat. The week before it was tailor. Next week he'll probably think he's a candlestick maker and start measuring everyone's candlesticks. He's just sick, he's not dangerous Your Majesty, and there have never been any reports of violence by him."

By the time she had finished Arthur's jaw was hanging open. Which probably supported her story that he wasn't all there when Uther looked him over thoughtfully.

"But how did he know about the meeting with the Ambassador from Halren?"

"Well…" said Gwen slowly. "I heard the Ambassador went to the tavern one night while he was here and…had a little too much. No precise details were given, but he did give a few hints. Probably a few of them," she waved at Arthur, "Reached him."

"But he said he knew details."

"He didn't actually give any of them," pointed out Morgana thoughtfully, "He did knew what the treaty was concerning but while he claimed to know the details he didn't give any of them."

"Is this true?" asked Uther, looking at Arthur, "Do you know the precise contents of the treaty and the meeting which took place with the Ambassador?"

"I…" Arthur cut off abruptly. It'd be smarter to shut up, he thought. "No. I don't."

Uther remained studying him for another minute and then waved the guards away. "Very well," he said. "Release him. Gaius will you take him to your house and look him over, see if there's anything you can do for him, but," he looked very sternly at Arthur. "I don't want to see you in my castle again, and I had better hear no more about you claiming to be the Prince of Camelot."