A jug which had been set on the dressing table was angrily thrown against the wall of the Prince's bedroom as Arthur of Camelot vented his rage against his father without him actually being in the room. Stood near the doorway Merlin flinched behind him, unsure as to what to say to him. He had learnt to appease Arthur and get his temper to calm down but in this circumstance his attempts had seemed to push his master ever further.

Balling his fists tight Arthur paced the floor, nostrils flaring. He did not know how his father could do it. "He was thirteen," he told Merlin, repeating this for the sixth time. Merlin again nodded ruefully in silence. "Thirteen! What justice is there in killing a boy? What possible balance can be restored? He has gone too far this time..."

Shifting his weight awkwardly Merlin opened his mouth to speak. He was rather quiet, unnerved by the scene he'd just witnessed in the Castle grounds. It was far too close for comfort. "It is unacceptable, I know... but your father and magic.... He does what he thinks is right..."

"And he is always wrong!"

Arthur took a large breath, turning his face to the ceiling with a tense jaw. His arms were shaking and he folded them over his chest to try and disguise it before releasing them down at his sides once more, fidgeting with his restlessness. Outside the window, down in Camelot, crowds were dispersing from witnessing the execution of Thomas Brewn, a young lad accused of witchcraft. His hysterical mother was lead from the grounds wailing as she walked, supported by the arms of two of her friends. Arthur heard her cries and spun around to face Merlin on his heel, not realising his manservant was deep in his own nervous thoughts.

"I do not condemn magic but I recognise its dangers and that boy was of no danger to anyone. If my father has ANY remorse he should..."

Once again he lapsed into silence, his eyes falling towards the floor. Several moments passed in the quietness of the room before Arthur spoke again.

"I have wasted too much of your time. Go back to Gaius and help him for the rest of today."

"But Arthur..."

"Go."

Recognising both Arthur's need to be alone and urgency in his voice Merlin nodded, bowed and exited the room without a second thought. Left with nothing but his own company, Arthur turned to the window as if in answer to the sounds filtering through his window before placing a hand to his forehead.