AN: Sorry about the wait. In my original plan, this chapter would be out on the 18th, and then the next chapter would be out yesterday, but that clearly didn't happen. I'm currently writing chapter 6, hopefully it'll be out by the 25th, but other things might get in the way. This chapter is 1,388 words long, not including the AN's. Thanks to Juliana Brandagamba, pieniewienie, Skypeoplepheonix732, Guest and BabyGlover for reviewing the last chapter. On with the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin
"I have a son to deal with"
Arthur and Merlin were riding back to Camelot. During the journey, Merlin had slowed down enough so that he was riding just behind Arthur's right shoulder. Merlin thought it was fitting, as he had sat on Arthur's right side at the Round Table. Arthur had either not noticed, or made no comment as they rode back into Camelot. Only to be stopped by the guards.
"Sire, the King has ordered your immediate arrest." The first guard called out, as Arthur approached the gate.
"On what grounds?" Arthur was extremely confused. What was so bad that had he done that the King would order his arrest for? What would make him lose all remnants of his sense of reason and cause him to arrest his son in such a public manner? Why would…no! Someone must have seen Arthur use magic and then confess to Merlin about using said magic, Merlin! If someone heard his confession, then he'll be killed too! No, this can't happen! Ok, clear head. First things first. Keep Merlin away from the King.
"The King didn't specify, sire. I wasn't there when the order was given. We were only told that we were to arrest you on sight."
"What of my manservant?"
"The King didn't mention him, sire." To Merlin, in a sharp tone. "Boy! Take the horses to the stables and then meet your Prince in the throne room." To Arthur, in a sugar-sweet voice. "Unless sire will have him do anything else?"
It was then that Arthur was reminded just how much he hated bootlickers, but he needed to keep Merlin out of the Throne Room.
"Yes, there are a few things he needs to do. Merlin, put the horses away, muck out my stables, tidy my room, do my laundry and then go see if Gaius has anything else you can do. Don't even consider coming to annoy me for the rest of the day."
Merlin knew what Arthur was trying to do. He meant to keep Merlin away, his last comment had proved that, but Merlin had a funny feeling that something bad would happen in the Throne Room and knew he needed to be by Arthur's side for it. The two friends (even if they wouldn't admit that they were) had to keep up appearances as best they could when in the company of others, so while the guard was there, Merlin had to be a model servant and do what Arthur said, even though he had every intention of being in that Throne Room with Arthur.
"Of course sire. Put the horses away, muck out your stables, tidy your room, do your laundry and see if Gaius has anything else that needs doing. Is that everything?"
"That's everything."
Arthur hoped the idiot heard the unspoken message. Keep away from the King at all costs.
Of course, Merlin did hear it. He wasn't as stupid as people believed. He just wasn't paying any attention. So when the guards took Arthur's arms and lead him into the Throne Room, Merlin followed, after all, he could just use magic to do his chores later on.
When the doors to the Throne Room were opened, Arthur saw that the entire council was present. On the inside, he was quaking with fear, but on the outside he was straight-backed and calmly being lead inside. He was pushed to his knees in front of the King, who looked at his in poorly-hidden disgust. But that wasn't what made Arthur's insides freeze. It was his eyes. In the King's eyes, Arthur could see madness. Madness that Arthur hadn't seen on the King for a few weeks. Madness that made the King cease to see reason and execute anyone for even the smallest thing. Madness that would have the King burning the cook that was late in his dinner, (which would have happened, had Gwaine, Merlin and Arthur (Strength, Magic and Courage respectively) not broken him out the night before). Madness caused by the traitor Morgana.
"Arthur. You have been accused of using magic and enchantments in the kingdom of Camelot. How do you plead?"
"Innocent, my Lord. I have never used enchantments in this kingdom or any others kingdoms in Albion."*
Arthur wasn't lying. The King asked if he was using magic and enchantments in Camelot, however, Arthur doesn't know any enchantments, or even spells for that matter. He can only do shields, powerful shields at that, but still only shields. So he never really used enchantments in Camelot. As for the accusation about magic, well, there's no need to address that if it isn't brought up directly. This was a rather pathetic loophole, but so long as no one caught him out, he was safe.
"Bring forth the witness."
The guards brought Kolby forward. As per usual with a witness, he had been taken to a room in the palace to have something to eat and drink. He was then brought to Geoffery of Monmouth to give a written allegation about what he saw. Then he went back to his room until the guards came to escort him to the King to testify about what he saw, this time with the Prince present. Throughout all of this, Kolby still couldn't remember the Prince's name, which he found quite funny actually.
"Witness." The King's sharp tone cut through Kolby's reminiscing and reminded him that he probably should be paying attention to the proceedings.
"Tell us again, what you saw." Uther was on the edge of his seat. He was trying to cut all emotions and treat this as another magical accusation, because emotions are a sign of weakness and a king should never be weak. This was just another accused sorcerer, he could just order the pyre and be done with it. No need to fret about it. Just order the execution and that's that.
Uther wasn't even considering the fact that if his son died, he would have no heir to the throne. He wasn't even thinking about the fact that Arthur was his last remaining connection with Ygraine. He wasn't considering the moral implications of executing his son. He just saw a sorcerer, another evil that needed to be wiped off the land.
Kolby quickly recounted his story. As he talked, Arthur grew more and more nervous. How much had the boy seen? Would his testimony be taken seriously or just dismissed? Arthur knew that in the days before Morgana, a servant's word, particularly a child's, would be taken as being worth much less than that of a noble's, let alone that of a royal. The issue with Valiant had been proof enough of this.
But now Arthur wasn't so sure. Morgana had really hurt the King, emotionally more than anything. He'd never been the same since. He almost seemed to take pleasure in the almost daily executions for miniscule things. So while Arthur was fearful and anxious about his and Merlin's safety, his face showed no emotions, falling back to the mask he had built up years ago to hide his true emotions.
Arthur watched his father's face betray the madness that his mind had succumbed to. He saw the madness light up his eyes and saw the resolution that his father had reached, even before the boy finished his story. Arthur could only hope that Merlin hadn't been seen too.
Dolby finished his retelling, and if he could have, Arthur would have sighed in relief. Merlin is safe. Those three words filled his being and caused the smallest of smiles to break past his mask, before it was wiped away before anyone noticed. After knowing the idiot for five years, Arthur was very protective of him, and whenever he heard those words, he was happy. Merlin is safe. Merlin is safe. Merlin is safe…
"Arthur Pendragon." Uther's words snapped Arthur back into focus. Yes, Merlin is safe, but at the moment he was not. Not if the look in his father's eyes was telling him anything. Uther Pendragon had decided his fate.
"You have been accused and found guilty of using magic and enchantments in Camelot. I strip you of your title as my son and your inheritance to the throne. I hereby banish you from Camelot. If you're not out in 5 minutes, the guards will bring you back here to die."
*The country that I think Merlin is set in is called Albion. This is known because in The Dragons Call, Kilgharrah says; 'Arthur is the Once and Future King who will unite the land on Albion.' So therefore they are in Albion and it needs to be united, all the kingdoms together under one ruler; Arthur Pendragon. I hope this makes sense
AN: OK. So there's the next chapter. Once again, so sorry that this took so long. But I have a question, and I want you to put your opinion about it in your review. Here it is. Should the Knights of the Round Table come with Arthur into banishment? The knights include Lancelot, because he hasn't died yet. What do you think? Put your thoughts in the reviews.
About the chant at the end of the last chapter. Surprisingly, no one seemed to get that. Maybe you did, I don't know, but I do know that no one put it in their review. Please do, if you do get it. It's just a bit of fun for me and my friend. We made a bet. I said that at least three people would get it. My friend said that no one would. C'mon, I've got five dollars on this. Please guys, don't make me lose! Let's try it again. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie...
See you in another life, ScruffydaDruid.
