Well, here's the next chapter for you. I'm going to give you a bit of forewarning now, as I don't want to ruin any impact the end of this chapter may have, but I may not be able to update tomorrow. I'll be heading back to Uni, so almost the entire day will be spent in the car, and I won't be able to type. We'll see how it goes, but the next update probably won't be until Tuesday I'm afraid :(

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin

Chapter 10

Leon followed the two young men silently. While his external composure was calm, inside the Knight was still reeling in shock at the days occurrences. But there was also a part of him which was strangely accepting of it all. Merlin had always proven to be somewhat of a riddle to him, and he knew that many of his fellow Knights felt the same way. At first glance, the boy appeared no more than a simple peasant- the clumsy fool who was constantly causing some sort of disturbance. But there was more than that. His cheerful demeanour made him instantly likable- Leon had seen identical smiles of fondness appear on the faces of townspeople and nobles alike whenever the dark-haired boy staggered past on whatever errand was his current mission. Merlin himself didn't seem to realise it, but his cheerfulness, coupled with his loyalty towards the Prince, had earned him many silent admirers amongst the court. And still there was more. Though rare, and though most people never witnessed it, there were times when Leon could have sworn he sensed something hidden beneath the foolish exterior- a kind of wisdom rarely found in any but a few of the elderly. A look in the young boy's eye which suggested that he knew more about the secrets of the world than even some of the country's leading scholars.

And now this.

He continued to watch as the two boys conversed on their way towards the castle. Arthur had changed since Merlin's arrival- even the King had noticed it- but the friendship and respect shown in those few short sentences still shocked him. The strength of it was absolutely phenomenal- the tears in the Prince's eyes were proof of that.

And from then, the two boys shared not a single word more. But Leon had the sense that they were still talking- silent glances, reassuring smiles, the subtle tightening of their grips on each-others shoulders- all spoke more clearly than any words could have done.

As they entered the castle, Leon could see several people turning to stare at the pair. From the whispers that reached his ears, the Knight could tell what must have happened. Evidently, the men who had returned from the battlefield had wasted no time in spreading the word about what had really happened out there.

But the two friends walking in front of him paid the people no heed. In fact, it looked like they didn't even realise. They were too focussed on hearing the opinion of the only man who mattered in this case- too focussed on finding out the King's judgement.

They neared the council chambers, where the King had been positioned throughout the battle. And as they reached the doors, Leon began to notice a slight change in the Prince's demeanour. It was subtle- there was a slight straightening of his back and he squared his shoulders by just a fraction- but it was there, and it could only mean one thing. Leon smiled at the thought. Arthur was preparing to fight for his friend's life.

Arthur was incredibly glad when they reached the doors to the council chambers that he had had time to prepare. He had managed to rid himself of those embarrassing tears along the way- still hardly believing that he had actually almost cried- so with the aid of a few deep breaths he was able to regain at least a portion of his usual Princely dignity (or as much dignity as was possible when he had an exhausted warlock to support).

And so it was that, after nodding to the guards (ignoring the fact that they were rather openly gawking at his manservant) to open the door, he entered the room every inch the proud Prince his people had come to know and respect.

It took less than a second for him to realise just how angry his father truly was.

The king's expression when it alighted upon the young servant boy at his son's side was thunderous, the rage in his eyes barely dimming as his gaze shifted to meet that of his son. Nonetheless, both Arthur and Merlin walked to the centre of the hall with heads held high. The tables had been moved to the sides of the room so that messengers would have had clear access to their King during the course of the battle, and it was in this empty space that the two now stood. It was faint, but Arthur could feel his friend trembling slightly. It was understandable- there were so many people gathered at the edges of the room, staring openly at the pair, that even Arthur was finding it hard not to quake under their scrutinizing gazes.

But still his father's gaze was the worst of the lot. As the young Prince stared defiantly back at him, he could almost hear the words he knew his father must be dying to speak- My own son, harbouring a sorcerer. I've never been so disappointed.

And for the first time in Arthur's life, he didn't care. His father was disappointed in him, and he didn't care.

Within seconds of them being there, the King's eyes had shifted to Merlin.

"You, boy. I have heard of the events of today's battle. Do you admit to using magic?"

"Yes." Not that there would have been any use in denying it.

"You admit to committing treason against your King?"

"No."

There were audible gasps around the room. Arthur could well imagine their thoughts- something along the lines of 'Was the boy mad? What was he doing? He had just admitted to sorcery- of course it was treason!' He allowed a small smile to flit across his face. He knew what Merlin meant. And he completely agreed.

The King was practically gob smacked.

"You deny treason?"

"I do."

"On what grounds?"

Merlin looked straight back at him. He pushed himself off of Arthur's shoulder, swaying slightly but managing to stay upright. His gaze was unwavering.

"On the grounds, my lord, that I most likely saved the lives of every person in this room, including your own. While I may have used what you would deem an unlawful method, I do not think that saving your life should be classed as treason."

Arthur couldn't help but feel proud. When he had first met Merlin, he had dubbed him an idiot. But as time passed, he had begun to see the incredible bravery the young servant possessed. Merlin would throw himself into harms way without hesitation to protect someone he cared about, and despite always calling him a girl Arthur had long harboured a secret belief that Merlin may well be one of the bravest people he had ever met. That belief had only strengthened when he found out about the young warlock's magic. And now, seeing the man beside him standing up and telling the whole court that he was not ashamed of who he was or what he had done, the Prince could hardly believe just how deep Merlin's courage ran.

And what's more, judging by the slightly awed expressions scattered around the room, everyone else could finally see it too.

Everyone, it seemed, but Uther. The King simply studied Merlin for a few seconds, before gesturing for two guards to come forward.

"Arrest him."