Al-righty then :) *Switches to pirate accent, for some unknown reason* Here be the next chapter that y'all been waitin' fer. Many thanks fer all yer reviews ('specially to the people I could'na reply ta). *Shakes head, switching back to normal voice* Sorry for that... Don't really know why I did that...

Anyway, I hope you like this chapter too. Remember- reviews make for an enthusiastic author (Hint, hint)

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin *sigh*

Chapter 11

"Arrest him."

The King's order resounded around the room. The two chosen guards stepped forward, Merlin's head lowered a fraction, and Arthur finally decided that this had gone too far. He stepped protectively in front of Merlin.

"No."

The guards froze in place, looking between their Prince and their King as though uncertain of what to do. Uther just glared at his son.

"What do you think you are doing?"

"I will not let you arrest him."

"Arthur-"

"Father, please. You cannot make a decision on his life just because he has magic. At least let me speak before you make your judgement."

The King was not a foolish man. He, and everyone else in the room, could see the determined set to the Prince's jaw. Arthur was not going to let Merlin even be removed from his presence without first doing his utmost to defend the young manservant's actions. Uther had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

"Very well. But I make no promises."

Arthur nodded, a quick burst of relief running through his body. He had not even expected his father to allow him to speak. Did this mean that he would be willing to listen to reason?

"Thank you sire." He raised his voice, making sure that everyone in the room would be able to hear him clearly. "As you all know, today my servant, Merlin, used magic to help our army to defeat a foe who had, until that point, been overwhelming us with ease. An enemy responsible not only for the deaths of many of my men today, but also for the slaughter of hundreds of innocents in the past few days. What you do not know, is that this is not the first time Merlin has protected Camelot.

"When my father first appointed Merlin as my manservant, it was because he had saved my life from the revenge of a grieving mother. You are also all aware that he drank poison to protect me, very nearly dying in the process. And you also know that, just last month, he rode out with myself and my Knights to face the Great Dragon who terrorized our city." Best not to mention that he was the one responsible for the Dragon's release.

"What you did not know, and which I myself did not find out until just two weeks ago, is that it was not I who defeated the Dragon. The Dragonlord we set off to find was Merlin's father. He died on the journey back to Camelot- a grief which my servant suffered through alone- and through his death passed his powers as a Dragonlord on to his son. Yes- it was Merlin who freed us from the Dragon's reign of terror. And yet he did not seek the glory people believe that all those who use magic crave- he instead led me to believe that I had dealt the Dragon a mortal blow.

"And that is not all."

Arthur could see the widened eyes around the room- the obvious looks of shocked disbelief on the nobles' faces. If the situation wasn't so serious he would have laughed. If they were like this after just that one piece of news, wait until they heard the rest.

"He has, on numerous occasions, secretly used his magic to defend me from the attacks of bandits. He killed the sorceress Nimueh, who poisoned our waters. He defeated Sigan the day the Gargoyles attacked. He uncovered the plots of the witch finder and the troll, Lady Catrina. He also saved the life of my father, when Edwin Muirden infiltrated the court and tried to enact his revenge for the deaths of his parents during the Purge. And still there is more."

Arthur cast an eye over his father's face. The King had reacted slightly to Edwin's name, obviously remembering the feeling of death coming ever closer and yet being powerless to even move to try and stop it. Maybe there was hope for Merlin's life yet.

"He was willing to trade his life for mine when I was bitten by the Questing Beast, journeying to the Isle of the blessed to find the only cure. It was only through his talent with magic that he survived.

"And more recently, when we returned from Idirsholas to find the entire city asleep, it was Merlin who discovered the source of the magic. It was he who broke Morgause's spell." Arthur could see Merlin twitch slightly at the memory. For a small moment, he considered telling the court that Morgana had been the vessel. But that was another story entirely, and if Uther learned that Merlin had poisoned his ward, the young warlock had even less hope of surviving.

"Without him, I would be dead countless times over. My father would have lost his life. Camelot would have fallen to sorcerers years ago. He sought no praise for his efforts, he still doesn't, but without Merlin's efforts since his arrival here, we would not be standing here today."

Arthur turned to face his father directly. These last few sentences would be important. He needed to make sure Uther understood.

"Magic is not evil father. It is a tool, to be wielded however the user decides. It is not always a choice either. Some people develop magic without ever being taught- Merlin has been able to use it instinctively since the day he was born. Magic does not corrupt. If it did, would he have risked his life so many times to save this Kingdom? Would he have protected the very people who could have him sentenced to death simply for being born the way he was? Would he have returned here today, prepared to accept whatever sentence you would give him? Does he really deserve to die?"

His speech over, Arthur bowed his head and took a step back. He barely even realised that he was holding his breath until Merlin whispered quietly into his ear.

"Breathe you prat."

The two boys stood together, waiting expectantly for Uther's judgement. After several moments of deep consideration, the King spoke.

"The boy will die. Arrest him."

"No!"

Without thinking, Arthur leapt forward. He hadn't felt this furious since he had been told Morgause's twisted version of the truth behind his birth.

"Restrain my son."

Several guards darted forwards, two grabbing Arthur by the arms, two standing nervously by Merlin as though afraid to actually touch him. If he really was that powerful, they weren't sure what might happen to them. But Merlin just stood there, the only sorrow he showed contained to his eyes.

Arthur, on the other hand, was not about to give up. He was one step closer to screaming at the King.

"What are you doing? Do you not understand what I just told you? In what way does he deserve to die?"

"He is a sorcerer Arthur! I don't know why he chose to do what he did this morning, but I daresay he had some sort of plan behind it!"

"And what about the rest? Why would he spend two years saving us?"

"And who told you about all of that, Arthur? Who told you about all of those things he apparently did?"

"Merlin did."

"When?"

"When I found out about his magic." Arthur was thoroughly confused now- what on earth was his father thinking?

"And has it not once crossed your mind that he might have lied to you? That he made it all up just to escape execution?"

"And did he make up that when I went to collect the Mortaeus flower- when I was about to die in a cave- he sent a ball of light to protect me? To show me the way? Even though he was himself close to death at the time?"

"That was to save his own life" Uther paused, looking directly at his son. "I know sorcerers Arthur- they will try anything to protect themselves."

"If that was so, then why would he expose himself like that in front of the entire army? If all magic-users cared only about themselves, then why would he be here now, willing to accept his fate?"

There was silence for a moment, everyone waiting for the King's reaction. After a few seconds, his expression hardened.

"It is as you said Arthur- he came here willing to accept his fate. His fate is to die at dawn tomorrow. He will be burnt at the stake." He turned his gaze towards the guards. "Take the sorcerer to the dungeons. And lock my son in his chambers- no one is to see either of them without my express permission."

"No! You can't do this!"

But Arthur was ignored, the guards instead forcing him out of the room and towards his chambers. Merlin was led towards the dungeons. Four guards now surrounded the young warlock to prevent him from running, but Merlin just walked slowly along, his head bowed. Even if were to try to escape, he was too tired to use much magic now anyway. He would never have made it.

They had failed.

And now Merlin was going to die.