Phew. So, after a couple of the most draining days imaginable, I finally managed to get some time to write this chapter. Thanks so much for being patient with me (And thanks to fortheloveofcamelot for the Merlin loan- he was a great help :D It's too bad I have to give him back now...)

A word of warning- this story is, unfortunately, coming to a close. I'm thinking there's likely to only be one more chapter :( However, on the bright side, my mind is currently swirling with ideas for the third story. I just have to decide which method would work best and then fill it out a bit. Therefore, It shouldn't be too long before I start on writing it (I have a couple of one-shot ideas which are screaming at me to be written first though.) That being said, I hope you enjoy this chapter :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin (Although I'm not giving up on that magical phone-call)

Chapter 17

Arthur could only stare in shock. Had he heard his father correctly? Was the King actually suggesting locking Merlin up for the rest of the young warlock's life? Not only had he tried to have Camelot's greatest defender executed, but now this?

"Fath-"

"No Arthur." Uther was quick to interrupt, clearly tired of his son's objections. "I have heard enough. Not only is he a tremendous threat to the current state of the kingdom, the boy has himself admitted that his magic is now out of his control."

"But he'll be able to stop it soon enough. Surely-"

"I said no, Arthur. Regardless of what you believe, there is no guarantee that he will be able to control it once more. Or, indeed, that he will stay, as you insist, loyal to the kingdom. I will not take that chance."

"Father, please. It is blindingly obvious that Merlin is, and always will be, loyal to Camelot. Why else would he have so selflessly done all that he has? Why else-"

"I said I have heard enough!" The King was standing now, his face beginning to redden in his anger. "I have passed my judgement- my decision is final! If I hear any more from you on the topic, I will have you put in the cells for a month. Do I make myself clear?"

"But-"

"It's fine."

Spinning round to face this new interruption, Arthur could only stare at his friend's face. The dark-haired boy looked shocked, yes, but his face had taken on a resigned expression and his shoulders had slumped. Merlin looked warily around at the swirling mist, before turning sadly towards the Prince.

"It's fine Arthur. Maybe this way is for the best? Your father's right- as I am now, there's no telling what my magic could do." He paused, his eyes shining with the promise of unshed tears at the thought. "I don't want to hurt anyone Arthur. I can't."

"But you wouldn't hurt anyone Merlin- I know you wouldn't."

"But right now, everything's gone strange. I need time to work it out anyway, and at least this way I'll be able to do it without bothering anyone. Walking around with this around me, people are just going to think I'm some sort of monster."

Hearing the crack in Merlin's voice when he spoke those last few words, Arthur could almost feel the tears threatening to well in his own eyes. It was something Merlin had confided in him a short while after his secret had been revealed to the Prince. That growing up, he had often felt like he was a monster of sorts. He hadn't been allowed out for the first few years of his life, in case he had done something by accident which would draw attention, which swiftly resulted in him being somewhat of an outcast among many of the village children. Then he'd come to Camelot to find that, even though there were many types of magic-users, he was the only one of his kind. The only one quite so different to every other person he'd ever met. Arthur wasn't sure Merlin would be able to deal with being openly treated like that- having people treat him like some strange creature. It would be like a living, walking nightmare. He would be miserable.

It was that thought, more than any other, that made Arthur finally give in. That, and the heartbreaking expression in his friend's eye. At least this way, Merlin wouldn't be seen as a monster.

He would, even if secretly, be seen as a hero.

Arthur turned to his father, slowly nodding his acquiescence, his voice quiet. "Very well. We accept your decision." He could see Uther's brow furrow at the use of the word 'we', but the King said nothing about it. It was, after all, entirely clear that Arthur was only accepting this because it was what Merlin wanted. They were friends, and Arthur was determined to make sure that his father knew that that fact would never change. No matter how long they were apart.

There was almost complete silence as they walked through the castle and towards the dungeons. A single guard had volunteered to come forwards to tie the ropes which now secured the young warlock's wrists behind his back. It was, Merlin thought, almost funny. The king obviously knew that a someone with his level of power would easily be able to escape the ropes, but he had done it anyway. Maybe he was trying to show people that it didn't matter how powerful the sorcerer, Camelot was capable of defeating them. Of course, none of the people seemed to believe this one bit. But, as much as the young warlock didn't agree with what Uther was doing, he could see the reasoning behind his actions. Not only would the very idea of magic in his kingdom remind the King of what he had lost, but he also feared the destruction of the so-called peace which had been built over the years. In a way, Merlin admired him. Uther had faced these events head-on, never seeming to waver in his ideals. Even with all his flaws, he was a worthy King.

Still, he could only hope that the repercussions of what Uther had decided would not be too severe. In Merlin's mind (and, although he didn't know this, also in Arthur's) it was painfully obvious what may well occur. Those with magic would see that even if they tried to help- even if they put their all into protecting the kingdom, rather than hurting it, there was still a large likelihood that if caught they would be killed. Sorcerers may well attack with more fervour than before. Merlin could only hope that it would not be so. After all, if it did become like that, would it be his fault? After all, his actions were the catalyst for this entire situation.

Lower and lower the group went, until eventually they reached the dungeon which would contain Merlin from now on. The young warlock had never been down here before- it was originally meant for any nobles of the highest order who committed treason beyond logical reasoning. Apparently, it had not been used in all the time Uther had been king. He knew that it would be guarded with the highest of security. No-one would be allowed to see him. Not even Arthur. Even as the Crowned Prince, his friend would not be permitted to pass.

Merlin cast a quick glance towards the Prince's arm. He could only hope that, whatever form of protection that tattoo offered, it would be enough. If Merlin himself could not be there to protect Arthur, who knew what threats the Prince would face.

Gwen, and even Gaius, had not been allowed to follow, but he could picture their faces nonetheless. The hurt in their eyes. Both may suffer because of this, but they were strong. He had no doubt they would walk through this with their heads held high. They would be sad, but it would not destroy them. They would simply look forward to the day when he would be released. The day when Arthur would be king.

On the King's command, he entered the cell, a pair of guards releasing the ropes around his hands, instead placing them in manacles hanging from the opposite wall. There was no window in the cell- it was far too deep for that- and the door was simply one large, unblemished metal slab, at least a couple of inches thick. There were no torch brackets, which meant that, once that door was closed, a normal prisoner would have absolutely no source of light. Not for the first time, Merlin reached for the comfort his magic always gave him. The thought of spending the rest of their lives in pitch black would eventually break even the toughest of men, but his magic would protect him from that, providing him with light where there was none.

The last thing Merlin saw before the door was slammed shut was Arthur's face. The Prince's expression conveyed more than words ever could- about his guilt regarding the situation, and his deep disappointment in himself.

Arthur had seemed more protective, somehow, since he had found out about Merlin's magic. It was as though he was trying to make up for something. But in that single second, Merlin tried to ease that. Tried with all his might to convey with his eyes that Arthur had nothing to apologize for. That he was proud of him. That he had faith in him. And that, one day, they would work together again.

And then the door closed, and Merlin was alone.

Aww- Poor ol' Arthur couldn't get a word in edgeways, and now Merlin's locked in a dungeon :( I feel kind of mean. But then, in some ways, it's an author's job to be mean sometimes. Therefore, I ban you from killing me for it :P