"DAD!"

Uther lay beneath the tree house, sinking beneath the surface in the pool, a spool of blood floating at the surface. Uther must have had a hard blow to some part of the body, presumably the head, as he was sent tumbling down. Morgana grabbed her nightie and chucked it on, as she weren't going out there indecent. Morgana slipped through the entrance and climbed down a few ledges - taking extra care due to her trembling self - so that she could dive in the pool and save her dad.

"Gwen. Go and fetch the others and bring them downstairs, and get someone to phone for an ambulance!"

Morgana dived into the pool from the third ledge down, forcing her way below the surface to come into contact with the lifeless body. Gwen pulled her cami top and shorts on, and climbed out of the tree house, making her way down the ledges, and crossed the garden and into the house.

Catrina was already downstairs, making her way to the kitchen. "I heard a scream and Morgana shouting 'Dad', what happened?"

"It's Uther; he's fallen from the treehouse, and his body is lifeless in the pool. I need you to phone for an ambulance whilst I get the lads up."

Catrina began to tear up, as any lover would, but was going to fight to stay strong. "Where's Morgana?"

"Saving him. I'll explain later. Now hurry!" Gwen pounded up the stairs as Catrina grabbed the first phone in sight and dialed 999. Reaching Arthur's door, Gwen fisted her hand and banged on it. "Arthur! Merlin! You need to come now!"

Arthur was the one to respond. "Why? What's he done to Morgana? I'll kill the bloody git!"

"I don't think you have to. He might already be dead. Uther's fell from the tree house and went straight into the pool. He's already lost quite a bit of blood." Merlin then opened the door, Arthur behind him, and they pushed their way past Gwen and bolted down the stairs, not caring the least if they were half-naked. Joining up with Catrina, the four sprinted their way to the pool.

Arthur noticed as they departed the house that she was struggling, carrying both her's and Uther's weight to the edge, and Arthur dived in to help. Catrina heard the sirens and opened up the front gate to allow the paramedics through, the team bringing a gurney with them. Lifting Uther up, they carted him into the ambulance, Catrina going with them, leaving the teens alone.

The four returned from the garden into the front room, Arthur making tea for the four. Merlin wrapped his blanket from upstairs around Morgana, and treated her for shock. Bringing the cups of tea on a tray, Arthur settled the tray onto the coffee table, and each took one, Arthur giving Morgana's to her in her special mug. "Morgana, what happened?" Arthur, cooed to Morgana.

Morgana stumbld over her words, tea almost sploshing out of the mug. "Dad... he... found out, about us."

Morgana lost for words, Gwen, who was a little more emotionally stable and not suffering from shock, continued on, reciting the story, as Arthur placed a hand over her mug to steady it. "Uther came up the ladder; of course we never heard him, as we were, you know... Anyway, he banged on the wood, and of course both of us froze. He demanded for us to open up, and Morgana covered herself up, me hiding into a corner, placing my blanket over me to protect myself. He already seemed in an angry state, and of course Morgana opened up. Uther slipped into the house, shining a torch on Morgana. He took note that she was undressed, and noticed the heaps of clothing across the tree house floor, and was curious to know who was under the blanket. Gripping it, we had a tug of war, before I gave in, and then he caught my face under the cloth."

"He backed away, absolutely lifeless, but was raging. You could from the torch light that he was resembling the best impession of a ghost. He misguided his footsteps, and fell out of the tree house. The next clip we got of him, he's in the pool, cold and barren, and with blood spooling from him."

Arthur shed a few tears, and Merlin wrapped his arms around Arthur to sink in, giving him comfort, as Arthur sobbed. "It's our fault," the blond mumbled from Merlin's chest.

Morgana peered up at the older Pendragon. "What do you mean?"

In order to make the statement as clear as possible, Arthur shifted so that he was still pressed against Merlin, but audiable for the group to hear him properly. "He found us as well, before you. I heard dad searching the landing for goodness knows what, but we were too busy to concentrate, Merlin and I being underneath the duvet, doing... things to each other." Morgana made a noise at the last comment, using her fingers to block her ears. After Arthur shut up, she continued listening. "Okay, thank you Morgana for your input. Anyway, he heard Merlin moaning, and then myself, and that's probably what blew him. I'm guessing dad thought it was you and Merlin under the covers whilst I was in the tree house."

"Eugh! No offence Merlin," Morgana made a sound towards her father's thoughts, eyeing at Merlin.

"None taken."

Arthur continued. "He clicked open the door and flicked the switch on. We froze, and then we could sense the closeness of dad. The cover was then removed, and he just stared at us, both of us looking rather embarrassed. Dad then rounded the bed, noticed our clothes on the floor, and then backed away in horror, throwing open the door and heaving his dead weight out."

"So he knows about all of us. That he's raising two bisexual children?"

"It seems so yes. But maybe the knock to whatever has caused some memory loss?"

Wrong they were. Uther awoke in hospital two days later, suffering from a broken leg, a smashed ankle, a broken arm and bruising all down the one side of his body from where he landed. He'd served stiches to the forehead from scraping it across the concrete floor, before landing in the pool. Due to the amount of blood lost, a blood transfusion had taken place.

With Catrina treating him at home, and having a good two weeks off work to start making a recovery, Uther was admitted out of hospital the following Tuesday. This didn't stop his ranting, nor working from home.

Arthur woke up to a drizzly start, moaning into the pillows whilst stretching his limbs, where there was a knock at his door. "Enter," the sleepyhead commanded.

Catrina leaned her head around the door, and spoke sharply. "Your father would like to have a few words with you. He's in the study at the moment, concentrating on scout-related work."

Arthur stretched some more and rose from the mattress, chucking his slippers on and making his way across the landing to the study, where he tapped the door. "Enter," was the only command.

Closing the door softly behind him, Arthur took the other remaining seat, waiting for Uther to strike. Silence was held between them for a few minutes, Arthur starting off.

"How are you feeling?"

"Physically, better than early Sunday, emotionally, still in rage. I've decided to move the wedding forward."

Arthur's morning switched-off head buzzed into motion, the blond much confused. "I'm sorry?"

"You heard me. How dare you cheat on your wife-to-be! What do you have as an excuse this time Arthur?"

"Why you think I've backed out of your plan?"

"Now, I think you've been enchanted for some reason. It's let you enter Merlin's world. I think Merlin is a sorcerer of some kind. I want him to stay away from you from now on. I think one of my team can access an antidote for enchantments somewhere."

"I'm not enchanted father!"

"Rubbish! I brought you up so that you can marry a pretty young woman, not to be some magnet to a man. A man for goodness sake! That's the ultimate sin one can make!"

"Sin or sin, like I give a crap about religion! Maybe you've made a mistake somewhere. I love Merlin, and I loved him before Vivian came on the scene."

"Ridiculous! He's put a spell on you. And I won't have sorcerers in my family! No, you'll be leaving the scouts in a month time, so the bond will be broken. I'm refusing you to make contact with him. You're going to transfer in college, where you'll be educated in a special home in Mercia until you're stable enough to return to Camelot, and you'll be seeing a councillor whilst you're there to sort your rotten brain out, and put you on the right track. You're marriage to Vivian will be just before Christmas."

"But - but that's three months time!"

"Yeah, so you better sharpen up!"

"You can't stop me seeing my friends, and you cannot make me break up with my boyfriend!"

"I can until I know for certain that you're cured."

"You can't cure a man who loves someone! It's human nature and people just have to accept it - like it or lump it."

"Hogwash Arthur! You're marrying Vivian, so you'll have to break up with him!"

"You hurt him in any way and I'll kill you."

The room remained silent for a few moments, Catrina and Morgana eavesdropping on the other side of the wood.

"I'm going out."

"Where?"

"Church, to shut you up!"

"Fine, but Morgana and Catrina can come with you, and then you can both wash yourself of disgrace. Vivian and her father will be over later today so you better be here tonight!" Arthur rolled his eyes as he pulled the door to, and went to shower.

Merlin was called into work at the coffee shop for the next week, as one of the regulars was on holiday. The arrangement for Arthur and Morgana, of course, wasn't to attend church, but for Catrina to drive them up to the shop, where they'd be meeting Gaius and Merlin to discuss Aithusa and Excalibur, but would stay with them to keep the plan under control. The bell rung above the door, casting Merlin's attention, as he was clearing the coffee station.

"How may I help you?"

"Three coffee's Merlin, and two cupcakes please."

"Cupcake Catrina?"

"No thank you Arthur, a coffee will do me fine thanks."

"Coming up, what colour icing would you and Morgana prefer, may I ask?"

"I'll have blue and Morgana?"

"Green please."

Merlin rung up the order, writing the details onto a small notepad due to his ridiculous memory. "If you'd like to take a seat, I'll bring them over shortly."

All of the cakes in Merlin's shop were handmade, usually by Merlin himself. Setting up the coffee machine to prepare the drinks, Merlin collected two cupcakes from the rack that were cooling down, and went into the back. A few minutes later, he re-appeared, sugary icing resting atop the cakes, one in baby-blue, and the other coated in mint green. The cakes sat on a handmade designed plate, and he placed them onto a tray. The cakes would be joined a few minutes later with three mugs, a sugar pot and a small jug of milk, with spoons and napkins. Merlin brought the tray over to the table, where they decided to take a booth at the back, and relaxed into the cool leather surface.

"Here you go," Merlin placed the tray onto the square table, and continued serving customers, who usually asked for 'to-go' orders. Gaius eased his way into the shop about twenty minutes later, shuffling across the wooden flooring, using his walking stick to support his aching joints. "The usual Gaius?"

"Please Merlin."

"Thank you for helping with this. It's on the house."

"No my boy, I couldn't let you do that, and your welcome. I'm glad to help out. If it means getting my revenge on Uther Pendragon after all these years, then it's worth it," Gaius couldn't help but present Merlin with a small, sly smile.

"The Pendragon's are at the back. I'll bring your order over shortly."

This was one of many advantages for installing a bell near the door, so that you could take a small break or quickly chat with a few customers. When you heard the bell go, either a customer had arrived or one's were leaving. Merlin joined the party a few minutes later, bringing Gaius his usual cup of tea.

"Mmm, Merlin, these are gorgeous. Who made them?" Morgana hummed between taking bites of her cupcake.

"I did. I usually make all the delicacies here."

"I told you he was brilliant," Arthur swooped over and kissed Merlin's cheek, Merlin beaming and now having a cheek sugary coated combined of cupcake icing and Arthur. Arthur then turned his attention to Gaius. "So, have you found anything yet?"

"Yes, Aithusa and Excalibur, like I suspected, are of magic. They are made under your father's company, who are using magic on their products. How, I'm unaware of. I left before I could find out."

"What do you mean?" Catrina commented.

"Sorry, but I don't think I've met you before."

"Oh, sorry, I'm Catrina Tregor. I'm their step-mum to-be. Arthur and Morgana have gotten themselves, according to Uther's words, under a lot of trouble, and I have to be with them wherever they go."

"I see, well, as long as you don't blurt anything to Uther then you may hear the plan."

"I tried to keep their sexuality a secret, and never told him that, so I'm not going to tell him of this."

"Well, I can trust you then to help."

Gaius noticed Morgana's pendant, and his eyes bulged, as he noticed the same around Merlin's neck. "Morgana, can I take a look at your pendant?"

"Dad says I can't take it off."

"Why not?"

"I don't know."

"Okay, well, then do tell me, how long have you had it?"

Morgana was about to ask why, but since as Gaius seemed to know much more about her father than she did, as well as magic, then she better button it and answer all questions put to her. "Well, I got it on my thirteenth birthday, and I'm eighteen next month, so, five years or so."

"And how about you Merlin?"

"Same as Morgana. I got mine on my thirteenth, I was never sure who from. It was a random present, but I liked the chain, and I've never taken it off. The clasp became too tight for me to take it off, so it's stayed."

"Do you know anyone else with the chain?"

"Nope."

"Okay, well, we need to sort things out. First of all, since as you're all back in college within the next two weeks, it's going to be difficult, but since Uther is off for a for a good while, this gives us a brilliant chance. The sooner we get it done, the better."

Morgana was still curious, and asked. "And what's your plan exactly?"

"Arthur, when you showed Excalibur back at camp to everyone, do you remember who felt the magic?"

"Yes."

"Good, make the phonecalls to whoever you can and tell them to meet us here. Once they've all arrived, Merlin, if you shut the shop up, we'll all head to mine. I need to conduct an experiment."

Arthur made the phonecalls, and within twenty minutes, the shop was practically full. The final customers had left, and Merlin flicked the sign on the door over from 'We're open' to 'Sorry, we're closed.' Gaius eased himself onto the table, making himself leader of the team, as everyone from the scout community, as others said they'll help, to fight off Uther.

"Afternoon everyone. I've brought you all here because I think Uther is committing a crime here against all magic users."

"And how would you know?"

"Because I used to work with Uther. Back in the good old late 80s. Uther had not long been made head of Pendragon Inc., taking over from his father, who had recently died. There was a vote on whether the use of sorcery should be used in making their products. I was one of the people who voted against it, because I practised sorcery myself, and I wouldn't turn on my own people. So, all those who voted against him were fired, and only hired one's in favour. I can't be certain, but from what I've noticed here, all one's who are sorcerers here are wearing a chain. I just want to make sure. If you're a sorcerer then please stand so I can check."

All sorcerers stood, as Gaius glanced across the room at each one of them, and indeed his prediction was correct, everyone was wearing the same chain. "Okay, you may all sit down now. You've all got the same chain on."

"So, what's the plan?" Mordred questioned, who had not long finished school and was the last to arrive.

"Well, I need someone to phone Uther for a catalogue, the most recent one would be preferable. I need them to collect it from either him or the company's base. Lancelot, since you're no sorcerer, I'm putting you in charge of that." Lancelot gave a firm nod.

"Then I need you Catrina to take Uther out of the house on a date of some sort. Whilst he's on the date, I need Arthur and Gwaine to return to your house, and search the house for any documents relating to Uther's work or sorcery of any kind." All three accepted their quest.

"Percival and Leon, I'm putting you in charge of getting into the base. I need you to pretend you're inspectors and check the area. As for all the sorcerers, I need you at the house. We'll continue on from there, but those are the first steps I need to take."

Vivian and her father arrived that afternoon, enjoying afternoon tea with crumpets in the conservatory with Uther. Vivian began to ask questions. "So, where is Arthur?"

"He's at church this very moment with Morgana and Catrina. He's gone, I presume, to ask God for forgiveness over the crime he's committed."

"Has he killed someone?"

"No, it's worse. He's in love with another man."

Vivian and her father Rupert, both spluttered over their tea, spots dampening on Vivian's lemon summer dress and Rupert's opal shirt. "That foul creature! I will not let my daughter marry such a hideous beast."

"He's seeking help to replenish himself and become pure again."

"One can not become pure once the crime has been committed. His purity has left his soul."

"He disgusts me!"

Catrina arrived back at the house, finding the three in the conservatory. Rupert was wearing a lovely sheeth of pale skin as he heard the growing news of both Arthur's and Morgana's sexuality, wanting to rid himself of the putrid atmosphere. Uther glared at Catrina, who stood alone.

"Where are the other two?"

"They're still at the church with the minister."

"Good, at least they are in the hands of God, and therefore safe. I suppose this means only Morgause will be going to heaven now," Rupert added.

"I'm afraid so. Why oh why must Arthur be my only son! I was so relying on him."

"I thought, save us this dreary world, we could go out for some lunch. I haven't yet had the pleasure of properly meeting Mr. Essington, and with Morgana and Arthur safe, we could enjoy the fresh air. We can easily pick them up later on tonight."

"Sounds a good plan. Now come along." Catrina helped Uther into the wheelchair and wheeled him to her car, as the Essington's climbed in the back, and Catrina taking the driver's seat. Catrina left the house keys with Arthur, who could enter with Gwaine once they had left.

Rounding the corner from the street, Arthur and Gwaine were hiding behind a bush, when an old lady opened the window. "Will you boys get out my garden or I'll phone the police for being a nuissance."

"Sorry Mrs Wedgwood."

"I should think so! Now move along!"

Gwaine and Arthur left the garden, and went to the house, searching for material. Arthur flipped his phone out of his jeans pocket, and noticed the message from Catrina. 'The Fort is all yours, you've got about an hour at most. Make it useful.'

Meanwhile, Leon and Percival had found out their old suits from their high-school prom. A little short in length, they dressed and made the look, Leon driving them up to Pendragon Inc. Leon kept his phone on, as they entered through the glass doors to the reception, where a woman was typing on her computer. "Can I help you."

Both showed their fake I.D. cards, a replica of Leon's father's card, where he actually worked as an inspector, but for restaurants. The receptionist, who must have been a slacker at school, accepted their inquiry, and led them through the doors, their empty briefcases clinking behind them.

Lancelot had managed to collect a copy of the newest Pendragon Inc. catalogue from Arthur's house, Lancelot following Arthur and Gwaine to his house, and fished it in his bag, using the fields as a short cut to Gaius' house. All the others were in the house, where Gaius had phoned Nimueh to pay a visit. Nimueh, at one stage, was Uther's personal secretary, and was a young sorceress. Over the years, she was crippled to practically nothing, and was on the verge of death, having only very little power left, death coming to her at such a young age, being only 41.

Gaius investigated everyone with the pendant, Nimueh included, and knew from this, it was related to magic. Lancelot proved this further when he arrived with the catalogue, Gaius leaving to collect an old edition from the late 80s from a box entitled 'old work documents', and placed both onto an empty table. Flicking through the one, this being the oldest, he found the foils, Excalibur being widely known as 'The Arthurian Classic', and Aithusa being widely known as 'The Enchanted Emerald.'

"I thought I recognised it. I managed to sneak this copy away with me when I left the company. These are both made of magic, of course, they don't tell you that. I've identified the source of magic used in Excalibur, that is of Nimueh's. The power is that strong when she made contact with it, she practically fainted."

Merlin, enhanced in finding out every piece of information, asked "Well, what has Excalibur got to do with Arthur? He's no sorcerer."

"No, but Ygraine was going through problems with delivering Arthur at birth, so she used magic for Arthur to be born. Arthur is born of magic."

"So what about Morgause and Morgana then?"

"They are both born sorceresses."

"From what I've worked out, Merlin is the most powerful of the group. I think I know what this pendant is for, but I need evidence to prove my theory. There is no pendant in the catalogue, so this is only for a particular type of group."

Just then, Arthur burst through the door with Gwaine, who were both panting, arriving in time before Uther returned home. "We found these." Arthur handed the documents to Gaius, who was able to read the foreign language. "It looked like statistics to me, but I recognised the logo, and it contained a picture of the pendant. The other document was in English, but was written in UV ink. I used the UV light in the study to read the letter, where I transcribed the document."

"Good work boys!"

With Merlin's help, they found that the pendant was used for young sorcerers. The pendant, once worn at thirteen, would begin to drain the powers slowly from the vessel. Eventually, in time, this would kill them, but the vessel being able to live to around 50, depending on the strength of their power. The weaker sorcerer's dying at forty-ish, and the stronger ones lasting until around seventy. Merlin, having power much stronger than regulars, could last until eighty.

"Hold on, Nimueh, you're 41. How come you've got a pendant? You wouldn't have been the personal assistant to Uther Pendragon at thirteen," Merlin questioned.

"No, you're right on that, but I recieved the pendant not long before I was fired because of my magic. I've of been very young at the time, so being young, Uther could drain out quite a lot of magic from me over the years."

"We need to cut a pendant off, and since you, Merlin, are the strongest sorcerer, we need you to be the one."

"Is there a possibility that Merlin could die?" Arthur asked.

"If left unaided too long, then yes, which means we need to act fast. I need to find an antidote to restore the magic back into Merlin, followed by each of you. The magic drained from sorcerers, powers the engines to create the products, magic wielded within them. Non-sorcerers wouldn't know this, but because Uther has been exposed so much to raw magic, he can sense it out."

"What needs to be done?"

"I need to stay with Merlin, and all of you need to make your way over to Pendragon Inc., locate the power source and turn it off. I need to find a way to heal Merlin."

"Morgana, Edwin, can you help me? Arthur, you lead the rest of them. You know where the works are."

"Of course Gaius." Leon took the time then to phone Arthur.

"Hello"

"Everyone's gone home to that we can do an investigation, minus one of the crew. We're trying to locate the power source, as it supposedly runs overnight as well."

"A team of us are on the way."

"When do you think you'll be here?"

"10 minutes or so at the least."

"Okay, we'll continue searching. We'll let you know if we find anything."

Arthur ended the call, and looked around the one room that they were crowded into. "Right, Morgana, Edwin, you stay here. The rest of you with me."

"Wait!"

"What is it Mordred?"

"What if we locate the power source, and it is switched off and destroyed, and then all of us sorcerers end up dying?"

"I have this small remedy, hold on." Gaius goes to his cabinet of medicines, drawing out a few bottles. This will temporarily freeze your magic, so when the source is shut down, you won't die. I only have a small amount, so one swig each."

"Any side effects?" Freya inquired.

"The taste for one and you might feel a little queasy. The remedy will only last for two hours at most, so I need you to find it, shut it down, destroy it and get back to mine within two hours."

"Like that's going to be easy."

"I know, so you better get a move on."

The remedy was passed around, and Merlin prepared himself by laying down on the bed, hoping all would work out.

Before Arthur left, he joined Merlin, as Merlin sank into the mattress.

"Arthur, I'm scared," Merlin fought a quiver.

Arthur took Merlin's hands into his own, kissing each of Merlin's knuckles. "I know, but I'm going to shut that thing off, and Gaius is going to make you better. I won't let you die."

"But what if I die?"

"You die as a hero to all sorcerers on this planet, and I shall die with you."

"You'd take your own life?"

Arthur was now also sobbing with Merlin, Arthur's tears streaming down his face, and dropping onto Merlin. "Merlin, I love you more than anything. I don't care about my prestiguious name, or my wealth, or anything like that. All I care about is helping others, and having you by my side till the day I die."

"I love you Arthur."

"I'm going to save you Merlin. And if you end up falling asleep, I'll be here when you awake. I promise you that. I will come back and I love you Merlin."

"I know, now go."

Arthur leaned down to pass on a long, slow kiss to Merlin, as if this was the last kiss they'd ever recieve from each other, and then Arthur departed the bed, and went to Gaius.

Arthur tried to man up, giving Gaius a sincere look. "Keep him alive for me."

"I'll do my best, Arthur."

"Thank you."

Gaius embraced Arthur, whispering "Now come on lad, you need to do this for Merlin. Keep that in mind and you'll stay motivated." Arthur then left, on the hunt to close Pendragon Inc's doors.