Note: This is a short chapter called A Dedication, A Vow.

15th October

Becuase setting the date of the talent show a day after all of the students have finished for half-term was a ridiculous idea, the headmaster of the school arranged the talent show for the week before, this being the 20th. Although Merlin had stuck to his word that indeed he would perform in the talent show, he also had other ideas. Now having quit scouts, Merlin had the excuse to practise his performance whilst Uther was out of the house, leaving behind Arthur and Catrina. Morgana, again due to the talent show, was taking time off from guides in order to practise. Uther would be out of the house before six and Merlin would get their ten minutes later, making sure he left by 8:15. This was a way in which Merlin could practise for himself - outside of using the music room at college, as demands for the two rooms were high - hear Morgana play her piece, tutoring her at the same time, and he and Arthur could practise their pieces together.

The idea is for Merlin and Arthur to perform together. Merlin will do one solo piece with Arthur and the lads providing background music, and as for the other two, it's a collaboration between the two. Arthur, although now is beginning to receive tutoring at home, occasionally has to report to college - giving him the chance to meet up with Merlin in the little time they have together and work on their piece, as well as have alone time. Arthur had never performed nor even watched the talent show in previous years, turning a blind eye on these since he was 11, and thought that if this was his last chance to be able to perform with the person that you love, then it's worth it. Freya, Elena, Mithian, Gwen and Kara were teaming up and performing a dance piece together. Lancelot, Elyan and Will, with the help of Gwaine and Percival were forming a band to perform called the Knights.

Arthur through force had to move back home as he didn't have that long before they were set to leave for Mercia, meaning that little time was kept between Merlin and Arthur.

It was the one Monday night that Merlin was over. Together Arthur and Merlin had composed two songs, with Merlin adding a third - making that his solo piece. Merlin was using Uther's piano with Arthur playing his acoustic guitar to practise together.

"So what's your solo piece going to be?" Morgana asked as she brought coffee in for all. Merlin was sitting at the piano, Arthur next to him.

"I'm still working on it. Arthur already has the requirements for Saturday night."

"Yes, but what are the words? How does your part sound?"

"One never lets something out of the bag until it is time."

"Jesus Merlin, we have five days."

Catrina came from upstairs and opened the door to the front room, noticing how dark it had already become. "Merlin. It's eight."

"I better be going." Collecting his things and downing the cup that Morgana had made him, he hugged Morgana and told her that he would see her in college on Wednesday and Friday at lunch for her final practices. Catrina got her car keys and opened the front door, Merlin and Arthur following her to the car, Morgana waiting on the doorstep. Before getting in, Arthur grabbed Merlin's left wrist and twirled him so that they were face to face.

"Why can't you tell me?"

"Because it's a surprise. It's something I've worked incredibly hard on."

"Okay. I was just concerned that's all. So I'll see you Thursday then?"

"Till Thursday. Good night Arthur." Arthur leaned in and shared a long and slow departing kiss with Merlin, trying to savour the moments up as they didn't have very long left. "Good night Merlin." Merlin got into the back of the car as Catrina drove off.

20th October

"All right everyone. Get yourselves together! You know your positions and what time you're due on. Tilly, Sara - you're first up. Mrs Phillips needs you up on stage! Lancelot and friends, you're up after." These were the many errands that were being called backstage. The theatre hall was filled with parents and friends of performers, as well as the odd student who came to watch.

As for The Knights, Leon gave Lancelot a call to see if he needed any help, and so he became another member of the band. In all they had written a total of 8 songs, but were going to perform the best three. Providing the talent show went well, they were going to become a full-time band, releasing the first disk as an EP.

Merlin and Arthur were around half-way in, Morgana the final act of the night. Hunith, Uther and Catrina had attended. Although Uther knew that Arthur would be performing, as would Morgana, he didn't know about Arthur performing with Merlin. Taking their positions on stage, Merlin using the piano and placing the correct sheet music at the front of his small collection, Arthur and Merlin began playing. Uther was fuming that his son had gone behind his back again after the words "No more Merlin!" were repeated.

"I thought he was moving away?"

"He is. At the end of the term."

"Oh."

"Shh, Arthur's doing well, and their music is good." Uther hushed up.

After playing the duet's together, Merlin took a microphone. "For the last from us tonight it's a very special one. For years I'd had pain, as many of us have been through a number of things. This final song is a solo, and dedicated to someone very special to me. This song is dedicated to my love, Arthur." Arthur was gobsmacked but nonetheless the audience clapped as Merlin begun the first verse, a melody beginning on the piano as Arthur counted himself in. Because it was a joyful song, people were clapping along. Basically, you could say things were going well until the talent show was over and everyone was about to leave.

With Merlin, Morgana and Arthur packing their things up, Morgana and Gwen, and Merlin and Arthur were arm in arm as they came out of the classrooms into the main reception. Noticing that their parents were waiting for them, Morgana and Gwen broke the contact. Arthur and Merlin on the other hand remained how they were, Uther to start the bickering.

"Arthur! What I have told you? Get away from that FILTH!" Uther grabbed Arthur's arm to tug him away from Merlin, Hunith overhearing Uther's words.

"Oi you rotten slimeball! Who are you calling filth?" Hunith was standing with her hands on her hips.

"You're disgusting queer son!"

"You listen Pendragon! You've been a coward, a toad, a liar, cheater, manwhore, the list goes on, but touch my son and I'll break you." Tom and Elyan noticed that Gwen was involved in the argument, and knew about how Uther has barred his daughter from seeing Morgana, and would soon take of the job himself, in the mood to do something he wouldn't regret.

Merlin came up to Uther who was about to set about Hunith and glared at him, itching to use his magic on Uther, which had now recovered and was more powerful than ever. "You touch my mother and I'll break your neck."

"What? A little thin thing like you?"

"Yeah, a little thin thing like me." Merlin's eyes flashed gold, which sent a jolt of pain through Uther's back, something which had been giving him agony since he fell from the treehouse a few months back. Merlin wouldn't kill him, because killing was unnecessary and cruel, but enough to retreat away and think twice.

"You have magic!"

"Damn right I have magic. The magic you took away from me and many other guides and scouts through them stupid pendants." Merlin looked to Morgana, who gave a firm nod. "It's okay Merlin, you can tell him."

"Whilst the pendants were slowly taking away what magic we had, they were also poisoning us and slowly killing us off. If I still had that pendant then I'd be dead now. I'm lucky my powers returned. And you knew Morgana had magic because Morgause did - Morgana's half sister, who know, the one who got away. Thankfully her magic is restored as well, but she's slowly recovering, and you know they have magic because the bearer of the child did as well. To poison your own daughter, what a thing to do!"

"Morgana was a mistake." By then Morgana was running in and lashing out on her dad, knowing the full truth about her identity. Arthur tried to drag her back but unable to do so alone. Tom got in the middle of the fight, bringing Morgana away. "Morgana? Morgana! Let go!" Gwen and Catrina were able to pull her back, Tom stepping in to finish it off.

"First of all. I'd like to say this. This is for nearly killing sorcerers." Tom punched Uther in the breadbasket.

"This is disowning your own children and causing hell between everyone." Tom punched Uther in the face, knocking him down. Uther gradually got up, no-one providing help, and then Tom finished with. "And this is barring my daughter and friend from seeing their loved ones." Tom kicked him in the balls. "Right, I think he's had enough now. C'mon everyone, it's getting late."

"I refuse to go home," Morgana commented.

"Stay with us," Gwen insisted.

"Of course."

"Don't you dare!" Uther glared. "I will cut off all your finances and connections to this family."

"Fine. I guess this is the end of you and me. Don't expect me to attend your funeral. Good bye father." Morgana walked away, finally free as she clasped hands with Gwen to the car park, Elyan and Tom behind. Merlin, Arthur and Hunith also left, Catrina following, leaving an injured Uther alone.