Both Morgana and Arthur had their reservations about the plan. But once they met Kara they felt better. She may be slight and small but she was very determined to go ahead. Morgana had wanted to be the bait, but realised that it would be foolish if Uther was involved. But she hated the fact there was nothing she could do but wait. Arthur wasn't much better although Leon had given him permission to go to the underground area once it had been identified.

Once everything was set up Daegal contacted Valliant "I have another one, I don't know how good but I've seen her using" Daegal had been told on his first contact never to use the word magic in his calls "When do you want her"

"How old?" Valliant snarled "You know the boss wants a particular age"

"I'm not sure about twenty, but I don't know how long she's about so it needs to be soon" Daegal was nervous but Valliant came to expect that from the young man. But so far he had given them their best earner and as long as he came up with the goods he didn't care.

"Can you get her at the normal place tomorrow morning?"

Daegal looked at Leon who as at his side listening "Yes can do"

After the phone call ended Daegal looked at Leon "Once I've done it what happens. If it doesn't work they will kill me"

"Come back here and we will look after you, if necessary give you a new identity. Don't worry he won't get near you and this is going to work" he patted the young man on the back "You are doing the right thing you know"

Daegal gave a weak smile "I know, in a funny way it feels good, like I will be able to start afresh"

The night before the raid Morgana had another vision which upset them all and added to the urgency.

"I saw Merlin he was crying, he couldn't move and was pleading to be allowed to die and saying he was a monster" she paused "Then later I saw him again later his hands were covered in blood, it was dripping everywhere and he was hitting someone with them I couldn't see who, it was like he had gone mad. There was three men trying to hold him it was horrible"

Arthur held his sister "Gana it means he is still alive, hang on to that thought, we will get him out."

"Maybe but what will he be like, Merlin is such a gentle man that wasn't what I was seeing." Morgana sobbed "Be careful all of you, I'm not sure that Merlin won't hurt you"

Leon tried to reassure her "We will be very careful Morgana, every care will be taken that no one gets hurt."

As Arthur went to move Morgana grabbed her brother "There is more…I saw Uncle Agravaine, he had a gun! He shot someone but I couldn't see who"

Leon spoke up once more "We will all have Kevlar vests on Morgana and Arthur will be safe I promise"

Before Kara and Daegal set off Leon spoke to Arthur once more

"We'll need your help Arthur, there is bound to be people who need victim support. But make sure you don't enter until you are called by me! The last thing we need is you getting hurt or you and Uther meeting up. We need this to be clean as far as evidence is concerned or he could get off"

Arthur looked at his friend "Morgana and Gaius are sorting out our spare rooms, we may need places for some people to stay. Not all will have families to help them. And not all will need to stay in hospital" he paused "At least this way we feel we are doing something. I just hope Merlin is ok"

Leon looked at his friend "Don't build your hopes up, from what your sister said I think he might be in need of major help if he is still alive"

Then with Percy, Elyan and Lance he set off for the raid. Lance had the equipment that would allow then to follow Kara after she was taken. The army would meet them later. General Godwyn and Leon's present boss Inspector Bayard had got official clearance for the joint operation from the Home Secretary, albeit somewhat reluctantly as she herself held anti magic views, but faced with the evidence she had no other choice. They were acting quickly to make sure no word got out. The Home Secretary herself would not leak the raid, as a career politician it would be to dangerous for her to do so without implicating herself.

After a sleepless night Daegal met Kara, a slight girl with dark hair and he thought good looking in an understated way. He worried about what was happening but Kara told him:

"Don't worry I know the risks I will do anything to stop this, even if it means my life. My kind can't go on like this, living in fear. Anyway without Mordred nothing is worth living for"

Then they set out together both hoping everything worked out well and resisting the temptation to look around for the policemen. Kara and Daegal walked towards the trees. They were using the same tale Daegal had used with Merlin. So as they got near the trees Kara asked "Where is your sister?"

"Just through the trees" Daegal led her to the same spot and once again Valiant and his men were waiting. Kara hardly had time to see the men before the shot hit her. She cried out and fell to the ground.

"Not as strong as the last one from the reaction, but she'll do. Watch out for us boy" he handed Daegal an envelope "More once she's been tested"

Kara was soon in the bin and being wheeled away. Daegal turned and walked away trying to look as natural as possible. As soon as Kara was on the move Leon and the men followed at a safe distance. By now they had Gwaine with them. Kara was soon in the van and the mission started in earnest. The police and Army were tracking the van and soon left town and after an hour's drive entered an industrial estate outside of a large town. For the past week Lance had worked with Mary Annis to identify buildings and sites owned by Pendragons and it was towards one of these they seemed to be headed. The estate was home to the Pendragon's research and development department. But it was a couple of streets away when the van pulled into an abandoned site.

After ten minutes the van left the site but Kara was no longer on board. The Tracker seemed to indicate that Kara was now underground, they had found the site! As one of the Army group stopped the van Leon met up with his old commander John Godwyn looked like a kindly office worker or accountant but was in fact a very astute and canny General in the Army. He and Leon decided to continue with the raid on the site as soon as they had questioned Valliant and his men. Valliant refused to answer anything so they decided to move in anyway, not wanting to leave Kara for any longer than they had to. So the entered the building. It took them less than a couple of minutes to find the lift. Leon and his team and three armed Army officers were the first to go down. They found themselves in old chalk mines deep unground. It seemed the area had several such systems although this one was unrecorded. Following the tunnel, that seemed to have been recently used, they soon found themselves in a well-lit area.

The first thing they came across was the row of what could only be called cells each cell contained at least one and in some cases three people. Indicating to them to keep silent they continued along the tunnels to be confronted with several doors. The first was locked the second led to a lift and the third when opened showed a large room set out with twenty trolleys each with a person strapped onto, with several people walking round in white coats.

"This is the police, please put your hands in the air and make no movements" Leon called out as three armed men followed him.

As the workers looked round they dropped their clip boards and held up their hands. One in the furthest end of the room was sidling away and trying to keep out of sight. "Stop right their Sir this is your last warning" Leon called out to him. But at the same time saw a door close in the far corner, someone had clearly got away.

Leon and one of the army men gave chase as the rest secured the area. The man who had been trying to get away had stopped and was clearly unhappy at being spotted. Percy approached him as the rest of the people were being strip searched. Leon and Brian, a captain, went down another corridor at a run and saw the man disappear into a lift. Taking the stairs at the side they followed on the run. At the top they emerged into what was clearly a modern building, the man they had been chasing went into a room.

Following they entered the door to find themselves in an office. The man they had chased was talking to another man sat at the desk. Leon looked at the man whose face was badly scared and said "Keep still and keep your hands in sight, you are under arrest for kidnapping at the very least" Then he looked closely at the person behind the desk and gave a nod "Mr Pendragon" then he read the two men their rights as Lance entered the room and handcuffed the two men

"What are you doing this is an outrage!"

"If we are wrong you will get an apology but somehow I don't think that will be necessary." Leon told him. He had met Arthur's father in the past so knew exactly who they had arrested.

Lance spoke up "Elyan is securing the building as we speak. General Godwyn's men will ensure no one leaves."

Leon nodded "Lance stay here while I go down into the tunnels, arrange the custody of those concerned and get the searches started for any information."

Leon headed back downstairs. He arrived as a medical team arrived to check the people on the trolleys. Then he headed out to the cell areas when he found Arthur talking to a young man and Kara, Gwaine was with them. Gwaine turned to Leon "This is Mordred, he tells us that he thinks Merlin is behind the locked door. The army guys are trying to get it open now. In the meantime we are letting all these guys out after the medical staff have checked them and getting a full list of names. Ambulance have been called for the ones that were being tested, but the rest don't seem too bad. Gaius is seeing about getting the suppression sorted"

With that the army called out that the door was open. As Leon and Gwaine went in Arthur heard a shot, but was prevented going any closer as a marksman entered. Then Arthur heard what was clearly his Uncles voice, "Keep back or he dies"

Arthur could hear crying but the sound was almost inhuman "m a monster kill me let me die"

Then there was another shot and silence except for continued sobbing. Leon came to the door and spoke to one of the other men who handed him a blanket before the policeman said "Come on in Arthur I think we need you"

"Don't touch anything" Leon warned Arthur. As Arthur walked in he saw what was clearly a body covered over with the blanket he had seen handed over. Looking round he saw a wall of one way glass looking out over the trolley area, then the banks of computers and machines around the walls. The in the centre off the room facing the glass wall was a large tilt table presently in an upright position. As he walked round he gasped. Even though he had been expecting it. Leon had shouted out for a medic as Arthur approached the person strapped to the surface.

It was hardly recognisable as Merlin, he had been missing for a month and in that time had lost weight and muscle mass, and all his ribs were clearly visible. He was naked and the various tubes were clearly visible as were the straps that held him in place. His hands were encased in metal moulds at his sides. But most disturbing was his face. He had clearly been crying regularly and it was also contorted in fear and pain. His eyes were wide open and string out through the glass but it was clear he wasn't focusing.

Arthur walked up to his friend "Merlin… you are safe now"

In shocked silence they heard him plead again in a husky and broken voice "M…Monster, please kill me…..please want to die"

The medics pushed in and the table was soon tilted down but not completely as no one was sure how long he had been stood. But as they touched him he started to scream. One of the medics made them all leave except for Arthur who continued to try and comfort Merlin. Then after a short time one of the medics left and spoke to Leon.

"We need to get some things analysed before we dare give him anything to calm him. Also we have tried to remove the gauntlets but they appear to be stuck to his flesh. They are now switched off, our computer bod and sorted that. We are going to have to wait to move him until we can get that do that then we may need help to make sure we don't cause a problem when his powers are free again"

Leon looked concerned "We do but its Merlin's Grandfather so be careful, I'm not sure how he will cope seeing him like that. Maybe one of the magic users can help I will ask"

It turned out that Mordred had very strong magic, and as he had already been about to communicate with Merlin Gaius felt he might be able to help Merlin keep control once he was free of the gauntlets. But he also insisted on being there. "He is my grandson, but I have helped him all his life. I want to help him now. In fact I insist. If he coped with what he has I can cope now"

"I might be of use, I am a trained psychologist in victim support" Arthur told the medics from his position at Merlin's side "I will stand by"

It took six hours to process all the remaining captives they found fifty seven young men and women in the cells. All of whom needed to be questioned and debriefed over the next few days. After allowing them to contact their families they were all given accommodation and medical checks. It was clear many of them would need help getting over their ordeal, so to a great degree than others. The ones who were on the trolleys would be kept in hospital until the effects of the drugs they had been given could be assessed. Leon went with Inspector Bayard to question Uther Pendragon, who as owner of the company was key to the whole thing.

Back at the police station and with his lawyer in attendance he told Leon "Pendragon's had clearance to run trials of the new range of magic suppression drugs. It was all legal and above board. The trials were being run on volunteers who were paid. Each and every one signed the correct forms" He was clearly confident of the outcome.

"Including Mr Merlin Emrys?" Leon asked "Did he consent to what you were subjecting him to?"

"I am not familiar with all our volunteers, just the overall picture. I am CEO I cannot be everywhere at once" he protested "If anything happened that exceeded our licence I will take swift action against who was responsible"

The questioning continued but eventually stopped for the night, Uther was refused bail and was escorted to a cell.

Back at the underground facility the gauntlets were finally removed after Merlin had been finally been sedated. The only substances being administered to Merlin was fluids and liquid nutrition. Nothing at all for pain or sedation, he had been fully aware of all that was happening as well as having to cope with the pain without relief. His hands were a mess, the constant stream of magic being pulled through them had left them skinless in places and bloody. There were sores in places where the straps had held him in place. He was soon off to hospital in one of the ambulances.

Gaius went with him after telling Arthur and Leon "His physical injuries can be sorted with time although his loss of muscle and movement will result in problems that will take time to overcome, but his mental state might well be another matter"

Arthur gave a silent vow to ensure Merlin got all the support he needed for as long as it took. He felt a responsibility for the young man, not only was his father guilty for what had happened, but Merlin had become a good friend while he was helping Morgana.

Two years later

It had taken months to sort out the legal side of what had happened. But once the story was in the public domain the mood changed and Magic users gained public support. The court case was complex, but now finished, with Uther Pendragon and all those involved, including those in the political field and the police, who had turned a blind eye to what was happening, paying the price. Uther and the main perpetrators having life sentences. This included Valliant and his team. Leon kept his word and Daegal was given a suspended sentence and Arthur managed to get him employment so he could continue in work and rebuild his life, they were all convinced that the young man was genuinely repentant.

Most of the released magic users returned to their families and received support and help from a charity set up using Uther Pendragons assets. The charity was headed up by Morgana with help from Lance and Elyan who had left the police force. Mordred and Kara also became involved in a centre set up by the charity to help magic users control their powers and use them for good. Gradually all the people who had been taking drugs to suppress their magic were weaned off of then and a law passed that meant that only those who proved to be a danger, because they used their magic for harm, ever prescribed them.

During the investigations Edwin's motives became clear. He had hoped once magic had been eradicated he had intended to use his power to take over and rule. Not realising that long before then Uther would have removed him. So it was ironic that Edwin was the first who was prescribed them, as he spent his life in prison for his part in the hatred and cruelty of what had happened in the name of Pendragon.

Leon and Percy were put in charge of the division of the police that dealt with Magic crimes along with a team of sorcerers. But the friends all remained close. Arthur stopped working for the police and used his skills totally to support those who needed help after their release. He was paid by the charity but put his wages straight back in as a donation. His biggest challenge remained Merlin, whose guilt over the killings he had been forced to do had left him damaged mentally. Arthur worked with Iseldir a physiatrist and sorcerer to try to help the young man.

One day as Gaius arrived to see his grandson, who was living at Arthur's permanently, he walked through to the lounge and saw Morgana looking out of the window.

"Hello Morgana how are you?" Gaius had become very fond of the two Pendragons and considered them grandchildren in their own right.

The green eyed young seer looked round and smiled "I am very well Gaius, things are good. I just wish Merlin was doing better. I had a vision last night. I don't know how long in the future it was but it gave me hope. Merlin looked content and happy. He was smiling, not like he used to but so much better than now"

"Then we can all hope, Merlin is a strong young man, but he always took on guilt for things he couldn't control." Gaius said sadly. What are you looking at my child?"

Morgana turned round and smiled "Those two" she said indicating with her hand. Out of the window in the garden under an old oak tree, two men sat on a bench. It was clear they were talking. "Merlin looks almost animated, I wish I knew what he was saying to Arthur"

Gaius smiled "You have both been very good to him, I am sure he will get better with you both supporting him. He considers you as family now, and so do I" he paused "I am getting old but I will rest easy knowing he has you two"

Morgana turned to the older man "You will be about for a long time yet Gaius, but have no fear we will be there for him as long as he needs us. It is the least we can do, anyway he is such a big part of our lives. Without him and you, I know I couldn't have coped so well" hesitating before continuing she added "He spoke to me for the first time yesterday about what happened, he still feels he should have been tried for murder, but at least he acknowledged that he couldn't have stopped anything happening. So that at least in progress"

"Merlin is a pacifist Morgana, killing over thirty people, even indirectly, will never leave him. Uther was so proud of making a warlock kill his own kind with magic, Iseldir told me that Merlin can remember word for word what Uther said to him that first time that will never leave Merlin. But it is good to see him making progress. But both you and Arthur also need to stop blaming yourself for what you father did. It wasn't your fault either."

"But we are his blood! We did think about changing our name, but what good in the end would that do?" As Morgana looked out the window she saw Arthur and Merlin approaching. "Here they come, no more bad thoughts, Gwen is cooking Merlin's favourite meal, so let's enjoy it"

"Morgana" Gaius put his hand on Morgana's arm as she moved away "Everyone needs to look forward not back, we can't change what happened but we can influence the future. Live your lives for what will be it can be and not what was, if you don't he has won"

Morgana smiled "We should have that put over the door"

The END