Merlin's heart was racing as he found himself in front of the council room. What was he even doing? Was he really prepared to reveal himself to Uther? Was he truly prepared...to die? He shook his head, trying to clear out any voices of opposition in his head. He had to do this. If not, someone else would have to take his place, and he knew he wouldn't be able to forgive himself if that happened.

Tentatively, Merlin peered through the cracked door. He could hear papers being shuffled and caught a glimpse of Uther at the table. Besides the two guards stationed in the room, he was alone. Uther looked tired and worn as he pinched his brow together. Merlin watched as the king sighed and leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on something outside.

Before he lost his nerve, Merlin pushed the doors open and entered. "My lord, I have something of great importance I need to discuss with you."

Looking startled, Uther glanced up. His expression quickly turned to annoyance. "How dare you barge into this room! You have no right to make any kind of request. Leave."

The guards stepped forward immediately.

"My lord, I understand that I'm out of line, but the matter is urgent. I can assure you that you'll want to hear this."

"I commanded you to leave, and you disobey me?" Uther said, slowly rising.

Merlin wouldn't be intimidated, even as the guards clamped their hands around his arms. "Wait, I know who the book belongs to!"

Uther immediately snapped to attention and signaled the guards away. "Close the doors, boy," he ordered. Merlin complied, his heart pounding.

"By saying you know to whom the book belongs, I assume you mean the book of sorcery?" he asked. Merlin felt like Uther's eyes were boring into his skull, as if he could somehow see right through him. He shivered internally and weighed his next words carefully.

"Y-yes, my lord. I do. And it doesn't belong to the Lady Morgana or her maidservant."

"I never said it belonged to the Lady Morgana," Uther said sharply. "She is entirely cleared in this matter."

"Of course, my lord. I beg your forgiveness. But I wanted to make it clear that Gwen is not involved either."

Uther leaned forward. "Then who is?"

Merlin braced himself as he clutched the back of the nearest chair for support. He'd like to think that what he was doing was brave, but Gaius would most likely call him an idiot.

"I am. The book belongs to me," he blurted out.

The silence that followed felt excruciatingly painful and long. Uther continued to stare at him, his expression unreadable.

"You're telling me that you hid that book in the Lady Morgana's chambers? Why?"

Merlin licked his chapped lips, his mouth suddenly feeling parched. This was certainly not the response he was expecting. Was Uther…doubting him?

"I thought it would be safe there. I noticed the loose tile and I hid it when no one else was in the room."

"So you're…a sorcerer?" Uther asked dubiously.

"Yes, my lord," Merlin said, his voice barely audible.

Uther flung himself back…and laughed. "I don't believe it. You tried this once before when that girl was accused of witchcraft. And here you are again…trying to save her."

"No, it's not like that. I'm telling the truth. Look, you've got what you wanted…a confession, right? You know if you executed Gwen, Morgana…the Lady Morgana…would never forgive you…my lord," Merlin hastily added, realizing how impertinent he must have just sounded. He kept forgetting that Uther was not Arthur.

Uther looked as if he was actually pondering what Merlin had just said. Merlin stiffened as the king pushed himself out of his chair and sauntered over.

"So you're telling me that all this time you've been a sorcerer? Right under my very nose?"

"Yes," Merlin answered slowly. He had always imagined telling Uther he had magic, but when he had dreamt of the moment, the circumstances had been very different. Merlin would somehow miraculously escape after taunting Uther with his powers. But it didn't look like there would be any miracle this time.

"Very well, I have no other choice than to arrest you. You've admitted your crime. The punishment for your crime is death. By the laws of Camelot…"

After that, Merlin didn't really hear anything else Uther said. He knew he must have called for the guards at some point. He recalled them grabbing him roughly and practically pushing him out of the room. The journey to the dungeons felt like the longest trip he had ever taken.

"Merlin? What is this?"

Merlin's stomach lurched. Morgana. He cringed as she approached them.

"Where are you taking him?" she asked the guards as she blocked their path. Her eyes looked red-rimmed and tired. She must have just returned from seeing Gwen.

"Please move out of the way, my lady."

"I will do no such thing. I asked you a question, and I demand an answer. Where are you taking him?"

When the guards refused to give a response, Morgana's eyes narrowed. "Merlin?"

Merlin ducked his head, not wanting to meet her gaze. "I have admitted my guilt, my lady."

Speechless, Morgana stepped back, the shock written all over her face. The guards shoved past, but Merlin couldn't help it as he looked back over his shoulder. Morgana was still standing there, as if she was still registering what was happening. But Merlin knew she understood when she instantly turned around and stomped off. He could only guess where she was off to, but he had a pretty good idea she was going to pay Uther a little visit.

"Is every citizen in Camelot going to be thrown into your dungeons, Uther Pendragon?" Morgana practically shouted as she entered the council room. Uther was standing by one of the windows, his goblet of wine in his hand.

"Morgana, the boy admitted his guilt."

"Surely you don't believe that servant could have anything to do with magic? It's preposterous."

"I myself couldn't believe it, but he confessed. He hid the book in your chambers."

"That's a lie," Morgana said through gritted teeth.

"I thought you would be pleased that your maid is cleared."

Morgana paced the room, her thoughts all over the place. "Of-of course I'm happy Gwen is cleared, but I don't think Merlin had anything to do with this."

"Why do you care so much? He's just a servant."

Morgana halted and faced Uther, her eyes blazing. "Just a servant? He's saved your son dozens of times…too many times to count. He's been loyal—"

"Enough, Morgana!" Uther said forecefully as he slammed his goblet on the table, the wine splashing onto the sides and leaving stains on the finished wood. "He is guilty, and that is the end of the matter. You form attachments with too many people below you in rank. I've warned you of this before."

"Merlin is a far better person than you'll ever be," Morgana said slowly.

"I will pretend I never heard that."

"You pretend you don't hear and see many things, don't you? You wouldn't be able to recognize magic even if it was right in front of you."

"And clearly I didn't since the boy has been here all these years…and a sorcerer the whole time. You can try to fight me on this all you want, Morgana, but it won't work."

An uncomfortable silence fell between them.

"What will you do to him?" Morgana asked softly, even though she knew the answer.

"I have no other choice but to execute him. The crime for practicing magic is—"

"Yes, I know what the punishment is," she interrupted. "But you do have a choice. And I won't let this happen." She turned to leave, the heels of her shoes clicking angrily on the stone.

"Morgana, wait."

She stopped at the door, but refused to turn to look at him.

"I am placing you under arrest. You will go to your room and stay there as long as I see fit."

Morgana whipped around. Never before had she had been filled with such rage and hatred. All sense of reasoning and control had suddenly left her.

"You can't do this!" she screamed.

"Yes, I can," Uther said, his tone low, threatening, and steady…a dangerous sign. "I'm the king. Or have you forgotten?"

"You are no king. You're a coward!"

A vein in Uther's forehead began to bulge. "Guards!" he yelled.

Sir Leon entered, a confused expression on his face.

"Escort the Lady Morgana to her chambers. And you will arrange for a watch to be kept on her at all times. She will not leave her chambers without being accompanied by a guard. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Sire," said Sir Leon, who was still wearing the same baffled expression. "Um, my lady…" Clearly uncomfortable, Leon gestured for her to lead the way.

"Very well," Morgana said coldly. "It appears that I'll be a prisoner in my own home. But Uther, if you execute Merlin, there is no going back. I will never forgive you."

Leon, who knew nothing of Merlin's imprisonment, visibly winced as soon as Morgana mentioned the execution, but he quickly composed himself.

"Very well, I am ready, Sir Leon. But are you sure you want to escort me alone? You might need all of the knights to handle such a dangerous person." Morgana cast one last scathing look behind her at Uther before she left for her chambers…or her prison cell.

So, do you all think that Merlin would have turned himself in like that? I had a couple of different scenarios running around in my head, but in the end, this one made more sense. Also, Merlin tends to jump into things without thinking, so having him act out in haste without giving it much thought seemed like something he would do. And Morgana...I had fun writing her in this last scene with Uther. Those two had some pretty heated fights, and this one's no exception. Thanks so much for sticking with the story...I took a little break because life has been kind of crazy, but I hope you enjoy this chapter!