Torture is Useless
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Merlin belongs to BBC, not me. Not ever.

AN: This was written before Season 3, so it may be considered AU.

He heard the knock at his door. So without looking up from his scroll, Uther Pendragon gave the command, "Enter."

Gazing slightly above his scroll, the king saw who was entering his study. It was the tall gangly youth, Merlin who was more or less Arthur's shadow.

"Your Highness wanted to see me?" The boy asked, standing straight with his hands behind his back.

"I wanted to make some inquiries regarding the Prince."

"Arth- His Highness is doing well. He's been busy with the new knights. Umm…if your Highness wants to talk with him…?"

"There is another matter I wish for you to shed light upon. The servant girl, Guinevere, is of your acquaintances?" The King got up from where he was seated and moved closer to Merlin, circling him very much like a tiger would do his prey, "I have noticed that she spends a great deal of time in the Prince's chambers…"

Merlin gulped (painfully because he forced it to be silent) and prayed that his chattering teeth could not be heard, "-She has been commissioned as a seamstress to sow up new clothes for the Prince. She's been making measurements."

Inwardly Merlin wished now that Arthur would just have listened to him about entertaining Guinevere in his and Gaius's chambers, but no, as always, Arthur did what Arthur wanted to do and only listened to himself. After all, all they ever did was rejoice in each other's company, reading books together, laughing and talking for hours, they could very well have done that in Gaui-

Interrupting his thoughts was the King querying, "With you outside, standing guard?"

His Majesty had a gaze that could only be managed by all knowing beings who gotten cross when an unlucky and stupid soul tried to trick them.

"Well, I'm quite useless with the needle and thread, so I am told." Merlin laughed but quickly sobered upon seeing the stern look the King was fixing him with. So clearing his throat, he continued. "Your Majesty, also I proved to be a distraction to Gwen-Guinevere and seeing as the Prince wants it done quickly, he had me stand guard so that I'd be out of his hair and keep everyone else out too." Merlin kept thinking Please believe me, please believe me… repeating it over and over in his head, as if an incantation made specifically for the King, considering the number of times he had to cover for Arthur when it came to his father.

"Young man, I hope you are not that naïve?" Uther now looked as he was ready to pounce and yet still managed a rigid controlled composure as ever.

Merlin was silent, felt the tension in his shoulders, and held his breath. A thought came to him- a reckless, guilty and really hit-the-close-to-the-heart idea but since it was all he had, Merlin went on to say,

"Sire, as you may recall, Gwen was Lady Morgana's handmaiden?"

"Yes." Uther said with as much indifference as he could muster.

Merlin continued, "They were also friends. The Lady held Gwen in the highest confidence. So the Prince holds short, private conferences with Gwen to inquire any knowledge she may have with regards to the Lady's disappearance." One more silent gulp, Merlin felt like he was in front of a full court.

Uther was silent. Merlin kept thinking that silence is golden never did fit a better situation.

And so he continued, "But honestly, I think Prince Arthur really just wanted to talk about Lady Morgana. It has been nearly a year and he has yet to find her. To talk about such personal matters, and have me around listening, is uncomfortable I'm sure to Prince Arthur."

"Is that all?" asked the King.

"That is all Sire. I can only say that the Prince has been nothing but honorable towards Guinevere and um, I hope that I have been able to assist in shedding that light." Merlin smiled his Please believe me smile in the biggest way, actually he couldn't stop smiling because if he stopped smiling, he was afraid of what his face would give away. One more silent gulp then.

Uther thought about threatening the boy; force him to give him the desired truth by throwing him in the stocks or giving him a flogging. But that would be useless- the boy was too loyal to Arthur and a friend to the girl. He would never reveal anything…

"You may go." The king commanded.

Merlin, now in the belief that finally the world has granted him favor, took no chances and left. Uther watched the manservant take three large steps to the door and went right out. When they do find Morgana, Uther thought in such a wistful way, he will tell her of the suspicious circumstances and let her go after Arthur.

Hopefully the thought will be made a reality.