"I should have picked it up, the challenge was meant for me"! Arthur shouted at his father as the three remained assembled in the throne room, the evening's guests long since departed.

"Sir Owaine picked it up the fight is his" came Merlin's quite yet firm response.

Arthur was furious, at both his father and brother, they were being unreasonable, the challenge had been his! Fuming, the older prince turned on his heel and barged out of the room, guards closing the door behind him. Uther turned to his younger son, who was looking after his brother.

"I won't have him fight that knight, under any circumstances, we don't know who he..."

"I think we both know who he is father, I spent many hours in my childhood learning all I could about my mother. Do you actually think I wouldn't recognize her own brother's Crest"? Merlin finished speaking and turned slowly from the closed doorway to meet his father's gaze. Merlin's demeanor, as he looked back at Uther was a reflection of King himself, strong, powerful, uncompromisingly cold. Looking into his son's eyes Uther felt himself being put on trial.

"Merlin you must understand…"

But Uther's imploring voice was cut short my Merlin's neutral firm one. "What I understand father is that our Uncle, who has been dead for almost twenty years, felled by your hand no less, has risen from the grave and is now seeking revenge". Uther shrank back at Merlin's words "Correct me if I am wrong, but that gauntlet was meant for you, was it not"?

"How"? Uther slumped against the throne set behind him, holding on to the armrest and catching himself from falling onto the floor. "How much do you know"?

What Merlin was about to say would change his relationship with his father irrevocably, but his first priority would always be Arthur and Uther needed to know the lengths he would go to protect his charge. "Everything" the word sealed Merlin's decision. "I also know Nimueh is the one who tried to poison me with the Mortuis and that she is also the one to bring Tristan back".

"You haven't told Arthur"?

"My loyalty lies with Arthur, I have sworn an oath to protect him, that includes protection from your past mistakes". Merlin's last words were harsh, he had been holding back too long.

"Merlin…"

"Know this father, I love you because you are my father, but also know, that I will never forgive you for what you have done". Merlin stood tall and made sure he had the King's full attention "to our mother and for every life, you have justified taking, in your misguided grief and anger at losing her". Uther was ashen at this point, he could see the disappointment and pain burning in his son's eyes, disappointment in him. "Arthur will know, of what you have done, but when he is ready and I really hope, for your sake and the sake of this family, that when that moment comes, he is able to judge you as the wise King I know he will someday be and not the furious son who lost his mother, due to his father's arrogance".

Merlin began to walk away and Uther started "What about the black knight"?

Merlin halted and turned halfway "Sir Owain will die, he does not have the means to kill such a creature".

"The Knights of Camelot are skilled and capable of dealing with any threat".

Merlin turned completely facing his father once again. Uther looked truly defeated, he had no confidence in what he was saying, Merlin could see that; he pitied him. "Not one conjured by the high priestess of the Old Religion. His sacrifice is regrettable, but it gives me enough time to find a way to save Arthur, as you are too much of a coward to face Tristan yourself".

Uther was taken aback by Merlin's callous attitude towards a Knight's perceived, imminent death, however that quickly gave way to anger at his son's last words; he stood straight again, fist clenched "I am your King! you will not address me in such a manner".

Merlin maintained his calm demeanor, good at least he remembers he's a King. "Arthur is my only King, I will always be loyal to him before you, I will respect you as Camelot's present King, but know that I defer to Arthur's judgment, this is after all, what you wanted, is it not"? With that said Merlin walked away to execute his plan, leaving his father staring after him in shock and despair.

Merlin walked down the streets of Camelot, towards the cities main forges, the forge belonging to Gwen's father, specifically. Merlin knocked at the door but it was not Tom that answered, but rather Gwen. "Your Highness"? she asked and bowed in a curtsy.

"I need your assistance, or rather your fathers". Merlin stated.

"My father isn't here, sire, he has left to a neighboring village, his services were requested for. Is there anything I could help you with, in his stead"? She asked him sincerely.

"I require a sword Gwen, the best your father has ever forged and I am willing to pay handsomely for it". Gwen nodded and invited him in, she requested him to sit on a workbench as she went to review her father's weapon store. When she returned she held in her grasp, a magnificent blade. He took it from her and swing it twice in practice, sheathed it and turned to Gwen holding up to her a large pouch filled with coin. "Thank you, Guinevere".

Taking the token Gwen's eyes widened. "Sire, this is most generous, more than the sword's worth"!

"It is nothing compared to the protection it shall provide to the crown prince's life, I implore you, keep it". She bowed to him again "Thank you, My Lord".

Merlin could not take action on the second phase of his plan until nightfall so he hid the sword in his room and went to see his brother. He knocked, "Enter" came Arthur's listless voice from within. As soon as Merlin entered, his brother immediately reacted "Get out".

Merlin closed the door behind him, his twin got his temper from their father, and expressed it almost similarly; quickly and irrationally. "Arthur I stopped you to protect you. You know what that thing was, you would have died had I let you fight it. It is unfortunate that Owain took up the challenge…".

"What are his chances tomorrow"? Arthur looked at Merlin and the expression on his brothers face told him everything he needed to know.

"There are always going to be those who will willingly step forward to protect you, Arthur, even at the cost of their own lives".

"What makes me so special"?

"After everything I have shared with you, you still asking that"? Arthur dropped into the chair before the now silent hearth, hand rubbing the lower half of his face in frustration. Merlin moved forward and dropped to his knees before his King. Arthur looked into the pained earnest eyes of the man knelt before him as his brother spoke.

"I understand that you are distressed by this and trust me when I say, I know the burden that weighs on your conscience, because of it but I cannot afford to endanger your life and the future of this land. I must beg your forgiveness now, My Lord, as I am afraid that, should such as similar situation arise again, I shall do whatever I feel is necessary to ensure that you live. No matter the cost to myself or to others and all those sacrifices Arthur, even Owain's now, are on my conscience, not yours". Merlin had always been good hiding his emotions, he did it so much better than Arthur himself but now he could see a glimpse of the amount of it his brother had actually carried within him. Pain from what Arthur could only assume were past actions and maybe even some in anticipation of decisions yet to be made or events yet to occur.

Arthur sighed "We decided to walk this road together Merlin and I will be damned if I let you carry this burden alone. What's our strategy"?

Merlin rose gracefully from his position and moved to take the seat opposite his brother "I will leave the castle tonight and call for Kilgharrah, he has the power to give us a weapon that can defeat a Wraith. The likelihood of being back in time to save Owain, however, is unsure. I will do my best Arthur and that is all I can promise at this moment".

Arthur rested his elbows on his knees, his intertwined fingers resting before his lips, he took a moment to gather his thoughts and then lifted his eyes to his brother "Do what you must Merlin, the consequences of both our actions will be dealt with as required". Merlin smiled at Arthur and nodded, the first official command from his King and he would heed it. Merlin stayed with Arthur a while longer before he getting up to leave for his quest.