Merlin woke with a start, he felt the surge of Magic, a Mage Stone, only a handful in existence but for their power quite distinguishable. He rushed to get out of bed and dressed. He was out the door and just exiting the citadel's main entrance when he saw Arthur coming his way. Behind his brother led in chains by the palace guard was Tom the blacksmith.

What happened? he thought to his brother as he came close.

He was caught red-handed consorting with the sorcerer we were warned about. The sorcerer escaped. There was nothing I could do before the guards... Merlin cursed internally. "I need to report to father," Arthur said as he finally reached his brother.

"I'll come with you".

They stood in front of Uther. Merlin bore witness as his brother explained what had occurred at the forge. Before anything further could be said however Morgana burst into the room. "I was told you arrested Gwen's father"? her question was directed to Arthur but it was Uther who replied.

"He was caught consorting with sorcerers". He said in an even tone that Merlin knew only meant that he had already passed judgment on Tom.

"Maybe he didn't know he was a sorcerer, he is a craftsman after all, who works on commission, he could have just been carrying out his duty, surely you cannot have him executed for that"!

"Morgana may have a point father". It was Arthur who replied as he leaned against his father's desk while Uther paced ahead before them. The king turned to his children and his eyes immediately jumped to Merlin's countenance, which at the moment seemed a mask of stone. His son looked back at him, watched him as if he could see the inner workings of his mind. He recalled their conversation in the main hall during the challenge of the black knight, all those long months ago. Merlin was not Arthur, he was not devoted to him as his brother was...is, whatever devotion he had was lost long before he returned to Camelot, Uther had seen it in his every action since that day. His son had found him an unworthy king but he also knew that Arthur was not ready for the throne and that was the only thing restraining his action and speech now; but for how long.

Uther looked back to Morgana's apprehensive face to Arthur's stoic one before he replied. "He will be tried in the morning, given a chance to defend himself and if found guilty he will be executed, that is my final decision".

They found themselves in Gaius's chambers not long after. Gwenivere, was fast asleep, having taken sanctuary in Gaius's spare room. "How is she, Gaius"? Merlin asked softly.

"Exhausted and Apprehensive, after her visit to her father. I administered a sleeping draught that should at least provide some rest". Merlin nodded in agreement at the physician's ministration.

"Do you think Uther will give him a fair trial"? All the men turned to Morgana at the question.

"He may try too". Merlin replied, "but his old prejudices may not allow it".

"We have to do something"! He could see that his lover was upset and yet he had no answer to give that could comfort her. If they did anything to save the blacksmith, Gwen would be the one to pay the price. He walked up to Morgana and took her in his arms. He pulled back and held her face as he kissed her forehead gently.

"Let Arthur and I handle this, please, you need rest, go to your chambers, we will speak tomorrow". He said as he gently rubbed a thumb across her cheek. "Trust us, my love". Morgana only nodded, but she didn't look convinced not because she didn't trust them but because she knew Uther better. She took his right hand in her own and kissed it gently before leaving the men to deliberate their next course of action.

"Is there anything that can be done Merlin, without implicating Gweniever"? Arthur asked his brother softly from his position at his left. He was leaning against the far wall of Gaius's tiny room, facing Merlin's profile. His brother exhaled before turning to him.

"I can defend him at the hearing and may even be able to get father to listen and resend the judgment he has already made in his mind, but it won't be easy".

"Do what you can". Merlin nodded. They both bid Gaius farewell before leaving for their respective rooms.

The second time Merlin was awoken, it was a little while before dawn. The warning bells ominously rang through the courtyard, the sound vibrating through the Citadel. He met Arthur halfway to the Dungeons.

The dungeon's head guard was at the ready when they approached "What happened"? Merlin asked before his brother could get a word in edgewise. "Sire". The captain of the guard bowed to them. "The prisoner… he…"

"Spit it out, man"! Arthur was shocked at Merlin's sudden outburst, his brother rarely lost his temper.

The guard flinched but did not lower his gaze "he escaped my lord, he had a key".

"What! That's not possible". Arthur voiced his indignation. "Did one of the guards lose theirs"?

The Captain shook his head and replied "No sire all the copies are accounted for" he lowered his gaze from Arthurs. "The key in question bore the royal seal". Arthur's eyes widened in shock while Merlin's mind ran through all the possibilities, his own widened in realization.

"Quickly, does our father know of this"? He asked the guard, his eyes displaying desperation and worry, he knew it was impossible for Uther not to know, but he hoped that by some miracle such was the case.

"Yes, my lord, your father has ordered the prisoner executed on sight".

Merlin was about to dismiss the man when he added " My lord, The Lady Morgana was seen with the prisoner, just before his escaped, this has been reported to the King as well". Merlin ran his hand over his face in frustration.

When they reached the council chambers Morgana was being escorted in by the guards. Merlin balled his fist at the treatment that she was receiving but could do nothing. She has freed a prisoner, it was grounds for treason, any rash action on his part now would only lead to harsher punishment for them both. "Father is this really necessary". It was Arthur who came forward to defend his foster sister first. Uther, however, held up his hand to halt any further protest from either of his sons.

He spoke directly to Morgana who held her head high and stood self-righteous and defiant in front of the king. "Do you have any idea what you have done". Uther's voice held a quiet fury, it was the tyrant speaking, the man, who was responsible for the death and destruction of so many of their kind.

"I made sure an innocent man got the justice he deserves".

"You defied me"! He shouted his voice echoing off the walls of the chamber "You defied your king! Do you have any idea the position you have put me in"?

Before anything further could be transacted a guard rushed into the room. He bowed before the king and princes "Your Majesty, the prisoner was found and as ordered dispatched".

Uther nodded "Leave us". The man bowed and left.

"You have innocent blood on your hands Uther Pendragon, blood that will never wash away"!

"Might I remind you that you are addressing your king". He held her hard gaze with one of his own.

"Might I remind you that a King is wise and just, you rule with the sword alone".

"You have already committed one act of treason Morgana, do not make it worse by supplementing another".

"Only a madman would see treason in truth"!

"Morgana"!

Merlin couldn't restrain himself any longer but it was already too late.

"Guards"! Morgana was immediately flanked by two of her previous escorts "Take the Lady Morgana to the dungeons and have her restrained. She will remain there until I see her fit for release".

"Father"! Again it was Arthur that protested, Merlin could do nothing but watch as his beloved was dragged away to incarceration.