"Why"? Arthur knew his brother's relationship with their father was complicated but he would never have expected Merlin to go as far as to commit patricide.
"Why"? You can't seriously be asking that". He walked forward and leaned upon the chair opposite Arthur "He murdered hundreds of our kind Arthur. You haven't been outside the borders of this kingdom, you haven't seen the destruction our father has wrought on the lives of innocent families, he's orphaned and even drowned children, widowed women, hunted our kind like animals and he still continues to do so. I couldn't and still can't bring myself to forgive him for that and his many other atrocities. So I understand why Morgana acted as she did".
"Arthur"? Morgana's soft voice reached him, Arthur turned and looked to her. Straightening her posture she met his eyes in strength. "I understand you may find what I have done unforgivable and I have no excuse to justify my actions. I only wished for peace and justice in this kingdom and for all its people, in my eyes that will never come to be so long as your father sits on the throne".
Arthur looked at them both. They were his family, his only true allies but at the moment he was having trouble trusting either of them. "Know this, both of you" he addressed them firmly. "When the time comes I will take up the mantle of King and I will do everything in my power to ensure justice for all our people but I refuse to take Camelot's throne by force! I will not usurp my father and I do not condone any such actions against him". Arthur took a deep breath "Can I trust you both to respect my decision"?
Morgana looked up at Merlin He shouldn't have to ask.
No he should not. Merlin replied.
Arthur, for his part did not try to intrude on their conversation. Over the past months he had gotten quite proficient at modulating his mental abilities.
Morgana looked back at him "You are our true sovereign Arthur and we shall do as you ask and henceforth we shall not hide our plans from you".
"But know this Arthur". The blond prince turned to his brother "and I do not speak for Morgana when I say this. If I am ever put in a position where I have to make a decision to protect you or this kingdom or both; I will do whatever is necessary, damn the consequences".
"I wouldn't expect anything less Merlin, you are still a prince of Camelot and I have told you before I look to you as an equal and I trust your judgment, it is your prerogative to take such a decision".
"Then understand also that my decision to follow through with Morgana's plan was made with the same rationale. I could not afford Camelot losing a trusted ally or risk Tauren's success. I had to execute required action in a timely manner even if it meant keeping you in the shadows and putting our father's life at risk".
The sly devil, his brother really did have a way with words. He just basically justified his earlier actions while simultaneously stating that he would do things similarly in future. Worst of all he rationalized it in a way, that left no choice for Arthur but to agree.
"I'm sorry I need to go check on Gwen, I haven't had the chance to apologize to her, I was, in part through my interference, to blame for her father's death". The men nodded and allowed Morgana to leave the room.
It was only a few weeks later that Arthur understood the full implications of what his brother's promise truly meant. He and the Knights were out hunting, Merlin had stayed back attending to administrative work for Court. They were tracking a doe when they encountered it. The beast had to have been conjured by the Old Religion. With the body of a wild cat and the head of some kind of viper, most definitely poisonous, thought Arthur as he ran with all his might. His Knights never stood a chance, he lost two of them in the fray, the rest of were wise enough to scatter.
It was gaining and Arthur was tiring. There was an outcropping of rock just a few feet ahead. Arthur dove to the right and pressed himself against it. He took deep breath and summoned energy from the talisman he wore to initiate and sustain the spell. His eyes adopted a golden hue for a split second before his entire being melted away and all that was left was a dark rock where he once stood.
The creature continued on its path, not realizing its prey had chosen another. Arthur breathed a sigh of relief before breaking the spell and moving east. It would take him longer to reach the Citadel but at least he would make it there alive.
The Knights stood before their King, heads bowed, Merlin stood silently to the side, his brother was alive he knew it, where he was however, another question entirely. "Explain to me how as Knights of Camelot, did you think it wise to abandon your prince"! Uther shouted menacingly. "Father" Merlin's voice cut through Uther's rage. "Let me take a small search party and go looking for Arthur myself, this interrogation is a pointless waste of …
He was cut off by Will who chose that moment to rush into the throne room. "Sires, I apologize for the interruption, Prince Arthur has been seen entering the city Gates on foot".
"Will" Merlin spoke up before his father could say a word. "Have Arthur escorted to Gaius' chambers, we will meet you both there".
When Arthur entered Merlin directed him to sit on Gaius' cot and handed him some water to wash with and some fruit before examining him for wounds. "What happened? The knights reported your party was attacked by some form of a beast".
"We were, it wasn't like anything I've ever seen father, it had the head of some kind of Viper and the body of a wild cat". Arthur looked at his brother. Merlin's entire frame had gone ridged while Gaius seemed to have gotten two shades paler.
"Sire what you have described seems to resemble the Questing Beast".
"Gaius". His father's voice belayed the threat. "This beast"... Uther said slowly "is a threat, but not one that can't be vanquished by the blades of Camelot's Knights".
"But Sire, the Questing Beast is said to be born from the very depths of the old religion, it's appearance is said to foreshadow a time of great upheaval". Gaius said tying his best to impress on Uther the urgency of the news.
"That's enough Gaius"! he turned to Arthur "There is a chance the beast may make its way to the city. I expect you and the Knights to ride at dawn".
"Of course father". They bowed as the king left the room.
"Ok, what is this thing? My father may not want to know but I will be facing it and any information would be useful". It was Gaius who responded
"The Questing Beast is an omen of the old religion, embodying the power of Life and Death itself, to carry out its will. The last time it was seen"...
"Was the night of our birth, the night our mother died". Merlin's soft voice echoed through the silent room. Arthur looked from his brother to Gaius in shock. "Is it true Gaius? What Merlin says"? He stood as he awaited an answer.
"It is sire".
"How did you escape it"? Arthur looked at his brother's pained eyes. Any reminder of their mother, especially her death affected them both strongly.
"I"... Arthur hesitated to deliberate whether it was wise to speak of his magic with Gaius in the room, but on the other hand Merlin seemed to trust the old man with his. "I used the new skills you taught me. when it chased after me I dove behind a boulder and concealed myself. It ran past".
Merlin let out a breath "It must have been disoriented, the creature is supposed to be able to sense magic".
"Magic? What does magic have to do with Arthur's escape" Gaius looked the both of them, eyebrow raised.