Arthur's POV

I smile to myself as I watch the scene below. It seems Gwen was able to convince Leon to help. He's conversing with the guards below. His hands wave around in an exaggerated fashion as the faces of the guards grow more and more worried. I wonder what sort of lie he has spun together?

A few moments later the knights turn and leave their posts in a hurry, kicking up the dust on the stone in their haste. Leon glances up at me and smiles, giving me a reassuring wave. I open the latch that secures the window shut and poke my head out. I flash back a grateful grin. He pulls out the rope he has hidden under his chainmail and proceeds to toss it up to my window. I grab the rope and tie it taut to one of my bed posts. Leon glances over his shoulders before signalling the all clear. I hold on to the rope before swinging myself out of the window and beginning the climb down.

I let out a breath of relief once I reach the bottom. The first thing I notice is the cold. Each breath comes out as misty snakes that coil up into the air before disappearing in the grey sky. I miss the crackling fire in my chambers hearth already. I shiver at the cold Leon smiles and pats me on the back. "I wish you luck my lord," he says with a smile, handing me a green cloak.

"Thank you Leon, now I need you to get that rope down before the guards come back," I order.

"Of cour-"

"I've got it," a voice calls from above.

I look up to see Gwen smiling down at us, one end of the rope in her hands. "When will you be back?"

"Sun down. Prepare for me then."

"Then you best get going."

I smile at her, grateful for such loyal friends before pulling the cloak over my shoulders, glad for its added warmth, and head towards the lower town.

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I only barely make it to the forests edge before a man bearing a black cloak appears from the tree line. His hair is blond in colour and curls at the top of his head. His eyes are blue while a small scruff grows around his chin. There is nothing odd with his attire, they're simply that of a traveler.

I don't think much of the man. Most likely a merchant or traveler heading towards Camelot. Always plenty of them coming and going. I move to brush past him put he raises a hand and gently pushes me back. I raise and eyebrow at him, instantly alert. My hand twitches towards the hilt of my sword.

"I come baring an important message to you, Prince Arthur Pendragon," the man says, his voice dangerously low.

I pull my sword from my belt in one swift motion. I have the blade pointed at his throat in a heartbeat but the man doesn't even flinch. "Who are you?" I ask, shoving the point further into the mans throat.

"My name is Osgar, and I am sent from the sacred Disir to pass judgement on you, Arthur Pendragon." His voice is steady, steadier then any mans should be when they have a sword pointed at their throat.

"What right have you to pass judgment?"

"No man is above the Disir, however royal. It is my duty to pass their judgment onto you."

The man kneels and pulls a large coin from his cloak. Engravings run along the circumference of the object. There was no doubt the coin was magic. The runes that seemed to be etched into the coin proved it. "Your hand," Osgar says, lifting the coin towards me.

I stare at him reluctantly for a moment. My instinct tells me to kill the man for sorcery but the tone of the mans voice frightens me. The way he speaks of judgment, the look in his eyes, one that was filled to the brim with pity, somehow forces me to head the mans warnings. To do as he says. I lift my hand up towards him and he places the coin into my palm.

"It is done," he says with a smirk.

I look down at the palm of my hand and start to toy with the coin between my fingers. I run my them along the runes of the coin. It was finally crafted. The engravings run along both sides of the coin with only slight alterations on each. I look up at the man again with a questioning look.

"What is the meaning of this?" I ask.

"It is both judgement and fate. Your father waged war on the people of the Old Religion and you, soon, shall take his place. Now the ancient gods shall answer to your families treacheries. The fate of your father is sealed. No matter what you choose his end is near, but yours," the man chuckles, "yours has yet to be decided. I pray that you make the right choice as there will be no further chance."

The man rises and turns to leave. I grab his hand in the last moment, prompting him to turn and face me. "I still don't understand! What choice are you speaking of? What is to happen to my father!"

Osgard's eyes soften. A look of pity crosses his face once more, one similar to that of the druid, Aglain. "You will find out soon. Just remember this Arthur, peace always come with a price and if you are not willing to pay it, then someone else will." With that the man melds into the shadows of the trees.

I look down at the coin in my palm. I twirl it in my fingers and examine its sides once again. Clearly the etching's are runes, what it says I can't tell. Perhaps I could ask Merlin? He might know who these 'Disir' are.

I shove the coin into the pouch attached to my belt before following the path towards the waterfall. Of course, Merlin's already present when I arrive. He's leaning against a tree, book in hand with a few, what looked to be butterflies, dancing around him.

"Merlin?" I call.

He jolts in surprise, almost dropping the book on the ground. The butterflies fizzle away into a blue mist. "Arthur? You're here earlier then usual," he says, closing the book in his hands. The cover of the book is scrawled with unfamiliar writing. A magic book?

"Yes, well, let's say some things came up."

"What things? Has the king awoken?"

"Yes."

Merlin's attention suddenly peaks. He looks up at me expectantly. "And? How is he?"

"He's well."

"That's great!"

"Yes, but now he believes me to be enchanted, along with the prince. He has us both in lockdown."

"Oh..."

"He's hunting for sorcerers in an attempt to find the perpetrator. He won't admit that a sorcerer would save his life without some kind of ulterior motive. I came here to warn you to be careful."

"How did you get out?"

"That's not the point, Merlin!"

"Sorry, sorry. So, the king is hunting for sorcerers now?"

"Yes, it would be best if you warn any other sorcerers you know as well. I don't want them to get hurt because of me."

Merlin smiles, making my heart flutter. "Thank you, Arthur. I'll be sure to tell them. Also, I'm sorry, for getting you into trouble. I guess it was too much to hope that Uther would change."

I smile back. "It's no problem. You know I would do anything for you."

Merlin's face flushes slightly. "And I would for you as well."

-----

I arrive back in Camelot just in time. Leon waits from under my window, the rope is already up and ready. Gwen waits by the window, she waves when she notices my arrival. I climb up back into my chambers and remove all evidence of my escape. I notice Gwen has already set up my dinner for the evening as well. I give her my thanks before sending her away.

I sit down at the table to begin my meal, licking my lips in hunger. The smell alone is enough to make my stomach growl. I realize now that I hadn't eaten since early this morning.

I'm about to dig into my meal when I notice a circular lump pressing against my thigh. I move my hand down to the pouch that I keep hanging on my belt and remember the strange coin that the sorcerer in the woods had given me.

I pull it out instantly, examining the golden edges once again. I forgot to ask Merlin about this. Perhaps I could ask Leon to help me again tomorrow? Then again, doing this too often may cause suspicion. I'll have to wait. At least until my father has let me move about as I please.

-----

"Father I assure you I am not enchanted!" I shout at him angrily.

It's been over a week since my father has condemned me too my chambers and only now have I been able to gain an audience with him. He's currently pacing back and forth in my chambers, shooting me the occasional glare. "How can I trust your word? You let a sorcerer near you and preform magic!" He snaps back.

"I was desperate! If I were the one dying would you not have done the same?!"

That seems to hit him. He looks me up and down, as if picturing me lying in bed on the verge of death. His gaze softens momentarily before returning back to its hardened state. "What you did was foolish! You put the whole of Camelot in danger! My son would never do such a thing!"

"Don't avoid the question!"

My father stiffens. I hear him take a deep breath before answering. "No, I wouldn't."

"That's not what happened at my birth."

"No one is to speak of that day! That was before I knew the extent of the corruption of those sorcerers."

I groan in exasperation. "Why can't you just admit that there is even the slightest possibility of a kind hearted sorcerer! Can't you even entertain the idea?"

"Of all the sorcerers I have met there has never been one that has not had an ulterior motive."

"What about the dragonlord? The one that had helped you defeat the dragons all those years ago, had he not helped you out of the kindness of his heart?"

"Where did you hear of that?"

"Geoffrey. He lent me the archives once."

"Balinor may have helped me before but look at where he is now. Leading an army of sorcerers to take over Camelot. He has betrayed me."

"It's not betrayal if you betrayed him first."

My father glares at me angrily. His eyes burning with fury. "Why are you so intent on defending this sorcerer?"

"Because he is not who you make him out to be. He does not deserve this. No sorcerer does."

My father stops pacing. He stands before me, hands clenched into fists at his sides. "This sorcerer has gotten into your head. My son would never speak such atrocities."

"Then clearly you don't know me."

His anger boils more furiously then ever. He turns and storms from the room, slamming the door and bolting it shut before I even have the chance to move. I let out a string of curses then slump down into my chair. This is getting no where. At this rate, I'll be stuck here until the old man dies.

------

Uther's POV

I bolt the door to my sons chambers shut. I can hear him shouting profanities at me from the other side but I ignore them. This is for his own good.

I turn to the guards and order them to stay put unless directly ordered by me. I proceed down the hall, heading towards the council chambers and the various council men who are waiting for my arrival.

The mention of Balinor had gotten my mind working. That man had no doubt been the perpetrator in the attack on the citadel with those mysterious, black knights. They were magic, and such a cowardly tactic would surely be the work of such a man. And this sorcerer that offered to cure me is probably one of his men as well. First he kidnaps my daughter and now he enchants my son. I will make him pay for all that he's done.

I burst through the doors of the council chambers. The chatter dies away in a heartbeat. All the knights and council men rise to their feet at my sudden entrance. Nervousness pierces the atmosphere of the room as they notice my angered state. I stand by my seat at the head of the table and gesture for them all to sit. I remain standing, looking down on all of them.

"Today," I begin, my voice echoing across the chamber, "our topic of discussion will be our plan of attack on the Resistance."

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A/N - I sincerely apologize for the chapters taking longer and longer to update! >.< School has become a lot more hectic compared to last year and the workloads starting to get to me. I'm getting less and less free time so I can't write as often. Again, I'm so sorry but I hope that you enjoyed this chapter and thank you all for reading!