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Arthur is looking at his father, who is sentencing another person accused of witchcraft. Arthur knows that his father has killed a lot of innocent people, and Uther expects him to do the same. But Arthur knows not all magic is bad; if it weren’t Merlin, he’d be dead ten times over, and Camelot would be under someone else's rule. He looks at Merlin, his head bowed, lips stretched in a thin line. If his father ever found out Merlin was magic, Uther would have him executed faster than Arthur could say no. He looks around the Hall. Today is Christmas, and instead of these people being at home and celebrating with their families, they have to witness another senseless miscarriage of justice. He looks back at Merlin. He needs to stand up; he needs to stop this. This has to stop.
“Halt,” he yells. Uther looks at him, perplexed, “What is the meaning of this?” Arthur takes a step forward, “How many innocent people have to die until you stop? How many people have to die until you own up and start to blame the person who really is responsible for my mother dying?” Uther growls, “Silent. You know not of what you speak of.” Arthur lets out a humorless laugh, “I know it was you who ignored Nimue’s warning. She told you that if I were to be born, someone had to die. A life for a life. You didn’t care; all you cared about was having an heir. Mother died because of your selfishness” He walks next to the accused woman, “I know you are not a witch. The evidence against you is minimal, but even if you were a witch, you only wanted to help people.” The woman nods and starts to cry, “My sister is sick, she needs help.” Arthur looks up at Merlin, “Someone will help her.” Merlin nods, Arthur turns back towards his father, “Today is Christmas, and you want to sully this day for all of us to assuage your own guilt. Magic is neither bad nor good; it just is. It depends on the person who wields the magic, which makes it evil or helpful.”
Uther stands up and towers over him, “You must be under some spell. You would never speak against me if you were not.” Arthur laughs, “I am under no spell. I just had enough of idly sitting by and watching you kill people and make more enemies. I want you to repeal the ban on magic.” Uther laughs, “Now I know you are under some spell. We need to find out who and kill them. You hate magic too.” Arthur turns his back on his father and walks over to Merlin and takes his hand.
Merlin hisses, “What are you doing? You will get us both killed.” Arthur turns his head, locking eyes with Merlin and whispers, “I should have done this when you first told me. I am sorry I failed you. You don’t deserve to hide. What my father is doing is wrong. It needs to stop. I need to do this, for me, for you, for Morgana, for all the other innocent people who died because of him.” He kisses Merlin, “I love you, and I am going to marry you no matter what happens today.” He turns towards his father, “Remove the ban on magic, or I will leave Camelot and never return. I will take all those loyal to me with me.”
Morgana comes to stand next to her brother, “I will stand with Athur.” She looks at her father, “I have magic, will you kill your own flesh and blood?” Arthur takes a deep breath, “Father, I am made of magic, I possess it too. I just need to unlock it. Will you kill your children because we are what you hate?”
Uther pales, “This is madness, you are not one of them.” Morgana levitates a cup towards her, “But we are.” Uther yells, “Sorcery, arrest her. Kill them. You are no longer my children.” Silence reigns in the Hall; no one moves. Uther growls, unsheathes his sword and moves towards Arthur and Morgana. Merlin’s eyes glow gold, and he stops Uther in his tracks, “Enough. Arthur is right, you have spilt enough blood.” Urther sputters, “You..you have magic. You have bespelled my son.” Merlin huffs, “I only ever used magic to save Arthur.”
Sir Leon steps forward, “It’s true, if it wasn’t for Merlin, we would all be dead by now. He has saved our lives and Camelot many times over.” Arthur looks at his father sadly, “Merlin showed my magic can be used for good. Morgana’s magic has helped Camelot more than once. Magic has been in Camelot and saving it for years. Merlin didn’t have to stay; he could have left. But he stayed for me.” He grabs Merlin’s hand, “We love each other, and I intend to marry him. I do not need your approval because I no longer need it. I want to be my own man, not a copy of you. I have tried to save as many people as I could, but it still isn’t enough to make up for your folly.”
Uther looks around and notices all the people are behind Arthur. He pushes his path towards the exit, never looking back.
One Year Later
Arthur is smiling. The year has been hard with Uther being forced to step down and Arthur being crowned King. Many messages had to be sent to their neighbours and allies. The lift on the ban on magic was fairly easy once Merlin told the council what he could do to keep Camelot safe.
Kids are playing in the snow, people are laughing, the mood is cheerful, not fearful like it was last year. He looks at Morgana, who is having a snowball fight with some kids. She has blossomed now that she doesn’t have to hide her magic anymore. He looks around, looking for his consort; they got married on the summer solstice.
Merlin is talking to Gwen when he feels two arms around him. Arthur places a kiss on his cheek, rests his chin on Merlin’s shoulder and closes his eyes. He feels a poke in his side, and he opens his eyes and looks at Gwen, who is smirking. “What?” Gwen chuckles, “You were snoring.” He snorts, “Was not. I am a King. I do not snore. Merlin does. It’s a miracle I can even sleep at night.” Merlin huffs, “Please, you snore so loud my mother can hear you.” Arthur blows a raspberry on his cheek, “Speaking of your mother.” Arthur points to his left, and Hunith walks towards them. Merlin embraces her, “Mother, what are you doing here?” She cups her son’s face, “Arthur invited me to come live here. I accepted.”
Merlin looks at his husband, “You did?” Arthur nods, “I know you miss her, and to be honest, I never had a mother and..” He’s cut off when Merlin launches himself into his arms and kisses him. “You..You.. I love you, Arthur.” Arthus buries his face in Merlin’s neck, “Merry Christmas, Merlin.”