Mistaken Identity

- 22 -

The trial took place the next day. The entire court was gathered. Even Arthur had been deemed fit enough to attend, and besides, he had insisted on coming. Merlin stood in his usual place beside Gaius. Morgana sat on Uther's left, Gwen behind her.

All eyes were upon the King and the sorcerer kneeling before him.

A few of the court members' eyes darted to Arthur every once in a while, then darted away again to Uther and Galdor.

Neither spoke. The silence, rather than being peaceful, was wrought with tension, as if it would snap at any moment. The only sound was the rain slating against the roof and pounding in the courtyard below.

When all members of the court were assembled and the silence became unbearable, the King spoke. "I have, as you all know, brought this man before you all on suspicion of sorcery and attempted murder. This is treason and, if found guilty, his punishment is to be death. Are there any objections to this sentence?"

When nobody spoke, Uther continued. "This man, Galdor Dry, is accused of impersonating my son, Arthur, and practicing sorcery in an attempt to have him be blamed and executed. Fortunately, his attempt failed and he had been brought here to serve justice. For this is an act of treason, as you all know. If anyone has any objections to anything said so far, please speak now."

Silence.

"Then let the trial begin."

Uther let the words hang in the air for a while, letting them sink in. Letting each individual in the room prepare themselves for what would come next: a brutal hammering of evidence against the accused with no end and no mercy until Galdor Dry was executed. The rain hammered on the roof. The King spoke again.

"Firstly, is there anything you wish to say in your own defence?"

"Only that it should have succeeded. It was justifiable to want to bring an end to your tyrannous reign after what you have done to me and my kind. I know that whatever I say, you'll have me killed. I am no fool, Uther Pendragon. I know that no matter what, you have already decreed me guilty of treason. You have already acted as judge, jury, and, soon, executioner. There is nothing I could do. Nothing I would rather say to you than this: May you burn in Hell for all eternity, Uther Pendragon, because that's what you deserve. May the suffering I have failed to inflict upon you in life torment you forever in death. I hope you burn in the fires and see how wrong you were to sentence so many innocents to the same fate." The sorcerer spat at Uther's feet. "I will not bow down to you."

"Repent and I may show you mercy." Uther would give him one last chance. Half for Arthur's sake, and half because he knew the man never would, so he would die anyway. His suspicions were confirmed almost instantly.

"Never."

"Very well. There is, I assure you, plenty of evidence against this man, but this clear confession is enough. He will be sentenced to death tomorrow. He will hang."

Arthur refused to meet his father's eyes. He had known deep down that it would end like this. The sorcerer must die. He had tried as hard as he could to prevent it, but the man had confessed, for God's sake. Arthur was angry with his father, but inclined to agree with him. Galdor needed to die for this to be put behind them.

At least he would hang. His father had a heart after all.

A little spark of hope arose within the Prince. Perhaps his father did care about him. But until Uther apologised, he wouldn't know for sure.

He sighed in defeat as the sorcerer was led away. He had tried.

— — —

Merlin trailed Arthur when the Prince left. It was clear to anyone that he was upset, and for good reason. Arthur knew what Galdor was going through right now. It must bring back painful memories.

When Arthur threw the door savagely open, Merlin shut it carefully behind him. The Prince kicked a chair. Merlin picked it back up. "Arthur..."

"What?" Arthur's voice was strained and angry.

The servant didn't know what to say. It was unlikely that Arthur would listen anyway. He didn't even have any idea why he had tried to start a conversation. Perhaps anything was better than the intense quiet.

"Um... are you alright?"

"If you don't stop asking me that, Merlin, I swear I'll kill you. I'm fine."

"No, you're not! You're upset, a blind man could see it! It's not your fault he said those things, he condemned himself. At least you tried to save him. That shows that you are a better man than your father."

"Isn't everyone?"

"He cares about you Arthur. That's why he was angry. He blames himself for what happened-"

"He should."

"-and now he's taking it out on that sorcerer."

"He doesn't care. He won't even apologise."

"Then go to him. He's afraid that you'll reject him. Show him that you love him, and he will show you the same. Please Arthur. Let's put this whole thing in the past."

The Prince was nodding hesitantly. "Thank you Merlin. You're a good friend."

Without another word, he turned and left, leaving Merlin to get on with his many jobs.

The servant smiled. Whatever Gaius had done to that leg and side, it was working. Arthur hardly limped at all and was making a full recovery. It had been a relief for the whole city to hear the news, but especially those close to the Prince.

Of course there has been the odd speculation and suspicious comment on how such a feat had been achieved. There was even a rumour that sorcery had been involved, that Gaius was returning to his old ways.

Even knowing that the former was true, Merlin didn't really see the connection to the second. Besides, there were always a few people who shouted sorcery at every turn in the road. Merlin doubted anything would ever come of it.

He certainly hoped not.

But then there were those guards, when he was in the cells. Hadn't they been taking about Gaius? No. He brushed the thought away. The real sorcerer had been found now, there was no reason to worry. The physician would just have to he a little more careful in future.