By a Different Path

I want to make several assumptions or changes before I begin this story:
*One is that Uther Pendragon was once friends with Balinor, the Dragonlord.
*Another is that Hunith is Gaius's younger sister and that she too once worked in the castle, but as a servant.
*A third is that Uther was actually rather found of magic before Igraine's death and the Purge.
*The death taken in exchange for another does not have to be instantaneous if the circumstances call for it.
In this story Igraine doesn't die. Instead another's life is taken. Merlin's magic is common knowledge and Uther is actually quite fond of him, perhaps a bit overprotective due to circumstances that you will come to learn.
I, of course, own nothing of the characters or setting. That belongs to BBC who really should continue the series.
The prologue of this story is going to be very brief set up for the series, which will take place when the boys are older. So don't mind it too much if its quick and bit messy. It's only meant to be a background.