That night Arthur had very little sleep as he played everything over and over in his mind. So much made sense about Morgana now, her nightmares had been a source of worry to him and now at least he had the answer. He wondered if Gaius had known and came to the conclusion that he did and he was trying to help her in his own way. But he wouldn't confront the old man yet, as he also decided that Gaius probably also knew about Merlin. It was three hours before dawn when Arthur finally succumbed to sleep. So it was an irritable and tired Prince who was woken by his manservant George the next morning with his breakfast.

The Prince looked out the window and frowned. "What time do you call this?" he snarled. You are supposed to wake me at first light!"

The manservant looked at the prince and calmly said "The King ordered you to be left to rest, he wanted to see you at 10 bells."

Arthur felt like rolling his eyes he had plans for today. He glared at George. "While I eat this go and find the Physicians Apprentice and tell him I will see him once the meeting with the King is over."

George hesitated, it was clear his master was in a foul mood and he knew he was about to make it worse. "The apprentice left with the Knights at first light Sire."

Arthur almost made himself dizzy with the seed his head shot up "Left! Why? Who gave him permission?"

"I understand it was at the Kings order Sire." George informed the Prince "I am sure you will learn more at your meeting." It was clear the manservant either didn't know more or wasn't about to gossip about the Kings orders.

The Prince pushed his food to one side, and glowering washed at the basin before getting dressed for the day. The Manservant was silent throughout clearly sensing the blond's mood. Once ready Arthur stormed from the room and headed to the council chambers. He was early but wanted answers, Merlin never went out with the patrols unless the Prince himself wanted, and he was angry it had happened this time when he wanted to have a long talk with the young man.

The King was already there when Arthur entered. The older man as always looked every bit the King, a King who didn't suffer fools gladly and expected people too agree with him at every turn, once his mind was set there was no changing it. He was good looking for his age but had a cold and hard exterior that Arthur knew ran deep. So the Prince walked in bowed and sat down after his father gestured to a seat beside him. "I hope you had a good rest" the older man said "It was so good to see Morgana back."

"It was" Arthur agreed holding his tongue, he knew his father well enough not to demand anything so early in the conversation. "Though I had no need to seep in."

"You clearly did or you would have woken earlier. Now we have a lot to get through. After your report yesterday I sent out a large patrol at first light to clear out those scum. I will not have kidnappings of the Royal household. I sent Gaius's boy with them in case of injury. We need to prepare for King Rodor's visit, we are to have a tourney and I want you to organize it. I understand Princess Mithian also enjoys such things. They are good friends to this kingdom and I want them to feel welcome."

Arthur could remain silent no longer "I should have led the raid" he said angrily. "Morgana is as good as a sister to me!" the blond didn't notice his father's slight flinch at his choice of words.

"It didn't warrant your being absent at such a time. I sent a large enough group of knights under Sir Leon. They will soon wrap up the matter. I expect them back in plenty of time to participate." The King clearly considered the subject closed.

Arthur wouldn't let it rest, even though he knew how his father hated to be questioned. "As Crown Prince and head of the knights surely who went should have been my decision." He insisted.

The king glared at his son. "A Crown Prince your first responsibility is to your King!" Uther snarled. "And if I decide to send out a patrol then I will, and if I decide you need to learn the diplomatic side of Kingship by organizing the events needed to make this visit a success then that is what will happen. Now go and get started, you will need to speak to Morgana as she will need to oversee the arrangements within the castle." With that he picked up a scroll and started to read. Making it clear the audience was over.

Arthur stood up and left the room, only just preventing himself slamming the door behind him. He stormed off to Morganas chambers. At least he would get to talk with her, even if they would also need to talk about this confounded visit.

He found Morgana already waiting for him. "I was sent a message from Uther saying I had to speak with you. I assume this is about the visit from Nemeth." She said surprising Arthur.

"He wasted no time." He snapped "Did you know he sent out a patrol in the early hours to deal with your captors?"

"I did. But only because Gwen told me, she saw them leave, Merlin with them." The brunette said. "I didn't think you would be happy."

"HAPPY! I am livid, how could he usurp my authority in that way, I am head of the knights. Yet he treats me like a child and orders I be left to sleep!" The Prince raved.

"Calm down, it's not the end of the world I am sure Leon will do an excellent job. It also gives us an excuse to send time together, we do need to talk." Morgana pointed out. "Also I would be more worried if I were you about Uther's plans for you and the Princess."

"What plans?"

"You can't be that dense, he intends to marry you off. I overheard him talking to Geoffrey just before all this fuss. I was going to warn you but then I got kidnapped." Morgana said.

"I want to marry for love, father did why can't I?" the Prince said sadly. Then remembering the recent events asked "How are you by the way, shall we postpone this after all you have been through a lot."

"Don't treat me like a weak damsel!" Morgana snapped. "I can cope, we all survived and are back where we belong."

Arthur chuckled the words relieving the tension of the recent meeting with his father. "Yes I suppose I should feel sorry for those idiots taking you. If we hadn't arrived they would have been begging us to take you back."

Morgana slapped the blond. "I had already escaped you seem to have forgotten."

"How's Gwen?" The Prince asked.

Morgana smiled "I am proud of you, there was a time you wouldn't have cared about a servant. She is fine I have given her the morning off so we could talk in private." With that Morgana sat down and asked Arthur to do the same. Before continuing she lowered her voice "I want to talk about my magic"

Arthur nodded "Yes, I just need to understand. You have my promise I will protect you"

The couple spent the next hour talking, Arthur understanding just how scared Morgana had been and how Merlin had helped her. How she hadn't chosen her talent but had grown into it. "Merlin says most magic users whatever their skill show the first signs in puberty. Magic isn't evil Arthur. Merlin says it's like a sword not good or bad, but it's how you use it."

"I have had my doubts for some time Morgana, I couldn't understand fathers need to kill the families of magic users, or those who had used it for good. I think it was when I was made to watch as a child was burnt the first time that I started to question it. But I had always been taught it was evil and stole the soul. But I suppose I thought the King knew best. When I realized Merlin might well have some magic I kept my council hoping he would explain. I couldn't have seen that young druid you helped die. It seemed so wrong. I hope you can forgive me, for taking so long to make up my mind."

Morgana stood and hugged the man she considered a brother. "You got there in the end, which is more than I expected." She said. "You will be a great King one day. Just listen when Merlin tells his story and don't let your prejudices colour your judgement. I am sure he will be as good a friend to you as he has to me. He really hasn't got a bad bone in his body."

"I will do my best that is all I can promise" Arthur told her sincerely. "You however must promise me to be careful and should anyone find out come to me straight away. I couldn't bare you to be hurt, you are like the sibling I never had."

"I will, and for what its worth, while we are talking feelings, I think on you as a brother, I am just glad Uther doesn't want us to marry it would be like incest." She hugged Arthur once again. "And I will never allow Uther to marry me off, I will chose my own husband!"

Arthur kept silent, he knew in the end Morgana would probably have even less choice than him, after all she wasn't of royal blood. The King might treat her like a daughter but he wouldn't allow such feeling to get in the way of anything he saw as best for Camelot.