Had a random thought yesterday, and this story got started. Probably not going to be very serious.

"You can tell him," Leon ordered Merlin as the group of knights gathered by the door of the council chamber. Merlin turned to gape at him.

"Won't it sound better coming from you?" Merlin asked. "I don't want to tell him."

"I don't think it's going to sound good coming from any of us," Leon mused. "You can do it!"

Merlin gave a feeble whimper but since six knights were glaring at him he didn't think there was much he could do.

"Why me?" Merlin whined, feeling very conscious that his voice had gone a little high-pitched.

"He already thinks you're an idiot, it can't get any worse. You're the only one that can get away with it."

"Do we have to tell him?" Merlin asked desperately.

"Yes," Leon informed him sternly.

Merlin wilted but turned to the door, unfastening the latch and carefully opening it a little way. Several of the council members were in the room, Uther sat on his throne as he listened to them talk. The king looked calm enough as far as Merlin could see. He was just about to discreetly step into the room when something brushed against his leg, tripping him as he took a step forward. As a consequence Merlin fell into the door, which flew open, banging against the wall with a crash and Merlin stumbled into the room, all eyes swivelling towards him in surprise. Merlin's eyes widened and he stared at them like a started rabbit. He was vaguely conscious of hearing an outraged yowl from behind him but he didn't dare turn round, especially as Uther scowled in his direction.

"Merlin," Gaius growled in warning.

"Sorry, sorry, I erm…" Merlin tailed off as Uther's scowl deepened.

"Where is Arthur? I presume he's back from patrol."

"Yes, he is, it's just…" Merlin moved forward and the small crowd moved back to let him through as he shuffled towards Uther. Gaius frowned at him and Merlin hesitated when Uther's glare shifted and he stared at the light ginger tabby cat that was wandering in, it's nose lifted in the air, sniffing in interest.

"What is that creature doing in here?"

Everyone turned to look at the cat. The cat carried on sniffing the air, trotting rather purposefully in Uther's direction. He looked less than impressed by the cat's appearance. Morgana, sat in her usual place by Uther, tilted her head to watch the animal's progress. Most of the other council members did the same. Uther waved at a nearby guard.

"Remove the damn thing. If it's flea ridden throw it to the dogs."

The cat, it appeared, did not think much of that idea. As the soldier stepped forward the tabby animal hissed, arching it's back, tail ramrod straight in the air. As the solider grabbed for it the animal turned round and jumped on Merlin, leaping onto his leg, snagging it's claws into his trousers, and it started to climb up him. Merlin gave a yelp of shock, staggering back, wind-milling his arms as he attempted to keep his balance. The cat clung on, latching it's claws in harder as it climbed Merlin's thigh. He yelped again as he felt the sharp points dig into his skin, and he shook his leg to try and dislodge it. An act that made his balance even more precarious and his arms flailed even more violently.

"Ow! Arthur, stop that!"

Merlin crashed back against a column, smacking his head and kicking his leg in reflex so the cat did then lose it's grip. The beast dropped to the floor, landing lightly on all four paws and the cat stayed between Merlin's feet, sitting down and eyeing the scene warily. Merlin straightened up, rubbing his head. Various members of the council smirked at him. Uther glowered and Merlin's neck started to itch ominously.

"Is this animal something to do with you?"

"Yes, sort of, you see we were on patro…"

"And you named it Arthur?" Uther drawled, not even paying attention to Merlin talking. Morgana gave a smirk, watching as Merlin squirmed under the steady glare of everyone in the room. He reached down and grabbed the cat, picking it up and holding it against his chest, propping the beast with his arm.

"Not exactly. There was this sorcerer in the forest and I'm not even sure he meant it but, it sort of happened. Well, it did happen. When it did it was a bit confusing, and there was this light… and a bang I think, my ears popped. Ow!" Merlin yelped again as the cat bit him. He almost dropped the creature but it snagged it's claws into him again and without any other recourse he rebalanced the beast in his arms.

"Sir Leon, would you please clarify what his imbecilic boy is trying to tell me?" Uther asked, and his eyes narrowed while he stared at the cat. The cat stared back.

Merlin looked at Leon, who had followed Merlin into the room in a vague gesture of solidarity. They gazed at each other for a moment and then both turned back to Uther. Leon looked at the king, Merlin glanced at Gaius, who was glaring just as hard as Uther was.

"Most of it is accurate. We encountered a sorcerer, who seemed to be aiming for Arthur. There was a moment of confusion and Arthur was affected by whatever enchantment the sorcerer threw."

Merlin glanced at him, gratefully. Leon glared at the others, wanting no one to contradict his slight lie. None of them understood why the sorcerer had been aiming at Merlin, and some of them understood even less why Arthur stepped in to help him.

"Are you two babbling idiots," Uther said, making Leon tense slightly, "trying to tell me that that cat is my son?"

"Yes, Sire," they said in unison.

"And what happened to the sorcerer?"

"He appeared to fall, under the force of the spell and he broke his neck," Leon said.

"And this has not removed the enchantment?" Uther asked. No one answered him, it was obvious it hadn't, if the cat in Merlin's arms was Arthur. He was still a cat. Everyone looked at the cat, the cat returned the gaze, it's light blue eyes regarding the scene steadily.

"Aside from the obvious, is Arthur unhurt?"

"Yes, I think so," Merlin said, moving Arthur hand placing a hand under his torso lifted him up to look at him. Arthur hissed and scrabbled his back legs in the empty air, clawing at Merlin's wrist with his front paws until Merlin supported Arthur's back end with his other hand. The blue eyes narrowed as they regarded him, ears flattening back on his broad head and Arthur's tail flicked from side to side in what Merlin could only describe as an ominous fashion. Merlin still held him at arms length, looking at Arthur this way and that but couldn't see any sign of damage on the light, tabby patterned fur.

"He's fine."

"He's a cat," Uther stated flatly contradicting Merlin's assessment, and then his gaze swept the room. "It goes without saying that this information does not leave this room."

There were murmurs of assent, and then Uther turned to Gaius.

"Is there any way to reverse this?"

Gaius pondered the question carefully. "Enchantments of this power are difficult to maintain. This one is quite evidently well constructed but it is common for the enchantment to wear off, snapping the recipient back to their natural state. Certainly without the person who caused it alive to maintain it, I can confidently say it will not last."

"How long will he remain in this condition?" Uther asked getting up and stalking towards Merlin. Merlin pressed himself back against the pillar and stayed as still as possible. Uther removed Arthur from his grip, holding the cat gently in his arms. There was a low rumbling sound as Arthur started to purr.

"Perhaps two maybe three days, I would imagine no longer than that," Gaius said.

"And if he stays like this for longer than your assessment?" Uther asked. Merlin blinked, looking at Gaius with wide eyes. Gaius glanced at him momentarily before turning his full attention back to Uther.

"I can start gathering some information if that becomes the case, but I do feel this is something that will work itself out in time."

"You are all dismissed, and this information is not to be repeated, or even discussed amongst yourselves. Gaius, I expect your attention on this."

"My Lord," Gaius said.

There was a shuffling of feet as the council slowly starting to move towards the door, bowing in Uther's direction before they all meandered out, none of them daring to say a word, but they exchanged discreet gazes. Many of them glanced in the direction of the cat as they left. Merlin had hoped to make some kind of escape within the crowd but Uther moved to block his escape route. He sent a panicked look at Gaius but seeing the situation Gaius did nothing more than shrug and make his escape with everyone else. Merlin's shoulders slumped. It wasn't like this was his fault. Arthur wasn't under any obligation to try and pull him out of the way of oncoming enchantments.

Merlin watched as Uther started to look Arthur over. Without looking up, Uther spoke.

"Sir Leon," Uther snapped. Sir Leon, who had been backing away paused and straightened up.

"Sire?"

"Are the rest of the patrol group still kitted up?" Uther asked without looking up from Arthur.

"Yes, Sire."

"You and the group can head off towards the northern boarder and keep the patrol up there for at least three days," Uther said.

Leon slumped a little. "Yes, Sire, we can leave within the hour."

"Good," Uther said. "I can let the rest of the knights know that you heard of some trouble up there, and your group, with Arthur, have gone to investigate. Needless to say, it would be better for people to think he is away from the citadel, for the time being."

Leon nodded and bowed, backing away from Uther. "Yes, Sire. We'll leave as soon as possible." Before he turned away he glared at Merlin as if it was all his fault. If Uther hadn't been stood in front of him Merlin would have stuck his tongue out at the knight. As it was, Merlin didn't dare do anything.

Arthur made no objection as Uther manhandled him, ruffling his fur to check for injuries. Merlin blinked as he heard the rumble of Arthur's purring increase in volume. So it appeared did Uther as he swiftly handed Arthur back. Merlin gathered Arthur up in his arms, feeling the vibration as Arthur continued to purr.

"Since he is obviously going to need care while in this condition, it may as well be his servant."

"Yes, Sire," Merlin said.

"I expect you to look after him as you would if he was in his normal state."

"Yes, Sire."

"Any failure on your part to protect and care for him will have dire consequences," Uther said, his voice lowering ominously. Merlin gave a nervous swallow. The sound was overly loud in the room as Arthur's purring stopped like it had been switched off. Raising his head the cat regarded Uther and then looked at Merlin. Merlin tightened his grip on Arthur.

"Yes, Sire," Merlin said, his neck itching even more. At least since he was holding Arthur in his arms he didn't start rubbing it in a nervous gesture. His neck seemed to have gone from considering the stocks to now thinking about an axe, if the sharp pain on his scruff was anything to go by.

Uther glowered for a moment longer and then stormed out of the room. Merlin exhaled heavily and then carefully moved Arthur in his arms, holding him around the torso again and propping his rear with his other hand. Arthur's tail flicked again, but Merlin brought Arthur up to his eye line to they could regard each other levelly. Arthur's eyes narrowed. Merlin sighed.

"I suppose we had better go and talk to Gaius about it," Merlin said.

He took Arthur's meow as assent and carefully tucking Arthur against him he headed off in the direction of the physician's chambers.