(Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.)

As Gaius stared sadly at the body of his king, he caught sight of a glint of metal around the dead man's neck. Looking closer, he saw that it was a necklace with a symbol of the old religion hanging from it. He briefly considered trying to somehow take it off and smuggle it out of the room without Gwen or Arthur seeing, but then shook his head at his own foolishness. What good could possibly come from hiding it? Instead he gently pulled the charm from beneath the king's shirt.

"What is that?" Arthur asked. Despite his grief, his forehead puckered in confusion.

"I'm not sure," Gaius replied, "It looks like a symbol of the Old Religion. Did the sorcerer place this on your father?"

"No, he couldn't have, I would have seen him," Arthur answered, shaking his head.

"Sorcerer?" asked Gwen in confusion.

"Yes," Arthur sighed, "I tried to use magic to heal my father. You must think me a hypocrite... "

"Arthur, he's your father, I know you would've done anything to save him," she glanced at Gaius, "But if the sorcerer that tried to heal Uther didn't bring that necklace, where did it come from? Is it a healing charm?"

"I'm afraid not," said the physician, grimly, "It's quite the opposite. As far as I can tell, it has been enchanted to reverse the effects of any healing spell."

"What?" gasped Arthur, "So you're saying…"

"Someone knew that you were going to use magic to heal your father," Gaius gently pulled the necklace off of the king and handed it to Arthur, "They placed this charm on him to prevent that from happening. Uther didn't stand a chance."

"So, if it hadn't been for this," Arthur stared blankly at the pendant in his hand, "The sorcerer's spell would've worked. My father would have been saved."

"I believe so, sire," Gaius answered.

"But…" Gwen shook her head, "I've been here the whole time. I would've seen someone slip it on him. No one had the opportunity… except…"

Arthur bowed his head. "It was my uncle, wasn't it?"

"I'm so sorry Arthur," Gwen said, tears forming in her eyes, "If I'd have known—"

"You did nothing wrong, Gwen. He's deceived us all, and he will pay for it." Righteous anger flared in Arthur's eyes, then he turned to the physician, "Thank you, Gaius. If you hadn't told me this, I would've made a grave mistake. I only wish I knew where to find that sorcerer. I need to ask his forgiveness and tell him that my promise to him will be kept."

At that moment, Merlin stumbled into the room, looking distraught.

"Don't worry, sire." Gaius said, sending his ward a reassuring smile, "I'm sure he won't be too hard to find."

AN: I had to write this after my thoughts went from, "Why did Gaius take the necklace off Uther?" to "How the heck did Gaius get the necklace off Uther?" Merlin didn't even see him do it! Well, hope you enjoy this, and I will soon post another story rectifying the poor choices of Camelot's citizens.