AN: I thought I had finished with this story but then decided Gwen really had to be in it. Most of the converstaion she has with Arthur is taken from a deleted scene from 'The Wicked Day'. Those deleted scene's sure get us fanfic writers something to think about!

Queen Guinevere was worried. It had all started the morning Arthur had claimed to be ill and then retreated into his chambers for the day. Since then he'd been withdrawn and distracted, only interacting when absolutely necessary, even with her. At first she'd given him space, supposing all the pressures of being King were lying heavily upon his shoulders. She made it clear that she was there if he needed to talk and trusted he'd tell her what was worrying him in his own good time.

Arthur had only been King for a matter of months and was still grappling with all the decisions and duties he'd had to assume. All the schooling he'd undergone to prepare him for the role where worth very little when it came to the stone cold reality and Arthur struggled greatly after being thrown into the position when his father was murdered. He had little confidence in his own decisions and relied upon the opinion of his Councillors and especially his Uncle, Lord Agravaine du Bois, greatly. Finding out his Uncle was a traitor had been a great blow and made him question his ability to be a good King even more. Gwen wondered if her husbands' silence was due to further self recriminations on his part. Perhaps the Councillors had said something to dent his already fragile confidence?

Nearly two days had elapsed since then and Arthur was still brooding. Wringing her hands in nervousness Guinevere entered their private chambers, determined to get her beloved to open up to her.

Arthur was sitting at his desk, papers spread out before him. His thoughts were clearly elsewhere though, as he gazed off into the middle distance, his quill dripping ink onto what was probably an important document. Gwen approached him quietly and gracefully, although inside her stomach was in knots.

"Arthur, I know something is troubling you, you've been so quiet and withdrawn lately. As your Queen and wife I had hoped you'd confide in me. I want to share your burdens and worries Arthur, please what is troubling you so?" A desperate part of her wanted to ask if it was her. Had she done something to push him away? Was he thinking of her mistake with Lancelot and would it blight their relationship forever?

Arthur turned his face toward her, his wide eyes and furrowed brow betraying his emotions. "Guinevere, I'm sorry I've been so distracted. Please be assured I love you more than ever, but this is something I need to work through on my own."

"Worry is not a wise counsel Arthur. Perhaps if you spoke your concerns out loud, things might become clearer."

Arthur stood up and reached for Gwen's hands with his own. He pale blue eyes were sincere and his touch gentle and reassuring.

"Guinevere, I want there to be no secrets between us." He drew her over to the dining table and they sat down, eye to eye, hands still entwined.

"Some things have been brought to my attentions lately that have shed new light on the reasons why my father's chose to condemn magic. There is significant doubt in my mind that his reasoning was sound; that sorcery is the absolute evilness he proclaimed. If I am to approach the Councillors about rescinding the Laws regarding sorcery..."

"Does this mean you're thinking of lifting the ban on magic?" Gwen interrupted him mid sentence.

"You think I'm mad don't you?"

"Who am I to say what you should do?"

"Yet, I value your opinion above all others."

"Perhaps I'm not the best person to ask Arthur. If it wasn't for magic, my father would still be alive."

"Of course, I understand, my mother also died because of sorcery. All my life I've acted under my father's beliefs, but maybe it's time I stepped out from under that shadow and thought for myself. Guinevere I'm starting to believe that not everyone who practices magic is evil."

"Perhaps that's true." Gwen replied thoughtfully.

"Then isn't it time we stopped treating them like they are. Maybe my judgement has been clouded by s much fear and hatred that I couldn't see anything other than what I chose?"

Gwen knew how difficult this change of attitude must have been for her husband. To have your entire life's beliefs thrown in your face, then having the maturity to admit you may have been in error all that time, must have taken great strength. Her heart swelled with pride and love for him.

"That's a courageous attitude."

"I don't know if it's courageous or foolish."

"You're not a fool Arthur. You have a good heart and good instincts; you have to trust those instincts. Sometimes that is all any of us can do."

"So you'll support me if I decide to approach the Council on this matter?"

"Of course Arthur, I'll support you no matter what."

And she did.

EPILOGUE

It was two weeks later that Arthur announced his first proposal to the Councillors. He decided against a major upheaval of the laws, fearing the inevitable backlash and resultant turmoil for all of Camelot's inhabitants. He had no wish to repeat the mistakes of the past, so a series of smaller amendments made over a longer period of time seemed the wisest option.

Of course the plans to lead Camelot into a new age where magic was legal were not solely based on Arthur's ideas. Merlin, for some reason Arthur couldn't quite fathom fully, had been most effusive when discussing with Arthur the best way to bring change to the kingdom. His knowledge of sorcery was second only to Gaius' which also perplexed the King as very little literature was said to have survived The Great Purge and how else could the servant have obtained such information. Gaius seemed to undergo a new lease of life when he learned of Arthur's plans for the future and he too proved extremely helpful. Gwen was always by his side, hearing out his ideas and boosting his resolve when he started to get cold feet.

The first change King Arthur introduced was to open the lines of communication with the Druid people. They were no longer to be vilified and treated as criminals merely for existing. Furthermore, representatives of the Druids were asked to come forward and help educate the King and his Councillors as to what their magical abilities entailed and what they were used for. A Druid leader named Iseldir was the first to respond to Arthur's request and the two men spoke as equals, teaching each other much.

A precipitous event a couple of months later gave the young King the ideal opportunity to make further changes to Camelot's legislation. A young boy, aged no more than 12 summers, had been in the markets of the Lower Town with his mother when an unfortunate horse broke its leg severely in an accident with a cart. Moments after the event, several people witnessed the lad use magic to heal the struggling animal's hideous fracture, thus saving his life and probably the livelihood of its peasant owner.

Everyone acknowledged that Uther would have condemned the boy to execution forthwith, but Arthur refused to do so. In front of the entire court Arthur proclaimed the boy's innocence. Yes, he possessed magic but had not shown any sign that he was using it for evil or selfish intent. It was Camelot's relentless persecution of anyone with sorcery that had driven them to use their abilities for revenge, he argued, and if they halted the campaign of fear that Uther had begun so many years ago, perhaps they would begin to see magic in a new way.

Initially, the murmurs of descent amongst the court and Councillors had been loud and numerous. As the weeks went by and word of the King's portentous proposal spread throughout the realm, more and more people came forward to declare their satisfaction at the amended laws. A surprising number of nobles sent petitions of support and anyone walking in the Lower Town inevitably came across meetings of peasants, merchants and farmers who felt the same way.

The King, Queen, their retired Physician and a certain man servant, were delighted by the reaction of the people. Arthur had anticipated some rebellion to his rescinding of Uther's laws and regulations but there had been token resistance only. Clearly, a lot of the inhabitants of Camelot had been living under suppression and tyranny. It seemed a heavy cloak of darkness and fear was lifting from their collective shoulders and both poor and wealthy alike gladly embraced the future the young Pendragon was ushering in.

Nearly a year and a half later Merlin and Gaius (still very much alive) sat talking over a supper of stew and bread.

"Gaius. I think the time has finally come." Merlin spoke barely above a whisper, eyes glistening with nervous anticipation.

"Tomorrow I'm going to tell Arthur about my magic."

And he did.

AN: I'll leave it there, but the way has been paved for a favorable outcome. I'm not saying it won't be easy for either party, but I believe this new Arthur will be able to accept and love Merlin with magic. HE BETTER ANYWAY!
Merlin deserves to be loved and appreciated for all he does for Camelot and Arthur, as we fans know. I truly hope this happens on the show in Season 5. Let him be happy and have no secrets and lies please authors / producers / directors etc.!