A/N: Hello everyone! I'm writing for the Merlin fandom again! A few notes before we begin:

First of all, each of these one-shots is unrelated. They do not share continuity with each other.

Second, I have no plans to continue any of these. If anyone wants to use one as a starting point for a longer fic, feel free. Just drop me a line, because I'd love to read it.

Third, this anthology is not a general fix-it for all canonical moments of stupidity. I had a formula that I followed, and I am not taking requests.

Fourth, I don't own Merlin. Now on with the fic!

Uther turned and held the poisoned chalice out to Merlin. "He'll drink it."

Merlin's friends all gasped in horror. Arthur spoke up, giving voice to his objection. "But if it is poisoned, he'll die!"

"Then we'll know he was telling the truth," Uther replied, unconcerned.

"Yes, and he will have saved my life," Arthur pointed out. "The last time he did that, you said we owed him a debt that must be repaid. Is this repayment? Is this how Camelot rewards loyalty? Father, if you force Merlin to drink that wine, you show the people that loyalty is punishable by death!"

"The wine is not poisoned!" Bayard cut in.

"Perhaps not," Arthur acknowledged. "But even if it is not poisoned, I believe that Merlin truly believes it is. We are ordering him—a mere serving boy not even raised in this kingdom—to risk his life to prove that he has indeed saved mine. Father, if this is the message we send, then what do you expect to happen the next time there is a plot against our lives? What citizen would dare come forward?"

Uther gave his son a shrewd look. "Very well. Bayard will test the wine." He turned to the foreign king. "And if it is safe, then you have my apologies, and you can do with Merlin as you will."

"Very well," Bayard agreed, glaring at Merlin. He took the goblet and drank, never taking his eyes off the servant. Merlin glared right back. Bayard waited for a few moments, broke into a smug smile, then began choking and coughing. Moments later, he collapsed. Knights from both kingdoms drew their swords.

"It is poisoned," Uther breathed. "Guards, seize them!"

The Mercian entourage was vastly outnumbered, and the Camelot soldiers subdued them in a matter of minutes. Uther ordered them all imprisoned in the dungeons, including an unconscious and convulsing Bayard.

Nimueh slipped out a side door, frowning. She hadn't counted on the Betrayer's son having such a wise head on his shoulders. Certainly he hadn't gotten that from his father. Perhaps there was merit in letting the prince live to succeed the tyrant king…