Prologue

"I get it, okay?"

Merlin watched him nervously. He looked tired. The council had been trying to convince him for three hours.

"It just can't be done."

"Sire, if we do not begin to ration the food, our soldiers will sicken and Morgana will be completely unopposed."

Arthur, who had been sitting with his face in his hands, suddenly rose up. "Yes, but selective rationing is not the way of Camelot. I will not permit the soldiers to receive double the rations of that of the people and I will not make my people watch!"

"Sire, Morgana grows stronger every day. If we do not oppose her…who will?"

The council appeared to be united on this one and with Aggravaine leading the charge, seemed to be slowly wearing the king down. A harsh winter, three less than adequate harvests and several small successes for Morgana and her army had driven them to this point. They needed to resist Morgana, of that there was not doubt, but was this the only way to keep their army strong and motivated?

"Enough. We will resume this on the morrow. I still have much thinking to do."

The council dispersed and Merlin stepped out of the shadows, ready to help in whatever way possible.

"You too, Merlin."

"Sire?"

"You've been in the castle since dawn." Arthur said with a half smile. "Don't think I haven't realised. I'm quite capable of taking myself to bed so, go on, go. I'm sure Gaius will be pleased to see you."

"Yes, sire." Merlin smiled sheepishly. He walked slowly down the chamber to the huge oaken doors before turning. Sure enough, Arthur was watching him and they engaged in a mild unspoken argument before Merlin relented and slipped away.

He listened to the sound of his boots slapping against the cool smooth stones as he made his way out of the castle. So much had changed, and so quickly. Morgana had emerged from the shadows with a new crew of bitter magical users who all seemed to share her view that she was the rightful heir to the throne. Morgana had publicly declared herself as Uther's elder child and thus she had the right to the crown. She insisted she was doing this for all those who had been stepped on by Uther, that if they supported her now, she would reward them all richly when she became Queen of Camelot. Her speeches found dissent where there was none before and soon Arthur found himself having to put down rebellions in previously peaceful districts. Then there came the crucial mistake. After one of these small revolts, some knights had mistaken a local settlement to be deserted and had set fire to several dwellings in an effort to send a message. Gwen screamed when she saw the bodies of the children. Merlin almost retched on the spot, and Morgana seized on this opportunity to proclaim Arthur and his rule cruel and unjust, just like Uther. Citizens of Camelot began to trickle towards her headquarters, slowly but surely, as she promised her protection to all who joined her.

Merlin shook himself out of his reverie. He had seen Arthur's face that day. The memory of him standing there as the bodies were discovered and smoke wafted around him was etched into his brain forever. Rage and horror had mingled in his eyes until finally he shut them and walked away, heavier than before. "It is my fault" he had said. "I told them to deal with the problem. I should have known better."

Merlin and Gwen had both assured him he could not have known what the knights would do, let alone that the children would hide under the houses when their parents told them to run, but he would not, could not listen. The knights responsible were stripped of all rank and promised to go on lifetime quests to repent for their mistakes but the damage was done. The propaganda war had turned in Morgana's favour. The battle for Camelot had begun.