Howdy everybody! I'm trying my hand at a multi-chaptered story this time 'round. It's an AU featuring mainly Uther and Merlin. Because damn it, I kinda like the ol' tyrant.

The Pairings are as follows: Merlin/Morgana; Arthur/Gwen; Uther/Ygraine. There will also be a lot of Pendragon/ Merlin family bonding.

BBC Merlin does not belong to me, it merely inspires.

Prologue

The crisp, cold air of a winter's night bit at Uther's face as he stepped out of the warmth of the tent. Yet he inhaled it deeply, welcoming the clean feeling into his lungs before letting out his breath and walking forward. The knight standing guard looked at his King curiously, but Uther held up his hand and gestured to his sword; he would not need protecting. The knight let him pass with a quiet nod.

Although the forest was dark, its trees looming over the King like a forbidding enemy, he felt much calmer than he did sitting in his tent. He and his knights were looking for a band of thieves that had been plaguing the forest north of Camelot; said thieves were found and taken care of. They were to head back home in the morning.

The King could not help his feeling of uneasiness. Just a year before, King Cenred of Essetir, declared a war against magic and all who practiced it. This caused many to rise against him in indignation- and by rising against Essetir, they were also against Camelot, who held an alliance with Cenred. Truthfully, though, Uther wanted nothing to do with the war on magic. Unbeknownst to those outside of Uther's wife, Ygraine, and his trusted physician Gaius, his son Arthur was born through magic.

Ygraine was unable to conceive, so Uther sought out the High Priestess Nimueh and begged for her help. She agreed, but warned the royal couple the dangers of such magic. In order to create life, life must first be taken. Anxious but desperate, they agreed, and Ygraine was with child in a month. Nine months later, she gave birth to their beautiful baby boy, Arthur. At the exact same moment the baby opened his mouth to cry, Ygraine's brother Tristan dropped dead, not ten feet away.

The Queen fell into mourning, and a funeral was provided right away. No one but the King, Queen, and Royal Physician knew what caused his death. Nimueh had come to apologize. She was forgiven; after all, she had warned them. Ygraine later said with a smile that Tristan would have been proud to see his nephew.

Arthur was seven now, the age when most boys become devious little pranksters. Uther regretted to say he didn't have many friends, and was becoming quite lonely, but covering it up with arrogance…

The leaves rustled, calling the King's attention. He froze, listening intently, hand hovering over his sword. A twig snapped, followed by a small gasp. Uther moved forward, slowly, eyes scanning the darkness.

A dark shaped lay coiled in front of a tree. It was small enough to be a child, but Uther risked nothing and drew his sword, pointing it toward the shape.

"Who's there?"

The figure flinched and started to scurry away. Uther lunged and grabbed its cloak, pulling it closer-

"No!"

-and he was immediately thrown back, seeing only a flash of gold before falling on his back. The figure scrambled to its feet and ran. The king got up quickly and followed; he was able to grab the cloak again, this time pointing his sword to its chest. Whoever this was, it was a sorcerer, and a powerful one at that.

"Turn around and tell me who you are," he demanded in his most imposing voice. The figure, shaking, did as it was told, turning around as slowly as it could.

It was a child. A boy. A boy with raven black hair and eyes so blue Uther could see them in the dark. His face, accented with high- but rather endearing- cheekbones, was covered with dirt and scratches. He couldn't have been any older than Arthur. Uther lowered his sword just a bit.

"I-I'm… I'm…" he stuttered, but could not say more.

Uther sighed and sheathed his weapon, then got down on one knee to level himself with the boy. Tentatively, he touched his shoulder, but the child still flinched with fear.

"It's all right," Uther murmured. "I won't hurt you."

The boy took a deep breath, blinking several times to keep tears from spilling out. Suddenly Uther was unsure of what to say next.

"Wh… Where are your parents?"

"I-I don't know…."

"… Are they missing?"

He shook his head. "I don't know! I don't even remember what they look like…"

"You've lost your memory?" The boy nodded.

"All I remember is running. And then falling. And then you."

"And nothing else besides that? What about your name?"

The boy looked down, pressing his mouth into a tight line as he thought. Then, he looked up at Uther with unsure blue eyes. "M… Merlin. My name is Merlin."

Uther gave a noise of acquiescence to show he understood. A boy, lost in the woods, with nothing to remember but his name. And he had magic! By all counts, he was suspicious. Or he should've been, but the fear hiding in those deep pools of eyes stopped him from arresting the boy.

Suddenly Merlin swayed, falling to his knees onto the dirt. Uther rushed to grab him, and saw that his face was covered with a sheen of sweat. Merlin's breath was coming out in ragged, short pants. He was clearly sick.

Uther hesitated now. He could leave the boy here and let him die- he was a sorcerer, after all, and that was the law- but how could he do that? Merlin was probably only a year younger than his own son! And the boy had lost so much already. He'd be killing someone else's son, if his parents were still alive.

Weighing his options, Uther decided against the law- just this once- and carried Merlin back to camp.

Whew. So, tell me what you think! I have the next three chapters written, just in case this gets positive feedback. I'm really dedicated to this idea and I want to finish it- but only YOU can motivate this lazy bum! ... Please?