The Once and Future King

Uther Excepts There Love

"Now, the first thing I want to discuss with you Arthur is why you lied to me about saving a village from a vicious beast and entered the competition instead?" Uther asked his son, placing his arms on the table and cupping his hands together in front of him.

"It was because my knights were going easy on me just because I was the prince, pretending I was someone else would have been the only way to win because I was good, not because the knights were holding back." Arthur explained. Uther seemed to consider his son's actions, then summon Merlin over to fill his goblet. Merlin walked over to the King.

"Well...I can understa-" Uther stopped mid-sentence, when Merlin was filling Uther's goblet, his sleeves went up his arms and recognized the very familiar silver bracelet that was around Merlin's wrist, when he watched Merlin walk back to his former position, he noticed he was wearing a Pendragon red neckerchief.

"Father?" Arthur asked a little concerned as to why his father has suddenly stopped talking. Uther shook his head, attention back on his son.

"Sorry...as I was saying, I can understand your reasons for hiding who you were, I probably would have done the same thing." Uther explained a very small, practically unnoticeable smile grasing his lips. "Now, the next thing I wish to discuss is that wolf at the tournament. You said he belonged to a friend of yours. Who is this friend?" Uther asked seriously, Arthur didn't know what to say, if he told his father that the wolf belonged to Merlin, would he think Merlin had magic and kill him. He couldn't allow that.

"Your Majesty, if I may...Arthur doesn't know the owner, I do. Arthur just said that because he didn't want you to overreact knowing he didn't know the owner specifically." Merlin lied, Arthur and Uther look at Merlin, and Arthur couldn't help but smirk slightly. *Always trying to protect me Merlin* Was the thought that crossed Arthur's mind, before another did. *...Oh shit! Merlin, what the hell are you doing!! This not a person you can have a pleasant conversation about magic with!*

"Very well, could you please inform me of the man that owns the wolf?" Uther asked, quite nicely actually, which seemed to put Arthur and Merlin off a little.

"If I may ask, what will you do to him once he is found?" Merlin couldn't help but ask. *Is he really considering telling father he owns Grey?* Arthur thought, knowing Grey was Merlin, but neither of them were going to say anything to Uther yet, that was something that was going to take time and patience...or more likely something that's never shared

"I wish to ask him if we can use his magnificent creature to protect Camelot." Uther explained, Merlin and Arthur both look at the King in shock.

"Hold on. When he was at the tournament, you wanted him to be destroyed." Arthur stated in confutation.

"Yes, I did, but I thought about what you said about the wolf, then it hit me. If that wolf was really as obedient as you said and a creature of magic, we could us him to intimidate those that visit us and get him to fight beside us in wars and fight for us when other magical creatures attack us." Uther explained, with a smile on his face at the thought of a creature with such power. "So, who owns the wolf?" Uther asked once again.

"Well..." Merlin clears his through. "I...do..." Merlin stated softly. Uther smiled at this.

"At least now I know the man who owns the wolf is loyal to the throne of Camelot." Uther stated kindly, Merlin was really starting to feel creeped out. Why was Uther being so nice to him? "Could you go fetch your wolf and bring him here for me to see him?" Merlin nods his head with uncertainty and leaves.

The moment Merlin left the room Uther looked at his son with a soft smile. "So, he is the one you have chosen to spend your life with?" Uther asked his son, Arthur looked at his father in shock.