Chapter 4: Merlin's POV

"Will you please calm down. If the king hasn't arrested you yet. I doubt he is going to." Giaus sighed exesperated, taking the cloth from my hands that i had been using to clean the already sparkling leech tank.

"You don't know that. For all I know he could be about to walk through that door swords blazing and say...."

"MERLIN!!!" I jumped in fright my heart racing as the door was suddenly thrown open by an creepily exicted king. By the looks on the knights faces as they trailed wearily behind him whatever he was about to say wasn't going to be good.

"I found a solution for our problem until I can safely change the laws banning humans." He stated his eyes lighting up in excitement.  I frowned already on alert as his words sank in. Arthur doesn't really have a good track record for coming up with solutions that don't end in one of us unconscious and dying.

"And what would your solution be." I wearily asked dreading his anwser.

"This." I paled as he held up an amber studded collar with druidic runes etched into its surface.

"What the heck Arthur thats a blood slave collar." I bristled my eyes never leaving the accursed collar as Arthur took a step toward me.

"Yes and its what will keep you alive until I can revise the laws." He stated his voice still full of exictment as he ignored the building panic on my face.

"How is that supposed to keep me alive. You expect me to allow myself to become a vampires snack?" I snapped glaring at him as he rolled his eyes in exasperation. From the looks on the others faces I could tell they agreed with me but try telling that to the prat.

"Oh stop being such a girl merlin. This collar yes will label you as a blood slave, but the amber collar indicates your a royal one so only the royal family will be allowed access to your blood. Which means only Gwen, Agravain, and myself will have access, and none of us are going to bite you. Now quit your whinning snd come here." A part of me wanted to argue and fight pointing out that if Agravain has access than I might as well place my head on the chopping block now. But one look at Arthurs hopeful face and I knew it was pointless. He likes this idea too much. Besides its not like he will believe me about Agravain.  My only salvation is the fact that Agravain is still away on offical business. No doubt making plans with morgana. I still can't believe Uther hid the fact that morgana was not only his daughter but was born human. Something about her mother being human and the human genes being more dominant. It was only because of a spell he had placed on her that no one realized she wasn't a vampire. I don't blame her for turning rouge having to hide who she is while watching other humans die while she lives. Sighing and already regrettting it I reluctantly approached my king. Stopping in front of him I bared my neck wincing as he clasped it around my neck. I could feel the magic from the collar working as it restricted my own magic. Making it impossible for me to fight back against any vampires of the royal family.

"There now no one but royals will be able to bite you. Now thats settled I must go I just recieved word before coming here that my uncle has arrived back from his trip. If you will escuse me." I paled as I watched him sweep from the room the knights following closely in his wake. If its true Agravain is back than I'm in trouble. Gulping as I ran my fingers over the jewel incrusted collar I worriedly gazed into the equally concerned eyes of Giaus. I can only hope Agravain isn't hungry anytime soon.