Go Merlin! That was pretty much the only thing Uther would listen too.

Good on Arthur to notice the obvious difference pre and post device.

Camelot needs magic

I love how all the knights slowly listen to him and give him their loyalty

At last! Arthur knows (a little) and has a plan

Glad the people are fighting back.

It's too bad Merlin didn't share the knowledge with Arthur...he and Gaius could have said they found it in a book.
Then Arthur might have planned out a way to sabotage the device with his sword and saved Camelot from all those deaths and madness.

Nice to remember about both Morgana and the dragon.

Poor Kilagarrah, that must be horrible for him, trapped and dying.

Go Lunete! People often forget that the citizens of Camelot were raised to fear magic too.

It was nice to see a slow change happening there.

Figures Uther's plan backfired and people have more sympathy for magic now and doubts about its evil.

I like how bold Merlin was, Arthur needed to hear it.
He is making progress, being glad they escaped and not worrying about the evil they might do elsewhere.
What a bomb to drop at the end...Merlin is slowly dying (though probably faster the more magic he uses)

Another great chapter.

Merlin is so strong, willing catching the crystal and hiding his reaction so well.
For this time period with the device, his clumsiness is so helpful...I wonder if that's why he is that way...destiny's way to protect him just a little.

How horrid to take all of those names but it did give him a lot of resolve. He planned it so well, getting as much supplies as he could and covering his tracks with Arthur.

The hits just keep on coming with all that pain from doing magic.
So happy he freed everyone.
Merlin is so powerful, great way to show that here with him taking down the gate.

Even a knight was arrested...wow.

Great story! I really enjoyed it! Thank you for writing it :)

Wow, what a creative idea.
Nice attention to detail with how different people react...Arthur being born of magic but not having any only wincing while Gaius has a headache and Merlin gets knocked out hard.

Stubborn Merlin but that this true to his character, selfless and stubborn and loyal.

aaahhhhhhHHHH this story was so stunning! I balked a bit at the length at first, but after I started I found I couldn't really stop. The characterizations were so spot-on, and I love the way everything resolved itself in the end! I especially loved that last little ending: the perfect mixture of sincere and bantery that's so good about these boys. Excellent read, thank you :)

Sooo, I just binge-read this whole story and it is AMAZING! Your works are always really compelling and well thought out. This felt like it could have been an actual episode. I was so happy when I got 9 notifications for each chapter of the story. Keep up the good work!

Well, this sounds absolutely lovely! I was happy to see a new story but when I saw all the links piled up in my email, I was excited for a new Merlin fic. After I read this first wonderful chapter I saw the "Complete" posted and now I'm really excited! Thanks for another Merlin fic, they are getting few and far between as of late. Dang, I wish I had more time to keep reading, but real life is calling. I'll probably be up all night! ;-)