"You don't have to sacrifice yourself."
Arthur gave him a sad look. "If giving my life will spare my people, then that is what I must do."
There was a pause. "I will take your place."
"Merlin, no."
"Why not?" Merlin insisted. "What is the life of a lowly servant compared to that of a prince?"
Arthur sighed and looked at Merlin, the light of the fire flickering in his eyes. "Why does it matter to you? This is not your duty."
The manservant hesitated, a look of desperation passing his face. "I…I need to protect you," he said quietly.
"But why?" Arthur pressed.
Merlin diverted his eyes. "You're…important…"
"To you?"
"To all of us."
"So, to you?"
Merlin pressed his lips together. "Perhaps."
The prince grinned, and suddenly his voice didn't sound so lifeless anymore. "Really? And all this time you had me so convinced that you hated me."
Merlin didn't answer. "Please. Do not give your life tomorrow. Let me go instead."
Arthur grew serious again. "No, Merlin, this is my burden and mine alone."
"Why do you care about my life?"
Arthur huffed a short, bitter laugh. "Well, a good servant's hard to come by."
"I'm not that good."
"True." They both laughed genuinely for the first time in a while.
Merlin's grin faded into a soft smile, as did Arthur's, and the two of them just lingered there for a few moments.
Then, they both slowly leaned in at the same time, eyes slipping shut, and met each other's lips.
For a few moments, the impending death, the fear, the pain – all was forgotten.
But then it came crashing back down on them, and they had to pull apart and pretend that it had never happened, for the pain and the memories would be far too much to bear.
So this was why Merlin needed so badly to take Arthur's place, and this was why Arthur could not let that happen.