Fifteen year old Arthur sped to Camelot's throne room. Fear for his friend's safety pushed him as fast as he would go. Arthur threw open the heavy wooden doors furiously. "What is the meaning of this?!" Arthur demanded of his father.

"Arthur," Uther said slowly, making it clear he was not happy with his son's respectfulness. Arthur turned his head to the girl who was kneeling on the cold stone floor. In chains. She looked in his direction, tears in her eyes. Arthur knew she was scared for her life; and she should be.

"This girl has been witnessed using magic in Camelot. She is facing trial."

"Lana has not done anything wrong!" Arthur tried, rising to his friend's defense. Uther was surprised his son knew the serving girl's name.

"I need not to remind you, magic is against the law in my kingdom" Uther said in a disapproving tone.

"Your law is wrong" Arthur shot back, equally matching his father's tendency. "Magic is not evil" Arthur said more calmly than he felt. "Only men with evil intentions."

"Who told this?" Uther demanded. His eyes flashed dangerously towards Lana. She shrunk further underneath it. "Magic corrupts even the purest of soles. I have taught you this since you were young Arthur."

"No," Arthur said firmly, he would not be swayed to his father's teachings again. "I will defend Lana, she has not hurt Camelot in any way.

"However, she has still broken the law. I cannot ignore that factor Arthur." Uther turned towards the girl, ready to pass his judgement. "I declare you guilty, your sentence is to be burned at the stake. At dawn."

"NO!" Arthur ran at the guards who were dragging Lana, he knew she would be put in the dungeons. Two more guards grabbed him before he could do anything to help his friend. Arthur saw Lana get dragged behind a corner. The last he saw her were her eyes dripping tears. "Let me go!" Arthur tried demanding the guards as he struggled out of their grip. Only the more he squirmed, their grip tightened even more. Uther stepped into his son's view. "Try to understand Arthur, you will become king one day, and you need to make the right decisions for this kingdom."

"This kingdom is falling into fear and suffering. Of you." Arthur seethed at him. "I have seen the people's terror, they do not trust one another. They are afraid to help a stranger for fear of being convicted by conspiring with magic. Every person you kill of your blind hatred leaves a family grieved. Lana is the kindest person I know, she has no desire for destruction. How is everyone you see with magic evil?" Arthur asked trying to see through his father's perceptive.

Uther had a look of fury on his face. Raising his hand, Uther prepared to strike. Arthur's eyes widened at realization what he was about to do. Cringing, he closed his eyes, waiting for the slap across his face. It never came. Arthur cracked open an eye, his father's face wasn't heated as it was before, instead, it was softened. Arthur was confused as to his sudden temperament change. Uther brought his hand over to rest on Arthur's shoulder.

"I've been too harsh on you Arthur when you have no control over your own actions."

Arthur was confused, why would his father think that?

"She has bewitched you."

Arthur's heart froze. He knew what his father would do next.

"You will be saved from her grasp. When she is gone." Turning from Arthur, Uther spoke to another pair of guards. "See to it that the prier is built immediately. I want that witch burned before the day is out."

"Yes sire." The guards answered harmoniously, before leaving to carry out his order.

"NO!" Arthur yelled again, struggling from the guards that were still holding him.

"Take the prince to his quarters, keep him there till this business is done."

"Father please! Don't do this I beg you!" Arthur pleaded, but to no avail.

Uther turned to his son again, "when the witch is gone, you will be returned back to yourself, then you will see that I am right about magic."

The guards holding Arthur began pulling him out of the throne room at Uther's command. "I will never forgive you for this father!"

Uther ignored his son's cry, it hurt, but he was not in his right mind. Arthur will thank him when the witch is dead.

Arthur was pushed into his room. The doors were clicked shut behind him. Arthur ran towards them in blind furry. Banging on the hard wood, "let me out!" yelling at the guards over and over. It did no good. His voice turned hoarse when he stopped. Energy spent, Arthur sank to the ground, feeling useless and defeated. From his vantage point, Arthur could see the sun already starting to set, it wouldn't be much longer until Lana would be brought out. He needed to get out of here, he needed a plan. Walking over to the window overlooking the courtyard, the prier was already half way done. Arthur first thought of escape was through the window, the drop was too far down. Looking around the room, he needed something that can be used for rope. The bed sheets! Arthur started walking towards the bed when another problem came to mind. There were too many guards on the ground that could see him. He would get caught before his feet touched the ground. Then get sent right back here. Arthur paced, trying to come up with something else. He could pretend to be sick. The guards would come in to see what was wrong, then he could escape while they were diverted. Arthur shook his head. That wouldn't work, he knew they weren't stupid, he was just desperate. Arthur suddenly heard a noise that chilled him to the bone. Executor's drums.

Running back to the window, Arthur saw Lana standing before the walk up to the prier. "Lana!" Arthur shouted, banging on the glass. She didn't hear him. Lana was calm, Arthur noticed. Not showing Uther any fear of her fate he chose her. A guard led her up the walk, Camelot's people surrounded the prier, all eyes watching. Arthur again felt a sense of powerlessness as his friend was helped onto the platform. Another guard tied her to a pole with rope.

The executor's drums stopped when the guard tying Lana dropped safely to the ground.

"People of Camelot" Arthur heard his father's voice rang out. He was not surprised to find his father's face stoic as he was about to execute an innocent. "This girl has been founded guilty by confiding in the evils of sorcery. I consider myself a just king, but when it comes to the evil practices, I will not be swayed. It is for this crime, she is to be burned at the stake." Silence fell over the crowd as Uther finished his speech.

"Have you any last words sorcerer?" Uther asked her.

Arthur brought his gaze to Lana, unsure if she would speak. "Uther Pendragon," Lana said with a clear voice. "I know you hate magic, but not everyone who has it is evil. I pray for when magic is no longer seen prejudice from your rule. Arthur is a better man then you, he will bring this kingdom together one day."

Arthur was shocked at her words; and proud. Proud that she was so brave. Uther said nothing, only nodded to the torchbearer. Arthur banged even louder on the window, "Lana! Lana!" Unnoticed, Arthur watched as the torch came closer and closer to the dry wood. Long flames danced along the logs, quickly spreading. Arthur saw Lana squirming against the pole from the heat under her. He never knew the meaning of helplessness until now. Arthur turned away at the first scream. It was heartbreaking and sounded like pure agony. Sliding down the wall, Arthur covered his ears. He failed to save his friend.