A/N After so long sitting by the water's edge I guess it's about time that I took the plunge and at least dipped my big toe in the lake to see if I can swim...very scary.

Chapter 1

The girl's eyes were deep green, filled with tears and helplessness. He could see the fear she held for him and his own pain reflected in them. He desperately wanted to let her know that she'd done nothing wrong, it wasn't her fault, but he couldn't speak. It took all his strength to concentrate on her, to try and make her somehow understand this without words; whilst all around the noises of destruction and violence filled the air.

But he needed her to know, it seemed the only thing he could do, to try and ease the pain of the one child he could comfort, while all around them the other children screamed and died. It was his fault, it was all his fault. A fresh wave of pain hit him and he gasped, unable to hide it anymore. The girl grabbed his hand "I'm sorry Merlin, I am sorry, please..." but he did not hear what she had to say. He could not keep it at bay anymore; he succumbed to it, the pain, the fear and the nightmares...

The Previous Day

"Father, you cannot do this, the village is under Camelot's protection, and we have a duty to protect all our people, not to harm them. There are over 100 people living in Leander, women, children, old people" Arthur was not shouting, it never did any good to attempt that with Uther but his voice was insistent and he spoke with a conviction that was hard to ignore.

Yet ignore it Uther did. "They have only themselves to blame, they invited the sorcerer in, they gave him shelter and comfort. It is no surprise that he has turned on them, that he seeks to use and destroy them. That is the fate of all who consort with the dammed and the wicked. Let them learn the hard way that ALL magic is evil and that Camelot will not stand by and allow any who use it or condone it to live. They are all condemned."

Arthur looked at the King, at the cold, fixed expression of hate that filled his face whenever he spoke of magic. Arthur knew it was no use; Uther had decided. A troop of soldiers was already preparing to go to Leander in 2 days to punish all of its inhabitants and the girl was condemned to burn.

Even as he spoke Arthur knew it was pointless but he had to try. At least once.

"Please Sire, it was the Elder of the village that called the sorcerer, he was the one who wanted to increase the crops, to increase his wealth and he has already paid for his crime with his life. The villagers had nothing to..."

"Enough Arthur, I will hear no more on this matter. You will stand beside me on this; it is your duty as Prince and future King. You will not show weakness. I wish to see you behave in a way that will make me proud, that will make me sure of your future as King. The whole village is tainted with magic and must be torn down, eradicated. I want nothing left; I want the all of Camelot to remember this day. I do not insist that you take part in this action, it is a peasant village and unworthy of a Prince's involvement. But I do insist that everyone knows that you agree with my decision. We must stand united on this. I have let my fight against magic slide, I have been remiss. But no more. Magic has taken everything from me and I will destroy every last vestige of its presence."

As Arthur slammed open the doors to his chambers there was a loud yelp, a crash and the unmistakable sound of a tray, jug and goblet hitting the floor. He looked down at his feet where (having been hit by the exploding door) a startled and very wet Merlin lay, covered in red wine. Any other time, this sight, a bewildered and soaked idiot grabbing for the fallen objects would have elicited at least a smirk, if not a full scale verbal onslaught of how useless Merlin was as a servant. But not today, not with the knowledge of what his Father intended to do. And the decision he had to make.

"Get up Merlin." Arthur sighed as he walked to the window, from where he could see soldiers preparing their equipment. He knew he was Prince and that he had sworn fealty and allegiance to his King and to Camelot. He knew where his Father felt his duty lay. He knew what was expected of him.

"What is it Arthur?" Merlin knew Arthur too well to believe he would pass up such a chance to rib him, he knew something was wrong. "What did the King want?" He left the debris on the floor; he'd get to it later. Right now he needed to know what was happening.

Arthur said nothing for a full minute. Then he straightened up, turned towards Merlin and spoke in a clear, quiet voice "Come with me, I need you to hear something. There's someone you need to meet. I have a decision to make."