The Seven Lives of Arthur Pendragon

One

The Prince lay in bed, hot and sweaty. He had injured himself in training the week before, but the cut had become infected. Gaius had tried everything, but to no avail.

Uther mopped his son's forehead. He had been assured that this was no magical attack. A mere disease was taking his precious son from him!

Everyone in the castle was mourning except one dark-haired young man, who had not heard the news.

He had come so close to his destiny but as he walked away unknowing the whole world started to unravel.

Two

"Arthur! Don't go without Merlin!" Morgana chased after Arthur's horse, still in her nightwear. Her maidservant was many yards behind her.

Arthur halted his horse. "He can't come hunting with me, Morgana, he has a broken arm. As much as I'm worried about him, I'm not going to sit with him feeding him grapes. He doesn't even like grapes. Anyway, he's assured me he'll be fine, and that he can get some of his duties done. There really is no need to worry, Morgana."

Morgana shook her head, tears rolling down her face. "Arthur!" she sobbed. "You must get him away from the castle! I've had, I've a dream! And-"

Arthur leaned down from his horse and whispered in her ear. "You're making a fool of yourself. Now get inside, you'll catch a chill." He spurred his horse on, leaving Morgana screaming hysterically after him.

After a rather successful hunting trip, Arthur was just about to eat when there was a knock at the door.

Morgana entered, her face red and blotchy. "I tried to tell you..." she began, then shook her head. "No, it's not your fault. You wouldn't have believed me. I don't blame you."

Arthur shook his head, bemused. "What are you talking about, Morgana? Are you sure Gaius has prescribed you the right medicine?"

"Merlin's dead."

The smirk slid off Arthur's face.

"What?"

"He was executed for using magic."

"He was found trying to heal his broken arm. They stabbed him in the streets a couple of hours ago."

Arthur pushed past her and ran to the market place. Merlin's body was lying in the gutter, hated forgotten.

Arthur knelt down and picked it (no, him) up. He looked around him...

All this blood from one man...

He cradled Merlin's body and then turned his head aside and threw up. He'dseed worse, but it was (his) Merlin.

He shouldn't be seen like this... I feel so ashamed. How could they do this to him?

He kissed Merlin's head softly. I miss you... I can't believe how much this hurts...

Arthur could dimly hear his father bellowing his name. He didn't care. Nothing mattered now.

He closed Merlin's sightless eyes.

There. Now you could be sleeping...

Three