As dawn began to flood the morning sky, servants of the king began to make their preparations. A small group of about 5 men began to pile up the hay that surrounded a tall column in the middle. The men soon soaked the hay with some form of accelerant. It was not ten minutes hence that the sound of a horse pulling a cage could be heard. In that cage that was a young boy. A young boy with raven black hair and piercing blue eyes. His offense, using magic to save the life of Camelot's prized prince. Arthur. Guards seized the boy and tied him to that center column. To be displayed in front of all of Camelot like an animal. Uther's voice rang out over the crowd. "Merlin! You have betrayed your Kingdom and your King. The use of magic in Camelot is absolutely forbidden and with only one consequence. Death." At Uther's final word an all too eager guard set the Sorcerer ablaze. Merlin's cries to be heard for miles.

There was no mistake that those same cries could be heard from the young prince's chambers. Arthur would have never been able to attend such an execution. It would be the death of a companion, a friend, a lover. Merlin and Arthur had been keeping their relationship a secret for almost 2 years now, and had recently pledged each other their hearts for eternity. More cries filled the room. Arthur could not save Merlin. Doing so would expose what they had tried so hard to hide. Arthur was a Pendragon, and as such it was his duty to take over the thrown when the time came and to provide and heir to take his place in the future. As a Prince of Camelot he was expected to put his duty before all else, even love. Arthur could feel his world crashing down around him. He knew that for him there was no world without Merlin and it was Merlin's voice calling "Arthur!" that made up his mind.

*FLASHBACK*

"Merlin you are beginning to make me feel absolutely useless! Can't you just let me save myself for once?" Arthur laughed as he got up and hugged his lover. The two had just been attacked by a pack of bandits. Merlin once again used magic to save Arthur.

"Now if I did that you would have been dead a long time ago." Merlin laughed back, and then suddenly a more serious look spread across his face. "Arthur, what if I get caught?" he questioned. Arthur's face suddenly paled.

"Let's change the subject." Arthur replied.

"I mean it Arthur! What if I get caught?" Merlin said almost in tears.

"I DON'T KNOW OK! I've been avoiding the thought for some time. Merlin, you are my life. I don't know what I would ever do without you! I'll follow you anywhere! Even in death."

"Don't say that." Merlin's face fell. "You have a destiny to fulfill." He continued.

"And if I am correct, so do you! To be by my side! Don't use magic to help me anymore. I don't want you to become one of my father's victims because of me."

"I promise." Merlin said. Although it was a promise he had no intention of keeping.

*END FLASHBACK*

Arthur walked to his balcony that was in perfect view of the execution. Right above the stake. Arthur thought of his father, Morgana, Guenivere, but most of all he thought of Merlin. With one swift move Arthur leapt over the balcony and into the flames. Shrieks of surprise and worry burst from the crowd

"Arthur, what are you doing here? You have to get out of here so you can fulfill your destiny." Merlin said almost inaudibly

"I'll follow you anywhere remember." Arthur said and kissed Merlin's badly burned forehead.

"GET HIM OUT OF THERE! PUT THAT FIRE OUT!" Uther cried. But, their efforts were to no avail. It seemed that nothing they did could put the fire out. With one final yell, Arthur held Merlin and allowed the flames to consume them both.