A Single Prayer
Uther's fury knows no bounds. The fires burn long into the night and Merlin can hear the people scream. Lights dance through the small window in his room, splashing colour and shadow upon the opposite wall. The unending scream of an expecting mother as she burns provides a haunting counter part. He knows that Uther watches, sheathed in righteousness, whilst Arthur actually kneels to beg for, at least, the children to be spared.
Merlin shuts his eyes to block out the light, covers his ears to drown out the sound, and prays for the day when Arthur will be king.