'A half cannot truly hate that which makes it whole.'

The Great Dragon

oxo…oxo

Tears fell from his unblinking eyes, watching as the fires of the pyre consumed his best friend. The last time he had cried like this had been when he was very young and he didn't remember shedding many more since. But this, this was too much. He felt like he was dying inside, and it hurt like hell.

He didn't know if he would be able to forgive his father for this.

Merlin had been caught using magic. At first Arthur had been sceptical but then, when it was confirmed, he was angry. Merlin had betrayed him, been lying to him. Though even through this anger he didn't believe Merlin deserved to die. He had been a good friend and he didn't know if he could handle watching him burn. He figured banishment was punishment enough.

But then he had found out what he had been using magic for when he was caught. He had been protecting him. He had been seen by one of the knights when out on a hunt. They had been cornered by bandits and the warlock had used his magic to stop one of them chopping the prince's head off while he had been distracted. Arthur hadn't even realised it had happened until Gaius relayed the story to him. The Knight in question had waited until they had gotten back from the hunt before telling the king what he had seen.

Arthur found he hated that knight more than anything in the world.

He had argued with his father, demanding he let his manservant go; reminding the king how many times Merlin had saved his life. Uther had ignored him, as usual, and when Arthur had vowed he would free his servant it had only managed to get him restrained and locked in his chambers.

It was there he stood now, watching the swirling orange flame as it licked the servant's feet. He didn't want to watch but found that he couldn't look away. Merlin had made no sound however, all the while just looking ahead. He hadn't fought, hadn't cried out. It was as if he had given up all hope.

As the flames grew, and the pain began to show on his face, Arthur couldn't hold back his anguished shout any longer, practically screaming his best friend's name.

"Merlin!"

The young warlock looked up in surprise, his eyes catching Arthur's own, pain filled ones with a look of shock and confusion. And that was when Arthur understood.

Merlin hadn't heard about the fact that Arthur had been confined to his room, under guard. He had thought he had been abandoned, had thought Arthur hated him. It tore him apart as he realised that Merlin could probably, very easily, have freed himself. But under the impression that Arthur hated him, he hadn't seen the point. It was the final straw.

"Run Merlin!" he shouted, "escape damn you or so help me I'll kill you myself!"

Merlin smiled, a sad smile tainted with pain, and before Arthur could do anything, his terror filled eyes locked with Merlin's strangely calm and tear filled ones, the flames grew higher. Arthur's eyes grew wider and more desperate at the sight and he was about to attempt to climb out the window and rescue himself when he heard Merlin's voice in his mind.

"Thank you Arthur. I am proud to have served you, and I am proud to have called you friend. No matter how much of a prat you were,"

Then his eyes flashed gold and he was lost to the flames.

oxo...oxo

Dear readers,

Ok, this is a two shot, so there is another half to go. Said other half is already being written so should be done by tomorrow. Hopefully. Anyway, I hope you like it. Please review.

Animeloveramy

Very carefully checked as ordered ma'am *salutes*

AnimeAiedail