A/N Thank you to all who have reviewed! I greatly appreciate any sort of feedback. Just so you all know, this is going to be a relatively short fic. I'm guessing about five chapters.
More angst! And I'm afraid that Arthur is a complete idiot in this.
Merlin made his way straight to Gaius' chambers. He stormed in to find him at his workbench, reading a book.
"What's happened, Merlin?" the physician asked, startled.
Merlin paced in a circle. "It's Arthur."
"Is he hurt?" Gaius asked, concerned.
Merlin laughed bitterly. "Oh, he's hurt all right. But that's the least of our problems."
Gaius stood up and placed his book aside. "What's going on?"
"Arthur has arrested one of the villagers for magic, and he's probably going to execute her."
Gaius was taken aback. "From the village he was riding out to help?"
"Yes," Merlin answered sharply. "And now he's going to kill one of them."
Gaius faltered. "We can't be certain of that. He may show her mercy-"
The door burst open, and Arthur walked in. He glanced briefly at Merlin, then focused his attention elsewhere.
"Sire," Gaius spoke. "Can I help you?" His eyes settled on the king's forearm.
"Yes, Gaius. Yesterday, I was unfortunately burned by a sorceress. Merlin did what he could to treat it there, but he was limited with supplies."
Gaius nodded. "Of course, sire. I shall treat it." The physician motioned for Arthur to sit in a chair next to his workbench.
"What I don't understand is," Arthur gritted his teeth while Gaius cleaned the burn, "is why a sorceress would be so cruel as to attack me when I was helping her village."
In the corner, Merlin stiffened, and Gaius glanced worriedly at him. He continued to carefully clean the wound.
"And the thing is, she seemed like a nice, innocent girl. I didn't know magic could hide behind someone so seemingly friendly."
Merlin drew in a sharp breath and turned away.
"Sire," Gaius said as he prepared cloths with a soothing ointment. "It is possible that you are mistaken, and that she was just an innocent girl-"
"No, Gaius. I know what I saw. She used magic."
Silence hung for a moment before the physician continued. "She may not have deliberately used magic to attack you, sire. It is possible that she had no control over it."
Arthur looked perplexed. "How so?"
Gaius began to drape the cloths over Arthur's burn. "Very few people can use magic deliberately at first. Usually, a few unintentional things happen around them, and then they devote years to studying magic to learn how to actually use it."
Adds still wore his perplexed expression, and Merlin waited, hopefully. Then Arthur's expression turned to one of horror. "Gaius, that could be extremely dangerous."
Merlin looked down, and Gaius frowned. "Sire, I did not mean to worry you, I only meant to inform you that because of this, the girl may be, in fact, innocent."
Arthur shook his head. "No, Gaius. I know what I saw. Her eyes glowed gold, then my arm caught on fire. The flames grew as her eyes continued glowing. As much as I would like to think she's an innocent girl, she's not. I'm sorry, but we can't save her."
Gaius glanced concernedly at his ward, who was focusing on the ground, fury beginning to show on his face. The physician said nothing as he cut some fresh bandages.
"We're lucky that Gwen has shown so much improvement in her fighting skills. It was her arrow that took the sorceress down and allowed her to be captured."
Gaius became worried. "Is she injured, then? Do I need to treat her?"
Arthur waved his good arm, dismissively. "There's no need. Merlin took care of her. Besides, there are to be no visitors, since she is dangerous. I wouldn't want you to risk anything, Gaius."
Merlin, by this point, was glaring at Arthur, who still refused to look at his servant.
Gaius, reserved, wrapped the fresh bandages around Arthur's arm. He glanced carefully between Merlin and Arthur. "That's it then, sire."
Arthur nodded and stood up, pushing the chair in. Merlin glowered at him the entire time as he made his way to the door. Just as he opened it, he stopped and turned around to look at Merlin, who snapped out of his expression. "The trial starts in an hour," Arthur said. He eyed Merlin skeptically before taking off down the hall.
Merlin stood to the side as Mira was brought before Arthur and Gwen in the throne room. The guards thrust her down to her knees and held her down.
"You are being tried for the crime of sorcery and for assault of the king of Camelot," Arthur stated. The girl stared down.
"You were seen to have used magic to specifically harm the king," Gwen stated this time, in a very authoritative manner. Merlin felt a pang in his chest. "Have you got any reasons to explain your actions?"
Mira shook her head, focusing on the ground.
Arthur spoke this time. "Then, by the laws of Camelot-"
"I don't know!" she screamed suddenly, her head snapping up and her eyes crazed. "I don't know what's happening to me."
The room fell silent. She glanced at Merlin, pleading for a second, then back at the king. "Here lately, sometimes, when I get angry, I light stuff on fire," she choked. "I don't know why!" Her eyes darted desperately at everyone around the room. "I guess it's magic… but I don't know why. I don't know why me, or why fire. I don't know!" her eyes settled on Merlin, and they became watered. She then focused back on the floor.
Arthur and Gwen exchanged nervous glances. Everyone's eyes were on them, awaiting the inevitable. Merlin felt his heart racing as Arthur took a deep breath. "You have been found guilty of using magic and enchantments. In accordance with our laws, I sentence you to death. You will be burnt at the stake. The execution is at dawn."
The guards jerked her to her feet and dragged her away. Gwen sent Merlin an apologetic look, while Arthur slowly rose to his feet.
Merlin had already guessed the outcome, yet he still felt his anger slowly boiling. Arthur had just sentenced a fellow, innocent magic user to death. Arthur did. Not Uther. Yes, the village girl had harmed Arthur. But any idiot who looked at the evidence could see that it was an accident. And any idiot that listened to her explanation could tell that she wasn't lying. She really had no clue what was happening.
Fuming, Merlin watched as everyone filed out of the room. Out of the corner of his eye, Gaius shot him a warning glance.
He watched with a sickening feeling as Arthur lovingly kissed Gwen and then gazed into her eyes. "I'll see you again in an hour, then," Arthur said. Merlin followed the two out the door and waited as they took off in separate directions.
Merlin waited a moment, then began following Arthur. He ducked behind corners every time the king looked back.
Arthur made his way to his chambers. Glancing around, as if looking for someone, he stopped outside before walking in and shutting the door. Merlin stormed down the hall and burst in.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he shouted, and slammed the door behind him. He slammed the lock in place, and glared at Arthur.
"Merlin!" Arthur exclaimed, and stepped back.
"When are you going to stop?" Merlin demanded.
Arthur was taken aback. "I'm sorry?"
"Killing innocents," Merlin said coldly.
Arthur shook his head. "Merlin, she isn't innocent-"
The servant hardened his gaze.
"She clearly attacked me. With magic of all things," he added.
Merlin narrowed his eyes. "Any idiot could see that it was purely an accident. She didn't know what she was doing."
"Merlin," Arthur eyed his manservant worriedly. "Her eyes glowed gold, and then my arm caught on fire. She deliberately used magic."
"And then she tried to put it out! Can't you see that? If she had truly wanted to harm you she would have just let you burn." Merlin stepped forward, danger in his eyes.
Arthur shook his head once more. "No, she was just trying to cover it up. Her eyes kept glowing gold, though. I saw."
"She was panicking!" Merlin shouted. "Can't you see that? That's what happens when you lose control of magic. Arthur, this girl had no clue what she was doing. And you would sentence her to death for that?"
"Merlin!" Arthur shouted. He held up his hands, and continued cautiously. "Merlin, those who practice magic are evil and-"
"More of your father's nonsense!" he yelled. He came closer, and Arthur backed away. "You know, just yesterday morning I was proud of you, for being a better king than your father. Now, I'm not so sure."
"Merlin," Arthur warned.
"Right now, you're being just as blind as he was."
"My father was right about magic," he retorted. "You saw Morgana in the throne room. You've seen the destruction it has caused. You know this," Arthur stated.
Merlin stormed to the other side of the room and heaved over his desk.
"You've got to calm down!" Arthur yelled, his panicked eyes betraying his poor attempt to appear as a calm, rational king.
Merlin stormed off to the edge of Arthur's bed, but Arthur grabbed him and made him stop.
"Calm down," Arthur begged.
"If you knew a damn thing about magic then you would know that what I'm saying is the truth," Merlin snapped, rounding on him.
"And what do you know about magic?" Arthur retorted.
Merlin widened his eyes in disbelief. "A hell of a lot more than you do." He shoved Arthur out of the way and stormed over to a table. Arthur jumped in front of him in time.
"Merlin, you can't possibly know that much about magic. I've grown up my entire life facing its evils-"
"You know nothing!" he screamed. "You know nothing! If you did, you would know that a practiced sorcerer who could be a danger to the kingdom would have already escaped. Would have killed the knights when captured."
Arthur paused for a moment, waiting for Merlin to catch his breath. "Look. I know it's hard," he started. Merlin turned around. "But you have to realize that magic corrupts. The sorceress' execution is necessary."
"And when does it stop?" Merlin demanded.
Arthur stared at him, confused.
"When does your genocide stop? Because that's what it is, only you're too blind to see it."
Arthur was taken aback, disturbed.
"You can keep deluding yourself with your father's lies, Arthur, but one day you're going to have to wake up."
Arthur hesitated, letting Merlin's statement sink in. "Merlin," he began carefully. "My father was a good king."
Merlin snorted.
"And I, a few times, was arrogant enough to think that I knew better. But I didn't," he said. Merlin said nothing.
"And lately, I don't know what is wrong with you, but-" Merlin picked up a chair and threw it across the room.
"You have to see, that magic is evil," he finished. At this, the window shattered.
"Wha-" Arthur began. He stared in bewilderment at his broken window.
Merlin laughed bitterly. "Ironic, isn't it?"
Arthur was still staring at the broken window.
Merlin shook his head as he continued to laugh.
Arthur frowned. "I don't see why that is so funny-"
Merlin clutched his stomach.
Arthur scowled. "Look, you idiot! You have to pull it together! Because do you know who you sound like with your deluded comments?"
Merlin stopped laughing.
"You sound like Morgana."
Merlin froze, then he glared at Arthur. "I'm nothing like Morgana-"
"Well that's what she always used to say," Arthur snapped. "You may not have magic, but you have her deluded mindset."
There was a pounding on the door.
Merlin narrowed his eyes. "You think," he took a step forward, "that I am like Morgana."
Arthur held his gaze.
Merlin gave him his iciest glare. The two locked their eyes, neither relenting as they heard more urgent beating on the door. Finally, Merlin broke the standoff. "Then go to hell." He whipped around, picked up a chair, and hurled it at Arthur.
"Merlin!" Arthur shouted as he ducked. There was another beating on the door. Angrily, Arthur grabbed the chair and threw it back at Merlin.
Arthur heard something shatter, and he whipped around to see a vase broken. He guessed that Merlin had thrown something at it. Arthur launched two goblets at him, avoiding the temptation to run up and punch his servant in the face. Merlin ducked and finally heaved the table over, which fell and splintered when it hit the floor.
Just then, the door burst open, and in rushed Gwaine, followed by Gwen.
"And you!" Merlin shouted, his focus on Gwen. "You're no better!" He grabbed a chair and threw it across the room, in the direction of the other window.
It shattered. These windows must be made of really weak glass, Arthur vaguely thought. He noticed that the chair hit it sort of sideways instead of directly.
"Merlin! Calm down!" Gwen exclaimed. He threw another chair. "Please!" she begged.
"Merlin mate, whatever the princess has done, it's not worth destroying his chambers over, because you're going to have to clean it up. Alright?" Gwaine cut in. At this, Merlin stopped, and seemed to steady himself.
Arthur held up his hands, and slowly approached his explosive servant. "Merlin," he began calmly, taking a few, cautious steps forward. "I'm sorry this has hurt you." Merlin didn't say anything. Arthur paused for a moment, then took a deep breath and continued on. "I just have to ask, why do you care so much?"
Merlin stared at him, dumbfounded. For a moment, he glanced at the broken windows and laughed slightly. He shook his head, glancing desperately at Gwen and Gwaine, then stared back at Arthur. "I…" he choked. He turned his gaze again towards the broken window. He looked out it, then pointedly at the shards of glass piled in a heap at the bottom. "I have…" He stopped himself, took a ragged deep breath, then let it out. "I wish…" he began again, but choked. He then lowered his eyes and bolted out the door. Behind, Arthur, Gwen, and Gwaine exchanged bewildered glances.
Merlin ran straight to his room. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Gaius sitting at his workbench. He didn't say anything to him. He slammed the door and threw himself on his bed, and immediately felt water rushing down his face. He didn't sob. His just let his tears… fall. He hadn't expected Arthur to change overnight. He just… hadn't prepared himself for this. He didn't prepare to see Arthur convict someone because they had magic. Granted, the girl had accidentally burned Arthur, but it was pure accident, and Arthur couldn't see that. He wondered if Arthur would have still acted the same way if the situation was different. He had to hope so.
Merlin lay there in silence. That night, he would break her out and take her to the Druids. He wouldn't let the pyres burn for innocent magic while Arthur was king and he was alive.
He couldn't help but think that his friends were going to treat him that way when they found out about him, considering the hate he saw in them. And their undying loyalty to Arthur, who right now was acting like a reincarnation of his father. Out of pure luck alone, Arthur still didn't know about his magic, especially since he had been so fed up he almost spilled his secrets right there. He almost couldn't believe that Arthur hadn't figured out that he had smashed his windows. Merlin sighed. Another close one.
He lay there, thinking about the day's events, when he heard the warning bell. He sat upright. Could it be? He suddenly got nervous. If she had managed to escape, then the Camelot guards would probably kill her on sight if they caught her. That was standard for a sorceress or anyone involved in magic.
Merlin sat anxiously in his bed as the bells tolled. He waited and waited, until finally they stopped. Time seemed to crawl in the silence. Moments later, Gaius entered his room.
"Did she escape?" Merlin asked hopefully. "Gaius?" he faltered at the physician's grave expression.
"No, Merlin," he said quietly. Merlin felt his heart drop. "I'm afraid your job is going to be twice as difficult tonight."
"Why?" He suddenly became extremely worried. "What's happened, Gaius?"
The physician took a deep breath. "Her brother has been caught," he began cautiously. "He's been charged with aiding a sorceress. He tried to break her out." Gaius gazed wearily at his ward. "He's been sentenced to death as well."
Merlin felt himself begin to crumble. "No," he whispered. He looked at Gaius, pleadingly. "Arthur would never…"
The physician nodded solemnly. "I'm afraid so, Merlin."
Merlin stared hopelessly at the physician. "He… can't," he choked. "He's supposed to be better than his father."
Gaius drew in a breath, then pulled his ward into a hug. "I'm so sorry, Merlin. I truly am."
Merlin felt numb as he leaned on his shoulder. Eventually, Gaius backed away, then slowly made his way out the door, leaving Merlin in his room by himself.
Merlin leaned back into the pillows and cried.
