Disclaimer: I have no idea who owns Merlin ©, but I do know that it's not me! I also don't own the Avada Kedavra curse, but it is rather fun to say!

Way 3: Hanging

"Well, well, well." The executioner, a stocky man named Garret, said with a sneer. His face was inches away from Merlin's face, and Merlin could smell rotten fish on his breath. "You managed to escape yesterday, brat. But today, you're going to meet your end, sorcerer." Merlin flinched away as Garret's spit flew into his face, and Garret laughed. "That's right, boy, you should be scared."

He turned and started to walk away, but Merlin got an idea. With a smirk, he started to mumble. "Hocus pocus, atin-lay ig-pay, avada kedavra. . ."

Garret turned, his eyes widening. "What do you think you're doing, boy?"

". . . alakazam!" Merlin finished. He looked up at Garret, and thought of how much fun it would be to turn the man into a toad. The look on his face must have been quite fearsome, because Garret stumbled back. "I place a curse on you!" Merlin announced. "A curse of misfortune, bad luck, and untimely accidents! Beware, oh heartless killer!"

Garret stumbled back and ran out the door, his voice cracking as he called to the guards. "Ge- get the sorcerer onto the gallows!" Then he ran, trying to put as much space between him and Merlin as possible.

Merlin bit back the urge to laugh as he was dragged over to the rope that hung inconveniently at the height of his neck. Merlin saw the trapdoor underneath it, and couldn't help but take a few small test jumps to see exactly how sturdy it was. Unfortunately, it turned out to be perfectly suited for its purpose.

Garret had regained his confidence, and was sneering down at Merlin again. "No big words now, eh?"

Merlin grinned and leaned forward, making Garret stumble back just enough to fall off the edge of the gallows. "How unfortunate." Merlin answered. "What an untimely accident. You seem to have some bad luck, Garret."

Garret paled and scrambled up, watching Merlin carefully as he climbed onto the gallows. Shaking slightly, he moved behind Merlin, out of his line of sight.

"Yesterday, through trickery, this sorcerer delayed his execution." Uther announced from his spot on the balcony. "Today, we will see this rectified."

Merlin gulped as Garret stepped forward and tied the noose tight around Merlin's neck. Merlin winced as the rope cut into his skin, but tried not to make too big of a deal of it. He felt every eye on him, and he knew they were waiting to see how he escaped this time. Garret stepped back and moved towards the lever that connected to the trapdoor that was now under Merlin's feet. Merlin stared up at Uther, and inspiration struck. "You will never be able to subdue the Old Religion, Uther. This world was created by the Old Religion, and will be destroyed by its passing. No mortal man could ever conquer it."

Uther smirked, his answer lying in his smug expression. Then his hand dropped, signaling Garret. Garret pulled the lever, and Merlin felt the ground fall from under him. He closed his eyes as he started to fall.

He hit the ground with a resounding smack.

Merlin opened his eyes, and saw the rope fall next to him. He grinned like an idiot when he realized that the rope had been too weak to hold his weight; it had snapped. Rough hands grabbed him, and Merlin was pulled out from under the gallows. On the balcony, Uther's face turned purple. Garret called for another rope, and one of the guards ran to get it. He returned a few minutes later, amazement on his face.

"All the ropes have been chewed through by rats!" He called. "There's not a single usable one in the bunch!"

Merlin couldn't help it. He burst out laughing.