Out of Time

AvalonReeseFanFics

A/N: Alright my readers, as I've warned… It happens here. Most of you can guess what's going to happen and I think that's a good thing, you won't be as surprised when it happens. Remember in two chapters it will be the official end of season 1 but next chapter there will be spoilers at the end of it to give you a taste of what will be to come! So don't get too mad when you get to the point! I will also have a poll for you guys to vote on next chapter! As always, if you'd like a shout out, please leave a review, fav or follow and I'll see you guys next Thursday.

Shoutouts: Verona1700, Bronzelove, ForeverTeamEdward13, suzie0821, and X-Over Appreciator

Chapter 39: Out of Concern

Addison waited for Arthur to be asleep before leaving his chambers to go back to her own.

It was late at night at this point and though Arthur had tried to stay awake he was still sick from the poison running through him. So, when he finally fell asleep in her arms, she pressed a soft kiss to his forehead and slipped out of his limp grasp. She couldn't be caught there, of course, so she knew she would have to return to her room before Uther came back.

Addison couldn't help but be on cloud nine.

Arthur had bared his soul to her tonight. He loved her, he truly loved her just like she loved him. He even said he wanted her to be his queen. Addison couldn't have cared about that though, she didn't need the title or the finery, she was just glad that he loved her. That he saw her as his future. Because she saw her future with him too.

"You have to come with us, my lady."

Addison had just slipped out of the doors and the found herself looking up to the two soldiers standing in her way. She hadn't even noticed them outside of Arthur's chambers.

"I do? … but it's so late…"

Something wasn't right about this, but she let them lead her away because she didn't know how else to stop them.

She had tried asking where they were going, but they didn't answer. She wasn't entirely surprised when she ended up being taken to Uther's chambers.

For a while they just stood there, Uther's back to her while his guards continued to hold her in place. Worry nagged the back of her mind but she wasn't certain what was happening. After a long pause he finally spoke.

"You know I love my son," he said and her eyes narrowed what a weird statement.

"Yes, of course."

"And you know, that being King means I have to make hard decisions for the good of… everyone..."

Okay this was getting really weird and not in a good way. "Uh… yeah, I know…"

"Then you know exactly why I cannot let you become queen."

Addison blinked her eyes, right so he had heard Arthur talking to her then.

"I… I don't want to be queen," she found herself whispering, because it was true. Maybe he hadn't heard the whole conversation. Just that part.

"But you love him," he said and she looked down. So, he had heard everything. Her silence and bowed head was all he needed in way of an answer. "Yes, and that right there is part of the problem."

She should apologize, not that it would make things better, but she couldn't bring herself to apologize for what was in her heart.

"I have had a lot of time to think about this, and it doesn't give me great pleasure to have to levy this sentence on you, but you have to understand, I truly have no choice."

Addison blinked her eyes at him she didn't quite like where this was going. Didn't quite like the look on his face. But he wouldn't actually do what she was thinking to her, not after promoting her, not after she proved how loyal she had been to him and Arthur.

"I'm sorry, but you will have to be executed at dawn."

Addison blinked her eyes a little more rapidly. A bolt of shock went through her but it hadn't really settled. She wasn't quite certain she fully grasped what he was saying… what he was going to do. But that… that was it? What? He was sorry? That was all she was going to get?

Yeah super sorry about this but you have to die, kay, bye.

What the fuck?

"Are you serious or is this one of your jokes?"

"I am completely serious," he said though he was avoiding her eyes. "I told you I have no choice."

"You have plenty of choices," Addison cried. "Why are you choosing to kill me? Can't you just… send me away?"

"There is no where I can send you that Arthur will not follow," he said and Addison inhaled sharply. No point arguing because that too was true.

"But I… I've been so good… and you said… you said I've always been loyal…"

"Yes, which is why it brings me no pleasure to have to do this to you."

Was that supposed to make her feel better? That he really didn't want to, that he wasn't going to enjoy it?

Then the anger came.

"How can you do this to him?" she asked as her tears began to fall. But Uther wouldn't even look at her. She had never seen him so fucking cowardly. "Do you think he'll thank you?"

"He will understand that I have done what is necessary."

But would he? Probably not. Selfishly she hoped not. Even more selfishly she hoped Arthur avenged her.

"You are a monster, Uther Penndragon," Addison snarled, hurling her own anger at him. "You are just as bad as the people you've hunted! And if you think I'm going to forgive you or Arthur will simply because it was for your perceived greater good, you have another thing coming."

Around them the glass began to shake with her panic and the guards holding her began to shift in their nervousness.

Uther seemed to sense that she was about to use her powers, about to try and escape him that way because he stalked forward.

"I hope I haunt you Uther Penddragon. Until the day you die!"

"Silence her," came out of him, growled in a fearful order and something collided with the back of her head.

Uther watched Addison collapse against his guard's hold.

He felt sick having to do this but he really didn't have a choice. He knew Arthur would be angry, he knew that even his people and guards would be upset.

Gaius was out on an errand, and Uther was almost glad he was gone because he would have seen nothing but disappointment in Gaius' eyes if he knew what Uther was planning. Already he could see the uneasiness in his own personal guard, he would have to be more careful with the people who were already lenient with her, lest she get away.

He couldn't chance her rising to the throne, of her bewitching Arthur any further.

"Take her to the dungeons," he said. "Make sure that the regular guards are given the night off and then post four of your men there."

He waited for the two men to nod before bringing in the captain of the guard. Particularly his guard, not Arthur's because they were the ones who would tell Arthur what was happening, they would be the one to help Addison escape him.

"Prepare for an execution tomorrow," he said. "Make it quiet. The less people that know the better."

If he was confused or concerned the man didn't show it. He nodded to Uther and then left to do as he bid.

He then called forth another guard. "Please stay posted but Arthur's bed chambers, at some point the Lady Morgana will go to his room, probably to warn him. Lock them in together. If by dawn she has not gone to visit him, lock both their rooms. Ensure that they can't get out, do you understand?"

Now that order earned him a strange look but even that guard silently obeyed, rushing off to stand guard where Uther had posted him.

Then Uther himself tried to get some sleep.

But even though he knew he was right, even though he had executed many before her, he still felt nauseated by what he was about to do. And for the rest of the night his sleep was fitful, filled with Addison's tears, his dead wife's angry warning, and worry over Arthur's coming reaction.

Arthur woke up to Morgana shaking him. With her was Gwen, they both looked frantic but he was still too tired to actually care.

It wasn't until Morgana said: "You have to wake up, it's Addison!" that she had his full attention.

Last night had been the best night of his life and he hadn't even made love to her. But he had told her of his love for her and found that all his worrying about her feelings being unreciprocated were for naught. His Addison loved him too, and now, according to Morgana she was in danger.

"What? What has happened to Addison?"

"You father arrested her last night, and he has an execution set for this morning," Gwen said and Arthur was immediately out of bed looking to get proper clothes on.

"We can't be certain, he hasn't said who he's executing, but for him to be this quiet, for Addison to be in the dungeons…" Morgana said trailing off, but Arthur had already understood what was happening.

A quiet execution at dawn with no warning. It had to be Addison. Otherwise he would have sung this execution to the sky. He was doing it this way so he wouldn't find out, he couldn't intervene, couldn't send people to get her out.

His heart lurched in his stomach, bile rose into his throat because it was morning. He could see the sun cresting the lower cobblestones of his room. He was already out of time. He couldn't let his Addison die, he had promised. Promised to always protect her.

He jumped from his bed and rushed the door to his chambers with the two women following him. Not to run to his father but to the dungeon. Screw the poison that was sapping his energy and the shoulder that still hadn't healed he was going to battle his way through his own men to get Addison out of that dungeon then the two of them were going to ride off into the sunset. He'd return when his father was dead or he was certain Addison was safe from him.

Which ever came first.

But he got his hand to the door pushed with all his might and then… slammed right into his door. He jiggled the handle and sickening realization dawning on him.

He was locked in.

Both Merlin and Gaius were not in Camelot. She could tell because she couldn't sense them and that left her with no magic to pull from. And with no magic to pull from she had no powers to use. There was no way to escape, no way to get away from this.

At first, she tried to talk to the guards, but the ones that were usually in the dungeon with her had all been replaced with Uther's most loyal of soldiers. And they were of no help to her. They wouldn't even talk to her.

Then she cried, and she raged until there wasn't anything else left, except acceptance.

She could hold up hope for Arthur to save her but she knew that Uther would have done this in a way that where Arthur had no idea.

Just before dawn someone came to her cell, they put her hands in chains, forced her to sit down and then cut her hair short. Bobbed it. It was chin length now. Two years of hair growth gone.

Then they were on the move.

It was her literal death march. She was afraid, of course, but at the same time she was not. This was happening whether she wanted it or not. There was no escape, not fighting it, and no point in raging and making things worse.

But she could do something.

So, she started to sing.

If I die young, bury me in satin. Lay me down on a bed of roses. Sink me in the river at dawn. Send me away with the words of a love song.

Uther had hated her singing in the morning. Hated her singing songs from her time. Well. This would be her last chance to stick it to him. So, though her voice was thick with tears she projected her voice for all to hear.

Lord make me rainbow, I'll shine down on my lover. He'll know I'm safe with you when he stands under my colors. Oh, and, Life ain't always what you think it oughta be, no. Ain't even grey as he buries his lady. The sharp knife of a short life. Well, I've had just enough time.

They had made it to the courtyard, people had begun to gather and none of them seemed happy to see her paraded in front of them.

She had wondered what punishment, what way of death Uther would use. Was it bad she was grateful to see that axe? She would hate to have had to burn. For Arthur to hear her screams of agony. At least Uther had been somewhat merciful. Not enough for her to forgive him, but enough for her to feel some sort of calm.

She had truly accepted this was happening now.

They led her up that raised platform as Uther read out her charges. All witchcraft associated because there was no way he could tell his people that he was killing her over Arthur's love for her alone.

She focused on the people in front of her instead of his words. People she had known for two years. The uncomfortable faces of the guards who had always looked the other way for her, none looking her in the eye. The outwardly weeping faces of the maids she had befriended. Not a single person in attendance looked happy. Not a single person would come to rescue her though.

When Uther was done talking, she decided well, if he was allowed to have a speech so should she.

"Don't forget me. Don't forget the fun, the smiles or the laughter. Let my memory come with the sunshine, with my songs and the beautify of the world. But above all don't forget the magic."

With that last word a starburst leapt from her heart, dotting the courtyard with stars to twinkle and shine like a heavenly host of fireflies. She hadn't called forth this magic but she was glad that it was there. Glad that she had some sort of beauty around her as she took her last breaths.

At that she was forced to her knees and then she carefully put her head down on that chopping block. Eyes closed, tears streaming, wishing she could have seen Arthur one last time. If only to assure him that it was okay.

Then she held her breath and waited for the end.

Arthur slammed his good shoulder into the wood of his door until he was certain it would break. His shoulder and not the door, because his door was unbreakable.

When he couldn't get out that way, he had Morgana feign illness. Calling for help for the Lady Morgana got the door open, there they found Morgana on the floor.

When they went to see if she was alright, Arthur snuck out the door, while Morgana had Gwen lock the men into the room with her.

By then Arthur was sprinting. He had taken his arm out of the sling, despite his injured arm hurting so he could run faster.

He went down those steps skipping four at a time where possible.

He could see a great many people in the courtyard. A gathering that size meant an announcement, but he knew it was for the execution. No one was cheering, though he wasn't sure that any of his people would cheer Addison's execution.

He burst out into the courtyard, past the guards who tried to stop him but couldn't.

A spark of yellow light burst all over the courtyard, like little fireflies dotting above their heads. He could see Addison, could see the axe above her.

No, no, no!

"No!" he shouted at them, desperate to stop this. "No! Don't!"

But before he could get to her there came that deadly swoosh and the thunk of the executioner's axe landing.

The crowd parted for him and he saw a glimpse of Addison's head as it tumbled into the basket, severed from her body with one blow.

It occurred to him to be grateful that Addison's execution was the swifter, less painful kind. That his father had at least granted them that, but all that he could think at that moment was that he had failed.

For a moment he stood there, everything in his body frozen and numb. Like he it hadn't sunk in. The reality of it all.

He collapsed to his knees in front of the basket. His shaking hands reaching for her severed head as the little golden fireflies above their head winked out of existence.

The first thing he noticed was that they had shorn her hair short. Nothing to impede the blade, he supposed.

Her blue eyes were glassy, blood trickled from her nose, her lips and her eyes.

There was no recovering from this. Not for Addison and surely not for him.

He didn't dare look up to where his father was standing, where he was certain he was watching with worried eyes, as if he wasn't sure what Arthur was going to do.

The crowd had hushed, had been hushed through out this whole experience but now the quiet was for a completely different reason.

Finally, Arthur looked up, a seething hot anger burning in his chest, quickly spreading like a wild fire to the rest of his extremities. Burning the frozen numbness right out of him.

"How could you?!" he howled at his father. "How could you do this?! She was kind, and sweet! She never would have hurt anyone!"

"You know why she had to die. What you would have given up for her."

He had heard them.

Last night. He had told her he loved her and his father must have heard. Addison hadn't died because of her magic, she had died because of him. Him and his love for her.

And just like that that wild fire became an inferno.

Words were lost to him. He roared. Roared in his rage.

A scream of: "For Addison" ripped from him, tore his throat ragged, and it was echoed by the people. Together they rushed into that castle, all of them desperate for revenge.

It was a blur but Arthur made his way to Uther's balcony, where he had addressed and over seen this execution. He wasn't certain when he got the sword in his hand, but he had it.

He killed the guards first, not even hesitating to run them through before he faced his father.

"You killed her!" Arthur kept repeating. He swung at his father and his father parried.

"She had to die. She could not be queen."

"Then you punish me!" Arthur shouted, swinging once more, this time so hard that his father lost his footing. "I should have been punished! Not her! Never her!"

"I could not have sent her away. You would have gone for her. What else was I suppose to do?"

"You took her from me!" Arthur wailed, finally disarming his father. He didn't even hesitate in bringing his sword down. He had never wanted to end his father's life so much before, in fact he was so angry that he was certain, once it was done, he wouldn't even care. There would be no remorse only glee.

Had one of his father's guards not managed to get in between the two of them, Arthur might have killed his own father.

After that, as the guards swarmed in, and with his injury and his own sudden desperate depression kicking in Arthur found it hard to continue to struggle.

Eventually he was taken away, to the dungeons, as the people were driven from the castle.

And poor Arthur could do nothing but cry for his beautiful Addison and the love he had lost forever.