"I've known for years. And I've accepted it. But others haven't. They live in fear, either of what you can do, or the fact that they can do the same thing. I want to remove that fear. And I need your help."
"Anything you need, Arthur. I still have nightmares about burning, even though I know you trust me. Do you have a plan in mind?"
"Yes, but I'm afraid you're not going to like it."
The pyre set up in the square had drawn quite a crowd. Half of them were fearful, glancing around them to make sure their friends and family were still safe, still out in that crowd. There hadn't been a burning in such a long time, and the new king had seemed so against it. Some of them had almost begun to hope they could be safe, but obviously that was wrong. The other half of the crowd were the ones who had followed Uther wholeheartedly in his purge. They had believed that the new king was far too young and soft to rule the kingdom, and were glad to see that finally they were being proven wrong. If Arthur was going back on his plan to free magic, he might actually be the leader his father was.
Merlin was woken from a deep sleep that morning by two Camelot guards, who dragged him off to the dungeons. Normally, he would have been able to talk his way out of a situation like this, but he didn't know these men, and every attempt at speaking to them only earned him another blow. As they locked the door of the cell and walked away, Merlin sank to the ground. 'Where was Arthur? And what had he done to anger the prat now?'
Arthur stood on the balcony overlooking the square, looking truly royal, despite, or perhaps because, Merlin hadn't been there to dress him that morning. Excalibur was belted at his side, and his crown shone on his brow. For once, he looked every bit the king that Uther was. The crowd below began to shift and murmur as a group of Knights stepped into the square, a prisoner in their midst. Heads were craned to see, and most, when they saw who it was, gasped in shock.
Merlin shuffled between the knights, his wrists bound in chains. Blood was running from a cut on his forehead, and he reached up to wipe it away, chains clanking. His confusion was written on his face. 'Had this all been a plot by Arthur to trick him into accepting his death lightly? What was the royal prat thinking?' He continued walking, hoping against everything that Arthur knew what he was doing. They stopped at the foot of the pyre, and Merlin looked up at his king.
"Merlin of Ealdor, you have been accused of the crime of practicing sorcery." Arthur began moving down the steps to the courtyard as he spoke, his knights keeping pace with him. "And there can only be one punishment for your crime. Your crime of protecting this kingdom, of saving my life, of being the most loyal man I've ever known. The pyre has long been the only end there could be for those accused of sorcery. But no longer." Arthur paused in front of Merlin, taking in the injuries that covered him. Regret flashed across his face. "Release him." He commanded the knights holding Merlin.
Merlin's confusion grew. First, Arthur had him arrested and beaten, then dragged out here to see his worst fear come to life. And now, he was sorry. And he was releasing him? As the guards removed the chains from his wrists, Merlin straightened, raising one hand to his aching head. "What are you doing, Arthur?" He whispered.
Arthur couldn't believe what had happened to his friend overnight. When he had told the guards to arrest Merlin, he hadn't thought they would be quite so rough. They all knew him, and, Arthur had thought, trusted him as well. It seemed like the label of sorcerer was enough to destroy even deep friendships. Arthur's heart ached. Merlin had told him he trusted him, and this was how he repaid that trust. "Merlin, I'm sorry. I didn't know. I never meant for this to happen. I just wanted to make a point."
Merlin reached for Arthur. The guards around them tensed, still distrusting, but Arthur waved them off. "I know. I told you I trusted you, and I still do. I always have and always will." Merlin turned to look at the pyre again and then back at Arthur.
Arthur nodded. "Do it." He whispered.
Merlin's eyes flashed gold for a moment, and the pyre erupted into roaring flames.
Arthur raised his voice so everyone in the square could hear him, amplified by Merlin's magic. "Today is the last day a pyre will ever burn for a sorcerer. Magic is not a crime. It can be misused, but punishing people for something they were born with is something I will no longer allow. For those of you with magic, know that from this day forward, you are free. Free to be yourself without fear. For those who disagree with my choice, I can only say that I hope you will rethink your prejudices. My father allowed fear to govern this kingdom for far too long, and I will not permit that to continue." Arthur began walking back up the stairs to the balcony, Merlin following close at his heels. "This man has saved my life more times than I can count. With magic. And for that, my father would have had him burned. However, I trust him with my life, and he has advised me on many occasions. For his services, I am appointing him Court Sorcerer of Camelot and my Chief Advisor."
Most of the crowd below them burst into cheers. A few were silently disappointed by the lack of a spectacle, but the better nature of most prevailed. Merlin shook his head, unbelieving. "You deserve it, Merlin." Arthur said. "You've done so much for Camelot. It's time we did something for you in return."