Reaching the edge of the woods was easy. The problem would be progressing beyond said edge. "Lord Ghaldein." Merlin called, and a moment later the Fae walked out of the surrounding wood.

The Fae bowed. "Have you made your choice?" he asked, but Merlin had the feeling he already knew the answer.

"Yes." He said. "I will give my life for their safe passage out of the wood."

He heard the sharp intakes of breath all around. He saw Gaius take a step forward, reaching out a hand.

Gold flared in his eyes, and they stood frozen. He couldn't have them interfere. He couldn't let them try to convince him to choose something- someone else.

Ghaldein looked at him for a long moment, and there was true sorrow in his eyes. "You would trade a death rather than their lives?" he asked. Merlin nodded slowly.

"This will hurt," Ghaldein warned, "You will be torn apart and forced together again."

Merlin felt his breathing quicken but refused to give in to the panic. "I don't care." He said, "I'm not giving their lives up."

Ghaldein raised a slim eyebrow. "Not even Uther? He might not be able to end you- but he would hurt you. Kill you. Over and over again."

The way Ghaldein was talking was… odd. Merlin had thought they were talking about the same thing- but Ghaldein's words didn't make a lot of sense.

Still, Merlin knew that Uther would kill him if given half a chance. But at the same time- it didn't matter how angry Arthur was at Uther right now. If Merlin killed Arthur's father Arthur would never forgive him.

"Do it." Merlin said.

Ghaldein sighed, then nodded. "Release them first."

Merlin did so, and Ghaldein stepped forward. He pressed a hand flat against Merlin's chest. His eyes flared gold. "I am sorry My Lord," Ghaldein said, but Merlin could no longer hear him.

…-…

Arthur heard Gaius's anguished cry as Merlin choked, eyes widening before he slumped. The Fae caught him, lowering him gently to the ground.

Arthur found that he wasn't frozen anymore and he rushed forward beside the body of his friend.

Why had he chosen his own life? Why would the fool do that? He could have chosen Uther.

Arthur could have freed magic. They could have been fine- everything could have been fine- but the fool had chosen himself instead. Why would he do that?

Arthur didn't notice that he was crying until his tears splashed on Merlin's face. Merlin- whose blue eyes were staring up at the trees above them.

Arthur gently closed Merlin's eyes, then lifted his body.

"What are you doing?" Uther asked, and Arthur glared.

"He save all of our lives." Arthur said, "I'm taking him back to Camelot where he can receive a proper burial."

"He's a sorcerer!" Uther shouted.

"Warlock!" Arthur shouted back. He didn't know what the difference was- but Merlin had seemed to think it was an important distinction.

Merlin. By the gods. Merlin. "I'm taking him back." Arthur said, "I will not be dissuaded."

And he was not.

…-…

Gaius couldn't help but notice that when Arthur began talking of Merlin's burial the Fae looked- confused.

The Fae obviously knew much of what was going on in their city- the truths Ghaldein had spoken revealed that much.

Which meant that the Fae should really know what a burial was and why it was so important.

It was decidedly odd that Ghaldein didn't.

…-…

Morgana watched the Fae numbly as he led them outside of the forest.

Merlin had magic. Merlin had magic just like her- and he hadn't told her.

He'd let her be alone. And then he'd died. Just like that. He was gone. And everyone knew she had magic now.

Uther had been distracted by Merlin- Emrys- whatever his name was- but now he had time to think of her. To think about what he'd do to her. And Morgana didn't want to die.

She didn't want to die and she certainly didn't want to burn.

Morgana focused on pulling deep breaths in.

She needed to get out of here. She needed to escape.

But before she had time to get her horse into position, before she had time to try bolting, Uther had already signaled the knights. They surrounded her, Arthur, Gwen and Gaius, hemming them in.

Morgana felt her breathing quicken. She wasn't good enough- not nearly good enough yet to get out of this using magic. She didn't know how.

She was going to die. And there was nothing she could do about it.

…-…

Arthur handed Merlin's body, wrapped as it was in his cloak, to Leon before he dismounted. His arms were aching from carrying the corpse for so long, but it wasn't like they'd really had another option. None of them were staying in that forest even a moment longer than was necessary.

But before Arthur could take Merlin back from Leon, Leon shouted in surprise and dropped the man.

Arthur turned to berate the man- then he gasped.

Merlin's eyes had snapped open. They were glowing golden.

And he was breathing.

Alive.