Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

Chapter Two

If Arthur were the kind of man prone to heavy drinking, Sir Leon might have suspected he was drunk. The king's eyes were bloodshot and glazed, and unless Leon was mistaken, his hands were shaking very slightly.

"You sent for us, sire?" Leon asked tentatively. That in and of itself was strange; if Arthur needed to speak with the knights, he would typically summon them to the council chambers or the throne room. It was unusual to be summoned to the king's chambers.

"Shut the door," Arthur commanded, and Percival quickly obeyed. "I have a task for the two of you. It is…sensitive in nature. I'd like you to handle it with the utmost discretion."

Leon shared a look with the younger knight and nodded. "Of course, sire."

Arthur took a deep breath, hands braced on the table in front of him. "I need you to arrest Merlin."

Leon had not been expecting that. Sure, Merlin did things on a weekly basis that would land most people in the dungeons, but the normal rules didn't seem to apply to Merlin. And yes, Merlin had in fact spent some time in the dungeons before, even at Arthur's command, but that had been a long time ago. And even then, most of Merlin's treks to the dungeons had been more of the "teach him a lesson" variety.

Leon had no idea what was going on now, but one look at Arthur's face told him that this particular order was not about teaching Merlin a lesson.

"What should we say the charges are?" he asked finally, once he realized his stunned silence had gone just a moment too long to slip by unnoticed.

"He'll know," Arthur said flatly. "Gentlemen, I do not want anyone to know of this. I'll cover for Merlin's absence, but no one is to know he has been arrested. Not the other knights, not even the men who will be guarding him. If Gaius is there when you arrest him, make sure Gaius understands that he is not to speak a word. Understood?"

Leon did not understand at all, but he nodded. "Yes, sire."

He and Percival made the trip to the physician's chambers in silence. Normally, something this far out of the ordinary would spark discussion and speculation, but this time, both men kept their mouths shut. Whatever was going on was significant, and Leon felt too uneasy to engage in idle chitchat about it.

It took Gaius several seconds to answer Leon's knock, and when he did so, he looked flustered and upset.

"I'm sorry, gentlemen," he said curtly, not even pretending to show his usual politeness, "but now is not a good time."

Leon put out his hand to catch the door before it closed. "I'm sorry, Gaius," Leon apologized, "but we're here officially. By order of the king. Is Merlin here?"

It wasn't just Gaius's face that fell; his entire body seemed to collapse in defeat.

"It's all right, Gaius," Leon heard Merlin say from inside. "Let them in."

Looking resigned, Gaius opened the door for them.

Merlin was seated at the table, his chin propped in one hand while the other hand held a poultice to his face. He glanced briefly at the knights and then looked away.

"I'm sorry, Merlin," Leon said before he could stop himself. He cursed himself silently; his duty was to the king, and he should not apologize for carrying out the king's orders. But he couldn't unsay the words now. Trying not to let his reluctance show on his face, he finished, "You're under arrest."

"Sir Leon," Gaius jumped in, "he's injured. I think this is absurd, and you can tell Arthur I said that, but surely I can at least tend to his wounds before you take him?"

"It's okay, Gaius," Merlin said numbly. He gave his mentor a sad smile. "It's no more than I deserve."

Leon could tell by the scowl on Gaius's face that he did not agree.

As Merlin got to his feet, he removed the poultice, allowing Leon his first proper look at the left side of Merlin's face. It was swollen, and just beginning to turn purple. He would have a black eye for sure, and probably some impressive bruising beyond that.

Leon felt his uneasiness ramp up into nervousness. He strongly suspected those bruises had come from Arthur. And while Arthur could be demanding and short-tempered and condescending, he had never, ever struck a servant.

"I have the poultice, and we both know there's not much you can do beyond that." Merlin made a face at his mentor that might have been intended as a reassuring smile, and Gaius stepped forward and wrapped his arms around his ward in a hug.

"I'll be all right," Merlin said. "Don't worry about me."

"I don't think that's an option," Gaius said as he released him. "But see that you are all right."

"Gaius," Percival said uncomfortably, "Arthur asked us to make sure you understand that you are not to say a word of this to anyone. He would like to keep this quiet."

"I'm sure he would," Gaius said coldly.

"Do as he says, Gaius." Merlin looked hard at his mentor. "Please. This is something I have to handle." He waited until Gaius gave him a tight-lipped nod, then turned to Leon. "I understand if you have to restrain me, but I'm not going to fight you or run or anything. If we're trying to be discrete, I give you my word that I will walk with you quietly."

Leon hesitated, then nodded. "We'll just walk together then," he agreed. Merlin was right; it would be more discrete that way. But it also would allow Merlin to maintain more dignity, and Leon saw no reason to unnecessarily humiliate him."

"Wait!" Gaius called out as they reached the door. Leon turned around and saw Gaius hurrying after him, a small bottle in his hand. "This will help with the pain. His face and ribs are going to get worse before they get better."

And ribs? Leon stared at the bottle, bewildered.

"Of course," he said, taking it from Gaius.

It took a little bit of footwork getting Merlin into the dungeons without letting the guards know the identity of the prisoner. Leon had to send them away for a few minutes while they got Merlin situated in the cell in the very back. Merlin, true to his word to be cooperative, walked straight into the cell and sat down against the side wall.

Percival left first, but Leon lingered just for a moment. It felt wrong to close and lock the door on Merlin.

"Oh!" He fished the bottle from Gaius out of his pocket. "Your pain medicine," he said, setting it down on the floor. Merlin nodded to show he heard.

Leon stared at him for a moment, but ultimately, he had to admit there was nothing more he could do.

He was halfway out the door when Merlin stopped him.

"Leon?" he asked. The knight paused and turned around. Merlin stared blankly at the cell wall as he spoke. "I know I have no right, but…can I ask you for a favor?"

Those would be dangerous words from most prisoners, but they just made Leon feel pity.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Can you ask Arthur," he began, and to Leon's horror, he heard a quaver in Merlin's voice. Merlin took a deep breath and tried again, but his voice was no steadier the second time. "Can you tell Arthur, if…if he has to do it, I understand, but…but if he has to do it, can it be the block or the noose? Can you ask him," and Merlin's voice caught on the final words, "not to use the pyre? Please?" Merlin closed his eyes, but Leon saw a tear escape. "I don't want to burn." Merlin swallowed, seeming to pull himself together a little bit, but he still didn't look at Leon. "Will you ask him that?"

Leon felt sick to his stomach, but he nodded. Then he realized Merlin's eyes were still closed, so he answered, "Yes, Merlin. I'll ask him." It came out as a whisper, but Merlin nodded.

"Thank you."

Leon climbed the stairs out of the dungeon in a state of numb disbelief.

By the gods, Merlin, what have you done?