Chapter 8 has finally made an entrance. Enjoy! (Disclamer: I still do not own Merlin)

Previously...

Arthur felt the connection sever and he finished his thought. "You're a loyal friend Merlin, and I couldn't bear to lose you."

Arthur sighed as he watched the light from the sun light up his cell. The door opened to reveal two guards, Adrian and Bryn. It seemed his father really did mean to humiliate him, and not just outside for the people to see but even before that.

Adrain and Bryn were once knights until Arthur had them demoted for harassing and mistreating servants. Arthur had not even noticed until Merlin had showed up to work with bruises and took matters into his own hands. They knew about Merlin's magic (they had caught the idiot and threatened him to tell no one), so Arthur knew that this was going to go just great for him. Arthur took a resigned breath and told himself not to get a rise of out these bullies. For Merlin. You can do this for Merlin.

"Seems like the Princey gets to have the royal treatment." Adrian teased.

"Where's Leon?" Arthur asked.

"He's been sent after the sorcerer, to make sure he doesn't make a grand escape outside." Bryn supplied.

Well, at least Merlin's journey to the courtyard will be gentle Arthur thought. Leon might need to follow orders but he is not heartless. He's also one of Merlin's friends, which at this moment, Arthur was glad that Merlin still had friends.

Adrain and Bryn advanced which brought Arthur back to his current surroundings. Adrian held manacles with a lead chain while Bryn was carrying a distinctive red neckerchief. Arthur's anger bristled when he realized whose it was.

"Where did you get that?" he growled, pulling against his restraints.

Bryn came face to face with Arthur and dangled the red neckerchief in his face. "I think you know EXACTLY where this came from, Arthur."

"If you hurt him…" Arthur threatened. It felt good even though it was a pretty empty threat and all in the room knew it.

Adrian carried on like nothing happened. "Don't worry, your precious servant is fine, we didn't harm him."

"We couldn't, Not with the King and Leon watching over us. We were only allowed to come grab this and then leave."

"The King thought you would like something to remember your servant by, even if he does die today."

"Serves him right. The little traitor, finally getting what he deserves."

Arthur rushed the two knights, but was pulled back sharply by the chains. "Merlin's not a traitor. You are the traitors."

Arthur really should have seen the punch coming. Adrain had punched him in the face, making Arthur lose his balance and fall to the floor. The next thing Arthur knew was a sharp pain on his scalp as Bryn held his head up for Adrian to see. Adrain was seething. He knelt down as Arthur tried to get out of Bryn's grip.

"Say that one more time, if you dare."

Arthur stared him down. "Merlin is not the traitor. You arrrrmmph."

Arthur was cut off as material was shoved in his mouth to gag him. It took him a belated moment to realize that it was Merlin's neckerchief currently gagging him. Bryn let go of Arthur's hair to tie the gag and Adrain took his place. Bryn finished the knot behind Arthur's head, maybe a little tighter than strictly necessary. Arthur didn't have time to worry about the tightness of the gag before he was face to face with Adrain once more. He pulled Arthur's head back, stretching his neck uncomfortably. "You are going to pay for that one." He smiled predatorily. "Since we can't take it out on that little pest anymore, I guess you will have to do."

He said the last word more like a grunt as he threw Arthur to the ground again.

Bryn joined in. "Too bad, he was the most fun to mess around with. Too scared to fight back." Each sentence was accented by a kick to Arthur's unprotected turso.

If another servant ever comes to me after being bullied, the offender is getting this treatment and more. Arthur thought to distract him from his insides being mutilated. After a while, they seemed to have their fill.

"It's no fun when we can't hear him." Adrain muttered.

"We can't beat him up too much, he still needs to be presentable." Bryn seconded.

Adrain grabbed Arthur by his shirt and made him kneel. He then released his arms from the chains in the floor and connected them to the manacles he was holding. Arthur was still trying to breathe correctly as his arms were pulled towards the door. "Get up!" Bryn ordered, kicking Arthur again for good measure. "It's time to go see your friend."

After making it up the stairs, Adrian pulled Arthur into the courtyard and towards the pyre. Arthur saw a wooden pole at the corner of the pyre. It was strategically placed so that the person attached could feel the heat but not actually get burned. Arthur stepped back on instinct but was tugged forward by the lead chain. Regaining his balance they made the trek to the pole a lot faster than he wanted. Adrain unlocked one of Arthur' wrists as Bryn shoved Arthur against the pole. Arthur wanted to fight back, but on account of his still tender injuries, his rebellion was short-lived. He felt his arms wrenched behind him and the manacle was back on his wrist. Bryn then wrapped the lead chain around and secured it to a nail in the back of the pole at the height of Arthur's knee, plastering Arthur to the pole. Adrain and Bryn, their job done, bowed to Uther and left to join the crowd.

Now Arthur realized why the pole was here and not directly in front of the pyre like Arthur had assumed it would be. Here was the perfect view of Merlin and the King. As soon as Merlin crossed Arthur's mind, the sound of drums echoed through the courtyard leading Arthur to look desperately for his friend. He found him. Merlin was being led out by Leon on a lead rope, the magic manacles still on his friend. What surprised Arthur though was that Merlin didn't look scared or tired or exhausted or anything else that Arthur knew he was. Rather, he looked resigned, but determined. Arthur was proud of his friend. It's hard to face your worst nightmare without fear and yet here was Merlin doing it. Leon led Merlin up onto the pyre and secured him to the center pole. That's when Arthur noticed the subtle Camelot red peeking out from Merlin's neck. He also realized that Leon was not wearing his cape. Leon, you rebel you. Arthur thought, smiling inwardly to himself. Merlin seemed to notice what Arthur had seen. Uther started his rant about magic but Arthur stopped listening as Merlin's voice entered his head.

"Leon gave it to me this morning, after Adrain and Bryn left."

"I'm glad he did. The color suits you, Merlin."

Merlin laughed at the memory and it was music to Arthur's ears. However, the laughter was cut short as Uther's words began to come back into focus for Arthur.

"I have let magic run rampant through this kingdom. No one is safe. Not even the royal family of Camelot. This is why I have, for the safety of the Kingdom, disinherited my son, Arthur Pendragon of his right and privileges as Crown Prince of Camelot."

Arthur would have laughed at how fast Merlin's face changed from determined to outright confusion and fear. He also could have sworn that Merlin gave himself whiplash as his eyes found Arthur's to prove the statement. So did the rest of Camelot. Arthur just gave a subtle nod in the affirmative.

Uther continued and the murmur in the crowd died down. "Merlin, for the crime of using magic and enchantments, you are sentenced to die by fire." Uther raised his hand as the executioner came forward with a lit torch. Arthur pulled against his restraints, trying to reach his friend. As Uther started to bring his hand down, a scream filled the courtyard.

Everyone turned to see where it came from and were surprised to see Morgause and Cenred in the courtyard, holding someone hostage. That someone was Morgana.

"No! Please Stop!" she wailed as a knife was held to her throat.

Uther's face fell. How did this situation get so out of his hands? Execution temporarily forgotten he yelled, "You are not welcome here, how did you come here?"

"Well, it was very easy Uther, we walked in the front door and we saw this one not wanting to come to the execution and so thought we should bring her as a public service to you." Cenred said.

"Release the Lady Morgana!" Uther shouted as guards moved forward to force the order.

"Uh uh uh," Morgause tsked as Cenred's knife grew closer to her throat. She whimpered in fright. "I'm here to make a trade, Uther."

"I do not make deals with sorcerers."

"You would be wise to hear me out, or we may just take what we have and go."

"What do you want?"

"We want Arthur and the sorcerer. We will take them off your hands and kill the sorcerer ourselves. We have some business with him and then it wouldn't be on your conscience. In exchange, we will give you back the Lady Morgana."

Uther thought about this. Since Arthur was now no longer heir he needed another one and that fell to Morgana, even though she didn't know that yet. He needed her more than ever and so his decision was made.

"Take them, but after the Lady Morgana is released."

Morgause smiled as Cenred released Morgana. Morgana ran into the multiple guards who escorted her up to her father. As they were escorting her, Merlin and Arthur were released and brought before Morgause and Cenred.

"Always a pleasure, Uther." Cenred called, grabbing Arthur's chains and leading him out. Morgause's eyes flashed gold and the pyre suddenly lit with passion, scattering the crowd. She laughed leading Merlin away.

Well, there is Chapter 8. Why is Arthur whump so much fun to write? Hopefully with Christmas Break coming, I may be able to write a little more. I hope you enjoyed. As always, leave a review of what you like or didn't like. Thanks!