A/N: Hello readers! I'm back ^^ for chapter 8, I should explain why it's been awhile since I've updated and well... If you've seen the finale of Merlin then you may understand but I was disheartened with what I saw, caused me to loss the ability to enjoy Merlin for awhile until I was able to block the finale from my mind and pretend it never happened... Now back to happier notes, thank you for everyone that has reviewed so far and I'm pleased so many enjoyed the last chapter :) I hope this chapter is up to the standards of the others and if not then I apologise, still getting back into my stride with Merlin. Enjoy! ^^

Disclaimer: Merlin belongs to the BBC and the writers of the show, sadly.

Chapter 8: To Love is to Die

Merlin

The world moved in slow motion. "HOW DARE YOU!" Uther shouted at the top of his voice as he took a step forward without Arthur's aid, stumbling forward his face wrought with horror and fury. Morgana recovered first from the intrusion and quickly scurried from off Merlin. She grabbed a sheet to cover up her bare assets, Arthur diverted his eyes, despite his own anger at seeing his servant with Morgana, he'd rather not see much more.

Merlin felt empty, fearful and strangely powerless. The world was a buzz around him and he knew his life was now all but forfeit. 'Uther will kill me for this…' He thought as Arthur reached out to catch his drunk father's arm. 'What do I do!' Merlin panicked, could he risk using magic? Would that be a simple and easy solution? Somehow he didn't believe even magic would save him now, when now of all times he would need it most. Merlin was too unfocused, too exhausted from his sexual interactions with the Lady Morgana, with the King's ward.

Arthur grabbing hold of his father, distracting the furious king, had bought Merlin just enough time to quickly find his breeches and sharply pull them on before the king pulled away from his son's grip and took another step forward. "YOU DARE DEFILE MY WARD! I'LL HAVE YOUR HEAD BOY!" He roared.

Merlin was frozen in place, he couldn't think of anything to say, was there any use denying it? That would just anger the King further, to be lied too when it was crystal clear what had occurred. Merlin did attempt to move his lips but a dark look from Arthur stopped him in his tracks. Uther's hand shot down to his waist, fumbling drunkenly at his sword belt only to find his sheathe empty. "Your sword Arthur!" Uther demanded without taking his eyes of the servant. "NOW!" The King yelled when Arthur didn't respond right away.

Morgana quickly met Merlin's eyes, she looked utterly terrified. But Merlin knew her fear wasn't for herself, she knew who would pay the prize for this and it showed as she looked upon him with those large emerald eyes which quivered with despair. Merlin wished he could comfort her, make her feel safe, to make her happy again but no… Wishing was as close as Merlin could ever be to making her feel those things again, once Uther gets a hold of him, this might well be the last time he would see her and that thought broke his heart.

"Father…" Arthur began to say, maybe hoping to calm his father somewhat. Merlin knew how torn Arthur must feel about this, he too was in love with a maid and would somewhat understand what had happened… 'Maybe…'

"Do not disobey me now Arthur! Give me your sword!" Uther had turned to look at Arthur with his hand outstretched, waiting for his son to comply as he glared at him hard.

Morgana was the next to make a move in the hopes of talking Uther down, with her hands clutching tight at the sheet wrapped around her she moved forward wearing a look of utter innocence. "Uther please-" She had begun to say as she got closer to her guardian but was stopped midsentence as his outstretched hand came up and caught her hard across the side of her face, sending her reeling back against the bedpost. Hate and anger rose up deep inside Merlin as she clenched his fists, gritting his teeth hard to stop himself speaking out. Nothing he could say or do would sound or be right; there was no need to in his mind to cause Morgana more distress by him doing something rash, no matter how much he'd love to rush to her defence, he didn't want her to suffer further repercussions.

"I'll deal with you in a moment girl!" Uther said with pure malice and disgust, giving her a look to match his tone.

"Father!" Arthur repeated with more authority, startled from seeing his father strike Morgana so hard.

"Silence! I will have justice for this violation and dishonour!" The King snapped back at his son and half looked like he was ready to strike him as well.

"And you will Father… But not like this, he doesn't deserve to get of this... Easy. He must stand trial and his punishment should be made public, as a message." Arthur spoke with cold difference, his eyes were hard and refused to meet Merlin's gaze. 'Arthur… Why? I thought you of all people would understand…'

Uther was silent for a few moments, still glaring hard at his son then looked back towards Morgana and then Merlin. "Perhaps… You're right, he'll serve as an example to all those about what happens if you break our laws… Guards!"

The guards must have already been close by from hearing the raised voices as they entered the room barely a few seconds later. "Take this… Servant… To the dungeons and mark my words boy... First thing tomorrow, you will pay."

"If I may father, I would like to escort him down, he was my servant after all." Arthur requested, still retaining his cold indifferent tone.

"Very well… Guards escort my… Ward, back to her chambers. No one is to enter her room without my express permission… And if any of you should even look at her in a questionable way, you'll join the boy in the dungeons." The guards shifted ever so slightly, they were only human after all and before them was the very beautiful and all but dressed Lady Morgana, any sort of look could be taken the wrong way. Both guards reached down and pulled up Morgana gently by her arms then proceeded to escort her from the room. "I can't even look at her." Uther mumbled to himself in a softer tone as he looked away into the distance.

Morgana managed to quickly give Merlin one last glance, she mouthed something to him, "I'm so sorry." 'Don't be, this isn't your fault.' He had wanted to say and then... Then she was gone, and Merlin found himself wondering once more if he'd ever see her again.

Prince Arthur moved around the room and pulled on Merlin roughly, wrapping his hand tightly around his servant's arm, clamping down as hard as he could, burying his fingers into Merlin's flesh. "Come with me."

Merlin didn't make a sound and obliged with haste, trailing behind Arthur whilst all the time feeling the burning gaze of Uther on his bare back as they left his chambers and the feeling didn't fade until they were well and truly out of sight.

Arthur didn't speak a word as he rushed Merlin along the corridors down towards the dungeons and Merlin wasn't going to be the one to break the silence, not even as his bare feet scuffed the rough stone floor and steps as he was half dragged along it. They passed lords, ladies and servants alike on the trip to the dungeons, half of them looked almost as drunk as the King did, even Arthur seemed slightly uneasy on his feet as he led Merlin on. Every one of them gave Merlin peculiar looks, the type of look reserved for the condemned. Perhaps it was from the look on Arthur's face or how Merlin was being practically dragged barefooted yet didn't make a peep or resist, but they could tell something was gravely wrong.

He was taken to the cell usually reserved for the most horrendous of crimes, for the scum of Camelot. 'Hmm there's probably a joke somewhere there about scum and beautiful woman… But I'm not sure they are the first words Arthur will want to hear from me…' That belief was hardened by Arthur's following actions when he pushed Merlin hard, making him stumble forth into the cell. He barely managed to keep his balance and not land on his ass when the Prince's fist connected hard against his jaw and this time Merlin didn't managed to retain his footing as he landed on his rear with a thud.

"Ow!" Merlin said without thinking. 'On second thoughts maybe that joke would have gone down better…'

"Ow? Ow! Is that all you have to say? Ow!?" Arthur yelled down at him.

"Well I was going to say sorry… But then you punched me in the face." Merlin moaned out in reply as he rubbed at his chin.

After a short pause, to Merlin's surprise Arthur extended a hand which he looked upon with caution but after a few seconds deliberating if it was a trap, took it and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. "Sorry…" The Prince muttered softly, again surprising the young Warlock.

"Err Arthur? That's my line." Merlin bit down hard on the inside of his cheek to stop himself cracking a smile. 'I'm pretty sure I was the one who got punched in the face… First he's giving his father advice on how to have me killed, and then he hits me... Now he's apologising... Hmm maybe he should go see Gaius; I think he has concussion...'

Arthur just glared at Merlin, giving him a look that implied it might be a good idea to stop joking around. "No, for what it's worth… I am sorry." The Prince's tone didn't lack for sincerity and Merlin could tell he truly meant his words, even if he was confused as to why Arthur was saying it.

"So… You're not angry with me…?" It should have been a stupid question but from the way Arthur was acting, Merlin needed a little clarification.

"Of course I am! How could you be such an idiot! I warned you… I warned you to stay away from Morgana!" Arthur's face flushed red as the anger returned, yelling as Merlin stepped ever so slightly back, so he'd have the chance to duck this time if the Prince threw another punch.

"Ok I'm getting mixed signals now-"

Arthur gave him a hard look, cutting him off, clearly this was the Prince's time to rant and monologue. "But I also don't blame you… I mean I can't, that would just make me a hypocrite. You know… How I feel about Guinevere and how she feels about me… I can't help but think that could of easily have been us and that she could be in your place right now."

"Well… I don't think the King would be hard on you both if you bedded a maid, he'd probably shrug it off and say you're just a young Prince living a little…" Merlin grumbled out under his breath with just a hint of spite, there was a good chance he'd be dead tomorrow, no point keeping his view bottled up now.

If Arthur felt the sting of Merlin's comment or angered by it, he showed no sign, in fact he seemed to accept it. "Hmm, you're most likely right… Feels strange to say that… But yes it is different... Because, Morgana is a noblewoman; their virtue is always highly prized and sacred in some ways… To… Ruin a noblewoman, is one of the worst crimes someone can commit."

'Ruin?!' Merlin felt offended by that, it almost sounded like he did it out of malice and not out of love like he believed he had done. "That's not fair… I didn't ruin her! I mean… Well I kind of did, but that was never my intention! It wasn't planned, it just… Happened… And it didn't happen because I wanted to claim some prize! I did it because… I love Morgana, because we love each other…" Merlin struggled to get his words out while fighting back the tears, his face twisted with heartache, anger and sorrow.

Arthur stared at him in silence for a few minutes. "I know and I believe you… But I'm afraid my father will never accept that…" Arthur sighed and walked over to the wall and peered out of the small grate in the wall. "He dotes on her like a daughter, and in his eyes, you've corrupted her… He won't take either of your feelings into account."

Merlin studied the young Prince close; the disgust across Arthur's face was clear then his eyes lit up as if something had suddenly occurred to him. "Tell me… This woman you've been seeing, the one that's had you drooling all over the place… It's Morgana right?"

"Yes… Well kind of… We were really close friends… I know how I felt about her… But I didn't know how she felt about me, not until today…" Merlin chose his words carefully, even although Arthur seemed to be on his side, he didn't want to say something that could betray either his or Morgana's trust.

Arthur nodded then let out a long sigh; shaking his head he casually flicked his hand. "I should have guessed, seeing the way you two have been lately, how you were with each other today… But even with all the evidence, I'd never imagined to put you two together… I mean come on, look at you!"

"Hey!" Merlin couldn't help but pout and feel insulted and undervalued, and just for a second, things felt like they were back to normal.

"Oh come on be fair Merlin, you're a scruffy, annoying, idiot with big ears and she's an elegant, beautiful albeit slightly stubborn woman." As if to further make his point Arthur had come over and flicked Merlin's earlobe, he pulled a confused look as he pretended to size Merlin up, as if to wonder what the hell someone like Morgana would see in someone like him.

"Thanks… I'm really glad I have you here to make me feel better before your father has me executed." Merlin replied dryly as he shielded his ear with his hand, A boyish smile appeared on the Prince's face as he chuckled slightly in which Merlin joined in with before the Prince clapped a hand on his shoulder.

"There's nothing I can do Merlin, I mean I'll try… But I know my father will not be swayed on this…" A solemn look had returned to Arthur's face.

"I know, it's ok… Thanks Arthur, you may be a prat at times… Ok most the time, but you're a good man… And one day you'll make a fine King, the greatest Camelot has ever known."

"Maybe… When I'm King, this will be something I'll change… The manner of someone's birth, their heritage, shouldn't dictate their lives… We can't help who will fall in love with and no one should ever be punished for being in love…" Arthur gave Merlin's shoulder a squeeze then let go as he stepped back towards the door. "I need to head back… I've have clothes sent down for you, it will be the least I can do."

"Thanks again Arthur."

The Prince nodded and slowly turned away, giving Merlin one last sympathetic look before heading out of the cell and closing the think wooden door behind him.

Merlin sniffed and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, clearing away most of his tears. Arthur's surprising amount of understanding and the kindness from the royal prat had left an empty feeling inside his heart and stomach. He half wished Arthur had stuck with his anger and lashed out some more, maybe then Merlin wouldn't be feeling as although he had let his friend down, as well as everyone else, all those people whose lives would depend on the future he and Arthur were destined to build. 'Without me, there can be no Albion… Arthur will fail and injustice will carry on throughout the land…'

The new sobering thought brought fresh tears to his eyes as he made his way over to the tiny grate that looked out onto the courtyard. Grabbing the bars he lifted himself up slightly and looked up towards the castle, his eyes instinctively sought out one window in particular and there he could vaguely see her, Morgana's silhouette against the light in her chambers.

Morgana

Morgana had her hands pressed up again the bedroom window as she looked hard out into the darkness. She knew it was pointless, even if she knew where Merlin would have been taken, although she had a shrewd guess, it was pitch black outside, and she'd never be able to see him from this distance in this light. But Morgana didn't care, she wanted to see him, needed to see him and this might be the closest she'd get to ever seeing him again, even if it was just as a small blur in the distance, for come morning... Uther will have him killed.

That horrific certainty caused fresh tears to begin streaming down her cheeks, following the dried stains of her last cry. Only an hour ago she had been the happiest she had ever been in her life, she had shared a part of herself that she would never get back with the man she loved and it had been perfect, it had felt so right, so magical. So why was she being punished for something that had been so pure, so beautiful? Why should Merlin die just because they loved each other? 'How is that fair? How is that just! Its bad enough Uther slays my kin just for being who they are... Now he intends to slay my heart's desire just because we're in love!'

She had been so terrified earlier, so scared for Merlin...From the look on her guardian's face she was sure he was going to kill Merlin there and then. Now her fear had been consumed by her anger, her hatred for the King, Merlin's fate may have been postponed but the outcome will still be the same and dwelling on that made her stomach churn.

A jug shattered somewhere behind her, she didn't need to look back nor did she need to guess what happened. She was so angry, no... More then just angry, her body felt like it was on fire, burning with the flames of her fury whilst she drowned in the tears of her sorrow. While she was still new to the concept of her magic, and while she couldn't control it nor use it as she saw fit. She could feel it very clearly, radiating off her very skin, dancing about as it wrapped around her. Morgana had felt the magic around her before but never like this, it was thriving of her emotions, her fury, her despair, she felt powerful. But also strangely powerless, she didn't know how to unleash it, she felt corked up like a water skin. 'If only I knew how to use it... I'd save Merlin and we could flee Camelot together.'

Morgana eventually gave up looking out the window; she half toyed with the idea of bursting out of her chambers and going to see him, 'What's the worst that could happen?' Morgana knew there were guards stationed outside her door and would most likely be able to stop her before she made it to the dungeons. 'That's if the door is even unlocked.' She couldn't recall if she had heard the door lock behind her. Morgana stared at her chamber door lost in thought, planning, she wasn't sure what she hoped to achieve but she couldn't do nothing, she couldn't let an innocent man die, her lover die, just for making her happy. 'I'll give it a few hours and I'll wait up all night if I have too but they'll have to drop their guard at some point...'

Scowling she walked over to her cupboard and finally discarded the sheet she had been using to cover herself and looked for something more suitable to wear. Morgana suddenly found herself laughing as untimely thoughts crossed her mind, looking through some of her dresses she couldn't help but think that a lot of them would no longer suit who she now was. 'I don't think some of these... White dresses would be appropriate anymore... Could use some more reds... And perhaps the odd Black.' The distraction momentarily took her mind of her sorrow, her fury as a grin played about on her lips, recalling the reason why some of the more pure and innocent dresses, the ones that used to empathise her virtue, had lost there meaning. After a few minutes deciding, she was fully dressed in a slim red dress that compared to some others, would have been considered reasonable modest. It showed little skin and clung tightly to the right places, gold embroidery made up the stitching, small details and patterns, it also had a matching red travelling cloak to go with it which for now she put to one side.

A short knock on the door caused her to spin on the spot, an idea quickly came to mind, a bad idea maybe but either way she'd feel better as a result. Morgana quickly looked around for something to throw then spotted a vase that her magic had yet to destroy, swiftly picking it up she took cover in the shadows and waited for her visitor to enter.

The door opened and the blonde head had barely been made its self visible when a vase shattered against it causing the Prince to stumble and fall against the nearest dresser, groaning in pain. Morgana's eyes widened and she felt strangely guilty seeing Uther's son stumble around dazed. She quickly made her way over to the Prince and helped him up and over to the nearest chair.

"I see that practice with the stocks today paid off." Arthur groaned as he rubbed the side of his head, looking up to meet her gaze.

"I didn't need the practice." Morgana said with a very unladylike scoff as she moved around the room, for now formality and etiquette were a distant concept to her; she didn't care how she looked or came across.

"Still reckon I'm a better shot then you." He stated with his usual arrogance and a stiff boyish grin to match.

"You think? I got another vase standing by!" Morgana's brief feelings of guilt had already long since fled her body and Arthur's arrogance was just adding fuel to her fury as she picked up another vase to, ready to prove her point.

"Easy Morgana, I don't want to fight with you." Arthur shifted slightly and lost the stupid grin he had been wearing.

"Maybe I want to fight with you!" She snapped back, glaring at the blonde prince. 'Arthur may not be Uther, but he's just as bad at times! He'd be just as quick to cut me down if he knew I had magic as he has done to others just because he's too afraid to stand up to his father!'

"I wouldn't blame you if you did... What were you thinking? If that had been my father you had hit..." Arthur let the sentence trail off as if to emphasise the seriousness of her act.

Morgana put the vase down and turned her back on the Prince; she paced around slightly then threw a dark look over her shoulder. "I had hoped it would be."

"Getting yourself chucked in the dungeons wouldn't have helped." If Arthur was shocked or appalled at her open admission to wanting to attack the King, it didn't show, instead he kept on looking at her with a serious face and soft eyes.

"It would have put me closer to..." She had to pause and take a deep breath before she choked up again, the last thing she wanted to do was cry in front of the arrogant Prince.

"To Merlin? That wouldn't help him."

"Nothing will help him, we both know that! But at least I could have been near him one last time, the next time I'll see him will be just before his head..." Images of Merlin's impending doom flashed before her mind despite fighting hard not to visualise events to come, she felt her throat tighten and tried to fight back the tears as but failed when the sounds of despair escaped from her lips. A few moments later a large hand gripped her shoulder gently. "Get away from me!" Morgana shirked and threw Arthur of her; she turned to meet the Prince's gaze with fresh tears streaming from her sad eyes.

"I'm just trying to help Morgana." His voice lacked the patronising tone she normally detected whenever he offered aid, instead he looked the most sincere she had ever seen him look.

"Why would you? What do you care! He's just a servant to you, you're always complaining about him, moaning, looking down at him! I should think you're glad!" Morgana spat out venomously but to Arthur's credit he didn't flinch or react negatively in any way.

"That's not true... He's more than just my servant; he's my friend, perhaps my closest and most trusted. Err don't tell him that-"

"Don't tell him...? Is that meant to be funny!" Morgana hissed in the Prince's face, her fists clenched at her sides as she resisted the urge to hit Arthur.

"I didn't mean it like that... Sorry... Look, I know how you feel."

"How could you possibly know how I feel? You don't know me! I love Merlin! He's the only one who even remotely understands me; he treats me like a person, like an equal! He loves me for who I am on the inside!" She could feel her heart break as she poured it out to the young Prince.

"You're not the only one who loves someone they can't have Morgana." Arthur was seriously getting under Morgana's skin, she wanted a fight, and she wanted to be yelled at so she could scream louder. But Arthur wasn't shouting, wasn't angry, instead for the first time since Morgana knew him, he was being understanding and strangely sensitive.

"Well have you condemned that person to die? Because I have! Because of me, he's going to die... It's my fault! I pursued this!" More tears stung her eyes due to her admission.

"It's not your fault… The law is wrong. I don't want to see Merlin die either, and I'll do whatever I can to try and change my father's mind... But I need your help." Any other time and Morgana would have found Arthur asking for her aid priceless; instead she glared at him, waiting for him to elaborate. "This is going to be hard and I know it's asking a lot from you but... You need to lie, about how you feel for Merlin; if asked you can't tell my father you love him."

"I can't do that..." Morgana said shaking her head side to side rapidly.

"You must, I don't know what I can do... But if my father believes you have genuine feelings about Merlin... Then... Well he won't accept it and he'll be convinced Merlin has some hold over you, anything then accept the truth... He may even go as far as believing something as ridiculous as Merlin putting an enchantment over you."

Morgana froze, 'Enchantment? Magic?' Something deep inside her mind triggered. Pieces started to fall into place, ideas and plots began to form. Uther's fear and hate for magic was above all else, once the idea of magic arose the King was blinded to everything else. So often before that blind hatred had condemned innocent people to die, 'Could I twist that? Use it for the opposite somehow?'

"Morgana? What is it?" Arthur quizzed, noticing her sudden silence.

"Nothing... I don't feel too good... I need to retire, but I'll think on what you said... Please Arthur, please find a way to save him." Morgana muttered quietly and started to blow out candles before heading over to her bed without further explanation. She cast a quick look back over at the Prince. "And Arthur... Thank you..."

The usually stubborn, arrogant and sometimes stupid Prince, got the hint that he had been dismissed and she wanted to be left alone. "I give you my word that if I can, I will." Arthur nodded his head slightly then headed for the door.

The door shut and to Morgana's satisfaction, she didn't hear it locked. With a small smile she turned back to blowing out the final candle by her bed and laid down where she planned and plotted a way to save Merlin before resting her eyes for a few hours.

Merlin

Merlin woke freezing cold, with stiff muscles and an aching back. He sat up as he wiped his face with the back of his hand, as he became more aware of his surroundings Merlin recalled the events of the previous night. The feast... Morgana kissing him, riding him in the... King's bed... Caught by Uther and slung in the dungeons by Arthur. 'Oh... Crap... I'm in trouble.' The only visitor he had had since Arthur had been a servant carrying fresh clothes but apart from that, no one else had been permitted to visit, not even Gaius had been allowed to speak with him.

The sound of the door being unlocked came and two guards entered his cell, one of them grabbed roughly a hold of Merlin and pulled him to his feet. "So lad, how was your final sleep? Did you dream sweet dreams about being back between the Lady's legs?" The guard said with a sneer.

"Don't talk about her like that." Merlin growled lowly through gritted teeth.

"Why? What are you going to do boy?"

"Ha maybe he's smitten. Was she worth it hmm?" The second guard spoke up in a mocking tone, Merlin bit down on his tongue to stop himself doing something reckless.

"I doubt it, she seems like a cock tease, and most nobles are such prudes! Being a virgin on top of that, I bet she was a crap lay." The guard holding him began to laugh but was cut short when Merlin lashed out at him in anger, hitting the guard across the jaw with his fist. 'Ow..' Merlin thought as his fist exploded with agony.

The second guard's fist buried itself deep in Merlin's stomach, knocking the wind out of him and causing him to fall back to his knees where he received a series of kicks and punches from the guards. The young Warlock groaned in pain, curling up on the floor using his limbs to protect his more delicate areas. "What's taking you two so long!" A loud voice called out down the hallway.

"Were coming now Captain... The prisoner was being… Uncooperative." One of the guards replied, Merlin didn't see which and was then hoisted up by the pair of them. After giving him another quick jab in the side, they began to escort him out of the dungeons and to his inevitable fate. 'Ugh... Uther wasn't kidding when he said first thing.' He thought as he passed a female servant carrying food for other prisoners, his stomach rumbled and cried out at the idea of dying on an empty stomach.

The courtyard was as quiet as it was empty, Merlin couldn't help but shiver at the thought that the next time he entered the courtyard, it would be the scene of his final moments on this earth, and a cold chill ran down his spine as he spotted the headsman block already prepared for him. The guards rushed Merlin up the large steps that led into the keep and along the corridors that led to the throne room, not caring if Merlin tripped along the way. He couldn't help but wonder if the guards too had been rushed up this morning and had yet to have their breakfast when Merlin heard a stomach growl that didn't belong to him. 'Great… Not only am I being accused of… Ruining Morgana… I'm also now reasonable for people missing their breakfast.' The large doors to the throne room were opened before them and Merlin was led into the large room, those already present were quiet and all their eyes were on him as he was dragged and dropped to his knees a few feet from the empty throne.

While Merlin waited for the King to show up, he wondered where Morgana was. If she was confined to her chambers or if she'd be made to watch Merlin be sentenced to death, part of him wished she would turn up just so he could look into her eyes one last time, and part of him hoped otherwise. That she wouldn't have to see him like this, he didn't want this to be her last memory of him, the one she'd remember whenever she thought of him.

Merlin had no idea how long he waited and tried not to show his discomfort about being kept on his knees which were growing increasingly tender. Soon a side door at the rear of the hall opened and in stepped the King in all his finery, followed by Arthur who looked absolutely exhausted, like he'd been up all night trying to convince his father otherwise, the look on his face suggested that his attempts had been in vain. Behind them both was a distraught Gaius whose eyes instantly found Merlin, a look of sheer empathy filled the eyes of his old guardian. The three approached the throne where Uther took his side whilst Arthur and Gaius flanked him.

Both Arthur and Uther's eyes narrowed on Merlin, both displaying different emotions for different reasons. "What's happened here?" Arthur asked in a stern voice at the two guards, his hand waved and gestured towards the bruises and cuts on Merlin that had already begun to show.

"The prisoner tried to resist us-" One of the guards began to explain.

"That's not true! They-"Merlin tried to defend himself only to receive a whack to the back of his head.

"Enough of that! Merlin, what was you about to say?" The guards shifted uncomfortably behind Merlin as Arthur mustered up all his authority.

"Silence, all of you!" Uther growled deeply. "I do not care why or how he suffered these injuries, it's less then he deserved. The guards, the people... They love Morgana, it's to be expected that they are just as angry at this... Act."

"Sire if I may..." Gaius began to say and tried to interrupt on Merlin's behalf.

"You may not physician; I do not want to hear another word out of the pair of you!"Uther turned his head and gave both of them a hard glare as if to dare them to challenge him before turning to address those present. "This... Servant... Has committed a crime so dishonourable, an act so vile, that to speak it aloud is enough to break my heart... He took advantage of my ward, of our beloved Lady Morgana and ruined her..." If Merlin didn't know better he'd of thought Uther was just about ready to break down into tears, the King's face was twisted with rage and hate as he spat out Merlin's actions in the most unfair, partial way imaginable.

"Sire, I-" Despite the looks from the Prince and his guardian that suggested for Merlin to keep quiet, if he was doomed to die, he at least wanted to be honest about how he felt about Morgana and how he acted out of love.

"Silence!" Uther roared, cutting Merlin off as the King got to his feet, moving dangerously close to the young Warlock. "She'll never be whole again... For the crime of deflowering a lady of nobility, for ruining the Lady Morgana... There is only one sentence that I can pass, you are hereby sentenced to death by beheading, immediately!"

Uther had barely finished passing sentence when the doors burst open, a figure clad in red tried to gain entry only to be quickly restrained by those standing near the door. "Get off me!" Morgana shirked as she struggled in the clutches of her restrainers.

"What is the meaning of this! I gave explicit orders that she was not to leave her chambers!" The king bellowed at the guards as he looked up from Merlin at his ward. "Take her away!"

Morgana kicked out at the nearest guard as they tried to forcefully remove her from the room, buying herself a few seconds, she met the King's gaze and cried out. "It was magic!"

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed Chapter 8 ^_^ I hope you all found it acceptable and enjoyable after the long delay between updates. Hopefully Chapter 9 won't take half as long ;) Long live the Mergana ship! Till next time :)