A/N: Ok, so people weren't voting -_- but I didn't want to just leave it, so I've decided to change things a bit. I'll still leave it up to you guys to vote, but when I come to update, I'll count the votes and which ever has the highest number wins and that is what I'll be writing next. If it turns out to be a draw, I'll go with the first vote, so get yours in early!

Anyway- onward! Since I didn't get the number of votes I wanted, I gave the story to a couple of mates at Uni and they voted as well.

The verdict: Option B: He picks up the strange, blood red stone.

Ever so slight spolier for 2.11 and 3.05... if you squint.

Here goes...

Hope you all enjoy!


Merlin took one last glance at the figure in the distance, but they were already gone. He turned to look at the stone. He wanted, desperately, to pick it up, but was unsure as to what would happen if he did.

After encountering so many magical artefacts over the past few years, he had become cautious.

But there was something enticing about this stone. It seemed to glow brighter the longer he looked at it and the urge to pick it up, to feel its undiluted power, proved too strong. Merlins better judgement was overpowered.

He stooped and wrapped his fingers around the smooth surface of the stone, feeling the cold of metal claw against his skin.

He waited.

And waited.

For something to happen... Anything...

But nothing did.

Merlin frowned and studied the stone in his hands. Turning it over, he saw an inscription engraved into the fingers of the claw; words of the old religion.

Before he knew what he was doing, he had opened his mouth and the incantation was leaving his lips; long forgotten words that he didn't understand.

The world around him flashed, a multitude of colours blinking rapidly, growing brighter and brighter. Merlin squeezed his eyes shut to prevent the light from blinding him. After what seemed like an eternity, he opened his eyes and what he saw made his blood turn to ice.

Arthur, sprawled on the floor, blood seeping from a gaping wound in his chest. The young Pendragon, the future King of Albion was... dead.

"No!" Merlin cried. "Arthur!" He tried to run to him, but before he reached the Prince, the image changed.

This time it was Gaius. He was lying on the floor of his chambers, white as snow with dark circles beneath his eyes, which were wide with fear. Merlin recognised that his guardian had been poisoned. The man he had come to see as a father, the man who had protected him through so much... dead.

Merlin began to cry. Tears of rage and sadness spilled from his eyes as he fought to reach him, to hold him in his arms one last time. But, again, the image dissolved and was replaced with another.

This time... it was Uther. He was slumped back on his throne, a dagger protruding from his chest... dead. Merlin paused. He knew all too well that Uther had to die before Arthur could become King and reunite the land; allow magic to return without the threat of execution. But for him to die like this?

The flashing colours returned and before long, the images were gone, replaced by the moonlit courtyard.

Merlin was confused, gasping for breath, trying to figure out what had happened.

"Gaius," he whispered. He shoved the stone into his pocket and raced for the physicians chambers.

Please, he thought desperately, as he tore through the corridors. Please say those images were not true... Please... say Gaius is still alive.

He burst through the door to the place he had come to call home and saw Gaius jump and turn round. A huge smile of relief spread across Merlins face.

"Merlin!" Gaius gasped. "You scared the life out of me."

"Sorry," Merlin said, the grin still firm on his face. He thought about telling Gaius about the stone, but thought against it- no point worrying him. "Um... I'm going to go to bed."

"Alright, goodnight Merlin."

"Night."

In his bedroom, he used a cloth to take the stone out of his pocket so there wasn't any chance of him experiencing any more horrific visions. Placing it on his bedside table, he studied it once more. A thought struck him.

This stone must tell the future, like the crystal of neahtid, he thought. But... surely this cannot be the future? He frowned, feeling angry with himself. Why would I allow Arthur and Gaius to die? How could I stand by and watch them perish?

He felt, for the first time, the stones evil hold on him. He felt the magic seeping into him and corrupting his mind.

I must destroy it!

He grabbed the stone and began to mutter words of magic to shatter the stone into a thousand harmless shards... then he stopped.

The stone may have predicted Arthurs and Gaius' death... but it had also predicted the death of Uther. It was a cruel death, yes, but he had to die in order for Albion to be born.

I know there are countless futures, but they don't all have to happen. I can prevent Arthur from being attacked and stop Gaius from being poisoned... but maybe... maybe this is Uthers time to die.

He stared at the stone in his hand, unsure of what to do.

I could keep the stone, perhaps learn more of these deaths... but I still feel the stone has a control over me...


YOU DECIDE!

What should Merlin do next?

Option A: He destroys the stone, eliminating the possible evil it holds

Option B: He keeps the stone to learn more of the deaths he witnessed

Please review and vote for what you want to happen. I'll try and update as soon as I can, but exam time is upon me and I must study boooooooooooooooooooooooooo!