First of all, thanks so much for the reviews and faves/alerts. They mean so much to me. Sorry about the slowness, uni calls…

Also, that first chapter is driving me mad - a line is repeated twice for some unknown reason. And the italics are all wrong! Fanfic is odd sometimes...

Anyway, here's a chapter for those who wanted it continued. If you'd rather leave it with that dramatic, pyre image then read no further.

Imagine two men. One is going to die. The other wants to die with him. One will burn; the other would rather burn with him than let it happen.

A servant is chained to a pyre. Dead wood surrounds this deathly stage, but he doesn't care. He's in his own world with his Prince, who holds his small frame in his arms. They are complete opposites but make one person - two sides of the same coin. Light and dark. Tanned and pale. Blonde and Dark. Strong and light. Scruffy and armour clad.

From the complete looks of contentment on their faces, to the way their hair entwines in the same breeze that flutters the Prince's crimson cape. Their gentle smiles and the way they look at each other, as if nothing else matters anymore. Everyone present will carry this image with them forever.

Especially the men themselves, even if forever turns out to not be so long for one of them...

I know I shouldn't. To them - the crowd, the haters, and my own "father" - it's wrong. But I don't care.

I hold Merlin as tightly as I can; wishing I wasn't wearing armour so there would be fewer barriers between us. I know they will force me to let him go, then the tough decisions will really come. But for now I just need to stop him trembling. It was too much. He seemed so small up there. So lost and alone...

Who am I kidding? I was alone. I imagined what would happen if I let them kill Merlin. And I was alone. Always have been until I met Merlin. Merlin is... well he's the one genuine friend I have. With his quick wit, dazzling smiles and total INABILITY to show a Prince proper respect. He's a real, good person and I've never had that before.

He's real and I love him for it.

I'll never say that out loud, least of all to him. It's a bit pathetic really isn't it? A Prince with no friends. But anyway, it's the truth. And maybe I don't need to tell him anyway. My actions must be speaking for me... now there's a terrifying thought.

But there was this feeling inside, before I joined him up here. This incessant, instinctive voice that was telling me: This cannot happen. Do not let this happen. He's a part of you. He dies, you die and you know it. You're connected. You need each other. Don't let him die.

I know it sounds mad. Like our destinies are entwined. But I believed it. Still do. So I did what I had to.

But miracle upon miracles, I hold him, and he's still smiling (idiot probably doesn't grasp the situation we are in)! But I'm hardly one to talk because I am too. Suddenly we're joking - no laughing! - and he doesn't tremble. I like to think it's because I'm here for him. No one else matters to us. Winding my arms around him seemed like the most natural thing in the world so I did it. I can feel his heart beat and it's beautiful. I can't let it stop.

I won't.

"Arthur this is absolutely ridiculous! A complete outrage! I-I -" Bet my Father's turning purple. I silently laugh at the image, glad he cannot see my expression since he'd probably charge at me like a possessed bull. I don't need to see his face really - I see all I need to in the expressions of the audience (for that's what they are, enjoying the show). They look shocked, scared and a tiniest bit bemused.

I am so dead.

Rather me than Merlin.

"Arthur..." Merlin is clearly having similar thoughts as he pulls away from my protective embrace to look into my eyes, "Maybe you shouldn't -"

"Don't even bother to finish that sentence." I reply dryly in my meanest tone. It doesn't come out like that though. Sounds like I'm begging him. I won't listen to common sense because it determines that I can't stop this from happening. And I will. One way or another.

"I will come down and drag you away myself!"

"That'll be fun!" Did I really just say that? Merlin winces.

"You know, I really don't think this is helping in the long run." He says, sounding calm - but his lips are trembling, like he's trying very hard not to smile.

I know my Father's threats are empty ones. He'll punish me later, but he won't have himself seen in public, dragging his unruly son off a pyre. He won't lose face.

"I've made my demands quite clear." I challenge, "Let Merlin go or light it."

I find that for the first time ever, I resent the gathered population. They barely react when a servant is going to be burned, but a Crown Prince? Don't be so barbaric!

"I will not kill my only son. Now stop embarrassing yourself and end this." Dad sounds dangerously calm.

"You should really. I mean, it's been great and all but..." Merlin trails off as I look at him - really look at him. He sounds calm but he's barely hanging on. He's thin, almost painfully so, with those cheek bones and paler than pale complexion. His dark hair is ruffled and contrasts sharply with his clear blue eyes, which sometimes contain flecks of gold, but not now. He looks exhausted. But his full lips are firmly set so he looks strong. He looks strangely powerful. He looks... Like he's hiding something. Or someone. Always has since day one.

Before I can stop myself I gently trace the outline of his cheek, the briefest of touches that I hope no one else sees. He doesn't flinch but his eyes widen slightly.

"Arthur..."

I shout before he can continue, finally facing the fury, "I respect you Father. And I love you. But I cannot allow you to kill another innocent person. You cannot destroy anymore lives because of your hatred. He is faithful, and you are honourable so please just please - "

"You show me no respect at all Arthur, which is what this is about now." Came my Father's cold reply. I expected as much. He's found a new justification for this murder. He's gong to murder him he's going to kill him to kill Merlin to murder...

"You don't care about anyone do you? You love no one but yourself!" I scream it, near hysterical but past caring. "You're going to kill me too! You will and you just don't care! I hate you!"

He's falling to pieces. And over me. I never knew he cared for me on this scale.

He's near hysterical, and so am I. He can't suffer too - but there's no way out of this for me. For us. There's no happy ending around the corner. There could never be one for us anyway.

I wish I could hold him and tell him it's going to be alright. But I can't. And I won't lie.

I remember his touch, "Arthur..."

He pauses and draws breath, panting, turning his tear filled gaze towards me. "...Merlin?" He sounds lost.

"Lean closer." I hesitate. "I need to whisper something to you. Only you." Am I really going to do this?

"But he's going to - "

"Please?!" I cut him off, and he must realise how serious I am. How much this will (literally) kill me. But he suddenly looks curious, calmer, and strangely hopeful.

I wonder what he thinks I will say? I'll never get to find out.

He's so close I can smell his hair. When my mouth is near his ear, I say it. "Thank you so much Arthur. You'll never know how much... Anyway, I hope you'll forgive me, me and your Father."

"What are you talking about - "

"Dormio..." I whisper softly in his ear, and he suddenly collapses at my feet, in a deep state of sleep.

It's better this way.

Oh I almost did it. I almost made Arthur's attempted rescue Merlin's imagination! But it was problematic because A) I was pretty proud of that image and B) some of you loved it too. Let me know what you think and if I should have changed my mind or not.