So I was up 'til midnight last night reworking (NOT rewriting) this chapter and not doing my homework... so if I fail my finals it's all Merlin's and Morgana's fault.
####CHAPTER 4: DEATH AND LIFE
The courtyard of the castle was filled with people, crowded around the hastily-constructed gallows in the center. Facing the platform was a set of raised and covered seats, where sat Uther and his court. This was where Arthur led Morgana. They took their seats, Gwen on one side of the distraught girl, Arthur on the other.
Uther looked over to ensure that they were all in their places, then raised his hand. "Bring out the prisoner."
Morgana let out an audible gasp and grabbed Gwen's hand as Merlin was hauled through the throngs of people, who parted like a wave to let the small group through. The hangman stood menacingly on the platform, his black hood ominous, one hand on the handle of the trapdoor. Merlin stumbled up the stairs to stand before the noose.
Morgana cast a desperate glance at Arthur, who was watching her. He shook his head almost imperceptibly and glanced at the balconies hanging above them. She followed his gaze and was met with the sight of rows of archers, bows all strung and ready, nocked arrows pointing down into the square. Her next breath was sharp and her eyes danced back to Arthur.
"They're ordered to kill anyone who tries to approach the platform," he whispered in her ear, so the king couldn't hear. "Even myself or you." Morgana looked back at Merlin, who had seen the archers as well. He caught her eyes and also shook his head. He was warning her not to move, not to act. With great force of will she retained her seat.
The announcer stepped forward. "Merlin, you are sentenced to death for defiling the king's ward and insubordinate behavior towards the king himself. Do you have any last words?"
Silent tears spilled out of Morgana's eyes as she saw his bravery in the face of death. He looked at her. "I will love the Lady Morgana past death. If that is so wrong, let me die for it."
The hangman affixed the noose around his neck, then stepped back, grabbing the lever. Morgana was overtaken with the knowledge that he really was going to die. Some part of her had believed that Arthur or Gaius would have planned a desperate escape, or that Merlin would use his magic and save himself, despite what would happen to her. She stood up, reaching for him and ignoring the danger of the arrows. She couldn't imagine what life would be like without him. "No, Merlin," she cried out. The crowd turned to look, but she didn't care. "Merlin! Uther, don't do this!"
The hangman hesitated, but the King raised his hand and made an impatient gesture. The hangman opened the trapdoor, and, with a horrible cracking sound, Merlin fell through.
Morgana screamed. "I'm going to kill you, Uther!" She closed her eyes against the sight of Merlin's dangling body and whirled on the king, fully intending to murder him then and there, choke the life out of him with her bare hands. It took five guards an hour to drag her, twisting and writhing, kicking and biting, back to her chambers and lock the door.
She slammed her fists into the door, the wood shaking under her fists. For hours she cursed everyone she could imagine, but especially Arthur and Uther. Mostly she was in shock that Arthur hadn't even tried to free Merlin, and appalled that Uther had ordered Merlin's death. Eventually she sank to the floor, sobbing and weeping. She woke there the next morning and moved to the window seat.
For two weeks she was confined to her chambers, seen only by Gwen. She didn't speak to anyone and barely moved from her seat by the window, even to sleep. Her weight began to decrease dangerously as she refused all food and drink except water.
Then she got sick. Her body temperature elevated and she lost all energy. She began to sleep in her bed again. In the middle of the third week she began throwing up, especially in the mornings. It became difficult for her to keep any food down, and when the king heard of this, he ordered Gaius to see her.
"How long has this been going on?" Gaius asked Morgana after she described her symptoms, laying a hand on her forehead.
"About a week," she said, sitting up slowly.
A knock came on the door and it swung slowly open. Prince Arthur's head poked through, concern lining his face. "How is she?"
"Get out," she spat, alive with sudden emotion. Part of her had not forgiven him for sitting by and doing nothing while his friend died, while the other, more logical, part knew that he could have done nothing without dying himself and that there was no reason for them both to be gone. Yet the emotional part would not let go; it still ruled her actions.
"I think it's best if you leave us for a moment, sire. I will be out in just a couple of minutes." The prince obligingly disappeared, and Gaius turned back to Morgana. He took a deep, fortifying breath before delivering his news. "My lady, I believe you are pregnant."
Her face turned to shock. "What?"
"Pregnant." Gaius showed no emotion. "Is it Merlin's?" She froze, her eyes flying across his face. "Don't worry. I don't want to hurt you; I'm here to help."
"Yes." She looked down at her hands, twisting in her lap. "It is his. Who else do you think it would belong to?"
"Nobody, nobody," the physician said quickly. "What do you want to do? I have plants that will get rid of it-"
"No!" Her hands went protectively to her belly. "I'm keeping it."
He smiled. "I expected as much. Do you want to tell Uther?"
"No," she repeated. "I'm leaving. I cannot stay here. He doesn't have to know."
"Okay," he said. "I can't give you anything to stop the morning sickness or give you energy, but those symptoms will soon leave you. I will tell Uther that it will soon run its course and you will be joining him for dinner in one week's time."
Morgana didn't protest. "Good. I would like to see Merlin's room, if that is okay."
"When the week is up. We must pretend, for the king's sake, that you are recovering from a flu."
She nodded. "Yes. Thank you Gaius."
####
For all of you who said you would cry if he died, you're not alone. I cried while I was writing it. A lot. I don't even know how I got through it... – but the story is not yet finished! It's called "Morgana's Revenge" for a reason. Though that isn't the best title now I've thought about it...
I'm sure that some (if not most) of you will dislike me for killing Merlin, but I kinda felt that putting a child into the mix offset Merlin's death a little... No? Are you sure? Sorry. T.T