"To save you loved one; you have to sacrifice other life."
Arthur shook his head in despair. "No. How I can do that?"
The man looked at him carefully before replying. "What if I say, that there is someone in your city, a sorcerer, what will you say then?"
It took a while before the meaning of the words brightened on Arthur. "You mean his life for Guinevere's?"
Merlin's hand touched his arm. "Arthur…"
Arthur stepped forward. "Are you sure? Are you absolutely sure that there is sorcerer?"
Hope, there was hope after all.
"Arthur, wait. You can't think that…" Merlin again, but Arthur didn't even looked him.
"Shut up Merlin."
The man smiled. It was sly smile. How he had not noticed it?
"Oh yes, there is a sorcerer."
There was hope…
"Magic is banned in our country. It is a law." Arthur said. "He should die anyway."
"Then, can you sacrifice his life?" The man leaned forward.
"Arthur…" Merlin's voice was just a whisper.
"Yes. His life for Guinevere's" Arthur said. There was no hesitation.
"Then it's done. Her life is in safe and the sorcerer will die." The man slapped his hands together, clearly delighted, and laughed. And Arthur, he smiled too. He turned to look his friend.
"She is going to be safe. Merlin, do you hear that?"
But what he saw wasn't a joy.
"What have you done Arthur Pendragon? You followed your father's bath. And you sacrificed the one who you though is like a brother to you." Arthur heard the man's voice behind him. He couldn't tear his gaze away from Merlin. Merlin who looked so disappointed, so sad, so resigned. Arthur couldn't understand it.
"What?"
Merlin sighed. "Arthur. I should to tell you something. Something about me."
Arthur woke up. His breath was heavy and he felt his heart pounding in his chest.
"Merlin." He buried his face in his hands. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."
It was midnight. The moon was full. Two days ago Merlin was left with the Great Dragon. Two days when Guinevere was turned her back to him. Two days Arthur had been too inconsolable. But now he got up from his bed and quickly put on his clothes. He ran through the halls to Gaius' champers.
"Gaius!"
Like he was though, the old man wasn't sleeping.
"Arthur? Sire?"
"I have to do something. There have to be something what I can do for him. Help me Gaius." Arthur begged.
"It may be too late sire." Gaius sighed.
"I'll do anything."
Gaius looked at him for a long time. Arthur waited impatiently.
"Are you sure sire?" Gaius finally asked.
"Two days Gaius. Two days. I have to do something."
Gaius hesitated. He looked away.
"Then, there may be something what you can do."
Hope, there was hope again.