Thanks once again for all the reviews guys (60 now- eep!). Here's the next chapter for you. It's a bit short I'm afraid, but I promise that tomorrow holds what everybody has been waiting patiently for :D
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin
Chapter 13
When Uther woke the following morning, it was with great shock that he realised that his doubts about the day had returned in full. Just what was it about that boy that made this execution seem so different to the hundreds before it? It couldn't be that he was still being bothered by the idea of that prophecy, could it? But no, it couldn't be. Because even if the prophecy were true- if Merlin's purpose here was to protect Arthur- then surely the Knights could do that just as well? Arthur was quite capable of becoming this 'Once and Future King' without the aid of magic. He had, after all, proven himself increasingly worthy of the throne over the course of the past few years.
Ignoring the small voice which told him that Arthur had only really begun to become a true ruler after Merlin had appeared at his side, Uther hurried to shake all doubts from his mind. This was an important day. The people could not see him waver, or everything he had worked towards for over twenty years would be for nought.
Arthur sat slumped against the door of his chambers, staring unseeingly out at the mess that was now his room. He had forced himself to watch the Pyre being built the previous day, never once turning his face away. It was part of his punishment for letting Merlin down- for not finding a way to save his best friend from the death which awaited him.
He had spent a good portion of the night pacing his chambers, going through plan after plan in his head about how to help Merlin escape. But what was the point when he had no way of carrying any of them out? He had tried to force his way out of the room, but the door was locked, and he knew for a fact that there were several guards outside- his father had even posted some in the square below his window, for fear that his son would once again try to escape that way. Not that there was any point, as it had only been thanks to Merlin that that had worked before.
To be honest, Arthur couldn't remember a time he had ever felt so helplessly frustrated. Even when Guinevere had been held captive by Hengist, there was always the possibility that she was still alive. And with Merlin there beside him, there was no way he would have been able to give up hope on that- the idiot would never have let him.
But Merlin wasn't here now. He couldn't cheer the Prince up with his clumsy antics or idle prattle, because it was Merlin whose life was now at stake. Arthur could remember the conversation they had had in Ealdor- Merlin telling him that he had left the village because he didn't fit in any more. The boy had spent his entire life feeling like an outcast, being inherently different to everyone around him and yet having no control over that fact. After all that, it just didn't feel right- for the young warlock to go through his life feeling that way, and then spend the past couple of years saving people's lives so many times, only to be executed for it. To be killed just because of the way he was born.
At some point in the night, Arthur had found himself giving up. His frustration rising over this newfound feeling of uselessness, he had ended up giving himself over to his turmoil. Ordinarily, he would have taken his anger out on the dummies in the practice field. Instead, he took it out on his chambers. His knuckle was bloody from hitting the wall, and the floor was littered with any and all of the heavy objects he could lay his hands on. But this had only led to bittersweet thoughts- thoughts of the expression which would have been on Merlin's face if he had seen the state the room was in, quickly quashed by the returning realisation that Arthur would never see that look on his friend's face again.
Funnily enough, the guards had not once opened the door to enquire as to the source of the noise, most likely realising that their Prince would not want to be interrupted. In fact, the only time the door was opened was when a tray of food was pushed through- the servant carrying it not even being allowed to enter the Prince's chambers to give it to him. Arthur hadn't touched it- hadn't felt he deserved it. Because, as far as he was concerned, he didn't. Until recently he had never questioned his father's laws over magic. Maybe if he had then the King would not have been so blind upon hearing what he had to say the previous day. And now Merlin was going to die for it.
As the sun's rays hit the window, he jerked his face up. Not long now, and Merlin would be being led out to the courtyard, like a common criminal. Not long now, and Merlin would face the flames.
Not long now, and Merlin would burn to death.
Forcing himself out of his stupor, Arthur made his way over to the window. This would be the beginning of his final punishment. Even after all Merlin had done, Arthur had failed to protect him. The least he could do was watch his friend's final moments. He would make absolutely certain not to look away for a single second- to engrave every instant into his memory and carry that burden forward in his own life.
He owed Merlin that much at least.
*Puppy-dog eyes* Review?