Yay! I'm so glad you all liked yesterday's chapter so much. That moment with Merlin's magic bursting out to save him is the one I've been waiting to get to since before I even started writing the story, let alone had a full plan it. And thank you all so much for all the lovely reviews- every time I get one of those e-mails through, it always makes me smile :) Anyway, on we go. (Sorry it's a little bit late, I was out all morning, so I only finished this one a little while ago. Please let me know if you spot any mistakes)

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin

Chapter 15

Arthur saw it all.

He watched as Merlin paused in the entry to the square. Witnessed every moment of his walk across the courtyard. Listened angrily to his father's speech. Heard Guinevere's anguished cries. And all the while his eyes never left his friend's figure.

It was obvious that Merlin was scared, although he was hiding it well. For someone who had continuously proven himself to be such a horrendous liar, Merlin could be exceptionally good at concealing how he felt about things. But as time went on, as the torch was lowered and more and more cries broke out, Arthur could see Merlin's mask slipping. For most sorcerers' executions, there were no tears at all- people simply stared at the condemned with accusing eyes, some even going so far as to smile as they walked away. It was probably what Merlin had expected, and the young warlock was obviously finding it almost impossible to keep his composure through it.

For a moment there, looking at the terrified expression on his friend's face, Arthur would have willingly given up his future as king, sacrificed his entire destiny, just so that Merlin could escape. Because what use was a shared destiny if one of the people involved was dead? But that wasn't what Merlin had wanted for him, so Arthur had to hold in his anger as best he could- his only form of release being the slamming of his foot into the wall below the window as hard as he could.

And then Merlin looked at him. And Arthur wasn't just angry any more. He literally felt as though something was moments away from snapping inside of him. How could his father be so cruel? How could he kill a man who had sacrificed so much to protect them all? How could he?

The two boys' gazes locked together. It was just for a split second, but that single second was enough. The two yelled out at the same time, Arthur hammering violently against the window, pleading for a miracle- any sort of miracle- which would simply ensure his friend's survival.

And a miracle came. Barely a moment later, a strange golden haze formed itself around Merlin's body, quashing the flames just as they were about to reach where the young warlock stood. An instant later, and a small wisp of it had broken away from the cloud, heading straight towards the Prince's window. Entranced, he slammed open the window and held out his left arm to try and catch it. Then promptly gave a startled yelp and stumbled backwards, crashing onto the floor in an ungraceful heap as it sunk through his sleeve and wrapped itself around his arm.

Some of the guards from outside burst in at the noise, only to find a stunned Prince sitting on the floor and pulling up his sleeve to reveal what looked like a tattoo of a Dragon appearing on his forearm. It's scales glowed a brilliant gold for a moment, before fading to reveal that the pattern was interspersed with rich blue tones. It was gorgeous. So much so that Arthur found himself transfixed. Upon closer inspection, he could see that each scale seemed to contain what looked like words, but in no language that he knew.

A shout from outside quickly forced his attention away from the Dragon though. His father's voice.

"Kill him!"

He darted over to the window just as Merlin spoke.

"No! Wait! Something's wrong!"

There were several guards advancing on his friend, one of whom was just about to bring his sword swinging into the young warlock's neck. Just as Arthur was about to yell out, some of the golden smoke broke off, slamming the guard several feet through the air. Seeing the terrified look on Merlin's face, and hearing his cry, Arthur didn't hesitate. He immediately turned and made to run from the room, only to find his way blocked by the guards.

"We cannot let you pass sire- King's orders."

"Something has happened out there, and I need to go. I don't care what my father has said. Now, you will either let me pass and follow me to the courtyard, or so help me I will jump out of that window to get down there. What will it be?"

There were several tense seconds of silence, the guards staring at each other awkwardly, evidently each hoping that one of the other men would make the decision. Until, that is, Arthur turned and started heading back towards the open window.

"No! We'll let you pass sire! Just don't jump!"

Ignoring the satisfied feeling which rose within him, Arthur immediately pushed his way past them, sprinting through the castle corridors at breakneck pace. He didn't even notice the guards rushing to follow him, struggling to even keep him in sight. Just what was going on out there? What was happening? Was Merlin already dead by now?

He entered the courtyard to the sight of several guards standing warily by, not risking getting close to the young warlock who stood, hands still tied, on the Pyre. Understandable, he reasoned, as five of their comrades lay scattered around the courtyard. Gwen and Gaius were there too, trying to make their way over but being held back by some men from the town.

A single glance at the horrified expression on Merlin's face was enough to tell him what he wanted to know- Merlin had, of course, not intended this to happen. So what had gone wrong? Without another thought, and completely ignoring the sound of his father's angry protests, Arthur continued in his sprint, darting up the steps to join his friend on the Pyre. He thought nothing of it when the mists allowed him to pass through unharmed, instead focusing all of his attention on untying the bonds which kept the young servant boy in place on the wooden structure. Barely had the ropes been loosened before Merlin collapsed to his knees, tears in his eyes as he stared out at the unconscious forms of those who had sought to kill him. He was muttering where he knelt, seemingly not having even noticed the Prince's presence.

"No. No. This wasn't supposed to happen. What's happening? Nobody was supposed to get hurt. Why is this happening?"

Slightly panicked, the Prince grabbed hold of his friend's shoulders, forcing the young man to face him.

"Merlin? Merlin! Snap out of it, okay? Look at me!"

Merlin blinked, focusing his eyes, his gaze settling on the Prince's face.

"Arthur? Why are you here? Weren't you in your room?"

"I was. But now I'm here. Merlin." He looked round, gesturing to the golden smoke swirling around them. "What is this?"

"I don't…" The warlock's voice was shaking now, as though unsure and even a bit scared. "I don't know. My magic… It… It didn't want me to die… So it's trying to protect me. I don't think it wants to hurt anyone either, but it wants to keep me safe, so it knocked them unconscious." He blinked again, fixing his eyes on Arthur's. "I'm scared Arthur. This has never happened before… I…"

"Shh- It's fine Merlin."

Arthur could see that his friend was close to breaking point. What was important now was getting him to calm down. They could figure out what his magic was doing later- both with the protective mist and the strange tattoo. But even more than that, there was another fact to be addressed. One he couldn't help but grin at.

"You're alive though! Merlin, you're still alive!"

Merlin was silent for a few seconds before even the slightest glimmer of comprehension began to dawn.

"I'm alive?" He stared round, taking in his surroundings, a small relieved laugh escaping his lips. "I'm alive. Arthur, I'm alive!"

"What do you think I just said? Idiot."

It was while they were there, crouched on the Pyre, that an unwelcome voice brought them snapping back to harsh reality.

Uther.

"Arthur! Bring the sorcerer to the throne room."

"Father, please-"

"May I remind you, Arthur, that you are still the Prince of Camelot, and I am your King. You have sworn an oath to honour and obey be, and you will adhere to that oath!"

There were a few moments of silence in the square, during which Arthur stared defiantly up at his father. Sometimes he really hated being a Prince. It gave him so little freedom, and his opinion only ever seemed to matter in the court when it was something of little importance, or when discussing battle tactics. What use was it to be in a position of power when nobody would give you the chance to save those who needed saving?

Finally, he had the decision once again made for him. Merlin, standing now, looked down at him with a worried frown. He seemed calmer, but the young warlock's voice was still slightly shaky.

"I think we should do what he says Arthur. Me being out here with my magic acting like this is just going to make people nervous. If I'm away from them, I can try to work out what's going on, and maybe get it back under control."

"Merlin-"

"Oh, just get moving you prat. We haven't got all day."

Arthur promptly hit Merlin around the head for that, smiling jokingly.

"Oi- no matter what the situation is, you're still my manservant. Which means I'm the one who gives the orders you idiot." h e paused, stepping down from the Pyre and turning to look back at his friend. "Well, come on then."

And with that the two of them began to move, making their way towards the throne room. And even though the situation seemed dire, Arthur couldn't quite keep back a small snort of amusement.

After all, he reasoned, it wasn't often that a sorcerer got a second trial from the King. Especially when they'd already been through their execution. Trust Merlin to be the first.

Yay Arthur! And stupid Uther. Honestly, that man can be a right pain sometimes. Plus, poor Merlin. All shaken up :'(