Author's Note: Hoo hoo… Well, the pile of 'don't-kill-Emrys' reviews is looking pretty big so I guess I'll keep him alive… for now - mwah ha ha! I think you fabulous people are gonna like this chapter! It's a biggy!

Lots of things all happen at once in this chap so I hope you'll be able to keep up! What am I talking about? Of course you will!

Well, as I said, BIG chapter! Hope you like and would really appreciate some reviews for this chap! Love you all sooo much! Please review! x

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters of the BBC's TV programme Merlin (wish I did!) but any added characters and plotlines were completely my genius! All mistakes are also my own.

Chapter Twenty Nine

Daring

Ceira flew down the stairs, taking two at a time. She swung round the corners and sprinted down the corridors, her ripped dress flapping on the back of her legs wildly. Her hair was whipped behind her as she tore through the castle, her breathing ragged. As she darted past the windows, she kept seeing glances of Emrys getting nearer and nearer to the platform and the threatening buzz of the crowd getting louder. Finally, she reached the bottom floor. She dashed around a final corner and stepped out into the courtyard. The guard was already lowering the flames to the straw that lay at Emrys' feet. No. She sped through the crowd, elbowing her way between people and squeezing her way to the front. She ducked under the guards encircling the platform and leapt up on the podium. She dashed behind Emrys and began to undo the knot. Her fingers were shaking so much, all she ended up doing was fumbling with the ends of the rope.

"What are you doing here?" Emrys whispered urgently.

"Saving you. Now come on." Her fumbling finally paid off and the ropes slackened. Emrys jerked his hands free and rubbed his wrists. Although he was free of the ropes, the black chain still remained coiled tightly around his wrist. They both leapt off the platform and forced their way through the guards. Ceira heard shouts from up on the balcony and then an order from Arthur who sounded like he was already in the courtyard and chasing after them. All of the guards and Knights in the courtyard were now pursuing them. Ceira readied herself for the onslaught of guards that were shielding the gates who were now running towards them. Ceira held her hand out in front of her and whispered under her breath.

"Stapol édulfstæf." The guards in front of her dropped down to the floor instantly. Ceira didn't think anyone had noticed her. She just focused on keeping moving. She slipped out of the gates, dragging Emrys by the arm. They rounded a corner and headed into the city. The maze of houses would provide a perfect cover. Ceira finally understood why Emrys had hid out here all these years. They twisted their way through the streets, down alleyways and past tightly packed houses. The sound of pursuing footsteps finally died away and Ceira and Emrys pressed their backs against a wall.

"W-why did you do that?" panted Emrys.

"Well… I just thought that you deserved another chance. And well… No. It doesn't matter." Ceira shook her head and looked down at the ground.

"Why? What?""It's just… I saw something in you. That first time we talked. Something hit me. Like final realisation of something. But I never really knew what it was. All I could tell was that it meant that you and I were going to run into each other again," Ceira blurted. God, she sounded so stupid…

"See. That's really strange because… when we first talked, that's what I saw in you. A deep emotion that was inside of me but couldn't be uncovered. I could never work out what it was. But now I know…" Emrys trailed off. Ceira stared into where she knew his eyes were behind that shadow. That emotion didn't need to be said. They both knew what it was. Emrys leaned in closer to her, the shadow from his hood enveloping her. She tilted her head up and to the side. Emrys tilted his head the opposite way and leaned forward a fraction closer, just close enough for their lips to meet. Ceira's freezing cold lips met Emrys' comforting warm ones. She felt his hand climbing up her back and his fingers entangling with her hair. The other hand slid protectively round her waist, exactly how Arthur's had. But Ceira didn't want to think about Arthur right now. This was hers and Emrys' moment. She reached one hand up and wrapped it around his neck gently, feeling his warm skin beneath her icy fingers. The magic in his veins pulsed rapidly beneath her touch. It was an amazing feeling. Emrys slowly opened his mouth a little, causing Ceira's to open also. Then Emrys slid his smooth tongue into her mouth and Ceira did the same. It tasted like snowflakes. Only, warm. Emrys' body pressed itself a little closer to Ceira's, not uncomfortably, just perfectly. They just stayed like that for a moment, enjoying each other's touch. Without warning, Ceira heard sudden rushing footsteps jump out at them. But then they stopped and just stayed where they were, taking in the scene that they had just jumped in on.

"C-Ceira?" came a low voice from behind her. Emrys broke away as soon as the people jumped out. He stood there, turning wildly around, staring at the Knights that now surrounded them. Ceira stepped away from Emrys a little and looked for who had spoken. Arthur was stood there looking completely speechless. A couple of the Knights stepped forward and grasped Emrys' arms from behind and yanked him back forcefully.

"No! Leave him alone!" Ceira yelled harshly at the Knights. Leon and Lancelot. They ignored her, despite Lancelot looking reluctant. Arthur clutched Ceira's arm and pulled her back into him.

"It's OK Ceira. You're with me now. I'm here," Arthur whispered in Ceira's ear. Ceira was pretty sure it had been meant for her ears only, but it seemed that Emrys had heard him.

"No! Get off her! Stay away from her or I'll… I'll…!" Emrys trailed off. There was nothing he could do. Arthur smirked.

"Come on Ceira." Arthur yanked her arm sharply and dragged her off towards the castle. She could hear the guards forcing Emrys to follow on behind them.

"Run Emrys! Go! Save yourself! Don't worry about me!" Ceira yelled back.

"No! I can't leave you Ceira!" he called, his voice strained as he tried to resist Lancelot's and Leon's tugging.

"Just go!" she screamed, tears starting to trickle from her eyes. There was a pause.

"I'm sorry," she heard Emrys whisper from behind her. There was the sound of a struggle behind her and then yells of 'come back!' and 'where did he go?'. Ceira pulled back from Arthur as he tried to get away from the scene. She stared around behind her to see what was happening. Emrys was gone. The two Knights were already gazing around them and running off down the roads, searching for any trace of Emrys. He had gone.

Ceira was both relieved and heartbroken. He had gone. She was all alone. But Ceira knew now that Emrys would be safe. She no longer worried what would happen to her as long as Emrys didn't come to harm. But now what was she going to face?

Arthur yanked on her arm and she was dragged back towards the castle. Ceira could feel a chain being wrapped around her wrists, binding them together. Arthur's hands were shaking. He seemed reluctant to tie her up but he knew that if he walked into the courtyard with the girl who had just released the Thief, unbounded, then his father would not be impressed. Arthur gently but sternly pulled Ceira through the roads, trying to get as far away as possible from where Emrys had been. It was better having one captive than leaving her to go look for the other. But now the game was up.

Villagers who had started heading back to their houses from the burning stared at the bound girl accusingly. Their eyes seemed to be saying 'why would you want to free something like him?' Ceira wanted to yell at them 'because he is a good person! Yes, he's done some things wrong in his life but so have you all by accusing him!' But she couldn't. Arthur just kept pulling her along towards the waiting gates.

xxx

Author's Note: OK guys, this is an EMERGENCY! Our beloved buddy the little blue button has STOPPED BREATHING! Please, I need all of you to all click on it in a sort of cyber-CPR thing. I'm sure the life saving window that will pop up will help save a little blue button's life! x