Author's Note: Oooohhhh, what happening here? Yes, finally some action! But what will happen? Will anyone die? Will I get lots of hate-mail? Hopefully not! Well, there's only one way to find out what's really going happen… Read people, read like you've never read before! And maybe throw a little review in there for me too? x
Disclaimer: I still do not own any characters of Shine and the BBC's TV programme Merlin (wish I did!) but any added characters and plotlines were completely my genius! All mistakes and splelnig errrors are also my own, which are not so genius…
Chapter Thirty Nine
Despair
The crowd were like a swarm of owls staring with accusing, unflinching eyes. It was just like what Emrys must have felt. She pushed down the fear that was threatening her and had been for the last half hour. Ceira just kept her head down and allowed the guards to escort her though the crowd towards the platform that was recently seeing a large rise in usage. She stepped up the steps and pressed her back against the pyre. The people were watching her intently. Ceira knew why they were more nervous about this execution than Emrys'. He had had magic but hadn't been able to use it due to the Dark Magic chain. She had magic and was free to use it. Ceira wouldn't though, she wanted to show that she wasn't afraid. One of the guards slipped behind her and wrapped a thick rope tightly round her wrists, securing them to the stake. He knotted it multiple times and then left the podium. Now it was time for Uther's big speech.
"This girl before you has betrayed Camelot. As some of you will know, she used to serve Prince Arthur as his servant girl. But now it has become apparent that she has shown disloyalty towards the kingdom of Camelot. She would rather practice magic than serve the Prince. This will not go unpunished. She will have her life taken from her by the flames and if she even attempts to use any form of magic then there will be consequences. She has also been known to be working in alliance with the Thief. She is the reason he still threatens our kingdom now. She will be burned today for the good of the kingdom and to fight towards the defeat of magic," Uther thundered to the grounds below from his high balcony. He looked across at Arthur and nodded earnestly. Arthur smirked victoriously down at her. That look said it all. You broke my heart, now you will pay the price with your life. He raised his hand ominously. Ceira's breathing was shaky and ragged. Her heart was pounding so hard she was surprised the whole platform didn't thump with it. The people waited for Arthur's signal in anticipation, their eyes stabbing at her like arrows fired at full speed from crossbows. Don't get scared. You know what will happen. Don't be scared. It will all be over in a minute. Don't worry. It will be over soon. Her silent comforts weren't working. She could feel herself shaking with fear. Suddenly, Arthur's hand dropped. He might as well have stabbed her through the heart.
~xox~
As soon as the torch touched the mounds of kindling, it erupted into a fiery blaze. The flames illuminated the shadowy walls of the courtyard as the dusk settled itself. Ceira was surrounded by growing heat. She couldn't control the fear now. It was rising with the flames, getting ever closer and more intense. Suddenly images started flashing up in front of her eyes. The flames seemed to infiltrate through and dance in between the pictures. She saw her old home, her starting on her journey to Camelot, being appointed Arthur's servant girl. The flames seemed to jump up and singe the edges of the images as soon as they had appeared. Then it jumped forward about two years to the present where she was delivering food to the Thief. That was the first time she had ever laid eyes on him, then her talking to him for the first time, then her telling him about her life, rescuing him from the execution, then there was the kiss. This image took an extra long time to disappear and be replaced by another one, but she relished in it all the same. But then it was gone and replaced by Arthur snatching her away and her being thrown in the dungeons, then Arthur's kiss. This seemed a world away from what her and Emrys had experienced. It was forced and harsh, unlike Emrys' warm, comforting, gentle kiss. But all too soon they were gone and replaced by Emrys' and Arthur's fight, then blasting Arthur into the opposite wall and Arthur's bewildered look, then her being put on trial and finally her being tied tightly to the stake. Then the flames engulfed all of these and swallowed them up into the fiery inferno, that she realised was now creeping up on her. She struggled frantically against the rope, now truly terrified. She could feel her skin growing hotter and hotter. Then she realised that the hem of her dress was beginning to singe. She could feel the fear inside her bubbling and mounting up in an uncontrollable mass. There was no stopping it now. She could feel the chains that she had been securing it down with being ripped apart and rising up and taking her over. Her secret was about to come out.
But then there was a scream. A shrill, drawn out scream that made everyone look round. No, it couldn't be happening now. But before she could look up from the flames a huge, unintelligible yell echoed out over the courtyard and a vast wave of force that would have knocked her over if it weren't for the stake that was still standing high above the people flashed across the courtyard.
~xox~
Author's Note: *Jaw drops to the floor* Who is this mysterious magic man? Will he save Ceira? Please review! x