THE QUEENS HEARTBREAK

GONE

AUTHOR NOTE: OMG please don't hate me.....SAD chapter ahead. You may need tissues....I did :( this is a short chapter...as always leave a comment and let me know what you think....if your still talking to me that is ;) LOVE YOU GUYS MWAH!

MERLIN 

Merlin woke to the sound of the cell door being unlocked, or at least he opened his eyes. He hadn't slept much too many thoughts racing through his mind, he had been awake for about an hour now listening to the sounds of the market being set up as the people of Camelot started their day. He didn't bother turning to look as the guards walked into his cell intent on watching the sun rise as he knew it would be his last, that was until someone said "Rise and shine" Merlin stiffened and spun looking at Arthur in shock. 

The young Prince gave him a small smile his eyes speaking volumes as they looked at each other. Arthur undid his shackles and glared as the guards started to protest, at the look on the princes face they quickly subsided and Arthur gave him a smug look as Merlin rolled his eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Merlin hissed keeping his voice low and Arthur raised an eyebrow at him but before he could reply someone cleared their throat and Arthur turned the angry look quickly turning into on of disbelief as he saw the The Knights of the Round Table standing in front of him. 

The guards that had accompanied Arthur were both tied against one of the pillars and Merlin gaped at them tears threatening to spill from his eyes as he realised that they were their for him. "What..." Merlin said choking against the lump in his throat as he stared at his friends, his brothers, his family. 

Arthur lead him out of the cell and before he could even take a step Sir Lancelot and Sir Gwain wrapped their arms around him and he fought against the sobs building in his throat as he found himself in the middle of a group hug. He closed his eyes searing this moment into his mind so that he had something to hold onto as the flames burned him. They pulled back as Arthur cleared his throat and he didn't miss the glare that Gwain sent his way, Merlin placed a calming hand on his friends shoulder grinning at him and Gwain shook his head looking like he was about to cry. In fact each of them looked like they were having a similar problem as Merlin looked around at each of them seeing tears in their eyes and he shook his head wondering why they were acting like this. He wasn't that important, but he didn't begrudge them the need to say goodbye despite the fact that Merlin had already done so last night conjuring each knight in his head and telling them goodbye. 

They led him up from the dungeons Merlin walking in the middle of their little huddle head held high and refusing to let the dread and fear sink in as they took him to the throne room. Once they reached the throne room each knight wrapped him in a hug before stepping back and walking back down the corridor each of them with their shoulders shaking and tears streaming down their faces. Merlin took a shuddering breath gathering his courage and strength needing it for what was to come, he was about to take a step forward when Arthur placed a hand on his shoulder making him turn a frown on his face. 

"Thank you Merlin" Arthur said voice shaking and he couldn't hold back the tears any longer as Arthur enfolded him in a hug. Eventually they had to face what was about to happen so Merlin pulled back not wanting to put it of any longer and before Arthur could stop him strode through the doors to the throne room. Uther was standing in front of his throne and Merlin resisted the urge to cower as the king glared at him, Merlin refused to give him the satisfaction though he knew that the tear tracks on his cheeks were plain to see. 

Merlin stopped in front of the king staring at him, he wanted Uther to see him, to know that he was about to kill an innocent man. The door to the throne room shut with a BOOM of finality making Merlin swallow. Uther narrowed his eyes at him clearly reading his thoughts as clearly as if Merlin had said them out loud though he had made no attempt to hide them, "Do you Merlin admit to having an illicit affair with my daughter" the king thundered and Merlin bit his tongue resisting the urge to roll his eyes. Was he really going to make this much of a spectacle? Merlin didn't bother to hide the flash of anger in his gaze as he looked at Uther. 

"I love your daughter and if that is cause enough for you to execute me then go ahead I will not apologise for being in love" Merlin growled, Uther rolled his eyes but his grip tightened on his sword and Merlin took a deep breath a smile on his face as the sword flashed in his vision. 

Merlin stumbled back looking down as blood poured out of his chest and distantly he heard someone screaming as he fell to the floor his eyes going dim. Arthur appeared above him covered in blood and he felt a detached sense of alarm thinking that someone had attacked the prince until he realised that it was his blood, apparently Arthur had been standing next to him when his father swung. Merlin smiled at him "Tell Morgana that I love her" he said as he took his final breath closing his eyes and letting the darkness take him. 

Author note: Anybody got a tissue?