Forbidden - A Merthur fic

Chapter 3

Uther Pendragon was exceptionally on edge. He'd seen something he never thought he'd see in all his years in Camelot. Merlin, the servant boy. Practicing sorcery. The very summoning of this memory made his blood boil. The Prince's servant had magic.

Uther, after discovering this, had spent the entire night planning. Usually, he would not hesitate to immediately execute whomever was guilty of practicing magic, but Merlin would be difficult. He knew that Arthur and his servant had a close bond, and that Arthur would certainly protest should Uther declare his findings to him.

So Uther had to be careful. He'd spent a good long while pacing in his chambers, until an idea had come to him. He'd gone to Arthur's chambers at first light that morning to instruct him to go on a hunting trip with his Knights. "The cooks could use some more fresh meet to work with," he told Arthur.

Arthur had sleepily agreed, and he and his knights had set out later that morning to go hunting. Uther couldn't help but be a bit proud of himself for planning this out the way he did. He could hardly keep his eagerness in check as he descended the stairways and made his way to the servant's chambers he shared with Gaius. He glances over his shoulder at the guards who follow behind him, signalling for them to enter. He stands back as the guards burst through the door, not even bothering to knock.

Merlin, sitting at the table for breakfast, choked on his drink of water as the chamber door slammed open, spilling much of the water down the front of his shirt. He looks up in surprise as guards file in to their chambers, followed by the King. His stomach churns uneasily. He glances around the room, not liking the fact that he was alone. Gaius had left a few minutes ago to visit a sick woman in the lower towns. Merlin rises to his feet slowly, half bowing to the King. "My lord...?"

Uther's nostrils flare in anger. "Seize him!" he orders the guards. He watches with satisfaction as they rush towards Merlin, grabbing the servant by the arms.

Merlin was too shocked to fight back or put up a struggle. "What have I done??" He asks, confusion and no small amount of panic in his voice.

Uther glares at him in disgust. "You are hereby charged, and found guilty of practicing sorcery." He lets his words hang in the air for a moment. "You will be burned at the stake." He turns sharply on his heel and marches out of the chambers, the guards in tow.

Merlin feels like he's going to be sick. "No...no, you've got the wrong person. I'm not a sorcerer, I-" His frantic protests are cut short as the gloved hand of one of the guards slaps him across the face, making his cheek sting and his eyes water. Shock and despair crawl through his stomach. Uther knew. Somehow, he'd found out.

Numbly, it occurs to Merlin that today was his last day of life. He was going to be burned alive...and no one would be there to save him.