Merlin Oneshots

torn up throats » p1

merlin would've thrown up, but he was too petrified.

he stared solemnly at arthur's back, the prince leading him dutifully to his organized murder. the firm hands of the knights around either bicep was too much for merlin, but the stares from the people were so much worse. heinious, despicable glares were shot straight at him, from strangers and close friends alike. it was as if he wasn't human, as if he wasn't merlin.

physically, that was true. he was the great dragoon, and as far as everyone else was concerned, that was all he ever was and ever will be. to gaius, as well as himself, he was merlin.

and that what exactly what tortured him.

merlin kept telling himself that arthur had no clue it was actually his own manservant that he was leading to the pyre, his best friend. he kept trying to remind himself that the people did not know who he actually was.

but it just didn't work.

it was all too real, all too overwhelming. betrayal stung abhorrently in his chest, though he had not been betrayed. he felt sick to his stomach watching arthur stride toward the pyre in front of him, that massive collection of wood.

a surprise, just for merlin.

a great big wonderful surprise.

merlin found that he was too horrified to even shed a tear. his mind continued to replay the scene in the dungeons just moments before this, where arthur had given him a look so disgusting, so cruel, that merlin did not want to even be inside his own skin anymore.

the loathing arthur apparently had for people of magic made merlin feel wrong. he felt all wrong, like it was an unspeakable evil to have magic coursing through his veins. he felt a mixture of guilt, shame, and fear of being who he was. and what had he done? nothing.

his blood felt like lead in his veins. it was a wonder he was still walking, still moving. he could see uther and morgana watching him from the balcony, watching like hawks. uther's cold eyes were latched firmly onto merlin- it had been a while since he had the sick pleasure of burning a sorcerer at the stake.

"you have been found guilty of using magic and enchantments."

arthur turned. he looked at him. no, he glared. he hated the man that stood before him, all because he used magic. how beautifully twisted that was.

"in accordance with our law, you will be burnt at the stake."

uther's unwavering voice resonated through the citadel. everyone had the illusion that he was powerful, strong. but merlin knew better. he knew better, and as he stared directly into the king's eyes defiantly, he saw him for what he truly was: a dastardly, greedy fool.

"let this serve as a lesson to all those who seek to destroy camelot."

merlin almost didn't notice gaius come to the edge of the crowd. he was far too mortified. this was real, arthur's hatred was real, that fire was real.

that fire was real.

and they were going to light merlin up, like a great big torch.

and they were going to watch.

the split second plan merlin formulated was an utter stroke of genius. he lunged at gaius, discreetly grabbing the vial that would save him in his trembling hands.

"a curse, upon you all!"

he shouted as loud as he could, as angrily as his torn up throat would let him. the guards gripped him harshly, and there would no doubt be bruises on his arms. they yanked him back into line, holding him tightly.

"i will have my revenge!"

merlin screamed those words with all his heart as he glared up at uther. he meant it, with every breath he took. uther would not die unscathed, and merlin would see to it.

and all merlin had to see was the mild distress in arthur's eyes as he carefully tended to gaius. the glimmer of concern for another sorcerer, just like merlin. and gaius was not the one being set alight for uther's entertainment, no. he wasn't the one to save arthur's ass so many times and only get words of loathing and reminders of how awful of a person he was in return.

of course, merlin had to get the short end of the stick. that's how it had always been, and ever will be. it was okay for merlin's needs and feelings to be trampled, it wasn't like he cared. oh it's just merlin, the simpleminded idiot that smiled at everything in such a cruel world. how blind and stupid was he. with no sense of pain, no sense of what was wrong, he'll bounce back. he'll bounce back.

he'll be fine.

"guards!"

uther restored order with his mean voice, commanding the attention of all. and merlin knew that uther was either going to send him to the stake or back to the dungeons for torture. no one lashed out in uther pendragon's court under his presence, especially not a sorcerer, but most certainly not at gaius, his most trusted advisor.

"silence!"

but no one could quiet down, not after what just happened. people jostled merlin side to side, sending him stumbling. one exceptionally hard shove was enough to send the vial straight through merlin's fingers.

his only escape shattered at his feet, amidst the controlled chaos.

he blinked at the tiny glass shards on the ground. it took a second to register, and when it did, the most sickening realization dawned on him.

the great emrys would go up in flames after all.

what a tragedy for camelot.