Hiding

Chapter 20

The rest of that afternoon was spent in peaceful bliss, neither boy wanting to truly accept what might happen. Once again, they went to sleep curled into each other. They wanted just a little more time before they had to face the facts and make a plan to get Merlin out of there.

In the morning, they began to contemplate plans. It wasn't as if they couldn't just leave. Not that it wouldn't be incredibly easy for them to just walk out, but that wouldn't solve anything. They would be two escaped sorcerers, and Arthur would never be able to claim the throne. And if only Merlin walked out, he would be hunted for years.

But if not leave, what could they do? They had to do something, or Merlin would be executed.

Arthur bit his lip in thought. He had to come up with a plan. He was the brains, after all, and he would be better able to predict everyone's reactions. He looked up at Merlin as a thought struck him.

X

A few days found Arthur in the cells fighting tooth and nail to get out of them, to Merlin.

It had not taken long for Gaius to report that there was no way to lift the spell because there was not one, and for Uther to decide that he would have to take his chances with executing Merlin.

So a few days later, Merlin was being marched through the courtyard an Arthur was confined to the dungeons—For your own safety, Arthur I promise—to wait out Merlin's execution.

Merlin, for his part, was strangely calm. Uther chalked it up to confidence that his spell would hold after his death. The pyre, piled high with timber, brought tears to the eyes of many of Camelot's citizens, quite a few of whom had liked Merlin very much. But no one cried more than Morgana, or Gwen. Leon and Gaius only shed a few tears, but they'd never really been known to cry, anyway.

Most of the crowd was aware that the sorcerer being led up onto the pyre could probably kill most of them in a matter of seconds. He'd enchanted the prince for probably months, messed with both his and Gaius' memories, and had almost gotten away with it, too.

It left a few wondering why he was letting himself be led to his death. Some were waiting for him to attack. But the sorcerer was tied to the pyre without so much as a kick.

The drums drew to an abrupt stop as Uther stepped onto the balcony.

"This man, Merlin, is adjudged guilty of using magic and enchanting the prince of Camelot. And, pursuant to the laws of Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon, sentence this man to death."

Uther raised his hand and then brought it down, signaling to the executioner to set the pyre alight. The only sounds were Morgana's cries as she watched her friend burn. Gwen, too, had tears streaming down her face as she held her mistress' hand in hers. Merlin was soon screaming, despite attempts to remain stoic and quiet for his friends.

Uther cast a glance at his distressed ward before turning to go inside. He needed to check on Arthur, after all.

When he made his way to the dungeons, he had to put his hand over his eyes to block the radiant golden glow surrounding the prince. Perhaps killing the sorcerer did break the spell after all. It lasted only a few minutes before the light subsided and Arthur began to stir.

"Arthur, son, how do you feel?"

"Father? Why am I in the cells?"

"You don't remember?"

"Remember what?"

"Arthur, do you remember anything of the past two weeks?"

"Em, no, I don't think so. It's all a little fuzzy."