I got this prompt from WritingReadingLaughing, so I don't own the idea.

Oferllhtansé beadu foldweg álecgan líglic ærneweg æt álætan sé þéodcwén sylfum Albion oþfléon æt mundheáls æt híe mægencyning onuppan þú. Fýrwylm! Nerung úre þéodcwén eac úre eafoð!

Alight the war path, lay a fiery road to let the Queen of Albion flee to safety to her King upon you. Fire! Guard your Queen with your might!

Ic rnuudboraþú sé rīce æt onsteppan on Fýr

I give you the power to walk on fire

They were trapped.

With the war on Camelot from Cenred's army, Arthur had forced Merlin to take Gwen and flee, the King himself retreating with the Knights and Gaius. But now, here Merlin stood, clutching the sword wound at his side and Gwen beside him. Behind them, not a foot away, was the edge of a precipice. Cutting them off from any means of escape, were more than twenty men from Cenred's army, approaching with glee at having trapped the Queen of Camelot.

Taking one quick glance behind them, Merlin ignored the feeling of his blood steadily dripping through his fingers, making a split second decision.

His life... Or Gwen's?

It wasn't a choice, to Merlin, it never was. He took a deep breath to steady himself, then turned to face his Queen, keeping an eye on the steadily approached men.

"Gwen," he said, his voice low. Gwen looked at him, her face pale with fear.

"Do you trust me?" Merlin asked seriously, not taking his eyes off her even as he was aware of the men.

"Of course I do, but-" he cut her off.

"I'm sorry, but please believe me. I never had a choice, Gwen, but I still will always use it for Camelot, for Arthur. Always have, always will," he knew she didn't understand a word he said, her face morphing to desperate confusion as she hurriedly look back between him and Cenred's men. But Merlin knew she'd understand soon now. He only hoped she'd remember his words.

"Please Gwen," his voice dropped to a whisper, and he gripped her hands tightly between his.

"On my word, I want you to promise me you'll run, and not turn back. Do not wait for me!" Merlin said fiercely.

At Gwen's widening eyes as realization somewhat dawned on her, Merlin repeated himself more harshly. "Promise me!"

She opened her mouth to protest, glancing at the men who were less than ten feet away now, before glancing back at her friend, his face weary and ashen with blood loss, bloody hands clutching her own, and the desperate, yet firm gaze he held in his eyes. She swallowed sadly, the despair that things could have went differently clearly shining through her eyes.

"I-I promise," she whispered.

Merlin let out his breath, not even aware that he had been holding it up till then. His hands loosening their grip, he gave Gwen one last, bitter smile before finally turning towards the men, his back facing the edge of the cliff.

His eyes hardened with resolve, he started to lift his hand, mouth opening to chant the words he never read before, but coming instinctively from within him.

"Oferllhtansé beadu foldweg álecgan líglic ærneweg æt álætan sé þéodcwén sylfum Albion oþfléon æt mundheáls æt híe mægencyning onuppan þú. Fýrwylm! Nerung úre þéodcwén eac úre eafoð!" The words poured out of his mouth steadily, growing pour and by the end, he was shouting his command, his hand held high and aiming towards Cenred's men.

Gwen stood back, staring at her friend with clear awe. Her friend, who now stood blazing in a powerful glory, the air around him shimmering with his very commanding power. His eyes flashed a strong, deep gold that had Gwen mesmerized as she stared into them, but she had to close her eyes as the air around Merlin started to glow, getting brighter, casting light onto the whole night sky, and forming a tight cocoon around her friend. Just as he finished chanting, the air exploded outward, and the light exploded into sheer white brightness, making everyone briefly having to cover their eyes.

Screams made Gwen open her eyes, and she gasped in shock. Where Cenred's army once stood, now, they were separated in between by a path of fire, the flames licking up into the night sky.

"Gwen…" Merlin's weak voice made her turn, and she was surprised to find him looking at her more warily now.

"I'm going to have to put a spell on you now," he said. Gwen couldn't say anything, a simple glance back at the fire - which had distracted the men effectively, but they were reforming their lines again, angrily - making her speechless again.

"I'm so sorry," that was the only warning she got, and the next moment Merlin was chanting again, this time his words shorter though.

"Ic rnuudbora þú sé rīce æt onsteppan on fýr," Merlin quickly muttered the words this time, his voice low and hurried as his eyes flashed gold again, but this time he raised his hand toward Gwen.

A warm sensation suddenly engulfed the Queen, and her breath was taken away when despite facing the danger the army in front of her brought, she felt comforted - a feeling of safeness enwrapping her.

She gasped.

"Please Gwen," she looked back to her friend, his face pleading.

"Do you… trust me?" He asked hesitantly.

Gwen swallowed, looking around at the fire, closing her eyes to feel the warmth of Merlin's magic against her body.

"Yes," she opened her eyes, her voice resolved in her decision.

For the briefest moment, there was a smile on Merlin's face, before it slipped away to grimness again.

"Run," he whispered. "Run - on the fire. It will protect you, until you reach Arthur," he said. Gwen frowned.

"But, what about you?" She asked, concern shining in her eyes, but Merlin shook his head, grasping her arm briefly before slowly pushing her away.

"Run!" He yelled this time, and with one last look at her friend's face, shining from the fire's light, haggard and grim but resolved, she turned and ran, her feet hesitantly dragging her to the fire.

She trusted Merlin, she knew she could, and yet she was still taken by surprise when instead of instantly burning the soles of her feet, the fire seemed to curl around her, wrapping around her like Merlin's magic as if a comforting soft hold, barely warm to her touch. Strengthened, she ran, Cenred's men unable to even come close to her without burning themselves immediately from he fire's merciless wrath.

Gwen's feet carried her on to Arthur, but her conscious self was left behind with Merlin.

Admittedly I was planning this to be a oneshot but then it started getting really long and I realized I was nowhere near even the middle yet. So this will be a multi chapter! I'm seriously nervous so please review as it would do me wonders to go on. I've got less than half maybe already written out just to let y'all know :)