Project Endedæg - Part 1

Don't own Merlin. Enjoy! Review! (Thank you, RoseMarauder2799!)

Chapter 3.

"Sire?"

Arthur turned to the owner of the voice to see Agravaine standing by the table.

"What's the matter, uncle? I am not in the best of moods and wish to be left alone."

It had been several days since he had thrown Merlin to the dungeons, and Arthur still felt the burning rage he had felt the moment Dragoon/Emrys had changed into his manservant; but now, he also felt a deep sadness, a deep sense of grief and a growing insecurity. His heart had suffered too much; it had been betrayed so many times. He had lost his best friend like he had lost Morgana, like he had lost his father and mother: to magic. For the first time on his life, he could understand where his father's deep hatred for magic came from.

"I just wish to point out, Arthur, that while I agree completely on your decision to imprison the traitor, you must consider something else."

Arthur turned to look at his uncle incredulously.

"Consider something else than such an impossible situation? Consider something else that sending my best – my manservant to the dungeons in such a fashion? Tell me, uncle, what else should I consider?"

It was with some kind of guilty pleasure that Arthur noticed his Uncle wincing at his tone of voice, but his world still seemed blurred for him to really care. Despite reacting so strongly that day a week ago, he still wasn't sure what to do about it. It all seemed slower now that Merlin was away, like he shouldn't decide what to do with him, and just let him rot below the castle.

"It just seemed worth pointing out that the people, the council and nearby kingdoms seems to think you are going soft. What, with you only imprisoning the sorcerer instead of demanding immediate execution, some are starting to think you are no longer fit to control a kingdom. No longer trustworthy, they say."

Arthur nearly growled at the impertinence of the word, of Agravaine, of the distrust he had caused in his own kingdom.

"I just wanted to make sure, sire," Agravaine said, almost smugly. "That you knew these facts before you decide, and so you can do so. It wouldn't do to the kingdom to have an unworthy king."

Arthur sighed in his blurred state. He did not wish to see Merlin die. He was a criminal, but Arthur didn't trust himself to not wanting to aid the man in surviving. For so long he had been his friend, his brother…

"Who do you think you are, the king?"

"No, I am his son, Arthur."

"How long have you been training to be a prat?"

"You can't address me like that."

"I'm sorry. How long have you been training to be a prat, my Lord?"

"I think my dog can catch better than you."

"Probably because you treat him better."

"I want you to swear to me what you're telling me is true."

"I swear it's true."

"Then I believe you."

"You managed to knock me out?"

"Yes, with a lump of wood."

"I just didn't fit in anymore. I wanted to find somewhere that I did."

"Had any luck?"

"I'm not sure yet."

"I had no idea you were so keen to die for me."

"Trust me; I can hardly believe it myself."

"Look at the bright side! You still got me!"

"Is that supposed to cheer me up?"

"Well, despite appearances, Merlin isn't stupid."

"I wanted you to know, I never doubted you."

"I am an open book."

"I don't believe that for a second."

"What would you know about magic, Merlin?"

"Nothing."

"If I need a servant in the next life…"

"Don't ask me."

"Describe Dollop head."

"In two words?"

"Yes."

"Prince Arthur."

"It is your fate to be the greatest King Camelot has ever known, and your victory today will be remembered for every age until the end of time."

"I'm going to be at your side - like I always am, protecting you."

"Arthur?"

"Destinies are troublesome things. You feel trapped? Like your whole life has been planned out for you and you've got no control over anything and sometimes you don't even know if what destiny has decided is really the best thing at all."

"Merlin, for once, leave me in peace. Please."

"I understand. Your father lied to you about Morgana - I don't know why, I'm sure he had his reasons - but now is not the time for that. He is still your father. He needs you. Camelot needs you."

"I've known her all my life. How could she do this to us?"

"I can't answer that. But you have a duty to your father, to your people... You can't give up on them now."

"Arthur?" Agravaine repeated, irritated.

Arthur closed his eyes slowly, almost as if it caused him pain – he didn't want to kill Merlin, not really – but the Kingdom needed him, and if there was anything Merlin and he had agreed on, it had been Camelot's sake. "Alright, Uncle, you are right, Camelot needs me. Give the order. Merlin is – Merlin is to be executed tomorrow at dawn."

Arthur placed his head on his hands, covering his watering eyes, not seeing Agravaine's evil and satisfied smile.

"That arsehole!" Gwaine thundered. "That bloody princess!"

"Gwaine," said Lancelot hesitantly. He wanted to stop Gwaine before he started shouting his worse curse words, but he couldn't say that he wasn't thinking the same about the royal.

"You know that he bloody deserves it!"

Lancelot sighed as he rubbed his eyes tiredly. He couldn't imagine how Merlin was feeling; he probably was so depressed by now. Not for the first time, the Knight wished that he were able to visit the warlock, but Arthur had prohibited it.

"Cursing Arthur won't help in any way, Gwaine."

Gwaine deflated, and Lancelot was surprised to see him so defeated.

"I know," Gwaine sighed sadly. "It's just, Merlin is my first friend; and he is just, well – Merlin. Alright, he has magic, but that doesn't excuse Arthur for killing his best friend!"

"No, no, it doesn't," Lancelot said, quietly, before sitting down beside Gwaine. "That's why we are going to help him."

Gwaine perked up. "Help him? How? You don't mean to escape?"

Lancelot smiled slightly.

"That, my friend, is exactly what I meant."