Arthur's POV
"I want to know... did you kill them? Did you kill my mother and father?"
I stare, wide eyed, up at Merlin. His face is calm, still. There is not a hint of aggression in his features. All the rage I had seen when we had fought was gone. Instead, there is curiosity, a need for answers.
"I thought you were certain I killed them," I say, looking away from his eyes.
"I'm giving you a chance to give me your side of the story. I suggest you take it."
I sigh before beginning, "I didn't kill them. My father did. I tried to stop him but I couldn't. I was too slow and I regret it every second. I'm sorry... Merlin. I'm sorry I could not save them."
I turn my gaze up towards him, expecting to see... something, anger perhaps, or maybe disbelief, but what I find is Merlin with tears appearing at the corners of his eyes.
"Don't cry..."
I approach the bars, reaching out a tentative hand to wipe a tear from his eye. He brushes me away.
"So your father was telling the truth. He did kill them."
I nod, not bothering to defend my father's action because there was nothing to defend. He had killed the couple without so much as a single thought of remorse.
I hear Merlin scoff. His hands ball into fists at his sides and his teeth clench in anger. I can see his shoulders tense. Rage boils inside him, threatening to explode from within as he glares down at the stone between his feet.
"Are you-"
"I'll be fine," Merlin cuts me off, and turns his back on me. I can see him take a shuddering breath before continuing, "you know I will have to execute him."
My eyes widen at his words, not wanting to believe what I had heard. "What did you say?"
He turns back around to face me. His eyes not leaving mine. "You know I will have to execute your father for what he has done and I don't just mean what he has done to me."
I grab at the bars, my knuckles turning white from my hard grip. Panic envelops my mind, reducing me to a shaking mess. I bring my face closer to the bars, hardly caring that I'm practically begging. My father would be ashamed if he saw me now, "No... please, I beg you. Please, don't kill him. Please..."
Merlin's expression turns sad but he doesn't reply.
"Please! I'm begging you! Can you not find it in your heart to show him mercy? I promise, w-we will leave Camelot and never return, I will do anything but please spare his life!" I hear my voice crack from the desperation. I sound pathetic, like a cowardly criminal but I no longer cared, so long as my father lived I would do anything.
I can see the hesitation in Merlin's eyes as he considers what I said. He thinks for a moment, eyes shifting from the floor to me and back again. I wait anxiously, my hands clenching and unclenching the bars as I wait for his reply. Finally, he turns his gaze back up to me.
-----
Merlin's POV
I consider my options carefully. I want to kill Uther. He has brought too much pain upon not only my family but my kin as well. Besides, I'm also certain quite a few of Camelot's own citizens would rejoice in his death as well. He ruled with an iron fist. Fear was his weapon of choice. He was a powerful but unjust king.
But then again, I cannot kill a man for such selfish reasons. Revenge is never the answer. Sometimes people need to learn to put everything behind them and start anew. There has been enough bloodshed... and I don't want to hurt Arthur anymore than I already have.
I turn my gaze back up to the prince. I can see his eyes brimming with anticipation and worry.
"I cannot promise you anything, but I will do everything within my power to keep Uther alive," I say.
Arthur lets out a breath of relief, eyes instantly lighting up. A beaming smile breaks open across his face, making my heart leap at the sight. He grabs at my hand through the bars, clutching them like a lifeline. "Thank you..." I hear him say, voice barely above a whisper, "thank you."
I smile down at him, once again seeing the young man I had fallen in love with. I pull his hand closer towards my chest, a gentle smile on my face. "When things have settled down, I hope we can start over."
Arthur smiles as well, wider than before. "I hope so too."
I let go of his hand, albeit reluctantly, and head back up the steps in search of my friends. There were matters of state to discuss.
-----
I pace along the length of the council chambers, hand rubbing at my temples as the others continue to vehemently disagree with my decision, especially Morgana.
"Have you gone mad?!" Morgana shouts, voice echoing off the stones, "you want us to spare that man's life? After all that he has done to you, to all of us!"
I look towards the fuming girl. She has her hands clenched into tight fists at her sides. I can see them tremble with each shaking breath. I understand Morgana's rage, after all I felt it myself, but she must see that enough is enough.
"We cannot kill a man for personal reasons. The war is won. We have taken the citadel, and have Uther under lock and key. What more do you want?" I ask.
"I want the king's head on a pike."
I give a sigh of exasperation. "That is immoral."
"If I may speak, Emrys, I believe the Lady Morgana makes a valid point," Aglain says.
I turn to face him, surprised at his words. "You believe Uther should have his head paraded about the town on a pike?"
"No, of course not but the people will wish to see him dead."
I shift my gaze away. "My decision is final."
"You must consider the thoughts of the people you now lead. The sorcerers and druids expect to see Uther's head. They have all suffered under his tyranny and will want justice for his crimes. Unless you wish to risk a riot on your hands I suggest you reconsider your options. They will tear down the citadel in order to get to that man and that will only cause more bloodshed."
"You can't be sure it will happen."
"But you cannot be sure it will not happen either."
I turn back to meet his gaze. I understand his reasoning. He has every right to speak his mind but... "What about the people of Camelot? If we kill Uther they will riot."
"At least they will be less damaging then a mob of angry sorcerers," Gwaine says with his arms crossed over his chest, "and besides some will be glad to see his head roll. I personally know a few fellows myself. He wasn't always the greatest king."
I sigh, feeling my head throb from all the pressure. I turn towards Gaius, Lancelot, and Mordred. "What do you all think?"
They look at each other, exchanging a private conversation with their eyes before turing back to me.
"I have no love for Uther. His men had raided my camp on his orders. Many innocents, women, children, died because of his actions. I have no qualms with his death," Mordred explains.
"I, for one, am indifferent to the man. His actions have never effected my life personally but I understand both your views. There is no option that can appease both sides. We can only choose what we think will cause the least amount of damage," Lancelot says.
I give a nod before turning to Gaius, looking at him expectantly. I needed his guidance now more than ever. The old man meets my gaze with his eyebrow raised in the typical fashion before beginning, "Personally, I would never wish to see Uther executed. No matter what he has done he was once my friend but... for the good of the people perhaps this is the best course of action."
I turn to stare out one of the windows in the chamber. The sky was dark outside despite it being late afternoon. Clouds hung overhead, threatening a storm.
"There is no need to rush," I hear Lancelot say behind me, "take your time. We'll leave you be."
With that I hear their retreating steps. The door shuts behind them quietly, a small click echoes, hardly audible even in the silence.
I shift my gaze back down to the floor, scuffing at the stones with the tip of my boot as I mull over everyone's thoughts. I would want nothing more than to keep my word to Arthur but concerning the circumstances at hand that does not seem possible. The druids and sorcerers would riot and I do not doubt their ability to do so. Gwaine is right, a mob of angry sorcerers is harder to deal with then a mob of angry townspeople and who is to say Uther would not return? He could amass an army and attempt to take back the castle. By then no one would be able to convince him otherwise. Not even Arthur.
I slump down in one of the chairs positioned around the table and pour myself a goblet of wine which had been left there earlier in the day. I down the drink quickly, slamming the cup down onto the table before resting my head in my hands, hoping the alcohol will wash away the guilt of what I'm about to do.
-----
I throw open the door to the cell. Two guards flank my sides as I enter the dingy room. Uther scowls at me as I enter. He struggles against the shackles on his wrist, eyes flaring with hatred but also in slight fear. I watch him writhing in the chains for a moment, remembering back to a time when his very name would send a shiver down my spine. How I would cower from stories of the big bad man in the castle that would hunt down sorcerers like animals. Oh, how the tides have turned.
"Uther Pendragon," I say, keeping my voice firm, "you have been charged for the mass murder of sorcerers and druids all across the land. Your punishment... is execution by beheading."
Uther's eyes widen. His struggles become more frantic. A scowl deepens on his face as he shouts, "You cannot do this to me! I am the king!"
I narrow my eyes at him before turning to leave the cell. "You will be executed at dawn tomorrow."
I hear the king scowl at my back as I leave, locking the door behind me. The guards head back to their posts, leaving me alone to walk down the rows of cells.
"Merlin..."
I stop, dreading the face I will see when I turn towards the source of the voice. Arthur is standing in the centre of his cell, his face filled with betrayal and hurt. My heart aches at the sight, knowing I had been the one to cause such an expression.
"You said you wouldn't-" he chokes on the words, voice barely above a whisper.
I look away, staring down at the floor. "I know, I'm sorry but I have too."
"You said you would try and keep him alive!" He punches the bars of his cell, his voice rising as it turns into an angry yell.
"As a leader I must think of what my people want. I'm sure you can understand that responsibility."
Arthur remains silent, seeming to calm slightly.
I turn and continue down the hall, using all my willpower to not look back.
------
Arthur's POV
I huddle against the corner of the cell, my knees pulled up towards my chest. I hear the stomping of boots moving down the hall and the distinct shouts of a man as he is dragged across the stones. I watch them pass. Two guards grip each of my father's arms as he is hauled away towards the courtyard. He spots me as well. He frantically tugs his way towards the door of my cell before he's roughly pulled back and pushed forwards.
His figure retreats down the hall, disappearing from view. I tuck my knees even closer towards me, my heart hammering against my chest as dawn approaches.
The crowd outside talk amongst themselves as they wait for the king to arrive. I can discern the very moment my father enters the courtyard as the muffled sounds of talking immediately change to shouts of anger and taunts.
A few moments pass before I hear a voice ring out over the crowd. Merlin. He sounds imposing, like a true leader. The crowd's shouts die down the moment he begins to speak. I don't bother listening. I have heard such speeches enough times in my life.
Merlin's voice soon disappears and the shouts resume their chants for death. I put my hands over my ears in hopes of blocking out the noise but to no avail. They are much too loud.
The chants steadily rise in volume, masking almost every sound but I still hear it. I still hear the dreaded sound ring out though the crowd. The unmistakable sound of an axe striking a chopping block.
The crowds taunts turn to cheers. Shouts of freedom rise up from the boisterous crowd. I can hear people give whoops of joy and begin to chant spells without fear.
I burrow my head into the crooks of my elbows. Fresh tears roll down my cheeks as the crowd celebrates above me. The noise becoming a persistent ringing in my ears as I mourn for my father alone.