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He couldn't believe it had come to this.
Why had it gone so wrong?
Couldn't they forget it ever happened and pretend everything was normal?
Why had it come to this?
There were two guards that led someone between them. The drums thrummed a dreadful death cadence.
The sun had set. There was still a touch of light on the horizon, but clouds were beginning to gather and the smell of rain indicated the coming storm. Torches lit the courtyard.
But what did it matter? The world had been turned on its head. Everything was grey and numb.
The guards hauled the body between them. They dragged him up the steps. They tied him to the stake at the center.
Arthur stood on the balcony. His face betrayed no emotion. His father stepped up to the forefront and looked on with cold, unforgiving disdain.
"Let this be a lesson to all, that magic is a corrupt, vile force. It will twist any and all who come to practice it, but shall never undermine the throne of this kingdom." Uther spat the last part in malice.
Arthur finally dared to turn his face to the pyre and the -sorcerer- who was bound there.
"Sorcerer. As an act of goodwill for saving my son's life on multiple occasions, I will allow you a final testament. Do you have any last words?"
The familiar face was shadowed by the dark hair. The person refused to lift their head.
"Ready the torch." Uther sneered.
Before the guard holding the unlit fire-brand could lower it to the flames of the nearby firepit . . .
"NO!" A shout rang from the crowd.
The sorcerer turned his head to the side and over his shoulder, for the shout came from behind him.
Gwaine was seen fighting to pass the knights and run to the prye.
"Merlin, mate! I ain't gonna let them do this to you!" Gwaine struggled against the other knights, trying to reach his friend.
"Do you wish to join the sorcerer in death, sir knight?" The king's disapproving gaze settled on the rogue.
"If that's what it takes ta-"
"Gwaine. Stop."
Gwaine stopped resisting and looked up. The sorcerer - Merlin - stared back at him. There was grim acceptance and regret held there in his cobalt eyes.. No. He can't of-
"I have always had a destiny, Gwaine. This is a part of it. Let this be." Merlin told him.
Gwaine redoubled his efforts. "You can't mean that Merlin! You can't tell me you're just going to roll over and die without a fight! That's not like you!"
Arthur would forever be grateful to Gwaine for speaking words he himself had been wanting to scream.
To anyone else watching, the next few moments would just seem like the ex-servant would convey with his eyes his resignation to his fate. But inside their minds was a different story.
'Listen to me, Gwaine.'
He froze and locked gazes with the warlock on the fire stand.
'M-Merlin? H-How-' Gwaine spluttered in his head, which turned out to be entirely possible to one who had never thought-spoken before.
'I said this was part of my Destiny. I never said I was going to die here.'
Gwaine went slack in the knights grip and was dragged back into the crowd.
Uther gave a satisfied nod, confident his threat had caused Gwaine to give up his attempted rescue.
Merlin raised his head to the dais, blue eyes defiant as ever. Even at the end, there was still that stubborn streak in him that always annoyed Arthur to no end. Now he wanted Merlin to, just once, realize the peril he was in and show remorse for ever rebelling.
But that wasn't Merlin. Not at all.
"As for final words, yes sire. Yes I do indeed." Merlin. Always with the mocking, but perhaps more blatant now that he was on death's doorway.
"And Arthur?" The sorcerer called to him.
For the first time since this all began Arthur met his manservant's gaze, blue-meeting-blue. Eyes reflecting words spoken:
"I'm sorry."
Uther sniffed in contempt. "Is that all you have to say, sorcerer?"
Merlin stood resolute. "No, your highness. It is not."
Merlin closed his eyes. A silence settled over the courtyard, everyone leaned closer, eager to hear what the doomed warlock had to say. Nothing but the whisper of a light breeze and a distant rumble of thunder, broke through it.
Then it began. Quietly, under a breath, but raucous all the same.
Oh, Misty Eye of the mountain below,
He was . . . singing?
Keep careful watch o'er my Brother's soul,
Brother? Arthur pondered, numbly. Did Mer - the sorcerer - have a sibling that he hadn't heard of? At this point it wouldn't surprise him.
Merlin craned his neck to the dark sky, now speckled with stars, eyes still closed. Like he was sending up a prayer to God.
And should the Sky be filled with,
Fire and Smoke,
Merlin lowered his head like he was bowing to the royals, and then raised his steady piercing gaze to them as the next words were sung.
Keep watching over Pendragon's Son.
Arthur choked. There was a heavy weight pressing on his chest.
Uther's face filled with fury. "ENOUGH!" He bellowed. He raised his hand and brought it down. "Light the pyre!"
The torch, now alight, the nearby guard was holding dropped onto the dry wood.
The fire crept slowly toward the young warlock. He pulled away as much as he could, but inexplicably, there was no fear in his face. For Merlin had lit his own Fire and he wasn't about to let it die.
If this is to end in Fire,
The warlock looked pointedly at the royals.
Then we should all burn Together,
Watch the Flames climb high,
Into the Night.
The flames were eating up the straw and branches around the wooden platform. The beginnings of a ring of Fire.
Calling out, Father, Oh,
Merlin found his adoptive father in the throng. His old face was wet with tears.
'You are not going to watch me burn, Gaius.'
Gaius started.
Merlin had tears in his own eyes, but the growing heat quickly evaporated them.
'This isn't the end. Not even close.' His gaze bore deep into his mentor's own eyes.
Stand by and we will,
Watch the flames burn Auburn on,
The Mountain Side.
Merlin could now feel the scorching heat hit his feet, but the flames were not yet touching him. Just a little longer.
And if we should die tonight,
Then we should all die together.
The heat was stifling. He sagged against the pole. He looked to Gwaine with the next line sung.
Raise a glass of wine,
For the last time.
Gwaine secretly nodded his consent. If his best mate lived through this, he would drink himself under in celebration.
The fire now ringed him, like a predator ready to pounce on its prey, and began to move inward. The heat was increasing in intensity, it was getting harder to breath. But Merlin had to continue.
Calling out, Father, Oh,
Prepare as we will,
Watch the flames burn Auburn on,
Albion's Height.
Merlin looked to the Heavens. The smoke was billowing up, making him cough. It was condensing above the courtyard and reflecting the glow of flames.
The sky looked red.
Desolation comes upon the sky.
He seemed to be so quiet, yet the voice was all-consuming.
Arthur looked to the fiery sky.
Desolation. That seems like a good word for what we are now. Arthur's numb mind thought. But the sudden pickup in Mer - the sorcerer's - song drew him back to the fire stand below.
Now I See Fire,
Hatred burned within the citizens of Camelot.
Inside the Mountain,
Within the walls of the white city.
I See Fire,
Resentment and scorn burned within the sorcerers.
Burning the Trees,
The magic users burnt at the stake.
And I See Fire,
Suffering on both sides, kindled into animosity toward the other.
Hollowing Souls,
Bitterness and empty agony left with each death's wake.
I See Fire,
Red sparks erupted as part of the burning wood gave way.
Blood in the Breeze.
It looked like blood on the air.
Merlin looked to where Arthur stood.
And I hope that you remember me.
Despite the scorching heat Arthur felt like he'd been dumped with ice. The pressure on his chest seemed to increase a hundredfold.
The winds had picked up. They seemed to be singing along with the burning warlock.
Oh, should my people fall,
Then surely I'll do the same.
Far away, hidden in the woods, was a druid campment. A man with silver hair covered by a green hood stood over a scrying dish. The image shown was of the warlock on the pyre.
"We are with you Emrys." Iseldir whispered.
Dozens of druids came out from under the shadowed trees.
Magic trembled in anticipation.
Confined in Cam'lot's Halls,
We got too close to the flames.
The fire had finally reached the base of the stake. It scalded the pads of his bare feet and the skin on his calves.
Merlin wanted to scream, to cry out at the agony, but he couldn't. Not with Uther there. He wouldn't give the cruel king that satisfaction. Instead, he only allowed a pained grunt to pass his gritted teeth. Just hang on a little while longer.
The young warlock pushed on.
Calling out, Father, oh,
The flames around him surged unnaturally, but went unnoticed by the burning warlock. His eyes had never left his master's.
He was the only one he needed to prove himself to.
Hold fast and we will,
Fire twisted and churned.
Watch the flames burn Auburn on,
It rose beside Merlin. The crowd screamed.
Albion's Height.
Some yelled "Magic!"
A few "The sorcerer is controlling the fire!"
And one even "The flames are alive!"
Merlin turned his head to see what the disturbance beside him was.
Up on the balcony, King Uther had stiffened.
The fire had taken the shape of a man. A very familiar man that Merlin had met, oh-so-briefly but would know anywhere.
The young warlock was slightly surprised to see the shape of Balinor, one fire-formed hand rested on the pole. The other was one his shoulder, but it did not burn him. His eyes were a startling blue flame(1) in contrast to the golden-orange that made up the rest of his face, hair, and apparently robed body. No iris could be found in his blazing eyes.
'Father?'
Maybe it was the fumes getting to him. Maybe it wasn't Balinor.
'Don't stop now, my son.'
No. He knew it wasn't the smoke. This was real.
His Father's spirit was with him. Always.
The next was sung in unison, for any who faced the fear of a fiery grave knew it by heart.
Desolation comes upon the sky.
That was when something happened.
Now I See Fire!
The fire surged unnaturally, but did not touch the warlock at the center.
Inside the Mountain.
The clouds from the distance had covered the night sky. Thunder rolled, accompanying the fire song.
I See Fire!
There was a different kind of burning that scorched behind closed eyelids. The burning of his Magic.
His eyes flashed open, the fierce gold rivaling that of the fire.
All were stunned, with awe or fear or both, into stillness.
Burning the Trees.
The fire built into a swirling inferno, with Merlin at the Eye of the Storm.
And I See Fire!
Suddenly bubbles of light, whether silver, blue, gold, yellow, or white, appeared out of seemingly thin air.
The people pointed at these new phenomena, some in wonder, some in fright.
Each one shone with the light and energy of the person's heart who conjured it, in that faraway forest.
We are with you Emrys.
Hollowing Souls.
I See Fire!
Wood gave way, red sparks erupted. Arthur could see them reflecting in Merlin's eyes as they blew upwards in the heated breeze.
It looked like sprayed blood.
Blood in the Breeze.
The flaming spirit of Balinor had kept his gaze on his son since his materialization. Now he raised it to the horrified eyes of a man whom he once considered a brother.
Four pairs of eyes met.
Merlin and Arthur.
Balinor and Uther.
Dragonlords and Kings.
Warlocks and Royalty.
Fathers and Sons.
And I hope that you Remember me.
Uther stumbled back a step and in a whisper no one but Arthur was close enough to hear, "No, it can't be possible . . ."
But it entirely was.
Thunder cracked overhead, lightning flashed. People cried out in fright. The Storm was upon them.
And if the Night is Burning,
I will cover my Eyes.
Balinor turned his closed eyes away from Uther in disappointment and rejection. He lifted his arm and the flaming sleeve of his robe veiled him and his son from Uther's sight. The message was clear:
You are not the friend I knew. And I, am no longer here for you.
The Last Dragonlord took his hand from the wooden pole and set it on his son's free shoulder.
I am here for my son.
Merlin and Arthur's gaze were still boring into each other
Who is here for your son.
Balinor was now hovering behind Merlin, echoing how Uther would hover over Arthur's every move. Only this, this was guiding, not controlling.
They are much like we were. Hopefully their Destiny will end better than ours.
For if the Dark returns,
Merlin and Balinor together,
Then my Brothers will die,
Looking at Arthur and Uther as One, for now Balinor's flames overshadowed his son's form, their eyes overlapping. Golden irises on blue flames. Pure magic.
They are father and son. Uther realized in horror. Balinor's son was in my court, serving my son and now . . .
Arthur was in awe. Though the flames, and the magic, and the figure covering Merlin were intimidating, for some inexplicable reason, Arthur felt no fear. Just pure, unadulterated captivation.
Suddenly lightning lit up the sky above the courtyard and the clouds let go of their deluge.
And as the sky is falling down,
It crashed into this lonely town,
Merlin looked up as the clouds poured down. It was putting out the fire surrounding him.
He hadn't expected this. As the water soaked him, trickling down his legs and soothing his burns, he could feel it. He could feel her.
This was no ordinary rain. It was water that had evaporated from the Lake of Avalon. Only one being would have sent this.
Thank you . . . Freya.
And with that shadow upon the ground,
The rain had put out the weak torches. Now the only light that remained came from the floating orbs sending beams of brightness dancing along the floor, as well as the wavering flame that wreathed Merlin.
And of course, the blinding gold shining from Merlin's own eyes.
I hear my people screaming out!
At that moment, Merlin, the Last DragonLord, called upon his ancient kin.
"O draken, e male so ftengometta teds'hup'anankes!"
The air seemed to quiver by the force of Merlin's roar. The crowds screamed and scattered.
He is a DragonLord. He is . . . your son . . . Balinor. And Uther Pendragon, instigator and leader of the Great Purge of Magic, amongst his fear and hatred, felt a drop of remorse.
And I See Fire!
The voices of hundreds of those with Magic crescendoed as One.
Inside the Mountain!
"How is the sorcerer doing this?!" One person exclaimed.
"Shouldn't the fire be cleansing him?!" Shouted another.
"Where are those voices coming from?! Does one sorcerer really have so much power?!" Cried a third.
"No," Was the quiet response from a certain drunken knight, standing perfectly calm and with a look of admiration in his dark eyes.
I See Fire!
"We have not seen even a fraction of his power."
Burning the Trees!
"And as for those voices . . ."
I See Fire!
"They are the voices of a whole people oppressed, coming to the aid of a single boy."
Hollowing Souls!
Now Arthur could only marvel at what he saw in front of him.
I See Fire!
The fire, the storm, the magic, the light, the chorused calls of a hundred people, and in the midst of all this power, was Merlin.
Blood in the Breeze!
Simple, servant, friend, Merlin, with his eyes glowing like small suns, voice roaring to the Heavens, surrounded by all this chaos.
THWUMP!
The masses paused.
I See Fire!
THWUMP! THWUMP!
The unmistakable sound of giant leathery wings drue closer.
FwishFwishFwish!
A white arrow shot from the sky and zoomed around the blaze, causing the fire to uproar and trail in the wind's wake.
"Aithusia!" Merlin called.
Oh, you know I see a city Burning out!
The voices continued on, even without Emrys' voices leading them.
Fire!
Now Arthur could see it . . .
The white arrow soared above the flames like a phoenix, and gave a responding screech to her Hatcher.
"Dragon!" Cried the crowds in fright.
Arthur had only caught a glimpse, but . . .
THWUMP!
And I See Fire!
Aithusia sent a blast of air from above down onto the flames, pushing them out and away from Merlin. She then descended and sliced through the ropes binding her DragonLord to the pole with her claws.
Feel the heat upon my skin!
Fire!
THWUMP!
"Another dragon!" The people shouted.
And indeed the Great Dragon had appeared, flapping his huge wings to stay aloft above the courtyard, since there was no room for him to land.
"Well ain't that the big ol' ball of fire." muttered Gwaine as he shielded his face from the strong winds.
And I See Fire!
Merlin silently asked permission, before vaulting onto Aithusia's back as she lifted into the sky.
Fire!
When they reached Kilgharrah, asking permission again, Merlin lightly jumped from Aithusia to Kilgharrah's back, where he stood overlooking the gawking courtyard.
And I See Fire Burn Auburn on Albion's Height.
The song had ended. The glowing orbs of light dissipated into mist. The previously blazing prye had become nothing more than dulling embers, which were continuing to be put out by the drizzling rain.
And once more, Arthur and Merlin found the other's eyes. Balinor's spirit had disappeared after the appearance of Aithusia.
It was then, as Merlin locked gazes with his friend and Future King that he called, "Don't worry Arthur, for we will one day meet again!"
It was accompanied by a joyful yet forlorn smile.
With that, the Last DragonLord flew away from Camelot on the wings of his kin.
Arthur stared after them as the golden dragon was outlined by a crescent moon. The sky had somehow cleared on the horizon.
King Uther snapped out of his terrified stupor.
"Knights! Begin sending out search parties immediately! We must track down and eliminate this vile scourge before he slips beyond our grasp!"
But everyone knew this was hopeless cause, but how can you fight against a manic and obsessed king?
Even after the courtyard emptied, the townspeople had gone home to their cottages, the knights off to the search or other various duties, still not once did Arthur tear his eyes from the starry sky.
I hope someday I'll know you, Merlin. Know you, and all you've done. For me, and for this kingdom.
And somehow, though it may have just been imagined, Arthur thought he heard a response.
One day, Arthur, you will. One day.
Arthur only had one fleeting thought as he tried to settle to bed that night.
'Wait, didn't I kill the Great Dragon?!'
And if the annoyed shout of "MERLIN!" was heard echoing through the castle that night, nobody dared mention it in the morning.