Prompt: Arthur/Merlin, Canon Era AU. Uther creates a yearly "tournament", where each of the conquered kingdoms must send a boy and girl to compete in the "fight to the death" games, where there is only one winner of the lot. Arthur was raised to believe that it was an honor to be chosen and fight, and doesn't fully comprehend the horror the games are to the rest of the population. His world view is rocked to the core when he meets the most recent tribute from the Druids, a young man named Merlin, who has declared he intends to not raise a hand in attack nor defense when he enters the ring.
Warnings: Blood, graphic violence, imprisonment, major character death.
Warnings: Blood, graphic violence, imprisonment, major character death.