**Chapter 3: A Fateful Night**

The stars shone brightly in the night sky, casting a silver glow over the hill where Arlott and Arthur had shared so many secret moments. It was a night like any other, yet it was a night that would change their lives forever. As they stood together, the tension between them was palpable. They had been dancing around their feelings for weeks, and finally, they had both come to the realization that they couldn't deny their attraction any longer. Arthur took a step closer to Arlott, his eyes locked on his. "I've wanted to do this for so long," he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. Before Arlott could respond, Arthur's lips brushed against his, sending shivers down his spine. The kiss was soft and gentle, yet it ignited a fire within Arlott that he couldn't contain. As they kissed, the world around them melted away, and all that mattered was the two of them, lost in the moment. They forgot about the dangers of being discovered, forgot about the village and its cruel laws, and forgot about everything except the love they shared. But their happiness was short-lived. The next day, Arlott's parents caught them in the act, and their faces twisted in disgust. "You've brought shame to our family," Arlott's father spat, his voice dripping with venom. "You've brought shame to our village." Arlott and Arthur tried to explain, but their words fell on deaf ears. Arlott's parents turned them in, and soon the whole village was talking about the "sinners" who had to be punished. The village elder, a man known for his cruelty and zealotry, called a meeting to discuss the fate of Arlott and Arthur. The villagers gathered around, their faces twisted in anger and fear. "We must cleanse our village of this evil," the elder cried, his voice rising above the din of the crowd. "We must burn them at the stake, to purify our community and to warn others of the dangers of sin." The villagers cheered, their voices echoing through the streets as they condemned Arlott and Arthur to death. The two boys were dragged to the stake, their hands bound behind their backs. As they stood there, waiting for the flames to engulf them, Arlott caught Arthur's eye, and he knew that their love would be their undoing. They were about to face the ultimate test of their devotion, and Arlott couldn't help but wonder if they would be able to endure the pain and the suffering that lay ahead. The villagers lit the fire, and the flames crackled to life, casting a golden glow over the scene. Arlott and Arthur closed their eyes, bracing themselves for the agony that was to come. But little did they know, the true horror was not the fire, but the fact that they would have to watch each other burn.