Chapter 1: Forbidden in Camelot

In middle of the night, in a dark, threatening forest stood the Lady Morgana, the King's lovely ward. She could not remember why or how she got there in the first place, but something had drawn her to this specific location, to the lake. She tried to recall how she made it there, but her memory was blank, oddly.

Morgana sat on a smooth rock, still confused of her whereabouts. The reflection of the moon on the rippling water enlightened the porcelain skin of her face, framed by the hood of her dark turquoise cloak, as well as her emerald eyes. It was quite hypnotizing to look at, and the King's ward couldn't take her eyes away. It was captivating, almost magical.

But magic is strictly forbidden in Camelot, Morgana reminded herself, thinking about King Uther's words. Magic is evil.

She jolted from her place as she heard very strange noises nearby. It sounded like laughing. More precisely, children laugh.

The Lady wrapped her cloak tighter to around body, staring into the abyss of the forest. She could only hear the eerie and innocent laughs.

"Forbearnan."

Her eyes widened in terror as she saw a flame unexpectedly appearing a few meters away from her, but her body wouldn't bulge. It was a terrifying; there she was, facing potentially dangerous magic users and being unable to escape. I am going to die. They are going to kill me.

Then a young boy then emerged from the darkness of the woods, holding a fire torch. He was heading straight toward her in a confident step.

Morgana tried to stand up, but her legs were frozen in place. She lifted her arms in front of her, as if it could protect her from evil magical powers. "W-Who are you? What do you want?"

No answer from the boy. Without a word, he climbed on the rock next to her, only to stare at the light of the fire of the torch he was holding. "I don't know, you tell me."

Lady Morgana remained still, puzzled. The dark-haired boy looked rather inoffensive, but his capabilities and intentions remained unknown.

"You are a magic user."

"I was born with it."

There was a familiarity stemming from him, which further added to the nonsense of the events, but Morgana just played along.

"And magic is evil," she ensued.

The boy shrugged. "Not if you have a good heart."

All her life, the Lady Morgana has been persuaded to believe that magic's sole purpose was to be ruthless and cruel, and that sorcerers should be forthwith executed. Yet, her heart shrank as she looked at the innocuous child. How could one dare put this poor boy to death only for being a child? He was using magic in such a harmless way, proving that sorcery was not inherently bad. It was the user who made it the way it was.

"Magic could be used for good" she said automatically.

"You do understand, Lady Morgana. Unlike your King."

The unexpected low voice stirred her from her thoughts. She turned toward the boy and jumped as she realized she was now sitting next to a grown-up man. He was still holding the torch in his hands, then casted a spell that shaped the flame into a dragon. She wanted to scream, but then it was her lungs that were unmoving.

The man beside her finally looked straight into her eyes… the familiarity was now obvious.

Merlin!

"I'm just an innocent boy looking for recognition," he said with stern eyes and a husky voice. "It is my destiny. What is yours Morgana?"

His fingers slowly stroked Morgana's cheek. She was totally petrified of her limp state, her eyes wide. His other hand was still holding the fire torch, lighting both their faces.

"You and I both know about your powers and desires."

Morgana had no time to react before her dream's version of Merlin dropped the torch and reached for her neck. She gasped for air as his fingers wrapped around her throat, gradually increasing the pressure and her need for air. Her consciousness began to fade as she heard his last words. "When the time comes, you and I will rule this world."