Welcome to my entry for the After Camlann Big Bang on LiveJournal! Please enjoy the story. And though I might wish otherwise, I don't own Merlin.
In this twist on the tale, Uther has recognized Morgana as his daughter. She has the title, rights and privileges of a princess. The admission caused waves at first, but most everyone has accepted it by now.
Long ago, in the Kingdom of Camelot, there lived a beautiful princess named Morgana. Her ebony hair fell to her waist, her eyes shined like polished jade and her skin was as fair as porcelain. She was admired by many men of the Court and most of those attempted to pursue her. But she kept herself apart from them; her father planned to marry her to the highest bidder someday soon.
Morgana, even while knowing this, dreamed of a better life where she could choose whom to love and marry him. Thus far in her life, none of the available men she'd met had caught her eye. She was strong, intelligent and independent, and once men discovered this, they lost interest.
She had another problem. Uther, her father, had banned the practice of magic from his kingdom. Anyone found practicing it would be summarily executed. And Morgana had magic; she just knew. Many nights she dreamed, and the events of her dreams came to pass. She'd been able to do other unusual things when she became overly emotional. So far, only her maidservant Gwen had noticed these bits of magic. But Gaius, the court physician, who helped her with her dreams, suspected.
One day, something different happened. Morgana was watching the people viewing today's execution, and found a new person. A boy about her age, with the same ebony hair and porcelain skin as hers. His face displayed an expression of horror and disgust—he felt the same as she did about the execution! She watched him until he disappeared into the castle, and sighed at the loss.
xxxXxxx
The boy's name was Merlin. He had come to Camelot from a village just outside Camelot's border. Publically, he'd come to work for his great uncle, the court physician. Secretly, he was a magician who desperately needed to learn how to control his magic. He'd come to learn from the physician, who'd practiced magic before it was banned. Merlin's mother hoped and prayed Gaius could help her boy.
Gaius was surprised at the strength of Merlin's magic, but agreed to teach him. He'd live with Gaius and serve as his apprentice. The old man wasn't as young as he used to be and rather needed the help.
During Merlin's first few days in Camelot, he'd managed to run afoul of Prince Arthur, Morgana's older half-brother. He'd also met Guinevere, Morgana's maid, and made friends with her. She helped him learn the castle's layout so he could deliver various medicines to the castle denizens.
In the course of his new position, he accompanied Gaius to a banquet celebrating twenty years of magic's ban. Uther had invited an acclaimed female singer to entertain them.
It was there that Merlin first saw Princess Morgana and became enchanted by her—not literally, of course, but emotionally. She noticed the boy's sapphire eyes on her and smiled to herself. Something about him attracted her to him, but it wasn't anything she would act upon.
The singer turned out to be a witch in disguise. She tried to assassinate Arthur, but Merlin used magic twice to stop her. He saved Arthur's life and was rewarded with the position of manservant to Arthur. Neither boy thought this a particularly good reward, but destiny would have her way.
Morgana watched this happen with interest. As the Prince and Princess interacted quite a bit, she would have the opportunity to get to know this unusual boy. And perhaps she would find out why she felt a pull toward him.
xxxXxxx
"Merlin!" Arthur yelled for the umpteenth time that morning. It was his first day on the job and he'd been yelled at more in a few hours than in his entire life before now. What did the prat want now?
The Prince felt the need to test his new servant's sparring skills. Thus far he was unimpressed; Merlin kept going down heavily. This last time Arthur got impatient and whacked him in the head. "Ow," Merlin complained.
Arthur was impressed with his bravery though. Most servants didn't take this kind of beating for long. So Arthur picked up a mace and began swinging it. Merlin sighed. Now he knew his "reward" wasn't worth it. But then Princess Morgana walked out into the training yard and Merlin straightened up. He'd only seen the beauty a few times, but every time she'd smiled like she knew something he didn't. And he really wanted to find out what it was.
She conversed with Arthur for a few minutes then turned to Merlin. "Did I hear you're also serving as Gaius's apprentice?"
He bowed his head briefly and said, "Yes milady. Is there something I can do for you?"
"Please tell him I need more sleeping draught tonight. I've run out."
"Of course, milady." He bowed again and she walked away. It took him a few minutes to realize Arthur was calling his name again.
"Merlin! Wakey wakey!" He gave his servant a shrewd look. "Don't get any ideas about Morgana. There's no way someone like her would be interested in someone like you. And that's beside the fact that she's royalty and you're a peasant."
Merlin sighed. "I know." His shoulders slumped again.
Arthur took one look at him and dismissed him to get cleaned up and report back to him at dinnertime. He wanted to be harder on his new servant, for his stubbornness and cheek, but there was just something about him.
xxxXxxx
Merlin was exhausted that evening, but he had one last errand—delivering Morgana's sleeping draught. He had to stop three times to ask for directions to her chambers. Once he faced her door, he knocked tentatively and waited until he heard an "enter" to go in.
Her chambers were as big as Arthur's and just as opulent, but in a feminine way. Morgana herself was in her nightgown and he quickly averted his eyes and held out the bottle. "Hereyougo," he said.
"What was that?" she asked.
"Oh. Um, I'm sorry, I said, 'here you go.' Your sleeping draught."
She took it from his outstretched hand. "Thank you. Merlin, is it?"
"Yes milady."
She found the way he ran "my" and "lady" together quaint. "Thank you Merlin. You may go."
"As you wish, milady. Goodnight." He bowed and hurried out.
Morgana sat on her bed, bottle in her hand. This Merlin was a curious young man. He was clearly nervous around her, especially because of her nightgown. She smiled, uncorked the bottle and swallowed its contents. Hopefully this formula would knock her out enough that she wouldn't dream.
xxxXxxx
Time passed. Occasionally Merlin would deliver Morgana's sleeping draughts. She'd try to engage him in conversation; he'd blush and stammer out his answers. He was clearly flustered around her like most men around the castle were. But he stood up to Arthur when the Prince was acting particularly prat-like. Merlin was a very interesting study in contrasts.
After the tournament that featured Valiant, the magic-using knight, people began to suffer from an unusual illness that gradually killed them. Morgana watched Gwen suffer by being accused of sorcery. Of course Gwen couldn't have done this; where was the logic in that? She also saw Merlin and Gaius struggle to identify the cause to hopefully clear Gwen's name.
Morgana grew desperate after Uther moved up Gwen's execution. She flew down to Gaius's chambers to see what, if any, progress had been made. She burst through the door and announced: "They're bringing forward the execution. We have to prove Gwen's innocence."
"We're trying," Gaius told her.
"Please, just tell me what I can do to help," she offered.
"We need Arthur," Merlin said.
"Arthur?" What for?
"There's a creature, an Afanc, in the water supply. That's what's causing the plague." Merlin had read the question behind the question.
"Well, we must tell Uther," she suggested.
"The Afanc's a monster created by magic. Telling Uther wouldn't save Gwen. He'd just blame her for conjuring it," Gaius explained.
"So what are we to do?"
"We need to destroy it. Then the plague will stop and Uther may see sense," Merlin said.
"And that's why you need Arthur."
"He's our best chance. But he won't want to disobey the King."
"Leave that to me." She'd do anything to help Gwen and it looked like Merlin would too. Was there something between them? She felt an unfamiliar feeling sweep through her quickly before it was gone. They were both good servants and of the same class. If they were involved, then good for them. They both deserved to be happy.
She walked quickly to Arthur's chambers. He'd take quite a bit of convincing before he'd defy their father, but she'd do it. She'd always had a knack for getting him to do what she wanted. Today would be no different. Today's tactic was praising Merlin, "He was so brave to claim to be the sorcerer, just to save Gwen's life. I certainly can't imagine any man loving me so much."
Arthur gave her an odd look. "No, I certainly can't imagine that either."
She smirked at her brother. "That's because you're not like Merlin. He's a lover." She could see Arthur simmering, time to turn the screws. "Sadly the age of gallantry seems to be dead. You look around and all you see are small men, not big enough to fill their armor. There's not one of them that's able to stand up for what is right."
Arthur smirked at Morgana's obvious manipulative insult. "What do you want me to do?"
Morgana explained Merlin and Gaius's plan. Together they went to Gaius's chambers to meet Merlin, who took them to the water supply tunnels. Like a typical man, Arthur tried to get Morgana to stay near the entrance, but she'd have none of that. Merlin looked impressed at her bravery; she felt oddly pleased.
The monster came close to hurting them, but Arthur prevailed as usual, and they escaped unscathed. They went back to Gaius with a shell they'd found and the four went to the King. Uther reluctantly gave the order for Gwen's release. Merlin ran for Gwen's father and they went together to free Gwen.
"Thank you!" she exclaimed.
"Don't thank me. It was more Merlin," Morgana replied. She watched Gwen's and Merlin's faces. They both blushed. Gwen clearly likes him, but does he feel the same or is he just embarrassed by the attention?
"Really?" Gwen was surprised.
"He's the real hero here."
"I don't know what to say."
Merlin shrugged. "I didn't do anything."
Just then Gwen's father called her away. Morgana turned to Arthur's servant. "Merlin. I wanted you to know, your secret's safe with me."
He paled. "My secret?"
"Merlin, don't pretend. I know what you did."
He paled even more. "You do?" He looked at the floor.
What's he scared of? "I saw it with my own eyes."
Just when she thought he couldn't get any paler, he did. "You did?"
"I understand why you don't anyone to know."
He looked up again, relieved. "Well, obviously."
"But I won't tell anyone. You don't mind me talking to you about it?"
"Uh . . . no. I, I, it's, uh . . . you have no idea how hard it is to keep this hidden."
"Well, you can continue to deny it, but I think Gwen's a very lucky woman."
"Gwen?" Merlin questioned. He looked puzzled.
Did he not feel what Gwen obviously did? Morgana put a finger to her lips. "It's our secret." She smiled as she left. Maybe he doesn't like her after all. Then what was he talking about? But it did look like he was overcoming his awkwardness around her. What did that mean? These and other questions plagued her as she walked back to her chambers.
xxxXxxx
Merlin was puzzled by the Princess's behavior. Clearly the secret she was talking about was not his magic. So that particular secret was still safe. But what on earth was she talking about with "Gwen's a lucky woman?"
He shook his head and went back to Gaius's for dinner. After eating, Gaius gave him Morgana's draught to deliver. He'd have to face that confusing and beguiling creature yet again.
This time Morgana opened the door herself and invited him in, closing the door behind him. His mouth went dry. "Thanks for bringing it, Merlin," she said. She held out her hand and he handed it over. Their hands brushed and he felt an electric tingle pass between them. What was that? But he didn't have time to contemplate it further because she was speaking again. "Would you build a fire for me? I let Gwen go home so it wasn't done earlier."
He looked at her for a minute then nodded. "As you wish, milady." He built her fire quickly then asked, "Is there anything else I can do for you?"
She smiled and said, "Thank you, but I'm fine. Have a good night Merlin."
He bowed and left the room. What was that tingle about? He went back to Gaius's chambers to ask his mentor about it. Gaius felt that it could have been Morgana's magic reacting to his. That seemed to explain the tingle, but it didn't explain the pull he felt toward her. He was unwilling to explain that particular feeling to Gaius—it felt too personal. So Merlin was left to wonder on his own.
xxxXxxx
He didn't get to ponder long. The castle's staff was overcome by the impending visit of Lord Bayard of Mercia. His visit involved the signing of a peace treaty between the two countries that'd been at war for a while.
Merlin got to meet a pretty female servant from the other country, which took his mind off of Morgana. Then Arthur forced him to wear a hideous costume that no other servant had to wear. He knew Arthur was just trying to give him a hard time. But he was distracted from this a few minutes later when the pretty servant drew him away with a tale of poison and revenge.
Merlin rushed back into the hall and snatched Arthur's goblet. Of course Arthur and Uther made a big to-do about his actions and Bayard was greatly offended. But Morgana watched Merlin's courage in the face of these powerful men and wondered. Was he telling the truth?
He took the goblet and drank all the wine. Gwen took a few steps forward, as if to aid him, but then Merlin was done and he looked fine. Uther gave Bayard leave to take Merlin when the servant suddenly started choking and eventually collapsed to the floor. Morgana wanted to run out there to help him, but that would've been improper. Arthur and Gwen rushed forward to help Gaius with himThey took him to the physician's chambers.
The banquet broke up as Bayard and his men were arrested and thrown in the dungeon. Morgana went back to her chambers to wait for Gwen to report. Several minutes later, the maidservant entered with a frantic air. "My Lady, I am so sorry I haven't been here to attend to you."
"Don't worry, I'm all right. How's Merlin?"
"If Arthur comes back with the antidote in time, he'll be fine."
"Then he'll be fine." She watched Gwen sigh heavily. "You should be with him. I'll manage. I know what he means to you. Go." It might not be proper for her to be there with Merlin, but she could send Gwen to ease her mind.
"Thank you," Gwen replied before dashing off again.
Morgana smiled at Gwen's eagerness. She really has it bad for him. Then an idea struck her—she couldn't be there for Merlin, but maybe she could help him another way. She stood with purpose and strode all the way to Arthur's chambers.
He hadn't yet left when she got there, and he looked more than a little frustrated. The King had given him a lecture on how servants were "worth less" than nobility, so Arthur was forbidden to search for the cure. Overprotective buffoon, she thought. Out loud she said, "Sometimes you've got to do what you think is right, and damn the consequences."
"If I don't make it back, who will be the next king of Camelot? There's more than just my life at stake."
And the prod. "And what kind of king would Camelot want? One that would risk his life to save that of a lowly servant?" She drew Arthur's sword. "Or one who does what his daddy tells him to?" She laid the sword across her palms and presented it to her brother. If that doesn't get to him, nothing will.
She watched with a smile as Arthur pulled a satchel from his wardrobe and began filling it with supplies. I hope he can get to the cure in time for you, Merlin.
xxxXxxx
Morning came, and with it a report from Gwen. Apparently the poison Merlin had imbibed had been strengthened by magic. Merlin had less than two days to live. She left again rather quickly, but Morgana wasn't alone for long. Uther paid her a visit to chew her out—he suspected her of goading Arthur into going after the cure. She denied it but he didn't believe her.
Throughout the day Gwen visited and reported. Merlin was getting worse, but all they could do for him without the cure was keep him comfortable. They had no way of knowing whether Arthur was safe or close to coming home with the cure. The only thing Morgana could do was watch out the window and pray for Arthur and Merlin.
She had gone to bed when a commotion in the courtyard woke her. Arthur was home! But Uther had sent guards to intercept him. Would he imprison his own son? But what about the cure? Did he have it? How would he get it to Gaius?
She stayed up to wait for Gwen, but was soon overcome with fatigue again and fell asleep. She was woken early in the morning by Gwen banging the door open and calling her name. Merlin was alive and recovering from the poison. Arthur had gotten the flower after being attacked by a mysterious sorceress. Uther had thrown him in the dungeon but Gwen had gotten the flower from him. Merlin would be fine.
Morgana was relieved. Soon Merlin would be bringing her draughts again. She caught up with Arthur on the battlements; he and the King were watching Bayard and his retinue leave. Arthur told her about how he'd had some kind of supernatural help in that dark cave—someone had sent a magical light to show him the way out. He didn't know who, but he was grateful for it.
She wondered if what Arthur had seen was a bit of good magic. If Arthur was willing to believe that some magic was good, then there was hope, wasn't there? Maybe one day he'd accept hers and eventually . . . but she couldn't get her hopes up. The Prince needed more than one positive experience to change his mind. She could only hope that whoever was protecting Arthur would help convince him someday.
xxxXxxx
The next thing Morgana knew, Merlin was hanging around a new man in town. Gwen told her that he'd saved Merlin's life and aspired to be a knight. The maid helped furnish this Lancelot with armor and his father's colors, since he somehow ended up here without them.
Lancelot had appeared at the same time as this mysterious man-eating creature. Shortly after he'd arrived, he'd proved his worth to Arthur and was knighted. Gaius discovered the creature was called a griffon and could only be slain with magic. Unfortunately for Arthur, though Lancelot had fought the griffon, he'd been exposed as a liar and his knighthood was revoked. So Arthur and his knights rode out to kill the griffon with conventional weapons; it was a suicide mission.
When Morgana heard this, she locked herself in her room and prayed. Uther refused to use magic to kill it so Arthur and his men would surely die. If only Arthur's magical protector would step in and help him. She waited in her room anxiously, only opening her door to Gwen, who told her that Lancelot had escaped the dungeon and had ridden out to help Arthur anyway.
They watched out the window anxiously, waiting for someone to return. At last a small group of mounted men rode into the courtyard. A significant amount of knights had been killed, but Arthur and Lancelot were among the living.
Word spread through the castle about how Lancelot had defeated the griffon. Arthur was in council with Uther to give Lancelot his knighthood back. But Lancelot intervened in the discussion, saying he wouldn't stay and cause contention between them.
When Gwen heard this, she flew down to find Lancelot. It looked like Gwen had transferred her fancy from Merlin to Lancelot. Morgana shouldn't have felt relieved at that, but she couldn't deny that she was. The next morning she caught Gwen staring longingly out the window. Morgana peeked past her and saw the ex-knight riding slowly away from Camelot. It seemed that a commoner had more nobility in him than many of Camelot's knights.
That night, when Merlin brought her draught, she asked about Lancelot. Merlin lit up and chattered away as he described how Lancelot had defeated the griffon and impressed Arthur. Morgana had sent Gwen home early since she was a bit sad, so she asked Merlin to take her dinner tray back to the kitchen. As he did every time she requested something of him, he answered, "As you wish."
Thanks for reading and I'd love to hear what you think!