Title: The Child of Dawn and Dusk

Prologue: Arthur survives Camlann because Merlin called the Great Dragon the moment Gaius returned to Camelot. This unfortunately causes the death of the Great Dragon due to him using the last of his strength to carry the Once and Future King and Emrys to the Lake of Avalon. This also ensures Morgana did not die after Camlann. Arthur eventually returns magic to Camelot and Merlin is made Court Sorcerer, while Morgana appears as if she had disappeared off the face of the Earth. Camelot begins to enter her second Golden Age, with the ushering in of peace and tranquility throughout the kingdom. Our story begins on the first annual anniversary of the return of magic to Camelot…

Dawn. Dusk. They are both strikingly different but both share an important similarity. Both symbolize a time in which the light and the darkness fuse as one in a way that leaves something beautiful and precious.

Merlin could not believe his eyes as he observed the feasting hall of the castle. Sorcerers and sorceresses were gathered at the tables, showing off their magic without fear of persecution. Today had been an amazing day for those with magic for that day was Sorcery Day in Camelot, which was the same day Arthur repealed the ban on magic. That had happened exactly a year ago. Today was a day to celebrate the day magic became free and a day to mourn those who had died during the persecution of magic.

The day had been lined with several activities, all overseen by the Court Sorcerer Merlin. No longer was he a servant to Arthur, although he was still seen frequently in the king's company. The day had begun with the arrival of sorcerers and sorceresses from across the land to compete in the first annual Magic Tournament. Of course, Merlin had forbidden himself to attend the tournament. He could easily pull an "Emrys" and literally shock the competition. Instead, he took the role of judge. The tournament was won by a middle-aged woman whose specialty was turning her opponents into animals. Of course, the strategy was not always ideal in her favor, but the woman eventually did win the entire tournament. Merlin could not admit to not having the desire to face the woman in a magical duel, but he did not want to ruin Camelot's first magical champion's victory. Instead, he clapped along with the rest of Camelot as the king congratulated her and she was invited to the feast later tonight.

After the tournament, the town square was lined with magicians hoping to impress visitors and citizens alike with their magic. Demonstrations often included flowers, small animals, fire, etc. Merlin couldn't help but think what Uther would think of all the magic that occurred in Camelot on this day. "Execute him, and her, and them, and everyone!" thought Merlin, smiling at the idea because it was no longer possible for the tyrannical king to execute people with the inert ability of magic.

A surprise came with the arriving visitors of Camelot. Alice, ex-fiancé of Gaius, arrived among the visitors. She had hoped to surprise Gaius and she succeeded. With the ban of magic revoked, the two could finally marry and spend their life together as they were supposed to twenty years ago. They immediately reengaged and they were to have small wedding in a few days' time. Merlin may or may not have had a hand in the matter. When he had moved out of Gaius' chambers because he had been offered his own in the castle as Court Sorcerer, he noticed the old physician grow lonely. That was when he embarked on a journey to seek out Alice and bring her back to Camelot. He had succeeded, but she mentioned that she would return in her own time and soon. Today had been that day.

The day ended with the Feast of Sorcery. The hall was filled with notable sorcerers from around Camelot, including a number of druids. There was now even a Druid Ambassador at the Round Table, while Merlin served as a representative of all magic-users. Of course, there were the Knights of the Round Table present. And then there was the pregnant Queen Guinevere who was far into her pregnancy and looked as if she was ready to give birth that night. The feast began with Arthur reciting a speech Merlin made for him about the return of magic to Camelot. George had long ago replaced Merlin as the king's servant, but some things would never change. Speech-writing was just one of a number of things on the unchangeable list of duties Merlin did for the king.

"One year ago, a day such as today would have been thought of as impossible and illegal. However, one year ago, I realized that magic should not be an evil force. The only evil in magic are the ones who use it for evil. The same way the only evil in swords are the ones who use it for so. This realization was all thanks to my amazing and heroic friend, Merlin," Arthur said, shooting a look at him for praising himself. "He summoned the Great Dragon who brought me to the Lake of Avalon even when the dragon was severely injured on his wing. The dragon died, unfortunately. But it was not in vain. The Sidhe of Avalon, they healed me. I know the Sidhe to be against my rule, but they saw my acceptance of magic beginning to form and they healed me. I then returned to Camelot with Merlin and restored magic to the land, with the help of The Round Table. I would now like to take a moment to for us to think of those we lost during the Great Purge and afterwards. Tonight, my thoughts go to my sister Morgana. She may be alive, possibly, but it was because of the ban on magic that turned her into who she is today."

The hall immediately went quiet as everyone thought of those. Merlin's thoughts went to Morgana as well, along with all his friends he had made and lost. These people included Alator of the Catha, Finna, Freya, the druids, the list went on. But somehow, Morgana kept cropping back into his mind.

"Let us- "Arthur began, but he was interrupted by the appearance of a howling wind and a tornado-like force in the middle of the hall. The knights immediately drew their swords, but Merlin held his hand up to signal them to stop. Each knight shared a look of confusion as Merlin slowly walked up to the howling tornado, his arm outstretched, ready for magic.

The wind eventually died down. What was revealed caused Merlin to take a few steps back. A white dragon was curled over a baby in a pink blanket. A note was leaning against the baby. Merlin took it.

"Emrys. No, Merlin. In my days, I have done many, many wrongs. But I will never forget that day. Never. My days are soon to come to an untimely end. I leave you with Anabel. You know who she is and where she came from. Take care of Aithusa and my daughter, please Merlin. You know the connection you share with her.

- Morgana Pendragon"

Author's Notes: Hi everyone! I really should not be doing another fanfiction while I'm in the literal midst of True Extent, but this has been a burning idea in me and I couldn't help it. To make it worse, school starts tomorrow too. Oh well!

I'm trying to decide whether this should be a two- or three-shot or a multi-chapter story. Depends if I get somewhere with the plot.

Next chapter will have more information on how Anabel was made. Well, I guess the "how" is a little obvious, but I'll explain the "why". I won't go into detail on the "how" XD

Anyways, thank you for reading and please review!