Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter or Merlin universes (Or Doctor Who or Star Wars. Any pop culture references that the reader recognizes is from the original source; not original to this fanfic.) This author will try to acknowledge the references when remembered or able, but some are so popular it's been engrained in this author's brain. Kudos, original content creator. You're famous and making money off your work (where as I do not make any money off these fics).

Basically, all rights go to respective owners and creators, and I make no money from this story.

Gandalf slowly stood up in order to more carefully observe the words floating above his head. "Frodo," he spoke in a low, rumbling voice, "what's the Elvish word for 'Obvious'?"

A faint, but clear voice shouted from off in the distance, "SHUT UP, GANDALF! YOU DON'T EVEN GO HERE!" The Fellowship quickly turned and tried to find who was shouting, but the author was surprising well camouflaged in a semi-conspicuous getup of a pair of big sunglasses and a hoodie. Once the Fellowship couldn't find the source of the voice after looking around for thirty seconds, they promptly put it out of their minds and continued their journey into Moria.

Prologue: Ancient Prophecies: We Need a Reset

October 31, 1981

Location: Avalon

"Did it happen?" the One looked across the scrying bowl, that currently contained gray swirling water, at his companion. The High Priestess looked up and nodded.

"Yes. Tom Riddle just killed Harry Potter's parents. Harry survived and Dumbledore and Black are on their way as we speak," she replied.

"And yet," the One moved away from the bowl and began pacing, "it has already happened and is yet to happen and is happening right now, simultaneously! The one time we need to know what's going to happen and WE CAN'T SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!" The One clenched his fists while continuing to pace.

The High Priestess reached over and rested her hand on the One's shoulder.

"You know we can't see anymore past this point in time," she said gently. "Everything is changing constantly and nothing is for certain. There are too many variables. We are not infallible."

The One shrugged off her hand. "This is the price paid for your actions," he responded bitterly.

"It wasn't just me. I will not take the blame. At least, not for all of this," the Priestess spoke in an icy tone, while glaring at the One.

The One sighed and continued to pace. The Priestess waited for him to calm down. She knew that this was frustrating for him. He had created and done much for life and magic ever since the dawn of time, but this was something they both knew he could not remedy. So much had been broken by betrayal and deception, that the very fabric of Fate had been damaged. The inability to see past this point in time was just one consequence of those past actions, and it greatly affected their ability to help now.

Not that we can do much anyway, she thought somewhat dejectedly.

The age of stepping into the world and aiding kings and nations had long since past. Magic, and those who practiced it, were persecuted in even greater numbers than during Uther's reign. Arthur's father paid a heavy price for his actions, but the actions of the next generation were far more devastating and deadly. Magic had been slowly dying off; until now, when steady small pockets and communities of witches and wizards grew and lived around the world. Not that they were in too much danger of disappearing completely, but balance had been lost.

But the more the High Priestess and the One watched time pass, they realized that there must be something greater at work than an imbalance in magic. Something far more evil … and much older than this dark wizard currently terrorizing the wizarding world…

"I'm sorry. I know it wasn't just your fault."

The Priestess sharply nodded and said, "I know."

The One and the High Priestess looked back down and stared at the scrying bowl, lost in their own thoughts.

Well, this is a unique situation, the Priestess silently mused.

Where she currently stood with the One was a sacred and unique place in Avalon. No mortal had ever seen it — not even King Arthur. A gentle breeze blew through her hair as the Priestess stood and stared out at the calm waters before her: The Heart of Avalon.

The Heart of Avalon was a lake at the very center of the land and was the beating heart of all life and magic that ever existed. A safe haven for those of magic and a select few others.

The more intriguing aspect of the lake, however, was the crystal clear waters it contained. The lake was fed by two main streams, but if a person were to follow these streams in an attempt to find their source, they would find themselves walking for eternity. The streams have no beginning, but only one end: the lake. The beings and creatures that lived in Avalon called the streams "Waters of Time" because if these waters were collected from the lake in a container, one could see the future.

With using a little magic, of course, the Priestess smirked. One person could see many possibilities of the future. If they had enough time that is —

Her heart stopped at the thought.

"Time!" the Priestess shouted with excitement. "We need more time!"

Startled by her outburst, it took a moment for her companion to process what she had said. She saw the moment on his face when he reached the same conclusion as her.

"We don't have the power to interfere. Besides, we couldn't go back in time to save two people while letting thousands more …" before he finished that thought, the One paused. Understanding and then hesitancy settled across his face. "You mean to activate the prophecy don't you?" he said slowly.

"Why not?" frustrated, the Priestess pointed at the bowl. "We just saw Lily and James murdered, which officially activated one prophecy. They need help! It's not just this Dark Lord Stupidest-Name-Ever … it's more than that! So, what's one more prophecy added into the mix? They won't even see this one coming … none of them will! We'll get the element of surprise. This has been inactive for so long, people are starting to say that it's made up! So now's the perfect time!"

"Lord Voldemort," the One off-handedly muttered.

"That's what I said!" The High Priestess smirked as the One tried to hide a small smile. "They need help. I don't care what happens after they defeat Lord Noseless; darkness is quickly building up around them and threatening their world. And it won't stop with just Britain and vanquishing Lord Moldy Thing. We both know that there is evil in the world that is hidden in plain sight and nothing can stop it … unless someone knows! We don't need to see the future to know any of that."

The One stared at the Priestess for a moment to see if she had finished her tirade. "You're really having trouble with his name aren't you?" he asked.

The Priestess took a deep breath and quickly started to speak. "One, it's not even his real name. Two, it's a nickname he gave himself. Side note, who does that?! Doesn't he know proper nickname etiquette: You can't give yourself a nickname, someone else has to. Three, I know that. So I gave him multiple fitting nicknames that are great because they're all as stupid as his. Four, he's stupid and I refuse to give him any proper acknowledgement. Five, I think the nicknames I gave him are perfect. Six—"

The One cut her off when she took a breath. "Okay, okay, no more! Please! You make good points. Lord Noseless it is. But don't you think that nickname is a little bit too, oh I don't know …"

"On the nose?" she replied with a cheeky smile.

Grinning at each other, the Priestess and the One shared a quick laugh before once again growing serious.

"They are in trouble you know," the High Priestess softly said.

The One nodded, looking somber. "Their world is flawed. But that prophecy you want activated will cause you to forget everything. And it has to have both beings born of magic to agree."

She raised an eyebrow at him as if to say, So what?

The One continued hesitantly. "So … have you even spoken to him yet? At all in the last few hundred years? I know he doesn't visit much. But if I recall, the last time you attempted to talk with him you said 'Hi' … and then he started casting blasting spells at you! Do you think he'll agree to this?"

The Priestess grimaced at the memory before smiling, laughter dancing behind her eyes.

"About this? No idea," she said. "Really haven't a clue. I haven't spoken to him yet about activating the prophecy. I did speak to him yesterday, however."

The One nervously looked at her and cautiously asked, "Do I even want to know what you said?"

The Priestess grinned mischievously and continued with her story. "Anyway, I snuck up behind him yesterday morning while he was eating breakfast and yelled "YOLO!" in his ear."

The One stared gob smacked at her. After a moment of tense silence, the Priestess shrugged and said, "Overall, I think that went really well."

Her companion came out of his stupor and promptly started shouting at her.

"Wha— WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!" he sputtered. "Why would you antagonize him? He's the MOST POWERFUL SORCERER TO WALK THIS EARTH AND THE NEXT! He comes here sometimes just because he can — EVEN THOUGH he shouldn't be able to cross over! How do you even know what YOLO means? What did he do?!"

The Priestess cocked an eyebrow and inquired, "Why are you so afraid of him? You're the One. Didn't you create all of this?" The Priestess waved her hands at their surroundings.

"You know the answer to that question," he glared at her. "Magic created you both and magic was here even before me. Yes, I did create everything, but you two I have no control over— DON'T GIVE ME THAT LOOK!"

The Priestess had grown a far off thoughtful look in her eye, as if contemplating the future and what he had just said. The One wouldn't normally be concerned — except that she had a nasty mischievous gleam in her eyes.

And he knew that always meant trouble.

"Besides," he quickly tried to redirect her attention, "you never answered my original question. What did he do?"

Before the Priestess could answer, a calm voice promptly answered from behind them, "I created an illusion of a Serket that started chasing her, while she ran away laughing."

Spinning around, the Priestess and the One looked into the eyes of an older man leaning against a knotted staff. Small waves lapped against his feet as he walked along the shoreline towards the only other people by the lake. His face crinkled into a smile and nodded at the One. The One didn't notice, however, as his eyes were currently tightly shut. He was holding his hands to his temples and slowly shaking his head, while muttering under his breath. The Priestess was entertained as she thought she heard him mention something about "evil" and "children."

"It was only an illusion. No harm done," the older man shrugged, leaning heavily against his staff.

"You two," the One sharply pointed at the two people standing before him, "are going to kill me."

"I thought you couldn't die in Avalon," the Priestess cheekily remarked.

The One glared at her and the older man turned to look at the Priestess. It was the first time they had made eye contact since … before … and the Priestess noticed his eyes still held anger in them — but they were also tinged with regret and weariness.

The man simply nodded at her and said, "Morgana."

"Merlin," she nodded back at him.

I knew it. Even after all this time, he still hates me. Sorrow and pity latched onto her heart as she remembered the last years of her life on Earth. Stop it. You started to make it right by creating the prophecy surrounding Arthur. You're willing to go back now and fix things.

Morgana thought of the regret and weariness she had noticed in Merlin's eyes and hoped for the future to hold something better. She mentally shook herself out of her thoughts and noticed Merlin had been carefully watching her. His eyes slowly softened and he started nodding.

"Yes," he said confidently. "It is time to activate the prophecy. I agree with Morgana."

The One shook his head. "I'm never going to understand you two, am I?" Merlin and Morgana grinned at each other and shook their heads.

I've missed him. This is the Merlin I grew up with, Morgana thought as she remembered fighting bandits, epic sword fights, and saving her friends — all while standing next to a brave and smart young man. She thought of times long since past and what could have been.

So much went wrong. I wish…

She abruptly stopped thinking about wishes and dreams and was able to catch up with the last bit of what the One had been saying.

"…but I will remind you and say it anyway," the One stood facing Merlin and Morgana. "By activating the prophecy, you will not remember who you were or your time here." The One gestured around them at Avalon. Morgana noticed that mist had begun to slowly gather over the lake, giving the scene a more ethereal effect. She looked pointedly at the One and tilted her head questioningly toward the lake. The One looked between the mist and Morgana a few times before understanding what she was trying to say. He grinned sheepishly.

"I thought the occasion called for it," he replied. Morgana just rolled her eyes and the One continued speaking.

"This is meant to be a new beginning — for all of you — so that you can achieve the destiny you were meant to have without damaging Fate. You will always be Morgana, Merlin, and Arthur, just now it's without the demons plaguing you. And yes," the One said before either could speak, "Arthur and the other one get sent back too, since they are essentially to the prophecy."

Morgana snorted and Merlin looked at her.

"Well, that bit is obvious," she quietly told Merlin. "I mean about Arthur coming back. I did create the prophecy about Arthur, after all."

Merlin stared curiously at Morgana. "You made the prophecy? How?" he questioned.

Morgana shrugged her shoulders and turned back towards the One. Merlin, however, wouldn't let it go and eagerly started pressing for answers. She was suddenly reminded why, in the distant past, she had at one time considered him nosy.

"Did you see the future? What's going to happen? How could you know, if the Waters are clouded? Do they win? Can't we influence things from here? How are you this all knowing? Did you set the curtains on fire again?"

"MERLIN!" Morgana shouted, "THAT WAS ONE TIME! And you will not mention that again." Morgana firmly said the last sentence with a look in her eye that said there was not room for argument.

Merlin ducked his head before answering cheekily, "I'm glad you said that last bit. At first, I thought you were channeling Arthur because that's exactly how he used to shout my name when he was upset with me."

Morgana smacked Merlin upside the head and said, "I know. We all heard it every single day at least ten times. And to answer your questions: The Waters are clouded because time has hit a diverging point. There are too many possible choices stemming from too many key situations that could happen because of too many important decisions that occur due to the path that just one person chooses, from the multitude that are before them. Put this on a national level and you'll understand why we can't know what will maybe happen for just a few people.

"Yes, I saw glimpses of the future. But it was a few glimpses of many possible roads and like I just said, none of them are for certain. Our choices from this point forward will affect the block on the Waters. We can't influence things from here because we can't see what is coming, and normally we can't do much in this age anyway. I don't know who wins and I'm all knowing because I don't walk around like an idiot."

Merlin opened his mouth to argue, but was cut off by Morgana's raised hand. She continued to ten and took a breath before continuing.

"This is our mess. That means we have to get our hands dirty and are the only ones who can fix it. This prophecy gives us a chance to right our wrongs. We can even help the others change the future for the better. Arthur is the Once and Future King and Britain needs him again, just as Wizarding Britain needs the Chosen One. I seem to remember you being an excellent advisor. Maybe it's time to take up that post again." Merlin nodded with a contemplative look on his face.

"Anyway," the One paused as he focused on Merlin, "I was going to say that I need your staff. I know you probably don't want to part with it, but it's a must."

Merlin slowly stepped forward. Morgana watched intently as he gave the One his staff. The One's eyes widened in surprise when Merlin gave it to him without complaint. Seeing his surprise, Merlin explained.

"It belongs in the land of the Old Magic. I couldn't take it while me even if I wanted it. Our bodies aren't going back; our spirits are starting fresh in a new time. Last I checked, spirits have no pockets or hands, so I'm out of luck. No way to hold it or carry it."

The One held the staff like the precious gift it was, while Morgana offered her arm to Merlin. She smiled when he nodded his thanks and leaned against her.

He's so old now, Morgana thought. So much has changed. Her mind flashed back to yesterday's "conversation" and she remembered that she hadn't been the only one laughing.

No. Maybe not much has changed. I believe there's hope.

The One continued speaking. "I can't stress enough that this is your one and only chance at redeeming yourselves and finding your true destiny. Since you both messed everything up so badly before, it ended up causing a ripple effect through time. Effecting destinies and lives throughout the ages. Some of which have not even yet begun. Time fracturing—"

Merlin raised his hand to stop the One from continuing, while Morgana once again rolled her eyes.

"Yes, we are aware of that. Seeing as we were both there for it," Merlin said.

Morgana leaned over and said to Merlin in a loud stage whisper, "You might have been there, but I was here. I had to suffer through all of his lectures in person." More and more, Morgana felt the hate and shame slip away as she spoke with Merlin. It was slowly starting to feel like old times again. Plotting behind Uther's back, saving innocent people, helping others … She refused to think about the pain in the last few years of her time on Earth and let hope slowly continue to fill her heart instead.

"You have to know what damage it did! This can't be repeated!" ("Not like we're going to remember this anyway," Merlin quietly said to Morgana.) The One continued as if Merlin hadn't said anything. "It is also your only shot at changing the future and helping the others fulfil the second prophecy. I cannot interfere in this journey. This is for all of you to right the wrongs of the past."

"You are beings born of magic and of the Old Religion. That will not change no matter where or when you go," the One sighed and then continued speaking. "This will make it harder for you, but there's nothing that can change it. It may be an advantage later on, who knows?" ("Fate?" Morgana whispered to Merlin, who was fighting a smile.) "Just know that when the time comes, you will always find your way back home to Avalon. But I don't want to see either of you for at least five centuries and you better only show up if you die of old age in your sleep." The One pointedly stared at Morgana during that last sentence.

"Not my fault," she muttered under her breath.

The One suddenly grinned. "Basically, this is a never-happened-before-never-happening-again chance at reincarnation — kind of — curtesy one prophecy created by the Lady Morgana and executed by myself. Not only will you help save the future, but you will also find your true destinies. No memories, no help, blah blah, disclaimers, beings of magic. Got it? Are you ready?"

Morgana and Merlin nodded. Morgana momentarily panicked at the thought of losing everything and every memory. Despite the bad, there was some good she didn't want to forget.

You knew this was happening! This is how this prophecy works. Get over it! Morgana furiously thought. She settled down when she felt the steady presence of Merlin's hand remain on her arm. I wish things could have been different.

"Hey, Morgana?" Merlin leaned towards her and asked. "How are we supposed to fix this? I get it's our fault, but what are we supposed to do?"

Morgana gave a small smile and whispered, "You weren't listening were you? We need to fulfil our original destiny."

"Which is …?" Merlin left the question hanging.

"You, me, Arthur — even some of the kids we're going to help — have been spoken about before the dawn of time. We were fated for great things, but what we did destroyed any hope of that future and damaged Fate — as the One is so eager to constantly remind us." She paused a moment before quickly continuing, "So, let's not do what happened last time and hope for the best. Then we can all live long and happy lives."

"I'm going to ignore the statement of 'not doing what we did last time' and instead ask: Why can't we have our memories and do we all really get long and happy lives?"

"We didn't have foreknowledge last time. This is the only way to get to our destiny and fix things: the mortal way … with some obvious magical perks and abilities. Besides, with a past as damaged and plagued by demons as ours is, we need a fresh start." Merlin grimaced and nodded at the thought.

"As to your second question: I really don't know," Morgana continued in a whisper. "The prophecy I created gives us a way in to start the process of healing Fate. But no one knows exactly what our destiny was — just that it was seriously messed up. Fate and prophecies are tricky. You never know what to truly expect."

"Morgana, Fate is hard to damage. Like really hard. I'm not saying we didn't do it —honestly, we probably did — but what if we were fated to damage Fate and end up here? Trying to fix the past, make the future better, and find our true destiny?"

Morgana gave a soft smile. After creating the prophecy and then arriving in Avalon shortly there after, she had given that a lot of thought.

"Either way, we're here and we did screw up last time. Fate, time, destiny, it all weaves around and gets jumbled. My gift of Sight shows a multitude of possibilities. Maybe we missed it last time and this is our second chance. Or maybe we've still been working towards our true destiny this entire time, but we just took the worst possible way to get there. Little things make the biggest changes. Maybe we could have bypassed all of the pain, but this — right now — would have always been a possibility. One outcome of many. Nothing is linear and there are infinite possibilities."

"The One seems to think that we royally messed up and that this is our last shot," Merlin pondered.

"Perhaps."

Merlin quickly looked at Morgana. She gave him a reassuring smile and replied, "But what happened happened. Whether it's Fate or not, I'm going back. This is my choice. Fated or not, I don't care. I've made mistakes that cost people their lives and I will try my best to fix that."

Morgana had grown fierce and determined by the end of her little impromptu speech, when she suddenly remembered something from ages long past. A memory of a girl standing defiant before her king, demanding the rescue of her maid, who was also her best friend. What she had felt then, she once again felt now.

Maybe I hadn't lost as much as I was led to believe, she wondered.

Merlin gently squeezed her arm and whispered in her ear.

"I'm sorry I'm about to lose you."

Before Morgana could process what he had said, the One neared the end of the spell she hadn't realized he had been casting. With a quick flourish, the One finished speaking the last word and time seemed to freeze for a moment. Suddenly, there was a blinding flash of gold light and Morgana felt her spirit separate from her body. The body vanished — as well as everything around her — as her spirit was pulled through time.

She felt the comforting aura of Merlin, and even Arthur, nearby. But far away, and just for a moment, Morgana could feel the presence of the other one — just before it was called into the physical realm.

I can't forget about that one, Morgana thought fearfully, knowing that in any moment, she would not have any choice in the matter.

Before she could continue with that line of thought, her spirit was pulled out of time and into the world.

And in that moment, her memories were gone and she remembered no more.

The Once and Future King

Prophecy recorded by: Morgana Pendragon

Date: Two Days Before the Battle of Camlann

.oOo.

Fate has turned back, the King rises again;

Sacred is the flight of the Eagle and Raven.

Watchmen of the Wall will surely sound the alarm.

Caught in the citadel, will they be dealt healing or harm?

.oOo.

Hope for the future, mercy redeeming the past.

Anxiety and Regret cannot stand nor last.

Amends must be made, quickly before it's too late!

Evil is only vanquished before true love and the gate.

.oOo.

The path lies before and is quickly obscured by sand.

Time forever gone; will the Chosen Ones stand?

As Fate binds together what time has thought lost,

All must move forward; no matter the cost.

A/N — Edited on June 2, 2017 to remove "head-hopping" POV and to fix grammar.