Summary: Sorcery in Camelot leads to passion and dire consequences for the young Warlock and Witch. Love becomes hate, friends become foes. Can love truly conquer all? The repercussions will either lead to Camelot's salvation… or destruction.

Pairing: Merlin/Morgana

Rating: M Rated since Chapter 6 onwards

Time-line: Set mid-end of S2 then progresses over S3

A/N: Normally I don't work on two stories at once but I couldn't resist the plot and idea for this story, it will be a little different from other Mergana fic's. I hope you enjoy my first attempt at pairing these two great characters, feel free to give me feedback Chapters will bounce between more Merlin's and Morgana's POV. Some may find the first Chapter a little slow, but I promise ;) it picks up fast.

A/N2: Chapter 1 Updated 12/12/12 to provide a better intro and summary to the story :)

Disclaimer: Merlin belongs to the BBC and the writers of the show, sadly.

Hell Hath No Fury Like A Priestess Scorned

In a land of myth, and a time of magic… the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy. His name… Merlin.

Chapter 1: A Good Day

Somewhere outside of Camelot…

A cauldron bubbled away over an iron stove that sat in a dark hut; a colourful hazy smoke was steadily rising from the dark brown silvery liquid. The hut was deserted, the windows had been boarded up and only a few strands of daylight were able to pass the barrier. Incenses burnt in every corner of the room with small candles littering every table top and dresser.

The door creaked open and a huddled figure entered quickly, sealing the door behind them with a murmur. The figure casted of their cloak and revealed a middle aged man with stern yet honest features, he had a finely trimmed brown beard with medium length brown hair, strands of grey dotted both his beard and hair.

He drew a pouch from his waist and pulled out a handful of different herbs. He held them between both hands over the cauldron, for a few seconds he did nothing. Then he started to mutter a long series of sentences in the old religion, rubbing his hands together, crushing the herbs and scattering them into the liquid as he recited his incantation. When he finished muttering his spell his eyes flashed gold, a flame covered the surface of the liquid briefly. When it died down, what was left was a bright pink liquid.

The man moved over to one of the dressers and pulled out a funnel, tube and a wine flask. He brought the items back to the cauldron and started to funnel the liquid into the flask, once filled he corked it and lifted it into the air.

"A toast… To Camelot."

Merlin

'Todays going to be a good day' Merlin thought as he pulled himself out of bed, with a lazy stretch and a sheepish smile he chucked on his clothes and left his room with a spring in his step, almost colliding with a occupied Gaius.

"Merlin! What's the rush my boy?" Gaius asked as he straightened himself to study the enthusiastic young man.

"Rush? No rush at all, why would I be in a rush?" Merlin quirked. "Just thought I'd start early you know, all ready to serve his royal pratness."

"Early? You? Normally I have to almost drag you out of bed every morning... Unless" Gaius's eyebrow raised in that all too familiar fashion that he must of spent years perfecting. "You're up to something! Out with it."

Merlin stood stunned for a few seconds, his mentor knew him too well. "I... Whatever gave you that idea? Just wanted to surprise Arthur, show him I'm not completely useless."

"Arthurs not the only one who will be surprised." Gaius said, still eyeing Merlin suspiciously.

Merlin smirked then cheekily added. "Normally you're grumpy with me with being always late. Now you're suspicious that I'm early. I tell you, there's no pleasing some people." Merlin threw his arms in the air in mock frustration.

Gaius held Merlin's gaze for what seemed an eternity, Merlin had to try his damn hardest not to grin as he feigned his innocence.

"Alright, I suppose I should give you the benefit of the doubt." Gaius said with a defeated sigh and headed over to his bench. "You've been unusually helpful these past few weeks, and cheerful... You know it's almost as if you were growing up."

Merlin laughed "Me? Never, you're old enough for the both of us Gaius" He said cheekily.

Gaius was right although Merlin thought, he had been very cheerful recently, and it was all down to one person, Morgana. 'The lack of attacks on Arthur and Camelot also help.'

When Morgana had approached him, confided in him about her suspicions to having magic, she probed for answers, probed for someone to say 'Yes you do' so that she'd know she wasn't going crazy. At the time his mind raced through the possible answers and consequences, the great dragon had told him what her destiny would be, what she could end up doing. But Merlin refused to believe it, that such a sweet caring person would turn to evil, he refused to punish her and shut her off from the world based on actions she may or may not do in the future. He refused to let her feel alone, afraid of her magic, just like he had been before Gaius. That left only one answer he could give her, 'Yes you do'´ He had told her.

When he first confirmed it, she was terrified. For many reasons, Uther for one, she was the king's ward and she knew better than most at how deep his hatred for magic ran, he was blinded by hate and fear, his war on magic was utterly without mercy. Even although she was Uther's ward that he loved like she was his own daughter, both Merlin and Morgana doubted his love for her surpassed his hate for magic. Morgana had told Merlin that for as long as she could remember, she had been told that magic was utter and pure evil, that it corrupts the soul and that no good could ever come from it. That those with magic would destroy people's way of life for their own selfish gains.

By the time Morgana had finished unloading her concerns, she had grown more terrified and hysterical. He had given her a friendly, comforting hug then escorted her back to her chambers, where with her pleading, Merlin decided to stay with her for most of the night. He was there for her, sitting next to each other on her bedside while he reassured her.

He told her first that he will protect her secret with his life. 'She trusts me she said' Merlin thought as he recalled that night, it had been a long night, but a very gratifying one. He told her that he believed that magic can be a force for good as well as evil, and that it won't corrupt her if she didn't want it too, 'And that's something she's certain she doesn't want ever to happen.' Merlin smiled as he remembered her immediate protesting, 'Evil my ass Kilgharrah, you're wrong this time.'

She too had said that she believed magic could be a force for good, that she believed magic chose you not vice versa, and that it should be treated as a gift not a curse. And with that they had spent most of that night speculating ways magic could help; it was almost dawn before Merlin had left her chambers but from that night forward… Merlin and Morgana had grown very close friends, how close and how deep that friendship now ran, remained a secret from all, even Gwen and Gaius wasn't aware of their new level of friendship.

"Merlin?" His name was called out to him but went straight over his head as he continued to reminisce.

'But that's all it is… friendship… nothing romantic… unfortunately.' The sudden thought caused Merlin's mood to drop slightly. He couldn't deny to himself that he wished they'd be more then friends, he couldn't deny what he felt for her deep down... But he doubted very much she would ever feel the same. So he kept his feelings buried and refrained from displaying anything more than friendship, which proved a great strain especially when she flirted and teased him. 'Just her normally playful manner, she's like that to most people, sadly...'

"Merlin!" His name was called again in a more stern tone, but again it didn't faze him as his mind dwelled on Morgana.

Despite the heart ache he'd sometimes feel when their gazes met or when her pale flawless skin brushed against his. They had a good friendship going, where she could be herself around him, and he mostly could be himself around her. His magic stayed a secret from her for now; he didn't want to overwhelm her and when she was more in control of her magic and content with what she is, he would reveal himself to her.

Merlin was brought abruptly back to reality when the back of his head was wacked. "Ow! What was that for Gaius?" He looked back at his guardian while rubbing the back of his head.

"I thought you got up early to work? Not to stand in the middle of my room drooling while lost in thought!" Gaius shook his head at the young man and proceeded to seat down at his table. "Come. Have some breakfast before you go."

"Did you have to whack me so hard?" Merlin pouted then sat opposite a grinning Gaius and tucked into a chuck of bread. "And I wasn't drooling!"

"If I didn't know any better I would say you had a lady in your life." Merlin was thankful Gaius didn't look at him when he said that as Merlin felt his cheeks blush slightly. 'I do, just not in that way…'

Merlin forced a laugh. "Oh sure, I have plenty of time to fit a woman in my life. It's not like a have a very demanding prince to cater for and an important destiny hanging over my head." Merlin retorted sarcastically as he finished his breakfast.

"And talking of demanding princes, I best make a move." Merlin carried on as he stood up and headed for the door only to be stopped by Gaius's voice.

"Merlin, try stay out of trouble." Gaius warned over his shoulder.

"Don't I always?" Merlin grinned then darted out of the door.

He dodged maids and guards as he walked at a hurried pace, 'Still early, plenty of time for a quick visit.' He thought as he passed the corridor that he should have taken to head to Prince Arthur's chambers. His destination and the reason for his early start, was a secret meeting with Morgana.

Morgana

'Todays going to be a good day' Morgana thought as the morning light stirred her from her sleep, with a feline stretch she let out a small yawn and fluttered her eyes. 'It must be early, Gwen's not even here yet, good will save me some hassle.'

With another stretch, aching her back, she threw the sheets off her and moved hastily towards her wardrobe and started to rummage through her gowns and dresses. 'What to wear… maybe something a bit… scandalous will get his attention.'

She of course was thinking about Merlin. That naïve serving boy who had become her closest friend, the same serving boy who had unknowingly captured her heart. Despite all her attempts at flirting, being suggestive and seductive, he had yet to catch a hint at how she felt for him. Instead he never pushed the friendship line, always being the perfect gentleman, it should of annoyed and irritated her, yet all that ended up doing was make him even more appealing to her eyes, he was a mystery, a challenge.

She couldn't help but chuckle at that, 'I'm the one with magic, I should be the mystery, yet it feels like I'm the one under his spell.' "Ah, that will do." She muttered to herself as she pulled out a violet gown and carried it over to behind the dressing screen and started undressing out of her nightwear.

The opening of her chamber door instinctively caused her to cover up her chest. "My lady?" Gwen's voice called out from by her door; obviously she had noticed Morgana's bed was empty.

Morgana relaxed her arms as she heard the familiar voice of her maidservant. "Over here Gwen." She called out cheerily and listened to the footsteps approach the screen.

"My lady? You're up early." Gwen said in a surprised tone as she stepped round the screen, automatically reaching out to help Morgana get dressed.

"I am, it's such a nice day. Didn't want to waste it by lingering in bed too long." Morgana smiled back at Gwen as her hands worked their way up her back, fastening the gown's laces. "Thank you Gwen."

"Interesting choice of gown, who you trying to impress?" Gwen asked with a small grin, her eyes surveying Morgana in her attire, which in some parts were quite revealing, almost scandalously so.

Morgana blushed at her maid's comment. "Impress? Why would I be trying to impress anyone?" She asked in a surprised manner as she led Gwen to the dressing table.

"No reason." She said with a smile and picked up a brush as Morgana sat in front of the mirror. "You've been in such high spirits lately. I'm just wondering if someone special has caught your attention." Her maid continued to probe as she brushed her mistress's hair; most maid's would never be so intrusive into their mistresses life. But Gwen was more than a maid, she was a friend.

"Well…" 'Should I say anything?... Maybe Gwen could shed some insight?' Morgana paused as she thought best how to word her answer. "There is… someone… but I don't believe he's interested." Her reply was surprisingly honest, even although it lacked any sort of details.

Gwen titled her head and smiled down at her. "I'm sure they are, they'd be a fool not to be. Maybe… they feel you're too good for them?"

Morgana turned to look up at her maid, 'That was a pretty specific guess… does she know?' "What do you mean?"

"I mean… you're very beautiful Morgana, intelligent. You have many good qualities and, you're the kings' ward…. Perhaps they don't believe someone like you could ever fall for them… so they don't say anything, to save themselves from rejection." Gwen had stopped looking at Morgana while she talked and gazed off into the distance.

She was about to protest, 'Someone like me?' Morgana thought, slightly frustration at the comment. But she realised Gwen was talking more about her own experience, about her and Arthur, Morgana had suspected there was something there for a long time until Gwen had let something slip that had confirmed it. 'Maybe that's it then? I mean our experiences and positions are similar… Arthur's a prince and Gwen's a maid, I'm the king's ward and Merlin's a servant.'

"How did you-"Morgana had begun to say then stopped herself, if Gwen had the answer she wouldn't say, and even if she did it was hardly doing her and Arthur much good. "Never mind." She sighed and let Gwen finish grooming her in peace.

She allowed her mind to wander to her upcoming visitor, her tall, thin, dark haired visitor. Her mysterious yet strangely handsome friend who had the deepest blue eyes and pale skin that matched her own. She wondered how he was built under his clothing, which much to her regret she had yet to see him out of. 'Topless I mean! Nothing wrong with harmless topless-ness… Don't mean out of his breeches… although…' She scowled at herself as she was flooded with a barrage of arousing mental images that she longed to be a reality.

She sighed, 'Hardly very ladylike…' Gwen muttered an apology, assuming Morgana's sigh was from her tugging on her hair with the brush. Her body tingled as the images of Merlin bounced around in her head, the same tingle she felt whenever she saw him, heard him, thought of him or unintentionally touched him. A tingle that shot down to her core every time, arousing her at the most inappropriate times, with another sigh she forced him out of his mind and replaced the image of Merlin with less attractive thoughts.

Finally Gwen finished and Morgana admired herself in the Mirror and smiled warmly. "I think that's all I need for now, why don't you take a few hours off Gwen."

Gwen looked slightly shocked, although Morgana was very gracious to her, she rarely gave her time off without being asked or without it being suggested. "Are you sure my lady?"

"I'm sure, I'll be fine. I'll see you at lunch." Morgana said as she moved over to the tray of food Gwen had brought in and helped herself to some fruit.

"Thank you my lady." Gwen smiled and curtsied before heading out of Morgana's chambers and leaving her alone.

'Well that was easy' she thought with a smile, now she just had to wait nervously for the reason she had gotten up early to make an appearance.

Moments later, as if sensing her thoughts a knock came at her door. She gave herself a quick once over then gracefully headed to the door, taking a deep breath to suppress her nerves she opened the door.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the first chapter I may have deliberately cut it off before any interaction between the two, because teasing is fun. Please review and leave your thoughts, everyone knows reviews make updates come faster :P I'll update soon!

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