Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own the show Merlin, the BBC does.

AN: Well I'm definitely crazy for starting ANOTHER new story, but again the plot bunny refused to surrender. I hope you enjoy this and please leave a comment so I know if I should keep this story going or not!

Dangerous Love

Chapter 1

"For centuries my family has ruled England and we have built one of the strongest governments the world has ever known. We never surrender to the magic that's very core threatens the free world, and we are a much stronger country because of it. Furthermore, I am deeply honored that when the time comes, my son Arthur will be ready to take my place."

Applause sounded, as the young Prince Arthur gladly greeted his subjects. As the applause died down, Uther spoke again.

"But all great kings need a strong and compassionate queen, and I'm proud to announce that my son is now engaged to the lovely Guinevere Leodgrance. Please join me in congratulations!"

It was obvious that the people loved Arthur and their love extended to Guinevere, a lovely young woman with whom the prince had fallen head over heels with.

Princess Morgana cheered along with the rest, though she was completely shocked by the news. She knew that Arthur and Gwen were close, but she had no idea that he had proposed. Still it was a good match, and they would lead England into a bright new future. Morgana winced, now she was sounding like her father.

Morgana watched as Arthur left with his new fiancé indoors. Now that her brother was to be married, Morgana was now even further from claiming the throne, but it didn't bother her. Arthur was more than ready to be a king some day and Morgana's interests didn't really lie with politics. She was more interested in magic.

Magic had been banned for centuries in England and those who broke the law could face serious penalties like jail time and huge fines. The irony was that she was Uther's daughter and she had an affinity with magic as long as she could remember. Morgana always assumed that she received her magic from her mother though she wasn't sure, because she couldn't ever remember her.

Arthur was actually Morgana's half brother, and his mother Ygraine died from complications in childbirth. Morgana's mother was Uther's second wife, and they divorced when Morgana was only two. She had asked her father why they divorced when she was older, but this was one of those topics that Uther could be totally mute upon. All Morgana knew was that her mother had never tried to contact her, or perhaps her father blocked such contact.

Morgana had discovered her magic years before when she started having nightmares at the age of five. At first she believed that they were simply nightmares, but then one day she had a dream of Arthur breaking his arm when he jumped off a swing. And the very next day it happened. She wasn't foolish enough to let her father know about the dream, and as time went on the dreams became an ever night occurrence. Which is why Morgana was surprised that she hadn't foreseen Arthur's engagement.

"Morgana, aren't you coming?" came the sound of her father's voice, breaking Morgana away from her thoughts. She followed her father mutely back inside from Camelot's balcony. She rubbed her arms; she hadn't realized how cold it was outside.

Arthur and Gwen were standing right in front of her, both wearing the same lovesick grin that nearly made Morgana want to vomit.

She rolled her eyes at her brother. "Thank you SO much for letting me know before you told the whole country."

Arthur smirked. "Sorry sis, did I hurt your feelings?"

Morgana snorted. "As if. Arthur don't make me laugh."

"Will you two stop acting like children," Uther said in a tired voice.

Morgana sighed and glanced at Gwen. "Congrats by the way and welcome to the family."

Gwen smiled and ran forward to hug Morgana. "Thank you, I always wanted a sister. Will you be my maid of honor."

"I would be happy to," Morgana smiled and returned the embrace. As much as her brother annoyed her, Morgana was actually happy that it was Gwen he was marrying. The two women had gone to school together and were friends long before Gwen met her irritating brother. The rest was history.

Suddenly Sir Leon, second in command of Britain's military force stepped forward and bowed slightly before the King. "Sire, we have a problem."

"What is it?" the King demanded brusquely. "Is it the Irish?"

Sir Leon nodded grimly and everyone was silent suddenly. It was common knowledge that England had been at war with Ireland for centuries, a war that was broke out at the slightest hesitation and it seemed that every year some sort of fight started between the two nations. The crux of the matter came down to one thing; magic. While England banned all magic, Ireland completely embraced it. It was a point that both countries could never see eye to eye on, and peace treaties were never feasible.

"One of the dragons attacked," he explained. "Ten people have died."

Uther's face grew red with rage. "Ready a couple fighters, retaliation must be swift!"

"Merlin, can you believe we are getting married tomorrow?" Freya said to her fiancé

Merlin grinned, and kissed her. "I still can't believe you said yes."

"Who wouldn't want to marry the Irish Prince?

"Oh, I get it," Merlin said in mock disgust. "You only like me for my title."

"Don't you know it," Freya said kissing him on the cheek again. "Well I need to get home; I'm having my last dinner with my parents as a single woman."

"I'll miss you," Merlin admitted.

"As will I," Freya said kissing him swiftly, and taking her leave.

When Merlin woke the following day, it was due to Gaius shaking him awake. The older man was the royal family's physician and advisor. Merlin had known Gaius his entire life, so he wasn't annoyed at his rude wake up call, as he would've been with someone else.

"You must get dressed quickly, Merlin," Gaius said urgently. "You are requested in the throne room."

"What is going on?" Merlin asked. Something about Gaius' tone of voice made him nervous.

"I should let your father tell you, hurry Merlin."

"What is going on?" Merlin asked the second his feet had crossed the threshold of the throne room. His father Balinor and his mother Hunith looked at him with grim expressions. Though as Merlin looked a little closer, it seemed as if his mother's face was streaked from tears, though her face was dry.

"Sit down Merlin," his father told him steadily.

"I prefer to stand," Merlin replied, becoming even more nervous. "What happened?"

"Yesterday a rogue wyvern attacked the English coast," Balinor started.

Merlin was instantly alarmed because he knew well how quickly Uther would attack them at the slightest provocation.

"And?" Merlin pressed.

"It killed a number of people before the creature fled," Balinor replied. "As you can imagine they thought it was a dragon."

Merlin and his father were the last two Dragonlords in existence, and they had the magic to control the ancient dragons who pledged their allegiance to the Irish sovereigns. The wyverns were wilder, harder to control and despite the government's best efforts, there were attacks at times. Of course if the British saw a flying lizard they would instantly assume it was a dragon.

"What did Uther do?" Merlin asked.

"He bombed the coast last night," Balinor said sadly. "We've sustained over a hundred casualties.

Merlin was aghast. "What are you going to do father?"

"I'm not sure yet," Balinor replied. "We've already lost so many to this war with the British, I don't want open war."

"Though Uther wouldn't hesitate to do just that," Merlin pointed out.

"Of course," Balinor said grimly.

"We should push back the wedding," Merlin said. "I don't wish to wait any longer to marry Freya, but not-,"

"Merlin," Balinor interrupted. "About Freya—"

Merlin felt a shiver go down his spine and when he spoke, it was a whisper. "What about Freya?"

And for the first time, Merlin's mother spoke. "I'm so sorry Merlin, but she died in the attack!"

And for the first time in his life, Merlin felt his world crash down on top of him.