A/N Just my ideas on how series 4x13 could have ended. It begins pretty much the same as in the show then my bits come into it, I'm fairly new to this having preferring to read rather than write but after reading so many brilliant fics on here thought I'd give it a go I know there is probably already a lot of these kind of fics on here but still I hope you like it J
(Also just to clear up any confusion I know Gauis was captured by Morgana in the show, but I needed him for part of the story so in my version he wasn't captured but instead escaped with the others)
Spoilers 4x13
Warnings Character Deaths, mild violence
Disclaimer I do not own Merlin or any of the character's in it
Arthur reached the throne room without much interruption, which wasn't necessarily a good thing. He burst through the doors and charged into the room, sword at the ready flanked by my his two closest friends in Camelot who also happened to be servants, yet their loyalty and advice was far superior to any of the knights or council members. Arthur felt his heart clench when he looked at Gwen, she was still fighting for him, for Camelot despite all that had happened between them.
Then there was Tristan and Isolde two smugglers who had helped save Arthur's life in the woods and had now pledged their alliance to help him in this fight for Camelot.
Arthur stumbled into the room expecting to be immediately set upon by guards of Morgana's and felt a fleeting moment of panic for Gwen and Merlin having to fight especially Merlin who was useless with a sword, if any of them got hurt or lost their lives for him, he would never forgive myself. Instead Arthur was greeted by just Morgana herself lounging on HIS throne, with one guard besides her who was a brute of a man called Helios . They looked close although Arthur knew Morgana well, whatever she had promised him in exchange for helping over throw Camelot he would never get, more likely he would die once Morgana had got what she wanted.
"Well dear brother what a pleasant surprise" Morgana mocked and stood up and walked purposely slowly towards him, as he walked towards her, he threw his sword to one side, Arthur knew it was useless against her and also wanted to show her that he wasn't afraid of her either. Arthur had also hoped that maybe, just maybe he could talk to her. He knew of her hatred for his father, our father . He understood why, but maybe if she had told someone about her magic? Arthur didn't think that even Uther would have killed his own daughter would he? Arthur would have protected her secret and could have helped her when he became king, instead she ran off to Morgause let her magic corrupt her and proved father right, sorcery was and is evil
He walked up to her and looked into her eyes "What happened Morgana? We used to be such good friends what have I ever done to you? I am not our father"
For a moment she looked sad, Arthur thought that he had gotten through to her "I thought so too…." she trailed off with a dreamy then "I can't wait to kill you Arthur Pendragon"
He sighed in defeat knowing that she was lost forever and prepared himself for whatever sorcery she was about to throw at him "Morgana if you have any humanity left, make it quick" Arthur said quietly to her
Morgana looked almost pained for a moment, but a second later the evil glint in her eyes was back, she raised her hand and started to mutter a spell, suddenly Arthur felt himself pushed roughly to the side but not by magic instead by a pair of hands, he spun round just in time to see Merlin get hit by Morgana's spell.
"No, Merlin" Arthur screamed and watched in horror as Merlin flew through the air and landed with a sickening crunch on the floor, Morgana looked mildly amused "well that solves that problem, idiot boy always managed to get in my way"
Then she turned her attentions back to Arthur and the others who were all in gaping in shock at Merlin's crumpled form on the floor Gwen and Arthur itching to run over to him, maybe he was still alive? Tristan and Isolde drew out their swords preparing to fight "fools" she hissed "your swords won't stop me, none of you can"
Then a voice said "I'd like to test that theory, and I am not an idiot" we all spun round to see Merlin standing there Arthur's first thought was relief, he's alive Merlin was alive, then horror as he realised what Merlin was doing "Merlin the hell do you think you are doing?" Arthur asked
He looked to Arthur then, and tears were rolling down his face and there was fear in his eyes only the fear wasn't directed at Morgana it was directed at him, why on earth would Merlin by afraid of Arthur? he spoke again
"I'm sorry Arthur, I'm so so sorry but I can't let you die" What on earth was he talking about? Arthur thought sorry for what? Morgana had tired of this and made a lunge for Arthur, when she too was thrown into the air and back against the wall, then he understood suddenly what Merlin was so afraid of, Arthur turned just in time to see the eyes of his best and most trusted friend still glowing gold and his arm outstretched. Arthur felt his heart freeze as he took in the sight before him Merlin had magic, Merlin my best friend and most loyal companion had magic and had betrayed him, Merlin was a sorcerer. First Morgana, Gwen, Agravaine and now Merlin! Arthur was angry, angry that Merlin had lied to him, betrayed him and hurt, he didn't think anything could hurt him as Gwen's betrayal had but this? Also he was slightly confused why on earth is a sorcerer trying to help Camelot?
"why" Arthur asked quietly trying to hide the obvious anger and hurt in his voice, Merlin was still crying and part of Arthur wanted to go and comfort him, his heart was saying that this was Merlin for gods sake he isn't evil, but his head was saying the words that Uther had preached to him for all his life magic is evil, sorcery is evil therefore Merlin must to be evil, Merlin started to explain himself to Arthur
"I'm sorry Arthur but you have to know I've never used it for bad only to protect you I..I"
"I DON'T NEED HELP FROM SORCERERS, HOW LONG MERLIN? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DECIEVING ME? BETRAYING ME"
Merlin took a tentative step forward opened his mouth to speak but was cut off when Morgana who was also still alive and had awaked spoke, she looked at Merlin incredulous, Merlin had magic well that explains a lot she thought.
"You have magic" it wasn't a question
"I was born with it"
"that's impossible" Arthur interjected but unsure
"No it isn't Morgana was born with it too" this took Arthur back so Merlin must have known about Morgana's magic and betrayal in the first place, maybe he was in with her all along and this was just a ruse but then Arthur remembered his reaction when Merlin had tried to warn him about aggravaine, and realised that maybe Merlin did try and tell him about Morgana, but he wouldn't listen, but this brought him back to his earlier question why? Why come to Camelot in the first place and why help the Pendragons? Arthur wanted answers and also although he was loathe to admit he was also slightly intrigued this was Merlin after all, was his whole persona all an act? Was he ever any of their friends? Did he care at all? or was he really just a clumsy, happy fool who also just happened to have magic?
Arthur glanced over at Gwen who looked just as shocked as he did, yet not angry she looked more pensive she saw him looking at her and smiled Arthur was sure she was about to say something when Morgana spoke.
Morgana looked up at Merlin "Then why did you never help me Merlin, you could have helped me accept who I am, control my power? Why do you stand so loyally by Arthur when you know he hates our kind? Even if you beat me today Arthur will kill you tomorrow" Arthur winced when Morgana said this because truth be told despite what he felt Arthur didn't think he could ever kill Merlin, Merlin replied
"In the beginning I didn't tell you because I wasn't sure if I could trust you, then by the time I got to know you better your hatred for Uther had grown so strong I couldn't help you I'm sorry for this" He took a step towards her "I stand by Arthur because it is my destiny to protect and guide him, but also be.."
Arthur's anger suddenly got the better of him "I TOLD YOU EARLIER I DON'T NEED PROTECTION FROM A SORCERER" I spat the last word at him
Merlin looked at Arthur and he now seemed slightly angry too yet he spoke calmly "I'm a warlock actually, and you've never complained before, you think I betrayed you ?" with that he whispered a word and a blue orb appeared in his hand, the same one that once saved Arthur's life and made him think that maybe magic wasn't all bad, but Merlin had been unconscious, dying even "B..b..but how?" Arthur stuttered more unsure than ever as bits of old memories flashed through his mind, branches miraculously falling on bandits, walls collapsing, the wind in ealdor it was Merlin, he had always been there by Arthur's side, behind every situation, every danger was Merlin, all those times he had said to Arthur that he had saved his life Merlin was actually telling the truth, Arthur staggered a little was it possible that his father had been wrong, that his hate for magic had been un-necessarily harsh because Merlin was the opposite to everything in which he had been told about magic and sorcerers or warlock as Merlin called himself what was that anyway?
Suddenly Arthur was aware of more people in the room and the sound of swords ringing intensified as many of Morgana's guards followed by Gwaine and Percival swept into the room, the brute that had been protecting Morgana swept into action and was heading straight for Gwen, the coward, all thoughts of Merlin forgot Arthur brought his sword up to meet Helios's, Merlin had now moved over to where Morgana still lay and sat besides her, he took her hand and looked into her eyes.
"It doesn't have to be like this you know, Arthur he is the once and future king, he is destined to unite the five kingdoms to create albion, a land of peace, fairness and justice and one where magic will be free"
"You really believe this? That Arthur will accept us and our kind? Then you are a bigger fool than I first thought"
"Yes I do believe it just listen to me Morgana maybe not now but one day he will, he must but it's people like you and Morgause that have turned him even more against magic, proving Uther right again and again instead of showing him the good it can be used for too, as I said this is my destiny and in the beginning that is the only reason I protected him, was because I HAD to. over the years I got to know Arthur saw the way he cared for his people, saw how different he is to Uther and the type of king he would become, Arthur became my friend and now even if it wasn't for destiny and fate I would still do it because now I do it because I WANT to, because I care about Arthur and Camelot and its people, if you stop this now you could be a part of this world Morgana, help me convince Arthur that Uther was wrong you could help him rule"
Morgana was looking at Merlin as though she had never really seen him before, the words he spoke were wise Isn't this what she wanted to be accepted? Although Deep down she knew Arthur would never really accept her, never trust her and she would still be just a lady not a queen, Gwen had made sure of that! no she had not come this far to give in, and Merlin he may have been born with magic which made him powerful but not as powerful as a high priestess Morgana doubted Merlin could stop her only Emrys himself could do that. Morgana smiled at Merlin and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, he smiled back that ridiculous grin that she used to love.
Just then an anguished cry filled the air, Merlin stood up and turned around to the fight that was still going on around himself and Morgana. Helios had just cut down Isolde who was now bleeding heavily from a wound in her abdomen, and was now advancing on Arthur who had his back to him fighting another guard
"Arthur look out" Merlin yelled but Arthur couldn't hear him over the noise of the battle, Helios had his sword raised to end Arthur's life, Merlin without thinking threw out his hands towards the man at Arthur's back and flicked his wrists backwards. Arthur turned round to see a sword heading for his chest when suddenly it and it's owner had been flung backwards and out of the window
Merlin screamed "ENOUGH" and consequently his anger caused all of the other windows to smash too.
The noise combined with the sheer power of his voice caused everyone to stop fighting and stare to look at Merlin who eyes were still blazing gold, he was looking at Isolde who was now being cradled Tristan's lap whilst she took her last breaths both Merlin and Tristan were openly crying, it was at this point Arthur knew that he would forgive Gwen, and he would still marry her, if Gwen still wanted him of course, he could not bear the thought of losing her.
Gwaine broke the tension in the room
"Bloody hell mate, always knew there was something strange about you why didn't you tell me?" Gwaine had sauntered over to Merlin obviously not bothered in the slightest about the latest revelation about his friend but Arthur had, had too much heartache caused by magic and its users to forgive that easily
Merlin gave Gwaine a small smile before continuing to talk
"Both me and the Lady Morgana agree that enough blood has been shed here to day, no one else needs to die"
Merlin's voice captivated the room, no one had noticed Morgana standing up and heading towards Merlin .Merlin began to apologise to Tristan for his loss and for being too late to save her, he was still talking when Arthur noticed Morgana behind Merlin, hands raised muttering under her breath, clearly she had deceived Merlin and whatever he had said to her hadn't worked either "Merlin behind you" shouted Arthur, Merlin stopped talking and looked at Arthur, who was looking behind him, all the anger and hurt had now gone from his eyes and been replaced with fear and dread, Merlin spun round just as Morgana threw the full force of her power at him, Merlin quickly reacted with his own magic which collided with Morgana's and sent them both flying in opposite directions