I don't own Merlin, its characters or the BBC.
It's been a long, long time since I've written a thing. I will finish this as well as anything else unfinished. So this is a completely AU tale. There will be some references to the show, and I will for the most part not go too off the grid with the characters. Hope you enjoy!
Prologue
Avalon had always been a land full of peace and beauty. Its mountains, and forests and lake have always been a place where magic flourished and thrived; a place where humans lived peacefully alongside mystical beings. Elves kept watch over the lake, Faeries guarded the forests, and the great dragons lived among the mountains. Among the humans were those with magic, and their powers were used to maintain peace. Throughout centuries, Avalon's peace remained intact, despite kingdoms and empires rising and falling throughout Briton.
Until the dark ones came.
They were the walkers of the night, beautiful and seductive yet without a beating heart. Drawn to the power that pulsed within the land the nightwalkers coveted the land of Avalon and its kingdom Camelot. Camelot was a bustling kingdom, full of life and joy, a place where kings were wise and respected the balance of magic around them.
The nightwalkers came and began creating more followers, using their beauty to entice and seduce. The land cried from the bloodshed and the followers of the Old Religion, the high priests and priestesses convened on the Isle of the Blessed to seek answers on how to defeat this sinister foe. They found that nightwalkers could not be exposed to daylight and sharpened wood to the heart would surely vanquish them. Armed with this information, the war began between human and vampire; magic and death.
They were successful. The nightwalkers were driven out of Avalon, for a time. They took over the neighboring kingdom of Escetia, swearing revenge on Avalon, vowing that it would be taken from them, knowing that the magic within the land would strengthen them and make them immortal. They began to target one of Avalon's greatest strengths, the servants of the Old Religion. They began by seducing the priestess, promising greater power by teaching them to tap into their darker urges. Many succumbed and lay with them, creating offspring that could walk in the daylight and still had the powers of a vampire. The witches created charms for those who could not walk in daylight, strengthening the creatures of death.
The balance of Avalon had been broken. Turmoil rumbled within the land as the kings of Camelot no longer ruled with wisdom, but with fear. Distraught, the Elf king, Faerie Queen, and Kilgarrah, leader of the dragons met with the remaining few faithful followers of the Old Religion. One night, a vision was seen by Nimueh and a prophecy uttered.
Camelot's greatest king will restore our balance and destroy the walkers of the night. Magic will be honored once again and his Queen will ensure the safety of the Elves, Faerie, and Dragon.
Filled with hope, the rulers returned to their kind and informed them of what Nimueh had seen.
One man took advantage of a land in chaos. Forming an uprising and promising the people of the land peace and order, Uther Pendragon claimed Camelot and restored order to the land, so much so that many thought Nimueh's words had manifested.
Uther was without an heir. His wife Ygraine was unable to conceive. Burdened with guilt by being unable to perform her duty, the Queen went to the High Priestess on the Isle of the Blessed.
"Your Majesty, to what do I owe the honor?" Camelot's Queen bowed in respect to Nimueh. Rising, she spoke.
"I've come…Uther needs an heir and I am unable to conceive." Nimueh walked towards her and clasped her hands.
"Do you know what you are asking, your Majesty? To create life through magic, a life must be sacrificed. It could even be yours." The Queen shivered and closed her eyes. She loved her husband, the king deeply, and she wanted to do this for him. For Camelot. Meeting the fathomless eyes of the high Priestess, the Queen nodded slowly.
"I understand. I ask one last thing. I wish that my child be strong in body, mind and heart, and also not easy to kill. I know what lurks near us, and though my husband may not like to speak of it, I will not leave my child defenseless." Nimueh eyed Ygraine steadily. The Queen did not cower or waver under her scrutiny. The priestess nodded to herself. Releasing the Queen's hands, a cup appeared in Nimueh's hands. The Queen blinked in surprise as Nimueh handed her the cup.
"Drink it all," she said.
Placing the cup at her lips, Ygraine drank, frowning slightly at the slightly bitter taste .Still she consumed its contents and handed the empty cup back to Nimueh.
"You will conceive within a month. Remember the balance."
The words spoken by the Priestess were true. News of the Queen being with child brought joy to the people of Camelot and Avalon. Ygraine's pregnancy was healthy, and as her child kicked within her while her belly grew, NImueh's warnings faded. When her son was born, Ygraine lived through the birth and held him close to her breast.
Uther was beside himself with joy. Then his wife suddenly became ill and died the next day. Distraught, Uther called for Nimueh.
"Is there anything you can do to…save her?"
"I cannot bring her back, Sire. The queen knew the risk she was taking when she came to see me." Uther's eyes widened at the High Priestess' words.
"What are you saying…witch?" While Uther's voice was deceptively calm, the slight tremor of his hands betrayed his true feelings .Gripping the arms of his chair, the King of Camelot struggled to keep his emotions in check.
"The Queen asked for help to create an heir. I warned her that a life must be taken in order for one to be created, and that it could be hers. She agreed to the terms. You have your heir, and the balance is restored."
Blind with rage, the King rose abruptly to his feet and drew his sword, pointing it towards the priestess. Nimueh's eyes filled with sadness as she realized Camelot's darkest days were not behind them.
"Your sword means nothing to me, Your Majesty," she said softly.
In the blink of an eye, she was gone. Uther stared at the spot where Nimueh stood only moments before, allowing the tenuous hold he had over his emotions to snap. Sinking to his knees, the King wept.
He loved her. He'd always loved her. Everything he built was for her! How could she take such a risk?
Surely she couldn't have known the consequences, he whispered to himself, needing something, anything to blame. He remembered NImueh's words.
"You have your heir…"
Uther roared his anger, and rose to his feet, striding to their chambers. Her scent lingered in the room, causing him to walk into her wardrobe where it was stronger. Holding one of her gowns against his face, his tears began again as he breathed in her gentle scent.
She was gone, lost to him forever.
Magic was the cause of this. He had to stop it. It was dangerous and it took so much more than what it gave. Rising to his feet once again, he barreled through the castle, shouting for the court physician.
"Gaius! GAIUS!" Upon hearing his name, the older man left his chambers and met his sovereign in the hall.
"Yes Your Majesty?"
"I want the name of every user of magic in this kingdom. They will all be executed." Gaius' eyes bulged as his mouth dropped open. Slowly he closed it, his mind searching for words to make the king see reason.
"But Sire-"
"But nothing! Magic is poison! It took my wife from me! Geoffrey!" He bellowed, his voice carrying easily through the silent castle.
Moments later Geoffrey appeared, hurrying as fast as his robes could carry him.
" Yes, Your Majesty?"
"There is a new law. Magic is now forbidden in Camelot. Any proven user of magic will be executed. Any magical being caught will be imprisoned and put to death. Write the law and make it known throughout the land." Turning and walking swiftly down the hall, the King went to the prince's chambers. Opening the door he entered the room and walked to the crib. He looked down at the small babe, expecting resentment to rise within him. His son was after all, created with magic, a vile thing that took his love away.
The baby shifted and opened his eyes, and Uther gasped as he saw Ygraine's eyes looking into his own. A feeling he'd only felt for his wife at the time filled him.
He loved his son.
"Arthur, I will make sure you are safe from the evils of magic. It will not claim you as it claimed your mother."
The next three years were the darkest in the land. Dragons were killed, and their masters the Dragonlords were killed as well. Kilgarrah, their leader was captured and held captive within the castle. Faeries and Elves retreated to Avalon and remained hidden, holding on to the hope that Camelot's greatest king was coming soon and that balance and magic would be restored to Avalon.