beyond the magic, the future burns

Merlin | Merlin/Morgana | PG

The day Uther finds out is the day that darkness falls on Camelot. Written before Series 2.


The day Uther finds out is the day that darkness falls on Camelot.

Shock and disbelief become fear and contempt and Morgana flees in the night, Gwen's prayers at her heels and Arthur's gaze burning through her as he watches from behind glass.

She blinks back tears and moves forwards, her very being vibrating with thoughts of anger and revenge and magic.

It's the start of a new era, and Camelot will suffer.


It's been three years and she's not returned. She would not be welcome but, more than that, Camelot is no longer her home.

She looks at the magic around her and smiles.

She has found her place.


The Druids have begun to speak in whispers, talking of a power that will change the world. Morgana has been having dreams but they've been frustratingly clouded, and so she listens to their words, clinging to the hope of revolution.

Emrys, they say.

Yes, she thinks.


She sees him from a distance, standing amongst the forest, face tilted towards the sky. He looks the same but for a few years and she only just stops herself from calling out.

"Morgana," he says, though he's still turned away from her, and her heart jumps.

"Merlin," she replies, and it feels strange to be back on familiar territory.

And then he looks at her, eyes glowing gold with power and her breath catches in her throat.

"Oh," she says. "Oh."


She stays by his side as often as she can. He is no longer the person he once was – his carefree, cheerful nature left in Camelot with so much more – however sometimes he will turn to her with a smile so like the boy he used to be and her heart aches for what was.

She takes his hand and squeezes softly, watching as he makes water dance and leaves sing.


Morgana only asks him once about what he left behind. He looks at her with so much sorrow that she cannot bear to ask again.

"Arthur is married," he says later as they watch the sun set beyond the lake, side by side.

"I see," she says, and wonders how Arthur could be so stupid never to realise what he could have had.

"To Gwen," Merlin continues.

Morgana breathes in deeply. "Oh."

They watch the sun set and relive the past.


The joys of Midsummer fill the air as the Druids dance and sing and celebrate.

Morgana watches from the opening of her tent and smiles but does not join them.

"Here," Merlin says, appearing at her side and handing her a goblet filled with wine. Her fingers graze his as they wrap around the cup and the jolt she feels sets her entire body on fire.

They stand suspended, their eyes meeting, and Morgana wonders if this, too, is magic.

She kisses him swiftly, not bothering with words.

The goblet falls to the ground, wine pooling around their feet, and they do not care.


Beneath the stars, skin aflame with passion and magic dancing around them, Morgana sees the future burn and smiles.