Enchanting Crystal
Author: Spartacus lives
Author's note: Part 2 of 4, of my 'How I think Merlin should have ended series.' Part 1 is Alchemy- that was written earlier and is quite dark and slower moving than the story now (well, it's still a bit dark!). This is set canon era, from the beginning of season 3, though I will fill in necessary details from the missing year in terms of what was happening in Camelot and with Morgana. When I watched the series I thought Morgana and Morgause's cause was justified, I am not going with Morgana's dramatic change (or constant smirking to no one). Her commitment to the plight of magical people has only increased since we last saw her.
Canon compliant-cannon divergence, cannon era- alternative universe. Morgana and Morgause are my favorite characters so I wanted to tell their side of things and show that oppressed people fighting for the very survival are not in the wrong. FEMSLASH, Morgana/ Morgause is the main pairing, but there is some abusive Uther/ Morgana. And quite a lot of Arthur/ Morgana. And Merlin loves Arthur.
There is also a fleshing out of what the Old Religion actually is, and what they practice. Beltane is depicted in this part, and Samhain is mentioned.
The story changes narrators- mostly Morgana, Arthur, some Morgause. There is a little Merlin and Gwen POV.
Alchemy (Part I) is darker, but helpful to set up part II and I do keep referring back to incidents and history I established in part I. If you aren't going to read Alchemy, then just read the last chapter, 13- Epilogue (The Last Dragonlord)- that is the beginning of the divergence. Also: Alvarr and Mordred were rescued by Morgause after the events of The Witch's Quickening. The notes at the end of this chapter will tell you everything vital from Alchemy that you need to know in order to read Part 2.
Part 3 is mostly completed and Part 4 is plotted, but if anyone does have complaints/ suggestions I can be responsive. I've tried to write the show realistically, but I also wanted to make it more adult/ put in the sex that the show leaves out.
Disclaimer: I don't own BBC's Merlin, if I did I would have made it more left-wing :)
Rating: M
Warnings: Major character death (rhymes with Luthor), some of the potential incest to be resolved in this part, and warnings for rape non-con.
Pairings: Morgana/ Morgause, Uther/ Morgana (abusive), Morgana/ Arthur, Arthur/ Gwen, little bit of Merlin/ Arthur.
Spoilers: Anything up to the end of Season 2, I have borrowed some of the ideas (like the mandrake root) and characters from later seasons, like Mithian, Queen Annis, Cenred… imagine them to look the same, though I've changed their personalities a little where it suited my needs. Agravaine is in my story, but he is completely different, including in physical appearance.
I really appreciate feedback, good or bad.
Chapter 1: The Lost Year
"Where is Morgause hiding?" Sir Balder asked an elderly woman.
He was one of Arthur's newly made knights. They were out the front of The Rosey Apple Inn on the northern most border of Camelot. The wrinkled woman with the scarf covering her hair remained stoic, despite Arthur's contingent of twenty knights all heavily armed. Arthur had led an attack on these resistant villagers who refused to let their community be searched for sorcerers.
"Have you seen the Lady Morgana?" Arthur held another man by the arm, he had black hair and was in his mid-thirties and had blood gushing from a broken nose. He wheezed blood but was otherwise silent.
Sir Hilden stood over a bunch of children, "Do you know where the sorcerers hide in this village?"
They were too scared to speak.
Sir Aldro addressed the inn keeper, who had taken a sword to the gut, he was lying against a tree, bleeding, "Have you given refuge to a sorcerer?"
The inn keeper wasn't quiet though, he was in pain from his grievous wound and spoke with disdain, "I am no sorcerer, I don't know any sorcerers, and I've nothing to do with the Lady Morgana's disappearance."
"Prove it," Arthur let go of the man he had been sharply questioning and came over to the fallen inn keep, "Let us search your tavern."
His face was getting pale from the blood loss, "I offer beds for coin, I don't interrogate my guests."
Merlin guessed the tavern owner was in his early thirties. He had brown hair and eyes, and was stocky with a kind way about him, or he had been, before the knights of Camelot had come upon him. Word was that Alvarr had stayed here for a night.
Uther had lost all common sense since Morgana's abduction. He had extended the fight against sorcery to all those who aided sorcerers in anyway, unbeknownst to them or not. This was a story, like so many others. Merlin was beginning to lose count, and yet they haunted him at night.
The inn keeper made a point of spitting blood on the ground near Arthur, "I spit on King Uther, and his son, and his son's sons," He tried to get up, but his wound was too bad, he was going to die soon. "You came in here, and you killed us, we're peaceful folk who never did nothin' to no one."
Arthur repeated his official mission, "You are charged with giving respite to a sorcerer."
"Well, you know what, Arthur Pendragon," The inn keeper managed, his voice a mixture of contempt and anger, "You see those three boys there, not a one over ten years old, you'd better kill them too."
Arthur looked shocked and dismayed at such a statement.
"We are not here to kill children," Arthur objected, uncomfortably.
An elderly woman with wearing a hooded cloak interjected, "That's not what I hear. I hear you've been killing plenty of kids, mothers, fathers…"
"All because the king's upset he lost his pretty young woman," A skinny, hunched, old man in tattered clothes interrupted her.
"Well, now we've all lost people thanks to Uther," Came the angry tone of a stern faced, poor young woman holding a baby. Then she hesitated a moment, as if she had shocked herself by speaking up.
"Yeah" and "Truth" Could be heard from other villagers standing around watching this latest display of force. There were maybe 50 villagers in all, but since Arthur's forces were armored no one dared do more than agree though.
A blonde, middle aged man stepped up to the older woman, placing a hand on her shoulder in solidarity, "Is my grief any less than his? You killed my brother for nothing, my wife was hung in front of me, for what? Giving a man ale."
Arthur corrected him sternly, "Not a man, a sorcerer, Alvarr, who has sworn to bring down your king."
"And now you've done for me for trying to protect myself, shame on you!" The inn keeper pointed shakily with his remaining strength, his clothes were blood soaked and now the ground around him too, "You better kill my boys too," Then he addressed his children, "Because boys here's my final words, you are to find this Morgause person," He had to stop to catch his breath, "Swear her your allegiance, and grow to be big strong men who can wield a sword, and one day, no matter how long it takes, you will... avenge your father's death."
The three boys were silent, maybe because they were in the presence of the prince. The oldest was crying, the second one was afraid and shaking, but the youngest one had a steely resolve.
Merlin thought, That kid will grow up and do it. They probably all will. Merlin wondered if he had seen his father cut down, wrongly accused, and he had asked him to do the same if he would have? Probably. It will never end.
))))))
The inn keeper died soon after from the blood loss. The search of Garnham Village was performed with the resistance now subdued. The seething hatred from the common people was palpable. Late afternoon the knights left to trudge back to the castle. It was a few day's ride still, so they made camp for the evening. Arthur was forced to do the dirty work, the ambushes, the 'questioning' of those who might know of Morgause's whereabouts. Even attacking peaceful druid camps, where they had no weapons or knowledge of why they were suddenly being hunted. And then there were children, some died trying to save parents found guilty, some tried to attack Arthur's knights to defend their loved ones, making them guilty of treason. It was gut wrenching.
Merlin believed because Arthur felt guilty and culpable for not protecting Morgana better, he had carried out Uther's orders, no matter how he felt about them himself. But so much had gone on since then. Uther had ordered they kill anyone who had protected a sorcerer, which more often than not meant killing family members who hadn't known the truth. Arthur was angry all the time and constantly snapping at Merlin over nothing, as the strain of it all was getting to him. His prince was having nightmares, not that his pride would allow him to admit it.
Merlin was the most torn he had been since he had poisoned Morgana nearly a year ago. If he had known that Morgause was only planning to kill Uther, he wouldn't have done it. You trusted a lying dragon, Idiot! Merlin believed Morgana was alive, otherwise Morgause would have wanted his head.
Uther's reign was beyond harsh. Every suspected magical person would pay for Uther's distress. He spared no one, he required no proof. A peasant had accused a neighbor of sorcery, simply to take his adjacent plot of land. Even Gaius, one of Uther's long time, staunchest supporters, was expressing reservations. No one said more than a few polite words of advice to the king though, for fear of finding oneself in a dungeon. People who could remember that time said Uther was as despondent as he was after Igraine's death.
An uneasiness pervaded all of Camelot now. Villagers barely looked one another in the eye, lest an enemy accuse them of sorcery. Fear was everywhere. Camelot's guards were everywhere, watching, no one was above suspicion. Searches occurred all the time. Uther believed if 'you weren't doing anything wrong, then you had nothing to worry about.' Many other illegal activities had been uncovered by chance this way, but most people were simply being harassed repeatedly. Merlin had tried to help those he could, but there was so much spying going on that he wasn't safe to do so, he had hardly been practicing any magic at all himself.
Gwen was no longer Morgana's maid, but had been given other castle duties by Arthur. Merlin suspected Arthur was simply trying to keep her around. Arthur's affections for Gwen continued to grow, though little had actually happened between them. Arthur was shut down, in some ways because of Morgana's disappearance, and because of the toll being away on witch hunting duties was taking on him.
))))))
Merlin was standing in the throne room for the first sitting of court since they had returned from Garnham village, the image of the dying inn keeper and three little boys still fresh in his mind. Uther sat impatiently, flexing his fingers on the armrests of his throne. The court was filling up. A boy no older than eight was marched into the throne room, right before the session was to begin. He appeared scared and clutched a scroll in both hands.
Sir Leon addressed the king, "The boy claims to have a message from Morgause."
Uther's head snapped up at that name, now supremely interested. The quiet chat of the courtiers and nobles in attendance came to a dramatic halt. Arthur was on his feet and pacing down the middle isle before Uther could rise.
Arthur took the scroll and came before his father and read the message aloud, "To King Uther of Camelot. You kill my kind with no regard to harm caused, nor whether a person has hurt anyone or is responsible for the Lady Morgana's disappearance."
Uther's face pulled taut, he fidgeted on his throne, barely able to contain his rage.
Arthur's voice rang out across the now silent hall, "Your ward, the Lady Morgana, true born daughter of Duke Gorlois of Cornwall and Duchess Vivienne is at present my honored guest. I propose a truce. Lift Camelot's ban on magic and you shall have your beloved ward returned to you. Decline and you shall have war. My people will never stop trying to end your reign as you give us no choice to live in peace."
Uther stood up now, which caused a nervous rumble to go through the court.
Arthur read the final passage, "You have a moon's turn. Make your response public, I shall hear soon enough. Signed Morgause, Priestess of the Old Religion, and trueborn daughter of the Duke of Cornwall and the Lady Elaine."
Uther's anger seethed out of him, "That woman! That sorcerer! Dares to threaten me and my… ward! How dare she!"
Not a peep came from the crowded room.
Uther pointed from his throne, "Seize that boy, I want him questioned."
Sir Leon gulped uncomfortably, "I already… umm, he doesn't know Morgause, he's a peasant's child who was sent to town, and encountered a woman matching Morgause's description and asked to deliver the message, she paid him two gold coins. He knows nothing else."
Uther's expression was for a moment concerned and hopeful, "Did he see Morgana, can he confirm that she's…" Uther's voice trailed off.
Leon shook his head.
"So, we take him at his word?" Uther raged, "He could be one of her followers for all you know."
Arthur was uneasy, "Sire, perhaps we clear the court, to discuss the matter in private."
"Very well," Uther snapped.
There was a mass exodus, as courtiers and nobles struggled to leave the agitated king as fast as possible, lest he turn his wrath on them. Merlin remained.
"Father," Arthur attempted to reason, "I think we should consider this offer."
Uther was silent for a long moment, he took a long gulp of wine from his ever-present goblet. He had been drinking more heavily since Morgana went missing as well.
"Don't be ridiculous, Arthur. That so-called 'peace' isn't worth the parchment it's written on," Uther dismissed. "You would trust the word of a known sorcerer who has a history of lying to you."
The ease with which Uther deceived made Merlin anxious, Arthur had been convinced Morgause was lying about his mother, but Merlin knew it was true.
"Father," Arthur tried to defend his position… "What I meant was…"
Uther's anger was palpable, "You would make peace with the sorcerer who stole Morgana? Who came into this very castle to murder us while we slept."
Uther slammed his gloved fist on his armrest, "What proof does she even offer that Morgana is unharmed?"
Arthur countered, "It's been a year, we're no closer to finding Morgana, Morgause is a powerful sorcerer, she could have her anywhere, using magic to hide from us."
"And if the ban on magic is lifted, what then?" Uther challenged, "It wouldn't be safe to walk the streets."
"It isn't very safe right now either," Arthur tried in vain to explain, "I mean, the people are terrified of all this… force. Their every move is watched, they fear being suspected of sorcery all the time."
Arthur is the only person could say such a thing to Uther. Without losing a head, anyway, Merlin observed the interaction quietly, hoping not to be noticed.
The vein on Uther's forehead bulged.
"We've just spent a year killing them, you think a pact with Morgause will make us safe?" Uther fumed, "They would bide their time until they could kill you."
Arthur's expression turned quizzical, "Is that really an argument? We can't stop killing because everyone wants to kill us." Arthur reasoned, "But the more people we kill, the more people want revenge… where does it end?"
"It ends," Uther seethed, "When I get Morgana back and Morgause burns in hell!"
Arthur shook his head and lowered his tone, "No one we've killed in the past year had anything to do with Morgana's abduction."
"How dare you!" Uther exploded.
Arthur audibly exhaled his frustration, "It has to end somewhere, Father."
"I make no peace with Morgana's abductors," Uther vowed, "I shall kill every last one of them. We have the finest knights in all Albion."
"I just think you should consider…" Arthur knew it was hopeless.
Uther stood up and swung his arm through the air in a motion that silenced all further comment, "I'll hear no more of this."
The disagreement between Arthur and Uther escalated the tensions in the whole castle. Arthur was more obnoxious and demanding than usual. And Uther drank and became more erratic. Merlin was hopeful for the first time since all this craziness began, that Arthur was considering a peace and lifting the ban.
Lila had been an excellent find, Morgause reflected. She had sneaked into Camelot, glamoured as an old woman, with Mordred dressed as a peasant girl, and he had listened to the thoughts of all the passing guards, servants, maids, stable boys and cooks until they found Lila. She was a laudry maid whose father had been killed for sorcery. She resented the king and the ban on magic. Morgause had approached her, still disguised and asked her to help the cause of the resistance. It hadn't taken as much convincing as she might have thought, Lila's only real concern was her safety at undertaking such a risk. Morgause kept her own loyal people watching out for the maid to ease her mind. Unfortunately, Lila didn't have chambers like Morgana, and couldn't read so they couldn't send messages via the crow, which meant meetings had to occur face to face. It was lucky Morgause had more loyal recruits of late. There was a chain of meetings that would occur. Messages were slow to reach The Isle but it was the best she could do without more people strong in magic.
Morgause had an ever-increasing spy network so she knew where Arthur's forces were headed. The Resistance would warn sorcerers where they could. Morgana herself was not only invaluable because of her talent as a seer, but the Mage Stone she had come with was helping convert lead to gold, which funded informers as well, though no one was trusted without attesting themselves committed to the cause.
Lila was proving herself to be a gold mine of information. She wasn't privy to Uther's thoughts, but she did listen to gossip, and Arthur would often vent his frustrations to Merlin in his chambers, and Lila had found a good spot from which to listen in.
Arthur was troubled. It was the first court session since Morgause's offer had been made. His king was reviewing the seemingly never ending 'reports of magical activity' occurring all over Camelot.
Court was not full today, but again the courtiers and nobles were silent.
Father spoke absently as he poured over the scroll he'd received, "I've received word that there's the remnants of the druid camp that were hiding in the Wolf Forrest are now on the northern edge of the Darkling Woods."
More silence.
"Arthur, take your best knights, and ensure there are no more remnants of druids to reform for their magical purpose ever again."
Arthur had been sitting silently.
Druid camps are the absolute worst. Father would have no one spared, and they were the kind of people who wouldn't kill a bird, let alone pose a physical threat to anyone. Last time, some of the druids formed a prayer circle and were chanting as Arthur's knights approached to take them back to Camelot to stand trial for sorcery.
"No," Arthur shocked himself by speaking up.
His king was already onto the more specific instructions, "Leave by… what?"
"You heard me. No!" Arthur's tone was defiant. But he didn't care how it looked anymore, he couldn't go on like this.
Father's voice became low and threatening, "Have you lost your mind, Arthur? You are speaking to your king."
Arthur kept on in the same vain, "I won't lead any more searches for sorcerers, or Morgana, I'm done. No more."
"The king gave you an order," His sire didn't back off an inch either.
Arthur stood and spoke resentfully, "If you want peaceful druids and their child apprentices killed, you can do it yourself, you really wouldn't have to worry about your safety, Sire, since they don't even fight back."
The king's face was a mixture of sudden shock and rage, he went red. He was so worked up, he only managed to choke out his next words, "Clear the court."
Once they were alone with only the guards Father gave the instruction Arthur was pretty much expecting, "Guards, seize my son."
Arthur stood between two men armed with spears.
"Now," Father began again, "Are you going to follow my orders or am I going to throw you in a dungeon?"
"I'm done, Father, this is madness, and I won't be a part of it any longer," He paused a moment, hesitant, "Morgana would never have wanted this."
"Don't you dare say her name," The king was livid, "When you are giving up!"
"She always stood up to you," Arthur wasn't angry just sad and reflective, "That's what I should have done… a lot sooner."
Father's eyes seemed crazed for a moment, his voice tried to contain his anger coming out low and threatening, "Very well, I'll have Sir Leon lead the raid, you are confined to your chambers."
"Fine," Arthur realized he was relieved rather than scared.
"Until I say different!" His father yelled petulantly to Arthur's back as he was being escorted away.
Arthur heard his king's wine goblet crash against the wall, he must have thrown it in anger.
Arthur had been confined to his chambers for two days now. He was starting to understand why Morgana had seemed so frazzled and jumpy when Father had done the same to her. He never did learn what that fight was about, she had promised to say. She had said looking out the window was her only solace. Arthur had been doing the same, gazing upon the sun getting low in the sky when a raven landed on his window sill. It squawked at him and didn't appear afraid. Very unusual. Then Arthur noticed there was a scroll attached to the bird's claw. He removed it, and the raven was unfazed. It flew past him to his table and began to eat the scraps from his dinner plate.
Arthur opened the parchment.
I can take you to Morgana. Meet me at Avalon Lake at dusk.Tell no one. Come alone.
Caellan.
That was it. This was almost certainly a trap. The only people who knew how to train animals like this raven had been trained were sorcerers of the Old Religion, or so Arthur had heard from Gaius once upon a time.
But still. What if it is genuine? What if there was a dissenter in Morgause's ranks. What if…
With the time it took to saddle a horse, Arthur barely had enough time to get there.
Merlin doesn't really count, I'll be basically going alone.
Arthur would never be sure if it was his desire for it all to be over that was the main driving force in his decision to go, against logic and his better judgement.
This Caellan fellow didn't say anything about coming unarmed.
"Merlin," Arthur bellowed from his room.
His servant looked more twitchy than usual.
"Get me a rope, now."
))))))
Merlin was stubbornly against this secret mission.
Unsurprisingly. He's such coward, he gets spooked by his own shadow.
They only rode together the first part of the way. Merlin was to play the look-out for the actual parley. Arthur arrived a little late. His servant really was a terrible rider, he would need to give the weedy fool a hard time about it on the way back. Arthur was ready to pull his sword at the first sign of ambush. He waited for what seemed a long time.
Arthur saw a woman emerge seemingly from behind the waterfall in a little boat. At first he thought it was Morgana. But she wasn't, she was too tall, too lithe. On closer inspection there where two rowers as well. The woman was striking in a dark robe. Twilight was fading into darkness while the moon was rising. Otherwise he wouldn't have been able to see anything.
Arthur waited.
Was this Caellan?
Would she take him to Caellan?
Arthur didn't feel in danger.
The woman, who on closer inspection was maybe thirty. She wore her hair in fine braids that reminded Arthur of Sofia. She wore silver jewelry with stones inside the fine metal work. She looked distinctly not of Camelot. She stepped out of the boat. The two men pulled up their oars and made no attempt to move.
"I'm glad you have come, Arthur Pendragon," She said.
Arthur was impatient, "Where's Morgana?"
"Come," She gestured the boat, "I'll take you to her."
Arthur was suspicious, "How do I know this isn't some trap set by Morgause?"
The young woman's face gave nothing away, "I guess you don't."
"Are you Caellan?"
"Yes," She was mater-of-fact, "Are you coming?"
Arthur delayed, "Where are we going?"
Caellan answered immediately, "The Isle of Mists."
Arthur felt like laughing at her, but restrained himself, "That's a mythic place, in fairy tales my wet nurse used to tell me about."
He felt annoyed at her for wasting his time rather than the slightest concern for his safety.
"It is very real I assure you, it just isn't… open to people who aren't of the Old Ways."
Arthur pondered that strange statement, "I see."
She waited, tapping a foot.
"Morgana is there?" Arthur asked.
"Yes," Caellan said, "You can't bring your friend."
"My what?" Arthur was genuinely confused for a moment.
"The man hiding behind those trees with both horses," She gestured to exactly where Merlin was.
For the life of him Arthur didn't know how his manservant had been seen, he certainly couldn't see Merlin.
She repeated, "Tall, thin, brown hair, he must remain."
Arthur got in the boat and off they went. They rowed right through the waterfall, he was wet for a moment and then they were somewhere else entirely. Arthur had been behind that waterfall before, there was only a shallow cave. Maybe I'm not where I think I am? But he was. He knew this lake very well.
Morgana had been on the Isle of Mists since Morgause had saved her from hemlock poisoning. She had died, she was sure of it, then somehow, Morgause's hands had wrapped around her form as she floated towards her father's outstretched arms and pulled her back. Physically Morgana had recovered quickly, but the nightmares of Merlin poisoning her, and her trust being shaken that a friend could do that to her, that was another story. Morgana was extremely grateful to her mentor for giving her life back to her, in every way possible. Morgana no longer lived in fear, she wasn't alone, and she felt loved and cherished in a way she never had before, well not since her father had died.
What she felt for Morgause could not be easily described. Morgause was her lover, her teacher, her most loyal friend and her sister. Morgana didn't know such connection was possible. She could look at her love and know exactly what she was thinking, what she wanted, what she would want Morgana to say at any given moment. She felt alive.
Morgana learned swordplay and battle strategy from Morgause the way she had dreamed since she was six years old. Alvarr taught her about ambush, and reading your opponent and how to find their weakness. Morgana was also learning to use her gifts. She could control her ability to move objects, set fire or strong wind with her mind. It took concentration, but she was getting stronger all the time. She developed her magic from Ninianne's instruction, who was her mother's aunt. Ninianne was the High Priestess, the most authoritative position here on The Isle. She was part of and advised by the Wise Council, who decided the collective actions of those who swore their allegiance to The Isle of Mists. Morgana had taken a loyalty oath herself once she was well. The Isle had healers, who learned particular types of spells and magic that could cure ailments that medical knowledge could not dream of. Morgana learned these arts herself. There were also priestess' in training, and a fighting force. Mordred taught her magic too; his skills were amazing. Morgana took it upon herself to be a mother to him, as well, since he had no family.
Every few days more people arrived seeking refuge on The Isle. Morgause encouraged Ninianne, to take them all, magical or not. They were escaping Camelot, more specifically Uther's vendetta against magic. Morgana had been trying not to think about it, but it couldn't be ignored. Uther's paranoia over losing her had led him to a rampage against anyone he even suspected of any type of magical inclination. Massacres were occurring, peaceful people's such as the druids were being forced to flee or die.
Morgana remembered back nearly three years ago to a conversation with Uther, after he executed a man for sorcery, "You know the more brutal you are, the more enemies you'll make."
Uther's chickens appeared to be coming home to roost.
The people arriving had been recruited by Morgause's sworn fighters, like Alvarr. He would travel around in the wake of the destruction brought by Uther and find survivors who hated the king. Alvarr's unique skills at reading people made him singularly adept to the task. But Morgause, ever careful, would have Mordred read their minds before they were shown The Isle and allowed to pledge fealty. The new recruits would commit to bring down Uther for what had been done to their friends and loved ones. Those with magic were nurtured by the more experienced sorcerers, while those who weren't were being trained as a fighting force. Their number in no way rivaled Camelot though, not even close. And most of those arriving were no match for Arthur's knights. Still, the resistance was coming together and was very committed to the cause.
Morgana had come up with the plan to return herself and say she had "escaped" from Morgause to put a stop to Uther's madness. Her sister was opposed for now, until there was a more definite way to ensure the most gain for the Old Religion. Meaning, that Arthur's intentions once king were too uncertain, she wouldn't risk him continuing on where Uther left off. Morgana herself was unsure of Arthur's inclinations. While most of the current killing while ordered by Uther, was being carried out by Arthur.
A/N: If you aren't going to read Alchemy (Part 1), what you need to know is;
Morgana kept Tauren's Mage Stone from 'To Kill the King', which has made her prophetic dreams clearer, and she has learned how to use the stone to perform a glamour. Uther was raping Morgana for the passed year before she joined forces with 'Morgause that culminated in the sleeping spell/ Fires of Idirsholas. Morgana and Morgause have been lovers since 2x12. Morgause's backstory involves her believing she is the child of Gorlois and Elaine (unrelated to Vivienne in this version), though she knew Morgana's mother growing up. There is a possibility that Morgause is Uther's daughter. Morgana knows Uther had an affair with her mother as she saw it in dreams/ confronted him about it and is sure it is true. Morgana glamoured Igraine in 'The Sins of the Father', making Arthur think he was really speaking to his mother's spirit, only for Uther and Merlin to convince him afterwards that Morgause lied about everything, hardening his stance against magic. Morgana was hopelessly in love with Gwen and kissed her after she was abducted by Hingus (Lancelot and Guinevere), which went badly. Morgana later, glamoured as Arthur, tricked Gwen into kissing her (The Witchfinder).
Morgause told Morgana her mother was an excellent healer, but wasn't magical.
After the events of The Witch's Quickening, Morgana had Morgause find and protect Mordred and Alvarr.
It was revealed in the Epilogue- The Last Dragonlord (chapter 13) that the dragon was lying to Merlin about the prophecies to give him leverage from which to negotiate his release. The dragon admits Morgause's intention was only ever to kill Uther not destroy Camelot, when she used Morgana to put everyone to sleep. The prophecy about Morgana being evil/ in an evil alliance with Mordred has been thrown into question as has Merlin's destiny to be a great sorcerer and Arthur to be a great leader.
In my universe there is no such thing as a dragonlord- I explain this better at the end of Alchemy. Arthur was wounded by Kilgarra, and they met Merlin's father in Cenred's lands as he was the only person left capable of healing dragon wounds. Merlin's father dies the same way as in the episode. Merlin does not have dragon-wrangling powers, no one does. The Great Dragon got some revenge, then elected to leave Camelot, and let Merlin know he despises him for killing magical people while propping up Uther's anti-magic reign.