Author's Note:

This is my first Merlin fan fiction, so please have a little patience if I get something wrong or if the characters are too OOC. As always, constructive criticism is welcome, but flamers will be eaten by dragons. Sure, people are entitled to their own opinions, however, it is much more polite to stop reading the story instead of opting to offend and hurt. It is a waste of everyone's time!

That is all :p

Set Season 4, slightly AU - After Uther's death. May be reveal

DISCLAIMER:

As you possibly would have already guessed, I do not own Merlin – and I also can't guarantee that our boys will be returned unharmed. I like whump. Apparently we all do.

Warnings:

As specified in the disclaimer, there will be whump, and it may get quite descriptive. (e.g. Torture)

Contains: Evil! Morgana, Evil! Mordred, Sick/Hurt! Merlin Worried! Arthur & Knights.

Features Arthur/Merlin bromance, but contains NO slash. Between ANYONE

Dréor Hagorún – The Blood Spell

PROLOGUE

Even within her slumber, she could see. There was always…something. Morgana could still remember the days when these visions actually bothered her, when they sent her flying into consciousness with a scream upon her lips, a sheen of cold sweat coating her face as her maidservant – the traitorous bitch – soothed her fears. She recalled the foul tasting tonics that Gaius concocted to dispel the nightmares that weren't really dreams.

Those were the days she felt trapped, like she would never truly be alive…and then Morgause came and liberated her soul. After that, there was no turning back. No running back to apologise and beg forgiveness. It was time for magic to return to Albion, but not with Arthur at the throne.

This dark night, Morgana found herself wandering through the abandoned Druid camp she once came to for answers. A gentle breeze teased the lengths of her dark, tattered hair bringing with it a whispered call.

'Morgana…'

At one time in her life, a cold fear would have clutched her heart as the voice floated through her consciousness, but now she welcomed it. Her green lidded eyes searched the trees surrounding her, seeking the owner of the words.

'Morgana…'

Wide blue eyes flashed behind her own, the stormy depths, once innocent and full of primal fear, now held wisdom and truth beyond any age.

'Mordred, I hear you!' she responded through the telepathic link that bound them so closely together.

The young boy was close by, she could feel his presence, but Morgana knew he would not come forth, and for now she was content to hear his voice echo through her mind.

'I grow weak, Morgana…yet there is still much to be done. I am but a child, and I've not the strength to will the future I have seen come to pass, you must help me…'

The words sent a cold shiver down her spine as the words faded in and out.

'Mordred, what must I do?' She asked, wrapping her arms around herself to keep the chill of fear away. She needed the boy. Her sister was dead, and if he too, were to die, then she would truly be alone.

'I require a power transferal…a dangerous ritual that requires the victims consent before the magic can be set free…Dréor Hagorún…It is called The Blood Spell,'

Morgana bit her lip, but she wasn't afraid. She knew what was expected of her.

'I willingly consent to this ritual,' she replied, her eyes flashing gold.

A quiet chuckle reached her ears, the warm laughter bringing a smile to her lips.

'No, Morgana…you are needed, for without you, magic cannot return to Camelot. It will not be you. I have already chosen my vessel, but I will need your assistance and cooperation for this to work. You must find Emrys, Morgana.

She froze and the smile dropped from her delicate features. The name alone, brought true fear to her heart, and she almost could not bear to hear it.

'E-Emrys? Why him, Mordred…you know that-'

'That he is your doom? Yes, but not this day Morgana, and perhaps never, if the ritual is successful. He is the only one who has the power I require to regain my strength.'

Morgana bit her lip, drawing a drop of crimson blood as she chewed nervously.

'How can we use him? I do not even know his true identity, although I have come close to finding out…'

Another deliciously joyous chuckle echoed around her as she began to pace through the abandoned campsite.

'It's a good thing I know who he is then, isn't it?'

The former ward and daughter of Uther Pendragon stopped short, her green eyes flashing anger.

'How long have you known of this Mordred?' she demanded, rage boiling from the depth of her black soul.

'I have known always, Morgana, however only now has ever been the time to divulge that secret to you. You know who Emrys is; he has been with you for many years, practicing sorcery under the King's very nose. He is known in the Prophecies as the protector of the Once and Future King. He is known to me and my kin as Emrys, the most powerful Warlock ever to have lived. He was known to the king as a lowly serving boy and he is known to you as-'

'Merlin,' she hissed contemptuously her eyes smouldering. It finally clicked. The scrawny servant boy had been a thorn in her side ever since he attempted to kill her with poison. Always at the wrong place at the right time…Morgana felt herself flush, the tips of her ears growing hot. This boy was the great and powerful Emrys? Merlin? A bumbling and incompetent child, who barely had the strength to lift a sword, was the source of her fear?

She felt embarrassed. Ashamed – that she allowed the fear of his true name to paralyse her.

'He will not come willingly, Mordred…nor will he volunteer his gift, you know this,' Morgana pointed out, still taken aback at the new revelation.

'Yes, that is known, lady – but you must convince him, through Arthur if necessary. You must find a way to get him to the Valley of the Fallen Kings by midnight in three days. I will be waiting at the old castle ruins. He must be broken before Beltane, if the ritual is to be effective. I do not care how it is done, Morgana, how many bones of his you break or how many Knights you kill – Emrys must be brought to me. Now awaken…you have a visitor….'

Morgana's moss-green eyes flew open, as the young boys voice faded from her mind. But she didn't forget his words. She never forgot anything.

The young sorceress slowly rose to sit, her gaze falling upon a figure in the darkness.

'Come Agravaine, what have I told you about skulking in the shadows?' Morgana inquired, rising from her bed.

The man, draped in black, stepped into the beam of moonlight that sliced its way through the curtains, and bowed.

'My Lady, I did not wish to disturb you – It seemed as though you were having a peaceful dream,' the man responded smoothly, and although he smiled, his eyes showed little humour.

Morgana scoffed. "You know I no longer dream, Agravaine – everything I see when I close my eyes is a message, an enlightening or a glimpse of what is yet to happen…and tonight, Emrys was finally revealed to me!'

The Lord Agravaine frowned. 'My Lady Morgana, you no longer fear the utterance of his name!'

Morgana gave him a smile that sent shivers up the man's spine as she moved to scrutinize every one of her bottled herbs.

'No, I do not. I was shown what I would be up against, and a rabbit wouldn't cower to the likes of him,'

Her eyes settled onto a small black bottle, almost completely concealed by a swathe of web, and she reached her once delicate fingers to clasp it.

'He has been known this entire time, Agravaine. So close, I could have killed him a hundred times...'

Agravaine raised his eyebrows, curious, though he remained still.

'The young druid boy...he told you?' He enquired as she held the small bottle close to her heart as though it was something precious.

Morgana nodded sharply. 'The all powerful Emrys is nothing but a mere serving boy, Agravaine. Arthur's bootlicker,'

The Lord's eyes grew wide with understanding.

'Surely you don't mean...'

'Yes...Merlin,' she spat vehemently. 'But he will not be a problem for much longer...he is needed if Mordred is to survive,'

Agravaine smirked. 'Oh? I take it you have something special planned?'

The young woman nodded slowly, a smile creeping across her lips. 'Tell me, my Lord, have you ever heard of the Strychnine Tree? They grow sparsely in these woods but are in abundance within the Valley of the Fallen Kings...the tree itself is no more dangerous than any other tree, however its seeds...'

Intrigued, Agravaine shook his head. 'I cannot say I have heard of such a tree,' He admitted.

'No? Perhaps you know it by its other name...Nux Vomica,' She handed the small bottle to Agravaine, whose eyes had widened in recognition of the name.

'My Lady?'

'Dose his food with this Agravaine, and be sure that only he is poisoned. You may leave in a moment...I have a letter to write to my brother,'

Agravaine nodded as he slipped the bottle into his travelling cloak. As he watched Morgana begin to scribe upon a piece of dirty parchment, he thought of Merlin and how much agony the next few days would bring him.

He almost felt sympathy for the boy...

Almost.

Well there you have it! I hope you enjoyed it. Please feel free to leave a review! They will be much appreciated!

I may have the next chapter up tonight, but I am not making any promises. I will try my hardest though...I'm on a roll!