So, this is kind of my challenge to myself. I'm writing one fanfiction for each episode of Merlin. Some are one-shots, some are longer stories. I ran out of ideas for fanfictions so this is how I'm dealing with that. If anyone has any prompts for me, feel free to leave it in a review and if I write it after I finish writing these 65 stories, I'll dedicate it to you… so, thanks. And I give you Season 2 Episode 12.
Summary: Morgana refuses the water Merlin offers her. Unable to convince her to drink the water, Merlin cannot stop the Arthur kills Morgause which stops the knights of Idorsholas. He discovers that Morgana has magical powers when she tried to save Morgause. He agrees not to tell his father, but he makes life a living hell for her until it becomes too much for her.
Story 25: I'll Always Remember
Chapter 1: A Dreadful Discovery
Merlin knew that she had been keeping something from him. Their relationship had never perfect and he knew it, but this was worse than he had imagined. He knew Kilgharrah was right when he said that Morgana was source of the enchantment. So he had known this was coming, but that didn't make the betrayal any easier.
Only a small part of Merlin blamed Morgana. Mostly he blamed Morgause. She had twisted Morgana and had made her believe that no one could understand her. Another part of him blamed himself. He hadn't been enough. No matter how hard he tried, he hadn't been enough for her.
Nor did it make his decision easier. He loved Morgana with all of his heart, but he had other people to think about. Merlin thought and thought and thought about it. He knew he had to kill her, or at least get her to the brink of death. It wasn't a decision he took lightly.
Merlin went back to Gaius' chambers and filled his water skin. His heart was heavy as he added several drops of hemlock to the water. He felt a piece of his heart darken with his decision. He hated that he had to do this, he hated that Morgana had made the decision to be the vessel for this enchantment.
When Merlin got back to Arthur and handed him the clothes for his father, he couldn't look at Morgana. He knew if he looked at her she would know something was wrong. She was making a terrible decision, but that didn't mean she didn't know him.
Merlin was barely aware of everything that happened next. He moved on auto-pilot as they got Uther to the throne room. He knew the moment had come as Arthur told him he was going to face the knights in order to get to the wheelbarrow to save his father.
"He's not going to survive out there," Morgana told him terrified. As much as she hated Uther, she didn't want Arthur to die.
"I know," Merlin said neutrally.
"We've got to do something!" Morgana told him.
"I know," Merlin repeated. He clutched the water skin in his hand, unable to do it. He couldn't kill her, couldn't let her die at his hands. He closed his eyes. He didn't have a choice. "Here have some water."
Morgana shook her head. "No. I'm not thirsty," she told him. It wasn't exactly true, but she didn't think her stomach would be able to handle her putting anything in it. She already felt so full of guilt she thought she was going to throw up.
Merlin pretended to drink it himself, but Morgana still refused it and then it was too late. Morgause stormed into the throne room, her cloak billowing out behind her. Upon seeing her, Morgana crawled away from Uther's body.
There was no delay on Morgause's part. She had learned from her past mistakes. When you play with fire, you get burnt. You have to put out the fire right away. That's what she was doing.
She twirled her sword and plunged it down. Merlin didn't need to look to know she met her mark. He could hear it in the sickening crunch the sword made as it imbedded itself in Uther's body.
For a moment after Morgause stabbed him, there was complete silence. It was almost as if everyone expected it to not work. As if they expected Uther to somehow survive. He was Uther Pendragon, king of Camelot. After so many thwarted assassinations, it seemed impossible to succeed. As Uther took his last breath, they knew it had worked. The impossible had happened. The once mighty king had fallen.
Arthur was slowly retreating through the doorway and upon hearing the silence, he spun around. When he saw his father's lifeless body on the ground he roared. He too had learned something from Morgause – don't hesitate. Once, she may have defeated him in combat, but she wasn't ready for him.
She was still facing the king as Arthur snuck up on her. He felt nothing as he thrust his sword through her back. He pushed until it was buried in her. He couldn't see the front of her, but he knew if he could he would see the tip of his sword protruding from her stomach. He twisted, knowing it would end her life that much quicker.
He pulled his sword out and let Morgause drop to the ground.
"No!" Morgana screamed. She ran to Morgause's side. "Sister!" She knew the moment the knights of Idorsholas fell that Morgause was gone. "No!" Morgana cried. She closed her eyes and when she opened them Arthur saw a flash of gold before all of the windows in the throne room exploded, sending shards everywhere.
Only Arthur, Merlin, and Morgana remained alive in the room, but all of the knights that had been fast asleep on the floor would be waking soon. "You know magic," Arthur whispered. He took a step back from Morgana as if she were infectious. His voice sounded loud compared to the silence that had followed the turmoil of battle. "This is your fault. You are the reason my father is dead."
"No Arthur! You've got to believe me," Morgana said. "I would never!"
"Arthur, listen to her. Morgause killed your father. That doesn't mean Morgana knew," Merlin told him. He knew his words were false, but he had to convince Arthur. Morgana's intentions had been inexcusable, but Merlin couldn't bear to see any ill befall her. He had been prepared to harm her before to save Arthur, but Arthur was no longer in immediate danger. Merlin could think more clearly.
"She called Morgause her sister," Arthur said quietly.
"So she did," Merlin agreed. He had known Morgause was her half-sister as long as Morgana had, so that didn't come as a surprise to him. "But she tried to help your father. She could have killed him. We've left her alone with him twice now, but she didn't do it."
"So? She probably didn't want to get her hands dirty," Arthur told him stubbornly. "There is but one sentence I can pass."
"Arthur, please think about this," Merlin pleaded. "You know that she did not want your father dead. And Uther wouldn't want you to kill her. He promised her father that no harm would come to her."
"Yeah and look at where it got him," Arthur said bitterly.
"Please," Merlin begged. "If you won't do it for Morgana or for Uther, then do it for me."
"You? Why do you care?" Arthur asked him. He cocked his head sideways and examined Merlin. He was looking at the ground uncomfortably as if he were making a decision.
Merlin looked up at Arthur, a look of steely resolve settling on his face. "Because I love her," he told Arthur quietly.
Arthur's eyes widened as he studied Merlin. "Very well," he said quietly. He would not deny Merlin. Not after everything he had done for him. He turned to Morgana. "You will not be killed, but I do not want to see you again. From this day forward, you do not know me. If we cross paths, it will not be as friends. I trust in a castle this size, you will be able to manage that?"
"Arthur please," Morgana said softly. She hated to beg, it went against her nature, but she needed his forgiveness.
"Leave," Arthur warned. Morgana hesitated only a moment before she turned and walked out. Instantly, she felt like a part of herself had died.
