Trading Places

A/N: Okay, I think you will enjoy this; I have just really wanted to try writing a Merlin Fic. :)

And yes! I have finally got around to posting this story, yay!

This fic is going to be about Merlin and Arthur trading places with lots of interesting things happening along the way. It is set after 'The Sorcerer's Shadow' and before 'The Coming of Arthur'. Morgana and Morgause both know about Merlin's magic and they want to dispose of him because he keeps foiling their plans. I won't give anymore away for now and I will try to update every one to two days. Warning, this fic contains spoilers.

Also, when I use italics it tells you what one of the characters is thinking/saying to themselves in their head, used to emphasize words or to highlight something. I think you can work it out.

And just for a heads up, I use imperial and metric measurements in this story. So have a translator-thinga-ma-bob ready if you don't know both and are really into understanding detail.

This chapter is a prologue because I reckon it's needed. I believe that the next chapter will be much more entertaining so I'll try post it today.

For those who like to read whilst listening to music…. Whilst reading this, listen to, 'A Distance There Is' by 'Theatre of Tragedy'.

Disclaimer: I own the plot of this chapter/story but not Merlin or the music. :(

Please read! :)

Prologue:

The full moon was shone brightly over the many tall trees; the wind forceful and roughly rustling the leaves. Rain lapped ruthlessly at everything it reached. It was a bitter stormy night in the Darkling Woods

But this didn't stop the navy-cloaked figure from lingering in the cold shady clearing.

The woman stood strong, never unfazed by the harsh downpour - her wet blonde locks weighing down heavily from all the rain. But she wasn't standing there for any ordinary reason; she was waiting for something – or should she say someone?

After around ten minutes of standing in the clearing's centre, the sorceress noticed movement in the bushes ahead of her. Within the next second, she saw a woman cloaked in a deep blood-red stride elegantly towards her.

"Sister," said the woman in navy-blue. She spoke in a kind tone, "you have come at last. What kept you?" Her eyes lit up with curiosity.

The sorceress cloaked in crimson halted half a metre before her sister prior to speaking. "My handmaiden, Gwen held me back. She seemed suspicious so I had to convince her otherwise." said the youngest sister, a sincere expression on her pale face.

"That's quite alright –" A flash of lightning exploded in the sky less than a second before the loud sound of thunder rolled out less than a mile away. The raven-haired woman jumped in fright. Though, the blonde acted as if nothing had happened. She continued speaking. "– I sincerely hope you did manage to convince her. We do not have the time to deal with someone else knowing of where your loyalties lie." She placed her hand on the youngest woman's soft, wet cheek and used her thumb to wipe away some of the rain drops that had reached her face. Her cupped hand stayed pressed against her accomplice's left cheek.

"Oh, I believe I did," assured the woman cloaked in red. She placed her hand over her sister's. "The servant has been relieved of her duties for the rest of the night, just so she won't accidentally come into my chambers to find the Lady Morgana's bed has yet to be slept in."

"You have done well." praised the eldest sister. She removed her hand from her sister's face.

"Let us get out of this rain, sister." said Morgana lifting the hood of her cloak back over her head. Returning to Camelot unnoticed would be much harder the wetter she was; the woman also didn't plan on catching a cold.

"If you wish. We shall take shelter beneath the old weeping willow," Morgana's half-sister gestured in front of herself. Morgana turned her head scanning the area.

"Where is it?" she asked curiously. All she could see was moist bare earth.

"Do not use your eyes, sister. Clear your mind; let your magic fill you up. Let it guide you." Morgause spoke knowledgeably.

Morgana closed her eyes. She tried to be free of herself – of her thoughts. Free of her worries, tried to forget her troubles. The raven-haired woman took several slow deep breaths in through her mouth before exhaling through her nose.

She listened to the quiet movements that played out around her. At first, all she could hear was the rain bucketing down from every side and angle. But then she started to hear the smaller, simpler sounds of nature.

The sound of rustling leaves began to fill her ears; she could hear the fast beating of wings emit from tiny insects. She could smell the cool air and moist grass – all the sweet aromas of nature. She could feel her warm leather boots gradually sink further and further into the muddy earth beneath her feet. She could feel the cold wind tousling the thin wisps of hair that escaped the veil of her hood.

It was then that Morgana suddenly began to feel a glorious warm wrap around her body like a cocoon. She could feel her magic seeping through her limbs; flowing through her body.

The witch's eyes snapped open. There in front of her, was a huge weeping willow. She exhaled through a smile of disbelief.

Morgause smiled at her reaction; she had been meaning to show Morgana this but there never really came a proper time. In actual fact, this willow tree was the main reason why Morgause always chose to meet her sister here.

Morgana hadn't expected to see such a magnificent sight. She forgot about the icy water covering her from head to toe and just stared at the willow in awe.

It was enormous; at least 170 feet in height; she had to crane her head upwards to see the peak. The willow almost looked as if it were glowing. Its large drooping branches shimmered beautifully against the wet atmosphere; its dark-green leaves swayed softly in the wind. The trunk of the tree was huge too; the dark moist wood was probably about seven feet wide

Morgana knew that this was no ordinary weeping willow of course. She could feel the raw magic radiating from it – the abnormal glow of the tree gave this away as well. It was also obvious that a regular willow would never reach this size.

"As you may have already noticed, this is no mundane weeping willow; only those with magic can see it." said Morgause; she began walking towards the tree. "This tree was created by a powerful sorcerer centuries ago. The willow's seed was planted with magic." she paused, "It is a very mystical tree that was once a home to many peaceful men, women and children who all obtained our gift. Though they usually only used their magic for healing and helping others in need. Those people used to live their entire lives beneath this very tree," she gestured around herself.

"Those people were known as the 'Salix Magicalis Volgus, meaning, 'Magical Willow Common Folk' – but these days, most simply know them as the 'Salmagvols. It has always been an excellent shelter and medical provider for the Salmagvols and all other magical people alike. The bark of this willow is much more powerful than any other because it is entwined with magic." explained Morgause as she took a few more steps forward so she was completely covered from the harsh rain. The youngest sister followed suit.

"Where did the Salmagvol's go?" asked Morgana. As she waited for her sister's answer the sorceress walked up to the large trunk of the willow and pressed her palm, flat against it. She jumped slightly in shock as the tree sent what felt like sparks, through her body. Though she soon she became used to it as she kept her hand against the tree. Morgana began to feel as if she was meant to be here; it felt as if it was apart of her. The willow made her feel warm and safe.

The feeling that the witch was currently experiencing, felt rather similar to how it was when using her gift – except the tree's sensation was a much more powerful one.

Those splendid feelings were one of the main reasons she sometimes practiced magic. It made her feel safe an invulnerable. Even though she hadn't been here long, Morgana already understood why those people had lived here. If she could choose to live anywhere, it would definitely be underneath this weeping willow.

Morgana was snapped out of her thoughts when her sister began speaking again. She moved her hand back down to her side, breaking her connection with the tree.

"All was peaceful until the Great Purge when that tyrant, Uther," Morgause spat the name out harshly, "slaughtered most of the people and forced the remaining ones to flee." the sorceress didn't shout but instead spoke loudly and fiercely.

Morgana's peaceful state had changed into a stiff and enraged one. "That man is absolutely infuriating!" she shouted heatedly; her pale cheeks becoming flushed with anger.

How could that monster kill or drive away all those peaceful people from such a beautiful place? Who not to mention, most likely didn't even have a choice on whether they had magic or not.

Suddenly, Morgana felt her eyes burn brightly – though only at a comfortable, pleasurable temperature – and saw a small shrub a few metres away catch fire.

"Tollite flammis." said Morgause in her usual speaking tone. She flicked her right hand to the side. The flames consuming the shrub disappeared and the once green plant was left blackened.

"Sorry." said Morgana meekly.

"You don't have to be sorry for your gifts. One day you will gain control of your powers," said Morgause confidently. "Retro ad inenormos status," the sorceress then chanted. The lifeless shrub regained its dark green colouring. "We can't have people knowing we were here." stated the eldest sister.

There was silence for a moment before it was shattered with words once again. "Now, I requested you to meet me here because I want to know your synopsis on the boy, Merlin. Do you think he has magic?" Morgause raised her eyebrows briefly.

"I am not completely certain but I have a strong belief he does. I overheard Gaius, the Court Physician, talking to him the other day – well, perhaps it wasn't exactly like talking; more like shouting." explained Morgana.

"Oh?" said Morgause in a way which told Morgana that she wanted more information. The youngest sorceress continued to speak.

"He was scolding Merlin on something magic related. I'm guessing for using his powers needlessly. It seems like something he would do."

"Is there anything else that tells you he may be a sorcerer?" asked Morgause interestingly.

"Yes," Morgana paused, "He has been alleged of sorcery three times but has unfortunately managed to escape each without punishment," the youngest witch paused again, "Another time was when I tried to frame Gwen so she was accused of sorcery."

"Was that because of the strong vision you had had? Where your handmaiden was wed with Arthur?" Morgause was certain she was speaking about the correct prophecy her half-sister had seen, but she just had to make sure.

"Yes, that is the one." replied Morgana.

"Do continue, sister."

"Anyway, Gwen had just been accused of enchanting Arthur. When suddenly, an old sorcerer who called himself Dragoon the Great came into the picture. He revealed himself to Uther, when he could have easily escaped with magic. This old man even claimed that he was the sorcerer who'd framed Gwen and that she was innocent. He said that he had planted the poultice to enchant Gwen and Arthur – maid and prince – so that it would bring 'shame on Camelot'. But I know he was lying because I was the one who planted the poultice. I also know that Arthur and Gwen's feelings for each other are as real as you and I, so he couldn't have enchanted them either way."

"What has this got to do with Merlin being a sorcerer?" asked Morgana cocking her head to the side in interest and curiosity.

"Well, I believe Merlin was Dragoon the Great." said Morgana smiling.

"What makes you say this?" asked Morgause.

"I believe he temporarily aged himself so he could say he was the sorcerer and save Gwen's life," said Morgana speaking slowly. "I noticed in that period of time, Merlin wasn't around at all. Gwen is one of his best friends, so it strikes me curious that he wasn't around to say goodbye to her before the execution day.

"I also remember looking into that old sorcerer's eyes. I thought that they looked rather familiar; they looked like Merlin's eyes," the sorceress paused, "Anyway, who in their right mind would sacrifice themselves for someone they didn't even know?" she said, speaking at her usual speed again.

"I believe you're onto something there, sister… It seems like something Merlin would do – sacrifice himself for all those around him. And if he is truly this 'Dragoon the Great', I'm betting he made that name up on the spot. I would most likely believe he was thinking of the Great Dragon when he invented it." said Morgause knowingly.

"So do you think he is a sorcerer?" asked Morgana.

"I wouldn't put it past him."

"But why would he want to protect Uther," Morgana spat out the word like it was deadly poison, "the one who slaughters out kind?" said Morgana scowling. She could hardly even say his name without thinking terrible thoughts about that king.

"I don't know, but he is in our way – sorcerer or not – Merlin needs to be disposed of." said Morgause seriously.

"Indeed." said Morgana smirking.

"Keep observing him for now and when the time comes we will kill Merlin."

I know that chapter didn't have much action in, but the next chapter will…. (anyway, when are prologues ever full of action?) :) I just needed Morgana and Morgause to suspect that Merlin has magic. That way it makes the story a whole lot more interesting. :)

Translations (Latin to English):

•Tollite flammis. = Take away the flames.

•Retro ad inenormos status. Back to the state of normal.

Now please review! :)