1. MORGANA'S WISHES

Warnings: A very dark, angsty and gore fic I wrote for the sake of my inner demons.

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin

A slight smile of satisfaction played on Morgana's lips as she walked out into the Witch King's gardens. She took a deep breath in the chill evening breeze, gazing upon the cloudless sky, golden in the last rays of sun. The strong, sweet scent of roses filled the air and she stopped for a moment to contemplate the sheer beauty of the surrounding nature, like a celebration of her victory. The victory of Queen Morgana. The great kingdom of Camelot was hers, to be cradled in the palm of her hand or to be crushed in her fist if so it pleased her. The newly conquered power gave her a beatitude that was undeniable, yet there were still many things to be taken care of, and in this respect she was rather anxious. One of these matters was her wretched father, Uther Pendragon. The thought of him always made her twitch in anger and disgust lately. Her right to the throne depended on her acceptance of his name, but deep inside she refused to think of herself as Morgana Pendragon. Often she wished that his accursed blood had not run through her veins, mingled with her mother's magic one, making her feel utterly tainted. The decision she had to make regarding in respect of his fate was a burden, but fortunately Morgause was by her side, loving and supporting, a pillar of strength.

The Witch King Ironed sat on a stone bench, slightly bent forward as he rested his palms on his knees. He watched her approaching in silence, with an air of benevolence about him. The old king had agreed to the alliance that was to benefit both of them mainly because of Morgause, who was like a daughter to him. He'd raised her and had brought her magic powers to their full potential. Without him, Morgana would have never gotten Camelot, she was young, still inexperienced and had failed before. She was in luck that all Ironed wanted was a kingdom for his son, whom she had accepted to marry. Though that was clearly overrated and mostly to her advantage, since Ironed only looked to dispose of his weakling of a son, prince Annhar, and was willing to make everything smooth for her. She was to be in truth Queen of Camelot, Annhar would be a mere consort she could very well choose to ignore.

"Sire" she bowed before him. "You wished to see me?"

"I so wished, indeed" he spoke slowly.

"My sister has accompanied me here, I was a bit surprised to hear that you only wished to see me" she said smiling graciously.

"I wanted a word with you alone, my dear Morgana"

He stood up, his massive frame towering over her, and gently took both her hands in his, while his amber eyes glanced deep into her emerald ones. "I only wish to know if you are happy, now that you are Queen"

"I am happy, sire" Morgana replied in earnest. The king smiled and gave her hands a warm squeeze.

"Then I desire to grant you some more wishes"

"But sire, you have already granted me my greatest wish!" she replied quickly. "I wouldn't ever dream of asking for anything more"

Ironed laughed and shook his head. "My dear Morgana, you are very kind. Young and innocent above all, as far as I am concerned. But I am aware that many wishes should be granted to you in exchange of your acceptance of my son. Take the word of a weary father"

"Oh, but my lord, I don't believe-"

"But I do. Please, share some other wishes of yours with me and I will do everything in my power to make it true"

Morgana smiled, a bit nervous but nonetheless pleased, for few were the things that were not in the Witch King's power to fulfill.

"I wish for a long and happy rule at your son's side, my lord, of course. But above all I wish for those of my blood to rule over Camelot for a thousand years"

Ironed ran his fingers through his long white beard, thoughtful. He took his time before he answered, and his brow was furrowed, ever so slightly.

"That is a perilous wish, Morgana" he spoke at last. "Blood is a treacherous thing to speak of. You have no children of your own yet, and prince Arthur Pendragon, your brother, is one of your blood"

Morgana's face paled. Her jaw clenched and she fought a gasp of hidden fear that she denied admitting even to herself.

"Not if you will take care of it, sire, as you promised" she replied, her voice a mere whisper.

"And that would be another wish" Ironed said kindly. "Dare to voice it"

"I know of a place much dreaded, and from where very few were ever to return. Very few who were graced and chosen. The kingdom of Underworld" she spoke with a sudden resolution. "I want Arthur sent to Underworld and enslaved there for the rest of his days! And I want his loyal servant Merlin to share his beloved prince's fate!"

"But why? It is not the prince, but rather his father who is to blame for your long years of torment and fear. It would be far more practical to just end Arthur's life and to send Uther into slavery"

"Uther is already torn and kneeled, he is much worn and his days are numbered. His agony would be short and would bring me but little satisfaction. I wish him to remain here, in my grasp, so that I can feel his pain and feast upon it. Arthur is young and many years lay before him to suffer. My wish is made!"

She gazed upon the Witch King and saw him pondering, after he'd seemed rather taken aback by her determination, for Ironed was not a man of rash decisions.

"Very well. But it was said in a prophecy that prince Arthur's destiny and his servant's are entwined. Keeping them apart may prove wiser…"

Morgana could not help a malicious laugh.

"Down there in the Underworld there is no sunshine and no hope. There will be no more of that destiny for them but suffering and despair, they will end up begging for death and death will come slow and agonizing" she declared. "As for keeping them apart, just have them sold to different houses"

"Then be it as you wish"

Ok, so this chapter was not very long, it's meant more as an introduction for the events to come. Please read and review if you liked it :)