Chapter One

The Dragon's Call
(Part One)

–

I know not what the future holds,
but I know who holds the future.

–

Arthur collapsed onto Morgana's freshly made bed, casually placing his hands behind his head to prop up his head to look lazily at the ceiling. The flaxen-haired prince yawned loudly and repositioned his head to peer over at Morgana, who had been staring silently out the window for several minutes. Her green eyes remained determined, gazing despondently onto the courtyard. Arthur could hear the gentle echo of his father's stalwart voice in the distant. The subtle beating of drums humming in his ears, Thomas Collins was to be executed any minute now. He had been discovered to have practiced magic, and death was the only suitable punishment. Morgana released a heavy sigh, closing her eyes thoughtfully for a moment.

"Quit acting so morose," said Arthur, rolling his eyes and returning his attention towards the ceiling through Morgana's sheer overhanging curtains. "You're ruining my good mood."

"Well, I'm ever so pleased you can remain in such good spirits whilst an innocent man is about to lose his head," said Morgana sarcastically, glaring at him momentarily before peering down below again.

"He was caught practicing witchcraft, Morgana," he replied. "He is far from innocent."

"He wasn't hurting anyone," she insisted as the executioner heaved his large ax over his head. She cringed and turned her chin against her opposing shoulder, slamming her eyes closed as tight as she possibly could. A sickening THUD rang out, several townspeople gasped before an eerie silence overtook the courtyard.

"Yet," Arthur corrected her, pointing his index finger upwards, utterly unaffected by the beheading below.

"You sound like your father," she replied as if that was the biggest insult she'd ever delivered. Arthur looked pleased, unaware of her hostility. "That's not a compliment, so wipe that cheeky grin off your face."

Morgana finally brought herself to look down at the podium that had just been cleaned of Thomas Collins' blood. She looked into the crowd, several people looked rather content whilst others appeared frightened and disapproving. Not everyone feared the art of magic, though Uther liked to pretend they did. There was one male towns person that Morgana had never seen before. It wasn't as if she had met every citizen in Camelot, not by a long shot but she knew for a fact that this person had never laid eyes upon before. Even though she was far above the townspeople below, the piercing blue eyes of the young man managed to grasp her attention. He wore commoners clothing, a knapsack upon his tall frame, his somewhat shaggy hair hanging in his eyes. Suddenly, he turned his gaze upwards, catching her eye. His expression was kind, musing even. Morgana blushed slightly, hoping her rosy cheeks remained unnoticeable from so far away. She cleared her throat abruptly and stared determinedly back at Uther who was just about to walk back inside the castle from his balcony.

Suddenly, an elderly woman appeared amidst the crowd, several people cleared away from her. She had stringy gray hair to her shoulders and an attire of ragged robes that looked as if they hadn't been washed in years and that was a generous estimation. She was unsteady in stature, her balance questionable.

"There is only one evil in this land and it is not magic, it is you," cried the woman in a shrill, broken sort of voice. "Your hatred and your ignorance, you took my son."

"Arthur," Morgana called quietly but fiercely, so the prince did not misunderstand her seriousness.

Arthur hastily threw his feet over the side of the bed, swiftly striding to Morgana's side. He followed her line of sight, listening intently with a mindful expression that matched the king's ward. The woman continued as before.

"I promise you before the celebrations are over you will share my tears," she threatened. "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a son for a son."

Morgana looked up at Arthur just as he turned to her as well. Neither of the elites spoke to one another. They knew exactly what the other was thinking, making words unnecessary. They'd been friends for two decades, if they didn't understand one another's thoughts by now they never would. Arthur's face was not frightened, more ill at ease. Morgana swallowed hard, tearing away from his eyes to return to the scene below as did Arthur.

"Seize her!" Uther bellowed, pointing his guards towards the old woman.

However, before the king's men could capture the woman, she muttered indistinguishable into the necklace around her neck. An overwhelming gust of wind engulfed her body as she disappeared into a whirlwind of debris. The king looked rather perturbed, clutching his cape and hurrying inside the castle walls. Morgana cast one final glance upon the unknown commoner with the fierce blue eyes before closing her window and turning to Arthur who was grabbing his jacket off her bedpost and heading for the door.

"Where are you going?" she asked poignantly.

"To see Father," he replied. "I'm sure he'll be anxious to gather a search party to capture Thomas's sorceress mother before the feast this evening. I'll see you there. Wear your blue gown, it accents my eyes–"

"No," she interrupted.

"Fine, wear what you want," he conceded, "just make me look good–"

"First off, I'm not going to the feast at all this evening, I refuse," she said with venom on her tongue. "Second off, even if I was I would certainly not go with the likes of you. I wish you would quit assuming you will be my escort to every event."

"Why aren't you attending?' he inquired, ignoring her second retort.

"There is something disconcerting about celebrating a beheading," she replied curtly. "I know you cannot empathize. I will not attend the feast of the Great Purge either."

"Father will not be pleased," he argued.

"He's always displeased about something. I honestly think he enjoys it," she frowned. "I'm quite certain he'll be happy I've given him a reason to be sulky."

Arthur smirked at her wit and closed the door behind him.

–

"Merlin..." a voice called to him. "Merlin..."

Merlin deducted a dream had woken him along with the warm sunlight upon his pale features. The previous day's evens raced into his head, specifically one image in particular. Those eyes, her eyes, they were etched into his memory. A faint grin spread slowly across Merlin's face as he rolled onto his back, just waking from his slumber atop his makeshift bed provided by Gaius, the court physician. He was in an exciting new place, in the palace of one of the most powerful kings around no less, yet he couldn't concentrate on anything other than the nameless raven-haired beauty. She'd even looked at him, at him!

He stretched, arching his back before slowly pushing himself into a sitting position. Rubbing his forehead, Merlin yawned softly and took to his feet. He quickly changed his clothes and exited his tiny bedroom to share some of the revolting-looking breakfast mush that Gaius had provided for him. Merlin couldn't complain, it was the thought that counted.

"I brought you some water," said Gaius kindly. "You forgot to wash last night."

"Right, thank you," Merlin muttered in reply, scooping up some oatmeal mush and debating whether or not he could stomach it.

Amidst his contemplation Gaius knocked over the wooden bucket containing his water. Merlin automatically stood and without thinking, he stopped the bucket from falling to the floor, freezing it in midair. He regretted his reaction instantly after hearing a slight gasp from Gaius. Merlin allowed the water to splatter onto the floor as quickly as he had prevented the spill.

"How did you do that?" asked Gaius fiercely. "Did you incant a spell in your mind?"

"I don't know any spells," he insisted, shaking his head.

"What did you do?" he inquired curiously. "There must be something."

He'd expected such a question. Any person in their right mind would wonder how someone as undeniably average, boring even as Merlin could do something so miraculous without so much effort as a blink. Merlin looked down at the liquid mess, finding the words for a response to the aging court physician. He only had one reply.

"It just happens," said Merlin honestly, locking eyes with the aging man in a way that convinced Gaius there was nothing but truth in his answer.

"Well, we better keep you of of trouble," said Gaius, watching as the young man mopped away the water. "You can help me until I find some paid work for you. Here, Holly Hock for Lady Percival and this is for Sir Oweyn. He's as blind as a weevil, so tell him not to take it all at once."

"Alright," Merlin nodded, placing the fallen bucket onto a nearby table and returning the now sopping wet mop to its proper resting place. He picked up the two vials of opposing colors of liquid and eyed them curiously for a moment. When he looked up again Gaius was holding a delicious-looking sandwich that put his breakfast mush to shame. Merlin smiled thankfully and accepted the sandwich to eat on his way to complete his chores. "Thanks, Gaius."

"Off you go," Gaius smirked, shrugging a shoulder. The young sorcerer grinned and walked towards the door. Stopping only when he heard his name from the physician behind him. "And Merlin, I'm sure I don't need to tell you that the practice of any form of enchantments will get you killed."

Merlin swallowed hard, nodding once. He knew this already. He knew the King's history, The Great Purge. Everyone knew about that. Everyone knew that just after the Queen died in childbirth King Uther took out his rage on those of magical association. The details to exactly why Uther sought out sorcerers were unknown, but no one was foolish enough to inquire further.

–

"Of course he was angry," said Morgana in an exasperated tone, looking over to Guinevere as they strolled around the castle grounds together. "Uther took it upon himself to tear himself away from the feast to shout at me in person. I think he'd literally burn me at the stake if I refused to attend the ball celebrating the Great Purge."

"I think Arthur would be rather perturbed as well," Gwen smiled mischievously.

"I know what you're trying to imply, Gwen," she replied, "and I sternly disapprove."

"Come now, Morgana," she teased. "You're telling me that if Arthur asked to be your escort you'd deny him the honor?"

"He won't ask me, so it doesn't matter," she said.

"Hypothetically speaking..."

"If he asked," she said firmly, "nicely, mind you. I might consider it."

Gwen smiled knowingly. Arthur and Morgana were as good as engaged in the eyes of Camelot. They were both royalty, they were both handsome and unattached, and both were destined to be the greatest King and Queen Camelot could ever hope for. Many townspeople wondered daily when the royal wedding would be announced whilst Arthur and Morgana acted rather indifferent to the subject. They'd always been together without actually being together. Titles were never really for the two royals. They went to most feasts and ball with one another even if they ended up leaving with someone else. The duo pretty much had an understanding that they were supposed to marry, supposed to bare a litter of proud sons, and they were supposed to live happily ever after. They were just waiting for the day Uther forced them together. Neither could decide if they were anxiously awaiting and dreading the day that would come.

"My Lady, I must tend to your linens before this evening comes," said Gwen thoughtfully. "Would you like me to see that one of the knights escorts you into town?"

"Thank you, Gwen, but that isn't necessary," she smiled kindly at her dear friend. "I think I could use a relaxing stroll with just me and my thoughts."

"Will this stroll end up taking you to Arthur's training session?" asked Gwen wisely.

"Perhaps," said Morgana with a fleeting smile. "You know how my mind tends to wander."

–

"Where's the target?" shouted Arthur, smiling pompously in front of his knights.

"There, sire?"

Arthur was in the middle of his daily training sessions amongst his men. A young servant, Mylor, held the prince's shield, awaiting his next command obediently. He was an awkward fellow, not unaccustomed to fumbling over himself like the gangly teenager he was. He was typically picked upon by Arthur and the knights for his lack of grace on his feet. Merlin could relate to such a trait. It was not uncommon for him to trip over himself, especially in front of the fairer sex.

Merlin instantly picked up on the boy's awkwardness the boy exhumed from every pore. He had just finished the tasks Gaius had set out for him and had intentions of exploring the city before he actually had real responsibilities from whatever work Gaius would find for him. However, his plans were delayed when he laid eyes on some blonde idiot that he deduced to be a guard, judging by his armor and surrounding party of knights. Merlin allowed his curiosity to get the better of him as he chose to casually look onto the scene before him.

"It's to the sun," said Arthur, his usual arrogant grin decorating his handsome features.

"It's not that bright," said Mylor uneasily.

"A bit like you, then?" Arthur jested with an upward inflection.

The group around him roared with laughter. Sir Leon patted his back, appreciative of his joke. Merlin rolled his eyes, taking an instant dislike to the blonde git.

"I'll take it to the other side then," Mylor sighed, heaving the heavy wooden target onto his shoulder to lug it to another position out of the sun.

Morgana rounded the corner beyond the entrance to the courtyard near the castle gate. She spotted Arthur across the way, laughing hardily beside Sirs Bedivere, Leon and Pellinor, his usual immature confidants. Though more importantly, Morgana saw the man with the eyes that had captured her attention the previous afternoon. She looked over at him, contemplating whether or not she should speak to him, welcome him to Camelot. She decided against it, knowing Arthur was nearby and would surely disapprove of her speaking to any man besides himself, especially someone of lesser nobility. Morgana strode confidently forward, catching Arthur's eye. He winked at her, causing her to roll her eyes in reply.

"Watch this," said Arthur pompously, whispering to his friends. He wielded back one of his countless daggers and threw it with all his might at the shield Mylor currently held in his hands. "Come on, keep moving! This target practice after all!"

Morgana gasped loudly, covering her mouth with her hand in shock at Arthur's actions. Well, she really wasn't all that surprised. She lifted her skirts and hurried towards the prince, hoping to stop him from killing the young man. An onlooking Gwen was hoping for the same outcome from stories above. Morgana snatched Arthur's other wrist just as he threw his fourth consecutive dagger at the moving shield.

"What do you think you're doing?" she spat.

"Target practice," he laughed, throwing another blade.

"Well, stop it!" she objected. "You're going to kill him."

"Nonsense, my aim in impeccable," he grinned, hurling yet another dagger, "even with you distracting me."

His fellow warriors roared with laughter from behind them, shoving each other in jest. Morgana jerked her neck their direction, sending them a warning look. They immediately ceased their laughter, stiffening their posture at her nasty glare. Sir Pellinor released an involuntary gulp, his eyes locked on Mylor like the other two men. Arthur refused to heed Morgana's demand, opting to continue his throwing as poor Mylor shook like a leaf as he ran back and forth. Finally, the boy's clumsiness took hold as he dropped the shield, accidentally kicking it into a steady roll. It came to a halt by means of Merlin, who stopped its path by stomping it to the ground.

"Hey, come on, that's enough," said Merlin, looking over at Arthur. He froze momentarily, noticing the woman he had seen the day before, the raven-haired beauty from the tower. She was even more beautiful in person, breathtaking really. He shifted from one foot to another as he saw that her hand was locked tightly around the moronic warrior.

"What?" asked Arthur, yanking his wrist free from Morgana's grasp. She stared on, unmoving as she gazed on the handsome commoner.

"You've had your fun, my friend," said Merlin gently.

"Do I know you?" asked Arthur, striding forward.

"Uh, I'm Merlin," he replied, extending his hand for Arthur to shake.

Merlin, that was his name. Now the man whom Morgana picked out of a crowd had a name. A curious name, but she rather liked it nonetheless.

"So I don't know you," said Arthur rudely, ignoring Merlin's friendly gesture, "yet you called me friend."

"That was my mistake," he replied.

"Yes, I think so," said Arthur, biting the inside of his cheek.

"Yeah, I'd never have a friend who was such an ass," said Merlin, unwavering.

Morgana released an obnoxiously loud snort from behind Arthur. She covered her mouth in a less than ladylike manner as Arthur turned around to send her a vicious glare. Merlin smiled to himself as the woman chuckled at his comment. She had to bite her tongue to prevent another outburst. Merlin turned his back to leave just as Arthur returned his attention onto him

"Nor I to have one to be so stupid," said Arthur, not near as amused as Morgana. "Tell me, Merlin, do you know how to walk on your knees?"

"No," he replied.

"Would you like me to help you?" asked Arthur fiercely.

"I wouldn't if I were you," said Merlin, shaking his head.

"Why?" Arthur laughed. "What are you going to do to me?"

"You have no idea," he threatened.

"Be my guest," said Arthur, extending his arms and motioning for Merlin to attack. "Come on."

Merlin swung his fist towards the future king, but his efforts were futile. Arthur snatched his wrist and ended up locking it up against Merlin's back, holding him at his mercy.

"Arthur, let him alone," Morgana warned, taking several determined steps towards him. "The only thing he's hurt is your pride, which was much needed in my opinion."

"Keep out of this, Morgana," said Arthur, refusing to take his eyes of his opponent for even a second.

"You could be put in jail for that," said Arthur shallowly.

"And who do you think you are, the King?" Merlin retorted.

"No, thank God," said Morgana dryly, answering before her counterpart could reply to the question directed towards him. "He's his idiot son, Arthur."

On that note, Arthur took the opportunity to jam his heel into the back Merlin's knees before kicking him even harder so he fell onto his face. He groaned in pain and collapsed onto the hard earth. Morgana sneered deviously at the prince, kneeling down to make sure Merlin was alright. She gently placed a benevolent hand on his shoulder and another on his elbow. She tilted her head to the side and sent him a concerned look.

"Are you alright?" she asked softly.

Merlin nodded silently, more embarrassed than anything. Oh how he would have enjoyed defeating the arrogant arse in front her. He would have been a hero, but instead he looked like a weakling. Arthur motioned to his guards to come over, displeased with Morgana's actions. She helped him back to his feet, brushing off his now dusty jacket.

"Thanks," he said quietly, unable to look the beauty in her eyes. "Er...?"

"Oh, pardon my manners," she said, understanding he wished to thank her by name. "I'm the King's ward, Lady Morgana."

"I'm Merlin," he smiled feebly, "just Merlin. I'm staying with the Court Physician, Gaius."

"Well, 'Just Merlin,'" Morgana teased lightheartedly. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm sorry Prince Arthur isn't as hospitable to our newest patron as one of his title should be."

"And I'm sorry Lady Morgana has led you to believe assaulting your prince is acceptable," Arthur retorted sarcastically. "However, I am hospitable enough to offer you a room in the castle. Guards, please escort Lady Morgana's new friend to his new chambers: the dungeon."

The pair of guards approached swiftly, grabbing hold of either of Merlin's arms with no concern to whether they were hurting him. They turned him forcefully back towards the castle.

"Wait!" Morgana interjected, causing the guards to remain still momentarily. They looked back at the two nobles with curious glares. "Arthur Pendragon, you order his release this instant."

"Absolutely not, he dishonored the crown," said Arthur defiantly. "You saw him."

"What I saw was an egomaniacal degenerate abusing his power to order around a helpless servant as if he were an animal," she spat, poking her index finger against his chest. "Then I saw someone try to help, oblivious to the fact that the idiot he was nobly standing up against was an idiot with a birthright."

Her objection did not go as she had planned. Arthur appeared more enraged at Morgana's disrespect towards him and unwillingness to take his side, and the young prince decided to take his fury out on Merlin.

"Take him away," Arthur barked, pivoting fiercely away from Morgana. Merlin was escorted away from the pair, leaving a sour taste in both Arthur and Morgana's mouths. He picked up his favored blade from the wooden shield that the now speechless Mylor held before him. Arthur took a couple steps away from the stunned servant before taking a pregnant pause. He heaved a heavy sight, turning his head to the side so Mylor knew the prince was speaking to him but denied him eye contact.

"I'm er– sorry by the way," said Arthur begrudgingly as Morgana stared on at him, "for using you as... um, a human target."

Mylor could only nod in reply. Arthur nodded awkwardly and whisked by Morgana in a hurried rage. The Lady couldn't help but smile, maybe Arthur wasn't a complete arse, though he was certainly close. She'd make sure his father knew of his transgressions and with any luck, Merlin would be freed by morning.

–

"I trust my son's judgment, Morgana," said Uther, not bothering to look up from his countless papers. "If Arthur says his punishment is just then I trust him."

"Blind agreement," she sighed, leaning on the heel of her palms upon Uther's long wooden table. "Such a fine quality for a King to attain."

"Do not test me, child," he frowned, annoyed. "I am in no mood."

Morgana released a heavy sigh, plopping down in the chair closest to Uther's right. She propped her chin up on her knuckles in a faux pout. Morgana heaved another sigh to specifically grasp Uther's attention. The tyrant king rolled his eyes and set his paperwork upon the tabletop. Fine, if she wanted his full and undivided attention then his ward could have it. He tilted his head forward as if to nudge her to go on.

"He is a friend of Gaius," said Morgana.

"And Arthur is my son," he insisted, "and the heir to the thrown of Camelot. How can you possibly expect me to be so liberal with my sentencing when this boy has threatened that?"

"We both know it would take a small army to take down Arthur, as much as I loathe to admit it and I really do," she added for good measure. "He was teasing an innocent servant and Merlin stepped in to stop him. It was a noble gesture, and if Arthur would have heeded my warning to begin with then none of this would have happened."

"You know his name?" Uther snorted.

"Yes, he was trying to introduce himself to your son, but Arthur thought an introduction to the dungeon was far more becoming than a simple handshake," she snapped.

"Tell me why I should abet your request for this boy's release when you have been so insolent these last few days," said Uther, one corner of his mouth curling into a mocking grin. "You're refusing to attend the ball, yet here you are asking for my pardon."

"I'll go to your preposterous feast if you free the boy," said Morgana fiercely, rolling her eyes. "I'll wear my new dress and pretend to be overjoyed to be partaking in the celebration of the massacre of thousands of innocent lives."

"I'll inform Gaius to free the boy at sunrise then," said Uther, smiling victoriously. "And to think, if you would have decided against using your ever so attractive sarcasm to force in one more derisive sentiment then I wouldn't have ordered him to spend tomorrow morning in the stocks before his final release."

–

A/N: So basically I'm rewriting each episode in one or 2 parts in a more in depth, Merlin/Morgana sort of way. The initial pairings are canon, and I don't plan on changing any of them besides playing up Merlin/Morgana. I'll be adding in more than just the episodic scenes as well. I'm just trying it out to see if anyone likes this. I'm going to wait for 10 reviews to update for that reason. If it's rubbish then I'll stop. By the way, who is excited for Series 3 tomorrow?