From then on Merlin taught Morgana magic in secret. Morgana was a surprisingly great student. They practiced every night in Merlin's bedroom. Thankfully Gaius was a heavy sleeper and slept soundly through their sessions. Together Morgana and Merlin saved Camelot on multiple occasions. They defeated a loathsome troll posing as the Lady Katrina, a pesky witch finder and numerous others. Before long Morgana's sorcery skills even rivaled Merlin's. Merlin had to face the harsh reality that the student had caught up to the teacher.
"What do mean you can't teach me anymore magic" Morgana asked.
"It's just that you've done so well. I have nothing left to teach you. You've mastered all the spells I know."
"Oh Merlin. You need to look at the big picture. With Magic we can do anything. Sure moving objects is fun but I feel as if we have barely scratched the surface as to what we are capable of. We could make a real difference in the world. We should stand up for all the magical people who are unfairly punished for their gifts. We could create a Camelot were we wouldn't have to hid who we are."
"That sounds like a Camelot that I would like to live to see. I have a confession to make. I believe that a day will come when all of Camelot embraces those with magic."
"But how? Uther has everyone convinced that magic is the root of all of society's problems."
"Arthur is the key. He will bring about this golden age and become the greatest king the world has ever seen. He is kind and just. This is why I am his servant. I believe in Arthur."
"I hope you're right Merlin. Arthur will certainly be a better king then his father of that I have little doubt. What I do doubt is that he could be so accepting of magic after being brainwashed into thinking all magic is evil."
"Trust in him Morgana. I know it's hard but you must have faith in him. Arthur will right all of Uther's wrongs just give him time."
"What about all the people with magic who Uther will execute in the meantime? They don't have time to waste."
Merlin solemnly nodded. "You make a valid point Morgana. But mustn't act rashly. All that would do is expose ourselves and we too would be executed. We must first perfect our skills." Merlin handed her the spell book. "Why don't you pick out something for us to try next?"
Morgana flipped through the pages. Merlin could tell that she was deeply pondering which spell to choose.
"Here this is the spell I want us to try."
Merlin looked at the page.
"The spell of revelation" he read aloud. "This spell uncovers a person's biggest secrets. Upon being cast the spell caster or casters will see visions reveling all the secrets that a certain person has kept hidden."
"Sounds marvelous."
"I don't know about this Morgana. Isn't this an invasion of privacy."
"It's just harmless fun" she smiled. "Have a little fun merlin. Don't you want to know what Arthur's biggest secret is?"
Strangely enough Merlin did want to know if Arthur was hiding anything. Arthur always taunted him it would be nice to have some extra ammunition to fire back with.
"Alright" he agreed. "But we mustn't let whatever we find out affect our actions towards that person or anyone else. And we can't tell anyone anything we find out."
"Sounds like a plain" Morgana picked up the spell book to examine it. "It says here that we need a body part of whoever's secret we wish to learn about."
"Well that's a bit of a problem. I'm not about to cut off anyone's ear or anything."
"Relax. It says here we can use a simple strand of hair. How about this: tomorrow we each collect hairs and then we meet back here tomorrow night."
"Sounds like a plan."
"I look foreword to it" Morgana yawned. "I'm tired. I shall now retire to my chambers. Good night Merlin"
"Good Night Morgana"