A/N - This chapter took me forever to write and i have no clue why, i hope to get the next one written and published hopefully by monday but do not hold me to it , as my boss is now calling me in whenever she feels like it and not my normal days.
Please leave a review if you can, they really make me happy and lets me know people like my story =)
Disclaimer - all rights of Merlin belong to the BBC and the creators I wished I owned Merlin like most people but I do not = (
They both looked at him shocked, not sure exactly what to say.
"WELL?"
"Arthur if I can explain..."
"SHUT UP MERLIN IM STILL NOT SURE ABOUT YOU"
"Arthur please Merlin's just trying to help, I came to talk"
"TALK ABOUT WHAT, YOU JUST WENT TO WAR WITH ME, TRYING TO TAKE THE THRONE AND KILL ME"
"Arthur please don't shout, I just want to talk and see if we can sort things"
He snorted not sure whether to believe her, after all she tried to kill him multiple times.
"Speak then Morgana; what could you possibly have to say to me"
She looked at Merlin who gave her an encouraging smile and she held his hand hoping he could provide the strength she needed.
"Arthur I don't want to fight anymore, I've seen that I've hardened your heart to magic more by me using it for evil, I was so wrong" she took a deep breath and Merlin squeezed her hand letting her know that no matter what he would be there for her. "I'm not going to try and take the throne, it is rightfully yours. I think what made me try and take it was the fact that Uther didn't accept me as his daughter or told me. Or the fact that magic isn't allowed in the kingdom, I've always felt like I didn't belong, but my magic is a part of me and it's a part of Merlin, we were born with it, we never chose it. Magic is a force, not good or bad but the users will. I have used it evil and I will forever live with the guilt of the pain and suffering I have caused, but you mustn't let it decide the fate of magic, Merlin here has saved you time and time again especially from me, never seeking reward or praise all because it's his destiny to protect you. I hope one day you can forgive me Arthur, I'm willing to go back to Camelot and face my crimes, your my brother and I love you" she had tears coming down her face. She looked at Merlin and she could see the pride he had in her eyes, she followed her heart like her father told her, she only hoped it was enough.
Arthur just looked at her shocked; he opened and closed his mouth multiple times not sure what to say. Here was his sister who was seeking forgiveness from all of the evil she had done, she had tried to kill him, took the throne twice and went into war with him, corrupted his loving wife into hating him and killed many of the good citizens of Camelot.
"Morgana I've always been there for you, I never understood why you became against me. I know our father shouldn't have denied you and told us but no matter what you were like a sister to me anyway and finding out you were my actual sister…" he trailed of taking a deep breath since his wound was hurting him. He continued when he caught his breath " I love you Morgana, if you truly repent your crimes you will return with me to Camelot to face trial. As for magic… well I know it depends on how the person uses it, the Dolma made me promise that I would remember, its how people use it not it itself."
Merlin butted in then "umm Arthur the Dolma was actually me…"
Arthur looked at him shocked "you have got to be kidding me"
Morgana looked between the both of them not sure on what she had missed, Merlin kept his gaze on Arthur "Arthur I had to, it was the only way to save Gwen"
"I understand that Merlin, but I'm still not happy with you. You've lied to me all these years pretending to be a stupid servant when all along you've had magic. I don't know what to believe anymore if my best friend has lied to me"
"Arthur I did it for good reason, I had no clue how you would react if I told you plus you're the king and have been brought up believing magic is a crime and evil." Arthur looked down at this. Merlin was right, he wouldn't of known how he would have reacted but his thoughts were cut off as he started coughing
Merlin stood up to check on him but Gaius who had woke up and watched everything that was happening from afar beat him to it. He gave him a drink which helped Arthur but he still looked like he had a fever. He checked to wound only to find it infected "sire you have a piece of sword stuck inside and the wound has become infected, you are dying"
Morgana gasped and looked to Merlin "isn't there anything we can do?"
Merlin looked sad as his gaze returned to her. "You gave Mordred a sword that was forged in a dragon's breath; my magic can't help him this time"
Arthur looked at him "what do you mean this time?"
Merlin looked back at him "I've saved you so many times Arthur and you never knew"
Gaius looked towards Merlin, he knew this would be difficult for him so he thought it was best to leave them all alone "I'll leave you all to talk, I'm going to try and find some herbs that should help with the pain and by us some time"
Arthur nodded in thanks and watched Gaius walk off. he then turned his head back to Merlin waiting for him to answer "Name some of the times then"
"Okay" he trailed of thinking of how many times he had actually saved Arthur, there was to many to list but he started naming a few. "When you were attacked by the questing beast, I offered to trade my life for yours since the old religion demands a life to save a life. The first night after we met and i saved you from the lady Helena, but I save you with magic not gut instinct. Umm when Morgana opened the veil between worlds and you wanted to sacrifice your life, I was going to instead but Lancelot knew that I had to live to ensure your safety since it's my destiny to protect you Arthur. Everything I have ever done is for you and Camelot; I never chose magic I was born with it. I'm still the same me" he trailed of turning away and walked of Arthur never the tear that slipped from his eye but Morgana did.
When Merlin was far enough that she was sure he couldn't hear she yelled at Arthur. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU"
He looked so shocked at her sudden outburst
"Merlin is your friend Arthur; he cares about you, protects you and has always been there for you saving your life or just cheering you up by calling you… oh what was the word he always used to describe you?"
"Clot pole" he looked down sad
"You need him Arthur, not just to protect you and ensure your future but as your friend. He only kept his magic from you out of fear; I should know what it is like to hide who you are."
"I know it will take some time for me I think." He started to cough again and Morgana went to his side and offered him a drink. After drinking some refreshing water he looked at Morgana who held worry in her eyes. He still questioned her motives, why after all this time would she want to have peace?
"Morgana why are you really here"
She moved back to her stop opposite Arthur before beginning to speak
"I really do want things to change Arthur that is not a lie. I had to have some help in seeing the truth"
"Who?"
"My father and Merlin helped me. As you know Merlin defeated the Saxons with bolts, well he aimed one at my personal guards and it sent me flying, knocking me unconscious. I thought I was dead honestly I was by my childhood secret place and my father was there, he told me that no matter whose blood was in me, I was his daughter no matter what. He didn't agree with the bloodshed I was causing and he told me a story that he learnt about you being the once and future king and Emrys helping you. Before he left he told me to follow my heart and I did. I may have been after the throne once Arthur but that was because uther denied me, I know you are still hesitant about magic but I'm hoping within time you will learn to accept it."
She stood up and brushed the dirt of her dress "where are you going?"
She stared at him "I'm going to find Merlin, and give you some time to think"
She walked to the lake hoping to find him there and she was right "Merlin are you okay?"
He had his feet dangling in the lake in the same spot Morgana was in last night, he turned his head as he heard her sweet voice.
"I'm fine Morgana; I just wish he would accept me"
"I know Merlin" she took a seat next to him and put her feet next to his in the water "I am going to say I am glad he isn't taking it so well"
He looked at her shocked and hurt
"Merlin this was how I was feeling when I found out I had magic, I wanted someone to accept me, I wanted you. But you didn't so I'm glad you know how I felt then"
"I understand Morgana, I am sorry" he cupped her head in his, turning her to give her a loving kiss. She responded immediately.
When they broke apart she had a smile on her face and he his goofy grin, they took each other's hand and she rested her head on his shoulder. "So you turned yourself into a women" he groaned "don't remind me" she laughed and they went back into silence, they stared at the lake and couldn't feel more at peace but they knew the peace would have to end.
"I love you Merlin, no matter what happens to me no that my heart is yours"
"And I love you Morgana, I always have and always will, you're my other half"
They looked at each other and poured their souls into a loving kiss, knowing that no matter what they would be there for each other.
"Come on lets go back and check on Arthur, I need to find a way to save him"
They walked backed to the camp and saw Gaius helping Arthur, who was coughing again. They went to his side quickly and noticed blood
"Gaius surely there is something we can do" Merlin was frantic; he had to save his friend albinos future depended on him.
"Only a power as ancient as the dragons can help him but even then I don't think it will be enough"
Arthur's eyes went wide the Morgana spoke up
"How about the combined forces of the most powerful warlock and a high priestess?"
Gaius looked in thought before he spoke " I'm not too sure, I mean you both were born with magic so it could work"
Merlin and Morgana looked at each other and nodded
"Arthur me and Morgana will try but only if you want us to"
He looked at both, still unsure but eventually he nodded
"Merlin do you know any spells powerful enough?"
"I know of one given to me by the dragon when I needed to heal you. I'm hoping since it's the dragon's knowledge it will work" he put his hands on Morgana's temples and closed his eyes she did the same and he passed on the spell to her though telepathy
Morgana opened her eyes first "Okay I'm ready"
They held one of each other's hands to combine their magic and the other above Arthurs wound, they began casting the spell together "Ic þe þurhhæle þin licsare mid þam sundorcræftas þære ealdaþ æ!"
As they were performing the spell Arthur looked at them both and saw their eyes go gold, then he felt like something was pulling out of him slowly and painfully and started screaming in pain. Gaius looked at his wound and saw that the sword shard was near enough to pull out of him. Once the shard was removed Arthur collapsed from pain and exhaustion.
Merlin and Morgana looked drained but they were smiling, they did it. The both hugged each other and wouldn't let go, they finally did when Gaius cleared his throat
"Sorry Gaius"
"Its quite alright, at least now he won't die from the shard. I'm still worried though he will get an infection but all the right medicines are hard to find, we need to get him back to Camelot"
"Okay Gaius can you ride ahead and make sure Gwen knows that he is alive and he is coming home"
"Of course, I can also make sure I have everything ready"
"Good me and Morgana will make sure he gets back, the woods are crawling with Saxons but we should be able to get him back"
Gaius bandaged Arthurs wound and made sure Merlin knew how to treat him, he was packing his horse ready for the ride back when Merlin came over and gave him a hug "get back safe Gaius"
"I will and please Merlin be careful, I understand why you need me to go ahead. You both need to speak to him and make sure he's okay with both of you before returning, I wish you luck my boy"
They gave each other a hug and then her turned his head to Morgana and nodded she smiled back.
He departed and it left Merlin and Morgana alone looking after Arthur.
"We should get some rest and leave in the dark, that way the Saxons will have a hard time finding us. Where our magic can help guide us"
"I agree"
They stood and walked over to his bedroll to sleep. They laid down with her resting her head on his chest and his arms wrapped around her they were both drifting of to sleep when they heard Arthur mumble something
"Thank you"
They both smiled and drifted off into a peaceful sleep, ready to make the long trip back to Camelot when they awoke.
