Title: If You Ever Have Need

Fandom: Merlin

Rating: T

Warnings: Slight violence and mild language. No beta. All mistakes are my own

Pairings: Mostly Merlin/Arthur friendship. Some mentions of Arthur/Gwen romance. No Slash

Spoilers: Through the end of season 2

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or the world of Camelot. They belong to BBC.

Summary: When yet another creature attacks Camelot, Merlin is forced to reveal his powers. Unable to kill his closest friend, Arthur sends him away. What does that mean for their destiny?

Author's Note: I tried to reply to all the reviews I got for the last chapter, but I couldn't remember if I'd already done it, so I apologize if you got two responses, lol.

Chapter 11: Sisters

Smirking in self-satisfaction, Morgause swept through the halls of Camelot. It had been too easy. Her curse had worked its way through Camelot in secret, sapping the entire city of it's strength. Of course, not everyone was effected, but most were stricken. By the time the signs were noticeable, it was too late to stop her. She had trapped the life force of most of the city with a crystal that she wore about her neck. The power that thrummed through her veins was intoxicating. The few guards that had escaped her curse had fallen before her without so much as the slightest struggle.

By some stroke of fate, Uther had remained unaffected by the curse. He had been forced to watch his beloved city fall to magic.

Morgause had been displeased to find that Arthur was absent from Camelot. She had been so looking forward to killing the brat before his father. Perhaps then Uther would have some concept of what he had inflicted upon those with magic. And if he didn't, then at least some justice had been done.

There had been some benefit to Arthur's absence, however. It was only a matter of time before word reached him that Camelot had fallen. Being the noble prince that he was, Arthur would without doubt attempt to take back the city. It would be amusing to watch him fail, almost as amusing as taunting Uther about his son's inevitable downfall.

At the moment, however, these things were far from Morgause's mind. She had other matters to see to. Though she had been in Camelot for almost a week, she had seen little of Morgana and she was anxious to sway her sister to her cause. Morgana's magic was growing swiftly and she was in desperate need of someone to guide her. Who better than the sister who could show her the true nature of magic?

Morgause waved aside the guards that stood outside Morgana's chambers and strode into the room without knocking.

There was a startled gasp and Morgana's maid dropped the blankets she had been carrying to the bed. Mumbling apologies, she quickly gathered them up into a neat pile under Morgause's baleful stare.

"Leave us," she ordered once the serving girl had stood, her head bowed demurely.

Morgana emerged from behind the changing screen, already prepared for bed. "Gwen stays," she said firmly. "She is my friend and confidant. There is nothing you can say to me that I would not tell her."

It was only natural that Morgana be unsettled during this time, Morgause knew that. If she wished to keep her "friend" close, then she would not argue for the moment. She needed Morgana to be happy if she was to convince her to join with the cause and to fight for magic. Morgause inclined her head slightly in acknowledgement of Morgana's... request.

"Very well, if that is what you wish."

"It is," Morgana confirmed. "What is it that you want from me?"

"How are your dreams?"

Morgana's eyes narrowed slightly, obviously remembering the first time she had met Morgause and the other woman's interest even then in her dreams. "The same."

"Then you have not dreamt anything of interest?" Morgause inquired.

"What could possible be interesting about my nightmares?"

"They are not dreams. They are visions."

Morgana's slivery laugh echoed across the chamber. "I am no seer, whatever you might say. They are dreams and nothing more."

"Then nothing you have dreamt has ever come to pass?"

"Of course not," Morgana denied blithely.

That irritated Morgause. It was plain to see that Morgana was lying, but only because Morgause herself was a masterful liar.

"Come now, sister. There is no need to lie to me," she wheedled in the voice that never failed to win her what she sought. "We are kin, both in magic and in blood, for your mother was my mother as well. You have no need to hide yourself from me."

Morgana's face hardened. "While that may be true, you are not my sister, not when you have attacked my home, bewitched my friends, and lay a trap for Arthur, whom I consider to be my brother, even as we speak. Shared blood or not, I want nothing from you and I have nothing to confide in you."

Drawing herself up, Morgause hissed, "You may deny our kinship, but you cannot deny you magic. Word has reached me of your short stay amongst a clan of druids. Do not attempt to lie to me!"

"I was confused. Nothing more. I am no sorceress."

This was going nowhere and Morgause knew it. Though it frustrated her to no end, she could see that the years spent living under Uther's tyranny had driven Morgana to denial so deep that she could not see the truth before her. She knew that pressing this matter would only drive Morgana away.

"Very well, sister-"

"I am not your sister," snarled Morgana.

Morgause continued on as if she had not spoken. "Deny your blood if you wish. Deny your magic if you wish. The day will come when you are no longer able to renounce yourself and keep your secrets. On that day, I will be waiting to instruct you in the ways of magic."

"That day will not come!"

"We shall see," Morgause said with a slight smile before she swept from the room.

The moment the door closed, Morgana deflated. Her shoulders slumped and her face crumpled. She seemed to fold into herself. Gwen immediately dropped the blankets she was still holding onto the bed and hurried to her. She wrapped an arm around Morgana's shoulders.

"It's all right," she murmured soothingly. "Morgause was just trying to scare you."

Morgana was silent for a long moment. "She's right, Gwen. I have magic," she whispered, shuddering slightly. "That's why Merlin helped me find the druids. They didn't kidnap me. I went to them for help. I thought I was going mad. Things were being set on fire, the things in my dreams kept coming true. I don't want to be like her, Gwen."

She didn't need to explain who her was. It appeared that the possibility of a familial connection with Morgause had upset Morgana quite a bit.

Gwen hugged her more tightly. Since finding out about Merlin's powers and realizing that having magic hadn't changed him one bit, she had wondered if there was more to Morgana's dreams than anyone was admitting.

"Having magic doesn't mean that you'll become Morgause," Gwen told her in a soft, but firm voice, "nor does being her sister, if that's even true. Blood doesn't mean anything. Look at Arthur. He's a far kinder man than his father ever could b-" She stopped short, mentally berating herself for saying such things about the king. Morgana wouldn't care. She often said far worse things to the king's face, but it was still improper.

"But the magic, Gwen," whispered Morgana. "What about the magic?"

Gwen stroked her mistress's hair in an attempt to soothe her. "Not everyone who has magic is evil. You spent time with the druids. They are some of the most peaceful people in the world, according to Gaius, and they have magic."

"They didn't use magic that could even begin to compare to the things that Morgause has done. How do we know that it's not a different kind of magic? I may have no choice in becoming just like that witch!"

"You can't believe that-" Gwen began, only to be cut short when Morgana leapt to her feet and began pacing.

"Perhaps I do! We know nothing of magic, save what we have seen and it has always been used in an attempt to destroy! I want to believe that this power will not change me, but I fear it will because I have no proof that it won't!"

"It won't unless you allow it to!"

"How can you be so sure, Gwen?"

"Because I know someone who has magic since they day they were born, far longer than you, and they are one of the kindest souls in this world!" she blurted out.

Morgana's eyes widened. "You do? Who is it? Could they help me? Could they stop Morgause?"

Nervously, Gwen twisted the hem of her sleeve between her fingers. It was not her place to give away Merlin's secret, but under the circumstances, with Morgana about to have a nervous breakdown and with Morgause plotting to kill Arthur, she may not have a choice. Morgana certainly wouldn't leave things well enough alone until she had an answer.

"I'm sure he would be glad to help you, but I'm not sure that he can at the moment. He's in a bit of a difficult position, but he's probably already on his way here with some absurd plan to save Camelot," she said carefully. "I sent a signal when Morgause first arrived. I'm not sure-"

"I respect your loyalty to your friend, but magic or no, he is going to need help to get into the city. And what do you mean you sent him a signal? You don't have magic as well, do you?"

Gwen shook her head. "Oh, no!" She pulled out the pouch of herbs that Merlin had given her. "I throw a pinch of this in the fire and somehow it lets him know that we are in trouble."

"Well, who is it Gwen?" Morgana asked impatiently. "We've got to help him."

Gwen had a sudden idea that might just get her out of hot water. She hurried to the trunk that held Morgana's underthings and pulled out a small mirror.

"He made this for Gaius, so that they could speak to one another if something happened. I smuggled it out of Gaius' chambers after Morgause had them searched." She frowned slightly. "Gaius says that if they did not take it, then the enchantment must have been designed to break in the presence of unfamiliar magic. Let me try to get it working so that we can talk to my friend. Then he can chose if he wants to tell you who he is. If I can't get it working, then I'll tell you."

Morgana nodded her assent and ushered Gwen into the side chamber so that she could have some privacy when first contacting her friend. She understood how important it was for those with magic to remain hidden and she admired Gwen for going so far to protect her friend.

Once she was alone, Gwen stared at the mirror in her hands. It was a bit of a long shot, but she had to try.

"Merlin," she called softly. "Merlin!"

For a moment nothing happened. Gwen shifted her weight nervously. The surface of the mirror rippled and glowed with the faintest golden light, then a familiar face appeared. Relief filled Merlin's eyes when he saw her.

"Gwen! You're all right! How did you get the mirror to work? Gaius was supposed to be the only one the get the enchant to function again after someone else tried to use it."

"I don't know. I just tried it. I thought the spell might still work for me since I was one of the people who had used it before."

Merlin frowned slightly in thought. "That might be why. Well, at least it worked. Are you truly all right? What about Gaius, Morgana, and the king?"

"We're fine. None of us were affected. Morgana has been staying in her chambers and I with her. Morgause is forcing Gaius to look after the ill. Not that he wouldn't have already been doing it, but she's seems particularly interested in their well being."

"And the king?"

"In the dungeon," she said grimly.

A very familiar voice cursed from somewhere behind Merlin.

"Is that-

"Yes and it's a long story that can be told later. Is there anything we can do for you from here, Gwen?"

She faltered. Telling Arthur had never been her plan.

"Well, it's Morgana," she said, choosing her words with care. "Morgause has shown particular interest in her and it's frightening her."

Arthur appeared over Merlin's shoulder. "Is this because Morgana as magic as well?" he asked. Gwen and Merlin just looked at him in surprise. He rolled his eyes. "After I found about this idiot, I started paying attention. Morgana has visions of the future. I should have realized that when she tried to warn me about Sophia. Her magic has just started manifesting, but she doesn't have much control, if the number of times she's lit her curtains on fire is anything to go by."

Merlin gaped, but Gwen took it all in stride - she was beginning to believe nothing could surprise her anymore.

"Morgause knows as well and she claims they're sisters-"

"They are," cut in Merlin. "That's why Morgause is so interested in her."

"Morgana is terrified that her magic will turn her into Morgause," Gwen said tearfully. "She doesn't want to believe it, but she says she's only ever seen the druids use magic for good and that she thinks they use a different kind of magic."

Merlin ran a hand through his hair. "She's more or less right there. It's all the same magic, just a different branch of it. The druids tend only to use the simpler magics. It's a bit difficult to explain."

"Can you try to tell her?" asked Gwen. "Morgana needs to know that she isn't going to lose herself."

"Of course. I suppose we should do it now. Morgause isn't going to stop trying to get Morgana to join her. If she thinks that's her only option..." he let the thought trail off. "You two might even be able to help us get into the city."

Arthur scowled. "Absolutely not. We're not going to put them in any more danger."

"They can tell us things that we don't know," protested Merlin, "and there are only three of us. We can use all the help we can get."

"He's right, sire," said Sir Leon, entering the conversation, and Gwen's sight, for the first time. "We need help. Gwen and Morgana can tell us what Morgause is planning, what state the city is, and anything else that might help us."

Arthur crumpled under the logic and Merlin grinned triumphantly.

"Why don't you take the mirror to Morgana?" he suggested. "Wipe it first, and tell her to call for Emrys."

"I thought it only responded to your name?"

"That is my name. My druidic name, anyway."

She nodded and touched the top right corner of the mirror. It went blank.

Morgana hurried to her side the moment she entered the main chamber. "Did it work?"

"Yes," Gwen nodded. She handed the mirror to Morgana. "Call for Emrys and he'll help you."

"Emrys?" she repeated in surprise. "I heard that name when I was among the druids. He's supposed to be the most powerful sorcerer ever born. He's prophesied to be the one who will bring magic back to Albion."

Somehow, that didn't surprise Gwen.

Morgana held the mirror almost reverently and whispered, "Emrys."

This time, the reaction was much more immediate. The surface rippled and shone and Merlin's sheepishly grinning face appeared. Morgana nearly dropped the mirror.

"Merlin? You're Emrys?"

He became, if anything, more sheepish. "I guess you heard about me when you were with the Druids?"

"How could you not tell me?" she demanded. "I felt like I was losing my mind, like I was going to be condemned to death at any moment. You've had magic for years. You could have helped me!"

"I know," he said sadly. "I really do and I so sorry that I didn't say something. I've been keeping this secret all of my life, Morgana. Only a handful of people know. Everyone was cautioning me to keep my secret and even though I wanted to tell you, I was afraid. It's difficult to break a life long habit. That's why I took you to the druids. I thought they could help. I didn't realize that Uther would send soldiers after you."

The anger faded from Morgana's eyes as she considered what it must have been like for him. She found that she could understand perfectly why he hadn't said anything to her.

"I understand, Merlin. Is this why you left? Did someone find out?"

If Merlin had looked sheepish before, it was nothing compared to the expression on Arthur's face when he and Leon appeared in the mirror. This time, Morgana really did drop the mirror.

"I knew that spell to prevent shattering would come in handy," muttered Merlin.

Morgana quickly picked up the mirror. "Arthur! You knew! You sent him away didn't you? Are you really that big of an idiot? I suppose that's why you were moping around, because you found out he had magic. How thick can you be? Anyone can see that-"

"Yes, Morgana, thank you," Arthur interrupted irritably. "I know I was an idiot and, for your information, I regretted sending Merlin away almost the moment I did it. I was 'moping around' as you put it because I missed my friend and because I knew that I had made a rather enormous mistake. Merlin and I have discussed matters and we've worked everything out, so will you please, drop it? We have more important things to deal with at the moment, such as saving Camelot."

"Did you just call Merlin your friend?" asked Morgana, a smile beginning to form. She half expected Arthur to deny it, but he just glared back at her stubbornly.

"Yes I did."

"It's about time you admitted it. Do you have any idea how Morgause managed to incapacitate the entire city?" she asked briskly.

Merlin seemed to be expecting this abrupt change of subject. "It's a spell that allows you to sap the life force from someone and use it as her own. Because it's focused on average people, Morgause's magic isn't any stronger. It's her physical energy that's been increased. She doesn't tire as quickly as she normally would."

"How do we break this spell?" inquired Gwen. She and Morgana sat side by side on the edge of the bed so that they could both easily see into the mirror.

"I have to break the enchantment Morgause placed on the crystal that she is using to channel all the energy she's collecting," said Merlin grimly.

Gwen looked horrified. "You mean that pendant she's wearing? You would have to be in her presence to do that. How are you planning to get close enough without being caught?"

"We haven't figured that out yet," admitted Merlin.

Arthur nodded tiredly. "We'd only just sat down to discuss it when you called. Do you have any idea what Morgause is planning?"

"She's waiting for you."

Arthur looked up sharply. "What?"

"Morgause knows that it's only a matter of time before you try to save Camelot. She's got sorcerers scouring the area around the city and waiting at every gate and most of the secret passages, just so that they can capture you," said Morgana grimly. "She wants to capture you and... and kill you in front of Uther."

"Oh, that's just bloody brilliant," Arthur grumbled. "Now what do we do?"

Merlin looked thoughtful. "Actually, that might be helpful to us. Do you know if she's sent word to the magical community at large that she is looking for Arthur?"

"I don't know for sure, but I would think so."

"Then that's our way in."

"What do you mean?" asked Arthur warily.

Comprehension flickered across Leon's face. "Of course. If someone was powerful and as important to those with magic as Emrys were to bring the prince to Camelot as a hostage, Morgause would want to speak to him immediately. You would be taken straight to her."

"Exactly," said Merlin. "If I know Morgause, she's interpreted that 'bring magic back to Albion' bit of the prophecy as meaning that I'll help her usurp Uther. She'll play right into our hands."

"What about all the other sorcerers?" asked Gwen. "Even if you managed to break Morgause's spell, you would have to fight them."

Morgana shook her head. "You underestimate just how much those with magic revere Emrys. The druids spoke his name with such reverence you would think he was some kind of god. His power is legendary. I doubt any of Morgause's followers would remain to fight Merlin once he has made his stance clear."

The warlock in question had turned red at the praise. "Not to mention, I can call Kilgharrah to frighten them off if I need to," he mumbled.

"Don't ask," Arthur said quickly, before Morgana could speak.

"I suppose that's the plan then," said Leon. "Merlin, or Emrys rather, will come to Camelot having captured myself and Arthur and will seek an audience with Morgause."

It was a good plan, Morgana had to admit. She would just have to ensure that Uther was not there. Morgause would want him to see his son's capture, but Morgana wasn't about to let him find out about Merlin. "How soon will you come?"

"I need to find the spell that will allow me to break the enchantment on the crystal," said Merlin. "So at least tomorrow, perhaps the next day. We'll let you know. Gwen, can you get to my old room without being seen?"

"Yes, they mostly leave Gaius alone."

"There's a staff hidden under the floor boards beneath the bed. I just need you to get it out so I can summon it. I put a spell on the compartment so that no one could magic anything out of it."

"Of course. I'll do it as soon as possible."

"Make sure you aren't seen it with," he warned. "It's a sidhe staff. If Morgause or any of the other sorcerers see it they will know it and they'll think that you're working with someone very powerful."

"I am," she pointed out with a slight smile.

He rolled his eyes. "I know that. I just don't want them to try to find out who. Just stuff it under the mattress and throw some of those herbs in the fire to let me know you've done it. And be careful, both of you. Don't let your routine change in the slightest."

"We will be," Morgana assured him.

Arthur snorted. "Of course you will."

"We'd best go," Merlin said quickly, before an argument could break out. "I don't want to risk anyone discovering you using that mirror. Keep it close, but hidden and we'll speak to you soon."

"Good luck," Gwen whispered.

Merlin smiled and the mirror shimmered. Gwen and Morgana found themselves looking at their own reflections. Morgana carefully placed the mirror back into her trunk. For the first time in days, she had hope.

"I should start looking for that spell," Merlin said quietly. "We're running out of time. If Morgause is as anxious to find you as I think she is, she won't wait much longer before she starts torturing people to draw you out."

Arthur grimaced. "You're right."

"You both realize there is a flaw in this plan of ours, don't you?" asked Leon.

"If you're referring to the likelihood that Morgause will have Uther in the room when I bring my 'captive' to her, then yes, I realize that."

"It won't matter. You'll be disguised," said Arthur dismissively.

"Not for long," Merlin said grimly. "Morgause will recognize that my appearance is masked. I can give an explanation for that. I can tell her that I did not want to be recognized, that I didn't want my true identity to be discovered, but no matter what I say, she'll want to see who I really am before we do anything. I'll have to show her, and your father, who I really am."

Arthur's eyes widened. "You can't do that!"

"I must."

"But...you can't. He'll kill you."

"He'll try."

"My father is well prepared to imprison and kill anyone with magic. He has manacles that block magic. The cells are warded against sorcery!"

Merlin chuckled humorlessly. "When the druids say I'm the most powerful warlock ever born, they aren't exaggerating, Arthur. I can do things that no one else can. I mastered the power of life and death while my powers were still almost completely untrained. Any other sorcerer would need years, decades even to accomplish that. I don't simply have magic, I am magic. Nothing your father does to me can stop me. I broke out of the cells when you sent me down there during Sigan's attack. If he orders my death, I'll leave. I will disappear and protect you from the shadows just as I did when you sent me away."

"Will you ever come back?" Arthur asked quietly. He hated to admit how afraid he was of losing his friend again.

"Of course," said Merlin. "I will be there whenever you have need of me. And when you become king, I will return to Camelot, if you'll still have me."

"If you don't, I'll come find you and drag you back by your ear."

Merlin grinned. "Of course, sire. In the mean time, I have a spell to find. You should get some sleep. You're going to need your strength."

"Can't you just you magic to heal me?" the prince very nearly whined.

"I'm really not very good at it and you're almost completely well."

"You just enjoy having the upper hand while I'm weakened," Arthur grumbled.

Merlin laughed, a full happy laugh that echoed off the trees. "Arthur, I've always had the upper hand."

Author's Note: This chapter was so much fun to write! Just a heads up, I went back and edited the previous chapters. Because I wrote this over an extended period of time, with weeks often separating chapters, there were some discontinuities in the plot. I went and fixed them. It's nothing too drastic. You don't strictly need to go back and reread everything. I really just explained why Morgana is still around. I kept going back and forth in the chapters as to whether she was there or not. Sorry about that. I didn't really see her as being an important character when I started this, then she made an appearance in the chapter when I started to write it.

Also, I have a poll up on my profile for what I should work on next. Drop me a vote and R&R.