Author's note: Greetings! My dear readers. I am back with another chapter. Three OCs appear in this chapter. I hope you will like them. Please read and leave a review. On with the story.

Chapter 21

The Berber prince

Blood. There was blood everywhere. Thousands of corpses were lying around her. The field which once might have been green and lush had now become blood red with bloods of numerous men and women.

And at the center of the gigantic battlefield, she was fighting with him. Her sworn enemy. The person whom she once loved but now she felt nothing but hatred and contempt for him. They were sword fighting. She was dual-wielding broadswords while he was using a thrusting sword and a shield.

Slash. Parry. Block. Thrust.

It was like a synchronized dance. His fighting style was like nothing she had seen before. Hell, she didn't even know he could sword fight. He was pathetic with a sword in Camelot. When did he become so good? She thought.

But she could tell that he was losing the fight. There was a huge gashing wound on his shoulder. And even with the help of magic, he was unable to stop the relentless bleeding. She could see that he was losing strength. His movements became sloppy soon. He began to pant. Sweat appeared on his brow. She lunged forward to impale him with both of her swords. He blocked her attack raising the shield but he staggered back and forced to let his guard down for a second. She didn't spoil the chance. She quickly attacked him. He parried one of her swords with his sword but the sword found it's mark. She was successful this time. Her left sword got embedded into his right forearm. He cried out in pain. His sword and shield fell from his hand and he went on his knees.

She felt sudden joy at her victory over her adversary. She pointed her sword towards his neck and said, " Do you yield ? "

He looked up at her. He was defeated but his scarred face was stoic and calm. He spoke up.

" Is this what you really wanted, Morgana ? By doing this, you will usher in the age of darkness. Ask yourself, Morgana. Do you really want an age of darkness just to have your revenge on me ? "

The truth was that Morgana didn't really care about the darkness part. All she was thinking that she would be killing him soon and be free from the destiny. She would be victorious.

' But victorious over who? ' Her mind asked herself.

She looked around her. There was only death and destruction. And she was the instigator of all this bloodshed. All she ever wanted was magic to be free. But her thirst for vengeance gave her more than she bargained for. Albion was at the verge of doom.

After this battle, there would be no Albion; only darkness.

Then she looked at her fallen nemesis. He was watching her with sad eyes. Waiting for an answer.

' He's deceiving you. He will kill you as soon as you turn your back. ' The hateful part of her mind screamed.

" You are only trying to save yourself. Your honeyed words won't deceive me, traitor. " She screamed out aloud.

His face looked crestfallen. He heaved a long sigh. Then he said, " I tried my best to get you back to light. I am sorry I failed. It seemed nothing but my death would appease you. "

" You're damn right. " She screamed again.

He lowered his head and said a three word sentence. It was not the sentence she once craved to hear from his mouth a long time ago. This sentence was very different.

" Do it, then. "

In those words, she heard his pain and anguish. She saw what heartbreak looked like; true heartbreak looked like. Then something unexpected happened.

Another part of her mind which was kind and gentle; a part of her mind which she thought was lost long ago screamed at herself.

' He is sincere. Don't kill him. You'll regret this. '

She looked at his defeated form. His head was still lowered. He looked so defenseless that it was hard to believe he was such a powerful man. He looked innocent almost childlike. He didn't look like a back-stabbing traitor rather he looked like the ultimate epitome of sadness and pure heart.

In that moment, she understood that her nemesis didn't mean harm to her. He only wanted a second chance and she would give him that if he truly meant what he said before.

She began to lower her sword and he looked up at her. Surprised and hopeful at the same time.

Then in a matter of seconds, it happened. he screamed in pain. He looked down at his chest so did she. To her horror, she saw a longsword protruding from his chest. Someone from his behind yanked the sword out. He screamed again and fell face flat on the ground. Pool of red blood began to form around his fallen body. He looked up at her one last time and asked, " Happy now, Morgana ? " Then he closed his eyes and his form became still.

Her mind was whirling. As she looked down at his broken body, his last words kept ringing in her ear.

" Happy now, Morgana ? "

No, she wasn't happy. She didn't feel victorious as she should've felt in his death. She felt horrible. She felt like a murderer although she wasn't the one who dealt the killing blow. Still, she was the one who brought this destruction upon Albion. As if, the land itself was cursing her for doing this. For damning Albion into eternal dark.

Murderer.

Murderer.

Murderer.

That's what the magic of earth was screaming at her.

" Congratulations. You have ushered in the age of dark, Morgana Pendragon. " Someone whispered in her ear.

" NOOOOOOO. " She screamed.

" I am sorry, Merlin. I am sorry. " She knelt before him and cradled his head on her laps.

" Wake up. Please wake up. Albion needs you. Don't leave. Please don't leave. "

But he didn't wake up. He remained still.

His eyes were closed. He looked deathly pale. But he also looked peaceful.

Silent tears began to fall from her eyes and darkness engulfed her.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

" NOOOOOO. " Morgana jolted awake from her sleep.

She looked around her. She was in a dark room and she felt the room was not stable. It was shaking.

Is it a earth quake ? She wondered.

Her question was answered when a middle-aged man armed with a sword came into the room. He was one of her blood-guards.

" Are you alright, milady ? I heard you screaming. " He said. He sounded more afraid than concerned.

" No. No. I am alright. Just a dream. No need for concern. " Morgana said hastily. She didn't want to show weakness in front of her guards. They always feared her for her ferocity and she was not going to change things.

She changed the subject quickly as she needed to know where she was. She was very confused.

" Where are we, Thomas ? " She asked.

" We are nearing Cologne, my lady. We will reach there very soon. "

" Oh. " Now she remembered. She crossed the strait of Dover a few days ago on a ship with her blood-guards. They were making their journey towards the city of Cologne, the capital of the kingdom of Saxony to meet with King Ludwig as the cursed one instructed.

She got up quickly, ordered the guard to get out and dressed herself in her typical black gown. She exited her chamber which was at the lower part of the ship and went to the upper deck of the ship.

Standing at the edge of the right broadside of the ship, she looked down at the water of the Rhine. She saw her face in the river. It looked sad. Well, it was always sad after her sister's death. Maybe, she would finally find happiness in Saxony.

But she wasn't sure about that. And the dream she saw was very disturbing. Merlin was dead in that dream. She should've been joyous in that dream. The strange thing was she wasn't joyous. In fact, she felt horrible in her dream. Surely, her action wouldn't bring such destruction she saw in her dream. No battle could get that bloody. That's impossible. But if that battle did really happen, she wouldn't stop it if it meant Merlin's death.

Now that she was awake, she couldn't explain why she felt that way in her dream. She no longer loved that man. She hated him with every fiber of her being. She gave him her heart once but he only gave her back betrayal and pain. He proved that he was her doom by poisoning her.

Then why did she feel sorry for him ? Why did she cry in her dream when she felt nothing for that man in her awakened state.

Or did she still love him?

She mentally slapped her for thinking such an absurd thing.

' Get a hold to yourself, Morgana. You are the most powerful sorceress not some love-sick teenager girl. You are here on a mission. Don't forget that. ' Her mind scolded herself.

Then why did she feel conflicted? Only a few days ago, she was looking forward to tear Merlin apart. But she began to change after... after...

Oh my dear.

After Merlin had talked to her that day.

' Emrys, you sniveling Bastard! You enchanted me. '

Morgana was furious. She was seething in anger. Emrys enchanted her so that her old feelings for him rise up again. The dream was nothing but the result of his enchantment. It all made sense now. He was trying to hinder her mission. He was desperate to stop her.

But She was not going to stop. She would not fail. She was going to bring down Emrys and then, Albion would be ripe for the picking.

She would be successful at last. Neither fate nor Emrys was going to stop her. She would not be stopped this time.

" Destination sighted. " Someone yelled.

Morgana looked away from the river and looked ahead.

A large city could be seen at distance. High towers of castles and citadel were peeking their heads over the city's wall.

It looked magnificent. Morgana was fascinated. Hope began to stir inside her. Maybe she would find a new home in that city where no one would betray her. Maybe she would not be shunned for who she was. Maybe she would find someone who would love her instead of betraying her.

What she didn't know was that fate was going to smile at her last. Her wishes were going to be fulfilled. But they were going to be fulfilled in a way she never imagined.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The ship docked at the harbour of Cologne. A group of Saxon soldiers were at the dock. To Morgana's surprise, they didn't look like the Barbarians with whom she had worked with this past year. They were wearing exquisite chainmail just like the knights of Camelot. All of them were wearing yellow cloaks.

One of them was a little different. He was wearing a steel plated armour. A long bow was hanging from his back. His hand was resting on the pommel of a beautiful sword which rested on his hip and a decorated coronet was adorning his head.

He came forward when Morgana set her foot on the dock. He gave her a short bow and said, " It's a pleasure to meet you, my lady. I am Maxmillian Nassau, crown prince of Saxony. I am here to take you to the royal palace. King Ludwig is waiting for you with Princess Erina. "

Morgana could bet by hearing his tone he was not at all pleased. He was only saying that for the sake of courtesy. She felt offended and dissappointed but didn't comment. She curtsied him back and said through gritted teeth.

" The pleasure is all mine, Prince Maxmillian. I am Morgana Pendragon as you might already know. Thank you for your gracious welcome. "

She scoffed inwardly but kept her most seductive smile plastered on her face. She learnt how to smile like that in Camelot and it worked on most of the men.

But to her surprise, she saw that the prince's face showed no emotion. It was more than highly unusual. Even Arthur couldn't remain such stone faced at the face of that smile. Although the other soldiers were ogling her, the prince seemed oblivious and immune to her seductive charm.

' Looks like he will be a hard nut to crack. But he will crack in the end and be my puppet like Agravaine and Helios. ' She thought.

She stretched her right hand and the prince took it lightly with his gloved hand and kissed lightly on her ring of priestesses. Theoretically, he didn't even touch her. He was really an odd man.

She looked at him intently. His skin was reddish brown instead of fair which was the common skin colour among the Saxons.

His hair was black and his eyes were brown. Morgana admitted he was handsome.

He looked less like the Saxons and more like the people from the kingdom of the Visigoths. Morgana saw the Visigoths only once in her life. They came to Camelot when she was maybe fifteen. Maybe his mother was a Visigoth. She thought.

He seemed he was in his mid twenties. Maybe twenty six or twenty seven. Same as her age.

The prince looked a little unnerved because of her intense gaze and Morgana smirked at her small psychological victory over the prince.

The prince's face soon became emotionless again. He coughed and said, " Follow me. Right this way. "

Morgana followed him and the Saxon soldiers with her personal guards. On their way to the palace, the prince didn't utter a word.

Morgana sensed that he was a man of less of words like that giant knight of Arthur. But she wanted to know more about him.

Morgause taught her that knowledge was power and she wanted to gain as much knowledge as she could about this queer man. So, she initiated a conversation.

" Is the queen with the king, my lord ? "

" The queen died many years ago. " The prince answered. His voice was still cold.

" I am sorry at the loss of your mother. " Morgana said with fake sympathy.

" She was not my mother. "

" I'm sorry ? "

" The queen was not my mother. "

Morgana knew that her next question might directly offend the prince but she was curious to know about his parentage. So, she asked anyway.

" Then who was your mother ? "

Just like Morgana predicted, the prince stiffened hearing her question. He stopped walking and glared at her. He looked angry but he answered the question.

" The Berber mistress of the king was my mother. "

That explained his peculiar skin colour. Morgana thought.

But the prince was not finished. He continued.

" Now, I would very much appreciate if you stop asking questions. You can ask anything you want to my father but not me. It might not do good for you. "

Morgana became angry. Was the prince threatening her ? Who did he think he was? He needed to learn his place.

So, she looked directly to the prince.

" Are you threatening me, my lord ? " She asked with barely veiled anger.

" Do you want me to be blunt? "

" Yes. " She answered angrily.

Soldiers of both sides were astonished at the sudden turn of events. They were eyeing their respective leaders nervously. Even the city people walking along the street stopped and fearfully watched the heated conversation between the priestess and the prince.

The prince heaved a sigh and spoke up.

" Very well. Yes, I am threatening you. I don't care how powerful you are. You should better think twice before crossing me. To my father, you might be an honored guest. But to me, you are nothing but a desperate woman who wanted our army to do your dirty job for you.

If you think you can just waltz in the royal court and persuade the councilors to join with you in your war; then you've got another thing coming. My father might hold loyalty of the most councilors but I hold the loyalty of most of the soldiers. I don't know what got my father to invite you here. You will fail, Morgana Pendragon.

Not even the king will be able to help you. Now come on. My father is waiting for his honored guest. "

He began to walk again. His soldiers followed him. But Morgana didn't move. She couldn't believe what she just heard. No full grown man had scolded her like this. Not even Uther Pendragon. She felt furious beyond imagination. But she couldn't do anything now. She first needed to establish herself in the court and then she would begin.

If the prince wanted to play against her, she would play. He just didn't know what a dangerous woman she was. He would pay for his insolence. But not now.

For now, she would act like a desperate woman like the prince described and in the right time she would attack her prey.

The prince would die in a sad accident and the army would bow before her and the king. Together, they would take Albion. Then she would dispose the king and take Albion for herself and finally magic would be free in Albion.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

" Max! " Someone yelled loudly when Morgana and the prince entered the royal court.

A young girl of maybe seven or eight years with red hair came running towards the prince. The prince lifted the girl from the ground and whirled her in the air. She giggled in amusement.

" Hey there, princess. When did you wake up ? "

" Just after you left the palace. Father said you were meeting a lady. " She said. Then she looked at Morgana and asked, " Is she that lady? "

" Yes, Erina. Where is father? " The prince asked. But the princess didn't hear the prince's question. She was looking at Morgana.

To Morgana, it seemed that the princess was examining her. It irritated her. But she behaved herself and smiled at the girl.

The princess suddenly said to her, " You're pretty. I like your hair. "

Then she looked at the prince and asked, " Are you going to marry her, Max ? "

Clearly, neither Morgana nor the prince was ready for a question like this. They were both dumbstruck and at a loss what to say.

Finally, the prince broke the silence and said, " Where is the king, Eri ? " This time his voice was stern. The princess realized that her brother didn't like the question. So, she stopped questioning about Morgana and replied the prince. " He is in the library. "

" Thank you, Eri. I am going to meet him now. I will come to you after the meeting and my training. You remember where we'll go, today? "

The princess gave a wide grin hearing the question. " To the forest. We're going to practice archery and see will-o'-the-wisps and watch rainbow near the king's falls at sunset. "

" Absolutely correct. Off you go, then. Get ready. We have a long day ahead. " The prince kissed the princess on the forehead. The princess kissed him back on the cheek and left the court room running.

Morgana saw the short exchange of love between the siblings and felt a short pang of jealousy. No one ever loved him like that. She never had a brother who loved her like that. She didn't count Arthur. He was nothing but Uther's son to her now. Yes, she had a sister and she loved her. But she was not the type who would give her cuddle or kiss her. And now looking at the Saxon royals only made her feel more envious.

She had already begun to hate the prince but she also envied him for he had a family which she never had.

She was thinking all of these when she was escorted to the library to meet the king. She was pulled out of her reverie by the prince's voice.

" We're here, my lady. " He said with a mocking voice.

He was again insulting her and it was turning her blood boiling hot. But she checked her anger.

" He wanted to meet you privately. Good luck in poisoning my father's mind. "

Saying this, he left her before the large oaken door of the royal library. Morgana sent a hateful glare towards the retreating back of the prince. Then, she pushed the library's door open and entered.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The visit with the king was not much eventful. He was a red haired and brown eyed man reaching his fifty. He was a rather cheerful man, complete opposite to his son. He was very warm towards Morgana and promised that he would help her to regain her lost magical power due to the fall of the triple goddess. He told her that The Cursed One had appeared in his dream a few weeks ago and commanded him to help her.

He promised that he would help and support her as he was a faithful servant of The Cursed. When Morgana asked about Emrys and the invasion in Albion, he answered simply. " All in good time. "

In short, she very much liked the king. He seemed gullible to her. She could manipulate him easily when needed. But there was a slight problem. He was muttering sometimes to himself when he was talking. It unnerved her a little but soon got over it thinking that it was just a minor psychological problem or mannerism.

The main problem was the prince. He had figured her out only in a few moments as if she were an open book. She wondered just how much he had figured out. Morgana could sense that he was unpredictable and could be a dangerous enemy.

She quickly needed to take him out if she wanted to succeed. She even considered resurrecting Mordred using the power of life and death so that he could assassinate the prince. ( She didn't want to dirty her hand ) She dismissed the idea almost instantly as she remembered that she killed Mordred and he wouldn't be loyal to her anymore. Rather he might become a potent enemy which she might not be able to handle.

Also, she lost too much power after the Goddess' fall. She thought that she might not still be powerful enough to command the power over life and death.

So, she abandoned the idea although it sounded very tempting and not to mention the prophecy about him.

But as much as she wanted her brother and the Saxon prince dead, she couldn't risk resurrect another enemy in her present weakened form.

She needed another plan to assassinate the prince. The problem was the part of her brain which used to scheme wasn't working properly today after the long conversation with the king and the heated conversations with the prince. She missed her sister very much in times like this.

She had been a master of scheming. Awesome ideas always used to pop up in her mind even if she was under pressure. But there's no use crying over spilled milk. She was not Morgause. She needed time and a calm mind for plotting. A bath seemed perfect way to calm her mind.

After the conversation with the king, he himself escorted her to her chamber where she would live. The king also introduced her to her new maid, Evelyn. Morgana thanked the king for his hospitality.

The king bade her goodbye and asked if she could join with him during lunch after getting rest. Morgana smiled her charming smile and said that she would be happy to oblige.

Morgana asked her new maid to draw a bath, then ordered her to leave her alone. She soaked herself in warm water and began to ponder about the day's events.

All in all, she thought she would very much enjoy Saxony. The prince might be a nuisance but then again, where's the fun in living in a palace if there's no enemy whom you could scheme against.

She reveled in the feeling of calmness the hot bath brought her. A year in a hovel, two years in a well, another year in a ruined castle. Remembering about her former residences, she thought that she could definitely get used to these regained luxuries.

The time to become the devilishly beautiful Lady Morgana had once again come in her life.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

So, what do you guys think about the Royals of Saxony and the first scene with Merlin and Morgana? Please let me know. Although I ship Freylin, I gave a clear hint of Mergana in Morgana's mental conversations as I believe she loved Merlin even at the end of the series. For more details, see Andreki's Merlin- A friend and enemyship review's last chapter. You people won't regret it. The model for the prince was Manuel Neur, goalkeeper of national football team of Germany and of FC Bayern Munich. . I don't know if he has Berber ancestry. I just made him my OC's model, because I am a great fan of him. Happy reading, guys.

- Assassin of Syria.