Thank you to all of you who've sent reviews, followed and favored my story. As I couldn't answer to all the comments I'll do it here:

Merille Marc: Even if you read the story I can guarantee you'll have some surprises along the way. The plot is the same, but there are some details missing from Madmoiselle Pacoste's story. Just wait for the next chapter.

I adore long, honest comments where readers write what they think about my story, about the characters, things they hope. Thank you a lot.

I've named the story the Land of Fire and Ice because fire and ice are two opposite elements, which combined created a third one and a vital one for surviving: water. They are also linked with nature, the very source of magic. Alright, earth and air are missing, but it would have seemed too strange to add all of the elements, wouldn't it? Moreover, combined they seemed more magical to me. So, the land of fire and ice, in my interpretation, is a place of magic, where the opposites can "live" together. It has nothing to do with Merlin or Morgana (compared with the Light and the Darkness which is centered around them. Though, I don't know who is the light and who is the darkness, in that story).

I don't think Merlin has ever seen his relation with Arthur as "servitude", but more of a friendship. Indeed, Merlin too terrified of being rejected that he gives everything and endures everything only to fit there. Most of the time he tries to blends in rather than be proud of who he is and expects others to love him for who he is not for what they want him to be.

I didn't have a problem with him being so loyal to Arthur. That is what friends are for: be there when others have run away. What bothered me was he neglected the people like him, those who needed his help and those who sacrificed a lot for him just to "please" Arthur or to keep his real identity hidden.

I doubt Morgana sees this situation as a second chance. She's Morgana Pendragon after all. the High Priestess and the rightful queen of Camelot. What did she get? Her family name matters nothing. No magic. No crown. Not a happy Morgana. Yet she might got something else instead. Who knows.

Doenja: I'm glad you love my story. Stay close. I hope you'll enjoy it further.

Now, to those who might be disappointed that there are too little differences from the original story: wait for the next chapters(s).

The moment of truth

Another day passed and Merlin still didn't find a solution. Yet, after his grumpy attitude in the morning, he tried to hide his thoughts and use his energy for something more productive than causing more chaos than he'd already had in his life.

He felt the burden of his destiny. Camlann was close and Mordred…well, that was his fundamental question. Merlin couldn't understand how the future was going to unfold. He started to spy on every of the young knight's actions and words. Yet he feared it wasn't enough. He hated when Arthur gave him chores that prevented him from keeping an eye on Mordred.

It had been two days since he had heard the prophecy, but the words still echoed in his ears. He hadn't slept a moment. He couldn't have. The second night with little sleep. The warlock had spent all night among spellbooks. He couldn't believe how many books had been saved from the purge and they were actually hidden in the castle's library. He managed to learn some new spells, yet the answers to his question were still hidden to him.

It was early in the morning and Merlin felt like having a walk in the forest. He needed some time with himself before he would have to go back to Arthur and put a fake smile on his face.

As he was getting out of the castle he heard a familiar voice. It was Mordred.

"I'm not going to ask you where you are going. I guess you know better than me what you should do, but be careful, Merlin. It's dangerous." Mordred warned him. Merlin put a friendly smile on his face as he spoke to the knight."

"You can join me if you want. I'm only gathering some herbs for Gaius. You don't need to worry for me, though." Merlin hadn't intended to invite him, but he was glad that he had.

"Sure". The knight accepted his invitation. However, he was a bit surprised as Merlin had never wanted to spend some time with him. The young man hoped that maybe he had gained his trust.

Mordred kept asking him different things, but the warlock was too wrapped in his thoughts to answer. Soon, Mordred gave up and walked silently next to Merlin. Suddenly Merlin stopped.

"Thank you for two days ago." Merlin broke the ice. Mordred wanted to answer, but Merlin went on. "You don't understand me. I don't blame you, though. Sometimes I do not even understand myself." The warlock stated. "There are moments when I wished I were an ordinary boy. Moments when I feel this destiny is too much for me."

"But you're handling it great." The knight tried to encourage him.

"If only you could see what lies beneath that smile. I don't know who to trust and who to suspect. For me, everyone is a possible enemy. And it is just so tiring. Sometimes I wish nothing but to sleep. To sleep an endless sleep and care nothing about what is happening in the world. Nothing about what is going to happen…"

"You can…" Mordred wanted to add "trust me", but the warlock cut him before the knight could say more.

"No, I can't and I know it's not your fault"

"Look I know that you are worried about my magic and…"

"It's not your magic," Merlin stated. "And it doesn't have to do anything with the past. I don't hate you because you have done something. I hate you for something you are destined to do…and I can't help thinking that my life would be much easier if you were dead." The knight stepped back a pace at loss how to take the words and a curious discomfort began to steal over him as the air grew cold…

"So, you want me dead…you wanted that all along…" The knight sputtered.

"Sometimes I wonder if it were better should you know. My words are cruel. I know, but I've never been more honest in my life. You don't know what you are going to do and that makes you dangerous. Actually, I wish I didn't know either. Then we would have been friends..good friends, indeed." Upon saying that, Merlin took a glance upon Mordred. He was afraid. "But every time I close my eyes I see nothing but the future. I hear nothing but the prophecy and the warning of the dragon. It was a time when I wasn't like that. I used to believe in people, but she took that from me. She taught me what hatred could do to a kind heart." It wasn't necessary to explain who she was; Murdered knew instantly that Merlin was speaking about Morgana.

"But" he stammered "it doesn't mean all people will betray you, does it? I know you two were close, but…"

"It's not only about her, it's also about me. I've changed, Mordred and it scared me how much. There is darkness in my heart. My friends make me forget about it, but I fear what would happen should I lost the last bit of love"

"You won't. You have a good heart…you're the strongest person I have ever met. Please, trust me. I will do my best to avoid whatever they said about me. Do you really think that I will ever hurt Arthur or, who knows, destroy Camelot?"

"That's the problem. I've seen only a part of the future, the rest is hidden to me and honestly, I don't want to know more. I've tried to change the future before and I ended in causing it to unfold. Maybe, right now, by telling you this, I'm helping it to come to pass"

"No, I understand it. I'm grateful you're honest with me even if your words are cruel, indeed. But you are wise enough" he wanted to add "to condemn a person for something they might or might not do ", but he couldn't. Merlin read his mind, though.

"I've tried before, but I've never got the courage to do it myself. You were just a child and you made me doubt my decision so many times. I could have healed you when you were wounded by the Desir, but I didn't want to try. They healed you because Arthur refused to listen to them. Honestly, I didn't agree with their plan for forcing Arthur to bring magic back. That should have come from Arthur..because he wanted it not because he was forced to do it. But they are unmerciful and you are their weapon, you're their revenge and I fear it is not in your power to change that."

It was painful. Mordred was afraid. Deep down he pitied Merlin, but he couldn't let him see. The knight even doubted his own power of controlling his life. However, he wanted to fight for the freedom of his own life.

"Maybe" the knight said "if we work together, we will be able to prevent it. I don't want it more than you do. Maybe, futures could be changed. Maybe, they will understand that they were wrong about Arthur."

"What if they are not wrong?" Merlin enquired from the blue.

"You doubt him?"

"Don't you?" Mordred did not answer. "What if Arthur will do something very stupid like punishing you for your magic, will you still forgive him?" Mordred was still unable to continue.

"What will you do, should that will happen to you, Merlin?" Mordred said instead.

"I will embrace death happily. At least, I will not have to lie anymore." Merlin answered with indifference.

"So, you think he will kill you."

"There was a time when I thought he would accept me. Now, I fear what will happen…death is the easiest punishment for me. What I fear is my friends' reactions. Will I be hated? Will they treat me like a monster?...That's the problem, Mordred. I can't guarantee that Arthur will accept us. Yet I can't blame him. He is a great person and a good king…but some prejudices can't just be destroyed overnight."

"I don't think he will ever hurt you…no matter what. I want to believe he won't hurt me either. …"

"I can't promise anything. However, we can't go on like that… we should find a way to show the world that it is not magic that is the problem but the way it is used. We should find a way to make everyone feel safe in Camelot. You, Mordred, are just the weapon. It is Arthur who will cause his own bane, I fear. If it is so, removing the weapon is not the solution. It may buy time, but eventually a new weapon will arise."

"So, what are you going to do?"

"Ordinary people love the king. Other kings envy him. The warlords admire his skills…It's only the magic creatures that really feared him….. What if we are going in the wrong direction?" Mordred watched him confused, but he let him continue. "Even if, let's say Arthur accepts magic, the country has suffered too much because of it to be able to forget and forgive. Forcing Camelot to accept it will only make things worse. However, the pressure any magic being has to endure in Camelot is just too high to be able to control it. Eventually it will blow everything out."

"Right." Mordred exclaimed, unable to follow his idea.

"What if the problem is not the people from Camelot, but the pressure we are forced to endure everyday?... We have to remove that pressure"

"How?"

"Finding a place where we could be free. Until the people will be ready to accept us, we have to find a place for us. If their kids weren't to suppress their magic; if Camelot's executions were just a story told by their parents and grandparents; if they were to be taught how to use magic, they wouldn't be a danger for ordinary people. "

"You suggest that we should leave Camelot?! Give up, just like that."

"I suggest that we should give up trying to live up to someone else's expectations and live our own lives. Live just the way we like."

"What about Arthur?" Mordred enquired. "Are you going to abandon him?"

"I've made a promise to him and I'm going to keep it. I will be on his side no matter what. However, it would be much easier if I knew that being on his side does not imply going against my own beliefs. If Camelot will stop being inhabited by magic creatures, then hardly will someone break Arthur's ban against magic, at least not someone with good intentions. This way I will be able to enjoy the best of both worlds."

"Sounds perfect, although I wish they were part of this world, too." Mordred said melancholically.

"We will still be able to visit them, won't we? Are you going to help me, then?" Mordred smiled at his words.

"I….of course, but are you really trusting me to help you?"

"If this goes well, I can't see why I wouldn't."

"Thank you, Merlin."

"I'm not doing that for you." He admitted.

"Still thank you. I won't disappoint you."

When Merlin arrived at Arthur's chambers the king was already furious.

"Where have you been? Do not tell me you've been to the tavern. AGAIN." Arthur shouted as soon as Merlin entered the room.

"You're awake." Merlin noticed. "Good. So you don't need me to wake you up. Maybe, you'll learn to dress by yourself, too. We only need a bit of magic. But as magic is banned in the town I doubt this will happen."

Merlin was in a good mood. Before the walk, he hadn't had the slightest idea what to do. Now his mind was spinning around trying to register all the possible places where he could take his people.

He struggled to hide a laugh as he imagined Kilgharrah's face when he would send him to spread the news. He only wished the dragon would be happy. Merlin swore he would do his best to turn Kilgharrah's last part of life into a happy and peaceful one.

"Merlinnnnn." Arthur cried again as his servant was far away.

"You should put that shirt on you." Merlin threw out as he noticed Arthur was watching him furious, a shirt in his hand.

"You better have a good explanation for your strange behaviour." The king threatened him.

"I do. I've figured out how to save your life. AGAIN."

"How?"

"By accepting you just the way you are and stop turning you into something you are not"

"What is this supposed to mean?" Arthur was still mad, but also curious.

"It means you aren't perfect, but you are my friend."

Very few changes. I addmitt. I hope the ending makes up for it. Next chapter will be very, very new. I promise. By the way, will have a lot of new characters and magic creatures.

P.S. I finished the entire cake in just two days.

Stay safe!