part 2

Journey to Avalon

The autumn weather was creeping in. An overcast made itself apparent the day they left. Gwaine would be house sitting for Merlin while they were away; which more or less aligned with his lease being up and not wanting to renew it as his landlord was becoming a greedy bastard. He gave them a lift to the train station wishing them well. Morgana fidgeted with the collar of her rain coat. It was a simple black rain coat windbreaker that had served her well for years. Mordred sat in her bag hidden from view. She'd risked her life for him and she wasn't about to leave him behind.

Once at the station, they'd been ticketed and their bags had been carried ahead of them by the staff.

"Hold on love," Merlin told her, and he put her hand in the crook of his arm.

She looked up at him curiously before following in step with him. As they kept walking she noticed that they were being led to more lux compartments. The staff put their bags away and stepped out. Merlin's elbow fell out of her hand as her own hand had started to drop. She relaxed into the compartments sofa, surprised as to how well it felt. Mordred also jumped out of his place in the bag onto the sofa.

"You did this?" she asked Merlin.

"Thought I'd do something nice. And it's only the first leg. We'll have to switch trains in Birmingham," he responded.

The train ride went as smoothly as it could. Briefly they made their way to the diner cabin for a late lunch before going back to their compartment. There were bouts of country scenery and the occasional jerk of the train.

There was a longer stop in town before they were yanked back into the view of the countryside. She'd seen animals milling about on the lands. Then the train came to an abrupt halt. Her body jerked forward and she felt Merlin's hand graze her arm.

She's not in the train compartment anymore. Instead she is back in her mother's car, taking the back seat behind Arthur. She wants to curse him for this day for the rest of their life. The snow sticks against the windows. Arthur, for their fourteenth birthday, had for some undeniable reason needed one certain thing. One certain thing that he probably wouldn't have asked for had it not been their birthday. And Uther had stayed at the office late and consequently got stuck at the office by the snow storm.

The problem with mother, wasn't necessarily that she had a problem. Not a real one. No, no she was never abusive, never loud, never put herself ahead of her family. The problem with mother was that she tried so hard to be the perfect mother and selfless woman. Morgana didn't think Arthur ever intentionally took advantage of her. It was in her nature. But Arthur was also a brat and a pain in the ass at fourteen.

While Uther's office had been stuck in snow banks, their little neighborhood only had a slight snow fall and it seemed relatively safe to drive. Assuming all drivers were coherent, paid attention to the streets, and abided by the formalities of driving. So mother gave into Arthur's wants despite Morgana's protests. Initial protests. She couldn't remember why she'd felt so secure in going with them anyway.

That is however, until some careless driver of some truck, whom had probably refused to take a nap on the side of the road as truck drivers oft do, crashed into the side of the car. They'd been given the go. It should've been fine. Arthur shouldn't have been whining.

The side of the car had completely crushed their mother to death. Arthur came out with a few injuries. But she'd been perfectly fine.

"Are you okay? Morgana," Merlin asked.

She looked up at him and he seemed worried beyond all compare.

"Yes, yes I'm fine," she said with a forced smile.

"There was a cow on the tracks," he said.

She nodded at the information before making herself comfortable in the compartment again.

The rest of the journey felt long the trip hadn't been much longer than a few hours. Mordred was hidden again before they carried out their luggage with them.

"Where's the next station again?" Morgana asked as they walked out.

"Snowdon Station," Merlin responded. "And I know a short cut."

They began wandering through Birmingham and narrow street ways. Above it started to thunder. Morgana looked at her phone.

"It's already four thirty and we've been walking in circles, Merlin," Morgana said.

"And our train is at five forty five a nine thirty check in," Merlin responded. "I've been in this city loads of times. I know where I'm going."

"We better get there before it rains."

"It's not going to rain."

They ended up behind pubs where the light was a little more forgiving but not by much. The thunder continued but made no effort to show. Her legs were getting tired and her luggage seemed heavier. She should've put directions in her phone. They had to detour around a construction site that Merlin cursed. Morgana opened her jacket becoming too hot from the walking.

"When was the last time you were in the city, again?" she asked. They came down a narrow street again where the buildings alongside them seemed to be in decay.

"About nineteen seventeen seven," Merlin said. "Last time I got to walk through with leisure."

She huffed and stopped where she was. Mordred poked his head out.

"That's what nearly fifty years ago now," she snapped. "And everything is being gentrified and updated and remodeled, and you didn't think that maybe the streets were entirely the same? And now we're lost. We are absolutely lost, Merlin. And we have maybe an hour generously to get to the station!"

And suddenly he yanked her arm and she and her luggage made a sharp turn around him. She poked around his arm and saw a tall man with stocky shoulders pointing a knife at them.

"Nice pet you have there mate," he said.

Morgana narrowed her eyes at the man as she noticed he was talking to Merlin, ignoring her.

Before the man could continue, or the two of them could respond, one of the decrepit doors burst open. A small figure stood between them and the man.

"Leave them alone!" the high pitched voice shouted.

"Whassit to you girl?" the man growled.

"I'm not a girl!"

The kid lunged at the man with what Morgana noticed to be a knife just a hint larger than the mans. With a swift move of his arm he hit the kid. The kid collapsed against the wall with a groan. She wanted to criticize the kid for wanting to be a vigilante, and decided it was time to protect the three of them. Her hand let go of her luggage and she stepped away from Merlin. The man looked at her with a menacing smile. She knocked a crate over his head. He looked as if he would double over before regaining his composure swiftly. She stepped closer to him with caution. Her eyes darted around looking for anything to fight with. There was one intact window. Morgana focused on trying to break it on the man. And then felt herself gasping for breath. She looked down and saw a large knife cut down across her chest. The pain seared through her as she noticed and she lost her balance. She saw Merlin shoot a ball of fire at the man and he burnt to a crisp in front of her eyes. And the blood kept flowing freely.

It seemed like a delayed sort of blink. She was laying down and started to pull herself up. The alley was the last clear place she remembered being. Instead she was now in a sort of garden. The sky was dark and cloudy. Yet the greenery around her was illuminated with a sort of bioluminescence that gave it a fantastical feel. There was a building around her of some sort although it was now in ruin.

From the darkness emerged a woman. Morgana stepped closer to her. Then she stepped back. The woman had dark wild ravenous hair and a gaunt face. She wore a black dress that had torn black laced sleeves and a worn velvet bodice. The skirts around her seemed to be silk overlaid with lace. There was dark khol smudged around her eyes. Wild green eyes.

"Lady Morgana," escaped her lips.

"You idiot," she hissed. "This is your last life."

"What do you mean this is my last life?"

"Your soul can be repaired so many times in reincarnation before it becomes too weak to continue!"

"But... I'm just as much me as I am you. Was I wrong?"

"Your soul is bound to mine because it is mine."

Then Morgana noticed that the Lady Morgana was holding something in her hand.

"What is that?" she asked.

Lady Morgana brought it forth. It appeared to be a scepter with a long white rod with bronze holding a rounded emerald gem at the top. There were small wings below the gem embedding the scepter that appeared to be dragon wings upon closer inspection. Diamonds ran through the rod.

"This is yours, or will be yours," Lady Morgana said. "It will help you channel the Goddess."

"I can channel the Goddess?" Morgana inquired.

"The Goddess runs through all life and all magic. She is as much you as I am. You are the most powerful of any incarnation I've had. Even mine."

She looked at the scepter in awe.

"If this Arthur of yours is the One True King, then you must live Morgana," the Lady Morgana instructed. "You are what will bring a new age of magic to the world. Not Merlin. Not Arthur. You. Arthur is only the pin that will keep it together and bring eternal life."

"Does Merlin love me? Me not you," escaped her lips. She wanted to throw her hands across her mouth. All she had done was thought of the phrase.

"You stupid girl! I tell you that you're the most powerful sorceress in eons, and that you are to bring a new age of magic, and that you have one life left. And you ask me about love?"

Morgana felt her shoulders sink. And the Lady Morgana must have seen her anguish.

"He does," the Lady Morgana said. "He truly does. Always has. Always will. Especially you."

She felt the wind pick up around her. The Lady Morgana stepped closer to her.

"You mustn't die, you're my last hope. I shouldn't have fallen into darkness and I have hope that you will be the light bringer," the Lady Morgana said.

She could see the light fighting its way in Lady Morgana's eyes. A softness made visible only to her.

"Love, that is all you must do," the Lady Morgana smiled.

This time she woke up gasping for air and forced her eyes to open. She was laying on a bench at the end of a park where the street lamps and shops lit up the area. Above her hovered Merlin, Mordred on his shoulder, and the kid. The kid looked had a feminine appearing face with short dark brown hair that was badly cut and large brown eyes. Not particularly handsome as the facial structure resembled more of a pug. And the kid wore what were little more than rags.

"You're awake!" Merlin beamed.

"How long was I out?" Morgana asked, her voice dry.

"Bout twenty minutes. We're less than a kilo from the train station," the kid said.

She looked up at Merlin. Then she looked to the kid as she sat up.

"And you are?" she asked trying to make her voice pleasant.

"I'm Tristan," the kid said. "I attempted to save your life."

Tristan's eyes went wide and suddenly dug in their pockets.

"This is yours too," Tristan said.

Morgana stretched her palms out and her pendant was dropped in. The chain had been broken. She blinked away tears.

"I'm sorry, I promise. I had to get it before we got out of there," Tristan said.

"Thank you," she said. "It means a lot to me."

Tristan shook their head. She focused on the chain and it mended itself. Her fingers kept slipping at the clasp before she allowed Merlin to help her. Tristan looked on surprised.

"You're a witch!" Tristan exclaimed.

"Not really," Morgana smiled.

"Well, see you round kid," Merlin said. "And stop with the vigilante antics."

"I'm not a kid!" Tristan protested.

He wanted to push her away and start on their way back to the station. He let out a hiss as Mordred repeatedly hit him in the face with a paw.

"We should take the kid with us," Morgana said.

"Morgana," Merlin sighed.

She looked at him with her best puppy dog eyes. Then he turned around.

"Well c'mon then, we have a train to catch," he said.

"Yes!" Tristan beamed. "We're going to Camelot right?"

Morgana looked at Tristan confused. Merlin looked at her too.

"I've had dreams of it, forever. For as long as I could remember. And I knew after I saw you do magic you looked familiar!" Tristan exclaimed.

"You're a knight, aren't you?" Morgana asked.

Tristan nodded animatedly.

"But you're..." Merlin struggled. "You're too young!"

"I'm not a girl! I know that's what you were going to say!" Tristan cried. "Please, please take me with you. I'm supposed to be a knight. I know I am. It's why my father abandoned me and my mother threw me out. They couldn't fathom their daughter actually being son! I'm supposed to be a knight!"

Mordred nudged at Merlin. He reluctantly put the cat in Tristan's arms. Tristan seemed to stop sniffling at this now distracted by Mordred. Morgana put an arm around Tristan.

"Let's go," she said.

And Tristan walked with them to the station and Merlin had to talk to the ticketing agent about getting another seat in their compartment. Morgana noticed the strange look the woman gave Tristan. Tristan carried Morgana's purse into the train while she worried about the luggage. This compartment seemed to be larger than the one on the previous train. The train jerked as it started to move. Merlin gave Tristan a hoodie and Morgana had to loan him a pair of pants as Merlin's legs were too long.

"Are you guys rich? I didn't think you were that rich," Tristan asked.

He sat on the couch looking up at them.

"More or less," Merlin responded.

"Can we turn on the telly?" Tristan asked.

Morgana gave Tristan the remote before sitting next to him. Outside the dark sky released a storm that ricochetted off the windows. Tristan had fallen asleep with his head on the window and a hand on Mordred. Something about the boy seemed familiar to her but she couldn't quite place it. She'd talk to Merlin about it soon enough.

"We'll have to be there soon enough," Merlin said. "And it shouldn't take too long to get to where we need to.

She looked over at Tristan, "We'll need to get him new clothes before we get there. And probably everything."

Merlin nodded in agreement.

"What's it like there?" she asked.

"Beautiful. Cut off from the modern world by magic. A sort of mist shields it. Protecting the magic. A mortal would come to the border and be dissuaded and turn around by it's shields. And it's not just an isle. The last twenty or so years I've been finding people with magic. All over the world. To protect them and their magic. Quite a number of refugees I should add. We won't be alone. Not entirely. I do have a cottage isolated from everyone else that we'll be staying at."

"It sounds wonderful."

"You'll love it, I'm sure."

He eventually sat next to her and she leaned against him. She hadn't been sleeping for long before he woke her. The sky was still dark but the storm had moved away from them. Tristan had been floored when they offered to get him a new wardrobe and took advantage of it. A new black hoodie was now on him and Morgana swore he reminded her of someone. Merlin didn't seem bothered by the expenses and in an alley, had magicked the new bags into the front of his suitcase.

Merlin had walked them to a farm at the edge of town. Morgana wanted to complain about the strain of carrying everything with them but trusted Merlin enough to know what he was doing without saying much more. Although it was getting late and she was getting nervous now.

At the farm she noticed a box truck and Merlin had gone to the house and knocked on the door. Soon enough an older man walked out and they packed into the truck. A tight fit. And they drove for what felt like forever and she noticed that it soon became more of a forest they were coming into. The street lights ended and that's where the driver let them off.

"Are you sure your parents don't care where you are?" Merlin asked Tristan.

They started walking into the wood and Merlin had waved his hand. His eyes glowed as the stones aligned themselves into a walk path.

"No," Tristan said. "Swear. Mum became fond of her liquor after my dad left. Not that he was ever really around. Business man you know. Didn't really want a bastard leeching off him."

"Does anyone really say bastard anymore?" Merlin asked.

"Wedlock then," Tristan shrugged. "Some Agravaine or another."

"That's an... unusual name," Morgana broke. She looked at him now and realized the resemblance was indeed there, settling her suspicions.

"I guess," Tristan responded.

The stones in front of them turned together to build the path while the rocks behind them dispersed against the landscape once more. Then the trees became thinner and it lead to a sort of clearing. The grass fell into a crescent shape. The moon reflected off the water. And in the distance was a sort of island where a lone tower stood.

"Once we're behind the hill you'll see," he smiled at Morgana.

They walked closer to the edge and Merlin walked into the water. He crouched down feeling for something. He stood up and started pulling on a sort of rope and a small wooden boat emerged from the water. The three of them got in the boat and it guided itself across the lake.

Authors Notes: Finally finally made it here. I've been alluding to the death of Ygraine during this story and it finally worked itself into this chapter. I also loved Morgana meeting her past life. Let me know what you guys think about Tristan. Just because I was a little anxious about making him a teenager and I know teenage / kid characters can become annoying. I was actually intending for another knight to make an appearance instead but that's how it turned out. Definitely Morgana and Arthur's cousin; I know in the show Tristan was their uncle, technically, not a knight. And if I need to alter any language before he says that he's trans I'm absolutely more than willing to do that. I was also kind of thinking about how the reincarnation could've affected other characters and that's where Tristan fit in. JKR can suck it. He is trans.

I do intend on making this story more inclusive and hopefully I can do that well.