Author's note: I had this story idea right after the episode aired, however I'm not sure if I wrote it and it was lost to the recesses of the internet, or if it simply stayed in my mind. So here I am, ten years later, putting it to pixels.
MORGANA POV
"Finna, at last," I said taunting her "I'm impressed. Your age, it's very spirited."
She held her sword toward me with mock courage. As someone trained traditionally in the old religion she should know it can't hurt me.
"Stay away." she said.
Her pathetic words brought me more joy, Emrys would be mine soon and all who follow him will tremble before me as she does now.
"but with age also comes wisdom." Maybe not for her, still pointing that toy as if it should frighten me. "It's over. tell me who Emrys is." I commanded.
Finna replied same as her mentor before plunging her sword into her gut, letting out a pained sigh. Her body fell limp to the floor in front of me, and I was unable to do anything but watch. I didn't even breathe for a moment as my mind ran through the tragic site before me. Emrys was within my grasp and yet slipped through my fingers again because of the self sacrifice of a pitiful excuse for a practitioner. Why!? I couldn't fathom how Emrys had the same devotion as Arthur did from his knights. These people knew only his name and yet were willing to be tortured and die. Dugan bent down to search her body, picking through pockets and patting her down as Beroun and I watched. He found a leather purse tied to her waist and trifled through all its compartments to no avail. Finally he looked up at me and shook his head.
The simple action took me out of my daze. Anger rushed through me. She had contacted Emrys for sure, and yet he wasn't here to be caught. He evaded me again.
"Burn the body." I said, making sure Emrys could no longer help the hag. "And ready the horses!"
I stomped out of the room, I would not waste any time finding where Emrys ran off too.
"Morgana!" Beroun called.
"Do not waste my time." I snapped at him.
"Finna's only injury was the one that took her life." he said.
I rushed to the still corpse lying on the ground. Quickly scanning for any other signs of blood. Swiftly I moved the shawl off her torso, her gown was dark but blood would still show well on its fibres, and yet there was blood on only a single patch. I stuck my hands through the hole and tore the cloth more to reveal a single stab wound, no more.
"She was with someone, they couldn't have gotten far." I said, hope swelling up in my chest once more. "Secure the area."
Behind Finna was a dark doorway and staircase, likely leading to a roof. I climbed each step faster than I thought possible, despite that it still felt like forever. Forever I had been chasing Emrys and now he was only a door away. The old wood creaked as I pushed it out of my way. The sight I was met with was not one of Emrys, but of a wounded Merlin, taking what might be his last breath. I took a deep breath, calming myself. He may not be Emrys, but this is a victory nonetheless.
Author's note: I've cried multiple times rewatching merlin this last week, and I just keep picturing Morgana's tears when she realizes she should have just stabbed Merlin.
