Title: The legend of a Warlock who Served the Once and Future King

Author: Lamiabellascrittore

Rating: T+

Warnings: Mild language. Some Violence- deal with it. There is more to come. Happy soon to be Halloween .

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin, or any of the characters. If I did there would be a season six, seven, eight, and so on, and a movie, of course.

Spoilers: Possibly.

Summary: Merlin and Arthur go on a mission that was supposed to be strictly reconnaissance. However, nothing ever goes as planned, and they get separated. Merlin is kidnapped by Morgana and Arthur must find a way to rescue his ever loyal servant. But, will Arthur still save Merlin after he learns Merlin has magic? This story is building up to the battle of Camlann. The sequel to this one.

A/N: Okay, so this is my first Published Fan Fiction. Please read and review.

If you liked it I will continue. Please be kind. ;) The more you review the more likely it is that I will continue this story and more. Sorry for any errors, it becomes difficult after editing it so many times. It becomes a lot like a word repeated over and over again until it no longer makes any sense.

I hope you enjoy...

Quote: You can tell how dangerous a person is

by the way the hold their anger inside themselves quietly.

Chapter 12:Part 1

A Gentle Man's Rage

Merlin jerked awake as the cage came to a grinding halt. The door behind him screeched open. He groaned and peeled his eyes open, but shut them once more with a hiss. It was bright. After being the dark for so long the light was too much for him to take. He tried again and was able to stand it this time. It was nearly mid- morning. They must have traveled all night.

Merlin was grabbed with clumsy hands and jerked ruffly from the cart. The other three boys dragged out behind him. Williams protests could easily be heard as he struggled. Merlin couldn't help but look back at the boy. He was held securely in the one of the solders grasp. One of the very same men that had capture him with Morgana.

William kicked and punched any part he could reach. If the situation weren't so dire, Merlin might have found the sight hilarious. But as it were the scene was rather frightening. The man tossed the boy to the ground in irritation. He went to kick him in the head, but Merlin, reacting on instinct, tore from his own captor and barreled into the one about to kick William.

The man stumbled back shocked, and just looked at him stunned. But his partner didn't hesitate and came at Merlin. Merlin ducked the sloppy blow to his face, but not the one aimed at his stomach. He doubled over, and received a knee to the face. He went down like a sack of potatoes.

He gasped for air on the ground. He didn't really feel the pain, but his head was spinning and the feel of his blood seeping from his noes was enough to make him want to throw up. Why could he just keep out of other peoples beatings? Because, he snapped at himself. Its better you, than a young boy. You can take a beating, he can't. Merlin grit his teeth and started to get to his feet, although a little wobbly. He got his feet underneath him only to feel the world tilt, and tumbled back to his knees. He shook his head and tried again.

Morgana's voice stopped all commotion. "Cedric!" Morgana snapped, drawing all attention as she walked towards them. "Control your charge."

She walked towards them with light unhurried steps. This time she was dressed in a proper ladies gown the color of deep emerald, trimmed in gold, complementing her unique eyes. Her opal earrings swayed like miniature chandeliers in a earthquake.

Cedric snapped to attention. "Yes, My lady." He bowed low.

"I said he was not to be harmed." She fumed. She looked at Liam as if he were no better than the latrine where the guards shit.

"My Lady, I was disciplining the boy when he attacked Cedric." Liam said, trying to explain himself.

"Even so," Morgana said, eying Merlin as he struggled to his feet. He glared at the man talking as he limped over to stand just behind Morgana, just to her right. She was surprised Merlin could harness such a look of seething rage. "He was only doing as I would have done. No child is to be beaten, or harmed. Leave them for the Kill Arena next week. We need them all in top shape to perform, or they will be worthless to any buyer." She glowered at him. "Am I understood? All competitors are off limits." She need them in relatively healthy form so they can show their skill. She was sure she would recognize Emrys power.

Merlin shifted at the name Emrys, but other wise stayed put with his head bowed to the ground. He hated this. Hated being submissive. It was difficult for him to keep his mouth shut at times, and he loathed to see injustice. At least with Arthur he had the choice of speaking up and giving an opinion with out fear of punishment. With Morgana, there was no room for challenge, only blind obedience.

"Yes, Lady Morgana." Liam said stiffly.

"Take the boys to the cellar." Morgana said flippantly. Cedric and Liam jumped at her command.

"What about him?" Cedric asked, nodding at Merlin standing behind Morgana. At his name, Merlin's head snapped up. Morgana looked back at him, here eyes lingering on him briefly. She turned back to Cedric. He was looking at Merlin with an odd sort of light in his eyes.

"He's coming with me." She said. When he looked about to protest she gave Cedric a look that silenced him. He looked at Merlin in what almost looked like wonder before he turned on his heel and led the three boys to another pair, one was muscular and short with brown hair and hazel eyes, while the other was tall and lanky with blond, almost white hair and black eyes who just looked evil. William, Darrin and James threw him worried glances as they were lead away.

Merlin wanted to convey somehow that it they would be alright, but he couldn't. He wouldn't lie to them. He hadn't the slightest clue if anyone, or anything would be alright.

Morgana turned to Merlin. She looked him up and down. He stood barefoot on the cold stone, his feet bruised and bloody. His pants were torn, and hung low on his hips. He had lost some weight. His torso was littered in open wounds, old and new bruises and partially healed branding scattered over newly healed cuts and lacerations. Just under the collar around his neck was the fang marks of the Nathair.

His face was pale and looked like he hadn't slept in weeks. Which in all honest, he has, but she was sure it wasn't restful. She smirked. She finally looked into his eyes and her gut tightened, wiping her smirk off her face. She frowned. She couldn't find joy in this. It actually hurt her heart to see him in such a state. She fumed, unable to get he satisfaction she had hoped for from his suffering.

"Come with me," She said gruffly. She brushed past him and up the ancient castle steps. He fallowed slowly, unable to match her stride. Noticing this, she slowed her pace just a fraction.

She stopped at a large wooden door. Steam seeped through the crack at the bottom. Morgana turned to him. "Wait here." She said, pointing to the spot he stood, just off to the side of the door. He nodded. She gave him one last long look before she opened the door and went inside. Before she disappeared he got a gimps of a few tubs and a couple people finishing up bathing.

Not a minute later the people came scurrying out, half dressed as they rushed from the room. Morgana peered lazily from around the frame and waived him in.

Merlin looked around in wonder. It wasn't one big bath like he assumed. It was dozens and dozens of individual ones. Most only able to fit no more than three or four people. The water was clear and hot, steam rising in white ribbons, blending into the fog of steam above them. Each breath he took he could smell something different scents. Sandalwood, lavender, eucalyptus, gardenia, jasmine, pine and rose. They blended together in a maelstrom of scents.

"Undress." Morgana said, capturing his attention.

He looked at her sharply. She had already started to disrobe. "What-why?"

"Because you are dirty and covered in mud and blood." She said, as if it were obvious. "And I Haven't been able to have a warm bath in days." She shrugged. "There are our clean cloths for when were done, so don't worry." She pointed to two stacks of cloths on a marble table.

He glanced to where she pointed and saw that indeed there was a set for him. He even recognized the red neckerchief and blue top he usually wore. She must like him to dress as he did in Camelot, he thought a little irritated. However, he did notice that they were better material than his clothes a home. He looked back at her a question poised on his tong, but it died the moment he saw her. Her skirts pooled at her feet and she stepped out, and kicked the gown to the side. She stood before him completely naked. Her breasts were round and her nipples puckered, her stomach toned and sculpted, and her thighs firm and shapely. She looked like a goddess. Yeah, of chaos and mans misery. His mind supplied unhelpfully.

"Now, are you going to join me, or do I need to order you to." She said turning around. She walked to the edge of a hot tub and shook out her hair.

Merlin scowled at her, but he couldn't help it as his eyes took in her form as she walked. Her butt was perfectly shaped and begging to be bit into like a ripe apple. She was covered in scars, no doubt from her time as a prisoner, in Odin's kingdom, but it in no way diminished her beauty. He swallowed thickly. Even as injured as he was, he felt a stirring of desire start to bloom.

"Well?" She demanded, looking over her shoulder. He watched as she dunked under the water, wetting her hair. She came up and brushed her hair out of her face.

Merlin hesitated a moment longer. He sighed and tugged down his pants, and step out of them. He tossed them to the side, and they landed sloppily in a puddle of water. He watched transfixed as the water turned from light pink, to rose, to scarlet. Just a bloody reminder of Morgana's cruelty. He grit his teeth painfully and looked away. He walked to the tub Morgana was soaking in and gently lowered himself into the water.

Once he was in and the water was over his shoulders, he dunked under to wet his hair. He hissed as the water lapped at his many wounds, making him loose his breath, it was almost to much. He came up gasping for air. He panted, trying to catch his breath. The pain was agonizing, but the burn seared him in the most satisfying way.

Morgana watched him silently as she played with her hair in the water. She was fascinated by his expressions. The way he was able to nearly mask the excruciating pain he was feeling, and yet express an almost warped kind of pleasure from it.

A few seconds passed and his wounds started to tingle. Soon he felt the pain subside all together. He almost missed it. The pain kept him a bit more grounded, and without it, the relief from the loss of pain made him want to pass out. But he fought it, snapping his eyes wide open as he stood up. The water embracing his waist. He looked down. The only evidence that he had been tortured were the scars, and the only painful reminder he was Morgana's prisoner and not guest, was the collar and cuffs still tightly secured on him.

"What- what was that?" Merlin demanded breathless.

"Hmm." She hummed, sliding closer to him, still chest deep in the water. "Feel better?" She asked curiously. She looked up at him and smiled. Her emerald eyes seemed brighter. They shined at him with an emotion he couldn't pin point.

Hesitantly he nodded. He felt better physically. Yes, but mentally? He was not alright. "Yes, My Lady." He said respectfully, but tensed. Hating the words of obedience. He had keep to his plan, to play the compliant slave until the proper moment he could escape. That way she didn't have full power over him. It was a job he both despised and treasure.

He knew that she only did this because she was searching for a way to keep him, and continue her assault on Camelot. But she could keep him, he wasn't hers to have. He belonged to Arthur. He was Arthur's to command.

"You can call me Morgana, Merlin, when its just us." She said softly. She paused, thinking, watching him closely. "This water blessed by the very first High Priestess of the Old Religion. Spelled to use an individuals magic to heal them." He understood what she was saying. Only a person of magic could get the waters properties to mend ones health.

She floated around him in the water, like a shark circling her pray. Assessing him. She had so many questions. She stopped when she was in front of him, and stood up out of the water. She let Merlin's eyes roam over her body as the water trailed down her newly clean skin. He licked his lips, like a starving man who sees banquet after being denied food for too long.

She ran a gentle hand through his hair, tugging lightly as she brushed his raven locks from his eyes, and looked up at him. Sometimes she forgot how tall he was. He was taller than most. He resembled Fay Prince come to life right out of a fairytale. From his big ears, pale ivory skin and high cheek bones, to his eerie cobalt blue eyes.

Her thumb brushed over a wicked looking scar that spanned from his right cheek bone just under he eye, down past his lips stopping just under his chin. It brought out the worrier she never before noticed he was. It made her extremely sad to think about how wrong their lives went, and how well it could have been. They fit together like fire and brimstone. He could be chaos to her madness, or the calm to her storm. The longer she searched them she could swear she could see flakes of gold flickering in the depths of his eyes. He looked absolutely magical.

She didn't know how she had missed it before. How had she not notice the magic playing havoc with his lazuline eyes? She always wondered why he never told her he had magic. Even after she had confided in him.

"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked abruptly.

Merlin was surprised that that was her leading question. He thought she would for sure start off with 'Why did you poison me?' Still, he didn't pretend to misunderstand. He knew what she was asking. Why didn't he tell her he had magic? He asked himself that a lot. Sometime he couldn't even answer the question. But now, the words he had been storing up came rushing forth and it was all he could do to hold them back. So he asked her a question.

"Am I to be honest, Lady Morgana?" Merlin asked cautiously. She glowered at his use of title, but nodded warily.

She didn't really know what to expect. He was always kind to her, looking out for her, even when she and Morgues were looking for a way to destroy all that he protected, he still covered for her. At least that was until he poisoned her. Which was her fallowing question.

Merlin was so quiet she thought he would ignore her. She dropped her hand that was cradling his cheek and looked up at him, waiting for him to speak. He looked down at her sadly. How could he explain to her his reasoning without sounding cruel and irrational. He caressed her cheek gently with calloused fingers.

"Look at what you have become, Morgana." He whispered, brushing her damp hair behind her ear. His hand brushed her dangling opal earnings. They swayed catching the light just right for only a few seconds, sending orbs of rainbows shooting through the room. His hand fell back to his side. He looked into her eyes, searching for something he knew he wouldn't find. There was no remorse for betraying Arthur, Merlin, or Camelot. There wouldn't be. She believed what she did was right. "You have become bitter. Filled with hatred. Hurting the people you once loved. Harming innocents in your misguided quest for revenge and power." He paused, and looked up at the swirling threads of light that danced on the ceiling of the bath house. The waters reflection a more brilliant display of natures beauty than magic at times. Merlin looked back at her. "Was I really wrong not to tell you?" He said, tense. The skin around his eyes wrinkled and his mouth firmly pressed together in a hard line. "You have proven yourself to be unworthy of such trust Morgana." He said challengingly.

It was difficult to think that at one point they were happy. He loved her and she loved him, but it was never that simple. They were dark and light. Love and hate. They were doomed before they even had a chance.

Morgana was outraged. He hadn't trusted her, when she had trusted him with her secrets, her fears, with her very life!? Her anger bubbled up in her like a long dormant volcano about to erupt.

"You were the one that poisoned me!" She shouted, her ire getting the best of her. She shoved him in the chest with both hands, hard, making him stumble back a step, sloshing the water over the edges.

Merlin glared at her murderously. He stormed up the stairs and out of the tub. He needed to put some distance between them less he do something to compromise himself. As much as he knew he needed to be the submissive servant for his plan to work, he couldn't hold his words back any longer. She really had a way of bringing out the worst in him.

"Have you already forgotten that you betrayed Camelot long before I poisoned you" He exclaimed deadly calm. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist as collected as ever. "You have let magic and your tragedies rule your life Morgana," He said referring to her time as prisoner in King Odin's land. "You sold out your own friends and family."

She stormed out of the tub, and furiously ripped a towel off the table and dried herself. He could see the barely restrained anger in her movements.

"What about you?" She accused, tossing her towel to the floor with a wet slap, before she grabbed her gown and glared at him. "You stood idly by as you watched your people burn." She spat, as she started to dress, first in her under tunic, then gown.

He looked back at Morgana briefly in a flash of irritation. Everything he has done has been for Albion. Merlin, caught off guard, stared at her a moment transfixed by her beauty. She now wore a simple cut royal purple tunic dress with a vertical slit at the bodice that was laced up with gold silk. The hems were trimmed with gold thread and the boarders were embroidered in thin gold lace, and crawling up the side of her skirt was a intricate design of leaves and vines that wrapped around her waits and up her abdomen to rest just below her breasts. Her hair hung in wet strands and her green eyes glowed back at him in the dim light.

Merlin grabbed his cloths and quickly tugged on his shirt and pants on silence. Even though the material was soft it still scratched over his recently healed wounds. No shoes, he sighed. He grabbed his neckerchief and shoved it into his pocket. He ignored her accusations. Privately seething. He has been the one to insure magic has a future. Once he was dressed Merlin turned on Morgana, and gestured at her, frustrated. "I had to choose between you and Camelot, and frankly, seeing as you were the reason for putting me in such a position, I chose you." Merlin said coarsely.

Morgana growled, but did nothing but glared murderously at him. Merlin shook his head, looking at her sadly. He sighed. "Morgana," Merlin started. He ran a hand through his damp' hair making it stand up in random spikes before flopping back into place. "I'm-"

"No." Morgana snapped. "We'll finish this conversation later." Merlin gave her a funny look, she must have different personalities, or something, because she was so unpredictable sometimes. She swept out of the room.

Okay readers.

Lets see. Should I give some one shots of Merlin and Morgana? Any one curious to get a look into their twisted love? Some moment of fluff, some moments of hate. Some moments of lust. IDK. It could happen.