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

Author: Lamiabellascrittore

Rating: T+

Warnings: Mild language. Violence. Some adult situations- 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...

~He was her dark fairytale and she his twisted fantasy,

and together they would burn the world to the ground.

Chapter 14: Part 2

The Devil in the Details

Merlin climbed a flight of stairs and rounded a corner when he suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. Ambrosia and jasmine. He looked around but saw no one. He crept forward and noticed that the door to his left was open. Soft light glowed through, a welcoming fire lite. He peered through the crack and saw Morgana sitting at her dressing table.

Merlin was pushed forward by some morbid compulsion to be near her, and with one bloody hand he pushed her door open wide leaving a red print on the white surface. He stepped inside. He watched her pin her hair in sullen silence. He had never seen someone look so lost in their own home. He ached for her, and burned for her but a vicious rage simmered within him directed at her. He felt to close to the fire that was Morgana.

Before he could go any further something tugged at him. He wasn't supposed to be here. He was needed with James and Darrin at the healing waters. But he could do nothing with this collar on, unless he were to give himself away, let Emrys face be known, and push through the collar's restraint and channel his magic anyway, alerting Morgana to his unique power.

Choices made when there is nothing at risk mean very little. Mind made up, Merlin turned on his heel and fled her room. He ran to where he remembered the baths being. He intended to try to use the blessed water to help Darrin. He would just have to sell him self to Morgana. Even if its just to stay alive and ultimately help Arthur.

Morgana used to adore parties, now they just served as a bitter reminder of her past. She angrily pinned her hair back out of her face giving the final touches to her appearance. Se looked at herself in the mirror. Her green eyes looked lost and angry.

A movement in the mirror caught her attention. She turned around, but nothing was there. Slowly she got up and approached the now open door. It was nearly closed a minute ago. On closer inspection she saw a bloody hand print on it. The fingers smeared as if they left in a rush. She looked down and saw small droplets of blood.

Curious she peered down the hall and saw a flash of raven locks, silver collar and blue shirt. Merlin? He was supposed to be at the party not up here. What was he up too?

She quickly got up and followed him. She was secretly glad she hadn't yet put on her heels as she padded barefoot down the corridor after him. She was surprised at the grace and stealth in which he glided down hallways and up stairwells. He made no sound as he jogged. The cold marble floor was like winter ice on her feet as she crept along following the young man who unwillingly held her heart. A love so toxic it killed any hope of flourishing.

Morgana realized with some confusion where he was headed. She paused and looked around the corner of the hall Merlin had just rounded. He slipped through the door that led to the healing baths. She followed, catching the door before it closed completely. She peeked through and watched the scene unfold.

Merlin looked around the room. He saw Cedric standing over a large tub, arms crossed. He was gazing down at something in the water with a look of contemplation and resignation. An odd combo. Merlin glanced down to what held his attention. James stood chest deep in the pool with his brother Darrin. He kept his head above the water by supporting Darrin against his chest.

Merlin jogged over, nearly slipping in a puddle. He skidded to sloppy halt before the tub, his dagger clanging against the wet floor before Cedric's feet who looked at Merlin on the ground silently and raised a single eyebrow. Merlin nodded imperceptibly. Cedric grunted, satisfied. The bargain was complete. They looked at each other briefly. Comrades in a secret uprising.

James looked up as Merlin skidded to a halt. He noticed the strange exchange between them, and the bloodied dagger but chose to leave it alone, it no longer concerned him. He could easily guess what Merlin had done. He would have done so himself had he been able. He shivered. Jerrod and Fredrick. They are, were, formidable players in Morgana's game. Twisted, perverted, and cruel pawns for Morgana to do with as she pleased. James was grateful that Merlin had done what he hoped he did.

James looked back down at his brother. "He's not breathing." James panicked, looking at Merlin desperately.

Tears left strips of clean skin to shine through the blood on James face, making his sky blue eyes stand out all the more. Merlin tore off his cloak, unveiling his blood-soaked clothes and red hands. Merlin ignored James's gasp and jumped into the water. The water turned from the already tinted rose from James and Darrin to scarlet from Merlin. The water resembled freshly spilled blood. Quite fitting if you asked him.

"Give him to me." Merlin said, wading towards them.

James handed his younger brother over to him with out a word. Merlin took Darrin gently and cradled him in one arm as his other hand hovered over his heart. Merlin took a deep breath. He grit his teeth and tore his gaze away from James hysterical eyes. He knew James didn't know if Darrin would die or if William was still alive. He may just have lost his entire family tonight.

Merlin released the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He took pity on him. "William is alive and in the dungeons." Merlin mumbled as he looked at Darrin. He was pale, too pale. He had breath left in him, he could feel the slight rise and fall of his lungs by the way Merlin held him.

Without expecting James to answer Merlin started to call for his magic. It was there he could feel it. He reached for it and it responded, but couldn't break through the collar's restraint. He focused harder and called louder using the voice of the very earth that gave magic life. It broke free and flooded his body, overwhelming the restrictions of his collar.

Merlin reached deep inside himself and drew all the power he possessed over life and death and started to chant in the Old religion. The moment he began to speak the collar started to heat up. First it was a strange warmth that grew into an uncomfortable heat.

The longer he chanted the more power he drew in, the more power he drew in the hotter it got. It seared his skin. Still he didn't stop. He dimly wondered if it was glowing red like a hot iron poker pulled from the flames.

That moment the spell died, Fredrick's name on his lips, the collar's heat stepped up. A flash of lighting struck Merlin's collar. It shattered the steel into fragments that disintegrated as they went through a gold light that surrounded him in a powerful aura.

Merlin's hand hovered over Darrin chest. It jerked down and channeled a cascade of magic through Merlin's arm and out his palm. The energy of the lighting shot directly from him into Darrin's heart.

With a flash the room went dim. As soon as the magic stopped flowing silence descended.

Merlin passed Darrin over to James quietly. He pulled his brother out of the water alongside him.

Merlin walked slowly to the edge of the tub. He didn't feel good. He climbed the stairs slowly. He was starting to feel a little light headed. Merlin lost his balance and would have cracked his head against the marble floor if Cedric hadn't caught him by the arm in a bruising grip. He hauled Merlin from the water and helped him sit down. He didn't seem all that surprised that Merlin could do that sort of magic and James didn't seem to care because Merlin had healed his brother.

Merlin landed heavily. He lay back against the cool wet floor. He needed a moment. The rush of his magic was overwhelming. It had been suppressed for to long, longer than was healthy. His very life was his magic. One could not survive without the other.

With a jolt the air stirred and Darrin gasped loudly. James ecstatic exclamation was Merlin's reassurance that it had worked. Fredrick's life for Darrin's. A life for a life. Now both Jerrod and Fredrick could rot in hell together.

"Cedric." Merlin panted. His chest heaved. "Take the boys to William, please."

"And you?" Cedric's asked, his face coming into view.

"Leave me." Merlin waved them off. "I need to be at the party. Just give me a moment."

Cedric nodded. He went to leave, but paused. "Your secret is safe with me." He said softly. "Emrys." He bowed his head. He then turned on his heel and left, Merlin assumed, to help James with Darrin. He listened as the left, closing the door behind them. Merlin closed his eyes for a moment to gather himself as the world spun.

Morgana stiffened when she saw Cedric lead the boys her way. She rushed to hide behind a large pillar. She held her breath as they passed. As soon as they were gone she peeked through the door once more. Merlin was lying on his back in a pink puddle of water, arms splayed at his sides.

Morgana observed him silently. She was bursting to ask Merlin questions but didn't dare draw attention to herself. She shook her head. The power she was sensing from him was unimaginable, uncontainable even. It was a level even a high priestess like her couldn't reach. The moment the collar broke it was like the Merlin she knew changed right in front of her eyes. She had considered herself powerful before but now she knew the true meaning of power.

She had only met one other person who challenged her magically, she reluctantly admitted, and was superior in abilities to her's. Emrys. Something clicked in her head and she gasped out loud.

Merlin sat up looking around, his eyes zeroed in on Morgana who was standing on the threshold to the Healing Waters.

Morgana was too lost in the earth-shattering realization that just dawned on her. Emrys. Merlin. Emrys. Merlin. She didn't know how it was possible considering Emrys was a doddery old man, but she was convinced that Merlin was Emrys or possibly related to him.

She remember Alator's reaction to her question whether he knew who Emrys was, with Merlin in that very cave. Emrys had been so close to her. She groaned out loud still lost in her world of anger, hatred, and hot embarrassment. He hadn't just fooled her once, but over and over again.

"Emrys." She whispered, and then louder. "EMRYS!"

Merlin flinched slightly. He didn't know why he was surprised that she was suddenly there and knew who he was, and a part of him always hoped she never would. She watched his reaction to her calling him Emrys.

Merlin scrambled to his feet as she stormed towards him. Door slamming behind her.

She could see he was tired and worn and covered in blood but she didn't care. She still threw herself at him. Eyes wild with anger. She kicked and scratched and punched to the best of her abilities, attacking any part of his body, fingers clawing at his eyes.

Merlin grabbed her arms and his eyes glowed bright gold. "ENOUGH!" He shouted.

Morgana suddenly felt restrained by some invisible chain. Her petite wrists still held tight in his grasp. Morgana struggled, pulling against his hold to no avail, her wild green eyes burning with hatred. He shoved her back and she tumbled to the ground. She growled in anger and looked up at him.

She smirked as Merlin brought up his hand to wipe the blood flowing down his cheek from where she clawed at him. Merlin glared at her.
"You're chained up, I'm standing here free." Merlin pointed out. Morgana's smirk disappeared.

"How did you do it?"She asked. He knew what she was asking.

"An aging spell." He replied simply.

Morgana let out a frustrated groan at the simplicity of Merlin's disguise. There was silence, only Morgana's loud pants cold be heard as she fought a losing battle with the chains, disturbing the uneasy peace.

Once her breathing slowed Merlin released her. He sighed and then sat down beside her, shoulders nearly touching. "Morgana," Merlin hesitated, what could he say to make her trust him? To help him achieve a longer leash, so to speak.

"Merlin, stop." Morgana said coolly. She looked at him scathingly. It made sense now, why their love was so pernicious. He was her destiny and her doom, together they were toxic to the world. Why hadn't she seen it? Still, she needed his help to conquer Camelot. Morgana stood up and brushed herself off. She turned her back to him as he too stood up.

"I'll do it."Merlin said suddenly. Morgana turned to look at him calculatingly.

"Do what." She asked.

"I'll lead your army." Merlin said with conviction. Morgana opened her mouth, but Merlin cut her off. "On one condition."

Morgana assessed him for a moment contemplating what conditions he could possibly have.

"That you spare as many people as you are able." Merlin walked up to her. "And the king and Queen of Camelot stay safe and unharmed."

Morgana didn't know if she could keep such a bargain, but she also knew that if she didn't agree she would not have Emrys to lead her army. She nodded agreement. Maybe she could conquer him after all.

"Deal." She cocked her head to the side. "Shall we seal it with a kiss?" She smiled coyly running her wet tongue slowly over her sparkling white teeth.

Merlin grunted. Scowling at her from under the fringe of his black eyelashes. Merlin looked at her for a long silent moment, feeling an awful lot like he just signed his soul away to the devil. But he knew Morgana wasn't the devil. The devil was terrified of Morgana.

Merlin was not scared of her, but he was terrified of the hold she had over him. What wouldn't he do to keep her and she him?

He grabbed her around the waist and leaned into her. "Seal it with a kiss?" Merlin licked his lips. "But if you betray me again Morgana." Merlin warned, squeezing her tightly, crushing her to him, purposely wringing the very air from her lungs. "Betrayal has a way of betraying the betrayer."

Merlin locked their lips together in a bruising kiss. Her lips smashed into her teeth and she tasted blood. Merlin licked the seam of her lips and shoved his tongue into her mouth, dominating her as he would in bed. They moaned in ecstasy and agony.

They shouldn't be doing this. Shouldn't be allowing their passion to overwhelm. But Merlin couldn't care less. He had just killed two men, revealed himself to be Emrys, and agreed to lead Morgana's army of sorcerers and swordsmen.

He needed this moment, this distraction... even if it was more destructive than helpful.

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