Author's Note: Thanks so much to my fanfic twin for helping me with my writing! Azar443 (amazing author btw, with must read stories) you're wonderful!
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.
The Gates of Avalon
Morgana's brow furrows and beads of sweat start to form on her forehead. Her breathing becomes ragged and her head throbs slightly as the vision comes to her.
A figure in armor is floating underwater, slowly sinking to the bottom. Glowing light surrounds the man as his face is revealed to be Arthur's. Above him, a young woman stands and watches as the prince drowns.
"Arthur!" Morgana's eyes snap open. The dream still very clear in her mind unsettling her nerves.
Looking around, she takes in the familiar surroundings of her chambers and attempts to calm herself. Knowing that she wouldn't be able to fall asleep again, Morgana gets out of bed and goes to her window. Staring out as the city wakes up and waiting for her maid to come in.
...
When Gwen arrives with her breakfast, her mistress only nibbles on a bit fruit, her stomach feeling too uneasy to eat very much.
The younger woman takes notice. "Are you alright, my Lady? You've hardly eaten?"
Morgana sighs, tiredly, "I've been having nightmares, Gwen."
"Do you want to talk about it?" The other woman looks upon her mistress with worry.
"No, it's fine." Dismissing Gwen for the rest of the morning, Morgana decides to go to Gaius about her dream.
In the past, it had always been Arthur Morgana had gone to when she had nightmares. He never asked and she rarely told; most of the time, they simply stayed together in companionable silence until Morgana felt better. If the dreams were particularly vivid, Morgana would tell Estella. Her beloved cousin would listen attentively, but did not say very much, simply cautioning her to be careful.
When Uther learned of Morgana's night terrors, he immediately had Gaius attend to her. As the physician made her draughts, he would question her about the dreams. Something about the elder man made Morgana feel at ease and so she was always able to tell him exactly what she saw.
As she is on her way to the Court Physician's room, however, something makes her stop. The face of the golden brown-haired girl she saw in her dream.
Rushing to Merlin, who had just given the foreign girl a roll blankets, she asks, "Who is that?"
"Uhh, Sophia Tír-Mòr, we rescued her in the woods… Well, Arthur did most of the rescuing."
"She can't stay here," Morgana states firmly with a hint of anxiety.
Merlin gives her a confused look, "Well, the king said that she and her father are welcome in Camelot." He takes in the Lady's appearance. She isn't wearing any type of jewelry, no adornments decorate her hair, in fact it hangs down and rather limp in loose curls, there are light shadows under her eyes, and slight fear within their sea green depths. "Is everything okay?" he asks with concern.
Feigning a smile, she answers, "Yes, thank you." She turns away and continues to her destination.
...
Slowly creaking open the door, Morgana steps into the chamber. She finds Gaius bent over a flask of something he's boiling.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you," she starts.
He turns to her. "Nonsense, my child, my favorite patient is always welcome." The elder man kisses her cheek, but her eyes are drawn to his bench. "I'm sorry about the mess. Most of it is Merlin's. If I'd known you were coming, I'd have tidied up in here."
She shakes her head. "Err… it's not that. It's just... your bench is on fire."
"My bench is on fire? What are you...?" Gaius turns and around and sees that the girl wasn't joking, "My bench is on fire!"
Morgana looks around and finds a bucket of water, "Here"
Using his tongs, the physician puts the enflamed flask into the water, extinguishing the fire. "You're always getting me into trouble." The young woman says nothing as she tentative draws closer. "What brings you to this dark corner?"
Hesitantly, she replies, "I- I had another dream."
"I see." A dark look passes over his features.
She continues. "I saw Arthur lying underwater, drowning, and there was a woman standing over him, watching him die. And she's here… in Camelot."
"The mind plays tricks. It borrows from everyday life and plays out its own fantasy."
"But I had this dream before she came to Camelot." The young woman shakes her head.
"You must be mistaken." He insists.
"No, I know what I saw." She says adamantly. "It was so real... so vivid. I saw him die, Gaius. She's going to kill him," Her fear coloring her tone.
In hopes of reassuring the young ward, the older man tells her, "These are just dreams, Morgana, nothing more. Are you taking the sleeping draught I made up for you?"
The Lady shakes her head, "No, it doesn't help."
"Here," He moves to grab a bottle from another table. "Try this. It will induce a deeper sleep." She doesn't look convinced, so he adds, "You've nothing to fear." Trying to accept his words she thanks Gaius and moves to leave, but he stops her just as she reaches the door. "Uh, Morgana, don't bother Uther about this. No need to worry him."
She nods and then leaves Gaius' chambers, hoping that what he said is true, but something tells her otherwise.
The next morning, Morgana is at her window again, the dream she had of Arthur drowning returned to her last night, despite the fact that she took the new draught from Gaius.
Today, she chooses to inform Gwen of what she had seen and its relation to the new guest in the castle. The both of them see Arthur and Sophia riding out of Camelot and this increases Morgana's fear.
"You're sure it's her?" Gwen asks.
Morgana nods, solemnly. "I could never forget that face."
"You should speak to the King." Her maid advises.
Her mistress turns to her. "And tell him what, that I can see the future?"
"If you think the prince's life is in danger-" she reasons.
The other woman interrupts, "You know how he'd react."
"You're his ward, he wouldn't harm you," she says firmly.
The Lady sighs. Her friend is too much of an idealist for her own good sometimes. "He hates magic more than he cares for me." She informs, equally as firm.
"That's not true." The dark-skinned girl shakes her head.
Lifting an elegant brow, "Would you care to put it to the test?"
Her heart drops a bit at the thought of the consequences that could ensue if she is wrong. "But what else can you do?"
Morgana is taken aback for a second; her thoughts hadn't gone that far. "I'm going to have to try and stop her myself."
Gwen can only nod somberly as they turn back to the window. It is times like this when Morgana wished for her cousin's presence. Not only to cool her anxiety over her nightmares, but ensure that Arthur didn't end up dead. As much as Estella cares for Morgana, she is equally as protective of Arthur… though not as blatantly.
Sophia rushes up the stairs and nearly runs into someone. "Sorry!" Looking up she sees a young woman before her. From the rumors spoken of her and the way the other woman is garbed in such fine silk and satin, one could only infer that she must be the king's ward. Smiling, "Lady Morgana, isn't it?" She extends her hand, "I'm Sophia."
Morgana stares accusingly and drily asks, "What are you doing here?"
Feigning innocence Sophia replies, "My father and I are guests of the king."
Scoffing, the other woman accuses, "You're lying." Sophia's eyes flicker, but she does not look worried. "I know what you're going to do to him, and I won't let it happen."
Seemingly shrugging off the allegation, Sophia asks, "Does Arthur know you feel this way about him?" From her lack of a quick reply, Sophia discerns that she's broached a delicate subject. "Oh, but of course he does. I suspect he's already turned you down."
"Don't think you can make a fool out of me." Morgana says shakily.
Sophia resumes her taunting. "I won't have to. You're managing to do that well enough already."
"Stay away from him." Morgana warns.
"Or what?" she challenges. "Jealousy is such an unattractive trait in a woman."
Morgana glares at Sophia. "If anything happens to Arthur, I'll find you. However long it takes." The flashing of amber in her sea green eyes makes Sophia stiffen, but it is unnoticed by Morgana as she regally continues on her way down the stairs.
Sophia watches her for a moment, her lips pursed in deep thought. She'd known of the ward's powers ever since she saw her that morning in the corridor. Morgana may fear her powers, but she is still a dangerous enemy (even more so than the Sidhe would ever know). Holding off her thoughts on the other woman she makes her way to her father.
"And, my Lady you must-"
"Alright!" the woman snaps at her attendants. Estella sighs exasperatedly at their shocked faces. "I'll have the meeting with the Duke of Mora tomorrow afternoon, the training with the knights will still commence even if it will rain, the plans for the festivities for the winter solstice will be finalized by the end of the week, and I want the gold satin with white diamond edging and embroidery of whatever colors you like. Have this gown done within a fortnight." The other women are still silent and unmoving. "Go on!" she commands, and they finally jump and do as they're ordered.
Really, it seems that Caerleon cannot function at all without her.
"Already storming up the castle, are we?" Estella rolls her eyes and turns around to face the person who's always been such a thorn in her side (and she senses that she will be more than that). Lady Elaine, her Uncle Agravaine's ward. "And you haven't been in Caerleon for long."
Another sigh emits from the duchess' lips. "For your information, Elaine, I've been home since the end of last month."
She giggles in that annoying fashion of her while dramatically tossing her auburn-blonde hair behind her back. "Funny, I did not know orphans had homes."
"Well, you're living in this castle, so I would assume they do." Estella sarcastically remarks to which the other woman stares angrily, ready to yell back that she is no orphan. "If you'll excuse me, I have more important matters to attend to."
But Elaine is not done, blocking her way, she asks, "How is that dearest cousin of yours, her head on a spike, yet? I've always said that Morgana's mouth would get her into trouble."
Estella's eyes are as hard as steel, but instead of lashing out, she chooses a different tactic. "Even so, her charming words can get her out of trouble. And at least her mouth is not always around a man's cock." It is no secret that Elaine is not only the haughtiest, but also the most promiscuous of women. The only that saves her reputation in the court is her being Agravaine's ward, otherwise she'd be reduced to a whore on the streets… Not that she cared for that matter.
And her pride in her sexual prowess shows. Grinning arrogantly, and Estella flinches at the recognition, she accuses, "Envious of my superior abilities in the bed chamber?"
"Envious? You mean of all the diseases you must have acquired from the scores of men you've bedded in less than sensible conditions, no why would anyone be?" The duchess pushes past the other.
"Do you ever fear for Morgana?" Estella balks and Elaine continues, "Because if you do not learn to show me some respect, something may happen to her."
Looking over her shoulder, "What respect should I give to someone who threatens my family?" Pursing her lips she states, "Besides your old age cannot tell the difference."
Her uncle's ward shrieks in outrage. "I am not even four years your senior you wench-"
"And yet you have not gained any wisdom with your years." Estella intercedes. "Your public affairs, countless liaisons, the simple standing as the Lord of Caerleon's ward make you of a lower station than I."
Elaine sneers. "Well, Duchess, don't think that you can use something as petty as a title to scare me."
"No," she agrees, "I know think that my titles don't frighten you." The slight smile fades from her fair face. "But the magic within my veins does because it greatly surpasses yours and if you cross me again or bring any harm to Morgana, you will see just how much you have to fear." Her moonlight eyes gleam amber for a moment and then she leaves Elaine alone in the hall.
The very ground still seems to shake long after her departure.
Morgana leans herself on one of Arthur's chairs as she listens to the prince ramble on about how wonderful Sophia is.
"You seem quite fond of her." She comments an edge coloring her tone.
"You make that sound like a bad thing." He says back.
"Not necessarily. I've just… Never seen you fall under a woman's spell so quickly."
Shrugging off his jacket while smirking, "If you're jealous, Morgana, it's okay to admit it."
"Don't flatter yourself." She immediately retorts.
"Come on." He goads, "It wouldn't be the first time now, would it?"
Morgana moves closer, pleading for him to stop his teasing. "Arthur, I'm trying to protect you! She isn't what she seems."
"Why? What makes you say that?" The prince asks.
She bristles. It's not like when they were young anymore, when they could tell each other anything when asked. "I just have a feeling." Choosing her words carefully and slightly praying that Arthur would understand, "It's difficult to describe. I had a dream, a nightmare."
The unexpected happens, where he is supposed to soften and listen (like he always has before even after they grew apart), he laugh – and in the most patronizing way. "You really are very sweet, Morgana."
"Why are you laughing?" She nearly snarls with her eyes wide.
"You! Your feelings, bad dreams," he answers. "You don't have to make this stuff up." Arthur's looking at her now with what can only being described as pity, pity that one bestowed upon someone with unrequited love. "You can tell me the truth. It's obvious you like me."
Meeting his eyes with a hard stare she declares, "Less and less by the second."
"All right, whatever you say." He smirks into his cup of wine.
"You're intolerable." Morgana has a tremendous urge to slap him, but something – something unidentifiable is holding her back. "Just hope I'm wrong about her." And with that, Morgana leaves in a flurry of silk and satin.
Arthur stands impatiently, waiting for his father to look from the papers he is reading. "I request this audience, Father, to discuss a matter of great importance." Uther then looks up with a furrowed brow at his son's uncharacteristic, commanding tone. "It cannot have escaped your attention that I and Lady Sophia Tír-Mòr have grown very close."
With an amused tone, the king responses, "Not too close, I hope."
"We're in love," Arthur states. Uther and Morgana exchange a look as the prince continues, "Which is why I come before you today to ask your permission to marry."
Morgana is worried; she knows that something is not right. Uther, however, does not notice and simply begins to laugh heartily, "I assume you're joking."
Arthur looks highly offended. "No, I'm going to marry her."
"But you only met two days ago." Uther promptly reminds.
"We're in love," he emphasizes.
"In love?" he repeats. "We had no idea that you were such a romantic had we, Morgana?" The king glances at his ward.
She tries to catch Arthur's eye, but his gaze is focused on his father, "No… He's full of surprises."
"I'm going to marry her. I don't care what either of you think about it." The prince declares defiantly.
Uther is no longer amused. His jaw twitches, "I thought you'd come to ask my permission?"
"Out of courtesy, nothing more," Arthur then turns, takes Sophia's hand, and they walk toward the door.
"Guards, door," Orders the king. The guards block off Arthur and Sophia from leaving and Uther rises from his throne. "You've forgotten whose court you're standing in."
Arthur continues to fight against his father, until the threats on Sophia's life were set and so he reluctantly bows his head and Uther has Sophia and her father released, an action that makes Morgana's fear rekindle. "You've got your whole life ahead of you. Sophia is no doubt your first love," Morgana cannot help but wince at that, "but she certainly won't be the only one. Enjoy yourself while you can."
...
Morgana follows Uther as he leaves the Council Chamber. She tries in vain to convince the king of Sophia's danger to Arthur, but he has never really been a man to look past the surface of this kind of situation.
Seeing that the king is growing impatient of her indistinct statements, she considers telling him the truth, "I-I don't know how to tell you this."
Stopping, he faces her, "Try. Whatever it is, you can tell me." Uther looks at her expectantly as he waits.
Even with his somewhat fatherly expression, Morgana cannot bring herself to reveal her dreams, remembering Gaius' warning against this. "I've just seen girls like this before." She tells him. "They string men along and then drop them. I don't want to see him get hurt."
Putting his hand on her shoulder, "I know you want to protect him, but some lessons we have to learn for ourselves. He'll hurt for a week and then Sophia will be forgotten."
She attempts to smile, "I hope so."
Uther leaves Morgana looking desperate and afraid for Arthur's life.
Merlin rushes through the forest as fast as he can, adrenaline and anxiety running in veins, spurring him to move faster. A loose root in the ground trips him and he sprawls to the forest floor.
As soon as he fell, he is hauled onto his feet again. Looking up he sees two women on either side of him. One is the familiar face of the king's ward, the other is a woman, older than Morgana, but with similar features.
"Lady Morgana," he huffs, "What are you-?"
The foreign woman intercedes, "There's no time to explain, come." And the three of them take off towards the Lake of Avalon.
...
When they reach the lake, Sophia is standing in the water and Aulfric is casting the spell to sacrifice Arthur. Said prince is nowhere in sight.
Merlin panics, knowing what he must do save his master, but with the presence of Uther's ward so close, is it safe to use his magic?
The unknown woman who helped him suddenly raises her hand toward Aulfric, "Swelt goldbeorth." A bolt of light hits the Sidhe and he explodes.
The warlock glances at Morgana, who looks more distressed at the water than the use of sorcery in front of her.
"Father, no, no!" Sophia yells as she wades her way to the shore.
Morgana, momentarily broken from her distraught trance, glares deathly at Sophia. Pulling out the dagger on her belt, she throws it and it strikes its target, Sophia's heart. She gasps, putting her hand to her chest.
The other woman now aims for Sophia, "Og kelis!" And her father's fate falls upon Sophia.
Merlin then pulls off his jacket and runs into the lake. Morgana moves to follow him, but she is held back. "Never fear, Merlin will save him."
It seems almost an eternity until Merlin breaks the surface of the water with Arthur. Morgana breaths a heavy sigh of relief. "Morgana," She turns to look into the familiar emerald green eyes that promptly glow ember. Her mind becomes clouded and she is sinking.
Merlin makes it to the shore with Arthur. Trying to catch his breath, he looks to the women. The stranger is holding an unconscious Morgana as a mother cradles a sleeping infant.
"What did you do?" he demands.
She looks up, her eyes full of maternal affection. "Nothing of consequence." The young boy is not sure how to respond to that. "Take care of the prince, young warlock; I will get Morgana back to the castle."
Merlin begins to sputter something and the woman raises a brow, patiently waiting. "Err, uh, who are you?"
She smiles warmly. "Vivienne, an old acquaintance of Gaius." Looking back down at Morgana, Vivienne whispers, "Bedyrene us! Astyre us thanonweard." Then she and Morgana disappear from the forest.
...
Vivienne gently lays Morgana on her bed and pulls the silk sheets over her slim form. Sadness and guilt grips the Lady Le Fay's heart. She was rarely there while Morgana was growing, so she hardly ever got to rock her child to sleep, tuck her in at night, sing her to sleep. An experience she wanted with both daughters, but only gave to one.
Her beautiful child, she remembers the day Morgana was born and how she seemed to be the exact image of her and her twin, while the other daughter, Morgause, however, resembled her grandmother, Vera.
Gorlois hadn't begrudged the lack of physical likeness his daughters had to him nor was he upset or even angered by the lack of a male heir. He loved his daughters and his wife, he would have done anything to protect them.
He almost did. When Uther began his Great Purge, Gorlois had the mind to stand up against his best friend because of the knowledge of magic being present in his family. However, the twin Le Fays advised him against that course of action and convinced him to simply grin and bear what he must for the safety of his daughters.
The older twin feels the presence of her younger sibling and she turns to face her, "Valeria," she addresses with a hushed voice.
"The Sidhe wouldn't have accepted his soul," the younger Le Fay states.
Vivienne nods, "I know, but I suppose all the Sidhe will try to do whatever it takes for their control over their fates."
"Surely the Sidhe Elders know better," Valeria asserts.
"Not all of them," The eldest Le Fay says, "Do not forget the matter of Godwyn's daughter."
Valeria scoffs, "How could I?" Her gaze glances over her young niece and then to her sister. "Come, we must go."
Vivienne nods.
"When you failed to show up for patrol this morning, I feared you'd eloped with Sophia in a fit of passion." Arthur nods solemnly at his father's words and turns to Merlin, causing the king to do the same.
The manservant starts stuttering about being an idiot and mistakes, but Morgana isn't paying attention. She's observing the prince. Where the last time he was in court, he stood relaxed and carefree. Now, he stands straight and serious, his princely stance as he would call it.
Tired everyone dancing over words, the king requests, "Could somebody tell me what happened?"
"Well-" Merlin starts.
"Someone with a brain," The elder man clarifies.
Arthur then speaks up, "After Sophia left, I wanted to take my mind off her," Morgana's brow furrows at the prince's blatant lie "So I went for a hunt."
"And killing things mends a broken heart?" she skeptically inquires.
Arthur's jaw twitches as he curses Morgana's perceptiveness. "No, but it's good fun." Returning his attention to his father. "Merlin was meant to inform you that I wouldn't be back till later today."
The king looks suspicious at said servant. "Have you some kind of mental affliction?" He asks slowly.
"Probably," he mutters.
"I'm looking into it, Sire." Gaius assures.
"Well, I hope for our sake you find a cure. Or we'll find ourselves with a food shortage on our hands." And once again, Merlin ends up in the stocks.
When the Council is dismissed, the prince heads back to his chambers, but to his dismay his father's ward follows him.
"What is it, Morgana?" he snaps.
Her mouth is set in a thin line. "No, need to speak to me as though I am a thorn in your side, Arthur. I only wanted to know when you are going to be ready to tell the truth."
"What truth?" he immediately throws back.
They reach the doors to his chambers and she blocks his way. "Of what happened with Sophia." Arthur opens his mouth, but she cuts him off, "I can tell when you are lying, so do not even try."
He sighs, "Fine, but can we…" gesturing towards his chambers, Morgana obliges, steps aside, and follows him into the room, shutting the doors behind her.
Instead of pushing him to speak, she waits and he is thankful for that. Slowly he begins with what he knows, "When my father refused to let Sophia and I marry, I decided to elope with her. Merlin tried to stop me, but… I was, as he says, 'beyond reason,' so he knocked me out in order to bring me back to Camelot." Now, he waits, waits for her to laugh and gloat. But she does not.
Looking up, he sees that Morgana has a thoughtful expression on her face. "You don't really remember what happened, do you?"
Arthur shakes his head, "Not really, it is all muddled." He laughs rather bitterly. "I guess I must have some sort of affliction."
"Then, I must, too." He's not sure what she means, she herself, is not sure, either (yet). "I won't tell your father," She adds.
The prince nods his head. Suddenly, he blurts, "I'm sorry."
Morgana's forehead knits. "What exactly for?"
Another sigh. He struggles with what to say, for the past few hours, he had been struggling to recall the last few days when Sophia was in the castle. Mostly he remembers, a young woman with the face of a porcelain doll, golden brown hair, and hazel eyes – really, nothing very striking or extremely memorable about her at all. But one memory, though, stood out from the haze of images.
"For being so patronizing, when you tried to warn me about Sophia." She visibly flinches. "I know that you were worried, it was not chivalrous of me to be condescending."
Her lip quirks. "When have you ever been chivalrous?" He gives her a dry. She chuckles softly. "It's alright, I forgive you."
The Lady moves to leave his chambers, but the prince stops her. "So, that means you do like me, then."
Morgana whorls around to see his cheeky grin. Instead of a taunting remark, she decides to humor him. "More and more than before." The smile fades and he stares at her in surprise. Morgana glides out of his chambers before he can respond.
Morgana knocks on the door to Gaius' chambers and enters. "I've had some troubled nights." She informs the physician.
"I prepared another draught for you." The elder man turns to a table behind him. "Have the dreams stopped?"
Shaking her head, she says, "Arthur told me what actually happened." Addressing Merlin, "You must've hit him round the head really hard."
"Yeah. I feel really bad about that." The young boy tries to distinguish if Morgana remembered anything of the lake. He was never good at reading people, so he is left unsure.
"Here you are." His guardian hands the Lady a vial. "Remember, every night just before you go to sleep."
"Thank you, Gaius." And Morgana leaves.
Merlin looks toward his guardian. "Do you think she remembers, what happened at the lake?"
The old man exhales. "I'm not sure. But what I do know is this," He turns to his ward, "She must never find out the truth of her dreams."
The boy is confused. "Why not? She had a premonition that helped save Arthur's life."
"And it could've cost her own. If Uther ever found out, things would never be the same again. It must remain a secret." Gaius emphasizes adamantly.
"Is she like me? Can she use magic?" Merlin questions and Gaius pauses contemplating how much he should reveal. Before the older man responds, his ward speaks again. "And you are supposed to tell me who Vivienne is." Gaius exhales. "Please tell me the truth."
"You must swear," he looks Merlin in the eyes. "Never to tell anyone what I am about to reveal." The boy nods his head. "Vivienne is a witch, from a line of one the most powerful magical families in history, the Le Fays."
Not understanding, Merlin asks, "Why is this so confidential?"
"I'm sure you noticed the resemblance Morgana has to Vivienne."
He nods and then a thought comes to the young warlock, "They're related."
Gaius nods, "Morgana is Vivienne's daughter."
"So, she does have magic." He also realizes something else, "And Estella does too, doesn't she?"
"There is no woman of the Le Fay family who doesn't have some sort of magic," the elder man says.
"But, Morgana doesn't know about it, does she? She-"
The physician interrupts. "Merlin, stay out of it. However and whenever her magic manifests itself, her family will handle it. The Le Fays do not take kindly to anyone who meddle." The boy looks down at the table. "Heed my warning, Merlin. Do not cross any who is a Le Fay. Grave consequences come to those who do."
Merlin bows his head, "Yes, Gaius."
Hearing a noise outside his window, the physician gets up to check. Outside, in the shade of the trees, he sees two women. When the wind blows, their figures fade and disappear, as if they were not even there.
Author's Note: Thanks for reading and please review.