Merlin and Morgana had passed the rest of the afternoon lazing around Morgana's bed chambers sharing sweet kisses and generally enjoying each other's company. Merlin finally felt like his life was coming together his magic was out in the open, Arthur was safe and he had a girl to love that meant everything to him.
The only thing that was worrying him then was the small matter of Mordred and his imposing threat, Morgana had seen in the dream and what Kilgharrah had warned him against. He was destined to kill Arthur and Merlin had sworn a vow that he would find a way to change Arthur's destiny…and maybe he had, by bringing Morgana to his side. Their foretold alliance couldn't happen if she was faithful to him. The thought didn't allow Merlin to relax however. In all of their meetings with the druid boy Mordred and Morgana had a close bond and it was obvious they meant a lot to each other. Merlin didn't know how Morgana would react when he told her that he would have to face down Mordred one day.
The problem with Morgana's vision is that there is no way of knowing when Mordred's attack would come. Merlin was dying to know more but was terrified of the reaction he would get when Morgana caught onto his line of thinking.
'Morgana, your vision, did you get a clear look at who was attacking?' Merlin asked playing with a strand of Morgana's hair. She turned to look at him with a confused expression; obviously wondering what had brought this on.
'No, he or she had a hood up, but there was something familiar about them,' she said turning away again and cuddling into Merlin's side.
Merlin tried to ignore to buzz of energy that swept through him at the contact and forced himself to clear his mind and focus on the job ahead not on Morgana's body which pressed so invitingly against his side fitting together perfectly…stop!
'So there was nothing to indicate when it was or who it was?' Merlin asked.
'No, you and Arthur all looked a bit older but not drastically older,' Morgana said.
'And you're sure you didn't recognise the person?' Merlin asked again.
'Merlin I've said no, what has got you so worried? The future changes all the time you shouldn't rely on my visions as fact,' Morgana said.
'Yes but I talked to Kilgharrah about it last night and…well…he had some words to say on the subject,' Merlin said nervously.
'Oh?' Morgana said sitting up now 'Did he tell you who it was?'
'Not in so many words, he did so in his usual cryptic fashion, but yes I think I have a good idea who it was' Merlin replied.
'That's brilliant Merlin!' Morgana said clearly pleased that Merlin had the upper hand, but she frowned as Merlin shook his head and made to stand.
'What is it Merlin?' Morgana asked.
'It's not going to be something you want to hear, but it has to be done, you need to know the truth,' Merlin said offering his hand to Morgana and pulling her up from the bed.
'Well, you've already told me I'm immortal and can't have children…what can be worse than that?' Morgana asked and watched bemused as Merlin winced in reply.
'Come, this should be something Arthur and the rest hear as well,' Merlin said and dragged a confused Morgana out the door to the council chambers.
Everyone was sat down in the council chambers except for Merlin who was stood up pacing, Gwaine was smiling, Percival looked bored, Elyan and Leon confused and Arthur, Gwen and Morgana were all getting neck ache from following his incessant pacing.
'Merlin either spit it out or sit down!' Arthur at last exploded, which caused Merlin to stop and stare at him with a look of pure fear which made Arthur stare back confused.
'Whatever is the matter?' Arthur asked again.
'Morgana had a vision, that night when I kicked you all out her room,' Merlin answered. It was Morgana's turn to look shocked.
'Merlin, my dreams are private!' she said.
'I know that, my love and I wouldn't reveal them if I didn't have cause,' Merlin said.
'What do you mean she had a vision?' Gwaine asked confused. Merlin turned to look at the rest of the round table and realised it was only Arthur that knew about Morgana's talent for seeing the future.
'Morgana has a talent, for seeing the future, visions come to her in dreams, sometimes they mean nothing sometimes they can be more important…'Merlin veered off confused as to how he should explain it, luckily morgana took over.
'I see terrible things, death destruction, sometimes I see future's which are decades away with nothing to do with any of us, they are easy to ignore but sometimes I see something which will affect you all,' Morgana said.
'Cool, can you see if Arthur will ever pluck up the courage to ask Gwen to marry him?' Gwaine asked cheekily.
'Gwaine!' Arthur and Gwen yelled shocked.
Morgana chuckled and replied 'No, my visions aren't subjective, I can't decide what I want to see, but this time I saw a hooded figure, he was attacking Camelot and well it's made Merlin worried,' she finished off sarcastically.
'Yes and for good reason,' Merlin said holding her gaze for a long minute whilst the rest of the table stared at them in confusion.
'So we're going to be attacked?' Percival questioned confused.
'It certainly looks that way,' Merlin said.
'No it doesn't,' Morgana replied 'the future can always change.'
'Not this future Morgana, not when you learn who it is that will attack,' Merlin said.
'So you know who it is?' Arthur questioned.
'The dragon mentioned it,' Merlin said and then resumed his pacing.
'What's got you so worked up Merlin; I thought you were meant to be the most powerful warlock ever?' Gwen asked.
'I'm not invincible Gwen there are some things I can't stop no matter how much I may want to,' Merlin said.
'For the love of God Merlin will you just tell us,' Arthur said.
'There is a prophecy written at the same time mine and yours was written Arthur.' Merlin said speaking to him now. 'But there is another concerning you and another man who will be your doom…this future you cannot escape and no matter how much I try to protect you I cannot change it,' Merlin said.
'So you're telling me this hooded man is my end?' Arthur said now giving Merlin is full attention, Gwen had grabbed his hand.
'I'm afraid so,' Merlin said.
'Well who is it?' Morgana said.
'You know him better than anyone here Morgana, its Mordred,' Merlin said.
The silence that followed was the worst Merlin had ever experienced, even when he had been locked up in the dungeons by Arthur. He did not break his gaze with Morgana and forced himself to stare into her eyes. They gave nothing away.
'That boy who we got out of Camelot?' Arthur asked.
'I'm afraid so,' Merlin said still staring at Morgana.
'What's this got to do with Morgana?' Leon asked now eyeing Morgana suspiciously.
'The prophets also speak of an alliance between Morgana and Mordred that will bring down Albion, a bond that no one can break,' Merlin said still staring at her as everyone now did the same.
It was Morgana's turn to stand now and walk to the council window and stare out into the court yard.
'So I'm destined to be evil?' Morgana said 'I thought I'd proven myself to you Merlin.'
'You have Morgana, our bond as magic mates is something that destiny did not predict… I am hoping that means Mordred will be on his own, and with you on our side I am also hoping that I can keep Arthur alive and safe.'
'How?' Morgana said now turning back to face Merlin her eyes cold and familiar anger rose up in them 'By killing him?'
Merlin stepped forward his arms crossed 'My loyalty has and will always be to Arthur Morgana, if Mordred attacks Camelot I will kill him with or without your help.'
'So you assume his guilt and that he's evil, with good reason…he's just a boy,' Morgana whispered venom dripping from her mouth.
'No he's matured into a powerful threat Morgana,' Merlin said.
'And who told you that Merlin?... the dragon?... You believe anything that dragon tells you without questioning him!' Morgana said her voice raising a notch.
'I trust Kilgharrah with my life, he is my kin and brother of my heart there is no one I trust more,' Merlin said.
'Just like you trusted him when he told you to poison me,' Morgana said her eyes glaring at him now.
The rest of the table gasped as Morgana said this staring from Merlin to Morgana in shock.
'I've told you before Morgana, it was you or the rest of Camelot, I cared about you even then, but you had chosen your side, you had chosen Morgause.'
'DON'T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT HER!' Morgana screamed, making everyone jump, she shook herself then brought her voice back down 'You have no right, you never gave me a chance Merlin.'
'I gave you hundreds Morgana I told you to go to the druids, I healed you a number of times, I cried in my bed faced with the choice of killing you, but I always let you live, you made the choice to turn Morgana,' Merlin kept his voice calm and placating trying with all his heart to make her see reason.
'But you kept your own secret to yourself didn't you Merlin, you didn't think that I deserved someone to confine in,' Morgana threw back, 'I was alone and scared, but I wasn't granted the same luxury as you, I was on my own with no one but Uther's hate to listen to!'
'I knew your destiny Morgana, how could I have told, or confided in you, when you were foretold to bring destruction to Camelot?'
'Well the future has changed and Mordred can change too!' Morgana shouted gesturing wildly.
'And I will give him every chance Morgana, but I will not allow him to live if he steps forward to attack Camelot.'
'I will stop you!' Morgana said coming closer to Merlin now, and almost ran to his side as she realised tears were dripping down his face.
'You would choose him over me?' Merlin asked his voice now devoid of any emotion.
'If you choose to kill him Merlin, I will stop you, Magic mate or not,' Morgana said.
'He is evil Morgana, don't be drawn in by his lies, he has a job to do and he will use you to do it.'
'YOU'RE THE LIER!' Morgana screamed her temper now out of control making Arthur stand from his shocked state and come to stand with Merlin.
'HE'S NOT EVIL, I WON'T BELIEVE IT!' Morgana screamed at them.
She was losing control, Merlin could see it she was shaking with anger and it was all directed at Merlin, making his heart break with his love for her. He would do anything to help her but right now she was beyond help.
'Morgana try to calm down,' Arthur said trying a help.
'YOU TWO ARE THE EVIL ONES, YOU CARE ABOUT NO ONE BUT EACH OTHER YOU'RE BOTH JUST LIKE UTHER!' she thundered at them both.
'Morgana please, I didn't want to tell you, I know how much you care about him,' Merlin said dropping to his knees near her, his heart breaking with the force of her hate which was directed at him.
'I won't let you destroy one of my kind Emrys,' Morgana said now standing to her full height glaring down at him ignoring his pain.
Merlin got back to his feet, the Morgana he knew and loved was gone and all that stood in front of him was a girl shrouded in hate, determined to protect someone she loved. He admired her for that, but when it came to Mordred she was blinded from the truth.
'Morgana please, you're breaking my heart' Merlin said hating the sound of his own pathetic voice.
'Let's break it properly then,' Morgana said an evil smile touching her face.
'Ástríce' Morgana shouted forcing her hand upwards.
Merlin was shocked he hastily raised a shield to protect both himself and Arthur. He couldn't believe it. She and used magic against him. His heart was breaking it felt like the world was falling apart.
'Morgana please, I don't want to fight you', Merlin said. The rest of the occupants of the room and flew to the sides trying to keep out of the way of the now enraged Morgana.
'Morgana…' Arthur tried but she flung another stunning spell at him which Merlin immediately intercepted standing in front of his king and best friend.
'Don't harm him Morgana, this is between you and me' Merlin said.
'You always did choose him over anyone Merlin, let's see how far you are willing to go,' Morgana said.
Her hair seemed darker than its usually raven black, it was cast in shadow. Her face radiated pure dark magic and hatred.
'Forbærne! Ácwele'
A stream of fireballs shot towards Merlin and he instinctively poured more magic into his shield, he knew he could beat Morgana easily, but his heart wouldn't let him attack back. Morgana knew this and was using it to her full advantage.
'I thought you were meant to be strong Emrys… I see no evidence of that.'
'I refuse to attack you Morgana, I love you, nothing will change that, not even you killing me all that will achieve is you killing yourself, you know this.'
'Or maybe it will free me from these ridiculous feelings!' Morgana spat at him.
Tears now streamed down Merlin's face at the words, how could she say that? She had given him her heart earlier this morning. Remembering the passion they had shared gave Merlin a new intense feeling of grief as he realized he might not get to feel that again.
'You don't mean that Morgana please,' Merlin begged 'please don't,' Arthur had backed off now the horror of situation setting in.
Morgana sent another stunning spell at Merlin and this time she curved the strike so that at the last minute when Merlin raised his shield it shot around and hit him from the back. Merlin felt the force of the strike like a knife to his heart and could do nothing as he fell to his knees; blackness shrouded his eyes and he passed out lifeless on the floor.
Everyone in the room including Morgana stared in shock.
Emrys was defeated.
'WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?' Arthur screamed at Morgana drawing his sword.
Morgana had no reply and just stared at Merlin's lifeless figure. The anger and hate was drifting from her eyes and a sense of despair overtook her as she realized she had attacked her magic mate. The pain she had been holding back during their fight returned full force and Morgana fell to her knees and screamed. She screamed and screamed louder than when Morgause had been struck in this very room.
The doors to the chambers opened and Gaius rushed in, he assessed the situation quickly and ran to Merlin's side turning him over and cradling him in his arms. Seeing his unconscious face made Morgana scream more and caused the rest of the occupants to put hands over the ears.
Gwen was the first to recover and rushed to where Merlin was lying. 'Is he okay?'
'I'm not sure… what happened?' Gaius asked loudly over Morgana's screaming.
'They had a fight about Mordred; she got mad and attacked him.'
'Oh,' Gaius said.
'Will he be okay?' Arthur asked his voice breaking, the question seemed to calm Morgana as she waited for an answer.
'I'm not sure, the heart break of it coming from her, might be enough to kill him,' Gaius said turning his eyes to Morgana, he showed no anger towards her just disappointment.
'Merlin?' Morgana whispered and tried to crawl over to him but was restrained by Leon and Gwaine who she didn't try to fight.
'Merlin my love?' she whispered again her eyes wide and terrified, 'Oh what have I done?'
'Leon, take her to the dungeons, out of my sight, until I figure out what to do with her, put on those magic binding shackles,' Arthur instructed eyeing her with disgust.
'No please, I can't leave him.' Morgana begged in despair.
'You just did when you knocked him unconscious Morgana, you don't deserve him,' Arthur said glaring at her.
His hatred for her caused her to break down again and she sobbed heart wrenching sobs as she let the pain engulf her. Leon lifted her into his arms and took her out of the room her sobs echoed down the hall. It was only when the place was quiet that Arthur went to his friend's side.
'I thought he was stronger than her?' Arthur asked Gaius.
'He is, but Merlin is a kind soul and loves Morgana very much, I doubt he would have wanted to retaliate.'
'Will he be okay?' he asked again.
'I'm not sure, locking Morgana away and keeping them apart might not be a good idea for their health,' Gaius said.
'But how can I trust her?' Arthur said 'She almost killed my best friend,' he reached out and brushed the hair back from Merlin's sweaty forehead.
'You must understand the bond between her and Mordred, it's very nearly as strong as the one she now shares with Merlin, I'm sure she is very confused right now and regrets her actions,' Gaius said.
'You must remember,' Gaius continued as Arthur frowned 'She has only recently changed sides, her world has been turned upside down and she feels helpless.'
'That doesn't give her an excuse to attack Merlin!' Arthur said.
'Of course not,' Gaius said 'we will have to just wait it out, come we must get him to my chambers.'
'Let me,' said the deep voice of Percival who scooped the young Warlock into his arms as if he weighed nothing.
Gaius led the way and everyone one followed in strange melancholy fashion. Depression was the now the highlight of the morning as everyone wondered how the hell they were going to get out of this mess.
Surely you didn't think it was all sunshine and lollipops from here on out?