Title: Dark Magic

Authors: Cassy27
Words: 1629
Characters: Merlin, Arthur, Gaius, Morgana, the dragon
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of Merlin, sadly enough!
Spoilers: There is a spoiler in this chapter concerning Morgana. If you have not seen season 1, there will be a part that might spoil it.

This story takes place somewhere in season 1

Beta: Fantasyy-Freak, you are wonderful!

AN: Thanks to those who took time to review my last chapter, you are all so nice to me. I only hope to not disappoint you with this chapter.
Lookingatstars, I read your complete review (thanks for that, btw) and I tried to take it all into consideration. I hope you are pleased with this chapter.

Chapter 7

Morgana knew something wasn't right. Gwen was normally never late so where was she? Morgana's head filled with all sorts of possible scenarios which would explain her being late. Maybe she was sick. Had something happened to her? She had always considered Gwen to be her friend and she wasn't going to let her down, especially if she needed help.

Walking out of her chambers, Morgana set out to Gwen's house. As she walked through the halls of the castle, she still hoped to run into Gwen there and that she would find everything to be okay, but the halls were all empty. Morgana sighed as fear was clouding her mind. Maybe, just maybe, something really bad had happened to her, something with which Morgana wouldn't be able to help her with, something nobody would be able to help her with.

"Merlin," Morgana smiled as she saw Arthur's servant walking up to her, "have you seen Gwen?"

Merlin slowly shook his head as he watched Morgana frown slightly, knowing that something was different about him. Not only was he acting off, his looks seemed to have changed as well. His eyes were definetly more darker.

"Are you feeling alright?" Morgana asked, knowing that something was wrong.

"I haven't felt better in years actually," Merlin smiled darkly, "in fact, for the first time in ages, I feel like I am myself."

"You don't seem like yourself," Morgana said, "is something going on?" Her thoughts immediately got drawn to Gwen again. Maybe she had something to do with this.

"Yes," Merlin answered without hesitation, "things will be changing around here."

Morgana didn't understand. What was going on around here? First Gwen doesn't show up and now Merlin is acting all...well, wrong. He used to be always cheery, no matter what and he always had kind of an awkward smile but all that had vanished. Now Merlin appeared all powerfull and arrogant. Morgana could almost feel the darkness inside of him and she instantly knew that the best move right now was to get away from him as quickly as possible.

Morgana smiled politely.

"I should go find Gwen," she said, walking past Merlin.

"I know you better than you think," Merlin said, quickly grabbing Morgana's arm. She instantly came to a halt, her heart beating rapidly, but she gazed straight into Merlin's eyes.

"Do you now?" Morgana sounded calm and in control, but all she wanted to to was jerk her arm lose and make a run for it. Merlin scared her.

"I know who you really are," a dark grin played around Merlin's lips, "witch."

Morgana pulled her arm lose, needing to get away from him right now while Merlin started laughing softly. Morgana didn't hesitate as she turned around and walked away, fighting the urge to run. Who would believe Merlin anyway? All that she knew was that she needed to find Gwen and Arthur as fast as possible and tell them about Merlin. Surely this had something to do with the attack of that sorcerer earlier because who she had just seen, wasn't Merlin.

Merlin watched how Morgana started running away from him. He had sensed the magic inside of her. It wasn't nearly as powerful as his magic, but when used in the right way, it could offer much potential. But Morgana wasn't his priority now.

Arthur was the one he needed to focus on as he was the one that needed to be taught a lesson. He had never treated Merlin with much respect before, so now it was time to change that as Merlin felt that Arthur was ready to see him as who he truly was.

A sorcerer. A powerful sorcerer.

Merlin started walking again, his purpose clear. He knew where Arthur was, he could sense him from miles away. As his powers grew and as he was accepting them, he found it more easy to control them. It all felt very natural.

A second presence around Arthur caught his attention however. He too seemed very powerful, but he was somehow shielded as he wasn't truly there. If Merlin hadn't been a powerful sorcerer himself, he would have probably not even noticed he was there. But this could only mean one thing; whoever it was with Arthur was a powerful sorcerer.

Merlin quickened his pace as he wanted to know who the unknown guest was and just as he turned into a hallway which led him to Arthur's chambers, Merlin felt the presence disappear. He ran now and didn't bother to knock. He simply opened the door to find Arthur standing with his back towards him, gazing out of the window.

"Who was with you?" Merlin demanded, closing the door behind him.

Arthur turned around, his sword in his hand and his gaze dead serious.

"I know what is happening to you," Arthur said, ignoring Merlin's question, "you need help, Merlin."

Merlin couldn't believe what he was hearing. How could Arther be so stupid? Now that Merlin was finally strong, now that he had found the courage to show him who he really was, he needed help?

"You want to fight me?" Merlin asked, pointing towards the sword Arthur held. He took a step closer to the young prince.

"I don't want to fight you," Arthur said, not moving an inch. He wasn't threatend by Merlin.

"It doesn't seem like it," Merlin grinned, "and I don't mind. Frankly, you need to be taught a lesson."

"This isn't you, Merlin," Arthur said, truly hoping that he wouldn't have to fight Merlin in the end.

"You're right, this isn't me, this is a better me." Merlin still grinned.

"This is the poison talking," Arthur said, holding on to his sword even more, "the sorcerer from the forrest did this to you and you have to fight it."

"There is only one problem with that," Merlin now turned deadly serious, "who says I want to fight this?"

Arthur swallowed heavily. He knew what he had to do, but that didn't mean he had to like it. Merlin was still his friend after all, but the man in front of him wasn't his friend anymore. There was no kindness in his eyes, no innocence which Merlin always seemed to have. Raising his sword, Arthur didn't hesitate anymore. No matter what the old man had told him, he couldn't let Merlin kill him or continue being like this. The young man standing in front of him was now an enemy that needed to be stopped. Arthur ran forward, his sword lifted high and ready to kill.

Gaius knew that easiest part was over, but it still surprised him how easy it had been. Getting passed the guards had been the part Gaius had feared most, but as he had approaced them, they ran away, ready for an attack and Gaius knew it had something to do with Merlin. Time was obviously not on his side and so he quickened his pace.

Holding the torch high so that it illuminated most of the small passway, Gaius felt that he was getting close to the only one that would be able to help him. He only hoped he would want to help.

The passway ended and suddenly Gaius stood in a large, empty cave.

"Hello," Gaius called out, "I know you're here."

The dragon flew down and landed on a rock in the middle of the cave, right in front of Gaius who couldn't help but take a step back. He wasn't afraid though. He knew why he was here and he wasn't going to let Merlin down.

"Gaius," the dragon said with a low voice, "it has been a while since I saw you, how long exactly?"

"20 years," Gaius answered, not having to think about that answer. He could easily remember that day.

"Yes," the dragon laughed darkly, "the day of my imprisonment."

"Merlin is in danger and I know you can't afford to lose him," Gaius said. He knew more than most expected of him and even though Merlin had never told him that he visited the dragon sometimes for help, Gaius knew about it.

"I know he is in danger," the dragon said, serious again, "I can feel the dark magic inside of him."

"How do we save him?" Gaius asked, knowing he sounded desperate.

"You didn't help me 20 years ago when Uther imprisoned me," the dragon said, "so why would I help you now?"

"I know Merlin came to see you more than once and each time you helped him. That means you value him or he is at least of importance to you."

The dragon seemed to be thinking about Gaius' words.

"Merlin is important to the future," he eventually said, "so he does need to be saved. In order to reverse the dark magic inside of him, you must kill the person who is responsible for this."

"You mean kill the sorcerer from the forrest?" Gaius asked.

"Yes," the dragon asnwered, "but should Merlin kill a person before that has happened, he will be lost to the dark magic."

"That will not happen," Gaius said, sure about his words.

"I hope so," the dragon said before flying away.

Gaius didn't hesitate and turned around, running out of the cave and through the small passway again. He would need Arthur's help with this and soon because Gaius knew that it was only a matter of time before Merlin would kill another person.

AN: Sorry for the late post, I hope to be able to get the next chapter done as soon as possible because I hate to let you all wait.

I hope this chapter was enjoyed...let me know what your thoughts are about it!