AN: Okay, so I added another chapter to what was once a one-shot. It's very poorly edited as I have to get to class like... 5 minutes ago, so here it is.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Arthurian legend. I don't think anyone really does, but any little thing that might be seen as stolen is. Not. Mine.
Multicolored leaves fell from the towering oaks all around the forest. The already bare branches reached out with spindly fingers to grasp and hair and cloth. The tranquility of the forest went unnoticed by the two sorcerers circling each other in a clearing.
"I've traveled a long way for that sword, Morgan," the young man said. "I'm not leaving here until you return it to me. It wasn't created for you."
"Are you really so foolish as to believe I would hand over the sword that is destined to kill my son?" Morgan sneered. "Excalibur will go to Mordred. He will destroy your beloved King Arthur and claim his rightful place on the throne of Camelot."
Merlin and the witch continued to move around the clearing. Neither drawing any nearer nor backing away from the other. Gazes locked on one another trying to see if one would make a potentially fatal mistake.
"Your vendetta against Arthur will be your ruin Morgan," Merlin said to her. "We were all friends once. I know Uther lied to you, but it's in the past and it's not Arthur's fault. You need to let this go before it kills you!"
"I had every right to know who my real father was!" Morgan screeched. "It's as much Arthur's fault as Uther's since he claimed the crown that belonged to me." Morgan's walk took on a more animalistic character. It was almost catlike. As if she was waiting to pounce.
"There is nothing you can say that will change me Merlin. I have gained more power that you can even imagine. And one day, old friend… that power will place Mordred upon the throne of Camelot."
"I don't want to hurt you Morgan. But if you continue down this path you won't leave me any other choice."
Morgana let out a chilling laugh at his words. "That's just one more difference between us Merlin," Morgan smirked, as the sky grew darker. "I most definitely want to hurt you."
Just as the lighting came down where Merlin stood, the young sorcerer threw himself out of the way to dodge the strike.
Regaining his footing, Merlin hurled a gust of wind toward Morgan, knocking her into a nearby tree. But Excalibur remained firmly within her grasp.
The wind was blowing harder than ever, ripping the remaining leaves from their branches as each sorcerer sought to outwit the other.
With a final yell, Merlin threw another gust of wind at the witch and this time her head hit a stone when she hit the ground.
While she was still dazed from the blow to her head, Merlin stumbled toward her limp form and forced the blade from her hands. As he turned away from her to leave the woods, he heard her call his name.
"You're not going to kill me Merlin?"
"Not today," he replied with his back to her.
"It would save you from some trouble in the future. It would be easier to kill me now and save everyone."
"That's just one more difference between us Morgan," He called back. "I cannot take a life as easily as you have learned to do."
As Morgan watched her former friend walk away from her without turning back, she let a single tear roll down her cheek before violently wiping it away.
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