Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin, but I did survive an Avada Kedavra. . .

CHAPTER 4 - The Warlock and The Witch

Merlin is sitting on a ledge just outside the castle. He leans forward, his elbows resting on his lap with his hands clasped together. His eyes continue looking down onto the stone floor. He doesn't notice Gaius until he situates himself next to Merlin.

Merlin acknowledges Gaius and he mutters under his breath, "I couldn't watch everyone's grief."

"I know. But you're playing with things that are beyond you."

"Gaius . . . I was so happy when we found Morgana. Our first conversation when she returned lifted the sadness and grief in me. I thought the old Morgana was back."

"Yes, you were in a very good mood then."

"I don't understand how one person can affect me so much. Her forgiveness for me made me realize how much I cared for her as a friend. I made a promise to myself to protect her. But her actions had all been a facade."

"Merlin, she is a following a path that is entirely different than yours. I'm saddened to say that she might already be lost to us."

"I understand Gaius. . ."

Gaius' words to Merlin rang truth; however, Merlin's conversation with Morgana moments ago paints a different picture of Morgana. Merlin learned two things in that conversation. The first is that Morgana did not know she was carrying the curse. The second is that she was willing to sacrifice herself to save the people she cared about. These truths shook Merlin to the core when he found out.

Merlin understands that Uther's tyranny and ruthlessness towards magic is what nudged Morgana towards evil. He also accepts that it was his act of betrayal, his poisoning her that drove her over the edge. So it is easy for Merlin to explain the hatred that Morgana feels for him, but somehow, he is not happy with the rift between him and Morgana.

Merlin and Gaius stand up to return to their dwelling. Merlin releases a sigh of relief, "At least I stopped the vision of Morgana killing Uther," he thought to himself.

###

Gwen props Morgana up in bed with pillows. She is holding Morgana's bracelet and proceeds to place it on Morgana's dresser, "Here is fine?"

Morgana nods at her, "Thank you, Gwen."

Gwen turns and bows to Uther before leaving. Uther goes to Morgana, who reaches out her hands to him.

"I could never let you die. I think I somehow willed you to live."

"You've always been so good to me. I'm grateful," Morgana responds.

"You and Arthur, you mean everything to me."

"I know I could have no better guardian. Being so close to death has made me realize how important you . . . and Arthur are to me. How close we are to each other," Morgana answers back genuinely. Other than her thoughts being occupied by her conversation with Merlin, Morgana has also been thinking about Uther. She is feeling positive and hopeful that there could even be a small chance of reconciliation with him. She has never thought this way in a long time, but life is precious and seeing that there is still remnants of love in Uther's cold heart gives her faith.

"Yes," Uther answers.

"You're like a father to me," she answers longingly, giving Uther an opportunity for atonement.

"Yes."

"I wish the people knew that," Morgana answers and still patiently waiting.

"They do."

"Not really." her patience wavering.

"Of course they do."

"In the eyes of the people I am no more than your ward, a guest," she answers, now agitated.

"What matters is what we feel. That's what's important, not what the people think. I must let you rest," Uther nervously answers as he awkwardly pulls away and stands up to leave.

Morgana seethes at the exchange. In Morgana's eyes, she sees abandonment and feels the betrayal of Uther's disowning. Many thoughts run through her mind, and she is overwhelmed with emotion. "If he cannot even publicly accept me for being his daughter, how could he ever accept my magic," she thought to herself. "Magic is who I am, it defines me. A father that cannot accept her daughter for who she is, is no father at all."

Instinctively, she reaches for her dresser and pulls Morgause's bracelet to wear. She looks at it as she normally did during her absence from Camelot. In those times of hardships, and reconciling questions to answers, her bracelet has always helped her to make up her mind. She has come to depend on it whenever a heavy question is in her heart. Actually wearing it helps her control her thoughts. She knows that the bracelet is enchanted to filter out the bad dreams, but she has never asked if there are any other enchantments that affect thoughts. She wears it and her mind becomes resolute.

"Morgause is my only family and she is the only one that deserves my loyalty."

Morgana's thoughts are unwavering as she makes a decision, "Uther must pay for all the crimes he has ever committed."

###

The weather in Camelot takes the turn for the worst. A thunderstorm brews outside and it provides a great opportunity to pass through the Camelot defenses unseen as the heavy thunder limit hearing and the rain and fog limit visibility.

Morgause takes this chance to enter the castle. She has become worried after not seeing Morgana at their usual meeting place. Her worry has made her careless as a serving boy easily spots her. She quickly ends his life as the boy drops a pitcher full of wine. She continues on to the balcony corridor and is relieved to see Morgana looking pensively down from the balcony.

"Morgause," Morgana acknowledges her presence.

"Sister. I waited for you the other night. What happened? Something is wrong."

"There is much to tell you, Morgause," she answers, her voice revealing anger.

"What is it?"

"I overheard Uther."

"What?" Morgause answers gingerly as her worry is evident in her countenance.

"Uther is my father. I am his daughter."

"Uther?"

"He's been lying to me all these years," Morgana replies bitterly.

"But this is glorious news."

"He disowned me. He wants people to think that he's the perfect king. It's more important to him than his own flesh and blood."

"But don't you see? This is wonderful! You have a legitimate claim to his throne."

"No, Sister. You don't understand. He must pay for this."

The sisters are interrupted by the Camelot warning bells. The serving boy has been found.

"You must go."

"No, I don't want to leave you like this."

"You must or they will find you here."

"Do not do anything rash, Morgana. Promise me!"

Morgause proceeds to kiss Morgana on the cheek, but Morgana pulls away from it. She notices Morgana clutching her bracelet which is secure on her wrist. She knows how important her bracelet has become to her this past year. She has seen Morgana rely on her bracelet for comfort and direction. It seems that it has led her down a path, and Morgause notices the unrelenting resolve for revenge in Morgana. Worry fills Morgause's expression as she whispers to Morgana, "We must bide our time."

Morgause approaches the exit but takes a last look at Morgana before opening the door to leave.

###

Arthur examines the fallen serving boy and gets up as Merlin and Gaius approaches.

He addresses a guard standing by, "We need to seal the drawbridge, search the grounds. I'll inform the King."

Merlin and Gaius approach the body as Arthur leaves for the King's chambers. Gaius crouches next to the body and lifts the serving boy's arms. Merlin becomes overwhelmed with the image as the vision he saw at the Crystal Cave comes back to haunt him.

Gaius notices the panic in his apprentice's face, "Merlin, what's the matter?"

"That was the next image I saw in the crystal. I haven't stopped anything."

Merlin's mind races as he is reminded of his conversation with Morgana earlier. It brought back old feelings that he had for Morgana when she acknowledged that she would have taken the poison willingly, that was the woman that he grew to admire. His feelings for her did soften; however, he is still resolute that he cannot trust Morgana yet. The fulfillment of the sequence of visions makes him feels foolish for even thinking that she can change.

"I have to stop her from killing Uther. This is the best way that I know to protect her. . ."

###

Gwen prepares Morgana's bed while Morgana broods at her vanity table.

"Have they found the intruder?"

"Not yet," Gwen answers. "Looks like it's going to be a bad night."

"Yes," she replies as she looks mesmerized at her bracelet.

Gwen finishes her work and bids Morgana goodnight to leave.

In another side of the castle, Merlin races to get to Morgana's chambers.

Merlin arrives at Morgana's door and runs in as Morgana puts her newly gifted dagger in her belt. Merlin's presence in her room reminds her of old times, it is the way he occasionally just enters her room without knocking like he belongs there. She's always found it entertaining, but tonight it is different.

Morgana is unable to hide her surprise at Merlin's arrival. They haven't seen each other since their conversation. She would be lying if she said that she hasn't been thinking about him. She hasn't even thanked him for saving her life. She is grateful for his actions and even has softened her heart for his display of trust by giving her a second chance of life. The fact that they have a common bond for magic has eased the loneliness she feels inside Camelot's walls.

Her thoughts begin to form into words, but she realizes her demeanor, emotions, and tone does not match her thoughts when she angrily addresses Merlin, "What are you doing here?"

She is surprised with how she addresses him, but it almost seems natural. Somehow, something is feeding her anger but she cannot tell from where. She looks down on her wrist and notices how heavy her bracelet seems to become. The heaviness is not physical, but she feels her emotions and thoughts becoming more disconnected from one another. "Does this bracelet have control of my emotions," she thought to herself.

Merlin speaks and interrupts Morgana's thoughts, "Arthur sent me to look after you. He's worried about the intruder."

Her lips instinctively respond to Merlin, "I don't need you."

"He was quite insistent," Merlin responds as he continues to move closer to Morgana.

Morgana then lifts her hand to push Merlin out of the way. Merlin catches her arm and holds her tight.

They recognize how close they are to each other, their bodies almost touching to embrace. Morgana looks up at Merlin and notices how much taller he is than her and how perfectly blue his eyes are. She tries to shake his grip off of her arm, but realizes that she feels comfortable in his hold. Her struggling lessens as she recognizes that she doesn't mind the closeness.

Her eyes involuntarily glow and Merlin is launched against the wall knocking him unconscious. The candles in her room are knocked down and fire catches on her curtains. She hesitates to leave as her actions do not feel like of her command. Her mind orders her to continue her plan, but her heart wants to check that Merlin is okay. Her head wins the conflict.

She continues heading towards Uther's chambers and uses the fire in her chambers as a diversion. She easily passes all guards and arrives at Uther's chambers with no incident.

Meanwhile, Merlin regains his consciousness and in anger yells out. "Why are you doing this Morgana," he thought to himself. "This is not the right way." He is able to gather enough strength to prop himself up and he slowly starts heading towards Uther's chambers.

Merlin has many magical skills and talents. He understands that he has his natural magical resilience to thank for his life. He also has ability to sense magic and discern magical signatures. He knows that Morgana's magic has vastly improved, but her attack did not seem familiar to him. The spell that he felt from Morgana does not resemble her. This intrigued Merlin.

He slowly regains his strength as he moves toward Uther's chambers. He is fighting the disappointment he feels at Morgana's action and he is intent to stop her. He bursts in unseen through Uther's door, it is open. He sees Morgana raising her dagger, preparing to strike Uther in his sleep. He then feels powerful magic in the room, a similar sensation when he felt the Mage Stone and the Cup of Life.

His first thought is to direct an offensive magical spell towards Morgana, but remembering the state that he put her in recently, he decides to focus on the closed window in the chamber instead. He sends a spell to blast the windows inward, throwing Morgana against the wall. She drops her dagger and her bracelet falls from her wrist. Her bracelet draws Merlin's attention towards it, his magic reaching out to inspect it.

The commotion wakes Uther.

"What's going on," Uther questions as he sees Morgana against the wall.

Morgana positions herself to get up as she makes an excuse to Uther, "Umm . . . there was a fire, and I was scared."

She steps towards Uther and kicks her dagger under the bed.

"I wanted to be with you. You're the only person I feel safe with."

Uther welcomes her in an embrace while Merlin looks away from her bracelet to hide himself behind the curtain.

Somehow, Morgana feels relief for not being able to go through with killing Uther. She knows that the windows did not miraculously burst at the exact moment when her dagger was ready to plunge into Uther. She knows that Merlin is in the room and thinks to herself just how many times has this serving boy used his magic to save Camelot. She can't help but smile inwardly as she develops her thoughts, "Merlin, thank you again. I don't know what I was thinking."

###

Merlin was able to leave Uther's chambers unnoticed and he proceeds to walk back towards Gaius' chambers. He decides to walk by Morgana's chambers to check the extent of the damage caused by the fire. Apparently, the Camelot guards were quick enough to contain the fire and they are already in the process of leaving the room.

Arthur is in the scene and acknowledges Merlin as he walks towards him, "Oh sorry Merlin, did we disturb you from your night at the tavern? You have arrived just in time when all the work is done."

"Why do you always think I'm at the tavern? I went to warn the guards about the fire."

"Oh great Merlin, you warned them and cowered in fear since I did not see you at all helping to put it out."

Merlin raises his eyebrow in a Gaius' like manner and is preparing for a comeback, but Arthur interrupts him, "Where is Morgana anyway?"

"She's with Uther. She ran to him in fear of the fire," Merlin answers hesitantly.

"Hmm, interesting," Arthur mumbles.

"What are you making that face for?"

"Well, Merlin, how is it that you know where Morgana went when the fire happened? And how did you know so soon to warn the guards about the fire," Arthur questions teasingly. "Stalking Morgana again are we?"

Merlin's face reddens, "No, I came to check on her since we had an intruder you idle faced toad."

Their exchange is disrupted when Morgana appears at her doorway. Merlin immediately looks at Morgana, preparing himself instinctively to defend. But her countenance is peaceful as she walks in holding her bracelet. She sets it at a far dresser next to her doorway.

"Are you okay Morgana," Arthurs asks.

Morgana nods at Arthur's direction.

"Good," he answers. "Well, you can't sleep here tonight so we will prepare a spare bedroom for you until this is cleaned up."

Morgana is able to force a fake smile as an acknowledgement. Merlin is watching the exchange very tensely on the side.

"Merlin here, has very generously offered to help you get settled in the spare bedroom," Arthur states as Merlin's face becomes contorted. "He wanted to ensure your well-being."

Merlin begins to panic and he interrupts, "Ah, maybe we can have Gwen help her. . .?"

"No, Merlin, it is already very late. Why would we have her come all the way here from her home when you're already here waiting to help?"

"Uhh. . ."

"It's settled then. I'll leave you to it," Arthur declares as he leads himself out with a slight grin on his face. He has always felt like he knew everything, but in reality, he is completely clueless.

Arthur's footsteps fade to silence down the hallway, and once again, they are alone.

Merlin looks away from the door and directs his attention to Morgana who has her head tilted down looking at the floor. Earlier in the evening, he felt a different aura about Morgana, aggressive and angry. But now, he feels a compassionate and sorrowful Morgana.

Morgana raises her head and looks directly at Merlin. She examines him carefully, and begins to marvel at the hidden strength that this man has to hide every single day. She decides to speak first, "Merlin, I'm sorry. I haven't been myself lately, actually, for quite some time."

Merlin stays silent at her words.

"I think . . .I. . . " she says as she struggles to make a statement. ". . . I think Morgause's bracelet has been affecting my mind, my self-control."

Merlin's eyes grow wide and he turns his attention at the solitary bracelet resting on her dresser. He remembers the feeling he felt in Uther's chambers, the strong magical signature it emanated. "Has this item really been affecting Morgana," he asks himself.

Merlin is disturbed in his thoughts as Morgana breaks down and falls to the floor on her knees. Her hands are folded to cover her face, and tears fall from her eyes.

"Merlin . . . I am so scared," she manages to whisper in between sobs. "I'm sorry Merlin."

Merlin moves towards her and places his hand on her shoulders hesitantly. He still questions in his mind whether this is another act.

But this time, he is a little optimistic as he whispers to her, "Don't worry, I will protect you."

Morgana momentarily looks up at Merlin, and with conviction answers back, "I know you always have, and I know you always will," her voice cracks.

The thunderstorm outside begin to calm as the warlock and the witch share a few moments in silence. The witch has asked for forgiveness, however, the warlock is not ready to accept.

Thank you all again for the reviews! I wanted to title this "The Warlock, The Witch, and The Wardrobe", but there is no wardrobe in this chapter :(

Also, I'm not sure if you guys have seen the ultimate Mergana scene? There is a deleted scene, it is Season 3 Episode 1 scene 24. Yep, look it up and watch.

Sorry for the late update. :D