Disclaimer: I do not own King Arthur or Merlin
The fireball never reached him though. Arthur stared at the scene in horror as Merlin threw himself between the impending fireball and his guardian. A cry tore from his throat, as Arthur prayed Merlin could survive this, as he had inexplicably survived so many attacks in the past. However, his horror turned to shock as Merlin raised his hands in front of him and the fireball stopped. The entire courtyard fell silent and froze…Merlin had magic?
The fireball fizzled out and Merlin looked guiltily towards Arthur. His eyes seemed to be begging Arthur to understand, but all he could do was stare at Merlin in shock. Merlin's attention snapped back to Morgana as she began to shake with rage.
"YOU HAVE MAGIC," she screamed at him, "MAGIC! I came to you for help, I told you everything. How could you have kept this a secret from me."
"I am sorry Morgana," Merlin said quietly. "I wanted to help you, but I couldn't trust you with my secret, I couldn't trust anyone. Protecting Camelot and Arthur had to come first, nothing else was as important."
"Why would you protect them?" Morgana looked genuinely confused. "Uther and Arthur would have killed you as soon as they found out the truth. They are our enemies, the enemies of everyone with magic."
"That's not true," Merlin defended, "Arthur is a good man, he isn't his father."
"Ha," Morgana scoffed. "You are willing to give your life for a man who would as soon as kill you as look at you."
"Hate has blackened your heart Morgana and I am sorry for any part I had in it, but I will continue to protect Arthur and Camelot." Merlin shifted, preparing for an attack, knowing Morgana's anger would make her even more dangerous.
"You are a fool Merlin and you will pay for your blind loyalty." Morgana began chanting again, sending spells after spell at Merlin. He deflected each one, ensuring that none of the residual magic was sent into the crowds. The citizens stared in fascination as the battle of magic occurring in front of them. For most, magic had been banned so long that they had forgotten the true power and beauty of it. Arthur and the knights, who had seen much magic over the years, watched in fear as Merlin dodged and shielded each strike from Morgana, leading her away from the edge of the crowd into the centre of the courtyard.
After her assault of spells failed, Morgana paused a moment to regroup. Merlin took advantage of this break to try and convince her to leave peacefully. "I don't want to kill you Morgana, but I will if you continue to attack Camelot."
Morgana stared at him in shock before bursting out laughing. "You think you can kill me? You may have some magic Merlin, but you are nothing compared to me. You may have learned a few spells, but magic is a part of me."
Merlin smiled grimly at her, "you have no idea who or what I am Morgana. I was born with this magic. I could levitate objects before I could speak. I have harnessed the powers of life and death. I killed the witch Nimueh and have been inside the Crystal Caves. I have met with the Fisher King and conquered Cornelius Sigan. I defeated your army of skeletons and destroyed the immortal army. I have spoken to the Great Dragon and am the last Dragonlord. I have defended Camelot against more magical attacks than you can even imagine. I am Emrys."
Morgana stood in shock. "Impossible," she whispered. "Emrys is said to be the greatest warlock of all time."
"Yes, destined to return magic to Camelot and unite the lands of Albion with the Once and Future King," Merlin finished. "I think the druids overestimate some, but that is the prophecy."
"Arthur is the Once and Future King," Morgana laughed. "Never. A Pendragon could never be the hope for magic."
"And yet he is," Merlin stated. Morgana turned to look at Arthur, who stood at the edge of the crowd, shocked by Merlin's admission and confession regarding his protection of Camelot. "Leave now Morgana or I will kill you."
Morgana turned back towards Merlin. "Emrys or no, I came to kill you today Merlin and that is what I will do." Giving no warming, Morgana launched a series of vicious spells at Merlin, who was barely able to throw a shield up to protect himself. While he had greater magic than her, Morgana had spent the last year, honing her skills, especially her attack spells. Whenever he could, Merlin sent a spell back at her, but he feared that her spells were going to go into the crowds soon.
Sending a powerful burst of magic at her to knock her off her feet, Merlin began chanting the language of the old religion, drawing on all the power he possessed. Clouds began to gather above Camelot and the wind whipped around them. Every spell Morgana threw at him was absorbed in the pure magic that was surrounding them. As the spell reached its climax, Merlin's eyes returned to his normal colour for a moment, "I am sorry Morgana." And with that he completed the spell, as a bolt of lightning exploded from the sky to where Morgana stood.