Disclaimer: I mean it. I don't own Merlin or Angel, and I make no money off of this fic anyway.
Thanks to the excellent beta-reading services of deiticlast.
The Ruins of My Kingdom to Come
By Alkeni
Chapter 22: Visited Upon The Son
Despite his best efforts to convince Arthur to not go to Morgana, here they were.
Of course, once Arthur told him that Morgause had known his mother – the mother the prince had never known – Merlin had stopped trying.
Even Arthur's not an idiot about honor. The other man's behavior made a great deal more sense now. Still it was... foolish, and reckless and probably a little stupid...but Merlin found it much harder to criticize Arthur after that revelation, and he'd realized how pointless it would be to convince the prince to turn around. So he'd stopped trying.
Arthur wanted to know more about his mother. And Merlin had agreed. It wasn't wrong. Not really.
And now...here they were.
The lake itself was quite lovely: sparkling just right in the sunlight, the waterfall that flowed into it on the far end from them merely adding to its natural beauty.
"Seems your horse has brought us to a dead end." Despite himself, Merlin couldn't completely excise the sarcasm from his voice.
Arthur started to shoot him a look, but before he could say anything to his servant, the horse started to move towards the lake, once more acting under its own compulsion.
"Now where's he going?" Arthur tried – though not hard – to keep his horse from walking right into the lake, but to no apparent avail.
"I think you're going to get wet," Merlin said with a smirk.
"You don't say." Arthur called back, as the horse continued to ride out into the lake. Merlin watched the prince ride out...then nudged his horse into the lake after the prince. Dead end or not, the horse didn't think so – which meant it probably wasn't.
When he saw Arthur vanish behind the waterfall, he realized there had to be a cave back there – and soon enough, there was...and then suddenly, the cave let out into a grove, a castle standing before them.
"Where are we?" I can only hope Arthur recognizes the castle. Not that he held out much hope of that...
"I don't know," Arthur admitted without hesitation.
"I think we can be sure Morgause is a sorceress now," Merlin pointed out softly. He'd already known it...but now there was proof he could show Arthur.
Arthur snapped his fingers in realization, "That's how she beat me. Has to be. She used magic."
"Whatever makes you feel better," Merlin half-muttered. "I don't think she was though." And, I'm fairly sure she wasn't. It wasn't impossible he'd missed her use of magic, but it did seem unlikely, given just how carefully he'd been watching the fight.
"And what would you know about magic, Merlin?" Arthur retorted.
"Nothing." Merlin grit his teeth a little as he said that. Much more than you ever could, Arthur. He didn't say anything more – and Arthur didn't either – until after they both passed through a small door in the side of the castle – and were greeted in the other side by a courtyard, a headman's axe embedded into an executioner's block, stained with dried blood.
"That's not ominous at all," Merlin muttered, looking around for Morgause.
"Now what?" Arthur asked – not so much to Merlin as more generally, looking around. He picked up the axe, hefting it slightly in his hand.
"Maybe we should ask the horse?" Merlin offered, a little too weirded out to find much humor in the words. Arthur just looked at him, then spun the axe idly, embedding it back in the block. "She's not here. You kept your word. We can go now, you do realize."
And of course, Merlin's luck being what it was, Morgause suddenly appeared, walking down into the courtyard.
"You kept your promise," she called to Arthur, sounding just a touch surprised. Her deep red dress flowed along the ground behind her as she walked.
Arthur looked her in the eyes as she approached him - no give, no fear in his own gaze. "What is the nature of the challenge you wish to set me?"
Morgause turned away from him, picking up the axe. "Place your head on the block."
Merlin's throat clenched as he heard that. Part of his brain was telling him to act now, to do something.
But then Arthur will know about - and she wouldn't bring him out here to kill him...
But maybe she would, another part of him suggested. If Morgause had killed Arthur in Camelot, even in fair combat, she would never have been allowed to leave. If she killed Arthur here...
Morgause seemed to be paying him no mind – that was good. Her eyes remained in Arthur and the weapon in her hands. "You gave me your word you would do anything I asked," the sorceress reminded Arthur.
Merlin's hands were ready – the obvious solution was to get the axe out of her hands...to turn it away from Arthur or get it out of Morgause's grasp. But how?
He'd just have to wing it – there was no way to predict...
"Arthur-" Merlin started, cutting himself off when he saw the prince stand even straighter. Glaring at the woman, Arthur moved to the headsman's block, kneeling down, his head placed upon the blood-stained surface, like a chicken ready to be slaughtered.
"Arthur!" he called again. "You can't do this. This isn't honor!" It was hopeless, he knew, but he couldn't say nothing. And he needed a delay – he needed longer...
"Stay out of this Merlin," Arthur commanded, and Merlin bit his lip as Morgause held the axe over the Prince's neck, then raised it.
With a quiet murmur, Merlin cast his spell – the axe shouldn't be able to connect with Arthur's neck...
Unless Morgause...
Merlin forced that thought out of his head, focusing on the axe, on the woman who held it. Ready to lunge-
And then...
Nothing. Morgause set the axe down, turning away from Arthur and the block.
"You have shown that you are truly a man of your word, Arthur Pendragon," Morgause told him and then turned halfway, looking back at him. "And for that, I will grant you one wish. Tell me what it is that your heart most desires."
Merlin was watching the proceedings, but he really wasn't paying attention – the surprise of Morgause's actions had driven all thought from his mind.
"You said you knew my mother." Arthur's tone was terse, demanding, impatient. "Tell me all that you know about her." He stepped closer to Morgause.
"Perhaps you would like to see her."
As Morgause said that, Merlin's mind came back to the now...
What is she going to do? Fear gripped at him, fear and worry and nerves – Morgause couldn't be just trying to give Arthur something out of the goodness of her heart. He'd never tried to call up a dead person's spirit – hadn't even known it was possible...
That has to be some sort of black magic...The dead were supposed to stay dead, to be gone from the world of the living...
Morgause manipulated Arthur into asking for that – that much was obvious. So she had a game. And she was a sorceress...
Few who had magic were friendly to the House of Pendragon...if he hadn't known about the prophecy, hadn't personally known that Arthur was in fact a good man...then he too wouldn't be a friend to Arthur, and may too have contemplated the prince's death, as he had that of Uther more than once.
"I want that more than anything," Arthur replied, his tone just a touch softer.
"As you wish." Morgause turned away, walking back up the stairs, up and out of the courtyard. Arthur was on her heels.
Merlin followed a few moments later.
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It was dark in the chamber, the only light coming from the circle of candle's Morgause was steadily lighting for whatever ritual she had in mind.
Will it actually be his mother...or some sort of illusion?
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Merlin hissed in warning at Arthur, his voice quiet. The evidence was unclear – he didn't trust Morgause – not even a little bit – but there was no obvious sign that she wished ill on Arthur either.
Merlin didn't know what to think, but his instincts were clearly screaming 'don't trust her.' But with nothing else to go on...
"If you were granted the same opportunity," Arthur murmured back, "would you not want to meet your father?"
Merlin had nothing to say to that for a moment...Arthur was probably right. Merlin would like to think he'd draw a line, but until he was in that situation... he really couldn't know.
Still, this was now. Even if it was hypocritical, he had to try to stop Arthur. "Your father won't forgive you if he finds out you've engaged in sorcery, Arthur," Merlin felt bile in his throat at his own words, "Think!"
"What if my father's attitude toward magic is wrong?" Arthur asked after a moment. Merlin did a double-take. He knew Arthur was a good man, knew the prince didn't hate magic like his father did, believed firmly that one day Arthur could be convince of the truth...
But I didn't expect him to say it so bluntly, and not yet. Not while his father still ruled.
What if that is Morgause's plan? To try and show Arthur that magic and those who use it aren't evil...that magic could be used-
Merlin shook his head. That made no sense – it was too much of a gamble...
But then what the hell else is she up to? Her plan has required Arthur to act in a specific manner each step of the way...and he has. I know he's a prat, and more than predictable at times, but will he keep acting like he's supposed to?
"You really think that?" It was hard to keep the faintly hopeful note out of his voice. If Arthur was showing signs of accepting magic...it could only help save lives from Uther's efforts, indirectly or otherwise...
"Perhaps it's not as simple as he would have us believe," Arthur replied softly. "Morgause is a sorceress. She has caused us no harm – she could have killed me any number of times. Yet she hasn't. Surely not everyone who practices magic is evil, not an enemy of Camelot's people?"
Would you be saying this if she hadn't offered to do this for you? Merlin wondered...he had to believe there was more than that – but perhaps he wouldn't voice his beliefs without this...without something to latch onto with them.
Hope, distrust and a touch of fear of what was to come warred in Merlin. He was about to say more when Morgause turned back towards them.
"It is time," She blew out her own candle, leaving only the light from the circle.
Merlin stepped back, into a corner of the room, eyes still on Arthur.
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To say that she was just a little surprised that it had all worked out so well...well, that would be an accurate statement.
Morgause smirked as she recalled just how easily she'd led Arthur every step of the way. She'd entertained doubts about her plan – perhaps it was just a little too complicated, a little bit too elaborate to really work.
But it had served her needs – it was too much for Uther to simply die. Too much for Arthur to die. Both men had to be broken – Arthur, from killing his father, once the haze of anger and the thirst for vengeance fell away, and Uther, from being faced with his own sins, being slain by his own son...
And the best part was – she hadn't lied. Not to Arthur, not with the ritual. It had taken magic of a black, dark sort, the kind that even she was hesitant to use, given the cost, but it served her needs. It really had been Igraine...
Arthur will kill his father, he will be destroyed by his own guilt, and the Kingdom of Camelot shall fall. And no one would be the wiser that she was responsible.
But Morgana...
Morgause had hoped to leave the bracelet with her half-sister, charmed to help her...by helping her, leaving a positive impression...
But Morgana had been...distrustful right from the start. Something Morgause hadn't expected. Not like that, anyway. And there was something else...
She's not repressing her magic...she's tapped into it, at least a few times. That too, Morgause hadn't expected.
But it was far from the-
Morgause straightened as she felt something...a sensation of power wash over her. A lot of power – magical power. She'd never felt such a sensation before-
"So you are Morgause." The voice was unnaturally flat and toneless, but with an iron rod of arrogance underlying every word. Morgause turned to see a woman, red leather armor covering her body entirely from the collarbone down. Her eyes were an alien, crystalline blue – indeed, blue seemed to be her thing, from the color of her hair, and the blue patches across what little of her skin was visible.
Morgause had no sword with her, but she didn't need it. She readied her magic, but she made no move to attack the intruder. Not yet. Not without taking her measure.
"I am," she replied. "But who might you be, to so boldly intrude without invitation?"
"I am many things," Illyria replied, stepping closer. "But you may know me as Illyria." It seemed almost as if Illyria was about to say more, but then she didn't. She looked Morgause over. "You are a sorceress."
Morgause didn't even think to deny it – there was no need to do so, not here at the center of her power – and even more, there was no reason to. This woman too, was obviously a sorceress herself.
"I am. As are you. Though I've met no magic-user who announces their power so completely. What is your purpose here?"
"I see no need to explain myself to you," Illyria replied. She cocked her head to the side. "It occurs to me that killing you now would solve a great many problems."
Morgause's eyes flashed and the pillars holding up the ceiling shook. "You would not survive the attempt." Who was this mysterious woman? This bold, arrogant sorceress who so calmly stated an intent to kill her? She can't succeed. I'm far to close to let a random arrival kill me.
"I did not say I would make such an attempt now, here. I am not the toy of destiny, to enact its will early for its purposes. The world bends to my will, not I to that of the world. I am the Shaper of Things – and you seek to shape things, with your own pathetic limited perceptions and capacities."
Half of what this 'Illyria' said made no sense at all, but the intent was clear. Whoever it was was trying to turn her away from her work in Camelot. What must be done.
"I will not be swayed by you, whatever you speak." Morgause replied, all softness gone from her voice, her tone as hard as the castle's walls.
"Of this, I had little doubt. But I have taken your measure." Illyria turned and continued: "I've no doubt we'll meet a second time." Before Morgause could make any reply, Illyria had moved away with almost blinding speed.
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"And what," Wesley began, as Illyria emerged from the lake, somehow managing to not be dripping water with every step, "was that supposed to accomplish?"
"By your reckoning, very little," Illyria replied. "Further questions will not be answered."
"Of course not," Wesley sighed softly. "Fine. Now what?"
"Now we return to Camelot."
It was all Wesley could do to keep his frustration under control. She was gone for not fifteen minutes!
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"So to save Uther's life, you convinced Arthur that magic is evil? After he was starting to make progress!?" The only reason Morgana's voice couldn't be termed 'yelling' was because she was, in fact, all but screaming at him, mere frustration several miles back.
"I was saving Arthur!" Merlin countered, not wanting to yell at her...but his hackles were raised. "If he killed his own father, whatever the reason, it would have destroyed him!" Even though his voice was nearly as raised as hers, he was backed into a corner in their room in the castle basement, decidedly on the defensive. "I don't care about Uther's life!"
"You certainly made a convincing show of acting like you did!" Morgana shot back, apparently determined to not give him an inch. "I don't believe it would have destroyed Arthur – not after what he found out, not after what Uther did! And to be perfectly honest, Merlin, I don't entirely care either way! Uther has needed to die for what he's done for years, even if I've only come to realize it myself more recently than that. You know it, and I know it. But his crimes are even worse than anyone could have thought – and after finding that out, your first reaction was to save him? Just where the hell do your loyalties lie?"
"What do you mean, 'where do my loyalties lie'?" Merlin knew Morgana hated Uther far more than he did...he'd known that she was less happy with the need to keep him alive, to stop Uther from dying at the hands of magic...but he'd not realized just how much more she'd hated him. How much more she'd wanted Uther dead.
She is the darkness to your light. The hatred to your love.
Unwanted, the Dragon's words echoed through his mind. For the first time, he realized that they were, in a way, true. For Merlin, the need to help Arthur and build a better future was what really mattered to him. Yes, he wanted Uther dead...but it didn't burn in him. Not the way that it seemed to for Morgana.
But she's not evil. She has every right and reason to hate Uther, to want him dead.
But not at the expense of Arthur's soul.
"I mean, what's more important to you? Arthur and your precious hope for the future, or actually doing the right thing for magic-users!" Morgana grabbed his left wrist, clamping her hand painfully tight around it. "Because as far as I can tell, Merlin-"
"The two aren't exclusive, Morgana!" Merlin shot back. Though his wrist hurt, he didn't wrench it free from her grasp. "You can't let how much you hate Uther blind you."
"Oh, don't give me that!" Morgana all but threw his hand at him as she let go of his wrist. "You're the blind one. You've decided you're the only arbiter of right and wrong. You're so obsessed with helping Arthur that you've lost sight of why. You didn't even try to stop him some other way!" The two of them were almost against each other, Morgana's eyes blazing with anger.
"Yes Morgana, I did," Merlin snapped back. Then...
In a lot of ways, Morgana has a point...but...
"You said you didn't trust Morgause. Do you suddenly trust her now?" His voice was softer this time, more like a normal volume, and Merlin watched Morgana blink in surprise at the sudden change of tack.
"I-" She started, thrown off. Then, in a much more normal volume herself, she continued, "I...I...I don't know."
Morgana meant it, when she said she didn't know. Of course, that made her stop and think. And that made her think not just about Morgause, but about her plan – about what Merlin was saying. Though she hated to admit it, she'd almost not really paid attention to what he was saying. Her anger at what Merlin had done...her anger at how he'd saved Uther...
Uther needs to die. Even more now than before.
One way or another, I'm going to see Uther dead. At my hands, if I can manage it.
"She sought only to show Arthur the truth, Merlin. And if he decided to kill Uther once he found out-"
"She knew he'd act that way. She played him from the start. He'd never refuse a challenge, he'd never go back on his word of honor. By mentioning that she'd known his mother – something I doubt is true, by the way – she guaranteed he'd ask to know about it – giving her the perfect opening to do that ritual." Merlin didn't stop there, "And there's no way to be sure she actually called up the spirit of Arthur's mother, Morgana."
"But we both know its true. Gaius said as much to you," Morgana pointed out, trying hard to keep her voice level, since he was doing the same. Still, it was hard – she clenched her hands into tight fists, keeping her lips pursed and thin, all but clenching her teeth.
"Yes, that's true," Merlin conceded. "But Morgana knew ahead of time what the truth was. It's the only thing that makes sense. Even if you think Arthur killing his own father is a good thing, Morgana, you can't explain Morgause's actions any other way, can you?"
Morgana shook her head. She couldn't. It was the only explanation for her behavior.
"And if she knew how Arthur would act, and was leading him up to what she did, then she knew what Arthur's mother was going to say, right?" Morgana nodded, not entirely sure where Merlin was going with it. "Then it's entirely reasonable that she really did just create an illusion."
"She either brought a spirit from the dead – which has to be some kind of dark magic – or created an illusion, crafted to say the truth in exactly the way to make Arthur so furious he'd kill his father. Do you really think she cares about Arthur? About the truth? She just wants Uther dead, whatever the cost. Whatever the cost, Morgana."
"And!? I'm not so sure that's a bad idea. If it means Uther pays for what he's done, I'm not sure I care what it would do to Arthur even if you're right about what it would do!" Morgana's voice started to raise in volume again, though she wasn't to the point of yelling at him. "But even if you are right – right about what it would do to Arthur-" Morgana turned around.
"Your solution was most definitely not right. And you may have tried other options, but at the end of the day, your priority is protecting Arthur and helping him become a good king in the future. That's not my priority. One way or the other, Uther is going to pay for what he's done, and until then, my priority is making sure his reign of terror on our people does as little as possible." She made her way for the door. "We're not enemies, Merlin, but we're not on the same side either."