Title: It's Like Magic
Author: Kiki1770
Rating: T for Language
Setting: 5x12
Summary: "I created the monster that she is today Arthur. It's my responsibility to kill her. Not yours."
A/N: Oh my goodness, it has been too long since I've updated! I'm so happy that my summer holidays are here! I intend to finish this drabble series hopefully by the end of this summer. Thank you all for waiting so long. So this drabble is my take at an alternate finale to Merlin. What if Arthur was successful in stopping Morgana? Warning: angst.
Reveal 3: My burden to bear
From the moment he was old enough to wield a sword; his father had taught precisely where to strike to land a killing blow. So why was it, that when it mattered he most, Arthur always missed his target?
He couldn't remove his eyes from where his sword had pierced Morgana's abdomen. He couldn't remove his eyes from watching how rapidly the ice cold blues of Morgana's eyes faded into grey. And he certainly couldn't remove his eyes as his half-sister struggled for air.
"W-what are you watching for? Just end it and be done with it already." She coughed in small defeated voice. There was still venom in her words as always, but there was no bite. Morgana knew her ending was coming, and that thought brought Arthur to his knees.
"I can't do it." He whispered, more to himself than his sister. Even as she lay there with her dark hair scattered and matted with leaves, her once lovely pale skin the envy of all of Camelot smeared with dirt and blood, and the witty and intelligent look in her yes faded into one of defeat….She may have fallen into to depravity, but Arthur could not simply throw away the memories of the years they'd spent growing up together. Under all her insanity, she was still his sister.
"You are a weak fool, Pendragon. Do not give me another reason to be ashamed of my blood." She hissed; the light in her eyes was draining rapidly. "Put me out of my misery already."
"No." He replied evenly. "I intend to take you back to Camelot alive Morgana. We-we can start over. You can learn to let go of your hate." The words sounded hopeless even to his own ears, but he could not help but say them as he'd always believed that somewhere deep down, his Morgana still existed. He must have looked so pitiful to her eyes. She remained silent for a long moment, and finally those cold eyes met his once more.
"I will never let go of my hatred Arthur. If I do…I'll have nothing left." She whispered. And just for a moment, Morgana had let her guard down and Arthur could see everything that she had kept hidden deep in her heart. Her fear, her vulnerability, her weakness; how lost she had been all these years—Arthur could see it very clearly. But even in her weaken state, Morgana would not let her guard down forever. Her shields were back in an instant.
"That blade you have run me through with was burnished by a dragon's breath. No creature magic or mortal will survive a wound struck by it." She said with closed eyes and hallowed breathing. "If you truly think yourself kind, brother, then you will end my existence at once."
Arthur nodded in understanding, and his hand curled around his sword. This is what she wants, this is what she wants, he repeated in his mind. But his body betrayed him and his hands shook as they had the first time he'd picked up a sword. He positioned the blade over her heart and lifted it high into the air, and shut his eyes closed tightly.
"Arthur." A different voice stopped him. A voice he wasn't expecting on the battle field. A voice that always made itself present when Arthur needed him the most as he did right now.
"Merlin…." He whispered back in shock. And there stood his manservant with that crinkly eyed look on his face and a pride and loyalty for him that a rare few had ever dared to compete with. Merlin placed a hand on his shoulder and shook his head. He eased the king to lower his sword.
"She's my burden to bear Arthur. Not yours." He replied, and then his eyes landed on his sister. "Hello Morgana."
"Emrys…" She hissed, breaking out of unconsciousness. "You have finally graced me with your true presence." She chuckled coldly, and then wheezed and grasped her sides. Merlin knelt beside her and placed a palm on her forehead.
"I am sorry, Morgana. I never meant for you to become like this." He replied and then his eyes turned to Arthur. "I created the monster that she is today Arthur. It's my responsibility to kill her. Not yours."
"Merlin what can you do—" Arthur began, half hysterical by the turn of events. Then he saw a sight he'd only ever seen in his nightmares. Merlin's eyes were glowing gold and in a voice so soft that probably only Morgana could make out his words, he began chanting a spell.
Morgana smiled. She smiled and reach to press her palm against Merlin's face. Her body disintegrated into ashes not a moment later. But not before she could say her last words.
"Thank you…"
I honestly don't think Arthur would have the heart to take Morgana's life, despite all the havoc she has wrecked on his kingdom and to him personally. Arthur's ultimate flaw was always trying to see the good in others, I think this would still extend to Morgana as well. Haha, I admit this was a slightly round-about way of writing a reveal, but please let me know what you think of this ending.
Review, review, review!
Kiki1770