It had been a normal day for Morgana Pendragon. Okay maybe her day was a bit surreal. Screw that – he day went absolutely weird.
Since Merlin had confessed his magic to her, she had felt so much more at ease.
How nice it was to have someone in the castle who could relate to her struggles.
At some point, when Arthur knighted the druid boy Mordred, suddenly they were three.
And of course, how could she forget – the new religion was created.
Morgana, Merlin and Mordred had made fun of it at first. As they had heard at least four different versions how Lancelot died. Did I mention Lancelot was allowed as a guest to their meetings?
They made fun of the fact that all Magic users of the Prophecy started with M. Maybe Gwaine had thought M= Magic, so obviously they had to be the main protagonists. And Arthur only had a role since he became king.
And it was nice to make fun of him sometimes.
But the first time they had heard Gwaine's version of Merlin being Emrys, Merlin had paled. And stared at Morgana. And then he told her everything.
Everything the dragon told him. Her role in the prophecy, Mordred's role. EVERYTHING.
It had been a long night. Filled with fear and doubts and confusion. Apparently Merlin had tried to change the future quite a couple of times before and he had failed every time.
Never had she seen Merlin so worried. So – afraid.
All that happened not so long ago. Just before Arthur was suddenly forced to bring magic back to this realm.
It was Morgana's idea to tell him then. Well – Merlin wasn't ready just yet, but he promised to at least vauge for her in front of Arthur.
She confessed to him her magic. Arthur had been shocked at first, disbelieving. But when she showed him what she was capable of by letting Mordred's sword fly through the air, Arthur seemed to shrink on his throne.
"I mean no harm to Camelot! You know me! My dreams, you know I have nightmares! Those are visions. I have no control over them. Not yet anyway.", she was shivering now. At least Arthur was listening. With wide eyes of course. But he hasn't condemned her yet. Uther wouldn't hesitate. But Uther was dead. Morgouse had succeeded to kill him.
No one had seen the priestess ever since.
"I have tried, Arthur!", Morgana pleaded now. But Merlin put his hand on her shoulder, smiling softly at her as he tried to calm her down.
"Arthur, please. What Morgana says is true. She had no choice in the matter. Magic had choosen her. She was not corrupted by it. You MUST give her a chance. I beg of you.", Merlin said. Morgana shot him a grateful smile. Even though she knew he must be struggling with himself.
She knew a part of him was still doubting her.
She could see why. However, it would be cruel to blame him for that.
He's been living with all this fear for years now. And it was his greatest fear to make Arthur feel betrayed.
Arthur already looked as though he wanted to punch a wall of something.
"And how can you be so sure about that?", he threw his hands up in his face, waiting to be attacked by Morgana.
"Because -", Merlin turned to the guards in the room. All of them were still, but they eyed Morgana suspiciously. They were putting her in a very delicate and vulnerable spot. She was at the verge of tears. And Morgana didn't cry easily.
"Sire, I too have magic.", Mordred kneeled down now. "You might even remember me. We have met before. You saved my life when I was a child. I am the druid boy you helped escape."
Arthur stood up now, obviously surprised.
"You – too...", he said, turning his back on them as he tried to contain how overwhelmed he was.
"Wait ....", he stopped as he turned around again. Sighing in defeat.
"And let me guess, you -", he pointed at Merlin who flinched now. "You must be Emrys then.", he said, waiting for Merlin to nod.
And then he started laughing. Loudly, as though he was relieved.
"So, you ARE making fun of me.", he shook his head, a grin spreading on his face and the guards as well started laughing now.
"What?", Merlin asked, shocked, as he exchanged looks with his two friends.
"I mean, I get it. And your stunt with the sword? Genius. How did you do it?", he stopped in front of them now. A humorous glint playing in his eyes.
"But I wasn'the one who made up the new religion. If you want to prank someone, try Gwaine. He deserves it. He has started telling people how I will die at Camlann. We're not even at war?", he chuckled.
"Sire -"
"It's enough Merlin. But Morgana, if you want, you can play my court sorcerer.
The people demand magic back in the kingdom. They won't believe when I tell them Merlin isn't their savior, because they think I'm just oblivious."
Morgana opened her mouth to say something. But Arthur shushed her with a wink of his hand.
"I've had sorcerers and druids come here, vouching for him. They all said they would lay their life down for him. Just so I will accept magic. Can you believe that?
They turned themselves in willingly to protect my manservant. Gwaine's work surely is something else.
So – since they showed loyalty and goodness, I'm willing to give magic a chance. In order to do that I need someone whom they believe is a powerful sorcerer.
Or sorceress for that matter. And I'd feel more at ease if it is someone I trust.
So, Morgana – what do you think?"
Morgana's mouth was wide open. She turned to Merlin, stunned. Merlin sighed. How wasn't he surprised?
In fact. Merlin was grinning and shaking his head as though he should have seen this coming.
"I would think that's an honor.", she said, hardly believing what was happening.
"Great. Gwaine is already preparing his speech. Merlin, you can go and accompany Leon. He's trying to figure out where the crystal cave is.
Apparently that one is needed for the ritual. You are free to go."
"How can he be this oblivious?", Mordred's voice echoed in Merlin's and Morgana's head. They looked at him, nodding, before snorting.
Arthur raised an eyebrow at them. But he smiled as well. Thinking he got the joke.
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And this how Morgana had ended up in the crystal cave. Accompanied by feasting and singing people. She would have imagined the ritual to me more embarrassing, actually.
Then again, how was Gwaine supposed to alter the old rules of establishing a court sorcerer?
For some reason, however, Leon seemed mad that it wasn't Merlin who was made the court sorcerer. He was so enraged that Morgana was entering the cave, the other knights had to physically hold him back.
Funny, had he always worn an eyepatch?
Unsure of what she was supposed to do in the crystal cave, Morgana looked around, wondering about how beautiful these crystals were. The illustrations of the book Merlin had given her looked nothing compared to their true beauty.
She smiled. She felt the magic tug at her own, embracing her with kindness.
"I should have known you'd be here.", a voice called out to her.
She knew that voice. But she had never heard it be this – cold. Stern. Angry. It was bewildering.
"Merlin? Why are you here? Has Leon not stopped you from entering?"
It was true. Before her stood Merlin. Eyes knitted at her in suspicion, as he eyed her green dress. His look was full of hatred, shame, fear. He was breathing heavily.
"You won't stop me! I know what you did. But you're too late. I have my magic back. You cannot defeat me! No matter what you try.", he steadied himself, waiting for Morgana to attack.
Morgana blinked, and opened her mouth in confusion. "You lost your magic?", she asked, terrified.
Merlin stared at her, taken aback. Her voice was too kind. Too concerned. She sounded like the old Morgana.
And she wasn't attacking him.
Not yet, his mind told him. Wait for it.
"Is that why you're here? Because this is were magic was born? Can I help somehow?", she asked, trying to ignore that Merlin was backing away from her as she hurried over.
She stopped, around five feet apart from him. He was being hostile. Like a cornered animal. Was he – afraid of her?
"What is your plan, Morgana!", he spit out her name like it was poison.
"Merlin, please, what happened? I can help you!", she said, almost pleading.
"YOU happened.", he said angrily, his eyes glowing with anger. And suddenly, a harsh gold entered his irises as he pointed his hand at her.
Morgana's eyes widened. Merlin was attacking her. She stormed out the cave. Terrified of her friend. Stumbling over rocks and cutting her dress on the crystals, she felt her naked feet cutting on the stones on the ground.
She fell, as the ground was uneven, crouching out as she heard the explosion.
"Merlin! What's going on?! Since when have you -?"
Turned evil was what she was going to say.
But she had no time for that as she coughed on raw earth that now filled her lungs.
"You won't fool me any longer, Morgana. Your reign will end here and now!", Merlin stood above her, his eyes wide with gold and anger.
"Merlin, please!", she whimpered. She barely had any control over her magic. She couldn't defend herself. And attacking Merlin? Never.
"Please, we're friends, are we not?", she asked, arms crossed over her head as she closed her eyes. Waiting for the last blow.
...
But it never came. Merlin was heaving above her. Arm stretched out, eyes still gold, but he looked torn. He had to kill her. He had to. But – something told him this was too easy.
Morgana wasn't even defending herself.
Then again, she was a priestess of the old religion. She shouldn't be afraid to die. And yet she looked at him horrified for her life.
Merlin let his hand sink.
At the same time, the knights raised their weapons. They surrounded Morgana, raising their swords above her.
Arthur, however, was torn between them.
Something was wrong. Totally wrong.
Slowly, he stepped forward. What had happened in the cave? Merlin had magic – this couldn't be.
Merlin was no sorcerer. And why was Morgana there in the first place?
Why was she so terrified? Usually she would have killed half of his men with one wave of her hand.
And how could she call Merlin a friend? After she betrayed all of them.
"Admit defeat!", he said slowly, waiting for Morgana to laugh at him. But she sighed in relief.
"Yes, yes. I give up! Thank you!", she repeated over and over again, as the guards and knights slowly sunk their swords. Each of them scared for their life's. But also confused to no avail.
"Seize them.", Arthur said slowly, looking at Merlin as well. "Both of them."
_____________________
Morgana had waited for hours now. Anger was rising within her. How dare Emrys not be here?
Angry, she walked in circles now. Pacing. Was she too late? Had Emrys regained his powers already? Had he managed to get passed her without notice?
After one more hour, she decided she had enough. Her messy black her was falling in her eyes now, a sign of madness. Hurrying, she left the cave, ready to go to Camelot and fight of her brother by herself.
"A toast to our new court sorceress! MORGANA!"
Morgana froze at the sight. Hundreds of people stood there, glasses of wine in hand, as they toasted to – her?
"Morgana! You're back!", Arthur came forward with a smile. Morgana's eyes widened. Too shocked to use her magic. Too wary by the fact that Arthur was not holding out his sword to her.
His eyes were kind and inviting as he embraced her in a hug.
Morgana almost shrieked internally.
She shuddered at the touch. No one had hugged her in years. She was still frozen.
"I like what you did with your hair! Nice touch really. New position, new style, I assume?", Arthur held her shoulders now, laughing with closed eyes.
She could kill him.
"Morgana!", another voice interrupted them. Morgana immediately turned. There he was. The traitor. The man who poisoned her.
"I like your new look.", he grinned. There was no sign of hostility. No sign of hatred. As though he had never betrayed her.
"I have a gift for you. Here. It't supposed to keep your nightmares at bay!", he said, handing her a bracelet. She knew that bracelet.
She had destroyed it. This very same bracelet. She stared at it. Recognizing the carves and runes. Even the scratches were the same. She had destroyed it, hoping her nightmares would warn her of Emrys.
Shaking, as though it would burn her, she took the bracelet. Immediately she felt the same ease she had felt before. Her head snapped up, locking eyes with Merlin. It wasn't hurting her at all.
This was – this was not a sorcerer who had lost his magic. Not one who sought revenge. He wasn't frightened at all. He looked at her with trust. As though the never betrayed her.
"It's time you show them what you're capable of.", now Mordred came over.
No way. Mordred too?
He looked between her and Merlin and nodded as the two men got in position. "Morgana, the butterflies. We are summoning butterflies to show them your worth as court sorceress! It was your idea, remember?"
She heard him in her mind, as Merlin and him turned their backs to her. The three of them standing in a circle, as Arthur backed away, smiling as he waited for their trick.
"Butterflies?", Morgana mumbled to herself. What was going on? They were asking her to perform magic? Butterflies?
She felt a headache coming up. Was this a trap?
Or a chance to take over Camelot?!
"Three, two - ", she heard Mordred in her head and she decided, whatever was happening right now, she would play along for now. Maybe then she would figure out what was happening. Especially since Emrys didn't seem to suspect her for some reason.
And he had his magic back ... or never lost it. But he should have. Had she made a mistake?
And then their eyes glowed gold, startling Arthur as he noticed. How could one man be so blind? What did he expect anyway?
Butterflies flew from their hands. Blue ones from Merlin, Dark green ones from Morgana, a mix of both from Mordred. They flew around their heads, blinding the crowd from their view for a second as suddenly, they burst from them.
Surrounding the cooing audience. They heard awws and oohs. And Morgana had never felt this confused.
And Arthur -? Even Arthur looked at them in aww, as realization seemed to hit him with reality. Right in his face.
The gold in their eyes, there was no doubt about it. Arthur smiled. Maybe he had worried himself too much. Maybe Magic did deserve a new chance, after all.