Forewords

Rated: TEEN to MATURE(Adult Situations, Graphic Scenes, Language, Minor Sensuality, Blood, gore...lets not leave anything out. (Everything, but not too extreme, yes?) More teen than mature.

Genre: Fantasy Epic, (Romance/Drama)+(Adventure)

Main Characters: Merlin, Morgana, Lancelot, Uther

Supporting Characters: Freya, Guinevere, Morgause

Romances: [Merlin, Morgana], [Lancelot, Guinevere]

Mass re-editing for any of you who has read this story at some previous point. Don't worry it was changed if you don't remember it in any way... just start over. I promise that, in the end it will be worth. The entire thing is pretty much original off and on content since... Its been years since I've watched Merlin.

I know, I know! Its been years for this story. I haven't had time, but it has and always will been gnawing at me because I don't leave things undone as long as I get a say. This was my first fan fiction and has taught me a lot about writing. I believe that it needs helped quite a bit in just about everything and I would like to reward it by finishing it strong. And I intend for it to be book size. Let's see what happens.

Overall, the story is pretty fun and the setting is a great time period for writing. Mostly, I'm into it just for writing. If you see any mistakes, like the story, or have an opinion/something to say: I'm always open for reviews or a message. Drop by sometime, I don't mind and I'll get back to you when I can.

Lastly, I don't own Merlin...though technically Merlin doesn't own Merlin because the characters aren't even theirs to begin with either? Right? I mean this is like folk lore where no one holds copyright. Either way, I'm not making money...unfortunately. Enjoy the story.

Chapter 1

Path of the heartless

Light had long since shunned him, once he had been forced to take up residence within the depths of the earth. Conditions that he had, in the past, considered vile and common, were now his only source of companionship. Such as they were, the drips of running water, coming from drains and natural crevices, were indeed a comfort. He could imagine, they whispered, that all would be well. Even if such did not, in the slightest, communicate with the words of a human. Shadows passed by once and awhile, though he could have been wrong. It was possible that those lost had come to haunt him as well, if only it were so and not the reality, the true terrible reality.

"Are you well, Father?" she hissed, a wicked grin pasted upon her deathly pale face. The shadow of a man shrunk upon the reception of her words. So full upon his delusions, he had failed to realize her arrival. Still, what shocked him the most was not her sudden appearance, nor her wicked powers, but her words, her knowledge. It was his best kept secret no longer...

The woman stooped to his level beyond the bars, that grin yet to remove itself before him. "Yes, yes I know." she whispered manically, "It was such a secret. Oh the joy you must have had of knowing the truth all these years."

"No. NO!" he muttered repeatedly in terror.

"Ohhhh yes, its true. Wonderful that you are father that I finally can return your generosity all of these years. I had to simply reserve these fine accommodations just for you. Truly, they are the best. So splendid for you father, who deserves none the less. Isn't that right? One thing I must ask: How does it feel to finally relieve your thick skull of that crown, Uther Pendragon, now former King of Camelot?"

"Morgana, my sweet, baby girl..." he whimpered, honestly being the only thing he could accomplish while in his current state of disbelief.

The usurper Queen groaned though not entirely displeased, "Gahhh! You are sooo pathetic. I had thought this visit would, at the very least, be somewhat interesting. Yet, I found myself walking all of the way down here just to hear a broken man grovel! How about that?!"

Surely she had only taken Camelot with her mind fooled by that sorcerous witch, Morgause! Any other way was completely ridiculous as he knew Morgana was the most pure, righteous, and merciful of all the Pendragons. There was no possible way she would betray him and the kingdom. The man launched himself towards Morgana only for his efforts to be halted by the iron bars that contained him. "Morgana! Surely there must be something of you left in there! Come back to me! I'm right here!"

She knelt quickly to his level once again, even though it soiled her elegant dress. Her gaze held a glint while she gently grasped the bars where his hands lay. Yes! This was her, the girl he had taken charge of for years.

"Daddy?" she whispered as if she were a frail child, one who had just called out for help against the monsters under her bed. Alas it was such a memory that Uther and Morgana had never experienced.

"Yes, Morgana, I am here. Everything will be all right now."

The cell vibrated with this immense power, so much so that Uther felt himself floating. No...he WAS floating. "Is that what you truly believe?" her eyes lit with golden fury. In surprise of the blatant use of magic, his hands jumped back of their own accord. How could something be so terrible? "I know of what your mind told you." she raged calmly, "There were never any true monsters. You were and always will be WRONG. I know now, that YOU, Uther Pendragon, is the monster that I had been afraid of my entire life." She cast him against the solid brick wall, though apparently not as hard as to kill him outright.

Uther's vision blurred and his insides were surely pouring blood. Death was soon. His dearest wife, Ygraine Pendragon, awaited him in the afterlife. How he had longed for it. He had only a few dire regrets: Not seeing Arthur growing up more and succeeding him peacefully, the extermination of all magic, and...

The dungeon door swung open and the floor sounded with an incoming Morgana. "Now, I'm free of you." Her smile widened as she worked her hand with glowing eyes above his struggling form. "Though not you of me." Uther could feel all his wounds mending. This couldn't be happening...

"Ygraine!"

Morgana utterly ignored the screaming man, "Let me remind you of your place!" she laughed wickedly while flames poured from her hands onto the victim awaiting below.

Uther was overwhelmed with every sense of burning. Searing flesh and bone. The rancid smell of flesh no longer. His will overpowering into a ferocity to live on. Dam them, DAM THEM ALL. Those vile sorcerers had finally found a way to get their revenge. One thing he was dead certain of, if he ever got out of here, there would be hell to pay...

Uther will be up to trouble as always, I bet you can imagine. Chapters will vary in size. Some will be short, others giant.