What if Morgana had noticed Merlin move in the throne room in The Sword in the Stone Part 2 – 4x13

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin *sad face*

I sent Shadowdragon 1317 an idea, and she comes back with something absolutely amazing! She deserves a lot of credit for this. I came up with this about the same time as 'You're my father'. It stuck around so I thought I would give it a shot.

If you haven't checked out my first Merlin story, please do.

Not even Emrys can save you now – Chapter 1

"FOR THE LOVE OF CAMELOT!" the group all shouted as they burst through the heavy oak door leading into the throne room. Everyone of them, fighting for their freedom against the witch. Merlin's thoughts ran as quick as a heartbeat while everything around him seemed to melt away, albeit for a moment.

Memories of many different scenarios of his adventures with the King Arthur rushed into his skull. All of the sorcerers, magical beasts, and enchantments that endangered either one or both of their lives, it almost made him laugh about how many times Arthur had been saved because of magic. But unlike those other precarious situations, this latest endeavour was a far cry from that. This adventure, Arthur and Merlin are facing one of their closest friends.

Yet, the whole escapade seemed for nothing. Merlin knew he could've saved Morgana from the darkness and hatred that her sister wrought. All of those past mistakes, not telling her about his magic, and even telling her about her own magic were all in his head. And now the lives that she razed, the innocents slaughtered, and families broken forever, Merlin felt responsible for all of those pointless murders. Now he had to end her madness, to rid Albion of the greatest threat it could ever know, even when its protector caused the problem to spiral out of control.

Arthur's faithful companions all stopped when they saw Morgana sat on the throne, patiently waiting for them. Her black curls seemed such a mess of tangles and unbrushed knots. It had long lost its glossy shine from back when she was Camelot's favourite daughter. Her face was a sickly pale, and dark circles outlined her eyes like makeup. So far away was that warm smile that Arthur and Merlin missed so much.

"Welcome dear brother." said Morgana with a smile "It's been far too long." She rose from her seat and headed towards Arthur. She observed her friend-turned-enemy with a critical eye. Arthur straightened his back at her judgmental gaze. She didn't even bat an eye at The Once and Future King's effort to look more intimidating. "I apologise if you've had a difficult reception." she continued, pausing and stood in front of the Arthur. "It's hard to know who to trust these days."

Arthur strode forward to meet Morgana, showing her the sword which he had pulled from the stone. He presented it to show that he was the rightful king of Camelot. Excalibur wavered and rippled in the dim sunlight, glowing faintly in the dark filled room. The weapon seemed so much more beautiful and deadly than when he was in the woods, unleashing the power of the sword. He sheathed his weapon and met her eye.

"What happened to you Morgana?" asked Arthur, nearly pleading with his half-sister. He didn't want to hurt her. Even after what Morgana had done to their precious home, the king wanted nothing more for the monster that had taken his beloved sister to be eradicated. He wanted to see the light in her eyes again. "I thought we were friends."

"As did I," replied Morgana solemnly. She missed his friendship, but remembered that this must be another casualty of the War to bring back Magic. And with that she remembered his opinion on magic and her hatred rekindled like flickering flame. "But alas we were both wrong." She gave him a look of disgust. Her nose scrunched up into a sneer. Her eyes so cold and dark it felt as if the entire room felt as if covered in ice.

Arthur looked hurt upon the High Priestess's accusation. "You can't blame me for my father's crimes."

"It's a little late for that. You've made it perfectly clear how you feel about me and my kind." snarled Morgana, turning around to face Arthur. Her bitterness reflected in her glassy, sickly green eyes. The Morgana that she had been once before had died when Merlin poisoned her. And her hatred for her brother and his followers was almost enough to rival their father's loathing of the Old Ways. "You not as different from Uther as you'd like to think."

"Nor are you." Arthur quickly flashed back. Her actions against innocents greatly outmatched his own. He at least is attempting to spare lives as much as possible. She shot numerous citizens down in the square when his loyal, brave knights refused to serve such a pitiful excuse for a Pendragon. And the worst part was when she didn't even feel remorse about it.

They shared a hard look. One that defined their final standings from now and forever. And Merlin had never felt more haunted about his past mistakes with Morgana. But he still stood strong at his master's side. He was relieved at the spell he cast upon the priestess the previous day. The only worry he had now was if the spell would hold. Merlin wasn't as gifted with enchantments as he is with spoke spells.

"I'm going to enjoy killing you Arthur Pendragon." she smiled as she stepped backwards. Morgana lifted her hands upward and out in front of her. Sick humour layered her heart as she spoke, grinning wolfishly at the thought of her brother lying dead at her feet.

"Not even Emrys can save you now."

Arthur looked slightly confused at the name Emrys but drew his newly found sword, ready to fight. Excalibur gleamed dangerously in tune with its master's demands.

"Your blades cannot stop me." laughed Morgana cruelly. Her powers have so greatly advanced ever since the visit with Mordred and the Druids. Morgause would have been pleased to see how far her sister is in her maniacal clutches. In fact, she would have been delighted to see Morgana's fall from her family.

Merlin looked at Morgana for he knew what was to come and he prepared himself. Now, the young warlock knew forever that Camelot's favourite daughter is dead. Standing here is a stranger wearing her face, a wolf in sheep's clothing. No matter if her life, or his in the matter, was risked. Arthur must be saved, even if the black magic that the king so very loathed was behind it.

"Hleap on bᴂc!" Merlin barely flinched as the spell was weakly cast. Yet despite the attempt, he still shivered at her amount of magic. He could see that one day she may match him. But he didn't let his true emotions show. Merlin wearing a mask of bewilderment as he saw the priestess' spell failing.

Morgana glanced to side at Helios with a worried look. Merlin would've chuckled at her confusion if not for the situation. Yet, it didn't stop that tiny wisp of fear that Morgana may overtake the spell he placed upon her that bound her magic inside. Instinctively, Emrys reached for that warmth of the familiar magic that allowed him to protect his future king.

"Hleap on bᴂc!" she tried again desperately, horror overtaking her senses. However, this time, she noticed Merlin stiffen. And yet he stood, tall and proud. She decided to test her theory of the servant's uneasiness.

"HLEAP ON BӔC!" she screamed with much more force than before. It seemed the beautifully crafted stained glass windows seemed to crack and the ground shook with the power behind the words. Even Merlin had underestimated the amount of magical energy that was lodged deep within Morgana's soul. For as the young Emrys had been born to bring about Albion with his magic, the witch would obliterate his and Arthur's kingdom with her own black magic. Now that evil, suffocating darkness was wrought upon the sorcerer.

At the touch of Morgana's evil curse, the young warlock froze in his place. In the blink of an eye, pain filled his entire body. Then it erupted into a full blown monstrosity of agony. It was a deep blinding pain. It was so bright that he couldn't even see his fellow knights of Camelot. The young warlock's ears throbbed with the sudden ringing that had followed. Yet they beat relentlessly with his heart, which seemed as loud as a drum, unceasingly banging and clashing together as if in combat with swords.

Merlin yelled in pain, and many heads turned towards the bumbling servant. He fell to the floor, his legs no longer able to support him. At the sudden noise, Arthur turned his head, shocked to see his servant on the floor, withering in pain. "Merlin!" he yelled. Merlin didn't hear him. He attempted to push himself up from the ground with his arms but failed, all his strength gone.

Merlin lifted his head up to find himself locking eyes with Morgana. The moment lasted what seemed a lifetime. He awaited her reaction with pure dread. This can't be good.

Morgana was in a state of shock. She couldn't make any sense of the thoughts running through her head. What happened to her magic? Why was Merlin on the floor? Was he working with Emrys?

"YOU!"

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