Merlin fan fiction.

Set at the end of season 4. Eventual Mergana!

I don't own Merlin…

Quick shout out to the AMAZING caldera32 who pointed out that I had used their picture without permission and did the wonderfully kind thing of making me a new cover art.

Chapter 1: 'The Witches Hut'

Suddenly the ceiling collapsed, rocks fell and supports shattered, Morgana used what was left of her strength and teleported under the cover of falling debris…

She did it. She was out of Camelot. However the small numbing that was buried under her hatred and equal determination had now magnified to an unbearable sense of pain under the force of failure. Suddenly her hand went to her stomach, blood poured from her wound and tendrils of red wrapped around her fingers. She felt very dizzy all of a sudden, her knees buckled under her weight and her hands came out to stop the impact only to slip anyway.

She lay there in and amongst the leaves and trees, at deaths doorstep she felt at one with nature, at one with her magic. But she was alone.

In her, what she thought to be, final moments she realised that she had no one, no one cared for her and she cared for no one. Helios was dead but he was a mere underling anyway the same goes for Agravaine, her and her half brother Arthur weren't exactly on good terms, her former best friend, Gwen, wouldn't be much better, no one had seen Mordred in years and she wasn't sure if he would follow her anyway.

She really was alone and no one would miss her.

But wait, what about him? Merlin? No. Never!

She hated him, he hated her, he poisoned her, she has tried to kill him multiple times and he used her as a bargaining chip against Morgause. He never accepted magic like he had told her back when she was a naive child, Morgause was going to bring magic back by getting rid of Uther. No one else would have been harmed.

Before she had time to ponder her last thoughts before her ultimate demise a swirl of wind formed in front of her. She gasped at who was at its centre.

"Merlin" She whispered. At least she thought it was Merlin her sight was suffering from the blood loss she was currently experiencing but if in fact it was Merlin it meant only one thing.

He had magic. No! There was no way he could have magic. How dare he have magic? How dare he serve her righteous half brother? Her half brother whos father started the war on their kind and her brother who was now carrying on that despicable trait of anti – magic.

Her mind went to what the Cailleach had said to her moments after she had arrived with her sister. It had spoken of her destiny, of her doom. The mighty Emrys but there was no way Merlin could be him, he was too weak and cowardly and his magic did not change that.

Morgana turned up to look at the traitor. He had betrayed their kind by siding with Arthur. He betrayed himself. He betrayed her.

"Come… to… finish… me off… Merlin" she spoke in a surprisingly calm tone but spat his name out like poison. She shivered inwardly.

"You have condemned yourself Morgana" He retorted, his tone was cold nothing like she had heard from him before.

Now he sounds like the murderous traitor he is!

He was deadly serious; she saw it in his bright blue irises, the regret, the sadness, the anger, the hurt, there were so many emotions all at once.

Was it her that triggered them all?

Good. Part of her thought about how those emotions could be used against the lanky manservant but then a niggling section of her whispered in her ears, a part of her which was stripped away after he had her drink hemlock. It told her of all the times Merlin brought flowers to Morgana, of all the times he was there and all the moments they had spent together. However, she actively pushed those thoughts from her mind and repeated only one thought:

He poisoned her, he betrayed her, and he had magic and didn't tell her.

He moved towards her and she tried her hardest to back away but Merlin used his surprisingly strong grip to keep her still. "What… are you… doing?" She looked up at him to see a small smile playing on his features.

What is this psychopath going to do?

She thought that the meddling manservant in front of her was about to do something sadistic, she believed he would torture her whilst he bore that sardonic smile but what he said came as a surprise.

"I really don't know but I think I am about to save your life" He started to chant as his hands moved over the wounds, she watched on in both awe and disgust as gold rose from his fingers. The tentacles of magic danced and twirled around her body as Merlin chanted louder and stronger, she watched his eye lids lift and his eyes glow a blinding gold.

She tried to get up but found the pain too hard to move. She gritted her teeth and breathed in short hard breaths whilst the world span around her. The witch realised that she was going to need help if she was going to survive the day.

"I need help" she whispers and looks down ashamed. What would her sister think? Her asking for help, from him of all people, but it doesn't matter she will use him and then she will end him.

Morgana watched as his eyes move over her as if calculating his next move, a smile warily adorns his features as he moves towards her. She expects him to simply pull her shoulder around him and make her walk but instead he drops down and carries her.

She wants to struggle, she really does but she has craved the touch of another person for a very long time. She screams at herself for appearing so weak but her limbs can't move. Her eyes droop for a second as her head rests against his shoulder.

"Of course high priestess." He uses her title mockingly, she has half a mind to kill him now but she needs to heal and wherever he is taking her will be his grave. She smirks and she sees him physically gulp in response. Even on the brink of death she still scares him.

Merlin breaks the silence "I would advise you don't kill me because it will be about one month before you can walk without difficulty and right now I have the treatment to heal you" He continues still holding the cold tone from before.

Her eyes bulge. A month! His face is completely neutral, the small smile from earlier being wiped clean from his slim features. The small calming effect his smile had was gone in an instant. She says nothing in retaliation.

Morgana starts to recognise the forest they pass and realises where they are. Just as the realisation hits the hut, which she has occupied for over a year, stands in the distance. "The witches hut" he speaks humorously "has sort of a ring to it." He smiles again before moving forwards still carrying her, the calming effect returns and she wants to both hate it and be grateful for it.

She is surprised at his strength, they must have been moving for about half a league and he did not once tire. Another lie she thinks as her anger returns to her. She has been quiet for about half the journey and he is visibly on edge…

The door swings open with a flash of his eyes. Again she fights the urge to slap him; she will have her revenge on him. He moves past the chemicals although she can see he is eyeing them all suspiciously, maybe she could use a love potion on him then he would be hers to control. Maybe another Forromoh would do it?

No, Merlin deserved a slow painful death. He needed to realise the years of torture he had put her through, the months of starvation, embarrassment and isolation. He needed to be hurt.

He gently laid her on the bed and suddenly the tasks of the day had weighed in on her as she felt herself fight to keep her eyes open. Just before she closes her eyes she sees his cerulean blues bore in to her very soul and suddenly feels the need to instead force her eyes shut.

Before finally drifting off she hears him "Morgana, I am going to help you. This is your second chance to live a semi normal life, please for your own sake, take it." The sleeping sorceress could barely ponder his words before falling in to darkness.

He watched her closely, she lay there as peaceful as if she were a druid elder when he knew she was everything but, however he had decided whether it was too late or not he would try to stop her from carrying on down the path of darkness.

Saving her life actually made him incredibly happy. He had tried to keep a straight face and remain the aloof mystery he appeared to other enemies of Camelot but with her his grin couldn't help but at least make one or two appearances.

Even though she was most likely planning his death he was planning her metaphorical resurrection and he would succeed, he had to.

He owed it to her, to at least attempt to save her life once and if this didn't work out like he wanted it to then they would have to simply go back to the way they fought before, no matter how begrudgingly on his part. Although she did know about his magic now, he silently cursed himself. If this doesn't work she could use it against him, she could tell Arthur and he would surely be banished if not burnt at the stake.

His eyes travelled back to her form, he noticed the small things: she was paler than ever, her hair was knotted and greasy, her hands had lost their slender look and her nails had been chipped unlike her neatly filed ones before.

Yet she is still so beautiful he found himself thinking.

He couldn't deny it after his first year at Camelot he was quite taken with her as was every man in the kingdom but he had an advantage over everyone else.

During the time between the questing beat attack and Cornelius Sigan, he shivered involuntary remembering those moments early in his time at Camelot, him and Morgana had actually become quite close. He admitted not as close as he would have liked but there was propriety issues and the fact that he was pretty sure – no absolutely sure that she wasn't or wouldn't be interested in a peasant from Ealdor.

All the same, he, Morgana, Gwen and Arthur had all become almost inseparable during that time and he wished for a way back to those moments or even better a moment where he could have told her about his magic sooner.

He caught a silver chain in the corner of his eye and then the green tincture jumped out at him. He hadn't noticed the piece of jewellery before but it was there hanging from her neck and holding itself between her breasts, he found himself blushing and quickly turned away.

He recalled the chains origin and one of his fondest moments from that time.

It was the time of the winter solstice and the four of them had decided to exchange gifts like they heard the pagans did around this time of year…

Merlin had been debating for at least a month on what to get his closest friends and now that he had decided what to give everyone he couldn't wait to start the gift exchange.

Arthur had definitely been the easiest to buy for, despite having everything, Merlin knew him more so than most. Arthur was brave, noble and strong he fought for what he believed was right and the laws of his kingdom, whether or not one or two of them were wrong, but his attributes alone wouldn't protect him. So, for Arthur he could only give one thing, a hand crafted crossbow. Well, a magically crafted crossbow. Merlin made it from and old oak tree and wove the string tight for a strong release but he also enchanted it to never miss its target, animal or human alike.

Maybe it would actually stop Merlin from always having to intervene when they were attacked by bandits… Nope! Probably not.

Gwen was a little more difficult. She was his first friend from Camelot and now his best friend, even though Arthur was making his way up there, and he realised that he never really appreciated her as much as he should have. Gwen kept him grounded, kept him kind and compassionate but he had never given her anything in return, now if he knew Gwen she would say something like; "You don't need to get me anything special Merlin your friendship is special enough". However, he did need to, it was in his nature.

He had two leather bands made and in both he placed a piece of apatite, a jewel that represented communication, luckily there was a cave nearby which was covered in apatite. Along the band they said 'First and Best Friend a connection never lost'.

He was pretty proud of himself…

Morgana though was very difficult to buy for indeed. Although she was like Arthur and had everything she was not so easily won over by more or less meaningless objects. She saw the value in a well thought out gift and disregarded the things that were bought for her simply because she was the kings' ward and should be bought expensive things. And she definitely wasn't like Gwen whom would be pleased by a jewel of all things, since she must have the most in the castle, but she would definitely appreciate a meaningful gift that reminded the two peoples of their shared past.

Then the thought struck him… he was very good at this.

Today was the day though, it was finally the winter solstice and they all planned to be in Arthurs chambers in the morning. He walked in to see the three of the five most important people in his life, the other two being his mother and Gaius, all smiling happily as they laughed at Morgana's teasing of Arthur. He couldn't help but notice her lipstick was redder than usual and her eyes seemed to just light up a little brighter than most days, she was truly captivating.

Then a less than captivating prat brought him from his admiration…

"Merlin! Stop staring it's rude…" He jumped at the sound of Arthurs voice.

"I was not staring I simply had noticed that Morgana was wearing a different lipstick than her usual, it is very nice by the way milady." He complimented, he thought he saw her blush but dismissed it.

"It is nice to see a man actually notice a woman's efforts" Morgana said giving a pointed look at Arthur before turning back to Merlin positively beaming "Thank you Merlin."

"So Merlin where are your gifts for us or did you forget those?" Arthur cut it grinning thinking he had caught the manservant out.

However, much to Arthur's displeasure, Merlin grinned back and replied "Nope they are where they've always been." He watched on amusingly as the three leaned towards him in anticipation "Under your bed." He, Morgana and Gwen laughed at Merlin's ability to sneak in the gifts right under the prince's nose, kind of like some other gifts he mused.

They started to exchange gifts and Merlin basically got a whole new wardrobe which basically meant that his closest friends hated what he wore. Morgana had got him a green silk neckerchief matching her eyes with 'M/M' embroidered on to it in gold, Arthur had gotten him a dark brown jacket almost matching Arthurs own and Gwen had gotten him a light green tunic and muddy brown trousers.

"So you all hate what I wear?" They all went silent and that was an answer enough for him.

Arthur and Gwen had loved his presents and Gwen had held on to him for a good two minutes crying tears of joy at their matching leather bands. Arthur, being the pent up ball of emotions he was pulled him in to and awkward hug to which name calling quickly followed.

Finally he turned to Morgana giving her his present he had made for her.

Merlin took it out very carefully from his pocket. It was a necklace, a silver chain was attached to it and hanging from the simple strand of metal hung a small tear shaped bottle. It was clear glass and a small green liquid could be seen inside of it. The bottle was surrounded by a dragon with its head acting as a lid.

Thank god for magic he sighed inwardly. If it wasn't for magic all their gifts would not be as good as they were.

"What is it Merlin?" Morgana whispered as she seemingly took in the gift holding it delicately in her hands.

"The dragon represents me." He ignored Arthurs snort "The chain represents Camelot and the green tincture, well why don't you smell it." He smiled as she cautiously removed the lid.

She took a sniff before gasping aloud "How could you have found this? Camelot wasn't expecting trade for another year." She grinned so widely he thought her face would split.

"What is it Morgana?" Guinevere questioned with what Merlin would come to know as a knowing smile.

"If I remember correctly when you first came to Camelot around a year ago now I was wearing this exact perfume, so I guess that represents me but how did you remember? I only do because I wear it whenever we receive trade from Gaul" He blushed as he realised how detailed his gift was.

"It does represent you and well… I could not forget such a beautiful scent and I suppose it helps when the woman wearing it is the most beautiful woman in Camelot." He rubbed his neck looking towards Gwen who only mouthed 'awe' towards him increasing his blush.

"This is beautiful Merlin. I will treasure it always no matter what happens between any of us." She pecked him lightly on the cheek and he tried to keep his grin in check but found it splitting right across his pale cheek bones much to everyone's amusement.

Best day ever, he thought.

He thought on the gifts they all received; him, Arthur and Gwen still had all their gifts from Morgana but never used them until her birthday, which was actually pretty close, in memory of their lost friend but he was unsure if Morgana kept any other of their gifts to her, there was a chance she did if she had his.

On her birthday he would wear her neckerchief, Arthur's jacket that he got him and Gwen's light green tunic and brown breaches. He got the message but ignored it; he loved the way he dressed, it was unique.

Merlin started to reflect on himself, he always did after facing Morgana. She made him question his judgement even when she wasn't there. Merlin the manservant felt emotions like love and kindness and compassion but no one saw the warlock that lurked beneath, except Gaius and his mother of course, who felt other feelings like hate and loss, despair and self loathing.

He couldn't help but hope that now he was looking after Morgana and maybe, just maybe if he could convince her that she was going about this all wrong she would see him, she would see the powerful Emrys and not be so frightened.

She might even heal him like he was doing for her.

Not bad so far?

Just something I've been considering for a while the chapters will probably be this long or a little bit longer depending on content. Does the flashback fit or does it feel really forced?