Strangeria Beach

A Merlin Fix-it for Morgana. Sort of.

Suppose, somewhere in the early second season of the show that re-wrote Arthurian legend (again), Morgana woke up from one of those troubling dreams and consciously realized that dreaming prophecies is magic. In Uther's court, she's in trouble the moment anyone realizes or even suspects it. Perhaps, after various dreams or just careful observation of certain events, she concludes that Merlin shares her problem. Merlin, however, is loyal to Arthur first, and Arthur is loyal to Uther. Consulting with him will not solve her problem. What can she do?

She waits for the next inevitable visit to Camelot of a trade delegation or diplomatic mission that includes a personable young nobleman checking out Camelot for... alliances. Said nobleman, say, a Count Guilliam of Gal, is to be entertained by hunts with Arthur and the knights, feasting, and discussions of relations between Gal and Camelot. Morgana notices that Guilliam and his sister and their companions and advisors tactfully fail to mention magic at any point, although the Lady Clovine of Gal possesses a scrying-glass and an interesting collection of perfumes and possets.

Morgana makes sure to be invited along on the most elaborate hunt, for she has dreamed that the attractive Count Guilliam will suffer a disastrous wounding. And so he does, but Morgana, on the alert, adds a swift and effective sword to his defense and summons Merlin, as Gaius' apprentice healer, to tend him. The dreamt-of bloodshed when it happens is dramatic rather than lethal, and Guilliam then has good reason to prolong his visit and seek Morgana's further company. They have time for many discussions about their respective homes, customs and childhoods.

It surprises no one when Count Guilliam and Lady Clovine invite Morgana to accompany their party on its return to Gal, in a reciprocal visit with her attendants and a seasoned councillor or two for, it is said, discussions of reciprocal treaties. Once Uther allows this arrangement, Morgana speaks with Merlin and asks him if he would prefer to be one of the party to Gal, where he, ahem, might further study the art of healing.

Merlin declines, saying his destiny lies with Arthur. Morgana points out that it may be a very short destiny if Uther sees him too clearly. She feels that she and Merlin might have a great destiny of their own as allies rather than enemies, creating a future where sorcerers rather than kings and knights decide the fate of the world, where knowledge and creation overrule main force, to the benefit of all. But, Merlin cannot see himself apart from Arthur, and wishes to remain in Camelot.

Morgana leaves him behind and journeys to Gal, and later to Lothian, and marries a king who believes magic can be used for his own ends. She becomes a great witch and is given all the names of dark magic. She and Merlin work apart, and often in opposition, and at the end of their Age are driven into the West, leaving the world to those who rule by arms.