This is fanfic for BBC Merlin that I wrote. It's also on Fanfiction.net
Spoilers: Season two in general, up to the witchfinder.
Warnings: Character death. Slight AUness, actually.
Note: This is my version of how the Witchfinder could have ended.



There they were, just the two of them. They were standing in the middle of a forest clearing, their eyes speaking everything that they themselves wouldn't, or rather couldn't. It was pure chance that they'd run into each other here, each of them trying to escape from the same demon, each of them being haunted by the same shadow.

Now that they were here they knew, they both knew.

You see, when magic collides and emotions run high, it can sometimes escape, though unbidden. Things that are lost suddenly return, and it becomes impossible to keep the magic hidden.

That is exactly what happened when the two ran into each other.

It was like a swirling vortex of pure energy, flowing around them, throughout them, ensnaring them in its ravenous clutches. It was both beautiful and terrible, maddening and lovely, at the same time. It was like time itself had stopped and all that was left was the magic, and themselves.

Just the two of them.

Morganas' eyes spoke of hurt beyond measure, of being betrayed, of shock so great that it could never be conveyed through words alone.

Merlins' eyes spoke of sorrow, of regret, of wishing that the past could unwoven and rewritten for a better chance of the next day and the day after, a better chance of eternity without chaos, hiding, or disaster.

Both of their eyes spoke of being haunted.

Morgana stared at Merlin in shocked silence.

He stared back at her with a look of relief. He'd already known about her magic, and she'd known that he knew. But she'd never known that he had magic. And now that she did, he knew that she would wonder why, why he hadn't trusted her enough to tell her. He was guilty about that, but at least she knew now, when they were both being hunted.

They both stood there, still silent. The only sound that could be heard was two hearts beating in sync with each other and the sound of heavy, frightened breathing.

He was the one that spoke first. "I can explain-" he began

Morgana didn't let him finish. "Why...why didn't you tell me?" she whispered, her voice matching the way it had sounded so long ago when she'd begged him to at least say that she might have magic.

Merlin sighed and looked away. "Forgive me." he said quietly, "I should have told you."

Morgana was almost angry looking. "But you know that I would never tell a soul. Not Aredian, not anyone."

Merlin nodded. "I know. But I didn't want-" his voice trailed off and faded to yet more silence.

Morgana, realizing that anger would get her nowhere, met his eyes. Once more their eyes began conveying all that they themselves couldn't say.

Her eyes were filled with fear.

His were the same.

Morgana broke the eye contact. "How are we to hide this from Aredian? He's been the death of almost as many sorcerers as Uther."

Merlin sighed, knowing in his heart that he didn't know what to do either. "We'll burn that bridge when we cross it." he said simply.

And so they did.
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There they were, the two of them. They were standing on the shore of a lake, looking out across the surface of the water together. They both knew that the demon who was searching for what they truly were was about to discover that which they tried to keep hidden, but they also knew by now that there was nothing that they could do.

But, oddly, neither of them were terribly upset by it. They knew that Aredian knew that they had magic, and they knew what he was going to do about it, but they couldn't do anything to stop him and there was no point in worrying about what they couldn't change.

Their reflections flickered and danced upon the surface of the water, their eyes reflecting what they were truly thinking, truly feeling. The silence that hung between them wasn't one of fear, or betrayal, but rather one of acceptance. They were both content in the knowladge that, since they were to die, they were not to die alone.

Morgana looked up at Merlin and smiled sadly. They could both hear Aredians' footsteps coming nearer, the demon coming nearer, and there was really nowhere to run.

Morgana took Merlins' hand and gently pulled, leading him toward the forest. "Come," she said, "Let's find some way to get lost."

Merlin nodded, sensing that she wasn't ready for it to be over, not yet. When the demon finally caught up with her, it would be when she was ready.

He followed her and they took off through the forest.
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There they were, the two of them. They sat side by side across the table from the demon who had been hunting them. He was smiling at them, a cold, cruel smile that spoke volumes as to his intentions. His eyes held a glint that spoke of malice, and his face was steely. They knew that they were about to face true horror.

He turned to Morgana first, giving her a sickeningly sweet smile as he spoke in a falsly cheerful tone. "So, my lady, my dear witch, what do you have to say for yourself, eh?"

Morgana looked down at first, but then looked up at Aredian with a glare. Her eyes told of hatred with no limit, of ill-wishing beyond measure of any sort. Her voice spoke the same. "There is nothing I have to say that you won't say for me." she growled

Merlin met Aredians' gaze without words, but a barely noticable movement of his head spoke everything he needed to say for him.

Aredian motioned to Morgana. "You, wait outside with one of the guards. I have to have a word with your..." he paused, a mocking tone creeping into his voice, "Friend." he spat the word as though it brought a foul taste into his mouth to say it.

Once Morgana was outside Aredian turned to Merlin. "What is it you want, eh boy?"

Merlin glared at him, a fire in his eyes that hadn't been there before. "Give us one day." he said

Aredian couldn't see the point, but he nodded anyway. "And, should I give the two of you another day, what will I get in return?"

Merlin gave him a fierce look before replying, his eyes glowing silver from the strength of his emotion. "If you give us one day," he said calmly, "I won't use my magic to expose yours."

Aredian sighed and nodded. "Done."
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There they were, the two of them. They were standing in a forest clearing with rain pouring down around them. They both knew that this was the end, but never truly the end. They knew that he was coming, the demon who hunted them. And they knew that there was no evading him any longer.

Their eyes were speaking again, whispering that which they would not say.

Morganas' spoke of sadness, of longing, of wishing, of fear.

Merlins' spoke of sorrow, of regret, of failure, of death.

They met each others' gaze and their eyes said something, clearly said something, that had only been whispered before.

Ther eyes spoke of love, of true love, for one another. They were both, of course, a bit stunned by this revelation, but it was true enough.

Their hands clasped together, their eyes still locked in a glowing gaze, they simply stood there, wishing that it didn't have to end, that they didn't have to die.

All around them raindrops glistened in the forest, shining and reflecting the scenery. It was truly a sight to behold, but eyes looking through the dark mask of coming death, of true sorrow, can't see things such as beauty, so the two of them did not see the wonder that surrounded them.

Perhaps, perchance, they might have caught a glimpse though. For they were also looking through the stained glass window, through the great mystery and marvel, that can only be named by love. They might have seen some of the wonder around them, maybe.

They hugged each other gently for a moment, each of them with tears running freely down their faces. They could hear the demon coming, and they knew it was the end.
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There they were, the two of them. They were in seperate cells on seperate ends of the dungeon. Aredian had promised that they would at least see each other before they went out to meet the raging fire that would soon be their demise. But the witchfinder hadn't kept his promise, he had lied. And oh, what a lie it was.

The exicutions wouldn't even be at the same place, so it seemed.

The thought annoyed, and indeed slightly sickened, Merlin. He glared at the world in general, not seeing why he wouldn't least be allowed to comfort Morgana during these last hours.

He couldn't contain the nearly animal howl of despair that escaped him at the thought of what was to come. Nor could he keep from sobbing at the thought of Morgana, his friend and beloved, dying in such a terrible manner as being burned at the stake. She didn't deserve such a death, surely she didn't. He almost wished that there was some way he could take her death for her, but he knew that, ignoring the fact that it was impossible, it would be even more cruel not to let her die as well. He knew how she felt, and he knew how he would feel were she to die and he, not, and he knew that it was a terrible feeling that no one should endure.

But still, he wished that he could at least see her one more time before their deaths.

He looked up as a soft voice drifted across his mind. "Never fear, you shall meet again." it said

Merlin frowned. "How will I know her?"

"What reason is there why you would not know her?"

Merlin sighed and closed his eyes. "In a few hours it will be time for us to die. How can I know her, then?"

The voice spoke again. "Look for the girl with the broken smile." it said.

Merlin opened his eyes and nodded; he knew now what was to take place.
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There they were, the two of them. They weren't togetherm yet they weren't apart. They could see each other clearly, in their minds.

Fire rose about them, along with smoke and darkness. Aredians' face loomed before them, as if he were trying to frighten them or make their last moments more agonising than they had to be.

His eyes met hers, for a moment of a second. Her eyes spoke of fear, of pain, of wishing, of undying love. His eyes spoke the same.

He could hear a sound like wings beating, far away...so very far away...

She could hear a sound like a heart beating, far away...so very far away.

Then, for a brief moment, he lost sight of her. All he could see was the fire, the smoke, the darkness. He could see the blinding white mask of death before him, the sneering shadow with its emerald eyes, glinting as red as a hot coal as it cackled, laughed, mocked him.

He looked around, desperately thrashing against his bonds as he tried to find her face. Then he saw her, smiling sadly, without humour nor mirth, far away yet so, so close. He smiled back and she walked nearer, until the flames had to be burning her the same way they were burning him. And then, without rhyme nor reason, nor way to be possible or more than a dream dreamed in the midst of death, her fingers closed around his.

Their eyes met one last time.

Hers spoke of triumph, of love, of fearless freedom.

His spoke the same.

Her eyes flashed gold, his blazed silver, and then they closed.
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There they were, the two of them. They stood a few feet away from each other in a forest clearing, one that might be in Camelot but was far too grand to be tied down with a name such as that. No, this was Avalon.

The demon no longer hunted nor haunted them, No shadows gathered in their steps, no evil stalked them, no darkness threatened to overwhelm them. No, here they were free. Free to be what they were, to know who they were, and to know who each other were.

Morgana smiled at Merlin and Merlin returned the look.

Morganas' smile turned a little fearful as she spoke. "Is it truly over?" she whispered

Merlin nodded and gently took her hand. "We've burned every bridge we've crossed."

A raindrop feel from above and was followed by another, and another, and another. Soon the rain was pouring down and raindrops glistened everywhere, creating a prism-like effect all around the clearing. Wind was howling, as were wolves, somewhere in the far, far distance. It was a melody of pure enchantment, as it should be, as it must be.

Morgana smiled, truly mirthful for the first time since she'd seen the demon that had hunted the two of them. She hugged Merlin and they joined hands, still just standing there.

There they were, just the two of them, in a place where magic was life, not death, and there were no demons nor kings, nor shadows nor evils to stalk them.

Merlin grinned, his eyes glowing silver. "Come on," he said, "Let's find some way to get lost."

Morgana nodded and followed him into the unknown reaches of Avalon. "A beautiful way to get lost."

There they were, just the two of them. They were finally free.

Finally alive.
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odds are that this is the only romantic anything you'll ever see me write. XD But hey, at least it had charrie death, right? I'm not going completely crazy. Also, if you don't watch BBC Merlin...well...you should. Go buy it on DVD, watch it on Tv blinx, SOMETHING. You. Must. See. That. Program! ^?^