Anywhere But Here [Morgana]

[Deleted]

Tag: Lady Morgana
Timeline: between seasons 2 and 3, right after the poisoning of Morgana by Merlin
Time of day: Late afternoon-evening
Notes: Slight, very very very slight godmodding, but only because Morgana is immobile for a bit. SORRYS.


After she was forced to choose between her sister or the destruction of Camelot. After she recited the spell she knew was so painful to recite, for she'd put so much thought into this plan. After Merlin revealed to her what poison was now making its way through Morgana's system. After Arthur acted...caringly towards Morgana, while she was in her sister's arms. After Camelot awoke, thus forcing her further to disappear once again, but this time, taking her sister with her. After all of this, she felt weaker than ever. Not physically, for she would never be physically weakened, not by anything or anyone at all. No. She felt vulnerable. Like they had at last found her weakness. Morgana.

Morgause did everything in her power to ignore her own feelings towards this situation, and focus only on the surrounding circumstances. Hemlock was a deadly poison, and consummed its victim in a matter of mere mintues. Morgause didn't know how much had been in the bottle of Hemlock to begin with, but if it had been filled up to the brim, then...Morgana was in serious danger. And the longer she waited, the more painful and obvious death will be. No, she couldn't think of such a word. It was much too harsh, too violent. Not when it was associated with Morgana. With her sister. From the moment Morgause had heard her sister's cries of agony and despair, she knew something was wrong. And not just wrong, like a plan had been twarted, but wrong in the sense that Morgana's life was being threatened. Those cries...Morgause could almost feel Morgana's pain. Grasp the concept of a human body going into complete and ultimate shock. It was more than Morgause would comprehend. Beyond her abilites.

Morgause's spell had taken the two of them to the Isle of the Blessed. She knew that within Camelot's walls, her magic might not work to its fullest. She didn't want to depend upon 'maybe's' and 'if's'. She wanted guarantees, and the Isle was her best bet. Morgana needed to be surrounded by magic, by the Old Religion. It needed not only to manifest itself through Morgana, but to thrive within her. A few more minutes, and Morgause knew that her sister would be dead, probably even less. The home in which Morgause grew up was safe enough for her sister, and it was private enough for the most powerful of spells, so they wouldn't affect anything else. Placing Morgana on the bed that hadn't been slept in for years, Morgause's lower lips trembled, and she scolded herself for allowing that to happen. Taking a deep breath, the sorceress knew that to get rid of a virus, was with the virus itself. She needed to use the hemlock.

But this spell wasn't like anything Morgause had ever needed to practice. She had been taught it, but never needed to heal someone. She was unsure of herself. "Damn it, Morgause, you've never doubted yourself before," she yelled at herself, frustrated, as she gazed upon Morgana's face. Then, she looked down at the bottle of hemlock in her hand, and summoned a bowl with ancient markings on it. This anti-virus only worked if the incanter was calm and relaxed, two things which Morgause definitely was not at the moment. She poured three drops of hemlock into the bowl, and waited for it to bubble in the bowl. It didn't. Morgana was going to be dead any moment now if Morgause didn't put aside her arrogance for just a minute, for it was her arrogance which caused her to react like this to emotions.

She took a deep breath and thought of the first conversation she'd had with the Lady Morgana. It was brief, civilized, and perhaps a little too straightforward, but Morgana hadn't caught on, which was perfect.

The hemlock suddenly began to bubble, and the bowl shook. Morgause's nostrils flared as she glanced back at Morgana, who looked about ready to take her last breath, then back to the bowl. She took the bowl in her hands, and rushed to the bed. Morgause parted her lips to recite, almost angrily so, the spell which would kill this poison in the bowl and become the healing medicine she needed. A wind blew around the room as Morgause concentrated to her fullest upon the spell, and she could feel her powers slipping away into the bowl. An alarm went off in her head as she saw Morgana prepare for her last breath. Panicking, Morgause lifted her sister's head and spilled the dead poison over Morgana's lips, then dropped the bowl to the ground once it was empty.

All was still, then. All of which, included Morgana. Morgause's eyes widened as her mouth fell slightly agape. Had she lost? Impossible. Morgause never lost when it came to magic. Had the Old Religion turned its back on the High Priestess? "Morgana?" she tried. But there was no breath. "Morgana! Don't you dare leave me like this! It's not your time! It's not supposed to be like this!" It was no use. Morgana made no indication that she could hear Morgause's words. "Morgana!" The blonde's head fell upon her sister's torso, almost hearing the taunts of all those who opposed magic, laughing at her for losing.

It wasn't right. This hadn't been Morgana's destiny. She was destined for something far greater than only what she'd accomplished yet. The Desir wouldn't lie to Morgause. Morgana had a written destiny. And it wasn't this.

[morg]

Morgana had never really thought much about dying, but she had always assumed it would be peaceful, like just going to sleep. But perhaps since sleep had often been a turbulent event for the young Morgana, with her strange nightmares haunting her sleep, it seemed that in death as well, there would be no peace for her. There was no floating sensation, no clouds or blue skies. Instead, she felt as though she were lost in a tempest, a violent storm that tossed her this way and that while she struggled to find her footing. Above her was blackness, a vast empty darkness. And through it all, she couldn't escape that face. His face. His blue-gray eyes staring at her, confirming what he'd done. Merlin. He'd poisoned her. Merlin, her friend, whom she trusted, had betrayed her. She couldn't understand why... she only knew that it hurt far more than the burning in her throat and lungs that stole her breath away.

Why? Why? Why? she cried out soundlessly What had she done? Why would he want to hurt her?

The storm continued to rage all around her, and she looked frantically for something, anything to hold on to. She only knew that she had to hold on, because if she let go, let the wind take her away, she would leave this world entirely. And she didn't want to go. She couldn't remember at first why she wanted to stay... she only knew that she had to stay.

Then, just as it seemed like it would be better to just let go let the blackness swallow her up, Morgana saw a light. It was distant and dim, but it was something. If only she could make her way to it...

She moved slowly, fighting against the winds with everything she had. It seemed to take forever just to move a few steps, but eventually, she was able to get close to the light. And that was when she heard the voice.

"Morgana! Don't you dare leave me like this! It's not your time! It's not supposed to be like this!"

Morgause. That was why she needed to stay. She might have lost everything else that mattered to her in one horrible moment, but she still had Morgause. Morgause was her reason to come back. Morgause would never betray her.

The strange winds seemed to subside then, and Morgana stepped closer to the light. It was bright and hurt her eyes, causing her to blink... and then suddenly she was opening her eyes. She recognized the blonde head resting on her chest, and she took a shddering breath, trying to find the strength to whisper her sister's name.

"Morgause," she said at last, her voice barely more than a breath.

[Deleted]

It was over. Everything Morgause had grown up to learn, to know, to trust. Everything she had hoped to teach her sister, to share her dreams, to even love. It was all gone. Finished. Her hopes had all been shattered in one reckless moment, where that coward Merlin had dared poison the one person which Morgause had actually cared for. There was nothing left now. Morgause had been living for the day where she could make her identity known to Morgana. She'd practiced their first conversation perhaps two million times in front of a looking glass. Her practice runs had never been as real as the conversation they did have, however. Despite anyone's beliefs, and despite what she was to all of Camelot, Morgause did a hell of a lot more for her sister than for herself, which was a huge step from her regular arrogance. Sure, there was still more where that came from, but now it wasn't all about her. It was about Morgana as well.

The terrfying realization suddenly hit Morgause right in the heart. And it hurt her to the point where she couldn't breathe. Where she would begin hyperventilating if she thought about it any more than she already was. Goddess knows that Morgause had never been one for emotions. In fact, she had been described as a stone on more than one occasion. Funny thing was, even she didn't know she could get to a point like this. Where, at one point, nothing in the world mattered but another human being. It wasn't normal for Morgause, and yet, it was indeed happening. Her sister was actually making her be...a better person, if such a thing was even fathomable.

It was her fault. Morgause knew it was. If she hadn't been so selfish in thinking that her sister could accomplish all of what Morgause asked, knowing that she would be in danger, then Morgana wouldn't be...her arrogance had at last gone too far. And now she lost all that she had been living for. "Stupid, stupid, cowardly, nogood..." Morgause couldn't continue calling herself names, for at once, she felt a sob escape her throat, without meaning to. And surprisingly enough, it felt good to not try to fight it. Damn it, she'd been fighting it for over twenty-five years. It was about time to show herself a bit more sympathy. She wasn't a stone. She was cold-hearted, sure. Headstrong and stubborn, naturally. Hated any contact with mankind unless it was necessary, of course. But she wasn't a stone.

Morgause didn't know how long she'd been laying there, trying to figure out how long it would take for Morgana's body to go cold. It felt like days, really, when it was most likely only a matter of seconds. But there was this slight problem, probably wasn't really much of a problem. Morgana was moving. Not very much, but it was more than she was, ten seconds ago. But no, Mrogause had to be dreaming. She was delusional at this point, of course. Morgana was gone. And the only way to bring her back would be to sacrifice a life. Ooh, Morgause would love to get her hands on that little twirp and sacrifice him herself. He was going to regret everything he'd done and hadn't done. He was going to-

Something said her name. Morgause heard it clearly. It was soft, almost like the wind, but clear. Her tear-stained face rose up a few inches, only to see that Morgana's chest was actually in rhythmic movement. Impossible. Morgana was...She couldn't be alive! Morgause had seen the other woman...The blonde then turned to the right, where Morgana's head was laying. Two greenish-blue orbs were looking back at her.

Morgause's heart jumped to her throat. She wasn't sure whether to be relieved, or happy, or cry some more (though she'd deny it if it were even made mention of), or...She rapidly wiped at her eyes and wordlessly just wrapped her arms around Morgana the best she could, burying her face in the other's neck, taking deep shaky breaths to keep from allowing her emotions to act up again. "Oh, thank goodness," Morgause breathed, her mouth agape at this sight. It was a miracle. Something that Morgause knew would be hopeless. But she didn't know for sure. She refused to believe it.

She drew back. "Morgana?" Yes, indeed. Morgause couldn't even attempt to test this. All she could think was that her sister was...well, alive! The gods really did favor her after all. "Oh, my...I thought...But you...And then I..." Morgause shook her head. She had too many thoughts to gather them all up. And damn those tears that were continually pricking at her eyes. This was really getting to be ridiculous. She sat down on the bed beside Morgana and slightly lifted her up to embrace her more properly and a little tighter. "You have no idea how..." She let out her breath with a small laugh. "I'm sorry, I'm afraid I've forgotten how to speak!"

"You're alive," was the only thing Morgause could say without stuttering or having to stop herself from crying again. Her joy was back. Her light amongst darkness has returned. That was all that mattered in that moment.

[morg]

Morgana's mind still felt fuzzy from the dream, as well as the mixing of the past, present, and something else she couldn't quite name. She had no idea what was real and what was a dream anymore. She vaguely remembered meeting Morgause in the woods and talking about some kind of plan to get rid of Uther. Then she'd woke up in her own bed, only to have everyone else fall asleep all around her. She had tried to help Arthur and Merlin while Camelot was being attacked... and had someone mentioned something about Morgause? And then Merlin had poisoned her... but surely that part was a dream, right? He wouldn't have done that to her, would he? But it had seemed so real...

But maybe it had all been a dream, and this was reality, right now with Morgause. Maybe she was just waking up from that first meeting in the woods, with Morgause beside her. But why did she feel so weak? And why was Morgause crying?

Morgause was crying. That realization immediately pushed all other thoughts to the back of Morgana's mind. Although Morgana hadn't actually known her sister very long, it was still shocking to see her crying. Morgause, who was always so strong and fearless, was breaking down. But why?

Tears burned at her own eyes, though she didn't know why. Then Morgause was talking--babbling, really-- and hardly making any sense at all. Morgana was still so tired that she couldn't follow any of it. All she understood was when Morgause lifted her off the bed and into her arms, and she responded by weakly raising her own arms, which felt heavy and limp, and wrapping them around her sister.

"You're alive," came the words at last... the first that made any sense at all.

Morgana licked her parched lips and tried to speak, surprised to notice that her throat felt like she had swallowed splinters. "Shhh... don't cry, sister. I'm here."

Her words were scratchy and garbled, and Morgana was beginning to wonder just what was wrong with her. She had many questions for Morgause, but for now she was too tired and weak to ask them. For now, all that mattered was that she was with her sister. She was the anchor Morgana would cling to.

[Deleted]

Morgause had to let out another breathy laugh, mostly at herself. She knew she was being ridiculous right now. She shouldn't be letting her emotions get to be this deep, not now. Not when Camelot had been so close to ruin, and there had only been one small thing standing in the way of that. Merlin. By using the one thing he knew Morgause wouldn't be able to resist. But she was only human. And a sorceress. A powerful one at that. Wasn't there some kind of spell that could halt emotions, at least for a little while? If there was, Morgause wasn't sure she'd even use it.

When was the last time she cried? Or laughed right after crying? Or was so relieved at something that mattered so much to her? Never. Naturally, Morgause knew it was her duty to be the strong one for her sister. To be the rock that which Morgana could depend upon in any cicumstance. And she had succeeded, up until now. What would Morgana think now, that she saw Morgause succumbing to petty emotions and tears? Probably nothing at all. It didn't make her any less of a sorceress. Morgause knew that, but something inside of her was nagging to get over the entire situation and think up something else for Camelot.

But no. No, there was no way she was doing something again. Well, she was certainly going to hit Camelot again, but nothing like she did in the past. Nothing magical. Nothing powerful. Whatever she used, she was somehow always twarted. And Morgause refused to use her sister and her magic together again. No. She'd almost lost Morgana once, and Morgause couldn't lose her again. Those few seconds when she thought her sister was dead were the most painfully agonizing ones Morgause had ever experienced, and such feelings always clouded her better judgment. It wasn't good for her. Nor was the dying good for Morgana either. No, Morgause needed a different plan. But she could plot another day; her sister was more important at the time being.

Morgause continued to hold Morgana tightly in that embrace, only then realizing that Morgana perhaps had no strength for much. She was reciprocating by attempting to wrap her arms around Morgause, but the blonde sorceress knew her sister needed strangth. A spell could easily exhaust someone, even if that someone was Morgana, especially if she'd gone through previous suffering with the poison. When Morgana spoke, Morgause lifted her head and wiped her tears again with the back of her hand, but was smiling at Morgana.

"I know you're here, and that makes me so relieved and happy," said Morgause, taking a deep breath, almost as if to push back more tears that were threatening to fall. Really, this was getting ridiculous. Morgana wasn't dead, she was alive. There was no cause for tears. Now, if only Morgause could convince her emotions of that. Damn those emotions.

"How do you feel, Morgana? Aside from feeling weak, and faint? Does anything hurt you? Is there need for healing?" Morgause inquired, ready to jump and do anything that was needed, once Morgana said the word. Due to the fact that she'd never actually done the spell that had given Morgana breath, Morgause did not know if there were side effects. She didn't want to have crippled her sister or something. That would be...unthinkable if she'd harmed Morgana in any way. "Do you have a headache, maybe?"

Morgause tenderly pushed a stray lock of Morgana's hair behind her ear and watched her face with both concern and relief. "How much of it do you remember?" Or perhaps Morgana wasn't strong enough to speak so much now.

"Never mind my questions," Morgause said quickly, waving a dismissing hand at her. "You should rest, sister. Gain back your strength. Here." She picked up a bowl full of water and offered Morgana a drink, only then realizing that this was probably how Merlin had given Morgana her poison. For a small quick instant, Morgause flared up in anger, but the feeling died down as soon as she looked at Morgana again. "It is only water, I swear it." What kind of a monster would poison her own sister. That would be cruel indeed. Morgause would never do such an abominable thing.

[morg]

Did anything hurt? It might have been easier for Morgana to tell her sister what didn't hurt. Once she might have even joked about it, even if half-heartedly. But nothing about this situation was remotely funny, and Morgana wasn't laughing.

She didn't answer right away, but took a shaky breath and silently assessed what parts of her were in pain. Her head, yes. Actually, it was more dizziness than pain; every time she moved her head, the room began to spin and her eyes began to throb. Aside from that, her throat hurt, and her arms, her stomach, her legs... she was pretty sure even her hair hurt.

But the greatest pain of all was one Morgana couldn't quite explain. Morgause could probably heal her of most of her symptoms, but there was one that couldn't be healed with magic. It was the ache in her heart, which Morgana was pretty sure was broken.

Morgana blinked up at Morgause, and a few tears leaked from the corners of her eyes and trickled down the side of her face. She was about to speak when Morgause offered her some water to drink.Her throat was so sore that the mention of water sounded good... but something made her pull back. And when Morgause assured her that it was only water... that was when reality crashed in on Morgana. It wasn't a dream. It had really happened. The sickness, the invasion, the poison... It wasn't just some kind of horrific nightmare. Merlin, her friend, who she trusted, had tried to poison her. To kill her. That was why she was sick, that was why she was hurt, that was why her heart was broken.

"Why?" she croaked, more tears spilling from her eyes. "Why did he do it? Why did Merlin try to kill me?"

[Deleted]

Not even for one second did Morgause tear her eyes away from searching Morgana's face. It was as if she was looking for a sign of reassurance. Maybe that Morgana would tell her sister that she was okay, and that the pain wouldn't last very long. Or that there might be something important Morgana might want to tell Morgause. The blonde's eyes just wouldn't go off-course, in fear that if she blinked or looked away for just one second, it would all appear to be a dream. A terrible, terrible dream in which Morgana never made it, and that she was lost to the otherworld for eternity.

But no. All Morgause could see was pain. And that pain that she saw scared Morgause, because she'd never had to deal with another's pain before, be it physical or emotional. She was highly inexperienced in this field, however experienced Morgana was, and Morgause was terrified that she wouldn't do this right. Be the sister Morgana wanted, no needed her to be. Morgause had known nothing but solitude for all of her life, with the exception of few other priestesses and such. Caring for another was never high up on her list of things to do. Now, caring for another was her source of life and of light.

Laying her hands above Morgana's head, Morgause muttered a few words of incantation, attempting to heal whatever physical pain Morgana had above her shoulders. Once she was satisfied, she moved on to Morgana's body. Her spells could cure physical pain, but it was vital that Morgana also heal naturally, by resting. Once Morgause was finished healing whatever bodily wounds and sores Morgana might have, she nodded at her sister, and took her hand, just before tears formed in Morgana's eyes, and they started to spill.

Alarmed, Morgause's eyes widened, not entirely certain as to what she was to do. Thankfully, he sisterly instincts kicked in. She put the water down, and placed her hands on either side of Morgana's face, wiping away the stray tears with her thumbs. "What troubles you, sister?" Morgause knew that this kind of pain...she couldn't heal with a spell. Only time could heal this kind of wound. "I'm right here with you. Whatever it is, let me try to help you," Morgause said, almost pleadingly, giving Morgana a worried, nearly a sad look. She found that she did not like it one bit when Morgana was upset, and crying. It broke her heart to see her sister like this.

And then, Morgana spoke again. And it wasn't the questions that just made Morgause's stone cold heart hurt even more. It was the tone which Morgana used. She was genuinely...hurting. The pain was real. Morgause had no idea how to deal with that, really, but she knew that she had to try her best, without hurting Morgana even further. Morgause wiped another tear, before taking Morgana's hands and squeezing them, as if to tell her that she was there for her sister. Always. The horrible truth? Morgana might never want to speak with her sister again.

"He saw you as a source of magic; of evil," Morgause at last said, without even wanting to. Okay, well...Half-truth. Come on, Morgause, will you stop being a child? "I am afraid to say that...he needed to get through you to get to me. Because I was the only one with the power enough to stop the Knights." She was trying hard not to deepen Morgana's pain, but the truth hurt. Wasn't that was most said? Really, Morgause did not know the truth to Merlin's deceit, how he had gotten Morgana to drink the poison in the first place. All she knew was that Morgana was broken. And it was Merlin's doing.

"You can never trust those who mean to do the Old Religion harm. He knew of your gifts. He used that knowledge against you," Morgause continued, shaking her head. "I am afraid that...going back would mean death for you, surely. To have poisoned you, he must have known that you and I were in contact, and have plotted together. I know you trusted him, and..." Morgause had to force herself to say this, "...that he was a close friend, but...friends lift up one another, not..." She made herself stop. The last thing she wanted was to lose Morgana's trust and love. She was not the one against Morgana. She was with Morgana, until the end, and nothing could stop her.

"He will pay, sister. Dearly. One does not poison one of my own and get away with it. I can assure you," Morgause declared, her eyes only slightly narrowing again, but she controlled her anger this time, and only squeezed Morgana's hands a second time. "Please, Morgana. No more tears. Enough have been spilled today, from the both of us. How many more until we realize that what we are...who we are...is worth more than tears alone? We are not like the others. They cannot understand what we go through to survive. They will never feel what we feel. All of the pain, and the misery; all that's been lost. It is our duty to redeem that, all of it."

"But I need to know for certain," she paused, to search Morgana's eyes again, "that you and I will unite, and become stonger than anyone can imagine. That you will one day take back what has been stolen, by claiming the crown, with my full support. I need to know that as sisters, we will stand together, and be the Old Religion, without a waver of a doubt." Morgause knew that the topic was heavy, but there was no better time for Morgana to understand the seriousness of the situation than the present time. "Do you understand me, Morgana? Will you stand by me, and allow me to stand by you?"

[morg]

Morgana squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to believe what she was hearing. She had always thought that Merlin understood her magic, even though he didn't have magic himself. She had thought that he, out of anyone else in Camelot, was on her side and didn't hold her magic against her. She could still remember how he helped the druid boy, Mordred, escape when Uther would have had him executed. He had helped her, too, when she first started to show signs of magic that she couldn't control, and he had sent her to the druids for guidance. He had even lied to Arthur about the "miracle cure" that Gaius had supposedly given her, just so he wouldn't figure out that she had magic and that was why she was not affected by it.

All these memories seemed to flash before Morgana's closed eyes, memories of a life that was no longer hers. Merlin had lied to her; he had betrayed her. He had killed her. Now she was a new person, a new Morgana, reborn from the ashes of the old one.

The old Morgana was weak, trusting, innocent. The new Morgana would not make those mistakes again. She would be like Morgause, strong and brave and powerful and ruthless. She would trust no one but Morgause. For after all, who else did she have left to trust? Merlin would probably try to poison everyone's minds against her--for that was what he did best--spread poison. For all she knew, Arthur knew all about what Merlin was planning to do and that was why he left the room... so he wouldn't have to see it.

Maybe it was just her illness making her mind run wild, but she saw conspiracies everywhere. Now that Morgause had healed her body, the ache in Morgana's heart began to turn to anger. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, Morgana made the decision right then and there to fight back. She would get well, she would become stronger and more powerful, and no one would ever hurt her like this again.

Opening her eyes at last, Morgana focused on her sister. Morgause had saved her life. She was her sister, and sisters stuck together. Morgana knew in that moment that there was no one else in the world she could trust more than Morgause. Of course she would stand with her.

"Yes," she said, her voice becoming stronger. "Teach me everything you know... how to use my magic. And together, we will make them all rue this day."

Yes, she would return to Camelot one day, when she was strong enough. When her magic was strong enough to bring them all to their knees. And then she would make Merlin regret the day he was ever born.

But first she had to heal. Even with the healing spells, her body had still been through a terrible trauma. She needed water, and then she needed sleep. She needed food, too, but Morgana didn't think she could keep it down right now. Maybe after some healing sleep.

"Could I have some of that water now?"

[Deleted]

The best Morgause could do was listen to her sister. Whenever she would be ready to speak, Morgause would listen. There was still much to practice when it came to actually being a sister, but Morgause thought that listening was a good place to start. Listening and perhaps sympathizing. Or at least trying to sympathize. It was difficult when one of the closest allies of her sister just so happened to be the one who attempted to kill her. There was no way Morgause could sympathize with that. She had warned Merlin, but he neer paid attention to her words, nor did he heed them. Therefore, he would pay.

Had Morgause not telepathically heard her sister's cries of distress, Morgana would have been lost forever. Merlin would have won. Perhaps Camelot might have nearly been in ruins, had Morgause not heard Morgana, but the faithful ward of the king would have been dead. The whole point to destroying Camelot was so that the both of them might rebuild the kingdom, and place Morgana on the throne, ruling justly and gracefully, as she would. But there were no other scenarios other than the present one, which involved Merlin's hemlock, with a positive outcome. Positive in the sense that Morgana lived. The mighty King Uther would now seek out Morgause. It would appear like she'd kidnapped his ward.

Well, let them think whatever they pleased. Morgana's life would have been gambled until her death. Morgause would never allow that.

Curiously, Morgause observed her sister's actions, hoping that Morgana would choose Morgause. She would have to be a bit insane to choose otherwise, in fact. There still could be side effects of the anti-virus of which Morgause might not have known. At last, Morgana answered, and the reply pleased Morgause far greater than she had imagined. A hint of a smile tugged at Morgause's lips as Morgana proceeded to continue her response. Magic would be involved, yes, this much Morgause had expected to hear, but...teach Morgana all Morgause knew? Well, that was...a lot of magic to teach. As a High Priestess, Morgause nearly had unlimited powers. Morgana knew the basics, and she was a quick study. It should not take long to teach her.

Morgause shook her head, but was agreeing with Morgana. "They should have known better than to tamper with two sorceresses, one of which happens to be the High Priestess," she said, narrowing her eyes, then glancing at Morgana again. "Once I am through teaching you all there is to know about magic, and all that I know of it, you will be feared, Morgana, I can promise you that. Men will fall to the ground at the mention of your name. Kingdoms will ally with you, because of the all of the power you harbor - for I know the extent of your magic is unknown to you, but I know that because we share the same mother, and because my powers are great, yours might even surpass mine one day."

"So, you see, Morgana, if we are together, nothing can be more powerful than us. Nothing and no one." It brought Morgause great joy to know that Morgana had chosen her sister, without a shadow of a doubt. Naturally, she would not choose the one who'd attempted to murder her, but rather the one who'd saved her life. At first, Morgana was a pawn, easy to use, and did everything Morgause instructed. But their bond had grown strong, and Morgause saw her as an equal. She wasn't superior to Morgana any more than Morgana was superior to her. They were sisters, and the inexplicable love Morgause had for her sister had grown greater than she'd dared believe it would.

Morgana already looked stronger. Granted, her physical pains were leaving her, but her spirit was mending. The tears were no more, and Morgause felt like she'd done well to this point. "Certainly," Morgause replied in response to Morgana's request for water. She leaned down to pick up the bowl of water again, and wasn't sure whether to hold it up to Morgana's lips, or to allow her to take it. She settled upon allowing her sister to take the water. After all, Morgana was already showing signs of strength.

"You know I would anything at all for you, Morgana, yes?" inquired Morgause, as if insecure about the way Morgana considered their relationship. "That I would put you before my needs, and think of your well-being before mine?"

[morg]

Looking back, there had always been a sense of something missing in Morgana's life... a hole that she couldn't quite fill. Maybe it was the magical powers that had remained buried and unexplored, or maybe it was the sister that she'd never been given a chance to know. Or maybe it was both of those things, two things that were important parts of her that had long been denied her by others. She'd lost her mother, her father, and her older sister was taken from her before she ever got to know her. But now she had the chance to make up for that loss and to get to know her long-lost sister. She could learn from her and together they could form an unbreakable bond, stronger than the pathetic rule of Uther Pendragon.

Morgana had never really wanted to bring harm to anyone, other than Uther. Her anger and bitterness towards him had been slowly growing into a terrible hatred. But she didn't want to hurt anyone else. Until now. Now, as she looked back at Camelot, all she saw was a pit of lies and betrayal. Uther would kill her if she knew of her magic. Gaius, with his sleeping draughts, had sought to suppress her magic. And Merlin had tried to murder her. Maybe Arthur and Gwen were in on it too. Maybe they were all against her. Maybe the only person in the world she could truly trust was the one person who shared her blood--her own sister. Morgause had saved her life; she had not tried to take it from her. Why would she trust anyone else?

She took the bowl from Morgause with shaky hands, splashing some of the water on her now-tattered dress. It had once been one of her finest... now she wanted to burn it.

Morgana managed to take a few sips from the bowl, feeling the cool water soothe her still-raw throat. She nodded for her sister to take the bowl from her, then closed her eyes for a moment.

Was it possible to trust someone that you had only known for such short time? Morgana thought it was. But she had trusted Merlin after knowing him for a few months, and he had turned out to be a traitor. But Morgause was her sister. Of course she trusted her.

"I know," she said, smiling tiredly. "I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you."