"Ah, Merlin! Took you long enough to get past my guards, what's wrong? Getting out of shape?"
"Missed me that much did you?"
Morgana laughs, picking up her sword "Not really, but it will certainly be good to finally get rid of you"
Merlin strengthened his grip on his own, as he started walking in her direction.
"You say that, yet each time I defeat you"
She slowly sits up from the throne, a smirk on her lips and sword in hand. "Until now. If I hadn't deluded myself that you could become useful in some way I would have already killed you"
"No, I don't think you would"
"Really?"
"I don't think you want me dead"
She scoffs half-heartedly before swinging her sword at him so suddenly he almost wasn't able to block.
"I'll tell you this for sure... seeing the person that poisoned me again and again is absolutely the last thing I want"
She swings at him again and this time he's prepared. They exchange blows, until they find themselves standing and facing each other, their swords crossed between them.
" 'Want' is a conscious decision" he says breathlessly. "... this you can't help. That's how it is between you and me. We're two opposites trapped in a push and pull cycle. You can't resist it, we always find our way back to each other, and I say it's no coincidence"
"Maybe because you live in service of the man that sits on the throne I intend to reclaim" she says bitterly.
"I protect the kingdom you want to destroy, Morgana"
"So chivalrous"
He blocks another attack, locking their swords once again. "It's who we are" he says looking in her eyes before pushing her away. They stand ready, but neither advances.
"And what exactly would that be?" she asks.
"Darkness and light, hatred and love.."
"Intelligence and stupidity"
"You can live in denial all you want, but you know it's true. Without each other we have no purpose. What is light without darkness? The world is a balance solely because of you and me, because of the shadows we create, and I think it wants it that way"
"How poetic of you.... and self absorbed"
"Good way to keep you invested isn't it?"
