Freed

Answers

A few days passed and Merlin was back to normal, save a few scars. Honestly, they were mere scratches to the scars he already had. When Merlin and Morgana first went to see Gaius they asked about the connection between Merlin and Morgana's magic. Unfortunately, Gaius had never heard of such a thing. So, they decided to move on and try to test it more at some point.

The three men that had attacked Merlin were of course put in trial. Arthur had it in his mind to have them enslaved on a farm in the outlying villages, but Merlin was against that. He somehow managed to convince Arthur to throw them in the stocks for a few days and keep them in the dungeon for a couple weeks. In almost everyone's opinion, that was much too light of a punishment. However, Merlin wanted to show the people that he didn't have to be feared, so that is what he chose.

In all the insanity that was going on around the kingdom, Merlin and Morgana hadn't had time to inform the King and Queen of their findings in their magic. Finally, one night the four of them got to sit down and have a relatively peaceful dinner. That's when Merlin and Morgana relayed all the events of the day Merlin was attacked.

"So Morgana could track you using magic. Isn't that a relatively normal thing for magic users to be able to do?" Arthur inquired.

"I'll have you know that a tracking spell is highly advanced. And no, she didn't just track me using magic!"

"I never uttered a single spell. My magic just led me to him. I also felt when he was hit on the head and I knew he was in danger," Morgana elaborated.

"But how can that be? Didn't you say that Merlin was being held on the other side of the castle?" said Gwen.

"Yes. It's almost as if our magic is connected. We asked Gaius about it, but he didn't seem to know anything. We ran a few experiments this morning to have a better idea of what this means."

"And your findings were?"

"Not much," Morgana answered. "The biggest thing we found is that we can kind of instinctually perform spells together. The magic used between us is powerful, but beyond that we know nothing."

"So you two have powerful magic and you can sense when the other is in danger?" Arthur asked. Merlin and Morgana nodded.
"But you have no idea why or how."
Again, they nodded their heads.

They all took a moment to eat their food, as they were lost in thought.

"Have there been any other developments between you two that could be related?" Gwen not-so-subtly hinted.

Arthur briefly choked on his drink, surprised at his wife's directness. Both Merlin and Morgana turned pink, but Merlin still had an answer.

"Umm... magic doesn't exactly work like that. Typically people can sense other people's magic, but they can't feel their pain or track them without using a spell. And as for your second implication, no. I mean, our magic kind of reacts when we touch hands, but that's all."

"What about that dragon?" Arthur suddenly remembered.

"What about him?" Merlin mumbled.

"He seemed knowledgeable about this type of stuff, with the destiny and whatnot. Maybe he would have an explanation."

"We may have had a slight disagreement."

"About me," Morgana clarified.

"So you disagreed. This is important! If there's some magical change going on between you two, wouldn't you want to know what it is? Besides this could bear some significance to the kingdom."

Merlin mulled it over in his head. It was his duty to protect Camelot, and a change in his magic could have an impact on the kingdom. Besides, he had felt the magic between them. It was different, but it was good. Maybe Kilgarrah would have something different to say this time around.

"Fine. I'll go and see him tonight."

"I'm coming with you," Morgana insisted.

"No! It could be dangerous. What if he tried to harm you?"

"He can't harm me. You're a dragon lord. I'm involved so I should be there."

"It's too risky!"

"I'm coming."

"But-"

"Merlin!" Gwen exclaimed, cutting him off.
"I was Morgana's maid for years, and I can tell when you're going to lose an argument against her. It'll be fine. You are both very capable of looking after yourselves."

"Then it's settled!" Arthur said cheerily.
"You two will go and meet the Great Dragon, and we'll be waiting for you when you get back."

***

Even though Merlin was annoyed at being overruled, he found that it was nice to have company on the ride out to meet Kilgarrah. Once they reached the clearing, Merlin asked Morgana to stand back as he called out to the dragon. Sure enough, Kilgarrah approached and landed just in front of Merlin.

"The winds are changing, young warlock. I am not surprised that you are here."

"Do you know why I've come?"

"I am not all knowing, but I assume it has something to do with the Lady Morgana; considering that she is standing right behind you."

As Kilgarrah nodded to Morgana Merlin subconsciously put a hand back to keep her behind him. He also raised his hand in front of him in warning.

"Do not fear. I am not going to hurt her. But I may have the answers you seek."

Merlin slowly let his hand down knowing that the dragon could not go against his word.

"Our magic seems to be... well, almost connected. She was able to sense when I was in danger and was led right to me. When we touch our magic somehow reacts to each other. I've never felt anything like it before."

"Yes... it seems that something has changed. I told you once that yours and Morgana's path were entwined forever; that she was the darkness to your light. What I failed to acknowledge is that the future is not set in stone. At least, not always how we think."

"Are you saying you were wrong then?" Merlin couldn't help but smirk a bit.

"Yes, young warlock. It seems I was wrong about the Lady Morgana," he turned to her, "just as I was wrong about you."

"About me?"

"I didn't believe that you had the power to defy the prophecies, or to change destiny. Much has been written about the both of you. You are opposites in every way, but you are also equals. It was never assumed by a rational mind that you could overcome your adversities and join together as one, but here you are."

"Okay..." Merlin started. "But what does that have to do with our magic?"

"When you join hands what do you feel?"

Merlin and Morgana looked at each other, confused. Morgana shrugged and reached out her hand, interlocking her fingers with Merlin's. Their eyes flashed gold for a brief second as they felt power rush through them. It was familiar, yet utterly different at the same time.

"Magic or power," Morgana answered. Kilgarrah nodded at her to go on.
"It's purely magic but it's also a feeling. The feeling is familiar, but it's different. And the magic... it's pure."

"Very perceptive. Both of you are much more than you think you are. Emrys, your magic is of the earth, sea, and sky. Morgana also possesses that magic. When you two joined together you awoke a magic older and deeper than the universe itself. This is what now binds your magic together. When you touch it is that same magic that flows through you. It is much like flint and steel joining to make fire. In time you will see just what this means."

Merlin and Morgana looked at each other. Neither could decide whether they were more confused or enlightened by this endeavor. At the very least it seemed like they were no longer meant to be enemies. Merlin turned to thank Kilgarrah and leave before the dragon stopped him.

"You must take heart Emrys. Destiny will always right itself. Someone must take the place of Morgana and fulfill that destiny. There is a new dark power rising against Albion and Arthur. Both of you will have to be on your guard."

"Thank you."

With that, the pair turned and left. Unknowingly, they passed Edith hiding in the bushes on their way back to Camelot.