User blog comment:Druidinhiding/Alternate Ending Theories and Thoughts/@comment-5988345-20130113112751

Here's an idea for a season 6 opener which doesn't require an alternate ending:

In the same way that Arthur didn't die immediately from Mordred's blade, it turns out that Morgana is still (barely) alive - and conveniently close to the only place she can find healing, Avalon.

She calls to her dragon and gives him a command. He drags her half conscious body across the lake, flying just above the water. Morgana meets a glowing creature on the island and begs for her healing. The creature asks if she is willing to pay the price; Morgana replies, "Anything!" Without telling her what the price is, the creature lifts its staff, which glows unbearably bright.

Morgana passes out, then finds herself back on the other side of the lake -- alive and strong. She disappears into the forest.

Arthur lies dead on a stone slab. Unknown to Morgana, he is enveloped by the same light that healed her, and he sits upright with a gasp, completely disoriented. After finding nothing on the island, Arthur does all he can think of: he swims for the shore.

The knight that had been left for dead by Morgana meets Arthur on the shore (he had seen Morgana but was wary of confronting her again). The two make their way back to Camelot.

Meanwhile, Merlin returns to find Gwen already crowned queen of Camelot. He confirms Arthur's death, and reassures her that Morgana is no longer a threat. Gwen talks privately with him and says that she knows what he did (from Gaius). She is very grateful and says his secret is safe with her, but it would be best not to publicly reveal himself yet.

Morgana makes her way to Camelot (in disguise), arriving before Arthur. She kills and takes the place of one of the servants and makes her way towards Gwen. The body of the servant is discovered, and Merlin recognises Morgana's handiwork. He rushes to the throne room, and arrives just as Morgana attacks Gwen.

Merlin and Morgana duel. Morgana has been invigorated by being healed at Avalon, so both of them are at full strength, and the battle is very dramatic (and public). Finally Morgana is forced out of a window, but survives the landing and is nowhere to be found.

Merlin is badly wounded but alive. However, most of those who witnessed his magic demand his execution for being a sorcerer. Gwen and some of the knights try to speak up for him -- he can clearly defend them from Morgana -- but they clearly have the weight of the law on their side. Gwen places Merlin in prison, then speaks to him in private about letting him escape and go into exile in some other land.

Gwen plans to do this the following evening, but has urgent before then. But without her knowledge or consent, a group of people take it on themselves to execute Merlin and drag him from the prison to the executioner's block.

Just as they are about to go through with it, Arthur arrives and prevents the execution. He gives a speech about his own reaction and change of heart about Merlin's magic, and about a new Albion.

Gwen has heard that the people were planning to kill Merlin, and rushes back only to discover that her husband is still alive. She cries tears of joy and amazement. The people are stunned, not knowing what to make of all this and their "new" king.