The first duel between Merlin and Morgana occurred during the Great Battle for Camelot.
Events
When Morgause and Cenred invaded Camelot, Morgana acted as their spy and used the Rowan Staff to summon an army of undead skeletons. Though Merlin begged her to call off the attack, Morgana refused to be reasoned with and Merlin was forced to try to destroy the Staff himself.
Morgana knocked the sword from Merlin's hand, then drew her own and attacked him. He dodged the blow and retrieved his sword from the floor. After a fierce battle, Morgana disarmed Merlin, who ducked behind a nearby tomb and used his magic to cause the ceiling to collapse on top of her, knocking her unconscious.
Merlin quickly enchanted a sword and destroyed the Rowan Staff, causing the undead skeletons to crumble and turning the tide of the battle. Morgana later took the credit for this act in order to keep her cover and to prevent Merlin from revealing her treachery (The Tears of Uther Pendragon).
Trivia
- This is the first of three duels fought by Merlin and Morgana (The Tears of Uther Pendragon, A Servant of Two Masters, The Diamond of the Day).