Hello everyone, this is my first Merlin fanfiction but I've had this idea for some time now, so I finally acted on it. The beginning of the chapter is the same as the episode, but later on it will change. Enjoy!

Merlin had just swept the floor and was now blowing out the candles. His thoughts were still with Morgana. He felt sorry for her. He knew exactly what she was going through and she deserved some help. If only he could give it to her without exposing himself. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps.

'Is Gaius here?'

Merlin looked up to see Morgana walking in, it seemed like she was still in her sleeping gown. She looked very upset, with a haunted look in her eyes.

'No, he's not here at the moment, he should be back soon though.' He answered.

He saw she was close to tears. He hoped Gaius would be back soon enough to help her, so he wouldn't do something stupid like telling her he had magic.

Morgana walked further towards him. 'I need to speak to him, where is he?'

Merlin tried to think of something to say, something to calm her down and let her wait for Gaius.

'He's gone to see the king.' The moment the words left his mouth, he wished he could take them back. Of course this would not calm her down! Arthur was right; he was an idiot! Of course she would think Gaius had went to the king to tell him about Morgana. In the hope of distracting her, he asked the question he already knew the answer to.

'What's wrong?'

She looked as if she was about to answer, but then she turned her head away. Merlin truly felt for her right now. He knew what it was like not to be able to tell anyone about the magic he felt burning inside of him every moment of the day. He could tell no one, always afraid how people would react and whether they would have him arrested. The only one he trusted with this knowledge was Gaius, but Morgana had no one to help her. No one she could talk to. Except for him.

' You can trust me, Morgana.' She met his eyes.

Merlin tried to smile reassuring. 'You know you can.'

Morgana hesitated for another few seconds and just when he didn't expect her to answer anymore she whispered. 'I'm scared Merlin.'

He waited for her to continue.

'I don't understand anything anymore. I need to know what's happening. Please.'

Merlin looked at her carefully. Did she know anything? Was this her way of asking him whether he had magic? Or was she just hoping that someone could help her to make sense of last night's events? He realized she was waiting for a response.

'Gaius will be back soon, he'll be able to help you.' It was the first thing that came into his mind.

Morgana just shook her head. 'He won't. I don't want anymore remedies, they won't do any good.' She took a step closer to him and looked on his eyes before whispering.

'It's magic, Merlin.'

He could see the fear in her eyes when she spoke the words. She was terrified of herself. But he still couldn't reveal himself to her.

'What?' He hoped she wouldn't see the lie in his eyes when he pretended he didn't know what she was talking about.

She took another step, they're hands almost touching now.

'I'm your friend, you know I wouldn't make this up.' She insisted.

'Of course.'

'Then you believe me?' She asked hopefully.

Merlin mentally kicked himself. What could he say now?

'You think it's magic too.' She continued. 'Please Merlin, I just need to hear someone say it so I don't have to keep feeling like I'm imagining it.'

Merlin nodded, trying to win himself some time. He could see the tears in her eyes and he couldn't bring himself to tell her that he didn't believe her. He couldn't lie to her. So instead he told her the only truth he could tell right now.

'I really wish there was something I could say.'

He winced when he saw her reaction. She took a step back, the pain visible on her face. Then she turned around and started to walk away.

'Morgana!' He called out to her but she didn't stop. He sighed, furious at his own stupidity and quickly followed her, easily catching up with her with his long strides.

'Morgana, will you please hear me out?'

When she didn't answer but kept walking, he quickly stepped in front of her and effectively blocked the only exit of the room. He looked into her eyes, hoping she would listen. 'Please.'

She looked back and studied him for a minute before she finally nodded defeated. 'Fine.'

Merlin let out a relieved sigh and opened the door, gesturing the broken woman in front of him to follow him outside.

'Where are we going?' Morgana asked confused.

'Your chambers. Gaius will be back soon and I don't think you want him to see you this way.' Merlin could see her nodding gratefully in the corner of his eye. He barely paid any attention to where he was walking, trying to think of a way to make Morgana less afraid without giving too much away. By the time they had reached her chambers, he still had no plan whatsoever. Once they were inside, he gentle reached for her hand to lead her towards the bed. When she took hold of his hand, he was startled to feel how cold they were.

'Morgana, you're freezing!'

He quickly let her to the bed and turned around to search for something she could put on. Unfortunately, there were no dresses lying around and it wouldn't be appropriate for him to just start rummaging through her closet. He walked back towards the bed and pulled the blanket away so Morgana could lie down beneath them. He gently laid the blanked back and made sure she was covered completely. Then he sat down on the edge of the bed. He was desperately searching for words to explain what was happening to her, but her voice interrupted his thoughts.

'Merlin?' She asked softly.

He looked up to meet her eyes questioningly.

'Are you afraid of me?' She whispered and quickly looked down at her blankets.

Merlin immediately answered, for the first time tonight he could speak right from his heart. 'Of course not! Why would I be afraid of you?'

'Because I set curtains on fire and I shatter things with my mind.' She let out a little sob. 'I'm a monster.'

Anger flared up inside of him at the sound of those words. He had always been slightly mad at the king for being so blind to the good parts of magic, but now he saw for the first time what it had done to Morgana. Her guardian had made her so afraid of magic that she saw herself as some kind of awful creature. He grabbed her hand, ignoring the fact that Uther would have his head if he saw that a mere servant held the hand of his beloved ward.

'You're not a monster, Morgana. You're one of the most beautiful, pure-hearted, kind and gentle persons I've ever met. Just because you have magic, does not mean you're evil. Maybe you can do some good with it.'

She slowly pulled her gaze away from the bed and when she looked up, he could see a tiny glimmer of hope in her eyes. 'You think so?'

He nodded. 'I do.'

'Thank you Merlin.' She smiled slightly. 'You're very kind for me.'

Merlin returned her smile. 'That's what friends do right?'

He released her hand and stoop up from the bed. 'You should get some sleep. You must be exhausted.'

Immediately the fear returned in her eyes.

'What's wrong?' He asked concerned.

She looked embarrassed. 'I'm afraid to go back to bed. What if I put the bed on fire this time?'

Merlin thought about that. It was possible, giving the lack of control she had already displayed; she could be a danger to herself.

He looked at her uncertainly. 'Do you want me to stay with you? Or I can get Gwen, if you want.'

She looked relieved at the offer. 'I'd like you to stay.' She answered and then quickly added. 'If you want to of course.'

Merlin smiled again, hoping to make the last remaining parts of her fear go away.

'How can I refuse?'

She returned the smile and moved to one side of the bed to make room. He hesitantly got into the bed, carefully not touching the beautiful girl next to him. He would probably be killed tomorrow when someone found them like this, there was no need to make things worse. Apparently Morgana didn't agree, because she slowly scooted closer until her head rested on his shoulder and her hands were on his chest.

'Do you mind?' She whispered, but Merlin could hear she hoped he wouldn't. So he put an arm around her and pulled her close. 'Of course not.' He answered. 'Get some sleep, Morgana. You're safe now.' He smiled down at her and relaxed when she closed her eyes. He started to repeat all the magical spells he knew in his head, to make sure he wouldn't fall asleep. If he wanted to make sure Morgana would be okay, this was going to be a long night.

I hope you liked it! Please let me know what you think.