Pairing: MerlinxMorgana
Notes: G rating. Written as spec-fic before season 2 aired.
Disclaimer: I own nothing in connection with BBC's Merlin, nor do I make any money writing this fanfiction.
xxx
A Kind Of Magic
It was nice, finally having somebody there who understood what they both had. That thing inside them which was wrong and would get either of them killed should they show it for even a second.
But Merlin still crept to Morgana's chambers at night, wrapping himself in magic which didn't make him invisible but caused the guards and others still around during those hours to just not notice him. He carried his brown jacket in his arms and that was wrapped around the old book of magic Gaius gave him.
When Merlin came, they often stayed up late until some point in the early hours of the morning. They huddled together on Morgana's bed, so close their bodies pressed together and their fingers brushed when they reached out to point at things or turn pages. At first it was awkward and they would both quickly draw back with a blush and an apology. But it just kept happening and they both came to not mind it at all. Not that either did to begin with.
Squinting through the soft glow of candlelight, they looked through all the spells and enchantments in the book, which had been written many years before they were born. Both thought there must be just about every type of magic filling every spare inch in the large book and on the loose pages stuffed in supposedly at random. Some were enchantments to change the colours of drapes, make a needle and thread do the sewing themselves or instantly clean the filthiest armour. There were some which would heal a man's wounds just enough to ensure he survived until he could find help. Some made the shell of a bird's egg unbreakable, just in case it should fall from the nest, until the chick inside was ready to hatch.
But there were terrible spells too. There were some which could create a black fire which won't stop until everything around it was destroyed. Some would poison whole lakes without a single sign that something was wrong. Others seemed good but were then shown to be bad. They found one spell which would make a woman pregnant. But at the cost of her own life.
Most nights, Merlin tried out the simpler, harmless spells. He made the buds nestled amongst the bunches of flowers in Morgana's chambers bloom into something so beautiful her mouth hung open and her breath hitched in her chest in wonder. That was what Merlin watched; the way her chest jumped and how her pale skin moved under her nightdress. In the gloom, he could still see how her eyes lit up, like a child seeing a shooting star for the first time. The sight of her in such innocent awe made Merlin's body feel strange. His skin suddenly didn't fit properly and there was something hot inside him which pounded away but somehow it was still a good feeling. Sometimes he changed the colour of her pillows or the silk drapes around her bed to green, saying they matched her eyes. She laughed and the sound was pleasant as it filled the room.
Morgana had yet to try any magic. She said she didn't think she was ready, but Merlin knew she was. He also knew she was afraid, having lived most of her life watching those of magic being put to death. So he just nodded when she refused, smiled and told her that it was fine. But he always offered again next time, hoping it acted as a gentle coaxing into getting her to try something. He was sure she'd be good.
When he has to leave, Merlin's hand reaches out for the door and just before he opens it he turns back to face her. He winks quickly, which makes his cheeks go darker, and blows a kiss. Morgana feels it land softly against her cheek and they stand there for a few moments, just looking at each other, before she finally shoos him away, always still smiling.
END