Just a few clarifications! Uther is alive and still opposed to magic, the knights will be in this cause I love them, even ones like Gwaine and Lancelot who Uther banished, I mean seriously I can't have a story without Gwaine, it's Gwaine! The chapters will get longer as I continue, and I will update hopefully every week at least, winter break is long so I won't leave you hanging if you like the story and want me to continue. I don't own Merlin so sad.

The preparations had been going on for about a week, Merlin had been running around the castle non-stop. On top of preparing for the arrival of King Rience, his son Prince Erec, and the servants and knights accompanying them, Merlin had all of his regular chores and demands from Arthur.

After polishing Arthur's armor twice that morning, because apparently the first time wasn't good enough for the prince, Merlin finally made his way down to the throne room which had been transformed for the feast. Multiple tables and chairs with long backs had been brought out, other servants were placing the plates, napkins, and goblets all baring the royal seal. After a scolding for being late from the head planner of the feast, Merlin was instructed to place the deep purple flowers in the intricate handmade baskets for the centerpieces of the tables.

The flowers were laid out on top of each other on a cloth on a separate table. It didn't take Merlin long to arrange them, he had been in Camelot a few years now and was used to the feasts and parties the kingdom held. Just as he was finishing the last basket, a pot being brought from the kitchens fell to the floor with a loud clang. It caused Merlin to turn rapidly and knocked nine baskets he had already arranged perfectly behind the table. The flowers scattered everywhere, some petals ripping off in the process.

He sighed and looked around, everyone's attention was on the pot of soup that was dampening the floor. With no one looking Merlin muttered a quick incantation softly, all the flowers went back in their baskets as if they hadn't been touched, arranged just as Merlin had them. He smiled to himself and began bringing the baskets around to each of the tables.

Merlin worked around the floor cleaners as they tried to clean the soup as fast as possible to not delay the preparations. They still had the decorations to put up. As Merlin started placing four baskets evenly along the royal head table, he heard a velvet voice behind him different from the mixed voices of feast planners.

"They really are very beautiful arrangements, you have a very creative touch Merlin" he turned to find the Lady Morgana behind him smelling one of the baskets already laid on the table.

Merlin hesitated at the sight of her, he quickly regained himself "I don't think Arthur would say that," he chuckled slightly.

"Well, what does Arthur know?" she said with a slight smile, knowing Arthur could be quite arrogant.

"Not much, but don't tell him I said that," Merlin replied.

"Do you need any help?" Merlin was surprised by her offer, he turned directly in front of her now.

"The King would never have his ward doing servants work, besides shouldn't you be getting ready for our royal guests?" he asked genuinely curious for her answer.

"That's all I've been doing for the past week Merlin, and I was ready for them by the first day, there really isn't much for me to do" she sighed with an annoyed look.

Merlin knew the look wasn't addressed to him, he knew Morgana didn't love being the stand-in princess all the time. She liked the dresses and living in the palace of course, but she was also independent and often had the desire to ride and sword fight, even helping with work, she wasn't one to stand and look pretty all the time. Although she always looks beautiful, Merlin thought.

Merlin held out the two baskets he had in his hands to her, her mouth widened into a smile as she took them from him and placed them on the next table. They both laid out the rest of the baskets together with a few odd glances from the other servants and planners, but the two didn't really notice them staring.

Merlin tried to only look at her when she wasn't looking. She really was the most beautiful woman of the kingdom. Her long black hair was down today, usually it was in a straight braid, Merlin liked the braid but he always preferred her hair down. She was wearing the floor length long sleeve green dress, with gold bands on the upper sleeves and around the waist.

"Merlin? Merlin?" she called out to him as he realized she was talking to him.

"What?"

"Is there something on my face? Why are you staring at me like that?" she asked putting a hand to her face to see if she could feel what was wrong.

"No, no, nothing, your perfect" it came out before he could stop himself or before he realized he was saying it.

Morgana smiled and blushed a little, although not as much as Merlin was. He turned away quickly pretending to fix the flowers he had put down.

"These really are beautiful," she said meaning the flowers, "It's to bad they only come out this time of year I would love to see them all the time."

Merlin didn't know where he got the nerve, he normally wasn't forward, especially with a room full of people, but it just felt right. He went over to her and the basket she had put down. He took one single flower away. He pushed her long black hair behind her right ear and gently placed the flower in her hair. It wasn't to big nor to small it was just the right size for her face and looked beautiful against her eyes.

She smiled looking up at him, there eyes holding a little longer then was approved of. One of the newer servants broke their eye contact with "That flower makes you look beautiful Lady Morgana."

As the servant walked away Merlin still staring at her said "She doesn't need the flower..." and again their moment was interrupted.

"MERLIN!" a screech yelled from the throne room doors. Arthur marched in gripping his sword in his right hand. Both Merlin and Morgana turned to him, he looked like a beast about to attack. His clothes were in shambles and even had a rip in the sleeve, Merlin took notice and slouched a little, knowing he would have to repair it before the royal guests arrived.

"What exactly is the meaning of this?" he asked thrusting the sword under Merlin's nose so the servant could see it clearly.

"Oh, well this is a sword Arthur, you swing it with great skill and ability at your enemy, two things you need to work on," Morgana mocked taking the sword to relieve Merlin's face.

Arthur rolled his eyes at her, "How would you know Morgana you never swing one" he struck a nerve as she gave him a piercing glare that could kill, "and I wasn't talking to you" he said turning to Merlin.

Merlin glanced at the sword finding no problems with it, he just shrugged.

"All my armor has been polished twice, this has only been polished once, I can't joust with our royal guests with armor and a sword in this condition."

It was Morgana who rolled her eyes this time, she looked like she was about to make another remark to Arthur but Merlin jumped in with "Your right sire I don't know what I was thinking, I will be up to polish it again immediately."

"You better be" Arthur said demandingly, and with a quick turn he was out just as swiftly as he had entered.

"Why did you stop me?" she asked with the start of a glare.

"Because if I had let it continue you both would have gone on for hours, the feast would be delayed and everyone would go mad."

She smiled unable to argue, "…You win this time."

"Morgana? Morgana?" For the third time in under five minutes they were interrupted. This time Gwen was coming down the hall in a bit of a run, holding up her dress not to trip. "Morgana we really must ready you for the feast it's going to begin in a few hours."

Morgana nodded, "I'll be there in a minute" she turned back to Merlin, she placed her hand on his briefly just for a second, but it caused Merlin to hold his breath all the same.

"Thanks for letting me help Merlin," she removed her hand and began down the hall, she turned back one last time "And for the flower."

He smiled and watched her until she was out of sight, through the grand doors turning down one of the corridors. He stayed transfixed on the doors she left through until the head feast planner screeched him back to work, instructing him on a ladder to start hanging decorations.

So what do you think should I continue? Review Review Please!