Morgana entered her hovel shaken up. What had happened? Arthur was going to die as she had planned. Maybe was already dead but she wasn't joyous as she had thought she'd be. She couldn't feel any relief or satisfaction. And why did she save that Merlin? As the fireball was moving towards Merlin to wipe off his life line Morgana had travelled into the past where Merlin was her only solid ground, someone whom she could trust, pour her heart out without being judged. Her most caring and loving friend . In that moment, she had forgotten that he was also the one who had betrayed her, crushed her , kept her in the shadows, never trusted her. She concluded that it was just a moment's weakness and she would not let it happen again. He was Emyrs- her doom according to the prophecies. Morgana wouldn't let that prophecy come true. She racked her brain how to somehow gain an upper hand with Emyrs and she realised that by saving Merlin's life she had squared anything nice that he had ever done in the past to her. Now she could hate him freely. No more shortcomings. She went back to the day when Modred had told her of Merlin's real identity. She was shocked head to toe and had found it impossible to believe - that sweet innocent, annoying, clingy of a servant was to be her doom? The greatest sorcerer? She wouldn't have tried to believe it if it weren't modred telling her that...Modred!
"Oh Modred!", wailed Morgana and burst into tears. The boy whom she had saved, loved like family who had died because of her. He had killed Arthur for her and had died in the process. The whole scene of Merlin throwing a spell towards Modred and Modred turning into ashes played before her eyes so vividly that she felt she needed to shield her eyes from the it. Merlin- he had murdered Modred! She couldn't believe she let Merlin slip away from the clutches of death despite everything he had done . What had gotten into her when she saw Merlin dying? She mentally decided then- the Merlin she cared about was dead and the Sorcerer Emyrs is who that boy is. And he will die at her hands. That was final.
...
Merlin knew where to find Morgana but he wasn't sure what to do once he found her. Then the other problem was that how would he be able to survive with Morgana trying to kill her at the very moment she lays eyes on him. Merlin was feeling frustrated. Did it really have to be Morgana? How does one ask their enemy to save them? Despite having no hope or plan Merlin kept moving towards the hovel. The witch had given him only a month to bring Arthur's sister's blood for saving him. He had to at least try. Suddenly an idea sprung into his mind and he for the first time since a long time saw a little flicker of hope that he might succeed with Morgana. He knew what a dangerous and reckless plan it was but he had no choice...
...
Morgana thought she'd need time to plan and then will act accordingly. Her brain was in no state of scheming these days but it did keep shouting for revenge. Morgana was smart and knew if she planned anything in this state of mind- it would do her no good. So she figured that keeping a low profile was what she needed right now. She made herself dinner with the rabbit she had caught and killed with literally the blink of her eye and was about to sleep when someone knocked on her door. That did not happen often. Morgana opened the old black door with curiosity in her eyes to find herself face to face with a boy about her age having deep, beautiful enchanting blue eyes. There was nothing extraordinary about his face though.
"I was going through the forest to find a deer or any animal worth something when I got lost. I would continue to try finding my path but it's too dark and I have got my leg injured rather badly when I was trying to climb down a tree. So madam, could you kindly help me tonight? I promise, I'll try to find my bearings the first thing in the morning." The boy looked nervous and this made him look cute.
"Where were you going?"
"A town near to Camelot- Repub."
"What kind of help do you need, hunter?"
"Anything to treat my leg?" He asked politely.
Morgana wasn't the one to help strangers but after talking to this boy, realised how lonely she had been. She actually enjoyed the human presence. Maybe it had something to do with his beautiful eyes.
"I have a few herbs. I will try to treat your wound with it. Come inside. It's getting cold."
"Thanks ma'am".
"Morgana."
"Sorry?"
"Morgana's my name."
"Oh. I am Henry, Milady". He picked up Morgana's tiny hand and brought it to his lips.
As soon as his lips made contact with her hand, Morgana felt what she had never felt before. A wholeness. The feeling of satisfaction was alien to her but for that tiny moment, she felt it. Felt it so strongly that she couldn't control the audible gasp that escaped from her lips.
Henry looked at her questioningly but quickly came up to a conclusion of his own, "I am sorry. My lips must be very cold. I am very sorry, please forgive me..."
She raises a hand dismissively. "No. It's perfectly alright. I do have to ask you something though- why did you call me milady?"
"Umm...a lady as beautiful as you deserves nothing to be called less than that."
Morgana blushed. She was thankful to the darkness now. She wasn't one of the pathetic girls who would be soaring in the skies because of some flattery remark by some charming, blue-eyed stranger.
She moved from the door, without giving any reaction to his flirty comment to him, to allow him in the cottage.
