Jayje: Awesome, right? More Mergana from me!
sjritts: I'm pretty excited about it, too. Hm… you think you know where I'm going with Kat? Let's see, shall we? And Morgana should just be grateful Merlin didn't get angry with her for that.
MICKEY.G.B: I hope you're happy I got it out so fast, :P lol. :) I thought I needed a cute little kid in the story. She has a key role to play, though. Anyone who can guess her role, let's see what you come up with!
JAIMOL: Glad you liked it. :) I was super excited. The response to SML was just… wow… I couldn't end it there. SML was supposed to be a one-shot, and you guys made me want to write more, so good on you! All of you! Hope y'all like this chapter!
yesthenLucky9: So glad you think the second story is living up to the first. To be honest, I was a little worried I wouldn't be able to keep it up.
Chapter Two
Morgana smiled as they approached a small cottage in the village, she saw the door open and Hunith, Merlin's mother, ran out and grabbed him in a tight hug the instant his feet hit the ground.
"Mother," he said quietly, hugging her.
Hunith smiled and kissed his cheek. "My son," she said softly. "Why have you returned to us? And the Lady Morgana?" she asked, turning her attention to the younger woman, who had not yet dismounted.
"I am no longer a Lady of Camelot," Morgana murmured, averting her gaze as she allowed Merlin to help her off the horse.
"No longer… What's happened?" Hunith demanded, concern clear on her features as she led both her son and Morgana into the small home.
"I… I have magic…" Morgana confessed sadly, afraid of being hated by the woman she had come to think of almost as a mother.
Hunith looked at her, seemingly shocked for a moment before she turned a questioning glance at Merlin.
"Yes, Mother, she knows I have magic, too," Merlin said, answering the unspoken question. "I've been trying to help her learn to control hers and use it for good. Gaius and Kilgarrah said I should just let it alone, that it would be better if she never knew the true depths of her power, but I helped her anyway…" he looked away, his voice fading at the last words as he looked down, seemingly concerned about what his mother would think and say about his reckless actions.
Morgana felt the need to speak up for Merlin before his mother had the opportunity to respond to her son. "He truly has, he has helped me so much. It's amazing how much. Without Merlin, I would have turned to Morgause, my half-sister, for help with magic. I would have gone to her side, prophesy would have been fulfilled without Merlin to help me. He is so sweet, and he stood up to Uther for me," she said the last part with a slightly admiring smile directed at Merlin.
Hunith turned on her son, shock and horror clearly written on her face. "You did what, Merlin? How could you be so foolish? You could have been executed!"
Merlin grimaced. "I know, mother, but how could I just stand there and let her be executed for being born with magic? I couldn't do it."
Morgana smiled softly at Merlin. "Merlin is no coward, unlike my foster brother," the last four words were filled with a bitter malice that surprised Merlin and Hunith, and even Morgana. "He stood by as his father raised a hand to me, as he backed me into a chair and had his hand around my throat…" Morgana felt tears pricking her eyes, despite the fact that it had been some time since the incident she spoke of. It had made her angry with Arthur at the time, of course, but she had harbored some anger towards her foster brother ever since. And what Merlin had done, risking his own life to save hers, showed just how brave and kind Merlin truly was.
Merlin stepped up behind Morgana, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing a spot under her ear, murmuring gentle, soothing words in her ear. Morgana closed her eyes and took a deep breath, placing her hands over Merlin's, allowing herself to calm in the assurance that Merlin was there to keep her safe, to drive away the darkness in her soul.
Hunith stared at her son and the woman in front of her in shock, she had hoped Merlin would find love one day, but she had never dreamed that it would be with Uther Pendragon's ward, but in love he was. She smiled, realizing that Merlin, more than likely, was unaware that he was in love with Morgana.
Morgana opened her eyes and smiled faintly, sighing as she looked back at Hunith. "Merlin risked his life for me, as he has for many others before. I respect him for that, and for helping me."
Merlin turned bright red again, though Morgana could not see that, as he was behind her. "Thanks," he muttered.
Morgana laughed softly.
Hunith smiled, seeing their interactions she could no longer bring herself to be angry with her son. She sighed. "Merlin, your recklessness and haste to do what you feel is right without thought to the consequences will get you killed one day."
Morgana raised her chin slightly, as she often did when she disliked what someone said. "Sometimes you have to just do what you feel is right and damn the consequences," she said.
Hunith raised an eyebrow. "That kind of thinking will have Uther building you a funeral pyre within a day. You must think of consequences to your actions, Morgana. Uther must never learn of Merlin's magic, or your love for each other. You will both be killed if he does."
Morgana looked down in shame. "I… Merlin will not be executed because of me. I swear that. I will never allow it to happen."
Hunith nodded. "I know you will not. You must think before you act, if you wish to both stay alive."
Morgana nodded.
"Now, surely you must both be hungry?" Hunith said lightly. As if on cue Merlin's stomach growled, causing both women to laugh, effectively ending all tensions in the room.
"Where is Kat?" Merlin asked suddenly, looking around the too quiet room.
Hunith frowned. "She should be home by now, she knew supper was almost ready…"
Morgana frowned, she had really liked the little girl and if Merlin was this worried about her it couldn't be good.
At that very moment the door flew open to reveal a very frightened looking little girl around Katerina's age with golden hair and wide brown eyes. "Bad men attacked!" she sobbed. "They took Katty…."
Merlin looked horrified as he knelt before the little girl. "Zoe, where is Kat? Who attacked you?"
The sobbing girl looked up at Merlin. "Bad men attacked. They took Katty… Don't know where…"
Merlin frowned. "I'll find her." He started toward the door, surprised when Morgana grabbed his arm.
"Merlin," she whispered. "You can't leave tonight, you're too exhausted and you'll wear you poor horse out. Besides, you can't track them in the dead of night. Leave in the morning, please?"
Hunith nodded. "Morgana is right, Merlin. Things will be prepared for your departure first thing in the morning."
Merlin sighed and nodded, obviously anxious, but knowing that they were right. "Go home, Zoe, get some rest and stay home. Be safe and be careful. We can't have those bad men getting you, too."
Zoe nodded and kissed Merlin's cheek, hugging him tightly before she walked outside, looking around her in absolute terror and ran for home.
