"I want to spend alone time with Arthur."

Morgana is standing in the throne room, it has been two weeks since she has been released from the dungeons and already she is making an outrageous request. Gwen grabs Arthur and stands between him and Morgana. She may believe Morgana is attempting to change, but she does not fully trust the woman either.

"Why would we allow that? We all know how powerful you are." Gwaine speaks from the sides.

All the knights are lined up to the left, ready to protect their king. Morgana looks down submissively and knows she must handle this with care.

"If it will put your minds at ease Merlin may accompany us at all times. I just want time to talk with my brother."

Arthur looks to Merlin. The man in question is staring hard at Morgana. Arthur sighs. He supposes that he will be making a very unpopular decision.

"Since you have given up Mordred and his allies to us, I will grant this request, we will go out riding tomorrow, you, me and Merlin."

There are shouts all around the room. Arthur puts his hand up to silence everyone.

"I know my decision is unpopular, but hear me my people. My…sister has come to me looking for forgiveness. I must honor her and make sure she is given the opportunity to redeem herself. We may not have caught Mordred, but we have gotten some of the people she has given up to us. If she wishes for time alone with me, then so be it." He looks straight at her now, "Morgana, you know I do not fully trust you yet, but I will make an attempt. You have shown that you understand the weariness of the court and have allowed me to take my most powerful weapon on these rides together, Merlin. For your consideration, we will ride out tomorrow."

Everyone feels more at ease with this idea, but Merlin. The last thing he wants to do was be the person to kill the Lady Morgana.

"You're going to spend alone time with her?" Merlin almost screams at Arthur.

"I've talked to over with Guinevere and we both think Morgana has proven herself. It has been three months since her release from the dungeon, over half a year since her return. I need time alone with her so I can know without a doubt that I can trust her again."

"Arthur, come on! She may be sunshine to you but to me she is always spouting venom."

"Can't really blame her…I mean you did poison her Merlin."

"Oh great now you're on that? I was doing it for Camelot Arthur…didn't want to do it in the first place."

Arthur chuckles at the exasperation on Merlin's face.

"Look Merlin everyone knows why, even Morgana isn't upset with you-"

"Yea tell yourself that, she mocks me for it every time were alone together."

"And even if she is, that is a problem between you and her. You two need to deal with that, I for one will try to build a relationship with my sister."

"So when she kills you…which I'm sure she will try to. Don't come crying to me."

"…Merlin that doesn't make sense, if she kills me how can I come to you?"

"You could haunt me like a ghost!"

Arthur stares at him, the look of you Merlin are an idiot written clearly across his face.

"You, Merlin, are an idiot." Or he could say it, either way.

The great sorcerer just huffs his way out, he has had enough of this.

"You shouldn't be here dressed like that."

She is wearing that sinful red night gown and the tempting sheer black robe over it. They make her look dangerous and beautiful. Why did he agree to help her with her healing and seer magics again? Because you sir, are a sucker for a beautiful woman…stupid Nimueh voice.

"Why not oh High Sorcerer? Do you not like my outfit?"

He stares at his book hard. When he agreed to this he didn't expect her to invade his bed chambers late at night in her sleep wear…it was too distracting.

She giggles at his red cheeks and hands him the book she was reading, he catches a glimpse of her naked wrist, her veins pumping under her skin. For a moment he wonders what would happen if he sucks on her pulse.

"Merlin?"

He comes out of his daze and looks back at the book in front of him.

"What?"

"You have not said anything for ten minutes now, oh you high king of punch lines."

He gives her a pointed look.

"I do not feel the need to exercise my intellect in front of you."

"Mainly because you have none."

"Says the woman who came to me for lessons in magic."

"Yes well we all know your magic is instinctual, can you even read Merlin?"

He holds the book up and points to the first word.

"The."

She scowls.

"You know this would be much more pleasant if you were more cooperative, I feel like every time I ask you a question you take five minutes to debate if you will answer."

"I do take five minutes to debate if I will answer."

She glares.

"I guess you are just always going to be better at killing people then helping them."

"I guess you're going to be as saucy as always. Oh please Morgana, the next time you feel the need to tie someone up don't forget to call me. That mind control thing really helped cleanse my brain of anything important."

"Of course it did Merlin, now you're left with nothing in your head but air."

"Explain to me again why you've come to seek help from such an 'air head'?"

She has her hands on the table and is hovering close to him. He matches her, their faces are close and they lock themselves in combat.

"I must be a fool to always seek out your help. I did it once and look where it got me? Lies and misguidance. You claim to be so wonderful but not once did you try to save me."

"You sound so sure, when in fact I gave Morgause the information needed to heal you of the poison. I also healed you when you feel down those stairs."

"Oh those stairs that you magicked me down?"

Their teeth are bared to each other, both parties holding back their magic from pushing at the other. After a breath they pull away.

"I think were done for the night Morgana."

She nods and slips out not a second later.

This is going to be difficult indeed…

She is back the next night. No matter how much venom is spat between each party she always comes back the next night. He smiles at his parchment.

"I hate you."

"Now who's the liar?"

Morgana smiles at the book she is reading. It has been six months since she has been practicing her magics with Merlin. She feels so at ease in his tower now, it has taken time but slowly their getting to a good place, doesn't stop her from throwing out a few evil words to rile him up every now and then. She so does love to see him all red faced.

He sits there with his head down, scribbling away at the parchment. Waiting for any and all questions she will throw at him this afternoon. He is frustrated with this piece of legislation, he is writing more regulations on magic usage and it has gotten to the point where he is aggravated.

He scrunches up the paper and throws it into the trash bin. She sees his irritation and looks him in the eye. He holds her gaze for a brief moment before he looks down in exhaustion.

"Why do I have to write these things Morgana? If they're not perfect I'm bound to upset either the magical community or the non-magical community."

"Well you can always magic yourself into a chicken and fly away?"

"Not helping." He is rubbing his fingers over his eyes.

She laughs merrily and goes to sit on his desk. He hears the thump and looks up at her new perch next to him. He gives her a disapproving look, leans back and sighs.

"What is the parchment supposed to be about?" He looks at her, fatigued.

"It is supposed to be a restriction of rituals. The problem is some involve human and animal sacrifice, and those are actually really important to the magical community. Also, if the person is willing to sacrifice themselves for good harvests and to prevent droughts, who am I to say that it is wrong?"

She thinks for a moment.

"An animal does not have the ability to decide if they want to be sacrificed or not."

Merlin looks up at her befuddled.

"You're worried about the animals?"

"I'm just saying that you are worried if people make the choice to be sacrificed, well animals do not have a choice. So if your problem is with choosing, you should say that unless given explicit confirmation, and put into writing by both parties sacrifices cannot be made, and I guess there are magic users who can talk to animals so they can get the confirmation if need be."

Merlin gapes in astonishment by the simplicity of the solution.

"That could work…"

He dazes off and Morgana leans on her hand towards him to look at the parchment. He makes the mistake of looking at her and gulps. The angle of her body gives him a delectable view of her cleavage. He sucks in a breath. He should not be lusting after her in such a way. When did this woman find the time to enchant him so?

Fin.

So there is chapter 2 woohoo! I was gonna wait until tomorrow to publish this but I got a lot of alerts and favorites in my e-mail and I just couldn't resist:) You guys are the best! I hope to hear from more of you with this chapter!...also I know it seems a little rushed with the timeline, but I just don't want to do a lot of filler chapters, I'd rather get straight to the point...I'm not a good filler person haha. Anyway...

Hope to hear from you soon! Keep those awesome reviews coming!

And a special shout out to Meri Ley, who has reviewed every single one of my news stories, your so wonderful:)

And Sfsf for the awesome idea, as always thanks for reading!