Disclaimer: I still don't own Merlin.

Thanks to everyone for the lovely reviews! Sorry for the delay in the update. The end of the semester and an unexpected project kept me writing something else.

Many of you were curious as to where I got this idea. I was actually inspired by Angela_Bennet's "A Witch's Hormones". Hers has a similar fertility rites premise but is much more complex and intricately woven than this story will be. It really inspired me to write my own version of similar events!

Please review! I hope you like the characterization here.

Resistance is Futile

Chapter 2

Morgana was searching for something. But she didn't know what. Her usually pristine room (thanks to Gwen) was a disaster area. Gowns, sashes, hair accessories, jewelry, everything was out of its usual place. Still in her nightgown, she was on her knees searching under the bed for the fourteenth time. Where was it? And what was it?

Gwen breezed in and couldn't contain her surprised shout, "My lady! What is going on?"

Morgana lifted her head from her compromising position and responded, "Gwen, thank goodness you're here. Sorry about the mess but you can help me look for it."

"Look for what?" Gwen responded, still confused and agitated by the state of the room.

Standing up, Morgana swept aside the linens on the bed, "Urgh, I don't know. Something important."

Gwen immediately began to clean and help in the search. From behind the screen, she asked, "Is it a brooch or a piece of jewelry?"

"No, definitely not," replied Morgana, opening the wardrobe.

"What about a piece of clothing? Like one of your belts or sashes?"

"No."

"What about a hair comb?"

"No."

"Hmm, I don't think I've noticed anything new in your room of late. When did it go missing?"

"I'm not sure. I just woke up this morning with a burning urge to find…it,"said Morgana as she went to the corner of her suite.

"It must be important for everything to be this messy. I often wonder if this is what Arthur's chambers look like. I've heard that Merlin isn't the best cleaner," said Gwen, smiling.

Suddenly Morgana stopped her desperate attempts to scavange the floor, "What did you say?"

"Merlin. I hear he's total rubbish at cleaning. A shame really that he went into this profession—"

"Merlin," repeated Morgana, a rush of warmth coursing through her body. It's him, she thought, I'm not searching for something but someone.

"I have to see him,"she said to no one in particular as she dashed towards the door. He was the answer to this strange…madness that was consuming her.

"My lady!" Gwen shouted, "You're not even dressed! You can't go out into the castle."

"But I need to see Merlin," she said. Everything suddenly seemed so clear and logical. See Merlin, end madness. Her hand was on the door when a knock sounded on the opposite side.

Thinking it might be the man she was looking for, she opened it. T

"Gaius, good morning, I'm just on my way out," she said as she tried to brush past him.

"In that…attire, my lady? You'll catch your death of cold and as court physician I can't have that." He ushered her back in and said, "Why don't you get dressed and then I wish to speak privately with you, my lady."

"Can it wait? I have something important to…find," she said with some degree of annoyance.

"I'm afraid it can't. I'll wait outside until you're dressed," he said, closing the door.

"Fine. Gwen, I think the emerald gown would work,"she said.

Normally Gwen chatted with Morgana as she was dressing, the latest gossip from the kitchens, tidbits of information from town. But today Gwen said nothing, likely a little perplexed by Morgana's behavior.

And the silence was both a blessing and a curse because all Morgana could think about was Merlin. It seemed so strange that someone who she saw and chatted with every day could suddenly seem so…important. She always noticed him but now he consumed her thoughts. She thought of dark hair, always messy though not unkempt. His eyes were so striking. There were moments of late when she caught him staring at her, boring into her with an intensity that she couldn't place. Even thinking about it now made her shiver pleasantly.

Gwen noticed, pursed her lips, and said, "Gaius was right, you could've caught your death of cold in that nightgown."

If that was the case, why did she suddenly feel so hot?

Fifteen agonizing minutes later, Gaius was back in the room and blocking her exit.

"My lady. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice. I came because I actually have a new remedy for your nightmares," he replied.

"Oh?" she said, momentarily distracted. While she hadn't had a nightmare for a week, they continued to lurch in the periphery of her mind and frankly, she was terrified of their return.

"Yes, we'll continue with the sleeping draught, but I think another way to tackle the problem is to exhaust the body not just sedate the mind. I'm prescribing vigorous exercise for you. Riding, fencing, swimming, long walks, any activity which does not dictate that you sit."

"And you think this will work?"

"I'm not certain, but I think it's certainly worth a try. You must admit that the life of a court lady can be tedious at times. Maybe some change will establish a better sleep pattern. Let's say that we try this for…three days? The weather's supposed to be divine,"

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt. Anything to avoid sitting around on pillow making conversation with some old biddies," she replied.

"Good, I've already had a horse saddled for you and Gwen. You can go now." he said.

"Thank you, Gaius,"she said, smiling.

"Good day, my lady. And remember the more time you spend out of doors and active the better."

"Will do."

As soon as he was out the door, she turned to Gwen and said, "Alright, Gwen, why don't you take my cloak down to the stables and I'll meet you there."

"Where are you going, my lady?" Gwen asked.

"To find Merlin,"she smiled and walked briskly through the door.

Raven hair. I wonder how it would feel tangled in my hands, thick and soft and luscious. Her eyes are so beautiful, bright green with fleck of gold. Emerald when she wears that one dress that hugs her curves in all the right places. If I could get my hands on those hips, bring our bodies flush..

"Merlin, more bread." Arthur barked, tearing him from the scandalous thoughts.

"Yes, my lord,"he said and put more bread on Arthur's plate.

"You seem distracted today, Merlin."

"I'm surprised you noticed."

With a shrug of his shoulder, "You just aren't being your usual snarky self. Come to think of it, it's rather refreshing."

"I could add a sarcastic comment or a thinly veiled insult if you'd like," Merlin replied, cheekily.

"I think not," Arthur replied as he continued to eat. Eventually he said, "Well, what is it? What's made you into the dutiful servant today?"

"You don't want to know. Believe me," he replied.

"That bad, eh? What kind of problem could cause this sudden change in demeanor? Did Gaius make you clean out the leech tank again?" asked Arthur.

"God, no." he replied.

"Well, clearly you have the most amazing master, so it couldn't be a problem with me,"

"Yes, my lord is the best there ever was or is," he said without enthusiasm.

"Watch it, Merlin. So, it's not Gaius and it's not me. It must be a woman."

"No," Merlin replied too quickly

"Ah, so it is a woman. Who is she? And better question, what does she see in your scrawy ass?"

"You're right, it is a woman," he said. "It's Gwen, I've just proposed and she hasn't given me an answer. Something about a prat she knows and some kiss he gave her..."

Rising to his feet, Arthur moved closer, his finger in Merlin's face, "Watch it, Merlin."

Seeing the anger in his friend's face he backed off. So Arthur had kissed Gwen? He knew that Arthur had feelings for her, but his anger only proved that there was more to this story than some crush.

A knock sounded at the door and a melodic voice rang out, "Arthur? Are you awake? I'm looking for Merlin. Is he in there?"

"Ye—" Arthur tried to reply before Merlin interrupted him.

"Shhh, tell her I'm not here,"he whispered frantically. The sweet notes of her voice caressing his name felt like fingers on his skin. He felt the bond, it was swift and powerful.

"Why would I tell her that?"

"It's just that…we….Lady Morgana and I…we had a fight," he said, the first thing that came to his mind. It was all he could do not to open the door. What could be the worst thing that could happen? Scratch that, too many bad things…

"Arthur?" she asked again.

"A fight? What would you and Morgana have to fight about? Better yet, why would you be fighting with her?" Arthur asked, puzzled.

"Look, I can't explain right now. It's just better if we don't see each other now. Arthur, you have to believe me, it's the best thing for both of us, and "he said, his voice frantic.

Already he could feel the pull towards her. My God, he could even smell her from between the door. She smelled light vanilla and lavender, the sweet essence intoxicating.

Arthur seemed to understand the urgency of Merlin's request and said, "Alright, I'll get rid of her for now."

Moving to the door, Arthur opened it slightly as Merlin slipped behind the wardrobe. He had to force his legs into the spot. As soon as the door opened, he involuntarily took a step toward her. Schooling his body to resist, he pressed further against the wall.

"Hello, Morgana. No, Merlin's not here. I think he's got some chores for Gaius and then he'll be mucking out my stables. Frankly I don't think he'll be free until after dinner," he said smoothly, the emphasis directed at his hidden friend.

"Are you sure? I thought I hear voices before," she said, trying to peer into the room.

"No, just me."

"I suppose I can talk to him later," she said, dejectedly.

"Yeah, he's really busy today,"

"Well, if you see him, tell him I want a word with him. In private," she said.

"Certainly," he said, closing the door. Her soft footsteps faded and Merlin breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thanks, Arthur, I owe you one," Merlin replied.

"Well, I wasn't kidding about those stables," he said.

FINIS

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