Hey everyone. This is my first fanfic and I wasn't going to write anymore, but I realise that leaving it on a bit of a cliffhanger was mean, so I'll try to make amends by writing a few more chapters :)
"I think I should leave," Merlin mumbled, not meeting Morgana's scared gaze.
"Yes," she said quietly. "If that's what you want to do, Merlin."
It wasn't what he wanted to do, and it drove him half crazy when she said his name in that low, husky way. In the space of the last few minutes, it felt like days had flown past. How could he possibly have been going to kill her? Why had he wanted to?
Oh, yes. For Arthur. To save him. Everything was always for saving Arthur. Sometimes Merlin wanted nothing more than a few moments rest, or a day off, but that wasn't an option where Arthur was involved.
"Morgana, I—" Merlin started, but hastily stopped himself. Some things were better left unsaid. "Goodbye," he ended, and he saw Morgana's eyebrow rise slightly; she knew he had meant to say something else.
"I'll show you the way out," she said, silently fascinated that once Merlin had served her, and now she was leading him out of her cave.
"There's no need," Merlin said, but Morgana raised a hand to quiet him.
"The dragon might kill you if he sees you here," she explained.
Merlin resisted the urge to tell her about his relationship with the dragons; that he was a dragonlord and they would obey him.
"Of course," Merlin said instead.
Morgana moved past him, her bare arm brushing his sleeve, as they walked through the darkness together.
Merlin was ridiculously aware of her: the way she moved, how lightly she breathed, her soft skin… He was glad that she couldn't see that heat that had spread across his cheeks.
How did he find me? Morgana wondered the question for the hundredth time. She had, at first, felt frantic when he appeared. But then they had spoken and a little of their friendship had been rekindled.
But now he was going back to Arthur.
Typical, Morgana thought crossly. He's always running after Arthur.
The light at the end of the tunnel showed and they both breathed a sigh of relief. The uncomfortable tension was coming to a close.
Merlin turned to meet her green eyes as they stood in the entrance to the cave. He noticed again how beautiful she was. Even though she was dirty and scruffy, she was still beautiful. Her lips almost curved into a smile, but the expression became pained. Merlin almost reached to touch her, but, at this point, it would have been a mistake.
"I never wanted to fight against you, Morgana," he said quietly. "I never wanted to do what I did to you. Believe me, I didn't."
Morgana nodded.
"I know," she said. "You were crying, Merlin. I could see your guilt."
Merlin smiled briefly at her, leaning in to kiss her cheek. Morgana closed her eyes as his lips brushed over her skin.
"Goodbye, Merlin," she whispered and brought her arms around him. "It's probably best if you don't come back here."
Merlin clenched his jaw. He knew she was right.
"Goodbye," he said as he stepped into the sunlight.
Morgana took a small step after him, entering the early morning light. She could see his horse waiting by a tree. She carefully lifted her hand and waved to Merlin. Then, they both heard the sound of hooves.
Arthur shot out from the forest, sword brandished, and cantered towards them. His gaze was firmly locked onto Merlin and Morgana began to pace backwards into the shadows.
"There you are!" Arthur shouted at Merlin. "I wondered where you were off to last night. I thought that you were going to the tavern, where you seem to spend so much time, but no, that wasn't where you were going."
Arthur sheathed his sword and dismounted, striding straight over to Merlin. Two guards on horseback rode into sight and Arthur gestured dismissively at them.
"The idiot's alive after all," he called out to them and they nodded.
"Where you… following me?" Merlin asked cautiously.
Arthur ignored the question and studied their surroundings.
"What were you doing out here?" he asked. "Doesn't seem very interesting."
Then his eyes found Morgana. She had just managed to reach the cave again and her face became stricken instantly. Arthur stared at her like she wasn't real for a few moments before he shouted out orders.
"Guards! Seize her!" he yelled and they ran to catch her before she could disappear.
Morgana focussed her attention and attempted to throw them off their horses using her magic, but it didn't work. Her magic had been weak since she had escaped Camelot. Her body cramped with the effort and Morgana called out.
"What were you doing here, Merlin?" Arthur asked, staring questioningly at Merlin. "Did you know she was here? Were you meeting her?"
"No," Merlin said, feeling that it wasn't really a lie. He hadn't known she was there until a few hours ago, and he hadn't been planning on meeting her. Morgana was struggling against the hold of the guards and Merlin stiffened with concern. "What are you going to do to her?" he asked, the worry evident in his voice.
Arthur stared at Merlin. Why was this fool always so worried about everything?
"The same thing she was going to do with me," Arthur replied coldly. "She will be executed."
"WHAT?" Merlin shouted.
Please review and tell me what you think! :)
