Chapter 4: Resistance is Futile
(Set during 1x11)
Merlin tried his best to avoid Morgana after their late night tryst in her bedcambers and, for a while, it seemed to be an easy thing to do. Perhaps she felt more awkward about the encounter than she had implied, because he noted that, for some time after the incident, the lady no longer sent from him to deliver her sleeping draughts nor attempted to seek him out during the day to ask some random question or another.
That situation didn't last for long, however and, during the famine brought on by Arthur's killing of a unicorn, Merlin found himself more and more often bumping into her in various isolated places.
The first time was definitely a bit awkward, with both of them exchanging polite acknowledgements before making their excuses and hurrying away, but it wasn't long before they became more relaxed around each other again and things started to revert to the way they'd been before.
"Oh, this is ridiculous," Morgana said to him on their next meeting. "I told you I wasn't offended and I meant it."
"I know, I understand, but it's more a matter of propriety as I said before," he replied quietly, looking around nervously. "If Arthur or Uther found out what happened..."
"Well, you're right about that, I suppose, but I still say it's most unfair that there are different rules for women in just about everything."
"In some ways I agree but, in others..." Merlin shook his head and glanced around again. "We shouldn't even be talking about this out here."
"You're probably right" she conceded. "I'm just going down to the stores to get some food and I expect you're pretty busy too."
"Yes, Arthur's given me a long boring job to do whilst he's training and in meetings all day."
"Well then, I shall see you later, Merlin," she replied, giving him a bright smile before walking away, her heels clicking loudly on the stone floor.
~o~0~o~
That encounter seemed to have cancelled any remaining negative feelings because, from that day on, the incidences of them crossing paths began to happen even more frequently. Again, Merlin noticed that odd, warm sensation every time he was close to Morgana and the way they seemed to be constantly drawn too close to each other, before either had fully realised what was happening.
Merlin was starting to gain a great deal of control over his own magic nowadays, with things rarely happening by chance since he'd been studying the spells properly. His power was growing rapidly as a result, with Gaius apparently stunned by the complex and advanced things that his young ward was now able to achieve. Because of that, Merlin was now quite certain that this strange, strong connection he and Morgana shared was as much about magic than anything else, and probably also explained the various other people he'd been subconsciously drawn to since he'd arrived here; Nimueh, the boy, even Edwin. Perhaps, in time, he could gain more control and learn to recognise the sensation more obviously but, for now, he was only consciously aware of it when he was around Morgana.
In some ways it was nice that they were more relaxed around each other again but, in other ways, it was worrying. She'd reach out to put a hand on his arm, just as she had before, or lean in close to tell him of something she'd seen or to share a joke she and Gwen had exchanged earlier that day. Or she'd look at him like she had months before, moving just a little too close to him, her eyes quite obviously wandering and usually ending up on his lips.
There was one particular corridor that was used by nobles and servants alike and boasted a couple of alcoves and it seemed to Merlin that Morgana found a certain pleasure in accosting him here recently and dragging him into one particular bay for one reason or another.
"I've got this for you," she whispered, pushing a piece of bread into his hand and Merlin's mouth started to water instantly. The food supplies were continuing to dwindle, the recent return of the water simply putting off the inevitable.
"I-I can't take this," he stuttered.
"Of course you can."
"But the people out there have no food at all," he continued. "We're still fairly lucky here in the castle."
"Oh." She paused as if that thought hadn't occurred to her before. "Of course, you're right but..." She folded her arms and gazed sternly at him. "Despite that, Merlin, I challenge you to find anyone out there that's more skinny than you are."
"Hey! I'm not that thin," he objected.
Morgana raised a sceptical eyebrow at him. "Really? Even in that outfit it's obvious how little of you there is filling your clothes." She abruptly moved her hands to his waist and squeezed, and Merlin found himself torn between complaining and giggling.
"Morgana."
"I can feel your ribs sticking out, even through this shirt," she commented, squeezing again.
"That tickles."
"Eat the bread, Merlin and, when this is all over, please try to find time for more regular meals, won't you?"
"What's it to you?" he complained petulantly, even as he started to munch the food she had just give him."
"I just don't want to cut myself on your sharp bits next time you kiss me," she replied, throwing him a wicked smile over her shoulder as she strode back into the corridor.
~o~0~o~
The next day saw people from the outlying villages turning up for food, even as Arthur ordered Merlin to prepare him a meal somehow. Having finally killed the rat that had been annoying his master for days and eventually managing to stop laughing at the plan he'd just hatched, Merlin made his way down to the kitchens to scrounge a few cooking ingredients for the stew he had in mind and, on the way, encountered Gwen and Morgana deep in conversation. Then, with an uncharacteristically sly grin, Gwen nodded firmly at her mistress and headed off toward the kitchens herself.
"What are you up to, Morgana?" the young warlock asked suspiciously as he approached her.
"Not that it's any of your business, Merlin, but I was thinking about what you said yesterday about all the people outside of the castle that don't have any food at all. I talked to Uther about it but the king's determined to keep all the rations for those in here and especially for his army." She glared. "I don't know who he expects will be left for the soldiers and knights to defend."
"Yes, I believe Arthur made much the same point."
"I'm sure he did," she continued. "Anyway, I've just sent Gwen in search of something we can give to the refugees that arrived earlier. Even if we can only help one or two people it will be better than nothing."
"That's really good of you, my lady," Merlin said formally.
She raised her eyebrows at him, surprised at the sudden shift in his attitude. "What about you Merlin? You were looking rather too happy just then for someone who's half starved."
"I told you not to keep going on about that," he complained whilst she smirked at his discomfort. "I've always been pretty slight, I'll have you know, and have also experienced my fair share of famines in Ealdor – even if they weren't quite so literal and widespread as this one."
"Of course but," she moved closer, yet again backing him into the alcove. "You are just so skinny, really." Her hands found his stomach yet again, but this time they moved slowly, gently – with movements that were now far more caress than tickle. Merlin swallowed hard, his back now up against the wall as he found himself torn between giggling and gasping at the amazing sensations she was causing. "No … nothing spare there at all," she smirked as she fondled his waist. "... or here," she continued as she moved her hands forward to his upper stomach and then slowly lowered them, travelling ever closer to the waist band of his trousers. Merlin lifted his chin up so quickly in response to the surprise move that he ended up hitting the back of his head on the wall behind. Just how far was she planning on exploring?
Despite his fear, or perhaps his hope, Morgana then moved her hands around the waist band to touch his hips instead.
"Yes, I was right," she continued. "I could cut myself on those bones."
"Morgana … please..." he gasped, not even certain if he was begging her to stop or continue.
"And don't think I haven't noticed how baggy these trousers are on you," she smirked. "Have you anything at all back there?"
He gasped again as her hands reached around and fondled his rear, obviously planning to take her time. Merlin's eyes closed in pleasure at the sensation as she squeezed gently. "No, nothing at all," she smirked as her eyes flicked briefly downwards. "The front of your trousers, however, seem very well filled out right now."
"Morgana!" he complained, although he couldn't help it coming out as a small laugh, admiring her cheek, even whilst being shocked by it. Who knew such an elegant lady could be quite so forward and naughty?
"I'm only interested in your welfare, Merlin," she replied, attempting an innocent look. "Seeing how tough Arthur is on you."
"Yes, Morgana. I'm quite aware of what you're interested in," he countered and she smiled wickedly at him again, "and you really should know better."
"Well, Merlin, you're welcome to return the favour," she offered suggestively. "Point out just how privileged I am by checking out how much spare I'm carrying in various places."
"Oh, don't worry, my lady," he smirked. "I'll definitely get my own back on you. One way or another."
~o~0~o~
Whilst preparing Arthur's meal, Merlin found himself trying to come up with ways to pay Morgana back for her cheek as he had promised. Something that didn't involve foundling, kissing or anything else that might threaten to put his head on the block. He had a few ideas by the time he served the prince's meal, but even he hadn't expected an ideal opportunity to present itself quite so quickly.
Arthur had worked out what was in his stew surprisingly fast for him and, just like Morgana, had suddenly claimed to take an interest in Merlin's welfare by forcing him to sit down and finish off the bowl himself. It was at that moment that Morgana came into the room looking for food and Merlin was unable to hide a wicked grin as he realised just where that tureen of stew was going to end up.
Payback felt good.
~o~0~o~
The following evening she was up to her old tricks, yet again. Merlin had been out with Arthur all day, this time deliberately hunting the unicorn keeper. Unfortunately Merlin had been separated from Arthur during his test and they returned to find things had become even worse with the remaining supplies in the castle all having suddenly rotted.
Now tired, distracted and even more hungry, Merlin was on his way up to Gaius' chamber when Morgana accosted him yet again, dragging him into the alcove, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him soundly. He'd barely had a chance to decide whether to push her away or kiss her back when they heard voices and fast approaching footsteps and both jumped away from each other guiltily, pinning their backs against opposite walls of the alcove in the hope they would not be discovered.
"That was the Lady Carys," Merlin whispered urgently as the voices died away. "You know what she's like? The biggest gossip in Camelot."
"Yes, that's true," Morgana replied with a frown.
"We have to stop doing this here. This corridor is far too public."
"I suppose," she said with a sigh.
"Promise me, Morgana," he pleaded. "This is my neck on the line here." He held her gaze, letting his genuine fear show in his eyes. "Please. No more pulling me into alcoves."
"Alright, Merlin. I promise."
Her response seemed genuine enough, but Merlin couldn't help but wonder if keeping that promise would be as easy as Morgana seemed to think.
~o~0~o~
Next Time: Strange things are happening and Morgana's confused and scared. She seeks support from Merlin but he appears to have other things on his mind.
A/N: As I've already said, re-watching series 1 has thrown up some interesting observations. For this episode I was very surprised to note that it was Merlin who smirked when Morgana asked for food, not Arthur, and couldn't help wondered what she'd done to make him react like that.
I'm also leading up to something with this 'alcove' plotline, if you hadn't already guessed. :D
I'm now moving this up to an M rating in preparation for things to come and to allow me a little more freedom in my writing in the mean time.
~o~0~o~
10/3/13 (Happy Mother's Day to all mums in the UK - and anywhere else that's celebrating.)