CHAPTER FOUR
She managed to be at Uther's side even though she didn't want to be.
Uther gave his ward a long hard look before he turned back to his people once more. Morgana sat, glaring at the king's back.
'Your people do not deserve a tyrant like you.' She thought viciously.
The woman was brought before him again and Morgana had to look away at the woman's tear stained face.
"You practiced magic, a law that must not be broken under any circumstances...
I sentence you to death."
Morgana felt a shard of ice pierce her heart and she watched with pained eyes as the woman was dragged away, kicking and screaming as the guards held onto her.
Uther turned back to his ward and regarded her with an air of arrogance.
"I take it that you have come to apologize." He said knowingly.
She stood and nodded.
"So did I... but after seeing that woman being sentenced to death for saving her son's life, I feel that you do not deserve an apology."
The king sighed. He wlould never understand Morgana's compassion for magic users.
"You understand the law and the rules and why they are put in place. I do not have to tell you again that your loyalty to law breakers is misplaced."
Her eyes widened and she laughed a little too loudly which caused Uther to stare at her.
"Did I say something amusing?" He questioned with a slight frown.
She put a hand to her mouth and nodded.
"I find it amusing that you think all magic users are lawbreakers. Some of them cannot help the way they are, some are born with it and there's nothing they can do about it."
Merlin entered her head and it gave her the strength to go on.
"The people fear you, My Lord but they also hate you. As their king, they should feel that they can depend on you but they know that they can't... and neither can I..."
She turned to leave but the softness of his voice stopped her where she stood.
"I never want you to feel that you cannot depend on me, Morgana, you are my... ward but I love you as if you were my own, you must know that."
She nodded and looked down at the rings on her fingers, one a celtic band, the other a jade stone that almost matched her eyes.
"I do, My Lord but I fear I will never understand your judgement of people. They have remained loyal to you and yet still you treat them with scrutiny."
He sighed and sat down on his throne.
"Maybe one day when a magic user wrongs you, you will understand."
Morgana felt tears spring to her eyes and she closed them as she walked out of the hall. She needed to get out of here, just for a while.
She headed for the stables and almost bumped into Arthur.
"Morgana, where are you off to in such a hurry?" He asked.
She looked up into those blue eyes and wished that she could tell him everything but she knew that he would never understand.
Merlin came in behind him and she felt her burden lighten just a little.
"I was going for a ride, perhaps Merlin would care to assist me?"
Arthur frowned in confusion.
"What's wrong with Guinevere?"
Morgana faltered for a second but Merlin jumped in with an explanation.
"Morgana has given Gwen the rest of the day off as she looked a little tired."
Arthur shrugged.
He knew that Merlin had some sort of feelings towards Morgana but he thought that Morgana would never reciprocate his servant's feelings, she was too high and mighty for that plus she was terribly fussy, there was not a chance that she could fall for a simple serving boy.
"Alright, Merlin go and get Morgana's horse."
He rushed off to do just that and Morgana found herself in a long conversation about Arthur's training and how good he was and how the other knights were going to have to train harder if they wanted to catch up to him.
When she was finally free she went to the gate to find Merlin waiting for her.
He had both of their horses reins and was smiling polietly at her as she walked towards him.
She smiled back and he handed her the reins.
"My lady."
She almost chuckled at that and hauled herself up into the saddle as Merlin did the same. He let Morgana walk her horse forward first and he followed.
They rode like that through the streets of Camelot and then as soon as they were out of sight, Morgana dug her heels in and the horse raced ahead with Merlin doing his best to catch up.
"Come on, Merlin! I thought you rode with Arthur!" She called as her horse vaulted over a fallen log. She could hear him laughing behind her and she finally pulled on the reins to slow the animal as they neared a brook.
Merlin came to her a second later and she tossed him a grin as she slid down from the saddle, pulling off her riding gloves.
"I would have expected more from the servant to the prince."
He jumped down from his saddle and tied both of their horses reins to a tree as he joined Morgana in the snow covered grass.
Winter was definitely still with them.
He stood watching her as she looked into the brook that had almost iced over.
"Gwen told me that you spoke out against Uther earlier today." He said.
She nodded without turning to look back at him.
"I do not agree with him sometimes... most times." She amended.
He walked towards her and took her hand in his.
"I admire you for how you stand up to him, Morgana but you must be careful." He warned.
She tossed him a smirk.
"Why? You think I'll divulge my magic and what I have with you in a fit of rage?"
He was looking at her seriously.
"I want no harm to come to you."
The self assured smirk left her face as she looked into his eyes, sea green locking with blue.
"I would not be so foolish." She promised.
He nodded.
"I know."
She smiled at him and pulled him as if to go across the icy brook.
"Come, we came here to be alone."
He held her firmly in place.
"By crossing the brook?"
She nodded.
"There is this place that looks like the ruins of an old castle covered in moss, it's the most magical place I have ever seen and I want you to see it too." She said excitedly. Her enthusiasm was infectious and he found himself being carefully lead across the small river.
They reached the other side and she walked briskly through the snow towards a cluster of trees.
Merlin looked up in astonishment as they reached the ruins. With snow covering the moss and the tree brances bare, it looked more open than she had explained but she led him through an archway and then stopped, turning back to him. It looked like a small chamber that had part of the roof still there, intact.
It was their own private little place of refuge from the hectic world.
Morgana grinned at him and walked him back to the oppsite wall where she leant in and kissed him lightly.
He responded and grabbed her shoulders roughly, deepening the kiss as she put her arms around his neck. They both closed their eyes and were lost in each other untill Merlin pulled back.
Morgana's eyes snapped open, surprised at how he had ripped himself from her and wondering why.
"What is it? What's wrong?" She asked in a breathless whisper that was tinged with panic.
He held up a hand as he turned away from her and this made her worry all the more.
"Merlin please, talk to me."
He glanced over his shoulder at her.
"I can hear voices."
She sighed with relief.
"Oh, is that all?"
He shook his head.
"It's the patrol and Uther is with them."
Morgana could hear the worry in his voice and this fueled her rebellious nature.
She put her hands on his shoulders and grinned into his ear.
"I hope he doesn't find us."
"So do I." His concern was more genuine than hers.
"Can you imagine what he would think if he found me out here with you, what would have happened if we had gone further?" She wondered and her eyes glittered with excitement.
Merlin could hear the glee in her voice and he frowned.
"I would probably be killed and you would be... well, you would probably be alright."
She chuckled and turned him to face her.
"You really think that he would kill you for touching me?"
He pulled away from her.
"Morgana this is serious."
This still did not deter her.
"Oh I know but as you know, I can talk myself out of anything." And of course, she was right.
He frowned down into her face.
There was something daring there that he hadn't seen before and if he didn't fear for both of their lives, he might have found it alluring but right now it was just inappropriate.
Merlin could hear the riders coming closer and could hear Uther's booming voice as he called to each of his knights.
"We need to go." Melin whispered.
She nodded.
"Good luck getting out of here without the knights seeing us." She muttered.
He stopped. She was right and before he knew what was happening, Morgana had took a step closer to him again.
"Lets just stay here and hope that he rides on."
What else could they do? If they went out into the light, they would be seen.
There were no bushes to hide them, the horses were tied up in plain sight, it was a wonder that Uther had not come across them yet.
That was when they heard Uther, a little closer now.
"Is that the Lady Morgana's horse?" He asked one of his knights.
"Yes, my lord."
"Well what is she doing out here?" He asked irritably.
Morgana grinned again.
"Wouldn't you like to know."
Merlin shot her a look and she clamped her lips together.
Uther was getting agitated.
"Find her, she always stays with her horse." He was saying.
Morgana shrugged.
"Well, it looks as though we shall have to come clean." and she took a step out of the ruins.
Merlin took her arm and pulled her back.
"We can't, not yet, the king will kill me!"
She rolled her eyes at him.
"You leave Uther to me."
She walked out of hiding and into the bright light, into the path of Uther's horse with Merlin standing behind her.
Uther smiled with relief as soon as he saw his ward, unharmed and he shot Merlin a look.
Merlin quickly bowed his head.
"Morgana, where have you been?" Uther asked.
"For a walk, I asked Merlin to come along incase the ground was treacherous." She lied expertly.
He nodded and looked at Merlin who was still staring at the ground.
Uther's grey gaze then switched back to Morgana and she frowned slightly wondering what he had noticed.
"Why is Gwen not with you?" He questioned.
"I gave her the rest of the day off."
"I just saw her taking your dresses down to the kitchen... Morgana, why are you really out here?" He asked her.
Morgana glanced back at Merlin and the guilty expression on her face was enough.
"Take him!" Uther called to his knights, he then fixed his steely gaze on Morgana. "You and I need to have a talk."
She nodded and as soon as she had gotten to her horse, she followed her guardian back to Camelot obediently.
Uther was pacing in front of her as she stood, watching him with wary eyes. He was thinking, she knew that much.
She played with the fabric of her red dress and glanced down at her wet riding boots.
"A servant?" He finally said.
Morgana kept quiet, she knew better than to try and justify herself again.
"You know that he is Arthur's man servant?"
"Yes, My Lord." She said softly.
He stopped pacing and looked at her.
"How did he charm you? You, the Lady Morgana of Camelot! Surely, there are more handsome and worthy men out there!"
She frowned slightly.
"He did not charm me, My Lord."
He stared at her, expecting an explanation.
"Spending time in this palace had taught me one thing, that it can become very lonely and although I am very grateful for your hospitality, I find myself bored sometimes and so I took it upon myself to... seduce Merlin." She explained.
The king stopped and looked at his ward.
"Seduce him?"
She nodded and licked her lips.
"I do not know what I was thinking and I am truly sorry for any offence this may have caused."
The slightest smile crossed his face until he thought of one thing, then it was back to blind rage again but this time, he hid it and kept his voice steady.
"Did you er... did you allow him to er..."
She almost laughed but stopped herself.
"Oh no, My Lord, I may have played a deciteful game but I am no fool."
He sighed with relief and then smiled at her.
"Alright, I allow you this one thing but if I find you out in a lie again, there will be grave consequences, do you understand?"
She nodded and straightened, looking like the dutiful daughter figure she portrayed so well in front of him.
"Now, My Lord, if I may, I would like to have Merlin released, he was a pawn in my game of seduction and I wish to apologize."
He paused and then nodded.
"Alright. I almost feel sorry for the boy."
She bowed her head and smiled at the king.
"Thank you, My Lord."
She turned and left, the smirk returning to her face.
Merlin was sitting on the little patch of hay in the cell and was hanging his head. How could he of been so stupid?! To think that he could have a secret relationship with the Lady Morgana and not be found out. What a fool!
He banged his head on his knees. Stupid!
A guard came to his cell and Merlin's head jerked up. c
Could a sentence be passed so quickly?
His heart raced when the Lady Morgana came in behind him.
She turned to the guard.
"That will be all thank you."
He nodded and left after closing the cell gate behind her.
She went to her knees in front of him.
"How are you, Merlin?"
He nodded but he did not smile.
"I'm alright."
"Uther is going to pardon you Merlin, I told him that I seduced you." She said simply. He stared at her.
"And he just believed you?"
She nodded and a smile spread across her face as she took his hand.
"I told him that I would leave you alone but I'm not sure that I can keep that promise." She said with a slight grin.
He pulled his hand from her's and got to his feet.
"No, Morgana, we cannot chance this again."
She frowned, her dark brows drawing together as she looked up at him.
"Why not? Uther believes that you are not to blame, why can't we continue this?"
"Because it's too risky." He answered.
"Then we shall have to be more careful." She argued.
He shook his head and stared down into her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Morgana, this cannot continue."
Tear brimmed her eyes and she stood, trying her best to look proud and strong when she really wanted to take hold of him and shake him.
"I am sorry that you feel that way, Merlin but I cannot believe that you will be able to just shut off your feelings."
He looked upset by these words and took a step towards her.
A guard walked past and Merlin froze where he was but the guard seemed to ignore them.
"Of course this will be hard but you are born for someone who is worthy of your affections."
She looked appalled and grabbed for his hand again, holding it in a frim grip.
"You are worthy! My God, Merlin, I love you! Why does that seem not to be enough anymore?"
He stared down at her hand.
"It is enough but Uther will know and Arthur will eventually find out, not to mention Gwen."
Morgana knew that no matter how hard she tried, Merlin had made his mind up and would not be deterred. This was where she was weak. Her feelings made her passionate and more liable to break the rules to get what she wanted, whereas Merlin would not and she had to accept that about him.
Finally, she let his hand drop from her own and took a step back, staring at the ground.
"Fine, if that is the way it must be then I shall go along with it."
She turned and called for the guard who let her out.
"Morgana, don't leave like this." Merlin pleaded.
She glanced at him over her shoulder.
"Goodbye, Merlin."
