Disclaimer: The usual, don't own.


IV

Sir Leodagan was an old friend of Uther. Uther had put him in charge of administrating Morgana's estates, for his lands neighboured Avon on the east part. He came twice a year to discuss with the King, and gave a statement over Morgana loom.

She was exiting the Court Room when they arrived. Arthur stopped her and Merlin noticed that for once she didn't escape his touch. Damn Gwen for making him aware of those details.
« Morgana, where are you going? »

« A lady interest does not include politics apparently. »

Arthur frowned.
« But these are your lands. You are the first concerned with… »

She looked up and he lost the rest of his declaration in her luminous eyes.
« Uther thinks otherwise. But thanks. »

« I'll see you at the feast. »

She gently took his hand off her arm and left. Arthur turned back slowly and noticed Merlin smirke.
« What? »

« Nothing. »

« Shut up, Merlin. »

*

Leodagan report was short and precise. Avon was a small place by the western sea, with a couple of villages surrounded by woods. Its only assets were coming from the iron and cupper mines in the hills nearby. It was a rough place to live, and for that, was generally left alone. However, the bandits infesting the other bordering areas had raided the villages twice, burning houses and stealing food. Arthur exhaled slowly at the news. With the ore reserves untouched, his father would not spare some protection there. Leodagan pointed out people were frightened, but his arguments hit the same wall he had a few days ago. He looked away.

Merlin was exchanging nods with a young man Arthur had never seen before, probably Leodagan servant. Trust Merlin to make new friends at the most improbable moments. A question of Leodagan he didn't catch brought his attention back to the audience.

« No, not yet. She's her father daughter… »

The two men exchanged knowing glances and smiles over Uther answer. Whatever the question, Arthur suspected the answer had something to do with Morgana inflexible character. They were done with politics.

« Arthur, please see to Sir Leodagan accommodations. »

Dismissed, he gestured to Merlin to follow him. The young stranger came along.
« Merlin, the chambers next to… Merlin! »

Merlin was so engrossed in his conversation, a monologue really, he had not even heard Arthur until he barked his name. He gave the prince a smile, absent at first, then sheepish.
« Sorry… Sire. »

« Prepare the chambers next to mine for Sir Leodagan. Then you'll go collect the new pieces for my armour, and make sure my clothes are ready for tonight. I want to bath before the feast. »

« Yes, Sire. »

« Today, Merlin. »

Arthur wondered if any of his tasks would be completed in due time, while he glanced at the two servants falling back into their previous talk. One could only hope…

*

Gwen loved feasts. She liked looking at the pretty dresses and the proud parade of the knights. She always beamed when her mistress entrance shut down all conversations and attract everybody attention, Morgana was so beautiful… And with food and drinks within reach, Merlin was generally free to chitchat with her without failing to his service.

Tonight was no different, except that Merlin was giving his full attention to a young man he had introduced as Peisino, the new servant of Sir Leodagan. The guy was nice and polite, but to see Merlin drinking every word from him was a bit odd. Morgana was entertained by Leodagan, so the only one left for her to talk to was Arthur. The prince was looking at Merlin and Peisino, sipping from his goblet. Showtime…

« Sire. »

« Guinevere. How are you? »

« Very well, thanks. My Lady thanks you for the flowers. »

« What flowers? »

« She received an armful of while amaryllis this afternoon, and she supposed they came from you. »

« No, they didn't. I would send… »

He trailed off, and took another sip, and cast a quick glance toward Morgana. Gwen hid her satisfied smile in another quick bow, and left him to his brooding. Cruising through the crowd, she joined Merlin, who was finally alone.
« Hi, where is Peisino? »

« Leodagan retired for the night and he didn't care much for the music. Is it late? »

« Why? You're tired? »

« Back of a headache, that's all. He is really interesting you know. He explained about the sea, and shipwrecks… »

Gwen renounced to tell her friend about her little plot. She listened patiently at Merlin enthusiasm for his new friend, glancing toward Morgana or Arthur from time to time.

Morgana picked up a grape on the plate, and was nibbling at one fruit when Arthur joined her near a column in the rear of the room. He stood by her side without a word. She sought for a frown on his face but found only curiosity. His gaze detailed her a moment before he looked away.
« You're tired. »

The statement unsettled her. He wasn't in for their usual contest. She read misgiving behind his mask of assurance. She gave in.
« I don't sleep well lately. But Gwen is enjoying herself, I don't want to spoil her fun. »

« Shall I ?»

Arthur was proposing to escort her back to her chambers. She briefly wondered why. He never did so, except once, after a terrible argument had opposed her to Uther. And it had been more a guard than a gallant act then. He seemed a bit surprised by his gesture, too. But he offered his arm, and Morgana accepted his lead silently.

Gwen watched them leave with a happy smile.
« See Merlin? I told you… All they need is some help to realize how much they love each other. »

Merlin followed her stare, still unconvinced.
« They love to quarrel you mean. Arthur probably had too much to drink to be that charming. »

« You're not objective. »

« Anyway, if Arthur is gone, I can call it a night too… I'm really not feeling that great. »

*

Arthur closed the door behind him and installed himself in her favourite chair by the fire. His behaviour was completely off chart. Morgana knew by experience that if he was to explain, he would do so in his own timing, and asking would only irritated him. She didn't want to pick up a fight, she was too tired. So she retreated behind a private shade to undress and prepare for the night.

Her little moan when she climbed in her bed and lay on the pillows made him turned his head. His eyes had turned her favourite shade of blue, deep and soft.

« You look very pale. »

« I'm fine Arthur. But you're not. »

« How can you possibly know that? »

She just smiled. It would be so easy to climb on that bed and put his head near hers so they whispered secrets to each other, like they did as children. They kept their secrets to themselves now.
« I wish I could find a way to help them, in the North. »

Morgana had closed her eyes, but he could tell she was listening.
« They need our protection. Renegades are plaguing the area. There is little food, and what they have is stolen. I can not tolerate this! »

Anger was surfacing again. He lowered his voice.
« Father thinks we can not spare any man to the northern territories. I don't understand why we have to watch south or west when nothing happen there. But he doesn't listen…»

« I haven't visit Avon in a while… »

Arthur shook his head in disbelief. He opened his heart, half of it, and Morgana… She was looking at him again with that mischievous smile he learned to distrust.
« Surely Uther will allow me a small escort to visit my estate for the Easter Celebrations… »

He groaned. She was unbelievable!

« My northern estate, Arthur… »

When her voice lingered on the location, Arthur jumped on his feet and on the bed, nearly banging his head on the wood pole in the process. His dazzling smile gloomed as soon as he met her patient gaze.
« You can not. It's too dangerous. I won't… »

« Don't you dare use the word 'allow' Arthur Pendragon. »

He was about to. He settled for a smirk and a quick peck on her cheek before he retreated to the feet of the bed, facing her.
« I like it better when you help, instead of biting my head off. »

Speechless, Morgana blushed. She wanted to smooth the tingling on her cheek where he kissed her. She fought the urge. Feeling awkward, Arthur looked around at her apartments and spotted the white flowers by the window.
« I would have sent wild aubepine, not amaryllis. »

« You remember… »

« Your surprise is a bit insulting. »

He rued the retort as soon as it was out. Her expression hardened, her clear eyes balancing between anger and hurt. Arthur brushed her ankle through the covert. Morgana did not move, completely still, clasp in her disdain.

« I remember a lot of things Morgana. I remember affection, and trust. What about you?»

Her voice was so low he barely made out her words.
« I remember a boy who grows up into a prince. »

Arthur was unsure what her cryptic reply was, a compliment or regret. He stood up. She watched him moved away.

« Arthur. »

She was still staring at him when he turned at the door.

« Gwen is an idiot. »

He nodded with a smile, and left. It was a compliment, after all.


N/A : There. Enjoymyyouth, you've got your answer... BTW, Avon is the ancient name of Gloucestershire, Wikipedia will give tons of information about it. The ore mines are pure invention. I picked up this one to fit geography. Plus, the name made me think about Avalon... So thanks for the reviews, and be patient, we will learn a bit more about Merlin new friend in the next chapters... ;)