Jayje: Fanfiction has been acting up a lot the last few days, I'm pretty sure they must be 'upgrading' it. We all know that means that we won't be able to use it properly for a while.
They can't be kissing all the time, :P it's too early in their relationship for that, you're lucky they kissed at all in chapter three. I'm glad you think Morgana was portrayed well in this story, she's my favorite character and I think it would really have bothered me if she wasn't portrayed right.
Nat-Emerald-xox: I take that to mean that this has been good so far?
Timelord-In-Camelot: I understand, I rarely remember to review anymore, even though I try to, because my mind is all over the place on this story, so I find reviewing hard. I'm glad you took the time to review this one, though. I'm really glad you like it so far, that 'great chapter as always' really made my day, I have to say. :) I really liked Hunith in the show, too. I wanted her to show up more, but her not being there much in the show makes it harder to write her, because I don't have as much to go on as I do with most of the other characters. But I'm glad you think I portrayed her well, and there is no reason for you to worry, she will be in this story a whole lot, they did move to Ealdor, after all.
sjritts: You're getting too good at guessing what's going to happen, lol. :P Oh well, Morgause's work IS rather easy to spot. And yeah, she is always trying to corrupt someone, and Morgana is the easiest target here.
For those of you asking for more Hunith, this chapter has a LOT of Hunith. Enjoy!
Chapter four
Hunith walked back into her small home to find Morgana sitting on her bedroll, her knees pulled up to her chest, arms wrapped around her knees as tears ran down her cheeks. Hunith frowned and walked quickly to the younger woman.
"Morgana?" she asked, a motherly concern in her voice.
Morgana looked up, brushing some of her raven hair behind her ear. "He must be upset with me…" she whispered. "He said he loves me, and I didn't say it back…"
Hunith smiled and sat beside the younger woman, hugging her close, surprised when Morgana rested her head on Hunith's shoulder, crying. "Morgana, Merlin is confused. He loves so easily, it is easy for him, you have had a hard life and you're uncertain who to love, who to trust, you don't want to lose anyone else you love, that is understandable. Merlin wants to understand, to be patient with you, he's trying, but it makes him wonder, for all his easy-going nature, he is an insecure person. If anyone learned of his magic, he would be dead, he trusted you with that secret, and that in itself proves a lot about his feelings. He went against everything he was told to do and saved you, told you, helped you."
Morgana smiled a little. "I can't lose him, he has been the only one there for me, the only one I trusted. I turned to him instead of Gaius, the man who has treated me since I was a child, who has been the only one I trusted for so long… I trusted Merlin above all others, why does he not see that? Why is it so hard for him to realize that I care so much for him, I'm just too scared to say it. If I say it… there is no going back, I don't want to mess things up. I'm scared things will change… I don't want it to change… What if I have to go back to Camelot? Things will be different there, we wouldn't be allowed to be together… his life would be in danger, because of his magic, and because of his relationship with me… I can't risk his life…"
Hunith smiled, rocking the young girl soothingly. "Arthur will be King before you ever return to Camelot. Merlin believes magic will be restored, and the required status of a couple will be gone, all under Arthur's reign. Arthur loves a serving girl, Morgana, do you truly believe he would deny you your love, merely because Merlin is a manservant?"
Morgana's eyes widened. "Gwen… Of course… You are right… Arthur would never… He is not his father. But…"
"But nothing, child. You have many people who love you. Merlin, Gaius, Arthur, myself, even Uther, in his own way, loves you. Do not throw that all away because of fear. Perhaps you should practice your magic, learn it a little better, while Merlin is away?"
Morgana nodded. "I should… I would love to learn more before he returns," she said, smiling happily.
Hunith smiled, watching Morgana walk out towards Merlin's favorite place to practice his magic.
Morgana looked around the small meadow that surrounded her, it was, amazingly, perfectly circular and filled with flowers. Heather, Amaranth, Lily's… all her favorite flowers. She stopped dead in her tracks. Her favorite flowers? In a perfectly round meadow? A magical meadow…
"Merlin…" she whispered, feeling tears pricking her eyes. She smiled softly, he had done this, were the flowers to remind him of her? Was that why it was his favorite place? She frowned as she moved to the center of the meadow. Perhaps, if she concentrated, she would be able to teach herself some magic simply because the beautiful serenity of this place made her smile and think of Merlin and the serenity he brought her.
"Tidrenas!" she said, smiling delightedly when storm clouds appeared suddenly above her, opening and pouring rain down onto her and the small clearing. Elemental spells, as well as healing spells, she had discovered were her strong point.
A twig snapped behind her, causing her to spin around. "Scildan!" she said quickly, remembering the shield spell Merlin had tried to teach her, she wasn't certain who was out there, but she knew that she wanted to be protected from whatever magic might be there, waiting to harm her.
A blonde woman, only a few years older than Morgana herself stepped out of the shadows. "Now, now, sister, there is no need for a shield when I am here. Tell me, how did you learn to cast such a strong enchantment?"
Morgana stared at the woman before her, her half-sister. "Morguase…" she whispered in shock.
