Merlin is now with Morgana, so let's find out why he's there! (Morgana/Merlin shippers, now's your moment to beam!)

Lunch With the Enemy

Morgana said nothing, and gave no emotion away of what she thought about his being there. Merlin saw that her clothes were more forest-friendly now, and she looked dirty and unkempt compared to how she used to look at Camelot.

It didn't matter. She was beautiful to him, and she always would be.

In a moment she was standing next to him, had him backed up against a tree with a sword to his neck.

"Why shouldn't I run you through right now, traitor?" she said in a dangerous voice, her tone level and displaying no second thoughts. Merlin looked at the knife, and then remembered the egg in his hand. Silently and with pleading eyes, he slowly lifted up his hand and opened his fingers to the palm and egg underneath. Morgana looked from his face to the egg, and she said nothing, looking momentarily surprised.

The egg had the traditional white background, but now looked stunning with small flowers and ribbons, with chains of circles cresting around the top and a small, dark heart on one side. In total, the egg was magnificent, and that's why Merlin had started work on it two days before.

"What is this?" Morgana asked, her voice betraying her mistrust of him.

"It's a gift, for you," Merlin said quickly, holding it out farther. "It's for Easter."

Morgana looked from the egg back to Merlin, and he could tell that she clearly thought he was insane. Merlin smiled weakly, holding out his other hand, which still had the sheet, bread and ham in it.

"I brought lunch," he said with a timid smile, looking pointedly at the sword at his throat. Morgan almost rolled her eyes, slowly but cautiously returning the sword to its hilt.

"What do you want, Merlin?" she asked in an angry voice, turning around and stalking back to the middle of the sun-filled clearing. Her dark hair framed her beautiful face, which had a bit of a tan from her extended sun exposure. She didn't seem bothered by her looks, however. Merlin stared at her.

"Merlin?" she snapped, bringing him back to life.

"Sorry, I, uh—I didn't want you to be alone for Easter," he said lamely, smiling and shrugging. He knew he was making everything worse.

Morgana sighed exasperatedly, much like her half brother had done a few days ago.

"Merlin, we're sworn enemies. Why in the world would you be concerned about my plans for Easter?" she asked in a mistrusting voice. "If you've brought Arthur along—"

"No, it's just me!" he said quickly, feeling a blush creep up his neck, cheeks, and then his large ears. "I just, well…I don't know."

Not knowing what else to do, he walked into the clearing with his food and the egg still in his hands. Then he set the food down in the exact center of the clearing, before walking up to Morgana and handing her the egg.

"Really, it's for you," he told her earnestly. "I made one for Arthur and Gwen, as well. All of my…friends."

She looked at the egg for a very long moment, and then slowly took it out of his hand, being careful not to touch him in the process. Merlin waited for a thanks, but when she didn't say anything he decided to turn around and begin preparing lunch.

Merlin felt her eyes watching his every move as he smoothed out the sheet and set out two plates he had also brought for the occasion. After setting out the slices of ham on both plates, he looked at the bread and frowned. That's what he forgot.

"Here," Morgana said quietly, offering a knife to Merlin. She didn't meet his eyes, but he accepted the knife gratefully, slicing two pieces of bread for both of them. Then he stood up to meet her eyes.

Morgana looked up from where she stood, arms crossed as she had been examining her feet, and she walked over in front of him. Merlin held out a hand and helped her sit down. Then he sat down and waited for her to begin to eat, out of politeness. She was still nobility, after all.

Morgana looked at him instead of eating.

"Why are you doing this?" she asked him in a voice that sounded like it was on the verge of breaking into tears. Merlin looked down at his Easter meal and said nothing.

"I just didn't want you to be lonely," he repeated, still casting his glance downward.

"I don't believe that for a moment," Morgana said. "Stop lying and tell me."

Merlin took a deep breath. Could he tell the truth?

"I came because I—I—" he faltered, taking another deep breath to stop his shaking voice. Feeling a new confidence begin to flow through him, he looked up and met her calculating hazel eyes. And he spoke the words.

"I love you."

Aww…..don't you guys just love Merlin? Morgana's reaction next chapter!