Nestled deep in her blankets, back in her chambers and perched in front of the fire, Morgana slowly allowed the warmth to seep back into her exhausted body. Running for months, years in fact did not occur without effect, her muscles screamed in agony and various bruises dotted her skin like a dot to dot puzzle, life had not been kind to Morgana LeFay. Slowly she finally allowed her body to sink deeper into her chair, pulling the blankets tighter around herself the exhaustion set in. Within minutes Morgana was sound asleep. What Morgana was unaware of was the visitor making his way down the corridor, winding through the endless guards on patrol and taking to hidden passages one man was determined to get there before all others.
He had to know, this was not the time for playing games, now he had become tired of games. Sick of all the pretence and imagined slights between the two, Merlin just wanted to know the truth. Frantic and uncaring he threw himself through the passageways like a man possessed. Upon reaching the corridor her room was in, he slowed a little and matched his pace to that of the passing guards. It would not do to appear frantic, not only would he look a fool but doing so the guards would be less likely to allow him admittance to her room. He was already faking entrance but supposedly bring her more clothing.
Nodding to the guards and lifting his bundle of female dresses to indicate his purpose Merlin stole into the room. Glancing around there was no immediate sign of the lady Morgana, looking again more closely Merlin found her curled up in front of a long gone out fire bundled in blankets and looking terribly uncomfortable. Sighing he hung the dresses over the top of her elaborate dressing screen before striding over to her delicate form. Not yet round with her pregnancy Morgana looked much unchanged, until one looked closer. There were clear signs of her life over the past few years; the odd scar faded milky white, a yellowing bruise on her neck, suspiciously in the shape of a hand and a plethora of tiny lacerations all over her hands, and up her arms. Deep sorrow filled Merlin as he took stock of each and every injury, filing them away in his mind; no woman deserved that no matter what they had done.
Slowly sliding his arms underneath her form Merlin lifted Morgana and transferred her on top of her bed. Worry once more filled his mind at how light she was, if her baby was to survive Morgana was certainly have to put on more weight. Merlin s questions would have to wait; she needed rest more than anything now. Looking over once more Merlin committed this image of her, peaceful, delicate and resting to memory, before slipping out of her room once more.
Morgana was troubled, tossing and turning her warmth had vanished, all of a sudden she felt weightless but there was a faint brief source of heat again, which she fruitlessly tried to cling on to. Memories racked her distressed mind. Memories of the torture she went through were nothing new, however it seems returning to the place she once called home has dredged up unexpected and long forgotten moments of her past. Teasing and sparring with Arthur, picking flowers and trialling hair styles with Gwen, dressing up to impress at the court dinners, and the first time she saw Merlin.
Looking out of her window Morgana watched the executing of a young man who had done wrong, however her attention was not fixed on him, but on an equally young man with charmingly large ears and a massive bright smile. From then on she was overloaded with a wealth of suppressed memories of her and Merlin, the boy she once called friend. Laughing together, often at Arthur s expense, secret shared glances and hidden whispers, the two harmlessly flirted often. One particular memory caught her attention, the trip they took back to Ealdor. Whilst Arthur taught the villagers to fight, Merlin snuck off with Morgana to show her a grove he often frequented when at home. It was beautiful; the water reflected off the ponds and bounced the light on to the flowers that dotted the meadow, illuminating their fantastic colours. They spent a blissful few hours together there in each other s company before sneaking back to the village and pretending they were never gone. Morgana had gone there whilst in exile in the hopes it would restore some serenity, but alas it appeared quite dull and lifeless. The memories faded into one final blast, Merlin s attempted murder of her. Morgana s throat constricting her hand grasped around her neck and shallow uneven breathing as she gasped for breath. Life slowly slipping away from her grasp. With an alarmed cry Morgana shot awake in bed, deeply breathing so as to calm her frantic heart.
As reality faded back into her consciousness Morgana became aware of her surroundings, she was rested on her bed. Confused she lightly stroked the mattress, had she not fallen asleep in the chair by the fire? The knowledge that someone had snuck in and moved her in her sleep terrified Morgana, how had she not awoken?
Meanwhile Merlin had once again reached his chambers, whereupon he sank onto his mattress head in hands. Sobbing silently Merlin proceeded to think upon his future, as foolish as it may be he had always reserved a small piece of hope the he and Morgana could be together, but now she was pregnant with another man s baby that would not be possible. Small snippets of Merlin s drunken night began to filter back into his mind: firm pillows, hands everywhere, black hair, and a pale delicate body, eyes that flashed amber wait what? Eyes that flashed amber, black hair, pale, impossible. There was only one woman Merlin knew of that fit that category; shaking his head Merlin discarded those thoughts. They were not realistic, more like wishes and desires. Clearing his head Merlin stood once more, he had work to do!
A/N: Hello everyone, how are you all, thank you for reading this update, I hope you enjoy it, please favorite and review.
See you soon
Sherlolly-Sweetness xx