FireyIce107: Glad you like it so far. Glad you enjoy the Mergana, I enjoy writing it.
sjritts: I'm glad you seem to like this little world so far. Perhaps Merlin should be more assertive, although his personality is not very assertive to begin with. He didn't think he would ever see Arthur again and, as he was Arthur's servant the last time they saw each other, he reverted to his ordinary behavior around Arthur. I think perhaps he will become more assertive in these next few chapters.
Their being his wise council is EXACTLY what I had in mind, actually. I think they need to help him govern the magic in the land especially, seeing as how Arthur knows so little of magic, perhaps he asks them to help him in justly ruling the magic within his realm?
Arthur would be supportive of the marriage, I agree, he was taken rather by surprise by his sisters marriage and pregnancy, and especially because he didn't realize that Morgana would fall for Merlin… And I think that Arthur will try to help the nobles see the greatness of the marriage, though how he will manage that, I have yet to figure out…
JAIMOL: Glad you like it. :) Hopefully it won't have to end anytime soon, I don't know for sure, though… I'm running out of ideas…
yesthenLucky9: I doubt if Mergana will break up because of Arthur, especially with Morgana being as difficult and stubborn as she is. I don't think we have to worry too much there.
Claire3loves3music: I love seeing Merlin and Morgana happy, they never seem to actually be allowed happiness in the show, do they? I don't know that the baby will be magical… after all, there is the chance the child could be born powerless, despite its parents powers. Arthur and Gwen will make wonderful aunt and uncle, should Merlin and Morgana stay in Camelot or allow them to spend time around the baby.
MEEC7: Yay! A new fan! Always good to have new readers. :) Glad you like it so far.
Renaissancebooklover108: Glad to see you back. I can't believe I didn't make it onto the alerts list. *pouting* Oh well. I haven't updated in forever, but I didn't have a computer or internet, so I haven't been able to work on it much.
Yes, a baby! I can't wait to see how this works…
Now, everyone, I don't know if the baby will be a boy or girl, whether the baby will have powers or not, and what the name will be, so any ideas are more than welcome.
TO ALL WHO READ AND DO OR DON'T REVIEW: THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND YOUR CONTINUED READING, DESPITE MY NOW RARE UPDATING.
Chapter Six
Morgana woke slowly, lazily stretching her arms over her head, her back arching as a quiet groan escaped her lips. Merlin woke at the sounds and movement, a smile on his lips as he watched his wife turn onto her side, her emerald gaze meeting his.
"Good morning," she murmured.
"Good morning, my love," he whispered in response.
Morgana leaned in and kissed him lovingly before getting out of bed, the sheets falling from her skin, leaving her body bare for Merlin to look over.
"So beautiful," he murmured.
Morgana turned to face him, a soft smile gracing her lips as she picked up a shift, carefully pulling it over her body, smirking at the disappointment in her husbands eyes. "Why, Merlin, one would think from your expression that you do not wish me to dress," she teased.
"I would far rather take you back to bed," he responded, watching her pull a simple dark blue dress with a pale blue overdress. She watched him as he dressed, seeming to be in a bad mood.
Morgana laughed lightly. "All you had to do was ask, Merlin… I would have let you…"
Merlin frowned at his wife. "Gana…"
Morgana laughed and leaned closer, kissing him lightly before walking towards their bedroom door, stopping when Merlin grasped her wrist and gently pulled her against his body. "Perhaps we should go back to bed a while..?" he suggested hopefully.
"Merlin!" she playfully scolded. "We've both already dressed!"
"And? Gana, we can get dressed again quickly."
"Merlin, is there ever a time you don't want me?"
"Never, my lovely wife."
Morgana smiled softly. "We haven't time to undress, have our fun, and dress again…"
Merlin sighed and released her wrist. "Then let's go."
Morgana smirked and pulled him back towards her. "Or we could have our fun and just fix our clothes after…" she suggested, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Merlin grinned and backed Morgana gently towards their bed, kissing her lovingly as they went.
Morgana walked out of their bedroom twenty minutes later, her fingers intertwined with Merlin's.
Arthur smiled at them. "The both of you ready?" he asked.
Morgana smiled back. "I am."
Merlin nodded.
Arthur raised an eyebrow at Morgana. "No dozens of bags?" he asked teasingly.
Morgana frowned and bit her lip. "Should I have…"
"He's only playing, Gana," Merlin interrupted.
"You'll have plenty of clothes in Camelot, Morgana. I was only teasing," Arthur agreed. "I'm sorry."
Morgana smiled a little. "It is I who should be sorry, I overreacted."
Arthur hugged his sister. "No hard feelings?"
"Agreed," Morgana replied, hugging her brother back.
Arthur smiled and started for the door, waiting outside while Morgana and Merlin stopped to say their goodbyes to Hunith.
"Goodbye, Mother. Be careful, you know where we are if you need anything. Let us know. Send word if you need anything, mother." Merlin said, pulling his mother into an embrace.
"You know that I will, Merlin. If anything comes up, I will send word. And in the meantime, I shall keep your home here in the best shape for your return."
"Thank you, mother."
Hunith nodded and hugged Morgana tightly. "The daughter I never had. Morgana, you be careful. Take care of yourself and your baby. And be good to my son. I know that his fears are silly, but they are not unfounded. You grew up in a privileged life, who is to say that you will not wish to go back to that when you are handed everything again?"
Morgana glanced down, seeming unhappy. "I understand, and his fears are not unfounded, but I have no intention of leaving my family and home here, in Ealdor. I love all of you far too much for you to leave any of you, especially Merlin. And our baby."
Hunith nodded. "I know that, and, in his heart, Merlin does as well. But even after all that you have been through together, he fears losing you."
Merlin remained silently by Morgana's side, gently squeezing her hand in a show of reassurance.
Morgana nodded. "I understand that. And I am sorry that it has to be this way, though I am not sorry for the way I was raised, as it is the reason I met him."
Hunith nodded and hugged them both close. "be careful, my children." She said quietly.
Merlin nodded. "You as well, mother."
"We will," Morgana assured her.
Hunith nodded. "Now, you both had best be on your way."
Morgana bit her lip, keeping her gaze carefully averted as the walked out the front door and to the horses Arthur had waiting.
"There was no need to rush goodbyes," Arthur said, seeming surprised at how quickly they had come out.
"All was said that needed to be," was Morgana's only response.
Merlin pulled her in for a tender embrace, kissing her forehead. "Do not dwell on such unhappy thoughts, Gana. My mother was only trying to make sure things were understood, and trying to reassure us both."
Morgana nodded. "I know. Her intentions were good, but how can I help but think of it? It is true that I grew up living a privileged life, I understand why you would feel the way you do, but…"
"But nothing, Gana," he said softly, lifting her onto her horse. He smiled when she grasped his hand, looking down at him.
"Merlin…"
"Think of happy things. We're returning to Camelot, you'll see Gwen again, you'll never have to worry that we won't be able to provide for our child."
Morgana smiled softly, the sadness gradually evaporating from her eyes. "We won't, will we?"
Arthur spoke up from beside them. "No, Morgana, you won't. You and your family will always be provided for, no matter what. Well… As long as you don't turn evil traitor on us again."
Anger flashed in Morgana's eyes. "Are you telling me, Arthur, that if I mess up, if I fall victim to the blackness which has tainted my soul, that my child will be thrown out of Camelot? That you will no longer care because of me?"
"I won't put the Kingdom at risk, no matter whether it be man, woman, or child who poses a threat," Arthur answered.
Merlin grimaced.
"Perhaps we would be better off to stay here, Merlin," Morgana said, her eyes flashing with anger, though a spark of sadness was hidden in their depths.
"Morgana…" Merlin sighed.
"I won't put this child at risk, Merlin."
"We can visit, at any rate, Morgana. After a few weeks, it can all be decided, alright?"
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "I thought it was decided?" He asked. "You both said you were moving to Camelot."
"Not if we will be at risk, if our child will be at risk, because of my past. No, Arthur, you know me well enough to know that I would never put my family in danger in any way."
Arthur turned to look at Merlin. "What have you to say, Merlin?"
"I'm with Morgana. I understand that you are making your position on the Kingdoms safety clear, but you need to understand that we will never risk our child, no matter how much we may wish to return. Our family comes first, and if you would destroy the life of a child because of the mother's mistakes, who's to say you wouldn't kill the child for the same reason? And never Morgana's past transgressions, they were not all of her own free will, what of mine, Arthur? What of the fact that I lied to you for years, hid who I really was, hid my power from you, despite the fact you were my best friend? What of the fact that I nearly killed Morgana too many times to count? What of the fact it was me, Arthur, who killed your father? I was Dragoon/Emrys. Certainly Morgana has many sins in her past, but I am not innocent, Arthur. You cannot simply ignore my past and punish her, and our child, for hers. You've made your position clear, and now so have I. I leave it up to Morgana, now. We can either return to Camelot for a visit, or, we can remain here. Whatever she chooses. You are like a brother to me, Arthur, but you are putting me in the position of choosing you or my family. One thing I have learned in my lifetime is to never put anything above family. We've all seen what that can lead to," he said, casting Morgana a meaningful, though affectionate look.
Arthur stared at Merlin, shocked that his former servant was so outspoken about anything.
"Gana?" Merlin asked.
Morgana tilted her chin up, a sign of defiance from her, and looked around her, her jaw set. "Merlin…"
"It's up to you, love," Merlin said, squeezing her hand gently in reassurance.
Morgana bit her lip. "I choose to…"