Only a few hours
later Merlin found himself hauling a barrel up some stairs. Mordred
kept silent inside as Merlin juggled the weight, swaying the large
object and battering it as he forced it up the stairs. Merlin finally
dragged it down the corridor to Morgana's chambers, sweating
heavily and panting like an animal. Two maids passed him, eyeing the
servant and barrel inquisitively. Merlin ignored them all, rapping
loudly on the door to Morgana's room. Morgana appeared behind the
door. 'Merlin, what are you doing here?'
'I have something
for you.' Merlin said, issuing to the barrel behind him.
Morgana
gave him a questioning look, 'What is it?'
Merlin kept his
voice low, 'My lady it's from Arthur.'
'Alright then.'
She conceded, still keeping her doubtful gaze on the object. Merlin
ignored her, hauling the wooden mass into the room. He shut the door
behind him, flicking the lid off the barrel. Morgana still stood
there looking nervous, her fingers clenching her sleeve. Merlin
reached inside the barrel helping the small boy out.
He turned to
Morgana with the small boy stood silently in front of him. Morgana
froze, staring wordlessly at the druid boy. Together they looked at
each other, druid boy and the king's ward, all the love in
Morgana's eyes filling the void between them.
'You're the
boy Genevieve is using against the reaper!' Morgana exclaimed, her
features lined with worry now. The lady stepped forward, hugging the
boy close to her.
'The lady Morgana.' Mordred said plainly.
She beamed, holding him away slightly, looking into his face,
'you speak!'
Merlin smiled widely, watching Morgana and the
druid together reminded him of how his mother looked at him; the bond
he saw now was like that of a mother and child, maybe not as strong,
but he knew Morgana would protect him with her life. 'Arthur
suggested he stay with you until tomorrow; it's safer inside the
castle, and we knew you'd want to see him.' Merlin interrupted.
Morgana stood, still keeping the druid boy close, 'Of course.
Thank you for bringing him here Merlin, it means a lot to me.'
Merlin smiled, 'no problem.'
He turned to leave, but
Morgana caught his sleeve, 'be careful tomorrow Merlin, I have a
really bad feeling about this.'
Merlin sighed, 'I'm not
sure anyone has a good feeling about this.'
* * *
