Chapter 7
The moon crept silently over the crest of the hill, peering down on the world in the dark. A dark figure crossed the field in the view of Camelot, anxiously checking for guards and Knights. Her dark black hair fluttered in the breeze, concealing her identity to the rest of the world.
She tried to keep a calm and collected exterior, but her feelings betrayed her as the excitement of seeing Merlin again built up inside of her.
She hadn't seen him since that fateful day in the woods... when he'd used up most of his strength to heal her, to bring her back to life.
Her heart couldn't handle the thought of anything bad happening between them now, it was almost as if there was a physical bond between them, as well as the emotional one.
As a group of Knights passed over the bridge to Camelot, she crept into the shadows, choosing a different path into the castle. Always keeping an eye out for the enemy, Morgana entered the castle through the secret passageway she had used to smuggle Mordred out of, oh so many years ago.
Her brain struggled to remember every secret path in the castle, so she took the risk of walking straight down the corridor.
"Hey, you!" A knight shouted behind her, and she heard the sound of his sword being drawn from a sheath.
Quickly, she flicked a hand behind her, knowing that the man would now be flying into the wall into unconciousness.
Hoping to have no more disturbances, Morgana pulled her hood up around her face, so people would recognise her less. She continued on her way, all the while remaining alert.
Eventually, she stopped outside of Giaus' chambers, where no sound could be heard from inside. Silently, she used magic to unlock the door and creep in.
Quite snoring from Giaus sounded from his bed, and Morgana narrowed her eyes at him, hating every cell in his body.
Her eyes turned towards the door that was between her and Merlin. Biting her lip, she carried on through the chamber, climbing the stairs as quietly as she could.
"Merlin..." she whispered, once she was at his door.
No reply.
Carefully, she slid the bolt from the lock, entering his small room and closing the door behind her.
"Merlin..." she murmured once more, crossing the room to his bedside.
Slowly, one of Merlin's eyes opened, rapidly followed by the other.
"Morgana!" He exclaimed quietly, sitting upright. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you of course." She gave him a warm smile, and he put his arms around her, hugging her tight to his chest.
"You shouldn't be here..." He muttered, rocking her slightly.
"I hadn't heard from you in such a long time." She sighed and sat down on the edge of his bed. "I wanted to see if you were alright."
He rubbed his eyes tiredly. "I'm fine I guess. - I just wish we were on the same side, that's all."
"You could come away with me?" She suggested, her eyes shinning. "There would be no Arthur to bother us, no rules to obey!"
He shook his head slowly, "I have to protect Arthur."
"From what?" She scoffed.
"From people like you!" Merlin took her hand. "You hate Arthur, you should hate me..."
"So?" She frowned.
"It's not just you, others want to kill him too. I have to save him from the evil of this world."
Morgana placed a hand on his arm, "But Merlin," She gazed into his eyes, "He has no idea it's you. If he did know then he'd kill you! You'll never get the appreciation you deserve!"
He swallowed, his face adopting a sad expression. "I have to live in the hope that one day, magic will be allowed once more."
She didn't understand him at all. He claimed to love her, and yet he was talking about destroying her allies? His own kind? How could someone be this confusing?
"What are you thinking about?" He whispered, putting his face close to hers.
"I'm thinking," She paused, her lips brushing against his, "That you don't make sense to me."
"I know." He agreed, closing his eyes. "I don't make sense to me either."
"Then choose a side..."
He sighed a little.
"You're asking me to do the impossible Morgana. I love you and I could never harm you, yet I have my destiny to think about, the fate of the kingdom, the people!"
She pulled her face away quickly, suddenly deep in thought.
What was it that had been said to her?
"He is your destiny, and he is your doom."
"Destiny. Doom." She echoed out loud.
"Sorry?" Merlin frowned in confusion.
"You're my destiny." She nodded, locking eyes with him, "But you're my doom. You're my downfall."
"I don't understand!"
"I... You're my... my doom. I have to kill you then, don't I?"
"Morgana." Merlin cautioned, giving her a wary look, "What are you talking about?"
"I don't know!" She cried, burying her face in her hands. "I just don't know anymore!"
"I don't know either!" He took her hands away from her face, brushing away the few tears that ran down her cheeks, "What's going on? What are you saying? You want to kill me?"
"No!" She replied sharply, clinging onto his arm.
"Then what?"
"I was told, you'd be my doom! But you're also be my destiny. Does that mean I'm destined to be with you? Or you're destined to kill me?"
"I prefer the first one." He ran his fingers through her hair, "The second one just sounds impossible."
"Yes, yes it does." She agreed, giving him a weak smile.
She leaned in at the same time as Merlin, and their lips met in the middle, Merlin's hands still in her hair.
"How long can you stay here for?" He murmured, when they broke apart, breathing heavily.
"Till the morning..." She whispered.
He smiled, lying down on to the bed.
She drew herself to him, closing her eyes peacefully, feeling safe once more.