Thank you for your continued support. Here's my latest attempt at moving this story along.
I do not own Merlin or the characters.
This was written in one go, so I hope it makes sense.
The Kingdom of Camelot was going through major changes.
It has now been weeks since Merlin sat with his rulers and spilled years of secrets regarding his use of magic.
At first, it was tough to get the council and others on board with the idea that magic is not evil and can be used for good. Several times during the council meetings, King Arthur lost his temper and had to adjourn until later dates.
Most of his council members were also members when his father was King and they were still loyal to Uther's ways and beliefs. He knew it wouldn't be an easy job, to get them on board with the idea of lifting the ban on magic, because he himself still had a few concerns.
During one of the regular council meetings, one of the members took sick. Gaius was summoned, and to everyone's horror, his prognosis was grim. Lord Berinon was dying right before their eyes.
Merlin was in attendance that day, as was the custom, but instead of attending to his master's needs, he was actually part of the meeting. Everyone in attendance knew he had magic, it was one of the first things Arthur declared as a show of good faith.
It only took a nod and a silent conversation between King and servant, for Merlin to spring into action. He took complete control, using magic and brought Lord Berinon from the brink of death.
With a cheeky smile, he stood, helped the Lord to sit comfortably in his seat, turned to the council and said,
"Nothing to worry about folks, it was only his heart… he's getting up there, so…" He was cut off by his King yelling at him.
"Merlin! And staring daggers at him.
Amidst chuckles and snorts, from the likes of Sirs Gwaine, Elyan, Percival and the rest, Merlin took his seat with his head bowed.
After that, the council had a new outlook on magic. They took a vote and unanimously agreed to lift the ban on magic.
Lord Berinon took to Merlin like a bee to honey. He thanked him profusely that day, and even offered his youngest daughter's hand in marriage to him.
Needless to say, Merlin had to decline.
The words of the Great Dragon remained tattooed to his brain, and as much as he tried to deny it, he was going to be Lady Morganna's husband and the father to her kids.
It was for this reason, that he was stood outside of the Royal Chambers, contemplating if to knock or leave.
This conversation was long overdue, but the thought of having it, did something to him, every time. He just knew that Arthur was going to see what he was about to reveal, as an act of disloyalty.
Gwen won't, so much, because she had a softer heart than her husband, but still, it was going to take a lot to convince the two, that he hadn't lost his mind or was being deliberately disloyal to them.
He chided and berated himself, paced, and almost ran away, but knowing it won't get any easier as time went on, he schooled his features and knocked.
Inside the Royal Chambers, Arthur and Gwen had just finished their supper.
Arthur was in a particularly, playful and grabby mood.
Gwen had just decided to pack away the supper things, when she felt herself hoisted off the ground. In a flash, she was seated on her husband's lap, with her legs on either side of his.
A shriek left her lips, but the sound was drowned out by her husband's lips covering hers. She melted into the kiss. It was un-hurried and deep. Firm but not forceful, and she couldn't help the moan that escaped her.
Just as Arthur's hands started to roam all over her back and bum, a knock sounded.
Arthur paid no attention at all. In fact, he began to ground his stiffening member against his wife's heated core, as his moans punctuated the room.
Gwen tried to pull back, but he held her tighter, anchoring her soft body to his.
As the knock sounded again, louder this time, anger started to blossom inside of him.
The kiss turned heated and rushed, so did his exploration of her body. His lips left hers, attacking her neck with scorching kisses and nibbles. There were going to be marks, but he didn't care, she belonged to him. No one else would ever get the chance to do what he was doing to her.
His hands made connection with her soft breasts and she groaned out,
"Oh God, Arthur. We… we… have… to stop. Someone's…. knock… ing…Oh…"
Arthur could care less. He was in the mood for love and he hoped that the person at the door would give up and leave.
"I need you Guinevere. Whoever is out there will have to wait or go. I'm having my wife."
At that, he lifted her a notch, opened the ties on his pants with his free hand and before Gwen knew what was happening, her underwear was snatched from her body.
Her protest was cut off by him kissing her roughly and his not too gentle entry in her. Her eyes opened in shock. It doesn't matter how many times she lay with her husband, it still took getting used to his size. She felt full, as he buried himself to the hilt and started pushing up into her.
Meanwhile, Merlin decided to give up and return later.
He knew his King well. If no one answered the door, it meant that they were otherwise occupied. His huge ears turned red at the implication. But he took this opportunity to gather his thoughts together, for later, much later.
Back in the Royal Chambers, Arthur was in a greedy mood. He couldn't have his wife the way he wanted to sitting on the chair, so, he stood with her still attached to him and went to their bed.
He wasted no time in helping her out of her clothes. He tore his tunic from his muscular body and ridded himself of his trousers. His boots and socks landed in different spots across the room as he gently laid her back on the bed.
Parting her legs, he placed himself between them, and guided himself into her.
Gwen felt her eyes roll back in her head. The feel of her husband deep inside her, never grows old. Her hands automatically went to his broad back, gripping it tight, as he tunneled into her willing body.
Arthur could feel the beast inside of him fighting to get free. He tried to restrain it, by slowing down his thrusts, but his wife wasn't having any of it. She slapped his bum, hard and bit his neck to get his attention.
"Is this what you mean by having me? Let go, my King. I can take it."
And let go he did. He wound one hand under her round bum, lifting it for a better angle, to go deeper within her. His movements sped up, as he freely pounded into her, drilling her to the bed.
After a while, her moaning got to him, and the beast finally broke free. He wound his other hand under the other side of her bum, and drove into her.
He got greedier after a few minutes. This time, he moved his hands up her back, gripping her shoulders as his thrusts got harder, faster and deeper. He felt her legs come around his hips and he almost swore. He went deeper than anticipated.
He felt her legs tremble and her sweet womanhood grip him like a vise. The tell-tale sign that she was close to her release. He decided to up the ante.
First, he licked her neck and placed a strong sucking kiss on it. Next, he shifted his head and took a nipple into his mouth, sucking hard.
That did it. Her body shook at his sweet onslaught and a scream tore from her throat, long and loud, as tears leaked from her eyes.
Seeing her shatter beneath him, caused him to go into overdrive. Her legs went limp, so he released his grip on her shoulders and used his strong arms to brace them up.
With his hands planted firmly on the mattress and bracing against her legs, he completely let go and pummeled her. The moment he found his release, the sound that emanated from him, could only be described as primal.
It was a long, low groan, as every muscle in his body, including his handsome face, coiled and bulged, leaving him dizzy and spent.
Later, after a rest and a long soak in their dual tub, the Royal couple was ready to face anyone and anything.
Merlin arrived at their chambers to clear away their supper things from earlier, looking a bit apprehensive. Before he could pick up a goblet, Gwen's words stumped him.
"Merlin, you're not looking like your usual chipper self. Is anything the matter? It's not your mum, is it?"
He was rendered speechless. His eyes flitted from her to Arthur, who was quietly observing him. His shoulders slumped, and Gwen moved closer, taking his hand in hers.
"Um… No. It's not my mum. Thank you for asking, Gwen."
"Then what is it?" she kindly asked. Arthur too, moved closer to him, he could sense that something was troubling his manservant.
"Come on Merlin, spit it out. What's got your knickers in a twist?"
Once again, Merlin's eyes darted from the King to Gwen and then to the ground. He inhaled and exhaled loudly. It was now or never.
"I think you both need to sit for this." They did as he asked and patiently waited for him continue.
"Ah… a while back, you asked me if I had something more to say Sire, and I told you I did, but… not that day. Well…today is that day. First of all, anything that I say or have done was never intended as act of betrayal, neither am I in league with any one. My life is an opened book. It wasn't always so, but I can assure you, it's that way now. Secondly, I ask you to bear with me… please." He took a deep again and continued.
"When Uther sentenced Morganna to death, I decided to intervene…"
Before he continued, he chanced a glance at his captive audience and noticed their reactions at hearing Morganna's name. Arthur's jaw clenched and Gwen's face turned serious. He went on.
"I knew she deserved her sentence, but something in me, wouldn't let it happen. I used magic to create an effigy to stand in her place on the pyre and I took her away. She didn't know of my plans, neither did she know when I took her away. I knocked her out, bound her and took her to the Isle of the Cursed."
Arthur remained speechless and so did Gwen, but their eyes showed exactly what they were feeling, confusion, hurt and a single question, why. He continued.
"The Isle of the Cursed are for those who have magic and use it for evil. Those who end up there, lose their powers, forever… unless it can be proven that they are reformed and can be trusted with them again. With the help of the Great Dragon, I determine if the wielder is trustworthy and then I restore their power, if I choose to. Right now, Morganna is almost back to the kind, loving friend and sister we once knew. Her…"
Arthur couldn't sit quiet any longer. He rose to his feet, anger written all over his face and stormed towards Merlin.
"You have done some questionable things Merlin, but this… this is by far the worst thing that you have ever done. You know what she did to Guinevere… to us… and my father… yet still you do this. Why?"
Merlin went quiet during Arthur's rant. His King was correct, but he believed he was too.
"I'm sorry that you feel that way Sire. And I understand, but, the minute your father opened his eyes and saw her for what she was, Camelot's future changed, so did yours, mine and Morganna's."
The King looked at him as if he was speaking a different language.
"What in God's name are you talking about Merlin?" he asked. Merlin drew in a breath and slowly exhaled it, before he replied.
"We all have a destiny and it can shape our future, for good or bad. Morganna's actions and your father's awakening that day, changed the future of Camelot, therefore changing your future, mine and hers, also Gwen's."
Gwen flinched at the sound of her name. She had remained quiet throughout the whole conversation, allowing everything to sink in. She would draw her own conclusion later.
"Had it not been for your father seeing her for what she was and sentencing her, magic would still be banned in Camelot. Gwen might have died, you would have been left broken and not able to rule when the time came, therefore, leaving a vulnerable Kingdom, ripe for the picking and me, I would still be fearing for my life every time I use magic."
Arthur was floored. He moved towards a chair and dropped into it.
He processed Merlin's words and no matter how he turned them, his manservant was right. He looked at his wife, seeing her discomfort as the words penetrated her mind. Silently, he moved towards her and took her in his arms.
This threw Merlin for a moment. He felt like an intruder. He turned away from them and moved towards a window, which overlooked the courtyard.
After a few minutes, his King's voice sounded in the room.
"Okay Merlin, let's hear what else you have to say."
"Well, as I said before, she is almost the Morganna we knew and loved. The…"
"How do you know that? It could be a trick."
"The Great Dragon. That's how. He watches over her daily and he also reads her mind and inner thoughts. I trust him when he says that she is no longer the evil, conniving person she was. He has read that she is sorry for her actions, she misses Camelot and she misses us… more so, you and Gwen."
A soft gasp escaped Gwen. She had adored her former Mistress. If she could get a glimpse of the person she was before, she would be happy. She knew what her husband would say to her if she voiced her thoughts.
'You have such a forgiving heart Guinevere. I swear, there's not a bad bone in your body.'
"You can trust the Great Dragon, Arthur. He's a friend of Camelot."
"Is he? He nearly killed me and Guinevere. If that's the way you treat friends, then I wouldn't want to be his enemy."
A soft chuckle came from Gwen. Merlin wanted to laugh so bad, but he held it in.
"Um… it's not an excuse, but he was mad at Uther for keeping him chained for twenty years. Maybe he can apologize to you in person… if you want."
A hard stare from Arthur almost cut Merlin in half. He started to backtrack.
"Maybe not... maybe you…"
"Merlin?"
"I know. Shut. Up."
"You guessed it. This is a lot to digest, but, I trust you. And if you say the Great Dragon can be trusted, then I trust him. I still don't trust Morganna, but… with your help, I will learn to. I must warn you though, if at any time, any of this backfires, and Guinevere is targeted… or the people of Camelot, you will pay dearly…. And so will Morganna. All the magic in the world or the Great Dragon won't help either of you. Are we clear?"
Merlin paled at the look in his King's eyes. They held a threat, one which Arthur would make good on, if anything should go askew.
"Absolutely Sire… and I promise you, nothing or no one will harm Gwen or the people of Camelot. Part of my destiny, is to protect you, her and Camelot. I take that very seriously." Arthur nodded his head.
"Good. Is there anything else you want to add?" Merlin pondered the question for a beat, before he answered.
"Yes, I do. I told you about the future earlier in our conversation. Well, the Great Dragon has shown me my possible future… and it depends on you." Arthur looked on in confusion.
"What on earth are you blabbering about Merlin?"
Nervousness set in. Merlin wasn't comfortable with what he was about to disclose, but he would.
"Um…the dragon, he spoke to me recently and what he had to say was… disturbing. He said, he has seen a change in Morganna and it's for the better. He believes that she has, in his words, become human again...and is full of remorse for all the wrong that she has done. He says because she has changed, my destiny, the future of Camelot, yours and Gwen's has changed also. He believes there is still more than one possible future, but it all depends on me… and you."
Merlin looked up at his King and then to Gwen, who was still sitting quietly and absorbing everything. He continued.
"Our destinies are now intertwined Morganna's. He has seen the four of us, living happily...together, with three of us, me you and Morganna, being Camelot's greatest protectors. He has seen magic restored, your heirs and a peaceful Camelot. This is the part where it depends on me. He has seen me and the Lady Morganna, living together as… husband and wife…procreating and me holding all the power...magical of course, in that marriage. And then he laughed hysterically at the look on my face."
Arthur didn't do much better. He threw his head back and laughed loudly.
Merlin was mortified.
He watched his King went to his bed and threw himself across, rolling around and laughing, until tears were leaking from his eyes.
Gwen wasn't quite sure what to make of everything. She believed Merlin and she trusted him, completely. She felt sorry for him. He has been placed in so many situations before, some of them life threatening and now he has to face this.
She looked at her silly husband, shaking her head, as she moved towards her friend. She gently grabbed his thin arms and pulled him into a hug.
"I trust you Merlin. Whatever you decide, I'm behind you. Now him, I just can't with him."
The two friends waited until their King had composed himself and re-joined them.
"Are you ready to hear what else Merlin has to say to us?" Gwen asked.
Arthur nodded his head. His eyes held a twinkle, but Merlin remained serious.
"This is where you come in. For us to achieve that future here in Camelot, you would have to allow Morganna to return here. I know you have reservations, but I have an idea. I could make it, so that you can observe her actions daily and have all of her thoughts channeled to you, that way, you can decide what you want to do. I propose that, you think about it and when you're ready, let me know what you decide."
Arthur turned serious eyes on him and asked,
"What if these things never happen? What other future is there for us and Camelot?"
"I'm not sure. The dragon hasn't revealed it to me, but I believe it will not be a good one. There are still some dark forces out there, who will stop at nothing to possess all of the power they could and for that, we will need all of the help we can. I don't know if you have any knowledge of this, but Morganna is a Seer. She can see the future before it happens, and as powerful as I am, I can't."
Arthur allowed every word to saturate his entire being. This is a big decision. He needed to think about all that was said and what he was going to do.
"Alright, thank you Merlin. I need to think about this. In a few days, I will give you my decision. Just so you know, I do trust you."
A smile blossomed on both Gwen's and Merlin's features.
Taking that as his dismissal, he took up the supper things and made a hasty exit. On the outside, he breathed a sigh of relief. Some of the burden has been lifted from his shoulders. He will sleep good tonight.
