Disclaimer-I still don't own Merlin.
Thank you for reviewing, you've all been so nice, and fear not gentle readers, the Merlin/Arthur love is coming.
Chapter 7-Morgana's Return
Eyes open, Morgana looked up calmly at the King. The blade of the knife glinted from the moonlight streaking in through the open door. With an air of elegance, the seer pushed herself into a sitting position.
"I thought you would have arrived sooner." She told him in a whisper.
The knife was still drawn threateningly in Uther's hand but he made no move to strike.
"Well what are you waiting for?" Morgana challenged as she tilted her head back exposing her neck. "Go ahead my Lord, kill me."
He stared down at her in obvious shock and confusion. This was not at all what he had expected. The King had thought she would beg for her life or at least put up some form of fight. That was what Morgana was all about, standing up for what she believed in. He did not for a second expect her to just give up so easily and make things easy for him; she usually made it her mission to make things difficult.
"What's the matter Uther?" Morgana goaded. "Gone soft in your old age?"
"I'm not old." He protested sounding more like his son than himself.
The sound of the King's voice had awoken Gwen and her eyelashes fluttered before her eyes opened fully. Her sight landed on Uther with the raised dagger and she let out a panicked scream as she sat upright in the bed.
Her scream alerted Merlin and his mother and they were soon on their feet looking nervously at the scene before them.
"King or no King." Hunith said determinedly. "This is my house and you will not spill a drop of that girl's blood."
"It's alright Hunith." Morgana told her evenly as she gracefully rose from the bed. "Let him do it. Let him show you what kind of man he really is. I shall be glad to be with my father again; I'll be sure to give him your best wishes my Lord. Perhaps you'd like me to give a message to Igraine?"
"Don't speak her name!" Uther growled as his free hand latched around Morgana's throat.
Though Uther dug his nails into the flesh of her neck, Morgana did not wince or show any sign of being in pain. She merely surveyed him through her sparkling blue eyes with something akin to amusement.
"Igraine." She repeated in a friendly manner, as though the King didn't have his hand clasped around her throat and a knife held high in the other.
"Morgana." Gwen said warningly as she held on tightly to the bedcovers for comfort.
"Sire please, just let her go." Merlin begged as he took a tentative step closer to the King and his ward.
Uther ignored him and moved his hand from Morgana's throat to wind it tightly in her hair. He forcibly yanked her head back and placed the tip of the blade against her pale throat. The Lady didn't bat an eyelid; she simply smiled up at him looking as though she was trying not to laugh.
Complete silence fell upon the occupants of the room and Merlin, his mother and Gwen waited with bated breath for either Uther or Morgana to make the next move.
Restrained by his tight grip, Morgana looked directly into the King's eyes daring him to spill her blood. He gazed back into her blue orbs unable to detect any hint of evil, he could only see Morgana.
Ever so slowly, he released his hold on her hair and tenderly smoothed the curls down. Slower still, he pulled the dagger away from her throat before letting it slip from his fingers to the floor still staring intently at Morgana.
With a furrowed brow, Gwen caught Merlin's eye and sent him a questioning look. He threw a baffled look back before looking to his mother who was now smiling. Seeing his mother's happy expression, the warlock felt a sense of relief wash over him and the painful knots in his stomach began to unravel themselves.
Turning back to face Morgana and Uther, Merlin watched as the King embraced the seer and held her in his arms as if she were something precious that he feared losing.
Still thoroughly confused, Gwen tiptoed over to Merlin and stood by his side. As they smiled at one another they heard the sound of heavy footsteps and turned just in time to witness Arthur come running through the door puffing and gasping and looking very unprincely.
Tired from his run, he grabbed hold of the door for support and his expression became one of confusion as his eyes landed on his father and Morgana hugging.
"Huh?" Arthur asked dumbly.
No-one gave the Prince an answer but Uther held one arm open inviting him into the hug. Looking embarrassed and uncomfortable Arthur hesitated but Morgana grabbed hold of his wrist and forced him into the embrace. The three stood with their arms wrapped around each other seeming to have forgotten about their audience.
"I'm so sorry." Uther apologized in a quiet voice before placing a kiss on top of Morgana's head.
After letting the family hug go on for a few minutes, Hunith cleared her throat to remind them they were still there.
Uther released the hug though he still kept an arm around Morgana. He jerked his head in Hunith's direction before leading Morgana outside.
"Now what?" Gwen asked still seeming quite perplexed.
"I guess we're going home." Arthur answered. The Prince briefly caught the gaze of his manservant before looking away quickly then joining his father and Morgana outside.
"Thank you for all your help." Gwen said as she moved to give Hunith a hug.
"You're welcome dear." The older woman replied kindly.
Gwen smiled before she too left the house to give the mother and son some time alone.
"Is it just me, or did he look mad?" Merlin asked his mother, referring to the Prince.
"Just talk things out with him." Hunith advised. "He's probably just upset that you left Camelot without warning, it's understandable."
"Maybe I should stay here for a few days." Merlin suggested. "Give him time to cool down."
"No Merlin." Hunith replied. "You must go with Arthur back to Camelot. The two of you have denied your feelings for far too long. You must tell him how you feel."
She softly stroked her son's cheek before pressing a kiss to his forehead. He hugged her tightly before whispering a quick goodbye in her ear.
When he joined the others outside he discovered there weren't enough horses. Uther, Morgana and Gwen were already on their way back to Camelot. Arthur was stroking the neck of his horse waiting for Merlin.
"I don't have to come back." Merlin told the Prince. "I could stay here the night and walk back tomorrow."
"Maybe you should stay here for good." Arthur snapped making Merlin wince.
"Is that what you want sire?" He asked trying to keep the quiver out of his voice.
"No." The blonde replied after an uncomfortable stretch of silence. "No, it's not. I hate it when you're not around."
"Get bored with no-one to boss around do you?" Merlin joked.
"There is that." Arthur admitted with a light laugh. "But I also miss you. There's nobody like you Merlin."
"Nor you sire." The warlock replied.
With a small smile, the Prince cast his eyes downwards and unless Merlin was mistaken, he was blushing.
"Why did you leave?" He asked sadly still keeping his eyes fixed on the ground.
"I was only trying to protect Morgana." Merlin answered. "We did what we thought was best at the time."
"You could have waited for me." The Prince pointed out sounding quite pitiful, not that Merlin would ever tell him that.
"I'm sorry Arthur." He apologized. "I don't know what else you want me to say. It wasn't as if I was leaving to get away from you. I was just helping Morgana. I always intended to come back as soon as I could. I miss you too when we're apart." He finished in a whisper.
"Come back with me?" Arthur asked looking up at Merlin through his lashes.
Smiling beautifully, Merlin nodded his head eagerly and took a step closer to the Prince unsure what he should do next. Should he tell Arthur now that he loved him? Should he kiss him? Or should he run back into his mother's arms and hide away forever?
He did neither. Instead, Arthur helped him up onto the horse before he climbed on up behind him. The Prince wrapped one arm securely around his manservant's waist and firmly grabbed hold of the horse's reigns in the other. Merlin shivered slightly as he felt Arthur's breath tickle the nape of his neck.
As expected, Uther, Morgana and Gwen arrived back in Camelot first. They all hopped down gracefully from their chosen steeds and a servant boy hastened to lead the horses to the stables.
"We should find Gaius." Uther said. "I placed him in charge whilst I was away."
"Well the castle's still standing." Morgana told him. "He couldn't have done too bad a job."
The King smiled at her before letting out a huge yawn. It was around lunch time now and he hadn't slept all night.
"Perhaps you ought to lie down." Morgana suggested.
"I'm not tired." He lied as he led the way up the castle steps, Gwen trailing along behind the other two.
"You don't fool me Uther Pendragon." Morgana replied as she shook her head at him in amusement.
A rare smile formed on the King's lips as they passed through the doors and bumped into a frantic looking Gaius.
"Oh thank goodness you're back!" The old physician cried in relief. "Now please sire, I beg you, do not harm Morgana. You can't hurt her my Lord, I won't allow it!"
"Calm down Gaius." Uther told him. "All is well." He placed an arm around Morgana and they both smiled at the doctor.
"You mean, you aren't killing the Lady?" Gaius asked carefully.
"No Gaius." Uther replied. "I realised I'd miss fighting with her too much."
"Oh that's…jolly good." Gaius said uncertainly looking to Gwen for some kind of explanation.
The dark-skinned handmaid just shrugged at him with a smile as Uther led Morgana away.
"How did this happen?" Gaius asked.
"I'm not too sure myself." Gwen admitted. "I woke up to find Uther holding a dagger to Morgana's throat but as it turned out he didn't have the heart to kill her and for that I am most grateful."
"What of Merlin and the Prince?" Gaius asked. "Where are they?"
"They should be arriving soon." Gwen assured him. "They weren't too far behind. If you'll excuse me, I think I'll go get some rest."
Gaius nodded distractedly as she left and kept his eyes peeled for the young magician and the heir to the throne. As Gwen predicted, the two of them arrived very soon after they did. The old man watched as Arthur easily leapt off the horse before assisting Merlin's dismount. The Prince held onto his manservant a little longer than necessary before they walked up to the entrance of the palace, their arms brushing against one another lightly as they walked.
"Gaius." Merlin greeted merrily before hugging the old man.
"Don't you ever disappear like that again do you hear?" He scolded before ruffling the boy's dark hair. "I'm glad you have returned safely sire." He added as he bowed to the Prince.
"Thank you Gaius." Arthur said politely. "I trust all is well here."
Gaius nodded in confirmation.
"You look exhausted Merlin." Gaius pointed out in his fatherly tone as he noticed the dark circles ringing Merlin's eyes. "Come on, you should get some sleep. You too sire."
The physician grabbed Merlin's arm and led him away to ensure he got some rest. As he followed his mentor, Merlin looked back over his shoulder and smiled goofily at the Prince. Arthur rolled his eyes but smiled back before heading to his own chambers.
Not bothering to change his clothing, he collapsed onto his comfortable bed. He mentally berated himself for not telling Merlin his feelings on the journey back from Ealdor. He reasoned with himself that he was much more occupied with how close his groin was to Merlin's backside as they had both been astride the same horse. Promising himself that he'd tell Merlin the next time he saw him, Arthur fell into a peaceful slumber dreaming dirty thoughts about his favorite servant.
To Be Continued
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