JayJe: I'm glad that I seem to have done your prompt justice. I can't believe you've never found another story that had a Mergana kiss like that. I'm glad I could solve that problem for you. And thanks for the review! And the ideas.

yesthenLucky9: Glad you liked the story so well! I hope to update quickly. I usually can update ever day or every other day. I hope that I can keep that up.

Evaline101: Yeah, I guess he is. It's gonna be funny….

Guest: I'm glad you liked it. :) I hope you like this chapter.

Renaissancebooklover108: I'm serious, whenever I need good Mergana fics, I look at your favorites list. :P You've reviewed a lot of my favorite ones. I'm glad you liked my story so well, it makes me feel honored.

Nightgirl98: It was so romantic… Yeah, Arthur will probably kill Merlin for this… Or maybe not…

Chapter Seven

"Arthur…" Morgana said quietly, blushing.

Merlin jumped up and grabbed his boots, pulling them on quickly, his face bright red as he hastened to put distance between himself and Morgana, leaving her feeling rather lonely and cold from his absence. "Sire…"

Gwen frowned at her friends distress. "Arthur," she said quietly. "Do not be angry with them. You and I were just…"

Arthur turned a glare on Gwen, silencing her quickly. "How dare you, Merlin?" he demanded. Merlin looked down in shame. He had been trusted with Morgana and he had broken his best friends trust. He had kissed the Lady Morgana. He regretted only one thing. Not that he done it, but that Arthur had seen them. He felt terrible for it.

Morgana glared as she rose from her place on the bank, ignoring the fact she was wearing no shoes. "Arthur Pendragon, I started that. It was not Merlin's fault. Don't you dare be angry with him!"

Arthur stared at his half-sister in shock. "Morgana…"

Morgana narrowed her eyes at him, clearly not done with her tirade. "And do not dare to be angry when you yourself were doing something quite similar. Do not think, Arthur, that I am such a fool as to not see what is between yourself and my maid. I know you care for her and she for back to wherever you were and leave us be. Let me be happy for once. I have been sad and often miserable ever since I moved to Camelot. Now I have found happiness. Get out of my sight and do not dare to destroy my happiness."

Merlin was standing behind Arthur now, his face bright red as he stared at Morgana in surprise, the lace from her gown whipping about in the breeze. She was beautiful in her fury. Like a vengeful goddess. Amaranthine was the only word that came to mind to describe her. Eternally beautiful. His Amaranthine. His? He thought suddenly. When had she become his? He had best be careful and not voice these thoughts, it could cost him his head. He wasn't certain if Uther or Arthur would kill him first. He'd be lucky if he still had a head before they returned to Camelot.

Arthur stared at Morgana for a moment before turning and looking at his manservant. "We are returning to Camelot. Immediately," he ordered.

Merlin nodded silently while Gwen looked disappointed and Morgana looked angry. "You may return, but I've no intention of going back with you."

Arthur frowned. "Morgana," he said, a hint of warning in his tone.

"No. I will not return to Camelot with you. I want to stay."

"My lady, it is getting late and you still must get ready for dinner," Gwen chimed, trying to be the voice of reason.

Morgana pouted. "I like being out here," she protested. It is so peaceful. It reminds me of my father."

Arthur looked away at the mention of her father. He knew she missed her father, that she liked todo things which reminded her of him.

"He loved being outdoors. Said it was the faery blood in my family which made us love the outdoors so. His mother was fae, as was my mother. I've fae blood."

Arthur frowned, he didn't like talk of faeries. They were magical beings and Morgana was lucky Uther had promised her father he would take care of her in spite of that.

Morgana rolled her eyes and mounted her horse with Merlin's assistance. "Fine. We will return to Camelot, but you, Arthur Pendragon, will be responsible for my sour mood this evening."

Arthur sighed. As much as he wanted to return to the castle, he would not be held responsible for Morgana being in a foul mood when they joined his father for supper.

"Very well. We will stay. But Merlin had better behave."

Morgana laughed. "Merlin is such a perfect gentleman, Arthur. I don't think you need to worry. Go and have your fun with Gwen. Let me enjoy my time here."

Arthur reluctantly nodded and left with Gwen leaving Morgana and Merlin to go back to their peaceful cuddling by the lake, though Merlin was much more nervous and cautious when it came to be around her or touching her. He slowly took off his boots and sat back down by the river, glancing nervously at her as she adjusted her skirts to hang her feet in the water again. She looked at him and leaned in to lay her head on his shoulder again, smiling when she felt his arm go back around her waist.

"Why Amaranth flowers?" she asked softly.

Merlin smiled. "Amaranth is eternally beautiful. Like you," he answered almost shyly.

"I am eternally beautiful?" she asked, a blush coloring her cheeks.

"You are," Merlin answered quietly. "You are like a sign, a dream, you're all I've ever needed. You're like a drift in a stream, you belong so perfectly. You're beauty is so real, so serene. There's nothing else I'll ever need in life. You are my dream Amaranthine."

Morgana blushed even redder. "Amaranthine, eternal beauty. Merlin, you are full of poetry today. The sweetest words I have ever had spoken about me. I… How? Why do you care so much for me? Why did you care that night if I was so scared and crying?"

Merlin tightened his arms around her waist. "I told you then, Morgana. I caused it, and if you really wanted to be saved, you deserved it. Yes, you messed up in a lot of ways, but everyone deserves a second chance if they want it. Especially someone as good and kind-hearted as you have always been. If anyone deserves a second chance it's you. I'm only glad you wanted to be saved. There are other ways to bring magic back to Camelot, you know."

"Like what?" she demanded, a touch of bitterness coloring her tone, ruining the romantic moment.

"Morgana, Arthur is destined to become the Once-and-Future-King who will unite all the lands of Albion and bring magic back to Camelot. He just needs time. He's not ready to be King yet, he is still too close to his father's beliefs. If Uther dies now, especially by magic, Arthur will turn into the same bitter and hateful man as his father. Please, Morgana, allow things to run their course naturally. Waiting to freely be who we are without risking our lives is hard, I've waited my whole life for it, but I know what Arthur will be."

Morgana stared at Merlin in shock, he truly believed every word he spoke. The conviction in his voice amazed her.

"He will? Magic will be brought back?" she asked.

"It will, in Arthur's reign, but not if his father dies too soon."

Morgana nodded. "Swear to me, Merlin, that you will help me protect Arthur, help him become that great King?"

Merlin smiled. "Of course I will, Morgana," he answered quietly.

Morgana tilted her face up, leaning closer to him, searching for a kiss. She sighed softly when Merlin didn't disappoint, pressing his lips so gently against her own. He kept the kiss innocent and chaste but as achingly sweet as their first. When they broke the kiss he lay back in the grass and she lay back with him, resting her head on his shoulder and one of her hands on his chest as she felt his arm wrap around her waist. They drifted into a peaceful sleep as they lay there contentedly.