xxx Ok, so this chapter is a little short and i haven't explained who the attacker is yet, (that will be in chapter 10,) but i just had to get this published today! This chapter see's Merlin and Morgana's relationship develop even further, and the beginings of broken!Morgana xxx
Needles jabbed at his flame filled heart, warning him of the danger lurking outside. The excruciating pain shocked him out of sleep instantly with a large thud as he rolled of the bed clutching his chest. He felt himself being drawn to the door, like he was on the end of a rope and was being pulled against his will, although something inside him told him to comply.
His pain was completely forgotten when he reached the door, and he heard the faint, muffled sounds of a struggle, a few thumps and a woman's cry that ripped at his chest. Within seconds he was on the other side of the door without making any sound whatsoever, and stopping dead in his tracks at the sight before him; in the middle of the room was Morgana, pretty much where he left her earlier, only with one difference. Crouching above her was a muscular man, pinning her down by her neck and holding a knife over her heart. Then the man spoke, his voice deep and groggy.
"I was informed that you didn't have the aid of magic at the moment, but no matter, no amount of magic can save you now."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that." Merlin said from the shadows in a dark and icy tone.
The man didn't have any time to react before he was sent flying into the air, crashing into the ceiling before dropping onto the table, breaking in in two. His body was completely motionless, a shard of wood emerging from his chest; Dead.
Merlin's attentions were quickly turned to Morgana, a spluttering mess on the floor. He skidded to her side and dropped to his knees, gathering her shaking figure up and pulling her close. As soon as she was settled in his arms she broke into tears, her body convulsing against his and her hands embedded deep in his shirt. Merlin rocked her back and forth and gently stroked the top of her head, only to find his hand covered in blood. He tried to pull away so he could get Gaius but that only made her shuffle closer, nuzzling her head into his chest.
After a few minutes Morgana tried to speak but she was in too much of a state for it to make any sense, so Merlin just shushed her and told her not to try and talk. He had never seen her so defeated and vulnerable, and it was almost unbearable to watch.
If he would have gotten to her a few seconds later then there would be no Morgana left to save. He knew now that it was the necklace that had woken him from his sleep, and thank god it did, even if it was one of the most painful experiences of his life.
He wondered how the man even got into the room, and then remembered that they were both really drunk when they got back and he forgot to lock the door. It was all his fault, Morgana could have died and it would have been all his fault. They should have never left. He should have listened to Morgana when she said she didn't want to go, and then none of this would have happened.
Merlin felt Morgana begin to fidget in his arms. Her breathing had almost returned to normal, until she spoke again.
"Who, who the h-hell was that?" Morgana sobbed out between sniffs, her body slightly more relaxed than earlier.
"I don't know." Merlin said softly before releasing his hold on Morgana and getting into a stand.
"What are you doing?" Morgana asked in a confused tone, her sobs seemingly quieter now at the loss of Merlin's body.
Merlin took a few small steps backwards.
"I need to get Gaius."
"No!" Morgana cried, her hand shooting out to grab his wrist.
Merlin gave her a questioning look. Her grip wasn't hard or painful like usual, but desperate and clingy.
"Merlin please don't leave me alone." Morgana pleaded as newly formed tears ran down her cheeks.
Merlin gave her a pitiful look, before letting out a deep sigh.
"Can you walk?"
Morgana pondered on this for a moment, and then stretched out her arms in his direction for him to pull her up. Merlin took hold of one hand instantly and the other he placed behind her back to support her weight. She gave out a yelp of pain when both feet were on the ground, falling into Merlin and lifting her left foot off the floor.
"Are you alright?" Merlin asked quickly as his hold on Morgana tightened; concern in his voice.
"My ankle hurts." She replied through gritted teeth, preventing herself from screaming.
Merlin placed an arm behind her knees and the other securely around her back, before pulling her up into his chest. Morgana's arms locked around his neck and he felt her get more comfortable.
As he walked to the door, he wondered how life had got so messed up. Morgana, who had been his enemy for several years, was now curled up in his arms. He had gone from trying to kill her, (or stop her in any way he could,) to trying to protect her. He knew he shouldn't get to close or get too attached because at any moment she could change. How did he know if this was all put on? He didn't. That was why no matter what, he would have to be ready to turn on her as quickly as she could turn on him. He had to be, for the sake of Albion.
"Get the door would you." Merlin asked as they reached the entrance.
One hand was slowly released from the back of his neck to grasp the doorknob, and then quickly sprung back into place once it was open. Her face was then hidden in his shirt when the light from the corridor came rushing in, and he felt the blood from her head seep through. He walked as fast as he could without dropping her, but he was still slightly tired and drunk to move too quickly without getting head rush.
It was no help whatsoever that Arthur was lurking in the corridor along with the rest of the knights, all of them completely hammered.
"Merlin!" Arthur called all too excitedly.
"Not now sire, can't you see I'm busy." Merlin said while hastily trying to weave through the gaggle of knights.
"Alight! you landed one!" Gwaine chirped in inappropriately upon seeing Morgana in his arms, (still in the undergarments and he clearly did not know it was her.)
"No I didn't you idiot, its Morgana. I need to get to Gaius."
Merlin had absolutely no patience for drunken knights at the moment, considering they were all utter prats when they were wasted. Arthur however seemed to sober up at Merlin's words and desperate expression.
"What happened?" he asked urgently.
"Morgana was attacked in her chambers." Merlin breathed, relieved that he was being taken seriously.
Morgana wasn't moving but she was still awake, one hand still securely round his neck and the other pressed to his chest, feigning unconsciousness to a now worried Arthur and his band of sidekicks. Merlin could see her staring up at him through half open lids, but didn't pay any attention to it. She could have got away with pretending quite easily; that was if she hadn't screamed "No!" at Arthur when he suggested Percival take her to Gaius's chambers. The knights looked stunned at her outburst, and Merlin was almost thrown back by it as well.
"Fine," Arthur said hesitantly before looking Merlin up and down, "Percival, you go with Merlin and Morgana to Gaius's chambers in case Merlin keels over."
Percival, (who was the least drunk out of all the knights,) gave an understanding nod to Arthur and put an arm out in invitation for Merlin to keep walking.
They were nearly at the end of the corridor when Arthur called his name, making Merlin give out a small growl before turning round.
"Yes sire."
"Did you see who the attacker was?"
Merlin gave a slight grin while he turned back round, in the direction of Gaius's chambers.
"He's still in there."
Merlin had sat by Morgana's side, holding her hand while Gaius stitched up the gash on her head and bandaged it, treated her ankle and declared it sprained, and applied salve to the rope mark around her neck. Every cry of pain and squeeze of his hand created a new layer of guilt around his heart, chipping away at the barriers he had created to prevent himself from caring about her.
Now she sat at Gaius's table drinking a warm cup of something discussing to ease the pain, wearing one of Merlin's old shirts and a blanket around her shoulders. She stared into the cup like it was a looking glass to another world, one that was definitely tones better than this one.
Merlin sat opposite her drinking his own mug of tea, and reading some book that made absolutely no sense to him at all to pass the time; they weren't allowed back to Morgana's chamber's until Gaius had fully examined the body and the room had been cleaned, which would take a while.
"Thank you," Morgana said suddenly, breaking the silence and interrupting his flow of reading; at least she would of if he had one, "For saving my life, again." Morgana continued.
"It's fine." Merlin replied hesitantly.
Ok, she had just thanked him, and he knew it wasn't a true thank you, (even if it looked and sounded like it,) but it still felt good anyway.
"You get some sleep. You can have my old bed." Merlin stated when he noticed her eyes fluttered in and out of consciousness.
"I'm fine." Morgana replied bluntly.
"Course you are." Merlin said sarcastically, rolling his eyes and getting up from the table.
Morgana protested weakly when Merlin hauled her up in his arms once more, but gave up as soon as she was settled, the blanket falling from her shoulders. He gradually placed her down onto the bed, pulling the covers up over her body and turned to leave, but the slight tug on the bottom of his shirt prevented him from doing so. He looked down at Morgana's sleepy form, her eyes on the verge of tears yet again.
"Merlin," She began softly; Merlin could hear the fear in her voice, "I, could you, maybe stay?"
Merlin felt like his heart was about to shatter into a million pieces, and felt his knees give way beneath him. His head was spinning with different emotions; part of him wanting to stay with her and comfort her, and the other part fighting it away with all its might, but it was no good. He was too far gone tonight for fighting it, so it would have to wait till morning. Right now he was needed right here, and nothing was going to pull him away.
He settled his head into his arms on the mattress, the rest of his body still on the floor, and closed his eyes. He felt a faint warmth on his head and a slight pressure but dismissed it as nothing but his mind playing tricks on him.
Any worrying about getting too close to Morgana was lost in that moment, because he wasn't getting too close at all, he was too close.
xxx So the last chapter really explored Morgana and Merlin getting closer, but Merlin always pulling away so i hope this chapter explains why. Your thoughts and ideas are always apreciated and if you find any mistakes i am very grateful if you point them out to me since this is my first fanfiction and im only 15, but really want to improve and make the story even better for you guys to enjoy! xxx
