Chapter 10: Can't We?

Morgana's body brushing softly against the leaves of a nearby bush alerted Gwaine immediately to her presence. If he was being perfectly honest with himself, and he'd been trying to do that recently, meeting in the forest was becoming rather dull. There was no privacy, no intimacy (except for that rock by the stream. Yes, that rock.). Gwaine had been wondering, lord help him, if sneaking around a giant castle to see her would really be so bad. Perhaps he could even find some work? He shuddered at the thought. No. Baby steps.

"I'm so sorry, I was tied up with some official business."

"And I wasn't invited? Bad form."

She smiled in spite of herself, "Shut up."

"I've got a surprise for you. I was thinking I could develop my stealth skills and save you a horse ride!" His arms were held out wide as though something was going to appear in front of him and accompanied by a grin so wide that his cheeks would ache later in the evening. "You don't look happy. I must have said it wrong, I'm really terrible at this."

"NO, that's a fantastic surprise!" Morgana said as she embraced him. "I'm just not sure if it's the most intelligent thing right now."

"Because?"

Morgana held her wrists in front of him. They were healing, but discolored from her time in the dungeon. "I can give you two reasons."

Gwaine kissed both wrists. "If this ever happens again I will not be held responsible for my actions."

"Is finding a strange man in the bed of the Lady Morgana a dungeon worthy offence?"

"I shouldn't think so but I'm not Uther Pendragon."

"It is probably punishable by death, let's not test it."

"Best not to tell anyone right now either, right? Just to be safe?"

"I … yes I suppose. Doesn't it just feel like we're standing still by keeping this a secret? I've seen nothing good ever come from a secret."

"And the other option could be we never get to even do this in secret again."

"You're right, of course you're right. Now, I know it'll be hard for you but try to keep from spilling your guts about how entranced you are by me."

He laughed. "I'll do what I can."

They stared for a moment, each trying to silently convince themselves it still had to be that way.

"But," Morgana began, "don't you feel like you're bursting with these emotions and you feel like if you don't share then with someone you're going to explode?"

"I –"

"And someone is sure to notice eventually, you walk around with that smile on your face all the time and someone is going to notice."

"You're saying I never smiled before you?"

"I'm saying I've improved it vastly but that's not the point."

"What's say we keep it to ourselves for safety's sake and you give me the kiss I've been thinking about all night."

Morgana kissed him roughly and brought him to his knees. She laid back and invited Gwaine to join her. His body hovered above hers, just briefly, before pressing his lips to hers again. The kiss had less urgency than the first time they'd done this, but it kept the heavy sense of passions. His lips trailed down her body as the stars kept their cries of love a secret for one more night.


"My lady, can I ask you something? As a friend."

"Of course, Gwen!"

"Who is it that you keep travelling to see?"

"No one! No one, I swear. I simply need to leave the confines of this castle sometimes," Morgana responded, visibly flustered.

"Morgana, I'm not so oblivious. More often than not you return here with the most genuine smile I've seen on your face in years."

Her cheeks blushed red once more but not from embarrassment this time. Not many things made Morgana wholly, properly happy. She could probably count them on one hand. Gwaine would be an easy first (with beating Arthur in anything related to swords coming in second place). Gwen was incredibly trustworthy in Morgana's eyes.

"You must keep this to yourself, do not share with anyone. Especially not Merlin, he can't seem to keep anything from Arthur."

"Cross my heart."

"I met him when I was out for a ride, oh it must have been months ago now. He literally fell on top of me. Not my envisioned first meeting but now I can't imagine the scene any other way. There's just something about the way he carries himself. So sure, so intent on doing what he wants and fighting for it. But there's something soft beneath that rough façade, I've seen it. He makes me feel safe. He's also made me feel angry and frustrated and just so … alive. He's beautiful, and I don't just mean physically. I love him."

"I'm glad for you Morgana, really. Your secret is safe with me."


"We haven't seen you in weeks, where have you been?"

"Afraid these tavern trips are being cut down, my friend. It's a travesty that I won't see your lovely face quite as frequently."

"Who's making ya do it, I'll see to it they let you free," the man said with a laugh.

"No need, no need. Entirely my choice."

"Come to think of it, you look a bit more tidy than the last time. Who's the lady?"

"What? Lady? No. No no no."

"Come off it now, you look downright respectable. C'mon. Just between us, I swear not to ruin your reputation."

Gwaine looked around, wondering if he could really trust him. If he didn't name Morgana, what could the harm be?

"Let's just say I've found someone I love. She's got a strong head and a soft heart. Not afraid to tell me off when I deserve it either. I've been livid because of her, I've been worried to the point of exhaustion, and I've been happier than I ever thought possible. I love her. And it doesn't hurt that the woman is painstakingly gorgeous."

"I never took you for the sappy type."

"Neither did I."