Chapter 11, everyone, updated with chapter 10, just as I had said. I am really sorry for the long update, I honestly am busy with exam preparations. I hope the story isn't disappointing. ANywho, on with the story.

Enjoy!

Somewhere in the thick deep forest, Merlin had found a pink and purple wild rose which he had crushed and filtered to obtain its oil. The small vial of oil would be enough to produce a sweet aroma when put over a burning slow fire. As he walks around the market place, the bustling environment was one that he was used to and all he usually did was look straight or on occasions, down. Today made no difference but just as he passed a flower stall, his strides came to halt. Slowly, he turned to the small stall, flowers framing it. Bright and fragrant, every single one of the flowers was beautiful and radiant under the bright sunlight and would make a perfect gift for a woman but his eyes were set on a bowl on the counter.

Sleek, brown and shiny, in the bowl were hazels. The nuts were still in its perfect shell, untouched since it's plucking from the tree. He never knew how rare or common it was to Camelot but the fact did not matter at the moment. It was the meaning it held that hit him. Reconciliation. The old woman behind the counter looked up at him and smiled. Her shaky hands grabbed one of the smooth shells and held it out to him, the hazel sat on her palm.

"You seem to need this, young man," her smile was sincere and it seemed, in her eyes, as if she knew the feelings Merlin felt.

And in days, Merlin cracked a smile, a non-forceful smile, "Yes, thank you," he took the hazel and left the woman a gold coin which he knew was more than what the hazel actually cost.

Merlin had told Gwen earlier that morning of his plan. To say she was delighted would be an understatement. She seemed ecstatic that he was returning back to himself. Honestly, Merlin missed his old self too. Days of being so different from how he usually is made him realize how stressful it was to push away the people who were practically your pillars of living. Gwen had lent her home, Merlin would cook dinner there and she would sneak Morgana out. This would be the first time Morgana would be out of the palace and she would be suspicious but Gwen knew she would do anything to fix the tense situation between her two friends.

The place was ready. Merlin had cooked chicken, the best meal he could think of. It was the meal his mother had taught him when he was back at the village. She taught him many things but this was his favourite and he knew Morgana would have liked it too. He had created a small bouquet of small white and purple flowers he had found outside. They were small but he hoped it was enough to please her. He could see Gwen and Morgana walking towards the house. The sun was halfway below the horizon, throwing its last rays for the day casting an orange shade to the darkening blue sky.

Gwen had knocked on the door before opening it, beckoning Morgana to enter first. When she did, Gwen closed the door behind her to leave for the palace. She would have Merlin's bed tonight, the two needed to clear things up. Morgana was surprised when the door closed but her surprise subsided at the sight of Merlin. Her jaw clenched for a moment but she loosened it in favour of proper talk instead of accusations. He had gone to her to take off her cloak, which she allowed. The air smelled of roses and food.

"I cooked us dinner," he had told her quietly.

He placed his hands on her shoulders then looked at her (or her profile), "Is that okay?" he asked, still in the same quiet tone.

She turned to him, a small curve on her lips as she nodded silently. Both of the, sat across each other at the table and began to silently enjoy the meal Merlin had prepared. It was warm. No conversation was exchanged but there were smiles and compliments from Morgana. When the plates were cleared and the table cleaned, they still sat across each other, this time awkwardly. Awkward for Morgana anyway. Until, Merlin slipped the hazel across to table and placed it right in front on Morgana, a string skilfully tied to it with a small piece of paper that one wrote one thing.

Reconciliation.

Morgana took it and stared at it for a moment. Many things ran into her mind lately but especially the thoughts of Merlin's feeling were thought about most. She was beginning to believe he was changing, she knew it was irrational to think so but the possibilities were there. Without her notice or permission, a tear fell from her eyes, streaming down her cheeks and dripping from her chin. Not a second later Merlin was beside her, holding her so impossibly close.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he kept repeating to her, not knowing whether she would forgive him or not. It didn't matter, she had to, and he would go to the end of the earth to obtain her forgiveness.

"Why?" was all she asked.

"I… I realized something, I felt as if our child wouldn't be able to live freely, not as free as how I imagined my child living, he or she wouldn't be able to use magic openly without the punishment of being executed, I heard our baby, Morgana, he or she had said they loved me, tell me how to accept the love that I clearly don't deserve? I was supposed to bring back magic to this land but every single day it just gets harder and harder, please, Morgana, forgive me,"

"You do deserve our child's love, you're his or her father, he or she knows that you are trying to do everything that is in your strength and knowledge to fulfil your destiny, you can't discriminate yourself that way,"

"What if I can't fulfil my destiny? What if I can't protect you and our child and all three of us end up in danger? I just…"

"No, you will fulfil your destiny, I can take good care of myself, and nothing will harm any of us; And I will always be here, right beside you, so don't you dare push me away again because I will always, always be here for you," her words were strong and so was her tone. This was not a simple heart-warming speech; this was a silent promise, and maybe a threat. Merlin looked at her, glassy eyes and all.

"You always had been the one to keep me grounded,"

"And I will always be your support, just remember that," her tone softened once more. She leaned in to hug him but only to be greeted by a kiss. It was gentle, soft, a wordless thank you and a show of appreciation. Merlin had always been good in that.

Morgana knew in her heart that she was not saying words just because it eased her lover's mind but it was truth, an undeniable one at that. His destiny was to bring back magic and make sure Arthur was king but her destiny, she believed, was to stay by his side and be the pillar he needs during the most frustrating moments.

Hope that was okay. I've got a question, should be baby be a boy or a girl? Just asking for opinions, I'm cool with either one. Hopefully, I can get chapter 12 up soon.