I've been feeling drowsy lately – new medication...but it's been slowing me down, and in the meantime I've been having a 'supernatural marathon'. Now I'm obsessed, that is worrying because I move from fandom to fandom, and normally my muse goes with me, and right now – my muse is telling me to write supernatural fanfiction. –And I'm like no, not again, I will not abandon another story.
This was a fun chapter to write...
Merlin felt funny all day, in the irritable sense. He discovered a storm cloud brewing over his head and he hoped to the goddess it wasn't caused through him. He had just collected herbs for Gaius when the rain came, he just stood in it for a lengthy amount of time while everyone else rushed to get their washing in. It was cold, like him...he didn't like it, like a lot of things lately. When he finally trudged back towards the castle, he was soaked and his hair lay flat and lifeless on his head and it made his ears more prominent. He spied Sir Leon marching towards him, and he momentary stalled in apprehension on what news was about to be delivered.
"Good afternoon Merlin."
"Is it?" Stopping to browse at the pouring rain.
"Well I suppose not weather wise, you feeling alright?" Merlin hoped there was a point to being delayed from his duties, he half heartedly nodded. "Good, we were hoping you would be available for tonight, since we were interrupted last night...how was Morgana, good?"
Merlin looked up defensively. "What's that supposed to mean?
Leon shifted closer and lowered his voice, and he half expected to hear a load of filth uttered into his ear. "She was quite distressed last night, I could tell, a woman like her wouldn't usually behave like that if nothing was wrong, you were a good man to take her home-"
"You are implying I took her to her own home and then did nothing aren't you?" Trying to avoid sounding harsh. "I escorted her home, nothing more...I swear!"
Leon raised his hand. "Alright Merlin, I was implying just that, she needs a man in her life to look out for her."
"She has Arthur..."
"Of course, but when he's busy running the kingdom, she'll need company."
"Gwen?"
"Believe it or not, ladies can have male friends, without them being -" Leon cleared his throat suggestively. "Concubines."
Merlin rubbed the water out of his eyes. "Yeah, let's hope so." He was fairly surprised the gallant Leon hadn't been at hand to tackle Morgana's little problem, in more ways than one, but it was himself; why was it him?...Why did it always have to be him? Well unfortunately Morgana would have to deal with the issue on her own, or at least wait till the season is over. He needed more research. Leon's tentative gaze lingered on him. "So is it the tavern again tonight?"
"Erm...no, we're thinking of sending you to Anchorit, then we're going for a swim." Merlin expected what followed this announcement was a rough clap on the back, he wasn't disappointed, Merlin jerked forward as a knight's display of affection was bestowed upon him. When he was left alone in the rain, he rolled the word 'Anchorit' on his tongue, he didn't know if it were a place or a person, but all he knew he wasn't looking forward to it.
"Diegol cnytte, gewitte me yst, aliese hine, to Camelot he cymb." The elder began to Scry with her mobile fount while the two witchlings watched rapt. The liquid swirled in the basin a variety of different colours before stilling and incandescently displaying Morgana talking nervously to a boy surrounded by books. The women cocked their heads in unison with intrigue.
The boy smiled and Yseult suddenly cooed. "So charming, though his ears are very developed...still- Very charming."
The older sister nodded, stroking the basin. "He is very agreeable, but are you sure this is the man, he's right next to her, and yet he does nothing." She looked up to her Elder for answers, she was still looking at the projection, silently contemplating.
"This boy, I've seen him somewhere before."
"O? Pray tell."
Elaine shook her head slowly still in thought. "I'm not sure, it's like he's from a dream...or a lost painting, his face is burned into my memory and yet, I can't place any significance to it." They went extremely hush, gazing longingly at the two figures shimmering in the water. "I can see they are fond of each other... that is a start."
The ripples of water suddenly grew still, the candle light that illuminated the cave flickered, when the witches looked up to investigate they noticed a shadow looming over the entrance. Elaine then smiled.
"Morgause, what brings you to our humble dwelling?"
"I am one of the sisterhood am I not?...We share the same values." She quirked her eyebrow at the elder, and she simply smiled.
"But of course, but I thought you would be spending this season in the company of Cenred, did he not answer the call...what else could have brought you back?"
Morgause circled their little huddle like a predator, and Yseult shifted closer to Cammie for comfort. She looked down at the basin before them, the water surface rippled and delivered an image of a boy mucking out stables, she stared at with rapt interest. "I see you have also sensed my sister's anguish." The girl's followed her gaze as she caressed the surface. "A stubborn little sorcerer."
Morgause relinquished to their disbelief and her lip curled as the queries began.
"What, him?" Cammie said in a pitched tone.
"You must be mistaken, what gives you the idea he has magic?"The youngest asked politely as possible. Morgause hadn't failed to notice Elaine had kept quiet in probing thought.
"I was informed by a very reliable source." She caught Elaine's eye. "Mordred."
The atmosphere in the room went abruptly warm and awkward. "My Mordred?" The elder asked earnestly. "Erm...how is he?"
"Fine, just fine." The blonde witch replied coolly. "He also informed me that the recently arrived 'Merlin' had helped him escape from Camelot, and the boy was in fact the prophesized; Emrys." Morgause countered their reaction, seeing their faces rich with awe, apart from one.
"No, that's horse crap, this boy can't be Emrys, look- he's a servant, and in Camelot of all places." Cammie was on the verge of yelling, until Elaine clipped her ear.
"If my son Mordred claims he is Emrys, then he is...Emrys." Morgause stared proudly at the elder's rational way of thinking. "But what this means is Morgana has been calling on a Warlock, that can't be allowed can it? It's a rarity and for a good reason...I don't know how these things work but, it could be dangerous, a level 5 magical creature and level 4 can't go hand in hand without some consequences, it's like inbreeding." She finally said distastefully.
"Inbreeding?..Is that the way you put it, warlocks and witches are different, it's more like cross breeding than-" Morgause was cut off by a disturbed witchling.
"Morgause...Elaine, we are not animals, you also speaking of pregnancy as breeding?...Also as if it is inevitable, which it isn't. Though I agree with Elaine - can we allow this union to continue?"
"Yes!" Morgause and Yseult said in unison, both were surprised by one another and seemed to mirror a smirk off each other.
Cammie looked at Elaine for conformation, and she simply nodded. "Well at least he isn't a magic hater, perhaps good can come from this, that's if he sees it through."
Cammie looked appalled, she screwed her face up. "No, I can't believe I'm hearing this. Emrys and Morgana?..If I'd have known sorcerers were allowed to take part, I would have had my share." Yseult rubbed the girl's back.
"Cammie dearest, you are a level 1...it would not do you any good, anyway you have always called non magic folk."
Morgause seemingly had ignored the little outburst and was swishing the water with the tips of her fingers, while Elaine stood by obediently. "One thing has been bothering me Morgause, why has nothing happened? Why has he not answered the call, surely him being on her doorstep was an advantage."
The image in the water flickered to Morgana reading a book, followed by Merlin being fondled by a maid. "As I said at the beginning of this conversation, I felt my sister's anguish, and the boy was being stubborn, he seems to be neglecting his duties, he is powerful I grant you that, but I found out a couple of days ago his magic seems to be denying him of everything he needs to complete the task."
Yseult mouthed the word 'task?' to her sister confoundedly.
Elaine marvelled at the boy who was picking herbs in the forest. "He can do that? He is deliberately blocking the signal or refraining from consummation, willingly...what kind of man is he?"
Morgause's frowned nearly dominated her face but her mouth twitched at the corners as if seconds away from grinning. "A tricky one, I even tried to compensate with some kind of spell induced hormone, it wouldn't work...then I tried pheromones. But even that seems to have been in vain." The water displayed Merlin applying salve to his face and neck. "Though it was a little strong I have to admit, everyone could detect it, I thought at least everyone one would get a sample of him before eventually Morgana would get to him." Yseult and Cammie didn't appear pleased with all the supernatural meddling.
Elaine shook her head dejectedly. "It seems you have got very involved with Morgana's affairs, your concern warms my heart, but that's understandable, she is your sister."
Morgause watched Merlin run into Morgana on a darkened street, she chortled. "Oh, it's not just that, it is a bad omen if a witch doesn't complete her first fertility rite." She sighed heavily.
Yseult had overheard this and gave them a severe look. "I knew it, we're doomed."
"I had wished Morgana would conceive, oh what a baby it would it would be."
"But Morgause, you didn't think Morgana would conceive on her first, did you?" Cammie had finally stepped towards the basin, watching the liquid swirl to show them an image of interest to them. "It never works like that, normally the first time is just about being with someone, the call of nature...and not trying to hurt them." She added bitterly.
Morgana seemed to be arguing with Merlin, it ended abruptly when Morgana slapped Merlin harshly across the face, then Cammie laughed but froze when Merlin brandished a stick and began slapping Morgana's skirt with it and chasing her about the room. "I'm going to hurt him!"
Morgause and Elaine jumped at this outburst. "No you won't, anyway I like a man with a bit of dominance, and hard skin, it is surprising coming from him...he is a meek looking thing isn't he?" Yseult dipped her head, and returned to frowning at the boy's large ears.
"But he struck a lady, that's punishable by death." Cammie exclaimed.
"Calm down dear, he wasn't trying to kill her."
Cammie shook her head. "Don't matter...why should we be rewarded hostility when we offer nothing but pleasure, what has happened this time of year?"
Yseult turned on her sister. "I could ask you the same thing?" Before anyone could jump in with a response she continued. "I want this to be a blessing, I want people to join together as one in a moment of passion, no questions asked, give their bodies to nature, I want people to come together because they want to, like me and –"
"-There's no time for sentimentality." Morgause stepped in. "No sister of mine is going to miss this, why would anyone pass up a chance to entwine themselves with the one and only Emrys." Elaine nodded then gave her youngest a severe look.
Cammie shifted in front of her sister to shield her from the disapproving glares. "It is an honour, but a dangerous one, if it's meant to be...it'll happen on its own accord." She met Morgause's eyes with apprehension, expecting to be smited at any moment. "-With no intervention, if we force such a union with someone rejecting the call... it will only end badly." The younger witchling looked proud of her Cammie, it was the truth and a very sensible thing to say.
Elaine and Morgause appeared displeased, with one wave of the hand -the basin disappeared leaving no barrier between the witches. Yseult swallowed as Morgause leered. "It seems we're at odds. This season is for women."
"-And for men, what...did you not notice? What happened to equality?" Yseult asked imploringly.
Morgause breathed with a sneer. "The men give us no such thing, they take...they plunder, it's time to take it back."
Cammie and Yseult shook their heads in unison, they firmly grasped each other's hands. Cammie the stronger of the two looked more defiant. "Despite my bitterness towards strong men; A sorcerer is one of us, and they still make right or wrong choices like women...if he chooses to listen to the call, naturally, so be it, I just hope Morgana is safe. If anything happens which could lead to any harm coming to Morgana-"
"-Or Merlin." Yseult interrupted.
Cammie bristled before reluctantly nodding. "Then you are to blame." She tugged on her companions arm to lead her out of the cave.
Merlin and Arthur had their backs to the door. The great hall was ringing with a deafening silence which had them wonder if a meeting had been arranged at all, or the whole of Camelot had been abandoned. Merlin toyed with his hands while waiting, his mouth had gone unbelievably dry very quickly and he couldn't shake off the unease. Very understandable – his friend next to him was aware of sorcery being at play and had not yet informed the king, God knows why? The incident at the tavern though public, hadn't yet reached the walls of the castle, let's hope it stays that way, and there was still more to go of the initiation. And he was just standing there fidgeting like everything was fine as daisies, when it was far from it...on a happier note; there was no threat on Camelot.
"You're tense." Arthur said knowingly next to him, breaking the awkward silence that they had succumbed to since they had rejoined at the hip, to attend the meeting. "It's making me anxious."
His breath caught in his throat as he tried to smile courteously. "I'm sorry sire."
"Are you?" Arthur delivered blatantly. "Just relax why don't you...you're not in any trouble." This further more heightened his unease; he should be in trouble, damn secrets.
In a matter of moments the king burst into the hall followed by his entourage, the cold air wafting from their billowing capes reaching the prince and the servant before either had a chance to turn around and acknowledge it, by then the king had reached his seat and was looking at everyone formally. Merlin against his will swallowed sharply as the king's eyes fleetingly passed by him.
"Word has reached me that Cenred's men are joining forces with King Offa, or have been misinformed?" Merlin puffed out a sigh of relief, as did a couple of nearby knights.
Arthur took centre court. "There have been rumours, King Offa would benefit from Cenred's men greatly, for he has no men, we could hardly call it a dooming army, just a couple of hundred men at least."
"King Offa is a fool, he's willing to sign a treaty with any or everybody whether or not they can be trusted."
The meetings, the highlight of a servant's day apart from sleeping, because it required doing nothing but listening without being accused of eavesdropping. Frankly nowadays they seemed to a déjàvu , the same concerns over and over again, the King would voice his prejudice, then a matter voiced by a member of the lower towns would be dismissed. Dull. Boring. The King needed to get out more was his conclusion.
The King settled into his routine conversation."How goes the training?" There was a sudden pause, as everyone simultaneously brought their attention to the entrance, for Merlin there was a slight delay, he hadn't detected the change in the air until he saw everyone's gaze turned fondly at a woman who he hadn't heard come in. His silent phantom act came to an abrupt end as he unclasped his hands from behind him and mumbled under his breath. "Shit."
Morgana walked forward calmly towards the front, her eyes fluttered, enjoying the sensation of her audience looking at her heatedly, but one thing in particular caught her attention, Merlin looked strangely suspicious – why would that be...why would that beautiful vision in strappy boots be adorning her with such an expression? That dark look on his face suited him, she wanted to shove it into her bosom until it whimpered.
Merlin swept over her appearance; she looked tired, and that was basically it. She had dark circles that looked so severe they looked as if they had been applied with makeup. Her hair was simply tied back but unmanaged which gave the impression she had been caught in a gale force wind. But dare he say, her unkempt appearance had a sort of dark mysterious allure, and everyone else hadn't failed to notice this. Surely the looks she was getting were the average look of admiration not pheromone induced lust.
"Good Afternoon my lords, my ladies...my King." She cast her eyes toward him on the latter and an unavoidable shudder raked over him. Hopefully such a noticeable display would be discarded as an innocent greeting...she wasn't actually referring to Merlin as King, was she?
Thankfully everyone was too wrapped up in the charisma of it all and sighed as she went to the front, Uther placed an arm around her and chaperoned her to her seat. Merlin frowned at such informal contact in front of an audience. "My Lady so charming you look today." The hand on her cheek was an unwelcoming sight...in Merlin's opinion. "I have missed your presence, it seems like weeks since I last seen you-"
"I concur." Merlin raised his brow at his master who had adopted a very sappy look. "I've had a longing to see you, I never thought about what I would be missing." He uttered in a shaky breath, the room appeared to be sharing the same opinion and beamed euphorically. Merlin was too concerned to roll his eyes at the flattery, he sucked in his cheeks and tried to remain calm. Okay, they're just happy to see Morgana...nothing magical going on here.
Morgana had began to fan herself in a suggestive manner. "I grow warm...if only ladies didn't have to wear such confining frocks..."
Uther returned a dark look. "Would you like some assistance?" Before Morgana had time to reply a couple of dozen men and women surged forward.
It was horrendous, Merlin for a moment thought he was in a very quirky dream, and after doing a pinch test; he took a step forward preparing to perform a huge bout of heroism, he sensed an unearthly warmth in the room. Merlin roved his eyes to Morgana who was staring at him, almost daring him to move closer, and hoping he would move faster than all the others.
The warlock flicked his gaze to Uther, who was usually straight faced, but his severe eyes held a heated request for his ward, he gripped her hand forcefully and brought it to his lips. Merlin was sure he could hear the hall telepathically uttering filth, bile pushed his way up his throat when he spotted Arthur advancing on his foster sister. Yikes...this is magic...definitely magic.
The meeting was most certainly adjourned. All proper conduct had been abandoned, as everyone in the room crowded the 'princess'. Oh bugger. Gaius was no longer at his side, where had the old man got to? By now Morgana was out of sight, panic filled – he began to tackle the lust filled individuals at the back of Morgana's fan club. Euphoric sighs and groans of frustration rung in his ears that would stick with him for a life time.
He clambered through stacks of limbs, trying to be as kind as possible. He scanned the hordes in search of a pair of green eyes, or fabric. He suddenly spotted an overturned throne, Morgana was lying back on it, her arms up caressing the rugged faces. Fearing for her honour he made a move for the back, he saw a window of opportunity when her arms flailed back for him, his fingers encased her hands and he yanked her through a gap in the crowd- No, orgy. He was rather rough trying to stand her up, the knights were advancing and the maiden couldn't have looked less than bothered as she swooned into him. He grumbled and fled with her through an archway exit.
His speed and agility up such steep stairs were useless when dragging the bedazzled maiden. He was basically manhandling her up each step, like the night before , her limbs were dragging and bumping harshly on the flagstone – that would surely leave her black and blue by the end of the ordeal.
"I knew you would come." Morgana half panted as she allowed the manservant to drag her around a corner and up her stairwell to her chambers. "My Champion." She added feverishly . Merlin hesitated at such a direct address.
"Milady, err...I'm not your champion, I'm merely a servant preserving your honour...again."
He unceremoniously fumbled her into her chambers, unfortunately retreating wasn't an option, for she had a killer grip on his jacket and she had literally snared him in her layer of iniquity. He barely had time to register her intentions as she rammed her door shut with his body and forced her eager mouth against his yielding lips. His head thumped harshly on the wood as she drew in his raspy breath. The kafuffle continued for a few seconds more, in between murmurs of satisfaction and whimpers of angst, Merlin's hands raked the door he was pinned to, unsure if he would make things worse if he touched her. It was when Morgana's hands began to needily palm his breeches he knew he had to gain control of the situation. He prized her off him by her sleeves and there was a terrific pop as their moist lips separated.
They stood back to marvel each other in all their swollen lipped glory. Morgana noted she needed to touch his hair; it was still a virgin to her hands.
"Milday, this is not the way to go about things!" He supplied, he raised a hand when it appeared she had been spurned on to precipitate another round. "Morgana." He warned, gracing her with a sharp look he normally saved for the dragon, it momentarily stalled her.
It was so hard to concentrate with this strange, consummate energy burning inside her, spurring her to actions she did not entirely understand. "It's not magic...I haven't done anything wrong. I just feel all… excited."
Merlin pushed off from the door. "Exhilaration is what this magic does...have you considered that? Do you recall what just happened downstairs, did that seem normal to you?" Scare Tac-Tics, that's the way to go.
Morgana tried to think of something to say, but nothing was coming to mind. Merlin could see the clockwork clicking in her brain, he slyly moved towards the door. So Morgana decided to try again. After all, actions speak louder than words, don't they? She laid her hand gently on his face, and was about to pull him in for another kiss, but Merlin stepped back once more. Her face became unreadable, trying to identify whether this was rejection or shyness.
"You must have a desire." Morgana purred, "For me." She dragged a finger down her neck as if pointing until her finger finally halted at her cleavage, Merlin looked away, feeling flustered under the scrutiny, and from embarrassment...on her part.
Before thinking. "No...never."
"Why?" Morgana hadn't meant to say it; it had just come out before she could stop it, like verbal diarrhoea. Her voice broke slightly on the word, and even she knew it sounded feeble.
"Well, I don't know, I mean..."He stammered. Oh my Goddess, I have never felt this awkward in my entire life."You, you're, you know...very attractive, and you are just brilliant. But I must decline from all forms of intimacy...with you, because it wouldn't be a very good idea." Merlin let out a nervous bark of laughter, he saw the hurt forming in Morgana's expression and sobered immediately. He cleared his throat awkwardly. "It wouldn't be right. I'm sorry."
Morgana shook her head mortified. "No you're not..." She couldn't steer herself away from his steely expression. "This isn't happening, this isn't supposed to be like this..." She dried up, trying to think, her lids fluttered close to contain threatening tears. "Something's not right, I feel lost, I just want..." Merlin swallowed, he knew what she was thinking but not what she was feeling; sure he was lost because he was lacking the right emotions, but she was lost because she had heightened emotions and they were not being gauged?
"I am really sorry." It came out softer this time. "You're going through a faze, it'll pass."
"What happens if I don't want it to simply pass?" She replied dejectedly.
He hadn't thought of this, he thought her fear of magic and not being in control would drive her away, would knock her into reality. But not being in the right state of mind renders this plan. "Erm...all fazes pass, I mean it can't stay in one part of the year forever, right?"
She smiled affectionately at him. Of all boys she could crave, she picks one of her dear friends, and they were in conference with her foster brother and her dear maidservant. But, for all their closeness, Merlin had remained annoyingly aloof – well busy, and very sensible.
"Why do you have to be so damn chivalrous?" She jeered, reaching out to playfully tug at his neckerchief, he jarred slightly in reflex and finally settled on letting her wistfully touch him.
They were friends, no doubt about that. Close friends, and they had shared many things Morgana would not dream of sharing with others. But there was that one barrier which had yet to be crossed, and somehow, it made the servant all the more irresistible in her eyes. She was mildly surprised why he hadn't been snapped up sooner.
"Why did you have to choose me?" He retorted, a little less gentle than it should have been. It was a witch's time of year, well women...and they make the choices, and he should be flattered. Maybe one day I will – be flattered that is. But he couldn't go through with it, his anatomy would let him down – It didn't seem to be aware a very attractive woman had kissed and fondled him...so?- The other thing seemed out of reach.
"Fortunately, I'm not going to be nice." This dragged Merlin out of thought and he realised she was closer to him again, and was bolting the door behind his back. "We'll try again."
"What?-No." His hands were up fighting her off, the door rattled behind him as he squirmed, he strained his neck to avoid an assault of her mouth, but it only exposed his neck even more -more flesh for Morgana to tease furiously, she went at it with lips, teeth and tongue, and he gasped in surprise at it all. "Morgana...No."
She hummed against him, while dragging her fingers over his tunic, any ordinary man would have gone crazy at this point – or gone to jelly, but Merlin stood there like a tree; cold and still- apart from an occasional hand batting away overzealous hands from his flaccid manhood. Getting angrier and angrier by the second.