Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own the show Merlin, the BBC does.
Dangerous Love
Chapter 21
Morgana couldn't help it. The few hours of being in Ireland were enough to make her completely overwhelmed. The fear that she felt initially about the people's reception to her were unfounded. Outwardly at least, the people seemed to embrace her as their new queen. As they arrived at the castle, it was nothing short of amazing to see the citizens lined up on either side of the road ready to greet them, and to get a glimpse of Merlin and Morgana.
Ealdor Castle looked majestic and beautiful on the outside, and the interior was not a disappointment. The décor inside was every bit as grand as Camelot castle, and Morgana knew that this was a place she could grow to love. The staff was ready to meet them as they entered the castle, and Merlin quickly introduced the staff though Morgana knew she would have a tough time keeping everyone straight.
Fortunately soon after that Merlin escorted Morgana to a pleasant parlor where they shared a solitary tea. It seemed that her new husband was having a hard time keeping in his enthusiasm at being home, because he hadn't stopped grinning like an idiot every since they arrived in Ireland.
"What do you think?" Merlin asked.
"It is lovely," Morgana replied honestly. "Though I know that I'm going to get lost in this place for sure."
Merlin chuckled, "I still get lost on occasion."
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Morgana joked.
"Well I must seek to remedy that," Merlin said. "Would you like a tour first or a dragon ride?"
"Dragon ride?" Morgana gasped. "Like on an actual dragon?"
"That is the general idea, yes," Merlin answered.
"Isn't that," Morgana paused, thinking of the right word. "Dangerous?"
"You're not scared, are you?" Merlin asked.
"Of course not," Morgana countered. "I've just never flown without a plane."
"Then this should be quite the experience for you," Merlin said, grinning.
"Do you ride this dragon often?" Morgana asked, quizzically.
"On occasion," Merlin said.
"And this dragon hasn't ever dropped you?" Morgana asked.
"Of course not," Merlin replied honestly. "If you don't want to do it, I will understand."
"No, I'll do it," Morgana replied, smiling grimly. "What's the worst that can happen?"
"Kilgharrah," Merlin said as he approached the golden dragon without any sign of fear. "I would like you to meet my new wife Morgana."
If seeing her new husband talk to her was weird, it was even stranger to hear the giant lizard actually reply.
"It truly is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Queen Morgana," The dragon said kindly.
"It TALKS!" Morgana gasped in utter shock.
"And why shouldn't I?" Kilgharrah grumbled.
"Of course he does, Morgana," Merlin said to her, before turning to look at the dragon again. "In England they think dragons are wild beasts, so it is a bit of a shock for her."
"I'll say," Morgana muttered. "I'm sorry, Kilgharrah was it?"
"It is quite alright your highness," the dragon answered. "I've long waited to meet you young seer. You have a great destiny ahead of you, but first you will face many challenges."
Morgana knew she was a seer so that didn't surprise her, but the rest of it confused her. "What are you talking about?"
"I don't know what you mean," Kilgharrah replied.
"Don't mind him," Merlin replied rolling his eyes. "He has a tendency to talk in riddles and never ever explains them, so don't bother asking."
"How does he know about my—magic?" Morgana asked.
"Dragons are ancient magical beings with knowledge of things past and present, I'm a dragonlord and I don't even understand everything he says," Merlin replied before turning back to look at Kilgharrah. "Can we get a ride?"
Kilgharrah gave Merlin a self suffering look. "I'm not a car, Merlin."
"I want to show her Ireland from the sky," Merlin replied with a pleading tone in his voice.
"Very well," the dragon said and lowered his massive body for them to climb aboard.
Morgana was very thankful that she was wearing slacks because climbing aboard a dragon in a dress would've been very undignified. Merlin helped to boost her aboard the dragon's back, and he clambered up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and Morgana couldn't help the flutter she felt in her chest at feeling his strong arms around her.
Kilgharrah spread his wings and in two strong strokes, the dragon was airborne, each flap of his wings drawing them higher in the air. Morgana was scared at first to see how high they were from the ground, but she soon relaxed as she became drawn by the amazing view. The landscape was spread out before her like a lush green velvet blanket with the landscape dotted with houses and farms. The roads stretched out in all directions with cars moving like little toys.
Despite the spectacular view, Morgana couldn't help but focus on Merlin. She felt his breath on her neck which made her shiver, and he spoke in her ear softly, pointing out the various locales of his realm. Morgana still didn't know how Merlin could make her feel like a teenager with her first crush, but there had always been something very special about the young Irish man that made her feel like a candle that was melting. Never could she remember one of her boyfriends in the past making her feel exactly the way that she was feeling about Merlin.
A word sprang to Morgana's mind, but she immediately dismissed it. This was the man that she had been forced to marry against her will. He was handsome and kind, but he was still a stranger to her in many ways. There was no way that she could be falling in love with him, it was impossibly. Yet she couldn't completely stop herself from wondering if she truly was falling in love with Merlin.
AN: I know that it has been FOREVER since I updated this story, but life has been super crazy this past month. I've been sick, going to college full time and have a full time job, so the opportunities have been pretty slim for writing. I do love writing this story and I have big plans for it, so more will be coming soon I hope. Thanks to all you awesome readers for keeping me encouraged, and I'm always grateful for any feedback!