Morgana was thinking about trying to find a way into Camelot, but the druids were everywhere. She had tried to think who to turn to for help, but it seemed as if all of whom she had tried to contact had disappeared. Now she found herself alone in the rain, walking back to the miserable hovel which she now called home.
Home.
The word echoed in her mind. Camelot was her home. Camelot would be her home. Camelot and the throne would be ... She came to a halt. Perhaps her tired mind was playing tricks on her.
"Hey, I think I'm lost. Do you think you could help me? "
"Merlin?" Morgana asked.
The man's eyes brightened. "Oh, you know me!"
"Yes."
What a hell was going on? Morgana's mind screamed. She looked Merlin, who offered his hand so that she could help him up. Hesitantly, Morgana took his hand, and she couldn't let it go.
So warm.
They stared each other.
A flash of lightning woke them both from their stupor.
"We need to get to shelter," Merlin said.
Morgana could only nod. She helped the man to his feet.
"My knee," Merlin grimaced.
"Lean on me." Morgana moved closer and Merlin put his arm over her shoulders.
Warm. So warm. Morgana didn't remembered when she had last felt so warm.
They were slipping along the narrow path and the rain whirled on the backs of their necks. Morgana was trying not to think about what she was doing. Merlin, Emrys, her enemies. She should have killed the man immediately. Killed without thinking, without any hesitation. But she still remembered her dream; she still felt his touch. And now, she was so warm. He was so warm. So she helped Merlin. They didn't speak, Morgana wasn't even sure whether she had a voice.
They finally reached the hut and went in. Morgana helped Merlin to sit.
"I should know your name," Merlin whispered.
"You know it, I don't have to say it," Morgana answered.
"But I don't remember."
"Maybe it's better that way. Take of those clothes. You're wet and I have to check your knee."
Morgana turned to make the fire and to boil water, then she hurried to change her own clothes. She put on a simple tunic. After a while she found a shirt another towel for Merlin.
"Here, take these." Morgana blushed when she saw Merlin half naked. She kneeled and examined his swollen knee.
"It's not bad. After a night rest you'll be alright."
"Good to hear that." Merlin smiled and Morgana rose quikly.
"I'll make something to eat."
The whole time Morgana could feel Merlin's eyes on her. It was akward, but also comforting.
They ate in silence.
"Thank you. For everything," Merlin said when he had finished. Morgana nodded.
"Maybe you should go lie down."
"There is only on bed. I can't take-"
"Don't worry about it. I have some blankets so I can sleep near the fireplace."
Again Morgana helped Merlin to rise and walk over the bed.
"Please, speak with me," Merlin asked when he was laying on the bed.
Morgana hesitated but sit edge of the bed.
Merlin's fingers found hers. They wrapped together.
Morgana held her breath. She couldn't say anything.
"Morgana…"
With terror Morgana turned to meet Merlin's gaze.
"Your name is Morgana."
"Yes." Morgana swallowed.
"Beautiful name." Merlin's other hand reached for her. She felt his hand on her neck, her ear, her hair.
Morgana leaned over him.
"Please, hold me Merlin."
And Merlin held her. He closed his arms around her and kissed her.
And Morgana kissed back.
And they weren't alone that night.
#
Morgana looked at the sleeping man under her. She touched his pale cheek, studied the scars all over his body. Gods there were a lot of them. The biggest one was over his heart. She touched each scar lightly.
She noticed a ring on his right hand and its family seal.
The Raven.
Morgana sighed.
Merlin wasn't anything what she had imagined. He was so much more. She could feel his magic, how it flowed everywhere.
So pure.
So warm.
So powerful.
But not for her.
Merlin was her enemy, and they both knew it.
She kissed him, tasted his lips one more time. One last time.
"Good bye," she whispered.