The doorbell rang, and Gwen glanced up, her cheeks aching from laughter, still somewhat dazzled by Merlin's magic. "Oh, that'll be Arthur and Morgana. Do they-?" She paused, raising her eyebrows when she noticed Merlin magically floating their empty cups in the air. "About that?"

The cups fell to the table, and Merlin only just 'caught' them with a flash of golden eyes. He pursed his lips and shook his head. "Not yet." Gwaine seemed surprised; it hadn't taken long for Gwen to realize that he was nearly as new to this as she was.

Lancelot, realizing no one else was going to, got up to go and get the door and let in the Pendragon twins. Merlin watched him go before saying, quietly. "Look, I need to tell them individually, on their own terms. They can't know that you lot found out first. And…there's…other stuff Gwen, that I haven't even talked to you about yet. Just, give me time, ok? I promise I'm going to."

For a moment Gwen paused, solemnly looking at Merlin with her gentle brown eyes, and then she nodded. The sound of Arthur, Morgana and Lancelot grew louder as they reached the end of the hall. Gwen nodded, once, looking solemn, and then Arthur came into the room and she ran to him, throwing her arms around him, tears welling up in her eyes.

Bewildered, Merlin glanced at his best friend, anxiously meeting Arthur's blue, serious gaze. "That wasn't…me…was it?"

Arthur shook his head, though he looked a little sick. "Nah. Um, I think we'll just go into the lounge, if you guys don't mind."

Bewildered and worried, Gwaine and Merlin nodded. Morgana slipped onto the bench next to Merlin, leaning against him with a sigh. Hardly aware he was doing it, Merlin slipped his arm around her waist, kissing her silky black hair. "What was that about babe?"

She heaved a sigh, turning her head and pressing a kiss to Merlin's jawline. "Before we go into the serious stuff; can I have a moment to just be your girlfriend? I've got a surprise for you."

Gwaine laughed, wiggling his eyebrows and Morgana cuffed him lightly round the head before getting up and tugging Merlin down the hall, digging around for something in her pocket.

"Feel like telling me why we have to go outside?" Merlin asked, amusement tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Morgana giggled, a sound Merlin knew at heart that he'd never tire of, and turned to pout at him while she opened the door. "Because it'd be silly inside."

Night had fallen by now, the trees framed the stars and the enormous silver disc of a full moon, a few velvet grey clouds rolled over the midnight expanse. The chill that had been in the air all day was more fierce now, but Merlin liked it that way; he knew Morgana did too. There was no pretension in the way of things – they were beautiful, but dangerous too.

"Alright, close your eyes." Merlin could hear the smile in her voice, and he obeyed her willingly, shoving aside memories of years when to do so would mean his death; Arthur's death; the fall of Camelot…He tried to keep the frown lurking on his brow from making its way onto his features. It wasn't like that any more. There was new hope for Morgana. She could change. She was good. He just had to keep her that way. He could do that.

He had to.

"Ok, open your eyes now."

Merlin did, and he beamed, remembering the first time he'd seen her in this lifetime. He'd thought she was an angel.

The soft white cotton wool of Morgana's hat was pulled over her head, contrasting starkly with the deep ebony of her long, wavy hair. Ringlets framed her face, and a cute, silly bobble swung at the top of her head; making her look childish and sweet and gently and lovely. She gave him a small, shy smile, blushing a little, completing the picture.

"Do you like it?"

Morgana's voice was soft, as if she was a little scared to voice the words with any more strength. Merlin shook his head, stepping forward and gently touching the side of her face, brushing aside a stray raven ringlet.

"It's cute." Morgana pouted.

"That's what Arthur said."

Merlin laughed. "Really?" Morgana raised her eyebrows, clearly not finding the fact as amusing as her boyfriend did. It didn't take long for Merlin to latch onto the fact, and he grew somber again, staring sincerely into her eyes. They were more green than blue in the soft yellow light pouring from Gaius' doorway.

He shook his head. "How could you be anything other than beautiful? You look like an angel. My angel."

Beaming, Morgana took his hands in hers, her blush deepening. "Hush you. You see me in a better light than I do." Her eyes clouded a little. "You always have."

Using her hands to pull her closer to him, and casually draping his arms over her shoulders, bending to rest his forehead against hers, so their noses were touching and they were staring straight into each other's eyes, Merlin gave her a small, sad smile. "No Morgana. I see the hope of you. I see the beauty of this face and this," He paused, resting the back of his hand gently over her heart before looking back into her eyes, "and this beautiful soul. I can save you. I want to."

Both of them paused, their skin kissing, sharing their heat, taking in the meaning of his words; words that echoed back millennia, that sat deep in their hearts and drifted in all their dreams. Morgana's eyes watered, and one tear fell down her pale cheek. "So save me."

"I'd never stop." With that, Merlin leant down, his lips meeting hers in a chaste, gentle kiss, his hands pressing against her back, pulling her close.

Above them, the first snowflakes of winter began to fall in a dazzle of white and crystal among the stars.

"I'm sorry Arthur." That was the first thing Gwen had said once they were alone in Gaius' living room. She'd switched off the television, then turned to him, sorrow and remorse breaking her gentle features, the echoes of her laughter fading fast.

Arthur shook his head, pacing across the room. "No. No I'm sorry. Sometimes father…he isn't exactly…he's…"

Seeing his loss for words, Gwen stepped forward, her natural compassion overriding her own distress. "It's ok Arthur, it's alright. I mean, you know, it…um, well it could be worse."

Giving a quick bark of laughter, Arthur moved to sit on the edge of Gaius' sofa, resting his head in one of his hands. "Yeah, right. He could have killed you." In quick succession, he went from white to green and he shook his head quickly, as if he could dislodge the idea. "Alright, the fact that that isn't entirely ludicrous is just…this needs to stop."

Cautiously, Gwen perched next to him, unsure what to say. She could hardly tell Arthur Lancelot had been spying on Uther; for one thing, she didn't know what the boys planned to say about it. She didn't want Arthur to think all of them were lying to him. Actually, she just didn't want to lie to him. At all. In any way. And at the same time, to tell him his best friend had gone behind his back…

She wasn't sure how much more he could take. "Look, Arthur, this…we knew he was never going to react well to us…"

Arthur raised his eyebrows, a look of fury stabbing across his pale features. "What? Is that why?"

Backtracking fast, Gwen shook her head vigorously. "N-no. No that wasn't it. But think about it, Uther would never have been happy about us. Something like this was bound to happen eventually."

The 'prince' seemed confused now, frowning at her. "Wait, so he knows about us now?"

Gwen bit her lip, looking to the door and wishing she could just tell him the truth. "No. I mean, it wasn't like he wouldn't lose his temper with me at some point. At least now…I don't have to um…wait for it?"

Arthur looked horrified. "So you just have to sit there; to put up with us? To you, being with me means taking beatings from him?"

Frowning, Gwen tried to figure out the way to phrase what she wanted to say; the way she felt for Arthur, the way she felt towards his father. "No…no it's not that. I…I admit that I do not respect your father; I do not agree with his principles, or his methods. However, I do respect you, and the things you care for, and I also know that if he is your father then somewhere, there must be something good in him. And even if there wasn't; even if he was the most cruel, the most spiteful, the most tyrannical monster, if you loved him, I would be quiet, and deal with him, and I would love you, dearly, so much, no matter who he was. Because you're you; you're my Arthur. You're not your father, and I know that."

She reached out, brushing her thumb over the side of Arthur's face. He reached up to hold her hand there, and both of them remembered a hundred moments in another time; another world, where they loved each other, just as they did now. Both quietly brushed off the memories and tried not to dream. "Do you see what I mean?" Gwen asked, gently.

Arthur nodded, looking at her like she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen, and a cranberry blush flushed into her cheeks. He laughed a little, pulling her close and kissing her cheek. "You know, I thought I was supposed to be consoling you."

Gwen shrugged, smiling. "Well, it helps me to help others, especially you. Besides, figuring out how to talk to you about it helped me work out how I feel towards your father. I don't think I'm so frightened of him any more."

Holding her tight, protectively, Arthur murmured gently into her ear. "It's alright, you never need to be. I'm here."

"I know." Gwen lifted her head to press a light kiss to his lips and Arthur smiled.

"Alright, come on, much as I'd love to stay here with you, the others will want explanations, and Morgana and I should probably head back soon for dinner."

After a while, Morgana and Merlin came back inside. Their pale noses were red, their cheeks flushed; it was really quite ridiculous how perfectly they matched each other, their long slender fingers entwined, dark hair ruffled. Lancelot smiled; he couldn't remember having seen his friends so happy, nor could Gwaine, though he managed to keep a better lid on his happiness. Arthur rolled his eyes and Gwen made a soft sound much like a squeal.

"Oh, you two are so cute together!"

Both Merlin and Morgana blushed more deeply, but they didn't let go of each other. Though he was smiling, there was sadness in his eyes, and he reached out to wrap an arm round Gwen.

"You alright?" His voice was soft, gentle, only Arthur and Morgana picked up the quiet anger in it too.

Sounding choked, Arthur checked what he'd already figured out. "So Morgana caught you up on…on everything…?"

Merlin nodded; wondering how the Pendragons would react to what he'd figured out not long after Morgana had filled him in: that Gwen had been hurt most likely because of Lancelot's betrayal. For a second, his eyes met Lancelot's. The other boy looked away.

Arthur checked the time, and made a soft sound of surprise. "Ah, right. Morgana, we have to go; Mer, could you ask Gaius if it's ok for Gwen to stay here? I think it would make both of us feel better if she was…out of the firing line."

"Of course, she can have my bed." Gwen went to protest and Merlin shushed her, eyes twinkling. "I won't hear of it Gwen, besides, you have no idea how comfy that sofa is."

Gwaine stood up, stretching, and then thumped Lancelot on the back. "Yeah, we should probably be off too. Come on Lance, I'll be your escort."

"As if I'd need one." Lancelot replied, rolling his eyes, but he stood to follow his friend out, eyes quickly flickering to Guinevere, who flushed and looked away.

A soft, sick feeling crept through Merlin's stomach. Things were brilliant by now…but he couldn't help being aware of how soon they could fall apart; Morgana's fury with Uther when she'd recounted his actions toward Gwen could so easily turn to something more; Lancelot's pining for Guinevere…they'd all been through what happened when that developed. The young warlock sighed, feeling the most enormous weight on his shoulders…once again, it was like he was behind the scenes, balancing them all out, desperately trying not to drop the weight of his friends or all the lives that hung in the balance.

Soft lips on his cheek brought him back to the present. He turned when Morgana gently dropped his hand, meeting her blue-green eyes. He could see anger there, it frightened him, and fear, and sadness. But love, too, he thought. He hoped. Smiling bravely, he leaned forward to kiss her lips, and she smiled, running her hands through his hair. Arthur's pronounced cough broke them apart and Morgana stuck her tongue out at her brother. She turned to Merlin, grinning.

"Wish me luck with Uther." Internally, Merlin winced; he could see why Arthur needed Uther, to learn and grow from his father's example and his mistakes, to become the leader he could be. But the old Pendragon's effect on Morgana could well tip the scales past the good he was tentatively piling on. He nodded, took Morgana's hand.

"If there's any trouble, come to me, ok? Don't do anything reckless?"

Morgana laughed, expression untroubled, brow smooth. Girlish mischief danced across the curl of her lip. "Merlin, when have I ever?"

He just raised his eyebrows and she laughed again, kissing him once more on the cheek before following Arthur to the door. She waved once she was outside; a soft powder of snow dusted the ground, and pulled her hat over her ears protectively. Arthur rolled his eyes, nodding to Merlin and Gwen, and together, the Pendragons walked away.

Gwen stood in the doorway for a while, staring after Arthur and her best friend, and then she turned to Merlin with a small smile. "Come on Mer. Lets get some dinner."

The next morning, Merlin woke with a groan and a crick in his neck. Gritting his teeth, he gingerly rolled his head, finding the right spot and massaging it carefully. Using his other hand to rub the sleep from his eyes, he stood and made his bleary way to the kitchen.

When he got there, his eyes touched the kettle, which began to shriek, and behind him Gwen scolded, "Merlin, you know what happens when you look at it."

Merlin jumped, spinning to see the small, soft girl behind him, smiling, a bowl of cereal in hand, already dressed for a day at college. He blinked. "Um…? Gwen? Kettle? Wait… what?"

Gwen giggled. "Think hard Mer."

He did, and after a moment his eyes widened, recalling all the events of last night. He glared at the kettle, eyes going gold, and though it continued to steam, it went completely silent; as if someone had muted it. "Lucky that didn't go off when Arthur and Morgana were here…"

Nodding solemnly, Gwen sat down at the table, looking up at him with a serious expression. "Yeah…you have to tell them soon you Merlin. I mean, it's not like they'd judge you or anything. And they'll be so heartbroken if they find out any other way."

Gritting his teeth, Merlin dropped some bread in the toaster. Gwen was right, of course, but he didn't really want to start facing his responsibilities so early in the morning.

"Oh, also," Merlin looked over to the girl as she started speaking again. "Gwaine told Lancelot he met your Mum yesterday, and I was just wondering if me and Lance could meet her too."

Merlin took the toast from the toaster gingerly, dropping it quickly on a plate before it burnt his fingers and grabbing some butter and honey, bringing them over to the table and rubbing the back of his neck as he sat down. "Um…well…."

Gwen leaned forwards, her big brown eyes going even wider, her brows pulling up in the most heart melting rendition of 'puppy dog eyes' Merlin had ever seen. He lasted about twenty seconds before he raised his hands in defeat, laughing. "Alright, alright, I'll take you over this afternoon."

Opposite him, Gwen squealed, clapping her hands. "Oooh yes! Thankyou Merlin!"

He shrugged, shaking his head, then looked round the kitchen, frowning. "Come to think of it, Gwen, have you seen Gaius? When did he get back last night?"

"Quite late." Gwen frowned. "I did see him this morning when he woke up, but then he went down to the basement."

Merlin nodded as comprehension dawned. "Ah. Right, that explains it." He looked behind him, careful not to do his neck in again, and peered at the open doorway to the basement. As if on cue, there was a triumphant shout, then a bang and a cloud of noxious green smoke erupted up the stairs.

Faster than he would have thought possible, Merlin leapt to his feet, swinging open all the windows and grabbing a newspaper from the table, using it to waft the smoke away, pulling his shirt up over his nose and mouth. After a few minutes, Gaius came up the stairs, eyes streaming, eyebrows singed and choking. A few more minutes passed and the smoke dissipated. Catching his breath, the old man gave Merlin look of open admiration.

"Well done my boy. Didn't even set off the fire alarm this time."

Merlin shrugged, trying not to roll his eyes. "Well, you know what they say, practice makes perfect."