Chapter 31
Morgause watched in completely horror as he sister walked side by side with the servant boy that almost killed her. What does she think she's doing? Morgause screamed in her mind. Morgana wasn't stupid, but at the moment Morgause was sure that she was the most foolish person she had ever met.
"Morgause, what's wrong?" Mordred asked, he sat next to Morgause, watching patiently as the woman turned to him with a glare.
Morgause had been lucky enough to catch glimpse of the happenings of the city when it was being attacked. And to her anger, that servant boy turned out to be a warlock. Nothing she couldn't deal with, but that made him even more dangerous than before. She had to think of something.
"Tell your followers that it's time." Morgause said silently. Mordred looked at her with a gleam in her eyes.
"It's time?" He asked, absolutely ecstatic. Morgause nodded. Mordred turned to leave before Morgause stopped him once more. "Make sure to go the way I told you."
"You're not coming?" Mordred shifted his small body to look at her better, his blue eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"I have business to attend." Morgause said swiftly.
"You won't mind sharing your worries with me?" Mordred walked closer to her, his eyes boring into hers, but Morgause wasn't going to let a simple child push her around. Morgause pushed herself to the ground and stood right in front of Mordred.
"I wouldn't mind. . .though it would be useful to me if you were older." Morgause looked at him suggestively, her hot against his cheek.
"I'm not playing, Morgause." Mordred snapped, taking a step back, and blushed furiously.
"I wasn't playing." Morgause got up. "Now leave me. I need to be alone."
Mordred left to tell Alvarr about the plans, still shaken and surprised by Morgause's playful advances towards him. Morgana stood next to her mirror and decided to watch her visitor's with careful eyes.
Morgana was annoyed with the fact that just after sleeping under the stars on their first day of travel (with constant groans from Arthur, I might add) the next day they came upon a shabby-looking pub. Arthur thought it was a great idea to sleep there for one night. ("We can keep on journeying by the morning, don't get your knickers in a twist.") Morgana rolled her eyes at the memory and sat as far away from Arthur and Merlin as she could. Gwen was sitting next to her, both had plates of some saggy, cold soup in front of them.
"I'm sorry." Gwen looked at Morgana apologetically.
"Not your fault, Gwen." Morgana waved her off, tried the soup, but soon grabbed a napkin and cleaned her mouth clean from the horrid taste. "Anyway, as angry as I feel for having to admit this, we all can use proper rest from Arthur's on-going groans of displeasure." She smirked at the blushing maid. "You sure know how to pick them." Almost impossible, Gwen grew more red than before.
"Please, Morgana, not here." Gwen pleaded. "And I think it's sweet." Gwen smiled dreamily.
"By Gods, I think I lost you." Morgana laughed at Gwen's expression. Her friend really cared for her adopted brother, specially after a night of "Why is the ground so hard?" and "For crying out loud, move Merlin!". Oh and Morgana's personal favorite. "I can't sleep." He whined like that all night, and to hear Gwen saying it was sweet was surely not a good sign.
"You haven't lost me." Gwen teased. "Only half of me." She smiled innocently into the cup, before pulling away with revulsion in her face. The food and taste of everything was really terrible.
"Anyway, I think I'm not the only one who can't take our eyes of certain people." Gwen said innocently. Morgana nearly choked on her water.
"What?" She spluttered, eyes wide.
"Oh, Morgana, you act like you don't care, but I see you looking over at Merlin every few minutes." Gwen teased, glad that Morgana blushed.
"I am not." Morgana said indignantly. Her cheeks reddened not only from the truth of Gwen's words, but because she didn't want to admit to such an act. Morgana was born and engender to live to many standards. No one ever told her that when she felt strong feelings for someone she would think about them so much, want to be around them until it hurt, but also be embarrassed that they thought poorly of you. Morgana never shined on anyone for their acceptance, but now she was doing it, and it temporarily threw her off balance. All she hoped was that it would end quickly.
That was not to be, however, for a half an hour later. Merlin and Arthur approached the girls, Morgana reluctantly let them sit after, (and I'll emphasize this) Gwen glared at her. Everything was going fine, each decided to get some water to drown the bad taste of the food and nothing seemed out of the ordinary until, of course, the servant girl that came flaunting her body shamelessly over to serve them (In that disgraceful dress, Morgana thought; as she eyed her with a critical eye) instantly took a liking to both Arthur and Merlin.
Gwen and Morgana did her best to keep themselves composed. Gwen had more idea of the feeling that began in your belly when you watched the man you had feelings for flirt with someone else. Gwen was used to feeling jealous, but Morgana was not. The only time she had felt jealous (though she hadn't recognized the feeling then) was when Gwen was helping Merlin with some food on his face. Morgana had seen only the back of Gwen's head, giving her loose reigns over her imagination and her feelings. That had not been her two friends innocently doing nothing. They were strangers, and it hurt Morgana, as much as she hated to admit it. And now she was feeling exactly the same as before.
Anger shone in her eyes, but her heart was the one that took the immense blow. Blood rushed to her face as she watched the girl giggle at something Merlin said, and at Merlin blushing in response.
"Would you just bring us some water?" Morgana screamed, suddenly. The girl, with brown hair tied loosely behind her glared at Morgana's interruption while the others looked at her shocked.
"Right away." The girls turned and quickly went behind the people. There was silence in the table. Arthur looked absolutely stunned, but he was the first to say.
"What's the matter with you?" Arthur asked, voice unnaturally calm to the expression of shock in his face.
"I just want some water." Morgana shrugged, trying to pretend that they weren't all looking at her.
"Really? Because with the way you looked at her it seemed like she had done something to you." Arthur looked at the approaching girl. She looked miffed, she glanced at Morgana and after both girls gave each other the evil eye she left without another word.
"You hurt her feelings, I think." Merlin pointed out, following the girls' stiff steps.
Morgana's cheeks once again reddened and she felt herself direct her anger at Merlin. Why did he care so much about that girl?
"Then, Merlin, I suggest you go make her feel better." Morgana hissed, voice low and face complete with anger and fury. Merlin looked at her and she quickly left to her room she would share with Gwen.
"I'm going to check on her." Gwen told both boys who looked after her. "I'm sure she's fine." She smiled at them to make them not worry. As soon as she reached the hallway, and the candles were flickering with the air coming from the open door, Gwen made her way trying to focus her eyes to see better. She entered the room only to find Morgana sitting in the bed, looking down and her hands gripped the bed. "Morgana?" Gwen quietly asked. "What's wrong?"
"Merlin seemed very happy with that girl." Was all she said before she moved to lay down in her bed, under the rough covers, but they warmed her slightly shivering body.
"Ah, I see." Gwen said, and approached Morgana. She slowly raked her head, Morgana sighed and closed her eyes. "You really have strong feelings for Merlin, don't you?"
"What makes you say that?" Morgana asked, opening one eye, and looked at Gwen.
"You're getting jealous." Gwen stated matter-of-fact.
"No, no, that can't be." Morgana disagreed. Sitting up in the bed, the blanket falling down her shoulder. "I don't have reason to even feel jealous -And at the girl, please!"
"Yes you do." Gwen said softly. "For only a second, she had Merlin's attention and that really made your world shatter, only wanting to direct your anger at her?"
"Well, no, all I wanted was for her to step off, but what I truly wanted was for Merlin to stop being such an idiot." Tears appeared in her eyes. "Why, Gwen? Why did I wish that Merlin stop what he was doing? He has every right to do as he pleases." She sniffled a bit.
"Because you lo- Fine, you have very strong feelings for, Merlin, Morgana." Gwen explained. Morgana slumped back down on the bed.
"I don't have strong feelings for him." Morgana said, sleepily.
"Alright." Gwen said. "Just go to sleep. I'll be right back."
"Okay." Was all she said, Morgana was too sleepy to even think of where Gwen would go.
Gwen stepped out of the room, and following the familiar path she had come into, she walked back to the table. "She's sleeping." Gwen told them.
"Good." Arthur said. "All Morgana needs right now is to rest."
"Hopefully." Gwen said, then she got up. "I better go to sleep as well." With Merlin and Arthur bidding her good night, she walked back to their room and locked the door before laying on the bed and falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
The next morning, Morgana's mood seemed to become lighter. She joked and played around with the rest of them, but to Merlin it seemed like she was forcing it. He wouldn't dare ask, but he wondered. Morgana had been acting strange lately, so far he had as well, but he had to not think about that at the moment. The day passed by with eating breakfast in the pub, drinking a whole gallon of water to take the taste off, and paying the fee for the room's and the food. They stepped out and walked out into the woods. The mountain looked closer now than before, but that didn't lighten their moods.
When night came, Arthur demanded that they stop and build a fire.
"Why would we make a fire? There could be people that could be attracted to it." Morgana reasoned.
"That may be true, but if you're worried over your safety Morgana; don't worry, I'll protect you." He smirked at her.
"Fine, I'll go pick out some wood." Morgana stood up, a glare in her pretty green eyes. "But just know, Arthur, that if anyone were to come and attack us I would gladly protect you." She hurried off into the forest, sure that Gwen would come with her.
Gwen knew Morgana expected her to come, but she groaned and sat down on a log. "I'm tired; Merlin would you please help Morgana?" Gwen looked at him as innocently and as tired-looking as she could. The compassionate look on Merlin's face told her she had done a good job.
"Sure, Gwen." He began to walk off.
"Merlin?" Arthur called out.
"Yes?" Merlin turned to him.
"Make sure that the wood you get isn't wet." Arthur told him. Merlin nodded and with Gwen's help Arthur began to look for something they could eat that was digestible.
Merlin followed the sight of Morgana a few feet in front of him. Morgana was picking up loose pieces of wood. Occasionally dropping them when she found them to be a bit cool for normal temperature. Merlin walked in behind her and she, thinking it was Gwen, said. "Gwen, hey, can you hold this for me?"
She held out her stack, not bothering to look back. Merlin walked forward and was careful to not touch her.
"Anyway, now that we're here, I think we should hurry onward, but Arthur wants to stay for the night. What do you think?" Morgana scrambled around the dirt, picking wood after wood.
"Hmm." Was all Merlin could muster. Should he tell her that it was he who was here and not Gwen?
"Look, about what happened last night. . .I'm sorry." Morgana said. "I didn't mean to be like that, it just sort of happened."
"Why did it happen?" Merlin blurted out, forgetting that Morgana thought he was Gwen. Morgana dropped the pile of wood and turned to Merlin shocked.
"How long have you been there?" Morgana gasped
"Not long." Merlin answered. He put his wood down. "Can you tell my why you got so angry last night?" Morgana shook her head.
"You won't believe me." Morgana said and tried to move back to Arthur and Gwen.
"Try me." Merlin called out. Morgana stopped and turned to him.
"Will you believe me?" Morgana asked.
"Only if you tell me the truth." Merlin said with a smile. Morgana couldn't help but smile.
"Alright." She said more to herself than Merlin. Morgana was going to tell him the whole truth, but not before she told herself the truth. She walked toward him. Stopped in front of him and with great care pulled Merlin down to her. Their lips touched, and Morgana felt her heart beat in joy. She shivered as the contact strengthened when Merlin pulled her close to him.
Merlin was shocked by this action more than anyone, but he was nonetheless, a very willing participant. He pulled Morgana close to him and slowly moved his hands up to Morgana's neck. Slowly pushing his body to her and they both pulled away when, by the surprise of Merlin closing the gap between them, Morgana lost her balance and they both fell to the ground.
For a moment they both laughed at how this had turned out, but when they looked lovingly into each other's eyes, Morgana pushed herself up and connected her lips to Merlin enjoying the beautiful bliss the kiss gave her.
"Morgana!" Morgana didn't have time to register what happened, because Merlin was pulled away roughly and Morgana stared in front of her to find Merlin a few feet away from her. Arthur was grabbing him by the collar of his shirt and looked like he wanted to hit him.
"Arthur, stop, stop!" Morgana said, and ran over to them. Successfully pulling Merlin from Arthur.
"What do you think you're doing Merlin?" Arthur asked, acting on his anger.
"You knew I like Morgana, Arthur!" Merlin screamed. "Why are you acting like this?"
"What?" Morgana asked.
"You knew?" Gwen asked, stepping in front of Arthur.
"Gwen. . . .you knew he liked Morgana?" Arthur asked, a bit surprised.
"No, I. . ." Gwen looked at Morgana, waiting to see if it was alright to tell him.
"I kissed Merlin, Arthur." Morgana said loudly for all of them to hear.
"No, don't protect him, I know that he could rope you into believing that, but Merlin will pay." Arthur glared at him.
"What do you mean? I kissed him." Morgana asked, growing suspicious.
"I do, Arthur, I do!" Merlin screamed, knowing why Arthur was acting this way. "I'm sure of it. I do."
Arthur looked at him like he didn't believe him.
"I don't believe you." Arthur snarled, and tried to pass over Gwen and Morgana.
"You have to!" Merlin glared at Arthur, the last of his patience gone. How dare Arthur not believe his word. "I love Morgana like you love Gwen!"
Stunned silence. Arthur stopped trying to get to Merlin while Morgana and Gwen both looked at Merlin.
"Di you just say. . .?" Morgana was left speechless by Merlin's words.
Merlin felt his cheek grow warmer and warmer with each second that passed.
"Yes, I did."
Arthur and Gwen could not believe their ears. Or their eyes when Morgana ran to Merlin and felt her world to be complete. She had no idea how those words made her feel so happy. Tears appeared in her eyes and she tried to wipe them away.
"Merlin!" Arthur screamed coming to his senses. He ran over to the frozen idiot and tried to attack him.
"Stop!" Morgana ordered, but Arthur was deaf to reason. He was glad that Morgana was happy, and deep inside he was glad that Merlin had admitted his feelings, but Morgana was like a sister to him. Arthur couldn't let her get hurt and he smelled trouble as soon as Merlin said that he loved Morgana like Arthur loved Gwen. Which by the way, made him feel very embarrassed because Morgana was present. But nothing a good hit in the head at Merlin couldn't fix.
"Arthur!" Gwen screamed. They all looked at her. "Just leave them, they're old enough to know right from wrong." Arthur glared at Merlin.
"No more kissing!" He said strictly, and with one last look at them went back to their campsite. Gwen was about to run after him when she turned and jumped with Morgana in their hug. It was almost impossible, but Morgana never lost that smile after that.
"I'm sorry for Arthur." Morgana said, shyly.
"It's alright." Merlin laughed. "I expected it would happen." He chuckled, his blue eyes shone with glee. Morgana blushed but felt completely contented with the fact that she was here with Merlin. And he felt the same way she felt for him. Nothing in the world could ruin the happiness she felt.
Morgause watched in horror as Morgana and Merlin walked back to the campsite. Both blushing. Morgause screamed angrily and threw a rock at the mirror.
"You're not going to free yourself from me this time!" She promised the empty room. Not sure if she directed her anger at that boy or at her sister. She glared at the wall and knew what she had to do.
~*Please Review*~ J
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin or Morgana. Or anyone, except for Aroded and Eroded.
A/n: I hope you like the chapter. I'll try to update soon, but if I can't I promise I will update as soon as I can. J