Merlin flew over to Toronto on a commercial flight in one of the first class suites instead of taking a private jet. While he knew that Morgana loved the private jets, she wasn't exactly the most happy about them and the impact that they had on the environment, so in order to keep his girlfriend happy he flew on a regular British Airways plane. On the other side, his bodyguard escorted him to Morgana's house. They'd be staying in a hotel nearby, so that Melrin and Morgana could have some privacy. At least unlike Arthur Merlin could dress himself and didn't need his bodyguard Cedric to do so (Merlin often felt sorry for George, even Prince Amhar at only three could dress himself—even if it only was putting his coat on).
Morgana's house was small and cosy. Official protocol required Cedric to knock on the door, Merlin ignored it (again, what Queen Hunith didn't know wouldn't hurt her) and knocked on the door.
"Hey you" Morgana grinned as she leant against the door. It was three o'clock in Toronto, so around seven over in England and Merlin was starving. She was dressed in a cable-knit jumper dress, cream and cashmere with a pair of black leggings and ugg boots. He could smell something warm inside, a mixture of cookies and other autumnal smells.
"Hey" Merlin grinned. He was dressed down for him, in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt as opposed to his usual smart clothing. "You look great".
"As do you" Morgana smiled. "Well, come on in".
"What's for dinner?" Cedric asked as he sat himself down and put his feet up.
"Cedric" Merlin hissed. "You're free to go".
"I'm supposed to taste test the food" Cedric drawled.
"And I don't care" Merlin retorted. "I can taste test my own food. You are free to go for the evening". After having a look around Morgana's house and making sure that there was more than one bedroom, Cedric left and Morgana went through to the dining room/kitchen with Morgana.
"So what's for dinner?" Merlin asked.
"I personally didn't think that there was anything more fitting for the occasion than this" Morgana grinned as she set the pie down on the table. "Pumpkin pie".
"I love pumpkin pie!" Merlin gasped, his mouth watering at the food. "Grandmother doesn't usually let us have it. It's not 'posh enough'".
Morgana chuckled. "Well you can have it now then".
"Thank god that Cedric didn't stay" Merlin breathed. "He'd have eaten it bloody all".
"It is a good thing then" Morgana agreed. After having dinner, Morgana and Merlin had some dessert, a glass of wine and watched a movie on Netflix, mainly ignoring the movie and chatting instead. Afterwards, they went to bed and had sex for the first time. It was absolutely amazing, and even though it was still early days Merlin knew he was in love.
The next day they opted to go to the Halloween party that Gwen had mentioned at SoHo house in Toronto. The party was fancy dress style with masks, Merlin and Morgana decided to go as Cleopatra and Anubis with masks on. Their costumes were rather fancy, Morgana's a long white dress with a golden sash and blue scarf over her shoulder alongside a mask. Merlin was dressed in all black with some seams sewed in golden thread with an Anubis mask.
The party began at six, and for the first time ever Merlin and Morgana could have their date out in public. They knew that quite a few people that they knew would be going—some of Morgana's colleague's from Avalon Firm and Merlin's cousin Elena with her boyfriend Godwyn. Not that they actually saw anyone that they knew, happily dancing the night away in their false identities and enjoying the anonymity.
They pretty much stayed glued to one another's side as they sipped at drinks and ate the appetisers. Their first "public" debut had been going great so far, and they knew that while soon enough they would be public, it was good to be anonymous for the night. Merlin and Morgana were happily dancing along to the monster mash. It was nearing ten now, they'd been there a while and were showing no signs whatsoever of planning to leave soon. Merlin felt an incessant buzzing in his trousers pocket. He ignored it, yet the buzzing wouldn't stop.
"I THINK I OUGHT TO GET THIS!" Merlin shouted over the music.
"THAT SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD IDEA" Morgana screeched back. "I'LL COME TOO!". Merlin flagged hold of Cedric who managed to get them a private room away from the party to take his call.
"Shit, it's Tintagel Castle" Merlin gasped. "Hello, Prince Merlin speaking".
"Merlin, I'm afraid I have bad news" Gwaine sighed. "The press have found out that you and Morgana are together".
"Shit" Merlin breathed. "I mean, I knew it was inevitable but, already?".
"Sorry mate" Gwaine offered. "We've managed to get them to stall until the morning".
"Okay, uh thanks for letting me know. I ought to go".
"Is everything okay?" Morgana asked.
"Not really" Merlin sighed. "The daily mail know about our relationship, they plan to go live in the morning".
"Shit" Morgana muttered under her breath.
"Exactly" Merlin agreed.
"I think we ought to head back to my place...figure out what to do".
"I'll tell Cedric to get out car ready. Come here" Merlin held out his arms and Morgana fell into his embrace. They went back to Morgana's house, wondering what exactly to do.
"The press will be here tomorrow ... I'm sure of it" Merlin sighed.
"They will" Morgana agreed as she put her head in her hands. "Maybe ... if we go elsewhere? If need be that is".
"After halloween I suppose?" Merlin shrugged. "I want us to spend our first Halloween together".
"As do I ... Morgause might let us stay. I mean she's got a three story house, so".
"Morgause Cornwall?" Merlin asked nervously.
"Yeah" Morgana drawled. "What's the problem with that?".
"She might kill me" Melrin muttered. "If I break your heart. At least, that's what Gwen said".
"Well luckily for the both of us you don't seem to be breaking any hearts, do you?". Morgana prodded Merlin's nose and then kissed him, sitting in his lap.
They ended up staying in for their first Halloween together, enjoying wine, good food, pumpkin carving and a scary movie together. The press began camping outside Morgana's on Halloween day, while at first it was only a small number of them it was inevitable that it would soon increase. The press has also started hounding Morgana's mother Vivienne, though luckily her father had temporarily relocated to Mexico City and nobody knew about that. As a result, in the middle of the night Merlin managed to arrange an escort that was sworn to secrecy to take them to Morgause Cornwall's place on the other side of Toronto. It had been advised that Merlin head back to England, yet he refused and insisted on staying by Morgana's side and helping her through it. He'd seen the devastating effects that the press could have on people—especially after his mother's death, and he wasn't about to have the same thing happen with Morgana. They turned up to the Cornwall's with many gifts for the children, with them deciding that they love their "uncle Merlin" immediately.
Morgana and Morgause were happily chatting and giggling about something or another, apparently a college memory.
"You know mate" Cenred said as he sat next to Merlin. "I met your mum when she came over on a trip here".
"Really?" Merlin asked. His ears would perk up whenever anyone would mention Princess Ygraine. Only having had eleven years with his mother before she died, he was eager to hear whatever other's had experienced with her.
"She was great" Cenred grinned. "I can see where you get your good nature from".
"I have to agree on that" Morgana grinned as she stroked Merlin's arm.
"You're adorable" Merlin smiled.
"I know" Morgana agreed with a smirk. Merlin stayed for a week before he had to head back to England and Morgana returned to her house in order to recommence filming for Avalon firm. They were back to long distance, and Morgana knew one thing for sure. She was in love. She hadn't had the best luck with love in the past, and she didn't know how to admit it or even if she wanted to say it. Well she knew she wanted to say it, she was just unsure on how to deal with the sudden rise in popularity The tabloids hadn't necessarily reacted well to the news of one of the Queen's grandchildren dating an American, with Northumbria Palace having to issue a statement that no racism will be tolerated. While it was stressful to have the news out, at the same time it was like a weight had been lifted of Merlin and Morgana's shoulders, along with the others that knew and were sworn to secrecy.