You Gave Me Flowers...

Merlin quickly helped Morgana onto the bed where he'd been just moments before. Then he realized that someone else was still around. He looked over his shoulder and saw a very cross Gwen.

"Hello Gwen," Merlin smiled.

She didn't look any different than her past life and he wouldn't have had it any other way. Her short frame was right at him in a moment. Her firm expression fell into sadness just as quickly.

"Morgana truly has magic, doesn't she?" Gwen asked, taking a step back.

"She does," Merlin said. "But... I hadn't been able to train her in this life in her magic. I don't know how she brought me back."

"Were you dying? It looked like you were dying."

"I believe I was."

"She... she started speaking all of these languages all at once. Something about a Goddess came up a lot during it."

He glanced over at the sleeping Morgana.

"She was the High Priestess of the Old Religion in her past life. Of course that knowledge would come back to her in desperation," he said, a bit sad.

"Past life?"

"It's a bit much to explain."

"Well tell me. We have all the time in the world and I think after seeing everything... I'm not going to deny any of it."

"You're not going to take a second to call me a loon?"

Gwen shrugged. So Merlin sat on the floor with her and told her about Camelot, and some of her past life, but told her of Morgana's mostly. How she was nearly his equal in magics and he'd failed at protecting her where she'd become corrupt. And he told her how beautiful Camelot used to be, where he'd once found a castle in France that reminded him of it dearly. He heaved a sigh, telling her nearly everything.

"Sometimes I worry about her. Too much. She's always been ambitious, but too prone to retreat into herself instead of asking for help because everyone, including myself, tend to think she's much more stronger than she is. And she is," Gwen rambled. "If she's... anything like that past life, I'm glad she has you around this time. The way you are now. Maybe she won't loose herself while I'm away."

"She wants you to go, with Arthur. She's proud of you both," Merlin said.

"I wouldn't doubt it. But even if we didn't know about her past life, I was still concerned."

He nodded. Gwen stood up and grabbed a candle gingerly.

"I'll start blowing some of these out and putting them away," she said.

"Thank you, Gwen," Merlin said.

"Merlin..." came a soft voice.

He stood up and rushed to Morgana's side at the bed. She reached out to him and he held her gingerly.

"You're alright," she smiled.

"You completely exhausted yourself for not knowing how to use your magic in this lifetime," Merlin sighed.

"I'm sorry I..."

"I'm proud of you."

She was beaming with pride before she realized Gwen wasn't in the room.

"She's helping to clean up," Merlin said. "You need any help standing?"

Morgana felt slightly dizzy standing up and reluctantly took Merlin's offered arm. Gwen looked up and ran over and hugged her.

"I'm glad you're alright," Gwen said.

"As am I," Morgana said.

"Merlin told me you two are wizards."

"Erm, more or less."

Gwen pulled away from her. A sad smile on her face.

"Please tell me you're not afraid or think we're crazy," Morgana said.

"Not at all. I'd be stupid to deny anything I've seen tonight," Gwen responded.

"Don't tell Arthur. Not yet."

"Of course, it's between us. But speaking of Arthur, I should be getting home."

"Yes. Well drive home safely."

Gwen rolled her eyes with a smirk.

"Goodbye Merlin," Gwen said.

"See you around," Merlin said.

He held Morgana in his arms after the door had closed behind Gwen. They stayed like that. Swaying for moments.

Morgana woke up to two tiny paws hitting her face. She lightly swiped at whatever was hitting her before opening her eyes. A very annoyed Mordred. She looked over. It was strange, not waking up with Merlin. She'd gotten so used to the sensation over the weekend. She found her slippers and grabbed her robe before going to Mordred's dish to feed him. It was a late start kind of morning before work. She started the coffee machine and grabbed the most recent book she'd been trying to go through.

She found a white button up that she paired with tight fitting dark jeans and undid the braided damp hair she had. Her phone beeped.

Merlin:
Good morning :)

A grin on her face. She gave a quick response before making sure she was taking the right bag with her. The morning had a quiet relaxing start that she was thankful for. No hiccups. As her hand reached for the door of the building, the soft mood evaporated. Morgana had never asked why she had felt such a pull towards Merlin the night before. It had been stronger than intuition feeling where he was and it felt painful as she'd gotten closer as well.

Her assistant Sefa greeted her warmly. Morgana noticed an envelope from Morgause on her desk. More assignments, more research. She pulled out her laptop putting it next to the computer. Her hands moved quickly between the two, sparing the occasional glance at the file.

"Morgana," she heard Sefa say in that soft innocent tone of hers.

"Yes, Sefa?" she asked, looking up.

"It's two, would you like me to run out to grab you lunch for the day?"

Morgana felt reality hit her again. Of course, that's how her days usually went when Sefa was in the office.

"The usual please," Morgana said. Then very quickly she added, "And treat yourself to something too."

She her card out of her wallet for Sefa. Then very quickly the girl ran off. Morgana sighed. Just a few more months and then she'd be free of Morgause. She could feel her magic bubbling in her. The ritual the night before had led it to long for an appropriate release. Quickly, she decided she must never tell Morgause of her magic. Morgause probably wouldn't think she was crazy, they'd been through so much. But the magical part of her as she called it, didn't trust Morgause with this discovered truth. She also couldn't tell Sefa of her plans to leave until it was already in the works.

Sefa took the lower half of the stack when she returned. Morgana resumed rectifying documents that would be needed for later.

"Hello Alvarr," Morgana said coldly as she felt the man approach her.

"What happened to our friendly banter?" Alvarr asked.

She turned her chair around to face him. He did look dashing. But he wasn't Merlin.

"Have you seen the paper?" he continued.

"Why would I when everything is digital now?" she asked.

He passed her the days paper. It was already at a page. Morgause was going to marry Cenred in August. The same day that Arthur and Gwen would have to leave for South Africa.

"Did she not tell you?" Alvarr asked.

"I had a feeling," she responded, quickly pushing the paper back into his hands.

"I thought it would be appropriate if we went together, work related."

"I can't go."

"She'll be devastated."

Her magic was roaring in her ears. Break his neck. She blinked, trying to shove the thoughts away. Her legs had crossed over themselves and her elbow rested on her knee, she put her hand under her chin to look up at him.

"Alvarr, I have a boyfriend. I would appreciate if you stopped your advances, it was getting you nowhere after all these years, now fuck off before Morgause does something worse than me," she said coldly. He looked terrified and she grinned. "You can go now."

Alvarr walked with a hung neck back to his cubicle. She scoffed before returning to her work.

Arthur had face timed her when she got home, demanding to know when she got a cat. Mordred was kind enough to sit on her lap for her to show Arthur with the camera. He seemed smug about it. Gwen showed up and waved hello. Then Arthur asked about when this proposed double date would occur. Next week had seemed to work for the two of them and Morgana said she'd talk to Merlin about it. They said goodnight and even Mordred gave a pleasant mew back.

When Merlin had told her that he wouldn't be able to spend any time with her over the weekend she found herself oddly relieved. Of course she loved him, she did. She told him every day, she told herself every night, and she loved spending time with him. Morgana had refused to inquire why not, and instead told him she loved him anyway and that she looked forward to when they could see each other again. He was thrilled at her reaction. She laid in bed with her laptop playing series reruns with Mordred at her legs and an ice-cream bar in hand that Friday night. It was perfectly normal to need space apart from a partner. It was also perfectly normal to have a life outside of the relationship.

Morgause hadn't been in the office in a while which made Morgana suspicious but eased. If Morgause wasn't around then she didn't have to be dragged into the next bastardly scheme she had. Mordred had looked at her with sad eyes when he realized she would be going back to work. She rubbed his butt before walking out the door. For some reason she felt exceptionally giddy this morning. She went into her favorite coffee shop before resuming her way to the office.

On her desk was a large bouquet of flowers, lilies, alliums, and violets, and a small box next to it. Sefa ran over to her once she noticed.

"I'm sorry my lady, they just, well it was an order," Sefa rambled.

"Sefa," Morgana said. "You have nothing to be sorry for."

Sefa tugged at the end of her sleeve anxiously.

"Who are they from?" she asked shyly.

Morgana grinned and looked for the notecard that was guaranteed to be on the flowers.

For my love,

Merlin

She set the paper down carefully before taking the box. Sefa had given her a set of keys without her asking. Morgana undid the taping. Purple colored confetti paper and nestled in it was a small pouch. She opened the pouch and pulled out a necklace. It was silver with a dragon shaped pendant. The eyes were emerald and the main body had diamonds. Sefa helped her sit into her chair again.

"It's beautiful," she said.

"He really shouldn't have," Morgana said.

"Boyfriend?"

Morgana nodded.

"Lucky guy," Sefa said.

The doors swung open with fright. Sefa jumped away from Morgana. She sat up a little straighter. Morgause walked in wearing a white short cape over her grey printed white dress. The office went dead. She had a smile on her face that dropped as she walked to Morgana's desk noticing the flowers.

"Charming," she said coldly.

"And what can I do for you today, Morgause?" Morgana asked in the most pleasant tone she could muster.

"Come with me."

They walked into Morgauses' office.

"Now, the papers are reporting that I'll be marrying Cenred soon. We're aiming for an August wedding and I was hoping you would be my maid of honor," Morgause said, forcing a smile again.

"Bit soon wouldn't you think?" Morgana asked.

"It's more of a business arrangement we've had planned out for a while."

"And you're not at all concerned about what it will do to your credibility in parliament?"

"They love me for it."

There was nothing but disgust in her heart for Morgause. Her hand balled up and she could feel the necklace ebbing itself into her hands. Morgause threw her head back and laughed as she sat in her chair.

"Say you'll be my maid of honor," she grinned. "We have it planned for the fifteenth at the moment, that shouldn't be a problem for you. Right, Morgana?"

"It will be. Arthur leaves for the airport that day," Morgana said coldly.

"Dear me. Well, I am your best friend, so I should have a higher priority."

"Morgause..."

"I can't do this without you, Morgana."

The seething she felt murmured at Morgauses' soft pleading look.

"I'm sorry, Morgause," Morgana stated.

She turned around, walking out of the office to the surprise of Morgause. Morgana put the files and her laptop into her back pack. Her fingers fumbled trying to latch the necklace around her. Sefa looked at her curiously as she grabbed the flower vase.

"Tell Morgause I'll be working from home the rest of the day, and do not let her follow me," Morgana told her.

"I will," Sefa squeaked.

Her side pushed open the door and she tried to walk as fast as she could away from Morgauses' building. She didn't know Morgause anymore. She'd finish the files she had on hand and turn those into Morgause. Then she'd put in her notice of quitting. It would have to be soon. Sooner than she'd anticipated. She sat on the train hoping that the flowers wouldn't take any hits from it.

She threw her keys on the counter and put the flowers on the small dinner table she had. Mordred pawed at her leg. He didn't protest when she lifted him up to cradle him. He purred quite loudly. She sat with him on the couch watching a baking show that was on. Her eyes grew heavy as Mordred continued to purr.

Morgana felt herself dreaming. She knew she was dreaming but it was black and she couldn't help but feel afraid. With a gasp she woke up and Mordred was mewing and her stomach growled violently. Her body jerked its way over to his food dish to fill it. Then she grabbed her phone before digging around in her fridge for something to eat. Morgause had blown up her phone in the time that she'd been asleep. Then she saw there was a message from Merlin, hours ago.

Merlin:
Did you get the flowers I sent you? Did you like them?

Merlin:
Is something wrong?

Her hand went for the pendant. She dialed his number hoping he would answer.

"Morgana?" she heard him say.

"Hi, Merlin," she forced out.

"Is everything okay?"

"Everything fine. Perfect. You sent me flowers."

"Did you like them? Were they too much? Should..."

"Merlin, the flowers are fine. I love them. Especially the alliums."

"I'm glad you do. Did you get the other present?"

"I love the necklace."

"Good. Took a while to find."

"Why did you do it?"

"Pardon?"

"Why... why did you send me the flowers and the necklace? Nobody's ever done something that nice for me."

"Because I love you."

She ached to tell him about Morgause. Ask him about whatever had led her to finding him the other night. So many questions and not one could come out of her mouth.

"Are you sure you're alright Morgana?" he asked.

"I'm fine," she lied. "So, dinner with Gwen and Arthur this weekend?"

"Sure, whatever they want to do is fine with me."

"I'll let them know."

"Morgana."

"Yes Merlin?"

"You know I'm always here for you, right?"

"I do."

"Okay. Anything else going on?"

"Um, I was about to eat. I just wanted to make sure I called you."

"Well, thank you."

"Of course. Love you."

"Love you too."

"Talk to you later."

A very loud Meow woke her. She looked down at a very concerned Mordred. He couldn't be just a cat, he was too smart. And his smartness irritated her like it did now. There was nothing prepped in the fridge so she looked in the pantry. Beans. A sigh and she accepted her fate. She'd have to go to the store at some point. Mordred was still nudging at her as they went to bed.

Morgana awoke to a text from Morgause. She was sorry, dreadfully sorry. Of course she knew her planned wedding was abrupt so of course she could understand Morgana's surprise and distain for it. (It was actually about the giving Cenred a pass for his crimes against humanity alongside Morgause's own.) (Among other things that Morgause would never acknowledge). And she at least begged Morgana to help out with the wedding preparation since she would know Morgause's tastes better than the wedding planner she had hired. She just wanted help getting ready for her big day. Mordred sat up next to her head, staring at her intensely.

"It'll be give a mouse of cookie if I say yes, won't it?" she asked him. He blinked. "She is my friend. I should help her." Another blink and he walked around the pillow next to her before slinking into a circle. "I'll regret this."

Morgause, still awake, was delighted that Morgana would help. She felt something nag on her insides. A parasitic ring worm named Morgause.

Saturday night and they prepared to leave for Arthur's for the double date. Gwen had been horrified that Merlin was unfamiliar with classic movies that she insisted on a stay in movie date. Morgana had laughed when her friend had told her after conversing with him over text in an effort to think of a good double date idea. Morgana had worn a bright red halter top with bootcut jeans. Her wavy hair was pulled into a ponytail and gold glitter dashed around her eyes. Merlin had dressed plainly with a red t-shirt and the brown bomber jacket he frequently wore.

"You have to change," Morgana had commanded him.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"I picked my outfit out nights ago!"

He sighed rolling his eyes and Morgana laughed.

"I suppose we can match for this date," she said, latching onto his arm.

Mordred jumped into his bed, for once, not bothering the couple. Merlin, as usual, promised to bring her home that night.

Gwen wore lilac colored bohemian pants with a white top and was delighted that the two of them had shown up. They heard Arthur in the kitchen. The pleasant demeanor of Gwen dropped as she rushed into the kitchen. Of course, Arthur had put the popcorn on a higher temperature than needed which left to a much more messy kitchen.

"Can you... please, try to put the movie on in the other room," Gwen said.

"Sorry love," Arthur said, he kissed Gwen's cheek before walking into the next room.

Gwen had gone to grab for the broom before Merlin muttered something and the popcorn was back in the pan.

"Thank you, Merlin," Gwen said as she went to throw away the burnt popcorn.

He gave a sheepish grin to the floor.

"Anyway, we have cheese pizza, mushroom and sausage and gluten free pizza," Gwen said. "You can just carry the boxes on the island outside."

"You're so thoughtful, Gwen," Morgana beamed.

"I do my best."

"Do you need anymore help? Are you okay to come sit down with us?"

Gwen looked around anxiously.

"Drinks," she remembered.

"Cans at the bottom of the pantry?" Morgana asked.

A nod. Morgana carried the cases of soda outside. Gwen seemed relieved that she didn't have to do anything without any more hiccups. Morgana made a note to chew out her twin for being an ass. Of course, he never meant to be an ass. It wasn't necessarily his fault he was the useless twin. But he could be thoughtful at times. He just needed to be reminded he needed to try to make more of an effort to carry his weight instead of using his uselessness as an excuse.

Old eighties rom coms were what Gwen had chosen. Morgana leaned herself on Merlin's side once it was implied that the pizza was done. Arthur had gotten up to grab beers, he asked Merlin if he wanted one and Merlin had declined. He came back with two beers, himself and one for Gwen. She smiled and kissed him. Morgana looked over at them and decided she shouldn't be too harsh on her twin. They helped cleaned up and Arthur and Gwen told them that they were glad to have the double date and ought to do it again.

Merlin kissed her at the door as he dropped her off. He promised that he would start training her with her magic the following week. She jumped him in a hug.

"Thank you, for promising to train me with my magic," she said.

"Of course. There is one place I want to show you. And maybe another place in France. Maybe," he rambled.

"Anywhere as long as it's with you."

He pulled her tighter into a hug. There was that weird feeling she got from him. Like she was reaching for a memory but it was out of reach.

Authors Notes: Thought I would post earlier than I planned. I know this Corona thing is just wild right now so I hoped posting would provide a decent distraction from it. Or at least something to do while self quarantines and social distancing is a thing. Hoping that you are all well, taking care of yourselves.

Thank you so much for the reviews so far xx