"Trust me, he is no friend of yours, Brother," Morgana said, seated to Arthur's right.
"Why do you believe him false?" Arthur asked, surprised.
"I've seen it in my visions. He would see you fall, because you are Uther's son. He blames Father for your mother's death, as well as you. He thinks the ruin of Camelot is justice for her." She refrained from telling the rest of the Round Table that she knew he would happily ally with her to attempt to overthrow Arthur. She knew not all of the Knights were exactly thrilled with her magical abilities, and it made some of them outright nervous. She spared a glance across the room at Merlin, who looked at her knowingly.
"My Lady, what would you have us do about Lord Agravaine? Surely the King cannot risk insult to his own uncle by denying him his place at Court with no evidence yet of wrongdoing," Sir Leon asked.
We can make better use of him, outside of Camelot. Merlin told Morgana from his inconspicuous seat in the corner of the room.
"Of course not, you're absolutely right, Sir Leon. Instead, we should keep him occupied with business for the Crown, as far from Camelot as possible," Morgana said, putting forth Merlin's idea.
"Should we not keep him close, so we can watch him, My Lady?" Lancelot asked.
"Normally, I would think so, Sir Lancelot, and consider that the wisest course, but he would have too many opportunities for sabotage. I also worry him being in too close proximity to my sister, and other potential enemies of Camelot," she said.
"He might be useful in negotiations…" Arthur said, as the others also pitched ideas.
"It is settled then. He shall lead the troop placement to Nemeth and then work on the transition of the disputed lands. An important task worthy of his position, but with little trouble he can get into with our allies. Sir Elyan and Sir Percival shall accompany him as his personal guard. Let us adjourn and take to the training yard," Arthur said finally, standing up, followed by the rest of the table.
Merlin waited until they had all left the room to speak.
"Even without your influence, you're certain Agravaine intends to overthrow Camelot?" Merlin asked.
She frowned. "I realize I may be unfairly judging him, but in my dream, he came to me to offer his service, I did not seek him out. Perhaps without my seeking the crown, he would not act against Arthur, but there are still other enemies of Camelot, including my sister. I can't be certain, but I also can't take the chance. I think it's safe to say he doesn't have Arthur's best interests at heart. Good suggestion, by the way. My own would have been far bloodier."
Merlin smirked. "There's a glimpse of that darkness I've been told so much about."
Morgana huffed in mock offense. "You've seemed to enjoy my wicked streak as of late, my love."
Merlin looked out the door and upwards at the balcony to be sure they were alone, then pulled her close. "Would that I could enjoy it right now," he said, kissing her heatedly.
"You'll just have to wait until tonight, I have work to do," she whispered into his ear, before leaving the hall.
Torturous woman, you know I'll never survive that long. You know how desperately I need you, how much I love you, he replied.
She couldn't keep the smile from her lips at the sentiment. All this time, waiting for him to be ready, she finally had his heart. Having his body was also especially enjoyable. The past few weeks had been heavenly.
Sister, enough stalling, we need to meet. She heard in her head. Tonight. Arthur's debt is come due.
The smile left her lips immediately.
. . .
"Fine, but bring her here," Arthur said at supper that evening.
"Sire, it's too dangerous to bring her here," Merlin frowned, refilling his cup. "We don't know her intentions, whether she's still intent upon conquering Camelot."
"Surely she couldn't see Camelot as a threat, with her own sister as Princess?" Gwen objected, shaking her head at Merlin's attempt at a refill.
"She would rather Morgana be Queen," Merlin said. "As Queen, she could inflict her brand of justice and give rise to a new era where magic dominates, not just coexists peacefully."
Morgana shot him a dirty look. Arthur looked at them both like he was putting together a puzzle that was missing several pieces.
"Then let us meet. Surely we can show her that Camelot under my rule will be kinder to those who use magic," Arthur said. He seemed unbothered by the threat she posed.
"How can we, when we haven't even decided what that looks like?" Morgana frowned.
"Arthur, I think Morgana is correct that Morgause won't be impressed by a meeting that yields no real answers on magic users," Gwen offered.
"Then I will go with you, along with a group of knights," Arthur said.
"Arthur, no," Morgana said.
"Sire, I agree, that would be an unnecessary risk to have you or any knights with her," Merlin said.
"So you would have my sister out in the woods alone with someone who wants Camelot destroyed?" Arthur growled, knowing he was losing this argument.
"Not alone, Sire. I will accompany the Princess," Merlin offered.
Arthur barked a laugh. "You? You can barely wield a sword, let alone take on a powerful sorceress."
Morgana stifled a grin as Merlin rolled his eyes.
"Morgana can hold her own, both with magic and with a sword. But Merlin can go as a spy, so that if anything goes wrong, he can come back to warn you," Gwen suggested.
Morgana nodded. "I would agree to that."
Arthur sighed. "Fine, but I still don't like it."
. . .
They left after supper, just before sundown on horseback.
"This isn't how I'd hoped we would be spending our evening together, but I'm glad you're with me, nonetheless," Morgana said, looking over her shoulder at Merlin with a smile.
"I am glad as well, my love," he said, returning her smile.
They rode to the meeting location, but Merlin did not stay behind as agreed.
"Why have you brought your servant, Sister? Can he be trusted?"
"I trust him with my life, Sister."
"Very well. It is time we discuss your ascension to the throne."
"I am Arthur's heir, but as I've said, I would prefer I never need inherit. Arthur will wed and produce his own heirs, and I will be at his side as Princess of Camelot."
"Arthur is a Pendragon, and he will never accept magic. He is now King and nothing has changed."
"That isn't true. I've seen it. It is prophesied. Arthur is the Once and Future King of a united Albion, and he will restore magic to these lands."
"So the Druids claim. But as High Priestess, I serve the Triple Goddess, and Arthur's crimes against magic will not go unpunished."
"He will make amends."
"How?"
"He knows of my magic, and he has accepted it."
"So, he loves his sister enough to not burn her for sorcery. What of the rest of us? Is he going to accept the Old Religion? I think not."
"As I've told you, he will do you no harm so long as you take no harm against Camelot. Be our ally, Sister. Help us bring magic back to Camelot and unite Albion."
"I will never ally with a Pendragon," she said, coldly. "I told you my terms. Arthur must answer for his crimes."
"You forget, I am a Pendragon," Morgana said, looking hurt.
"Unfortunate, yes, but you are nothing like Uther."
"Neither is Arthur. He is a good and just king. He is a good man."
"What say you, servant boy? You look like you've got an opinion you wish to share," Morgause eyed him suspiciously.
"I agree with Princess Morgana. Arthur is a good king and will be the greatest in all of history."
"And what do you think of magic?" she said, stepping into his personal space. "Do you fear it?"
"Magic is merely a tool of villainy or of heroism depending upon who wields it. How will you choose to wield your magic, My Lady?"
She looked at him intensely.
"Does Arthur feel the same?"
"I believe he does now that he has seen what good magic can do."
"The choice, however, is not up to me. I only serve the Triple Goddess. If the Triple Goddess commands Arthur's downfall, it shall be done."
"At your hands?" Morgana asked. "Please, Sister, come to Court and see for yourself. We shall prepare for your visit, honor your presence with a banquet."
Morgause looked surprised at this, as did Merlin.
"Please, come in a fortnight."
Morgause looked long and hard at her sister, and then said, "I will do as you ask."
Morgana smiled and embraced her. "Thank you."
Morgause nodded, and then left the cave. They heard her horse gallop away.
"That was easier than I thought," Merlin noted. "Although I still don't know if it's wise to welcome her through the castle gates."
"Well, getting her to visit is one thing, getting her alliance will be another entirely."
"But if anyone can convince her, it's you," he smiled, kissing her.
She sighed happily as they kissed, slipping her tongue past his lips and running her hands through his short hair.
You know, they aren't expecting us back right away… she projected.
He groaned, as she began to untie her blouse.
I've wanted you all day, I could barely think of anything else… he responded.
Nor could I, my love… she said, letting her blouse fall to the ground, as he palmed her bare breasts in his hands.
She shimmied out of her trousers and stood bare before him, her raven locks falling around her shoulders. She looked like the very essence of magic — mystical and other-worldly — at the same time so very human and vulnerable — soft curves and smooth skin — inviting touch and taste and exploration.
Merlin embraced her, still fully clothed, and kissed her slowly, before dropping to his knees before her. He spread her legs apart and sank his mouth between her thighs. He worshipped her with his lips and his tongue, bringing her just to the brink, but she stopped him.
"Merlin, not yet," she said, pulling him up. She undressed him and kissed him slowly, tasting herself on him. She pulled away and then looked him in the eyes. "We'll take our pleasure together."
Merlin kissed her again, and then the idea occurred to him. His eyes lit up gold and with a few words, the cave transformed. Instead of dust and rock, the cave was filled with silks, and in the center, a luxurious featherbed.
Morgana grinned. "Much better."
"Only the best for the Princess of Camelot," he said, leading her to the bed in the midst of his illusion.
. . .
"Mm, I wish we never had to leave this cave," she murmured happily into his bare chest.
"As do I," Merlin said, kissing the top of her messy tangle of dark curls.
"We should tell Arthur. I don't want to have to hide our love any longer," she said, looking up at him.
"I don't think he's quite ready for that yet. He hasn't even realized he needs to marry Gwen. And he doesn't know I'm a sorcerer. He needs to figure out what to do about sorcerers first."
Morgana pouted. "I just don't want to wait to be with you any longer. I've spent years waiting for you…"
"Wait, years?" he asked her, surprised.
"I've known our shared destiny since I first changed my own. That we would love each other. That we should be wed."
"Why didn't you ever tell me?" he looked at her with surprise.
"I didn't want to rob you of your choices. You already have to serve my brother so you can fulfill your destiny, and his. If you could choose a destiny, would that be it? Washing Arthur's dirty trousers so you can be at arm's length to save him when necessary?"
"Maybe not, but it's still where I belong."
"And here you are now, where you belong. But you're here because you chose it, not because it was chosen for you. You chose me," she said, smiling. "It was worth the wait."
He frowned. "But if you've known all this time, did you have a choice?"
"Of course. I could easily have chosen another path, just as I did when we would have been enemies. I chose you, Merlin. I chose us."
He kissed her deeply. "I can't sustain this illusion spell for much longer, but I don't want to leave your embrace."
"This is why we must tell Arthur soon. I don't want to wait any longer to be with you, to be wed."
"To be wed to the princess of Camelot," he grinned, and kissed her again, softly this time. "You're much more than I'd ever hoped for in life."
"You're the greatest sorcerer in history, surely you had high aspirations?" she smiled, pulling away and gathering her clothes to dress. She held up his pants. "Here, I've got your trousers."
He caught them as she tossed them to him, but stopped to watch her dress, before he gathered the rest of his own clothes. "I've always been alone, and I thought I would always be alone. And if I ever imagined finding someone I could trust with my secrets, and who would love me in spite of them, I never imagined she would love me in part because of them. And I never imagined she would be a powerful sorceress and a princess. What about you, my love? Surely when you imagined your life, you didn't imagine being wed to a sorcerer who is also your brother's manservant?"
She laughed. "I never imagined myself wed at all. It seemed like a particularly cruel form of captivity, to be a woman with no agency, only existing to create heirs for a nobleman and warm his bed when he desires. My father Gorlois was a good man, and he had ordered that I should only marry by my own choice, because he knew the cruelty of men. And I've seen more than my share of terrible noblemen, both in this life and in my dreams. You're the only man I've ever considered being bound to, who would treat me as an equal in our marriage, and not exert authority over me by virtue of being male."
"I will always treat you with the respect and honor you deserve, and I can hardly wait to be your husband," he said, kissing her gently.
"Come, my love, it is time to return home," she said, looking around at the magical cave as Merlin released the illusion charm and it returned to its normal state.
As they left, they failed to notice a pair of blue eyes watching them from the safety of the tree line.