AN: I've changed the original timeline cause S3 E1 and E2 had very confusing pacing that places Merlin being gone probably about 2 days, but each scene had vastly different lighting so I couldn't be sure.

The morning bell had barely rung before Merlin returned to Camelot, whereas Morgana had returned the night prior. Arthur and the knights had been run ragged preparing for the worst, so the disappearance of the Prince's servant had yet to enter their minds. Guinevere however was all too aware of every hour the two sorcerers were gone. By midday without word from them she had let her mind wonder through a few different fantasies about them. She had seen how close they were those few years leading up to Morgana's kidnapping. Merlin wasn't quite the same after it. He was his normal self on any matter of non-urgency, but the moment Morgana's name was mentioned Gwen could see his spirits fall and his eyes become dull. It was rather sad for her to watch. So when Morgana had first returned and Merlin visited her as soon as she awoke, Gwen began to suspect strong feelings were resurfacing.

She thought all day about how Morgana sneaked past while she slept. Had Merlin done the same to Gaius? Waited till he was sound asleep to secretly rendezvous with a once lost flame. As she scrubbed the floor to Morgana's chambres she couldn't help but to smile at the thought of them being alone, hiding in any shadow they could like she and Arthur had been for months. By the time she finished Morgana's laundry she had already envisioned how beautiful Morgana would look in several different possible wedding dresses. As soon as Morgana returned the night before as if nothing had happened and apologized for worrying Gwen, Gwen was incredibly happy to know that their friend group was once again whole.

Gwen was doing some post breakfast cleanup as Morgana stood facing the window.

"May I clear away the dishes my lady?" She asked.

Morgana made no attempt to move or respond. Her gaze was set on something in the courtyard below, framed by the glass of the window. Gwen moved closer. She could faintly see Arthur and Merlin making their way to the north wing of the castle. She steadied herself before speaking again.

"Morgana?"

"I was thinking 'bout what to wear." she said as she smiled at Gwen.

I bet you were, Gwen thought trying to hide her own smile. She also had crushed on Merlin when he first arrived in Camelot, so she recognized the giddy excitement that seeing his smile brought. In that instance it became her mission to help them in their illicit affair, consequences be damned.

MERLIN POV

Once again I saved Uther and Camelot without thanks. Which usually would not be much of an issue, however today I was dealing with the remaining healing to be done after being stung. Kilgharrah mentioned the wound would be gone but the feeling would linger a while, but not for how long. My knuckles buckled and creaked as I tried to remove some dry grains from Arthur's plate with the tips of my fingernails. The cloth had done nothing to loosen it. Every second in this hunched position made the discs in my back tighten together. When I had had enough I simply said a few words to remove the grime with magic. I continued wiping, pretending nothing had happened. if anyone in the bustling kitchen had heard me I would be well within plausibility to say I had simply muttered curse words. Someone tapped my shoulder from behind which felt more like a hammer being brought down upon it.

"I know what you did." It was Gwen.

"Sorry?" fear was quite evident in my voice, I tried to mask it as shock.

Gwen smiled. She was now standing directly next to me, putting her own dishes into the basin and wiping.

"Your secret's safe with me Merlin." She continued. "If you ever need anyone to talk to, you know where to find me."

I had always suspected Guinevere would be fine with sorcerers, but the look on her face was not one I'd ever imagined. She was almost too chill about it. It was unnerving.

"What exactly would we be talking about?" I lowered my voice.

She giggled as she cleared some breadcrumbs from Morgana's plate. after smiling to herself and shaking her head she looked back up at me.

"Your feelings for Morgana." She replied... Feelings. "I know you two snuck out before dawn yesterday."

Sure I followed her... but instead of having a magically romantic night, she tried to kill me.

"You know she once said the same about you?" I asked finishing up the dishes and placing them in the appropriate cupboard. "When that plague swept through camelot, she said she could tell I had a crush on you."

"I didn't know that." She was looking at me now. Her smile softened and her cheeks were slightly rosy.

"I didn't have a crush then," I said as I prepared to leave. "And I most certainly don't have one now."

AN: You know it's crazy how fast life can spiral into chaos, but I think I've managed to find a peaceful enough period to work on stuff. I have a good 10 fic ideas I want to start but am holding back due to how little time I have and the determination to finish this one. Also I recently read some of my old fics and it physically hurt me, I'm aching to rewrite those as well cause the story potential is there. ~~ Myrien