Hello my dears. I would like to thank Greytune, Meri Ley (Guest), Dinozzo1, OechsnerC, Elle Light, Gingeraffealene, NotNecessarilyInThatOrder, lauparrillaxrobbie and septimusromanseverus for the wonderful reviews. I would also like to thank those of you who have followed and favoured since my last update.
So here is the next chapter, I hope you like it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.
Merlin stood in the courtyard holding the reins of two horses, while a stable hand held two more behind him. Those were the ones that held the packs containing food, blankets and cushions so the royal party could have a comfortable picnic to break up their afternoon ride. He didn't know how Morgana had persuaded Arthur to spend the afternoon with her, nor did he know how Arthur had persuaded Uther to let the two of them go out with only their servants in attendance, but he didn't question that they had. And he couldn't have been happier about it. It was the perfect chance to let Gwen and Arthur be together without the worry of someone seeing, or fear of the courts and the King's response to their affections for each other. And if he also realised somewhat selfishly it would give him more time with Morgana, was there really anything wrong with that? The woman she was becoming, or more the woman she had once been and was finding again, she was worthy of his heart surely. Morgana had promised to side with Arthur, and he knew that was not a lie. Her magic told him her words were spoken in truth and as such he found for the first time since she had enchanted him, he was happy to show his feelings for her. Was happy about the chance they were going to have to spend time not just together, but with their friends as well. Yes, it was going to be a perfect afternoon.
It was at that moment that Morgana and Arthur came out of the doors, Gwen following behind with a small smile on her face as she unconsciously stared at the back of the prince. The love she had in her eyes made Merlin's heart warm for his friend's future. Gwen and Arthur would make the best king and queen he could ever know, he was sure of that. When the three people came to the horses they separated, with Gwen going towards the horse that was behind Arthurs own, and said man following, offering to help her mount the steed. Leaving Morgana to approach her own horse, and Merlin alone.
Merlin watched as she walked, staring at her beauty in the violet riding outfit she was wearing. In fact he was so caught in his appreciation he did not notice her stop by her horse, waiting for assistance.
"Merlin, you job is to assist the lady onto her horse. Are you a complete idiot?" came Arthur's voice cutting through his thoughts and making him realise he was standing in the courtyard just staring at the Kings ward. Not a good plan if he wanted to keep his head.
"Lady Morgana, allow me." He said, ignoring Arthur's words in favour of dropping the reins of the horses he was holding and moving to stand by Morgana's side. But when he got there he had a moment's hesitation. He knew that he should be making a cradle for her foot and hosting her up that way as he was a servant. But he was also the man who hoped to make her one day his wife, if things turned out as he hoped they would, and as such he wanted more than anything to do as Arthur had done to Gwen and grip her waist and lift her into the saddle.
Morgana saved him from his dilemma by placing her hands upon his shoulders, obviously expecting him to lift her into her seat. Well who was he to deny a lady? Therefore sharing a soft smile with the woman in front of him he gently gripped her waist before lifting her effortlessly upwards and onto the horse.
"Thank you, Merlin." Morgana breathlessly muttered once in place, with the reins in her hands. Many men had done as he just had, but not one of them had ever stirred the feelings inside her that Merlin did when he touched her. For some reason she didn't understand she felt safe in his arms. It was then that the memory of her poisoning rushed back to her, and she was shocked to discover, that even as she lay in his arms dying by his own hand, and buried deep beneath the betrayal, she had felt safe. How could that be? But now was not the time to think on such a thing.
"You are welcome, my lady." Merlin replied bowing to her before moving to mount his own horse which was directly behind her own.
Once he was settled the four of them made their way out of the courtyard, with Merlin moving to be beside Arthur who was in the lead, there usual banter heard by all as they made their way out of the gate. And Leon who had been watching from the shadows couldn't help but smile. It seemed the prince had settled whatever was worrying him, and it was even more obvious that he was supportive of the relationship between the king's ward and his servant. Though Leon truly hoped it was only obvious to him because he know knew the truth. He did not want to think what would happen if the king ever got wind of the idea of Merlin and Morgana. But looking around the other people in the courtyard, he saw none of them saw anything odd by the behaviour of the party that had just left. That was good. It meant he could only hope they had a nice afternoon rather than worrying about anything else. Turning his mind away from the royal party he instead moved towards the training grounds. He had his own work to do after all.
They rode for some time before coming to the clearing in the woods that Arthur had decided would be the best place for their picnic. Once stopped he was the one who helped Gwen off her horse and took her arm to show her the place he had chosen, with a little help from a certain servant, leaving Morgana in the capable hands of his friend. That was why they were there after all, to spend time with the one they loved.
Merlin rolled his eyes at the prince, because while he knew what he was doing, it seemed he had forgotten that someone had to set up the picnic, namely him. So once he had helped Morgana off her horse he quickly went about collecting the things he had packed. But he was surprised that rather than Gwen helping as he had presumed, it was Morgana whose hand closed over his as he pulled out the picnic blanket.
"You do not need to help me, my lady." He murmured not wanting his words to reach the happy couple standing at the edge of the clearing talking quietly to each other.
"But it gives Arthur and Gwen the perfect time together, and us as well." Morgana replied with a smile and a chuckle. She was more than happy to help him, to try and find ways to see if her hope was correct. That maybe he had true feelings for her that ran deeper than her sister's enchantment.
"Very true." Merlin agreed before cutting his eyes to the other couple with them only to find their eyes locked together. That was good. And if they were making use of the semi-private time, he did not see why he should not as well. Therefore while Arthur and Gwen where distracted he pulled Morgana so that the horses blocked them from view before placing a quick sweet kiss upon her lips. "As a thank you, for your assistance." He whispered. And then he was gone, moving around and collecting the heavy bags, arranging them to his satisfaction so that everything would be prefect for the meal to come.
"As long as you don't go round thanking all the serving girls that way when they help you." came Morgana's voice from behind him, and while he could tell she had meant it in jest, he was astute enough to notice the hint of jealously in her voice. The idea the Morgana was jealous of him with another woman made his heart sore and a wide smile to appear on his face as he turned to her.
"I promise you, my love. You are the only one I have ever thanked in that way, and the only one I ever will." And staring into her eyes as he said those words everything else seemed to fade away. There was nothing more than the two of them in that moment. But of course a certain coltpole had to go and ruin it all. It seemed he unlike Merlin and Morgana, did not understand the concept of giving lovers a moment.
"When you've finished making doe eyes at Morgana, Merlin. I would like to eat before dark." Arthur called standing with his hands on his hips as he mock glared at his friend. Through in truth he had been surprised to turn to find the other two staring at each other as if there was nothing else in the world. He had never seen the looks they had on their faces before, not from them. He wondered briefly if that was how he and Guinevere looked when they were together, but no. He could never look as sappy as Merlin.
"Well maybe you should get the food out yourself then." Merlin responded sarcastically though his eyes were smiling as he said the words.
"I am the prince. It is your job to serve me, remember." Arthur replied in his most pompous voice. This was one of his favourite arguments, and favourite activities, making Merlin do all the dirty work.
"I will help you, Merlin. My lady, why don't you and Arthur sit?" Gwen interrupted deciding that if someone did not then nothing would get done.
"Don't be silly, Gwen. We have hands just as you do, and surely with the four of us we will have every set up much more quickly." Morgana replied her with a wave of her hand as she turned to take one of bags from Merlin, before carrying it carefully over to the blanket that had been set up.
"Not if Arthurs involved." Merlin answered with a smirk as he moved the rest of what he was carrying to the same area as Morgana was now kneeling.
"I heard that. I am going to prove you wrong." Arthur stated joining the lady on the blanket and starting to randomly pull wrapped bundles out, piling them high at his side making Merlin roll his eyes before he went to rescue their food. If he did not it would all be squashed with the way Arthur was handling it. Couldn't the dollophead do anything normal people could?
Morgana had been right, it did not take long with the four of them helping, if what Arthur was doing could be classed as such, to have the picnic set up. As such the four friends soon found themselves sitting around the food talking about inconsequential things, and it seemed completely lost of them how they had naturally arranged themselves. With Merlin and Morgana on one side, and Arthur and Gwen the other. Though Merlin and Arthur sat across from each other so the former was within the latter's hitting distance if he said anything too outrageous. Which considering it was Merlin was pretty much everything that came out of the idiot's mouth.
The food went quickly, and time past with the pleasure of being with friends. Of not having to think of status and rules, not having to worry about what would happen if they were seen. No on that afternoon they were just four people enjoying each other's company. But finally Morgana decided it was time to see if she could find out what she had decided she wanted when she had come up with the plan. Namely whether there was a chance that Merlin loved her, for herself and not for the enchantment her sister had placed him under. Therefore with a stretch she spoke.
"I do not know about all you, but I feel the need for a walk after that delicious meal. Care to join me Merlin?" She asked turning her most stunning smile upon the man next to her.
"Happily, my love." Merlin answered though when his words were followed by a choking sound from Arthur he quickly turned to glare at him as he spoke rapidly. "I said lady. My lady."
"As long as you don't go calling all the ladies of the court that, I think we can let it slide, Merlin… dearest." Arthur responded, batting his eyelashes at his friend as he tried not to burst out laughing at the look of horror on Merlin's face. Oh he was never going to let him live that one down.
"Behave Arthur, or I will have to fight you for my man's honour." Morgana interrupted her smirk showing as she once more subtly reminded him she had beaten him.
"One time Morgana, it was one time." Arthur groaned, when was she going to let that slide? Well, probably never, but still he could live in hope.
"Fine, then I will tell Gwen all the stories I know about you." Morgana replied thinking of the next worst thing she could do to her brother. She liked it when Merlin called her his love, and she really didn't want Arthur putting him off using the words thank you very much.
"I am sure you have done that already." Arthur smirked right back. He was under no illusions that the woman he thought of as a sister and the one he loved weren't as close as best friends could be.
"but I bet there are things I know that she doesn't, in fact there was this one time-" Merlin said deciding to join in the conversation, but before he could get into his stride, though what story he was going to tell he had no idea, Arthur interrupted him.
"Go the pair of you. Leave us in peace."
"As you wish, Sire." Merlin replied standing to give him a bow which while correct, still seemed to be mocking, before holding out his hand to help Morgana up from the blanket. All the while in the background was the sound of Gwen giggling at the conversation she had just witnessed. Yes, it really was shaping up to be the most perfect afternoon.