Disclaimer: IDOM

It's that time of the week again-update time. I would say that I look forward to this more than you guys do, but I'm not sure that would be true. I, personally, look forward to it because it typically means that I can go crash afterwards and not have to worry about updating this for a week while I read the amazing reviews I receive.

Speaking of which, in a lot of your reviews last week, I also found several other people who are in love with Rise of the Guardians. *tackle hugs all of you* A guest reviewer actually expressed his/her hope that I would write a RotG fanfic... I have to be honest, I had already begun one before I posted last week. :D So if you haven't seen it here yet, it's called "Unbroken". I still have more bunnies coming (Guys, they won't stop), but I'm not writing anything else major (ex. other than one-shots) until I get some of my other things done. :) So please check it out if you have the time.

Anyway, I have a Studio Art meeting at seven am so I really need to hit the hay, guys. Goodnight to all in advance. Dream of Jack Frost tonight. ;)

Enjoy:

Chapter 10: Unspoken

It was only later that day that he learned from Guinevere that Morgana was going to be in town in the next few days. Gwen said that she was planning to have lunch with her father and brother and then leave again the following morning.

"You never met her when she worked as John's secretary, did you?" Guinevere asked as they ate dinner at the office.

Merlin shook his head. "Nope."

Arthur took a drink of the soft drink he'd picked up. "Great. Because I really want to spend an afternoon with my obnoxious sister."

"Oh, come off it, Arthur," Gwen teased. "You'll have fun, and you know it."

"Yeah, alright."

The time passed too quickly for Merlin's liking. The next day they followed up another lead that, again, only took them towards another possible inquiry. He went to bed that night with anxiety turning in his stomach as he thought about his and Morgana's first meeting. The others didn't remember, so why should she? Maybe this was his second chance. Maybe this time he could save her.

But she had killed so many people that Merlin cared about: Gwaine, Elyan, and, indirectly, Arthur. She had cast Camelot into a dark depth many times, making the people suffer and hide in fear of magic. She had caused the suffering of so many, so many that her legacy still reverberated through the cosmos, and everyone knew her as the evil witch: Merlin's greatest enemy.

Could she be redeemed?

He finally fell asleep in the early hours of the morning, and he met Arthur in the hallway that morning half-asleep, but like usual, he was raring to go. Arthur, however, looked past his energetic smile and noticed the dark shadows underneath his eyes.

"Couldn't sleep?"

As if in answer, Merlin let out a large yawn. "No."

And even that day, all they really did nothing save for waiting for a fingerprint scan to come back that they'd recovered from one of the cases at the museum. Merlin had groaned and asked if there was anything that they could do while they waited, and after receiving an answer of 'no,' he went and chatted with Guinevere, like they always would back in Camelot.

That day, too, came to a close, but when Merlin fell asleep that night, exhausted from lack of sleep, he had nightmares about there being two Morganas: the past one, and this modern one. Their images were the same save for their clothing, but they both wanted to kill everyone he was trying to protect. He woke up in a cold sweat, breathing heavily, and ran his hand across his face. He didn't sleep for the rest of that night, either.

Morning came as he was watching the telly, and he forced himself into the shower and into fresh clothes. He made himself a small breakfast and then, as usual, met Arthur in the hallway just as he was coming out of his apartment.

"Morning," he said, forcing a smile while uncertainty stirred in his stomach.

"Good morning, Colin," Arthur smirked as they stepped into the elevator. "Come on. Katie should be waiting at Scotland Yard."

"Katie?"

A look of confusion passed Arthur's irises before he remembered. "Morgana."

"But I thought you were meeting her for lunch?"

The detective shook his head just as the elevator stopped. "She called late last night. She wants to go shopping before lunch, and my father was glad to give me some time off - says I've been working too hard."

"Erm, alright."

"Don't worry, you've got the day off too. That was easy enough to negotiate."

Merlin paused as his fingers curled around the car door handle. "Then why am I going into work with you?" He could easily have stayed at home and avoided a meeting altogether. However, he realized that if he didn't go, he would never know if Morgana knew. Her magic, if she still had it in this life, might have given her an advantage in regards her memories, he thought, but if it didn't, all the better for them all.

"Because I don't like to drive to work alone," Arthur responded, a sly smirk on his face.

The warlock rolled his eyes and climbed into the car. "Where's everyone else, then?"

"They're already there, Colin," he said, starting the car.

Merlin reached around and buckled himself in. "You know, I think you just like to drive me crazy."

Arthur flashed him a cheeky grin. "Maybe."

The detective ran his hand through his hair just as he started backing up, delicately turning the wheel before putting it into drive. After they'd merged into traffic, it wasn't long before they arrived at the station, and Arthur parked beside the curb, saying he'd be back soon anyway.

Anxiety ran through Merlin as they raced up the stairs, and he pictured Morgana in this world, with her silky black hair and shining emerald eyes, wearing regal clothing and flashing an eerie, yet tantalizing smile everywhere she went. Would she be that way in this world? Or did she change? Could he help her this time? Or was it too late?

They caught the lift and rode it up, and just as the doors opened, two young women's laughter reached their ears, and Merlin felt an arrow pierce his heart. It was her laughter. Memories ran through his head of those beginning years in Camelot, when Morgana was still an innocent, naive Lady. The woman who wasn't afraid to stand up to Uther - the only person courageous enough to. The woman who was always ready to fight for what was right.

"Bradley, you're finally here," Morgana smiled. She wore well-fitting black slacks and a sleeveless, silken green top that brought out the color in her eyes. Her flesh was as pale as it ever was, and the starkness between that and her dark, straightened hair only brought out her natural beauty. "It's about time."

Merlin's breath was stopped in his throat, and he couldn't even swallow as he tried to maintain a casual look. He couldn't let her, or them, see the fear or the wariness or the hope in his eyes. They couldn't see the way that his eyes flickered between Arthur and Morgana, ever restless, as memories of Morgana trying to murder him ran through his head. Because that couldn't happen again.

"What?" Arthur grinned.

"You were taking forever."

"I'm right on time."

"No, you're not."

"Are too"

"You two never change," Gwen interrupted, laughing.

Arthur and Morgana both looked at her with small surprise before Morgana's grin broadened, and she glanced at her brother. "Guess not. And who's this?"

She didn't know.

Morgana was looking right at him, her eyes scanning him, but Merlin didn't see any recognition in her irises. She didn't...

Gratitude at whatever force that kept her memory from her lit within him, so much so that he could breathe again, but he reminded himself he couldn't hope for too much. He knew that though they had the capability to start anew, it was still unlikely because if they ever recovered their memories, they would remember their motives-her motives, his mistakes, and their war. Everyone's war.

"Colin. My new partner."

"Oh! This is him," she said, her eyes widening with remembrance. Morgana put her hand on her hip and curled the fingers on her other hand over that. "I used to work here a few weeks ago. Right when you started, actually, but we weren't ever able to meet."

"Yes, I've heard a lot about you," Merlin responded, finding his voice. "It's nice to finally meet you."

"And you," she nodded, smiling at him. She was the same person, but she possessed a different mind, a different personality. She no longer played the role of the mad, perverted version of Uther's ward. "Arthur, we better get going; the shops will be opening."

"Yeah, of course, I mean it's not like they won't be there all day just... waiting for customers."

Morgana, or Katie, rolled her eyes in mock annoyance. "Goodness, Arthur, you can be so annoying at times."

"Where's Father anyhow?" Arthur asked, furrowing his brow. "I thought he was supposed to be with you."

"Someone called him about another case; he had to leave."

"Ah, alright."

Guinevere smirked at her boyfriend and suddenly looped her arm through Merlin's, reminding him of when she would do the same in Camelot. "Well, while you two are out shopping, I thought Colin and I would go see a movie."

The warlock smiled down at her, laughter overshadowing his wariness. "What, you're off too?"

"For the day, yes, but I have to work tonight."

"Then why -?"

"Morgana dragged me in here to keep her company," she answered.

Morgana laughed, and Merlin felt something new bubble up in his stomach. "It's not like I ordered you to come, Angel."

Guinevere smiled, giggling. "I know." Looking at Merlin, she added, "It's just that ever since we were children, I've always acted like her little servant: helping her pick out her clothes, doing her hair, even getting things before even she knew she needed it."

"Sounds like you," Merlin snorted. "What did you have in mind for a movie anyway?"

Gwen smirked deviously at him. "It's a surprise. ...And it's starting soon, so we'd better get going. I'll drive." She left to grab her purse out of her desk and returned shortly with it slung over her forearm. "Well, you two have fun, and don't drive each other crazy, alright?"

"No promises," Morgana joked.

Driving out of the parking lot ten minutes later, Merlin rested his left arm on the window frame of Guinevere's car, feeling the breeze ruffle his hair as she merged in with traffic. The warlock was lost in his thoughts as they stopped at a red light, and he sighed. The meeting with Morgana had, overall, gone very well. He had learned that she didn't, in fact, have her memories back, and the anxiety he had felt had ebbed into a small seed in the back of his mind. For now, at least, he wouldn't have to worry or deal with her.

"So where are we going, then?" he asked.

Guinevere glanced over at him. "Classic Cinemas Theater. Ever been there?"

The warlock let out a laughing breath. "Nope."

"Thought not," she grinned at him, turning her turn signal on. "What exactly have you done?"

"Erm." Fifteen hundred years of memories ran through his head, and he laughed on the inside, while also feeling the pain of not being able to tell her about any of it. "Nothing really."

"But don't you have mates? People you go out with besides us? I mean, you've been living in the London area for a while. No one at your old job?"

Merlin swallowed, avoiding her glancing eyes. "Not really." There was a moment of silence between them, but the sounds of traffic did nothing to hinder the lonely thoughts running through the warlock's mind. Gwen could always do that: delve into his mind and pluck out his weakest point and use it, not to her advantage, no, but to his. She helped him heal.

"Must be quite lonely," she remarked, "living all the way out there by yourself."

Oh, the lake house.

"It wasn't all that bad," he lied.

Guinevere glanced at him again, doe brown eyes narrowing. "You're hiding something," she said, her voice hollow and quiet, as if remembering... But she... Merlin couldn't help but look at her, eyes widened a fraction as hope made his heart pound in his chest. "But I know..." And she blinked, her eyelashes fluttering, and that little flash of true recognition was gone. The warlock bit his lip, the hope withering painfully. "Sorry, I don't... don't know what that was."

He gave her a small, forced smile as she turned right, and the theater came into view, "No, that's alright."

And she just smiled at him.

"Morgana, where're we going?" Arthur asked, trailing behind his sister on London's busy streets.

She slowed to let him catch up, and he shouldered his way past a couple before he reached her side. "We're getting coffee, you goof. I told you that."

"You said you wanted coffee."

"Which means we're getting it."

Arthur groaned. "Fine, but you're buying me one too."

"Fine," she smirked. Turning into the Starbucks on their left, she slowed to a casual stroll as the air conditioning blew on her face.

They both quickly ordered their coffee, Morgana getting a Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino, and Arthur getting a typical espresso with a shot of caramel and a blueberry muffin. Once outside, the turned left again, Morgana leading the way down the sidewalk.

"Now where?" Arthur asked, bringing his cup to his lips.

"The shops, of course. That's what I came here for anyway."

The detective rolled his eyes good-naturedly and followed his sister into a store whose showcase featured mannequins in colorful shorts and tank tops. "So you didn't come here to visit your amazing brother and father?"

Morgana glanced at him, humor running through her eyes as she looped her arm through Arthur's. "Well, that's just an added bonus, isn't it?"

"Suppose so," he smiled.

Glancing away from him, her eyes widened at a black dress featured on one of the mannequins. "Oh, that is gorgeous."

Arthur eyed it over, looking at the thin straps, the silky material, and how it crumpled around the waist and breast. "Looks very formal."

"Oh, Arthur, you're such a man," she laughed, taking an identical dress down from the racks. "You couldn't spot a lovely dress if you were wearing one."

The blond laughed. "Which, by the way, will never happen."

"Oh?" she teased. "And what if sweet Guinevere was wearing one?"

Arthur felt his throat go dry for a moment as surprise sprung up in his eyes. "What?"

"Please, Arthur, I've seen the way you look at her. I noticed it long before I'd left."

"And you don't mind?"

Brow furrowing in amusement, she answered, "Why would I mind? Gwen is a good friend of mine and a wonderful person. I'm pleased for both of you." Sighing with relief, Arthur grinned at her. "It's Father you have to worry about."

His attitude changed in an instant, and Arthur let out a short breath of tolerance. "Tell me about it."

Morgana smirked. "I don't have to. Do you remember how he acted when I was dating Patrick?"

"Ha! That was... Whoa," he laughed, shaking his head. Morgana began to walk towards the changing room, and Arthur followed. "I think he scared Patrick to an inch of his life."

"Yes, well, he can be a right prick sometimes," she said. "Just be careful that he doesn't find out about you and Guinevere."

"I'll be careful."

She ducked into one of the changing stalls, handing Arthur her coffee to hold, and threw the dress over the door as she changed. "Actually, there was something else I wanted to talk to you about."

He secretly took a sip of her frappuccino, relishing the coolness. "Hm?"

"Your new partner Colin. What do you think of him?"

His brow furrowed, and he took another sip of her drink. "Erm, why?"

She pulled the dress of the door, and Arthur heard the clicks of her taking it off the hanger. "Answer the question, you prick."

Arthur chuckled and leaned against the wall. "He's a good guy. Very quick-witted, smart, clever."

"Is he a good partner?"

"The best I've had so far," he said, his eyes losing their focus. "He doesn't quote to rule book, he's not an idiot, and he's not afraid to stand up to me..."

"And how long have you been training to be a prat, my lord?"

"Well, he's brave, I'll give him that."

Arthur blinked rapidly to clear his thoughts. "Yeah."

"Just... be careful, alright?"

He let out a small laugh. "Why? And when did you turn into such a worrying sister? First father now Colin?"

"It's just... I don't trust him."

He took another sip of her drink. "And why is that?"

"I don't know, I just... he's hiding something. I know it. What about his file? Did you read that?"

"Yeah, alright," he scoffed. "And no, it was classified."

"Oh yeah, nothing suspicious about that," Morgana said sarcastically.

"Hey, he did some other cases with John. His father too. They go way back, apparently. If John trusts him, so do I."

The door unlocked with a click, and Morgana stepped out. "Hey, genius," she smirked, "you have whipped cream on your lip. And, oh look, mine's the only drink with whipped cream." Feeling a blush creep up his neck, Arthur used his sleeve to wipe away the cream. "Anyway, how's this dress look?"

She turned round, and Arthur took in how it hugged her figure, as the material suggested, and ended just above her knee. "You know, I think you took me shopping instead of Father because there's no way he'd let you buy that."

"Well, there are advantages," she smiled, brushing her hair behind her ear. "So you like it?"

"I suppose. I mean, apparently I wouldn't know a beautiful dress if I was wearing it."

"You prick," she laughed. Morgana spun again. "Wonderful. I'll get this and then we can go shopping for you."

She disappeared back into the changing room, and Arthur rolled his eyes, smirking. "Wonderful."

Oh, before I go, I did want to make a few song suggestions:

"Is This The Day?" by Hoobastank-Guys, I can't stop listening to this song. It is so deep and so meaningful and so absolutely heartbreaking... I was sitting on my cough with my knees up, rocking in place as my fingers intertwined with my hair. I had so many feels. Just imagine Jack Frost when you listen to this. Blame CaptainOzone when the tears start falling. ;)

"Angel With A Shotgun" by The Cab-I was just showed this song today by ErinNovelist. Odd title, I know, but it's fantastic. ;)

"Holding On" by Simple Plan.

Okay, thing time for real... G'night, all! Thanks for reading.