Merlin had long since cried himself to sleep and Arthur had placed him on his own bed and left him to slumber in the now dark room which was lightly lit by the quiet crackling fire that cast Arthur's chambers in shadow.
The young King was sat on his chair by the fire contemplating his earlier conversation with Merlin and the shocking news he had told him. Merlin was Immortal. Arthur had always known there was something special about Merlin but never in his wildest dreams would he of suspected anything of this magnitude.
Not only was he a powerful warlock, he was Arthur's personal bodyguard and Lord of the last remaining dragon. Arthur couldn't imagine the pressure that was on the young man's shoulders. Although he was a king himself, he knew that half of Camelot's safety and day to day running was because of Merlin. He had never felt more humbled and overpowered by Merlin's loyalty.
He had been jealous, Arthur admitted it now, Merlin had always been glued to his side ready with a smile and a cheeky comment and now his attention was divided, given his new bond with his sister Morgana. It surprised him to think that if they ever married they would be brothers and the thought drew a smile to his face.
Maybe their relationship isn't so badArthur mused.
He sniffed in humour and then turned his attention back to the sleeping man. He had often called Merlin a bumbling idiot, but deep down Arthur new there was something about him. He didn't actually look normal; his high cheekbones and deep blue eyes contrasted with his pale skin and raven hair set him apart from everyone else in Camelot. No one looked like him, except he realised that Morgana looked pretty similar. There close relationship with magic resonated in their looks that set them both apart as regal and defined and above all else… powerful.
It was in this moment that Arthur realised how lucky he was to have two powerful allies in Camelot. Especially Merlin; who was willing to lay his life down for the kingdom. A soft knock on his door brought him out of his reverie.
He crossed to the door and opened it and Morgana stood in the shadows lit by, he realised, by her own magic which radiated from her palm.
'I'm sorry Arthur, but I can sense he is here, and I know he is hurting, can I see him, I promise I won't wake him?' Morgana said.
'Of course,' I whispered and stepped aside.
Morgana entered and her emerald eyes immediately sought Merlin's who were closed, his head resting against one of Arthur's own pillows. She walked towards him and stroked a long graceful finger down the side of his face. Even in sleep Merlin turned towards her hand, sensing her presence.
'What happened?' she asked turning her eyes towards Arthur.
'He's had a very trying night, I'm afraid the dragon had some shocking news,' Arthur replied staring wearily at her unsure of how much he should divulge to her.
'You're not going to tell me are you?' she asked, not angrily but in resigned acceptance.
'No, I won't betray his trust again; like I did when I locked him up', Arthur said 'but I'm sure he'll tell you Morgana when he wakes up.'
She sighed and sat on the bed beside him claiming his hand in her own. Arthur saw how she sighed in some sort of relief and watched in amazement as Merlin even in slumber drew closer to her side.
'What's it like?' Arthur asked.
'What do you mean?' Morgana asked turning her gaze to Arthur now.
'Being magic mates?'
'It's amazingly terrible,' Morgana laughed softly 'if that makes any sense.'
Arthur turned his head and gestured for her to continue.
'I love him so completely… being without him physically hurts and being without his magic and comfort is mentally exhausting. The companionship is unlike anything I've felt before, even with Morgause. But it's terrifying to know that we hold each other in the palms of each other's hands. We could break one another so easily. But we love each other so easily as well.' Morgana sighed and turned her attention back to Merlin again.
'He is everything to me now,' she said simply
'And how are you Morgana?' Arthur asked taking a seat at his table facing her 'your life has changed, your path in life has changed, where do you go from now?'
'I go wherever Merlin goes,' Morgana answered simply.
'Yes but you must want something from life Morgana, you've always been ambitious and I'm afraid you can't have my crown so what do you want?'
'Maybe I just want to be loved and accepted by Merlin's side Arthur,' Morgana snapped her green eyes flashing.
'I'm sorry, it's just you changed so much when you betrayed us, you changed from the girl I knew and loved and I don't know what to think of you anymore.'
'I want to be your friend again Arthur,' Morgana said standing up now and coming towards him. She knelt down on her knees by his feet.
'I know I have done wrong, and I must serve justice for my crimes… Merlin has made me see that,' Morgana paused 'I want to rebuild my relationship with you and Gwen, but I need you to know that I will never be sorry for ridding the world of Uther.'
Arthur closed his eyes in pain as images of his father and memories arose before his eyes. He had loved his father; he knew he did wrong and that his hatred against magic was unjust and hypocritical… Merlin was proof of that but he had still loved him and looked up to him. In the end he couldn't fault Morgana for hating him.
'I wish it were different, I wish you felt remorse but I understand why you did it, but I will never forgive you for it,' Arthur said bringing his hand to wipe away the tear that fell down Morgana's face.
'I'm sorry,' Morgana said and Arthur knew she was apologising for the whole situation not for killing Uther.
'Don't be, we will agree to disagree and see if we can salvage our relationship for Camelot and for Merlin.'
'Yes, I would like that,' Morgana whispered.
There was a long pause before Morgana whispered 'I missed you my brother.'
It was Arthur's turn to cry now as he shut his eyes as a wave of love came forward for his unclaimed sister before him, he wanted so much to hate her for her crimes but all he wanted was her back.
'I missed you too Morgana,' and joined her on the floor and wrapped his arms around her.
They got up after a while and moved closer to the fire place where they sat side by side as they had done in winter growing up gossiping about Camelot. The Memories brought a smile to their faces. Arthur's disappeared however as he realised the news Merlin would have to deliver to her at some point.
'What is it?' she asked.
'Merlin,' he replied.
'It's bad isn't it?'
'It may seem that way at first, but you will both realise that you have each other.'
'Then I will take the news with a smile on my face' she smiled and turned her head towards his form on the bed 'I love him so much.'
'Good,' Arthur replied 'but seriously Morgana what do you want?' Arthur asked repeating his earlier question.
'I want to learn, Morgause only taught me so much, there is much about magic I want to learn about; prophecy and healing mostly, Merlin can teach me these things and with the help of Gaius maybe I could one day take over as Camelot's healer.'
'That sounds like brilliant plan', Arthur said 'are you good at healing?' he asked intrigued.
'I've not had much practice but it is the way my magic leans,' she replied.
'What do you mean?'
'All magic users have a talent… or what they are best at…a bit like your knights…some are suited to archery some to hand to hand combat others like yourself to the sword…magic users are no different.'
'So…' Arthur said thinking it through.
'My magic leans towards healing and seeing the future,' Morgana replied 'I can still do other kinds of magic but it is not what I am best at.'
'What's Merlin best at?' Arthur asked curiously.
Morgana laughed in reply 'Merlin is Emrys… he is brilliant at anything, but I would guess he is best at defensive and offensive magic, although I am sure he is brilliant at everything else, he is so powerful.'
'It's weird viewing him as the most powerful man in Camelot.'
'Come on, you always knew he was special Arthur,' Morgana said laughing nudging him in the side.
'Yes, I just never realised how special,' Arthur said 'What about your sister then what was she good at?'
Morgana immediately lowered her eyes and frowned.
'I'm sorry I shouldn't have,' Arthur said.
'No its fine…Morgause was best at dark magic, I'm not going to lie, and I realise now how corrupt and dangerous she was. But that doesn't stop me loving her,' Morgana replied, she met his gaze unflinchingly.
'Of course not, she was your sister,' Arthur replied.
Morgana didn't reply and instead turned towards Merlin again feeling the ache of separation she rose and moved to his side.
'Do you want to stay?' Arthur asked.
'No, I think I will leave him until he is ready,' Morgana said, she lowered her head and brushed her lips across his cheek in a gentle kiss then his forehead and moved towards the door.
'Thank you Arthur, for talking with me,' Morgana said.
'You're welcome any time sister,' Arthur said smiling.
She smiled in reply then said 'Will you tell him I'm looking for him in the morning?'
'Why don't you both join me for breakfast?' Arthur offered.
She nodded in reply and with a final glance at Merlin she reluctantly left the room. Arthur watched her go. He was half way there to having his sister back, she was slowly becoming the girl he knew and loved again, he only hoped that Merlin's news wouldn't set her back. He turned towards his best friend again and smiled, he would make it okay. Merlin would make everything okay.
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