So I've been getting some emails asking if people can use my idea of magic mates in their own stories…part of me is very flattered, and another part of me wants to string you up by your toes and pelt rocks at you whilst yelling 'BACK OFF!'

But maybe that's a bit extreme :')

I don't mind you using my idea as long as the story is not a basic copy (then I will pelt rocks at you in the form of lots of nasty emails and spam) however I would appreciate it if you would credit me in your own stories that way people don't think your idea is amazingly original…when it wasn't actually yours!

Just so we're clear!

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin!

'Here they come,' Morgana said, watching as Bayard's dignitary slowly and regally made their way into Camelot's courtyard.

'Remind me again why Merlin isn't here?' Gwaine said.

'We don't want to overwhelm Bayard besides, he probably doesn't even remember Merlin, why show him when I can keep him as a surprise if Bayard does do anything suspicious' Arthur said.

'Well I think that it's a bad idea,' Gwaine said.

'No one cares what you think Gwaine,' Arthur said bluntly.

'Morgana does, Merlin does,' Gwaine replied jauntily.

'Well I'm the king and my word is law,' Arthur said arrogantly brushing down his armour and widening his stance as Bayard and his men approached.

'You just say that when you know you've lost the argument,' Gwaine said, Morgana laughed at this.

'One more word Gwaine and I'll have you in the stocks for a week,' Arthur said.

'My lips are sealed Princess.' Gwaine replied.

Arthur's decision to have Merlin in the background for this visit had caused a very loud verbal sparring match between the pair. Merlin didn't want to leave Morgana on her own, plus he didn't think it was fair that he was being left out. Arthur thought the matter was simple; Bayard was a threat and having Merlin up his sleeve as surprise back-up was a tactical decision.

Remembering Merlin's thoughts on the matter made Arthur shake his head in frustration:

'Hang on a minute you're going to have Morgana stand loyally by your side when a few days ago she was considered to be your worst enemy, but me the man who has stood by you all these years is being forced into the background?' Merlin had thundered.

'In case you don't recall Merlin, last time Bayard was here Morgana was my father's ward, having her by my side will show Bayard that this was nothing more than a family dispute which we've put behind us' Arthur replied.

'And I just have to sit quietly and play the dumb servant?' Merlin fumed.

'Merlin you know I don't think that of you,' Arthur said.

'Only because you're downright scared of me Arthur, admit it!' Merlin said 'You didn't give me another glance before you knew of my magic!'

Arthur had refused to rise to the insults that he knew Merlin didn't mean and instead tried to keep a level head. Merlin was just upset, he wanted to be there for both Arthur and Morgana and when he had been told he couldn't he was obviously going to be a bit mad about it.

'Merlin, I've always thought you were the bravest man I've ever known, even before you had magic,' Arthur said watching as Merlin raised his eyebrows in surprise.

'I need you to trust me on this,' Arthur said and watched as Merlin struggled with himself and then sighed with frustration.

'If one hair on either yours or her head is hurt…damn it, on ANYONES head someone is going to pay big time,' Merlin said.

The look in Merlin's eyes was filled with confidence and Arthur knew that despite his humorous words he was deadly serious. But beneath that Arthur knew that he was terrified of leaving Morgana for any period of time.

'I will look after her Merlin she's my sister, I love her,' Arthur said.

'And who's going to look after you?' Merlin asked.

'Look Merlin please will you just play the helpless servant for the week he's here, please I'm begging you,' Arthur said.

'Fine.'

And with that he had walked out room and slammed the door with surprising force. Arthur shook his head and focused on Bayard's approach. Now was not the time to be thinking of Merlin, now was the time to play the court politics Uther had instructed him in since the day he was born.

'King Bayard of Mercia, we are honoured to have you here in Camelot I hope you will have a pleasant visit,' Arthur said in his kingly voice he only used for occasions such as this.

'Well, well, well, what have we here?' Bayard said from astride his horse 'The prince has finally grown up.'

Arthur forced back his irritation and smiled his most charming smile.

'Indeed I have.'

Bayard smirked at him coldly and then dismounted in one graceful leap and threw his reins into the hands of one of Camelot's stable hands. Bayard hadn't changed much in appearance in his four years of absence; in fact he looked very much the same. His hair was a golden brown and hung to his shoulder and his beard was neatly trimmed, the only signs of aging were the slight wrinkles around his eyes which proclaimed a wisdom and sharp intellect that Arthur grudgingly respected. Cloaked in shades of blue as were the colours of Mercia and with a golden crown on his head he looked every inch the experienced king, something Arthur hoped he would be able to match someday.

Arthur watched as Bayard looked him up and down then dismissed him as unimportant however his gaze swept through Arthurs knights and men until they rested on Morgana who was dressed in green silk and looked every inch the beautiful princess, Arthur forced himself not to flinch as Bayard's eyes narrowed in interest.

'Ah the beautiful Lady Morgana le Fay or as I have heard Pendragon it is now?' Bayard said with a smirk 'I heard about your going up in the world.'

Arthur had to give it to Morgana, her year of absence had done nothing to diminish her royal grace and her ability to deal with the foreign king. She simply smiled a slight smile and offered her hand to the king, her eyes showing nothing of the distaste she had to feel in letting another man touch her.

'As beautiful as ever and much more impressive now you have all that power,' Bayard said lowering his lips to kiss her hand.

'Tell me what is a high priestess like yourself doing standing by Arthur's side, one who hates your kind with a passion I might add?' Bayard said his hand still on hers.

Morgana gently removed her hand with a purpose and narrowed her eyes at the king.

'Arthur is not Uther, Bayard, as you well know, he is my brother and he has welcomed me here, I would be a fool to betray his kindness.' Morgana said.

'You could be so much more,' Bayard said more to himself than anyone else.

Arthur didn't like the look of contemplation that came over Bayard's face.

'I don't need anything more,' Morgana said.

'Of course,' Bayard said smiling again 'Women are nothing if not easily amused, I suppose the pretty dresses keep your attention happily enough.'

Morgana forced herself not to glare at the insult to her intelligence and instead just smiled back serenely.

'Of course.'

'Well, shall we go in?' Arthur said hastily stepping between the two 'I'll have a servant show you to your quarters where you can rest before dinner'

'Very well,' Bayard said

Arthur stepped aside and gestured for him to enter the castle; he couldn't help but have a bad feeling about what was to come.

'What do you mean he questioned why you were there?' Merlin asked.

Morgana had gone back to her chambers soon after leaving Bayard in the courtyard only to find a pacing and frustrated Merlin awaiting her.

'He seemed to imply I could do better,' Morgana said smiling slightly as she watched him pace from her place on the bed.

'I don't like him,' Merlin said.

'Of course you don't,' Morgana agreed.

'He's up to something,' Merlin said 'I know he is.'

'You always suspect something, don't you Merlin?' Morgana said.

She couldn't deny Merlin's intelligence but aside from Bayard being his normal rude self she didn't suspect him of any wrong doing as of yet. Merlin however seemed determined to think ill of him.

'I could feel him touching you, even though I couldn't see, I wanted to kill him,' Merlin said.

A few years ago Morgana would have laughed at the statement but watching Merlin pace now, she couldn't deny that the man before her simply oozed power and strength, she wondered how she could have missed it before.

'He just kissed my hand Merlin, paying his respects,' Morgana said even though at the memory of the kiss she had wanted to punch him herself.

'No one should be kissing you but me,' Merlin said coming up to her now and taking said hand in his.

'I totally agree with you my love, but it couldn't be avoided,' Morgana said cupping his face with her other hand watching as Merlin's eyes danced with barely supressed rage.

'I want to come to the dinner tonight,' Merlin said, allowing her touch to calm him slightly.

'Arthur won't allow it,' Morgana said stroking his face in an attempt to keep him calm.

'Then I'll go as his servant, he can't deny that his servant should be in attendance,' Merlin said with a look of triumph.

Morgana giggled, Merlin was determined and she had to admit his look of possessiveness was quite attractive and made her cheeks heat but she couldn't help but get a bad feeling.

'You think you'll be able to keep a level head?' Morgan asked.

'Of course I will,' Merlin said looking at her now and noticing how close they were.

'You're sure?' Morgana said bringing her face so close to his their lips nearly touched and had the satisfaction of watching as Merlin's eyes closed in bliss.

'Well, as long as you don't do this throughout the dinner,' Merlin said running a hand through her hair.

'Hmm I don't think Arthur would approve,' Morgana said and kissed his jawline moving up towards his adorable ears and sighed in satisfaction as Merlin's breath hitched.

'No I don't think he would,' Merlin said.

Conversation stopped as Morgana gently bit down on his ear dragging her teeth down the lobe, Merlin groaned in reply and lowered her onto the bed feeling there bond flare up between them. He pinned her arms to the bed and kissed her in a passionate kiss gently biting down on her lower lip and hissing in delight as Morgana moaned into his mouth allowing his tongue to sweep in and stroke her own.

Morgana moaned in satisfaction and thought that she definitely needed to make Merlin jealous a lot more often.

No they've not had sex yet…you will know when they do trust me *fans face* let's just say that the jealously is going to step up another notch in the next chapter as Bayard makes his intentions clear.

Please review!