So I received my first flame the other week…thanks! All you do is waste 5 minutes of your own life complaining about something when all you're really accomplishing is making me hysterical with laughter and increasing my review count so go ahead keeping flaming…I really couldn't give a flying fuck!

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

Merlin's POV

Helping Arthur get ready was never one of my favourite jobs, well none of the jobs I ever had to do for Arthur were very enjoyable. But I realised that in my break with sorting out mine and Morgana's relationship that I had missed my job, I had missed Arthur and the easy comradeship we once shared. Our relationship would never be the same of course, but that didn't mean that it couldn't be even better than it was before.

I gently pinned his red cape into place and then brushed it down and stepped back to admire my work; he looked every inch the handsome young king, cocky, arrogant and confident in his own skin, it was something I greatly admired about him.

'This feels weird,' Arthur said staring at me like I was some sort of strange creature.

'What does?' I asked confused, I didn't think I had got anything wrong this time. In fact I had managed to get him dressed without forgetting something; it was definitely a first for me.

'You, pretending to be my servant,' Arthur said still staring at me.

'Arthur I am your servant there's no pretending about it,' I said and was answered with a quiet snort and a shake of his head.

'You've never been just my servant Merlin, even before I knew about your magic, you've always been something more personal, now that your secret is out though, I suppose I just realise how wasted as a servant you are,' Arthur said.

I stared at him in shock. Me and Arthur weren't renowned for our deep meaningful conversations, we were more known for our insults competition and how well we ridiculed each other whilst still maintaining a light friendship, this was completely new for us, but not unwelcomed.

'I told you before Arthur, I'm proud to be your servant till the day I die,' I said standing tall and proud.

'No Merlin, you're a son of magic, and you're the brother of dragons, leader of the druids and the most powerful man in the whole of the five kingdoms, you're not just a servant, don't be an idiot,' Arthur said.

'Maybe,' I replied 'But I am also a servant to my heart, at my heart tells me that my position for now is by your side as it has always been.'

'And Morgana's lover on the side?' Arthur teased his eyes smiling.

'That's private,' I said smiling back.

'Is it? I am her brother you know,' Arthur said.

'Does that mean I have to ask for your permission?' I said 'Because I really don't see that happening.' I laughed.

'You do if you want to marry her,' Arthur said.

Marriage. Me…married to Morgana. Somehow that image would not come easily. I loved her with all my heart, our magic was already bound together for the rest of our very long lives why complicate it with marriage. Marriage ruined things; I and Morgana were prime examples of that.

'Why would I want to do that?' I asked laughing off Arthur's comment and missing his look of shock.

'You mean you don't want to?' Arthur asked.

'Of course not, we're already bound together by magic why complicate things further?' I asked.

'Because you love her?' Arthur asked.

'Of course I do, she knows it, and I know it why do we need a piece of paper to prove it? All I need to know is that deep in my heart me and Morgana will be together for the rest of time, I don't need to marry her to prove it,' I said.

'But you're sleeping with her,' Arthur said staring at me straight in the eyes.

'Erm…' I replied not sure what to say, we hadn't actually consummated our relationship yet but I had no idea why that would be any of Arthur's business.

'You've taken her innocence and her virtue you should make an honest woman out of her,' Arthur said.

'An honest woman?' I questioned almost laughing at the awkwardness of this conversation 'after all the people she's killed, I would say her innocence is somewhat lacking.'

'You know what I mean Merlin,' Arthur said his voice getting sterner.

'Well not that it's any of your business but me and Morgana haven't gone that far,' I said blushing.

'But you plan to,' Arthur said, it wasn't a question.

'Sure, when we're ready to take that step,' I said.

'But you won't marry her?' Arthur asked deeply troubled.

'Why would I? I doubt she'd say yes and I have no inclination to marry her anyway, I don't need to,' I said.

'So you would live in sin?' Arthur asked again.

'What's going on Arthur what has you so troubled?' I finally asked.

'I don't want Camelot thinking my sister is some whore,' Arthur said.

The smile instantly left my face. How dare he? Mine and Morgana's relationship was absolutely none of his business and for him to imply that was way out of line.

'You're out of line Arthur,' I said.

'Am I?'

'Yes, my relationship with your sister is absolutely none of your business,' I said.

'It is if it effects my kingdoms reputation.'

'Don't you think her having magic and being a priestess of the old religion already does that?' I asked.

'Yes, and I don't need you both adding to it by becoming the centre of gossip and speculation.'

'I love her Arthur I would never take advantage of her.'

'Then marry her then,' Arthur said his voice rising.

'No, I won't be forced into anything least of all by you,' I said and glared at him.

Our argument came to a standstill as we stared at each, other both of us panting from anger and frustration. My Mother and father hadn't married, I was a bastard, it didn't count for anything, and my father had loved my mother from miles away and had remained true to her for the rest of his life despite the separation. A piece of paper wouldn't change that.

Morgana had spent most of her life loving a man she believed was her father only for her life to be thrown upside down by her mother's affair. Marriage meant so little to people, and vows were easily thrown away.

I loved Morgana with everything I had, and if we decided as some point that we did want to get married then we would. But it would be on our terms and for our reasons, and I knew without even talking to her that marriage was something neither of us wanted nor believed in right about now.

'Let's just agree to disagree right now and get you to this dinner, you're already late,' I said refusing to look him in the eye.

'Very well, but this isn't the end of this discussion Merlin.'

I let him have the last words to make him feel more comfortable than he was. I would not be forced into anything, least of all marriage.

The feast was a disaster there were no other words for it.

I felt anger build up inside me in a slow progression throughout the night as I watched Bayard shamelessly flirt with Morgana. Arthur had done it, deliberately placing the two of them together. I knew he had. Basically trying to tell me that if I didn't marry her ,I couldn't exactly step up and claim her as my own or challenge Bayard to a duel as I desperately wanted to do right now.

I could feel Morgana's unease and disgust, felt it in my veins as I watched her beautiful emerald eyes flash to mine in discomfort and plead for help. I couldn't watch this any longer and I moved to stand behind her a wine jug in my hand poised to refill their cups should they ask and I was conveniently located to listen into their conversation.

'So what's a young priestess like you practice nowadays, necromancy, dark magic?' Bayard asked shamelessly lowering his gaze to her cleavage.

'Neither, I am taking a break considering my recent history,' Morgana replied keeping her eyes lowered.

'A break, has Arthur forced you to stop practicing on pain of death? Bayard smirked whilst sucking on a grape.

'Of course not, I just don't feel comfortable practicing my craft right about now,' Morgana said.

'And why's that, a young lady like you should have whatever she wants,' Bayard said.

'I have everything I want, my lord,' Morgana said forcefully.

'Really, what about a husband?' Bayard asked.

I stiffened in anger and a hiss escaped my mouth as I made to step forward. But Gwen's hand on my elbow stopped me as she shook her head and pulled me back.

'What good would it do Merlin?'

'She's mine,' I said anger swirling through my thoughts.

'Yes she is, she knows that, you know that, don't cause a scene, we don't want to offend Bayard think of the consequences.'

Sweet Gwen always spoke the truth and was always wise, I forced myself to listen to her words and forced myself to relax when all I wanted to do was blast Bayard into oblivion. I seemed to have caught Arthur's attention as well but he simply raised his eyebrow at me and turned back to his dinner.

I wanted to scream at him, he had no right to do this. I knew he hated Bayard's flirting just as much as I did, but he wasn't putting a stop to it. He was trying to make a point I knew he was. He had to know how much this was hurting me; the bond inside me was begging to be released. All I wanted was to seize Morgana and drag her to our rooms and ravage her until she was screaming my name. Until the entire world knew she was mine.

But Arthur wouldn't stop it, because according to law no man had a claim on Morgana, she was unmarried and looking at the five kingdoms Morgana was a very good match for someone, powerful beautiful, a worthy partner especially with her magic up for grabs. I forced myself back to their conversation.

'I have no need of a husband,' Morgana said forcefully and I silently wanted to hug her and her fierceness.

'No?' Bayard asked 'you're just going to live off your brother's generosity for the rest of your life?' Bayard asked nastily.

'Of course not,' Morgana said.

'Well why not consider marriage then, a young witch like you would make the perfect partner.'

'And who would you have me marry my lord?' Morgana bit out clearly having to stop herself from taking action on the King herself.

'Why me of course, I think we would make a fine pair, your power, my wealth, together we could rule the world,' Bayard said leaning closer and laying a hand on her arm.

I could feel my temper rising, it was getting unbearable.

'I have no wish to 'rule the world' as you say my lord,' Morgana replied.

'No, then how about I just take you off your brothers hands, you've caused him no ends of problems with your rebellion and rise to power, I bet he'd love to be rid of you,' Bayard said whispering words of poison into her ears.

'That's not true,' Morgana said tears slipping down her face.

The tears almost broke me, he was upsetting her with his words, and he was making her cry. I wanted to tear him limb from limb and burn the pieces. Never had my magic wanted to respond so darkly before. Dark magic had never been more tempting than it was now. And I knew I would be good at it, I would be very good at it.

'Merlin,' Gwen whispered gently taking my hand in an attempt to soothe me all she did was draw a gasp from Morgana as she felt her touch on my skin and I quickly pulled away shaking my head at her.

'Sorry,' Gwen said.

'Oh you know it's true, your lost, you don't know who to turn too, everything Uther told you was a lie and you fear his son will become the same,' Bayard continued.

'That's not true,' Morgana whispered.

'You don't trust him, you don't trust him with your life, with your magic, with the magic wielders of this world, I can help you escape Morgana, and I can give you the freedom you long for,' Bayard said.

Morgana just shook her head tears now freely flowing down her face. I was surprised no one else in the hall had realised what was going on, she was clearly distressed.

'I can help you.' Bayard said.

I felt it then, his hand on her thigh moving upwards, I felt Morgana's disgust and pain, felt it combine with my own and then I couldn't take it, but before I could do anything Morgana had already done it.

She flew up out of her chair and pushed Bayard's hand off her person and with a flick of her hand his hands were bound and he was thrust off his chair as her eyes glowed molten gold.

'Morgana!' Arthur shouted shocked.

'Don't you dare touch me! How dare you take liberties with my person? How dare you insinuate such things? You know nothing about me King Bayard of Mercia,' Morgana yelled at him and with that she turned and flew out of the hall to total silence as the rest of Arthur's guests stared after her in shock.

I was rooted to the spot in confusion, I wanted to kill him and I could feel my magic clawing at my skin begging to be let free I could feel Morgana's pain. How dare he?

'Merlin,' Gwen said, snapping me out of trance.

'She needs you,' Gwen said.

I forced myself to turn away and left the hall, refusing to meet Arthur's guilty eyes as I chased after the woman I loved.

What did you think? Like, hate? Let me know!

Next chapter there might be some sexy possessive lemons going on if you're very lucky.