Hey Guys! I'm back…I have a new Merlin story it's called 'Walking Behind Shadows' it's Merthur so check it out! But if that's not your cup of tea…don't read it! =] This story is my priority though; I just wanted to get my other one up and running. But this one has my undivided attention again. Woop!
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.
What neither Merlin nor Morgana expected that morning was for Arthur to come flying into their chambers unannounced…luckily they were not engaging in any morning after activities but what he did see was Morgana grabbing the sheets to hide her breasts which left Merlin topless and uncovered, apparently that was all Arthur needed to put two and two together.
'How dare you?!' Arthur thundered looking like he wanted nothing more than to run Merlin through.
'Arthur, we can discuss this later when Merlin and I are dressed, we'll come down in a minute,' Morgana said whilst still preserving her modesty.
Arthur though was still staring at Merlin like he had committed the utmost act of betrayal… as if having magic wasn't enough.
'Arthur!' Morgana said again.
Arthur turned on his heel and banged the door shut causing Merlin and Morgana to flinch.
'That didn't go very well,' Merlin said.
'Are you kidding, he didn't try to kill you. I'd say that went remarkably well,' Morgana said dropping the sheet and walking unashamedly past a gawping Merlin and behind the screen to wash and change.
Pulling himself together Merlin tried to think of a reply.
'I…I never knew you were such an optimist,' Merlin said, getting up and finding new clothes.
'You have that effect on me,' Morgana said.
'Along with a few others I would hope,' Merlin joked and received the lovely sound of Morgana's laughter in reply.
'He's going to be so mad,' Merlin said.
'Who, Arthur?' Morgana asked.
'Who else?' Merlin mocked ignoring the wet towel that flew over and struck him in the face.
'Bayard obviously, I used magic on him Merlin and I spurned his advances…he's not going to be very happy,' Morgana said.
'No, I suppose not,' Merlin said. 'That added to the fact I went against Arthur's wishes and bedded you, I think Arthur's anger might trump Bayard's.'
'Who knew we could cause this amount of trouble?' Morgana laughed.
'Oh I knew the minute I set foot in Camelot you would be trouble,' Merlin laughed.
'Hmm, I did go out of my way to cause problems,' Morgana laughed.
'Who knew we would end up like this?' Merlin said sobering.
'No one,' Morgana replied coming out from behind the scree dressed in a green silk gown that clung to every inch of her body 'not even the gods or the dragon prophecies could have known this would happen.'
'So much for destiny,' Merlin sighed.
'You and Arthur will still bring peace and prosperity to Albion Merlin, I have no doubt about that,' Morgana said.
'Hmm, I just slept with Arthur's virginal sister…I think Albion may have to wait,' Merlin laughed.
'You were a virgin too…maybe I took away your innocence,' Morgana laughed winking.
'I think one thing we can agree on Morgana, neither of us are innocent,' Merlin said walking up towards his magic mate and running a hand across her cheek sighing as he watched her turn into it.
'Time to face the masses,' Morgana said kissing his hand that stroked her cheek.
'Let's do it,' Merlin said taking her hand in his and leading her out of their chambers.
Walking into the council rooms Merlin felt as though the temperature dropped by several degrees. Arthur was sat on his throne looking every inch the imposing king. The Knights of the Round Table stood around him looking efficiently awkward, well except Gwaine who gave Merlin the thumbs up and winked outrageously at Morgana. Bayard Merlin noticed was nowhere to be seen.
'You have some serious explaining to do,' Arthur said glaring down at them.
'Where would you like us to start?' Merlin asked.
'How about we start with that fact that you slept with my sister after I specifically asked you not too,' Arthur said ignoring the way the knights looked around the room awkwardly.
Percival was staring at the floor apparently entranced with the stone work. Whereas Elyan had taken to inspecting the ceiling and all its marvels. Leon was attempting to remain Arthur's right hand man and was staring back at Merlin and Morgana, but Merlin could see the blush that was sporting his cheekbones. And Gwaine was grinning from ear to ear and making obscene hand gestures.
'Right on Merlin,' Gwaine said flicking his hair and fluttering his eyelashes like a love struck teenage girl.
'Gwaine!' Arthur yelled.
'Oh lighten up Princess, the two of them love each other…who cares if they don't want to marry,' Gwaine replied.
'I do, Morgana is of noble birth, do you not know of the scandal which will come of this?' Arthur said.
'Oh, as opposed to the scandal of your own Father having an illicit affair with my mother, for leading the whole of Camelot to believing I was nothing but his ward? Or as opposed to the scandal of me having magic and attempting to other throw your kingdom?' Morgana said crossing her arms.
Silence came with her words as Arthur was forced to acknowledge her point. It was Uther that caused the scandal in the first place by not being honest and claiming Morgana as his rightful daughter.
'At least we're not hiding any secrets Arthur and I will not be bullied into marriage by you,' Morgana said.
'What do you have against it?' Arthur asked 'it would solve all these problems, you both clearly love each other, and so what's the problem?'
'The problem is …I was conceived out of wedlock, so was Merlin, my mother and Gorlois's love mattered little in the end. Merlin's father was forced to flee the woman he loved and her unborn child…but he still loved her fiercely,' Morgana said.
'And your point?' Arthur asked.
'Marriage matters very little where love is concerned Arthur, I don't need a piece of paper to know that I love Merlin. I am bonded to him in magic and by my heart, marriage won't change that,' Morgana said.
'But the problem is Morgana,' Arthur said standing throwing his hands up in the air 'Is that you're a very eligible match, you're of noble birth, you're royal, you're beautiful and now you have all this power, it's no wonder Bayard came here looking to marry you.'
'That's why Bayard is here?' Morgana asked feeling dread set in his stomach.
'Yes,' Arthur replied 'he came to me after the feast asking for your hand, and what am I supposed to say…Sorry she's taken when there's no ring on your finger?' Arthur questioned.
'Yes, that's exactly what you say!' Merlin said feeling possessiveness rise up in him at the thought of Bayard asking for Morgana's hand in marriage.
'Merlin,' Morgana whispered turning to him and running a hand down his cheek in comfort.
'I told him you would not accept and he wants an explanation,' Arthur said.
'Now?' Merlin asked.
'Now,' Arthur replied 'he's outside.'
Morgana sighed and looked at Merlin who understood and nodded. She took his hand and stepped so she was facing the door and then nodded at Arthur.
'Bring him in then,' Morgana said.
Arthur nodded to the servants at the doors and they bowed their heads and opened the doors. Bayard barged in looking every bit the imposing pissed of king. He noticed Morgana and froze staring at where she had Merlin's hand clasped in hers.
'So this is why you aren't marrying me?' Bayard thundered 'A serving boy?'
'I'm sorry my lord but my heart belongs to another,' Morgana said.
'I could offer you the world Morgana, what can this lowlife possibly give you?' Bayard thundered looking at Merlin with hate and disdain.
Morgana put her hand on Merlin's shoulder feeling his magic rising up through their bond.
'He can give me love and safety,' Morgana said.
'Safety? The boy looks like he's never seen a sword in his life,' Bayard sneered.
'He can give me safety, from men like you who would only seek to use my power for their own ends,' Morgana said.
'You would be my partner Morgana,' Bayard.
'Partner in what? Partner in trying to take over Camelot for you, to exploit my knowledge and power? Morgana asked. 'Well I won't let you.'
'That boy has no claim to you,' Bayard said.
'He does, he's my magic mate,' Morgana said.
Bayard now looked utterly confused.
'Bayard, believe me you don't want to know any more,' Arthur said from where he sat on his throne.
'What secret have you been keeping from me Arthur?' Bayard asked whilst staring at Merlin.
'No secret Bayard, its general knowledge that Merlin is a sorcerer,' Arthur said.
Bayard's eyes widened in surprise 'So not only do you have a high priestess at your side you have a petty sorcerer as well.'
'Oh I'm no petty sorcerer Bayard,' Merlin said stepping forward. 'The druids call me Emrys, perhaps you have heard of me.'
Bayard actually took a step back in fear. Merlin looked every inch the powerful warlock; somehow he could turn off his innocent charm and become a powerful warlock in the blink of an eye.
'And you can't have Morgana, if you approach her again, you will have me to answer too,' Merlin said.
Bayard's cheeks turned pink in humiliation, he was being denied marriage by a commoner…a magical commoner, but Merlin was still just a servant and Bayard was a king.
'Very well, I will know how to act,' Bayard said and with that he nodded to his guard and turned on his heel and strode out of the room.
There was a long pause whilst everyone regained their breath. Morgana walked up to Merlin and took his hand and gently kissed his cheek.
'What did he mean by that?' Arthur asked 'I will know how to act?' Arthur mimicked.
'I don't know, but I'm not sure Bayard will take this lying down Arthur,' Leon said.
'No, and it's my fault,' Morgana said.
'Hey, no its not. No one should be forced into something they don't want Morgana,' Merlin said stroking her hair.
'I don't want to start a war,' Morgana said.
'Why the hell not?' Gwaine said laughing 'you not only have two men fighting over you Morgana, you've got kingdoms fighting over you, and I would think that would be every ladies dream.'
'Not mine,' Morgana said her shoulders slumping.
'Have no fear Morgana, if Bayard does mean to go to war, Camelot will be ready, I will send out scouts to the Mercia border to spy on Bayard and they will let us know if he means to go to war,' Arthur said coming down from his throne and placing a hand on Morgana's shoulder.
'Okay,' Morgana whispered.
'I don't agree with you two not marrying, I think it would solve a lot of problems,' Arthur said 'But you have my blessing.'
'Thank you Arthur,' Merlin said and took his hand in a strong grip.
'You're just missing out on the chance to become my brother,' Arthur said.
'Oh yeah, I knew there was a reason why we were saying no,' Merlin joked.
'Hey,' Arthur said smacking his back.
'Arthur, I would be honoured, and one day maybe it will happen, but it will be on our terms not on anyone else's,' Merlin replied whilst Morgana nodded in agreement.
'We just haven't had the best experience when we look into our family history,' Morgana said.
'I understand, besides if Bayard does attack or that sorcerer in your dreams, we will need to be ready, and I will need my two strongest friends by my side a wedding might make us lose our heads,' Arthur said.
'Yes, that's true,' Merlin replied.
'We will be ready Arthur;' Morgana said 'I will fight by your side with pride.'
'I would have you nowhere else,' Arthur said.
'Aww, group hug,' Gwaine said and then skipped forwards and wrapped his arms around the three of them squeezing tightly.
'Gwaine you utter moron,' Merlin said his voice muffled and felt like his ribs were snapping.
Merlin knew that as long as they stuck together, everything would be fine.
Yeah! Again, go read my other story I could use the followers! But no pressure if you can't be arsed just make sure you review this chapter instead!
=]