Not one of my best chapters

The Relationship of Merlin and Morgana

"Come back with us." Merlin said once they had saddled up and were on their horses.

"I can't."

Merlin wanted to argue that he could. That he wouldn't make him a knight until he wanted to be one. That he wouldn't do anything that he did want him to.

"I heard a lot about your grandfather's reign, I just hope you are a fair and just king like he was."

And with that, Gwaine dug his heels into his horse and trotted away.

"He will come back with us one day. You will see." Merlin said.

"I thought he was this time around." Arthur commented.

"He will."

They encouraged their horses to move and started the journey home.

"Has something happened between you are Morgana?"

Merlin hesitated. "What has she said?"

"Nothing really, just … you both have been acting really weird since we came back from the Castle of Fryien. And yes, you idiot, I have noticed. I know it is weird to notice but Morgana has been in her chambers more than usual and we usually all eat together but either she is feeling too tired or you are too busy. So please, what has happened?"

"I did find her. Morgause was trying to convince her to join her side and cause while Morgana was saying that it was what I was working towards. She … Morgause told Morgana that Daegal, my uncle, killed her father."

Merlin turned to Arthur when he started laughing.

"Who called it off? You or her?"

"Well me but ..."

"You are an idiot."

Merlin pulled back on the reigns slightly, slowing his horse down. "Sorry?"

"You broke your courtship but is that what she wanted?" Arthur called out over his shoulder. "Come on Merlin you have been locked up in your room to avoid seeing her. She still wants to be with you. She doesn't partially care. She knew that Morgause only told her that so that what happened, happened. Why can't you see that?"

Merlin didn't answer him. He realised why he had kept it a secret for so long. He was usually good with these things, spotting the trap and not falling for it. Maybe that is what the weight of the crown does to you, makes you oblivious to everything.

"The only reason I am here is because Morgana noticed the pull of magic from the eye of the phoenix. After I had identified what it looked like, she sent me straight after you, telling me to bring you back home, alive. She will understand if you go back and tell her that you have been an idiot."

"I have been an idiot." Merlin said once she had opened the door.

"Was it Arthur or almost dying that has made you say that?"

"Arthur." He mumbled.

Morgana giggled before opening up the door fully and allowing him in.

"If anything, I can understand why you did what you did do and why you would have been upset."

"But she almost got what she wanted." He said as he sat down on her bed.

She copied what he did and took his hand. "Well, we know that she will never win. I took a look at the records while you were gone. Daegal was missing, presumed dead. Obviously your grandfather and Regan were both down as dead along with another brother that your father had, Aldwyn. Your father was the youngest of six, four boys and two girls."

"You know more about my own family than I do."He joked.

"If you look at it from Daegal's point of view, my father would have been his enemy. My father was known to be by Uther's side and when they met on the battlefield, my father fought for Uther and against magic while Daegal was fighting for magic. You cannot blame him for feeling betrayed."

"No, you can't."

Morgana stood up and brought over a book. It was a thick book and not very well kept. The spin was falling off and there was a smell of damp.

"Geoffrey was very helpful in finding this. He told me that he was meant to destroy it after Uther took over because he didn't want any trace of the Eorðdracas."

"I know. Ygraine was adopted by the De Bois so he could still marry her."

Merlin took the book out of her hands and opened it. He cleared his throat as the smell of damp hit him. He looked at the page that it opened up at. There was a picture of a round table and the names of people, obviously to were they sat. It started at the top with Balinor and Cwen. Merlin read round clockwise, noting that not all of the people at the table were lords or knights.

"Sir Accalon Luwddoc." He whispered. "Luwddoc." He pointed to the name. "That is Gwaine's grandfather."

"I thought you said that his father fought for Caerleon."

"He did but his grandfather fought for Camelot. When his grandfather died, the family was given a dragon scale with his crest engraved into it. They moved from Camelot when Uther took over." He paused. "I want the same."

"What?"

"I want a round table. Look, it says that 'Balinor II had a round table of men and women that he trusted most. The table was round to signify that he didn't believe another to be more important than the other.' It would be great."

"It wouldn't be a bad idea. Any ideas how would be there?"

"You, my mother, Arthur, Gwen, Lancelot, Gaius. Even Gwaine can have a seat when he does join us."

Morgana smiled at him.

"What?"

"Sometimes I forget that underneath that crown, you are still the awkward boy that I fell in love with. Please don't grow up too fast."

"Why do you say that?"

"Merlin you have just got excited at the thought of a round table and all the people you want on it. I am not saying it is a bad thing. I love this side of you. Just don't let that crown change that."

Merlin gave her a quick kiss to the corner of her mouth. He knew where she was coming from. He had hoped that he would remain as youthful as he seemed but there were some situations where he knew he had to grow up for them.