A/N: Thank you everyone who has taken the time to review and read this story ^^ I hope you have enjoyed it so far and that you continue to do so. This Chapter is set mostly in Merlin's POV while the next will focus on Morgana's but different events. Read and review, but mostly... Enjoy! :)

Disclaimer: Merlin belongs to the BBC and the writers of the show, sadly.

Chapter 3: Lost? Really Merlin?

Merlin

Merlin heard the sound of metal crashing down on the floor and the frustrated yelling of Prince Arthur as Merlin approached his chamber doors. With a sigh Merlin took a deep breath, preparing himself for the inevitable scolding he was about to get for being late. Slowly opened the door he poked his head inside to survey the scene, Arthur's chambers were a complete shamble, clothes, armour and other random bits decorated the floor.

"Arthur?" Merlin asked cautiously as he stepped inside. A muffled noise came beside the dressing screen; Merlin had a confused look on his face and slowly stepped over towards the screen. "My lord?" He asked more concerned and bent down to picked up something to use as a weapon in case Arthur was in trouble.

The muffled reply came again, and then a flurry of white fabric came from behind the screen and landed in front of Merlin. Merlin looked down and noticed that there was a body struggling inside the tunic. 'Arthur…'

"I see you still haven't mastered the art of getting dressed." Merlin said cheekily with a large grin as he looked down at the prince. A louder muffle reply came but Merlin couldn't make it out. "What was that my lord? I didn't quite hear."

"MERLIN!" 'Ok I heard that… Guess I should help.'

Kneeling down Merlin pulled at the bottom of the tunic, trying to get it back over his friend's head. "Stop struggling you prat! You're making it worse." Arthur grunted from somewhere under the tunic but stopped moving as Merlin managed to wiggle it free over his head.

Merlin helped the prince up with a smile but just got a clip round the back of his head for his troubles. 'Ok I guess I kind of deserved that.' Then he looked at the tunic he was holding. "How did you even manage to get it on that far? It's far too small!"

"Nonsense, I wore it only last week." Arthur said with a huff, then looked at the object in Merlin's other hand. "What are you doing with that?"

"With what? The Tunic? Nothing I just took if off you if you recall." Merlin looked honestly confused at Arthur's question. 'What does he expect me to do with it? Use magic and make it fit him?' He snorted at the thought.

"Not the tunic you idiot. The spoon." Arthur gestured towards Merlin's other hand with an impatient careless wave.

"The… Spoon?" Merlin looked at what he had chosen for his weapon and his confusion fell only to be replaced with a sheepish grin. 'Oh.' "Oh that? I erm… I thought you were being attack or something."

"Oh right, that's ok then, it all makes sense." Arthur said with a smile. 'I'm not going to like this…' "Clearly I've been mistaken all these years think something like a sword would be a better choice." He said as he walked around to Merlin's other side. "But no, you're right; I see how a spoon would serve its purpose… Here let me show you." Arthur snatched the spoon from Merlin's hand and wacked around the back of the head with it.

"Ow!" Merlin yelped as he scrunched his face up in pain, his hand moved round to the back of his head and started to message the sore spot. "That bloody hurt!"

Arthur grinned at his servant and moved on to his desk. "See, effective weapon. Now, tell me… Why are you late? Yet again." The grin had fallen from his face and Arthur grew serious as he glared at Merlin.

Still rubbing his head and frowning, Merlin came up with the first excuse that came to mind. "I woke up late. Sorry." 'Great excuse…'

"I see, funny that… Because Gaius popped by not too long ago and dropped of your jacket." Arthur turned to his desk, he picked up Merlin's old brown jacket from the side then he turned back to face his servant and chucked it over, which Merlin failed miserably to catch. "He wondered where you were, since apparently… you had gotten up early for work and left for my chambers nearly an hour ago." 'Oh… Erm Oops…'

Arthur picked up one of his ceremonial daggers and pulled it from its sheath, twirling the blade about between his fingers he took a seat on the edge of the desk. "So tell me… Why are you really late?"

"I err… Ok really… I erm… Got lost." Merlin gave an embarrassed smirk, trying to look sincere. 'Lost… really? Even Arthur wouldn't buy that… Would he?'

"You got… Lost?" Arthur's tone grew more and more serious as a look of annoyance crossed his face. "Do you take me for a fool Merlin? You've been here what… nearly 2 years?"

"It's a big castle!" He weakly protested, trying to seem stupid. 'It's working… Lost, was that really the best I could come up with?' His mind wondered over to the real reason, Morgana and her… healing hands. 'Yeah on second thoughts maybe lost isn't the worst thing I could have said.'

"I'm honestly not sure if you are lying to me or if you really are that big of an idiot…" Arthur had a look of sheer amazement on his face. "You know what… I don't have time for this, fine whatever." To Merlin's surprise Arthur just gave up and the young prince headed for his wardrobe. "Personally I think you've got a girl hidden away somewhere, you've been far too happy recently." He stated as he rummaged for the outfit he would wear today.

"Why does everyone keep saying that?... Anyway, who'd have me?" He faked a laugh as he assisted Arthur in getting dressed. 'Morgana maybe?' The memory of her hands caressing his body came quickly to mind and he couldn't help but smile.

"I think that's the smartest thing I've ever heard you-" Arthur froze looking down at his tunic then at Merlin. "Merlin… Did you just drool on me?" He asked in disgust, giving Merlin a weird look.

"What?! No!" Merlin said hastily then wiped the mark away on Arthur. "You've got a… Err leak. In the ceiling. Probably."

Arthur looked up at the ceiling then gave Merlin a blank look before finishing getting dressed. "I really don't have time for your idiocy Merlin. So please, just try and act… Normal."

'If I act normal my head will get chopped right off.' "Don't I always?" He asked with a cheeky grin, but upon seeing the annoyed look on Arthur's face, he tried to remain serious. "You seem to be in a rush?"

"I'm a Prince Merlin, something you seem to forget that at times. It's a busy life, but I don't suppose you would understand what that's like." Arthur replied arrogantly with an air of superiority.

"If only you knew…" Merlin muttered lowly as he started to pick up the clothes from the floor. 'One day you will though, find out just how much I do for you, for Camelot.'

Arthur chucked on his jacket and walked around the room while doing it up. "What was that?" He asked in an uninterested tone of voice

"I said, I haven't a clue." Merlin said sarcastically as he rolled his eyes and picked up the basket now filled with Arthur's dirty laundry.

"Thank you for stating the obvious Merlin." Shaking his head at his servant, Arthur put on his belt and picked up a set of keys which he then hung around on the belt. "Now I believe you were meant to have something ready for me?"

"I was?"

"Yes… You know, my ceremonial outfit I gave you yesterday to have ready for tonight's festivities. Please tell me you haven't forgotten."

"Ah oops."

"Merlin!" The prince shouted, he picked up an empty goblet and threw it at his servant. But fortunately for Merlin he had been Arthur's servant long enough by now to learn when to duck.

Arthur was about to launch another object at Merlin but the soft, gentle sound of a new voice filling the room stopped him dead in his tracks. "Trust you Arthur Pendragon to be the one who disrupts such a peaceful morning." Morgana said. Both the men looked over to the door to see Morgana standing elegantly in the doorway.

Merlin felt his heart race as his deepest desire walked slowly into the room, her eyes flickering between the prince and the servant. Merlin may have already seen her in her rather revealing gown this morning, but it didn't stop his body reacting just as much as before, it didn't stop the feelings of desire, passion and lust stream through him. He was unable to help himself as he instinctively licked his lips, when their gazes met, his heart thudded harder and faster against his chest, it sounded so loud to him that he was surprised Arthur couldn't hear it. But the prince too seemed to be heavily distracted as he stared gobsmacked at Morgana.

"Morgana." Arthur said with a gulp then shook his head, trying to compose himself in a fitting manner. "What on earth are you wearing? Surely it's a bit too scandalous? Even for you!" Merlin could hear the disapproval in the prince's tone, he could understand why; Morgana was like a sister to him. Nevertheless he couldn't help but frown at the comment. 'Spoilsport.'

Morgana slowly peeled her gaze away from Merlin with a smirk. "Come now Arthur, don't be such a prude. I think it's a rather beautiful gown." She gave a little twirl; Merlin couldn't help but believe that it was sorely for his benefit. 'Why must she tease me so?' "Don't you agree Merlin?"

Merlin gulped as her full attention fell on him, he could feel Arthur's eyes beaming into the back of side head. "I… Err… I think you always look beautiful my lady, regardless of what you wear." He couldn't resist but complement her, a blush covering his features. He tried to give her a small bow, hoping his honestly would come across as politeness. 'Well that was subtle… I wonder if she got the hint?'

Morgana looked shocked for a split second; a blush that mirrored his own appeared on her cheeks. "Thank you Merlin. I knew I could count on your support." She said in a soft tone, a smirk played around on the corner of her mouth as her eyes stayed fixed on Merlin.

They stood there gauging each other for a few seconds longer until a cough reminded them that Arthur was still in the room. They both turned to look over at him as he gave them a bewildered stare. "Yes well… I'm sure Merlin would agree." He then cast a suspicious gaze over at Merlin. "Close your mouth Merlin, and stop gawping like an idiot."

Morgana giggled softly to herself. "So what's got you in such an irritated mood then Arthur?"

"Oh you know, the same old things, the busy life of a prince, my duties to Camelot and its people and oh… My idiot servant." Arthur stood with his arms folded, glaring at Merlin.

"Rather an idiot servant then a royal prat." Merlin muttered and was pretty sure Arthur would have thrown something else again if Morgana hadn't interrupted.

"Come now, don't be so hard on the boy. I've never had reason to think of him as an Idiot." Morgana cocked her head to the side and gave Merlin a small smile and a… 'Did she just wink at me?'

Arthur scoffed, apparently oblivious to the looks Morgana was giving his servant. "Maybe you should try him out as your servant for a day, and then you'd understand." Arthur looked slightly hesitant after he commented, he wasn't a fool Merlin thought, and Arthur knew Merlin had somewhat of a crush on Morgana, and that maybe placing him alone in her company wasn't the best of ideas. 'Believe me Arthur… I feel the same way; I don't think I could be alone and close to her all day and be able to remain… restraint.'

Shaking his head he felt like he was invisible as they gossiped about him so openly. "Hello? I am still here everyone." Merlin said with mock annoyance, the feeling of being ignored had long since lost its unkindness and rather Merlin normally counted it as a blessing. 'Being invisible is a good trait to have when you carry a secret that harbours a death sentence.'

"Shut up Merlin." Arthur said shortly and instead just carried on this conversation with Morgana. Merlin sighed and pretended to do some work; although he couldn't help but feel slightly appreciated as Morgana shrewdly stood up for him.

Morgana gave Merlin a suggestive look as he walked past her to gather Arthur's clothes from the other side of his chambers. 'This… has to be a dream; this day is going too well for me.' "Now there's an interesting idea…" Morgana said with a giggle, Merlin watched as she quickly casted him a seductive look when Arthur turned his back. 'Ok I know I can be naïve… But I'm almost certain she's coming onto me today.' The idea seemed too surreal, Lady Morgana, a lady of the court and the king's ward, interested in him, a serving boy. But the signs were there, there had been too many to dismiss after everything that had been said and gone on this morning.

"Perhaps we should swap one day, Merlin for Gwen." Morgana continued to say when she looked back over at Arthur. Merlin choked back the urge to laugh which he barely managed; a sound of amusement still escaped him.

Arthur stiffened; Merlin could only guess what he was thinking and feeling, and how tempted he most likely was. "Not the most appropriate idea…" He muttered lowly, Merlin wasn't sure if he and Morgana were meant to hear it as they exchanged a look.

"So what's he done anyway?" Morgana asked, deciding to change the subject and cut through the awkward tension that now filled the room.

But her question seemed to perk Arthur up, the chance to scold and insult Merlin always put him in high spirits. "Well first, he was late… again. Which is bad enough, but then Gaius showed up to deliver Merlin's jacket. He told me Merlin left early for work an hour ago and Merlin here… claims he had gotten lost."

Morgana looked very amused at that, her eyebrows rose and gave Merlin a curious look. "Lost? Really Merlin, you've been here what, 2 years now?"

"I…" Merlin stuttered and accidently knocked over a jug in his embarrassment, the excuse sounded much more stupid when it came from Morgana.

"That's exactly what I said and like I said to him earlier, I think he's got a woman hidden away somewhere." Arthur commented casually, again completely oblivious to the looks Morgana and Merlin exchanged. 'I don't have a woman… I think? Not yet anyway… And she's hardly hidden away, she's standing in this very room.'

She gave him a coy look, what Merlin wouldn't give to know what she was thinking. Instead he just settled for studying her features and her eyes, trying to read her face that was usually so guarded. Her eyes and features were soft, gentle, caring… He would go as far as to think, loving? The attraction they held towards him, for the first time was crystal clear. But what kind of attraction was still a mystery. Was it lust or was it love? Merlin knew which he felt towards her. Both. Did she feel the same?

Her face once again became guarded as Arthur looked over to them. "Is that so? Oh now I'm curious, who is she Merlin?" She gave him a knowing look as she asked. 'I think you already know my lady.'

Before he could manage any sort of reply, Arthur snorted. "She must be blind and desperate… Possibly also mentally ill."

The prince was clearly amused by the idea that his idiot servant had a lover. But Merlin was not, he felt a strong sense of anger boil up at the prince, Arthur didn't know of course that he was possibly insulting Morgana. But that small fact didn't subdue the rage burning in the warlock's eyes, the magic in him was bristling right under his skin trying to escape against Merlin's will. He needed a quick alternate release.

"Don't talk about her like that!" He yelled at the prince, who looked quite taken aback and had an astonished look on his face.

"Arthur!" Morgana who had also looked surprised, shouted at Arthur in a stern disapproving tone.

The astonishment on Arthur's face quickly turned to one of shame. "I'm sorry Merlin that was totally uncalled for. Forgive me." Arthur's sincere apology stunned Merlin so much that his anger instantaneously dissolved. In the two years Merlin had known Arthur, he rarely saw him apologise, and for the apology to be directed at him, well… That was almost unheard of.

"I can't be angry at you for being born a prat, that's not your fault." Merlin replied cheekily to break the ice which caused Morgana to giggle into her hand, Arthur pursed his lips together, holding back a retort and letting Merlin have a free crack at him.

"Well who ever she is, at least we can exclude you Morgana." Arthur's attempt at a joke caused all three of them to laugh nervously, Merlin was sure they all were laughing for different reasons, Merlin from the irony.

"Oh damn my luck." She replied with a pout. "So what's the second thing that Merlin did to put you in a mood?" She asked with a grin. 'Thanks for that Morgana…'Merlin thought and groaned as he carried on tidying up after the messy prince.

"Oh yeah…" His look grew serious again as he was reminded of what Merlin forgot to do. "He's forgot to ready my ceremonial outfit for tonight's festival, I'm in half a mind to ban him from going."

"Oh the festival! I had completely forgotten about it!" Morgana beamed with happiness. "Oh but Arthur you can't forbid him from going, it's meant to be a fun time for all." She protested with a frown.

"How could you forget?" Arthur asked then shook his head. "And I have to punish him somehow."

"I've been distracted lately… "She casted a sneakily look over at Merlin and grinned, Merlin felt his face heat up as he carried on tidying up. "And if you have to punish him, might I make a suggestion."

Merlin looked up, snapping his head in Morgana's direction. "You may." Arthur said casually with a flick of his hand.

"Well… I hear we have a lot of rotten vegetables and fruit going to waste… "She paused and let her plan sink in to both the young men's heads. "Maybe you should put him in the stocks for an hour. For the… Benefit of Camelot of course." A devious smile appeared on her lips.

"What?!" Merlin stared with his mouth wide open at Morgana who just gave him an sweet and innocent smile.

Arthur pulled a delighted face and came over to Merlin, clapping his hand hard on his shoulder. "You heard the lady Merlin. It's the stocks for you." He grinned as Merlin groaned. "But first… The stables. Come along."

Arthur bided Morgana goodbye and left his chambers, with a sulk Merlin started to follow but a gentle hand grabbed his arm and held him back. Turning around Merlin found himself face to face with Morgana who had moved, very close to him, their noses almost touching. If Merlin was angry at her, he had forgotten all about it. All he could think about was her full red lips that were barely inches away, he gazed down at them, biting down on his own lip as he fought back the urge to make the first move and kiss her.

Morgana didn't say anything at first and instead her gaze too was lingering about his lips, both avoided making eye contact at such a close distance. Then she moved forward, Merlin braced himself for his first kiss with the beautiful temptress… But it didn't come, instead her cheek grazed softly against his and breathed softly against his ear. Merlin froze, he didn't know how to react, he wanted to put his arms around her and kiss them full red lips, he wanted to run his hands through her hair and mark her neck with his lips and teeth.

"Women can't throw did you say? I promised I'd prove you wrong…" Her voice was low and seductive, he could hear how fast paced her breathing had become… And then it happened… Sort off. Merlin felt the warmth and softness of Morgana's lips softly press against his cheek, time seemingly stopped and all he was aware of was the soft flesh of her innocent lips pressed against him. It was short, it was chaste, but it was a kiss nonetheless.

She pulled away slowly as Merlin stared at her with a limitless longing. He watched as her tongue flickered over her own lips then bit down on them. He gulped hard, trying to find words to say… Anything, but he couldn't. He was completely tongue tied; Morgana also seemed to not know what to say. But it was Arthur who spoke, as his voice bellowed out Merlin's name from down the corridor somewhere.

"I should… I mean…-"Merlin who had finally found his voice was stopped by a slender finger that Morgana pressed against his lips.

"Go, you don't want to keep Arthur waiting even longer." She gave him a sly grin. "I'll see you… later." She winked and stepped back, dropping her finger from his lips.

Merlin gave a slow nod. "I'll see you soon… Morgana." He gave a shy smile then left the room quickly, his hand resting on the area that had been so lucky to receive his first kiss from Morgana.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed Chapter 3^^ Please review if you have time, reviews are like virtual hugs :3 and are great motivation :)