A/N: Wow! I didn't think this story would start off as well as it has! I owe that to everyone who's reviewed! Thank you so, so much. This chapter, along with some yummy cookies are for you all! I hope everyne has had a fantastic weekend!
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin, all of those glorious rights go to the BBC. I do however own my adorable Merlin Bear from Build-A-Bear :D
"My death?" He stared at her for a long time, his jaw slack and eyes distant, as if he was processing what Morgana had just said to him. The look of him would have been entertaining had it not been for the grim news looming over them both. Never before did he look more shocked or innocent than now.
"Well." His brows came together in a look of bewilderment and curiosity. "I suppose I should ask how I die."
Suddenly the overwhelming urge to not discuss anything with Merlin overtook her. Explaining this to him could only cause more trouble.
"Merlin really, you don't need to humor me. I should be getting back to the castle. I'm sorry to have woke you like this." She moved to stand but Merlin was faster. She found herself forced back down into the chair by two rather strong hands on either of her shoulders. His appearance had been a little deceiving, she realized.
"I'm not humoring you Morgana. You came here because you were shaken. I will not pretend you weren't just in hysterics a few minutes ago."
At this she looked defeated. "It seemed real. Usually, I don't see my dreams this clearly. I also feel like more of an overseer in my dreams, but this one was different. I was involved. We were running through a forest. I'm not sure what we were running from, but whatever it was, it was really evil. I've never run like that before. It was as if our lives depended upon it"
She stared down at the long grazes on her hands while Merlin waited silently for her to continue. "I fell and told you to keep going. But you wouldn't leave me. Just when you'd tried to help me up you were shot."
"Shot?" His eyes had widened considerably.
"Yes. But it was odd. I think the arrow was enchanted. I've never seen anything like it. When it was fired there were these gold and red lights-" she paused searching for a way to tell Merlin how her dream ended.
"And?" Merlin urged her on. It truth, it was because he didn't want her to see the fear in his eyes at the mentioning of magic.
"There was more blood than I would have thought possible."
He knelt down in front of her to see her face clearly. She was almost crying again.
"Morgana, where did the arrow hit?"
She looked up at him and took his hand in her own. She would have smiled at the stark contrast between the pair of them but instead she remained grim. "It hit you here." She placed his hand over his own heart. "It happened so fast. You started bleeding and there were people coming to us from behind. I tried to help you, but two men in all black seized me. You made this terrible noise-"
She choked this time and a fresh batch of tears rolled down her cheeks. "And then-then you just stopped moving. It just-it happened too fast." She shook her head as if trying to forget the dream. But it had buried itself into her mind and no matter what she did it was still as fresh in her memory as it had been almost an hour ago.
Merlin swallowed. He didn't really want to hear anymore, but he couldn't help but asking. "Is that all you saw?"
"Yes." This answer came without hesitation. What good what it do for her to recount her own demise? They could only deal with one problem at a time. They sat very still in an uncomfortable silence. Morgana's face was still visibly pale in the candlelight.
"Aha! You'd think I'd went on an expedition of sorts looking for those bandages!" He took in both of their solemn expressions and frowned. "All right, what's going on?" Neither of them spoke. Gaius began to get a little frustrated.
"Must I remind you that I give you shelter and keep you out of trouble-" he jabbed a finger at Merlin. "And I'm treating your wounds." He directed his gaze to Morgana. Morgana then began to tell him in the same manner she told Merlin the details of her nightmare.
"That is very curious Morgana. So these men you saw, do you remember anything else about them?"
She stared down at her now bandaged palms, the irritation and sleep depravity was taking its toll. "Gaius I remember everything as if it took place in real life. That is all I saw, nothing more." When Gaius looked a little disappointed Morgana immediately regretted what she had said to him.
"Gaius, I am so sorry. I shouldn't have spoken to you that way."
He smiled then. "My child, it is more than all right. You've had a terrible night and I'm sure you're exhausted. She nodded wordlessly. "I shall make you a sleeping draft strong enough for ten men." He chided her as he touched the top of her head affectionately.
Gaius then turned his attention upon Merlin. "Merlin, will you see to it that Morgana gets back to the castle safely once the draft is made?"
"Of course."
"No." They both turned to face Morgana who was now on her feet. "I can't go back in there. By the time Gaius is finished it will be close to morning, the castle will be waking. If they saw me entering the castle in this state, I would surely fall prey to Uther's scrutiny."
Gaius considered that for a moment with a heavy sigh. Things were never as simple as he'd like them to be, especially with the two of them. It was always magic and mayhem with Merlin and impending doom with Morgana. He was actually somewhat relieved that Morgana had thought this out. She, unlike Merlin, seemed to be careful with her actions.
"I suppose we could lie." The two of them looked at him curiously. If they had been paying more attention, they would have noticed a slight twinkle in the old man's eye.
"Lie?" Merlin raised an eyebrow in question.
"Yes Merlin, that would be the art of slanting one's truths." Morgana had to smirk at Gaius's sarcastic remark.
"I meant that if we lie couldn't we end up in even more trouble?"
"Not if all parties involved keep their mouths closed."
They all glanced at each other in a silent agreement.
Gaius began to speak again. "Merlin, I want you to go to Gwen, have her get Morgana a change of clothing. Morgana can clean up here. You will tend to Arthur as you normally do. Once Morgana is settled I will find Uther and inform him that she has taken ill and came to me in a feverish state in fear that she might infect the others in the castle."
"That should work," Merlin said as he rubbed the back of his neck in contemplation. This whole thing was making him more uneasy by the minute.
"It will, but there will be absolutely no mention of nightmares. Not to Gwen, not to Arthur, and especially not to Uther."
"I don't want to lie to Gwen, Gaius. She knows about my nightmares. If I lied to her, I would be wronging one of the people I care the most for."
His mouth formed a thin line that over the course of a few seconds melted into a warm smile. "I suppose that would be all right. After all, I'm sure when Merlin shows up at her door wanting her help she'll demand to know what's going on."
Merlin started for the door. "If we're going to do this, we need to start now. The sun will be coming up soon." He opened the door and stepped out into the approaching dawn, his silhouette fading as he walked towards Gwen's house. The night was still cool, and it clung to the trees, ground, and rooftops as if it was protesting being pried from the Earth. Merlin took in a deep breath and expelled it into the air, watching it escape his mouth in a white cloud. Once he came to Gwen's house he stood outside it shuffling his weight from foot to foot in hesitation. This whole ordeal was still making him uncomfortable. Finally he knocked.
There was commotion inside, followed by the soft unlatching of the door. Gwen poked her head out, the remnants of sleep were still apparent on her face. At the sight of Merlin her eyes opened wider and she closed the door ever so slightly as if she was trying to hide her indecent nightwear from him. Now he could only see her face and the darkness of the inside of her house encompassing her.
"Merlin? What are you doing here? It's to late."
He looked down at his feet still hesitant.
"Merlin, did you come to tell me something, or are you just going to stand there?"
When he didn't reply she opened the door all the way and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Have you suddenly gone mute?" She gave him a sleepy smile. When he again didn't reply, her face turned serious. "Merlin, is something wrong?"
He took a deep breath. "It's about Morgana. It's crucial that no one finds out about this Gwen. I need your help."
A/N: Hopefully you all liked this chapter, even if it was a bit of a filler. I'm just trying to build up the story. Chapter 3 will be full of interesting things. I'm already plotting it out in my head! Also, I hope you all are picking up on the subtle romantic foreshadowing ;) There will be much more to come, and maybe some hints at other pairings as well. (Even the unconventional kind -wink wink-) And plan on this story being over 15 chapters, I tend to write a lot! If you see any problems or have any suggestions about my writing or my story please let me know! As always reviews are appreciated! Thanks so much!