Defending

Merlin watched Morgana go.

"You could have been a bit nicer." He said turning back to Freya.

"Merlin, you aren't meant to be by her side. You are meant to be by Arthur's."

"And what if I am sick and tired of waiting for him to become the man that will accept me for who I am? At least I don't have to hide who I am around her. In Camelot I am surrounded by friends that don't understand what I can do. She does."

Freya looked at Merlin. "What has she done to you?"

Merlin dragged his hand over his face in frustration. "Why does everyone think it was her? Yes she put the fomorroh in me but she didn't know what would happen."

Freya closed her eyes. "The fomorroh is deadly to you."

Merlin sat down. "I wouldn't say deadly. I still want to make sure Arthur is alive but I cannot wait for him to be the man that I hoped he would be. He will ever accept magic, not even in my wildest dreams. I cannot go along that path, not any more. I have lost so much and gained so little. Please Freya understand why I am letting it take over."

Freya sighed. "There may be a way that it could work."

"The blasted dragon found out and tried to fry me alive."

Freya smiled. "He believes there is only one way. I can see your way though. Only through understanding can magic return to the land. Morgana knows what it is like whereas I can share your fear in Arthur never truly understanding."

Merlin wanted to smile. "I have been so loyal. It will kill him, even more than Agravaine's betrayal."

"Merlin, Arthur loves you like a brother. Of course your betrayal will damage him."

"Maybe Morgana was right. Maybe at one stage I wanted to be more than a brother to Arthur."

Merlin zoned out and Freya thought better to ask him any questions.


Morgana walked back to the hovel.

She didn't want to leave and Merlin had warned her, but it still hurt what Freya had said.

Morgana didn't want to be the big bad witch, she wanted to be the saviour of magic.

Morgana stopped and slumped down the nearest tree.

She thought that today was going to be special due to them finally revealing their feelings for each other but it been ruined.

Morgana couldn't blame Merlin. He was obviously someone he cared about.

She closed her eyes.

She could have called herself stupid for this, she could even say that she was jealous.

How did they know each other? Why did she hate her even though they haven't met? Did the other Merlin poison Freya against her? When did life become so difficult?

Morgana stopped herself before her thoughts got too much and picked herself up.

She walked back to the hovel trying to forget Freya but was shocked to see Agravaine's horse outside her hovel.

Morgana sighed and entered.

Merlin, Agravaine is here.


Merlin's head shot up.

"Merlin what is wrong?"

Merlin looked at the picnic stuff and got up to pack it up.

"Agravaine is at the hovel with her. I need to protect her from him."

"Agravaine?"

Merlin looked back to Freya when he had finished.

"Arthur's uncle. He has tried to take advantage of her once before. I cannot allow it again."

Freya sighed. "Merlin, please still follow your heart."

Merlin nodded. "For once, I think I am."

He smiled before he started running back to the hovel.


Morgana opened the door to see Agravaine sitting in her chair.

"Let's get to it. Where is your little pet?"

Morgana just glared at Agravaine.

"He is out for the moment. Why are you so worried?"

Agravaine stood up. "Sorry I have just had a king asking me where he is most of the day."

"Arthur won't let him go as easily as I had hoped."

Morgana moved off to the side. She now wished that she didn't go in the hovel with Agravaine there.

"The boy is of little use."

Morgana turned back to Agravaine. "He has been better use than you. At least I feel safe when I am with him."

Agravaine tried not to look hurt. "I didn't make you feel safe."

"Well what you did a few weeks ago shows why I have a need to be worried about you."

"You are turning this back on me."

Morgana stopped.

"So you want to talk about Merlin? Then let's talk about him."


Merlin tried to control his breathing. It had been a long run from the lake to the hovel and for some reason it had exhausted him.

He dropped everything at the edge of the forest and walked closer to the hovel.

He took his position by the window.

I am here Morgana.

Merlin saw Morgana stop at that.

"So you want to talk about Merlin? Then let's talk about him."

Merlin had little idea of why she was going with this but he was only going to show himself if she needed help.


Morgana sat down by the table.

"He is unreliable and untrustworthy." Agravaine started off by saying.

"He is more trustworthy than you."

"His loyalty to Arthur …" Agravaine tried.

"Past loyalty." Morgana said interrupting. "He isn't loyal to him anymore."

"He still could be though."

Morgana glared at him. "Merlin will be of good use whatever. Yes he may have some loyalty to Arthur but that is the reason why I love him."

Agravaine looked at her. "The reason you love him?"

Morgana realised her mistake.

"You are blinded by love Morgana. He is no good and the sooner you realise that the better." Agravaine tried to argue.

"He is more use to me. He made me into the monster I am now but he is now showing me that he did believe in me. He has always believed in me. Arthur is as loyal to Merlin as he is to him. Arthur will tell Merlin his darkest secrets while you will only hear what he thinks you want to hear. Whether I love Merlin doesn't make any difference to the person I am. My judgement is blinded. I haven't felt this loved since my sister died, since my father died."

Morgana looked up at Agravaine.

"You have got to understand. We are creatures of love. I need to love as much as the next person."


Merlin sighed thinking about the battle inside his head.

She was right. They were made to love and realistically you cannot help who you fall in love with.

That's where the world was backwards.

Why couldn't people marry for love?

Merlin thought over the whole situation with Arthur and Gwen and felt sad. He was a part of their relationship breaking down and they may never see each other again. He knew when this was over he would have to say something. Even if it would just relax his guilt conscience.


"Are you defending him?"

Morgana looked up at the window then back to Agravaine.

"Of course. I need him. Without me he would probably have no head on his shoulders."

Agravaine got up.

"I won't let this go easily. You are breaking a good alliance."

Morgana looked up at him.

"An alliance with you was a mistake. I should have known that your reputation would get the better of you. I just needed someone who would be close to my dear brother. Now as I have his manservant, everything will go smoothly."

She smiled up at him.

Agravaine nodded before leaving.

Mordred would have to do a better job than him.