Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin, but I do know there is a traitor in our midst . . .

CHAPTER 5 - The Stars Above

Merlin and Morgana linger in her dimly lit room, the remains of burnt pieces of curtain fabric are scattered around the floor. The quietness of the castle is obvious, as the panic of the night has subsided. Only Morgana's soft sobs fill the silent void.

Merlin is still kneeling down next to Morgana, situated to her side while keeping his hand on her shoulder. He instinctively starts rubbing her back in circles using his palm as Morgana's sobbing gets more severe.

He is now looking at her intently. He saw the sincerity in Morgana when she apologized, and his thoughts are occupied by this. He comes back to reality when she leans sideways to have her head rest on his chest. He obliges and wraps his other arm around her, holding her in an embrace. His chin rests on top of her head as Morgana's hands do not leave her face.

Merlin decides to speak, "Come now Morgana, let's get you to your room."

Morgana responds and Merlin helps her to stand. Merlin looks at her bracelet and speaks to Morgana, "We can leave it here for now, I'll bring it back with me to examine later. Although Gaius and I have looked at it before, we'll take a look at it again."

Morgana responds with a weak smile.

"Come, follow me and I will escort you to your room," Merlin says as he begins walking towards the door. Morgana follows.

They arrive at the chambers on the far side of the castle. It is a rarely visited area of the castle since most of the rooms around are empty. Merlin opens the door to lead her in, "I will be back, I just need to get your bedding materials." She nods in acknowledgement.

Merlin leaves her in the room and she is saddened by his departure. She feels alone, especially tonight. She longs for company, and at this moment, she knows that only Merlin can fill her emptiness.

She crosses her arms in front of her and she finds her fingers touching her arms where Merlin held her in embrace. She liked the feeling it gave her, a feeling of belonging. She hasn't felt this way in a while. Even when Camelot welcomed her from her supposed capture, she still feels detachment since she is in a place that would condemn her to death for her magic. But new discoveries with Merlin have helped her reshape her convictions.

Merlin always had an indefinable quality that makes her feel included. Her heart aches for this feeling. Her thoughts convince her that she wants more of this from Merlin; she wants to get closer to Merlin again. She wants to be his friend. She wants to spend more time with him, and get to know more about his magic. She is aware that Merlin is still very hesitant about her and her motives, but she is resolved to do anything that is necessary to get his acceptance back, even if it meant using her ladylike ways.

She examines the room and it is a similar footprint to hers: the bed, the dining table, and even a small nook at the far side of the room for someone to sleep in. She walks toward the nook to examine it, and she forms an idea.

Merlin returns carrying several pillows, sheets, and blankets. He is carrying the stack in front of him, and they pile high enough to impede his vision. She wonders how he made it back to the room in one piece.

He places the items on the bed and begins fixing it for proper sleeping. Morgana moves toward Merlin's bent figure working on the bed. As she arrives next to him, she taps him on the shoulder with a finger, "Merlin?"

"Yes Morgana," he answers while his eyes and hands continue to focus on the task at hand.

"Thank you," she mumbles quickly, and at that moment, her heart beats faster as she tries to comprehend what she is about to do. She momentarily closes her eyes and leans forward towards him. She wrestles enough courage as she plants a soft kiss on his cheek.

Merlin's concentration breaks as he slightly rips a pillow cover that he is holding. Morgana notices his reaction before swiftly turning away to hide her smile.

He struggles to complete his work as he tries to keep his mind from Morgana's kiss. He lets his eyes wander from the bed and sees that Morgana has moved to examine one of the vases on the dressers.

She knows that she completely took Merlin by surprise and that he probably is still recovering from shock. She wonders how such a small peck on the cheek would have such an effect from Merlin. She decides to push him further, "What a wonderful vase. I believe this one would have matched the flowers you gave me before." She smiles while her back is still turned from Merlin, she could only imagine the look on his face.

It would seem that Merlin has moved in warp-speed since Morgana's kiss because he finished his task rather quickly. Morgana wonders if Merlin used magic so he could leave as quickly as possible.

"That was fast. Do you use magic all the time for Arthur's chores whenever you're in a hurry to leave," Morgana continues with a smirk on her face.

"Morgana!" he answers back trying to suppress his voice. Oddly enough, Merlin enjoys the openness between them. There are not a lot of people that he can talk magic with. Nonetheless, he is still worried about Morgana knowing his secret. "If there isn't anything else? I think I'll go now."

"Oh thank you Merlin . . ." she whispers back.

He begins heading to the door, "Very good, I'll be on my wa . . ."

"Well, there is one thing," Morgana interrupts as she displays an innocent smile on her face.

"What is it?"

"Merlin," she seems lost for words, " . . . can you sleep here tonight?"

Merlin's eyes open wide at her request. His mind races with thoughts, "Did she just ask me to sleep here? What is she thinking? Is she planning to kill me in my sleep? Maybe this is a trap; she'll call the palace guards and accuse me of trying to take advantage of her. What is this temptress planning?"

"Well it's just that I don't have my bracelet and I'm afraid to go to sleep," she says to a stiff Merlin. ". . . or at least stay until I fall asleep?"

"Ummm . . . I don't know about this Morgana," he responds. "If anyone were to walk in and see us on the same bed, then I would be hanged on the spot."

"Merlin . . ." Morgana answers teasingly while suppressing a slight giggle, "So you're telling me, in the middle of the night, you plan to wake up and move from that sleeping area over there and situate yourself next to me on my bed?" She is pointing at the nook that she examined earlier.

Merlin's face turns red as he realizes his misunderstanding. He tries to cover his tracks, "Even so, I cannot be seen sleeping in the same room as you."

"Well . . . If you noticed . . . no one comes to this side of the castle," she answers. "You can also just use your magic to hide yourself, can you not?"

"Morgana, we need to take caution when using magic, especially in Camelot."

"Okay fine, but I'll ask you once more nicely," she responds. "Can you please just spend the night?"

"I'm sorry Morgana, but I have to leave," he is now resolute to leave. He walks to the door.

"I understand," she answers dejectedly as she watches Merlin at the door. He has just opened it to leave.

"Wait, Merlin . . . ?"

"Yes Morgana," he looks back from outside the door.

"Can I see you tomorrow? I would like to talk to you some more."

Merlin takes a few seconds to reply, "It's a very busy day tomorrow. Princess Elena and Lord Godwyn are expected to arrive."

"Please Merlin."

Merlin ponders her question and speculates on what she would like to talk about. He decides that is a good opportunity for him to discover more information. Moreover, it is hard for Merlin to resist a conversation with anyone that he can be open about magic with. He answers back, " . . . Okay."

"Thank you Merlin. Well . . . I hope you have a good night," Morgana says with a faint smile.

"You too." Merlin closes the door and heads back to Morgana's real room to retrieve her bracelet. He walks into the room and picks up the bracelet. He examines it as he is walking back to Gaius' chambers.

"I wonder if this bracelet has been my real enemy this whole time . . ."

The thought gives Merlin a smile as he pockets the bracelet.

The castle hallways are empty and quiet, when all through the castle, not a creature is stirring, not even a mouse. He gazes at the sky during his stroll back and wonders at the beauty of the stars above. He whistles a tune and thinks to himself what a good day it was today.

Sorry for the last paragraph, I heard a Christmas song today :D

Finally got some real Mergana in. Yes!

Again, thank you for the reviews. You guys are the best!