I am so sorry for the super late update. I haven't had any inspirations lately. So here's a short update.

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin, but Morgana gave me an evil smirk . . .

CHAPTER 7 - The Silent Words

The day is perfect for riding. Sunlight spilling evenly across the plains, a small breeze cools the warm day.

Three riders prepare themselves to enjoy the sunshine; their horses are waiting for them beneath the castle's main entrance.

Gwen occupies herself with collecting Morgana's laundry while Morgana is at her favorite place in her room. Morgana is situated next to her window where she has a great view of the happenings in front of the castle. She studies the people down below, but is really distracted by a certain dark-haired man who looks to be carrying a whole kitchen on his back.

A woman in a yellow dress makes her way straight towards a steed, it is probably Princess Elena. She mounts the horse on her own, ignoring Arthur's offer to help, and she speeds away. Even from far away, Morgana can see the looks on Arthur and Merlin's face. They look quite surprised to see a clumsy person be such a good rider. Morgana is surprised herself.

Arthur mounts his own horse quickly and races off to chase after her, leaving Merlin behind who is struggling with all the belongings that he has to carry.

Morgana watches Merlin as he plans how to carry so much things and she sees him move the belongings against a corner. Merlin then looks around carefully, making sure that no one could be watching him. He looks up at the castle windows and notices Morgana looking down at him. Morgana shoots him a smile and waves at him, Merlin smiles back and moves his index finger over his lips to signal her to keep a secret.

With a wave of his hand, she saw several items shrink in size. After his magic, he looks back up to Morgana and gives her a wink. He then proceeds to collect all the items before heading off himself to catch up to Arthur and Elena.

Morgana gives out an effervescent sigh at Merlin's departure and wonders what she is to do today. She doesn't like the idea of having to spend time with Uther and Lord Godwyn. Even if her desire to kill Uther has subsided, she still views Uther as an evil tyrant.

The only event to look forward to is practicing magic with Merlin for the first time. Ever since his visit this morning, all Morgana can think about is spending time with Merlin and performing magic together. She has even begun pondering spells that she knows to try to impress him, but begins to worry as some spells might hurt Merlin.

Morgana breaks off her reverie as she delicately turns away from her window to look to Gwen who is knee deep in clothing. She notices that Gwen has been more stressed and more worried recently, but she attributes it to all the added work she has.

"Gwen, what would you like to do today?" Morgana asks with a smile.

"Oh, I'm so sorry Morgana. Today is a very busy day," Gwen answers while continuing to sort out clothing. "I have to tend to some chores for our guests, and I have to sort out preparations for tonight's feast."

"The feast," Morgana remembers. She has overlooked the feast tonight and her hopes of spending time with Merlin withers away. "Surely, he will be preoccupied as well."

"Oh, I forgot about the feast," she stands up to move to her bed. "I was hoping to spend some time . . . with Merlin . . . and Arthur," she manages to sneak in Arthur's name to avoid suspicion.

Gwen involuntarily gives out a small smirk at Morgana's mention of Merlin but recognizes disappointment in Morgana's face. She has promised to herself that she would be the bridge to help Morgana and Merlin mend their friendship, but knowing that she cannot actually help at the moment, she gives her a suggestion instead.

"You know Morgana, today is a nice day out," she takes a moment to look to Morgana. "You should go out for a ride. They have not left too long ago; you can probably still catch up to Merlin . . ."

Gwen gives Morgana a teasing smile.

"And Arthur, and Elena," Morgana adds with a blush.

Morgana is a personality that would take action to get what she wants. This case is no different.

She quickly manages to dress herself into riding clothes and bids Gwen a good day before setting off to the stables. She hastily walks through the stone steps while drawing fleeting glimpses from onlookers marveling at her elegance. Her ethereal beauty overflowing from her, her ivory clothes hugging the contours of her body, the tiny tendrils in her hair bouncing with each step, and her left hand raised to her ear keeping the flower that Merlin has placed there from blowing away.

###

Merlin is way behind. Both Elena and Arthur are riding at full speed, while he is stuck with all the belongings that won't allow him to ride faster than a jog.

"Oh well, they're so excited to be alone. I'll leave them to it then."

He doesn't mind his slow speed as it allows him to enjoy the day as well as gives him the opportunity to daydream. He involuntarily touches his cheek at his thoughts as he is reminded of the events this morning.

"I used to give her flowers before, but I never even got a tap on the shoulder as thanks," Merlin asks himself annoyingly. "Now with all the things that's happened between us, she chooses this time to become 'friendly' with me."

In his mind, he never really expected for anything to happen between him and a noblewoman like Morgana. Her transformation towards evil has helped Merlin push away his feelings for her, and he is actually thankful for it. Having anything more than a feeling for friendship with someone of Morgana's rank, no less the king's daughter, could be disastrous for a servant like him.

"I don't know if I'll ever feel the same feelings for her again. Maybe when I know that she really has changed her ways, that her actions were just a result of evil magic. Maybe then." he thinks to himself. "But I like the friendship that we are developing now, and I'd rather keep it that way."

Heavy and fast hoofs hit the ground not too far behind him and it draws Merlin to turn to face the approaching rider.

A transcendent figure appears before his eyes; her black hair flowing in the wind as she gracefully advances with her white steed. The finesse of which she rides reflects the poise and strength of her convictions. Even as she arrives several feet away, her rich green eyes captivate Merlin, which causes him to slightly lose balance. The vision of her always makes him defenseless, no matter how many times he sees her.

Morgana addresses Merlin first as she neatly comes to a halt, "Hello Merlin, I thought it was a good day for a ride. Do you mind if I tag along?"

"Oh . . . of course, no problem," Merlin murmurs. "Unfortunately, Arthur and Elena have sped off on their own. But we can catch up."

"Don't worry Merlin, I am in no hurry to catch up to them," Morgana smiles at him. "I wanted to see you."

Luckily, Merlin was holding tightly to his saddle, if he weren't, he would've fallen off his horse.

". . . thank you," Merlin answers back and immediately regrets as he found no other words to respond with.

"I was thinking . . . since we won't have time to practice magic tonight, is it possible for us to spend some time practicing while we ride?"

"Practice now?" Merlin responds. "I guess it will be alright. We can give Arthur and Elena some . . . privacy." Merlin lets out an evil smirk.

Morgana giggles at his look, "Oh Merlin, you and your evil smirks."

Merlin turns his horse to move forward, while Morgana situates herself next to him. Both riders ride slowly as they enjoy each other's company.

"So, what magic would you like to do?"

Morgana takes a moment to ponder his question before answering, "Well. I'm not sure how much magic it takes, but there is a type of magic that Mordred used to do all the time."

"Oh yes. You mean speaking into each other's minds?"

"Yes, that is what I am referring to. Morgause and I never really needed to use it, so I never learned from her. Do you know how?"

"~You mean like this~" he whispers into her mind.

"Hey! How is it you do that?"

"Well, it's really a skill that you develop. Once you learn it, you will never forget," he responds. "Similar to riding a horse."

"Very interesting."

"Well, the first thing you'll need is to know how to direct magic. Of course, you already know that, you threw me against a wall."

"Oh Merlin, again, I'm really sorry about that," she responds guiltily. "I didn't know what I was doing . . . and please stop it with your evil smirks," she is now smiling.

He smiles while he continues to focus on the road in front of him. "The next thing is to meld your thoughts and words with magic, similar to when you cast magic without verbal incantation."

"Hmmm, doesn't sound too hard . . . I think."

"Good. Go ahead and try it."

Morgana momentarily closes her eyes, inhales a deep breath, and opens her eyes on her exhale. She is now focusing on Merlin's instructions. She begins to direct her thoughts and magic to Merlin, concentrating on the first words that came into her mind.

Merlin doesn't break stride as he waits for Morgana's mental message. He is using magic to look ahead the path to search for Arthur and Elena's whereabouts. He sees that Arthur has stopped for a moment to pick out a flower, "Oh come on Arthur! Not that one! He really has no taste," he thinks to himself.

Morgana's disconnected words come to Merlin gradually.

"~ . . . give . . . ~"

"~ . . me. . ~ "

"~ . . . kiss . . .~"

This time Merlin does fall off of his horse.

He just got the last word of Morgana's telepathic message and it made him turn to her swiftly and awkwardly that he let the weight of his belongings pull him off his horse.

Morgana immediately dismounts her horse at the sight of Merlin falling to help him up. As she offers her hand to help him, she sees the disbelief and surprise in his face as if she offended him. He stands up on his own to avoid any physical contact with Morgana.

Morgana eyes him questioningly, "What happened to you? You look like you just saw a ghost. Did I offend you in some way?"

"Morgana! Do you remember what you just asked me moments ago?" He looks at her wide-eyed. "Why would you ask me that?"

Morgana raises an eyebrow to show her amusement, "What do you mean? . . . wait . . . What do you think I said to you?" She is now smiling.

"Morgana, now you're evilly smirking at me!" He answers and is somewhat close to a panic. "You just . . . asked me to . . ."

"What is it Merlin? Come on, out with it."

"You asked me to . . . snog you. You wanted me to kiss you!"

Morgana can't help herself but laugh out loud while Merlin looks at her scratching his head in confusion.

"Merlin, what I was trying to say to you is 'Please give me your keys!'"

Merlin blushes at his mistake and decides to distract himself by gathering all the belongings that fell on the ground. Morgana moves close to Merlin to help him, and takes some things for her to carry herself.

They mount their horses once again, and they continue their ride deeper into the woods.

"Oh come on Merlin, don't tell me that you'll be quiet the whole ride now?" Morgana asks him teasingly. "What is it? Are you really thinking about kissing me now?"

"Morgana! Don't joke about those things!"

"Oh Merlin, I was only teasing," Morgana responds while she enjoys how uncomfortable she can get Merlin to be. "Can I continue to practice then?"

"Fine, go ahead, I'll keep listening."

"Don't worry Merlin, I won't ask you to kiss me anytime soon," she gives him another smirk.

"You better not," Merlin answers and is now calming his nerves from the embarrassment he just experienced.

Both riders enjoy their company with each other in silence. However, the silence doesn't include the numerous words that are being murmured to Merlin's mind. Morgana is improving, and is getting closer to forming sentences with her telepathy. However, even with the copious amounts of words that enter his mind, they cannot uproot the first deep-seated words that he thought she sent him: give me kiss.

Yes. I did go there!

Morgana doing the evil smirk - always.

Merlin doing the evil smirk - priceless.

I will try to move the story along faster next update. I actually was going to have something else this chapter, but I wanted to give you guys an update already. I'm sorry I've been lagging :(