Here is my next one-shot. I actually had this worked into maybe another thing...but I don't think its going to happen, at least not right now. I dislike Morgana, to put it mildly...but maybe when season 4 is over I'll go back and try to find those good feelings I had for her. I dunno, we'll see I guess.

Review Reply to Jacqs: I agree with everything. You're completely right, I think Merlin should have gotten a bit of a promotion too. And I wish they would give him a little more backbone. He can pull it off, and he deserves it! Thank you for the review.

OH HOLY CRAP! I forgot! (Prepare for exclamation points) Does everyone know the names of the last two episodes of season 4? If you don't I'm going to tell you right now because I just found out last night and it made me so excited that I couldn't go to sleep! Okay, ready? Its going to be a two-parter just like last season and the episodes are named (at least according to wikipedia btw) The Sword in the Stone...parts one and two people! I know, I know right? Holy Crow! If you want to squeal to me, please feel free!

WARNING: This episode has a tinge of implied Morgana/Merlin...just a little bit though! Not going to tell you more because its a surprise.

The First Slip-up

The door to the cell was flung open and Tom, the blacksmith rushed inside to embrace his daughter, who had miraculously been pardoned. Gwen had tears in her eyes and turned to the other two people who had believed in her enough to find a way to get her out.

"Thank you!" She said to Morgana in gratitude, clasping the woman's hands in her own.

Morgana was smiling, but she knew who the credit for Gwen's release belonged to,

"Don't thank me, it was more Merlin." She said, shooting him a knowing look which he completely ignored. She could guess how Arthur's new manservant felt about her maid. Especially since she heard how he had barged into the Great Hall, claiming to be the sorcerer who had cured Gwen's father.

He was willing to sacrifice himself for Gwen, and she knew what that meant.

"Really?" Gwen breathed, her attention turning to the young man. She felt her heart flutter at the thought that he had rescued her.

"He's the real hero." Morgana interjected, hoping to further improve Merlin's chances with Gwen.

"I don't know what to say." Gwen replied, her voice breathy with relief.

But Merlin was quick to shrug off the praise, uncomfortable with the way both Gwen and her father were looking at him.

"I didn't do anything." He said.

"Well, I'm grateful to you all. Come on Gwen." Tom said with gratitiude before escorting his daughter out of the cell, the sooner they were out of the dungeons the better.

Then he could really believe that he wasn't going to loose his daughter.

As soon as they left Morgana turned to Merlin, who was also turning to leave. She realized that he must not be ready to admit his feelings and she wanted to let him know that he had her support.

"Merlin," She called softly, he turned to face her,

"I just wanted you to know that your secret is safe with me."

His face became suddenly serious, "My secret?" He asked, pretending to be unaware of what she was talking about.

His mind was racing though.

Had she seen him use magic to defeat the Afanc? Had he really been so careless already? Gaius was going to kill him…

"Come on, don't pretend. I know what you did." She replied, her face entirely serious.

"You do?"

Morgana thought his shocked expression comical, but she managed to keep a strait face.

"I saw it with my own eyes."

"You did?" His voice cracked, and she couldn't help giving him a little grin.

"I understand why you don't want anyone to know."

"Well obviously…"

She could see what Gwen saw in him, she thought absently, he was quite adorable, and his eyes…

"But I won't tell anyone, you don't mind me talking to you about it?" Morgana thought maybe she could try and help them get together. Two such good people deserved to be happy and Gwen had never been this interested in anyone before.

Merlin felt the sweet sensation of relief, Morgana had said she wouldn't tell anyone. Maybe this would be okay, and he could talk to someone besides Gaius about his magic.

"I-I, no, its um, you have no idea how hard it is to keep this hidden." He told her with a grin. Morgana opened her mouth to reply that Gwen was a lucky woman but then…

"I've had to keep this a secret from everyone since before I can remember." Merlin laughed nervously, thinking that she had been about to ask for an explanation.

"I mean, my mother and Gaius know, and one of my friend from Ealdor found out by accident but still…"

Morgana shut her mouth after Merlin's first sentence. It was obvious now that he hadn't known she was talking about Gwen…he couldn't be talking about Gwen.

She should have cut him off, should have told him that she was referring to Gwenivere, but something stopped her.

Morgana wouldn't have thought there was anything different about Merlin until she had heard how he had stood up to Arthur, more than a few times. He had also exposed Knight Valiant even though no one believed him, saving Arthur's life. Then there was that whole business with the Afanc…Merlin had seemed so sure of what was happening. Morgana had of course, assumed that Gaius had told Merlin how to defeat it, but maybe that wasn't so? Besides, twenty years is a long time to keep a secret, and Morgana had always had an insatiable curiosity. So when Merlin paused, she nodded and smiled…waiting for him continue.

"So even though magic is banned in Camelot, my mother sent me to Gaius, hoping he could teach me how to control it. I'm so grate…ful." Merlin trailed off when he saw the growing look of alarm on Morgana's face.

Shock and astonishment was all Morgana was feeling right now, and for all her gifts of concealment nothing could have been as surprising as learning that Merlin had magic.

Merlin noted the look, and his pale face got paler, his heart suddenly sounding in his ears.

"Uh, you didn't- you didn't uh, know that did you?" Merlin asked in a whisper, unable to keep his voice from shaking. Morgana shook her head in that slow way that told Merlin just how much he had surprised her.

"Oh, God…" Merlin muttered under his breath. From somewhere, far away, he acknowledged that he was either going to have to flee Camelot or he was going to lose his head. All he could see right now though, was Morgana's face.

"Merlin…you have- magic?" She whispered the last word, a little harshly he thought. He looked at her, his lips pursed in contemplation. He could lie to her…try and save his neck, but really, what would be the point?

So he stood up straighter and his eyes glinted at her, and in that moment she felt like she was seeing the real Merlin. His blue eyes bored into her as he faced her, took a deep breath and said the words she had hoped he wouldn't say.

"Yes, my lady. I have magic."

And then she realized that all these years Uther had been right when he told her that curiosity killed the cat. Her gaze, still locked with Merlin's was starting to affect her, something deep inside was responding to his presence, connecting them in a way where Morgana knew nothing would ever be the same.

Well, she thought humorously, still looking into those striking blue eyes, if curiosity killed the cat…that death was a noble one indeed.

AN: So like I said...possibly a continuation LATER...maybe. Also, hahaha, bet you weren't expecting that right? Summary said be prepared for the unexpected!