Morgana watched as Merlin and Arthur fell asleep and smiled. She always thought they'd make a good couple. Shades didn't need to sleep, so she was to keep watch all night.
"Arthur…." said Merlin and Morgana's eyes flashed over to the entwined pair. Merlin was still asleep, but they king had woken when he heard his warlock's voice.
"It's fine, Arthur. She's just sleeping," said Morgana with a raised eyebrow.
Arthur sighed. "I know. I worry about her sometimes."
"Why?"
"Why? Because she has scars all over her body and I don't know how she got them. She jumped off a cliff when I did. She always looks happy, but when I catch her alone, it looks like someone just broke her heart. She gets hurt way too often. She was born a he, and I really don't think she likes being a girl. The other men look at her like she's a trophy. She-" Arthur was cut off by his sister.
"Arthur," said Morgana, "Just let it be for now."
"But-"
"She'll be okay."
"Arthur….." Merlin mumbled and burrowed deeper into Arthur's arms. The king smiled.
"Get some sleep," Morgana commanded.
"What about you?"
"Shade," said the shade, waving her hand in a gesture to her whole body. "I don't sleep."
"Oh," was Arthur's reply. He looked reluctant.
"Arthur….Oh, I see," chuckled Morgana. "You don't trust me. Don't worry, that dark magic is gone now. I won't try to kill you."
The king nodded and complied, still looking unsure. Eventually sleep took him too.
"Arthur…" Merlin breathed out again. There was a huge smile on her face.
Being a seer, and being dead, Morgana was now clairvoyant. She knew what was to come in years ahead for these two. "Enjoy this while you can," she whispered sadly to the sleeping couple.
The next morning went fairly smooth. They packed up, loaded the horse Arthur had originally rode there, and started walking. Not even before noon, the aftermath of the Underworld was taking Merlin again.
"She's too silent," Arthur whispered to Morgana. "She's never silent."
"The effects of the Underworld must be coming back," responded the shade.
"Ugggggrrrrrrh!" Merlin sputtered as she tripped. "Dammit! Stupid fuc- fudging arrow, making me leap back and trip! Whoever- wait, arrow?"
Indeed, it was an arrow, as a large group of men was coming at them extremely fast, swords and battle axes flailing. Morgana vanished. Arthur, on instinct, rushed to Merlin.
Dammit ,thought the king. No sword.
Nevertheless, he pushed his warlock behind him. A man stepped forward. "Looks like a noble took his sweetheart out on a date, huh boys?" he asked, earning a few chuckles for no reason. "Let's see-"
Suddenly, there was a loud noise and he fell down, and all of his men with him. Arthur could practically hear Merlin rolling her eyes. "Morons," she muttered.
"Merlin," asked Arthur, wheeling around. "Did you do that?"
"Yeah," she said, almost bored.
"How?!"
"I'm Emrys, baby!"
There was a long pause. "Sooooo," started the king, "How many times could've you done that when we were attacked?"
"Every time," she said in the same monotone voice. Her eyes were wandering around, as if she was being put through one of Gauis' long (very boring) lectures.
"What!? Why didn't you?"
"Magic was either illegal at the time or I thought you could use the fight. Keeps you fit," she said, this time with humor. She patted his abdomen.
"I'm not fat!" Arthur cried indignantly.
"Never said you were!" She quickly pecked his lips, which, of course, made him forget all about this conversation.
Morgana reappeared at that moment. "Sorry I took off, but, really, a shade would just in your way-"
"Whatever," said the warlock. The conversation died there, as they really didn't have anything to say. They walked in silence, the two live ones hand in hand and the shade walking behind like a third wheel. It was quite a beautiful day, and warm, but not too warm. The only problem was bugs that seemed to like bugging people. The tiny flies found the humans fun to buzz at, while they found Morgana unpleasant to go straight through.
Rustling I the bushes made them stop. Arthur again pushed Merlin behind him, while the warlock rolled her eyes. Preparing for another attack, Arthur picked up a large stone. He threw it.
"Ow! Dammit, what was that for, Princess?" asked the man rising from the bushes. Gwaine. The knight seemed to stalk them (well, how else could he have been on almost all their adventures?)
"What are you doing here, Gwaine?" asked Arthur.
"Long story," replied the knight, then eyeing Morgana. "Isn't she evil?"
(((((((((((((0))))))))))))))
Gwaine should have known something was up. He called out to Arthur, who looked just plain broken. The king didn't respond. He watched him get a horse from the stables, and ride off. At the time, the knight shrugged it off, thinking Arthur wanted some alone time after that huge ordeal with Merlin. The king probably left to let the warlock rest.
"Hey, Gauis," he called, walking into the physician's chambers. "Is Merlin awake yet? I just saw Arthur riding off and- what?"
"Merlin walked out of here this morning, and Arthur followed him with tears running down his face. I think something happened between the two of them," said the aged physician.
"Oh shit," said Gwaine, as Gaius gave him the I'm-old-and-don't-curse-in-front-of-me raised eyebrow of death. "Thanks Gauis."
The knight walked out, hearing the physician mutter, "Young people never explain things these days."
Merlin must have run off again and Princess must have gone after him. Gwaine internally moaned. Just one adventure after another.
He rode after Arthur, painstakingly tracking him down. He arrived just in time to see his two friends jump off a cliff.
I know, I know, WHY DIDN'T ANYTHING HAPPEN IN THIS CHAPTER? Because a) I am literally making this up as I go along and b) I have a test tomorrow. Buuuuuut, when they get back to Camelot, I have some...interesting plans for the characters. Let's just say it involves babies, crying, a strange soceress, a asshole Arthur, and a crying Merlin. Sure, that won't happen in the next chapter, but it will happen.
And thaaaaaaank you soooooo much to the awesome reviewers Laura Ella, bubzchoc, and Don-V! :D