Gwaine knocked on Morgana's door, shifting from foot to foot. He was nervous, very nervous. When she opened the door, his tongue refused to work for a moment and they just stood there, staring. He then found his voice. "Ummm..Morgana, would you like to-ummmm.., go on a walk with me?"

She smiled brightly and walked over the threshold, the door closing (by shade or normal magic). "Of course, Sir Drinks-A-Lot."

Gwaine couldn't help but smile, and turn red a little. Morgana and him had called each other by these titles (Morgana's, as you remember, is 'Miss Sexy-Sorceress') ever since the first incident. They did this because they were friends. Friends called each other names, right? Just look at Arthur and Merlin. Actually, no, don't, because they ended up in love, something that could never happen to Gwaine and Morgana. Because they were friends. That just happened to like each other. A lot.

Out on the training field, Morgana grabbed Gwaine's hand (because they were friends!), and that's how they walked. Later, Gwaine (also because they were buddies!) wrapped an arm around her waist, hand a bit lower than were a friend would put his. And of course, because all friends do this, Morgana rest her head on his shoulder, sighing with contentment. They sat down on a bench, taking in the setting sun.

"I just noticed something," said Gwaine, smiling fondly at Morgana on his shoulder. "You're solid."

It was the shade's turn to smile. "You've noticed," she said. "Shades can be solid when they want to be. They can also go thin as air in an instant."

"And how come I can see you? Can't only some specially gifted people do that?"

"If I want you to see me, you can," stated Morgana, nuzzling his neck (because they were friends, right?)

"So you want me to see you?" At that moment, something strange happened. Morgana and Gwaine looked deeply into each other's eyes. Their faces drew nearer. They were just friends, right? Well, this next action was certainly friendly.

Morgana's lips were an inch above his. "Of course I want you to see me," she whispered. Both closed their eyes, moving slowly in.

Before either knew what was happening, a loud voice called out, "Sir Gwaine! Lady Ana!" (Morgana's alias, because it would be really hard to explain to the people what had happened. Arthur told his subjects that 'Lady Ana' was a noble woman from another kingdom that was to remain in Camelot.)

"Sir Gwaine! Lady Ana!" called the servant boy that just prevented them from kissing; their lips had never met. Morgana pushed Gwaine off her, in shock, and ran away, already knowing what the boy was going to tell them.

"Sir Gwaine," said the boy, bowing. "King Arthur has requested your presence in his throne room."

Gwaine nodded and dismissed him. He stumbled to the throne room, the pain ailing his heart. Morgana was going to kiss him. They were stopped. She pushed away. What did it mean?

With these numbing thoughts, the knight almost didn't notice the woman standing dead center in the room, the one with an aura of pure power.

Almost.

((((((((((((((0)))))))))))))

Arthur knew he had to do something. Merlin forced more and more smiles every day, but he knew she was feeling pain. He had been (and still was) distraught about losing this child, but the king knew it hit his warlock harder. She had carried it, felt its life force, and she felt it leave her body, rejecting her. Merlin blamed herself.

"Arthur," she had mumbled. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For losing the baby."

Arthur never wanted to hear her that broken again.

The king had made arrangements to meet with a sorceress. He knew Merlin had magic, but she would be reluctant to use it in a case like this. Besides, he needed someone with experience, someone who had dealt with things like this before. He sought her out.

Magus was very old, maybe older than Camelot itself, but she looked as young as a sixteen year old. She had come without hesitation, actually wanting to be there. Arthur had called the Knights of the Round Table, Gauis, Gwen, and Morgana in to meet her. He tried not to notice how Gwaine and Morgana would not look at each other.

Usually, Arthur would've explained, but after he sent for them, Magus requested this matter be kept secret. After introductions, Arthur sent them out, leaving him with the sorceress.

"I know why I am here, Arthur Pendragon," she said, holding up a hand when he opened his mouth. He snapped it shut. "You're wife wishes to conceive."

Arthur nodded, lips tight.

"Normally, to do this, I would have to take a life," she said, as Arthur rose in anger. He remembered how his father had done something similar just so he could be born. I will NEVER do that to my Merlin, he thought, eyes alight. The sorceress continued, almost bored. "Emrys is different. She is a he in a woman's body. She has the right parts, just not the right spirit."

"What?" asked Arthur.

"The right spirit," said Magus, "Mortius could not change his soul. It is a man's. Emrys has the right body for birthing but not the right soul."

"So Merlin won't be able to-" started Arthur, crushed.

"No," she said, voice echoing in the large room. "The soul is only just preventing it. If your wife is truly Emrys, then this should work."

"What should work?"

"Emrys is the most powerful being in this world," said Magus. "His, or her, magic is so strong, it can change anything. If I am correct, her magic should be able to connect the fetus." At the king's puzzled look, she continued. "The fetus was all ready, but Emrys' male soul prevented it from actually taking life. A quick jumpstart of magic would connect the fetus to life."

Arthur nodded. "What would I need to do?"

"First," she said, "You must follow my every instruction, no matter what. Make me a vow."

Arthur made a vow.

"Next, answer me this." She seemed reluctant to ask this question, and she was blushing. "When was the last time you and her-ummm….you know?" She raised her eyebrows and coughed.

Arthur turned very red. "Last night."

"Perfect," she nodded.

"Is that all?"

"For now." Arthur did not like her smile.

"And do you wish for payment?"

Her smile vanished and she blanched. She also seem a bit offended. "It is my destiny to do this! One does not simply get paid for following fate!"

Magus stormed off and Arthur sighed. The sun had been set for a while now, and it was getting late. Groaning, he pulled himself to his chambers.

Merlin was there, sleeping on the bed. He smiled as he brushed the hair away from her face and climbed in next to her. "I love you," he whispered.

She stirred slightly, but did not wake. Arthur had to smile again; typical Merlin. He closed his eyes just after he planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Love you too, prat."

I'm baaaaaaaack! It's been like two days since I last updated! TWO DAYS! (damn research papers and standardized tests) It's been like FOOOOOOOREEEEVER! So, yeah, here's the chapter.

Since it's Friday, there'll probably be another update today.

Also, it is my pleasure to thank HEIDI, bubzchoc, Don V, eyesofemrys, Lady Blade WarAngel, and yanoe for amazing reviews! They get magical unicorns! (Okay, not really.)