ray1- I was more thinking along the line of ewoks...

Renaissancebooklover18- Gwaine can be useful and amazing

Junior Woofles- Yeah well that could be a while yet

Morgana and Merlin had almost been chained up together for an hour. The hour had consisted of permanent bickering and arguing between them. First they argued about where they wanted to go. Then they snapped about how to wrestle the key of Gwaine. After that they quarrelled over who would win if they had a magical fight chained to each other. Merlin and Morgana will still in dispute about amputating each others hands and were arguing about it right now.

Gwaine spectated the arguments sitting in the shadows of the room. He was amused at all of the arguing over trivial contradictions. It didn't take someone with common sense to work out that they cared. Gwaine was 'arguably' severely lacking in common sense and he had managed to notice Merlin and Morgana's feelings. Since he had discovered Merlin had magic, the knight had always felt strange when Merlin and Morgana were mentioned in the same sentence. Morgana and Merlin. The witch and warlock. Dark and light. In Gwaine's eyes it all concluded in them being linked together. Now he was sure that they were linked together. True, it might have not been through choice but Gwaine knew, whether they liked it or not, that something was going on between them. Something that nobody could control.

Silently, Gwaine slipped out of the slightly ajar door into the bustling village. He pondered around the side of house to find his stallion grazing on a patch of lush grass. The stallion raised its head as Gwaine approached and whinnied. It tried to pull away from the fence which it was tethered too but failed.

"Easy boy," Gwaine murmured letting the horse nuzzle him as he firmly patted its chestnut neck.

The knight knew that the stallion needed to be exercised as it had been tethered up since he and Arthur had arrived at Camelot. Whistling, Gwaine collected the horse's tack which had been carelessly hung over the side of the fence. The stallion impatiently pawed the ground and shook his wild mane. Hastily, in response, Gwaine flung the saddle onto the stallion and did up the girth. Gwaine was in such a hurry that he didn't bother to put on the martingale. Sliding his beige leather boot into one of the horse's stirrups, Gwaine pulled himself up onto the saddle.

Once he was mounted, Gwaine gathered up the reins and nudged his heels into the stallion's flanks. The stallion obediently trotted off and let Gwaine gently guide him into the forest. Gwaine could tell the stallion was raring to gallop and would have let him gallop. However the knight was worried that Merlin or Morgana would notice him and prevent him from riding away into the distance.

As soon as Gwaine had reached the cover of the trees, he loosened the reins and kicked the stallion into a gallop. Since Gwaine had no specific destination, he let the stallion decide where they went. They covered a great amount of distance before Gwaine felt the stallion tiring and reined him into a trot. Gwaine was about to turn the horse around when he realised that he was lost. When the knight was in Camelot, he could let the horse take control of direction and not be lost. Unfortunately, Gwaine had either forgotten that he was not in Camelot or had childishly thought that getting lost would turn out to be a perilous adventure. The latter of the two was increasingly probable.

Clicking his tongue, Gwaine pressed the stallion into a trot hoping that he might come across a dwelling or a means of navigating his way back to Ealdor. Within minutes Gwaine spotted a stone dwelling. He pulled his leg over the stallion's back and slid off the saddle. Gently guiding his steed to a tree, he looped the leather reins around the bough. The knight then turned around to take in the appearance of the dilapidated hovel.

Moss infested the ashen rocks which feebly held up the rotting timber roof. A damp and smoky aroma was given off by the rotting wood. Gwaine screwed up his nose in disgust at the unpleasant smell. Although Gwaine didn't think it was impossible to inhabit such a dilapidated and unstable house, Gwaine loudly rapped on the paint-peeling door. The force of Gwaine's knock was enough to send the door creaking open.

"Who is it?" a voice croaked from inside the house. "I am armed." Gwaine cautiously took a few steps back from the door just as it was thrust open.

A small man with fraying ashen hair appeared. He looked rather strange and raccoon like with his small goatee. His fingers were worn and tough from the many years of work they had endured. The woollen tunic and jumper he wore were covered with cloth patches as if they had been ripped and self-mended countless times.

"I am Gwaine," Gwaine explained. The knight usually missed out the 'Sir' when he introduced himself as he knew that a lot of people did not like knights or nobles.

"I am Rordan," the man greeted holding out his dirty hand which Gwaine enthusiastically shook. "How may I help you today? Do you want your problems solved?"

"Yes. Can you solve the problem lost?" Gwaine asked. "I can pay you."

The man thought for a moment and then appeared elated. He beckoned Gwaine into his house which was the opposite of what Gwaine expected. It was light airy and clean. Although all the furniture looked old and worn it was clean. There was a bookshelf crammed full with books and bending slightly due to the weight.

"I don't need you money son," the man sighed. "I will help you as long as you give a social problem to solve. You see I used to study human nature and emotions. Most people thought my work was nonsense so I retired early and have been living in this isolated location ever since."

Gwaine's face lit up at this as he had been needing someone like this to solve a major problem.

"Well my best friend and a friend who is an enemy but became my friend when we were trapped together- it's hard to explain," Gwaine said. Rordan ruffled his goatee in thought.

"You bonded through trauma an-"

"I wasn't traumatised when we were trapped," Gwaine interrupted. "But she was." Rordan drew up a rickety chair for Gwaine to sit in as he slouched back on his cushioned chair.

"You were sympathetic towards her. Being one of the only people going through the same thing as her at that precise moment, you let her bond with you. As I was saying the bond was created through her trauma. A bond created from trauma is not easily broken and is not really chosen to be made," Rordan explained.

"Are you saying that her and I will have a bond forever?" Gwaine gasped in wonder. Rordan set down two iron tankards on the willow table.

"It's quite likely." Rordan extracted a flagon of ale from his cupboard. "Do you want ale?" Gwaine nodded and let Rordan pour him a generous amount of ale.

As Rordan turned around, Gwaine silently swapped the tankards around as a necessary precaution.

"You see," Rordan pointed out collapsing upon his chair. "From my past experiance a bond created through trauma is generally made so that a person has a better chance of survival. For instance you and your once enemy probably bonded so you could join forces and fight together. An army of two has more chance than an army of one."

Gwaine was in deep shock at the truth Rordan had uncovered from a few words. The truth was it seemed to fit perfectly like the final part of a puzzle.

"Anyway," Gwaine carried on. "My two friends are worst enemies and used to try and kill each other the whole day long. They now have somehow bonded and are definitely in love although I do not think they realise it. You see they still claim they hate each other but the tension between them tells something extremely different."

Rordan frowned, letting creases appear all over his forehead. In all of his life he never had heard a problem like this. He hoped the man was not fabricating the problem.

"I have never quite heard of a problem like this but in my experience you should leave them to work it out for themselves. If they want to get together they will but if they want to go to war then, I'm afraid they will. I suppose you could subtly hint it but if you force it then it will not work out."

"Does chaining them up together count as 'subtly' hinting it or is that a bit far." Gwaine paused taking in the mortified expression on Rordan's face. "And I thought I was being a good friend..."

...

"Merlin don't stand on my toes you idiot."

"If you slap me again Morgana than I stand on your toes in self defence."

"I did not slap you Emrys! I tripped and fell into you."

"Liar!"

Morgana and Merlin had managed to constantly argue for three hours without stopping which was quite an infamous achievement to say the least. Despite there being an upturned chair and a couple of hits and kicks their argument had been completely verbal. Strangely, they had not run out of topics to argue over.

"I am going to kill Gwaine now," Morgana threatened. For once in the past three hours Merlin found himself agreeing with Morgana. Gwaine had taken this joke about him and Morgana being 'lovebirds' to an extreme level. As a joke at first perhaps it had been acceptable but now Gwaine would have to face the consequences.

"Merlin," Morgana murmured biting her lip. "I need to go." She tentatively flexed her fingers and adverted eyes to the ground. Her cheeks were even flushing scarlet In embarrassment.

Merlin couldn't even hope to comprehend why Morgana had, without warning, become flushed and embarrassed. He couldn't explain why she had suddenly decided that she need to go. It wasn't as if she could manage to go anywhere away from in the certain circumstances they were in. True, Merlin would have to go with her if she really needed to go somewhere else but Merlin didn't think that was what she meant. It was more probable that Morgana was meaning that she wanted to go away from Merlin.

As soon as Morgana had said 'I need to go', Merlin had felt his heart sink. It was as if he had forgotten who Morgana was. It was as if he had forgotten they 'enemies'. It was as if he had throught that they would remain in Ealdor forever. This was naïve thinking of course as Morgana was highly independent and would probably want to go back to her preposterous schemes on how to conquer Camelot and make her dear brother deceased.

"You realise it's kind of impossible to leave Ealdor unless I come with you," Merlin confusedly explained. Morgana awkwardly shook her head.

"No that's not what I mean. I need to go and..." Morgana started.

"What?" Merlin bemusedly said. "Oh I understand... You need to empty yourself." Merlin scratched his chin in thought, this wasn't good.

"Yes you ignorant stupid imbecile," Morgana snapped unable to keep her composure. She slapped his cheek.

"Oww... What was that for?" Merlin yelped massaging his cheek. "It's not my fault we are in this mess."

"You shouldn't have been born," Morgana softly concluded. "If weren't than I would be really happy and Queen of Camelot. Morgana smiled lost in the moment. However Morgana's words enraged Merlin and made her snap back at him.

"It's more like you should have been born, Morgana! You are not even a legitimate child and probably weren't even meant to exist," Merlin snarled barely thinking about what he was saying.

Merlin expected Morgana to try and physically and verbally annihilate him but she didn't. Instead she stumbled back as if she had been hit in the face. Merlin had just said the truth that nobody had been willing to say to her. Morgana knew that it was highly probable that what he said was the truth- she had never been wanted in this world.

"I'm sorry," Merlin apologised. "I didn't mean it like that." He paused struggling for anything to say

Merlin put his had over Morgana's stomach and shut his eyes. He whispered an incantation to make her stop needing to go. It was a very dangerous spell as he could accidently vanish one of her internal organs but Merlin had enough faith in his abilities for him to be able to do it.

"It's the truth though," Morgana sadly stated. "All I have been told in my life is lies. Everyone lies to me. It may be to the fact that I have never been liked. Even before I found out I had magic, people lied to me all the time."

Merlin wanted to find a way to reassure Morgana but he couldn't. He had lied to her more than anyone. He had lied about his magic to her for years on end and countless other times.

"I wish I had never lied to you," Merlin sinking down on the floor. Morgana followed his suit and collapsed upon the ground. "It would have all worked out better if I had just told you the truth from the beginning. Perhaps we would be roaming around Camelot."

"You realise that if nobody lied then society would not be able to cope," Morgana tiredly sighed. Her body slunk back from exhaustion. Merlin wanted to turn and look at Morgana, but their bodies were so close that he couldn't move his head without bashing her face. Her face which had the most impeccable features- emerald eyes and rosebud coloured lips that he was longing to kiss.

"I never realised you were so academically knowledgable," Merlin complimented. Smiling, Morgana leant her head against Merlin's shoulder.

"Perhaps you never bothered to look," Morgana yawned feeling incredibly drowsy although it was just early evening. She shut her eyes. Merlin rested his head upon her silky raven coloured locks. Planting a kiss on her head, Merlin wrapped his lanky arm that wasn't chained around her body. He wanted to be lost in this moment forever.

"I love you as a friend Morgana," Merlin quietly murmured squeezing her side. Morgana beamed but did not dare to open her eyes. She felt elated and it was completely wrong. The sorceress wanted to feel hateful towards Merlin for saying those three words but she couldn't. Those three words had made Morgana's month and, perhaps, would even make her year. Morgana couldn't ever recall anyone apart from Morgause, on the seldom occasion, saying that they loved her.

"I will care for you and protect you for as long as you want," Merlin promised. These words echoed around Morgana's head as she fell into a deep sleep.

Merlin felt elated as he saw Morgana's chest heaving up and down. At last he had managed to say 'I love you' without Morgana snapping back. Morgana not responding to 'I love you' was her way of saying I love back, or at least Merlin hoped this was true. During such a short period of time, their relationship had progressed dramatically. No longer did they bother to fight every time they saw each other (this was with the exception of the argument which lasted three hours when they were chained together). They were no longer enemies either. They were more opponents fighting for what they believed to be right. More justice in the world, was a common goal which they shared. One of them just happened to do it in the right way and the other do it in the not so good way.

As he watched Morgana sleeping soundly, Merlin found that he could not sleep. He felt extremely tranquil and relaxed but their was a strange fever which was awakening inside him. Merlin was sure that this was caused by Morgana accepting his love for her.

Suddenly, Gwaine came bounding through the door and skidded to a halt beside Merlin.

"I AM SO SORRY!" Gwaine loudly apologised. "I DIDN-"

"Shhh," Merlin hushed. "I have just managed to get Morgana to sleep." Unbeknownst of what was going on, Morgana deeply slept on. Her heavy breathing and rhythmic rising off her chest caused Gwaine to watch her happily for a moment. Gwaine couldn't remember ever seeing Morgana ever being this peaceful.

Raking in his pockets, Gwaine produced a key. He silently bent down beside Merlin and fumbled with the key. At last Merlin heard a familiar clinking of chains and the cuffs opened. Merlin easily slipped his hand out of the cuff and massaged his wrist. Gently, Gwaine slid Morgana's scarred wrist and hand out of the cuff. Next, Gwaine carefully lifted Morgana through to the bedroom and placed her in the bed. Drowsily, Merlin followed him and tucked the sorceress under a couple of thin linen blankets.

Although the prospect of spending a whole evening watching Morgana sounded like a good idea, Merlin knew that he could make better use of the time. He decided that visiting Gaius in Camelot was probably the best use of his time. Merlin told Gwaine of these plans to visit Gaius. Gwaine, knowing what was on Merlin's mind, promised to look after Morgana. Knowing that Morgana was in safe hands, Merlin teleported himself directly into Gaius's chambers. This took the physician, who was crushing leaves, by surprise.

"Merlin," Gaius remarked. "It is good to see you m'boy." Gaius broadly smiled as he embraced the closest person he had to a son. Merlin gladly accepted the embrace as he had been missing Gaius recently. The warlock had been so caught up with Morgana and saving the world, that he had been neglecting Gaius.

"I am extremely sorry that I haven't seen you much recently," Merlin apologised. "I need some advice Gaius."

The physician looked at Merlin with concern etched upon his face. If Merlin had come back to ask for advice, this generally meant that there was something wrong. Gaius frowned as he tried to figure out what could be wrong. Perhaps Morgana had been getting up to no good again or Mordred was planning something.

"It is Morgana," Merlin mumbled confirming Gaius's worst fear. Obviously something terrible had happened for Merlin to come back to Camelot. Gaius just hoped that Merlin had not been mentally hurt in the process.

"Has Morgana hurt someone?"

Merlin glared at Gaius who took a few steps backwards. It was not in Merlin's nature to be the slightest bit aggressive or angry so Gaius was shocked by Merlin's sudden temper. Perhaps Morgana had done something truly atrocious and made it out to be Merlin's fault.

"Why does everything always think the worst of Morgana?" Merlin viciously snapped. "She does what she thinks is right. Even if Morgana goes about it the wrong way, her killing people is for a good reason. I don't think it's right but the reason is good. Anyway why would she be hurting someone just now? We are at ceasefire until Morgana leaves Ealdor and she has not left Ealdor. Just because I need to say something about Morgana, it doesn't mean that it is a negative thing about her."

Gaius's jaw dropped open at this. He had not expected for Merlin to respond like this. It was as if Merlin was standing up for Morgana and was being highly over protective. Gaius was really surprised that Merlin was acting very protective to someone he had hated a year ago. True, a few months ago, Merlin had consulted Gaius about his feelings towards Morgana but Gaius had not expected it to turn into anything more.

"What do you think Morgana will be doing in two months," Merlin sharply asked. Gaius sighed. He felt exhausted and also did not know what to say in answer to Merlin's question. The physician could either say what he truly thought or say what he thought Merlin wanted to hear. Either way Gaius would not be comfortable saying his thoughts.

"I don't know," Gaius replied. "Morgana is a seer and I am not a seer so it may be more worthwhile trying to ask her."

Merlin knew why Gaius was trying to slyly put aside his actual thoughts. He was slightly grateful for Gaius doing this but was disappointed that he could detect that Gaius was lying. His faith in Morgana had been growing and now he felt like it had all been eradicated. All Merlin's hard work had been vanquished in seconds.

"What do you honestly think Morgana is going to be doing in two months?"

Merlin repeated his previous question to show Gaius that he did not believe him.

"I am sorry Merlin but I afriad that my thoughts are all to do with her trying to kill Arthur," Gaius truthfully said. Merlin took a step backwards as though he had been slapped in the face.

"Y-You," Merlin stammered. "I will prove you wrong!" With this Merlin abruptly murmured an incantation and disappeared.

...

Morgana was beginning to get bored of living in the house at Ealdor. All she seemed to have done since she was here was argue, get maimed, beat up Merlin, get tied up and get ordered around on a rotational loop. Since she was bored, Morgana had decided to sneak past a snoring Gwaine and out of the house into the wilderness. She took one of the woollen blankets and flung it round her head like a shawl. This would hopefully conceal her identity from anyone she came across.

Morgana pottered into the woods until she found a stream and collapsed by the banks of it. There she for several minutes planning what to do next.

Crack!

Morgana shot up at this noise and slunk back into the long grass at this noise. It sounded like someone clumsy had trodden on a stick. Two seconds later Merlin came bounding out the bushes panting heavily. He happily spotted Morgana and rushed over to her.

"Merlin you idiot!" Morgana exclaimed. "You gave me such a... such a..." Morgana couldn't bring herself to say the word fright.

"You gave me more a fright," Merlin laughed. "People don't usually vanish like that."

A raucous wail came from the tall untameable grass. Both Merlin and Morgana froze and stared at each other. Dropping into the lush grass, Merlin cautiously searched for the source of the wailing. He raked through the dense undergrowth until he found a baby wrapped in a ashen and ragged blanket. Carefully, Merlin bundled the baby up into his arms and cradled the baby to calm it

"What is that?" Morgana asked, bewildered. The wail had sounded like it had been projected by some malicious creature.

"A baby," Merlin smiled rocking the small bundle back and forth. Morgana glared at him in disgust.

"Why did you pick it up?" she snarled. "It's mother probably left it in the safety of the grass so she could go and do something."

"Firstly, it's a him Morgana and secondly he could get eaten or attacked," Merlin strictly explained wiggling his fingers around the baby's face. The baby ignored Merlin and continued to wail. "Don't worry we will look after you. Me and Morgana will pretend to be your parents for now."

Morgana looked as if she would rather kiss Merlin again than pretend to be this baby's parent.

"Why is it wailing?" Morgana inquired much to Merlin's amusement.

"Because it's a baby."

"It still must be crying for some reason," Morgana persisted. The baby's wailing was giving Morgana a headache and made her long to run far away.

"Why don't you hold him?" Merlin asked holding the baby out to Morgana. Morgana swiftly backed away from Merlin and the baby. "Come on you must have held a baby before- have you?"

"Since when have you heard of witches and babies getting on," Morgana laughed keeping a wary watch on the baby.

Merlin shrugged and began to rock the baby. He wiggled his fingers and made strange noises. Morgana couldn't even hope to comprehend what he was trying to achieve. She just hoped that she would not have to go anywhere near the wailing monster!

Next time- Morgana will have trouble with the baby; Gwaine will try to feed the baby apples and Merlin will disguise Morgana so they can basically go on the equivalent of a date.

Okay I am trying to move Merlin and Morgana's relationship forwards. I will try and update soon but an am getting a puppy. Please leave your thoughts even if it if it's a small comment I'll still appreciate it the same.