Well, I'm the worst person ever... I'm not going to make excuses except to say that I had sooooo much summer homework that I procrastinated until August and had to work really hard to finish. That plus some family stuff made it impossible to write for a while, but hopefully I'll have some time now that school has started.
Her grip loosened as the plane steadied itself after takeoff, but she didn't pull away, and he didn't seem to mind. Figuring it would be slightly awkward to go on without talking, Morgana tried to draw Merlin into conversation.
"So Merlin, you never told me what happened in Camelot after the battle." She turned to face him, and he stared intently back.
"Weren't you watching?" He asked. "From Avalon or wherever." The catch in his voice when he talked about Avalon told Morgana all that she needed to know about what had happened since she died and how much time had changed him. He had magic, yet he was unable to believe in a life after death. Or maybe he was just unable to believe it was waiting for him.
"Of course I was watching." She smiled, attempting to lighten the mood. "I just wanted to hear the story from your point of view."
Merlin accepted this, nodding and began.
"After the battle, after Arthur died, after I killed you, I came back to Camelot. Times were changing. With Gwen as queen, the kingdom was fair and free. The ban on magic was lifted, but not all was well.
"The whole kingdom was in mourning, and none more than Gwen. She kept a steady head when the kingdom was at stake, but at night she just wandered the castle alone, silent tears running down her face. She was a phantom, a ghost of who she once was.
"The Gwen we once loved was gone, replaced by a person who had lost her true love and was no longer sure how to feel. She was numb because the alternative would have been too much for even her to bear. I tried my best to help, but nothing changed.
"It wasn't until three months later when she found out that she was pregnant that she realized how much her attitude needed to change both for herself and the heir that was soon to be born.
"She started sleeping at night and going out again in the day. She started smiling again, and by the time the baby was born, Gwen was back."
"Her life went on, the baby named Henry grew up and became king, and eventually they both died. I didn't.
"Gaius continued with healing as usual. When magic returned to Camelot, he also took up teaching young witches and warlocks in his spare time.
"He had this one student, Rachel, whom I became good friends with. We practiced magic together, out in the open, both becoming court sorcerers together as we fought off various enemies to keep Camelot safe. Rachel was really one of the best: kind and compassionate with a fiery temper that flared up when she witnessed injustice. Her hair was a shining blonde with eyes the color of the Ocean in August and a smile that lit up the whole room.
"She grew up and got married and had kids who also grew up and got married, and eventually, all of them died. I didn't.
"When Gaius got too old for healing, he took up teaching full time, and in the rare times when Camelot was not under attack, I helped him. I never wanted anyone to feel alone and unloved like I know you did once. I wanted them to know the side of magic that is a source for good, in the way that you were never able to. I wanted to fix the mistakes I'd made with you.
"Time passed. Gaius died. All his students died. I didn't.
"The knights of Camelot built up their ranks again. One particular new knight, Marcus became a good friend of mine. He was young when he began training and always an outsider. I guess I connected to that because I know what it feels like.
"He was only 19 when he went into his first battle, and although his body was never recovered, I am certain that he died. I didn't.
"Morgana, I have lived for thousands of years, and in that time, I have learned one thing above all: everybody dies and I don't. I have lived to see hundreds of people die: everybody I love has died."
Morgana finally spoke up. "I'm so sorry, I wish it hadn't been like that. All the time I was dead, I didn't realize that it might have been worse to be alive." Her eyes filled with tears of compassion to see that the person she loved had suffered so much.
"Yeah, just promise that you're not going to die again without me." Merlin tried to speak lightheartedly, but that was difficult after the speech he'd just given.
"I promise." She smiled at him, a real, full, open-mouthed smile.
I really enjoyed writing that. I so hope that my inconsistency hasn't driven you all away, and I promise to try really hard to get chapters out more regularly. Remember to review and follow!