Morgana walked down the street quickly, the street lamps lighting the path for her. The streets were full of noise, the clanking of her black heels against the pavement was barely audible beneath the sounds of cars and music.
She hoped that she got on with Leon and Arthur's friends, she wouldn't want to make a bad impression. She'd worn a black sheer shirt that covered her shoulders but left her arms exposed, it was tucked into a emerald green pencil skirt that reached below her knees. After work she changed the blazer for her biker jacket, which was leather with white strips down the arms and badges sewn onto the sleeves and front. She had a satchel bag hanging over her shoulder filled with work documents and her uneaten lunch.
The phone in her hand vibrated and she brought it to her face, reading the message from Leon
Where are you babe? X
She smiled and rapidly typed her reply
Almost there, order me a G&T x
He replied instantly.
On it :) hopefully I'll be on you later ;) x
She couldn't help herself from laughing at the text, the people around her assuming she was crazy.
Wouldn't count on it ;) too much work to do x
She typed, smirking at her own mocking text.
She pushed the phone in her bag and turned the corner, and walked into the crowded pub.
She pushed her way through the clambered bodies, until she caught sight of Arthur's gold hair. He was in a heated discussion with Leon and some others. She recognised Gwen immediately, her dark skin and curly hair. She examined the group of people they were with. Leon was recognisable sitting next to a broad man with a ginger buzz cut, a man with long brown hair was sat close to him. Across from Arthur was a woman in a beige dress with brown shoulder length curls and a man with brown bangs was close to her. She heard the group cheer as a lean man with dark hair brought a tray of drinks over, he sat down next to the girl in the beige dress and placed his arm around her shoulder.
Morgana quickly pulled the band out of her hair and allowed it to fall in curls down her back. She moved towards the group and smiled. Arthur spotted her immediately "Morgana, you made it"
They all turned to look at her before saying a variety of "hello's" "hi's" and "Morgana's". She was taken back by the variety of greetings. Leon stood up and went in to kiss her, she moved at last minute and his lips met her cheek.
Leon pulled back quickly and introduced them "Everyone this is Morgana, Morgana this is Percival, Gwaine, Lancelot, Freya and Merlin" he said pointing to them as he said there names, they all greeted her with a wave.
The groups regained there conversations as Leon sat down and Merlin looked at her "there's a spare seat here Morgana" he smiled.
She moved closer to him and sat down in the seat next to him, she smiled as Leon pushed her drink towards her.
"Thanks" she said quickly before taking a large sip.
Merlin nudged her lightly "so what's it like being Arthur's sister?" He asked.
"We'll it's never boring" she started, glancing around at Arthur "there are many entertaining moments."
Merlin laughed "I bet, did he tell about that time he pushed me in the swimming pool at his graduation party."
Arthur shouted from across the table "shut up Merlin" he threw a pack of crisps at his face and Merlin screamed mockingly "you'll never let that go will you?"
Merlin smiled "no, never"
Morgana let out a small laugh at their banter "wait, was this that party you had when you were 18?" she asked quickly
Merlin's face lit up "yeah, he had it after prom." He glanced at Arthur who was still glaring at him.
"I remember that party" she started and the others began to stare at her. "I came to spend the weekend with Uther and Arthur was having a party. I practically had to beg him to let me come. He thought I was going to embarrass him, but I wasn't the one who fell asleep with his head in the toilet."
Merlin started laughing and put his hand over his mouth to muffle the sound as Arthur's glare moved to Morgana.
"Wait, how old are you then?" Freya asked bluntly and Lancelot gasped at her.
"Freya you can't just ask that." He snapped, Freya hit his arm jokingly and Lancelot pretended to be in pain.
"I'm 23" Morgana answered and Freya continued.
"So if you were at the party, why didn't we notice you?"
Morgana shrugged "I obviously didn't make that much of an impression." She said flatly.
Leon gasped at her "you can't say that Morgana, you know the effect you have on people."
Morgana blushed "it was a long time ago, I barely remember it." She blurted out "all I remember is walking in on this boy as he got dressed, he was soaking wet and trying to dry himself with my hair dryer."
Merlin choked on a crisp beside her, his face turning red. He gestured for them to wait and he took a sip if his drink.
"Wait that was you." He said quickly "I was the boy with the hairdryer."
Morgana leaned back and took a long look at Merlin. The man I front of her had messy black hair, pale skin and defined cheek bones. The blue in his shirt matched his eyes and he smiled. She could remember the boy she saw that night with unruly black hair that fell past his ears, a lean body and blue eyes.
"Your right, I remember you now." She laughed "you looked a state that night"
Merlin laughed "yeah, thanks to your brother" raising his voice.
Arthur ignored him this time, focusing on his conversation with Gwen and Leon.
Morgana and Merlin looked at each other for some time, studying each other.
The sound of Freya clearing her throat and snapping "you made quite an impression on Merlin that night" Merlin's cheeks turned bright red and he looked down trying to hide his embarrassment. Freya continued "he talked about a dark haired beauty the whole way home, couldn't shut him up."
Morgana's cheeks flashed pink this time. She let out a small laugh to hide her embarrassment.
Lancelot saved her from further embarrassment "so what do you do Morgana?"
"I..I'm a journalist" she said quickly, picking up her drink and finishing it quickly.
Leon pulled himself back into the conversation "she's being modest, she's the editor for an international magazine."
Freya laughed "an editor? At 23" raising her eyebrow and leaning forwards, her elbows on the table.
"It's nothing" Morgana answered modestly.
Freya licked her lips "do you have your daddy to thank for that?" She asked spitefully.
"Freya" Merlin snapped.
Morgana leaned forwards closer to Freya and smiled, this bitch was going down "Actually I do. He put in a good word for me after I finished university." Freya laughed, a sense of achievement flooding through her veins "I'm not ashamed of it Freya, I'm just glad someone cares about me enough to try and help. He may have got me this job but he didn't publish my book for me." Morgana finished triumphantly, pulling out her manuscript from her bag and smiling at it. She laid it on the table in front of Freya who read the title out loud. "Confessions and obsessions"
Arthur leaned across to get a look at the manuscript and smiled "we'll done Morgana" Gwen and Leon continued with praise
"Congratulations" and "I knew you could do it."
Merlin swooped in sensing Freya's embarrassment "so what's it about?"
Morgana turned to him "a story about a women who is harassed by her university professor, I've included psychological analysis as well."
Arthur beamed "she's always been the brain's of the family, she has a degree in psychology, English and journalism. As well as a doctorate in English."
Morgana ducked her head ashamed and Gwaine spoke "and I thought she inherited the looks in your family"
Arthur laughed loudly and was joined by the others.
The sound of buzzing and the familiar tune of Nirvanas 'smells like teen spirit' emulating from Morgana's bag caught everyone's attention.
She apologised before bringing the phone to her ear.
"Hello" she managed, almost dropping the phone.
"Morgana" a deep voice croaked down the line.
"Yes, who is it?" She asked anxiously.
"It has taken me a long time to find you Morgana" the voice croaked
Morgana's face dropped and she began to look worried "who is this?" She said louder that she had expected to.
"Shall I compare thee to a summers day" the voice spoke slowly. Morgana felt her heart drop in her chest and stop beating.
"Agrivane" she spat "how did you find me?"
Arthur's head snapped round and she noticed everyone looking at her.
"It wasn't that hard Morgana, you left me a trail of breadcrumbs"
Morgana fought off the urge to scream "stop being so fucking cryptic and tell me what you want! Of better yet, don't bother." She hung up the phone call and shoved her phone into her bad.
"Morgana what is it?" Merlin asked, his concern plastered across his face.
Arthur stood up "who was it?"
"Thank you for lovely time, I have to go." She stood up, picking up her manuscript and pushing it roughly into her bag.
She began to walk away when a rough hand grabbed her arm. Arthur gripped her wrist tightly "tell me who was on the fucking phone!" He demanded, his voice loud and full of anger.
She saw the worried faces of of the group, Gwen and Leon shared the same worried expression. Merlin looked shocked at the scene.
"Agrivane" she said, before pulling her arm out of Arthur's grasp and running out of the door.