Chapter two
She headed swiftly to the bar and sat herself on a stool "can I have a shot of something strong please?" she yelled above the noise of the music. The bar fiddled with a few bottles before turning around, producing a small glass filled with a transparent substance. Grasping the glass, she nodded towards the bar man who returned her nod before downing the shot. The hot liquid burned down her throat, Vodka, she knew the taste well from teenage years. She turned the glass over and tapped it against the table.
The burn in her throat numbed the pain of rejection from Merlin Emrys, was it even a rejection? She thought to herself, she cursed herself. Why do I always overreact? We only just met and there's me storming off like a teenager. She defiantly needed another drink.
"Could I have another one please?" she motioned towards the bar man who was standing across from her. "Tough day?" he asked before turning to grab another glass, which he put down in front of her and poured the vodka into.
"In some ways yes, in others this day is perfect." She answered watching as the bar man raised an eyebrow at her in a questioning manner. She took a moment to look at him, he was good looking in an effortless kind of way. He had long blonde hair that fell in waves around his shoulders and had a short stubble across his face. She laughed at his puzzled expression then continued trying to be less cryptic"I'm Morgana. The birthday girl."
He gave her a warm smile and watched as she downed yet another shot and placed the glass back on the counter, he filled the glass once more with vodka. "Then why are you sad?"
She wasted no time in drinking the vodka then answered "well I just thought that by now I would have at least accomplished something." He filled the glass with vodka again.
"Your only twenty two, right?" he questioned her, guessing because of the '22' shaped cake that was in the corner of the room.
"Yes. I thought that I would have met someone by now." She sighed
"ohhh" he stated simply and gestured towards the full glass of vodka, which she took in her hand and lifted up to his in a toast.
"cheers." She grimaced at the strong liquid. "do you think I could have a cocktail or something as well?" she asked innocently.
"Of course" he beamed, trying to decide on a suitable cocktail for such a beautiful girl that needed cheering up. He poured another glass of vodka before turning to the stacked bottle of alcohol.
Morgana turned and watch as Merlin and Leon fought their way through the crowds of people and walked towards the bar. She sighed to herself, this conversation would not be easy. She quickly drank the glass of vodka before turning back to face the bar tender.
"I'm sorry but I forgot to ask your name?" she said apologetically.
"Gwaine" he shouted back to her as he continued to make her a cocktail. She noticed a shot glass filled with vodka in front of her and picked it up quickly.
She was about to drink it when someone's hand rested on her shoulder, she turned to see Leon on one side and Merlin on the other. Leon's hand was on her shoulder and he pulled her in for a hug "Morgana" he boomed "what are you drinking?"
She raised the glass for him to inspect "Vodka" she said calmly before slinging the shot into the back of her throat. "and whatever pretty boy is making for me now?" she beamed using her hand to gesture towards Gwaine who produced a colourful concoction. She inspected the tall glass that was filled with pink liquid and merged into red towards the bottom. He had decorated the mixture with a straw and a stick with a strawberry and a cherry on it.
She moved the straw into her mouth and took a long sip of the drink. She was happy with the fruity taste which reminded her of a summers day. She could recognise the taste of peach snaps beneath what she assumed was lemonade, vodka and cranberry juice. She smiled to herself. "That is amazing Gwaine, thank you. Could we have another round of shots please, some for my companions as well." She said rather loudly.
Leon shook his head quickly "not for me thank you Morgana."
She pouted "such a disappointment Leon" she turned to Merlin "are you brave enough Merlin?" she challenged, raising her brow to him and smiling.
He smirked at her awkwardly "how could I refuse." He says mockingly. She laughs at him and watches Gwaine fill two glasses. She wastes no time and picks up both glasses, handing one to Merlin and putting the other one to her lips.
Gwaine counts down quickly "three, two, one, go!"
They simultaneously pour the liquid down their throats, swallow and tap their glasses upside down on the table. Leon laughs as Merlin grimaces at the burning effect of the vodka, Morgana joins in laughing.
"That was as vile as I remember" he moans holding his throat as Gwaine produces another cocktail like the one he gave to Morgana. He quickly sips the drink through the straw, Morgana watches him closely. When he places his drink down and looks at her she adverts her gaze to her cocktail, she removes the fruit and eats is slowly. She can feel her head swimming but pushes the sensation away.
"Morgana" Leon murmurs, she turns her head towards him and looks at his freckled face. "I was asked to give you this" he produces a small wrapped box from his pocket.
"By who?" she questions looking at the delicate design on the wrapping paper before carefully ripping it off. He shrugs and she looks at the little white box with a note attached to the top. She takes the note off and opens the box to reveal a ring. The ring is gold and carved into the shape of a snake. She looks at it carefully, a sickening feeling in her stomach. "Who asked you to give this to you?" she practically shouts, looking at him with a desperate look in her eyes. She can feel Merlin's body tense behind her and he leans closer to look at the gold ring.
Leon looks at her worriedly "he was a young guy, your age maybe. Long dark curls and green eyes, wearing black." She closed her eyes and hesitated before opening them again, when she does Merlin noticed the tears forming.
She picked up the note and read it quickly
Morgana, I will love you always
Mordred
"Mordred" she said quietly. She blinked the tears from her eyes. How could he be here? She thought to herself, thinking of the man Leon had described. Mordred. His long dark hair and green eyes, could he be here?
She swallowed hard "Leon this is important" she thrust the box and note back towards him. "You need to take this to my father and Arthur, explain what has just happened and tell that I'm going somewhere safe."
Leon looked at her confused "Morgana, please" he pleaded.
She thought back the urge to cry and bit down hard on her lip, his pleas tugging hard at her heart strings. "Arthur will explain, I'm sure." Leon got up quickly and submerged himself in the crowd of people, looking for Uther and Arthur.
Morgana turned back to Merlin and Gwaine who were staring at her, she reached inside her bra and produced a £50 note. She pushed it across the bar towards Gwaine who looked at her stunned.
"It's easier than carrying a purse" she murmured, pink flashing across her cheeks.
Merlin cleared his throat next to her and started "Morgana is everything ok?" he knows the question sound ridiculous but he cannot stop himself from asking it. He needs to know that Morgana is fine.
"I need to get out of here" she says quickly, staring into his blue eyes. "Have you got a place?" she asks suddenly. She watches his eyes widen and his cheeks turn pink.
"Yeah, I live in London" he replies weakly "about 35 minutes away."
"Let's go then" she whispers, leaning in close to him "I'll explain later, I promise."