Hi everyone, I'm sorry for the long wait but I'm finally back with a new chapter. I know it's a little bit short but I hope you like it anyway! Special thanks to sjritts and Lady Cougar-Trombone. Your reviews motivate me to continue writing. It means a lot to me. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

Enjoy the chapter!

The next couple of days passed by quickly. Every night, Merlin would come to Morgana's chambers in secret. Every morning he woke up early to be in time for his chores for Arthur and to make sure Gwen wouldn't find him in the Lady Morgana's bed. When he left in the morning, he would wake Morgana to make sure nothing magical would happen in the short time that he was gone. She would give him a sleepy smile and by the time Gwen came in, she would be reading a book. Gwen had noticed the change in her mistress' behaviour. Usually she had to drag Morgana out of bed, but the past couple of days she had been awake already. At first, Gwen had been worried that Morgana would suffer from a lack of sleep, but then she realized Morgana looked better than she had for a long time. She looked well rested, healthier and happier. Whatever had caused the change, Gwen had decided that it was for the better.

Merlin thought the same thing. He had indeed gotten used to this new routine and despite the fact that he really wanted to help Morgana, he also dreaded the moment when she would be able to control her powers. He would no longer have a reason to fall asleep with the dark haired girl in his arms and he was not sure whether he would be able to go back to the way things were before. That was the reason why he didn't completely mind the huge amount of work Arthur had ordered him to do, because it made it impossible for Morgana to receive her lessons from him, without Arthur noticing. At the same time, he knew this could not go on like this for much longer. Sooner or later, there would be a moment when Arthur would have to leave for more than one day, which meant that Merlin had to be away from Camelot. This would leave Morgana behind without any protection. He would never forgive himself if something would happen to her. Therefore, despite his reluctance to let go of their nights together, he was relieved when Morgana finally found a way to get time for the lessons.

Arthur and Morgana were having dinner together. Usually Uther would join them but today he had declined the offer, which left the two alone with their servants. 'Merlin, I'd like some more wine.' Arthur said without looking up from his plate. Merlin had been standing against the wall next to Gwen and he rolled his eyes at the request. In the corner of his eye he saw Gwen trying to hide a smile, while he made his way to the table to pour Arthur some wine. He was about to turn away when Morgana spoke up.

'My dear Arthur, I always thought that you could conquer the world on your own considering all your boasting. Now I see you can't even pour your own wine.' She said in a teasing voice.

Merlin hid a smile behind his hand. Morgana was right, but no one ever dared to tell Arthur that he was a lazy prat with the exception of Merlin himself. Arthur glared at her. 'You're one to speak. You always have Guinevere around to help you.'

'She's my friend!' Morgana protested. Then a sly smile came upon her face. 'I bet you can't even manage one day without Merlin helping you.'

Arthur narrowed his eyes. 'You're on. One week neither of us can use our servants. If one of us fails or cheats, he or she has to do the chores of the other for one week.'

Morgana grinned. 'Careful Arthur, I've got a lot of clothes that need washing.'

The prince ignored her remark. 'Do we have a deal?'

She laughed. 'Yes, of course! I can't wait to see you lose this one.' She got up and turned to Gwen with a smile. 'It seems that you've got the week off, Gwen. You deserve it.'

And with those words she left the room, leaving a frowning Arthur behind. He waited until she was out of sight before he cursed under his breath. Merlin couldn't help the triumphant smile on his face. 'What's the matter sire? Afraid to lose?'

Arthur glared at him. 'Don't be ridiculous, Merlin! I can win this with two hands behind my back.'

Merlin grinned. 'Well then, I suppose you won't be needing me anymore for the next week. Goodnight sire.'

He left the room and immediately went to Morgana's chambers. She was waiting for him already. Merlin smiled. 'I have to admit I'm impressed. You managed to get me the week off and annoy Arthur at the same time.

Morgana returned the smile. 'Annoying Arthur is always good fun. So, do you have the books?'

Merlin shook his head. He had spent some time thinking about how to teach Morgana some magic and he had come to the conclusion that it would be best to start without spells. Morgana's safety was the most important thing at the moment and it was being threatened by her own instinctual magic. Merlin reasoned that if they would start with her instincts, she would be at least save for the time being. Later they could work on the spells.

'I've read the books, but I've put them back in the library. I didn't want either of us to get caught.'

Morgana nodded. 'That's very considerate of you. But how can you teach me without the books?'

Merlin grinned nervously. He wasn't sure whether she would believe him but he couldn't come up with a more convincing lie. 'Don't worry, Morgana. I've tried to remember as much as possible. I'm sure we'll be fine.'

Morgana looked at him with doubt visible in her eyes.

'Do you trust me?' Merlin asked, although he already knew the answer.

She nodded and sat down at the table, gesturing for him to follow her example. When he was seated, he pulled out a red ribbon and put it on table. Morgana elegantly raised one eyebrow. 'A ribbon?'

Merlin put up his hands in a reassuring gesture. 'Just listen, please.'

Morgana nodded but kept eyeing the ribbon warily.

'According to the books, it should be possible for you to lift this ribbon into the air by using magic.' Naturally, Merlin already knew it was possible indeed, but Morgana didn't know that. Now he had to do the most difficult part; trying to explain Morgana how to use magic, when it came so naturally to him that he didn't have to think about it. It just happened.

'How am I supposed to do that?' Merlin could hear a little bit of panic in her voice. 'I don't know how to use magic! What if I can't do it? What if I can?'

He quickly took hold of her hand. 'Just try it for me. No matter what happens, it will be fine. Just take a deep breath and look at the ribbon.'

She did as he told her, but grasped his hand rather painfully. Merlin ignored it and focused on the beautiful girl in front of him. 'Now try to imagine the ribbon floating through the air, like a leave that's falling from a tree.'

He could see her brow furrowing in concentration. 'Now use your willpower. You want the ribbon to float and so it shall.'

Morgana closed her eyes and bowed her head. After a few seconds, Merlin saw the ribbon slowly rising into the air where it stayed right in front of Morgana's head.

'You're doing great.' He whispered. 'Open your eyes.'

She looked up and immediately perceived the sight of the floating ribbon. She looked at it with wonder and raised her hand towards it as if she couldn't believe it was real.

'You did it.' Merlin said with a smile.

Morgana tore her eyes away from the ribbon to look at him and immediately the ribbon fell down again on the table. Morgana looked disappointed at the now lifeless piece of silk.

'Don't worry, we can try again.' Merlin said quickly. 'We just have to practice your focus. You should be able to keep the ribbon in the air, while looking at something else in the meantime.'

She nodded and immediately closed her eyes to try again. The remaining part of the evening was spent in practicing to levitate objects in the air and to keep them their while Morgana had to answer questions Merlin asked about the noble families, etiquette and history. In the beginning, the objects would fall to the floor whenever she had to think about a difficult question, but gradually she began to answer the questions and keep the objects in the air at the same time. Merlin was impressed by her ability to learn magic so quickly and whenever he told her so, a dazzling smile appeared on her face.

That night when he had just gotten into the bed with Morgana, she let out an uncharacteristic giggle and let a feather float from the table towards the bed. With a smile she let the feather descend onto Merlin's face and tickled him with it. He laughed softly and swatted it away before turning on his side to face a glowing Morgana. He had never seen her so happy, but he knew he had to warn her.

'You know you can't do this right? Using magic for fun?'

Morgana's face fell. Merlin hastened himself to add: 'You can do it with me of course. But it is dangerous Morgana. Uther would have your head if he found out. You can't ever let your guard down. You can't use it unless you're absolutely sure you're safe and most of all, you can never tell anyone.'

'I know, Merlin.' She said sadly. 'But at least when I'm with you, I feel like I can be myself. I will be careful, I promise. But I can't give magic up, now that I know what it's like to use it.'

Merlin sighed. He knew the feeling and remembered what he had said to Gaius when the physician had warned him against magic. He had said that without magic, he was no one. Now, he wasn't so sure about that anymore, but still he could never imagine a time when he couldn't practice magic. 'You don't have to give it up. As long as you're careful, you shoud be safe.'

Morgana smiled and soon enough her sad mood had disappeared again. She chatted happily about things that had happened in Camelot when Merlin hadn't been there yet. Suddenly she fell silent and looked at him.

'I haven't felt this happy in years.' She said with a small smile.

Merlin returned the smile. 'You deserve to be happy, Morgana.'

'Thank you, Merlin. For everything.' Before he knew what was happening, Morgana quickly moved towards him and kissed him on his cheek. Then she snuggled into his side and fell asleep instantly.

Merlin stayed silent for a moment, not quite believing what had happened. Then he kissed her hair and whispered softly: 'You're welcome.'

He put his arms around the sleeping girl and fell asleep with a smile on his face, realizing that tomorrow he would not have to leave early because Gwen would not be there to wake Morgana. The idea of having Morgana all to himself for the next week was enough to send him into a happy, peaceful sleep.