Chapter 7
Merlin woke to the darkness, the embers in their fire low, Morgana thrashing and screaming. These were Morgana's dreams he and Iselder had discussed and he was troubled as he considered the need to return to the Druids as soon as possible. He rushed to her side and gently touched her shoulder.
Morgana felt Merlin's warmth and comfort penetrate her dream. She grabbed hold of him burrowing her face into his chest, anything to push back the darkness and fear from what she had just seen and heard.
Merlin was almost pushed flat by Morgana, but managed to settle himself firmly on the ground before he put his arms around Morgana and stroked her hair.
"Shh Morgana, your safe. It is alright." He rocked her as she sobbed and soaked his shirt.
It was much later when Morgana finally calmed down and fell asleep curled into Merlin who had not been successful in getting her to talk.
Morning came early with bright sunlight shining through the leaves of the trees making dapple designs on the ground. Morgana was curled into Merlin's side, her head on his shoulder. He berated his traitorous body for reacting to her and gently moved her arm from his chest. Luckily Morgana didn't wake and Merlin was able to crawl out of his bedroll, walk to the river, and give himself a spit bath before looking around for things to eat. When he got back to the camp, Morgana was still sleeping. Last nights transportation practice must have really worn her out, along with her horrible vision,... more so than he initially thought. He started the fire and prepared his ingredients.
Morgana opened her eyes to see Merlin cooking over the fire, somewhat embarrassed by her clinginess.
Merlin had found more eggs and berries. Amazingly, he had found some wild oregano, basil, onions and mushrooms. He had cut everything into small pieces and scrambled everything in a pan from his saddle bags and it smelled delicious.
Morgana went to the river they had been following and washed. These spit baths were inadequate at best. Morgana shivered at the memory of her dream and splashed herself with more water determined to put the night behind her and focus on the day. She didn't want to appear weak. She put on her Pendragon pride as her sister's voice chided her for her weakness in reaching for the manservant. Morgana grimaced and walked back to camp to see a plate of the food Merlin had made for her setting by the fire. He had already started on his portion when Morgana sat down next to him and ate. The eggs were just as delicious as yesterday.
"Thank you for breakfast." Morgana said after finishing her food. "That was delicious." She was glad Merlin didn't press for more information on her vision and was determined to avoid the subject with a change in conversation. "I think I should tell Arthur to hire you as a cook in Camelot. What you have made rivals anything in the royal kitchens." she teased, copying Merlin's words from a few days ago.
Merlin smiled up at her for using his words before moving to collect the pans he had used.
Morgana rose to help him wash everything.
They packed up talking about where they would go that day avoiding the subject of her vision. Instead Merlin told Morgana he had traveled this road before and knew they would reach some hot springs tonight if they pushed their horses
Morgana stifled a sigh. "A bath would be wonderful."
Merlin smiled back as he helped Morgana onto her horse. "We will have to ride hard to get there before dark. I think if we use our magic to strengthen and speed our horses we will get there faster."
Morgana looked at him in puzzlement as she thought back to the time she had tried to find the Diamer, or source of all knowledge. It left a bit of a bitter taste in her mouth to remember it. However, she had made friends with and taken care of the wolves who had pulled her snow sled. She had never tried to make them go faster with her magic. This spurred her next thought and question. "I controlled the wolves at Ismere somewhat, but I never used magic to make them go faster." Morgana said. "How do you do it?"
Merlin thought for a moment. "I don't have a spell for it. I just whisper to the horse, focus my magic and it happens."
"Does it keep the horse from falling in rabbit holes and tripping up?" Morgana asked teasingly. "I wouldn't want my horse to go lame."
Merlin ignored her jab. "It seems to. My horse has never gone lame when I have done it before. I will do it for you this time if you would like." Merlin said.
"Since you are an expert on this one, …please." Morgana said.
Merlin leaned close to her horses ear, focused his magic and communicated his wishes to the beautiful white animal.
Before Morgana knew it, she was flying over the grassy field they were crossing on the back of her magnificent steed.
Merlin had done the same whispering into the chestnut mane of his horse and was hot on her heels.
It was the most freeing, joyful thing Morgana had done in her life. It beat the heck out of sword fighting and her nightmares. She held tightly to her horses body with her legs, threw her arms out wide with her face to the sun and let out a whoop of laughter.
Merlin was right at her side, doing the same thing. Their fingers touched as they rode and those magnificent turquoise sparks flew around them. They were one with their animals and the magic between them was intoxicating. They smiled and grasped each others hand, seeing the magic travel up their arms. It was too much. They let go to race. Then they slowed down, before starting another race.
They finally stopped a few hours later for drink, some food, a quick brush and groom for their horses who had carried them so magnificently, and a short privy break. Morgana found she wasn't near as tired as she had been yesterday on their breaks. They both had ridiculous smiles on their faces from the rush of riding as they started again.
It was twilight when they arrived at the hot springs. They made a quick dinner of soup, cleaned up, and headed for the springs.
They each found their own pool separated by bushes so their privacy was complete. They were able to soak off the grime of the trail in peace. They washed out their dirty clothes as they washed themselves and changed quickly into their clean clothes. Bringing their wet clothes to dry by the fire.
They sat next to each other quite satisfied, clean and quiet, enjoying the warmth of the fire till Merlin piped up, "Have you ever dried your clothes with magic?"
Morgana slapped her forehead as she smiled at him. "Of course!"
Merlin grinned. "Race you to see who can dry the fastest."
"Challenge accepted!" Morgana grinned back at him.
"One, two three." Merlin snapped his fingers and his clothes were dry. while Morgana's clothes were steaming from the warm stream of magic she used.
Merlin laughed. "Ha, I won!"
"How did you do that?" Morgana asked.
"I thought of what I wanted and snapped my fingers." Merlin blew on his nails before swiping them against his sternum briefly. "It is a great skill I have." He smiled at her with a mischievous twinkle.
Morgana raised his eye brows. "I see." She snapped her fingers and her eyes glowed. Suddenly, her clothes were dry as well. "Nice trick." she said blowing on her knuckles, mirroring Merlin's actions, smiling wickedly back at him.
"That's pretty good." Merlin smiled then snapped his fingers so his clothes were folded and in his pack.
"Show-off" Morgana said folding her clothes by hand and putting them in her pack. "Speaking of tricks. You must teach me how to do that blue ball of light." Morgana batted her eye lashes looking at Merlin coyly.
Merlin rolled his eyes at her antics before settling himself on the log next to her. "We started this last night. Do you remember anything I said?" Merlin looked at her carefully. "You were very tired."
Morgana crinkled her brow in concentration. "You said it was the same principle as transporting. I think I could stand to hear the words. Think of what I want, connect with my magic and …" Morgana held out her hand closing her eyes.
Nothing happened.
Merlin frowned, "Maybe you are too tired. It has been a long day."
Morgana drew herself up not wanting to beg. However she was determined. "When I taught you the spell for transportation, I rehearsed the words with you. You can do the same for me. Do it with me a few times like we practiced the transportation spell. If you help me I can get it." Morgana said.
Merlin smiled, "Of course!" He said the words; Fromum feohgiftum on faeder bearme, several times with Morgana, making sure she got it right.
When she did, he grasped her hand in his own. "We should do the breathing, focus thing."
Morgana smiled. "Of course."
They moved closer together not having to say anything. Their shoulders, arms, and hands that were touching, started to glow that beautiful turquoise. They both smiled in delight saying the words together and... boom, there was a turquoise ball floating in front of them lighting their surroundings with a gentle glow.
"We can make more than one you know," Merlin said.
"Morgana's smile grew brilliant, lighting her whole face. "Let's do it."
"The breathing focus thing." Merlin said.
"Right" Morgana responded.
Moments later, there were two, four, eight, sixteen, twenty balls floating around the camp. Merlin and Morgana were laughing in delight as they started directing the balls like a pillow fight streaking all over their camp site. One hit Merlin and he fell back in some soft grass. He jumped up brushing off his pants, ran after Morgana caught her around the waist and dumped her in the middle of the stream they had been following.
Morgana came up sputtering and Merlin sent a blue ball over his shoulder knocking her in the river again.
He bent over laughing.
Morgana got out of the river, did a drying spell on herself and then rushed at Merlin jumping on his back and bouncing several of the soft balls off his head.
Merlin grabbed her arms trying to get her to stop and they both fell to the ground in a heap laughing and trying to one up each other till Morgana finally escaped. As she ran , Merlin hit her in the head with a blue ball and she fell forward with a thud. She didn't move.
Merlin worriedly ran to pull her up, carefully checking her over for any serious injury. When he saw nothing and she still didn't respond, his worry turned to anxiety. He held her close, rubbing her arms and back, calling her name.
Morgana eventually opened her eyes.
When Merlin saw she had recovered, he pulled her close in relief and kissed her hair quickly before pulling back. "You scared me. How do you feel?"
"Fine!" Morgana gazed into his blue eyes getting lost in the concern and warmth she found there. It was making her swoon. "Being with you is nothing like being with Morgause. You helped me make beautiful light. You are warm."
Merlin's cheeks flamed as he gazed on Morgana's beauty, but he desperately still wanted to keep some distance so trying to lighten the mood said, "Being with you is nothing like being with Arthur."
Morgana's eyes twinkled in mischief. "I should hope not. And being with you is nothing like being with Morgause." They broke down into uncontrollable giggles, laughing hysterically.
They finally calmed, taking a breath and staring into each others eyes only to laugh hysterically as they had done last night.
"This was fun Merlin, we should do it again." Morgana's hand came up to stroke Merlin's sharp check bone.
"The turquoise lights or stroking my face." Merlin teased.
"You are the most beautiful man I have ever seen." Morgana ignored his words as she gazed into his eyes and stroked his lips, his brow, his chin.
Merlin looked at her steadily, studying her beautiful eyes. He was getting lost in them. His feelings that had been buried so long were surfacing with his magic. He brought his own hand to stroke her cheekbone. Morgana smelled of roses, pomegranates, cinnamon and lilacs. Merlin was not sure how she did that being out on the trail. He liked it and the warmth. Being close to Morgana was amazing. He slowly and gently put his arms on Morgana's shoulders before moving them to her back and hair again, letting himself get lost in the moment. "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."
Merlin remembered Viviana's and Iselder's words of the prophecy that he was supposed to share a great love with this beautiful woman. He could feel the pull toward Morgana. Maybe it was residuals of the love spell. Maybe it was more. He wasn't sure. Either way, he knew things were changing between them.
Merlin felt his magic rising and Morgana's answering. The turquoise sparks flew as he ran his finger across her top lip. He tracked his thumb across her bottom lip while the palm of that same hand held her chin. He pulled her face to his and grazed her lips with his own. The kiss was very light but the sparks were flying. It was a beautiful moment that was fanning the belief in a great love.
It was a long time later after several more kisses, Morgana reluctantly pulled herself away gasping, "You are not under the love spell yet here we are in a passionate exchange."
It was like cold water had been thrown on him. Merlin blinked not knowing what to say. For several moments he just stared at her almost chagrined that he had let himself get so carried away. While Merlin was enjoying this physicality, he still was not ready for more and pulled back.
"We still have a ways to go tomorrow." Merlin finally pulled away even more.
"Yes," Morgana sighed in disappointment. "We do. We should get some sleep. My magic thinks we still have a ways to go."
Merlin closed his eyes listening. "My magic says the same."
Morgana was truly exhausted. It had been an amazing day riding the horses, making balls of light, and connecting the way they had. She smiled in contentment as she crawled into her bed roll and fell asleep.
Merlin copied her action and dozed off to a peaceful rest.
Viviana was smiling on what she considered her magical children. Merlin was cracking open the curse every day he and Morgana were spending together. The blue light that had hit Morgana was actually directed by Viviana. It had not hurt Morgana at all. However, it did drive back Morgause's curse and strengthened the love spell.
Viviana set up protective barriers around Merlin and Morgana just as she had done since their adventure commenced. She vanished into thin air thinking things were progressing nicely.
Morgana slept well until the dream she had the night before again flooded her mind.
Merlin woke to her screams, seeing her thrash around and throw her covers off. He called her name trying to wake her with no success. so he crawled carefully to where she was laying and touched her shoulder. 'Morgana, Morgana! You're dreaming! Wake -up!...Please! wake up!"
Morgana's eyes flew open and she was still screaming, disoriented from her vision. She finally saw Merlin next to her and threw herself into his arms. Sobbing uncontrollably.
Like the night before, Merlin slowly wrapped his arms around Morgana, stroking her hair and rocking her back and forth till she stopped
"What did you see?" He asked.
Morgana just shook her head, hearing her sisters voice berate her again for reaching for the manservant comfort. She had soaked his shirt and really didn't want to relive it. "Nothing," she pulled away sniffling, "I just need to go to sleep." she said releasing her grip with her back to Merlin.
Merlin sighed not wanting to push her. However, he could hear Iselder in his head "You will know when the time is right to bring Morgana to us.
He was torn as he knew Morgana's dreams were not the focus of this quest. But this was the second night her dreams had woken her and Merlin hated to see her suffer. He tossed and turned before he finally slept.
