Thank you for reading. I know I said the last chapter was mostly going to be Merlin and Morgana, and they were the largest part of the chapter, but there was a lot of the other characters too. Sorry for being a little misleading. This chapter is going to just be their part of the story I promise. I hope that you like it. Even after all this time I still don't fully feel that I've been able to build their relationship up enough, but it really can't drag on any longer. You have been so patient and I don't want to take advantage of that. I promised a certain type of story and I have to deliver.

It was a little before the sun began to set when the village of Ealdor came into view just on the horizon. As the trio drew near a little boy of about six or seven with a head of fine blond hair ran out from tall wheat field on their right. He placed his hands on his hips and demanded in his sternest voice to know who they were and what they where doing here. They smiled, witch caused the little boy's face to tense up in anger at them not taking him seriously. Merlin took a step forward to explain who they were, but the little boy not liking the smile on Merlin's face crossed his arms over his chest and stared angerly at the warlock. Who stopped in his tracks not wanting to upset or possible scare the boy. Morgana now, the least threating member of the group stepped forward. Merlin thought this too was rather funny. Anyone that knew them would know that Morgana was the most frightening one to be on the wrong side off. He was able to stop another smile from crossing his face. He didn't want to annoy the boy any further.

Standing next to Merlin Morgana bent down to be eye leave with the boy. "My names Morgana. This is Merlin and that's Luke. What's your name." She asked in a gentle voice.

The boy seemed to soften, but he kept his arms tightly crossed. He chewed on his lip as he tried to decide if he should tell her or not. "Robb." He said proudly after a brief pause.

"Nice to met you Robb." She held her hand out to shack his. Robb hesitated for just a second before he shot out a hand to take Morgana's.

Luke, who had kept back took a step forward now to join the group. "I take it your tasked with protecting the wheat from thieves." He asked the boy whos, chest puffed up with pride.

"I'm the man of the house." He stated firmly.

"That's a large responsibility and your doing a fine job of it." Luke further built up the boys confidence. So much so that his how body seemed to relax with them now. No longer seeing them as a threat or at least not one he couldn't deal with himself.

As the others had been talking Merlin and been trying to think who's child Robb could be. The farm at the very edge of the village that grew the wheat had been owned by a older couple, who had never had children for as long as Merlin could remember. He doubted they would still be able to work the fields and process the wheat anymore, if they were still alive. The farm must have been sold on.

"Would you allow us to pass if I told you I used to live here." Merlin asked Robb as he bent down now to met him at eyes level. He wanted to get a better look to see if he recognised who he was related to.

It seemed that Robb had the same thought. He locked onto Merlin's face, studying it like he might recognise him.

"Hunith's son." He finally said.

Merlin smiled and nodded.

Robb then turned to look at Morgana. Seeing her differently now too. "Your the lady Morgana."

"I am."

For a second she waited to hear Luke correcting Robb about her more accurate title, but he let it pass.

"My father told me, you saved our villages. I wasn't born yet, but he told me."

The last of his words were drowned out as a louder voice called out the little boys name. At hearing what everyone assumed was Robb's mother call his name the boy spun round to look behind him where the voice was coming from. From almost exactly the same point in the wheat field a young women about the age of Merlin and Morgana with blond hair like Robb appeared. She looked from side to side so quickly she didn't see her son or the three people he was talking to at first. When she did she began to walk towards them saying her son's name again with no mounting fear this time but with a hint of irritation. Reaching him she placed her hands on his shoulders. Making sure he was alright before she spun him round to face the three strangers. Though one of them was not a stranger.

"Merlin." She asked.

He gave a nod as he recognised her as well.

"Joan." He said as a question. Hoping he was right.

Joan nodded as she stepped around her son to hug Merlin.

"What are you doing here." She asked her arms around his neck.

Caught of guard Merlin tentatively returned the hug. "I was passing and Its been a long time."

"It has."

"Seven years." Robb correctly stated. "I was born just after you saved the village from bandits" He clarified.

Joan proudly told her son he was right. Then she turned back to face Merlin.

"Matthew and I were married a little after you left. Then we took over the wheat fields about a year later, when Robb was still just a baby."

Joan summed up her life of the last seven year in a two long sentences. Leaving out much of the small details, unimportant to anyone else. Some details that added up to a life. A happy life. Though there was a underlining of sadness.

Merlin found it a little harder to bring to mind Matthew. He hadn't interacted with him or Joan much. From what he could remember Matthew was a few years older than he was and about as tall as he was but much broader. His father was a blacksmith and Matthew had helped him work since he was strong enough to carry the heavy tools. Joan was a little younger and had always been a little short. He imagined they must look like a very strange couple. Robb has his mother blond hair, but his dark eyes that Joan did not have must come from his father. It wouldn't be a surprise to anyone when in a few years little Robb was taller than his mother.

They began to walk toward the village. Once they had asked and found out that there had been no sign of any bandits or possible danger in the area Merlin and Joan began talking about the goings-on in the village over the last few years. The others walked a little behind them. Robb having endless questions about Camelot, king Arthur and magic. After a hard and long few days it was nice to be around someone with so much energy and be somewhere with a more positive energy.

When they reached the end of the wheat field Joan and Robb turned to return to their home. Robb askes if they would come back the next day to tell him more stories about Camelot. Joan told her son not to be so bold. They probably had important things to do and Merlin would want to spend time with his mother. The boy looked so disappointed that Merlin and Morgana both promised that they would make time no matter what to see him before they left. Robb looked from them to Luke, who once again remained silent and a little apart from the others. The older silent man gave a nod and Robb took this as a more definite promise.

The sun only half in the sky now cast a warm glow over the village as they walked through it. Those that they passed smiled at Merlin but didn't stop to speak with him beyond a hello or good to see you. They knew, understood why he was here and didn't want to hold him up for long. When he was able to see his house a feeling of calm washed over him. The fire was on. He could tell as it cast a warm light that poured out from the windows, making the simple house seem all the more welcoming. Tension that he hadn't been fully aware he was holding dropped away. He was surprised and very pleased to know that no matter what may happen there was always a place where he would always feel welcome and safe.

Merlin gave the door a light knock. His mother must have been near the door because she opened the door so quickly. When she saw him she didn't know what to say, she was so surprised. Pulling him in to a hug, she then pulled him through the door. Seeing Morgana and Luke she gestured for them to follow. There wasn't much to eat but what she did have she shared with them, despite their protests. Beds where made on the floor. There was not not much talking about what had brought them here. That could wait till the morning. Right now they just ended a place to rest their heads and try and get some sleep .

Despite how tired he was Merlin woke early in the morning. Though he found he was not the first one up. Not only his mother but Luke were also awake. Luke had woken first, only sleeping for a few hours. When the sun began to light the new day he got up. He left a note to say that he was going for a walk and possible to help Joan and Robb harvest the wheat. His grandfather had grown wheat for their village and he knew that doing so required to rise early. This left Morgana as the only one still asleep. Which he was a little shocked about, but more so he was pleased. He knew how difficult it was for her to sleep properly. The queen lay on the floor of his childhood home in front of the fire pit sleeping soundly. She looked so peaceful he didn't want to risk waking her by moving around to much. As slowly and quietly as he could he sat up and leaned back against the wall.

"It's very rude to stare."

Merlin almost jumped out of his skin and let out half gasp. His heart pounding against his chest.

"I know I raised you better than that."

Hunith had whispered as not to wake Morgana, but she couldn't resist. Merlin had always startled easily. He looked over at her as she held the door open, trying to look stern, but couldn't help feeling great affection for his mother. Carefully he stood up and follow his mother outside. Once outside she kissed his cheek and gentle patted the other.

"It's so good to see you."

"Sorry its been so long."

Hunith shook her head. "You have important work in Camelot."

A pained look of confliction fell over Merlin's face. Hunith looked at her son with concern now. After letting out a deep breath he told her everything that had happened. When he was done she didn't say anything, she just hugged him. When they pulled apart he gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. She wanted to believe the smile, but it was hard. Seeing that she didn't trust his smile, he tried to reassure her with a few words. Noticing the empty basket on the ground by the door he realised that she had been on her way to collect things for breakfast, eggs and bread. He told her to carry on with what she doing. Reluctantly she did as he suggested, but with a promise that this conversation was not over.

Morgana woke up a little after Hunith left. She insisted on helping clear away the blankets and pillows from the floor. When Hunith returned she and Merlin helped her make some breakfast for them. They saved some for Luke not sure when he would return. Once the breakfast things where cleared away Morgana left to find Luke. An excuse to give Merlin and his Mother sometime to talk.

She was half way towards the farm when she saw Luke walking towards her. He looked younger, most likely the bright early autumn sun was warming his pale completion. The early morning and manual labour that reminded him of his childhood had done him some good. Morgana listened as he told her of his morning. That Joan and her younger brother ran the farm. Matthew had died when Robb was only three. This explained the quick attachment the boy had formed with the two older men that were basically strangers. He then told his queen that he was going to return to Avalon right away, but that he thought she should stay in Camelot. She had promised to return to the city after Uther's funeral. She had hoped that maybe she might be able to get away with returning to Camelot for a little while, but she knew Luke was right. Aggravatingly he normally was. So she let him leave and she stayed.

Hunith didn't try and bridge any real topic of conversation. She knew her son clamed up when he was pushed to talk. It was best to wait and let him talk when he was ready. Merlin knew she was waiting him out, loved her more for it so he decided not to drag it out and just talk to her. Things always seemed to be better after he talked with her. Before he could she spoke first. Like she seemed to sense he wanted to talk, but didn't know how.

"You know that you will always have a home here whatever happens."

"I know."

"But you can't go back when you have come so far."

"I don't know that's true." Merlin said as he sat down at the table that took up much of the room in the small house.

"Don't sell yourself short. Look at everything you've achieved." Sitting down next to him now she reached out and placed a firm hand over his. "I'm very proud of you."

Merlin smiled, no matter how old he got a few supportive, comforting words from his mother always left him feeling reassured. Like he could do anything.

"You have to say that."

"Maybe, but that doesn't mean I don't mean it."

He took in a deep breath and then let himself speak honestly. "I don't know if I have a place in Camelot anymore." Hunith squeezed his hand. "And I don't know if I want to have a place there anymore."

"You would miss your friends."

"Yes, but I don't have to live there to see them."

"That's true." She agreed with her son.

"They all have their own lives anyway."

"And you don't feel that you do."

"I do, but its not the same."

"Because of your magic."

"Partly, I just don't know anymore. What I'm meant to do, where I'm meant to be."

They sat in silence for a while, letting everything they had said sink in.

"What about Avalon." Hunith tentatively asked. "You could build a life there."

Carefully she watched her son's reaction to her suggestion. A number of different emotions played across of his face. It was hard to tell what was the strongest. Hope or fear. If he did go to Avalon she would miss him more than she already did, which was hard to imagine. If it made him happy then she could live with that.

"Maybe." He said after a pause.

"You'll know what the right choice is."

Standing up she kissed the top of his head. "Would you mind going to the vegetable patch and getting some carrots and potatoes if there are any for tea. See if you can find Morgana and Luke. You should talk to them about Avalon."

Merlin smiled as he left to do as he was told. He didn't tell her that he had already been to Avalon. That he had almost been chosen to rule over it. Though he doubted it had been a very high change that he was going to be chosen. Once outside he didn't have to go very far before he saw Morgana walking towards him. When she was still a few feet away from him Morgana began telling him what Luke had told her and that he was going back to Avalon.

"You didn't go too." He asked.

"I wanted to." She admitted. "But I promised Arthur and Gwen."

As they spoke they began to walk towards the communal vegetable patch.

After a pause he spoke. "It might be good for you, give you some closure."

Morgana nodded. "Maybe, but I don't think so. I put that man out of my life years ago. He's been dead to me for a long time. I just... I don't like seeing Arthur's pain or Gwen's."

"My either." Merlin agreed.

After another silence brought up the idea of Merlin going to Joan's farm to offer some help. Surely she must need it. Merlin agreed that she must needed some help, but didn't make any commitment to go himself.

"You could be happy here." Morgana said not understanding Merlin's hesitation. "Have a life here."

"You can't really think its that simple."

"Of course not, but its a possibility."

He looked frustrated as he turned away. Causing equal frustration to grow in her. She reached out and grabbed hold of his arm so he was facing her fully.

"Then what is it you want. Because all we are doing is going round and round in circles and its making me dizzy." He tried to walk away but she kept a firm hold on his arm. "Do you know how lucky you are. Arthur will get over his hurt in time, so will Gwen when she knows. You can still have the life your were living in Camelot. You could have a simple and happy life here. With Joan or some other girl. You could also have a new life in Avalon. All you have to do is choose. Most people don't get even a single choice."

She threw his arm back at him as hard as she could and started to walk away.

Merlin now was not going to let it go that easily. He started to follow her.

"Why do you care so much."

Morgana spun round and shot back. "I don't."

"Could have fooled me-"

"Like that's hard."

She started to walk away again. Not knowing where exactly she was going, she just kept walking out of the village and into the forest that surrounded it. It shocked her how heated the conversation had become. She was sure that with everything going on she was quicker to anger and Merlin had always had a way of angering her more than almost anyone else. With Arthur now knowing about his magic she assumed that Merlin too was more agitated than normal. She understood this and at first to her surprise had some sympathy for him, but it had long since run out. They just went round in circles and he offered nothing. She had tried to help, but now she was done. Question why herself why she had even tried to in the first place.

Merlin watched her walking away. Not sure what he should do. Should he go after her or leave her to calm down a bit. The truth was he was getting frustrated too. The talking in circles was hurting his head as well as Morgana's. He had always felt so sure about what he was doing what he was meant to do. It was how he was able to keep going, that certainty. He felt helpless and lost now that he had no clue what he should do. But it was not just that was giving him a headache. At times he felt that Morgana had to know, how could she not. She was smart, could read people. Though mostly she was not good at seeing the affect she had on people. That seemed to be her blind spot. With a frustrated groan he followed her, not knowing what he was going to say.

Morgana only walked a few feet into the trees. Suddenly feeling like a child storming off in a tantrum. She stopped and turned round to face Merlin. Who she could hear walking a little behind her.

"This is childish." She said first and he nodded. "why is it so hard."

Merlin opened his mouth, but couldn't get the words to form. "I know What I want." He finally said, his eyes looking down at his boots now.

"Then what is the problem." Morgana let out a little laugh at how everything had built to such a ridicules degree.

"What I want is something I know I can't have."

"That can't be true. You are Emrys-"

"I have to take what I can get."

"Merlin, I don't understand."

"Yes you do."

"No I don't."

"You do you just pretend that you don't. To me and to yourself."

As he spoke now he walked towards her. It was hard to read what emotion was showing on her face. He thought that she finally understood what he was talking about. What they had been dancing around since the first meet each other.

"Merlin-"

Before she could say anything else Merlin closed the distance between them. Morgana took a half step back, but he just took a half step further forward. Reaching out he slipped an arm around her waist, the other cradled the back of her head. Morgana was far to stunned and confused to move or try and say anything else. Her heart racing, Merlin's was too. She could feel it against hers as he leaned in, his lips lightly touching hers.

Thank you again for reading. Hope you liked it. I'm really not very sure about writing romantic content, dialog so I hope its alright and not a let down after being so patient. I would really love to know how you think I can improve. I plan for the next chapter to be only Merlin and Morgana. I feel like they have a lot to say. I hope that isn't going to be to boring, but it feels important.

As always any comments, feedback or ideas that you have are very welcome.