Thank you for reading. Hope that you are still enjoying the story. I didn't realise till the middle of the week that I've had Merlin and Morgana's second wedding take place on Samhain, Halloween and the chapter came out on Halloween weekend. That was not planed. I needed a festival in the autumn and Samhain was the only on that made sense. It was a complete coincidence, but a happy one.
The link for Morgana's second wedding dress is in my profile under white gold dress.
The preparations for the second wedding of Merlin and Morgana took longer than that of their first, but still very little time. There was not much that had to be done. Gwen had insisted on making Morgana's dress. It was a task that she had always believed she would be able to do for her friend and now the opportunity was here she wasn't going miss it. The queen had after all made her own wedding dress. Morgana finally agreed under the condition that it was simple and Gwen didn't waste to much time on it. Arthur in turn offered to have a new formal jacket and trousers made for Merlin. As Arthur would not be doing any of the work on the new clothes himself Merlin had no hesitation about accepting the king gesture.
It was actually the preparations for another wedding that seemed to be of more interest to the already married bride. Morgana spent a good amount of her time in the days leading up to the wedding with Kara who was now beginning to think of what she wanted for her own wedding. The younger couple had decided that they wanted to have their wedding in spring, so that it could take place out side. Kara also had to figure out how she was going to create a life for herself back in Camelot. If she was returning to the city of her birth and all the memories that came with that, the good and the bad she needed something to fill her time. It took a few days of talking for Morgana to think of of something that would solve the issue before it became a problem. Kara would work as Gwen's maid. The queen having refused the idea anytime Arthur brought it up, finally agreed as Arthur had had his own idea. That solved not only this problem but another potential one. Kara would be a maid of sorts to Gwen, but her formal job would be as envoy to Avalon. She in Camelot and Merlin in Avalon would be representatives for where they came from in their new homes. It was a brilliant idea from the king that showed how committed he was creating a strong relationship between the two kingdoms. This more than anything else gave Morgana and Kara real belief that things were going to change for the better for people like them.
Merlin had been deeply touched by the idea and he did not have to think about his answer. It was one thing for Arthur to trust him after all the years they had known each other and when he didn't know about his magic. Now that Arthur knew about his magic and he was about to marry his sister, without having told him about his intentions before he asked Morgana to marry him, he still trusted him. Wanted to continue to work with him to create the new more open relationship between Camelot and the other kingdoms of Albion, Avalon and the nomadic druids. It gave him a great feeling of pride. Pride in the part he had played and that he hoped to continue to play. There had been moments when he had doubted his great destiny, in every part of the great prophecy. Times he had thought that it wasn't worth the sacrifices it took of so many. Now he felt that it had been at least worth what he had sacrificed.
Two days before the wedding when Morgana had no task to occupy her time and Merlin was busy doing what she didn't know, making plans for his new role with Arthur she assumed. It was the first time in the time they had been back that they where not together and she felt strange. Morgana mustered her courage and went to speak with Gwaine. She had been avoiding him since she returned to Camelot. Deep down she knew that she was worrying about nothing. His face when Arthur had announced the wedding had been one of genuine happiness for his friend and for her. He like his fellow knights had shook Merlin's hand, a few hugged him. They had offered her congratulations too and a few like Lancelot and Mordred had hugged her. Despite this she still felt that she owed him better. At the very least to speak to him directly.
Mordred had told her that the best chance she had of catching him alone would be after lunch. Gwaine was one of the faster eaters and finished his meal before many of the other knights. Rather than sit still with nothing to occupy himself he normally left earlier and would go to the training grounds. She did not like asking him, but she asked the newest knight if he could tell her if Gwaine left lunch early so she might catch him. Reluctantly Mordred agreed. When he told her she heard his voice clearly in her head and headed to the lower levels of the castle.
As she turned the corner or onto the final floor of the castle looking down the corridor she saw him walking towards her.
"You highness." He said with a slight bow.
Despite the warm greeting Morgana's face remained impassive. Betraying no feeling. "I should have come to speak to you sooner. I own you-"
"You don't owe me anything." He said quickly.
"No." She said firmly. "I owed you the decency of speaking to you first before we told everyone. I was a coward and for that I'm sorry."
"You are many things Morgana, but a coward is not one of them." He tried to tease, to lighten the mood.
"Yes I 'am." Morgana would not be swayed. "I was about this."
Not wanting to see Morgana feel guilty about something she shouldn't Gwaine told her something he wasn't sure he should." Merlin came to talk to me before the dinner-"
"What." She asked not understanding.
"I was a little surprised, but I really shouldn't have been." Morgana looked confused. "Were you truly the last person to know how Merlin felt bout you." The knight asked.
"Well after a man tries to kill you, you don't really think that he has any romantic intentions." She said with a smile.
Gwaine did not seem to find her attempt at humour funny. It seemed that only she and Merlin could laugh and joke about the poisoning. She felt that was probably due to the fact that if they didn't then it would be to hard. That they would not have been able to move so far forward from that moment.
"Are you happy." Gwaine asked after a pause.
Morgana was quiet. Her automatic response caught in her throat. "Yes." She said finally. Sounding almost surprised at how confident she felt about that one word answer.
"Then that's all that matters." Gwaine said with a smile.
If only it was as simple as that. For now though she wanted it to be that simple and so did everyone else so it would be that simple.
"I won't keep you any longer." Morgana said as she turned to leave. She stopped after only taking a step. "Thank you." She said to Gwaine as he was half turned away from her.
"For what." He asked as he turned to fully face her again.
Morgana was silent as she tried to find the right words. "For being you, for being my friend when no one else would even look at me. For being more than a friend. For never judging me. For not expecting anything from me. For helping me heal. Heal enough so that I could even think about loving someone. Thank you for all of it."
When she finished talking she moved forward and hugged the slightly surprised knight.
"It never would have worked out between us." He said as he hugged her back. She laughed as she hugged him a little tighter.
Unbeknownst to them Leon had began to walk down the corridor behind them. When he saw them he quickly spun on his heels and turned the other way. For a second he thought of telling Merlin about what he had seen, but he didn't want to get involved. Deep down he knew there was nothing really to tell him. Merlin knew Morgana well enough to know what he was doing when he asked her to marry him. If he didn't then that was his business. Leon wanted nothing to do with any of it. He just wanted to do his job, be a knight a good one. He never really understood why people made things so much more complicated for themselves. He just wanted a simple life. Other people said that they did, but they didn't act like it half the time. The loyal knight found this very confusing and a little irritating.
Leon's memory of how he had been injured and Uther had been killed was foggy. He could only remember parts, fractions of things. The feeling of a painful headache was the strongest feeling he could half remember feeling. He could just make out Mordred and Kara, who's name he hadn't known at the time. They couldn't tell him much beyond what they told everyone. Which too was only small fractions that added up to a not whole picture. It had been a very stressful situation, one were there was little time to think before each action. So that wasn't so surprising. There was just something about it all that nagged at Leon.
Specifically it was something about Kara. He was sure she was not telling them all something. From what they had all been told she had lived here as a child till her only remaining parent, her father had died. Then she had left with her sister. She had magic and at some point joined with the druids and then met Mordred. So he could understand why the young women may not feel very comfortable here and act a little reserved. Very likely it was just this that Leon was picking up on. There was a nagging feeling that it was something else. Something to do with what happened when they all collided into each other's orbits. He tried to push it aside, but it kept at him.
He resolved to speak with Merlin about these worries when he had the chance. Surly there was someway that he could help him see his memories more clearly. For a second he did think about turning round and walking back towards Morgana and asking her. It would resolve the issue more quickly, but he continued to walk the way he was going. He was still unsure and uncomfortable around magic. Magic wielded by Morgana more so. Magic used on him doubly so. He could wait till he had the chance to speak to Merlin.
Anytime that Merlin was not with Morgana or working with Arthur, he tried to spend with Gaius. The older man had not been cold to him, but he seemed to only speak to him in small talk. Nothing with any substance. Nothing about any of the major changes that were happening in his life beyond the superficial. There was nothing that Gaius could say that was going to change Merlin's mind about any of it, but he would have liked to talk about it properly with him. To know what he truly thought about it all. Gaius had been like a wise grandfather to Merlin since he arrived in Camelot. He had looked out for him and kept him safe. He hated to think of leaving here with this wall between them. He wanted him to be happy for him, to support his choice.
One afternoon when he had nothing to do he made a point of returning to his old room. Since he had returned with Morgana he had spent his nights in her chambers. They were careful that he wasn't noticed and that no trace was left of his presence in the morning. Kara who now slept in the next room they were sure knew, but she wouldn't say nothing. They were also very sure that on at least one night Mordred and joined Kara in her room. So both couples would keep the others secret.
Before he was even standing in front of the door he could hear loud clattering sounds from the end of the corridor. When he pushed the door open he was meet with the sight of Gaius standing behind the large table. A large bowl in front of him and many small bottles all around it.
"What are you working on." Merlin asked as he walked into the room.
Gaius looked up from his work and smiled at Merlin. It had been a few days since he had been able to speak properly with Merlin. He was happy to see him. "Just a tonic for a sore throat." He answered.
Merlin reached the table and sat down opposite Gaius as he got back to his worth. His eyes on the numerous bottles in front of him. Now that he was there he couldn't find the right words to begin. Fortunately Gaius seemed to understand why Merlin was here. "How are the plans going for the wedding."
"Good, there's really not much to organize."
Gaius nodded and sat down himself. His work finished. "Good." He seemed to struggle to find the right words. "Your mother..." He began.
All of a sudden Merlin understood. Gaius didn't know that he and Morgana were already married. That his mother had been there. He thought that Hunith would miss her son's wedding. He smiled as he told Gaius the truth. As he did he could see the other man relaxing with each word.
"That's good." He said when Merlin was finished talking.
Merlin couldn't help but feel a little deflated. He thought it had all been a misunderstanding that caused Gaius to act the way he was, but now that they had cleared the issue up he was still acting the same way.
"You think I've made a mistake."
"No." He answered quickly.
"Then what."
Gaius took in a deep breath before he answered. "I don't think you've made a mistake. It is never a mistake to tell someone that you love them." He paused as he tried to find the right words. "I just worry that maybe you both jumped into something when you had no idea if there was a solid foundation to build on."
Merlin now took a second to take in a deep breath. "I know that your right, but...I don't agree. It's not like We just met. I've known Morgana for years. Loved her for years."
"Yes, but how many did you acknowledge your feelings."
"That's not fair."
"Maybe, but the truth is not always fair."
"I care what you think. I hope to make you proud."
"Merlin-" He began, but Merlin cut him off.
"But I'm not going to live my life for anyone else anymore." Gaius felt a little ashamed for being a little to harsh with this words. "I've done that for too long. So now I'm doing what I feel is right. Making choices based on what I want. Not what's best for someone else. It felt right in the moment to tell her, then I asked and I don't know why but she sad yes. I'm sorry if that's selfish or if you think I'm making a mistake. But I'm happy."
Gaius reached across the table moving a few bottles out of his way to place a hand over Merlin's. "I want you to be happy. I hope very much that it works out. You both deserve happiness. I just worry and I'm going to miss you."
"I'll miss you too." Merlin couldn't help but add. "I won't miss your snoring though."
Gaius couldn't help but let out a small laugh. A comfortable silence fell over the room as they came to understanding. Merlin moved to stand up there was something he had planned for the afternoon.
"I am very proud of you." Gaius said. He waited till Merlin was half turned away from him. It made the sentiment easier to say out loud.
Merlin stopped and turned back around to fully face Gaius and gave him a warm smile that said more than any words of thanks could.
There was then a knock on the door before Merlin had a chance to take another step towards the door. Gaius called for whoever it was to enter. The door was quickly pushed open as Leon entered. At seeing Merlin there he seemed to relax a little.
"I was hoping I would find you here." The knight began.
He then went on to explain why he was looking for the warlock. Merlin couldn't really understand what Leon was asking him to do. When Leon explained more clearly that he felt uncomfortable that he didn't have a clear memory about what had happened leading up to being thrown violently backwards and knocked out for some time. Merlin began to understand. Leon was a very practical, matter of fact person. He liked to know what he was getting himself into before committed to anything. He did not like uncertainty. So Merlin got why not knowing how the events that lead to him being injured would be hard for him.
So of course he told his friend that he would do what he could to help him. He made sure though that he understood that that kind of magic, the precision to perform it was not his forte. He then gently suggested that his wife would be better suited for such a task. Leon very politely rejected the idea. Merlin was not surprised by this.
He told Leon to take a seat at the table. Then he placed a hand on his forehead and tried his best to bring out the memories that Leon wanted to see more clearly. Merlin told him to think of what he could remember and he would try and do the rest.
They worked at this for a while, Gaius offering some advice, but didn't seem to get very far. Merlin was unable to focus onto any half images that would piece together the picture fully. For all of this effort Leon was only able to see what he could already remember more clearly. When it was clear they were going to get no further Leon thanked Merlin for trying and left. Merlin again suggested that Morgana might be able to help.
"No, thank you. It's not important." He said, trying to believe his own words.
He and Merlin then left Gaius to return to his work. Then they parted ways, going about their plans for the afternoon. Leon headed outside and Merlin returned to Morgana's chambers.
He was relieved to see Morgana looking out of her window as he entered the room. He hadn't bothered to knock. As she turned around towards him he expected her to make a comment about his not knocking, but instead she thanked him and moved to met him in the centre of the room. Lifting her arms and wrapping them around his neck before she gave him a quick kiss.
"What for." Merlin asked confused.
"For being braver than me." She said. Merlin still didn't seem to understand. "For talking to Gwaine when I couldn't." She clarified.
"I wouldn't call it brave. Its easier for me."
"Still it couldn't have been easy."
Merlin gave a small shrug. "I don't want there to be any animosity or friction about this. I want to start it the right way." She nodded agreeing. "I also don't want you think that I have anything against your friendship with Gwaine. I trust you and him and I know he's important to you. I don't want to dictate who you can have as a friend."
"I'd like to see you try."
She knew as well as he did that she could ask almost anything of him and he would not refuse.
Whatever Merlin had planned for the afternoon was quickly forgotten as he wrapped his arms around Morgana a little tighter as he pulled her into another deeper kiss.
The next day, the day before the wedding went by in little time. Despite the fact that it was going to be a very small wedding it still took a lot of last minute work to get it organised. Like making sure there would be enough food. Which became the main issue but Arthur and Lancelot were able to work it all out. When their was concern that there was not going to be enough ale as well Gwaine came to the rescue. He and Percival rode out with a cart to the nearest village to buy some from their tavern.
Gwen also began to worry as the day wore on that she would not be able to finish the dress in time. She had the dress itself finished and it was wearable and fitted well. It was the trim and fine details that still had to be done. The thinks that would make it a dress fit for such a special occasion. Morgana told her that it didn't matter, but Gwen spent most of the day locked in her chambers working on the dress.
The morning of the wedding she brought the finished dress to Morgana. Handing it over proudly. It was a beautiful white dress with an empire line and two skirts the first the spilt at the front. A trim of gold embroidery along the edges and at the elbow of her sleeve before it split too.
"It's so beautiful. Thank you Gwen."
The queens hugged, then Morgana got into her second wedding dress that fit her perfectly. Gwen did her hair for her like she used to.
When she was dresses Morgana and Gwen made their way to Arthur's office from where they would head to the ceremony. Arthur told them both that they looked beautiful, but Morgana knew he only glanced at her. He couldn't take his eyes off Gwen.
Suddenly the warm atmosphere was broken as the door burst open and Leon entered.
Thanks again for reading, hope it was alright. Only eight chapters left. I was going to add breaks into the story, but I thought it flowed alright without it. I really hope that isn't confusing. If so please let me know so I can change it. I feel that somethings are being rushed to get to the end, but I hope that's not to off-putting. If anything doesn't make sense, if haven't explained it properly then please let me know.
Also I feel that I should give you far warning that the story is not going to have a happy ending. Not totally tragic, but bittersweet. I really hope that this doesn't put you off the rest of the story, but I felt I should give a warning.
As always any comments, feedback or ideas you have are very welcome.
