A/N: I don't own Merlin.

Morgana looked up in surprise when she heard a knock on her door. "Lady Morgana?" Merlin called.

"Enter," she responded.

Merlin cautiously entered and closed the door behind him. Bizarrely, he looked disappointed to see her there. "I…er…um…" He awkwardly cleared his throat. "I was…wondering if I could borrow a dress?"

Morgana's eyebrows nearly rose into her hair. "You want to borrow a dress."

"Yes," Merlin confirmed. "There's this girl in the lower town, moths ate all her clothes, and I was just…"

"And is there a reason you're asking me for one of my own dresses?" Morgana demanded skeptically. "Don't misunderstand me, I'm happy to help this girl, but she might attract the wrong sort of attention if she were to suddenly dress like a noblewoman. I would hate for anyone to assume she had stolen the dress."

"I…er…" Merlin swallowed and sighed, remembering how helpful Morgana had been the last time he'd harbored a druid. "It's that druid girl everyone's been searching for. I need a disguise to get her out of the city."

"Oh." Morgana frowned. "Really, Merlin, why didn't you just say so? You know I sympathize with the druids just as much as you do. Possibly more."

"Habit, I suppose," Merlin responded, not meeting her eyes.

"Well, I can certainly spare one dress for a disguise," Morgana stated, walking over to her wardrobe. She rifled through the dresses. "Let me see…ah! This dress shouldn't be too difficult to run in, if necessary." She handed the dress to Merlin, then turned back to the wardrobe. "Now, let me see if I can find a cloth to wrap that in. We wouldn't want anyone less sympathetic to ask you why you're carrying that." She found a large cloth and handed it to Merlin. "Here. Is there anything else I can do to help?"

Merlin shook his head. "No, I think I've got everything else covered. Thank you, my lady. I won't forget this."

Morgana inclined her head. "I'm glad I could help. Be sure to let me know how things turn out."

For some reason, Merlin looked faintly guilty. "I…er…sure. I will. Thank you." He bowed and left.

Morgana returned to her desk, smiling. She'd spent the last few days desperately wishing there was something she could do to help that girl. After all, Morgana had magic too.

The following day, Morgana did not see Merlin at all. That night, she heard about the curse, and how Arthur had fought the bastet. The beast had apparently flown away, so Morgana hoped that meant the girl had escaped. She would have to wait until morning before asking Merlin.

Morgana waited until she saw Arthur leave his chambers, then cautiously knocked. Sure enough, Merlin was inside, polishing a row of boots. Morgana pulled up a chair and sat opposite him. "Well?"

Merlin swallowed, tears in his eyes. "She died. I couldn't save her."

Morgana bowed her head in disappointment. "I'm so sorry. I wish I could have done more to help." She swallowed, reluctant to voice the rest of her thoughts, then reminded herself that Merlin knew her secret. If she couldn't confide in him, she couldn't confide in anyone. "Ever since…you know, that incident with the fire…every time one of these bounty hunters comes to Camelot, I can't help but imagine myself as one of those bounties. I really hoped I could save at least one. I…I just…sometimes, I just feel so alone." She finally looked up, and was startled to see Merlin looking back at her with a burning intensity.

"No," Merlin said suddenly. He stood up. "No, you're not alone." He glanced at the door, checking that it was closed, then whispered into his hand. He held it out to reveal a small flame, and Morgana's jaw dropped. "I should have told you this long ago. I wanted to, but Gaius told me not to, and…I should never have listened to him. I told him you needed to know everything, that you needed proper guidance. And I am sick of hiding. I am fed up with being alone. No one should ever have to feel so alone!" He let the flame fade, breathing heavily.

"Merlin, I…" Morgana trailed off, unsure what to say.

"I am sincerely sorry that I ever listened to Gaius," Merlin continued. "From now on, neither of us will ever have to be alone. Anything you want to know about magic, I will teach you. I promise."

Morgana glanced nervously at the door, then stood up and smiled. "Thank you, Merlin." Impulsively, she leaned forward and gave him a hug. Merlin flailed awkwardly, clearly surprised, then he hugged her back. "From now on, neither of us will ever be alone," Morgana agreed.

Unseen by both of them, Freya's spirit smiled. Though she regretted that she and Merlin would never be together, she now saw confirmation that he was destined for a better life than he could have ever shared with her.