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Chapter Text

Merlin glanced at his parents, the tension thick in the space between them. They had always agreed eye-to-eye regarding most things, but any mention of Camelot and he could cut the air with a knife.

“You cannot be serious.” Merlin was surprised that after all these years, his father still couldn’t tell just how serious his mother was about these sorts of things.

“He’s young and experienced enough to go out and explore. My love, he has plenty of gifts. What could he do holed up here for his entire life?”

“But Camelot? Where Uther still reigns?”

“He really is refusing to die.”

His parents glanced up at him, the surprise on his mother’s face making him grin.

“Sorry, I couldn’t help it. I swear the entire house shakes a little when you two argue.”

“This isn’t an argument—“ Hunith cut herself off, and Merlin tilted his head with a smile on his face.

“You sure?”

His father sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He’d left it to grow, much to his mother’s delight. Merlin didn’t want to think about what that had led to. Really, it was a surprise he didn’t have a sibling.

“Really, I find it rude you two didn’t think to ask me about it. I mean, c’mon. Shouldn’t it be my decision too?”

Balinor pressed his lips together, and glanced over at Hunith. She gave a sad smile.

“Our boy’s all grown up.”

His father smiled, and reached across the table to take her hand, “Indeed he has.”

Merlin made a show of faux-gagging, and his mother laughed at the display, his father shaking his head with a smile.

“I would like to go. I’ve heard plenty about Gaius to know he’ll keep me safe, and I’ll try not to get in any trouble.”

Balinor sighed, “I guess the only living dragon is underneath the castle. If you’re to be the next Dragon Lord, you must face him at least.”

Merlin grinned, “So… I can go?”

They both turned towards Hunith, and she smiled.

“If that is what you wish.”

~

Morgana gasped awake, clutching at her bedsheets. Her skin felt sickly, cold sweat clinging to her forehead as she glanced around the room.

“Gwen? Gwen!”

“I’m here, my Lady!”

Morgana burst into tears as her maidservant’s arms wrapped around her, and she clutched at her dress.

Her dreams were always strange, always like riddles— Some things she saw to pass, and others were memories there to haunt her.

And some, although rarely, terrified her despite the contents being rather pleasant.

Such as this one.

By the next morning, Morgana still couldn’t understand it. A name thrown around— some man called Emrys? Three women whispering it, weaving with a string. She could hear their whispers, debating what they should do, how their destinies should change.

Then one turned and smiled at her. She asked, What is in your heart, child?

Morgana opened her mouth as if to answer, but her chest glowed gold before she could say a word. The woman smiled and extended her hand to her, and to her surprise, handed her the thread.

You are in charge then, child. Choose well.

Morgana took it, despite the sense that she was accepting more than she could handle overtaking her. When she looked up, the women were gone, and faces flashed before her eyes until she awoke with terror in her heart and a string in her hands.

She sat at her vanity that morning, looking down at the golden thread in her hands. It was most likely fallen from some pillow. Surely.

But as she looked down at it, something in her gut twisted. She half wanted to shout at everything and everyone, and half wanted to cry and apologise, though what she was sorry for she did not know.

The execution happening outside her window did not help her feelings at all. She watched with a churning stomach, and waved any mention of breakfast away when Gwen came in with bowls. In her state, it would come right back up.

“My Lady? You really should eat something.”

Morgana smiled up at her friend, forcing it despite every muscle in her body wishing to give up and lay in bed for the rest of the day.

“I’m fine, Gwen, really. I think I should go see Gaius.”

Gwen gave her a sad smile, and Morgana knew she was pitying her.

The way down to the court physician’s was instinct by now. She could reach it in her sleep. Well, if she could sleep.

She lifted her hand up to knock, but the door opened before her knuckles reached the wood.

A young man with a boyish look blinked down at her, his eyes wide.

“Oh, sorry, my Lady!”

Morgana smiled as he blinked at her. Most servants never knew what to make of her, apart from Gwen.

“Should I expect an introduction by today?”

The boy’s face went red, and Morgana pressed her lips to hide her pleasure at the display. She opened her mouth to reassure him she was kidding, when Gaius called out in surprise.

“Lady Morgana! It’s quite early for you to come here.”

“Morgana?” The boy glanced between them. “As in, Uther’s ward?” He must’ve been around Morgana’s age, and his obliviousness, high cheekbones and flabbergasted expression made her surprisingly glad for it.

To put it simply, he was cute.

“Merlin!” Gaius whisper shouted at him, and turned to her with that kind smile she was used to from the old man, “Sorry about him, my Lady. To what do we owe the pleasure?”

Morgana glanced over at the boy, Merlin. He looked down, face still blazing red. She half-wanted him to lift hid head and look her in the eye.

“I heard some stories recently, about three women threading string and talking about destiny. I was wondering if you know something about it?”

Gaius nodded, “Yes, I believe I may have something about them somewhere around here. I can show you some books, if you’d like?”

Morgana smiled, “Thank you, Gaius. Truly. You’re a good man.”

Gaius smiled, and looked over at Merlin, “Have you forgotten your chores?”

Merlin gave a smile, a cheeky one with a tilt of his head, “I wish.” He turned and bowed to her dramatically, “My Lady.”

Morgana watched as Merlin walked out the door, nearly running into the wall on his way out. She pressed her fingers to her lips, failing to hide her smile at the retreating footsteps of the new, ridiculous and cute boy arrived in Camelot.

“That boy...” Gaius shook his head in disappointment as he watched him leave, and turned to face her. Morgana smoothed her expression. If rumour started about her fancying a servant boy, she could not dare show her face in court any more.

“You mentioned you had some books that could help?” She asked, turning her attention wholly to Gaius as he nodded.

“Yes, I believe I do,” He turned to his bookshelves, looking around through scrolls and tattered papers until he found what he was looking for, “This should do, let’s see…

Morgana glanced between him and the strange, leather bound book as he wiped the dust off and opened its heavy pages. There was some comfort in his humming and old man muttering as he found the right chapter, a strange nostalgia that made her feel cared for, in a way.

“Ah, there it is… Yes, the legends of the Fates.”

“The Fates?” Morgana furrowed her brows as he continued reading.

“Yes, beings of the Old Religion. They’re three sisters, the legend goes, all three controlling destiny.”

Morgana’s throat went dry as she remembered the words from her dream.

You are in charge. Choose well.

“So, do they choose what happens in everyone’s lives?”

“That is how the story goes, although there are some people who choose their own destinies, or whose destinies depend on others’.”

Morgana nodded, a feeling of nausea settling over her as she took in the words, “I see. Thank you so much, Gaius. Would it be alright if I got another sleeping draft tonight?”

“Of course, My Lady.”

Chapter Text

When Kilgarrah’s voice started echoing through his head, Merlin knew he would not sleep that night.

It was odd, for the dragon to seek him out first. Maybe he realised a Dragon Lord’s son was in Camelot?

Curiosity grew in the pit of his stomach. His father would tell him to go and see what the dragon wants, anyway. The only problem was being seen.

He waited until Gaius was asleep to sneak away into the old underground caves. The journey was surprisingly pleasant— how did Uther expect people to follow the law when the dungeons were so open to the public?

Merlin came face to face with a large cave, larger than he even thought possible. The castle was sitting on top of air and old stone— it had to be magic holding it up, surely.

“Kilgarrah?”

His voice echoed, followed by the flapping of what could only be large wings. The dragon landed on stone in front of him, and Merlin was mesmerised.

Great scales littered his body, his eyes reptilian yet wise, his face sharper than he expected. Long, sharp spikes framed his face like a crown, running all the way down in a line across his spine, down to a long, dangerous tail. Everything about the wonderful creature was sharp— claws, teeth, frame.

He looked starved, angry and too wise to be mortal.

His father’s descriptions had been right. Merlin grabbed onto his pendant, feeling his father’s protective magic pulse under his fingers as he fiddled with the wooden figurine of a dragon. The leather cord felt warm against his neck as Kilgarrah tilted his head and blinked down at the boy.

“There you are, Merlin. I see the Fates have still yet to decide how to fulfill your destiny.”

Merlin blinked, clutching one hand at his pendant and the other tightly on the torch.

“My destiny? What about my destiny?”

“Your destiny is to help Arthur, for he will lead the lands to unite into the great Albion.”

Merlin scoffed, dropping his hand as the anxiety melted away, “Arthur? I thought dragons were supposed to be smart.”

Kilgarrah let out a sound between a growl and a huff, and Merlin clamped his mouth shut. Kilgarrah readjusted where he sat, straightening his back with a suspicious look on his face, as if he expected Merlin to start spewing out insults the second the great dragon opened his mouth.

“As I was saying, Arthur is destined to unite the kingdoms into one, and you, Merlin, are the one who is meant to help him get there. You are two sides of the same coin. Albion cannot happen without both of you.”

Merlin scoffed, “I think I’ve got the wrong Prince Arthur then. You’re wrong, because this Arthur— he’s an idiot! A foolish, arrogant idiot, and he’s his father’s son, so how could he change the laws to allow magic?”

Kikgarrah tilted his head, “Perhaps it is your destiny to change that.”

Merlin pursed his lips, “Yeah. Right. Did you have to interrupt my sleep for this?”

Kilgarrah sighed, “You will see, young warlock. You will see”.

~

Merlin already wanted to grab Uther by the neck and throttle him as it was, but when he declared he will have a position in the royal court, the urge was greater than ever.

He glanced around the room as people started cheering, and his stomach dropped as he remembered Kigarrah’s words.

He did, in fact, see. Why did that dragon have to be right?

But Arthur being this great king? Uther’s son? He couldn’t imagine it. He will never allow magic.

Perhaps it is your destiny to change that.

Later that night, he found himself staring at the ceiling, rage building up.

His destiny? Why would anyone else get a say in what his destiny should be? He needed the paid work, sure, but who is to decide this for him?

Merlin tossed around, throwing himself this way or that in his new bed. One moment he was laid down, the next he was up, looking around for some parchment and ink.

The letter to his parents was filled with fear, more fear than he realised he harboured. He asked if they knew of such a destiny, and what he should do.

A great Albion sounded like a dream, he had to admit. But with Arthur?

He whispered under his breath once he was done, his eyes glowing gold as the piece folded itself into a bird and took flight out of his bedroom window.

~

Morgana found herself humming with delight at the news the next morning. Her dreams had calmed that night, Gaius’ sleeping draught working wonderfully.

She knew it wouldn’t last long; it never did. And perhaps her relief for Merlin’s new job allowing him to spend plenty of time in court had something to do with it.

As Gwen entered the room with a basket of fresh clothes, Morgana realised she wasn’t the only one overjoyed by the boy’s new role.

“Gwen! I trust you slept well?”

“Very well, my lady, thank you,” Gwen looked her up and down and pressed her lips, “How did you sleep?”

Always a cautious question, but today Morgana could smile back, “Wonderfully. Perhaps the castle is alight with relief and good news. Who knows, maybe it’s everyone else’s energy that affects my dreams.”

A pit in her stomach told her that was not quite the case. Still Gwen smiled.

“I’m glad to hear it, my Lady.”

Morgana watched her, as she moved around with a hop in her step.

“You seem particularly happy.”

Gwen didn’t look up, “I’m not sure what you mean, my Lady.”

Morgana sat down on her bed, “Don’t lie to me, Gwen. You know I can see through you.”

Gwen smiled over her shoulder at her, “It’s just a small fancy, my Lady. Nothing of interest.”

“On Merlin?” Morgana found her face smiling, but inside she was torn. Her dearest friend liked him, yet she couldn’t deny the feeling of possessiveness when it came to him.

Gwen blushed, and Morgana smiled.

She couldn’t like Merlin, not like this. He was a servant, and she, the King’s ward.

If her being disgraced wasn’t enough, his execution would be.

Morgana forced a smile, “Then you should go for it.”

Gwen turned around with wide eyes, “What do you mean?”

Morgana shrugged, “It would make sense, wouldn’t it?”

Gwen let out a breathy laugh, “I cannot imagine Merlin feels the same about me.”

“Well, you never know until you try.”

Gwen looked down with a smile, and Morgana felt herself resign.

A small fancy. That’s what she should have towards him. She shouldn’t feel so possessive about him— It never could be.

Chapter Text

Merlin whispered the spell under his breath, and the snake came to life. As everyone gasped and Arthur attacked, Merlin glanced around to see if anyone had witnessed his display of magic.

The only eyes on him were Morgana’s.

Arthur fell against the wooden planks of the stands, and Morgana turned her gaze to him. She grabbed the nearest sword and threw it to Arthur, and despite the panic in Merlin’s gut at the possibility of Morgana finding out about his magic, he still couldn’t help his joy at Arthur’s victory, even if he was a clotpole.

~

“Perhaps I wish Valiant was escorting me.”

Morgana watched Arthur walk away with a scoff, and she turned to Gwen with a smile. As she sat down, she couldn’t help but think again of her words.

She knew she didn’t mean it. It wasn’t Valiant she wanted to escort her, nor even Arthur— her gaze drifted across the room to Merlin, who was talking to Gwen.

Morgana swallowed and looked down at her plate.

It was incredibly sweet that Gwen had decided to make her move. They suited each other well, truly.

Morgana grabbed her wine goblet, trying to swallow down the lump in her throat.

Uther turned to her and smiled, making light conversation about the outcome of the tournament. Morgana smiled, looking down and nodding, pretending to listen.

What did she even like about him? Sure, he had a boyish charm, and an adorable grin, and she’d seen the dragon pendant around his head that she’d overheard his father had given him, and she’d heard how he decided to keep his hair slightly longer because it was what he was used to, and she found him handsome with loose bits of hair framing his face, and there were also his ears popping out from under his hair and making him look even more ridiculous in a damn charming way—

“Morgana? Is everything alright?”

She blinked up at her father figure and smiled, “Yes, I am, I believe all of the excitement of the day had just gotten to me. May I be excused for the night?”

“Of course. Shall I summon Gaius?”

“I doubt there will be any need, my Lord. I think a night’s rest should suffice.”

As she made her way out of the room, she glanced one last time around the room, and found Merlin’s eyes on her, watching her instead of focusing on the conversation he was having with Gwen— and other servant ladies. He was quite popular, wasn’t he?

And yet his eyes were on her as she made her way out of the room and away from his sight.

~

Merlin frowned down at his bowl— now that the excitement of Arthur’s win had died down, he couldn’t help but wander what Morgana’s stares had meant.

He did not want to fear his new… friend? He did not know whether he could call her that. She was the King’s ward, and he just a manservant…

Still, from what Gwen had told him, she was kind to all servants and nobles alike. She would not be above making friends with him, but he still wasn’t sure whether he had earned that title yet.

Despite wanting to, he had to admit.

She glanced at him at the tournament, and watched him at the ball that evening. Maybe Merlin was just overthinking, but also… he had seen her talk to Uther…

Merlin shook his head, and stirred his food with his spoon again, turning the stew over with a grim expression on his face. If Morgana did know, would he tell anyone?

“Has the stew wronged you in any way, Merlin?”

He glanced up at Gaius as he watched him with an amused expression, and Merlin laughed, “No, no, just…” He furrowed his brows, “Thinking about… everything that’s happened the last couple of days.”

Maybe the answer was to simply get closer to Morgana. Maybe if they were friends, he could know whether she could be trusted with his secret or not.

Merlin hoped, desperately, that she could be.

“It has been eventful. I have to convince Uther that you’re an utter dimwit now. Though I doubt that will be hard.”

Merlin looked up with a confused glance, his mouth betraying him in a smile. Gaius chuckled at his expression, and for a moment Merlin could finally relax and dig in.

Chapter Text

Merlin groaned as the sunlight peeked in his bedroom from his open windows. He smacked his lips as he turned over, sighing as he went right back to sleep.

Dragons danced around his mind, and he grinned in his sleep as he imagined riding one. For a moment he could imagine the shadows those great wings would have floating across his eyes, the whoosh of the flying—

A chirp had him opening his eyes, groggy and still full of sleep. The chirp sounded again, and he turned sharply to the window.

A paper bird chirped again, tilting its head at him, and Merlin sighed.

“Took you long enough,” He mumbled and grabbed the bird. The magic fell away the moment he touched it. He unfolded the paper, and looked down at what he recognised as his father’ writing. Sitting up, Merlin grinned as his eyes skimmed over the words on the parchment.

The fates decided most of what happens, is father wrote back, so whilst some events are set in stone, the choices he could make would change everything. If his destiny was to aid Arthur in creating a land where the Kingdoms are united, then he still had the choice of how to complete this destiny.

Merlin blinked down at the information before him. He pressed his lips, and threw himself back onto his bed.

“Merlin? You’re going to be late!”

“Coming, Gaius!” He shouted back, and folded the letter to place it in his pocket.

~

“Don’t thank me, thank Merlin,” Morgana smiled over at him, and he could feel his cheeks warm under her gaze. She was probably— no, definitely— the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. Anyone would redden under her gaze. Surely. “He’s the real hero here.”

“I didn’t do anything,” Merlin rushed to clarify, his face still red.

As Gwen and her father left the dungeons, Morgana turned to him, “Merlin?”

He blinked as he turned around, panic sinking in his chest.

“Your secret’s safe with me.”

“My secret?”

“Don’t pretend, I know what you did. I saw it with my own eyes.”

“You did?” Gaius was right, he should have been more careful.

“I understand you don’t want anyone to know…”

Merlin managed out a laugh, “Well, obviously…”

“I won’t tell anyone. You don’t mind me talking to you about it?”

Merlin stuttered, deciding his father was right. He got to choose what he could do, how to fulfil his so-called destiny. A dragon could only know a limited amount, as great and ancient as he was. If his name was in many legends and versions of how he achieves this dream, then who was to say which path he should take? There certainly wasn’t one singular path, and i he wanted to reveal his magic to close friends, why shouldn’t he?

“No, it’s, uh— You have no idea how hard it is to keep this hidden,” He managed out, and Morgana’s smile made him delighted to finally reveal this to her.

She may be Uther’s ward, but would she really out him like that?

“Well, you can continue to deny it, but Gwen’s a lucky woman.”

Merlin blinked, “Gwen?”

Morgana tapped her lips with her finger, a delighted and conspiratory smirk on her face, “It’s our secret.”

Merlin watched, a bit dumbfounded as she walked out of the dungeons. With a last smile in his direction, she disappeared out of sight. Merlin closed his eyes and sighed.

Maybe she didn’t know his secret after all, or maybe she did and knew he was suspicious of her. Either way, he needed to keep an eye on her, to get closer to her.

Or maybe that was just his selfish wants, a little voice piped up in his head.

Merlin walked out of that dungeon with a blush across his face and ears.

~

Morgana woke up that night in a panic, her tongue heavy and her throat dry.

Another nightmare that plagued her, another dream, another fucking dream.

It was as if they were trying to punish her, as if she was having these for a reason— as if she was meant to be some horrid creature. Perhaps the fates had been wrong, perhaps whatever was in her heart was truly evil.

Her breathing quickened, and she half wanted to scream for Gwen, half wanted her to rush in and calm her panic, reassure her that her dreams meant nothing.

But she knew they did. She knew. And she didn’t know how much longer she could live with the knowledge that there was something rotten inside of her.

She placed a hand over her mouth to quieten her breathing. If she had to deal with this to chastise herself, she would.

As the tears flowed down her cheeks, she wondered, why does she suffer like this? What could possibly be enough punishment for her to stop having these wretched dreams?

By morning, Morgana hadn’t slept a wink, her eyes burning yet her heart still beating restlessly.

“You’re up early, my Lady. Did you sleep well last night?”

Morgana turned to find Gwen looking at her, “I’m afraid not.”

Gwen nodded, “Shall I fetch Gaius, my Lady?”

She shook her head, using all the energy she had to smile, “No, there is no need. I shall go to him myself.”

Morgana knew that she wouldn’t. She needed to know what could stop her pain, what could she swap out for her dreams. Gaius’ sleeping draught hadn’t helped, and it has been years. The more she thought about it, the more it made sense— there must be something she was being punished for, something she has or will do wrong.

As the day passed, she could barely eat, never mind to keep her food down. It wasn’t until she was facing Arthur’s chambers— Uther had forced him to apologise for his rudeness at the ball after he had seen her flee the celebration— that Morgana had an idea.

The easiest way would be to restrict something… maybe if she swapped out nightmares for starvation, she could finally sleep.

Just this day, she would try it. She doubted it would work, but she was becoming more and more desperate with each night that passed. And she could barely keep any food down as it was.

She knocked on his door, and stepped inside as Merlin opened them for her.

Merlin. His hair framed his face, longer still than she was used to any man in Camelot having, and his eyes were bright as he smiled at her.

Morgana smiled back. She had to be friendly, and only friendly, to him. Gwen liked him, and he liked her back. Morgana had no business interfering in their romance, especially as she was a noblewoman.

“Have you eaten? I’m sure that Merlin here wouldn’t mind grabbing something for you.”

“I have,” Morgana lied, and glanced over at Merlin. He was watching her carefully, and she couldn’t help the delight in her stomach.

Was this one of many things she was being punished for? Having a fancy towards her maid’s lover?

Morgana assumed they were lovers. She wasn’t about to tell Merlin that Gwen liked him back. It wasn’t her place to, she told herself, knowing the real reason why she wouldn’t say a word.

“Should I get some drinks?” Merlin glanced between the two nobles, and Morgana nodded.

Before he could leave, she turned to him and blurted out the first thing that came to mind, “That necklace, where did you get it from?”

Merlin blinked, and glanced down at the pendant that Morgana knew very well was from his parents, “My father carved it. You can have a look at it if you’d like?”

Her eyes widened, as surprised at the offer as he was from the look on his expression, “I would love to. Your father seems very skilled.”

Merlin took it off and handed it to her, leaving his chest bare with only the open shirt and brown jacket he always wore on.

“How come I didn’t know about it?”

Merlin threw a grin towards Arthur, “You never asked.”

She wanted to swoon at those high cheekbones breaking out into dimples, but instead she turned her attention to the pendant, “The craftsmanship is impeccable…”

Merlin grinned even wider, somehow, as she handed it back to him, “I wish I was as good at him, but I can barely make a wooden ball.”

Morgana laughed, surprised by the sound. Before either men could comment on it, she managed out, “He must have seen a dragon or two in his lifetime, to make something so detailed.”

Merlin shook his head, “Oh, no, he, uh… I don’t…” He pressed his lips together, “I should go and grab those drinks. Wine?”

Morgana watched as he walked out of the room, a smile playing on her face.

“Careful, Morgana.”

She turned to face Arthur, and he looked serious, too much like his father for her liking.

“I’ve heard he’s popular with servant girls, and I cannot imagine why,” Arthur made a face, “Even Gwen’s obsessed with him nowadays. But you aren’t a servant girl.”

Morgana scoffed, “Don’t be ridiculous. Do you really expect me not to know that?”

“We can’t even be friends with servants,” Arthur argued, “I’m just asking you to be careful.”

“I know,” She whispered out, and Arthur looked at her with an uncharacteristic sort of pity.

Chapter Text

Merlin started to plan how to get closer to Morgana not long after he received the letter from his father.

He showed up with Morgana’s sleeping draught every day, asking how she’d slept the previous night. Each morning, Morgana looked more and more ill, but smiled and said she’d slept well.

It was only at a ball that he noticed something odd. Sure, the pretty servant girl of the visiting King was eyeing him up, but Merlin couldn’t help but watch Morgana as she denied plate after plate of food.

He wanted to confront her about it, to ask what was wrong, if she felt ill or if her nightmares were so bad they were making her lose her appetite.

But when Merlin was warned about the poisoned chalice, he had little time to think about anything else.

~

Morgana paced around her room, biting on her nail. She’d dreamt this. Why were her dreams coming true? Was she still eating too much for it to be punishment enough?

This must have been her doing, in some way. Her dreams were affecting others. That had to be it, how else could she explain this?

When she heard news of Merlin waking up, she wanted to rush, to check on him. Yet she did not. She wouldn’t be welcome, not when she was to blame.

That night, she threw up what little she had eaten. Maybe she wouldn’t dream, and Merlin would be okay.

~

Morgana was holding a thread in her hand. She looked up to find the three sisters smiling at her.

Choose well.

They morphed into two figures. One of Merlin, and one of a woman, with blonde hair and eyes that looked too-familiar.

Choose well. They spoke together.

She heaved a breath, and turned her head away from them.

Uther lay in his bed.

Dead. She knew, but did not want to admit it.

The dragon spoke, and she turned to face him, “He cannot die by magic, or Arthur will carry that spite for the rest of his days.”

Morgana stared at the beast, her eyes wide as it turned to face her.

“Morgana.” He said in a sing-song tone.

Her dreams changed. For a long time, there was darkness. She felt asleep, as if ages had passed.

Then, something changed. She could feel hands on her thighs, lips tracing her throat, warmth pooling in her stomach.

Merlin was there, with her. His eyes were gold and his rough hands traced gentle lines across her skin.

She ran her hands through his growing curls, and gasped as he found a spot under her ear, his hands moving higher and higher as he found her inner thighs.

Morgana whispered with a small gasp, “Emrys.”

Merlin smiled and caught her lips in his, as his hands had finally, finally found—

Morgana awoke, blinking the sunlight from her eyes. Her face warmed with shame before she could process what had happened.

~

The following days, Morgana couldn’t look at either Gwen nor Merlin in the eyes. She’d stopped eating, both as punishment for her… lust towards her friend’s boyfriend, and to stop any more dreams.

It did not help.

Morgana found herself finally staring into Merlin’s eyes as she talked of the woman who would drown Arthur.

He ran a hand through his hair, squinting his eyes at nothing in particular as his eyebrows furrowed. Morgana wanted to scream at him to stop doing that, as shame filled her cheeks and a warmth traveled low.

~

She had magic.

Merlin wanted to scream. She had magic. Uther’s ward had magic.

When Gaius told him not to tell her, he wanted to throttle the old man.

Instead, Merlin found himself staring at yet another piece of parchment once the Sidhe were dead. He had to know what would be worse— Her knowing, or not knowing?

Before he could get a reply, however, a young druid boy fell into his hands.

Kilgarrah warned him to kill the boy.

Yet somehow Merlin found himself taking care of him in Morgana’s chambers, of all places.

“We should get Gaius to help—“

“Or maybe we can use magic?”

Morgana turned towards him and blinked, clearly not expecting his suggestion.

“Look, Gaius would kill me if he knew I got involved in another mess, so—“

“And Uther would kill you if he found out regardless!”

“Well, it’s best he doesn’t find out?”

Morgana went quiet, taking a proper look at Merlin.

“Fine. Know any sorcerers?”

“Well…”

Morgana tilted her head at him, “What is it?”

Merlin shook his head, “Never mind. I’ll… I’ll go get Gaius.”

Morgana stared after Merlin as he left the room. Between his strange behaviour, and his too-cute frown, Morgana wanted to chase after him and question him more.

Instead, she glanced back down at the child, a sad smile on her lips.

There was something strange about the boy. Something unfairly familiar.