The Curious case of Merlin and Morgana

Chapter 4: A small step

An awful, high pitched scream forced its way from deep in her lungs and out through her trembling lips. Clenching her chest, she sat up straight. Her breathing ragged and uncontrolled, she started to sob.

Her scream startled Merlin and he snapped into a sitting position.

He moaned at the sudden movement he made and rubbed the side of his head. He felt the beginning of a headache.

He blinked twice, allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness that enveloped the place. He heard Morgana panting.

"Why are you yelling?" He groaned. He looked over at her and swallowed hard at the sight his eyes beheld.

He never truly witnessed the replication of her nightmares, never seen the fear that her features demonstrated as a result, his stomach twisted in knots. He gulped as a tremor ran throughout his body.

His headache forgotten, he focused his attention on her. Regardless of the loathing and abhorrence they felt toward each other, feelings Merlin shoved away that moment, he hesitantly placed his hand on her shoulder.

The movement alerted Morgana and she turned her head to him. Tears, continued to fall freely, her lips apart, her breaths came in short gasps as she chocked on the sobs that were already shaking her body. He lost his voice, his mouth opened and closed again, no words were spoken. She merely stared at him, her eyes widening as she became aware of his hand on her and she shrugged it off quickly.

"Morgana, are you alright?" He finally found his voice, the question came in a whisper.

No response, just gaping at him; she glanced around her, sniffing.

A deep breath in, she tried to calm herself, she closed her eyes, shoving the horrible images away , deep inside her mind, out of her reach. She proceeded to leave the bed, leaving a bewildered Merlin behind.

She appeared to be fine, having taken control over her breathing and her eyes dry, no longer glittering with newly formed tears. He watched her move to the window, standing next to it, her back to him. He no longer can see her face. The moonlight was the only source of light in the room.

"Morgana." he called her once more, softly. He sighed and reluctantly stood up, getting off the bed. He was lightheaded, his vision was fuzzy, and he rubbed his eyes, willing the dizziness away.

He breathed in, walking to her and stopping only a few feet away.

"Are you alright?" she heard him ask her again and she hated how weak and fragile she appeared to him. She opened the window allowing the night gentle and cold breeze in, hoping it would erase the evidence of her vulnerability. She was afraid to reply; afraid that her voice might fail her too, her emotions were already out of her control. So she continued to ignore him, continued to take deep breaths, hopping he would go to sleep, leave her alone. But he did not; he stood there, just watching her.

Another deep breath in, she closed her eyes. Turning around, she exhaled slowly, her eyes flickered open and they locked gaze. Merlin watched silently as all the emotions left her features, her face was blank.

"You must be pleased, seeing me like this?" He shook his head.

"I'm not like you Morgana. I can't be pleased over someone's distress."

She snorted, raising an eyebrow. "Somehow, I find it hard to believe you." She told him. He could barely keep his eyes open, glancing back to the bed; he could almost hear it calling him. He felt so tired except he needed to stay awake. He was not going to leave her like this, even if she was trying very hard to hide her worry.

Wordlessly, his eyes turned gold and the whole room lighted up.

They both shielded their eyes at the sudden brightness. Merlin rubbed his eyes again, yawning.