I Am Legal || Merlin

three

third person - morgana

Arthur had been acting weird, Morgana noted as she watched the prince snap at Merlin. It wasn't playful like it usually was, but angry and so unlike Arthur.

"Gwen," Morgana started, her attention still focused on Arthur and Merlin, "have you noticed something off about those two?"

"I have, ever since the hunting trip a few days ago, Milady." Morgana stared at Gwen with wide eyes and a crooked smile.

"You don't have to call me that." Gwen just smiled, her eyes now focused on the two men next to Uther.

A knighting ceremony was about to take place. Morgana and Gwen were stood with other members of the castle while Arthur was sat next to Uther. Merlin stood behind Arthur, his hands folded and face solemn.

"You're better friends with Merlin, did he say anything to you?"

"No," Gwen said slowly with a shake of her head and a bite of her lip. Morgana flushed a gentle red at the sight. "Merlin said everything went well but Arthur seemed quite upset." Gwen looked back up, making eye contact, and Morgana turned away.

She took a deep breath, "perhaps I should talk with Arthur." She watched as the prince sneered at Merlin for no reason.

"He is being very distasteful!"

"Yes." Morgana looked over Gwen's expression. She wondered if Gwen fancied Arthur. It would explain why she looked so upset. Sure, Gwen could be feeling sympathetic for her friend, Morgana smiled as she thought about Gwen's good heart, but it wasn't like he was being treated horribly. Morgana wasn't sure if a few angry, verbal jabs warranted such a distraught look.

The ceremony went by slowly. Morgana always thought they were far too long. As it ended, she nudged Gwen and told her to go on to the room, she would be there soon.

Morgana wanted to speak with Arthur now. She just had to wait until everyone filtered out. Soon enough it was just Merlin, Arthur, and her, the last person just leaving.

"Arthur," Merlin called, casting Morgana a glance and stumbling as his foot caught on the throne, "can we talk?" Morgana watched as Arthur just walked - no, stomped - away, Merlin trailing behind him.

When Arthur didn't reply, Merlin stopped and muttered a quiet, "prat." It seemed it wasn't quiet enough because, not only Morgana heard, but Arthur did, too.

Arthur spun on his heel, took long strides to Merlin, and stood a startling inch or so from his face. Morgana hitched an eyebrow up as Arthur's eyes raked down Merlin's body, a slight quiver in his lip.

A part of Morgana thought Arthur would kiss Merlin if she weren't there.

In an instant, Arthur's whole demeanor changed. He pointed a finger to Merlin's chest and rattled off a list of chores with a jab or two at Merlin's sternum.

Morgana watched as Merlin nodded stiffly, a betrayed look in his eyes, and walked off. She let Arthur leave, too, not interested in being in the position Merlin was just in.

When Morgana made it up to her room, Gwen was waiting just like she was instructed. The smile on Gwen's face faltered when Morgana didn't smile or greet her.

"How was the talk with Arthur?"

"I didn't speak with him."

"Why not?" Gwen asked, her voice raised. She looked down quickly, realization of what she did dawning on her.

"He seemed angry, very angry. I didn't want to speak to him when he was like that. We need him to be calm." Gwen nodded and paused.

"You seem upset." Morgana's heart swelled at that. Gwen was always to attentive when it came to her.

"I saw him scold Merlin. Got right in his face," she hesitated, wondering if she should add the romantic tension she saw. Shaking her head, Morgana reprimanded herself. Gwen wouldn't be disgusted by it. She wasn't like that.

"For a moment, I thought Arthur might kiss Merlin. If I wasn't there, I mean."

"Really?" Gwen's eyes went wide. She gripped her dress and sat impossibly still. Morgana furrowed her brows at the action but nodded, ignoring it.

"And what did you think?"

"What did I think?" Morgana was confused. Why did it matter what she thought?

"About the implication that Arthur is," she paused, "a homosexual?"

"Nothing," Morgana said, a defensive tone in her voice. Gwen really thought she would mind?

"So you won't tell the King?"

"The King?" Morgana's eyes went wide. "God, no!"

"Good," Gwen whispered with a slight tilt of her head. Morgana watched as some curls bounced, brushing against Gwen's face. Her eyes flickered to Gwen's beauty mark and then to her dress.

Morgana loved that dress on Gwen. The yellow looked so beautiful against her dark skin. Skin that looked so smooth and touchable.

Morgana took a small step forward. Her hand twitched by her side, wanting to reach out. Obeying her wants, Morgana took a few more steps and gently grabbed onto Gwen's hips. She went slowly so Gwen could step back if she wanted.

When Gwen allowed the touch and brought her eyes down to Morgana's lips, Morgana took that as an invitation. She surged forward, her lips pressing firmly against Gwen's.

The kiss was short, just surpassing sweet, and had Morgana's head spinning. She pulled away, her hands still holding Gwen's hips, and smiled lazily. Gwen returned the smile, her beautiful lips stretched in a way that made Morgana's heart flutter.

Then, out of nowhere, Morgana ripped her hands away from Gwen like she had been burned. Morgana no longer thought of Gwen's softness but of Uther's cruel law.

Homosexuality was illegal.

Gwen's eyes were swimming with worry, her hands half-out, not wanting to scare Morgana away.

"Morgana?"

"I can't do this. I-I have to go," Morgana gripped the edge of her dress so she wouldn't trip, kicked off her heels, and ran. She ignored Gwen's gentle plea to stay and ran.

Tears burned in her eyes. How could she do this? Uther would kill her for being like this?

Stopping in a infrequently used hallway, Morgana lowered herself to the ground and cried softly. So many thoughts swirled through her mind. Why was she like this? How could she bring such a sin into Uther's life?

As she cried, Morgana only hoped Gwen would be gone by the time she returned.

-

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