Hello :)

I know I say this all the time, but thank you so much for reviews/alerts/favourites! I'm can't believe how many each chapter gets, I'm really, really greatful!

Anonymous reviews:

Happy-reader007: awwh, I'm glad! Yes, Morgana is still evil :)

Ruby890: thank you!

Griffing07: Here's the update! And thank you!

The mist swirled through the night as the noise of heavy hooves on hardened ground thundered through the trees. The forest was eerily lit by the full moon, a single figure dressed in a deep red gown illuminated in the soft light. Morgause followed the sound of her sister's horse, waiting patiently as Morgana stopped and slid off.

"Sister," Morgause welcomed warmly, pulling Morgana into her arms. "You have news?"

Morgana gripped Moraguse's arms tightly, out of breath from anticipation. "Yes! Lady Lara used to know Merlin! Apparently she used to have some sort of a curse on her, cast by a witch. Her family have all died."

Morgause's face lit up. "How interesting..." She swept away from Morgana, her long skirts sending dead leaves skittering across the floor. She bit her lip in thought. "Find out more about this curse and the witch who cast it; if we can get a hold of her, then she may be able to help us. If her family have all died, then the only person standing in out way is Merlin..."

Morgana shook her head. "Her adoptive father loves her like his own," she said. "He would launch war on Camelot before letting anyone near his daughter,"

Morgause whirled around, her eyes alight with ideas. "Then that's perfect!" she gasped. Morgana walked forward and took her sister's hands excitedly. "We shall not need to attack Camelot; we shall get Lady Lara to do it for us!"

The King sat in the centre of the table, with Markus to his right. They were exchanging stories and jokes, Markus cheerfully eating and drinking all the while, while Uther tried to work out how to slip the topic of marriage into the conversation. Arthur, who was deep in conversation with Sir Leon sat one place away from his father. Lara sat next to her, with Gwen hovering behind her, occasionally coming forward to pick up and empty plate or serve someone more drink.

Only Merlin seemed to notice the complete absence of Morgana and the empty place where she should have been between Arthur and Uther. He frowned from the other side of the room, staring intently at the abandoned spot and wondering why no one had questioned it yet.

"Merlin?" Gwen's voice made him jump slightly as she passed to exit the hall, her arms full of empty plates. "What are you doing? You look ridiculous!" She laughed lightly as she struggled past him.

Merlin half-heartedly cracked a smile, taking the top few plates from the pile, despite her protests. Gwen studied him as he drew the plates from her.

"Honestly though, Merlin, are you alright?" She asked as they left the hall, heading to the kitchen. "You look troubled."

"It's nothing, Gwen," Merlin brushed her off as they entered the kitchen, giving the plates to a passing cook to wash. Gwen grabbed his arm as soon as they were out of the door, making him stop and look at her.

"Don't lie to me, Merlin," she pleaded softly.

Merlin tried to avoid her gaze, biting his lip slightly, feeling uncomfortable. He half-smiled. "I'm fine. Honest." When Gwen's face took on a hurt expression, he sighed. "I just... I noticed Morgana wasn't at the hall. I was... worried."

Gwen smiled. "That's sweet, Merlin..." she paused and gave him a funny look. "But Morgana was there the whole time..." She began walking again, pulling him along by the hand.

"What?" Merlin frowned as he kept up beside her. "She wasn't!"

"Yes she was, Merlin!" Gwen laughed. "She was sat between King Uther and Arthur; I saw it with my own eyes!"

Merlin gave up. As they neared the hall, a figure in purple crept slowly to the door, stunning dress billowing around her ankles as she tried to enter the banquet inconspicuously. Unsure whether to point this out to Gwen, Merlin was relieved when she let go of his hand and ran up to the door anyway.

"Morgana!" Gwen called, causing Morgana to start and turn, her hard face melting into a sweet smile immediately. "Are you alright, my Lady?"

"Yes, Gwen, I'm fine," Morgana beamed. "I just... went out for some fresh air!"

Gwen obviously believed this, as she bowed and went into the hall. Merlin caught Morgana's wrist before she could push the door open after her servant.

"Let go of me!" She hissed, trying to pull her arm away.

Merlin just looked at her coldly. "Where have you been? Why does everyone in there think you've been present the whole time?"

Morgana just smirked at him. "Magic, Merlin." She sneered. "You wouldn't understand." She successfully yanked her wrist free and looked up at Merlin in disgust. She turned away from him, her dark hair bouncing up from her shoulders as she threw open the doors, her role as the loving King's ward fixed firmly in place.

The door swung shut. Merlin sighed and slid down the wall to the ground, burying his head in his hands. He knew she was up to something; she always was. The whole charade was getting tiring.

"Um... is everything alright?" Merlin jumped to his feet as Lara appeared through the door, watching him with her head tilted to the side.

"I, uh, yes, um, I..." Merlin froze.

Lara smiled, trying not to laugh at his daftness. "You seem upset, Merlin?"

"No!" Merlin smiled without trying, happiness washing over him for a reason he couldn't quite place. He grinned wider. "Not at all!"

Lara bit her lip shyly at his expression, looking at him through her eyelashes. "I was just coming to see you because... well, it's rather an odd request actually..."

Merlin shook his head. "no, no, I'll do anything-" Realising exactly what he'd just said he froze. "I mean, not anything, I, er, if you need help or something, I...um..."

Lara giggled slightly, covering her mouth to try hide it. Merlin flushed. "No, it's fine... it's just, at home we have a... a tradition. A tradition when we have a banquet."

"Oh," Merlin breathed deeply. "A tradition?"

Lara smirked, but in a kind way. "Yes, Merlin, a tradition. We always dedicate a dance to our servants,"

Merlin frowned. "I'm sorry... I'm not following..."

Lara let out a sheepish laugh. "I'm sorry, I'm not being very clear, am I?" she grimaced jokingly. "What I'm trying to say is... When we have a banquet at home, we have a dance where we dance with our servants; they're like our family. I'm just feeling a little homesick, I guess..."

Merlin cocked his head to the side, wondering if she was implying what he thought she was. "That's very interesting, my Lady, but I don't understand..."

Lara turned pink. "I was wondering if you would like to dance. With me."

Merlin stared at her, trying to see if she was joking. When it became apparent she wasn't, his face split into a boyish grin that lit up his eyes. "I would love to, my Lady." He made to push open the door, but Lara grabbed his hand.

"We can dance right here," she blushed when he gave her a questioning look. Both glanced down at their joined hands. Lara began to pull hers away, but Merlin tightened his grip, adding his other hand so Lara's fingers were enclosed in both his hands. Lara looked up and their eyes met. Her free hand slowly raised and dropped on top of the tangle of fingers between them, squeezing softly. Merlin tilted his head, leaning in towards her. She closed her eyes and-

"-Arthur, where are going?"

The doors swung open, causing Lara and Merlin to jump apart swiftly. A very pink Gwen and a very jumpy Arthur stood awkwardly as the doors shut behind them. All eyes fell to the floor, avoiding anyone and everyone's gaze.

"Merlin." Arthur said after a long pause. "What's up with you?" his eyes flickered to Gwen momentarily.

"Nothing," Merlin replied quickly. He glanced at Lara. "What's up with you?"

"Nothing, nothing," Arthur brushed off and bit his lip. "Err... Guinevere, why don't you show me where you saw that mouse now?"

Gwen frowned at him, but he widened his eyes in a look that clearly said 'making-up-excuses-here'. "Oh... yes!" She stumbled, grabbing his arm, then letting go again. "It's er... in the kitchen, er, sire..."

"Right." Arthur huffed slightly. "Well... let's go get it then."

"Yes..." Gwen followed Arthur down the corridor, pausing only at the corner to give Merlin a suspicious look. Merlin raised his eyebrows and mouthed 'mouse?'. Gwen scowled, then walked off. Merlin smiled at his personal triumph, but as soon as his eyes met Lara's, it faded.

"I'm sorry about... before, my Lady," he mumbled.

"No." Lara shook her head. Gently she placed her hand on his upper arm, smiling at him. "It was my fault, entirely."

Merlin's breath hitched slightly. He bowed his head. "I need to go make Arthur's bed for tonight," he told her.

Lara's hand fell. "Of course."

As he started to walk the opposite way to Gwen and Arthur, she called, "Merlin?"

He turned. "Yes, Freya?"

Both froze. Lara's mouth opened slightly, her eyes becoming watery as she gazed at him in a mixture of surprise, shock and something else that not even she could describe.

Merlin broke out of the trance, shaking his had. "I'm so sorry, my Lady. What was it you wanted, Lady Lara?"

Lara's face fell. "Just... thank you for the dance. That didn't really happen. But... yes. Thank you."

Merlin looked like he couldn't wait to get away and bang his head against a wall. He nodded, then dashed down the corridor and round the corner.

Lara stared after him for a moment, a single tear slipping down her cheek. Then she grinned.

Lord Markus passed Merlin the next morning as he went to serve breakfast to Arthur. "Ah, Merlin, isn't it?"

Merlin looked around as though he was checking Markus was actually talking to him, despite the fact the Lord had said his name. "Yes, sir. Can I help you?"

Markus beamed at him, clapping his back so hard he almost stumbled. "Lara just wanted to say thank you and sorry for last night and asked me to pass on the message."

Merlin's eyes widened like a deer in headlights. Markus laughed at his expression.

"Don't worry, son; I'm not asking any questions!" He laughed and Merlin smiled weakly.

"Thank you, sir... although if I may say?"

"Of course, what is it?"

"Just... you have some odd traditions, I think, sir," Merlin admitted.

Markus frowned. "Really? Like what?"

"Well," Merlin bit his lip. "The dance for the servants? Your daughter told me that whenever you held a banquet, you have a number where you dance with your servants...?"

Markus tilted his head, realisation forming on his face. "No, son. We've never done that," he grinned and walked off whistling. Merlin just stared after him.

So, I had quite a bit of trouble with this chapter... it's mostly fluff and filler with a bit more Morgana plot, but I hope you enjoyed it all the same. I don't know where Arthur and Gwen were going originally, but I wanted to stick that moment in so everything wasn't completely seriousseriousserious.

Next chapter: A VISIT TO THE LAKE! Yes! I can't wait to write it!

Thank you all!

-Esme :)