A/N: Huge thanks to Meri Ley, TJT Maria, Mike 3207 and sweety2010 for the review, always makes my day. I apologize for the lateness, I updated my other story, At Her Mercy, (go check it out, you won't be disappointed), and I was so tired I couldn't finish. If you're lucky you might get two chapters today;)
"Tell me about your adventures." Morgana requested of Merlin as they walked along, heading to a town where they could buy horses while also watching out for any sign of Ashlin.
"Yes, you and Arthur. How many times of you saved his sorry butt? Start from the beginning."
"You basically want to know my life bio." Merlin chuckled. "Well, it started when I came to Camelot."
"Thomas Collins execution."
"Yes, and I was thinking, that if I wasn't careful, my head would be on the block. I looked up and I saw you. Disgust written all over your face."
"That was the first time you saw me?" Morgana asked. "I always thought that the first time you saw me was at the party for that singer."
"That was the third time I saw you." Merlin chuckled.
"Third? When was the second?"
"Ah…" Merlin scratched the back of his neck, face turning a bit red.
"Go on," Morgana teased. "Spit it on."
"Well...I was coming up to your chambers and you were basically in the middle of getting dressed while talking about Arthur. I didn't know what to do so I just did what you asked, passed you a dress, answered your questions in high pitched squeals. Then when you asked me to help with your fastening, I thought I was dead. Luckily Gwen came in at just the right time." Merlin explained, face reddening. "I always thought there was something going on between you and Arthur."
This time it was Morgana's turn to blush. "Well, there was. We both knew that we would have to get married someday so we tried to, you know, become attracted to each other. But we realized that, well, we were more like brother and sister than lovers." Morgana explained.
"Oh…"
"Well, what did you think?"
"About what?"
"Me, the first three times you saw me."
"Beautiful, confident, stunning." Merlin blurted out.
"Well, thank you, Merlin." Morgana smiled at him with her white teeth.
"Ah, so, I saved his life at the party. Then well, we both saved his life from Valiant. I was the one who made the snakes come alive at the wrong time, proving that Valiant was nothing but a big man in a suit swinging around a sword.
"Then I helped Arthur defeat the Avanc in the the water supply. Then, when I guided him while I was almost dead and he was finding me this plant. I helped Lancelot kill the Griffin. I saved Arthur from that Sophia when he tried to exchange his life for her own immortal one."
"It wasn't Will." Morgana whispered, realizing the truth. "It was you who saved your village and Will covered for you."
"Yeah, I was about to say that." Merlin replied. And he went on to tell her about how he'd save Camelot, Arthur, Gwen, her, and Gaius more than once. She just stared up at him in awe.
"I'd never expect you to be such a heroic." Morgana told him. "You've done more than Arthur."
"Well, don't tell me that. I might get as cocky as him." Merlin joked.
"You could never be like Arthur."
"Hmm...Yeah, look at these ears and my sword fighting? I'm nothing like Arthur."
"I think your ears are adorable." Morgana told him honestly.
"Ah…Wait, is that Ashlin's belt?" Merlin sprinted over to where a belt lay in the grass. "It is!" He picked it up. "Well, it's between Alined's and Camelot's border. Oh…"
"What?" Morgana asked. "What is it?"
"Alined came to Camelot to sign a peace treaty but he came to create war. He, well his jester, enchanted Arthur and Lady Vivian to fall in love. Remember?"
"Right. Arthur and Olaf fought but Arthur won."
"But he loves war. He adores violence. Look if you were Olaf and you wanted to start a war what would you do."
"Attack Camelot when they don't expect it."
"Oh, use your imagination. Alined's a coward but he's cleaver. Oh he's cleaver." Merlin put his hands together working it out. "He's kidnapped Ashlin. Now we find her belt...Oh…"
"What?" Morgana demanded, still not understanding. "I don't follow."
"What is it like in your funny little brain, it must be so boring?" Merlin said teasingly, earning a glare from Morgana. "He's luring us into a trap. He obviously knows about your connection with Ashlin. I'm not sure if he knows about me but this is a trap."
"And we're going to follow it." Morgana told him stubbornly. "We are going to find Ashlin, trap or not."
"No, he wants you. Not me, I'll go by myself."
"Why would he want me?"
"To make you fight for him against Camelot."
"Well, does he know I've changed? I don't want to fight against Camelot, if anything I'd rather fight for Camelot. I'd rather not fight at all."
"If he knows that, he'll force you to."
"How?"
"Ashlin. You fight for him and Ashlin lives."
They had just figured it out when two poisoned arrows embedded themselves in their thighs, rendering them unconscious.
"You should both go back." Arthur told Gwaine and Percival as they peered over a rock at Alined's castle in the distance. An army was in the middle, making the journey to get to Merlin even more difficult.
"Uh, sorry princess, that's not going to happen." Gwaine snorted.
"Gwaine, this is an order. You and Percival go back to Camelot and tell them there's an army coming to Camelot and there's no way we can stop it. It's huge."
"Why aren't you coming?"
"I need to get Merlin." Arthur reminded them. "This is an order Gwaine. Don't argue with me. Same with you Percival. Go."
"Ugh…" Merlin moaned as he took in his surroundings. He was lying in straw in a smelly and musty dungeon. "Morgana?"
"She's here, Merlin." Merlin turned around to see Ashlin behind him, watching Morgana sleep in her own pile of straw.
"Ashlin!" He exclaimed. "Are you okay? Did whoever owns this hell-hole hurt you? What happened?"
"Hey Merlin." Ashlin said casually. "Yes, no, and I was attacked when you and Morgana were having your lovey, dovey moment, I tried to scream and fight but they put this cloth against my mouth and I passed out. I woke up here like you."
"Are you sure you're okay?" Merlin asked, concerned.
"Merlin, I am not ten anymore. I can take care of myself. Besides, Morgana's been teaching me how to fight."
"Hmm...So I've heard." Merlin mumbled. He went over to Morgana and shook her awake. "Morgana?"
"Hmm…" She mumbled. "Merlin?"
"Hey." He said sweetly.
"Where are we?" She asked, sitting up.
"Dungeons, not sure who's."
"Alined's. I heard a guard." Ashlin supplied.
"Ashlin!" Morgana exclaimed and stood up then sat back down and hugged her. "Are you okay? Are you hurt? What happened to you?"
Ashlin and Merlin chuckled but he quickly turned red when Ashlin said, "You guys must be soul-mates, thats exactly what Merlin asked when he woke up." Ashlin smiled when she saw the two both blush, eyeing each other out of the corners of their eyes. "I'm fine Morgana, thank you. I'm not hurt. I was abducted while you and Merlin were busy...bonding."
"Get your royal behind in there!" A guard ordered and pushed a blond haired man into their cell.
"Arthur?"
"Merlin?"
"Hey."
"What are you doing here? Morgana!"
"Hello, brother."
"Sorry to ruin this nice, happy reunion. But can someone tell me why the hell we are all in the same room and what the hell is going on?"
"Language!" Morgana chastised.
"She does have a point." Arthur realized out loud. "Okay, let's all take turns. Merlin first."
"Why me?"
"Because I'm the king." Arthur told him.
"Not here."
"Idiot."
"Dollop-head."
"What does that even mean?"
"It's idiomatic."
"It's what?" Arthur demanded.
"You need to be more in touch with the people."
"Describe dollop-head!"
"In two words?"
"Sure."
"Prat Arthur." Merlin finished, receiving a glare from Arthur. "So, what happened? I got kidnapped, arrow to the thigh."
"Same." Morgana said.
"I got kidnapped while Morgana and Merlin were groping each other." Ashlin recounted, smirking.
"Ashlin!" Merlin and Morgana scolded, both turning to glare at the young girl trying to contain her laughter.
"You deflowered Morgana?" Arthur demanded angrily.
"Why would you care? You banished me." Merlin said, annoyed at Arthur's attitude.
"I came here to bring you back. You're not banished from Camelot." Arthur told him.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"You're sure? I mean what about the council."
"Not a problem. I… made it work."
"Aw!" Merlin exclaimed. "You missed me."
Arthur looked incredulous. "I did not. As soon as the war is over, I have nice pile of clothes for you to wash, armour for you to polish, and my sword needs sharpening."
"You so missed me."
"Anyways," Arthur shot Merlin a pointed look. "Why were you and Morgana together?"
"Well, after you banished me. I...tried to kill Morgana. Ashlin stopped me." When Merlin saw Arthur open his mouth to yell at Ashlin, Merlin snapped, "And don't you start yelling at her!" Arthur immediately back offed, surprised at Merlin. "I was captured by Morgana." When Arthur turned to glare at Morgana, thinking that Morgana had hurt Merlin, Morgana moved protectively in front of Morgana. "And don't yell at Morgana either!"
"Are you feeling alright?" Arthur asked, brow creased with worry.
"Perfectly." Merlin snapped. "Well, Ashlin managed to change Morgana's mind."
"Say that again." Arthur asked.
"Oh my gosh, what is it like in your funny little brain?" Merlin exclaimed annoyed. He was trying to explain to Arthur how Morgana wasn't evil anymore and that they were friends. But no, he had to be a prat and interrupt. "Ashlin made Morgana realize the error in her ways. Morgana is my friend. And you will not hurt her."
"Is this true?" Arthur asked Morgana, his face showing mistrust.
"I know I have a lot of things to make up for. But I really hope that one day, you can forgive me. All I want his for my kind not to persecuted anymore." Morgana explained.
"I second that." Merlin said.
"Oh, right you're both sorcerers."
"Witch and Warlock." Merlin and Morgana said happily, smiling at each other.
"And witch in training!" Ashlin exclaimed.
"Oh, gods, this will be hell." Arthur moaned.
A/N: Again, I am so sorry for not uploading yesterday. I was really busy with my other fanfic. So, you know who it was that was behind the kidnappings and everything. King Alined. Pain in the butt right? I loved writing the dialogue for this chapter. Especially for Arthur and Ashlin. Hopefully none of the characters were OOC. And I loved writing Protective!Merlin (because he was being protective of Morgana). This was really a set up chapter for the next one. I hope that will be up tonight. Also, bonus question: I added some lines from Sherlock (Awesome show!) Thank you for reading and please review:)