Title: He Is Mine

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Summary: Morgana had never noticed Merlin before. Of course she knows him, and knows that he at least finds her attractive, but she hadn't looked at him twice before... until someone else looked twice. MERGANA! Royals fighting over Merlin ;)

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A/N: I quite like the thought of a jealous and possessive Morgana. So I decided to write this. It is a multi chapter fic. Just a heads up, this fic will NOT follow the original Merlin series plot. It has a plot of its own. So, a few things you'll need to keep in mind is that Merlin has no destiny to unite Albion or whatever, and Morgana has no future of turning evil. They'll both still have magic, but that will be mentioned in the later chapters. Hope you all like it!

-McDiggin'It

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Chapter One:

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It's a particularly cold winter day, and the whole of Camelot spends it indoors, away from the biting wind. But the castle is buzzing with preparations for the King of Ergyng, arriving today to discuss a possible alliance with Camelot.

Morgana stares out from her window, watching the procession of carts and a single luxurious chariot being pulled along by horses. King Athrwys himself rides ahead of the cavalcade on a beautiful white horse, his chin held high and his body wrapped in a plush, animal fur coat. Word of the Kingdom of Ergyng had reached Camelot weeks ago, about King Athrwys' rather… unique ways of ruling. He employs no servants, choosing to employ only what they refer to as 'helpers'. Their kingdom also ignores such traditions as marriage arrangements. Nobles may choose to be betrothed to anyone of their liking, whether it be a noble or a peasant. It's strange and unfamiliar to hear of such a thing being allowed in another kingdom.

She has to admit, the thought had never really crossed her mind. She grew up in a life of luxury where everything was handed to her on a silver platter… but the thought of wanting to marry a peasant had never crossed her mind. It seems silly… absurd even. The Ward of Camelot's King is pulled from her musings by her maid, Guinevere, asking if she would like to start preparing for tonights welcome feast. Morgana nods to her maid, glancing once more out her window as the party from Ergyng halts in front of the castle. She looks at the chariot once more before hurrying to get ready.

She's excited to see what these people from Ergyng are like. From her window, she could tell that the King himself is probably around the same age as Uther, well into their early fifties or so. She wonders if the King of Ergyng will like seeing servants around the castle. She doubts it. And she wonders who was in the luxurious chariot.

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Due to certain circumstances (she couldn't decide on what to wear), Morgana arrives late to the feast. She missed the introductions, but luckily missed Uther's long, rehearsed welcome speech as well.

Uther quirks an eyebrow at her as she makes her entrance through the front doors of the Great Hall, putting on her best smile as everyone turns their eyes towards her. She catches a glimpse of the King of Ergyng sitting on Uther's left, and beside him, sat a girl about the same age as her, with long blonde locks that cascades down her back like a golden waterfall, hazel eyes, and a quirky smile.

She must've been the one who rode in the chariot, Morgana thinks silently. She looks to Uther when he rises from his seat and flashes one of his false-proud smiles. "King Athrwys, I'd like for you to meet my lovely Ward, the Lady Morgana."

King Athrwys rises from his seat as well, and smiles kindly at her. He has the same eyes as the girl sitting beside him, but not the same hair color. His hair was a dark brown with flecks of grey on the sides. He takes her hand, kissing the back of it and bows slightly. "It is a great pleasure to meet you, Lady Morgana." he says with a kind voice. He almost reminds her of her father. Morgana curtsies, bowing her head respectfully.

"The pleasure is mine, Your Grace."

He lets go of her hand, then turns towards the girl still sitting in her chair beside him. "And may I introduce you to my daughter, Princess Ophelia."

The blonde girl rises from her seat, smiling all too widely towards Morgana. "A pleasure." she says sweetly and curtsies.

Morgana returns the respect, and smiles politely. She's not sure what it is, but theres something… off about the blonde girl and the way she's smiling. Like she knows some huge secret that no one else does. "It's great to meet you, Princess." Morgana bows her head in respect before greeting Uther with a short, awkward hug, and a nod towards Arthur, before she finally takes her seat beside the Prince.

The feast continues, stories are exchanged between the two Kings, laughter could be heard from the other side of the hall as nobles and Knights drink their weights in wine. The only people standing around would be the servants, hurrying around to fill goblets with wine, and empty platters with food.

Morgana isn't very hungry, but she eats enough to keep her wine down. Tonight would not be the night for her to be a lightweight because she hadn't eaten anything since breakfast. The Kings ward finds her eyes straying from the other half drunk passerby's, and resting on the Princess Ophelia. She has to admit, the girl is absolutely beautiful… but theres something about her that Morgana can't quite put her finger on. She studies the blonde subtly, watching her stare around the room at different people, looking utterly bored. Morgana can't say she really blames her. It is quite boring after all.

There's a loud crash, followed by a thud, and everyone at their table turn their heads towards the sound to find Merlin, lying face first in a platter of food.

Arthur groans loudly, "Merlin, you idiot!" he hisses.

Merlin pulls his face out of the food and looks up at the Prince with a sheepish grin. "I tripped, Sire."

"I can see that." Arthur snaps, taking a table cloth and throwing it at the manservant. "Clean that up and go get some more wine for this table."

Merlin rolls his eyes, complaining under his breath as he gets up, gathers the platter of food in his arms, and leaves immediately.

Morgana glances at King Athrwys, who frowns at Arthur and the way he had spoken to Merlin. She also feels a pang of sympathy for the poor manservant. He was such a clumsy boy with his large ears, contagious smile, and bumbling behavior. And Arthur treats him like a bloody slave. With that thought in mind, she nudges Arthur's foot with her own, and the Prince immediately turns his attention to her. "Can you be any more of a prat to that poor boy?" She hisses softly to him.

Arthur scoffs at her. "First of all, he's Merlin. He doesn't even listen to a word I say. Second, he's not a boy. He's a grown man who should know how to carry a platter of food to a table without tripping over his own feet."

"Still talking about me, Sire?" Merlin's voice chimes in before Morgana could call Arthur an idiot. Merlin chuckles as he lifts up the jug of wine.

Arthur rolls his eyes. "You're not that important, Merlin."

Merlin resists the urge to laugh as he fills up Morgana's goblet first, offering a smile to her as he pulls away and fills Arthur's goblet as well. There's a yelp from Arthur when Morgana kicks his foot again, causing Merlin to turn a little too quickly, and accidentally hit Arthur in the head with the jug.

"MERLIN!" Arthur shouts at the manservant. Before Arthur could continue, or Uther could scold the manservant for being so clumsy and careless, a giggle breaks through the hall. All eyes at their table turns towards the sound, coming from Princess Ophelia. It's the first time she's actually laughed.

Morgana's eyebrows shoot up on her forehead upon seeing the Princess stare up at Merlin with a very suggestive look. When Morgana turns her eyes towards the manservant, she finds him staring at the Princess Ophelia with wide eyes, his mouth hanging open in awe of the girls obvious beauty.

The King's ward immediately doesn't like the way he's looking at the Princess, and she shakes her head to clear her thoughts before "accidentally" nudging Merlin in the hip.

The manservant glances at her for a short moment before looking back towards the Princess.

"Merlin, was it?" Princess Ophelia asks so softly, Morgana was sure almost nobody heard it. But then Merlin is nodding his head towards the blonde.

"Yes, your grace." Merlin bows his head, and Morgana sees his cheeks turn red before he looks back up and smiles at the Princess. "Would you like some more wine?" Merlin asks suddenly.

Morgana bites her lip as Ophelia nods immediately. "Yes, please… if that's okay with you."

Merlin stares for a moment before moving around the table to stand a little too close to the Princess of Ergyng as he pours her wine. When he's done, he moves to go back to his place by a pillar, but the Princess Ophelia stops him with a hand on his. "You have a little something on your cheek." She says with a giggle.

Morgana's skin prickles at the sugary look the Princess gives the manservant. But she says and does nothing as Princess Ophelia rises from her seat, taking her napkin, licking a corner, and then wiping a tiny smudge on Merlin's cheek.

Everyone in the room gapes in shock at the interaction between the Princess of Ergyng and a manservant. It is quite odd after all.

"There." Ophelia smiles and stares into Merlin's deep blue eyes. "All clean."

Merlin's jaw is practically on the floor as he stares, only getting jarred from his daze by Athrwys chuckling softly. "Errr," Merlin blushes a deep red as he looks at Athrwys, then at Uther, to Arthur, to Morgana, and then back to the Princess still smiling at him. "Thank you, your grace... you didn't have to do that for me."

"I know." she whispers, her eyes holding an almost hungry look as Merlin stares. "I wanted to."

Merlin could only nod dumbly as he smiles at her.

"And thank you for the wine, Merlin." Ophelia says sweetly as she lays her hand on his chest and gently caresses him.

"It's- it's- I mean, that is- it's no problem, your grace." Merlin stutters.

"Please, call me Ophelia." The Princess smiles even wider as she draws a finger up the side of his neck and touches his jaw.

Merlin gapes at her then looks at the King of Ergyng. He's surprised to find that instead of a murderous look on the King's face, he merely looks amused. He shrugs at Merlin, "She does whatever she wants."

Merlin then blushes and glances at the girl before bowing his head and hurrying away. Ophelia continues to follow the manservant around with her eyes.

Morgana decides that she really doesn't like this Princess Ophelia… and she also doesn't like the way Merlin was looking at the girl. That look used to belong to her.

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When the feast is over, Morgana makes her way up to her chambers, accompanied by Gwen. She's a little dizzy from the wine, but she's wide awake. Turning to Gwen, she offers a smile. "Gwen, could you be a dear and run to Gaius' chambers for my sleeping draught."

"Of course, Milady." Gwen says with a slight bow before turning.

Morgana stops her, "Oh, have him send Merlin with the draught, and then you may have the rest of the evening to yourself. I'm sure I can change on my own for tonight."

Gwen nods with a smile, "Okay, thank you Milady. Have a good night."

"You too." Morgana smiles before continuing up to her chambers by herself.

She changes quickly before pacing her room as she waits for the manservant. She's not sure why, but she suddenly has the strong urge to see him. It's an odd feeling for her.

When the knock finally comes, she has to calm herself before slowly pulling the door open, leaning her head against the wooden frame and smiling up at the tall manservant.

"Good evening, Milady." He bows his head and smiles widely at her.

Her stomach lurchs at the look he gives her. His eyes squinting as they subtly slide from her head to her toes and back up again. She wonders if he always does that, or if it's new. Shaking her thoughts away, she swings the door open and takes a step back. "Come in." She says softly.

Merlin does as he's told and stands awkwardly by the door when she closes it behind him. "Ermm, here you go." He hands her the sleeping draught and smiles again.

He really does have the most contagious smile, for she finds herself smiling again too. "Thank you, Merlin."

He nods, "You're welcome, Milady... was there anything else you needed?"

Morgana stares at him and slowly shakes her head, "No... did you have a good time at the feast?"

Merlin pauses, not sure of how to answer that. He could hardly describe running around pouring wine for a bunch of people as 'a good time', but he nods anyway. "Yes, Milady."

Morgana nods, smiling at him. "And what did you think of King Athrwys and his daughter?" She pauses, then adds in, "She's beautiful, isn't she?"

"Milady?" Merlin asks confusedly.

"Princess Ophelia... do you... do you think she's beautiful?" She finds herself dreading his answer.

Merlin scratches the back of his head in confusion. He's not sure what this has to do with anything at all. Again, he answers anyway. Of course he thinks the Princess of Ergyng is beautiful. Her beauty even rivals Morgana's, but he's not about to tell her that. "Yes, I think she's very lovely."

Morgana bites her lip hard and forces another smile on her face. "I agree." They stare at each other silently for the next few minutes before Merlin clears his threat and looks at the door.

"Is there anything else you need before I go, Milady?"

She wants to tell him to stay with her for a little while longer, but she knows that's a bit out of line. So she shakes her head and smiles gratefully at him. "No, that's all. Thank you, Merlin."

Merlin nods, smiling adorably at her. "You're welcome, Milady." He pulls the door open and walks out, turning again and waving. "Sleep well."

She nods as she closes her door and lightly presses her forehead against it. "What am I doing?" She groans.

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Morgana is woken up by Gwen, shaking her shoulder lightly. The dark haired girls groans as she turns over and stretches her arms over her head. "Is it morning already?" She asks tiredly.

Gwen blinks and shakes her head, "Its almost noon, Milady."

Morgana all but shoots up in bed, widening her eyes at her maid. "What?!" She glances to the window before looking at Gwen again. "Why didn't you wake me, Gwen?"

Gwen sighs and gives her a look, "I tried several times, but you slept like the dead, Milady. So I thought you needed a bit more rest."

Morgana groans as she slips out of bed. She hisses when her bare feet meet the cold stone floor, and she quickly pulls her feet back up onto the bed. "Do I have to leave my bed?" She asks the maid with a pout.

Gwen smiles, "Yes, Milady... King Uther has requested your appearance in the great hall."

"What for?"

The maid gives her a wary glance and looks towards the ground. "There is to be a discussion about you and... the Princess Ophelia sharing your chambers."

"WHAT?!" Morgana's eyes are wide in shock, her lips parted and her hands clenching into fists.

Gwen ducks her head, "I don't know the full details, but from what Merlin told me, Princess Ophelia requested it to King Uther."

"She did what?" Morgana's blood begins to boil as she glares, not necessarily at her maid, but in her general direction. "Why would she request such a thing? There are loads of chambers she could occupy!"

Gwen frowns and shakes her head, "As I've said before, Milady... I do not know the full details. I'm just conveying what I heard from Merlin."

Morgana's eyes suddenly narrow dangerously at that last part. "Merlin?..." she pauses, trying to think of how Merlin could possibly know that Ophelia requested to share her chambers. Unless... no, "How does Merlin know this?"

Gwen shrugs her shoulders, "He didn't say, but he's a reliable source, Milady."

"He's a servant." Morgana corrects with emphasis.

Gwen goes silent and nods slowly. "As am I..." she mutters softly.

Before Morgana could comprehend what she'd just said to Gwen, or explain that she didn't mean that in a nasty way, the maid is already disappearing into the bath chambers. Huffing tiredly, the Lady Morgana slowly prepares for the evening. She's going to fight this news about the Princess of Ergyng with Uther, but if worse comes to worst, Princess Ophelia better have a good explanation for why she wants to share her chambers.

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A/N: Hmmmm, what is Princess Ophelia planning? And What will Morgana do about it? Stick around and find out! I'll be updating as soon as possible. I've decided to put off "Trust Me" for later. Writing two magic reveals and posting them together didn't seem like such a good idea for me. Anyway, let me know what you guys think of this fic! Also, ideas and requests are welcomed. Thanks again, guys! R&R!

-McDiggin'It