Merlin cursed under his breath and ran. Ran back to the quarters he and Gaius shared and sat down heavily on his bed with his head in his hands. Luckily Gaius was away tending to the king so he would not see Merlin in this state. What was he thinking? how could a lady like Morgana ever want him over a prince? She would have a much better life if she just married Arthur. His heart would be broken but his loyalties not divided. How could he betray Arthur after all he has done for him, taking him in and giving him a job and giving him friendship? All to repay him by keeping the woman Arthur loved all to himself.
Tears stained Merlin's cheeks as he contemplated losing Morgana and betraying Arthur until he drifted into a deep sleep. He awoke when a soft knock on the door and a gentle hand brushed against his face; he grabbed the hand in his own and saw bright green eyes staring at him from out of the dark.
"I'm sorry for waking you Merlin… I just wanted you to know, what you saw back there…" Morgana began her gaze inadvertently turning to the floor.
"it's fine Morgana, you were right to accept him." Merlin responded removing his hands from hers.
"What? No! I didn't give him an answer." She protested leaning closer towards him.
Merlin's heart skipped a beat at the news.
"I've found a spell in a restricted part of the library that might be useful for us." She pulled out a small leather bound book and flicked through the first few pages.
"A restricted part of the library?" Merlin looked puzzled "I never knew there was one how did you find it?"
"I found it accidently as a child when I pulled one of the books on a shelf. The wall spun round and I found myself in a small room. It didn't occur to me these books were full of magic I just wanted to get back out as quickly as I could, but when I went back there not too long ago I felt the power within them, which is when I was drawn to this. A book of illusions." She explained with a shrug.
Merlin closed the book that now lay on the bed between them.
"No we can't do this. You should marry Arthur, for the sake of Camelot; the people know you and they trust you. Once you are Queen, Magic can be brought back to the realm."
Morgana sighed in defeat.
"Merlin I love Arthur dearly, I have known him since I was little. But to be married to a king, I would be put on so high a pedal stall than I already am with everyone bowing and scraping. I just want a normal life with someone I chose to love. Everyone deserves a chance at love Merlin. You and I deserve a chance. We would never get one within these castle walls. But if you truly don't want me, then I will do my duty."
Morgana said turning away from him her voice breaking. Merlin paused for a moment before placing his hand on her shoulder.
"I do want you, I'm just trying not to think of what I want."
Morgana swept back a lock of her jet black hair and then moved closer to Merlin wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Life is too short to not take what you want. Damn anyone that tries to take away your free will. You're not a lowly servant Merlin, even if you didn't have magic you're a rare person to find. Anyone would be lucky to have you in their life. I know I am and Arthur wouldn't admit it, but he'd be lost without you."
He slid his arms around her waist "Then I will try the spell, for us."

Morgana sent word to the prince the next day that she would be waiting for him in the forest. Arthur rushed down from the castle with two armoured guards for protection in tow. When the prince searched the forest however he could not find her. He called out her name but there was no reply.
Merlin bit his lip as he watched the prince frantically searching through the foliage of the forest; Merlin had to wait for the right time to cast the spell. Soon Arthur would find her and soon he would lose her.
Just as the prince was about to head back towards the castle to see if she was there. Morgana entered the clearing giving Arthur a broad smile which he returned as he strode over to where she was standing.
Suddenly Morgana clutched at her chest, a barbed tipped arrow wedged in deeply, piercing her through her beating heart. Arthur ran and caught her as she collapsed.
"Morgana! No!" He cried wrapping his arms around her holding her close.
The guards stepped in front of the prince scanning the area for an archer that wasn't there.
Merlin's eyes stopped glowing amber and he looked on from behind a cluster of trees, the spell he had cast on the arrow which he flung at her with magic would make Morgana appear to be dead when in reality she was not.
Merlin breathed out heavily as the prince clutched helplessly onto Morgana as her eyes closed and her breathing stopped.

Morganas eyes shot open, she began coughing and gasped for air, Arthur stared in disbelief and so did Merlin. This shouldn't be happening, the spell had backfired. Morgana looked down with dread as the arrow protruding from her chest dissolved into thin air.