*Please Read*

For any of my followers who read my story, "There is Another Way", this is the sequel, and I am so excited to finally start on this one! I was going to wait and finish my Robin Hood story, but I like being able to work on both at the same time, plus I have a short attention span. =P Anyway, I would STRONGLY recommend that you read, or at least scan, my other fan fiction story for Merlin before reading this one. But I can do a brief synopsis for you if you want.

This story takes place during Season 3, shortly after my last chapter for Merlin ended. I chose to have Merlin reveal his magic to Morgana during the poisoning scene in Season 2, but instead of Merlin poisoning her, she decides to sacrifice herself for Camelot and drinks the poison on her own free will. Morgause does take Morgana and tries to convince her that the two would make a powerful team. Morgana struggles with wanting to develop her magic but is not convinced that Morgause is the solution to her problems. So, to make a long story short, Morgause places a spell on Morgana that turns her against everyone in Camelot. Her actions mirror the Morgana we see in Episodes 1 and 2 of Season 3, but Merlin is able to reverse the spell on her, restoring her to her formal self. The two make amends and Morgana decides to stay in Camelot. I've always toyed with the idea that Merlin and Morgana could have fallen in love if circumstances had been different, so I like to bring up that element a lot with these two. My last story ended on a bit of a romantic note with them, and I'd like to further develop their relationship with this short story.

I always wondered why Morgana never had suitors. Arthur had plenty of episodes centered around girls, which played out beautifully for the Arthur/Gwen love story. So I thought it would be fun to show a jealous Merlin for a change. :) I'm not an expert on medieval history, but I tried to do some research on titles, medieval names, and the lands around Camelot. The whole rank system still confuses me as far as who could marry whom. I'm open to suggestions if any of you guys/girls are more experienced history buffs than I am!

Also, I like to keep my stories as clean as possible, especially considering the show is more family-friendly. Just so you know.

Sorry for the rambling. Hope you enjoy, and please comment so that I know you're reading the story. :)

-Sara

Gwen hummed as she walked up the steps to Morgana's room. It was a crisp, autumn morning, and everyone in the castle seemed to be in a lighter mood. She gently pushed open the door. She hated waking Morgana, especially since the King's ward had been sleeping so much better in the last few months.

"Morgana?" she asked softly as she closed the door. When she received no response, Gwen decided to call out one more time. "Morgana?" Thinking she must be in a deeper sleep than usual, Gwen tiptoed over to arrange a few items in Morgana's wardrobe. When she glanced toward the bed, a surprising site met her eyes. Morgana wasn't there.

"Merlin, it's hopeless!"

"No, it's not. See, just hold your hand a little more tightly and push it out."

Morgana furrowed her brow and closed her eyes. "That's it, keep concentrating. Oh, and pull up your arm a little bit, especially when you want to lift the object. See, it's working!" Merlin smiled satisfactorily as the twig she had been focusing on for the past two hours was finally beginning to move upward.

Merlin was giving Morgana lessons on how to improve her magic skills, something that had been going on for the past few months since her return. She had been doing well, except that today she seemed to be struggling with levitating inanimate objects.

"Merlin, my head hurts. I don't think I could lift that stick one more inch off the ground."

"Alright, it's time to take a break anyway. You must be exhausted."

Morgana lowered her sore arm and rubbed it. "I don't know how many more hours of sleep I can afford to keep losing. But it's been worth it," she quickly added.

"Has it?"

"Yes, you're a good teacher. I think I can give up a few hours of sleep once in awhile for lessons that I know I won't get anywhere else."

The lessons didn't occur every day, but whenever he had a chance Merlin would show Morgana different magic skills and teach her incantations, mostly in the wooded outskirts near Camelot. Since it was risky, they had been meeting sometimes at night or very early in the morning.

Morgana suddenly looked alarmed. "Merlin, it's beginning to get light out. What time do you suppose it is?"

Merlin stood. "It's dawn already? I guess I lost track of time. I better get you back."

"We must have been out here for at least three hours-I can't believe I got so little accomplished this time." Morgana brushed herself off and walked ahead of Merlin.

"Hey, wait!" Merlin quickened his pace so that he was walking side-by-side with her. "You got a lot accomplished today-don't be so hard on yourself. You're getting better each time."

"I could barely lift a twig off the ground."

"That's because it was your first time. You'll see-it will get easier."

"I hope so."

"Thank you for letting me teach you these past few months."

"I should be the one thanking you-who was I going to ask, Gaius?"

Merlin laughed. "Yeah, he probably wouldn't be getting up in the middle of the night for teaching anything."

"By the way, does he know what you're doing?"

"Haven't told him yet-he's always telling me to be careful when it comes to showing you magic anyway, so I didn't want to worry him."

"He always is so cautious when it comes to my powers. I wonder why."

"Gaius is just concerned. He doesn't want Uther finding out."

"Well, we better hurry back before Uther finds out I'm missing."

Merlin cringed. "Right."

Morgana looked furtively around before she dashed up to her room. Hopefully Gwen hadn't been up yet. She quickly closed the door behind her and breathed a sigh of relief. Looks like she had gotten off easy this time.

"There you are!"

Morgana jumped at the sight of Gwen rushing toward her. "I was so worried when I didn't find you in your bed earlier. Where were you? And…you're dressed!"

"I'm sorry Gwen-I woke up early and couldn't fall back to sleep. I was out strolling the gardens. I should have left a note…"

"No, no. I'm just a little surprised. You've never done anything like this before. I thought you were sleeping better."

"Oh, I am. I was just feeling a bit restless this morning. I think the walk helped."

"Alright then-do you want to change out of those clothes?"

Morgana glanced down at her hem, which was completely drenched in mud. "Yes, judging by the looks of this dress I probably should."

"I already laid out your attire for today. Will this do?" Gwen held out Morgana's emerald gown that she always looked so stunning in.

"Yes, that's fine."

"I thought you should look your best-although you always do-when you see the King later today."

"Oh? And why do I need to look so special today in particular? I see Uther every day."

"Yes, but Uther has requested your presence this morning. I was instructed that you were to see him as soon as your preparations for this morning were finished."

Morgana popped a grape into her mouth, then made a face after discovering it was too sour. "My presence is requested by Uther? I wonder what I could have done now," she said, smirking at Gwen.

"You've done nothing-you know how much he cares for you."

"Well, this should be interesting." Morgana disappeared behind her dressing boudoir and slowly exhaled. She could only hope that her meeting with Uther had nothing to do with her lessons in magic.

"Morgana!" Uther exclaimed as he held out his arms to her.

"My lord," Morgana said in response as she kissed his cheeks. Uther led her to a chair to be seated.

"And for what reason have I been summoned? I was told that you requested my presence."

Uther appeared to be slightly more enthusiastic than usual as he paced the floor. "Why, I wanted to see you, of course!"

"We see each other every day."

"Do I need a reason to request a special audience with you? But now that you mention it, there is a small matter I wish to speak with you on." Uther stopped pacing and looked directly at Morgana.

Morgana inwardly flinched. She hoped it was anything but a passing rumor that she had been seen with Merlin.

"Marriage."

Morgana jumped. "Marriage?"

Uther shook his head. "I spoke too hastily…." he appeared more agitated as he sat down next to her. "What I mean is, have you ever given the idea of…marriage…any thought?"

Morgana's mind raced. Where was this possibly going? "I can't say that I have…recently. Why?"

Uther coughed and raised his goblet to his lips. "Well…I've been thinking on the matter for quite some time…"

"You're getting married?"

"Um, no," he laughed nervously. "I've been thinking of marriage for…you."

Morgana stood, unable to wipe the shocked expression off her face. "For me?"

"Well, yes. You're of age, and frankly I don't know what's been holding you back all these years. You're a beautiful young woman now, Morgana. No longer a child."

"But Sire, I have no desire to marry."

"Morgana, this isn't about what you desire. You must think of your future. An alliance with a man of influential power would be of great importance to you."

"I have to respectfully disagree. Since when has it been so important that I marry?"

"Morgana, it's expected!"

"Expected of whom?"

"Your friends…the citizens of Camelot. Surely you can't mean that you haven't at least thought of an alliance for yourself?"

"No, it's just that I never thought I would be forced into something I didn't want to do, especially by you."

"Many girls younger than you have been given away in marriage and haven't behaved in such a childish way."

Morgana's face grew warm and her cheeks took on a pinkish glow. "So has my husband already been chosen for me?"

Uther paused and looked away. "The eldest son of the Duke of Aylesbury will arrive later this afternoon."

"Then I have no choice."

"All I ask is that you be civil to Erwan-his father and I are old friends."

"Erwan?" Morgana repeated the name in a mocking tone.

"Morgana, he won't be the first of suitors I am sure, but I would appreciate your cooperation. If I had my way, your first suitor wouldn't be…the son of a Duke." Uther's harsh expression softened as he scanned Morgana's face.

"Beggars can't be choosers, after all, unless you would rather have me marry into lower rank?" she said spitefully. "That would be shocking of you. I suppose I'm not good enough for Arthur?"

"Arthur?" A fleeting look of panic crossed Uther's face. "Yes, I suppose you two do have a special relationship."

Morgana rolled her eyes. "I wasn't serious. You of all people should know that Arthur and I would kill each other."

"Morgana, it was not my intention to offend you." Uther rose and gently took her by the shoulders. "I want to see your position raised even higher, of course! If you only knew…" Uther trailed off.

"Knew what?" Morgana crossed her arms and backed away, looking more like a petulant child than a grown woman.

"Nothing…I only meant to say, you deserve every luxury that a princess would receive."

"Will that be all then?" Morgana turned as Uther held out his arms to embrace her.

Uther paused briefly before speaking again, and when he did, his voice had lost any trace of tenderness. "Yes, that is all. But Morgana…"

Morgana paused at the door.

"You will be here to greet Erwan whether you wish to or not. Have I made myself clear?"

"Yes, you have made yourself perfectly clear." Morgana shut the door rather forcefully behind her.