A/N: Hello! So this is my first Merlin fanfic. I am a huge Mergana fan and it still breaks my heart that the writers of the show didn't go through with a relationship for the two. For this fic, I was inspired by the song "Endlessly" by The Cab. I think I saw a Mergana video to this song once long ago, but I can't find it anymore. Sadness.

Endlessly- Part 1

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin because if I did, everything about season 5 would be changed. Except for Mordred. He stays.

The early morning sun shone through the glass windows of the small apartment. The white curtains fluttered lazily in the cool breeze coming in from the open window of the bedroom. The chill of the morning soon caused a young man, who appeared to be in his early 20's, to awaken from his deep and refreshing sleep. He opened his eyelids to reveal a pair of metallic blue eyes. He let out a yawn as he ran a hand through his unruly jet black hair, ruffling it even further. Blinking a few times to make out the words on the digital clock, he saw that it was 6:30am. Merlin turned his head to the raven haired woman slumbering peacefully next to him. Her hair, like his, was jet black and spread around the pillow like a halo. She had an arm around his torso, her lips in contact with his shoulder.

Merlin laughed quietly. Morgana had drooled on him a little. But he would never tell her of course. He knew better.

Gently, he pried himself off of her. Morgana groaned in protest, her face scrunching up in frustration, but remained asleep. Grabbing a shirt and putting it on, Merlin left their bedroom, closing the door quietly behind him and headed for the kitchen.

Soon, the place was in the hustle and bustle of breakfast preparation. Literally. A whisk was whisking away at a bowl of pancake batter, eggs were cracking themselves open onto the ready frying pan, and Merlin opened the fridge to make sure the milk wasn't expired.

Though Merlin didn't like using his magic for menial things like cooking breakfast, today was an exception for today, he had to leave the apartment early, but wanted to leave something special for Morgana. After all, today was a special day.

When Merlin figured out that he couldn't age, that it was punishment for letting Arthur die, he decided to disappear from Camelot. It was heavy in his heart to leave his friends and his mother, but he had to do it. For several centuries, he wandered from place to place, holding new identities each time, but always returning to the river banks of Avalon to await the return of the Once and Future King.

He crossed paths with Morgana sometime during the 21st century. After spending God knows how long in Avalon, she was revived by the Triple Goddess, punishment for all her misdeeds and wrongdoings. Like Merlin, she was now never-aging until the return of Arthur so she may ask him for forgiveness. Although she no longer hungered for power and vengeance, she still resented Merlin for what he did to her, keeping secrets from her and killing her twice. But Merlin wanted her forgiveness. So he tried. He pursued her as much as he could, being friendly with her, no matter how much she turned him away. It took a while, but he eventually gained her trust again and eventually, her friendship.

They practiced their magic together, had tea in cafes, even going to the cinema a few times. They spent nearly every hour in each other's presence when they were not working. Merlin was an independent artist simply named Ambrosius in this era. He sold his pieces to clients who like his work and take commissions from those who want something more personal. Morgana was Morgan Fae, a columnist for a women's magazine. She had become a feminist over the years, not too surprising. Obviously, spending so much time together, with no one else to confide in other than each other, the two fell in love.

Merlin believed that if things had not gone wrong back in Camelot, if he hadn't kept the truth about his magic from her, this was what would have happened. After all, he could not deny that he was infatuated with the Lady Morgana back then. Who wouldn't? She was beautiful and kind and wise and brave and so very wonderful. Merlin wondered what had possessed him to keep such an important secret from her and he regrets it to this day. But no matter, they were both together now and that was all that mattered. And soon, it will be even better. Because like I said, today was a special day for Merlin.

Finally, a stack of pancakes lay ready on a plate next to some eggs. Merlin closed his palm, whispered a spell, and upon opening his palm, a fresh white rose appeared between his fingers. He placed the rose next to the plate. Satisfied, he went back to the bedroom to check on Morgana.

His love was still peacefully asleep. He smiled, grabbed some of his clothes, and closed the door, leaving Morgana to enjoy her dreams. He knew she needed it. She was still prone to visions sometimes, so every drop of sleep was necessary when she could have it.

Quickly, he showered, dressed, and grabbed his portfolio bag. Before leaving the apartment, he placed a heating spell on the food so it would remain hot until Morgana awoke. With that, he left the place, a skip in his step.

MERGANAMERGANAMERGANA

"Ahh… Ambrosius. Finally good to meet you."

The middle-aged man in a pin-striped gray suit and a cocky grin stood up from behind the desk to shake Merlin's hand. His name was Ronald Montgomery, the curator of a local art museum. He was also an art collector and had expressed interest in some of Merlin's art.

Merlin shook his hand, with a huge smile. "The honor is all mine, sir. Thank you for meeting with me."

"Please, take a seat."

Merlin sat down, his portfolio bag settled next to his leg.

"Would you like anything to drink? Coffee? Juice? Water?"

"I'm alright sir, thank you."

"Alright then." Montgomery laced his fingers together on top of his desk. "Let's get down to business. I understand you have some pieces for me?"

"Yes, sir."

Merlin retrieved his portfolio bag from the floor. Ever so carefully, he took out one of his paintings of a beautiful, luscious meadow. This meadow was where Gaius used to send him out on errands to retrieve some plants and herbs. He sometimes went there to relax and clear his mind. It was a peaceful place and he painted it from memory.

Montgomery held his hands out for the painting. He examined it thoughtfully and silently. Merlin began to get nervous for Montgomery had a frown instead of a smile.

"Interesting. The details are so precise and life-like. But, I have never seen this place before. Where is this?"

"Just something I saw in my mind's eye," Merlin replied. "I call it Meadow of Healing."

"Why that name?"

"Because it has plants that back in ancient times was used for healing and medicine." Merlin reached out with a hand and pointed some of the plants and their properties. "I thought it was appropriate."

"You sure know a lot about plants," Montgomery said, with a hint of teasing.

Merlin chuckled. "Just did a lot of reading. I've seen some of these plants before."

"Well, it is certainly a sight to behold. Anything else?"

Merlin took out another painting. This time, it was of a dark-haired girl lying in a boat floating on a crystal blue lake. Her hair was spread like a halo, her eyelids closed in slumber. She was wearing a dress of deep red with golden embroidery. She was surrounded by flowers of different hues.

"Beautiful," Montgomery said, awe evident on his face. "What do you call this?"

Merlin smiled, sadly. "Freya."

"Did you use a model? The girl is beautiful."

"No sir, purely from my mind."

Montgomery smiled. "You know what this reminds me of? The Lady of Shalott. Beautiful poem. I have seen paintings depicting the poem, but nothing quite like this. This woman, Freya, looks almost life-like. As if she had been a real person and not a mythical woman."

Merlin simply nodded. He couldn't help but paint his first love as how he remembered her. He still missed her sometimes, but he knew she was residing peacefully in Avalon now. She had become the Lady of the Lake. He knew the poem that was based on her, about a Lady named Elaine who fell in love with Lancelot and died because he did not love her back. Her body was placed on a boat to float at sea. Merlin couldn't help but chuckle at that. Freya never even met Lancelot.

"Both are certainly beautiful pieces," Montgomery said, setting Freya down. "Have you got any more?"

"One more," Merlin replied, retrieving the last piece. "This one is special to me. I did use a model for this sir. It's called The Sorceress."

"My, oh my, this is a fantastic piece!" Montgomery exclaimed unable to contain his delight.

Merlin had painted a portrait of the Lady Morgana Pendragon in her finest. She looked just as he remembered her back in Camelot. Ruby red gown with golden embroidery on the waist and sleeves. Fine jewels around her neck and wrists and a circlet of shining diamonds on her head of raven locks. Painted on her lips was the devilish smirk that Morgana was known for, her emerald green eyes holding power and command. She was surrounded by black tapestries and next to her, a book of spells lay open on a pedestal.

Merlin had shown it to Morgana when he finally finished it and she was so awestruck at how much it resembled her past self that she cried.

"I must say, these are all excellent pieces Ambrosius," Montgomery said, no longer hiding his pleasure at Merlin's paintings. "I am amazed at your raw talent. And you said you've never been featured in a museum?"

Merlin grinned. "No, sir. I just sell my pieces to pay for the rent and such. No one's really offered to feature my art anywhere."

Montgomery nodded. "I understand. Now, I am interested in buying Meadow of Healing."

Merlin was shocked and severely disappointed. He thought he could sell all three today.

"Oh," he couldn't help but say. "That's… wonderful, sir. Thank you."

Montgomery must have noticed the disappointed look on Merlin's face because he chuckled, good heartedly. "You didn't let me finish, son. I am buying Meadow of Healing to hang in my den at home. It's very calming to look at when I want to relax. Now, Freya and The Sorceress, however, will be featured in the museum."

Merlin's eyes widened. Did his ears deceive him? The museum… was going to buy his art?

"R-Really?"

"Yes."

"You're sure?"

"Yes."

"R-Really?"

Montgomery laughed. "Is it really that hard to believe Ambrosius? Your art is magnificent. I have seen most of them and I will tell you, I am interested in buying more for my personal use. But these two pieces are just spectacular. I can tell you put much time and effort and emotion into these. I can see the sorrow, the longing, the beauty." He picked up The Sorceress. "You said you used a model for this piece? Who?"

Merlin grinned. "My girlfriend, Morgan. I only used her for reference though. Her hair is much shorter and she only smirks like that if she's planning something devious. She can be quite a sorceress herself."

"Well, she is a lovely lady indeed." Montgomery smiled. "I will pay you now for Meadow of Healing. I will speak with the rest of the museum's board of directors to discuss the fee for the other two paintings and featuring them at our next art show. You are invited to attend with a plus one of course. I have your number and e-mail. I will let you know the details of the show. Who knows? If you garner enough positive feedback from critics, we may buy some more paintings from you to feature at the museum."

"Thank you, sir." Merlin couldn't believe his luck. "Thank you so much. You won't regret it."

Montgomery told him it was no problem and proceeded to discuss prices. When an amount was placed, he signed a check and gave it to Merlin, who couldn't contain his joy judging by the wide smile on his face that could reach the moon. He could proceed with his plan after all.

To Be Continued…