Am I allowed to give you all a gift? Consider this an "I'm sorry that I don't know when I will be able to find as much time as I have had in the past to work on this story" gift. I really am trying to work in putting my ideas on paper as well as focusing on my classes and on my job. You all know that I want to continue with this story, more than I want to do a lot of other things, but apparently, getting good grades is something I need to work on more. Thank you for keeping with my story and I'm sorry that my gift is as small as it is, but just think of it as a bridge to the more, let's say, "interesting" part of my story. I love each and every one of my followers and I love all of my faithful reviewers who never fail to leave a comment whenever I post anything at all.

Chapter 19

Two days later, Merlin, as quietly as he could, extracted himself from Morgana's embrace. Morgana stirred only slightly as he slid off of the bed and into his boots. He dawned his jacket and kissed Morgana lightly on her forehead. Merlin was puzzled for a moment. He brought up his hand and pressed it to Morgana's cheek.

"Hmm," he mused. She wasn't nearly as warm as she had been in the last few days, however, he could not get a good look at her in the dim moonlight. And he certainly did not notice the thick gold bracelet that was on Morgana's bedside table.

Morgana sighed dreamily and yawned; she stretched and flexed her muscles. She had not remembered a better night's sleep.

"Good morning Mer—" she stopped abruptly. Morgana bolted upright, her curls bouncing around her shoulders. Where is—oh! The hunting trip! she thought. But Morgana was still confused. She had fully expected her nightmares to return the second Merlin was away.

As Morgana rushed to pull back her sheets she saw something glint in the sunlight out of the corner of her eye. Morgana almost did a double take. That was it! That was the bracelet Morgause had offered her!

But how did it get here? Morgana wondered as she gingerly took it into her hands. She felt a tingling sensation the moment she touched it. Morgana thought hard, Is this what was keeping my nightmares away? She swallowed and turned it over in her hands. It certainly felt enchanted to Morgana. There was just a trace of something there whenever magic was in use.

Morgana chewed on her lip and finally made up her mind. I'll just wear it until Merlin returns. Then he can help me figure out what it is. She slipped it onto her wrist and was amazed at how wonderful she felt. For a moment she thought that she as only imagining it, but no, Morgana genuinely felt as if she had never been ill in the first place.

A smile formed on her lips as she ran her slim fingers on the surface of the bracelet.