So, this is kind of my challenge to myself. I'm writing one fanfiction for each episode of Merlin. Some are one-shots, some are longer stories. I ran out of ideas for fanfictions so this is how I'm dealing with that. If anyone has any prompts for me, feel free to leave it in a review and if I write it after I finish writing these 65 stories, I'll dedicate it to you… so, thanks. And I give you Season 1 Episode 8.

Summary: This takes place after Arthur catches Morgana and Uther yelled at her. What if when Morgana left, Merlin was outside the throne room? Merlin sees the marks on Morgana's neck. What will Merlin do? Merlin/ Morgana.

Story 8: The Druid Boy

Chapter 1: Dilemma

Uther pushed Morgana against the chair, his fingers tightening around her neck. Arthur forced himself not to move. It wasn't his place to interfere. This was between Uther and Morgana. Arthur knew his father cared for Morgana far too much to ever cause her significant harm. Morgana's act of betrayal would not change that. "Enough," Uther said furiously. "Do not speak to me until you are ready to apologize for what you have done."

Uther pushed her back slightly and Morgana took deep breaths. Her hands immediately went to her neck. He hadn't suffocated her, that hadn't been his intention, but he had made it difficult for her to breath. And now her neck was sore. She rubbed it uncomfortably. She didn't even want to think about what it would look like.

Uther stormed out and Arthur followed him. Morgana glared at both of them even though they couldn't see her. Morgana took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. It would not do to walk out with a tear-streaked face. As much as she loathed Uther and would love for everyone to realize his hatred and cowardice, she had a reputation to uphold. After a moment Morgana walked out of the room, straight into a servant. And not just any servant, she walked straight into Merlin.

"Morgana?" Merlin asked, shocked. Anything he was about to say died on his lips as he looked at Morgana's face. It was clear she had been crying. In that instance Merlin wasn't looking at her as the king's ward, but as his friend. Instinctively, he wrapped his arms around her. He was surprised by his impulsiveness. If Uther saw him hugging his ward, he would be arrested. But Merlin couldn't make himself care. Morgana melted into the comfort of his embrace, and lost all composure as she sobbed into his shoulder. Merlin could feel the warmth of her tears dampening his jacket and his shirt. He didn't know what had put her in this state, but he had never seen Morgana so upset before. Not even when Gwen was nearly killed because Uther thought she was a sorceress. "Shhh, it's alright," Merlin said soothingly, stroking her hair softly.

Merlin closed his eyes, forcing him not to think about how much he enjoyed this. It just felt right to have Morgana in his arms. But he couldn't let himself think about that. Not when Morgana was this upset. He couldn't let himself think about how warm and soft she was or how smooth her hair felt. This wasn't the time, nor the place to be having those thoughts.

Realizing that they were standing in the middle of a corridor that would be filled with servants in a couple of minutes, Merlin pulled back from Morgana. "Let's go back to your chambers," he said softly, wiping away the tears under her eyes with the pad of his thumb. "I know you don't want anyone to see you like this."

Morgana nodded gratefully and Merlin carefully led her back to her chambers. He held her hand the entire way, unsure if he would be able to let go even if he wanted to. She had his hand in a death grip. When they finally got back to her chambers, Gwen was making her bed.

She looked up, surprised to see Morgana and Merlin. Her eyes widened when she took in the state of Morgana. "My lady?" She asked worriedly. Gwen walked over to Morgana ready to help in any way that she could. Gwen pulled out the chair to the table so Morgana could sit down.

"Can you get her something to drink Gwen?" Merlin asked her pleadingly as he sat Morgana down at the table in her room.

Gwen looked at their intertwined hands for a moment before she nodded. An indescribable emotion flashed across her face before she looked away. She curtsied and left the room with the pitcher so she could fill it up.

Merlin pulled the chair on the opposite side of the table right next to Morgana's so they would be facing each other. He waited until Gwen came back and gave Morgana a goblet of water and Morgana dismissed her before he spoke. "Morgana, what happened," Merlin asked gently. He held both of her hands in his hands and was rubbing soothing circles into the back of her hands.

Morgana took a deep breath, trying not to cry again. She told Merlin everything. About being caught and her conversation with Uther. "I promised him he would be safe," Morgana told Merlin when she had finished.

"He will be," Merlin told her seriously. He hated to see Morgana upset about this. He didn't care if he had to commit treason, which really wouldn't be anything new for him. He would help Morgana however he could. Even if it meant completely disregarding everything he had been told about the druid boy.

"How?" Morgana asked. "There are guards on his cell night and day. And Uther will have me killed if I play any further part in this."

Merlin closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. Kilgharrah had warned him not to save the boy, but Merlin couldn't bear to cause Morgana pain like that. If Kilgharrah truly thought the druid boy should not be spared he should have given Merlin a reason instead of laughing and flying away. If Merlin was being honest with himself, he probably would still choose to help Morgana anyway. His chest ached at the thought of anything upsetting her further, he knew he would move mountains for her.

Merlin briefly considered going to Arthur, but he knew they couldn't ask Arthur for help. Arthur would go straight to Uther. That was where his loyalties lie. Merlin didn't begrudge him that. Merlin knew the pressure Arthur was under and he understood why Arthur made the choices he made, but sometimes Merlin wished Arthur would stop living in his father's shadow.

If Merlin couldn't ask Arthur for help, that left only one possible way to free the druid boy. It would be dangerous. It would be difficult. And most importantly, it would mean that Merlin would never be safe in Camelot again.

"I know how we can get him out," Merlin whispered quietly.