More Than A Servant

Chapter 17

"Merlin!"

Merlin starts to stir, but he doesn't quite look up. Everything is heavy and he definitely does not want to move. It feels like almost all the energy has been drained from him. However, he knows that he's now conscious because he can actually make out Morgana calling his name.

"Oh, for the tenth time- Merlin, wake up! Or else I will throw a bucket of water on you!"

Merlin groans in response. Being splashed with water again does not sound appealing.

"Well, at least you're awake. Merlin, I need you to eat. We are going on a little trip and I doubt you'll be able to travel far in this state."

Merlin opens his eyes and attempts to move, but he still doesn't quite lift his head up. At this point he doesn't know if he can. Morgana sighs and lifts his head up, making him look at her.

"Can you at least keep your head up so I can try to get some food in you?"

"Is it poisoned?" He asks groggily.

"I guess that's fair," she chuckles. "And no. This is only so that you can gain some strength."

He manages to keep his head up so she can feed him. It's some kind of soup, and it's actually not that bad. About five spoonfuls in he starts to feel some of his strength returning.

"I think I can finish the rest myself."

"Great! I can just untie you then and we can be on our way."

She seems awfully cheery. Morgana being cheery typically is not a great sign for Merlin.

"Where are we going?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out!" She smirks.

Merlin rolls his eyes and finishes up the soup. There's no use trying to fight her on this, so he might as well just go with it. When he finishes his soup she breaks the ropes and helps Merlin her up. It's actually a lot harder than he thought. Once she finally gets him to his feet, he has to basically lean on her as they walk out of the hovel and into the forest.

"So I know you're not going to tell me where we're going. But out of concern for my legs giving out, can you tell me how far we're going."

"Not far. It's only about a twenty minute walk."

"Great..."

They walk mostly in silence as Morgana half carries him to their destination. After what seems like forever, they arrive upon a round clearing in the woods. Morgana stops them right at the edge of the clearing. Then, to Merlin absolute surprise, she pulls out a key.

"What are you doing?"

"You'll see."

She takes his wrists and starts to unlock the manacles. He watches in complete and utter shock. What is she doing? She knows he has magic, so why is she taking off the manacles? Just as she finishes unlocking them, she takes them off and pushes him into the clearing. In his weak state, he ends up tripping and falling to the ground. He turns himself over and looks at Morgana confused. Then he feels his magic welling up inside him, as if it's almost ready to burst. He stands up and takes a few steps toward the center of the clearing, and then he feels it: magic racing through his whole body. All his strength returned in a moment and he felt a burst of magic go out from him. Golden light flows out from him like a gust of wind and he finally feels free. He laughs, in spite of himself, and breaths in a breath of fresh air.

The magic racing through his system starts to calm down a bit he and looks up at Morgana. She looks completely stunned. She had never seen that kind of power before. Everything seemed more alive once it was touched by his magic. Merlin walks over to her, but he stops before he can reach her. Between her and him he can see a kind of clear barrier separating the two. He touches the barrier and finds that he can't reach through it. This jolts Morgana our of her shock.

"What's this?" He asks her.

"It's a force field. It keeps you and your magic from getting out. It extends all the way around the clearing."

"Why?"

"The cuffs were draining you. Now that I think about it they may have actually been killing you. If I were to take them off in the hovel you would've run off or tried to kill me. This way you can't do either."

Merlin looks at her with interest. For the first time since he was captured she has trouble meeting his eyes. She seems wary of him, still shocked by his power. There's also something in her eyes that looks almost caring.

"Why do you think I want kill you?"

"Why wouldn't you?" She looks up at him. "I captured you and interrogated you. I searched your mind, poisoned you, put you in those awful handcuffs, and have tried to kill you numerous times."

He's suddenly filled with pity. This isn't just the evil sorceress who tried to take over Camelot. This is Morgana. One of his first friends in Camelot. The girl who would always look out for those less fortunate than herself. The one who reached out to him for help numerous times. The girl that he betrayed and poisoned. The girl that he used to love...

"I don't want to hurt you Morgana. I regret ever hurting you in the first place."

"I know. You had no choice. Camelot would've fallen if you didn't. And Arthur would've died."

Morgana looks down, unable to fully make eye contact with him. Oh, how she misses the days when they were close. When he would make her laugh, or bring her flowers to make her feel better. She has been alone for so long, and those days of pure friendship seem so far behind her. If only she would've known of Morgouse's true intentions. Maybe she would've acted differently.

"Morgana." She looks up at him.
"Come in. I'm not going to hurt you. You don't have to hide yourself anymore."

"Why should I come in? You could try to harm me at any moment."

Even as she is saying these words she desperately wants to go. He seems welcoming, like a friend.

"I won't. Besides," he chuckles, "it's not like I'm going anywhere anytime soon. We might as well try to enjoy it. It can be like old times."

"Except you have magic. And you're trapped."

He smiles. Despite being held captive and unable to escape, he smiles at her. He reaches out his hand to as if asking her to take it.

"Do you trust me?"

She looks at his hand pensively, debating whether or not to take it. Then she looks at him in his eyes. Those ocean blue eyes that she used to love. They are warm and inviting. There's no threat or deceit.

She takes a deep breath, takes his hand, and walks through the barrier.

So... hope you all like this chapter! Things start to shift a little bit in this one so hopefully it was still good and made sense! Thanks!