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Morgana woke to see Arthur in his chair. She smiled and was about to say good morning when he spoke first.
Arthur: So… at last your secret is out.
Morgana: What are you talking about?
He was quiet for such a long time, staring out the window, that she began to grow truly frightened.
Arthur: Magic. You have magic. You have always had magic. All these years…
Morganafelt her heart drop out. The silence between them stretched on for whatfelt like hours. So it was done, at long last. She wondered how he haddiscovered it, who had told him, but it didn’t even matter really. Hewas still fixated on the window.
Morgana: And now you will not even look at me?
Arthurstood up slowly, agonizingly. He walked over to the door and for amoment she thought he was just going to leave without saying a word,but then he stopped. His eyes never met hers.
Arthur: Look at you? I don’t even know who you are.
She never heard a more devastating sound than the soft click of the door behind him.
PART 1
Merlin: You’re looking a bit mopey.
Arthur: Not now, Merlin.
Merlin: Come on, out with it. What’s the matter?
He hesitated at first, but gave in.
Arthur: It’s… Morgana. She’s hiding something from me.
Merlin stiffened a bit, but caught himself and tried to relax as best he could.
Merlin: What’s she hiding?
Arthur: Well, if I knew then it wouldn’t be hidden anymore, WOULD IT?
Merlin: Right… You really think it’s all that serious?
Arthur: I don’t know what to think.
Merlin: Have you talked to her about it?
Arthur: Not as such, no.
Merlin: Don’t you think you should?
Arthur: *irritable* Aren’t you just a fountain of useful advice today!
Merlin could see how upset he was.
Merlin: If she really is hiding something… maybe its with good reason.
Arthur: I’m her husband! There’s no reason good enough to keep anything from me.
Merlin: This is really scaring you, isn’t it?
Arthur: *glares* I’m merely concerned, Merlin. The word is ‘concerned’.
Merlin: Look… the best you can do is just talk to her about it. Maybe it’s nothing at all and you’re just overreacting.
Arthur: And if it’s not? And she still refuses to tell me?
Merlin:*sigh* She’s your wife, your Queen. Isn’t that reason enough for trust?Whatever it is, maybe you just need to believe in her, and the restwill sort itself.
PART 2
Morgana walked in to see the two of them deep in conversation.
Morgana: What’s going on?
Arthur jumped at the sound of her voice.
Arthur: Nothing! Nothing at all.
Hestood up nervously and tried to act casual, but it only made him lookeven more suspicious. Morgana raised an eyebrow. Merlin looked back ather with a shrug.
Arthur: Merlin was just going to polish my armor, weren’t you, Merlin?
Merlin: But I just-
Arthur:Yep! He’s got to do it again cause he did such a piss-poor job firsttime around. You know Merlin, always doing that sort of thing.
Hegrabbed a helmet off the table and held it up as evidence. Merlingrudgingly collected a bunch of armor (that he had just finishedcleaning) and started for the door.
Arthur: Don’t forget the helmet! Very important that one is.
Merlin: *mutters to himself* Oh, no, couldn’t have that. Otherwise what would protect that brilliant mind of yours?
Helmetand already-polished armor in hand, Merlin trudged out, accidentallybumping into the door and half-tripped into the hallway.Morgana turnedback to stare at Arthur in bewilderment.
Morgana: Did you two get into the wine cellar again?