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“What do you have there?”
Merlin gasped, turning to an extremely angry Morgana.
“Uh…” His gaze fell on the baby gryphon in his lap. Then, he said, "A flower." Looking at the flower in his hand.
“Merlin, why are you holding a gryphon?” Morgana shrieked, moving closer to Merlin and looking scandalised.
For someone who had been involved in constant betrayals, such as harbouring druids or dragons, she seemed very impressed with a baby horse. And an eagle. And lion. That could tear skin and fly.
“Okay, before you get angry…” Merlin said slowly.
“I'm already angry!” Morgana screamed.
“Ah.” Merlin nodded. “Before you get even more angry, I had no choice.”
“It's a baby gryphon!” Morgana said slowly. “And you didn't answer my question!”
“Well, I saw it and decided it was cute and I wanted it for myself, okay?” Merlin snorted. “I adopted him.”
“You adopted a baby gryphon.” Morgana repeated angrily. "Why?"
“Gaius said I needed to be more responsible!” Merlin defended himself.
“And you decide to adopt a
baby gryphon
?” Morgana hissed. “How is
this
being responsible?”
“Well…” Merlin swallowed. “It takes responsibility to educate a puppy of any species . And I can't have cats or dogs because Gaius doesn't want them.”
“And you think he wants a baby gryphon?” Morgana exclaimed, shocked.
“I wasn't going to tell him I'm raising a baby gryphon!” Merlin repeated as if Morgana was out of her mind. “I just want to… protect the baby gryphon.”
“Merlin…” Morgana hissed. “You promised you would stop! ”
"It's not my fault!" Merlin defended himself. “She's adorable and how could I leave her there to die? Alone and hated by everyone?”
“Why do you always have to involve me when it comes to treason ?” Morgana asked irritably.
“I didn't involve you.” Merlin replied. “I respected your wish to be left alone from my traitorous instincts .”
Morgana stopped. “You didn't come to me.” Morgana shot Merlin an angry look. “You didn't come to me the moment you caught an illegal gryphon! How dare you cut me off like that ?”
“Do you want to get involved or not?” Merlin spread his arms. “Because these are mixed signals! ”
“ Of course I want to be involved!” Morgana snorted. “I want to always be involved in treasons!”
"Good!" Merlin spread his arms.
"Good!" Morgana replied.
“Her name is Melody!” Merlin said.
“Did you name a gryphon Melody ?” Morgana blinked.
"Yes." Merlin hissed. “Don't make her feel bad about her name.”
“The name should already make her feel bad enough .” Morgana murmured. Then, smiling sweetly at the puppy. “Hello, love, welcome to the family!”