Disclaimer : I used Merlin show characters for this story. They don't belong to me.

N/A : Just imagine you're late december okay? It's cold, snowy, time for Christmas trees and a brand new year :)

Special thanks : Thanks a lot to Amethystdreamer for the beta :), you're a sweet-heart. If mistakes remain, they are only my one.

I

Morgana let her friend tug her forward towards the arena. She could not believe she let Gwen sweet talk her into spending four days of her Christmas vacation living in an old smelling barrack for a hockey tournament. She'd rather spend the cold days wrapped up in a blanket in her own apartment with a book and a movie, or shopping, or at the movies, or cooking; anything except freezing her butt on hard wooden benches watching a gang of cavemen play with sticks.

No seriously, she didn't even like the sport. It was brutal, elitist, and completely random. How was she supposed to know who was who if the coach kept changing his staff on the ice? Anyway, it was not as if she cared to know who played wing or defense. Okay, maybe it was fun to go to a game from time to time with Gwen. And the playoffs were cool. Everything was more intense in the playoffs: the emotions, the speed, the hits. But she liked going only because Gwen made most of the show, really. The girl became completely frantic during hockey games, yelling at the referees, mocking the other team, and supporting her team through hell and again. Her father was Canadian, maybe it was in her blood. No reason however to hang out in the freezing arena until the players went out of the locker room, so she could get an autograph or flirt with the guys shamelessly. Hockey players were just goons; big buffoons, with a brain smaller than their puck, and an ego larger than the Madison Square Garden.

She should have flown to New York. She loved the City, and it was awesome at this time of year. She would have explored the MET, clapped at a spectacle on Broadway, bought a sinful dress, and let some handsome stranger romance her through New Year Eve. New York City would have been a thrill. Instead, she was standing in line to get into the arena, her hands already numb from cold and her nose running.
"Look, Morgana, I think they are some of the players from the Knights."

Sighing, Morgana turned a falsely interest stare to three guys on her left. They were tall, well above six feet, and broad. The taller one had intense blue eyes and short dark hair. His high cheek bones gave him a sort of ravenous look. He was smiling at the prattling of his companions. The smile brought back a memory. He looked like Merlin; an older and much taller Merlin. Her childhood summer playmate had had the same sweet smile and perpetual happiness on him. The other two were talking, prattling surely, with forceful gestures and laughs. Both were wearing winter caps with a golden boarder on the front. The one with dark hair escaping the cap met her eyes and smiled, nodding. The tall guy who looked like Merlin said something. His companion followed his stare, eyes suddenly narrowing.

She didn't want his attention, so she turned her head. Gwen squealed by her side, clutching her arm in excitation.
"That's them, Morgana, the magic trio from the Knights. I told you… Oh my god, they are coming this way… Arthur Pendragon is to die for. How do I look?"

Morgana resigned herself to another trip into Gwen fandom.
"Morgana? Morgana LeFay? Is that you? I can't believe it!"

The tall guy WAS Merlin. And he entrapped her in a delirious whirlwind of cheers and delight. He kissed her on both cheeks before putting her down to detail her from head to toes.
"Look at you, you're stunning… Wow. You were cute, but now, wow…"
"Don't be silly, Merlin, I'm dressed like a bear, and my nose is red with cold."
"Merlin, care to do the honours?" The blonde man cut in.

She disliked the arrogant tone at once. Morgana slipped her arm under Merlin's, glaring down at the interrupter.
"Merlin, this is Guinevere Thomas, my best friend. Gwen, Merlin Emrys."
Merlin smiled. "Nice to meet you, Gwen. This is Lance Dulac and Arthur Pendragon."
"I know who you are…" Gwen squealed. "You play for the Knights of Camelot."

Lance was the dark-haired one. Arthur Pendragon was the irksome one. Morgana nodded slightly, not bothering to shake hands.

"So you're here for the tournament?" asked Merlin.

Morgana sighed.
"Yes, Gwen's a fan, she dragged me along."

The so-called fan giggled nervously. At least she was not drooling.
"You guys are so good… They are calling you the Knights Weapons: the Sword (she pointed at Arthur), the Lance, and the Shield (she pointed at Merlin last). Of course a shield is not a weapon, but you're an amazing goal-tender, that save you made in last year final, that was…"
"Gwen, we should get going, the gates are opened..." She tugged on her friend's arm

She didn't feel guilty for the abrupt tone. Arthur's unsubtle stare was wearing on her nerves. Didn't he have at least some manners? The way he ran his eyes over her was more appropriate for a night-club than a day-light crowd, and even there, she would tear his eyes out for being that rude.

Merlin gave her a little squeeze: "You have to give me your phone number first. We'll go out for diner or something; we have so much to catch up! Where are you staying?"

She picked up her cell. No way she was giving her number to Merlin with that idiot listening. "We're at the Castle. Wait… Give me yours, I'll call you."
"We're there too! We have to go, the presentation of the teams begins shortly. Call me!"

Merlin let go of her with another kiss and an exaggerate sigh, then as the three guys took off, he turned to wave hands even if it made him nearly tripped on the way.

"You know Merlin Emrys, the most genial goal-tender in the last decade, and you didn't bother to tell ME!"
"Gwen, it was a long time ago, I was twelve the last time I saw him…"
"Yeah, well, he remembers you, apparently."
"Stop yelling. I'll take you with me to that diner."
"You're better. Especially after stealing Arthur Pendragon from me."
"What?"
"I saw exactly how he looked at you, honey"
"If you want him, you can have him. What a jerk!"

Gwen shook her head in disbelief. She liked Morgana, she adored her, really. But sometimes, the princess needed to get off her high horse. She could do worse than an incredibly talented, good-looking guy, especially since he was a hockey player. Arthur Pendragon!...