Prologue

Merlin sat unmoving on the edge of his small cot staring at the brightly coloured fabric clutched tightly in his hands. He was trying to decide who was most to blame for his current predicament.

It had been Gaius's silly idea that Merlin disguise himself as a sorceress to help Arthur in his quest to break the dark spell on Gwen which had put her in Morgana's thrall and turned her against her once-beloved husband.

It had been Morgana's evil magic that had ensorcered Gwen in the first place.

It had been Merlin himself that had chosen the dress he now held.

It had been Gwen who had resisted Merlin's attempts to break the spell.

And it had been Arthur who had...well...

Merlin huffed out a breath, not wanting to finish this last thought and threw the dress disconsulately across the room where it landed amongst a pile of dirty shirts and socks. He flung himself back onto his bed, scraped his palms over his face and groaned aloud.

Whoever's fault it was that he was in this sorry mess, he had no idea how he would get out of it. He cursed all the gods aloud and rolled over, giving his pillow a few hearty punches as he did so in a vain attempt to relieve some tension. It didn't help and he laid still again staring off into nothing and biting the pad of his thumb.

He didn't acknowledge Gaius when the old man came into his room asking, "Is everything OK Merlin? I heard a groan and shouting" . Despite Merlin's lack of response Gaius sat down on the edge of his bed and put a comforting arm on his elbow. "What's wrong my boy? What happened at the Pool of Arianeroed? Is Gwen come back to us?"

Merlin huffed a laugh despite himself and shook his head once, still not meeting Gaius' eye.

"Oh gods..." quivered his mentor, "please don't tell me you gave her too much tincture of belladonnaand died..."

"No, nothing like that" said Merlin quietly, still not raising his eyes.

"I don't understand" pushed Gaius. "Did you get her to the pool? Did the spell work? Talk to me Merlin!"

Merlin sighed, rolled onto his back and finally looked his mentor in the eye. "We had trouble on the way but yes, we got through it and got her to the pool. I did everything you said I should when I got there, it was going so well and then..." Merlin sighed again.

"And then?" prompted Gaius, growing frustrated.

After a long pause Merlin sighed and said quietly, "It would seem that the Queen had no love remaining for Arthur."

"Oh No!" exclaimed Gaius, grabbing his own knees in consternation, "No no no! Please tell me it isn't so?"

"'fraid so" said Merlin, "..but that's not the worst of it."

"What?" asked Gaius, his voice taking on a slightly hysterical edge "what could possibly be worse than losing the Queen in this way?"

Merlin didn't immediately answer but sat up, swinging his legs over the edge of the cot and onto the floor. He crouched over and jigged his legs nervously.

"Merlin?" pushed Gaius, "What else happened?"

Merlin tooks a deep breath and slowly let it go with his eyes closed tight, trying to relax. After a few moments he opened his eyes and stared at the wall opposite.

"It would seem" he said just above a whisper and with a shake in his voice, "That Arthur is ...er...severely besotted by the Dolma."