Sophia giggled at the anecdote that Arthur had said about the Gardens, and batted at his arm girlishly. Cenred nudged Sophia and nodded his head towards the distance, a small smirk gracing his features. Sophia looked in the direction he was looking and grinned evilly. As they neared Merlin and Morgana, Sophia tripped over an imaginary rock, falling into Arthur. Arthur, saved by his finely honed reflexes, reacted quickly and stopped her fall by placing his hands on either side of her waist, pulling her flush against his body.


Merlin frowned as he saw Arthur pull Sophia against his body. His face fell and he turned away. Morgana looked up and hissed, "That little tramp." she stood up angrily, "How dare she? How dare she come here and ruin your chance?" Merlin raised a hand to placate her as Arthur and the strangers got closer to them.

"Ah Merlin, there you are!" Arthur cried, relief evident in his voice. "I'd like you to meet Lady Sophia and Lord Cenred, they are visiting us for a month or so." he introduced them. Merlin tilted his head adorably, trying to figure out why these people seemed so familiar. Arthur pulled Merlin into a friendly hug, whispering into his ear, "You have to save me! These people are the most boring people I have ever met!"

Merlin raised an eyebrow at the young Prince who nodded enthusiastically to convey his absolute boredom with their visitors. Shrugging, he shook his head, pointing at Morgana apologetically. At least I know he doesn't 'like' either of them. Arthur turned to face Morgana, desperation in his features. "Please 'Gana?"

Morgana smirked evilly at her brother's plea and shook her head. "I'm sorry Arthur, but Uther requested you specifically. I'm quite content showing Merlin around, now if you don't mind, we'll see you at dinner." With that, she turned on her heel, grabbing Merlin's wrist as she passed, pulling him towards the beach where Arthur had found him.


Arthur stared after his head strong, devious sister, his eye twitching slightly at the obvious rejection. "Oh, Arthur dear, could we stop for a while, I am terribly tired." Sophia simpered, drawing his attention away from the retreating backsides of Merlin and Morgana.

Putting his confusion about Merlin's rejection to the back of his mind, he nodded numbly to Sophia and started to unpack the strange picnic basket that Sophia had brought with her.


"Ok. We are going to get my stupid brother to fall in love with you. To do that, we need to make you unavailable... After all, absence makes the heart grow fonder." Morgana exclaimed once they were out of earshot. "All you have to do Merlin, is avoid Arthur for a couple of days, but don't make it obvious. It should be easy!"

Gaius frowned. "How exactly does that work?" he asked confusedly. Under the sea the Merfolk would look at each other and know if that person was their soulmate. Once they knew, they never left each other's side - they were like penguins - mating for life. Obviously Merlin was once again the exception to the rule, he had to be the one to break tradition...Again.


Merlin, Morgana and Gaius returned to the Great Hall late that day, Morgana was laughing as they entered the room, and took a double take as she noticed Arthur laughing and smiling with Sophia - looking thoroughly enchanted by her. Merlin entered after her and frowned. Although no one else could see it, he saw the pale grey aura surrounding Arthur's body, indicating the some kind of enchantment had been placed on his person. Worried, he looked around the table to see if it was possible for anyone there to have cast an enchantment on him. Of course, he already had his suspicions, but there was no way for him to voice them to Morgana or Gaius without sounding jealous. He just couldn't figure out how Sophia had done it. He couldn't sense any kind of magical ability from her at all. Her brother on the other hand... There was something about him, he just couldn't quite figure it out. Most of the time he seemed like a normal man, but then there would be a moment where something changes, something so minuscule that Merlin didn't notice half the time.

He sat down next to Morgana, and continued to watch the two visitors closely, whilst eating his...FISH? He couldn't eat fish. Especially not when it could be someone he knew. Looking down at the plate he blanched as he saw a fish that looked exactly like Lance (even though he knew it wasn't as he had just introduced him to Morgana) and refused to take a single bite.

Morgana looked at him in confusion before realising what it was that they were eating. "Chef Leon, is it possible for Merlin to have something non seafood-y to eat. He's allergic to seafood, you see." she asked the ginger chef who was watching anxiously. Leon looked at her and flushed slightly, his mouth agape as though he couldn't believe that THE Lady Morgana was talking to him.

"O-of course your Ladyship." the flustered Chef stuttered, rushing back to the kitchen to rustle up some kind of meat dish for Merlin.

Merlin watched Morgana stare after Chef Leon wistfully and smiled behind his hand. Morgana, noticing the smile on his face, furrowed her brow "What?" she hissed, aware of Uther's watchful gaze. He sniggered and motioned with his head towards the kitchen and wiggled his eyebrows before bursting into silent laughter. His laughter was cut short when he saw Arthur and Sophia giggling and whispering to each other. "Ew. This is revolting. She must have enchanted him or something, there's no way he would ever act like this otherwise!" she muttered, following Merlin's gaze.

Merlin looked at her shocked, and nodded his head slowly. Morgana groaned and slumped back in her chair.