Another chapter for you, any reviews greatly appreciated, thanks to all those reading so far.

Disclaimer: Merlin is the propety of the bbc, I just borrow it ocassionally.

***

Gaius watched over the princess as she lay pale and unconscious on the be in his quarters, having been carried there by Merlin Gwen and Morgana a few moments before,

"And you say she collapsed after leaving the great hall?", Gaius asked,

"Was violently sick then collapsed, yes", Merlin said,

"She looked really upset", Gwen volunteered,

"Well that's understandable", Gaius said, walking towards the table, "With Arthur being arrested this morning, it's hardly surprising, poor girl she must be feeling terrible". As Gaius spoke, Guinevere stirred, sitting up, clutching her head, she looked around the room, a confused look on her face.

"Are you well my dear?", Gaius said, walking back towards the bed,

"I think so", Guinevere said weakly, "May I speak with you privately Gaius?",

"Of course", Gaius replied,

"We'll be nearby if you need us", Morgana said, as she led Merlin and Gwen from the room. As the door closed, Gaius looked at Guinevere with a great deal of concern, he could see very clearly that she was very distressed,

"What is it you wish to discuss?", Gaius asked,

"I hardly know where to start", Guinevere said, brushing the hair away from her eyes, "It's Uther, he's…. I don't know…gone mad or… oh I don't know", She said throwing her hands down,

"You mean about Prince Arthur", Gaius said quietly,

"Well yes, and… and the things he said", She said swallowing hard.

"What kinds of things?", Gaius asked again,

"I think, if, when Arthur is executed, I think Uther plans to marry me", She replied, rubbing her hands together as if she was cold,

"He said this?", Gaius said, amazed.

"Yes", Guinevere said so quiet it was barely a whisper, "Oh god Gaius, the thought makes me feel sick, how can he do this? What on earth has happened? One minute everything is fine, the next he is planning to execute his own son",

"And marry the woman who would be his son's wife", Gaius said, deep in thought, "Things are seriously wrong here, the King I know is not the one currently residing in the great hall of Camelot".

Gaius turned away thinking,

"Gaius?", Guinevere's voice broke him out of his thoughts,

"I can only recommend that you try to rest and stay calm princess, perhaps Morgana can keep you company", had said as he picked up a bottle from the table, "And tonight take this and try to sleep",

"Thank you Gaius", she said quietly, taking the bottle, "and let us hope we can find our way through this, all of us", she said, as she left the physician's quarters and walked back towards her own chambers.

***

Merlin had attempted for most of the day to carry on as normal, carrying out his duties whilst trying to find out what was happening to Arthur. Several times he had attempted to take some food done to the dungeons, only to be told that no one was allowed to see the Prince, on the King's orders. On the few occasions he had ventured into the Great Hall, he had heard Uther railing at someone who was trying to reason with him, even Morgana had been threatened with exile or execution, if she did not watch her tongue.

Towards the end of the afternoon, being unable to do any more, Merlin had returned home, hoping that the chance to talk to Gaius would make things clearer.

Sitting on opposite sides of the table, a cup pressed between each of there hands, Merlin and Gaius sat deep in conversation,

"And there has been no change in Uther since this morning?", Gaius asked,

"Well, not since he got out of bed and ordered the execution of his son, even before breakfast, no", Merlin said quickly,

"Uther may have a quick temper at times, but he would never do anything so hastily, and certainly not this, I can't help thinking something else is involved",

"Like Magic?", Merlin asked, his brows knitting as he thought about it,

"Exactly", Gaius replied, "After all, if a person wanted to strike at the heart of Camelot, to cause Uther the most pain, what better way than to enchant him so that he has his own son executed?",

"Would anyone really go that far?",

"We've seen it before Merlin, now all we need to figure out is how to stop this madness, before it destroys everything Uther has loved and worked for all these years",

"And we really don't have much time", Merlin said as he got up and ran to find the book that he hoped would contain the answer to breaking the enchantment.

***

As the afternoon drew to a close Guinevere, Gwen and Morgana sat by the window sewing quietly, despite Guinevere's occasional cussing as she pricked her fingers with her needle,

"Oh for heaven's sake!", she finally yelled as she hurled the embroidery across the room, "How stupid, stupid, stupid!",

" You can hardly say that, it's a perfectly good piece of embroidery", Morgana said, placing her work down calmly, doing her best to keep Guinevere calm,

"I know, I know, but I feel so stupid, I'm here doing stupid pointless sewing and Arthur is down there, in that place…", Guinevere's voice tailed off, broken with sobs, as she put her head in her hands. Morgana gestured to Gwen, who quickly fetched some water and pressed the cup into Guinevere's shaking hands, after a few moments, Morgana spoke again, quietly,

"You're in love with him aren't you?",

"I don't know", Guinevere said shaking her head, "A few weeks ago I would have said no, but now, now I just don't know what I feel", She took a deep breath, closing her eyes, opening them again quickly, the image of Arthur's face swimming across her closed eyelids for a split second, making her gasp slightly, "I suppose I am", she conceded,

"Does he know?", Gwen asked,

"You mean have I told him? No", Guinevere replied,

"You should tell him", Morgana stated confidently,

"Don't be ridiculous", Guinevere answered defensively, "Anyway, what good will it do, and, besides, no one can get down there anyway, so that's no use",

"I still think it would help", Morgana replied,

"Well I don't", Guinevere said finally, followed by a quiet knock at the door, and several servants entering carrying food, "Anyway, dinner is here, can we just eat and not talk about it?",

"Alright", Morgana said calmly, as the three woman sat and ate together.

***

The night drew in, servants entered lighting candles. The three women finished their meal and the table was cleared, all three agreed the an early night would be advisable, after the stresses they had experienced that day, and what may happen next. Bidding the Princess goodnight, Morgana and Gwen left, leaving the Princess sitting in front of her mirror, thinking about the conversation she had had, earlier that afternoon. Picking up the bottle Gaius had given her, uncorking it, she put it to her lips, but before she could drink the potion down, she put it down hard, pushing the cork back into the top, standing up, she called one of her maids to her,

"Go down to the kitchens, tell them I require two flagons of wine, some bread and cheese, have them put into a basket and bring them to me here". she said quickly, as the maid curtsied and left swiftly.

When the maid eventually returned Guinevere went quickly to her chest and pulled out her cloak, securing it around her neck, pulling the hood up over her head, picked up the basket, checking the contents, and walked determinedly out of her chamber and through the dark corridors of the castle, which was eerily silent, as she moved on her way.