Alright so I just want to take a second to thank every single person who took the time to read and review the last chapter! It's so amazing to know that I still have people who are reading, and liking what they're reading, it gives me that extra push to keep going. So really just thank you to everyone sticking with the story:)

So here's another quickly edited chapter! The parts that are italicized are in Arthur's point of view, and the one's that aren't are Merlin's POV. I apologize in advance for any errors, as usual I'm the only one editing this story. Hope you enjoy!

Arthur had finally decided to dismiss Merlin after having him clean for hours. Yes, he's being insufferable and he shouldn't be, but he can't stop feeling livid, and Merlin's really the only person around to take the brunt of his anger. Earlier he'd even reprimanded Leon when he told him that many of the knights had gotten drunk at a local tavern with some of Cenred's men the night before. He knew Leon had not been a party to such things, but at the time he was simply unable to control his mounting ire. As he makes himself more comfortable in bed, he resigns himself to the task of apologizing to Leon in the morning.

Merlin can barely keep himself awake, let alone continue walking to the servant's quarters. Arthur had finally dismissed him after hours of both physical and mental abuse, and Merlin simply can't understand where Arthur's sudden bout of anger has come from. Yes, Arthur can be a huge prat, but he's never been purposely cruel. The things he said to Leon today were just so needlessly mean, and Merlin's never heard Arthur show Leon anything but respect in the past.

"Wait, this isn't right?"

Merlin immediately stops walking. He'd taken a wrong turn somewhere and ended up near Morgana's chambers. Two nights here and he still can't find his way around this enormous castle. He'd been late in giving Arthur his breakfast this morning, and as revenge Arthur had thrown a book at his head. Fortunately for him he'd moved out of the way in time, but still… ouch.

As Merlin turns to head back down the corridor he'd been walking through, he hears a sudden crash from Morgana's room. He doesn't even need to think about what he's doing. He immediately runs to make sure that Morgana's alright; mentally reciting a few spells on the way just in case of trouble.

"Be calm Morgana! Don't fool yourself into believing that this girl means more than a means to an end to Uther Pendragon's tyrannical rule over Camelot."

Merlin comes to an abrupt stop when he hears Morgause's voice through the wooden doors. What is she doing talking to Morgana? Is Morgause hurting her? And who is this girl she's referring to?

Arthur quickly feels himself drifting into a sleep induced haze, but he only had two cups of wine, and not to boast but he'd had wine like that when he was just a child. His father had wanted him to be able to handle himself with alcohol. Uther Pendragon always said a drunken King in public is a careless King in his ruling. So why does he feel so damn drunk?

At the sudden opening of his chamber doors Arthur can't help but sober slightly. He bewilderingly reaches for his sword, and eventually is able to unsheathe it before his assailant is upon him. His vision is somewhat cloudy, and he tries unsuccessfully to blink it away.

"Prince Arthur"

His sword drops to the floor on impulse at the sound of her voice, is he dreaming?

"Guinevere?"

Merlin quietly brings his ear to rest directly on the rich wood of Morgana's chamber door. He has a gut feeling that whatever's being discussed in that room is not going to cause anything but pain for all involved.

"Yes I knew there would be sacrifices, but Gwen is my friend. I do not wish to see her hurt!"

Gwen? Why would Gwen be in harm's way? Morgana loves Gwen, why would she put her in a position where she could get hurt?

"Then decide Morgana, your friend or freedom for all with magic; that includes you as well. What is most important to you?"

Merlin waits with baited breath for Morgana's response. He never knew she was capable of stooping to such lengths. Morgause's way will only lead to insurmountable pain and suffering, surely Morgana can see that?

"Guinevere what are you doing? Surely you realize how improper your actions are in coming here at this hour?"

Arthur slowly tries to quell his racing heart. Why is she here, to rub salt on a still opened wound?

This can't be real. Gwen would never come to him like this, let alone enter his chambers so abrasively. Something must have happened to her. Perhaps she's injured? Cenred, maybe Cenred hurt her?

"Guinevere are you all right? Did Cenred harm you?"

She says nothing as she continues to make her way towards him, and even with his eyesight slightly impaired she looks beautiful. She's wearing nothing but a long white nightgown, and it makes her look simply ethereal in the sliver of moonlight peaking through the curtains. He clumsily looks to light the candle on his bedside to dissuade his wayward thoughts. Although when he does finally bathe the room with light, his pants immediately tighten at the sight of her.

Once she reaches him she lifts her hand to caress his cheek, and his breathing quickens. The cold metal touch from her bracelet does nothing to cease his growing desire. What is she doing? Only yesterday she wanted him to stay away from her - outright refused to acknowledge him as anything but her sovereign, and now she stands before him in nothing but her bedclothes touching him as if they are lovers.

"Guinevere, you should leave."

"Do I not please you My Lord?"

Arthur can't help the continued stirring in his trousers. She is very pleasing indeed, but everything about this seems wrong. This is just so unlike Gwen that it doesn't seem real. He must be dreaming, it's the only thing that would explain what's happening.

"You please me very much Guinevere, I just don't…"

Once her ruby lips meet his all thought instantly leaves his mind, and he pulls her into bed with him. He's convinced this is a dream, it has to be?

"My allegiance is first and foremost to our mutual cause sister, but Gwen has been with me since I was merely a child. I do not wish to see her come to any harm in our fight against the Pendragons. She is a good person."

Sister? Why did Morgana refer to Morgause as her sister? They can't actually be related, can they?

"You told me yourself that the young Pendragon has feelings for the girl. She is our best chance at bringing an end to his life. Her sacrifice will not be in vain sister. She will die so that so many others will have the chance to live in freedom."

Do they plan killing Gwen?

"You are right of course sister. Her death is for the greater good. Arthur must die, and Gwen is someone he would never expect to be his executioner. I just wish it didn't have to be at the cost of Gwen's life."

Merlin knows he can't let them get away with this. He has to save his friends before it's too late.

"I know sister, but remember you still have me."

At the sudden silence Merlin tries his best to suppress his rage. How can Morgana willingly do this?

"I made sure the potion was placed in Arthur's drink, that bumbling servant did not even notice me slip it in his jug of wine. Did you give the serving girl the bracelet?"

"Yes"

"And you are sure she will put on the lipstick you gave her?"

"Yes, I know Gwen. She will wait until twilight when everyone is asleep and she is alone before finally allowing herself to openly enjoy the gift."

"You must be sure that she will wear it and not just admire it. The magic in the bracelet will be useless unless she is wearing the lipstick. The bracelet will lead her to Arthur with the intent of murder, but the lipstick will transform her into the siren that will make everything possible."

"I know she will wear it. By tomorrow we will both wake up to the news that Arthur Pendragon is dead, and his killer either dead or imprisoned."

Oh my Gods, Morgana! Arthur and Gwen are her friends, and she's just going to have them killed as if they mean nothing to her?

"Good, with Arthur dead it will be all too easy to finally kill Uther."

"Why is he not already dead? You said the subitus aging spell you cast would kill him in only a matter of days."

So Arthur was right, it is Morgause who cast the spell on his father. Now that Merlin knows exactly what spell she used he's certain that he can find a spell to heal the King.

"Someone with magic is keeping him alive, I know it."

"Perhaps Gaius?"

"No, the physician is gifted, but not more talented than me. It is someone much stronger, and better skilled in the ways of the Old Religion."

Yes Morgause, someone like him. Initially Merlin had struggled with whether or not to save the King. The one thing he does agree with Morgause and Morgana about is that Uther Pendragon is a tyrant, but he's still Arthur's father, and the only parent he has left. Besides, Arthur is not yet prepared to be the King he's meant to be.

Merlin quickly moves from the door, and runs down the corridor back to Arthur's chambers. He wants to listen to what else the sisters are planning, but he doesn't know how long he has until Gwen unintentionally kills Arthur.

How can Morgana do this to people who love her as much as Arthur and Gwen do? Merlin knew he shouldn't have listened to Gauis and Kilgharrah. If he'd been the one to help Morgana cope with her powers maybe she wouldn't have looked to Morgause as a mentor.

Merlin swears in frustration because he can't find Arthur's room. Every corridor in this castle looks exactly the same, and he can't remember if he's supposed to go left or right.

He's running out of time. He needs to find Gwen before she hurts Arthur.

Closing his eyes and desperately trying to focus his disoriented mind, Merlin concentrates on using his magic to lead him to Arthur. When he feels his body being harshly pulled to the left he immediately runs in that direction. Finally he's stopped before Arthur's door; his heart practically beating out of his chest, not from exhaustion but fear. What is he going to find on the other side of this door?

Drawing on every ounce of courage he possesses Merlin opens the wooden doors. What he's faced with makes his cheeks redden, and then has his eyes burning gold. The sword instantly flies out of Gwen's hands and towards the floor. Once it is out of her hands Gwen slowly turns to him with blank eyes. Oh Gwen what have they done to you?

She reaches for the sword again, but Merlin quickly stops her. She's as naked as the day she was born, and straddling an unconscious Arthur's naked torso. Merlin does his best to avoid looking at her body any more than he already has when he covers her with Arthur's cape, but his eyes can't help but swiftly drink in her generous chest once more.

He pulls her from over Arthur - who has still yet to awaken, to stand on the floor. Gwen attempts to untangle herself from him a few times, so Merlin eventually has to use magic for her to stay in place. With the spell keeping her immobile, Merlin decides it best to remove the bracelet from her arm. As soon as he does the glazed look leaves her eyes, and she once again looks like his best friend.

"Gwen, are you alright?"

She blinks a few times to erase any leftover traces of confusion from her eyes.

"Merlin? Where am I, and why do I feel so strange?"

Merlin doesn't know where to start, so he stays silent. He cringes a bit when Gwen looks down and notices she's only wearing Arthur's cape. Please don't start screaming Gwen.

"Gwen, try to remain calm, I can explain everything."

Merlin is thankful that Gwen is such a rational person because he knows that anyone else would have acted extremely foolish in this moment.

"Merlin, what's going on?"

She's looking at him with the innocence of a child, and it breaks his heart to see her hurting like this. Gwen didn't deserve to be used like this.

"I am sorry Gwen. You were enchanted to kill Arthur…"

"What? No, no I could never kill Arthur. Merlin please tell me I did not hurt him?"

Merlin catches her before she actually collapses to the floor. His heart tightens at the sound of her sobs. How could you do this to her Morgana?

"It is alright Gwen, you did not succeed, Arthur is still alive. He is lying in his bed sleeping just over there."

She doesn't stop crying, but her tears do somewhat lessen.

"Who enchanted me?"

"I do not know Gwen"

Merlin knows he can't tell her, she won't believe him even if he does.

Gwen slowly picks herself up off the floor, and hovers over Arthur's bed. This time Merlin decides to keep his distance.

"Did we…"

Gwen seems to be speaking through tears at this point.

"Did Arthur and I lye together while I was enchanted?"

"I do not know for certain Gwen. By the time I arrived you were trying to kill him. What happened before is as unknown to me as it is to you."

She shakes her head as silent tears stream down her face.

"I asked a question I already know the answer to Merlin."

She remains quiet, and Merlin is at a loss as to what he should do next. Morgause and Morgana are dangerous, maybe he should stay here with Arthur? But, what about Gwen?

"Did he know what he was doing?"

Merlin is so caught up in his thoughts that he almost doesn't hear Gwen speak.

"I do not think so. A potion was placed into his drink at dinner. So, there is a chance that he will not remember what happened tonight."

"Good, I do not want him to remember what we did. I do not want him to think I have feelings for him at all."

"Do you have feelings for Arthur?"

She doesn't respond.

"Please do not tell him what we did Merlin. It is best if he does not know."

"I think he should know, but I will not tell him if you do not wish me to Gwen."

"Thank you"

She picks up her nightgown, and quickly changes behind the screen. She's about to make her way out of Arthur's chamber doors, but Merlin knows he needs to warn her about Morgana before she leaves.

"Gwen do not tell Morgana about this."

She turns back to him in confusion, and if he hadn't overheard Morgana for himself he wouldn't understand why she should be cautious around her either.

"What, Merlin why?"

"Just please trust me Gwen. Do not tell Morgana anything about what happened tonight. If she asks about your night tell her you fell asleep early in the servant's quarters."

"Okay Merlin, I will not say anything to Morgana."

She looks to be in pain when she walks out of the room, but Merlin knows that Gwen only wants to be left alone right now.

Merlin gradually moves to sit at Arthur's side. He needs to put clean sheets on the bed before the effects of the potion wear off, but for now he's just going to sit with his friend. Morgana's now the enemy, and he's going to have to protect both Arthur and Gwen from her no matter what, even if that means having to hurt Morgana to do it.

Alright so chapter 10 is done, and I have a feeling I'm going to get some mixed emotions on this one. I really really hope it wasn't overly confusing to understand. I'll probably go back later and edit it more just to make sure it flows well.

Morgana knows about Arthur's budding feelings for Gwen, and Merlin found out that Morgana is working with Morgause. Arthur and Gwen had a crazy night together that neither can really remember because of Morgana and Morgause's scheming. This night will definitely impact Gwen's future associations with Arthur in later chapters.

The next chapter will go back to just Arthur's point of view. Thanks so much for reading, and I hope to hear what your thoughts are on everything that happened in this chapter!