Here is the next chapter. A wee bit of arthur/harry action to be found! yay! Thanks to everyone who reviewed and here is a plea for those of you who didn't to please please do so! even if only a single word. Just so I know that there are people still interested in this story...

Anyhow, enough begging. Read on ;)

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Chapter 9: The Lion and the Unicorn

"The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend".-Abraham Lincoln

Harry felt his head shoot up from the ingredients he was so carefully preparing at the sound of a fast becoming familiar voice.

"…here?"

Gaius's older scratchier one answered, "Ahh….Prince Arthur. It has been a while since you last visited these rooms…."

Harry didn't know whether to be amused or irritated by the insinuating sly tone. Gaius was a bit of a headache to him. The man reminded him of a mix of the Albus Dumbledore he had once believed in—the grandfatherly mask part—and the kind, but weak part of Remus Lupin. He was easy to care for, but there was no hiding the fact that the man had many flaws…his cowardice, one of them.

Harry imagined that Gaius would and could have been a great man; someone who could lead others and help them with their magics had he not first been friends with Uther. Like the poisonous leper that Uther was, he infected and twisted everyone around him…leaving the man little more than an old, tired physician…too afraid of his own skills to stand up for those like him. It was sad…and despite the fact that he genuinely liked the man and got along with him just fine, Harry could not help but to also pity him.

"Ah….yes…I suppose it has…is your apprentice here? I need to speak to him" Arthur ignored the suspicious and all too knowing look being sent his way with practiced ease.

"Hmmm….well you are in luck, HENRY!"

Harry sighed, knowing that he could not continue to pretend that he was unaware of the prince's sudden presence and that even if he could, he would have to face up and talk to the infuriating blond eventually. The fact that it had been nearly a week since the horrible quest they had gone on, hadn't eased this knowledge any.

Setting down his knife and taking as much time as he could to wash the ingredient juices from his hands, Harry finally made his way out from behind the brewing station (really just a long table hidden by various cauldrons, and racks of ingredients. But it sort of gave an illusion of being separate from the main rooms) to where Arthur was standing somewhat awkwardly at the front of the room.

Gaius had gone back to pretending to read his text book on antidotes. Not that it fooled anyone.

"Can I help you your highness?" Harry heard himself stiffly asking. He was still a bit miffed over the obvious snub the prince had been giving him the past several weeks. He had no idea what the Prince hoped to accomplish by coming here…or what he could possibly want for that matter. He had, after all, made it perfectly clear that he had very little interest in Harry by his continued stanch silence since the 'incident' (the name Harry had coined the almost non kiss).

He noted with a small amount of vindictive glee how the corners of Arthur's blue eyes tightened in displeasure at his cold address. Serves the giant royal ass right!

Arthur shot another glance at the old man just feet from them and turned slightly to open the door into the hallway, "I wish to speak to you. Perhaps we should continue this conversation somewhere a tad more….private" he shot a glare at Gaius over the last word. Not that the man seemed remorseful at all, given his almost smug up turning of lip.

Harry hesitated, wanting nothing better then to refuse the arrogant blond but finally consented with a tight nod, knowing he had absolutely no authority to do refuse. God he was starting to hate this era and its hierarchy. Still he had enough stubbornness and pride (perhaps stupidly too much) to maintain his silence once they were safely out of ear shot and in the deserted hallway.

"God….I must be insane to want this…" Arthur huffed, his frustration making the under his breath comment come out louder then he likely intended. Harry felt his own indignation bristle at the comment….he drove him insane? Pot call kettle any one?

The prince seemed to gather himself from his momentary slip and straightened his spine with the next question…or rather demand, "why were you not at the training session we agreed upon earlier?"

For once Harry found himself a speechless. The nerve! He couldn't believe that the Prince could possibly be that dense….

"Excuse me?!" he managed to choke out, the incredulity that he was feeling evident in every line of his face.

Arthur's jaw tensed as he grit his teeth, no doubt trying to hold onto his temper, "I asked why you did not show up for the training session I was so kind to offer you?"

Harry wanted nothing more than to kick the ponce in the shins in that moment. It was only years of having dealt with Dudley, Draco and even Ron (at times) that stopped him from going through with it.

"My apologies your highness" he grit out, "I was unaware that those were still being offered….you know, since you haven't spoken or looked my way since our last one….oh….almost a month ago?" the sarcasm could not be missed.

Harry held up his hand to stop whatever comment Arthur was going to make, making to Prince gape at him in shock over his audacity, "no…my mistake you did speak to me long enough to demand my presence on a life threatening expedition without so much as a reason why you wanted me, an untrained civilian to go….not that you actually acted as though I was there at any point during the trek…"

And okay. Maybe there was a bit of bitterness and hurt mixed in with that last comment. Harry knew he was being overly childish and bratty but he couldn't seem to stop himself. The hurt that had been simmering in his chest since the prince's obvious dismissal was finally making itself known; Whether Harry wanted it to or not.

There was a long silence that seemed to literally press down in its weightiness upon them. The distant noise of the kitchens a few floors down could just faintly be heard—soft almost barely there clinking of pots and pans.

The small amount of hope that Harry hadn't even been aware he had been harboring flickered out and died as the silence continued to grow. What had he expected? A heartfelt apology? An explanation to tell him that it was not because he was just a plain, uninteresting serving boy that the Prince walked so easily away from? He wondered bitterly why he continued to allow himself these pitiful hopes. Well, at least he could officially add delusional to his growing list of mental afflictions.

"My apologies sir…I am afraid I haven't been sleeping well and it seems to have interfered with my rationality" the curt words dropped stiffly into the previous silence. "I should probably get back…." He trailed off with every intention of scurrying back into the room and away, far away, from the man in front of him.

His intention was smashed by a strong hold on his arm, preventing him from even starting to turn away.

"Hen…shit." The man now holding his arm prisoner cursed quietly under his breath before taking a deep breath to start again, "Before I met you….I do not believe that I had ever apologized to anyone in my life—at least not anyone outside of my father. Now though….now I find that I am constantly apologizing for ills against you…."

Harry wanted to snap out that if he didn't want to continue having to apologize that maybe he should stop acting like such a royal prat, but he held his tongue; still far too unsure of their tenuous relationship and his standing within it.

"Henry, look at me" Arthur commanded when Harry continued to stubbornly stare down at the floor. There was a very interesting gouge in that stone just to his left….he wondered what could have possibly made it…..

The prince let out a irritated groan, "Oh for the love of….." he reached with his free hand to firmly grasp Harry's chin and force green to meet blue. "I am sorry for ignoring you, I'm sorry for acting like an asshole and like the royal ass that everyone believes me to be and whom I despise. Thank you for coming with me last week….despite not acknowledging it, your presence was a great comfort to me. And for that I am very thankful. Now will you please….please agree to continue our sparring sessions?"

And how was Harry supposed to continue resisting? What with that soft pleading tone and repentant look on his bloody angelic face. It really was not fair-but then again when had life ever been fair?

Letting out the breath he had been holding since the Prince grabbed onto his chin, Harry gave in and gave a hesitant nod of agreement, knowing that he would end up regretting this but too weak to say no.

The smile that blossomed on Arthur's face made whatever pain that was sure to follow almost worth it.

"Thank you" Arthur breathed out softly, and before Harry could even think of moving away, the prince brought their faces together in a chaste but very present kiss.

Shock, arousal and more shock raced though Harry at the feeling of soft skin against his lips. He stood there shell shocked as the Prince drew back, gave him one more smile and turned to walk away. He was still standing there in shock when the prince paused halfway down the hallway to turn back and throw a casual, "Oh….the next sparring session is in fifteen by the way. You had better be there"

And then he was gone.

That arrogant son of a bit-

Still, Harry thought as he rubbed absently at his slightly tingling lips, maybe arrogance was not such a horrible trait to have after all.

-0-

"What!? You have got to be kidding me….no! Absolutely not. I will not" Merlin denied adamantly, still not quite believing the nerve of the giant lizard before him.

"It is not a choice, young warlock. It is an essential….you must set aside your differences and befriend your brethren. If you do not….not only will Arthur fail to achieve his goals, but Camelot as a whole will fail. If you fail to do so, then you are cursing Camelot to an age of Darkness, the likes which even I, as ancient as I am, have never seen before"

Why, oh why, could his talks with Kilgaharrah never be about tasks and quests that Merlin wanted to do? Why must they always involve him being involved with life threatening events or being around people he despised?

"No…..you don't understand. I cannot…will not become friends with him. You can't understand how much I despise him! Do not ask me this….surely there is some other way, can't I climb the highest mountain, or fight an army barehanded or something instead? Anything else?" Merlin pleaded shaking his head, because surely, surely he had sacrificed enough by now that he deserved a wee bit of a break?

The ancient dragon gave him one of her rare looks of disproval, so potent in its disappointment that even Merlin felt it's effect (and he prided himself on being nearly immune to such tricks).

"You are willing to fail your task after all you have given up to succeed, over a petty human squabble? One that from my understanding has little basis in fact or reality? Perhaps you are not the wizard that I had imagined….perhaps I was wrong…." She trailed off, flexing her wings as though to take off and end the conversation.

The very thought that Kilgaharrah could so easily dismiss him and therefore his very important task, caused Merlin's throat to close up with panic. No! he couldn't just give up, walk-away from his goal….he had given up to much already. His home with his mother, the girl back home who he had a bit of a crush on, hell… he had even hidden his magic from near everyone outside Gaius for more than a year!

He would not let the Dragon dismiss him so quickly, he would prove that he did deserve to be the one to guide and help Arthur achieve peace for all. To unite the kingdoms and allow magic to reign free!

He would….even if he had to pretend to befriend his brother.

"W-wait! I'm sorry. You are right….I'll do it. All I have to do is make him like me?" Merlin managed to croak out, relieved when she turned back around to face him once more.

"For now" was her cryptic reply.

Still, he would worry about what she meant by that later….right now he would focus on faking affection for the annoying intruder. He could do it. He had hidden his magic from Arthur all this time after all….how hard could it be?

His brother had come here practically begging for a scrap of affection from him. To have a relationship….it would not be that difficult to play on those feelings….after all, it wasn't as though he cared whether or not Henry got his feelings hurt in the process…

So why did he feel so guilty at the thought?

Somewhere deep under Camelot, in a dark cavernous cave, a Dragon sighed in exasperation. These humans never learnt, why couldn't they listen to what she said…not twist her advice into something entirely different? This would only end up in disaster…that she could tell.

-0-

"W-where…did…you…learn…how…to do that?" Morgana gasped out between panted breaths, leaning over with both of her hands braced against her knees. She knew that at this moment, with sweat dripping down the side of her face, her hair tousled and likely filled with debris off of the forest floor that she looked a longs ways off of the noble lady that she was. Still, she couldn't find it in herself to be upset over that fact…in fact, the burn in her lungs and every muscle in her body (or at least that was what if felt like) felt rather nice. Accomplished.

When she had convinced Harry to train her magic (ok, so he had offered…potato…patoto…) she hadn't realized just how deep and varied his skills and magic actually were. It was truly amazing and try as she might, she found herself in awe of the slender man who was fast becoming friend.

Henry shot her one of his trademark enigmatic smiles, "here and there…" was his vague and completely uninformative reply. Not that she was really all that surprised by it….his answers concerning any about his past were always vague and skittish. That just made her more curious. Still she wanted him to continue helping and teaching her, so she would resist the temptation to push for more….at least for now. His past would be laid bare to her one day, whether he wanted it to be or not.

"Alright, do you want to attempt another shield or have you had enough for today?" Henry asked looking annoyingly composed and not out of breath. The bastard.

Morgana grit her teeth against her protesting back muscles as she straightened her back and shoulders, "Again….I almost had it that time…"

She fought a flush of happiness when Henry sent her a proud little smile, nodding his own approval at her perseverance and dedication. "Alright then. This time I am going to up mix it up. I am going to continue tossing spells at your shield to see if you can hold up against them, while also tossing more physical objects at you. Your shield will not protect you against the objects, just the magic, so you will need to be able to dodge as well as keeping your concentration on the maintaining your shield….you up for that?" the question was genuine, but Morgana only heard the challenge in it.

"Of course" she replied haughtily readying her stance for his attack and bringing forth the semi-transparent silvery substance he had been working for the past few weeks with her on. Sure it had taken a lot of effort to get to this point, but she didn't even deny, that it felt unimaginably good to be using and training her gift that she had been forced to hide for so long.

He started off slow, sending a few low level spells (at least that was what he had called them. To her, spells that caused your enemy to go unconscious or trip seemed to be pretty useful), looking satisfied when they bounced off her shield harmlessly. He quickly followed this was more of the same spells and when he was sure she was keeping up started to lob various size stones and branches at her using his own magic. She dodged and weaved, fighting to keep her concentration on her shield-and she managed….well, for a few seconds.

A tree branch seemed to rise out of nowhere snagging her foot on it and she felt her shield and body collapse in surprise.

She wanted to glare at the soft chuckle she heard from her companion, but a deceptively delicate hand up later and a beaming smile from her teacher had her softening.

"Good! You are getting so much better, and so quickly! Hmmm…I think that is enough for today. We have already been gone almost an hour and a half…I don't want to risk anyone noticing our absence. We can continue tomorrow if you want?"

Leaning over to brush of her skirt, Morgana allowed her stiff muscles to relax, knowing that the attacks were over…at least for today. She was both relieved and disappointed.

"Yes, that will be acceptable. I have to attend chapel with Uther and Arthur in the morning, but I do not have any duties in the afternoon…same spot?" Morgana agreed easily, already looking forward to the next time she could escape the suffocating citadel walls.

Henry nodded his agreement, "I will convince Gaius to allow me to go and hunt for herbs or make some of the further out deliveries in the afternoon. He generally is pretty easy going as long as it gets done" he moved to turn away but something caused him to pause.

"That is an unusual bracelet my lady….where did you get it from?" the question seemed innocent but there was a hidden edge behind his calm façade.

Morgana instinctively grasp the bracelet he was referring to, pushing up so that it was hidden beneath her dress sleeves. It was the one that Morgause had given her…the one to stop her nightmares. When she had first accepted it, she had been a bit skeptical but hadn't wanted to be rude. To her amazement it worked! Since putting it on, she had slept soundly…therefore it was not all that suprising for her to feel oddly protective of the thin metal band.

"It is nothing. Simply a trinket" she answered, wincing internally at how defensive she sounded. Still, it was hers she didn't want to share it with anyone else…it felt…it felt too private. Even to share with her magical tutor and friend. It was hers.

Plus, it wasn't as though he wasn't keeping his own secrets from her….she had no reason to feel guilty over having a few of her own; none what-so-ever.

"Hmmm…." was Henry's answer, though he shot her a strange look before shrugging.

"Alright, I should go. I will see you tomorrow….I would tell you to work on trying to levitate small objects like I showed you, but it's not worth the risk. We will try that tomorrow if we get time. Until then my lady" he gave a facetious half bow before disappearing through the trees, taking a longer, more obscure path back (an extra precaution to be sure no one saw them together or put their simultaneous absences together).

Morgana let out a deep breath that she hadn't been aware she was holding and traced the bracelet with her finger. She felt a small moment of doubt over not telling Henry the truth about the gift but pushed it away just as quickly.

It was ok. There was no reason for her to tell Henry about its true origins….after all, it was only a simple gift.

-0—

Uther glared down at his overly polished signet ring, making a mental note to yell at his man-servant for polishing the ring too vigorously. True, he had demanded the boy redo his efforts after the first time he had cleaned the ring because it wasn't quite shiny enough….but that didn't give the idiot an excuse to go overboard! He didn't want the ring to become worn after all.

And maybe his glare and foul mood had little to do with his gleaming ring, and more to do with his heir and son. Arthur had not been his usual obedient, eager to please self as of late and Uther was not sure what to do about it. His glare sharpened when he thought of that…that girl!

How dare she?! He wished he had snapped her scrawny neck the minute she stepped foot in Camelot…he had known that nothing good could possibly come from a female playing at knight. It was sacrilegious…that was what it was!

If he had known then, just who the little bitch was….well, let's just say that she would not have survived long enough to challenge his son to a duel. He still flushed with shame thinking of how his son had humiliated himself in front of their loyal subjects by actually losing the match. It was something that he did his best not to think about too hard.

After all, knowing what he did now, he was sure that the little wench had resorted to using magic to defeat his son…it would make a lot more sense than Arthur actually being less skilled then her.

He let out an uncharacteristic sigh, brooding on the events of the past month. They were not good. Not good at all.

At least he had managed to do enough damage control to prevent the witch from achieving what she had hoped when she drew Arthur into her nefarious schemes. He reluctantly admitted that it was not his efforts alone that prevented Arthur from committing patricide.

No, as much as he hated to admit it….that incompetent man servant deserved some recognition in how the events unfolded. If Mervin had not convinced his son that the witch was telling him lies concerning his birth and the lovely queen's subsequent death, then he was not sure how things would have played out. He was grudgingly thankful to the annoying twerp.

Of course that thanks only went so far….after all it was dangerous to ignore the fact that the manservant may know more about the events of the past then he should. And if he did, that drew question as to his motives in saving Uther's life. Uther did not appreciate being indebted to another…especially some idiotic serving boy. He also did not like just how much influence and sway the boy seemed to have on his son.

No, he did not like it at all. He made a note to pay more attention to Mervin….an extra eye or two on the boy would not go amiss….and should he prove to be a danger to Uther's rule and outlook on life….well then, being a man-servants was a dangerous job at times. If he were to befall an untimely death…. no one would question it.

It was for Arthur's good after all. The prince's well being was worth far more than some poor peasants. No matter how thankful or indebted the king might be too said peasant.

After the run in with his son, Uther had discretely (or so he thought) started to pay closer attention to not only the boy's servant but the boy himself. What he found worried him slightly. Arthur was far more distracted then was warranted and seemed to disappear for large chunks of the day.

Uther brushed it off as something inconsequential….likely a petty affair with a serving girl or girl from town. He did not necessarily like Arthur dirtying himself with whores of such low standing but he understood that Arthur had needs. And well, boys with be boys. He was willing to look the other way for the time being….as long as his son was careful and discreet, no harm would come from his extracurricular activities.

He would have to remind Arthur of his duties however….sometimes his son got the silliest ideas in his head about duty and honor. It would not do for his son to actually fall in love with whatever whore he was entertaining himself with. He would make sure that his son understood his responsibility to the kingdom and the fact that he would eventually be engaged to a lady of good standing. That she would be chosen by Uther; went without saying.

The sound of heavy footsteps brought Uther's attention back to the present and he scowled down at the man who was bowed in front of him. He fought down his irritation at being interrupted. It did not matter that it was he who had ordered the man's presence in the first place….

"Your majesty….you have use for my skills?" the heavy set man asked his tone carefully deferential.

That made Uther happy. It was always nice to be reminded of one's obvious superiority over his subordinates.

"Yes I did. You may rise." Uther commanded pausing to wait until the man had done just that, "I have heard about your particular set of skills….are they as proficient as vaunted?"

He already knew they were but he wanted to hear it from the man's own mouth. It was a power thing….he enjoyed having powerful people forced to do what he wanted of them….no matter how petty or small the request was.

"Yes your excellence. I have yet to fail an assignment" the man dutifully answered.

"Good. You had better not fail this one, or you will not like the consequences" Uther threatened waiting a few seconds for the threat to sink in before clearing his throat to continue, "I want you to find and get rid of a woman. She goes by the name of Morgause….she was present in our kingdom only a few weeks ago. I do not know where she is currently holed up, but she must be taken care of. Her very existence poses a grave danger to Camelot's safety….if she is allowed to continue to live; her lies will continue to poison and corrode. I will not have it. I want her gone"

The man's eyes widen only a fraction at the name and description….no doubt he remembered the woman in question…she had raised quite a spectacle while here after all.

"Of course. It will be done"

Uther smiled with satisfaction, "Good….you will be rewarded when it is done. That is all….you may go. The faster you fulfill your duty the greater your reward"

He didn't bother to pay attention to the man's retreat, having already dismissed the problem from his mind. He was a very busy man after all….he had other important kingly things to deal with. He quickly swept his cloak up and made his way towards his chambers…a nap was in order. Being king was an exhausting position.

If he had paid a bit more attention, he might have noticed the presence of another lurking just outside the door and he just might have seen the hate filled eyes that followed his retreating back.

Notes:

The Chapter title is taken from a nursery rhyme of the same title which revolves around the full Royal Coat of arms of the United Kingdom. The Lion and the Unicorn are symbols of the United Kingdom. The lion stands for England and the unicorn for Scotland. The combination therefore dates back to the 1603 accession of James I of England who was already James VI of Scotland. By extension, they have also been used in the Coat of Arms of Canada since 1921. I simply used this verse for the above chapter because to me the poem alludes to confrontation or impending conflict. ;)

The verse goes as so:

The lion and the unicorn

Were fighting for the crown

The lion beat the unicorn

All around the town.

Some gave them white bread,

And some gave them brown;

Some gave them plum cake

and drummed them out of town.

And when he had beat him out,

He beat him in again;

He beat him three times over,

His power to maintain