As she strolled happily down the hall of the castle the next morning, Merlin thought about Chelsea's words.

"hope you fall in love soon!"

67/90 days left to fall in love. The count down is really going now. When she opened the door to Arthur's room, she saw him sitting in a white blouse at his desk, his head propped up against his fist. He looked very sad. Maybe almost depressed.

"good morning," she softly called to him. When he caught sight of her, his eyes lit up and a great big grin pulled at his lips. He rose for his seat and they both ran over to each-other. He took her at the waist and lifted her into the air, spinning in a circle. They both laughed and embraced each-other in tight hugs. Merlin was truely elated to see Arthur again. She wasn't making it up this time. It was the first real smile she has directed to him in a while. The best part was, deep in his eyes, he didn't have that fake, hypnotized glaze there. He looked like he was actually happy.

"I missed you so much," he whispered into her ear. Merlin rested her head on his shoulder, snuggling into it. She sighed.

"I missed you too."

Gwen burst though the door. When she saw them, sheared her lips.

"excuse me," she said loudly, making sure they could hear. Merlin jolted out of Arthur's arms. Gwen stared at her coldly. Merlin had never seen Gwen look that way. It was so unlike her to be cross.

"king Uther wanted to call you down for breakfast, sire," Gwen spat. Arthur looked between the two girls, then nodded.

"thank you Gwen. You may go now," he said.

"of course," she said though gritted teeth and stormed out of the room. Merlin knew how much she loved Arthur, but she asked anyway.

"what is wrong with her?"

"she has been subbing in for you," he said, a hint of guilt threaded though his explanation. He turned away for a second. Merlin knew they both had liked each-other. Merlin knew Gwen was jealous of her. Then, the sharp pain came back to Merlin's stomach. She braced herself to stay put, but she couldn't control herself. She walked around to face Arthur and grabbed both sides of his face. She pulled him hard into a kiss. She tried to fight the lust swelling up inside, but it was so strong. This time, though, Arthur didn't kiss back. Arthur pushed her back.

"I can't. I - I kissed Gwen when you were gone," Arthur confessed. For some reason, it shocked Merlin. She backed up, the curse burrying itself back down inside her. The news really angered Merlin. She didn't know why, but the though was almost unbearable. She knew it wasn't the curse, because her stomach sank and her breath hitched. She closed her eyes. Maybe she did like it when Arthur kissed her. Maybe she liked it when he held her hand. Maybe she was tricking herself into liking him.

Confused and frusterated, she ran home.

When she got in the house, she found Gwaine talking to Gaius. They both turned their heads to see Merlin come though the door. Gwaine ran over to her and hugged her. It took the weight off her heart when she felt his warmth smother her.

"this is probably the worst idea ever," Gwaine said a they climbed. They sat in the tree, again.

"what ever. The view is excellent," Merlin shrugged and clasped onto Gwaine's hand for reassurance. He held it tightly, know how insecure she was in this tree. Merlin looked down and immediately felt queazy.

"I think I have developed a fear of hights," Merlin laughed nervously, looking back into Gwaine's eyes. Gwaine laughed with her and wrapped a strong arm around Merlin's waist, holding her body close to his.

"it's ok. I promise to catch you if you fall," Gwaine swore. Merlin leaned against Gwaine. She has come to trust him. He has been there for her every day since the fall. Even if he was greatly influenced by Merlin's cursed beauty.

"I should have told you this the first time we were up in this tree, but I am banished from Camelot," Gwaine said, looking out onto the horizon.

"oh," Merlin said, trying to sound surprised, because she was there when it happened.

"I have been sneaking into the castle to see you. I hope you don't mind," he says.

"I am very grateful you have come to see me," said Merlin. That got Merlin thinking about all the times Gwaine came to visit her. And the first day they met.

"what were you doing in the halls of the castle if you are banished from Camelot? You know, the first day we met. That is where you saw me," Merlin asked.

"oh, I was," Gwaine paused, "seeing someone."

"who?" Merlin inquired. Gwaine sighed deeply, biting his lip.

"lady Morgana," he finally said.

"what do you mean?" Merlin said, sitting upright to look him in the eye.

"about a week before I met you, Morgana had talked to me after I had dueled - that is what got me banished - and talking lead to walking, walking lead to her room, and her room lead to... Other things," he explained, "we decided we liked each-other and I was going to see her again when you stopped me in my tracks. I couldn't resist asking you to meet me some where."

Merlin frowned. She knew Gwaine was a player, but not to the extent of royalty.

"does she know this tree?" Merlin asked quietly.

"she wouldn't leave her room," Gwaine said, retracting his arm from around Merlin's waist. The talk was now awkward. Merlin couldn't even imagine Gwaine and Morgana together. It was some juicy gossip, but she also felt kind of hurt by the information. Her cheeks started to feel hot and she shuffled away from Gwaine on the branch. Then, she realized she had feelings for Gwaine. Real feelings. She was jealous.

She was jealous about Arthur kissing Gwen. She was jealous about Gwaine doing who knows what with Morgana. She was jealous that she wasn't their main event. She had those feelings. The feelings that could break a curse.

A sharp pain shot into her gut.

"Do you think I am prettier?" Merlin questioned in a sly tone that wasn't her own. Gwaine snapped his head towards her, his eyes glazed over and a sickly sweet smile wiped across his lips.

"yes," he agreed hypnotically. Merlin tried to bite the inside of her mouth to stop any unwanted words from pouring out.

"show me," she hissed. The curse consumed them both and they smashed their lips together simultaneously. They caressed each-other as they made out, pulling themselves closer to the other. Gwaine kissed her down the neck and found a sweet spot, beginning to suck gently.

"Gwaine," Merlin gasped. He didn't bother to stop. She threaded her fingers though his hair and rubbed his abs and chest with the other. Gwaine came up for air and layed hid forehead on hers.

"you have really, really good hands," he breathed.

"I know," is all Merlin could conjure up. Gwaine smiled, then pressed his lips to hers again. Merlin bit and sucked at his lips, begging for him to open up. Gwaine didn't hesitate to do so, shoving his tongue into Merlin's mouth. As he explored all the crevices, he tilted Merlin back against the trunk, allowing him to get more control of the movements. Merlin let him.

In Merlin's head, there was a battle, a voice, yelling at another.

"stop this right now!" said one. It sounded like Merlin's male voice.

"no, this is the punishment of torture for the torturer," said the other. It was a raspy, old woman's voice.

"I didn't do it! I was set up," said Merlin's voice.

"that's what they all say!" said the raspy female voice.

"please, I am innocent," pleaded Merlin's voice.

"NEVER!" after that there was a track of insane laughter that replayed its self over and over.

"Marilyn," Gwaines voice echoed in his head, making Merlin come back to reality. Her vision settled and saw Gwaines chocolate eyes staring at her, no longer glazed over and lustrous. Merlin managed a smile. She relaxed when she realized she could move at her own will again. Gwaine didn't seem to notice being under the spell.

"let's go back down," Merlin suggested eagerly, slipping from under him and stepping down to the next branch.