Mordred took a moment to recover from the surprise of Arthur's entrance, but then he rose deftly to the occasion, executing a perfect bow.

"Sire," he exclaimed. "What an unexpected pleasure to see you."

Morgana paled, gripping the arms of her chair tightly for support. What are you doing here?" she gasped, and then she rounded on Merlin. "You told him!"

Ignoring both interventions, the king's glance swept the room, taking everything in. His brows rose at the sight of the empty plates, the goblets of wine, and the fire crackling merrily in the hearth; and his gaze rested pensively on Merlin and Morgana.

"What a charming rural idyll you have here," he remarked sardonically. "Merlin's been asking for a holiday for years, and I see that now he's found the perfect location for it." He quirked an eyebrow at Morgana. "How long were you planning to deprive me of his services?"

In response, she stood up, open mouthed. "I didn't...I wouldn't..." she protested. She stopped, took a deep breath and blurted, "That's totally unfair to him. You should show him more appreciation."

Arthur laughed, crossing the room in great strides to reach her side. He pulled her gently into his arms, holding her close. "Merlin can take care of himself, you know. But did you really think I wouldn't come? Just how long did you think I would wait to be reunited...with my sister?"

She was speechless, and returned his embrace tentatively, as if still unsure of her reception. But she pulled away from him in astonishment, when she heard a female voice calling out, "Yes, this way, bring it in here."

"Gwen's here as well?" she said with incredulity. "Have you gone mad?"

Arthur grinned. "She insisted on coming. Wild horses couldn't have kept her away...You should be flattered. She was almost as eager to see you as I was."

"In your case, brother, that's no flattery," she smirked.

Arthur wasn't sorry to see her old sarcasm resurfacing – that was something they had in common after all, and she had acknowledged their relationship. As if in confirmation of his words, as soon as Gwen entered the room, followed by two servants carrying a large trunk, she rushed towards Morgana, throwing her arms around her, and enveloping her in an enormous hug.

"Oh, Morgana, I have missed you so much," she cried. "It is wonderful to have you back!" Then after a moment's hesitation, "It is really you, isn't it? she asked anxiously. "Not the other one?"

Morgana nodded. "Yes, it's really me this time. The original version, and the best," she smirked. "All thanks to Merlin and Mordred, of course." Noticing the trunk, she asked, "What's in there?"

"Your clothes. All your favourite dresses."

"You brought my dresses? You're an angel."

"A girl shouldn't have to face the world unless she's properly dressed. And besides, I imagined that now you're back to yourself again, you'd be missing them."

"How right you were. Let's bring the trunk to my chamber at once."

"I'll do your hair as well," Gwen offered, casting an appraising eye at Morgana's hairstyle.

Morgana's smile in response lit up the room. "That would be won..." she stopped abruptly as reality came flooding back. "You're my queen now, Gwen, not my servant. You don't have to do that anymore."

Gwen was quick to reassure her. "I offer to do that neither as your queen nor your servant, but as your friend, Morgana."

"You are more than friends now," Arthur said. "You are sisters."

"And so we are," Morgana said lightly, as she blinked back tears and swallowed a strange lump in her throat. She glanced from her brother to the warlock. "I'm sure you've got some catching up to do. We'll leave you to it." She left the room with Gwen, leaving total silence in her wake.

Gwen waited until the servants had deposited the trunk in Morgana's chamber, and departed. Then she took Morgana's hands in hers and led her to the bed. They perched on the edge, while she searched Morgana's expression, looking deep into her eyes. "I must know," she said finally. "Do you still resent me?" An anxious frown marred her usual serene countenance. "Do you still feel I stole your throne?"

"Oh no, Gwen, don't worry about that! I was so wrong before. Can you ever forgive me for my terrible words and deeds?

Gwen put her arms around her former mistress once again. "There is nothing to forgive. You were enchanted, and it wasn't your fault."

"Thank you," she said with genuine relief. "And you know, the strange thing is, I don't even want the throne anymore."

"So what do you want, then? Apart from Merlin, I mean?"

Morgana's eyes widened in surprise. "Is it that obvious?"

Gwen grinned. "Not to others, perhaps. But I know you too well."

"You could tell that in five minutes?"

"It took about five seconds, actually. And I am so happy for you...for you both."

"It can't be, though," Morgana sighed with regret. "There are too many obstacles in our path."

"It can, and will be, and any obstacles will melt before you, " Gwen returned with certainty. "Nothing will stand in your way. You are so well-matched."

"Are we? Our characters are quite different. And he's a lot more powerful than I am, even though I hate to admit it," she pouted.

Gwen shook her head. "It's no good trying to talk yourself out of it. Sometimes opposites attract, as you well know. And I can tell he's crazy about you too, even though he tried to hide it from Arthur. And as for power...Your powers are elemental, like his, whereas ours are merely transitory," she replied. "You belong together."

Morgana stared. "Where did you get that from?"

"I've been speaking to Gaius..."

"You'll never convince me that Gaius thinks that Merlin and I should be together! He must hate me, after everything I've done."

"Nobody is more aware of the effects of an enchantment than Gaius. I am sure he doesn't hate you. We didn't discuss you and Merlin, but it is from him that I understand the truth about magic now. Its past, its present, and its future. You are a part of that, Morgana, just as Merlin is. He will need you."

Morgana still looked sceptical. "Well, we'll see."

"Indeed we will, if I have anything to do with it." Gwen laughed, envisioning Merlin struck dumb by Morgana's radiant beauty. It had happened once before, she remembered, and she would make certain of a repeat. "Wait till he sets eyes on you tomorrow. He will go weak at the knees, and he won't even know what's hit him."

Morgana tried to shrug nonchalantly, but her efforts were not very convincing. In truth, the idea was not unappealing at all. It even brought a sparkle to her eye as she mulled it over, relishing the implications. And after all, when everyone was so determined to pair her off with the warlock, what was a poor sorceress to do but go along with it?