Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin! I only own my OC, and any other characters or plotlines I make up along the way!

AN: This episode is one of my favourites!

ENJOY!

I fiddled with the ends of my hair, ready for this thing to be over with already.

Lord Godwyn was coming for a visit, as was his daughter Princess Helena. I've never had the fortune to meet her, but Morgana's met her once at a ball and apparently she wasn't the most ideal princess.

I was standing next to Uther when Arthur and Merlin had arrived, so I overheard Uther say to his son, "Arthur. It is an exciting day."

"The arrival of Lord Godwyn is always a cause for celebration," Arthur agreed.

"And Princess Helena," Uther added as an afterthought.

Arthur looked slightly confused as he nodded. "Yes."

"I hear she's something of a beauty," Uther remarked, and I wasn't the only one to furrow my eyebrows at the comment. Arthur had as well.

"Really?" Arthur asked.

"Oh, yes," Uther said. "Beautiful, charming, witty. Strategic."

"Strategic?" Arthur repeated.

"I have always thought so," Uther said. "We-we have always thought so. That is, Lord Godwyn and myself. That is, he finds you strategic, not Princess Helena."

"He finds me strategic?" Arthur asked, the confusion clear in his voice.

"Oh, yes," Uther said eagerly.

"And beautiful?" Arthur pressed, which rose a laugh out of me that I had to turn into a cough at Uther's glare.

We all had to turn our attention to the front as the Throne Room doors were thrown open. Lord Godwyn, Princess Helena, and Grunhilda entered.

"Father, what are you trying to say?" Arthur asked, lowering his voice.

"Lord Godwyn is a serious ally," Uther whispered hurriedly. "The strength of such a match cannot be underestimated."

"Please tell me you mean a jousting match," Arthur practically begged his father.

"I mean a love match," Uther said.

"Love?" Arthur asked incredulously.

"Not love," Uther dismissed. "Love has nothing to do with it, but the other bit. You know, a permanent union."

It clicked in Arthur's mind at the same time as it clicked in mine. "Marriage?" He hissed.

"I knew you would understand," Uther mumbled quickly before turning to his guest. "Godwyn!"

As they hugged, Arthur leaned over to me. "Can you believe my father?!"

"I don't know, she seems like a lovely girl," I commented with a glance at Helena. Although, she was kinda dressed like a slob. But that was kinda nice, in my mind. She was dressed like she didn't care how she was seen. I wish I had that kind of bravery. Still, I couldn't help the wince as I gave her a once over. "-ish."

"Princess Helena, you are most welcome," Uther greeted her.

Helena walked forward and tripped over her skirt, falling flat on her face. The entire court gasped as we all looked down at the princess. "Oh, that has got to hurt," I mumbled lightly under my breath.

"I'm sure this won't be so bad," I said to Arthur as we walked down the hall later.

"My father forcing me to marry someone I don't have feelings for?" Arthur scoffed. "Tell me how that isn't bad."

"You don't have to do it, you know," I reminded him. "I mean, you've got to have some free will."

"Growing up with me, how have you not seen it?" Arthur asked. "I haven't had one shred of free will in my life."

"Just try to explain to your father," I said. "If you can get him to truly listen, then maybe he'll understand."

"How many times have I tried to do that and that's failed?" Arthur demanded to know as he practically stomped in the hallway.

I bit my lip. "A lot, actually. But, what'll you tell Gwen?"

Arthur instantly turned stand offish. "Why would I tell Gwen anything?"

I gave him a look. "Because you love her, of course."

"No, I don't."

"Yes, you do."

"No, I don't."

"Yes, you do."

"I'm not going to do this with you," Arthur said as he threw his hands up.

"But you do love her," I insisted. "What are you gonna do about it?"

Arthur stared at me, as if challenging what I was accusing him of, but he sighed in defeat. "I don't know, Elizabeth. I don't know."

"Well," I thought. "Get to know her. Maybe you'll find something about her that you'll like."

"I won't like anything about her," Arthur said determinedly.

"Maybe if you open your egotistical mind," I said pointedly, to which he gave me a look for. "You'll realize that there's something under Princess Helena. And maybe it's way, way, way, way, way under, but it'll be there."

"I really hope that you're right," Arthur said as we continued down the hallway.

"And you have to accompany Arthur on his outing because?" I asked as I watched Merlin put food into a basket.

"Because Arthur asked me to tag along," He answered. He sneakily grabbed one of the apples and took a bite out of it before offering it to me. I accepted it from him and took a bite out of it myself.

"Does Uther really expect him to marry Helena?" I asked after I swallowed.

Merlin nodded. "That's the whole point to the outing. He told Arthur to find some feelings for Helena because he didn't have any."

"That's got to be rough," I commented as I handed the apple back to him. "Being forced to marry someone you don't love? I mean, I don't know what I'd do if Uther forced me to marry someone. Though I really hope he doesn't."

"Why?" Merlin asked.

I gave him a look. "Are you serious? Did you just ask why I'd be upset if Uther made me marry someone other than you?"

"You want to marry me?" Merlin asked, and I saw the panic in his eyes as his eyebrows lifted.

I managed to laugh it off. "I don't know. Maybe! I don't know. All I know is that I wouldn't want to be in Arthur's shoes right now."

I think I might have freaked out Merlin with my marriage comment, because I hadn't seen him until the feast at the banquet hall that night. I tried to catch his eye, but he avoided it as he waited on Arthur. I huffed as I turned back to my meal.

I sat in between Helena and Morgana. I lightly made conversation with Morgana, mainly because I was bored and it was social etiquette, but I also paid attention to Arthur. I had never seen him so miserable before. Not even when he was under that potion and was obsessed with Vivian.

I slightly winced at Helena's table manners. She ripped a piece of meat off of the bone as she chewed noisily. I looked over at Arthur, who gave me a pointed look. I could only lift a shoulder at him in response. "Talk to her," I mouthed.

Helena looked down at her dress and reached down into the cleavage area. She fished out a piece of food, shrugged, then popped it in her mouth. I couldn't help it; my eyes widened and I shared a look with Morgana and then Arthur.

Helena got the hiccups. "Oh dear. I seem to have erm...had a little too much-" a hiccup "of what is in that glass." She hicupped again. "What erm...was in that glass?"

Arthur and I shared another look and this time, I didn't blame him.

"I've seen some strange tongues in my time," Gaius said, which was not something I'd ever thought I'd hear the man say. Merlin had apparently gone to the forest to gather some stuff for Gaius and saw Grunhilda, Helena's caretaker, eat a fly with a very, long, abnormal tongue, like a frog. "Maybe she was suffering from an infection. Was it discoloured?"

"Discoloured?" Merlin repeated. "Yes."

"Brown?" Gaius continued.

Merlin shook his head. "Purple. And...long. Like..." Merlin searched the table and picked up a long wooden stick. "...this long."

Gaius and I eyed the stick precariously. "That's no infection," I finally said.

Merlin shook his head. "No, it's magic. Some sort of magical creature has infiltrated Lord Godwyn's household. The question is...why?"

"I don't know," Gaius said. "But I have a feeling we should probably find out."

I groaned, putting my chin into my hand. "Man, why is it always us?"

"Pixie dust?" Merlin asked later that day after Gaius had gone to investigate Helena's room.

"There's no mistaking it," Gaius said. "Grunhilda is a pixie. It would explain a thing or two. Pixies have one weakness, which is for...more...distinguished gentlemen."

Merlin and I exchanged a glance before looking back at Gaius. "What are you trying to say?"

Gaius practically squirmed. "Grunhilda has shown a certain...interest toward me."

"Wait," I said, putting a hand up. "Are you saying that she likes you?"

Gaius nodded.

"Oh, that is disgusting!" Merlin instantly said. "Imagine...imagine if she kissed you. Ugh."

"Merlin!" Gaius slightly scolded before getting back to business. "Pixies are servants of the Sidhe. To them Helena could be very valuable. I think Helena may be a changeling."

"Changeling?" Merlin asked.

"Inhabited by a fairy at birth," Gaius explained. "It would explain the clumsiness."

"Ugh, really? I thought we were done with the Sidhe!" I grumbled.

Merlin patted my shoulder gently as he turned to Gaius. "And Helena has no idea this thing's inside of her?" He asked.

Gaius shook his head. "When the time comes, it'll possess her entirely."

"You think that's happening now?" I asked as I unconsciously leaned into Merlin.

"The Sidhe live for more than a thousand years," Gaius went on. "They're a patient people. It may be that they have created this changeling knowing that Lord Godwyn and the House of Pendragon would one day seek unity through marriage. That would give the Sidhe something they want more than anything."

Merlin's eyes widened with realization. "A Sidhe queen."

That night at dinner, Arthur brought up Princess Helena. "Father, there is a delicate matter I wish to discuss with you."

And it had to be at the dinner table? If things turned awkward, I wouldn't finish dinner and then I'd go to bed hungry and plot my revenge against Arthur for it.

"Your proposal!" Uther said excitedly. "Excellent! We must make a fuss. Women like that kind of thing, isn't that right, Morgana? Elizabeth?"

"I'd prefer a big fuss," I said as I took a sip of my water. Morgana gently nudged me in the side, letting me know I said the wrong thing. "What?"

Morgana shook her head at me as she turned to smile sweetly at Uther. I just wanted to throw my water all over her face and melt off her facade. "I have no idea. I'm delighted to hear the news, though."

"I couldn't be more thrilled," Uther agreed.

"She's a wonderful woman," Morgana complimented.

"She'll make a wonderful wife," Uther predicted.

"No, she won't," Arthur said, then realized what he said would be perceived as rude. "Not for me, anyway." He turned to Uther and spoke seriously. "Father, I have tried to get to know Helena but the truth is, I have no feelings for her. I'm-I'm sure she's a wonderful person, but I cannot marry someone I don't love."

"You can, and you will," Uther demanded.

Arthur spared a glance at Gwen, who looked away, visibly upset (at least a little). I had become majorly preceptive because while noticing all of that, I noticed that Morgana had noticed the little exchange going on between the two of them.

Being a double agent was exhausting.

The next day after I got up and dressed myself, I went over to Morgana's chambers for breakfast as I usually did. While we were dining, Gwen came in to make her bed. Morgana smirked at me before turning to Gwen.

"I wouldn't like to be in Arthur's shoes," Morgana commented offhandly.

"What do you mean?" Gwen asked.

"Forced to marry someone against his will," Morgana thought.

I shook my head at her when she wasn't looking. Taunting Gwen was just an awful thing to do.

"I don't think he'll marry her if he feels that way," Gwen said in a kind of quiet voice.

"I know it's hard to believe, but he may not have a choice. Even if it isn't what he wants." Morgana got up and walked over to Gwen, trying to catch her eye. "Even if his heart belongs to another? Even if she feels the same way." Gwen startledly looked up, pausing in fixing the sheets. "Gwen, we've known each other for too long, I can see it in your eyes. You like him, don't you?"

"No," Gwen instantly denied. "Don't be silly."

"And he likes you," Morgana insisted.

"It can never come to anything," Gwen dismissed.

"I'd like to think it was possible," Morgana lied, and I wanted so badly to yell at the sky that she was lying. "But Arthur can't change 200 years of history no matter how much he may want to."

Gwen sighed a little. "I know."

She took that opportunity to pick some some of the breakfast plates and left the room. Morgana turned to me and smirked. "My work is done, don't you think?"

I was forced to smirk back. "I wouldn't have done it any differently."

Later that day, Arthur had called the court to a meeting, and I had a bit of a bad feeling about it.

I stood behind Arthur at the front of the aisle as Grunhilda pushed Helena down the aisle towards where Arthur was. Once she got to the front, Arthur addressed his people.

"I am honoured to be standing before you today in the presence of our dear friend, Lord Godwyn, and his wonderful daughter, Elena. The people of this kingdom are very dear to me," He said, and I knew what he was about to do was out of duty and obligation. "This place is my life. I hope one day to continue the good work of my father, and to make Camelot a place of peace and happiness."

The court applauded, and I was forced to do it as well.

He turned to Helena. "It is my sincerest hope that you, Princess Helena, share these dreams. With this in mind..." Arthur dropped down to one knee. "I would like to ask you to do me the honour of being my...wife."

What other choice did Helena have other than to accept?

I was in Gaius's chambers that night, waiting for Gaius to brew this potion that would get rid of Helena's changeling. The door burst open, and Merlin strolled in, covered in mud.

"Oh, wow," I blurted, covering my mouth.

He held up a flower as he said, "I got it!"

"Grown in boggy and marshy terrain?" Gaius asked.

"In the middle of boggy, marshy terrain. Right in the middle," Merlin grumbled.

"Yeah, please take a bath before you kiss me," I said to him. He gave me a look in return, to which I gave a sweet smile.

"You did a good job," Gaius praised. "This'll sort things out. Hopefully before tomorrow's wedding."

"Will it hurt her when the fairy leaves?" Merlin asked.

"She'll feel like a new person," Gaius informed us. "She probably doesn't realise how much trouble it's been causing her."

The next day was the day of the wedding, and Merlin had informed me that the night before he had been attacked by the Sidhe King and that the potion had been destroyed in the process. We decided that the best thing I could do was go find Arthur and try to keep him calm before he got married.

I picked up the skirts of my brand new, specially made for (that I'd probably never wear again) dress as I went looking for Arthur. When I found him, he was in the antechamber of the throne room. He looked positively petrified. The poor guy didn't even notice that I had come up behind him until I touched his shoulder. "Arthur-"

He swung around to punch me, and I automatically ducked to avoid the hit. "Dude," I breathed, coming back up. His eyes widened when he saw that it was me. "Chill out, why don't you?"

Arthur furrowed his eyebrows. "'Chill out'?" He repeated.

I shook my head, waving my hands. "Just forget about it."

Arthur rubbed his face. "You've always spoken strangely. That's hardly what I should be worried about right now."

I gave him a gentle, sympathetic smile as I brought my hands to his jaw and tilted it up. "Chin up. You look like you're about to attend your own funeral."

"It sure feels like it," He grumbled as he tried to adjust his coat.

I rolled my eyes as I reached up and did it for him. "You are acting like a complete mess. Please try to calm down a little."

"How can I when I'm about to get married?" Arthur demanded as I reached up and tried fixing his hair that seemed to have drooped as his mood did.

"I still can't believe you're doing this," I mumbled a little.

"Aren't you the one that's been saying that I should give this a shot?" Arthur asked.

I gave him a look. "I've only been saying that for your sake."

Arthur's eyes widened. "What?"

"Marriage should be for love," I advised him. "If you don't love Princess Helena, you shouldn't marry her. It wouldn't be fair to her, to the person you truly do love, and most of all, it wouldn't be fair to yourself."

Arthur grumbled. "Why are you only telling me this now?"

I lifted my hands in defence. "Hey, I was just trying to be a good friend."

Arthur sighed, burying his head in his hand. "I know you are. I'm sorry."

Footsteps approached, and we both turned our heads to see Merlin walking down the hall, holding a sword in his hands. I asked him with my eyes if Helena had gotten the potion, and he nodded. I sighed in relief as I stepped off to the side to let Merlin get to Arthur.

"I brought you your ceremonial sword," Merlin said as he held it out to him.

"Is that for me to fall on?" Arthur asked, and I wasn't sure if he was being sincere or not.

"Hopefully not," Merlin said. "What's wrong?"

"You wouldn't understand, Merlin," Arthur said. "You have no idea what it's like to have a destiny you can't escape."

I had to keep my scoff contained. Arthur didn't know the half of it.

"Destinies are troublesome things," Merlin mused aloud.

Arthur took the sword from Merlin and sheathed it as Merlin continued, "You feel trapped, like your whole life is being planned out for you and you've got no control over anything, and sometimes you don't even know if what destiny decided is really the best thing at all."

"How come you're so knowledgeable?" Arthur asked, surprised at Merlin's wisdom.

"Hmm? Oh, I read a book," Merlin quickly made up.

"What would this book tell you?" Arthur asked. "Should I marry her?"

"That's not really my place to say," Merlin insisted.

"I'm asking you, it's your job to answer," Arthur reminded him.

"If you really want to know what I think..." Merlin prepared him for what he was going to say. When Arthur gestured for Merlin to continue, it all came pouring out of him at once. "I think you're mad, I think you're all mad. People should marry for love, not convenience." I swear, I saw Merlin's eyes flicker over to me at the word "love", and I felt my heart skip a beat. "And if Uther thinks an unhappy king makes for a stronger kingdom, then he's wrong. 'Cause you may be destined to rule Camelot, but you have a choice...as to how you do it."

I checked the sun dial that was in the room and clapped my hands. "Well, it's time to get this show on the road."

I ran over to stand next to Morgana and smoothed down my skirt as she asked, "Where have you been?"

"Oh, the groom got a bit of cold feet," I said as I caught his eye at the altar.

I looked down at the aisle as the rest of the room did and saw Godwyn leading Helena down the aisle. When she got to the front, Arthur took her hands.

"My lords, ladies, and gentlemen of Camelot, we are gathered here today to celebrate the ancient rite of hand-fasting, the union of Arthur Pendragon and Princess Elena of Gawant," Geoffrey, the guy who officiated all of our ceremonies, began. "Is it your wish, Arthur, to become one with this woman?"

"It is," Arthur said, and I frowned a bit at the fact that he was going through with it. I honestly believed that he wouldn't.

"Is it your wish, Helena, to become one with this man?" Geoffrey asked.

Helena looked at her father, then down to the floor, not even looking at Arthur as she answered, "It is."

"Do any say nay?" Geoffrey asked, and because no one said "nay", he returned to the ceremony. "Then as we gather here today, we are all witness to this rite..."

To my surprise, Arthur spoke up last second, "Wait."

"There's something you would like to say, Arthur?" Geoffrey asked.

"Something I should've said a long time ago. Something from the heart I dare not speak," Arthur began, and I knew he wasn't going to go through with it. "Helena, you are a wonderful woman, and a beautiful bride, but I cannot deny my feelings."

Helena nodded understandingly. "You do not love me."

Arthur shook his head. "And I think, if you are honest, you do not love me either."

Helena shook her head. "No."

"Then we are both here out of duty," Arthur deduced, and he leaned forward a little. "Can you forgive me?"

"I agree with all you have said," Helena said. "Thank you, Arthur."

And with that, the ceremony stopped. So I got all dressed up for nothing. At least I had another reason to plot revenge against Arthur.

After I changed out of the tight fitting dress and into something more comfortable, I waited and watched with Arthur and Merlin as Lord Godwyn and Helena got ready to leave Camelot.

"Can't imagine what's happened to Grunhilda," I overheard Lord Godwyn say, and I winced a little when I remembered that Merlin had told me she kind of...exploded.

"No. I'm sure she'll turn up," Uther assured him.

Merlin and I exchanged looks that said, "Don't hold your breath."

"I hope so. It's most unlike her," Godwyn said.

Arthur, Merlin, and I watched Helena descend the steps into the Square. I had to say, there was something weird about her. Like, she was more graceful. Gaius was right: she was like a whole different person.

Arthur furrowed his eyebrows as he said, "There's something different about her."

"You're not changing your mind, are you?" Merlin teased.

"Goodness," Arthur hesitated, watching Helena as she walked down the steps. He firmly shook his head again as he said, "No."

"I wish you well, Arthur Pendragon," Helena said as she stopped in front of us. "I hope one day we both find the love we deserve." She offered Arthur her hand and although he was surprised a little at her gracefulness, he took it and kissed it.

"In the meantime, if you ever want to be beaten in a horserace, you know where to find me," She teased him. Helena turned to me as she said, "It was a pleasure to meet you, Elizabeth. Everything I've heard about you has been true. You are a kind person and I'm glad to have met you."

I was taken aback a little at her comment. She must have been more perceptive than I thought. And then, because she was the royal, I picked up my skirts and curtsied her. "Thank you, my Lady. I'm very glad to have met you, as well. And if you really are going to beat Arthur in a horserace, please let me know. I'd love to watch."

She laughed delicately, before giving us all a smile and wave in goodbye as she walked past us and to her father where their horses were waiting to take them back home.

I waved once more as I looked back at Arthur. "Your loss," I said to him.

When we got back inside, Arthur caught sight of Gwen descending the stairs. He nodded at Merlin and I, and we both got the hint that he wanted to talk to Gwen. We both nodded as he went up the stairs but before Merlin could walk away, I grabbed a hold of his arm. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Uh...where ever they're not?" Merlin asked.

I rolled my eyes. "Do you really think I'm not going to eavesdrop?"

"Then why do I have to be here?"

I shrugged a little. "I need a fall guy." I tugged on his arm, and he quickly gave in. The two of us peered around the corner as we watched Arthur and Gwen's exchange, Merlin's head above mine.

"So... I'm still a single man," Arthur said to Gwen.

"Indeed," Gwen acknowledged. "I don't think you deserve her, actually. She's really very lovely."

Which was exactly what I said!

"Mmm... Well, I had hoped to have forsaken her for one equally as lovely. Who knows, perhaps even more so," Arthur offered.

"I do not know of such a person," Gwen said, and my heart went out to her. She loved Arthur, but she was stepping back because she thought that she wasn't what Camelot needed. Technically, she and Arthur were in the same position Merlin and I were in. I shudder to think what Uther would do to Merlin if he found out he was secretly courting the girl who was practically his daughter.

"Me neither. But I guess only time will tell," Arthur concluded.

Gwen gave him a look as she continued down the stairs. Arthur continued up the stairs, and Merlin and I couldn't help the laughs that escaped us as Arthur skipped the rest of the way to the top. I looked up at Merlin. "We're not that bad, are we?"

Merlin shook his head. "Actually, I think we're worse."

I laughed again, shaking my head as I grabbed his hand. "Come on. Let's get out of here for a bit."

TBC...

I'm excited for the next episode!

REVIEW! FOLLOW! FAVOURITE! THANKS! STAY TUNED!

THE ADVENTURES OF ELIZABETH MALINOR CONTINUE...

Cenred's men ripped off the cover that was over a dark skinned man's head, revealing a face that Gwen knew all too well.

"Elyan!" She exclaimed.

"Brother and sister reunited," Cenred taunted as the two embraced. "It warms the heart."

Arthur clanged swords with one of Cenred's men.

"What would a man like Cenred want with us?" Elyan asked his sister.

"You can bring me Arthur Pendragon," Cenred revealed with his arm snaked around Gwen's throat.

Merlin gently lifted Gwen's bruised wrist. "Who did that to you?"

"There is nothing he will not do for her," Morgana reported to Morgause.

"Really, it's like watching a dog trying to please his master," Elizabeth played along.

"And once he is dead-" Morgana continued.

"You may take your place on the throne of Camelot," Morgause finished.

"I don't know about this," Elizabeth murmured to herself as she looked at her clothing in the mirror.

Everyone in Cenred's throne room was thrown backwards as the ceiling collapsed.

TUNE IN NEXT TIME!