Sweet Dreams
Merlin and Arthur came out carrying trays of bread, cheeses, sliced ham and chicken. Merlin looking even paler than normal sat down beside his mother with the others giving him worried looks he turned his attention towards the black box ignoring his friends and family.
'In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy,' Kilgharrah intones as through the smoke Merlin appears. 'His name,' Merlin's eyes are shown, 'Merlin,' Merlin's eyes glow gold.
Arthur and Uther watch from the battlements as kings arrive with their entourages.
'Father, we're not going into battle, you don't have to look so sombre,' the king tells his father.
'Never before have the rulers of the five kingdoms come together in this way. Never before have we all worked towards the same aim, towards peace,' the King of Camelot said.
'All but one,' the Regent said.
Merlin nodded, 'almost worked too,' he still looked grim.
'If these talks are successful, Camelot will enter a new era of prosperity. If they fail, we will almost certainly be at war,' the King warned.
'Talk about a double edged sword,' muttered Elyan.
Alined drops his cloak on the ground as he dismounts in the Square he turns to the king.
'Boy! Is it too much to ask that you might anticipate my needs?' demanded King Alined.
'No, Master. I was just...' stuttered Trickler.
'Stop whinging,' the King said.
'I guess he is the one who's not for peace,' Percival said.
Merlin, Arthur and Gwen nod.
'Sorry, Master,' Trickler bowed.
'Alined, you are most welcome on this momentous occasion,' welcomed the King of Camelot.
The two Kings grasp arms in greeting.
'Momentous? Let us hope so,' the other King said.
'That's ominous,' Percival muttered.
Alined watching Olaf's party arrive in the Square from his guest quarters, 'Uther may think that we are gathered here for peace, but that is far from my mind.'
'What's he going to do,' groaned Hunith knowing her son was going to get in yet more trouble.
'Am I to take it that Lady Vivian is part of our plan? She is very lovely,' Trickler comments.
Arthur blushed, Gwen scowled, Merlin laughed.
'Arthur thought so,' grinned Leon.
'Don't let her father hear you say that. Not if you value your head,' warned Ailned.
'Oh, indeed, I do. It is my prettiest feature,' the servant framed his face with his hands.
'Olaf is the most overprotective buffoon I've ever met. It would surely end the peace talks if anyone were to lay a finger on her,' the King said.
'Like Arthur,' Leon understood. 'You played right into their hands.'
'Wasn't my fault,' groaned Arthur.
'But nobody in their right mind would...do that,' Trickler said.
'But Arthur won't be in his right mind, will he?' asked the meddlesome king.
'You didn't seem to be when fighting Olaf,' agreed Leon.
'Love enchantments,' groaned Arthur.
Olaf approaches Uther in the square.
'What kind of welcome is this?' demands King Olaf. 'You have us hanging around like the last swallows of summer.'
'You are welcome, indeed, Olaf,' greets the King of Camelot.
'May I present my daughter, the Lady Vivian,' Olaf presents is beautiful, blonde daughter.
'Lady Vivian. How like your mother you are,' greets the king.
Arthur escorts Vivian to her guest chambers.
Gwen scowled even knowing that Arthur had been under the enchantment then she did not like seeing them together.
'I hope everything is to your satisfaction,' Arthur says kindly.
'It is...adequate,' Vivian says disdainfully.
'No matter her beauty she seems an absolute nightmare,' Gwaine comments.
'Most of our guests are extremely happy here. I'm sure you will be, too,' Arthur replied.
'Hm. I am not most of your guests,' Vivian replies haughtily.
'Spoilt brat,' Merlin grimaces.
'In...deed,' Arthur said.
Gwen enters the room.
'Well, er, may I present Guinevere. She'll be looking after you for the duration of your stay. You'll want for nothing. She is truly one of Camelot's finest,' Arthur presents the servant.
'Of course you would say that,' grinned Gwaine.
Lady Vivian giggled, 'then I fear for Camelot.'
Arthur, Lancelot and Elyan all looked outraged at this comment.
Arthur and Gwen pause as they exit and close the door of Vivian's guest chambers. They look at each other and laugh.
'Good luck with that one,' Arthur laughs.
'Shouldn't she be saying that to you,' grinned Leon.
'I was enchanted,' Arthur growls. 'Gwen is the only one for me!'
'Mmm,' Gwen doesn't look thrilled at this prospect.
Arthur stares at her for a bit before she notices. Arthur remembers himself and starts to leave, 'I need to prepare for the feast,' Arthur says hurridley.
In Arthur's chambers Merlin's brushes down Arthur's jacket while Arthur dresses behind a screen, 'Merlin, what kind of impression do you think this gives?' Arthur wiggles his thumb through a hole in his sleeve.
'That we have moths?' suggests Merlin.
'I don't think that's the kind of impression Arthur wants,' laughs Gwen.
'Fetch me another,' orders the prince.
'And who might you be trying to impress, Sire?' Merlin asks.
'Well, let me see. Perhaps the five kings sitting in the banquet hall below,' the future king suggests.
'And a certain servant,' Merlin grinned.
'Oh. Not the King's daughter, then? The Lady Vivian, she is very beautiful,' Merlin comments.
'Anyone trying to impress the Lady Vivian does so at extreme peril. Olaf'd have their head in a vat of hot oil before they'd have a chance to say hello. Besides, she's not my type. She may be beautiful, but she's incredibly rude. You should've heard what she said to Gwen,' Arthur said outraged.
'Anyone insulting Gwen should do so at extreme peril,' Merlin mutters.
'Merlin,' laughed Hunith.
'What, it's true,' Merlin shrugged.
'Plus you like playing matchmaker,' Gwen shook her head.
'I think everyone should take a chance at love,' Merlin shrugged sadly thinking of Freya.
'What?' Arthur asks.
'Nothing. I just know how you feel about her, that's all. That is, if your feelings haven't changed, as I presume they haven't,' Merlin said.
'They haven't,' Arthur said.
'I do have my own vat of hot oil, you know,' Arthur warned.
Merlin laughs, 'you're blushing!'
'That kind of ruined the threat,' grinned Gwaine.
'No I'm not,' Arthur denied.
'What's wrong with Gwen?' asked Merlin grinning.
'Nothing,' Arthur said.
'I think she's very worthy of your love,' Merlin comments.
'Indeed, were it so,' Arthur still would not admit it.
'Does Merlin know everything about us?' asked Gwen.
Arthur blushed.
'Which...it is,' Merlin grinned.
'Merlin,' warned Arthur.
'Yes, Arthur?' Merlin asked cheekily.
'Get out,' the servant's master warned.
'Yes, Sire,' the servant nodded grinning and leaves.
In the King's Banquet Hall Trickler entertains the guests and courtiers by breathing fire.
'Should of realised he had magic then,' muttered Arthur.
'But it is not enough to please just the gentlemen of the court. Now I have a spectacle for the ladies,' Trickler produces butterflies out of nowhere.
'Look Vivian likes it,' Merlin grinned at Arthur.
'It is skill, indeed,' Uther smiled.
'We aim to please,' Ailned lies.
'And cause wars,' muttered Arthur.
Trickler gasps, 'but what is this? Lady Vivian,' Trickler puts his hand by her ear and pulls it back to reveal a butterfly on his hand. 'It has mistaken you for a beautiful flower,' Trickler looks down at his hand, revealing that he's taken a lock of her hair.
Trickler creates a potion with Vivian's hair in King Ailned's guest chambers.
'... læfe he híe þonne he áwæcaþ. Biþ his hyht þæt he her seón mote ána oftíe þonne ealle mán,' the sorcerer incants.
'Sleep well, Prince Arthur. When you wake, may your thoughts be only of Vivian,' King Ailned smiles.
Gwen scowls at this, 'unfortunately.'
Trickler sneaks into Arthur's Chambers and pours eye drops on him while he sleeps.
'I didn't even realise what was going on until almost too late,' Merlin frowned.
'Héo hæfþ þín heorte,' Trickler places Vivian's lock of hair under Arthur's pillow as he completes the enchantment. 'Sweet dreams.'
'Did you dream about Vivian?' asked Gwen.
'I can't remember anything about the time after I was enchanted,' Arthur explained.
Arthur stares out his window at Lady Vivian scolding a servant in the Square.
'Tell me that didn't make you more in love,' Merlin shook his head.
'I don't know,' Arthur said.
'Good morning, Sire!' Merlin greets.
'I was surprised to see him up,' Merlin admitted. 'I usually have to drag his prattiness out of bed.'
'Never have you been more right, Merlin. It is the sunniest, the most fragrant, the most beautiful morning I've ever seen in my life,' Arthur agreed.
'I thought he'd lost his mind,' Merlin admitted.
'He had really,' Gaius reminds the warlock.
'You're dressed,' Merlin looks even more shocked.
'The first time I've ever seen Arthur dress himself,' Merlin explained.
'Merlin,' Arthur began.
'Shut up,' Merlin grinned.
'Exactly,' Arthur agreed.
'I am the future King of Camelot, I do have some skills, you know,' Arthur replied.
'Even enchanted Arthur still finds time to insult Merlin,' laughed Gwaine.
'Indeed, you are very skilled at getting people to do things for you,' Merlin agreed.
'Like writing love notes,' grinned Merlin.
'That is your job. But today my job is to woo,' Arthur said.
'To what?' Merlin gaped.
'To woo. I wish to make a proclamation of love,' Arthur explained.
'Really? I thought you wanted to keep your feelings secret?' Merlin asked surprised.
'Why would I want to do that? By the end of today I will have won my lady,' Arthur said.
'Right. Well, what will you tell your father?' asked Merlin.
'What does my father matter?' Arthur responds.
'Well, that's one way of approaching things,' Merlin muttered.
'So, I need your help in expressing my feelings,' Arthur said.
'How many of the notes are written by Merlin?' asked Gwen.
Arthur avoided looking at the future queen's eyes.
'A few,' Arthur muttered.
Merlin grinned at this.
'Of course,' Merlin shook his head.
Arthur expectantly waits for Merlin to say something. Merlin waits uncertainly for Arthur to explain, 'how to express my feelings,' Arthur urged.
'They're your feelings not Merlin's,' Hunith shook her head.
'They weren't mine either,' Arthur retorted.
'Oh, I see. Erm. Feelings,' Merlin looked lost.
'Feelings,' Arthur agreed.
'Girls,' Merlin said.
'Girls,' repeated Arthur.
'Boys,' Gwen shook her head, 'your both as hopeless as each other.'
'Flowers?' Merlin suggested.
'Excellent. Find some. Perhaps you should also send a note,' added Arthur.
'Brilliant idea,' Merlin agreed.
'Something moving. Something from the heart. Something...you'll think of something,' Arthur said.
'I don't think that will be from the heart then,' Percival said.
'I certainly hope not,' agreed Arthur.
'It wasn't,' Merlin said.
Merlin approaches Gwen's door with flowers and knocks before going in.
'Gwen? Gwen?' Merlin calls.
Gwen isn't home, so Merlin places flowers on the table and remembers to pull out the note.
'"The barriers that keep us apart are nothing compared to the power of true love. - Arthur"' Merlin mulls over his own brilliance before placing the note carefully next to the flowers.
The kings gather for peace talks in the council chambers.
'Your demands are noted and will be taken into consideration in due course. In the meantime, is there anyone else who has any other comments about the northern territories?' asks King Uther.
Merlin enters and gets Arthur's attention.
'Well, may I just point out that...' King Olaf is saying.
Arthur talks with Merlin in the courtyard.
'Did you do it?' asks Arthur.
'I left them in her room. I thought that was better than a public display,' Merlin explained.
'You're sure she got them?' Arthur asks.
'I'm sure she will get them,' Merlin assured the prince.
'Wrong girl,' Gaius shook his head.
'Good. All we can do now is wait,' Arthur said.
'Or not,' Gwaine grinned.
Arthur sees Gwen and Vivian walking down the other end of the corridor.
'Oh, but heaven has blessed me. She's even more beautiful than before, don't you agree?' asks Arthur.
'You think he's talking about Gwen when he's talking about Vivian,' Hunith understood.
Merlin nods.
'Yeah. Erm...I'm surprised to hear you talk so openly,' Merlin confessed.
'Nonsense. I want to tell the world. I want to shout it across the kingdom,' Arthur said.
'Well I am now,' Arthur smiled.
'Are you sure that's a good idea? I understand your feelings, but other people may object,' warns Merlin.
'Object? To what?' asked Arthur.
'Well, you're the future King of Camelot and she's just a lowly serving girl. Albeit, a very nice serving girl-'Merlin begins but Arthur slaps Merlin, 'ah!' complains Merlin.
'Lady Vivian's of royal blood, a future queen. I will have your head if I hear such insolence again,' Arthur stormed off.
'Lady Vivian... Oh, no!' groaned Merlin who runs off.
Merlin bursts into Gwen's house where Gwen quickly covers up the note she's reading, the flowers are in a vase.
'Merlin, can't you knock?' Gwen asked.
'I've been asking the same thing for about six years,' Arthur agreed.
'Rats,' Merlin said suddenly.
'What?' asked Gwen.
'Merlin comes up with some random things,' Percival shakes his head.
'I'm good at lying,' Merlin shrugged.
'Big. Hairy. Sharp teeth. Er...yeah, definitely under here,' Merlin looks under the table.
'Gee thanks for scaring me,' muttered Gwen.
'I didn't know what else to say,'Merlin explained, 'about the letter and Arthur being seemingly in love with Vivian.'
Gwen too peeks under the table, 'are you feeling alright?'
'Me? Never better. You?' Merlin asks.
'I'm having a very surprising day,' Gwen admits.
'Really?' asks Merlin.
'You know one of those occasions when you've lost all hope and then, out of the blue, something happens to restore your faith?' asks Gwen.
'Only too have them all torn away again,' Gwen sighed.
'Sort of,' Merlin replies.
'Well, that's what's happened to me today,' Gwen explains.
That night Gaius and Merlin are talking, 'I may have caused a problem. Although it wasn't entirely my doing,' Merlin explains.
'What now, Merlin?' Gaius sighs.
'Arthur's in love,' Merlin tells his mentor.
'And how did you cause that?' Gaius asks.
'Well I didn't cause that,' laughed Merlin.
'No that was Trickler and Ailned,' agreed Arthur frowning.
'That bit isn't my fault, the other bit is. Oh, I can't tell you about that bit,' Merlin tries.
'You didn't tell Gaius about Gwen,' Arthur understood.
'It wasn't really his business,' Merlin replied.
'Clear as mud,' Gaius muttered.
'Arthur's completely besotted, he can't concentrate on anything. All he thinks about, all he talks about is...is the Lady Vivian,' Merlin said.
'The Lady Vivian? How could that have happened so suddenly?' Gaius looks surprised.
'Magic,' Arthur frowned.
'I don't know. Something doesn't feel right,' Merlin admits.
'You're going to work it out,' Hunith said.
'I always listen to my gut feelings,' Merlin said.
'They're always right,' Gaius agrees.
'Only yesterday he dismissed her as rude,' Merlin said.
'I still feel that way,' Arthur said, 'even with her flinging herself all over me.'
'If Arthur professes his love for Vivian, Olaf will be furious. Surely, Arthur knows that?' asks Gaius.
Merlin sighs and nods, 'see, he said it was his job to woo his lady by the end of the day.'
'And it's your job to stop him,' Gaius told him.
Arthur stands outside Vivian's guest chambers with a platter and a rose. He takes a breath before knocking.
'Who is it?' Lady Vivian calls.
'It is destiny, my love! Destiny and chicken!' Arthur calls.
There is a silence the Merlin laughing, '"Destiny and chicken" I know you were enchanted but still come on Arthur.'
'No wonder you need Merlin's help if on your own you come up with "destiny and chicken"' laughs Gwaine.
'I was enchanted and I don't have any natural feelings towards Vivian,' Arthur scowls.
Vivian opens the door.
'What a beautiful combination, eh?' Arthur asks.
Vivian closes the door in his face and begins to walk away.
'I don't think she likes you,' Merlin whispers.
'And I feel the same,' agreed Arthur frowning.
Arthur opens the door, 'the beans are a little cold, but the meat is very good.'
'Not working,' Hunith shook her head.
'Go away,' Lady Vivian shouts.
'My love, I do not know what I've done to offend you,' Arthur looks heartbroken.
'Your love, Arthur, very presumptuous,' Merlin tells the reagent. 'She didn't even accept your chicken, even enchanted your still a Royal Prat.'
'Merlin, shut up,' Arthur said.
Merlin just grinned.
'Your love? Not now, nor ever!' Vivian retorted.
'Come now,' Arthur smiled.
'My father will kill you if he finds you here,' warned the Princess.
'Your father does not worry me,' Arthur said.
'He should,' Merlin muttered.
'You won't be saying that when he's running at you with a knife in his hand. I've seen it before,' Vivian said.
'Really?' asked Arthur.
'Yes,' assured Vivian.
She shuts the doors again.
'Just five minutes!' Arthur knocks.
'Give it up, princess, your advances aren't welcome,' Gwaine laughed.
'My Lord, I don't think your advances are welcome,' Merlin comes up behind the prince.
Lady Vivian is muffled behind the door, 'go away! And take your chicken with you!'
Merlin bursts out laughing, 'she's as bad as you!'
'Don't know what gives you that impression,' Arthur shoves the tray at Merlin. Trickler sees them leave.
'What's he up to,' groaned Hunith.
'She was enchanted too,' Gwen said.
Alined pounds the table in his guest chambers with his fists.
'Temper, temper,' scolds Gwaine laughing.
'Every woman in the land is attracted to this boy! I'm almost attracted to him myself,' Alined pounds on the table.
Arthur looks slightly nauseated at this, 'um no thanks I'd prefer Vivian!'
Trickler giggles, but stops when he sees Alined's expression.
'Oh. Not Lady Vivian, My Lord,' replies Trickler.
'We have until the end of tomorrow to scupper these talks. I need war. Do you understand?' the war mongering King says.
'Oh, oh, yes, I do. I do,' the jester assures him.
'Peace will make me poor, and you know what happens to poor kings. They can't afford castles, or knights, or jesters,' warned the king.
'Oh, but Master,' begged the jester.
'Enough. There will be time for snivelling when the axe is over your head. Now there is work to be done,' orders the king.
'Yes. Yes,' agrees the jester hurriedly.
Arthur sulks in his bed, 'go on, Merlin. Say it,' groaned the prince.
'What?' asks Merlin.
'You do not think I should pursue my love,' Arthur said.
'It's not real love,' Gaius reminded the prince.
'I know,' Arthur groaned.
'And even if it was it's not a sensible love to pursue,' Gaius added.
'Well, seeing as you asked, I think a number of things stand in the way of a happy union between you and the Lady Vivian. Her bloodthirsty father, for one,' reminds Merlin.
'Her complete lack of interest for another,' Arthur groans.
'Might it be worthwhile returning to your old love? Although, I have my reservations about that as well,' Merlin suggests.
'What reservations?' demands Gwen.
'Arthur had seen to go off you when a new face came to town,' Merlin explained. 'I didn't want you hurt.'
'What are you talking about, Merlin? I don't have an old love,' Arthur said.
Arthur finds Vivian's hair under his pillow.
'What on earth? You really need to start paying attention to the details,' the prince tells the servant.
'It's not your hair,' Merlin said.
In the physician's chambers Gaius inspects the lock of hair.
'I knew something wasn't right,' Merlin groans.
'At least you know the truth now,' Percival pointed out.
Merlin and Gaius nod.
'We could stop it,' agreed Merlin.
'Arthur's enchanted,' Gaius agrees.
'I should have realised he had magic. No one can make butterflies appear from thin air,' Merlin agrees.
'I don't know why I ever thought you were an idiot,' muttered Arthur.
'Trickler?' Gaius understand.
'Why would he want Arthur to fall in love with Vivian?' asks Merlin.
'War,' Lancelot said grimly.
'An advance by Arthur would be a sure-fire way to ruin the peace conference. Maybe Alined wants war,' suggests Gaius.
'Without creating it himself,' agrees Merlin.
'It's the sort of cowardly behaviour you would expect from him. Cowardly, but clever,' Gaius understands.
'We need to find a way of turning Arthur back to normal,' Merlin says.
'Thank you,' Arthur said.
'How did you find it out?' asked Gwen.
'With help,' Merlin replied.
'Before it's too late,' agrees Gaius.
'Before war,' Percival said.
In Arthur's chambers later that night Trickler takes a scissors to Arthur's hair. Arthur turns in his sleep, cradling Trickler's arm.
'Mmm. Lady Vivian, my love,' mumbles Arthur sleepily.
Arthur looked disturbed, 'I can't believe I said that.'
'Or did that,' grinned Merlin.
Trickler mouths "my love, Vivian" and rolls his eyes while extracting his arm.
'Even Trickler thinks it's nauseating,' grinned Merlin.
Trickler places lock of Arthur's under Vivian's pillow and pours a drop of potion into her eye.
'So now we have two love enchanted royals,' Merlin muttered, 'even harder to look after them.'
In the physician's chambers Merlin sleeps on a pile of books.]
'Breakfast,' Gaius suddenly says.
Merlin wakes with a starts, 'there are over 636 love spells in these books, and over 150 of them involve a lock of hair,' he groans.
'That doesn't sound good,' Gwen said worriedly.
'It was alright in the end,' Merlin shrugged.
'Is there no way we can narrow them down a bit?' asks Gaius.
'How did you?' asked Percival.
'We didn't,' Merlin replied.
'I have. Look. If I choose this one and it's wrong, Arthur will end up as a toad,' Merlin points at once.
'Don't do that one,' Arthur said.
'I didn't,' Merlin replied.
'And if this one's wrong, Vivian will lose all her hair,' Merlin points at another spell.
'I'm fine with that,' grinned Arthur.
'Olaf might not declare war for that, but she certainly would,' Gaius laughs.
'On who?' asked Percival, 'she couldn't prove who it was.'
'On the world,' suggests Gwen.
Trickler watches Gwen walking down the corridor with a breakfast tray.
'Flíeh hrǽgl,' Trickler says and the rug pulls out from under Gwen. She trips and squeals as the tray goes flying.
'It was him,' Gwen scowled.
Arthur too frowned.
'Oops,' Trickler said.
Vivian opens her door and Trickler presents her with a food platter.
'Gwen has been detained,' informs the servant.
'By you,' muttered Arthur.
'I thought you might appreciate breakfast,' Trickler says kindly.
'Oh, thank you. How kind. I'm so happy this morning, I could almost forget to eat. Oh, well that looks wonderful. Really wonderful,' the princess beams.
'Pray, My Lady. What has caused such happiness?' asks the sorcerer.
'Like you don't know,' Arthur muttered.
'I cannot tell, so do not ask,' grins Vivian.
'She's even more annoying,' Gwen muttered.
'Intriguing. You know, another meaning of jester is "keeper of secrets,"' the jester lies.
'Hardly,' snorts Gaius.
'Really?' asks Vivian.
'Idiot,' snorts Arthur.
'No,' Trickler admits giggling.
Lady Vivian too giggles, 'oh, Trickler, you mustn't tell. Not a soul. Especially not my father.'
'He finds out soon enough,' Merlin said grimly.
'Go on,' Trickler eggs the princess on.
'I am in love!' a very giggly Vivian admits.
Trickler fakes gasp, 'how wonderful! With me?'
Vivian giggles for a moment, then grimaces at the thought, 'Ugh. With a man more courageous than a lion, stronger than an ox, and so perfectly formed it is as if he has been sculpted by the gods themselves.'
'But it must be me,' Trickler says.
'Oh, just to speak his name brings me pleasure, indeed!' Vivian continues to giggle.
'Then speak it you should,' suggests Trickler.
'Arthur,' Vivian giggles. 'There, I've said it! My heart belongs to Arthur!'
'Excellent,' Trickler says.
'Their plans coming together,' Gaius said.
Lady Vivian is still giggling, 'in fact, I'm gonna tell him now.'
'This isn't going to turn out well,' Percival stated.
'No keeping them apart was a nightmare,' Merlin agreed.
'Oh, a brilliant idea!' agreed Trickler.
'You would say that,' muttered Arthur.
'Where is Gwen? I must dress,' Vivian says.
'But you look so beautiful, My Lady,' Trickler compliments and turns her towards the mirror. 'How could he refuse you like this?'
'In my nightgown?' Vivian asks doubtfully.
'Why not?' asks Trickler.
'This is going to look so bad,' muttered Hunith thinking of her father's reaction to her pregnancy.
Vivian turns and puffs out her chest, 'hm.'
Gwen walks past Arthur in the main square. He pets his horse absentmindedly while he mopes.
'What is it, Arthur? You look like you have something on your mind,' Gwen comments.
'Yeah, Vivian,' Gwen muttered bitterly.
'I was enchanted,' Arthur reminds Gwen.
'It still hurt,' replied Gwen.
Arthur sighs, 'you read me like a book. I've made a fool of myself, that's all. That's everything.'
'I'm sure that is not true,' assures Gwen.
'You have a good heart, Guinevere, but I'm afraid it is. I have made a gesture, but it was not well received,' sighs the prince.
'That puts it mildly,' grinned Gwaine.
'You sure?' asks Gwen.
'Pretty sure,' agrees Arthur.
'Then you are wrong,' Gwen tells him.
'More misinterpretations,' groaned Merlin. 'And its going to encourage Arthur.'
'You are very close to the lady in question,' Arthur said.
Gwen lets out a puff of laughter, 'Your token was much appreciated,' assures the servant. 'But the situation is delicate, and it is not always easy to express what is really in one's heart.'
'You think there's hope?' asks Arthur.
'There is always hope,' Gwen smiles.
'And now look at you two,' grinned Merlin.
'If only I had some way of knowing,' Arthur sighs.
'Indeed, My Lord,' Gwen looks amused.
Someone knocks on Arthur's door and Merlin answers.
'I wish to see Arthur,' Vivian says. 'Your master, my Lord.'
'That was a shock,' Merlin admitted. 'I'd thought that her lack of interest would deter Arthur. I didn't want Arthur to do something stupid like, oh I don't know, have a public challenge with Olaf to the death.'
'Your what?' Merlin looks shocked.
'My heart's delight,' replies Vivian.
'Oh, no,' groans Merlin.
'Where is he?' demands the princess.
'He's not here, which is a very good thing, I believe!' Merlin replies.
'Yeah, it is,' agrees Gaius.
'Then I shall wait,' Vivian decides.
'This is not going to turn out well,' Percival knew.
'I don't think that's a good idea. You...You're not even dressed,' Merlin looks at her in the nightgown.
'That's not going to look appropriate,' Lancelot frowns.
'My love does not care what I wear, only that I am near. Now fetch him,' orders the princess.
'I cannot,' Merlin replies.
'You will,' retorts the Lady Vivian furiously.
'Shan't,' Merlin replies.
'As he commands you, I command you!' orders the princess.
'But she's not who I serve, Arthur is,' Merlin said.
'You only obey me when you feel like it anyway,' Arthur retorted.
'When I'm not busy,' Merlin snapped back.
'I am asking you to leave,' Merlin replies.
'I want my love. I need my love. I want to see him now,' Vivian climbs onto Arthur's bed, smells his pillow, and buries her face in his sheets.
'This is going to look even worse,' groaned Lancelot.
In the council chambers the kings are still talking.
'Moving on to our final point for discussion...' Uther is saying.
Trickler whispers to a servant by the door, who goes to Olaf.
'The boundaries of the eastern territories,' Uther says.
'This is a point that I am willing to concede,' Olaf agrees.
'Well, that is very good news,' Uther seems pleased.
The servant whispers, 'excuse me, Sire,' to King Olaf.
King Olaf turns to King Uther.
'One moment,' he turns to the servant.
'I heard your daughter is,' whispers the servant.
'Olaf is going to kill you,' Percival says.
'He has to let his daughter go,' Hunith said knowledgably, 'we all do,' she sighed. 'It was the hardest think I've ever done to send Merlin to Camelot. But I've seen his life and I know I made the right decision.'
'You did,' agreed Merlin.
'WHAT!' king Olaf yells.
Lady Vivian rearranges herself on Arthur's bed.
'Where is he?' king Olaf says from the corridor.
'What's that?' asks Merlin.
'Trouble,' Olaf replies.
Merlin peeks out into the corridor and sees Arthur coming.
'Oh, no,' Merlin groans and looks the other way and sees Olaf coming.
'Oh, no!' he repeats.
'Things seemed to be getting worse and worse,' Merlin groaned.
Merlin ducks back inside and runs to Vivian.
'OK, you need to go!' Merlin orders.
'You cannot keep us apart. It's written in the stars. Vivian and Arthur. A love for all time. A love stronger than time. A love...' Vivian says.
'Hardly,' Merlin said.
'Stop! Swefe nu!' Merlin uses magic on the girl.
Vivian is knocked out.
'You used magic on her!' Arthur said outraged.
'I thought it was Gwen who you were in love with,' Merlin asked.
'I am but you can't just go around using magic on people,' Arthur said.
'It didn't hurt her just left her immobile and it was either that or have a civil war,' replied Merlin. 'It wasn't dark!'
Arthur enters just as Merlin closes the wardrobe.
'She's in the wardrobe, isn't she,' laughed Gwaine.
'Well she likes clothes,' Merlin grinned.
'Why are you hanging around with a bad smell? It's me who needs to bathe. I'm not going to win my love stinking like an old kipper,' the prince orders.
'No, My Lord,' the servant hurries to agree.
'Where is he? I know she's in here, Arthur! Hand her over! Or feel my wrath!' King Olaf storms in.
'What's he talking about?' asks Arthur.
'Good that you're ignorant,' Percival said.
'She wasn't even dressed,' Trickler adds.
'At your suggestion,' Arthur said outraged.
'If I have dishonoured you in some way, then, by all means, provide me with proof and I'll face the consequences,' Arthur assured the king.
'Trickler here has told me that the Lady Vivian is in your chambers,' the overprotective king responds.
'If only that were true,' Arthur says.
'I don't think that was the right to say,' laughed Gwaine.
'Really, Gwaine, you don't say,' Arthur shook his head.
Olaf grabs the front of Arthur's shirt with both hands.
'If only that were true you would not look so foolish,' Merlin intervenes.
'Thank goodness for your quick thinking,' Leon said.
Olaf lets him go.
'Search the room! You better hope I don't find her,' orders the king.
'Behæpse fæst,' Merlin incants and the wardrobe door locks. Trickler goes to it and tries to open it. 'That hasn't opened in years,' Merlin lies.
Olaf grabs Trickler.
'You buffoon! You made an idiot out of me!' Olaf shoves Trickler who scurries out of the room. Olaf then turns to Arthur.]
'I am, er, so terribly sorry, Arthur, to have disturbed you. I...I do hope that you will forgive me,' Olaf apologizes.
'At least he knows how to apologize,' Merlin gave Arthur a pointed look.
Arthur waves at the apology.
'Check on the Lady Vivian! And remain outside her room!' King Olaf and orders then he and guards exit.
'If only the Lady Vivian were in my room. How delightful that would be. Eh, Merlin? Merlin? Merlin?' Arthur says to an empty room.
'Where were you?' asks Percival.
'Taking Vivian too her chambers before Olaf can get there,' Merlin explained. 'Thanks goodness we servants have our own corridors that we can get from one room to another so quick.'
Gwen nods in agreement.
Merlin flops Vivian onto her own guest bed.
Trickler reports to Alined in his chambers.
'It's that meddlesome Merlin. He's onto us, My Lord. There was nothing I could do. You-you-you do understand, Master? Say you forgive your boy,' beggs the jester.
'You have a matter of hours before the peace treaty is signed,' warns the king.
'What's he going to do,' groaned Hunith.
'Th-th-that is time enough, Master. Time enough,' assures the stuttering fool.
'It's less time than you've had already, and you haven't managed it so far,' reminds the king.
'But the enchantment is strong, My Lord. Sooner or later, the two will be drawn together,' assures the king.
Alined grabs Trickler's face.
'For the sake of your prettiest feature, you had better believe that to be the case,' warns the king.
'It almost worked,' Leon said.
'I know,' Arthur said grimly.
Gwen slips a note under Arthur's door and leaves with a smile.
'And now he's going to think its Vivian,' Percival said
In the council chambers there is applause and laughter.
'This is, indeed, a momentous day for the five kingdoms. This peace treaty's been long in the making, but I know you must all be keen to return to your families, so we will make preparation for the signing ceremony immediately. I am pleased, friends. Very pleased,' smiles Camelot's Kings.
'As are we all,' lies Alined.
'But you,' Arthur agreed.
In the physician's chambers Merlin snaps a book shut, 'that's it! I've got it!'
'I thought you said you had help,' Percival said.
'I did,' agreed Merlin.
'Are you sure? You're not going to turn Arthur into a hunchback camel or a horny-eyed toad?' Gaius asks.
'I'll, er, save that for another day,' Merlin grins.
'You better not,' warned Arthur.
'Don't worry I'll do that on your next birthday,' Merlin grinned.
Arthur opens Gwen's note in his chambers.
'"A second chance. Sunset. I'll await your presence,"' he reads.
Arthur's eyes widened, 'I didn't show up.'
Gwen shook her head.
'Gwe-'Arthur began.
'Don't you weren't yourself,' Gwen shook her head.
Gwen prepares for Arthur's visit in her home that evening.
Arthur walks down the Corridor with a rose, sees guards, hides the rose, and looks for another way to sneak into Vivian's chambers. Ends up scaling the wall in the Square and falling in through the window with the mangled red rose in his mouth, 'at last,' he sighs.
Merlin searches the palace. He pokes his head in Arthur chambers.
'Arthur? Arthur!' Merlin calls.
'You realise where he is, don't you?' asked Percival.
'It's not hard to work out,' replied Merlin.
Gwen waits for Arthur.
'I'm sorry, Gwen,' Arthur repeats hating seeing her expectant face knowing he wasn't coming.
'It was Ailned and Trickler not you,' Gwen replied.
The kings and court wait for Arthur at the treaty signing in the Hall of Ceremonies.
'I cannot find Arthur,' a knight informs Uther.
'Is there a problem Uther?' asks King Alined.
'Of your making,' muttered Arthur.
'No, not at all. Arthur's just running a little late, that's all,' the King of Camelot assures his kingly guest.
'As is the Lady Vivian,' notes Alined.
'Stirring up more trouble,' Percival said.
Arthur sits next to Vivian as she wakes, 'my love!' the princess cries rapturously.
'Always. Forever,' agrees Arthur.
'Never,' Arthur hates how he's acting.
They launch at each other, kissing furiously.
Gwen gasped and tensed before not storming off but head held high she squeezed in beside Elyan and Percival her head rested on her brother's shoulder. Elyan glared at Arthur but he knew it wasn't Arthur's fault. So did Gwen but it still hurt even more so to see Gwen's pain.
Merlin runs in, 'abuge áglǽccræft,' but nothing happens.
'What was that supposed to?' demands Arthur.
'Turn from evil arts,' Merlin said, 'it was just supposed to break any enchantment on them.'
'Abuge áglǽccræft,' Merlin repeats and again nothing happens. 'Abuge áglǽccræft,' Merlin repeats and again nothing happens.
Then Olaf storms in followed by Alined, Uther, and Trickler.
'Your in trouble,' grinned Gwaine.
'It's not funny,' snapped Arthur. 'It could mean war!'
Gwaine looked bad for him, 'sorry,' he said quickly. 'But nothing happened and I've been in trouble for being with the wrong girl with angry fathers, brothers, and fiancés.'
'I knew it!' Olaf shouted.
'I don't believe it,' Merlin said.
'You knew they were enchanted,' Percival frowned.
'But I expected my spell to work,' Merlin scowled.
'Father! We've got something to tell you,' Vivian happily says.
'Arthur!' Uther says in shock.
Olaf throws his glove at the foot of the bed.
'Well no ones ever did that to me,' Gwaine said.
'Father!' Vivian sayd shocked.
'You once said that if you ever truly offended my honour, then you would happily pay the price. What say you now, Prince Arthur?' demands the king.
'How have I offended your honour? Surely not with my love alone?' Arthur asks naively.
'Love? You don't know the first thing about love! You're taking advantage of an innocent girl!' the king shouts.
'Father,' repeats Vivian.
'Arthur!' Uther too repeats.
'I assure you, my feelings for your daughter are as real as they are strong,' the enchanted prince assures them.
'Or so you thought,' grimaced Gwen.
'Unhand her, or suffer the consequences. Is this really worth risking your life for?' demands Olaf.
'In Arthur's state?' asks Gaius, 'yes.'
'Arthur?' asks Vivian.
'Indeed, it is. I would rather die than deny my feelings. I love your daughter with all my heart,' Arthur kisses Vivian and picks up the glove.
In Gwen's home Gwen sadly blows out the last candle, removing her shawl.
'I'm really sorry,' Arthur repeats.
'It is not you who is to blame,' Gwen assures her prince.
In Arthur's chambers Uther and Arthur are talking.
'It's no good. I've spoken to Olaf, he will not rescind the challenge. He says his honour has been tainted. He demands recompense,' Uther says.
'You didn't have to do that, Father,' Arthur says.
'The fight is to the death. What did you think you were doing?' demands Uther.
'He wasn't thinking,' Merlin muttered.
'You cannot help who you fall in love with,' Arthur replies.
'That's true,' sighs Merlin.
Hunith places her arms around her son in comfort and agreement but she never regretted her time with Balinor.
'You do realise that your actions threaten the peace talks, and that it may yet bring war to Camelot?' demands the king.
'He's too far gone to think logically,' Gaius sighed.
'I am happy to fight for what I believe in,' Arthur replies.
Uther turns to Merlin.
'What's happened to him?' demands the king.
'Trickler,' Merlin answers.
'Lady Vivian. Nothing more. And yet, who could wish for more?' Arthur asks.
Uther throws up his hands and leaves.
In the physician's chambers Arthur and Merlin talk.
'I don't understand it. Trickler's magic is strong, but surely it can't be stronger than mine?' Merlin asks.
'These love potions are strange things,' replies Gaius.
'We need to go to Uther,' Merlin said.
'No,' Gaius said sharply.
'That would cause a war,' stated Percival.
'I know,' Merlin nodded.
'It's a fight to the death!' Merlin said.
'If Uther realises that one of the kings is using magic, there will certainly be a war. The only way out of this situation is to un-enchant Arthur. And un-enchant him fast,' Gaius tells Merlin.
Morgana watches the lower town from her window as people make their way to the tournament grounds. Gwen enters to collect the laundry, 'anything interesting?' asks Gwen.
'Haven't you heard?' asks Morgana excitedly. 'Arthur was discovered in Lady Vivian's chambers.'
'That's how you found out?' asked Merlin. 'I'm sorry I should have told you.'
'You were trying to disenchant Arthur,' Gwen said. 'And keep them apart.'
'Still it wasn't the best way to be told,' Merlin said.
'What?' Gwen looks shocked and hurt.
'King Olaf has demanded recompense. They are to fight to the death. All for the love of a woman. And Lady Vivian at that. You look more shocked than I did,' Morgana laughs.
'Gwen is in love with Arthur,' Lancelot said.
'It is very surprising,' Gwen agrees.
'Well, I don't know why he couldn't control his feelings,' Morgana shakes her head.
'Love spells do that to people,' Gaius said.
'Indeed. I will miss the tourney, if you don't mind. There's so much to organise here,' Gwen said.
'Broken hearts are hard to mend,' said Hunith, 'if I didn't have Merlin I don't know what I would have done.'
'But of course,' Morgana said.
'She didn't find out about Gwen and Arthur for a while,' Merlin said.
Gwen passes Arthur and Merlin in the corridor.
'Ah, Guinevere! You will wish me luck?' asks Arthur.
'Will I?' asks Gwen.
'Haven't you heard?' asks Arthur.
'Oh, yes. I've heard. Though sadly not from your lips. I wish you could've been more honest with me, Arthur,' Gwen tells him.
'He has no knowledge of being in love with any other girl other than Vivian,' Merlin said. 'Gwen was no more than a friend to him.'
'I realise that now,' agreed Gwen. 'Still hurt then and there.'
'What is she talking about?' Arthur asks completely confused.
'No idea,' Merlin lied.
In Alined's guest chambers Trickler brings King Alined his crown.
'You are pleased, My Lord? Do I get to keep my fingers?' asks the jester.
'Such a nice master,' Merlin said, 'makes Arthur seem vaguely human.'
'Oi,' Arthur retorted.
'Trickler, I shall cast your fingers in gold. I could not have wished for more,' Alined seems happy.
'I told you I would not fail you, My Lord,' Trickler says.
'If Olaf kills Arthur, then Uther will start a war. If Arthur kills Olaf, then his men will start a war,' the king laughs. 'We cannot lose!'
'Unless Arthur comes back to his mind and stops the fight,' Leon grinned. 'How did you manage that?' the knight asked Merlin.
'I didn't,' Merlin said. 'That was Merlin,' he grinned.
In the tournament grounds Uther is announcing the tournament.
'King Olaf has demanded recompense. And by the ancient laws of Camelot, the matter will be settled by a tourney with three stages. The weapons chosen are quarterstaff, mace, and sword. The fight will be by the Knights' Rules, and to the death. Are we all clear?' the king asked.
'Everyone but Arthur and Olaf,' Gaius sighed.
Arthur starts out doing well, but stops to gaze at Vivian. Olaf takes Arthur out at the knees, and later breaks Arthur's quarterstaff, catching Arthur in the ribs.
In Arthur's tent Gaius inspects Arthur in the tent.
'One of your ribs is broken, Sire,' the physician informs the prince.
'Nothing can hurt me today. I'm invincible. Love really can conquer all, Gaius. It's true,' the prince grins.
'I was hopeless,' Arthur shook his head.
'This can't go on. The fight's not fair. Arthur's head's in the clouds,' Gaius whispers to Merlin.
'I don't know what to do,' Merlin whispers back.
'Then find someone who does,' Gaius whispers back.
'Kilgharrah,' Percival understood.
Merlin nodded.
In the dragons cave Merlin has brought Kilgharrah Arthur's problem.
'This is magic indeed,' laughs Kilgharrah.
'It's not funny,' snaps Gwen.
'It's Kilgharrah,' replies Merlin, 'he has a seriously warped sense of humour.'
'Everything I have tried has failed,' Merlin explains desperately.
'From what you tell me, the spell has captured his heart,' Kilgharrah says.
'I'm aware,' Gwen said coolly.
'And his heart is controlling his brain,' Merlin reminds him.
'There is no magic that can break this enchantment,' the Great Dragon says.
'What?' Leon demands.
'There must be,' Merlin says desperate.
'It has too great a hold,' the Great Dragon replies.
'I cannot let Arthur die,' Merlin retorts.
'Patience, young warlock. The solution lies in a force greater than you or I can understand, a force that has puzzled many minds,' the Great Dragon explains.
'Does he have to be so damn mysterious,' grumbled Arthur.
'It's Kilgharrah,' Merlin replies.
'Please, I have very little time,' begs Merlin.
'...a force...' continues Kilgharrah.
'Just tell me!' orders Merlin.
Kilgharrah laughs some more, 'why, it is the greatest force of all: love.'
'Gwen,' everyone but Merlin, Arthur and Gwen said together.
Arthur and Gwen blush whilst Merlin grins.
'Love?' asks Merlin.
'You must find the person Arthur truly loves,' Kilgharrah says.
'And then what?' asks Merlin.
'One kiss from her will break the enchantment, and he will desire Vivian no more,' explains the Great Dragon.
'Another kiss,' Lancelot didn't seem to like this at all.
Merlin sighs, nods, and leaves in a hurry.
In Arthur's tent Arthur prepares for the next bout.
'Are you sure you can carry on, Sire?' Gaius asks worried.
'As long as I have Vivian to gaze at, I can conquer the world. Besides, the mace is my forte. You'll see,' Arthur smiles.
Arthur being pummelled by Olaf in the arena.
'Or not,' Gwaine said and if the situation hadn't been so grave he would have grinned.
Merlin bursts into Gwen's house without knocking while she's staring out the window.
Arthur's heart constricted as Elyan and Lancelot glared at the prince knowing he'd caused her pain.
'Sorry,' Arthur repeats.
'We're happy now,' smiles Gwen. 'The past is in the past where it should stay.'
'Rats again, Merlin?' Gwen asks.
'What? No. No, erm...I, I need your help. Arthur needs your help,' Merlin says.
'She's not going to want to help Arthur at the moment,' warned Hunith, 'a woman scorned.'
'I do not think that Arthur needs me,' Gwen says sadly.
'He does,' Merlin assured her.
'Gwen, don't worry. I know,' Merlin replies.
'You know what?' asks Gwen.
'Everything,' Arthur shook his head.
'Everything. Anyone who spends five minutes with you can see how you feel about each other. Look, I do not have a lot of time to explain, so you are gonna have to trust me. Arthur does love you,' Merlin says.
'Even if my then actions didn't seem to show that,' Merlin said.
'No he doesn't,' Gwen looks pained.
'Yes I do,' Arthur says.
'If you don't trust me, trust your feelings,' Merlin says.
Gwen scoffs, 'I'm never trusting my feelings again,' the girl vowed.
'Do,' Hunith says, 'take your chance whilst you can.'
'He's enchanted!' Merlin explains.
'Yes, with Lady Vivian! I can see that!' snaps Gwen.
'Not like that,' Gaius says kindly.
'No, I mean literally enchanted with magic, potions, love juice! None of his feelings are genuine!' Merlin goes onto explain.
'How can you be sure? When I saw him, his feelings seemed real enough,' Gwen says.
'Gwen, none of his feelings for Vivian are real. But if you do not break the spell, his death will be. Search your heart. You know who he loves,' Merlin tries again.
'And I did,' smiled Gwen coming back to sit beside Arthur.
In the tournament Olaf continues to pummel Arthur. He's about to finish Arthur with his mace when the gong is rung. Gwen strides purposefully towards Arthur's tent, pausing to take a deep breath before passing Gaius on her way inside.
'Ah! Have you finally come to wish me good luck? 'Cause I really don't think I need it anymore,' Arthur says blissfully.
'You needed more than good luck,' Percival shook his head.
'I'd never seen you fight like that,' Leon said. 'You were awful!'
'Enchanted,' Arthur reminds them.
'No, Arthur. I have not come to wish you luck,' Gwen says.
'Well, honestly, that's rather rude,' Arthur looks offended.
'So is ditching my sister without a word,' snapped Elyan.
'I know,' agreed Arthur.
'He wasn't in his right mind,' Merlin defended the prince.
'Then let me make amends,' Gwen pins Arthur up against the tent pole and kisses him. He looks confused for a moment before closing his eyes and kissing her back. They put their arms around each other as Arthur dips her they finally pull apart.
Lancelot winces in jealously and averts his eyes. Merlin gives the knight a pitying look.
'Can we please cut the scenes where my sister is kissing guys,' grimaced Elyan.
Arthur and Gwen just looked at each other.
Arthur cringes at his newly discovered injuries, 'what am I doing?' he asks confused.
'I didn't remember any of it,' Arthur said.
'Some forms of love spells enchantment do that,' Merlin said. 'Usually ones that are not object bound like with your father.'
'You're in a fight. To the death. You're losing,' Gwen whispers.
'But-'Arthur looks shocked.
'There's no time to explain. Just...live for me, Arthur. That's all I ask right now,' begged Gwen.
Arthur approaches arena with Merlin. Arthur sees Gwen climb into the stands.
'Merlin, if anything should happen to me, look after Gwen. The world may think she is just a servant, dispensable, but...she's not dispensable to me,' asked Arthur.
'He asks that of me a lot,' Merlin admits.
Merlin smiles and hands Arthur his helmet. Arthur and Olaf fight. Arthur cringes in pain, but catches sight of Gwen and pushes past the pain.
'Vivian weakened Arthur and Gwen strengthens Arthur,' Merlin smiles.
Olaf knocks Arthur to the ground, but Arthur flips Olaf, disarming him. Arthur stands above him, poised to strike, then lowers his sword, 'this is no way to achieve peace!'
'You're telling me,' muttered Merlin.
Arthur offers Olaf a hand to help him up. The crowd cheers. Arthur nods to Gwen who smiles.
Gwen enters her house to find a note and a red rose on her kitchen table. Arthur's waits in the corner, 'I thought I'd better deliver it myself this time. I'm sorry...for...what I put you through.'
'No. You have nothing to apologise for. I, too, have caused my fair share of hurt,' Gwen admits.
'You must believe that my feelings for...Vivian...were not real. I have never loved another,' Arthur promises.
'And I never shall,' promises Arthur.
'One day you will. One day you will find your real princess. One day you will be King of Camelot. And I cannot be your queen,' Gwen says.
'Yes you can,' Arthur said. 'I've made commoners knights and I'll make a servant my queen.'
'You don't know that,' Arthur says.
'I am as sure of that as you are,' Gwen sighs.
'But things are changing,' smiles Gwen looking around the room at the warlock, the sorcerer, the four commoner knights, the prince and the knight all in the same room without anyone trying to claim higher status than the other.
'Things may change,' Arthur says.
'The days I live for,' Merlin smiles.
'Well, until they do,' Gwen bows, 'my Lord.'
Arthur leaves and Gwen turns around and sighs.
Uther walks down the corridor with Olaf, 'your boy has a very wise head on his shoulders,' he compliments.
'Yeah,' agrees Uther.
'I doubt he gets that from you,' Olaf replies.
'I'd agree with that,' Merlin smiled.
Arthur looked hurt.
'All I meant is that you think with your head and heart rather than your anger and pain,' Merlin explained.
Uther laughs, 'I hope these events will not harm our peace treaty.'
'Oh, I believe that Vivian was as much to blame as Arthur,' assures the other king.
'It wasn't her fault,' sighed Gwen.
'No it was Trickler and Alined,' frowned Gaius.
Vivian wiping her eyes as she descends the palace steps with another lady.
'She's still enchanted,' groaned Arthur.
'I'll take her away from temptation. She's far too young to encounter such things. Yes, I go in peace,' assures Olaf.
'I'm very pleased to hear that,' Uther seems relieved.
Alined tugs on Trickler's manacle chains in the Square.
'This is more than you deserve, boy. You will run all the way home,' orders the King.
'That's not possible, Master,' begs the jester.
'And he's supposed to be the sorcerer,' Arthur grimaced.
'It's not the sorcerer who is behind this,' Merlin said. 'It is the king and I don't think magic is outlawed in Alined's kingdom.'
'Make it possible,' King Alined orders.
'Why so cross Alined?' asks Uther.
'Did he ever find out?' asks Percival.
'It would have meant war,' replies Arthur, 'I kept him in the dark about that.'
'Anyone would think you didn't want peace!' Arthur adds.
'But of course I do. Peace? Love it,' Alined lies.
'Terrible liar,' Merlin mutters.
'Well, you may return any time to view the treaty,' Uther says.
'You're very kind,' Alined nudges his horse to walk, dragging Trickler behind him.
The teary eyed Vivian walks by escorted by her father.
'We may return, too?' asks Vivian.
'I should hope not,' muttered Arthur.
'We should invite her to your wedding,' grinned Merlin evilly.
'Sometimes I think you are a bit of an evil sorcerer,' Arthur shook his head. 'And we're not even engaged yet!'
'But you will be,' grinned Merlin.
Arthur and Gwen both blushed.
'Merlin, enough,' Hunith tells her son looking at the blushing couple and the jealous knight.
'You're always welcome,' Uther agreed.
'My heart will remain, and I hope to join it soon,' Vivian is dragged off by her father.
Arthur shudders and makes a mental list to keep Vivian away.
Arthur gives an uncomfortable nod and wave before turning to walk inside with Merlin.
'Not too soon,' Arthur hopes.
'No. Might conflict with your one true love,' Merlin grins.
'Don't tease him,' Hunith shook her head at her only child.
'My what?' asks Arthur.
'You heard me. I have proof,' Merlin says.
'Proof?' asks Arthur.
'You kissed her. In the tent,' Merlin reminds him.
'Merlin,' warned the prince.
'Yes?' asks Merlin.
'What happened in the tent,' Arthur says.
'Mm-hmm?' asks Merlin.
'Speak of it again and I'll kill you,' warns Arthur.
'I'd like to see you try,' Merlin smiled dangerously at his prince.
'Okay,' Merlin agrees.