Two things. First, I will not be answering any questions in regards to Good!Morgana as that would be spoilers. The only thing I'll say is the hint I've given quite a few people now: La Mort le Roi Artu.

Second, this chapter involves a drinking scene. Even ignoring the fact this is a pseudo-medieval setting, the characters involved are all of age in Britain (Arthur 22, Merlin 18, Gwen 21, and Freya 19), though I'm aware they aren't in other places so here's a MINOR WARNING FOR UNDERAGE DRINKING for those who need it.

"Arth-"

"I know what you're going to say," Arthur cut over his father. "I know how important these talks are. Anything between us can be set aside until they are complete.

"Good. We must present a united front if Camelot is to enter a new era of prosperity," Uther said, setting his hand on his son's shoulder.

"Is there anything else?" Arthur said, though he didn't pull away.

"Olaf has sent word that he is bringing his daughter with him. I want you to personally see to it that she receives the best care Camelot has to offer. She is his pride and joy. If she is disgruntled, he will be too."

Arthur bit down a comment and nodded. "I will see that it is done."

"I… Arthur, we should talk -"

"I think it would be best to hold off such a discussion until after the talks are over. For Camelot's sake."

Uther sighed and squeezed his shoulder before letting go and leaving. "You are right. Make sure the preparations for Vivian are complete."

"And who might you be trying to impress, Sire?"

"Well, let me see. Perhaps the four kings sitting in the banquet hall below."

"Oh. Not the King's daughter, then, the Lady Vivian? She is very beautiful."

"Anyone trying to impress the Lady Vivian does so at extreme peril," Arthur said, coming out from behind the dressing screen. "Olaf would 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 Freya."

"Freya? What about Freya?"

Arthur rolled his eyes at the steel in Merlin's voice. "Nothing for you to concern yourself with. Freya's dealt with worse than the sniping of some spoiled lady."

"But -"

"Merlin. She laughed it off. It's nothing."

"Alright," he agreed, but then Arthur heard him mutter. "Anyone insulting Freya should do so at extreme peril."

"Leave it. These talks are too important for any of your shenanigans. Or Mordred's for that matter. Where is he?"

"Helping Gaius. King Ruadh needed a stomach settler after his ride and King Alined wanted a hangover potion delivered before the feast so he'd know he'd have one on hand in the morning." Merlin glanced up at him. "So is that the only reason you're not impressed by Lady Vivian."

"What more reason do I need?" Arthur asked, putting on his jacket.

"Well, there's Gwen."

"What?"

"I know how you feel about her. That is, if your feelings haven't changed, as I presume they haven't."

"I do have my own vat of hot oil, you know."

Merlin laughed and pointed at him. "You're blushing!"

"No, I'm not."

"What's wrong with Gwen?"

"Nothing."

"I think she's very worthy of your love."

"Indeed, were it so."

"Which… it is."

"Merlin."

"Yes, Arthur?"

"Get out."

"Yes, Sire."

Merlin smiled as he pulled back from Freya. "Are you sure you'll be alright?"

"We do this every night," she chuckled. "Go on. You need to sleep. I will see you in the morning."

"Alright, take care."

They shared another kiss.

Are you in Arthur's room? Mordred said in a groggy voice.

They both frowned and broke apart. No, I'm saying goodnight to Freya.

Gross.

Why? she asked.

There was a moment's pause. I thought I felt magic, but I must have been dreaming. There's no one here.

Alright. Go to bed. It's almost midnight.

"You should follow your own advice," Freya chuckled before kissing the corner of his mouth. "Goodnight."

"Night." Merlin waited until the door of her cell was shut and he heard her lock it before heading out of the lower dungeons.

"I may have caused a problem. Although it wasn't entirely my doing."

"What happened?" Freya asked, looking up from her folding.

"Arthur's in love," he said, pacing.

"And?" she hummed, getting back to work.

"I gave Gwen flowers from him."

"Okay?"

"Because Arthur told me to give the girl he was soft for flowers. Oh and a poem. I wrote her a poem."

"I don't see the problem, besides the fact that Arthur should probably be doing that himself."

"Arthur's in love with Lady Vivian."

She looked back up. "What?"

"He's completely besotted, he can't concentrate on anything. All he thinks about, all he talks about is… is the Lady Vivian."

"But he was going on about how obnoxious she is just yesterday."

"I know. Something doesn't feel right."

Freya frowned. "You talked to Gwen already, right?"

"What? To get the flowers? No, she already found them."

She crossed her arms. "And you told her what happened?"

He froze and turned at the tone of her voice. "No?"

Freya marched over and grabbed his shoulders to push him out the door. "Go tell her right now. I can't believe you. What happens when she finds out the truth!?"

He ducked his head. "You're right."

"Yes, I am. Now go."

She shook her head as he ran off. She loved an idiot.

"- and you didn't think to check!? You just assumed!"

Merlin squirmed under Gwen's fury. "I know you both have feelings for each other, so I just…"

"You're an idiot."

"Yeah, I know," he sighed.

Gwen dropped down onto the bench at her kitchen table and her anger faded to sorrow.

Merlin felt even worse and quickly knelt in front of her. "I'm so, so sorry, Gwen. I don't know how this even happened. Only yesterday he dismissed her as rude and blushed when I mentioned you two together."

She shook her head. "Things change, Merlin. Now, I'd like to be alone."

"I'm really sorry."

"I know."

"What on earth?"

Merlin turned to see Arthur holding a lock of hair.

"You really need to start paying attention to the details."

Merlin came over and took it, his eyes widening.

"I knew something wasn't right. Do you know what this is?"

"Hair?"

"Vivian's hair!"

Arthur perked up and tried to grab it, but Merlin held it away.

"You're enchanted."

"With the Lady Vivian, yes."

"Not what I meant. I mean you're under a love spell."

"Don't be ridiculous." Arthur grabbed for him and fell off the bed.

Arthur's under a love spell.

Well, that explains his behavior, Freya said as Mordred merely laughed.

We need to find a way to fix him.

Alright, I'll be there in a few minutes, the younger boy chuckled.

I'll see you in the morning, Freya said.

I can -

It's fine, Merlin. Fix Arthur. I will be okay for one night.

If you're sure. Goodnight.

Goodnight.

"There are so many love spells in these books," Merlin groaned.

It would go faster if I could help, Mordred said from his spot lying next to Arthur on the bed.

Not after the last love spell I caught you looking at.

"And that's only counting the love spells and not the… other ones," Gwen said with a blush as she read through one of the books written in Brythonic, unknowingly mirroring the warlocks' conversation. "And it doesn't help that so many of them have awful consequences for using the wrong counterspell."

"It's useless. The only thing I'm bewitched by is my lady's beauty," Arthur groaned, but the three ignored him.

"Who could have done this?" Mordred asked aloud.

"Trickler," Merlin said.

"Who?"

"King Alined's jester," Gwen answered.

"I should have realized he had magic," Merlin huffed, shoving the book he was reading aside. "No one can make butterflies appear from thin air."

"Why would he want Arthur to fall in love with Vivian?"

"If Olaf finds out, it would mean war," Merlin said, remembering what Arthur had told him before. "Arthur, what reason would Alined have to end the peace talks?"

"Hm. Deorham is one of the foremost war profiteers. Aliened would make far more coin in wartime than peacetime."

"Would he be the type to try to make war himself?"

"Not himself, he's too cowardly."

"But he might trick someone else into doing it?" Gwen asked.

"Yes, that would be like him." Arthur frowned and picked his head up. "You lot aren't still trying to say I'm enchanted, are you?"

"No, of course not," Merlin lied and the prince laid back down with a smile.

"So Trickler enchants Arthur, Olaf finds out he's harassing Vivian and attacks him, Uther declares war, and Aliened profits," Mordred said. "That sounds complicated."

"But effective, unless we can figure out how to break the spell."

If I don't get to help, then I'm going to go get snacks from the kitchen, Mordred said, getting to his feet.

Grab some honey tarts. "Do you want anything from the kitchens, Gwen?"

"I'm good."

"If you're going to keep me up all night, I want some raspberries," Arthur said.

Mordred nodded and slipped out the door.

A short time later, Gwen showed her book to Merlin. "How about this?"

Merlin read through the spell and smiled. "That's it! You've got it!" He mouthed the spell a few times then stood up and focused on Arthur. "Abuge áglǽccræft."

He felt his magic react, but didn't see a difference in the prince.

"How do you feel, Arthur?" Gwen asked.

"You mean besides the fact that my servants are keeping me up through the night and my lady cares not for me. Just great, Guinevere."

"It didn't work."

Merlin stepped closer and met Arthur's eyes. "Abuge áglǽccræft. Abuge áglǽccræft!"

"Are you done?"

Merlin shook his head and turned to Gwen. "I don't understand it. Trickler's magic is strong, but surely it can't be stronger than mine?"

She opened her mouth to say something, but a noise from the hall made them pause.

"Who are you?" Mordred's voice asked.

"Oh! Well now!" came Trickler's voice, and Gwen and Merlin shared a look. "A better question is, who are you? A little one sneaking around the castle in the middle of the night? Stealing treats from the kitchen? Naughty, naughty."

"These are for my master, Prince Arthur. He's working late and asked me to bring him something."

"Hmmm, no, no. But you used to be so much bigger!" he said as Mordred opened the door. Gwen and Merlin ducked out of sight, but both peeked out to see Trickler holding up his hand at Merlin's height. "How did you shrink?"

"That's Merlin. He's the prince's manservant. I'm the prince's page," Mordred said.

Arthur's head perked up at his title. "Are those my raspberries?"

"See. Now if you'll excuse me." Mordred shut the door. He's weird.

Yeah. Merlin gestured him closer then, in case Trickler was still near, whispered, "What was he doing here?"

"I don't know, I just saw him sneaking towards the door."

"Maybe he was going to try to get rid of the lock of hair before someone noticed it and realized what it was?" Gwen asked.

"Or maybe he needs to repeat the spell to make it work?" Mordred suggested.

"No, the spell we found doesn't need to be repeated, and we must have gotten the right spell or Arthur would have green hair?"

"I'm sorry, what?" Arthur hissed, glaring at Merlin.

"Go think about Vivian, Arthur," Merlin said.

It was a testament to the spell that Arthur actually listened to him.

"So the counterspell didn't work?"

"No, something else must be going on. I just don't know what. There's nothing else in the books."

Gwen looked over at Arthur and sighed. "I hate to say it, but we might need to check somewhere else for information."

Mordred perked up. "The dragon?"

"You're way too excited."

"I know what you've said, but he's still a dragon. A giant, fire breathing -"

"We get it," Merlin snorted, ruffling his hair.

"So are we going to go?"

Merlin turned to Gwen. "You're right. It might be the only way."

"Yes!"

"You're staying here," Gwen said.

"What? Why?" Mordred whined.

"Someone needs to keep an eye on Arthur and Trickler already knows you're here to serve him so it won't be suspicious," Merlin said.

"Also, you're too impressionable to be around that beast," Arthur said. "Why are you two going to the dragon?"

"Keep an eye on him," Merlin said before leading Gwen out of the room.

"As much as I would prefer you not go alone," Gwen said, "I'm worried about Vivian. If Trickler enchants her as well…"

"We'll have two lovestruck royals to wrangle instead of one," Merlin finished.

She nodded. "I'm going to stay in her servant's quarters for the night to keep watch. If she says anything, I'll just say I was assigned to be near in case she needed something during the night."

"Alright, I'll let you know what the dragon says in the morning."

Freya stepped out of her cell to see Merlin sitting against the opposite wall, his foot nervously tapping against the floor.

"You haven't fixed Arthur yet, then?"

He yawned and shook his head as he stood. "The dragon told me what we need to do though. "

"Did you get any sleep?" she asked, stepping into his arms.

"A little." He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and pulled back. "We need to go find Gwen."

"She should be in the kitchens."

The two climbed up to the main castle and came into the kitchen to see her gathering breakfast for Morgana. They grabbed trays for Arthur and Vivian and followed her out.

"Did you find out how to help Arthur?" Gwen asked.

"Yeah." Merlin took her tray and replaced it with his own. "You need to go to Arthur."

"And?"

"And kiss him."

Both women stared at him.

"The dragon said Arthur needs a kiss from the person he truly loves."

The two shared a look.

"Please, Gwen. Anyone who spends five minutes with you can see how you feel about each other."

Gwen bit her lip. "I don't know."

"I do. Search your heart. You know who he loves."

Freya set her hand on Gwen's shoulder and nodded.

Gwen took a deep breath and put on a determined face.

Freya watched her march off then kissed Merlin and left to bring Vivian her breakfast. She woke the lady and dressed her before leaving her to her food.

When she reached Arthur's chambers, Merlin and Mordred were waiting outside.

Gwen showed up with his breakfast and kicked me out, Mordred explained. They've been alone in there since.

She nodded and settled next to Merlin. He wrapped his arm around her and she leaned into him.

When Gwen finally poked her head out of Arthur's chambers, her face was lit with a flush. "It's done."

"What took you so long?"

Merlin shoved Mordred.

Gwen's blush grew. "We had somethings to talk about."

"So he's back to normal?" Merlin asked, sounding pleased.

She nodded and Mordred threw his hands in the air. "Finally!"

"Anot'er crisisisisis aver'ed!" Merlin cheered, toasting with his goblet of mead. He and Freya were on the rug in front of Arthur's fire. She was sitting with her back to the fire and he was lying down with his head in her lap. "Can 'e have br'k now?

She giggled into her own goblet, running her fingers through his hair.

"What is it with Pendragon's and… and love spells?" Guinevere breathed slowly, slumped over in her chair. "First Arthur and Sophia… then Uther and the troll… and now Arthur and Vivian. Why does everyone want to… to enchant them?"

"I'm right here," Arthur reminded her, sitting in a chair next to her.

She blinked up at him. "Arthur? When did you get here?"

"You both are drunk," Freya said.

"G'us says I can't have al-al-wiiiiiiine. Says-says I ge' drunk j'st off the smell o' a barm'ds apron," Merlin slurred and she took his goblet.

"Alright, you're done."

"Can I have it?" Guinevere asked, making grabby hands at his goblet despite already having one in her hand.

Arthur took hers and downed the remaining liquid.

She pouted at him. "Should have made… Merlin kiss you instead?"

Arthur choked.

"Mmmmmmeeeeeeee?" Merlin asked, staring up at them with wide eyes.

"Merlin?" Arthur coughed.

Guinevere nodded. "Would have worked just as well."

"You are really drunk," he said, before spotting Freya nodding. "What?"

She smiled and finished off her glass. "You both are oblivious."

"You love Merlin," Guinevere said, shaking her head. "But he… insisted I go… It was a really good kiss, though. Like, really good."

"Art'ur… an' me?" Merlin said frowning. "Art'ur loves me?" He shook his head. "Nuh, Art'ur loves Gwen. I got p'oof!"

"Shut up, Merlin."

The boy immediately started tearing up and Arthur rolled his eyes.

"Sh! It's okay. He still loves you," Freya giggled and he smiled at her. "And you love Arthur."

"He's m' bes' friend!" he said, nodding.

"We don't love each other," Arthur argued.

"Yes, you do," Guinevere huffed. She poked him with her foot. "Kiss him."

"I'm not going to kiss him."

She narrowed her eyes at him and turned to Merlin. "Merlin, enchant him so you can kiss him."

Merlin scowled. "I h't' love sp's!"

"I don't think he can enchant anything right now," Freya said, running her fingers down his cheek.

Guinevere groaned and stood up.

"Where are you going?"

She staggered over to and opened Mordred's door. "We need you to do a spell."

"Mordred is sleeping in Merlin's room tonight, remember?" Freya said.

Guinevere slammed the door shut. "Then call him."

"You're a bossy drunk."

"I c'lled him!" Merlin cheered.

Arthur shook his head and went over to help Guinevere back to her chair. "Maybe you should head out now. It's getting late and you're going to have to help her down to Morgana's chambers first."

"One more goblet," Freya said, grabbing the jug of mead.

They each finished off another goblet then Arthur got up to help her get Merlin in bed.

"What's going on?" Modred groaned, coming into the room.

"Mord!" Merlin cheered.

"What are you doing here?" Arthur asked.

"Merlin said I needed to come quickly."

"I c'lled him!"

"Mordred. Perfect. You need to enchant Arthur!" Guinevere ordered.

"What? Why?"

"She wants to prove that Arthur and Merlin are in love by having you put a love spell on Arthur so they can kiss to break it," Freya explained.

"Okay."

"Not okay," Arthur argued.

"No kiss?" Merlin said, confused.

"Look, you made him sad," Guinevere huffed standing up to lean against Arthur.

"He's not sad."

"Mordred, enchant him!"

"Merlin's drunk. We're not doing this."

Freya smirked. "Are you saying you would do it if he was sober?"

He narrowed his eyes at her. "Why are you trying so hard to push your boyfriend onto me?"

She shook her head. "If you're so sure, then prove it."

"I am sure, bu-"

"Prove it," Mordred huffed.

"I'm not going to - Merlin's drunk!"

"When he's sober," Freya reiterated.

"Yeah, once he's sober you can prove, once and for all, if you're courting," Mordred said. "Unless you're scared."

"I can't believe this is happening," Arthur growled.

"I can't believe I said all those things," Gwen said, face in her hands.

"I'm never getting drunk again," Merlin moaned, his head lying on Arthur's desk.

"I've got it," Mordred said, setting a book down on Arthur's desk. "It's just a basic love spell. It only lasts an hour, so even if by some miracle the kiss doesn't work, there won't be any lasting effects."

"I never agreed to this," Merlin muttered.

"We're shutting down this whole thing once and for all," Arthur said, hitting his desk to make Merlin groan.

Freya rubbed his back. "If you don't want to do this -"

"It's fine. Let's just get it done so I can go beg Gaius for a hangover potion."

"Who am I going to make Arthur fall in love with?" Mordred asked, reading over the spell.

"Me?" Freya offered.

Mordred glanced at Arthur, who nodded. "Okay, I need you to sit down."

Arthur sat and Mordred came around behind him. He placed his hands on either side of the prince's head without touching him. "Artur, frēost oferwacest āsēċest Freyja."

Arthur blinked rapidly before his eyes glowed pink. He was immediately on his feet, taking Freya's hand. "My love, you are more beauti-"

"Merlin, please," Mordred whined as Freya put a hand over Arthur's mouth.

The older warlock stood up, but hesitated as he stared at the prince. He reached out and grabbed Arthur's shoulder, turning him to him.

"What are you doing, Mer-"

At first, the kiss was just a simple press of lips, like the ones that he shared with Freya. It was nice. He could feel Arthur's warmth and energy buzzing around him as they both pressed closer to each other.

Then Arthur's hands settled on his hips and the kiss started to deepen. An unpleasant shiver went down Merlin's spine and he pulled back with a blush.

Arthur stared at him, gaping, and Merlin's blush grew.

"I'm, uh, going to go get that potion."

He ran out as Mordred laughed, Freya and Gwen shared smiles, and Arthur stared blankly at the wall.