Dear Diary

I am so worried about Arthur! All that horrible stuff I said about him earlier, I didn't realise that something was wrong with him; I just thought he hated me!

He came and got me for the feast... or whatever it was and was just so rude and nasty to me. Not in an obvious way, but he said things that really got under my skin!

"Can't you at least try and make it go blond again; you look so much nicer when it's blond," he said after he made yet another comment about my hair changing colour. Did he not understand that I had no control over what had happened to it?

"Yes I will try and change it back," I insisted with a roll of my eyes. Really couldn't be bothered to argue to be honest. Partly because it never got me anywhere, and partly because I had this feeling that Arthur would just snap at me once again!

"Good. It's very important to look good Paige, especially today." He said, with emphasis on the word today. Not exactly quelling the feeling I had that this was all some ploy to marry me off. "And you look good when you look like me," he added with a smile, puffing out his chest as he did so. Pompous arrogant Prat! Was he saying that I only looked good when I looked like him? Argh, I'd rather be ugly that look like him right now!

"Yes God forbid that I might actually look like a nice person," I said bitterly. Arthur grimaced at me, but held his tongue. We were at the entrance to the banquet hall and he didn't want to risk such terrible public behaviour. Although I could tell from the expression on his face that had it been any other place, any other time, I would have been in a world of trouble. I just hoped he would forget all about it in the coming hours. It was likely; there was a lot of wine and mead on offer.

"Can you at least promise me you will behave yourself during this ceremony?" he hissed as we walked past the guards and round the back of the room to where the ceremony would take place. I kept my head down because everyone was looking. It wasn't that I didn't like them looking, I could deal with that. It was the way some of them looked at me. The visiting Kings leered at me, at least the ones with sons did. They nudged their boys and pointed at me, whispered things to them. The whole thing just sent chills down my spine. It was like I was on parade at a market, a prime piece of meat up for grabs to the highest bidder.

"I will if you will," I said. Arthur didn't reply to that.

--

The ceremony that Arthur had so insisted that I behave during was rather dull, and seemed completely pointless! All Arthur and I did was sign a few things and then I knelt down in front of him and he said a few things, like he was knighting me, and I had to kiss his ring and swear allegiance to my new guardian. I would detail it, but really I wasn't paying attention. I was too aware of the eyes I felt on the back off my head.

Arthur of course, acted all dead pleased and happy, like he gave a damn about me. I think he acted that way because now that I am legally considered his ward, he can legally marry me off to some prince whenever he sees fit! However despite the fact that he cares so much, he walked off as soon as the ceremony was over and started talking to King Johnson.

"Arthur!" I cried out after him, annoyed that he had just abandoned me when it was meant to be my feast. His words, not mine! So why wasn't he keeping too them? He ignored me; in fact he turned his back on me and started laughing at something King Johnson said. Arse. I balled up my fists and walked off, determined not to have an angry outburst in front of so many important people. I just sort of sauntered round the room for ages, avoiding talking to everyone unless I knew them. (And that was only Gwen, she was putting on a brave face but I could see the pain of her loss in her eyes, and the physically pain she was still in hidden in her expression.) After about an hour of doing nothing other than watch Arthur talk (and talk) to King Johnson, I decided to slip out and head back to my chambers. I didn't get very far.

"Paige is it?" came a voice from behind me not but a minute after I started drifting towards the entrance. I jumped at the sound, not expecting anyone to talk to me, and spun round to see King Johnson's son leaning against the wall. He gave me a wink as I turned to face him, grinned and stood up properly.

"Um... yeah," I said, an eyebrow raised in suspicion. What the hell did he want with me? He didn't seem interested in me earlier, why now did he want to talk?

"It's William," he said with a bow and a cocky grin that said 'but you knew that already'. "Prince of Greenwood, and Heir to the throne," He held out his hand, obviously wanting mine, but I kept both my hands firmly at my side. Part of me just wanted to see how long he would keep his hand there, but mainly, it's because I didn't want him to take my hand. He'd most likely kiss it! Argh!

"Right," I said, not really knowing what to say. "Did you want something?" He looked rather startled at my response, even offended.

"You rather rude aren't you?" he said, dropping his hand and his pleasant facade at once. I beamed at him and nodded like it was something I was proud of. "That is no way for a Lady to act," he said, emphasis on the word Lady. Who exactly did he think I was? I was no Lady! I was just Paige, a villager who had been thrown into life at Camelot through no fault of her own.

"Well I am no Lady, so I don't think that really matters much," I said, folding my arms in defiance. William snorted at me, shook his head in disapproval. What an arrogant wanker! Who the hell did he think he was, looking at me like that?

"It does matter very much so my dear, after all you'll have to be a Lady by the time of the wedding," Wedding? WEDDING? What was he talking about? Was Arthur really marring me off? And to this pompous wanker? I really don't think so somehow.

"And what wedding will this be?" I asked, suddenly very interested in what he had to say.

"Has your guardian not told you? Ours of course," William rolled his eyes again. His tone made it obvious he thought of me as thick.

"Our wedding?" I questioned. "And when exactly is this going to happen? I'm not exactly falling over my own feet in my attempts to wed you." William laughed at me, shook his head yet again. The more time that passed, the more that I wanted to just hit him. I had to ball my hands into tight fists just to stop myself rushing at him.

"Not until you are 16 of course, and then our Kingdoms will be united and we shall be a stronger power. Our union my dear, is for the good of our people, it has nothing to do with love. "

"Arthur would never marry me off, let alone to someone like you!"

"I'm afraid that he has my dear. You see, we men know what we have to do to secure our futures, you women just have to go along with things," Argh! If it wasn't for the fact that so many people were around I would have punched him! But I knew Arthur would come down hard on me if I did so.

"I wouldn't marry you if you were the last man on earth!" I raged before storming off in Arthur's direction. He was still talking to King Johnson, and now I knew why. He was busy marrying me off to some complete stranger! And for what? His future and the future of King Johnson and his son!

"Arthur!" I cried angrily as I stormed towards him. He looked up and shot me a warning look. But I ignored it. Why would I do as he said when I just found out that he's planning to marry me off to some prince? "It better not be true!" I raged, drawing level with him. Everyone around him had fallen silent, and even King Johnson had stopped talking to stare. Arthur on the other hand looked a little scared, despite the cool and calm expression on his face.

"What better not be true sweetheart?" he asked in a gentle voice. Sweetheart? He knows not to call me that! He knows that's what Leon called me. What my father called me!

"Don't you dare call me that Arthur Pendragon!" I bellowed, ignoring the gentle widening of Arthur's eyes that clearly told me to shut the hell up. There was a collective gasp from all those watching as Arthur placed a hand on my shoulder and leaned in to talk to me so that only I could hear.

"Paige, whatever you have to say to me can be said in private," he hissed angrily. I pushed him away, not forcibly, but he wasn't expecting it so he stumbled. There was another collective gasp as Arthur regained his balance. "What has gotten into you young lady?" he demanded. I opened my mouth to tell him exactly what had gotten into me, when someone grabbed me from behind, slipping a hand over my mouth to stop me from talking.

"Sorry Arthur, my fault, I let her have some mead," Merlin said sheepishly as he dragged me away.

"Don't let it happen again Merlin," Arthur said sternly. He looked like he didn't believe Merlin but I knew he had to avoid a prolonged scene in front of his guests. I fought against Merlin, tried to bite him, but he just used his bloody magic to calm me down. I would have gotten angry if it weren't for the fact that I was incapable of that emotion!

"Merlin, what was that for?" I asked the second he let me go. While I didn't sound angry, just curious; I knew that I should be angry. Damn magic! Merlin put a finger to his lips.

"Not here," he said, nodding in the direction of his chambers.

"Fine," I said, following him without another word.

--

"Paige, don't let Arthur get to you," Merlin muttered as he opened his chamber door. "He's not himself," I rolled my eyes and stepped into the chaos that was Merlin's chambers.

"He was being an arse! Not only has he been getting angry at me for no reason, he's arranged to have me married to that William..." His spell had worn off now that we were away from Arthur, and I could feel my rage returning.

"Arthur has been enchanted, the anger is a side effect. How I realised he wasn't himself. I mean no matter what I do, he never gets that angry at me" Merlin said the second the door was closed. Enchanted? By who, and why? What would be the point? "Its King Johnson," Merlin continued, answering my unsaid questions. "He's dying and he wants to secure his son's future, so he's enchanted Arthur with a spell that will make him agree to anything he says... and that means marrying you off to his son,"

"What benefit does that have for him?" I asked. I could see no reason that would justify Johnson wanting me to marry his son.

"It's quite complicated, but basically, King Johnson is very old. He doesn't have too many years left in him, and he is desperate to secure his sons future. He thinks that joining his Kingdom with Arthurs will give William all the power and security he will need," Merlin said. Wow I bet King Johnson thought that was a flawless plan. Well he didn't bet on the fact that Arthur was still a young man, and that he had named me as his heir! Or at least, he will do... at some point...

"How will that give him power and security exactly? Arthur is still young, and even if he died in the next few years, wouldn't it be me that ruled?" I said, trying not to sound too pleased with myself for finding flaws in King Johnsons plans.

"Well not exactly no... you see if you marry William you will no longer be respected as a leader or as queen, you will just be expected to birth and raise heirs," He was kidding right? Birth and raise heirs? Well why can't I do both? Why can't I have children and rule as queen? Surely having children will not affect my abilities' as a leader!

"That's pathetic! Why should marriage change who I am?" I retorted rather loudly. Why was almost everyone so insistent that women were lesser beings than men?

"I know, I know! It's stupid and idiotic, but your opinions and views will not matter," Merlin agreed, raising his hands in defence. I gave myself a few seconds to calm down. Merlin's views on women show that he believes them to be equal to men. At least that's what he says. Who knows what he might be thinking? Still, best to give him the benefit of the doubt!

"Well it doesn't matter does it, I mean if Johnson doesn't have long to live then once he dies the enchantment will be broken and Arthur will come to his sense's," I said happily after a few seconds of silence. Why hadn't Merlin seen this? If Johnson died, the spell would die with him! Arthur would never marry me off if he had his own free will. But Merlin was shaking his head at me, a forlorn look on his face.

"If only it were that easy," he muttered. Great, now what?

"Huh?" I asked, looking and sounding totally bewildered.

"There is another enchantment on Arthur... this one will kill Arthur when Johnson dies," Merlin sighed as he ran his hands though his hair. My jaw dropped and I just stared at Merlin, unable to say anything. I decided right then and there that I never wanted to get mixed up in magic's... it was all so complicated and downright evil. But then again, maybe that's life...

"I... I... is that even possible?" I gasped after a considerable silence. Merlin gave me a weak, cheerless smile.

"Afraid so." He whispered his voice wobbling. I really looked at him then, looked into his eyes. He looked terrified. He looked like he wanted to storm into the banquet hall and kill Johnson without a second thought.

"So Arthur will die with Johnson, and William and I will be left to rule" Merlin raised an eyebrow. "Well, William will be left to rule," I said as I rolled my eyes and huffed. Argh how could such an arrogant, selfish pompous arse have such power over me?

"Yes," Merlin said, a slight twinkle in his eyes. He found my annoyance amusing I swear! Before I could have a go at him for it, something came to mind. The prophecy! The prophecy said that I will rule once Arthur dies, so how can Johnsons plan work?

"But what about the prophecy... it says that Arthur will name me as his heir and I will bring down the man that kills him... and that I'll be a skilled swordswoman," I cried, elated, a smile on my lips. A smile that soon fell the second I saw Merlin's reaction. He was frowning, shaking his hand at me. Not good!

"That is just one possible outcome I'm afraid. It was written about as it was the most likely, most prophesised outcome there was. The seer who wrote the prophecy noted there were many possible outcomes regarding your future," Merlin sighed.

"Why did no one tell me this before?" I cried, suddenly angry at Merlin. Maybe if he'd mentioned this before, then we could have prevented this, we could have been warned of Johnson's plans!

"I only just finished translating that bit... I mean I know not all prophecies are certain but I didn't ever think that yours could change," Merlin said guiltily, ducking his head in shame. I wanted to stay mad at him, I really did, but I just couldn't. It wasn't his fault if he hadn't finished translating the prophecy, after all the last few days hadn't exactly been full of free time.

"So what do we have to do the break the enchantment?" I asked. I needed to break the spell, I couldn't let any of Johnson's plans go ahead. For a start there was no way I was going to marry his vulgar son, and there was no way I was going to let them kill Arthur!

"I have no idea! I need your help to look through all these books... look for anything about controlling someone else or about death," Merlin said, handing me a huge pile of dusty looking books. Oh joy...

"How long do we have?" I asked, grabbing the first one with a sigh.

"Arthur and Johnson are due to sign paperwork finalising the marriage tomorrow at noon," Outside the sun was already setting, and with the amount of books before us, we didn't really have long.

--

It was way past midnight when Merlin made me go to bed, but the banquet was still going strong. I could hear laughter and chatter all the way down the corridor.

"I don't want to go to bed," I mumbled into Merlin's shoulder, which I was leaning against. I was having a little trouble keeping my head up! But I'm sure that would pass... there was no need for me to stop helping Merlin.

"You fell asleep on a book," Merlin laughed supporting me as I stumbled sleepily. "Now come on, rest" I will get Galahad to help me, I promise... he has noticed that Arthur is not himself, he can be trusted..."

"But.... but what if... what if you don't find... cure...?" I mumbled. I couldn't go to bed! I needed to help Merlin and discover how to lift the enchantment on Arthur!

"I promise you, I will not rest until I have found out how to lift the enchantments... if I need you, I will come and get you, I promise," Merlin assured me. I nodded sleepily. Maybe I could rest for just a little while...

"But Arthur... what... will he be ok?" I asked. I was terrified that maybe he might realised he'd been enchanted or maybe he might do something wrong that would result in Johnson hurting him!

"Yes, he is doing as Johnson asks so no harm will come to him," Merlin said as he opened my door.

"Good," I mumbled, crawling between my sheets without another word. Merlin tucked the covers around me and took off my shoes. He went to leave, but then he spotted something.

"Hey... your hair..." he said, taking a strand of it between his fingers. What about my hair? Why has everyone been questioning my hair today? I have done nothing to it I swear!

"What about it?" I mumbled into my pillow.

"It's blond again... this afternoon you looked like Leon, now you look like Arthur," Merlin said, brushing my hair out of my face so that he could get a good look at me.

"Do I?" I asked.

"Yes. Hmmm that's interesting. The spell must be affected by what mood you are in with Arthur." Merlin pondered. I wasn't really paying attention by this point, I was pretty much asleep.

"Huh?"

"Well before, you were mad at him, so you looked like Leon, and now you are worried about him, and you look like him," I nodded into my pillow, could feel myself sleeping into a dreamless sleep.

"Hmmm..." I said, not sure if I was agreeing with him or what.

"Goodnight Paige," Merlin said, tucking the covers around me again.

"Hmmm..." I repeated. Merlin laughed and tiptoed out of my room.

I awoke just before sunrise. I went to Merlin's chambers, and the Library, but I couldn't find Merlin. I decided waiting in my room was probably the best plan. He'd come here to find me if he needed me. But until then I just have to sit and wait and pray that Merlin has found a way to lift the enchantment on Arthur!

Paige x

--

I am back! Thanks for all the comments while I was away, and the concerns for my well-being.

It turns out I had some tummy bug the same day that I came on! Craziness! I was just feeling so shit, but am all better now! (Thankfully... am going out tomorrow!) And hey, I even lost 2 lbs in the process! YAY FOR HITTING MY TARGET WEIGHT ON THE WII FIT WITHOUT TRYING!

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Have been writing it in bits for a few days so I was worried it wouldn't slow like my chapters normally do, but I think it's alright. But hey, that's up to you guys to decide, right?