Hey everyone, sorry for the wait in for the second part of the chapter but in truth I feel like this story is starting to drag a bit. I have noticed quite a drop in reviews and normally this would not really effect my writing but as I already mentioned I already was feeling as though the stories pacing was a bit...lost. I have the rest planned out but as of now I am trying to decide whether to turn my attention to other projects and place this on the back burner for a bit or to forge ahead. I have not decided on which so if you-the lovely readers-have an honest opinion, I'd love to hear it.

Any how here is the chapter, please please let me know what you think and whether or not I should continue focusing on this or not (let me just reassure everyone that even if feedback does cause this story to be shelved for a bit, it will get finished. just a bit slower that is all). Happy readings ;)

okokookokokokokokokok

Chapter 11—continued: Lavender Blue

"I see it all perfectly; there are two possible situations — one can either do this or that. My honest opinion and my friendly advice is this: do it or do not do it — you will regret both."
― Søren Kierkegaard, Either/Or: A Fragment of Life

Merlin was not hiding.

He wasn't (!), no matter how it might appear. The fact that he was simply taking a different route to and from Arthur's rooms and to get to his various duties (one that happened to avoid the paths that Gwen generally took) was completely coincidental.

Plus even if it wasn't, he was pretty sure no one could blame him for wanting to avoid what was very likely a hurt, pissed off and scorned woman. Especially when one was the person who had only hours before ensured her that it was she that Arthur was pining over. Yeah….not the best thing he could have done with concerns for his health.

Not that he had intentionally set himself up for such a risk, after all he had thought (been almost certain) after speaking with Arthur yesterday, that that was the case. Sure thinking back on the aforementioned conversation he felt a small niggling of doubt over his assumptions—but still, it had been a very small niggling.

Arthur may not have exactly come right out and confirmed Merlin's insinuations regarding his more than master—servant feelings for Gwen, but he hadn't denied them either! True, he had seemed rather uncomfortable with the whole conversation, not to mention decidedly shifty (not that this new shiftiness was different from the way that the Prince had been acting for the past while—something Merlin was not entirely sure what to make of. It didn't help that his brain couldn't help but note that Arthur had started acting weird shortly after the appearance of Henry in Camelot…..) throughout, but Merlin had dismissed it as nerves because of his hidden feelings.

Now though….well, Merlin was being forced to wonder just what he had missed. Because after the sickenly sweet display he had witnessed at the feast last night, it was obvious that he had missed something.

Something that was not completely natural. Arthur may be a dolt a majority of the time and perhaps even a bit fickle then and again but even the blond prince would not make such an about turn in his feelings regarding the Princess. Merlin was still sure that Arthur had not been lying when he voiced his dislike of Vivian earlier in the afternoon.

So to go from dislike to all out adoration in the space of a few hours…..well there could only be one logical answer; magic.

Merlin wanted to find a hole somewhere to hide in and weep. Just how was he supposed to succeed in warming Arthur up to magic when all magic ever did was fuck with the Prince's life?

Sighing at his bad luck, Merlin continued to make his way towards Gaius's room. As part of the plan that he had been enacting (which had surprisingly been far less painful then he had originally feared it would be) he had plans to meet and help Henry with some simple brewing and bottling.

While the task itself was simple and painless, and even spending time with his half brother had been almost enjoyable as of late, he was still not looking forward to doing so today.

Merlin was not an idiot (no matter how Arthur claimed otherwise) nor was he blind. He had not missed the look on his brother's face right before he had so hastily left the feast last night. And he could only draw one conclusion from it; Henry was in love with Arthur.

For such a shocking revelation it did happen to explain quite a bit about how much time he spent with Arthur…..not that it explained why the prince allowed it (And no! Merlin would not allow his mind to believe such a ridiculous notion as the prince returning his brother's feelings! Because while it would explain far more and make everything fall into easily explainable boxes, it was just too….tooo….just no!).

So yes, while Merlin was getting along far better with Henry, even perhaps developing a smidgeon of respect or fondness for the frail looking boy, he was not entirely sure what to do with this new knowledge. Or how to feel about it.

Hence why he wasn't up to seeing the teen.

His pause in steps lasted only a brief second before the dragon's words swam to the surface of his brain as reminder. The looming warning of darkness and devastation was enough motivation for him to push through his own discomfort and continue forward.

He had fooled Arthur with his lies for over a year now…. surely hiding his confused feelings from his brother couldn't be all that difficult? All he had to do was feign ignorance over the whole situation…..

It would be fine. He would do what he needed to in order to continue building the shaky trust that had been growing in Henry, then later, he could look deeper into just what the hell was going on with Arthur. Because regardless of who Arthur chose in the long run (although he was still telling himself that his brother was not one of those in the running) he knew that if Arthur went ahead and acted on his false feelings for Princess Vivian, everyone, not just Gwen and Harry would be in for a world of hurt.

-o—

Harry gave the simmering brew—which was perhaps a tad darker then it was actually supposed to be, most likely due to his aggressive concocting—one more stir before moving back towards where he had been prepping various roots. The potion he was making could really hardly even be called such, what with being such a watered down and muggle version of the fever reducing one that wizards generally favored.

Still it was somewhat effective and it was the recipe that Gaius had instructed him to on so Harry would squash down his magical pride and make the poor substitution as ordered. Really, he wasn't even sure why he was still sticking around Camelot these days.

It certainly wasn't for him! Oh no, last night's display had only confirmed what a naïve idiot he had been to get involved with the blond prince. He had known that he would get hurt doing so….that one way or another Arthur would let him down. He was almost more angered at himself for being so betrayed by the fact that Arthur had done just that, then the prince himself.

Really…what had he expected? Still he couldn't quite banish the sting he had felt upon seeing Arthur slather over the blond tart right in front of him. Had he really meant so little to the prince? Apparently so.

He ignored the voice in his head that clung to the chance that Arthur might not have been completely himself last night. He had already been stupid for letting himself fall for the man in the first place, he would have to be a complete and utter moron to allow himself to be convinced that the blatant disregard Arthur held for him, wasn't actually how the prince truly felt. It was such a school girl hope—one that Harry would not allow himself to feel.

He may have basically raised himself, but he didn't raise himself to be a fool. The prince was apparently enough of that for the both of them.

So no, he really didn't have much of a reason to stick around Camelot—the magical hating kingdom—any longer. It wasn't as though Arthur wanted him anymore, and well….Merlin never had.

There was Morgana of course, but the girl had been drawing further and further away from him as of late and he got the feeling that she was keeping something big from him. Knowing his luck she was probably using him as well—for his knowledge rather than his body, true-but it still came down to being nothing but someone else's tool. The more he thought about it, the more he felt like he should have already have packed up his belongings.

He sighed as a sharp knock interrupted his brooding, causing his head to shoot up to see his brother standing somewhat awkwardly at the door. Oh right…..he had mentioned coming to help Harry out today….

Harry was still somewhat suspect of his brother's true motives but then again if this was the only chance he was going to have to get to know his brother even a little (especially now that the thought of leaving had taken root in his brain) then he might as well take it.

"Merlin….hi"

The tall gangly teen gave an unsure smile in answer to the greeting, "Hey…..um….did you still want help?... with the potions I mean?"

Harry hid his smile at Merlin's obvious nerves and gestured towards the cauldron already brewing, "Sure….I already have one going but I could use a hand with dicing and slicing if you are up to it"

A look of relief fluttered across Merlin's face and he quickly moved over to pick up the knife Harry nodded at. Silence quickly descended between the two boys, only interrupted by the soft bubbling and nicking of knifes against wood.

Harry sighed quietly to himself as his mind drifted back to its previous subject. Maybe he would talk to Morgana….let her know he was going to take off. He knew she would probably stay here; not that he thought she really had an option what with Uther's fatherly feelings towards her, but maybe he could offer to stay in touch or something? He wasn't sure if that would interest her but even if she was using him he still felt a bit bad about leaving her with no one….

A dry cough drew his attention back to the present and he raised a brow at the nervous almost dance like fidgeting Merlin was doing. Obviously Merlin had something he wanted to ask….Harry was a bit surprised that his brother was holding back on actually doing so. It was almost as though he didn't want to offend Henry….not that that made any sense considering how his brother felt about him.

"You can ask you know. If I don't want to answer I won't" he stated deciding to put the boy out of his misery.

Merlin's pale features flushed with embarrassment, "o-er…okay" he took a deep breath before pressing on, "I was just wondering, I wanted to know…..Do you have feelings for Arthur?" the last bit was blurted out like steam escaping a suddenly opened pressure valve. Blunt and demanding. At least the deepening shade of embarrassment that followed showed that Merlin hadn't meant for it to come out that way.

Maybe it was this more than anything that had Harry answering truthfully (though later Harry would suspect that he had really just wanted to talk to someone. No matter how that someone had treated him in the past, or how little he actually ended up sharing. Just acknowledging the truth out loud seemed to remove a previously unnoticed weight from him). "Yes" he answered just as bluntly as the question had been asked.

Merlin stood there gaping like a fish out of water. Despite asking, Harry realized that his brother hadn't truly believed there to be merit behind his question. Or at least he hadn't expected Harry to answer truthfully.

"Oh" was what he managed to croak back. "Er….does-does Arthur return them?" he finally asked after a long pause, hesitation and overwhelming curiosity coloring his words.

Harry gave him a flinty stare, "You were present last night. What do you think?" Harry deflected. He might have admitted his feelings for the man but he was not going to get into the whole drawn out saga that had occurred between the two of them. Plus he really would rather Merlin not know what a fool he had been. Or how Arthur had used and discarded him with such ease. His brother already scorned him enough without giving him additional material. Plus, some dirty laundry was just not meant to be aired.

An emotion flitted across Merlin's face and if Harry had not known better he would have said it was understanding. Not that such a positive emotion geared towards him could possibly come from Merlin. The lanky wizard paused once again and seemed to debate on something before straightening his hunched spine and drawing a breath.

"I think Arthur is under some sort of compulsion or spell"

Harry didn't manage to stop the snort that escaped him. He felt a cruel hysteria wanting to bubble over in him….life was truly a bitch sometimes. Here he was, just having convinced himself that his own thoughts of such were ludicrous and gullible, and of course Merlin had to come along and say the same thing! It was like his brother had sensed the weak thoughts in his head and dug them out to present like some vicious mockery of a present.

And as much as Harry hated himself and his brother for them, he could feel the words burrowing down under his skin….what if…

No! no, he was not going to set himself up to be crushed again. Especially after having experienced it first hand from the very man not once, but twice, just yesterday.

He felt his head shaking with desperate denial and prayed that Merlin would take the hint and just let him be.

How stupid he was.

"No listen. Something is not right. I spoke with Arthur yesterday afternoon and he specifically said he didn't like Princess Vivian! And I know Arthur, I would have known if he was lying about it" Merlin persisted his sincere belief that he was right shining brightly.

Harry wanted to snort at the statement. Because he knew for a fact that it was false. Arthur had been lying to his manservant, Harry's brother, for months now and Merlin was none the wiser. He felt like telling Merlin this, watching his surety shatter like his brother had shattered Harry's hopes and dreams so often before but held back. And for once it was not out of kindness but simply because he didn't want to have to explain just why he knew Merlin was wrong. He didn't want Merlin to know the truth, but he could see that he had to do something. Because that look of pure determination would not be deterred without solid proof.

And the only way to get solid proof that Arthur was not under some magical influence was to go along with whatever it was that Merlin had planned. He sighed, cursing himself even before he opened his mouth and said the words that would damn him.

Or at least force him to face Arthur again.

"Alright….I'm listening…."

-o—

(**see end note)

The events that played out over the next day and a half were all a bit of a blur in the end. A blur that Harry wasn't entirely convinced he wanted to stop and sort out when he finally had the time. Long story short—Merlin's (and his own earlier smothered) suspicions of Arthur being be-spelled into loving the Princess Vivian turned out, surprisingly enough, to be true.

The most unexpected part of the whole mess was that it was not brought on by the Princess, her father or Uther, but by an entirely unrelated player. No one, certainly not Harry, had thought to suspect a political motivation behind the plot….thankfully King Alinend's part in everything was revealed by the man's own temper when he found his plans foiled, his own temper tantrum quickly detailed not only his own hand in events but his jester's part as well.

No one outside of Harry was really aware of all the steps it took to foil the plans in the first place, although others—Merlin and Gwen included, knew bits and pieces; just not Harry's own role in it.

When Merlin had previously spoken of his suspicions, Harry had gone along with it, not truly believing them to be true but the irritating snags of hope that refused to completely abandon him, forced him to at least investigate Merlin's claims (not that he told his brother of doing so).

It was during a quick and dirty search of Arthur's chambers (thankfully unseen by anyone) that he found the hex bag under the prince's pillow. He made a quick study of the bag but left it in place for his brother to find (and with a few small nudges and hints, he knew that Merlin would discover the bag as he had).

It had been a series of convoluted steps to get things to work out how he had wanted to without implicating himself while doing so. Thankfully due to his own unwanted popularity back in the wizarding world, Harry had the not yet forsaken habit of always carrying powdered beazor with him (one of the most efficient antidotes to that annoying little potion known as Amortentia). Gambling that the hex bag worked similar to the dreaded love potion, Harry had simply placed it in a medicine vile, hidden it amongst Gaius's other antidotes and glamoured a page in Merlin's favorite go-to spell book to direct his brother to look for said powder.

Having played his part he had then stepped back and allowed Merlin to reach the conclusion he had been gently guiding the wizard too from the start. Finding and secretly administering the powder to not only Arthur, but the similarly befuddled princess.

There had been a brief snag with things when Gwen had caught Merlin putting something in the prince's wine—but his brother had been shockingly adept at talking himself out of a hot spot. Convincing the maid that it was not witchcraft that he was doing but the counter to an already cast spell (his brother had cleverly manipulated—though he was sure Merlin would claim it wasn't manipulation—the girl by telling Gwen that this would free the prince of his false love and allow him to seek out the person he truly had feelings for. It most likely helped that the girl was under the impression that Arthur was actually in love with her—which Harry was miserable to admit he very might well be—and Gwen had not only kept silent but administered the Princess's own antidote filled wine).

Despite the whole thing being nothing but a resounding success, with the prince left looking decidedly sheepish and embarrassed; Harry found his chest left strangely empty and cold when those blues eyes met his.

-0—

It seemed as though it mattered little what common sense should (and would normally) dictate, Gwen felt the flutters of what could only be called hope spring to life at the Prince's approach, regardless. She knew that having already been slighted in the way that she had been, her hope not only dashed but completely stomped and then spat on, that she should not be feeling the way that she was.

She almost, sort of hated herself for the traitorous emotion….but she had heard it been said that the mind and heart often did not agree and she could now steadfastly place her experience behind those that stated that the heart often won out.

It was partly Merlin's fault for reigniting such feelings….he had, after all, convinced her (AGAIN) that it was only because Arthur had been under some sort of wicked spell that he had slighted her so. He had been so earnest with both his words and eyes in stating that he truly believed that Arthur did harbor feelings outside of what he had expressed, to and for her. The unspoken promise that the prince might even find the courage to seek out the one he truly wanted after the spell had been defeated hovered like the cruel sound of ocean to a shipwrecked prisoner.

Possibility and escape in full view but just out of reach.

Still, the small practical part of her brain told her too not leap yet, to wait and see what and how everything panned out, unfortunately she found it becoming quieter and quieter in the face of the Prince's cerulean eyes.

Merlin had been right! Arthur had come to find her! (HER! Not the poncey little princess or the annoyingly gracious apprentice! But HER!)

"Ah…..Guinevere…." Arthur's uncomfortable greeting shook her out of her premature fantasies, "how are you?"

Gwen was slightly taken back by just how awkward Arthur appeared in her presence but then she suppose that after the embarrassing display he had put on over the past few days that she could understand his uncertainty. She was not such a push over that she would immediately swoon at his approach without demanding so much as an apology for the (wrongly assumed on her part) not kiss**.

Steeling her beating heart she infused as much ice as she could into her tone while still keeping it appropriately polite, "Fine your highness, and yourself?" –there no one could miss the clear 'I am not pleased with you' vibe she was sending out.

Or maybe they could—at least Arthur seemed to be completely oblivious to the fact. In fact he seemed more then oblivious to her anger but completely uninterested in her what-so-ever, judging by his distracted manner and the way his eyes kept skirting her to scan the area.

What the…..?! this would not do!

"Did you need something your highness?" she asked, the question snapping out like the whips that the traders used on their poor overworked steeds.

A look of surprise followed by one of relief flitted across the royal's face and for the first time since the conversation had started he turned his full attention on her. She felt her breath catch in her chest at feeling Arthur's eyes fully aware on her face. How was she supposed to stay mad at this man when he possessed such powers?

"Yes actually!" Arthur said the urgency making him seem almost a tad frantic, Gwen drew in a breath….this was it! This was when Arthur finally admitted his feelings….or at the very least hinted heavily at them…..any second now.

"….ry?"

Wait, what?

Arthur was staring at her, a ill hidden impatience in the lines of his eyes as silence and not the answer to whatever the question he just asked followed.

"Pardon?" –she didn't want to jump to conclusions but that had sounded a lot like he was asking her to….well what else ended with the 'ry' sound? But still, that was even a bit fantastical for her imagination. She forced herself to pay attention when he opened his mouth to ask for the second time.

"Have you seen Henry? I really need to find him…."

And just like that her world crashed and burned before her. She shook her head no as she valiantly tried to keep the pure despair (not to mention disappointment) she was feeling at having her hopes and heart crushed in one sentence from showing on her face. She must have done a fair job as Arthur's own shoulders sagged with his own disappointment and he muttered some sort of good bye (she couldn't quite concentrate on what it was in truth) before moving along, leaving her there in the courtyard completely and utterly alone.

She didn't know how long it took, but one could only survive the torrent grief of losing a dream for so long before something snapped. And that something did snap.

It snapped and made way for a whole other maelstrom of emotion: it was one that she was already rather familiar with. One that she welcomed with open arms and a twisting gut of anticipation:

Hello Anger.

-o-

(Two days previous)

Annoyance pulsed through her with every increased heart beat as Morgana sped her pace. The hurried step was now a necessity thanks to her irritating brother—if he had not so inconveniently been doing whatever it was that he had been doing in the woods, just as she happened to be trying to pass through that wooded area, rushing would not now be necessary.

Though even as she was forced to keep up the appearance of heading back towards the castle before taking a long loop around and back away, she couldn't help but wonder just what Arthur was up to. She didn't buy for a second that he was 'looking for training options' or whatever other bullshit he claimed.

She was far from the naïve, unsoiled little girl that Uther no doubt liked to kid himself she was, she knew what a roll in the bush looked like and well…..Arthur had definitely been doing some rolling. The question was not if he had been, but who he had been doing it with.

Normally she would have just assumed it was one of the many palace girls who were dying to get into her brother's bed—or even one of the ladies of court (for even thought they were of noble status they were just as eager as the serving girls were, if not more so) but the intense nerves that had been wafting off Arthur like a beacon shouting 'guilty' loud and clear, made her think otherwise. The thing was she wasn't sure just who would elicit such a reaction from the Prince. After all, he was a prince, which meant he could get away with just about anything…..

Whoever Arthur had been fooling around with had to be someone that broke more than just the societal constraints of lord and servant. It was all very curious.

Sadly, she did not have much time to interrogate her brother or even ponder the incident in depth, no….she was rather distracted with the reason she, herself, had been racing through the woods in secret. She was late.

And Morgause did not appreciate lateness….no matter who from.

Notes:

Chapter title: Comes from the Children's rhyme Lavender's Blue—

Lavender blue and Rosemary green,

When I am king you shall be queen;

Call up my maids at four o'clock,

Some to the wheeland some to the rock;

Some to make hay and some to shear corn,

And you and I will keep the bed warm.[1]

The lyrics printed in the broadside are fairly bawdy, celebrating sex and drinking. It should be noted that there are actually several different versions of the song/rhyme in existence but they all generally refer to the same thing.

***During the actual episode there was a whole almost jousting challenge between Arthur and princess Vivian's father. Not to mention a true kiss from Gwen but I am obviously making a few major changes. Thing that did remain the same are as follows: King Alinend had his jester jinx Arthur and the princess to fall in love in hopes of causing a conflict between her father and Uther—thus destabilizing peace attempts. Arthur making a general fool of himself over his false love. Gwen getting slighted because of Merlin believing that be-spelled Arthur had been referring to his love for Gwen not the princes during their talks. The rest is basically what I have listed in the chapter. If you are confused feel free to write me and I will try to explain it better!

**In the original episode Gwen kissed Arthur thinking it would break the spell. In my version she had expected to kiss him (as Merlin would have originally tried to break the spell like he had in canon—with true love's kiss, before discovering Harry's glamoured instructions to use the beazor dust) but never received said kiss. Hence the NOT kiss mentioned.