Hey guys! Sorry for the long wait, thank you for once again being so incredibly patient ;) This chapter deals mainly with Arthur/Harry's relationship touching on certain aspects of it that may come to cause them problems in the near future. The next chapter will have a time jump and things will finally start to resolve or blow up ;) please leave me a comment! Enjoy!

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Chapter 15: If Wishes were Horses, beggers would ride

-oo—

People don't want to hear the truth, because they don't want their illusions destroyed—Fredrich Nietzsche

-0—

"Did you mean it?"

Arthur blinked lethargically at the warm body next to him, his mind still coming down from their earlier activities. As horrible as seeing his whole kingdom almost fall because of a curse—a curse that ultimately stole his sister from him—he couldn't quite stop himself from being thankful that it had happened in the first place. And wasn't that messed up?

In truth, he hadn't yet allowed himself to grief over the losing Morgana—his mind simply seemed to rebel at the notion that she was truly gone and they were not going to be able to get her back (like they had when the bandits kidnapped her). Morgause was not some low brow thug—no, apparently she was an incredibly powerful sorceress who now had Morgana completely under her mercy. It was not a hopeful situation.

Still he wouldn't, no, couldn't, give up yet. Even if Merlin—and even Henry seemed to be a bit sketchy with the details of how exactly or why Morgause had taken Morgana to begin with. And even more reluctant to do anything about it. He knew that they—Merlin especially, had been acting nervous and twitchy whenever he came up with a new plan of rescue or idea. He didn't understand why though….well unless they thought that there truly was no hope in getting her back….

He hastily shut down that line of thinking and instead turned his mind to happier thoughts and observations. Like, for example, the deliciously naked boy beside him.

And yes, the naked boy (or Henry to be exact) was entirely responsible for Arthur not quite being able to regret the Camelot Coma. It had, after all, allowed him to finally get over himself and truly apologize to Henry….even more importantly, it seemed as though it had allowed the wary teen to finally forgive him.

How could he have ever thought throwing this away, ignoring their connection, was a good idea?

"Hmmm?" he questioned still too distracted by the plains of pale flesh before him to truly try and comprehend what his partner was asking.

"Before….just before you fell asleep. Y-you said some things. Did you mean them or was it just…" Henry trailed off sounding strangely vulnerable despite his efforts at trying to seem as though he didn't care what Arthur's answer was.

Before….before….what had he said?...Oh.

He didn't pause in his indignant reply, "Of course I did! I wouldn't have said them otherwise; do you think that I would say it just to lie to you?"

"I know, but well….people tend to say all sorts of things they don't mean when faced with life or death situations" Henry rebutted just as quickly. Despite his vocal agreement, Arthur could sense that he still didn't really believe Arthur in what he said.

And maybe he was right too. Because while Arthur was definitely not lying—he truly had meant what he had been trying to tell the man—now that the danger had passed he couldn't quite bring himself to say it again, in its complete, unmodified form. So he said as much as he could manage.

"Look at me" he demanded, his voice leaving no room to ignore. Despite that it seemed as though Henry was debating on whether or not to follow his instruction—but in the end conceded and raised his eyes off of where they had been tracing invisible lines along the prince's sun tanned chest.

"I meant every word. I will not apologize again—because I meant it the first time and to do so again would be insincere. But I meant it Henry. And I do care for you….more than anyone else I have ever encountered"

Henry seemed to study him for a long moment before tilting his chin slightly as though in acknowledgement of the prince's words. He slowly inched away from where he had been comfortably lying, half sprawled on top of Arthur's chest to turn more fully towards Arthur. Squaring himself both internally and externally for what he was going to say.

"I care for you too….a lot." He paused noting the way that his words caused the corners of Arthur's mouth to turn up—he only hoped that he would not completely ruin that happiness with his next admission. But he knew that he needed to say it. He couldn't continue building this with a lie.

"Which is why I need to tell you something"

He saw more than felt the prince tense at his rushed words. He knew that there was only a very small chance that this would turn out how he wanted it to. But he knew that if he continued to wait and Arthur ended up finding out in some other way, from someone else, that there wouldn't even be that small chance at a happy conclusion.

He needed to tell Arthur about magic. More specifically; his magic.

-0—

Despite everything that had occurred, Gwen found herself making her way towards the Prince's chambers with a jubilant heart. Yes she was saddened that, once again, her friend and mistress had been taken from them. Yes she was aware of the damage done to Camelot during those hours of slumber (she herself only recalled kneading dough one minute and awaking to find it stuck to her cheek the next) but despite all of this she was still feeling more hopeful then she had in months.

And maybe it had a little to do with the fact that she had finally made up her mind and decided to try to pursue a real relationship with Arthur. She had allowed what happened between them (his complete dismissal of her while under the curse months before) during the tournament and Princesses Vivian's disastrous stay to cloud her drive to get what she wanted (because she had always had a forceful, assertive nature and in the past she would never had something like a little doubt stop her from pursing what she desired).

This last curse—the fact that they all could have been lost, without her even being aware of it (she had slept through it after all)—was just the push she needed to give her courage to try once again. She was done with letting her doubts and fears (and imagined delusions—because there was no way that Henry was what the Prince wanted!) hold her back. No more!

And perhaps she had been a little overeager to take Merlin's morning duties from him (the fact that he had seemed so desperate to get out of them was strange in itself. For while Merlin often complained about Arthur's bullying and treatment towards his person, he had never truly shirked his given duties. But she decided that she wouldn't delve into the real reason Merlin was feeling 'ill' this morning—it didn't really matter if it suited her goals after all).

Still she couldn't help but feel her heart beat with rising hope with each step closer. She could easily push aside her guilt at not feeling more torn up over her friends kidnapping—things changed after all; and that included loyalty and friendship. And it was safe to say that things had definitely changed in the past few months.

Morgana and she had long since been the bosom buddies that they had once been—whispering secrets to each other and trusting each other as confidents and sisters rather than mistress and servant. Gwen hadn't even noticed when their relationship had started to shift; it was only after Morgana's second disappearance that she truly became aware of just how distant they had grown. And thinking back on it, there was only one common denominator to when Morgana started to distance herself from her one time best friend. It was the same one that could be traced to Arthur's sudden change of heart and actions towards her (where he had once been overly sweet and courteous towards her-he now barely noticed her when she was in his presence!).

Yes one thing, or rather person, had been the catalyst to all the shifting loyalties amongst Camelot's royal court; Henry Emrys.

And didn't that just sting? How could one boy, a relative nobody of little social grace or standing, just drop out of who-knows-where and affect those around him so strongly? What was it about the green eyed boy that was so different from the rest of them? What did he have that she did not?

Gwen couldn't help but be suspicious…..it wasn't natural to change people so easily or quickly….no there had to be something more going on….

Gwen gave her head a mental shake, this morning was not the time to think on the suspicious boy, no, this morning she was going to start to truly test just where she stood with the Prince. Once and for all she would know—something in her gut just told her today was the day…

Taking a deep breath to fortify her rising nerves she pulled back her hand and let it fall in a decisive knock against the solid oak doors.

"Your highness?" she called out to announce her presence.

The sound of muffled cursing (or at least that was what she thought she heard—she couldn't quite stop the blush that tinted her cheeks at some of it), silence, followed by a thud and more cursing were the answer she received. And didn't that sound a lot like…well…two voices?

Gwen was just about to knock a second time when a second longer pause of silence seem to stretch forward unendingly.

Finally the muffled, rather strained voice of Prince Arthur answered her original query.

"You may enter"

She was trying to keep her mind from jumping to obvious conclusions. She may have been inexperienced, and in proper court terms, still more or less 'pure,' but she was not completely naïve. She understood the implications of there being a second voice in the Prince's private chambers this early. She was desperately attempting to convince herself that she was wrong…..

With a few seconds of extra effort as she tentatively pushed open the large doors—discretely, if rather desperately scanning the room for a second body, breathing out a sigh of relief at seeing none—she had almost managed. Plus….it wasn't that big of a deal even if there was some little harlot in Arthur's bed.

He was a prince after all….she couldn't expect him not to deal with his certain needs when he did not yet know that she was interested (because he couldn't be aware—despite how obvious she had been in the past, otherwise he would never….right?). As long as it was just some frivolous onetime thing with someone of no standing….something that would definitely end once he was properly courting her…..

It was fine. It would be fine.

"Good morning Arthur" she greeted demurely—for once using his first name without prompting (way back he had told her to just call him Arthur, but she had still been unsure what she wanted and had been rather reluctant to greet the man in such a familiar way), quickly ducking her head to hide her red cheeks. It wasn't her fault! The man was casually (although if she took the time to look closer she would have noticed his casual posture was actually strained with tension) lying in bed, a light night shirt hanging open, blankets pooled at the waist to obscure anything below.

He had always taken care to be completely dressed when he had spent those few brief days living at her place. Now she found herself wishing he hadn't.

"Where's Merlin?" Arthur demanded, and Gwen almost flinched at the abruptness in his tone. She just as quickly brushed it off—Merlin had often complained to her about how Arthur was not a morning person…he was likely just a bit crabby about being woken up (and yes, she ignored the sounds she had heard before arriving indicating that he had already been awake).

Moving across the room to where the fire was already burning cheerily in its grate (another indicator that Arthur had already been awake for some time) and moving a kettle to start heating water for his daily wash up she answered as evenly as she could.

"Merlin asked me to attend to his duties this morning your highness; he said he is feeling rather under the weather—probably from the stress of yesterday. It's really no problem, I can easily help you get ready for the day…" she trailed off hoping that he would agree.

Arthur's frown deepened at her words but he seemed to accept them anyway as she moved the boiling water to mix with the already present cold he slowly pushed himself out of bed. Gwen tried to keep her eyes trained on what she was doing….really she did!...but they somehow seemed to just gravitate towards the princess's half naked form (though she found herself rather disappointed by the fact that he was in fact wearing britches).

Almost as though he sensed her gaze he hastily moved behind his dressing screen to escape it, "You can tidy up and lay breakfast, but I will wash and dress myself"

Despite knowing that this was the most likely course of action (not to mention proper) for the prince to take, Gwen couldn't help but feel let down. She had thought that by presenting herself in such a way—offering a easy excuse for the prince to have her near when he was, well,….anyway, she had thought that he would jump on the chance. Not stick to protocol and dismiss her…..

But then, maybe he was just trying to show her respect by doing so? Yes, that must be it; he was too much a gentlemen to take advantage of a maiden as pure as her in such a way…

Marginally cheered, Gwen hastily set to completing her tasks. Quickly picking up the various strewn items of clothing—internally chuckling at what a slob the prince was to discard his clothing in such a way….sometimes Arthur really did seem like a little boy—she found herself coming to a halt at one such item.

And no, it wasn't because it was something of astounding fine quality and beauty (quite the opposite really….it was rather rough and plain) but because she recognized it; and not as Arthur's. No the well oiled leather arm band was one that she had only seen on one particular person.

She had noted it because it had such a strange silver symbol carved into it. At the time she had simply thought that it was a compass—though now up close, she could see that she was wrong. Instead of the more common four arrowed sign—representing the various directions, this circle consisted of eight arrows. Interesting, true. But not what had made her freeze in horror at discovering it.

No that had to do entirely with who she knew to be the previous owner of such relic. She had only seen this arm band on one person; Henry Emrys.

What the hell was Henry's arm band doing lying amongst the Princes discarded clothing?

Sadly she already knew the answer. And it infuriated her. What she had been trying so hard to dismiss as paranoid worries on her part finally fell away. She knew in that moment that those thoughts had not been as contrived as she had wanted them to be.

How dare he? First her friendship with Morgana? Now her future with Arthur?-oh, hell no!

This was the last straw. He would pay-they both would! No one, and just meant NOONE humiliated Guinevere without out repercussion.

No one.

-00—

"She's gone" Arthur's voice reached him where he was currently pressed against the door hiding a servant's chamber located just behind Arthur's changing screen (Harry still found himself astounded by the number of hidden nooks and crannies littering Camelot's Citadel. The pure security risk that that posed was mind boggling, but he suppose it was just part of how these ancient fortresses were made—people of this time just dismissed the possibility that their own household and servants could pose any real threat to them. Stupid yes, but in his case—very useful).

Letting out the breath he hadn't even been aware he had been holding, Harry carefully opened the nearly invisible side door and slid back into Arthur's chambers moving to finish pulling on last night's clothing (clothing he had thankfully had the foresight to grab off of Arthur's floor before scurrying to hide at Gwen's knock. He did not need to deal with that annoying bint knowing more then she needed to right now…..and yes his thoughts towards Gwen had taken a rather sharp down curve after hearing her basically throw herself at his man! Annoying twat! Now where the hell did his wrist guard get to…?).

"Good—I was afraid that she was going to start throwing her knickers at you" Harry replied sarcastically with just the wee tinge of jealousy (he figured that it was the least he could be excused with, considering Arthur's previous overreactions to various people who were just friends with him! At least Gwaine hadn't truly meant anything by his flirting and didn't in truth, have any real intention of taking things further. Gwen on the other hand, was clearly a different story all together!)

"knickers?" Arthur asked confused.

Harry wanted to hit his head against something—preferably something hard. Sometimes he forgot that he was in a very different time and place from where he had come from. This was not the first nor likely the last time that he would make some slip with his words.

Harry just shook his head in dismissal finishing tying the laces on his breaches, "Never mind…" he muttered—he himself, not entirely sure why he was taking such offense to this morning's interruption. It wasn't as though he hadn't known that Gwen had been hankering after the Prince for some time….hell, he had even witnessed it on several occasions….yet….

And okay, so maybe he did know why he was taking such offense now; he had been so close to finally coming clean with Arthur, to telling him the truth….now though….

Well now that they had been interrupted he just couldn't bring himself to do it. It was as if the momentum of his decision had just fizzled out…he knew he should still do it….he knew this; he just couldn't.

Not now….maybe he would try again later….yes…maybe tonight or tomorrow…or hell even next week. Anytime was better than now; surely.

"Hey…." Arthur's surprisingly soft tone interrupted his mental worrying and he felt rather then saw him press back up against Harry's back, "Stop it. Whatever you're worrying about stop. I won't change my mind Henry….I told you before, it's you that I want, not some silly little girl. You….Ok?" he punctuated his statement by pressing a soft kiss to the base of Harry's neck.

And despite himself Harry couldn't help but feel his body relax back into Arthur's—the hidden tension leaking away from his shoulders as he moved his neck to the side to allow Arthur better room. Arthur obliged and continued his trail of bites and kisses downwards, stopping (to Harry's moaned protest) to spin the slim boy around so that their fronts were now pressed against each other instead.

Harry soon lost himself to the wonderful invasion of Arthur's mouth and tongue, unconsciously rolling his hips to grind his hardening interest together with Arthur's very obvious one. It wasn't until quite awhile later—bringing both boys dazedly from their releases, that Arthur finally managed to ask the question Harry had been dreading since Gwen's interruption.

"God….what you do to me" he muttered placing a slower languid kiss to Harry's lip, rolling slightly so that he was no longer pressing the other boy into the table they had somehow ended up against and basically on top. With a sigh he managed to drag himself away from where Harry lay lazily, "Hey….you wanted to tell me something earlier?"

It was akin to the horrid ice sloshes that the twin Weasleys so loved to upend on their unsuspecting victims—it, like they, managed to clear Harry's mind and pleasured body completely.

Starting up at Arthur's trusting face, Harry knew that he couldn't do it now-there was just no way he could bring forth the confrontation that would no doubt follow should he tell him. "Oh…I forget…it was nothing….really" he lied, his face carefully hiding the conflict and despair he felt.

Arthur shot him a disbelieving look (there was definitely a bit of suspicion in it as well) but seemed to decide to let Harry keep his secret for the time being. "Alright, if you say so…"

Giving his best easy smile—well aware that it was more than a little strained—Harry walked forth intent on distracting Arthur from any further questioning, "I do….now how about we get one more round in before we have to leave your chambers for the real world?" he questioned coyly, trying to ignore the bubbling guilt inside.

It worked.

Arthur's expression cleared into one of want, "how could I ever deny you?" he asked pulling the unresisting boy to him for another passionate lip lock.

Even as he was pushed once more down onto Arthur's rumpled bed sheets and started to lose his mind to the pleasure and friction; Harry couldn't help but feel that today's events were going to come back and bite him.

Note: Title taken from the nursery rhyme: If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride:

If turnips were watches, I'd wear one by my side,:

If, Ifs and Ands were pots and pans,

There'd be no work for tinkers' hands

I chose this simply to try and illustrate the fact that Gwen is once again entertaining delusional thoughts based on her wish of Arthur to be hers. Also alluding to Harry's (possibly) daydream that Arthur will accept his magic when Harry tells him.