Mary viewed Gwen with critical eyes. She marveled at Gwen's gentle beauty in her shimmery garments. Gwen reminded her of the goddess of the Moon, Selene, if she went for a walk among mere mortals. Her curly locks were brushed and twisted with Moonstone. Mary's petite friends applied crushed rose petals to her lips and cheeks. A scoop bodice exposed a hint of her bosom; the silky material encircled her waist and flowed into a soft shimmering ball gown. Lace decorated her hems and sleeves. Her magical glass slippers sparkled when she walked. Gwen twisted a feather mask in her hand.

"What's missing," Mary wondered aloud. "You look as beautiful as a swan princess." Mary trapped a finger on her small chin. "But, something is missing."

"Her neck is too bare," Merlin muttered. "She needs something around her neck.

Mary clapped her hands. "Yes, of course."

Quickly, Mary skipped to Merlin's sooty chimney. Her small hands gathered a scoop of ashes. Her blue eyes glowed amber as her small mouth moved. Light flickered from in her tightly closed palms. Her fingers opened to reveal a large diamond attached to a silver chain. Mary tossed it at Merlin, "Place it around her neck."

Merlin smiled at his faithful friend. Gwen's fingers touched the diamond. It felt cool and hard under her touch. She dared not look into a mirror. She couldn't believe that she was draped in such finery. Gwen gasped when Merlin tied her mask behind her ears. "We have to be careful, Gwen."

"As Queen of Camelot, you will learn to dress as the perfect Queen. You have natural grace. Don't be fearful," Mary encouraged. "Now, walk down stairs and wait for me. You need a governess."

Merlin led Gwen to his bedroom. Carefully, he guided her down the stairs. The door clicked shut. Mary twisted her head as her small body shook. Her limbs began to elongated, gray streaking her hair, a few wrinkles touched her eyes.

Morgana attempted to move her jaw. Her eyelids fluttered like bird wings. She stuck a finger into her mouth. Her fingertip traced a rough material binding her teeth. Her pretty face grimaced in horror. Her hands shook. She stomped towards her magical mirror. She banged roughly. She jumped back when she was greeted by a little girl with dark hair and deep brown eyes.

"I'm the new occupant of the mirror. Don't knock so hard. Listen up, witch, I'll free your teeth after ball. You're going to go, and play nice. Let Arthur have his night, or I'll make your dream world a nightmare."

Morgana stared at horror at the beautiful young girl.

"My name is Core. Remember, my warning. Or things will be difficult for you. I'm not afraid of your big bad sister. Let her come and huff and puff. She won't blow me down or cause a crack."

Morgana realized that her new mirror didn't regard hr with magical disdain, or a bit of sympathy. How did someone change her magic? Merlin was afraid to come near her room. What other resident of Camelot dealt with magic.

"Get dress, and play the perfect lady at the ball. You made a fatal mistake when you crossed a young girl," Core replied darkly.

Gwen hoped Bob would remain sleeping on Merlin's bed. She cleaned his room. She hid everything that might be tempting to the baby Dragon. She threw away scraps of food or anything sweet to arouse his interest. She rolled her eyes. Please behave, Bob.

Gwen clutched Mary's hand tightly when she spotted Arthur sitting on his throne. His golden head resting on his poor. His fingers wrapped around a golden goblet of wine. A bored expression marring his handsome face. Mary patted Gwen's hand. "Be brave."

Mary guided Gwen around dancing women. She shot dilly princess, rude noble women a scathing look. She noticed Merlin whispering in Arthur's ear. The young prince sat up and smiled as Gwen approached.

Mary stopped when she felt a heavy hand on her forearm. She raised her eyes to look deeply into Uther Pendragon's eyes. She ignored a confusing wave of revulsion and love as stared deeply into Uther's eyes. His warm lips brushed he soft hand.

Mary smiled gently. This is where I went wrong last time.

"Have we met before, milady."

Mary curtseyed before the King of Camelot. "I think not, milord. I travel from a land far, far away."

Uther's blue eyes lingered over Mary's face. "Your eyes are so hauntingly blue. I've seen your face before."

"Maybe in a dream, milord. Mary gushed."

"Your name?'

"Maid Marion of Woodshed. My ward, Robin of Menmerry. Thank you for your hospitality. But. Alas, I must remain with my ward." Mary tugged her hand from Uther's claps. She ushered Gwen through the crowds.

Mary shook her head. She didn't expect her foolish husband to recognize her. Goodness, he isn't a complete idiot, almost.

Gwen's hands shook from their brief encounter with Uther. She breathed deeply to calm her frazzled nerves. Her heart beat rapidly as she slowly approached Arthur's throne. His blonde hair gleam against a red velvet tunic and overcoat. His strong leys enclosed in soft brown material. A slight grin rested on his soft lips.

Gwen licked her lips when she felt Merlin and Gawain's smiling eyes. She lowered in her body in a deep curtseyed. Her brown eyes memorized the tiles.

"Milord, Mary began,"I present my ward, Robin."

Merlin wondered how Mary could lie so easily to everyone. The deceptive words just tumbled out of her words. Bouncing around like raindrops during a spring show. Arthur rose from his throne, a gentle smile on his face, the smiled that reserved only for Gwen adorned his face.

"Welcome to Camelot, Robin, Arthur drawled softly. His large hand lifted Gwen's trembling body. His blue eyes twinkled as he smiled loving. "Sweet, soft, fragile like bird. Would you care to dance?" Gwen's dark head bobbed. Arthur slowly led Gwen to the dance floor. His fingers tendering caressing her hand. Her dark eyes darted around as people watched in a strange combination of curiosity, jealousy, and awe.

Arthur placed a warm hand on her tiny waist. Her fingers entwined with her as he slowly glided her around the floor. Gwen was aware of the melody as his strong arms swept around the ballroom. Arthur lowered his head, whispering," I love you, Guinevere."

"I love you, Arthur," Gwen murmured into his chest.

Igraine closed her eyes as they glistened with tears. Destiny cannot be altered. She'll make him happy. Gawain smiled at his friends as they swirled around the ballroom. His brown eyes watched Uther's pensive face. Gauis eyed Uther wearily as the young couple danced lost in their thoughts. Gauis shook his head; he hoped Uther had pleasant thoughts in his twisted mind. Elyan watched his sister carefully as he held his breath. Her happy smiled soothed his weary heart.

Uther's tired eyes and mind drifted back, he visualized twisting and turning Igraine around. He soft hand on his shoulder. Her blonde hair tightly bound. Gaiety in her deep blue eyes. That's it, Igraine, that woman is Igraine.

Gauis watched Uther's eyes frantically searching the crowd. Uther's large body followed a slender blonde room as she left the ball room. What is going on?

Morgana sat like a porcelain doll in her chair next to Uther's throne. She smiled politely at people. Her pretty hands waved away her court. Her tired eyes watched Arthur and Gwen dancing; so lost in their own world. She swallowed a pang of jealously. I don't want love; I need magic and freedom. Freedom to be me.

Gwen snuggled deeper in Arthur's arm as they stared at a dark sky with twinkling lights. Moonlight caressed their faces. Arthur caught Gwen's hand and pint to a large twinkling stars.

"When, we are a part look to that star. It's our star, Guinevere. It will always lead you back to me. Our bright shining star."Gwen raised her head to brush Arthur's lips. His thumb wiped away a stray tear.

Uther trailed behind Igraine as she marched to Camelot's ramparts. His eyes watched in amazement as her wrinkles faded; hair blonde; and her dressed faded to a vibrant gold. Her long blonde hair hung to gentle off her back in a golden wave. She stood like Aphrodite guarding his heart and world. He caught his breath.

"Stay, where you are, Uther Pendragon."

Uther's step backed form the malice in her voice. He raised his hand to deflect the harshness of her words. "How?"

Igraine regarded him with mournful blue eyes. "Your agreement gave me to magic. I am bound to magic."

Uther's chest burst in pain. "No-"

"Yes, I travel around protecting people from you," Igraine spat.

A tear left Uther's cold eyes. "You're a creature of magic. You are here to trick me."

Igraine's beautiful ace twisted in pain. "I am your wife, Uther Pendragon. The wife that you betrayed for Gorlois wife. The wife that lay in our cold bed with my empty womb as you took a lover!" Igraine's blue eyes blazed with fury.

"I-"

"The fruit of union lives in the castle, the Lady Morgana. I knew. Vivian roamed the castle with her swollen belly. I knew," Igraine cried in anguish. "I knew!"

"You are mista-"

"The truth hurts."

"That girl is magic."

"Leave her-"

"You're here to hurt Arthur."

Igraine smiled sadly at Uther, and stepped off the ramparts. Uther rushed to the side of the castle. He could spot her body on the ground. He didn't detect a glowing firefly gliding towards an open window.

"Guards, arrest the girl with Prince Arthur," Uther screamed.

Igraine landed on Merlin's shoulder. He tried to bat her away. She raised her small glowing body. She buzzed in his large ear. "Gwen is in danger. Protect her, I must leave. Go, now Merlin."

Igraine watched Merlin stumble into ladies of the court. She smiled when he knock a goblet of wine on Lady Clark. Igraine always found her fake. His large feet carried him rapidly to the balcony.

"Gwen, Arthur!" Merlin yelled breathlessly. "Gwen is in danger!"

Gwen's hid behind Arthur. He placed a hand on his sword handle. "What?"

"Is that really surprising, Arthur and Merlin,' Gwen stated calmly.

"Your father ordered the guards to arrest Gwen. He thinks she's a witch… or something. I don't know."

"I'm a witch again. Gee, Uther doesn't change his tune."

Merlin wrapped a hand around Gwen's wrist. Her foot slipped out of her glass slipper as she stumbled slightly. Fear marred her sweet face. He started to pull towards the entrance. Arthur placed a palm on his shoulder.

"No, Merlin, they will see you."

Gwen licked her lips. "Arthur…"

Arthur brushed his hands over his head. "Can you make her disappear?"

Merlin shook his head. "I haven't learned how yet."

Arthur shot Merlin a look of annoyance. "Hit the books, Merlin."

"Give me less chores."

"It's your job."

"I have two jobs, Arthur. You're lazy."

'What?"

Gwen rolled her eyes. "Merlin, Arthur, I'm going to die."

They blushed in shame. Merlin's blue eyes sparkled. "I have an idea. Stand back, Arthur."

Merlin took Gwen's hand; his eyes glowing amber. His body shook as he repeated a few magical words. He smiled when Gwen began to shrink before the, Arthur's mouth dropped in awe as his eyes brown knitted together. He stooped down and gently placed Gwen in the palm of his hand. He shook his blonde hair. Gwen stood with her hand on her hips, She stomped her feet on his palm harder. Her tiny arms moving erratically. Her body rigid with fury.

Merlin shrugged. "She won't be seen. Give her to me, Arthur."

"No, you will lose her."

"I need to change her back."

Reluctantly, Arthur allowed Merlin to swipe Gwen from his hand. Arthur exhaled deeply when Merlin dropped Gwen into his pocket.

"I'll meet you later."

"Yes, hurry Merlin. Get her to a safe place."

Arthur watched Merlin dash away with his hand resting on his back. Coldness seeped in his heart. His foot nudged Gwen's glass slipper. He reached down and carefully retrieved her slipper. He slipped it into his pocket. He closed his blue eyes and wished for Gwen' safety. He longed for Camelot where he could love Gwen openly. A place where he could claim her as his wife. A kingdom of glory, justice, and nobility. Arthur signed as he watched his subjects departing for their snug home. Did warm hugs and soft kisses wait for them?

Merlin's pocket held: buttons, herbs, biscuit crumbs, and a sticky substance. Gwen bounced around as Merlin jogged back to his room. Her stomach churned as she juggled to remain still. Her small hands grabbed the lining of his pocket. She closed her eyes and prayed for strengthen.

Gwen heard a door slam shut. She felt Merlin flopping into a chair. Long fingers snaked into his pocket and removed Gwen. He placed Gwen on a wooden table. Her hair flung around her head. She swayed slightly. Merlin gave her a sad look. Gwen climbed on his hand. She wrapped her arms around her legs.

Bob smiled his mother. He flew down the stairs. He searched endlessly, whining because he couldn't spot his other. His large eyes sad. He cocked his head to one side and stared at the small figure resting on Merlin's palm.

The table shook when Bob crashed into it. A scary smile curved his scaly face, Happiness gleamed in his eyes. His rough tongue licked Gwen's body in glee.

A/N: Home sick again. You have to love children! Does anyone remember the shard of glass, and Merlin's ears begin to grow. Persephone was referred to as Core until Hades kidnapped her. Persephone became a dark queen after she was kidnapped. Just like poor Morgana!