Sorry, it took a long while to come up with any good ideas… if anyone's still around, I hope you enjoy this. Honestly I didn't know when I would come back to this.

Morgana stood up. "It's getting late, I'll leave you with this one."

"Good morning, Merlin."

"Today the world's greatest sorcerer faces his greatest trial yet."

"And who might the world's greatest sorcerer be?"

"The man named Merlin, of course. Who else could I be referring to?"

Arthur sighed. "Ok, where is my sister, I know she is behind this."

"So happy you missed me! I'm right here."

"No, you're Merlin. I mean, wait, what? If you aren't Merlin, where's Merlin?"

"Guess."

"No. No no no no no. Please tell me it can be reversed in the next three hours."

Morgana's body walked down the stairs. "No, sadly this is what happens when Morgana finds a spell in Gaius' library but it's somewhat faded away and she tries to guess what some of the letters are."

Gwaine walked in and stopped himself from laughing long enough to say "Cheer up. It could be worse. At least it's not a dragon!"

Morgana buried Merlin's face in his hands. "Thank you. Thank you for the thought."

"I know, I know, you're disappointed you didn't swap with someone as handsome as me. Hey, Merlin isn't too bad looking though, is he?"

"Before I kill him, I'd like to remind you of the trial Merlin must face. Let's just say that he has never faced it before, and that it happens once a month."

Merlin grimaced. "Exactly the thing I wanted to experience."

Morgana tried to run a hand through her hair, then remembered she didn't have it. "Maybe this isn't all bad."

Gwaine attempted to switch to a straight face. "My lord, after careful consideration, I can indeed confirm this is Merlin. He possesses no acting ability whatsoever."

Arthur spoke up. "I'll tell them you are both sick and cannot make it."

"That will not look good," Merlin said.

"It's better than the alternative."

"Do you have no confidence in my acting abilities?" Morgana's voice was hurt.

"I'm worried about Merlin because I have no confidence in his acting abilities, and I'm worried about you because I have complete confidence in your acting abilities."

Morgana sighed. "What could I have to gain in pretending to be Merlin?"

"I'm sure you're trying to answer that question right now."

"We might want to have him stay in, though. It would be a shame for him to survive countless plots against Camelot only to die of embarrassment."

Merlin screamed. "It's happening. It's happening now."

"Just when I forgot what Morgana screaming sounded like. Stop sounding like such a girl, Merlin."

"In case you forgot, that's impossible right now." Morgana turned to Merlin. "Is this all I would have had to do to defeat you? All right. We are not having him go out there in this state. It will be years before I can show my face in public again."

"Technically, it will not be you showing your face in public this time," Gwaine quipped.

Morgana cleared her throat. "Sometimes I make Arthur clean the stables. It's of course beneath my duties as the mighty Merlin."

"Merlin, if I run my sword through her, does it kill her or you?"

"I know how to defeat her," Merlin announced. "My love is only for the very dashing, handsome Gwaine! His eyes captivate me so, I could write many poems about them."

Morgana rolled Merlin's eyes. "All right, let's call a truce."

Arthur put a hand to his head. "How long does this last?"

"Five days," Merlin replied.

"The whole length of the visit. What did I do to deserve this?"

Three hours later Arthur, Gwen, Merlin, and Morgana stood in front of the castle.

"Welcome, Prince Eric. Please, come in."

"Thank you! You are the one I've heard so much about. You must be wise beyond your years to rule such a kingdom. And you! You must be the Lady Morgana. Beautiful, quiet, demure, just as a lady should be." He lifted her hand to kiss it.

"Yup. That's me, Morgana. Very quiet. Very demure. Perfect timing, if that's what you wanted."

"What does she mean?"

"She means, uh, of course, that you time your compliments very well."

A rather short, finely dressed woman followed behind Eric. "I did hope there would be another child to keep little Catherine company. I suppose we can find someone to watch her."

"A good influence, I hope. She has been engaging in activities that are rather inappropriate for young girls. Oh, by the way, our servants will follow with her shortly. King Arthur, this is my beautiful wife, Hannah."

I hate him already, Morgana thought.

Arthur is putting in an effort now specifically to not make more enemies.

Would one more be too many?

What is a lady supposed to do here? This? Merlin put on a very awkward smile.

Have you never faked a smile before? Morgana grimaced.

The woman raised an eyebrow. "Are those two feeling unwell?"

While Arthur struggled to find a response, Gwen jumped in with "Oh, it's excitement, that's all."

"Oh, pardon my reaction," Morgana said. "I couldn't help it, thinking that a young girl has been engaging in unladylike behavior."

How will I survive the next five days?

When Catherine arrived at the castle, Merlin and Morgana shared a look.

She has magic!

Merlin's lips twisted up in a smirk. Suddenly I have many ideas for activities that are very appropriate for young girls.

Morgana, no, we can't -

Please, Merlin. I know exactly how she must feel and you can't even begin to imagine.

Morgana made her way to the dinner table, with Merlin in tow shaking his head.

"The help here has done a tremendous job on the food. Try the chicken, my dear," Eric said.

Morgana sat down. "Yes, the food is indeed excellent. Now did you say something about being concerned for your daughter?"

"Yes, can you believe just last week she found a sword and started swinging it around, she cut a tapestry to pieces… oh, if there were some way we could get her to behave like a proper lady." Hannah sighed.

Morgana acted shocked. "Oh, absolutely, how can she be doing that? Instead of minding the appearance of the place, she destroys it. I mean, how will she get married?"

Arthur shot her a look that he hoped communicated I'm not sure what you're up to but it is definitely a bad idea.

"Yes! Of course! That is precisely what we are worried about," Hannah exclaimed.

"Tomorrow, I can take her to some of our servants, who can show her how to do her hair, how to properly decorate the place, and other things she ought to be doing," Morgana offered.

Arthur stumbled around for an answer. "Maybe not. We, uh, want our servants to enjoy this time as well."

"Oh, I assure you that with such a sweet child, it will not be a chore for them," Morgana said.

Arthur looked at Gwen, who shrugged her shoulders as if to say she was unsure who to side with.

"Morgana might not… I mean -" Merlin froze after realizing his mistake.

"Is she unwell?"

"She gets a little confused sometimes. Forgive her, she's rather fragile and delicate!" Morgana grinned widely.

You are definitely having too much fun, Merlin thought.

"Splendid idea! Our Catherine does have a little bit of a temper, but perhaps some time here will do her good."

Hannah snickered. "What I find rather amusing are the rumors about Morgana that you spread around."

"You might want to keep a watch," Eric added. "They do have to be believable, otherwise they won't deter others from attacking your kingdom. I mean, come on, taking down an army of two thousand?"

"Five thousand," Morgana interjected. "Some of them ran away instead of fighting, though."

"Is it five thousand now? Exactly my point. At some point people, gullible as they are, will stop believing those tall tales."

"I'll be happy to take Catherine to the servants tomorrow morning," Morgana said.

Merlin opened his mouth to speak. "Maybe I could -"

"Oh yes, you could fetch me another glass of wine. Thank you, you're such a dear."

I'm sorry, Merlin, but this is definitely happening.

"It must be wonderful to have a dependable man who thinks of the little things like this," Eric said.

"Wonderful. Wonderful indeed," Arthur replied.

The next day Morgana led a struggling child down the hallway. "I don't wanna get married."

"Oh, getting married can be exciting. I can show you something else that's exciting."

"Doing my hair for the millionth time isn't exciting."

"No, something else."

"I don't like picking dresses either."

"Nothing like that."

Catherine's expression was curious, but skeptical. "What is it?"

"Have you noticed strange things happening around you?"

"Yes. All the time."

"Like what?"

"One time my bed split in half. Oh! Also one time, I was thinking about mushrooms, and mushrooms grew in my hair! Mother doesn't want to talk about it. I couldn't do it again, though." Catherine stared at the ground disappointedly, then scratched her hair. "See?"

"Do you want to learn how to control it?"

"Really? I can do that?"

"Yes, but we have to start with something easy. I can show you how to make a plant grow. Would you like that?"

"Of course!" She jumped up and down excitedly.

"Wait. Pretend I'm Mother for a minute." Morgana did a stern woman's voice. "What did you do today?"

"I learned to dress according to the tastes of the men around me, which will help me find a husband, of course." She smiled.

Oh Triple Goddess. I've found… me.

Elsewhere Arthur was putting on his socks. "Morgana, what are you doing - oh, right. Merlin, your hair looks awful."

"Oh right. I'll have to get Gwen."

"Can't you magic it straight?"

"I never learned a spell for that, because, well, I have such fabulous hair already, Sire."

"Did you swap with Gwaine now? One swap is enough."

"I assure you not, Sire."

"What do we do about my sister?"

"I have no clue, Sire."

"Her acting skills are enough to defeat the both of us."

"More than enough, Sire."

"What is she doing with the child?"

"Teaching her magic."

"Please say that again. I have the slightest hope that your tongue slipped because you were being an idiot."

"Teaching her magic."

"Should I give up and prepare for war?"

"Maybe, Sire."

Gwen walked in. "I actually side with Morgana on this, as long as she is careful."

"Is that possible?"

When the time finally came for a second night of feasting, Arthur was conflicted, for he dreaded it but also wanted it to be over.

Hannah was smiling. "This trip has been great for her! I've never seen her so excited about something she should be doing before."

"Finally acting like a proper girl. It's the excitement of a new place and meeting new people that's keeping her straight. We should visit Camelot again soon."

Merlin sat down. "Before you ask, yes, Sire, she did finally stop laughing long enough to do my hair."

"Yes! Good! Everything is very good."

"I will tell my father we can maintain good relations with Camelot. We share the same values and the same goals. To Camelot!"

"To Camelot!"

"I did want to discuss your rumors at greater length."

Arthur turned his head. "Do tell. What about them?"

"There is a grain of truth in there. Witches do exist. We will do everything in our power to keep our child safe from them. You see, only a man has the strength to stand up to such temptations. A woman is sure to go horribly wrong."

Morgana snickered.

Eric held a finger up. "No, don't laugh. Such terrible things have indeed happened. Surely the great sorcerer of Camelot would know that?"

Merlin interjected. "I know a story of a sorcerer who fell for a witch. Married her, in fact."

"Oh, how horrible."

"It's difficult living with one in the kingdom, you never know what scheme she might be up to."

"Was she caught?"

"Of course."

"What was done with her?"

"We've given her a special room in this castle, under careful watch by Merlin."

"Why not execute her?"

Merlin shrugged. "She just won't die."

"I hope you can find a way to do it. Someone like that does not deserve to live."

Arthur looked at Gwen, who shrugged.

The next morning, Catherine awoke bright and early.

"Fashion is an important part of preparing to attract a husband, so I don't want to hear any complaining."

"Oh, Mother, the dresses all look so lovely. It's difficult to choose, is all."

"Well, that's a pleasant surprise. I still want someone to take you, so you don't wander off."

"It would be my honor," Morgana said. The two walked off.

"What's next? What's next?"

"How to turn a stone to dust. It might be hard but I want to see how you do. Like this." Morgana put her hand to a small stone and whispered an incantation.

Catherine did the same and produced another stone.

"Not quite, but maybe we can do that next. And this isn't anything dangerous, so you can stop standing there and being invisible."

"Was I obvious?" Merlin asked.

"Whoa! I wanna be invisible!"

"If you learn quickly, we could do that before the end of the week."

I've never seen someone look that excited.

Trust me, if someone told me that while I was growing up in this boring old castle, I would've been that excited.

I sure would have liked for my time here to be boring.

How do you think Arthur's doing, showing our guests around?

He probably thinks any moment now you're going to show her how to make this tower explode.

I'm not that careless! Not these days, at least…

"I'm confused," Eric said to Arthur. "The lower classes have been greeting you all day as a friend and calling you by name. How can you tolerate such disrespect?"

"I don't find it disrespectful in the least."

"Hmph. They ought to address their betters by their proper titles, you know."

Arthur and Gwen shared an exasperated look.

"And how do you feel about marriage between those of different ranks?" Gwen asked.

"To be avoided at all costs. That is why I detest those who spread rumors that you were once a maid, of all things. Again, too ridiculous to be believed, but whoever is responsible ought to be thrown in the dungeon."

Gwen's patience was clearly wearing thin.

"See how angry it makes her, Arthur, you really ought to do something about this."

"Suddenly I feel the appropriate activities your daughter is doing are so much more necessary," Arthur said.

"Why, yes, of course."

That night a very satisfied Catherine watched her fork crumble to dust.

"Oh dear, Catherine is missing a fork, and her knife looks rather unsanitary. Could you get someone to take care of it?"

"What knife, dear? She doesn't have a knife, either. She does have four spoons, though."

Morgana sighed. "Catherine, maybe don't swap the utensils at dinner. What will your parents think?"

"Still has a bit of a rebellious streak, I'm afraid. She seems to be improving, though," Hannah said.

"Get one of the maids, this amount of dirt on the spoons is unacceptable. Ha! A maid marrying a king, I'm still laughing thinking about it. What a fool king that would be, I know Arthur has shown he's too wise to marry a filthy pauper."

By the final day when the six adults sat down to eat, Arthur and Gwen could hardly contain their anger while another two had an entirely different reason for trying their best to remain calm.

"We'd like to thank you, since we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. You have - WHAT IN HIGH HEAVEN IS THAT?" Hannah jumped as a carrot floated next to her.

"Dear, it must just be Merlin being funny."

Catherine materialized next to her parents.

I knew she wasn't ready for that. It takes a lot of concentration to stay invisible at first.

"Ha! That was pretty funny, Merlin," Merlin said.

Hannah recoiled. "That's nice, but we don't want her anywhere near magic, it's too dangerous."

"Yes, especially wherever you keep that witch locked up, I hope she's nowhere close by."

"Oh, you can never be too careful with her," Merlin replied. "In fact, Merlin's room is very close to hers. Watching her is one of his most important duties."

Morgana sighed. "Sometimes, it isn't quite so easy a task. She does like to find ways to make it difficult."

"One day! I just know it, one of these days you'll find a way to end her."

"I doubt it."

"It's just too hard," Merlin replied.

Morgana stood up. "Alas! Your child may always have some witch close to her, but don't worry yourself about it."

"It's too bad we must leave after today, Catherine has been enjoying it so much."

How is she?

Don't worry, she showed me a place she can sneak off to where I can visit. I put a spellbook for her there.

"She did tell me she finally realizes marriage is nothing to run away from."

That much is true, I did tell her that. I told her to look for the right person, and to remember that sometimes, opposites attract. If it's the wrong person and she needs to get away, well, there's an invisibility spell for that.

"Yes, Mother, I've enjoyed my time here, and the servants have been welcoming." As she turned to leave, Morgana saw a mushroom form in her hair.

Wait… I didn't teach you that…

You didn't teach me this, either.

No, I didn't. Now go have fun.

"Is it that witch again? We must keep her safe! Arthur, I wish you luck in keeping this threat at bay!"

Harold thought for a brief moment. "Was that change of bodies accidental?"

"Perhaps. I suppose I can't tell everything."