The Second Coming 1/3; merlin
Title: The Second Coming [1/3]
Author: mydoctortennant
Pairing/s: Arthur/Gwen one way Arthur/Vivian
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: not mine etc etc
Dedication: For encryptedcookie
Summary: When she returns trouble starts...
Note: Thankies to purely_distel for her help betaing!
my merlin prompt table
Part I | Part II | Part III
The servants knew all too well what the visit of Lady Vivian would bring them. Hard work and an ungrateful receiver of it. At least when it came to the Royal Family of Camelot, you know that, even if no words were spoken, they were grateful for every passing moment you dared give them. Every time their bed linens were changed, they would smile, inwardly thanking whomever had taken it upon themselves to do it. Every time a meal was served they thanked God for having the means to do so. They did not take their good fortunes lightly; they knew exactly how hard each of their staff members worked.
Lady Vivian did not.
Nor did she care. She could be served by the noblest of people and she would not bat an eyelid. As long as she had what she wanted the way she wanted it, she was happy, without sparing a thought for the work that had gone into it.
It was one thing on the list of many that Arthur disliked about the girl. Coming soon after her constant rudeness and disrespect she had shown towards Gwen. He might have indirectly denied it last time, but he had no qualms stating now - after all that had happened - that that was his problem. He could handle her being rude, but not to Gwen.
When he had heard news of her return Arthur had petitioned to his father for a hunting trip that ‘coincidentally’ took place over her visit. Uther, being the wise king he was, saw through his son automatically.
“You have to show solidarity and loyalty to these people, Arthur,” he had said, “She will only be here for a few days.”
What Uther failed to understand what that Arthur’s problem didn’t lie with the visit itself, or the fact that the girl was enchantedly in love with him - that he could handle, despite the sick feeling it gave him in the pit of his stomach - it was the fact that he’d only just sorted things out after last time. With the Dragon’s attack and more coming out in the air than perhaps should have, he didn’t need Vivian and her obsessive love to come barrelling in the way of it. Not again.
Arthur had tried talking to Gwen about it as well, but she couldn’t see the problem with it. Not like he had expected her to.
“She’s not in love with you Arthur. And you’re not with her. I really don’t see where the problem lies.”
“The problem lies in the fact that she’s enchanted. Chances are she’ll stop at nothing to get what she wants.”
Gwen had gone on to call him big-headed, and told him that if he soothed his ego, perhaps he would see that there was no problem. He just - simply - had to avoid her at all costs. Oh, and if anything happened between the pair of them, Gwen would serve him his manlihood on a platter.
-
The time came.
Arthur joined his father in the courtyard to greet their guests. He saw that Vivian was assisted from her horse by another Knight. One she screeched at and demanded to see Arthur straight away, practically running towards him on sight.
“Lady Vivian,” he greeted, bowing his head.
“Prince Arthur!” she squealed, throwing herself in his general direction and wrapping her arms about his person. He found his hands reaching out for her waist, only to pick her away from his body, “My love, what on Earth is the matter?”
“I have matters I need to attend to,” she pouted, trying to follow him, shouting her displeasure at him. Thankfully for Arthur, his father detained Vivian, engaging her in conversation about the ‘awfully nice dress’ she was wearing.
Instead of heading for his chambers, Arthur made his way to the Physician’s Quarters. If anything he could hide there for a little while and go unfound.
“Sire?” the physician stood by his table, many bottles bubbling away over a flame. He was hard at work and Arthur had just interrupted him.
“Gaius, hello.”
“Are you looking for Merlin?” The old man looked at him over his glasses, he was busy testing different medicines, shaking vials, heating them. Arthur really didn’t know what he was hoping to achieve, but the least he could do was hide.
“Merlin? Yes!”
“I’m afraid he’s making some deliveries, sire.”
“How long will he be?”
“Anything up to an hour, my lord,” if Gaius had known any better he would have questioned the Prince’s intentions of asking. It wasn’t often Arthur asked for him. Just ordered for him and sent a guard to find him. Or shouted.
“Perfect,” Arthur smiled, sitting down in one of the chairs opposite Gaius. The old man’s eyebrow shot up.
“Are you quite alright?” he enquired, putting down the vial he was holding and leaning on the table.
“Perfectly well.”
“May I ask why you are here, my lord?”
“Hmm?” Arthur looked up from the spot on Gaius’ table he had been looking at, “I’m just, uh-“
“Hiding?”
“Not at all,” he had no other reason, but he could hardly turn around and tell Gaius the truth. He should have just hidden at Gwen’s. Then again, she would be working, and only told him to go away. He could understand it, she had orders to complete and he would only get in the way.
“You are more than welcome to stay here until the Lady Vivian is otherwise indisposed,” Arthur’s jaw dropped. He hadn’t been the most tactful person when it came to his complaining over the last week. Most people in the kingdom would have heard at his displeasure for the Lady’s visit.
“Thank you,” Arthur let out a long, relieved sigh.
“Just don’t get in the way,” Arthur went to speak, but decided it was probably better to just sit in silence. Something he had learned to be good at over time. Having spent hours on end sitting next to his father in court, the dutiful son.
-
“Have you seen- Arthur!” Merlin looked at him. He had been sat watching Gaius work for the best part of an hour, “What are you doing here?”
“I don’t know if it has escaped your attention recently Merlin, but I am the Prince of Camelot. I can go where I want.”
“Yes, but why are you here?”
“He’s had some trouble with his shoulder. He merely came for something to help soothe it,” Gaius said, passing the Prince a vial. Arthur accepted it without question.
“You never told me you’d hurt your shoulder.”
“I don’t have to tell you everything, Merlin.”
“No, but you normally like complaining.”
“You know, it doesn’t hurt enough not to throw you in the stocks.”
“I’ll be quiet,” Merlin said, defeated. Though, he was beginning to get rather fond of those wooden imprisoners. And the rotten vegetables, “It’s just, your father was looking for you.”
“What did he want?”
“I didn’t ask,” Arthur groaned, putting his head in his hand and rubbing his face.
“It made be time to face your demons, my lord.”
“Indeed.”
-
Dinner had been… interesting.
Arthur had situated himself as far away from Vivian as he could. But with only a few of them dining, he couldn’t escape too far.
He had excused himself as soon as he had finished eating, taking Merlin and practically running back to his quarters, but they weren’t alone for long.
A knock at the door followed by it opening, in a true Merlin style, saw Arthur face to face with the person he had been trying to avoid.
“You will leave us,” she said to Merlin straight away. Arthur shook his head as Merlin looked at him.
“Can’t.”
“Can’t or won’t?” her distressed tone was already working on Arthur’s brain, he just didn’t need it.
“Arthur-“
“Why do you allow him to address you in this manner?”
“Arthur is unwell,” Merlin looked pointedly at the Prince, who grasped his meaning and immediately looked put-out, “It would be best if you left him for the evening,” Vivian took a few short steps across the room towards Arthur before Merlin intercepted her, “Really it is best if you leave.”
“I think not, I can tend to him,” Merlin stopped her again, holding her in place.
“It’s best if you leave,” Merlin ushered her towards the door, turning her so she could walk properly, “Perhaps you can come and see him another time,” Vivian fought against Merlin’s grasp, kicking up her feet, stamping on one of his feet. Yelping, he dropped her, and watched her run over to Arthur who had managed to retreat to sit on the edge of his bed.
She threw herself at him, forcing him to lie back into the bed. Her hands were on his face, checking his temperature, “My love, if you are unwell, I must tend to you!”
“I just need to sleep, that is all.”
“They I shall stay with you.”
“That’s not the best idea, after last time, I think it best we do not keep each others company without your father present.”
“You are right, of course, my love,” she ran her hands over his face. He gently grabbed her wrists, and manoeuvred so she was no long on his bed, “I shall leave you,” she concluded, leaning towards him for a kiss, but his grip strengthened, stopping her away from him.
“Merlin?” his servant came across the room, grabbing a hold of the Lady’s arms and leading her towards the door.
“Until we meet again, my love,” Arthur waved, and collapsed back into his pillows at the lady was shown from the room.
“Save me.”
“Again,” Merlin murmured under his breath, searching through the chest for a fresh night shirt. He threw it over to Arthur, who had already stripped himself of his day shirt. He caught it, pulling it over his head, “I think it’s best you try and stay away from her as much as possible.”
“Really Merlin? I hadn’t guessed.”
“Just saying.”
“Here’s a tip, Merlin: don’t.”
-
Arthur spent the next two days avoiding her as much as possible. Whenever she was walking down a corridor he hid in an alcove. He’d littered the kitchens, the laundry and spent more time with the townsfolk, parading himself in the town centre, bettering his image with his people.
On the second night there had been a feast held in honour of the visiting King and his daughter, so Arthur managed to keep away from Vivian at all costs. He’d managed to engage Leon in conversation, keeping him occupied. Later, he’d managed to slip quietly out of the hall. By the cover of the night he walked straight out of the castle and down into the town to the Forge.
He could see the candle light streaming out of her small window and under the crack of the door. The Forge was shut for the night, but he could still smell the remains of hot, smoking coals. He smiled to himself, raising his hand to knock on her door.
“Two seconds,” he heard her call from across the room, he assumed she was getting up off of the bed and coming to answer the door, which was pulled open two seconds later, “Arthur?”
“Guinevere,” she stepped aside to let him in, knowing leaving him on her doorstep would only cause a stir. She didn’t work in the castle anymore, his being there, even knowing her name, would be questioned.
“What are you doing here? I thought there was a feast?”
“There is.”
“Then why aren’t you at it?”
“Because there are more than enough people to keep my father occupied, he won’t notice I’m gone.”
“Vivian might.”
“I do not care what Vivian thinks,” he smirked as he saw a blush creep across Gwen’s face, he took another step towards her, enveloping her in his arms as securely as he could, “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too,” she answered truthfully, burying her head into his chest, clenching her fist in the material of his shirt, “I did not think it wise to come to the castle, not with Vivian there.”
“A wise decision,” Arthur comment, running his fingers gently through her hair, the smell of burning coals still on her from her days work, “Vivian has been hunting me out at every given opportunity.”
“Is there nothing to be done for her?”
“Regretfully not. Merlin’s researched it, and there is no definitive way to release her of the spell,” Arthur paused for a second, withdrawing from Gwen to look her in the eye, “She has never known love like I have,” Gwen smiled, removing her hand from his shirt and running her fingers over his brow before cupping his cheek, “Then, it’s a miracle Merlin found a cure for me. He is rather useless- owh!”
Gwen had not-so-gently brought her hand into sharp contact with his face. Raising an eyebrow.
“What was that for?”
“You shouldn’t be so hard on Merlin. If it wasn’t for him you’d be in all sorts of trouble. And most likely dead, a few times over.”
“Don’t give him too much credit; it will go to his head.”
“Maybe some would be nice, especially from you. Just once in a while.”
-
Merlin sat opposite Gaius, the feast now over, eating their dinner of chicken and vegetables. Their conversation had turned to that of the Lady Vivian and possible solutions.
“I just don’t think it’s fair on her. She lives, sleeps, breathes Arthur. Nobody needs that,” Gaius laughed, the young sorcerer, despite appearances, did have a way with wit, “I helped Arthur, and well, Gwen, I guess. Why can’t I help her too? You know, let her live her life Arthur free.”
“If you can find a spell or a remedy then I suggest you do. The poor girl doesn’t deserve to spend her life chasing after somebody who is clearly not interested.”
“I’ve tried everything. I’ve read through every book. Only the kiss of her true love.”
“Who as far she is aware, is Arthur.”
“But that didn’t work for Arthur, or for her, before. I mean it took Gw- I can’t tell you that.”
“Merlin, it is no secret to me about the Prince’s feeling for Guinevere.”
“I know. But you weren’t meant to know about that.”
“Despite beliefs Merlin, I was in love once. I know very much about the sorts of antics the pair have participate-“
“Too much information,” Merlin joked, clamping his hands over his ears.
“Vivian deserves to live a life without enchantment,” Gaius stated, veering the conversation back to its original topic.
“What can we do?” With the Dragon gone it wasn’t as if Merlin could go down the cave and ask him. Gaius merely shrugged at him and looked over at the pile of books that Merlin had been studying from before. More research.
Well, he had wanted to help her.
-
At the cock’s call, sunlight gently drifting through the window by Gwen’s bed, Arthur awoke. He blinked a few times before realising where he was. He was leant up against the wall of Gwen’s house, on her bed. It didn’t take much for him to locate the girl, a dead weight on his chest, the warmth of her under his arm and he hugged her to him.
Running his fingers through her hair, he pressed a delicate kiss to her forehead before unwrapping his arm from around her, and gently lying her down on the bed. She looked so serene. He wished he could wake up to the scene every morning, and not have to worry about having to get back to the castle.
He sighed, looking around to find a piece of parchment, a quill and some ink. Find them with great ease, Gwen had been logging business before Arthur had arrived, so her papers were still spread about the table along with the things that he needed.
Guinevere,
It upsets me to leave you,
but I must return to the
castle. I will see you soon.
Arthur
He laid the piece of parchment next to her head on the pillow and quietly departed, sparing her one last look before he shut the door behind him.
-
Merlin, like many times before, had fallen asleep face first in his book. He knew he needed help, but he had freed and sent away the only help that may have actually given him any clue for an answer.
He’d been reading and looking for hours, but his search proved unfruitful like it had before. So much so he’d fallen asleep. His dreams were vivid, he dreamt of Arthur and Vivian and what horrors it would bring. But there was a voice in the back of his head; telling him what to do.
“Use your head, young warlock. The girl has never known true love. All she knows is the Prince. What started as an enchantment, if left long enough, may fool her into believing that he is, in fact, her true love.”
Merlin awoke the next morning, rubbing his hand over his face and through his hair. Groaning, the morning had come too soon once again. He knew Arthur would want him to bark orders at soon.
With a strange sense of self, he washed and changed himself, heading into the main chamber for breakfast. Gaius was already awake, and had left him a bowl of porridge on the table as he continued with his work.
“I had a dream.”
“Oh?”
“The dragon, he was telling me what to do.”
“And what do you think, Merlin?”
“Well, what he said made sense. If Vivian has been enchanted to be in love with Arthur for so long, then maybe her brain thinks that she truly is in love with him,” Gaius raised his trusted eyebrow at him, “So if Arthur kisses her, it’ll break the enchantment.”
“And what if it doesn’t work?”
Merlin shrugged.
“Anything is worth a try,” Gaius reasoned, “And I believe even Arthur would be willing to kiss her, if it meant she left him alone.”
-
It wasn’t long after the Prince had left her home that Gwen awoke. She was used to getting up early, and heading to the castle to prepare breakfast for Morgana. Since bringing her father’s Forge back into a working state, she hadn’t had to get up, but the sooner she started her work, the sooner she got it done, and more time she got to do the other things in life she enjoyed.
Gwen couldn’t remember going to bed, and she wasn’t in her night dress, she was in her work clothes. She turned over in her bed, vaguely remembering the presence of Arthur before bed. As she rolled she felt the crunch of the parchment beneath her head. Confused she slowly sat up and picked up the piece of paper.
Her lips stretched into a contented smile, she hadn’t been imagining it. He had been there.
Gwen reached her arms in the air and stretched out her back, turning to both sides and soothing out any cracks. With that she got up, making her way to her small stove to light a fire to heat some water for tea. Breakfast would consist of some left over ham and bread from the night before, but it would be enough to power her through the morning.
Whilst the water boiled, Gwen looked at her log for the days work. She’d planned for the detailing on a sword and armour for a local Squire. He hadn’t requested it, but she wanted it to be special, it was his first sword that had been commissioned just for him. She had taken time perfecting the balance of it, hilt to blade. Now she wanted to make it special.
-
When Merlin entered Arthur’s chambers he wasn’t surprised to find the Prince still in bed. He was becoming more of a night person of late, and sleeping later into the morning. Of course, had Merlin actually been on time, then maybe Arthur would be up earlier. Still, it gave the Prince more time to rest, and that generally made him less grouchy throughout the day.
“Good morning,” Merlin said brightly, pulling open the curtains to let the harsh light of day wash over everything in the room. He heard Arthur groan into his pillows, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. Merlin had noticed his disappearance the night before. He’d thought nothing of it because he’d known exactly where he had gone. He found not asking questions kept Arthur in a better mood as well, and Arthur said he was an idiot. He was learning slowly.
Having lain Arthur’s breakfast out on the table, Merlin headed for the large dresser and picked out a selection of clean shirts and trousers, throwing them over one arm before heading behind the screen and laying them out for Arthur’s disposal.
“It might please you to know that I think I have found a solution to your problem,” Merlin couldn’t remember a time where he had seen the Prince sit bolt up quite so fast.
“Go on.”
“It seems that because Vivian has been under this enchantment for so long, that it would have manifested itself in her brain that she is, actually, in love with you. So if you kissed her, the spell would be reversed.”
“But we have kissed before,” he visibly shuddered at the thought, and the hurt that the whole ordeal had caused.
“But that was when she’d only been enchanted for a day. Now it’s had its time. It could work.”
“Could?” There was nothing more off-putting to a potentially dangerous plan than the conditional tense. If there was a plan that involved Arthur being remotely intimate to the blonde damsel in question he wanted reassurance that it would work. He didn’t want to be risking anything if there wasn’t going to be a benefit from it.
“Well there are never any guarantees with these things. But I think it might be worth a try,” And if Merlin thought it was worth a go it must be a trustworthy approach.
“And what about Guinevere?”
“What about her?”
“Merlin you really are an idiot aren’t you?” Merlin looked genuinely confused, if it was going to help get Vivian off his back then surely it would make Gwen happy. Getting Vivian out of the picture would make Arthur’s life a lot easier.
“I still don’t see what Gwen has to do with it?”
“I can’t just go around kissing Vivian.”
“Well, you don’t go around kissing her. You do it once. In private. And just,” he shrugged, “Don’t tell Gwen.”
“I can’t not tell her, Merlin,” Arthur reasoned. He knew the result of that would never go in his favour. If he ever found out that Gwen had gone around kissing another man, he would be upset, he wouldn’t want to do it to her, “Not telling her will result her finding out from else where, and knowing you Merlin, it will be you that lets it slip.”
“As you say, I’m an idiot.”
“I can’t not tell her.”
“And you think she’ll agree?” Of course she wouldn’t agree. Who in there right mind who agree with that? Truth be told he didn’t want to kiss anybody else apart from Gwen. He knew that in his mind as well as his heart.
“Well no, but I can’t lie to her. Our relationship isn’t built on that.”
“Your relationship?” The smirk on Merlin’s face caused Arthur to glare at him before hiding behind the screen to get ready.
“Shut up, Merlin.”
To Part II
Author: mydoctortennant
Pairing/s: Arthur/Gwen one way Arthur/Vivian
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: not mine etc etc
Dedication: For encryptedcookie
Summary: When she returns trouble starts...
Note: Thankies to purely_distel for her help betaing!
my merlin prompt table
Part I | Part II | Part III
The servants knew all too well what the visit of Lady Vivian would bring them. Hard work and an ungrateful receiver of it. At least when it came to the Royal Family of Camelot, you know that, even if no words were spoken, they were grateful for every passing moment you dared give them. Every time their bed linens were changed, they would smile, inwardly thanking whomever had taken it upon themselves to do it. Every time a meal was served they thanked God for having the means to do so. They did not take their good fortunes lightly; they knew exactly how hard each of their staff members worked.
Lady Vivian did not.
Nor did she care. She could be served by the noblest of people and she would not bat an eyelid. As long as she had what she wanted the way she wanted it, she was happy, without sparing a thought for the work that had gone into it.
It was one thing on the list of many that Arthur disliked about the girl. Coming soon after her constant rudeness and disrespect she had shown towards Gwen. He might have indirectly denied it last time, but he had no qualms stating now - after all that had happened - that that was his problem. He could handle her being rude, but not to Gwen.
When he had heard news of her return Arthur had petitioned to his father for a hunting trip that ‘coincidentally’ took place over her visit. Uther, being the wise king he was, saw through his son automatically.
“You have to show solidarity and loyalty to these people, Arthur,” he had said, “She will only be here for a few days.”
What Uther failed to understand what that Arthur’s problem didn’t lie with the visit itself, or the fact that the girl was enchantedly in love with him - that he could handle, despite the sick feeling it gave him in the pit of his stomach - it was the fact that he’d only just sorted things out after last time. With the Dragon’s attack and more coming out in the air than perhaps should have, he didn’t need Vivian and her obsessive love to come barrelling in the way of it. Not again.
Arthur had tried talking to Gwen about it as well, but she couldn’t see the problem with it. Not like he had expected her to.
“She’s not in love with you Arthur. And you’re not with her. I really don’t see where the problem lies.”
“The problem lies in the fact that she’s enchanted. Chances are she’ll stop at nothing to get what she wants.”
Gwen had gone on to call him big-headed, and told him that if he soothed his ego, perhaps he would see that there was no problem. He just - simply - had to avoid her at all costs. Oh, and if anything happened between the pair of them, Gwen would serve him his manlihood on a platter.
-
The time came.
Arthur joined his father in the courtyard to greet their guests. He saw that Vivian was assisted from her horse by another Knight. One she screeched at and demanded to see Arthur straight away, practically running towards him on sight.
“Lady Vivian,” he greeted, bowing his head.
“Prince Arthur!” she squealed, throwing herself in his general direction and wrapping her arms about his person. He found his hands reaching out for her waist, only to pick her away from his body, “My love, what on Earth is the matter?”
“I have matters I need to attend to,” she pouted, trying to follow him, shouting her displeasure at him. Thankfully for Arthur, his father detained Vivian, engaging her in conversation about the ‘awfully nice dress’ she was wearing.
Instead of heading for his chambers, Arthur made his way to the Physician’s Quarters. If anything he could hide there for a little while and go unfound.
“Sire?” the physician stood by his table, many bottles bubbling away over a flame. He was hard at work and Arthur had just interrupted him.
“Gaius, hello.”
“Are you looking for Merlin?” The old man looked at him over his glasses, he was busy testing different medicines, shaking vials, heating them. Arthur really didn’t know what he was hoping to achieve, but the least he could do was hide.
“Merlin? Yes!”
“I’m afraid he’s making some deliveries, sire.”
“How long will he be?”
“Anything up to an hour, my lord,” if Gaius had known any better he would have questioned the Prince’s intentions of asking. It wasn’t often Arthur asked for him. Just ordered for him and sent a guard to find him. Or shouted.
“Perfect,” Arthur smiled, sitting down in one of the chairs opposite Gaius. The old man’s eyebrow shot up.
“Are you quite alright?” he enquired, putting down the vial he was holding and leaning on the table.
“Perfectly well.”
“May I ask why you are here, my lord?”
“Hmm?” Arthur looked up from the spot on Gaius’ table he had been looking at, “I’m just, uh-“
“Hiding?”
“Not at all,” he had no other reason, but he could hardly turn around and tell Gaius the truth. He should have just hidden at Gwen’s. Then again, she would be working, and only told him to go away. He could understand it, she had orders to complete and he would only get in the way.
“You are more than welcome to stay here until the Lady Vivian is otherwise indisposed,” Arthur’s jaw dropped. He hadn’t been the most tactful person when it came to his complaining over the last week. Most people in the kingdom would have heard at his displeasure for the Lady’s visit.
“Thank you,” Arthur let out a long, relieved sigh.
“Just don’t get in the way,” Arthur went to speak, but decided it was probably better to just sit in silence. Something he had learned to be good at over time. Having spent hours on end sitting next to his father in court, the dutiful son.
-
“Have you seen- Arthur!” Merlin looked at him. He had been sat watching Gaius work for the best part of an hour, “What are you doing here?”
“I don’t know if it has escaped your attention recently Merlin, but I am the Prince of Camelot. I can go where I want.”
“Yes, but why are you here?”
“He’s had some trouble with his shoulder. He merely came for something to help soothe it,” Gaius said, passing the Prince a vial. Arthur accepted it without question.
“You never told me you’d hurt your shoulder.”
“I don’t have to tell you everything, Merlin.”
“No, but you normally like complaining.”
“You know, it doesn’t hurt enough not to throw you in the stocks.”
“I’ll be quiet,” Merlin said, defeated. Though, he was beginning to get rather fond of those wooden imprisoners. And the rotten vegetables, “It’s just, your father was looking for you.”
“What did he want?”
“I didn’t ask,” Arthur groaned, putting his head in his hand and rubbing his face.
“It made be time to face your demons, my lord.”
“Indeed.”
-
Dinner had been… interesting.
Arthur had situated himself as far away from Vivian as he could. But with only a few of them dining, he couldn’t escape too far.
He had excused himself as soon as he had finished eating, taking Merlin and practically running back to his quarters, but they weren’t alone for long.
A knock at the door followed by it opening, in a true Merlin style, saw Arthur face to face with the person he had been trying to avoid.
“You will leave us,” she said to Merlin straight away. Arthur shook his head as Merlin looked at him.
“Can’t.”
“Can’t or won’t?” her distressed tone was already working on Arthur’s brain, he just didn’t need it.
“Arthur-“
“Why do you allow him to address you in this manner?”
“Arthur is unwell,” Merlin looked pointedly at the Prince, who grasped his meaning and immediately looked put-out, “It would be best if you left him for the evening,” Vivian took a few short steps across the room towards Arthur before Merlin intercepted her, “Really it is best if you leave.”
“I think not, I can tend to him,” Merlin stopped her again, holding her in place.
“It’s best if you leave,” Merlin ushered her towards the door, turning her so she could walk properly, “Perhaps you can come and see him another time,” Vivian fought against Merlin’s grasp, kicking up her feet, stamping on one of his feet. Yelping, he dropped her, and watched her run over to Arthur who had managed to retreat to sit on the edge of his bed.
She threw herself at him, forcing him to lie back into the bed. Her hands were on his face, checking his temperature, “My love, if you are unwell, I must tend to you!”
“I just need to sleep, that is all.”
“They I shall stay with you.”
“That’s not the best idea, after last time, I think it best we do not keep each others company without your father present.”
“You are right, of course, my love,” she ran her hands over his face. He gently grabbed her wrists, and manoeuvred so she was no long on his bed, “I shall leave you,” she concluded, leaning towards him for a kiss, but his grip strengthened, stopping her away from him.
“Merlin?” his servant came across the room, grabbing a hold of the Lady’s arms and leading her towards the door.
“Until we meet again, my love,” Arthur waved, and collapsed back into his pillows at the lady was shown from the room.
“Save me.”
“Again,” Merlin murmured under his breath, searching through the chest for a fresh night shirt. He threw it over to Arthur, who had already stripped himself of his day shirt. He caught it, pulling it over his head, “I think it’s best you try and stay away from her as much as possible.”
“Really Merlin? I hadn’t guessed.”
“Just saying.”
“Here’s a tip, Merlin: don’t.”
-
Arthur spent the next two days avoiding her as much as possible. Whenever she was walking down a corridor he hid in an alcove. He’d littered the kitchens, the laundry and spent more time with the townsfolk, parading himself in the town centre, bettering his image with his people.
On the second night there had been a feast held in honour of the visiting King and his daughter, so Arthur managed to keep away from Vivian at all costs. He’d managed to engage Leon in conversation, keeping him occupied. Later, he’d managed to slip quietly out of the hall. By the cover of the night he walked straight out of the castle and down into the town to the Forge.
He could see the candle light streaming out of her small window and under the crack of the door. The Forge was shut for the night, but he could still smell the remains of hot, smoking coals. He smiled to himself, raising his hand to knock on her door.
“Two seconds,” he heard her call from across the room, he assumed she was getting up off of the bed and coming to answer the door, which was pulled open two seconds later, “Arthur?”
“Guinevere,” she stepped aside to let him in, knowing leaving him on her doorstep would only cause a stir. She didn’t work in the castle anymore, his being there, even knowing her name, would be questioned.
“What are you doing here? I thought there was a feast?”
“There is.”
“Then why aren’t you at it?”
“Because there are more than enough people to keep my father occupied, he won’t notice I’m gone.”
“Vivian might.”
“I do not care what Vivian thinks,” he smirked as he saw a blush creep across Gwen’s face, he took another step towards her, enveloping her in his arms as securely as he could, “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too,” she answered truthfully, burying her head into his chest, clenching her fist in the material of his shirt, “I did not think it wise to come to the castle, not with Vivian there.”
“A wise decision,” Arthur comment, running his fingers gently through her hair, the smell of burning coals still on her from her days work, “Vivian has been hunting me out at every given opportunity.”
“Is there nothing to be done for her?”
“Regretfully not. Merlin’s researched it, and there is no definitive way to release her of the spell,” Arthur paused for a second, withdrawing from Gwen to look her in the eye, “She has never known love like I have,” Gwen smiled, removing her hand from his shirt and running her fingers over his brow before cupping his cheek, “Then, it’s a miracle Merlin found a cure for me. He is rather useless- owh!”
Gwen had not-so-gently brought her hand into sharp contact with his face. Raising an eyebrow.
“What was that for?”
“You shouldn’t be so hard on Merlin. If it wasn’t for him you’d be in all sorts of trouble. And most likely dead, a few times over.”
“Don’t give him too much credit; it will go to his head.”
“Maybe some would be nice, especially from you. Just once in a while.”
-
Merlin sat opposite Gaius, the feast now over, eating their dinner of chicken and vegetables. Their conversation had turned to that of the Lady Vivian and possible solutions.
“I just don’t think it’s fair on her. She lives, sleeps, breathes Arthur. Nobody needs that,” Gaius laughed, the young sorcerer, despite appearances, did have a way with wit, “I helped Arthur, and well, Gwen, I guess. Why can’t I help her too? You know, let her live her life Arthur free.”
“If you can find a spell or a remedy then I suggest you do. The poor girl doesn’t deserve to spend her life chasing after somebody who is clearly not interested.”
“I’ve tried everything. I’ve read through every book. Only the kiss of her true love.”
“Who as far she is aware, is Arthur.”
“But that didn’t work for Arthur, or for her, before. I mean it took Gw- I can’t tell you that.”
“Merlin, it is no secret to me about the Prince’s feeling for Guinevere.”
“I know. But you weren’t meant to know about that.”
“Despite beliefs Merlin, I was in love once. I know very much about the sorts of antics the pair have participate-“
“Too much information,” Merlin joked, clamping his hands over his ears.
“Vivian deserves to live a life without enchantment,” Gaius stated, veering the conversation back to its original topic.
“What can we do?” With the Dragon gone it wasn’t as if Merlin could go down the cave and ask him. Gaius merely shrugged at him and looked over at the pile of books that Merlin had been studying from before. More research.
Well, he had wanted to help her.
-
At the cock’s call, sunlight gently drifting through the window by Gwen’s bed, Arthur awoke. He blinked a few times before realising where he was. He was leant up against the wall of Gwen’s house, on her bed. It didn’t take much for him to locate the girl, a dead weight on his chest, the warmth of her under his arm and he hugged her to him.
Running his fingers through her hair, he pressed a delicate kiss to her forehead before unwrapping his arm from around her, and gently lying her down on the bed. She looked so serene. He wished he could wake up to the scene every morning, and not have to worry about having to get back to the castle.
He sighed, looking around to find a piece of parchment, a quill and some ink. Find them with great ease, Gwen had been logging business before Arthur had arrived, so her papers were still spread about the table along with the things that he needed.
Guinevere,
It upsets me to leave you,
but I must return to the
castle. I will see you soon.
Arthur
He laid the piece of parchment next to her head on the pillow and quietly departed, sparing her one last look before he shut the door behind him.
-
Merlin, like many times before, had fallen asleep face first in his book. He knew he needed help, but he had freed and sent away the only help that may have actually given him any clue for an answer.
He’d been reading and looking for hours, but his search proved unfruitful like it had before. So much so he’d fallen asleep. His dreams were vivid, he dreamt of Arthur and Vivian and what horrors it would bring. But there was a voice in the back of his head; telling him what to do.
“Use your head, young warlock. The girl has never known true love. All she knows is the Prince. What started as an enchantment, if left long enough, may fool her into believing that he is, in fact, her true love.”
Merlin awoke the next morning, rubbing his hand over his face and through his hair. Groaning, the morning had come too soon once again. He knew Arthur would want him to bark orders at soon.
With a strange sense of self, he washed and changed himself, heading into the main chamber for breakfast. Gaius was already awake, and had left him a bowl of porridge on the table as he continued with his work.
“I had a dream.”
“Oh?”
“The dragon, he was telling me what to do.”
“And what do you think, Merlin?”
“Well, what he said made sense. If Vivian has been enchanted to be in love with Arthur for so long, then maybe her brain thinks that she truly is in love with him,” Gaius raised his trusted eyebrow at him, “So if Arthur kisses her, it’ll break the enchantment.”
“And what if it doesn’t work?”
Merlin shrugged.
“Anything is worth a try,” Gaius reasoned, “And I believe even Arthur would be willing to kiss her, if it meant she left him alone.”
-
It wasn’t long after the Prince had left her home that Gwen awoke. She was used to getting up early, and heading to the castle to prepare breakfast for Morgana. Since bringing her father’s Forge back into a working state, she hadn’t had to get up, but the sooner she started her work, the sooner she got it done, and more time she got to do the other things in life she enjoyed.
Gwen couldn’t remember going to bed, and she wasn’t in her night dress, she was in her work clothes. She turned over in her bed, vaguely remembering the presence of Arthur before bed. As she rolled she felt the crunch of the parchment beneath her head. Confused she slowly sat up and picked up the piece of paper.
Her lips stretched into a contented smile, she hadn’t been imagining it. He had been there.
Gwen reached her arms in the air and stretched out her back, turning to both sides and soothing out any cracks. With that she got up, making her way to her small stove to light a fire to heat some water for tea. Breakfast would consist of some left over ham and bread from the night before, but it would be enough to power her through the morning.
Whilst the water boiled, Gwen looked at her log for the days work. She’d planned for the detailing on a sword and armour for a local Squire. He hadn’t requested it, but she wanted it to be special, it was his first sword that had been commissioned just for him. She had taken time perfecting the balance of it, hilt to blade. Now she wanted to make it special.
-
When Merlin entered Arthur’s chambers he wasn’t surprised to find the Prince still in bed. He was becoming more of a night person of late, and sleeping later into the morning. Of course, had Merlin actually been on time, then maybe Arthur would be up earlier. Still, it gave the Prince more time to rest, and that generally made him less grouchy throughout the day.
“Good morning,” Merlin said brightly, pulling open the curtains to let the harsh light of day wash over everything in the room. He heard Arthur groan into his pillows, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. Merlin had noticed his disappearance the night before. He’d thought nothing of it because he’d known exactly where he had gone. He found not asking questions kept Arthur in a better mood as well, and Arthur said he was an idiot. He was learning slowly.
Having lain Arthur’s breakfast out on the table, Merlin headed for the large dresser and picked out a selection of clean shirts and trousers, throwing them over one arm before heading behind the screen and laying them out for Arthur’s disposal.
“It might please you to know that I think I have found a solution to your problem,” Merlin couldn’t remember a time where he had seen the Prince sit bolt up quite so fast.
“Go on.”
“It seems that because Vivian has been under this enchantment for so long, that it would have manifested itself in her brain that she is, actually, in love with you. So if you kissed her, the spell would be reversed.”
“But we have kissed before,” he visibly shuddered at the thought, and the hurt that the whole ordeal had caused.
“But that was when she’d only been enchanted for a day. Now it’s had its time. It could work.”
“Could?” There was nothing more off-putting to a potentially dangerous plan than the conditional tense. If there was a plan that involved Arthur being remotely intimate to the blonde damsel in question he wanted reassurance that it would work. He didn’t want to be risking anything if there wasn’t going to be a benefit from it.
“Well there are never any guarantees with these things. But I think it might be worth a try,” And if Merlin thought it was worth a go it must be a trustworthy approach.
“And what about Guinevere?”
“What about her?”
“Merlin you really are an idiot aren’t you?” Merlin looked genuinely confused, if it was going to help get Vivian off his back then surely it would make Gwen happy. Getting Vivian out of the picture would make Arthur’s life a lot easier.
“I still don’t see what Gwen has to do with it?”
“I can’t just go around kissing Vivian.”
“Well, you don’t go around kissing her. You do it once. In private. And just,” he shrugged, “Don’t tell Gwen.”
“I can’t not tell her, Merlin,” Arthur reasoned. He knew the result of that would never go in his favour. If he ever found out that Gwen had gone around kissing another man, he would be upset, he wouldn’t want to do it to her, “Not telling her will result her finding out from else where, and knowing you Merlin, it will be you that lets it slip.”
“As you say, I’m an idiot.”
“I can’t not tell her.”
“And you think she’ll agree?” Of course she wouldn’t agree. Who in there right mind who agree with that? Truth be told he didn’t want to kiss anybody else apart from Gwen. He knew that in his mind as well as his heart.
“Well no, but I can’t lie to her. Our relationship isn’t built on that.”
“Your relationship?” The smirk on Merlin’s face caused Arthur to glare at him before hiding behind the screen to get ready.
“Shut up, Merlin.”
To Part II