Magic, Strength and Hope

Chapter Twenty-Three, Plans Gone Wrong

Chapter Twenty-Three, Plans Gone Wrong

Later that day Merlyn and Gwen had to serve Uther, Morgana and Arthur dinner in Council Hall. Hope was strapped to her mother's chest but was starting to let out little whines, she was tired and Merlyn knew how she felt. Despite having George working alongside her and completing the other tasks Uther hadn't allowed him to help with serving dinner and Merlyn was exhausted. Which Arthur and Gwen noticed with concern in between their sly looks at each other.

"Shh. Shh. It's okay darling. It's okay." Merlyn soothed, gently humming the song to soothe her back off to sleep. She knew it was too early for her to be back at work but Uther would not hear of it.
"What news from the Northern Borders?" Uther asked, oblivious to the looks Arthur was sending Gwen but Morgana was not.

"There have been a number of minor skirmishes." Arthur replied.
"Do you think Odin is testing our defences?" Uther asked. "Arthur, are you listening?" Uther demanded, when Arthur didn't answer but instead flirted with Gwen.
"What's that?" Arthur asked, suddenly sitting up and knocking over his goblet sending the wine cascading across the table towards Uther.
"What on earth is wrong with you?" Uther demanded sharply, jumping to his feet to avoid the wind which Gwen hurried to clean up while Merlyn smirked at Arthur.
"Nothing. Sorry." Arthur apologised awkwardly.

***

After the shambles of dinner Merlyn was finally dismissed for the day and went straight to her chambers bathing Hope and putting her to bed. Merlyn only planned to close her eyes for a bit until Gwaine returned so they could have dinner but she immediately fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
While in Arthur's chambers, he was going over his plans for the Knights but his head was too clouded with thoughts when Morgana entered his chambers causing him to hide his suspicions.
"Arthur, am I disturbing you?" Morgana asked, acting all sweet.
"Nooo. Come in." Arthur said cautiously, but thankfully Morgana failed to notice the tone of his voice. "To what do I owe this visit?"

"I was worried about you." Morgana replied, causing Arthur to internally scoff. "You weren't yourself at dinner." She continued.
"I'm just a bit tired is all." Arthur replied.
"Really? I thought the reason you were so distracted was because Gwen was in the room." Morgana replied smugly.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Arthur stated quickly.
"Come on, Arthur." Morgana laughed. "Why can't you admit you have feelings for her? A blind man could see it." Arthur had a feeling she was playing him but he had no idea why so he decided to play along so they could find out what her goal was.
"Is it really that obvious?" He asked.
"It's only so obvious to me because... I know Gwen also had feelings for you." Morgana said softly, almost fooling Arthur into believing she was her old self. Almost.

"Has she said something?" Arthur asked, sitting forwards in his chair and nearly forgetting his plan as the talk turned towards Gwen. His weakness.
"She speaks of you all the time." Morgana replied.
"What did she say?" Arthur asked earnestly.
"You're already arrogant enough. I will flatter you no further." Morgana stated sharply, as Arthur looked away Morgana smirked at him over her goblet and decided to put her plan into action. "Poor girl. I dear she doesn't know what to do with herself when she's around you."
"She's not alone." Arthur sighed. "I have such feelings for her, and yet I know nothing can ever come of them."
"If it's Gwen who you desire, why do you deny yourself?" Morgana asked.

"'Cause she's a servant. My father would have me marry for the good of the kingdom." Arthur sighed.
"Uther knows nothing of love. You are the future King. You just set your own rules. Besides, he doesn't have to find out." Morgana said, smirking. "You should spend some time with Gwen. I know she'd like that." Morgana said, before she left Arthur's chambers with a dark smirk on her face.

***

The following day Arthur had George set up a romantic picnic by the lake and have Merlyn bring Gwen. As the pair were enjoying their picnic Merlyn was enjoying her day off with Gwaine and Hope, the pair of them were curled up on their bed with Hope laying between them kicking her legs and giggling at the faces Gwaine pulled causing a smile to spread on Merlyn's lips. But she had a bad feeling and it soon proved true as Morgana and Uther caught Arthur and Gwen kissing and then a love poultice was found beneath Arthur's pillows and Gwen was accused of being a witch and casting an enchantment on Arthur. Uther sentenced her to death when Arthur had begged Uther with the same words Merlyn had begged Arthur a few days ago. It seemed another vision in the crystal was coming true.