A/N hey guys! Here is chapter 1 of Tournament, the sequel to After the Crystal Cave! (Better read that first!) :O That story was meant to be a one off but will now be the first of a trilogy, at least! This is not what i expected the sequel to be like but some of you asked for more slash so i thought a short story with a lot smaller plot line will be great since the next story will be a massive plot line. So this is really more Merlin and Arthur. Sorry this won't be the best and it's slightly rushed in ways but had slight writer's block. Most of this was written an hour ago. It will get better I promise!
WARNINGS: slash and Uther is waaaaaaay OOC. I think that's it. oh! Unbeta'd.
Disclaimer: Don't own although i now own S4 V1 on dvd except it's my brothers who have got the dvd's. :/ but it comes with Emrys top trumps card! but yeah, BBC owns.
The sun was shining on the city of Camelot. The trees were gathering their leaves once again while the flowers were blossoming and livestock were giving birth to their young. Nothing beats Spring in Merlin's mind. He was walking through the lower town gathering some new vials for Gauis. Some of them had smashed while he and Morgana were practicing some new spells. They offered to repair them but Gauis said no as they were old anyway. So Merlin had promised to buy new ones.
Once Merlin had dropped the vials off in Gauis' chambers, Merlin trudged along to his and Arthur's. They had now been dating for a year and a half! It didn't seem that long but then again it felt like forever. He'd now been in Camelot for five years yet so much had changed. He'd been a simple villager moving to a city but now he was Court Sorcerer in the court of Uther Pendragon who use to execute those even accused of sorcerery and also dating his son Arthur Pendragon. Now, life can't change more then that! He walked into their chambers, he never even knocked as a servant! There was a tuft of blonde hair sticking out from under the covers. Merlin chuckled. Arthur might be Crowned Prince but he would sleep all day if allowed. He walked over to the bed and sat down next to his lover. He gently stroked the silky blonde hair. Arthur snuggled into the touch. Merlin chuckled again, Arthur could be a softie sometimes. He leaned down and kissed the Princes lips. He kissed him until the Prince started responding. Once he did he pulled back and looked down at Arthur as he opened his sleep filled eyes. "Morning." Merlin greeted cheerfully.
"Mmmhhh." was the reply. Merlin rolled his eyes. Arthur might be awake but he won't get up. "Come on! Up!" Merlin ordered him. Arthur's response was to snuggle further under the blankets. You made me do it. Merlin thought and the blankets suddenly disappeared to the other side of the room simultaneously with Merlin's blue eyes turning to molten gold and back. Arthur jerked at the sudden loss of blankets before turning and glaring at Merlin. "Your own fault. Now come on! You have a meeting with your father in an hour about the Spring Tournament!" Merlin informed him. Arthur groaned. He likes competing in tournaments but hates the preparations for it. Suddenly, Arthur found himself pushed off the bed. Merlin walked round to stand over him. Arthur glared up at him. Merlin just smiled. "Good. You're out of bed, finally. Now you can eat breakfast and get dressed." Arthur could have killed him with the look he sent but Merlin grinned cheekily and went to set their breakfast out. Arthur sighed and got up off the floor and sat on his favourite chair at the table.
When Merlin had sorted their breakfasts out he sat down on the chair next to him. They ate in companionable silence for a few minutes before Arthur started speaking. "Soooo. Where did you disappear off to this morning?" Merlin swallowed the piece of bread he was eating before replying. "You heard about how Morgana and I ended up smashing some of Gauis' vials yesterday when practicing?" Arthur nodded. "Well, they were old vials so Gauis said to clean up the mess and that one of us should buy him a new set today. So that's where I've been as well as getting breakfast." Merlin said as if smashing vials is something he does on a regular basis which is not true. Just…sometimes. They continued to eat in silence. "So, when's George coming to attend to you?" Merlin asked. He still does not like him. King of the bootlickers, that's what he is. "Ermm. Well he's probably doing chores already but it will probably be after the meeting or during. To be honest I wish it wasn't him." Arthur doesn't like him either. He's scared of him slightly. Although he is good for teasing Merlin with. Arthur sighed and got up. "I best get ready now." Merlin nodded. He walked over to Arthur and kissed him. While he was doing so, the bath filled and tunic and breeches appeared on the bed. "There you go." Merlin said against the blondes lips. Arthur smiled. He got into the bath while Merlin was clearing up the mess from breakfast. He put everything back on the tray and left it on the table. George can take it to the kitchens later. He went to help Arthur get washed.
Half an hour later and Arthur was on his way to the meeting walking hand in hand with Merlin who will also be present. They were walking across the courtyard. "I hope the weather's like this for the tournament. It's so nice when it's Spring." the Prince commented. Merlin nodded in agreement. They arrived just in time for the meeting. The tournament and royal events organisers greeted Arthur and Merlin with a bow. Uther greeted them with a smile. Merlin was still not comfortable with the bowing. He might be the court sorcerer and dating the Prince but he isn't a Prince himself…yet. Concerning Uther, neither of them are use to the King's personality now. They aren't complaining. Arthur has never loved his father as much as he did now and never been as close. Even Merlin likes him now and has bonded. Arthur will complain about that sometimes.
They greeted the people gathered before taking their seats; Arthur to the left of his father and Merlin on the Prince's right. "Now we're all gathered, we should get to business. The Knights will start arriving tonight and tomorrow morning. Is the accommodation ready?" Uther asked someone sitting opposite Merlin. "Yes, Sire. There is enough rooms in the castle for the expected guests. We have enough spare rooms in case there is more then usual competing Sire." was the reply. Uther nodded, smiling.
"Good. Thank you. Now, there is about 16 competitors, including Arthur. So the tournament should last at least 3 days by my count. The first round for tomorrow afternoon when it begins, the second day should end with the quarter finals and the third should have the semi-finals in the morning and the final in the afternoon. Arthur, what do you think?" the King turned to ask his son. Arthur thought about it before nodding.
"They seem correct and reasonable enough. Just hope we have enough ale and food for the meals afterwards. You know what they're like when they arrive whether they're competing the next day or not!" Everyone laughed. That is a very true point.
"That's all organised. I cleared it with the cook a couple of days ago. We also need to consider the weather. While it is a beautiful day today, it could turn during the tournament. We need to consider whether it rains or not and what action to take. I have no doubt that the Knights will continue if it rains but we don't want people falling ill. Of course, what will a tournament be with no-one to come along as I'm sure the citizens won't be too happy watching all day in rain. We don't want people getting ill from something that can be avoided and we also don't want Gauis," here he gestured towards the physician. "to be over worked. Any suggestions?" There was the sound of whispering as the advisors discussed it with those close to them. Merlin, Arthur and Uther were discussing together. Suddenly, Merlin had a brain wave. "Hold on!" Everyone silenced as the Court Sorcerer spoke. "I could cast a spell that, if it rains, will place a sort of bubble around the tournament grounds so that the rain will just bounce off and keep everyone dry. It will just be like being indoors." Merlin's suggestion was met with a lot of approval. Uther nodded before saying well done. The rest of the meeting was just the same; checking that stuff was in place and if there was any problems to over come. They came to the last point. "Assassins. We have had a few of them and I don't want any more. How can we stop this from happening? I don't want to see Arthur get hurt nor any other Knight." There was muttering as everyone knew how bad assassins are and the problem they've caused in the past. Arthur and Merlin looked at each other. Arthur spoke up first. "The only way I can see to come over it is if we take precautions. Before every match we should make sure that it is the Knight and not an impostor. Also Merlin checking to see whether the Knights are actually sorcerers who have taken the appearance of a Knight. As well as seeing that they are telling the truth and really are a Knight that just wants to compete. It's the only way." Arthur may be the one targeted whenever a tournaments held but he doesn't take it as serious as some. They considered his words. The King looked at his son knowing that he isn't as bothered as he should be about assassins. "I guess you're right. We will do checks before every game to make sure it is the Knight they are suppose to be. Merlin, will you be able to do the spell checks?" Merlin nodded. It's something he's done before when he's been called in to interrogate a rather difficult prisoner. "Alright then. Everything's settled and I am sure everyone has something else to get on with. The meeting is dismissed."
There was the sound of parchment rustling and chairs scraping against the floor as everyone stood up and bowed once before leaving. Arthur and Merlin were just about to leave when Uther asked them to stay. "So, how's everything going with you two?" he asked. Merlin and Arthur just looked at each other. Both embarrassed. Merlin because he doesn't particularly like it when someone probes into his private life and Arthur because it's his father. "Ermm, good." Arthur responded. "Why do you ask?" Uther scrutinized them before answering them. "I'm just concerned about your welfare. Can't I take an interest in your relationship?"
"No, you can, we were just wondering. We are better then ever." Arthur informed him.
"Okay then. As long as you're happy, I'm happy. Merlin, I was wondering whether I could get to meet your mother anytime soon."
Merlin looked at Arthur then back to Uther with a wide grin. "I actually had a letter recently from my mother asking if she could come. I sent her a reply about the tournament and she'll be arriving tomorrow."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Uther asked. He'd met Hunith when she'd come asking for help but that was about 5 years ago. He hadn't met her since.
"Well, I thought you wouldn't be interested." Merlin announced sheepishly. God, Uther has changed!
"Nonsense! She's your mother and you're dating my son. It's only natural that I'd like to meet her. In fact, if she's coming for the tournament then she can watch with Morgana and I in the royal box unless she wishes otherwise. She will also be dining with us. Now, I'm sure you have stuff to do." Uther announced. Arthur and Merlin looked at each other and resisted the urge to roll their eyes.
"Yes father. I'm sure Hunith will be delighted with the arrangements. We'll see you at dinner." Arthur said and with that they bowed their heads and left.
Once outside, Arthur and Merlin faced each other and burst out laughing. Once they'd calmed down, Arthur commented on the fact his father has never been like this since he'd been born. "I think it's nice. I like Uther like this. Plus he's fun to tease you with." Merlin added cheekily which earned him a hand at the back of his head.
"I'm not complaining. It makes me wonder whether this is what he was like with my mother though." Arthur looked into space like he does when wondering about his mother. It's a bittersweet moment if you're lucky enough or unlucky? to witness it. Arthur is very careful who he lets in about his mother. Merlin smiled sadly. He was lucky enough to meet his father just before he died. Arthur wasn't so. Arthur shook his head before smiling at Merlin. "Anyway, I have training to do for tomorrow. George is over there waiting. I'll see you later." Arthur told him.
"Alright. I have this sorcerer to check out anyway. The neighbours have reported seeing and hearing something like dark magic." Merlin looked annoyed. Sometimes he has to go out and check these situations out but half the time it's just from people who would have reported magic during the purge. Arthur noticed it. He told him good luck and not to lose his temper before kissing him quickly and leaving to go train. Merlin gave him a good luck back purely because he has to spend the afternoon with George. Once Arthur was out of sight, Merlin went to go check this sorcerer out. What he'd give just to have a day with Arthur.
A/N good, bad, not sure? Let me know by clicking the bottom that's down there at the bottom. You see it? It's an orange link. ;) Anywaaaay. Not at all what I planned for this. It will be about 4 chapters now. I will also put up non-slash version. So yeah. Let me know what you think and if i have satisfied some of your suggestions. :D Btw, it still won't let me reply to reviews but i do appreciate them. :) Check out my profile. I have a section about my stories and if I'm slow in updating I will post when I think I next will. It also has summaries about my drabble series and stories coming soon :D