"How many drinks have you had?" said Morgana.
Gowen watched as a serving girl filled his goblet with wine. "This should be my third I think."
"Actually it's your fourth," said Merlin, directing the serving girl away from Gowen.
"Really?" said Gowen. "Well I guess you lose track after awhile."
"Maybe you should take a break from the wine?" said Merlin.
"Yes," said Morgana. "That's a great idea."
"Fine." Gowen handed his goblet, which was practically overflowing, to Morgana. "Here, finish it for me. It might get you to relax."
Morgana set the goblet aside. "You're already drunk and the ceremony hasn't even started. Can you even stand?"
"Sure I can." Gowen stood up from the table. "See?"
"And how long can you stand on your own?" said Gwen.
"Not very long," said Gowen. "Can someone stand next to me and prop me up?"
"I'll do it." Merlin got beside Gowen and helped steer him towards his place with the other knights. Merlin handed Gowen off to a knight named Pellinore. Merlin then went to take his place beside Gwen. All eyes were on King Uther, who was about to name Arthur Crown Prince of Camelot. Uther stood in front of his throne, with Arthur kneeling in front of him.
"Do you solemnly swear to govern the people of this kingdom and dominions according to the statues, customs, and laws laid down by your forbearers?" said Uther.
"I do sire," said Arthur.
"Do you promise to exercise mercy and justice in your deeds and judgments?" said Uther.
"I do sire," said Arthur.
Uther held out a scepter for Arthur. "Do you swear allegiance to Camelot now and for as long as you shall live?"
Arthur grabbed the scepter. "I, Arthur Pendragon, do pledge life and limb to your service and to the protection of the kingdom and its people."
A crown was brought forth, which Uthur picked up and placed on Arthur's head. "Now, being of age and heir apparent, hence forth you shall be Crown Prince of Camelot."
Arthur stood up, greeted by applause from all in attendance. Gwen turned to Merlin. "So how does it feel to be servant to the Crown Prince of Camelot?"
"Washing his royal socks will be even more of a privilege," said Merlin.
"You're proud of him," said Gwen. "Even though you complain about him constantly."
"I am not," said Merlin. "Do you think Sir Pellinore has a good grip on Gowen."
Merlin pointed to Gowen, who looked like he was going to keel over. "I don't think so," said Gwen. "Let's go help him out."
They were about to head over to Gowen when they heard a crashing noise. Merlin looked to see where the sound came from and saw a knight, wearing all black and with a white phoenix for his coat of arms, riding his horse through the throne room. He had entered by charging through the window. The entire throne room was thrown in disarray. Nobles ran to avoid his presence, while Uther's knights drew their swords to face the mystery rider. Pellinore joined them, abandoning Gowen. Instead of falling over, Gowen was able to hold himself up and stood there staring at the black knight.
The black knight rode his horse until he was face to face with Arthur. He took off his gauntlet and tossed it to the ground. Arthur went to reach for it, but a young knight grabbed the gauntlet before he could. "I, Sir Owaine, accept your challenge."
"Single combat," said the knight. "Noon tomorrow, too the death."
The knight rode off back through the window where he came from. Even when the knight had left, a harsh silence filled the room. Everyone seemed to scared to speak. This silence was interrupted when Gowen drunkenly fell to the ground, hitting his head against a table on the way down.
Gwen dabbed at the cut on Gowen's forehead while Morgana and Arthur argued about what had just happened.
"He shouldn't have picked up the gauntlet," said Arthur.
"So put an end to it," said Morgana.
"The challenge has been taken up," said Arthur. "The fight cannot be stopped."
"Then fight in his place," said Morgana.
"I can't," said Arthur.
"Why not?" said Morgana.
"Owaine picked up the gauntlet," said Arthur. "Owaine is the one that must fight. That's the knight's code. He knew that."
"But it's a fight to the death," said Morgana.
"Well Owaine is an idiot," said Gowen.
Morgana turned around. "Excuse me?"
"He's just had a blow to the head," said Gwen.
"I said, Owaine is an idiot," said Gowen. "Only an idiot would pick up the gauntlet for a duel to the death. And for what? For the glory? So that young girls will give you some sash to wear? So that people will sing about your deeds? Well those songs won't be much comfort to your widow."
"That's rich coming from you," said Morgana. "I seem to recall you wildly attacking a griffin a little while back. Tell me, how are your ribs doing?"
Gowen winced and rubbed the right side of his body. "Um well...that was under different circumstances. The griffin was threatening peoples' lives and I would like to point out that I managed to get a few shots in. How was I supposed to know that crossbow bolts would do nothing?"
Morgana chuckled. "Well it must have taken great courage to attack such a beast from so far away."
"I was able to walk away from that fight. I doubt Owaine will be able to walk away from his. Now if you all will excuse me, it's late and I'm going to bed." Gowen got up and left the room. He walked down the castle halls and towards his bedchamber. When he got there, he found the door ajar. Gowen slowly edged towards the door, careful not to make a sound. He peaked into the room and saw King Uther sitting on the bed. Gowen opened his door and greeted the King. "Uncle why are you-"
Uther jumped up from the bed and pinned Gowen to the wall. "What have you done?"
"What do you mean?" said Gowen, gasping for air.
"You know!" Uther dug his elbow into the right side of Gowen's ribcage. "The knight that challenged Sir Owaine. He was wearing a white phoenix. That was the coat of arms for your father. I know you are behind this!"
"I'm not! I'm not!" said Gowen through the pain.
"You're lying!" said Uther. "I took you into my house, I gave you everything you need, I looked past what your father had down, and this is how you repay me!"
"Uncle I can't breathe!" said Gowen.
Uther released Gowen, who collapsed to the floor. Gowen rubbed his throat, while Uther simply glared at him. "Who was the knight? Who did you pay to dress up like your father?"
"No one," said Gowen. "Because I wasn't behind this!"
"Then explain why he was wearing a white phoenix?" said Uther.
"Why are you wearing a golden dragon?" said Gowen. "I'm sure my father wasn't the only knight to use a white phoenix for his crest. Maybe this one's managed to get his hands on one of my father's old shields. There could be any number of reasons why this man has the same arms as my father, but I was not behind this."
"Do you swear to that?" said Uther.
"Yes," said Gowen. "I swear that I have not gotten some knight to dress up like my father to get revenge on you."
Uther looked at Gowen with contempt. "You know what I'll do to you if you're lying?"
"All too well." Uther made his way towards the door. As he left, Gowen turned to him. "Good night Uncle."