Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin only the fictional characters I create.
In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy. His name...Merlin.
Valiant strides through the black market toward a stall on the end, where a sorcerer is waiting with a enchanted shield for him. Once in control of the shield Valiant has the enchanted snakes on the shield kill their creator afterward Valiant heads to Camelot to take part in the tournament. Upon arriving Valiant registers for the tournament.
The same morning of Valiant's arrival Arthur is outside Camelot training Merlin on how to uses a sword. Afterwards Merlin returns to Gaius' chambers, where Gaius teases him about his first day as Arthur's manservant. Gaius then gives Merlin's shoulders a massage to ease some of the pain, while Merlin reads through the book on tournament etiquette that he has to learn by tomorrow morning. Gaius starts stretching Merlin's arm,while Merlin's complaining about becoming a servant after saving Arthur's life and how it's not fair.
Gaius says "I'm not sure fairness comes into it. You never know, it might be fun."
Merlin counters with "You think mucking out Arthur's horses is fun? You should hear my list of duties."
Gaius responds with "We all have duties. Even Arthur."
Merlin curiously asks "Really."
"Indeed, he is a future king, the people expect so much of him. He's under a lot of pressure."
After Gaius' massage is over Merlin goes to Gwen to ask for help figuring out how to put the armor on. Gwen uses her knowledge of armor from being a blacksmith's daughter to help Merlin learn what piece of armor goes were much to Merlin's delight. later that day Merlin awkwardly helps Arthur put his armor on, before Arthur joins the rest of the challengers in the arena.
Uther approaches them and says "Knights of the realm, it's a great honour to welcome you to Camelot. Over the next three days, you will put your bravery to the test, you skills as warriors and, of course, to challenge the reigning champion, my son, prince Arthur. Only one can have the honour of being crowned champion, and will receive a prize of 1,000 gold pieces." As a chest with the gold in is show to the knights. Uther continues with "It is in combat that we learn a knight's true nature, whether he is indeed a warrior or a coward. The tournament begins!"
The rest of the knights file out except Arthur who approaches his father. Uther tells Arthur "I trust you will make me proud." Before Uther goes and takes his seat. The knight chosen to fight Arthur approaches and both remove their cloaks and hand them to the waiting attendants who take them and move a safe distances away. Arthur and his opponent then put on their helmets and take a ready stance for a few moments before launching at each other. Not long after Arthur win the fight by knocking his opponent out. Valiant then enters the arena with his opponent and wins his fight by knocking out his opponent not long after. The tournament continues with different knights winning their matches alongside Arthur and Valiant.
Merlin comments to Arthur on Valiant fighting skills as he wins his match. Valiant leaves the area and heads back to his tent, on the way stopping to talk to Arthur.
Valiant says "May I offer my congratulations on your victories today."
Arthur responds "Likewise."
Valiant responds with "I hope to see you at the reception this evening." Before he walks off.
Merlin mutters "Creep." Causing Arthur to snort in amusement, before he starts listing off all the chores Merlin will have to do that night as he walks of.
Later that night finds Merlin in his room using magic to cheat on his chores. Gaius enters and startles Merlin causing him to lose concentration on his spell that makes the cleaning tool clean Arthur's stuff fall to the floor. Gaius is not amused by Merlin's magical cheating. Gaius then informs him that supper's ready before leaving again.
Elsewhere in the great hall the knights are lining up to greet the king and the Lady Morgana before wondering amongst each other and chatting.
The next day Merlin goes to the armory to collect Arthur's stuff, when he hears a snake hissing and goes to investigate. Where upon he sees on of the snakes on Valiant's shield blink, but doesn't have time to investigate more because he hears someone coming, so instead goes back to Arthur's stuff, picks it up and heads to the door passing Valiant on his way out.
Not long after Merlin arrives at Arthur's chambers and then precedes to layout the armor on the table. Arthur approaches and in surprise asks "You did all this on your own?"
"Yes, sire" says Merlin.
Arthur then says "Let's see if you can get me into it without forgetting anything." Merlin then precedes to put Arthur's armor on him.
Arthur says "That was much better. Not that it could have gotten any worse."
"I'm a fast learner" responds Merlin.
"I hope for your sake that's true."
"Good luck." Says Merlin. Before they head to the arena.
Gaius approaches and says to Merlin "Is it my imagination or are you beginning to enjoy yourself?"
Merlin responds with "It... It isn't totally horrible all the time." While watching Arthur fight and win against his opponent. Arthur leaves the arena along with his opponent and Valiant and his opponent take their place. Valiant wins his match by discretely using the snakes from his shield.
Merlin notices that Valiant's opponent hasn't got up and sees Gaius go check on him before Gaius calling some guards to carry him to his chambers.
Later that night Merlin arrives back at the chambers carrying Arthur's armor which he dumps on the table and notices Gaius puzzling over the fact that there is a snake bite on the knights neck.
Merlin wonders how the knight could have been bitten in a fight against Valiant, which is when he remembers Valiant's shield has snake on it. Merlin decides to head to Valiant's room to see if he's there so that Merlin can sneak to the armory and have a look at Valiant's shield. Unfortunately for him Valiant returns to his chamber with his shield. Merlin approaches the door of Valiant's room and opens it slightly so he can look in, where upon he sees Valiant feed a mouse to one of the snakes. Merlin then quietly sneaks away and back to Gaius.
Upon arriving back at Gaius' chambers Merlin tells Gaius about the snakes on Valiant's shield being enchanted to come to life, he also points out that sir Ewan was fighting Valiant when he was bitten. Gaius tells Merlin the king and Arthur wouldn't believe him without any proof. Merlin angrily storms to his room after hearing that.
The next day finds Merlin preparing Arthur for his fight against a giant of a man. Arthur and his opponent then proceed to head to the arena to start their fight. While Arthur is fighting Gaius approaches Merlin and asks him how he's getting on.
Merlin says "Fine. Just doing my job. Minding my own business." Before walking off.
Arthur succeeds in defeating his opponent and not long after Valiant defeats his opponent. Merlin points out that Valiant's going to fight Arthur in the final and he'll uses the shield to kill him to Gaius, before walking off.
Later that night finds Merlin sitting watch over Ewan when Gaius returns. Gaius says "The king wont believe us but if we get an antidote for sir Ewan then the king will believe sir Ewan's testimony. But how would we get the antidote is another matter." Merlin leaves Gaius' chambers and heads to the banquet hall to see if Valiant had retired for the night yet.
Meanwhile the king, the knights that took part in the tournament, Arthur and Valiant are all dinning together. Merlin peeps in on the banquet and spots Valiant's still there. Merlin heads to Valiant's chambers and uses magic to enter them. Merlin then grabs one of valiant's swords and cautiously approaches the shield. Merlin spins round when he hears a thud coming from the hallway, while his back is turn one of the snakes comes to life behind him causing Merlin to spin round and lop its head off. Merlin drops the sword, grabs the severed head and leaves. Not long after Valiant returns to his room.
Upon arriving back at Gaius' chambers Merlin hands the severed head to Gaius so he can extract the venom. Gaius then starts working on making an antidote, while Merlin goes to see Arthur with the snake head. When Merlin gets to Arthur's quarters he tell Arthur about Valiant's enchanted shield which Valiant will use against him in the finals so Arthur should prepare for that eventuality.
Arthur says "I'm surprised that you don't want me to tell the king about Valiant."
Merlin smirks and says "Arthur, A) your father would never believe a servant over a knight, B) even if he did he'd have to tell Valiant of the accusation leveled against him which would get sir Ewan killed."
"Wow, that's some very strategic think." Say Arthur in surprise.
"Exactly, so kill the bastard tomorrow for me." Say Merlin causing Arthur to laugh and say "Of Course I will." Merlin then leaves and heads back to Gaius' chambers.
When Merlin gets back he looks through his magic book to see if there's a spell to animate an in animate object which there is. the then pinches one of the dog statues from the courtyard to practice on. He then spends all night practicing the spell until dawn where he finally gets it.
He has some soup before heading out to get Arthur ready. Merlin and Arthur head out to the arena where Arthur and Valiant face off before they start fighting while Merlin discreetly hides out of the way to wait for the perfect moment to cast the spell on the shield before Valiant can use the shield on Arthur which occurred when Valiant has Arthur weaponless and defenseless. Merlin uses the spell summoning the snakes out and surprising Valiant for a few moments before Valiant command the snakes to kill Arthur. Arthur quickly backs away from them towards the central stand where Morgana and his father is and Morgana grabs Uther's sword and throws it to Arthur. Arthur uses the sword to behead the snakes and to kill Valiant after which he leaves the arena.
Later that night Arthur and Merlin enjoy the well earned celebration feast and notice Morgana fussing over sir Ewan who's looking much better.
Review and suggestions welcome.