Prompts: Valiant
Summary: Arthur prepares for a boxing match with Kid Valiant, who wone his last bout under suspicious circumstances.
Valiant
Arthur Pendragon stretched and sat up in his bed. He had only a few hours before the fight of his life. He settled back into the pillows to think.
Arthur wasn't worried just nervous. Kid Valiant's record was not that impressive. The Kid hadn't faced the opponents that Arthur had.
The door swung open and his 'keeper' Merlin came in. Merlin hated it when Arthur called him that but it was the most accurate description for what he did. He was maid, cook, advisor, friend, and scheduler for Arthur. He literally did keep Arthur.
"Wake up you lazy daisy! We have to get to the gym for your weigh in. I have no doubt you will weigh perfectly heavy." Merlin chattered as he put the breakfast tray down and went to open the curtains of the large window that faced south.
"I should. Do you bring me oatmeal again?" Arthur sat off and threw the covers off. His bare feet hit the cold floor and he hissed.
"Use the house shoes and come eat while its hot." Merlin glanced over as he picked up last night's clothes. "Are you worried about tonight?"
"No, it's just we don't know much about him. I've never even heard of him until now and he hasn't fought anyone I know." Arthur said as he pulled his robe around him and sat at the small table to eat.
"So you are worried then." Merlin nodded. "Don't. You are the best that there is in the ring these days. You will take him easily."
"Hmph! Just lay out some clothes and get on. I'll be ready by the time the car comes to pick me up."
"Blue slacks, white dress shirt, and the tie Gwen gave you with the little dragons on it?" Merlin said as he made the bed. "Same as always."
"Guinevere says I look nice in the photos when I wear that." Arthur pushed the empty bowl back and polished off the tall glass of milk.
"Athletes and their rituals." Merlin shook his head as he placed the afore mentioned items on the bed. "Hurry up! We don't have all day."
Merlin rushed out with the full laundry basket before Arthur could throw something at him.
Arthur was ready and waiting when the car came for the weigh in. After the weigh in they headed to the gym for a light workout.
Gaius, Arthur's corner man, pulled Merlin aside. "How is his mood?"
"Grumpy but that isn't unusual. What have you heard from your friend about Kid Valiant?" Merlin asked.
"He used something on his gloves to win his last bout." Gaius told him. "The boy he fought had blisters on his face after the fight. The boy also had trouble breathing. He should have been disqualified but no one could prove he had anything on his gloves."
"I'll take care of it." Merlin said.
"What are you going to do?" Gaius was skeptical.
"I'll make the stuff glow so everyone will see it." Merlin shrugged.
Gaius arched an eyebrow at him. "That's your plan?"
"Got a better one?" Merlin asked.
Gaius shook his head. He looked over at Arthur skipping rope. "He's lucky to have you Merlin."
"Luckier than he knows." Merlin frowned. "I have errands to run. Keep an eye on him, will you?"
Gaius nodded. "Just make sure you are back before the bout."
"I will be." Merlin said over his shoulder as he headed out.
Later that evening as Arthur stood in the ring with Kid Valiant; Merlin sat next to Gaius at ringside. It was the second round and Arthur was clearly winning.
Merlin saw Valiant wipe his glove on his shorts. It raised his suspicions so he said a spell to make whatever it was visible. As soon as the spell was out of Merlin's mouth the substance on Kid Valiant's gloves glowed bright green.
The referee called time and inspected the gloves. He disqualified Kid Valiant on the spot and declared Arthur the winner.
Three days later, the test came back and the substance was snake venom. It was a rare viper that paralyzed its victims before eating them. The amount on Valiant's gloves would have sent Arthur into respiratory arrest almost immediately.