Episode 2: The Tournament

Merlin The new Prince awoke to the sound of his name. Merlin. He looked about, but there was no one. The voice was inside his head, yet Merlin didn't feel crazy. No, he felt calm for the first time since the Witch revealed the truth. Merlin.

Unsure whether or not he was out of his mind, Merlin slid out of bed. Surely there would be no harm in following the voice? If there was nothing there then no harm done. If there was….well Merlin would cross that bridge when he got there.

There was absolutely no one milling about, and no guards even noticed the Prince. He should probably have scolded them for that, but he wasn't Arthur. They worked hard, and if they didn't notice a scrawny boy who was no threat then no harm done. (Plus, if Merlin did say something, he'd have to admit why he was out of bed himself, and things would get a lot more complicated.)

"Hello," the Prince called out once he reached the cavern where he felt the voice originated. "Who's there?" The Prince didn't really expect anyone to show themselves, but he especially didn't expect to find himself face to face with a giant dragon.

The legends Merlin knew said all the dragons were extinct, but this one certainly was not. His scales were dull, and broken on his legs where the chains tugged. "How small you are for such a great destiny," the dragon chuckled.

"Destiny?" the Prince repeated moving his torch to get a better look at the beast. "You mean being a Prince? I didn't realize there was a height requirement for that."

Kilgharrah's laugh sounded like a clap of thunder, and Merlin was terrified for a second that they'd be discovered. Prince or not, he'd probably be in trouble for speaking with the giant prisoner. "I do not mean your princeship. Any man can be a royal so long as he has the right blood. No other has your soul, or your gifts."

"My magic?" Dragons were beings of magic, so Merlin didn't worry about getting killed. Still, the words stuck in his mouth. If someone had heard him… "There's a reason for it? What?"

"Arthur," the dragon replied plainly. "Your half brother is the Once and Future King destined to unite the land of Albion. But without you he will never succeed."

Merlin laughed at that. "I think Arthur will do right fine on his own thank you." Arthur was the one who could fight, and he may be a prat but he'd make a better king than their father. Anyone would. "I think you have it wrong."

"I can see your path very clearly, young warlock, and I am not wrong. Magic is illegal in Camelot, and if your family discovers yours, you shall be killed. But Magic is as much a force of the earth as that which makes an apple fall to the ground. It surrounds us, and those who use it have good reason to feel wronged by Camelot. I care not for the life of Uther, give me the chance and I'll burn him myself. But Arthur must be protected and only you can do so."

Merlin didn't want to admit he barely could control his magic, never mind use it to save Arthur's life. "Even if I can keep Arthur alive, he's a prat! How could he unite Albion?"

"That is up to you," the dragon replied taking off. "But you cannot outrun destiny no matter how you try. Arthur will save us all, but only with you by his side."

If being a Prince was a hard enough task, the dragon's was impossible. The two brothers barely even tolerated each other; how could Merlin guide Arthur into uniting Albion? No, the dragon had it wrong. Who knew how long he'd been locked up down there? Most likely he'd gone senile with old age and was just spouting random stuff Merlin should ignore. And he would ignore it, because accepting that destiny wasn't on the table at the moment. Merlin had enough to worry about.

Like the fact that the sun was rising, and that meant Merlin wasn't going to be getting anymore sleep before training. He'd be lucky to make it back to his chambers before Monty showed up.

Merlin wasn't lucky. "Oh, there you are sire, I was just about to run to the King, tell him you'd been kidnapped."

"That would have been most excessive, Monty," Merlin laughed awkwardly. "Don't be frightened if you often find me not here when you arrive. I like to go on walks. In Ealdor I always had to get up at the first sign of sunlight, so I still can't sleep in."

"Of course, Sire," Monty nodded placing the tray of breakfast on Merlin's desk. "What would you have me do today?"

Merlin found himself at a loss for words. He hated having a servant as much (if not more) than he'd hated being a servant. "Well, Arthur used to have me clean his boots, polish his armor, muck his stables, and walk his dogs," Monty paled at the number of chores. "But my boots and armor are only days old so they're in brilliant shape, and I have neither horses nor dogs so…"

"I see," Monty looked like he was holding in a chuckle. "I guess I'm stuck accompanying you to training with Arthur then, sire."

Merlin felt a twinge of pity for the boy; he knew how Arthur could treat servants during training. "Yes, we should go then. I doubt the prat is even up."

If Monty noticed Merlin's disrespect (which surely he didn't) the servant didn't speak up. "Aren't you going to eat your breakfast, sire?"

Merlin looked down at the meal before him, and found himself still stuffed from the feast the night before. Still, he didn't want to upset Monty, and slammed some of the toast down his throat. "Why don't you eat the rest," Merlin suggested before heading off towards the training yard hoping he wasn't keeping his brother waiting.

"You're late," Arthur told him brother despite it not really being true. They hadn't set a time beyond first thing in the morning. "Father had a sword made for you, try it."

Merlin found the hilt, and weighed it carefully. It was brilliantly balanced, but still felt awkward in his hand. Merlin had never found a sword not to feel awkward. Magic was his weapon, not a sword. Yet, Merlin was a Prince now. He had to learn swordsmanship or he'd be a disgrace to Camelot.

"Lift your feet," Arthur ordered striking against Merlin for what felt like the millionth time. (And probably was.) "You're small which makes you fast. Use that to your advantage."

Merlin was panting too hard to reply. If Arthur had been hard on him as a servant he was doubly as hard now. The swords they were using were blunt, but it didn't matter. Merlin felt dozens of bruises forming on his body, and it was barely noon.

"Sires," a servant called running up to the training pitch. "Your father has requested you join him for your midday meal."

Merlin breathed a sigh of relief. "Very well," Arthur agreed before turning to Merlin. "Go get changed."

He was glad to escape, and found himself glad for having a servant. Monty had a bath all drawn up, and Merlin actually felt like a human being when he arrived in the Great Hall.

"Ah Merlin," his father greeted with a smile. "Arthur is right behind you I assume?" Merlin found himself without answer, but Arthur's entrance saved him. "I'm glad you both could join me on such short notice." The Prince's sat down, but Merlin could tell they weren't actually here to eat. Oh, sure, there was plenty of food, but Uther wanted the chance to talk to his sons and nothing more. "How has your first day of training been?"

Merlin felt the bruises on his side, but Arthur knew well enough to lie. "He's doing quite well Father. Truly Merlin you're far beyond where another man would be."

"It is in his blood after all," Uther smiled taking another swing of his wine. "I'm glad to hear you're doing well Merlin because you will be fighting in the tournament this weekend."

It took all of Merlin's willpower not to spit his wine across the table, but Arthur didn't manage it. Servants rushed to clean up the mess as Uther's eyes dragged across his son. "Really Arthur," the King scowled. "Your brother has better manners and he grew up without spoons."

"Father, Merlin is progressing well but he won't be able to hold his own against knights and lords who have been training since birth. No man could after only a day's training."

Merlin nodded in agreement. He doubted he could hold his own after years of training, never mind a day's. Luckily, Uther agreed. "I know that. I have arranged for you two to face each other in the first round of the tournament. That way, when Arthur wins, it won't be a disgrace as it's still Camelot's Prince that is winning. It's not ideal, but it is better than Merlin not fighting at all."

Arthur couldn't deny that. He didn't know of any kingdom being in such a predicament as this. A Prince who was raised a commoner but expected to have all the skills of a Prince…even Arthur could feel a bit bad for Merlin.

In honesty, the Crown Prince didn't know how to feel about his half-brother. They'd butted heads at first, but in a way Arthur enjoyed that. He enjoyed not being treated like a god his every waking moment. Oh sure, he'd thrown Merlin in the stocks a time or two for disrespect, but Arthur enjoyed it. Figures of course that the one servant who didn't act like as servant was secretly a royal. Now the two were equals. (Or almost equals. Merlin would never be King whereas Arthur would, but they were close enough. Closer than anyone else had ever been to being Arthur's equal in Camelot.)

Yet, now that they knew they were brothers, Merlin was more respectful to Arthur! Last week he'd have been called a prat for beating Merlin up, but today the younger Prince just took it. Something was very clearly up with Merlin, but Arthur didn't know his brother well enough to know what. (And he couldn't very well ask, because he had never asked about what was bothering someone in his life.)

"And of course you won't be expected to join in the archery competition," the whole time Arthur had been thinking he realized his father had been talking. "Arthur never does."

"I can do archery," Merlin admitted before cursing himself. Sure, he'd done archery before and had been good at it, but that was because he used magic. Any arrow will fly straight when enchanted. (And it's not cheating. Merlin was just using his natural abilities like any other archer.) "I mean I've done it before and not been terrible."

Uther beamed. "Well that's brilliant. Arthur take him to the pitch and see what he can do. My two son's winning both competitions would reflect greatly on our family."

Merlin wished he'd never spoken up. Not only was Uther again pushing how they were a family, (which really they weren't), he now expected Merlin to win the archery competition. The only way he could do that would be with magic, which, if anyone discovered, would get Merlin killed.

"I was planning on doing paperwork this afternoon," Arthur admitted. He had tons of papers to fill out regarding the weekend's tournaments, and he'd barely have time as it was, never mind if he had to train more with Merlin. "We can go tomorrow morning, before the other competitors arrive."

Uther shook his head, as Arthur suspected. "Nonsense. Merlin can help you with the paperwork and you'll have plenty of time to do both. Your mother taught you how to read and write, correct?"

Merlin was half insulted, but nodded. "Yes, of course."

"Good then," Uther told them with a nod. "That is what you'll do." Arthur was suddenly glad to have a brother; now he'd always have someone to force his obnoxious loads of paperwork on.

The next morning, Merlin dressed in anxiety. Sure, he'd lose quickly to Arthur, but he had to make sure he didn't look like a fool while doing so. And he had the whole archery contest to worry about, because while Arthur stood behind Merlin the day before and couldn't see his eyes…Well Merlin wasn't sure he could do that in front of a crowd of hundreds.

Nope. He was either going to make a fool of himself, or end up burning on a pyre. How. Incredibly. Pleasant. "You'll do fine, sire," Monty encouraged with a smile. "The whole Kingdom is waiting to see their new Prince and you won't disappoint them."

The servants words left Merlin more anxious. Hundreds of people had flocked to the city as always, but Arthur had said there were more than expected. Was that really because everyone was craning to get a look at 'Prince Merlin'? Well they would be horribly disappointed by the scrawny figure before them; that was for sure.

"Hey, watch were you're going, toad," a voice cackled when Merlin opened the door and almost hit some knights who were passing in the hall.

"Oye," one of them, Sir Anton if Merlin remembered correctly, cackled. "You're speaking to the Bastard Prince, Elif. Treat him with respect."

Elif laughed as well, while Merlin seethed. "Oh yeah, I'll respect him. His whore mother too. You a whore like your mother, Sir Prince? Did you fuck the King as well to get a crown?"

"Excuse me," Merlin didn't even notice Arthur coming around the corner until he spoke. "But that is my brother, your Prince, that you're speaking too. I should have you executed for that."

Merlin opened his mouth to say that that was excessive, but the Knights spoke first. "We meant no disrespect to your father, sire," Elif mumbled. "Just some friendly teasing with the new Prince. No harm done."

"I'm sure," Arthur looked pissed, but these were Knights and their fathers were nobles. Arthur couldn't piss them off without very good reason or he'd end up with a disaster on his hands. "And I'm sure you two don't mind going to the outlying villages for the weekend. I hear they've been having trouble with bandits."

They looked horrified, "But we're supposed to be fighting in the tournament! Sire."

Arthur gave them a hard look, and their eyes met the floor. "I'm sorry then, but as you're both Knights of Camelot your duty comes first to the realm. Take Sir Tores as well and go."

They were fuming as they left, but then again, so was Arthur. "How dare they speak to you like that! You're their Prince! They'd never speak to me as such."

Merlin figured that was the point. "Because you're not a bastard whose mother was a serving girl. They were raised to be knights; I was raised to muck their stalls. Father's decree won't make them forget that."

"Don't call yourself a bastard," Arthur scolded feeling uncomfortable. Sure, that was what Merlin was, but he'd been legitimized. The King said that Merlin was a Prince and everyone had to deal with that. "And if anymore Knights of Camelot act like that you are to tell me. I can't throw them in the dungeons like I could a servant but I'll make their lives a living Hell in training."

Merlin felt that that epitomized his new position. Servants would respect him out of fear, but not the nobles whom he couldn't even punish. He had to go crying to Arthur, which just proved he wasn't really a Prince. "Whatever," Merlin grumbled continuing on his way. "I wish you'd let Father send me away."

He hadn't meant for Arthur to hear him, but the elder Prince did. "Don't ever say that again," Arthur hissed grabbing Merlin's arm. "You belong here. It's your birthright as well as mine. Soon enough everyone will know you are the Prince, and they will respect you. If not then they will find themselves very familiar with the edge of the Kingdom."

Merlin nodded again, but as he left Arthur knew the boy wasn't convinced. Merlin seemed to feel like he deserved their abuse, but Arthur was not going to let it stand. Never had he heard a Knight say something as vulgar as they'd said to Merlin, and it would never happen again. Not if Arthur had any say in the matter.

"Arthur," the King caught up with his son. "What is this I hear about you sending knights to the outlying villages to deal with bandits?"

Arthur was hoping it would take longer for their noble father's to complain. "They were disrespecting Merlin and had to be taught a lesson," the Prince replied plainly. "Besides, there truly are bandits raiding the outlying villages. We needed to send a couple knights anyways."

Uther was too hung up on the first reason to think much of the second. "I feared this would happen. Half my council has been trying to convince me that his mother is a liar and Merlin isn't my son. The other half has been saying it doesn't matter and I should never have declared him."

Arthur knew what he had argued was true, but things would have probably been better if Merlin had just left. "They don't like change, and that is what this is. Eventually Merlin will seem as natural at Court as I do."

"I hope you are right Arthur," Uther confided seeming surprisingly upset. "But we have another immediate problem. The three knights you sent away were part of the tournament, and now the whole roster is messed up. You will no longer be facing Merlin. He has to fight Sir Leon."

Leon was one of the youngest knights, only a year older than Arthur, but he was good. No way could Merlin beat him and then the new Prince would look even less fit for his title. "I could speak with Leon… He understands these kinds of things and would let Merlin win."

Uther appeared to have been thinking the same thing, so he walked away without another word.

"Of course, Sire," Leon looked deflated, but the Knight was logical. He was probably Arthur's best friend, and understood how Merlin's defeat in the first round would make the Kingdom look weak. "We all know you're going to win anyways Arthur."

The Prince knew that too, but he shook his head. "There are many strong contenders. You would have been one which is why I owe you my gratitude. If I do win you can have the prize money."

"I don't want money," Leon's answer didn't really surprise Arthur, but it was nice to hear. "It's for the betterment of the Kingdom, and I like Merlin. He's a scrawny little thing, but I think he has a good heart. I would hate to humiliate him."

Arthur left, thinking about how noble Leon was. He couldn't imagine making himself look weak for another, yet Leon would do it willingly. Arthur hoped someday to be that noble as well.

"This is going to be a disaster." Merlin looked like he was ready to puke as he waited on deck for him and Sir Leon to fight. "I can't believe that this is going to happen."

"You'll be fine," Monty encouraged, but he was clearly lying through his teeth. "You almost knocked Arthur off of his feet yesterday, you can do the same with Sir Leon!"

Except Merlin only almost knocked Arthur over because Arthur was distractedly watching the birds fly by. Arthur was distracted and Merlin still lost; this was going to be a disaster.

"Your highness," Merlin turned to see a woman standing behind him looking radiant in an emerald gown. Golden locks curled around her head, and Merlin found himself wondering if she was a Princess. "My name is Lady Glenda. I'd be honored if you would wear this ribbon, as a token of good luck."

Merlin took the emerald string in his hand, smiling as he did. "Thank you my lady, I'll wear it proudly." The words were strange to Merlin, but since it sounded like something Arthur would say, he went with it. "I could use all the good luck I could get," Merlin grumbled to himself.

The canon blew, and Merlin stepped into the arena. Never before had so many hundreds of eyes beat down on Merlin. Every muscle told him to run and hide, but he drew his sword and fought.

The sword felt perfect in Merlin's hand, like an extension of himself. Each blow struck harder and faster than the last, until Leon yielded beneath the Prince. In only minutes, Merlin had won. The crowd's cheers drowned out any thoughts, but Merlin felt sick. He shouldn't have won that match, certainly not that easily.

"I can't believe you paid Sir Leon to lose," Merlin growled when Arthur showed up to congratulate him. "That is so…low. He's a good man; you should have let him have his chance."

Arthur wasn't surprised Merlin figured it out. "We didn't pay Leon, he agreed that it was for the best. But Merlin, that was incredible. You could have won even if Leon had been trying. I've never seen anyone move like that! Truly Merlin, it was incredible."

He didn't believe it though, and stormed out of his tent only to, quite literally, run into the King. "I'm sorry sire, I didn't see you."

Uther noticed that Merlin didn't even attempt to say Father, and realized what had happened. This was exactly why he'd told Arthur not to tell the boy. It was ironic, considering his heritage but Uther knew Merlin cared too much for fairness than was wise for a prince. "You're not wearing your coronet."

That caught Merlin off guard enough for his anger to diminish. "What? Neither is Arthur? He never wears it except at feasts." And Uther had argued with his eldest on that before, but that wasn't the point.

"I want you wearing it except for when you're competing. The people recognize Arthur, not you." He didn't just mean recognize as in put the name to the face either. No, people respected Arthur and not Merlin; that was the real issue. "You cannot set your standards by Arthur's. You have to be twice as good for them to give you half of what they give him. That is why you could not lose today. That is why you must wear your coronet regularly. Understood?"

Merlin nodded, slightly terrified. Uther wanted his son to be a true Prince, but it was getting harder and harder for Merlin to know how. He could learn to fight and do paperwork, but would anyone ever really respect him? No. Not the way they'd respect Arthur. He would always be the common boy who got lucky, and nothing beyond that would really matter.

He was half ready to run off back to Ealdor, but figured the King would come after him. This was his life now, whether he wanted it or not, so Merlin would be twice as good. Then he'd have half of what Arthur did, and maybe, just maybe, that would be enough for his father.

Merlin was glad to find that everyone observing the archery contest was far away. They couldn't possibly see his eyes, so he used magic. It didn't matter that it was cheating; Merlin had to win. For the sake of his new family and Kingdom Merlin had to win. He had to be better than everyone else.

"Quite an impressive shot," Lady Morgana noted as Merlin went to get ready for his next fight. "Yet you're not boasting as Arthur would."

Arthur did like to boast. "It's not in my nature," Merlin admitted. "I've always known my place in this world and never needed to remind people of it."

Morgana was highly astute though. She saw the way Arthur and Uther had hyper focused their attention on Merlin since his arrival. "Yet now you do." Merlin really didn't want to have this conversation again, and neither did Morgana. "When I arrived in Camelot I was the daughter of a dead nobleman. The King has always treated me like a Princess, and there are many people quick to notice that. He expects me to be better than I was raised to be. I can only imagine the pressure he's putting on you."

Merlin's shoulders relaxed. Finally, someone who understood the pressure and didn't want to add more. "It had been difficult," Merlin admitted. "Do you like it here in Camelot?"

"It is my home," Morgana admitted following Merlin into his tent. "I've lived here for longer than I ever lived with my father. In that sense Uther is my family, more so than he is even yours."

The Prince found himself startled by just how much Morgana understood his predicament. "You want to please Uther?"

"More than anything else in the world. The worst thing I can imagine is him hating me." Her voice drew soft, and Merlin wondered what was bothering her. "I feel like I should warn you, Prince Merlin, that Uther has been uncharacteristically patient with you this past week. It will not last, and you have to be prepared for when the King comes back. Do what you must to please him or it won't be the first time he throws a son of his into the dungeon."

She left, and Merlin found himself horrified. It was as if the woman knew his thoughts and was confirming them. Uther was playing the part of Father, but really he was just a King who needed his son to succeed.

Morgana hadn't intended on putting more pressure on Merlin, it was true, but her words made him feel more crushed than even Uther's.

Merlin was actually going against Arthur this time, and everyone knew which Prince was going to lose. Arthur was undoubtedly the best swordsman in Camelot, possibly the world and Merlin… Well he only got this far because of Sir Leon's sense of duty.

"My Prince," Lady Glenda found Merlin standing in the same anxious position as earlier. "I never found you after the fight to congratulate you. It seems my lucky charm worked. Do you still have it?" Merlin forced a smile and held up his sword arm where the ribbon rested. "Good, then I'm sure it will bring you good luck again."

Merlin scoffed, "Against Arthur? I doubt it, but thank you My Lady."

"Don't doubt luck, sire. It's as powerful a charm as any magic." Merlin's face fell, and Lady Glenda stepped away. "I'm sorry sire I know your father's take on magic. I did not mean to imply that the ribbon is magic it's just a ribbon…"

Merlin grabbed her shoulder, and held the shaking girl tight. "A slip of the tongue, no more, I understand," Merlin assured her wishing he was in a position to say more. Don't worry I have magic, he wanted to scream, but he couldn't. Magic would get even a Prince killed, especially a new one. "Do be careful though. I would hate to see a beautiful Lady like yourself get hurt."

She nodded, and ran off leaving Merlin cursing. His father's hatred of magic soiled everything, didn't it? And the line it made Merlin have to walk…well he was struggling not to fall off.

The canon blew, and the two brother's faced each other ready to fight. Merlin debated throwing himself on the ground then-and-there to avoid his brother's beating, but knew he couldn't. Merlin had to try his hardest so it would be called a fair fight. (Though it was hardly fair to make Merlin fight anyone.)

Arthur swung first, his eyes holding back more than his sword. Instinctively, Merlin brought up his own sword and the sound of clanking metal spurred the crowd's cheers. Arthur seemed shocked by the strength with which Merlin pushed back, and in the end, it was the elder Prince who stepped backwards. Shocked, Merlin let down his guard long enough for Arthur to cut his leg, but it wasn't deep. Spurred with adrenaline, Merlin swung towards Arthur himself, knocking the Prince hard. Back and forth the two went, until Merlin managed accidentally to trip Arthur. He fell to the ground, and Merlin realized what he just did.

"You just beat Arthur in a swordfight," Gwen, who was standing off to the side, reminded Merlin once he exited the arena. "Merlin, Morgana and I were spying on your training yesterday. When did you learn how to fight like that?"

The thing that terrified Merlin was that he hadn't. Every logical bone in his body told Merlin he should have lost that fight because it was true. Unless…My magic makes my arrows fly straight. Am I unconsciously using it to swordfight?

No. If that was so Merlin's eyes would be gold the whole time he fought and Arthur would have noticed that. Merlin's brother looked so furious at the fight's end he would have screamed to the crowds that Merlin was a sorcerer if he'd seen anything.

No, it wasn't magic that had made Merlin win, of that he was sure. How had he won then? Luck wasn't a real thing, no matter what Glenda said. And certainly Merlin didn't have the skill to beat Arthur, so what had happened?

"I guess you won't need any more training," Arthur told Merlin as the two met by their adjacent tents. "And to think I was fool enough to believe this whole bumbling idiot act you put up. I even believed you didn't know how to play the game of court. Guess it must be in your blood."

Merlin wanted to scream. Whatever relationship the two had been building was shattered by Arthur's jealousy. He was the reigning champion three years in a row, and had been beaten by his little illegitimate brother, a commoner from Ealdor. Knights would be laughing about it for the rest of the tournament at best, years at worse. Arthur would never forgive Merlin for it.

Uther seemed pleased however. He didn't say anything to Merlin, but the look in his eyes lacked the pity it held before. Uther was beginning to feel like Merlin was truly a son he could be proud of, not just someone who held the power to ruin the Kingdom.

Shame that it took Arthur's hatred to win Uther's approval, but that, after all, was just the way of court. When did brothers, never mind Princes, like each other? Merlin should have expected this would happen sooner rather than later, but he still felt disappointed. Why did Arthur have to be such a Prat about losing?

"You should know you just bankrupted half of Camelot, Sire," Monty laughed as he helped Merlin get his armor off. "Me on the other hand was bettin' on you so now I'm almost rich enough to buy myself some land and be a Lord."

Merlin laughed, praying the boy was joking and there wasn't that much money at stake. "Lord Monty Navarro," Merlin laughed wishing he felt more joy instead of dread. They had a ball tonight, and Merlin was going to have to face his brother.

That was sure to be an enjoyable experience.

Arthur ate in silence, speaking to neither his father, who was boasting about Merlin's skills, or Merlin himself. He just couldn't believe Merlin had played him like that. He'd honestly believed the kid to just be a simple farmer in way over his head, but nope, Merlin was far more than that.

And a ladies' man too.Arthur noted seeing him talking to Lady Glenda. I wonder if he knows she's our cousin.

"I can't believe that little brother of yours," Lord Derec, Glenda's twin brother, told Arthur walking over. "Though I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You know the outlying villages are very dangerous everyone there knows how to yield a sword as well as any knight. Merlin's probably been training since he was younger than you or me."

Arthur hadn't known that, and he cursed himself for it. "He's my half brother," Arthur reminded his cousin rolling his eyes. "And maybe I should go recruiting out there then. If my father is willing to make a bastard from Ealdor a Prince why not get some Knights who grew up in pigsties."

"Well then," Derec laughed. "Guess that settles those rumors then." Arthur's confusion must have shown on his face, because Derec spoke again. "I heard that you fought your father to keep him here at court. Now I said that could never have been the case, you'd hate a bastard like him. Glad to know I was right."

Except he wasn't, and that made Arthur cringe. He should have let his father banish Merlin to Ealdor. Maybe then he wouldn't look like such a fool now. He has as much right to the title Prince as you do Arthur. Just because you don't like him doesn't mean you were wrong to treat him fairly.

The problem was Arthur really had been growing to like Merlin. The boy was interesting as a servant, and even more so as a prince. It had been nice to have someone his own age and status around to talk to, but Merlin ruined it. He just had to show off and ruin everything.

"Well, I'd better go save my sister from him," Derec rolled his eyes. "She gave him a token; how pathetic." So that was where the little green ribbon came from. Arthur had been wondering. "Anyway, I'll just grab her and turn in for the night. I'll probably end up having to face your brother in the finals if I get that far, and I don't plan on losing to a bastard that's for sure."

Arthur watched him go, noting the familiar way he grabbed her wrist. The twins had always been so close to each other, and they really were the reason Arthur always wanted a sibling. Well, he'd gotten one, and now he wanted to know how to return him.

"You mustn't hate Merlin because he beat you," Morgana told the Prince as the two of them sat by the walls watching Merlin flutter about. "Look at him; he's completely out of his element. He's only doing what he thinks you would. It was luck that he beat you, not skill. And it's good for him; the other knights respect him now.

At the day's beginning that was all Arthur wanted-for the knights to respect Merlin. Now he just wished it hadn't come at the price of their respect for him. Everyone was laughing about Arthur, and there was nothing he could do except retire for the night and wait until he was forced to watch Merlin win the tournament in the morning.

When Merlin won his third round, he was starting to get terrified. He'd beaten Sir Pellinor without receiving a single scratch, and it just wasn't natural. "Ah sire, I didn't see you get cut let me look at it."

"I'm not hurt," Merlin told Gaius shooing him away. "And that's why I'm here. I can't swordfight Gaius, yet not only did I beat Arthur, but Pellinor too? I don't understand how it's happening. Could my," he looked around to make sure no one was in sight. "gift be making it so I win?"

Gaius shut the door, knowing all too well what would happen if someone overheard. "You're exceptionally powerful, Merlin, so it's possible, but I've never heard of such thing. Now if you had put a spell on your sword that would do the trick. Actually, sire, I was beginning to wonder myself if you had."

"But I haven't! Yet somehow I'm magically defeating every foe."

Gaius wasn't sure what to tell Merlin. "Then the only possibility is that there is someone out there enchanting you to win. Why they'd dare though I don't know. If they're discovered it's a sure fire way to make sure they get killed unless…" Merlin watched as the physician's face paled. "Merlin I'm sure it comes as no surprise to you to discover that there are many people out there who don't approve of your new position. It's possible someone is using magic to frame you. You must be careful."

Merlin was very used to hiding magic, but he wasn't sure how to hide another's magic. "I'll do my best. Thank you Gaius I should probably be going the final starts soon."

"It's nothing, my boy. Your mother asked me to protect you here in court. She worries about what will happen should your father discover the truth." Merlin worried about that as well, but for now he just needed to go out there and make sure Uther didn't discover a lie.

The Prince was ready to puke as he waited for the final against Sir Derec to begin. He'd met the Lord the night before when he'd been taking to Lady Glenda. They'd been friends there, on the dance floor, but Merlin had seen him fight. The man was fierce and would have given Arthur a run for his money. If whatever magic had gotten Merlin this far was to give out during the fight he'd probably end up dead.

"Lady Glenda," Merlin greeted as she strolled over. "I like this dress. The red suits you."

She smiled, "Red for Camelot not for blood as I say. Though I guess Camelot's color is red because of blood…"

"It hides blood yes, when we fight." Merlin had asked Arthur that question back when he was a servant. "That way it looks like we're invincible in battle."

Glenda studied Merlin. "Yet you're not wearing red today." No, Merlin had plain white padding on under his armor. "So I guess that means you're not invincible. Good news for my brother I guess. Actually, Merlin, that was why I'm here. I need my ribbon back, because I'd hate for you to have good luck in a fight against my brother… it's not that I don't like you Merlin but…"

"But I'm not your brother," Merlin nodded handing it over. "I understand." She seemed relieved, but didn't say anything before the canon went off and Merlin entered the arena.

The sword felt awkward in Merlin's hand, and it only took him a minute to realize why. There would be no magic this time just bumbling fool Merlin fighting seasoned warrior Derec. Forget trying to win for the glory of Camelot; Merlin was going to have to try not to die.

He almost died within the first two seconds, when Derec swung his sword towards Merlin's neck. The crowd gasped in horror, but cheered when Merlin managed to duck to the side. He knew how to use a shield, and just had to survive long enough for Derec to ground him. Merlin barely tried to fight back, until he heard Derec speak. "Wow, you really are pitiful without my sister's magical ribbon. Killing you should not be this easy."

Merlin's blood ran cold, and he found himself swinging his sword. Derec wasn't going to accidentally kill Merlin; this whole thing was planned. The only way for the two to fight would be if they got to the finals, so Glenda used a magical ribbon to make that happen. How could Merlin have been such a fool? He should have known the ribbon was magic when he saw it!

"What, no quirky comeback?" Derec taunted as his sword met Merlin's shield with a snap. "No 'why are you doing this'? I'm insulted." Merlin swung his sword at Derec's feet, but the Lord jumped over him. "Then again you're breathing too hard to talk aren't you?"

Merlin was. Each step he made was focused on not falling in front of Derec's sword. The crowd yelled for him to fight back, but Merlin was half ready to drop his sword and run for the gate. Why he didn't was a mystery to him, but he stayed and tried to wear Derec down. The Lord was slowing, and Merlin almost got in a hit when he felt himself trip over a rock, and land on the ground. Merlin tried to roll away, but Derec's sword reached his neck. "Everyone is going to see you kill me. You'll be executed for treason."

"And my sister will be second in line for the throne, as she should be," Derec growled. "Arthur is destined to die without an heir, everyone knows it." Merlin was pretty sure no one knew it, and how Derec did he didn't know. "And then Glenda would be Queen. But you had to come along and ruin that all. Never mind though, you'll be dead." The crowd screamed as they realized Derec's sword was still pressed against Merlin's heart, despite the fight being over. Merlin prepared himself for the cool embrace of death, but instead found himself drenched in blood that wasn't his own.

"Glenda enchanted a ribbon that made me a good fighter," Merlin told Arthur trying not to look over to Derec's dead body. "She's a sorceress. They were working together."

"Seize Lady Glenda!" Arthur ordered seeing her sneak away from the crowd. She howled curses and spells, revealing herself all the more as they dragged her away.

Uther was furious as Merlin gave his report and Gaius confirmed that the ribbon was indeed enchanted. "My niece a sorceress," the King growled. "This epidemic of magic has gotten out of control. They would have killed you!" Merlin knew that, but it wasn't magic's fault. He wanted more than anything to scream that at Uther, yet, he didn't. The King just needed to let off steam and move on. "If Arthur hadn't saved you, you'd be dead."

"Yes, I would be." It didn't go unnoticed to Merlin that despite their fight Arthur had saved him. "Because I can't actually sword fight. I only beat Arthur and the others because of magic."

Uther almost hissed at the word. "Gaius! You are to teach Arthur and Merlin both how to recognize enchanted objects. I don't want either of my sons enchanted again. Next time they could be using Merlin to kill me!"

"Yes, sire," Gaius nodded. "Though it is not a science I will do my best to teach them."

"Very well then," Uther decided. "You're dismissed. Merlin, please stay."

The Prince was nervous as the others filed out. Was Uther going to be mad because he'd cheated, even though it was unintentional? Did Uther somehow know he'd used magic to win the archery contest? No, the second one was unlikely or Merlin would be in a cell next to Glenda, but the first one… "I am glad Arthur was there to save you, but you must be extra careful. Arthur has had many attempts on his life and I suspect you will as well. You must train hard with Arthur so next time you can defend yourself without a cursed ribbon."

"I will work twice as hard," Merlin promised meaning it. If he couldn't use his magic without revealing himself he had to learn to use a sword.

Uther nodded a dismissal, but as Merlin left the King spoke up again. "Oh, and Merlin, do not think I missed the fact you still aren't wearing your coronet. Whether you like it or not you are my son, the Prince, today's events proved that. Don't think not wearing the coronet changes that."

Merlin didn't tell Uther his real reason was just not wanting to look like a prat because, perhaps, the King knew Merlin's intentions better than he did himself.

"Now that everyone knows you're useless with a sword," Arthur told Merlin once he reached the hallway. "I'll be glad to see our rematch tomorrow morning at training."

Merlin smiled, glad Arthur was no longer mad. "Oh great, because almost dying once in a week isn't enough." Merlin headed towards his chambers, and didn't look around when he spoke again. "Thank you for saving my life Arthur. I won't forget it."

"Well Merlin," Arthur called back accenting his name. "That's just what brothers do."