Secrets of Many
Merlin watched nervously. He could see the squire had some talent with a sword but Arthur was the best warrior in all of Camelot. The redhead was going to get hurt.
"You have to stop this," He said to Jonathan, "Your squire is going to get himself killed."
"I doubt that very much." The prince replied, almost in a chuckle, "I think Alan is going to surprise you."
Merlin nearly jumped as Arthur and Alan's swords clanged together in a loud ting. What did the Tortallan prince mean by that? Was Alan going to use some malign magic to hurt Arthur? Merlin sincerely hoped not. He liked the Tortallans.
Alanna assessed Arthur's fighting style as she parried his attacks. Arthur was prone to moves that used his strength, powerful but clumsy slashes. There wasn't anything wrong with this strategy- Alanna knew if Arthur landed a blow she was down for the count- but it gave a quick opponent a chance to land a hit. This was going to be not quite easy, as the prince was a good swordsman, however it wouldn't be too much of a challenge.
Arthur was growing tired of all Alan's evasions. In addition, Arthur had nearly gotten hit! Alan's fighting style was to polished for a trainee. If all of Tortalls knights fought like this small, young man than it was good that they were drawing up an alliance. Fight against such a force would not be good.
Arthur swung gauchely in rash frustration but Alanna jumped out of the way and knocked the sword out of his hand in one smooth gesture. Arthur tried to reach his sword but found Lightning's tip on his throat.
"Submit and admit I won." Alanna said,
Arthur stared up at the squire in shock. The rest of the courtyard, excluding Jonathan, were also quiet with bewilderment. The Crown Prince had been defeated by a pipsqueak.
Arthur nodded, very carefully, and looked the redhead straight in her strange purple eyes,
"I submit. Tortall must be a very great place to have such fine swordsman. You should be proud Alan."
"I was taught by the best." The squire blushed,
"Arthur," Merlin called, "You should know, Alan defeated you."
"So?" Arthur was annoyed at the reminder,
"Well, Prince Jonathan, by our standards Alan would be a knight." Merlin grinned,
"It'll only be a few months of so until Alan joins our ranks." Jonathan told them, "But, yes, Alan has been ready for a while."
Alan was turning red so he murmured an excuse and fled.
Up in the castle, Morgana smirked from her window.
...
Merlin was stalking Alan. It was an increasing habit of his, whenever he saw someone walking around at night he followed them. Unfortunately, Merlin wasn't good at stalking people. He was very, very, very obvious about it. Yet, for some strange reason, only Morgana had ever caught him. It was a puzzle that only Destiny could answer.
Tonight was no different. Alan never even looked up as he went to Prince Jonathan's room. He knocked quietly at his door.
"Are you alone?" Jonathan asked,
"No, I have my invisible friend Robert with me." The squire rolled his eyes.
Then Jonathan kissed Alan.
O-kay then, Merlin thought, turning to leave. He blushed a strange crimson color. He have never expected that.
"What do you think of Camelot, Alanna?" the prince asked his squire.
Wait, Alanna? Alanna? Wasn't that a girl's name?
Merlin turned back to watch.
"It's different yet it's the same." Alanna shrugged, "I'm just glad to be off of the blasted boat."
"I feel sorry for poor Arthur, do you think we should have warned him?" Jonathan chuckled,
"What, that I'm one of the best swordsperson in the court? He was supposed to be the best in his kingdom! Anyways, I was mad at him."
"Merlin was fine."
"Yes, but I still didn't like it. You don't act that way to George or-"
"George isn't exactly my servant Alanna."
"Yes, but I'd never treat Coram like that!"
"Some nobles would do worse, far worse, and you know it. It isn't our right to criticize the customs in this kingdom. If we were criticizing then I'd have something to say on the anti-magic laws. They are so unjust!"
"I can't think how horrible it would be to live here." Alanna shivered, "I mean Thom and-"
"Yes," Jonathan grimaced, "However, we don't have to like it here. All we need to do is strike up a peace treaty and leave. And keep our tempers." He shot her a pointed look.
"I better go," Alanna said,
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I am completely sure. I just wanted to wish you a good night."
"Goodnight Alanna."
"Goodnight Sire." Alanna bowed he head slightly and started to return to her room.
Alan is secretly a girl, Merlin thought. He was confused. Was Alan, or Alanna, like Morgause? No, the Tortallans seemed sincere. Did Alanna disguise herself because Camelot had no female knights? The warlock just couldn't wrap his head around it.
...
Morgana had sent a message to Morgause about Prince Jonathan. She even mentioned Alan's triumph over Arthur. If Morgana could sway the Tortallans to their side, which wouldn't be hard, then Uther would finally fall and pay for his misdeeds. She couldn't wait to get a response from Morgause.
Meet me in the woods
Morgana nearly jumped from Morgause's telepathy. Morgause was not particularly skilled at that type of magic so she usually sent other forms of communication. However telepathy was the fastest. This must mean that Morgause thought the information was every bit as important as Morgana did.
"My lady?" Gwen asked, "Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine." She snapped, unsuccessfully keeping the irritation from her voice. She couldn't stand Gwen anymore. Her former friend filled her with guilt. "That will be all for tonight."
Gwen looked like she wanted to argue but she curtsied respectfully and left her lady's chambers.
Morgana got out her bright red cloak and put it on to keep of the chill. She thought nothing of stealth as she made her way out of the castle and somehow managed to escape being seen by any of the guards. Then again, Camelot's guards were about as bright as an old blanket. What was surprising is that Merlin didn't catch her but he never stalked twice in one night.
"Sssissster!" Morgause greeted her, "I welcome your news about the prince. A sorcerer will of course join us against the tyranny of Uther Pendragon."
"How shall we approach him?" Morgana asked, "He is here to make peace. We will have to be careful."
"We shall force him to act, if someone among his party has magic and is revealed to Uther than he shall have no choice but to oppose him."
"But Morgause, I don't know if another magician has come to Camelot."
"Perhaps his uncle, as you said it's in his blood. And if you cannot find one than what better to see that Uther is delusional if he accuses an innocent?" Morgause smiled with mischief.
A\N: Wow! Thank you all for all of the reviews! This is wonderful! Do you know how happy it made me? Very happy! Stupendously happy! Happy enough to get a move on with this chapter and publish it today! So again, thank you, thank you, thank you to kyuuo, a fan, Larka, PV10 and another a fan. Please keep it up everyone and I'll try to put out the next chapter soon. Happy new year!
