Challenge Accepted

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.

The sun peeked through gradually, lighting the sky a rosy pink as dawn approached. Duraina stretched awake as the sunlight splashed on her face, arousing her from deep sleep. No nightmares. Duraina for once slept peacefully and she realized that the longer she stayed in Camelot, the more she'll miss it. Memories from last night flood Duraina's mind as she glanced around her surroundings. Sunlight tickled the many shelves of books and herbs, brightening the room. Duraina couldn't help but smile, a peaceful morning in Camelot that seemed imminent to a wonderful day. Merlin trusted her again and was even willing to help her steal the amulet from Agravaine. Merlin himself ran down the stairway from his room, frantic as he mutters to himself.

"I'm late, I'm late, I'm late. The clotpole is going to have my head for this."

Duraina raised an eyebrow, Merlin seeming not to have noticed her as he looked up in surprised once she spoke,

"It's barely dawn? How can you be late already?"

"Oh you don't know the half of it. And speaking of servant duties, Arthur told me last night that you're to take it easy today and only have to tend to the armory. I would suggest you head out after breakfast, polishing armor and sharpening swords can take a while and training's at high day."

Just as swiftly as Merlin came, he left in a blur and a roll of bread stuffed in his mouth. Duraina blinked before shrugging and merely took a single roll off the plate of food. She was famish but she didn't want to intrude on Gaius and Merlin's hospitality. The sun burned the room brilliantly as it rose higher in the sky and Duraina turned around as the door opened to reveal Gaius and Lancelot striding in. She instantly hid the half-eaten roll behind her back sheepishly.

"Ah, good morning Duraina. I see that you look better this morning, have you eaten anything yet?"

Duraina bit her lower lip, nodding her head slowly in fear she did something wrong. Gaius simply smiled at her,

"Good. Wouldn't want you faint on your official first day here now do we. Lancelot is here to help you start off with your duties today once I'm done changing your bandages."

Duraina nodded, taking a step back into the table as Gaius walked pass her to get his supplies, and swiftly placed her roll back on the table. Lancelot raised an eyebrow but merely turned away to wait, giving Duraina privacy. Duraina glanced down at Gaius's hands as he held a more simple, servant dress out towards her.

"Gwen wanted me to give this to you for your everyday work. Also to let you know that she'll work on your old dress in the meantime."

Duraina's glance continued to look down at her dress from last night, wrinkled from having slept in it and she felt her cheeks burn in embarrassment and gratitude. She would have to find a way to thank Gwen for both dresses somehow.

Duraina gave a nod of thanks before taking the dress. It was of simple design with a beige skirt, a black corset and off-white, long sleeves. She quickly went up the stairway, heading into Merlin's room to change.

Duraina felt the cut on her side, slowly drumming her fingers along the bandaged wound- knowing it'll eventually become a scar. One more for the collection. Various scars and scratches ran along Duraina's arms and legs, permeant trophies now. Duraina quickly finished changing, waking from her stupor once remembering that Lancelot was still waiting. Turning on her heel, Duraina re-entered Gaius chambers before draping her banquet dress across the bed. Lancelot held out the half-eaten roll towards her, bowing as if in presence of royalty, and Duraina, hesitating out of insecurity, slowly took the roll from Lancelot. Lancelot smiled in return, before straighten and held his arm out in front of him for her to lead.

"Duraina. If you please."

Duraina laughed, knowing exactly what Lancelot was doing and a bittersweet feeling rushed over her as she looked upon her old friend. Duraina gave a small curtsy in return before saying goodbye to Gaius and leading the way out of the physician's room. Lancelot then began to lead the way towards the armory, Duraina asking questions about where he's been and what he has been doing all this time; if he has been a knight for long.

"Nearly for a year now. Before that I've just been traveling throughout the kingdom. For awhile I lost myself after my first attempt at requesting to be a knight was denied. But nonetheless, here I am. Ever since our village was raided I've always desired to be a knight and never thought that it'll actually come true one day. It use to be decreed that knighthood was only provided to those of noble birth."

Duraina made a scuff remark, rolling her eyes. Little was she concerned at actually hiding her disgust towards nobility. Only Lancelot and Prince Arthur so far seem the only ones truly worthy of the title in her eyes. Lancelot raised an eyebrow at her, pressing the matter a little,

"It seems your disgust and prejudice against nobility is more of a...personal matter?"

Duraina pursed her lips, frowning as she replied,

"I rather not talk about it. But in general, those of nobility always take advantage of it. Prince Arthur is the only one of noble birth who I've met to be true in honoring the title."

Lancelot gave a slow nod of consideration, tilting his head and rubbing his chin as he thought. Part of him wanted to understand where Duraina's hatred and prejudice came from, but knew that her sharp reply meant that he shouldn't pressure her further. He only hoped that the three knights of noble-birth, Sir Leon, Sir Henry and Sir Gwaine, well more Sir Leon and Henry than Sir Gwaine honestly, would be able to change her mind about nobility by birth.

"Well don't be so close minded yet, ready to meet the rest of the knights?"

Duraina froze as Lancelot led her to the door of the armory. She suddenly felt butterflies and knots twisting in her stomach, her hands feeling clammy as she pulled at her sleeves nervously. She had acquired the knight's names last night, but nothing else really. Lancelot placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, waiting for her to take the first step in opening the door. Duraina took deep breaths through her nose. Allowing confidence to fill her as the deep breaths filled her lungs, she calmed her nerves. Then she pushed the door open and began the start of possible friendships or possible hatred.

The five remaining knights were all laughing as Duraina entered, excitedly chit-chatting away as they were circled throughout the room. All five turned to see Duraina walk in with stiff robotic movements, Sir Leon, Elyan, and Percival held looks of curiosity, Sir Gwaine held a grim yet inner worried expression and Sir Henry beamed with excitement. Duraina swiftly stopped before the knights, giving a slight curtsy before speaking with a shaky voice, avoiding eye contact,

"Good morning. I'm Duraina, your new maidservant. Prince Arthur told me to only tend to your armor today- but if you need anything, I-I'll be happy to help."

Sir Henry eagerly stepped up and bowed towards Duraina, coming back up with a full grin on his face,

"Pleasure to meet you Duraina. I hope you are feeling well today. I hear I'm the last one to formally introduce myself. I'm Sir Henry."

Duraina's face became expressionless, frozen with wide eyes like a deer sensing danger. Never before had someone cheerfully greeted her, and a knight nonetheless. She had met briefly with the other four knights the night previously at the banquet but not as well as Sir Henry presumed. Duraina's eyes dart around at the other knights, uncertain how to reply. She decided to apologize first,

"Please know that I'm sorry-"

Sir Henry held up his hand to stop her, still beaming,

"There's no need for that Duraina. Please, it's alright. No one blames you. It was a pleasure."

Duraina gave Sir Henry a questioning look at his last comment, quickly making him blush as he realized what he said,

"I mean a pleasure that you were there- not- not that you were unwell of course..."

Duraina sighed in relief, laughing a little as her nerves calmed down. For some reason Sir Henry's smile seemed contagious and she couldn't help but smile in return. Sir Leon, Elyan and Percival grinned between each other, glad that Duraina was warming up to them.

"Thank you Sir Henry- you- you are very kind."

"Well come now, Henry, let's not keep Duraina from her duties. The Princess is no doubt in need of us right now." Sir Gwaine slurred in his jocular manner as he pat Sir Henry on the shoulder, attempting to get him away from Duraina. It was strange, he didn't like the way she was smiling with Sir Henry and he didn't know why either. Duraina bristled at Sir Gwaine's words, hostility and ire flashed in her eyes as she saw Gwaine was deliberately putting her in her place as a servant girl with no regard. Duraina pursed her lips and she briefly glanced past Sir Henry and Gwaine to see the small worried expressions shared between the other knights.

"Sir Gwaine. I suppose you think one can't be friendly when ranked above a servant. That one of nobility is of more worth than one of not."

Gwaine leaned back slightly by the affront, not meaning to upset Duraina but merely to distract Sir Henry from her. Gwaine cleared his throat as he felt tension raising in the room between them, Lancelot clutched his jaw to keep from making any noise of amusement or smirking in laughter at Gwaine's dilemma.

"Not at all my lady."

"Duraina. If you don't mind my bluntness, it's just Duraina. I have no rights to that title."

Lancelot placed a hand gently on Duraina's shoulder, cautioning her. She swiveled her head towards Lancelot, catching his look of warning before catching her own breath. Duraina took a small step back, bowing her head at being reminded that she was only a servant. She had no remorse for what she said but knew that she said too much. Duraina grimace before speaking softly now,

"My apologies Sir Gwaine. I spoke out of line. Please excuse me, I should get to work."

Duraina gave a deep curtsy, keeping her head down,

"Nice to meet you Sir Henry. Lancelot."

Duraina gave one last nod before stepping around the knights to collect their swords. Sir Henry kept his big smile but his eyes revealed his true confusion for Duraina's oscillating demeanor. Gwaine kept staring in complexity at Duraina, couldn't tell if he was more baffled by her affront or by her quick change to submissiveness. He was about to add a comment but then Elyan and Percival were taking him swiftly out of the room. Gwaine stumbled after them, disorientated but still had reaction enough to pull Sir Henry along with him. Leon and Lancelot were the last knights to leave, both giving Duraina an apologetic look before exiting as well for the beginning of training.

Duraina sighed in relief, glad to be alone for once. Time to think and breath by herself. She just couldn't understand Gwaine's attitude towards her. All the other knights were friendly towards her. She almost hoped she was wrong about nobility but then Sir Gwaine would always open his big mouth, only strengthening her conviction that nobility were selfish and self-righteous. Duraina took her frustration out as she sharpened the knight's swords, sitting in the middle of the armory as the searing sounds of rock against steel rang in her ears. She couldn't believe how much Gwaine could captured her thoughts, the flirtatious knight creating irritation throughout her veins. She stroked down the sword harder the more she thought of the carefree man. How he ever became a knight, she couldn't tell. Duraina only knew that he was definitely not noble. Just like the first disgraceful knight she met. It irritated her more that she would think so much of him.

The last few hours of the morning spilled past Duraina, too deep in thought and frustration to notice time passing, until the door flew open and a winded Merlin plowed in.

"Duraina! There you are. The knights need their swords for training now and Gwaine forgot his gauntlet."

Duraina stood up, her complexion turning ruddy at realized that she wasn't paying attention. She instantly scrambling around the room, gathering all six knight's swords and rolling her eyes as she saw Gwaine's gauntlet laying by the crossbows on the ground before swiftly picking it up.

"Ignorant knight." Mumbled Duraina as she slipped pass Merlin and started out towards the training area. She suddenly stopped, remembering that she didn't know where it was, and sheepishly turned for Merlin to take the lead. Merlin shook his head as he laughed,

"Don't worry, I saved you a few minutes so you're not late."

Duraina gave a nod of thanks with a sigh of relief as she allowed Merlin to take the lead. She glanced over the training grounds as the sun peaked over their heads.

Sir Henry and Percival were faced against each other, each holding a flail in his hand, Henry continued to beam in excitement while Percival kept his face neutral. Duraina could feel the anticipation hanging in the air as Henry swung first. He swung above his head, trying to provide more power in his strike as he came down on Percival. The move was accurate for one faced with a stronger opponent, but Duraina also saw it as a predictable one when faced with a trained knight. Percival easily blocked Henry's strike with his shield before counterattacking.

CLASH came the echoing sound of metal again as Henry blocked Percival's side blow. Henry side-stepped out of the way, looking off his center as Duraina watched. Percival advanced was gaining the advantage of the duel, swiftly swinging the flail again to strike at Henry's exposed side. The clanging of metal and the ceasing of Henry's laughter were heard throughout the training ground as Percival won a blow against Henry. Henry clutched against his side, gasping in pain at the blow. He tried to block Percival's next strike, but was too unbalanced to keep his footing. Henry stumbled back into the ground, laying curled around his injured side as he tried to bear through the pain of a bruise starting to form. Duraina wanted to rushed forward to help, but kept her feet planted next to the bench where Merlin sat as Arthur walked out to the middle of the grounds. She tilted her head curiously as she watched Arthur help Sir Henry back up, the wind carrying their voices as she overheard,

"Are you alright Henry?"

"No worry Sire. I'm sure it'll be just a bruise." Despite rasping out in pain his response, Henry still smiled.

**Does he ever not smile?**

Mused Duraina as she gave a smile of her own, for she never met someone so charmingly happy all the time. It seemed no matter what situation was put before the knight-good or bad- Sir Henry couldn't help but smile with laughter. Duraina glanced her eyesight towards the other knights beside the large tent, catching Gwaine watching her. Duraina narrowed her eyes but nervously pulled at her sleeves.

**why can't he just leave me alone?**

She didn't realized that Arthur was calling to her till Merlin elbowed her from the side. Duraina turn her glare at Merlin, rubbing her side,

"Ow. Mer-"

"Duraina. Did you hear me?"

Duraina widen in fear as she glanced back up at the prince. Arthur didn't seem irritated at all, but she still felt embarrassed by her constant absence of mind she was presenting since she has been in Camelot. Duraina blamed Gwaine for it.

"Sorry Sire...Did you asked for a sword?"

"No. I was curious to see your opinion on the fight."

"I'm sorry?"

Duraina tilt her head in confusion, baffled that Arthur would even consider asking for a servant's opinion for anything. Let alone a woman's opinion.

"If you were paired against Sir Percival in such a fight, what would you have done to win?"

Duraina scrunched her eyebrows, frowning as she hesitated to see if Arthur really wanted to know. She could tell that he was sincerely asking, curious due to her circumstance of battling in previous fights. Once she could see Arthur's sincerity, Duraina suddenly felt sheepish. She was no trained knight and her answer will probably looked ridiculous in front of all the knights, even if Arthur had no ill-intent towards her. Duraina shifted her weight between her feet, keeping her face covered as she peered down at the swords held in her arms before answering,

"Well, Sire, since my opponent's stronger than me...I would try to take away his weapon with my own...probably...try to entangle my weapon around his to pull it out of his hand...before trying...to-to get faster strikes against him..."

She could feel the rush of blood to her cheeks as Duraina waited for the prince's response. Silence hung with only the breeze whistling as Arthur mused over Duraina's answer.

"Hmm not bad Duraina. Formidable tactic for one not trained in combat."

"Thank you Sire." Duraina instantly bowed her head, hate being the center of attention. Arthur sensed Duraina's discomfort and quickly turned to gain his knight's attention back on himself,

"Alright! Sword training next. Gwaine and Lancelot- you two are up first." Arthur helped led Sir Henry and Percival back towards the tent as Gwaine and Lancelot stepped out towards the middle of the training grounds.

Duraina quickly rushed forward with the clanging of swords on her arms, Gwaine's gauntlet held in her hand. Catching the end of her skirt, Duraina slightly stumbled before regaining her footing. Not before the gauntlet created a loud clang sound as it fell out of her hands. Sighing, Duraina bended down to pick the stupid piece of metal, only to stop when a hand beat her to it. Duraina glanced up to see Sir Gwaine grinning as he was mere inches away from her face. Duraina's eyes widen and she instantly straighten in fright at his sudden appearance. He held a playful glee in his eyes as Gwaine straighten up as well, talking loud enough for everyone to hear,

"It seems Duraina has set forth a knight's challenge, dropping this gauntlet on the ground before her." Gwaine paused, peering around towards the other knights and giving them a playful wink. Most rolled their eyes but didn't stop Gwaine from his plan as they too wanted to see this. Arthur folded his arms, simply watching. Duraina leaned away from Sir Gwaine, darting her eyes towards Lancelot in hope for help from him but he merely shrugged, curious himself.

"I accept your challenge Duraina, upon the knight's code of honor." Gwaine swiveled his attention back towards her, a cheeky grin of playfulness on his face as he took a sword from the bundle in her arms. Duraina froze, finally connecting the dots. She had somehow presented a fight challenge and of course Sir Gwaine would be the first to accept. Duraina pursed her lips, did she really have to fight again? She glanced unsurely back at Merlin but he seemed to be distracted by trying to hide his laughter.

**Fine. If he so badly wants to see me fight, then I'll give it to him.**

Duraina could feel her stomach twisting at the thought of fighting. She was use to the advantage that she knew the same amount of information as her opponent did with her- nothing. Sir Gwaine, however, would know that her right side will be a weak link with her injury and she never seen his fighting tactics before. Not to mention, Sir Gwaine was a trained knight of Camelot.

Duraina swiftly set the pile of swords aside, picking one for herself that wasn't too heavy as Lancelot walked past her. He gave a reassuring look, but Duraina couldn't stop her nerves from racing. She turn to see Gwaine held out his sword in front of him, his face serious but held a spark in his eyes. Duraina breathed slowly before taking a fighting stance, her sword held out. She will not lose.

Gwaine yelled out first, swinging his sword to strike down on Duraina as he advanced. The clash of metal rang out as Duraina blocked Gwaine's first strike, smirking as she deflected Gwaine away from her. Gwaine was fast though, easily attacking again at her side. Duraina jumped back, the blade missing her by inches. She blocked in front of her the next strike to her right, the pressure from impact inflamed her injury, causing her to grimace. She was losing her ground and fast. Duraina quickly ducked from Gwaine's head strike, tucking in herself as she rolled out of the way. Swiftly she got back up, lashing at Gwaine's back as she turned back around. Though initially confused by Duraina's sudden disappearance to the ground, Gwaine swiveled around in time to block her attack. A grin creeping up on his lips in amusement,

"Not bad- you fight almost as well as a man."

"Funny, I was going to say the same thing to you."

Duraina smiled sweetly as she made her comeback, her eyes flashing with sparks of irritation and amusement. She swung again, attempting to use speed as she advanced on Gwaine's footing. He just as easily blocked her strikes and it soon became a dance between them; for every strike there was a block or dodge before a counterattack. With no chainmail or actually training, Duraina was surprised and thrilled that she lasted this long. Her side ached but it wasn't the first time she fought with an injury. Something with this fight was different from all the others that made her forget the prickling pain; for once, she wasn't fighting for her life.

Then, she saw him.

It was only a mere glimpse, but Duraina froze as she saw Agravaine in the shadows under the entrance tunnel to the citadel. In that moment, Gwaine had slash towards her right arm and the blade cut through fabric and skin. Stinging pain numbed her arm, wet blood trickled down and Duraina gasped as her attention was pulled back into the fight. She instantly grabbed her upper arm, backing away from Gwaine with her sword held out in front of her and her eyes wide with fright. Duraina's hand slightly shook as her eyesight dart to look past Gwaine; Agravaine had disappeared. She quickly looked back at her opponent, Gwaine was taken abrupt when noticing Duraina's distress, pausing with his sword mid-strike. Duraina continued to back away, looking all around for Agravaine. It was the fact that he suddenly appeared and then disappeared that made her paranoid- had he been watching her this whole time? Duraina bumped into a bench, falling backwards and crying out at suddenly losing her balance. She dropped her sword while someone caught her, making sure she didn't fall back over the bench, and Duraina turned her gaze to find Merlin had caught her.

"Whoa Duraina. Are you okay?"

Duraina shook her head violently. No, she wasn't okay, how could she be with Agravaine around?

"Agravaine." She mumbled, looking desperately now for her sword. She will not not have a weapon this time. Fear turn to determination in her eyes, though her hands still shook, as she grabbed her sword from the ground. Merlin got up to stand in front of her, holding her back as he tried to soothe Duraina with a calming voice,

"Duraina...it's okay. He's not here."

"I just saw him!" Duraina's voice shrieked with distress. She couldn't have imaged him, could she?

**I know I saw him...**

Duraina curled her arms around herself as she saw Lancelot, Henry and Arthur approaching. Each held their own look of concern, only Henry tried to be comforting with a small smile. Arthur spoke first as Lancelot gently reached to take the sword away from Duraina; she kept her hand clutched around the hilt.

"Merlin, how is her injury?"

"She'll be fine. I don't believe that is what caused her to panic. It's only a small cut."

Gwaine frowned as he watched Duraina with concern. He knew that Duraina could have easily blocked that strike and she had been confident when fighting him- something must have distracted her before causing her distress. Gwaine peered around the training ground but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

"I think, Sire, that Duraina should head back to the armory- take a small break from everything." Merlin quietly suggested, lending his hand out towards Duraina to help her off the bench. She didn't mean to, but Duraina quickly latched onto Merlin's out-stretched hand, holding it tightly as she stared into his eyes. Sharing a look, she hoped that he would understand that she wasn't crazy. Agravaine was there in the shadows, watching.

Merlin gave a reassuring look and although Duraina still clutched her sword, she felt her breathing slowed. She was able to calm herself- even if it was only a little- and Duraina closed her eyes, sighing.

"I'm sorry Sire." Duraina gave a small bow before continuing quietly, "I'll make sure to polish the knights armor exceedingly to make up for causing such a distress. Please excuse me."

As she lifted her head back up, Duraina tried to smile, attempting to reveal the tension she cause. Sir Henry grinned, ecstatic to see Duraina was herself again, while Arthur and Lancelot wearily watched her walked back towards the armory. Merlin frowned as he glanced around, trying to spot Agravaine, but to no avail.

Duraina paused to step up to Sir Gwaine, humiliated by the lost of the fight to such a pompous knight, but knew she had to be respectful. She didn't make eye contact as she spoke,

"Impressive skills, Sir Gwaine. Camelot has well trained knights."

Duraina gave a small bow before quickly turning around to leave. Suddenly she felt a hand barely grasping hers and Duraina turn her head around to see Gwaine had reached for her. Their fingers drummed against each other but Duraina had pulled her hand back before Gwaine could fully grasp hers. Surprise etched into Duraina's eyes as she notice Gwaine's sincere look of concern. Gwaine's dark eyes captured her emerald ones. Duraina seemed to become frozen for a few seconds. It seemed like Gwaine was- for once- struggling to formulate words as he stared into the memorizing face. Though she peered at him with confusion, Gwaine could see the determination and beauty she held. Never before had a woman captured him as such- course there were plenty of beautiful women in the kingdom- but Duraina was...different.

Snapping out of her confused trance, Duraina quickly curtsy before rushing back towards the armory. It perplexed her, Gwaine reaching out towards her like that. He didn't even make a pompous comment like his usual demeanor. She would have expected at least some slur on how he easily got the best of her. Did he notice her distracted gaze- would he believe her if she told him the truth about Agravaine?

Duraina shook her head at the thought as she opened the door to the armory.

**Course he wouldn't believe me- he's just as arrogant as Agravaine; believing he's above everyone else. It meant nothing. **

Duraina sheathed the sword back into its stand with the five others. Her arm felt sticky with streaks of crimson blood, staining her sleeve as the cut continue to sting. She was use to open cuts but knew that Giaus would probably pest her about not seeing him sooner. Duraina turned, picking up a few pieces of armor and planning to polish it as Giaus treated her, when she choked from someone's python grip wrapped around her neck. Duraina struggled, thrashing around to try to escape. The loud clang of metal rattled throughout the room as it fell from her hands. Her heart pounded, panic filling her being as fast as she was losing air. A damp rag was held against her nose and mouth, her head becoming light and dizzy. Despite her struggles, darkness blanked over Duraina.

A/N: Okay, I'm so terribly sorry this is so so late. I do have more chapters written, I just got really busy towards the end of the school year, been working on other fanfics and had writer's block for this one. I will update more now that I'm getting back into the story. Thank you who have followed and favorite this story despite the long wait. Hopefully this chapter was worth the wait and it only gets better from here! (Least I think so) Hope all enjoyed!