Hello! My writers block was quite small, and i'm so glad. This chapter you will see Corina become a different person, more tempered if I might say. Hehe ;) Thank you to all those who reviewed. I hope you review again. For those of you who don't pretty please do. If you don't like the story please let me know and i'll try to make it more to everyone's standards. Please let me know what you think!
Reminder: I don't own Merlin! Just my characters! :{D
Chapter 7: Valiant part 3
I found Jacob and Merlin sitting on the steps of the castle. Brianna was comforting Merlin who just kept grunting and mumbling how stupid Arthur was.
"Merlin don't let the king here you say that about his son." I warned. Merlin just scowled at.
"It's true! The prince is a prat!" he stated. I smiled at him.
"I agree with you Merlin. Arthur needs to get his head straight to see you were trying to warn him." I said. I sat down next to Jacob and gave him a hug. "Arthur doesn't know how great you both are."
"Corina, I was sacked! How are we supposed to earn money and help Gaius and Merlin?" Jacob said in frustration.
"Your forgetting that you were once a blacksmith. Surly Gwen's father could use an assistant." I said.
"I know but then I won't get to see you as much." Jacob said. I hugged him again and as I pulled away I saw Gwen coming towards us.
"Is it true what you said about Valiant using magic?" Gwen asked sitting down next to me. Jacob and Merlin nodded.
"What are you going to do?" She asked.
"Why does everyone seem to think it's down to us to do something?" Merlin asked motioning to himself and Jacob.
"Because it is! Isn't it?" Gwen looked down.
"I agree with Gwen. You have to show everyone that you were right and they were wrong." Brianna said.
"And how do we do that?" Jacob asked.
"I don't know" Gwen, Brianna and I say together. Merlin nodded and then looked around the courtyard.
"That's it." Merlin whispered. He stood up quickly almost making Brianna fall down the stairs. He then quickly went over and inspected a dog statue. I followed him along with the others.
"Where are you going?" Gwen asked.
"Do you have a wheelbarrow?" Merlin asked.
Jacob, Brianna and I followed Merlin as he wheels the dog statue into his room. Gaius had been very stunned to see us.
"What are you doing with that?" he called to Merlin.
"I'm going to let everyone see the snakes for themselves." Merlin answered. He then closed the door. We looked at Merlin as he set the statue down and then he turned towards us.
"Merlin what is going on?" Brianna asked.
"If I tell you, will you promise not tell a living soul?" Merlin asked.
"We promise." Jacob said. Brianna and I nodded. Merlin let out a shaky breath.
"I have magic." Merlin said. I stared stunned at him. Brianna's mouth fell open in surprise while Jacob just smiled.
"I thought something was different about you the moment I saw you." Jacob said. Merlin grinned and just shrugged.
"Merlin we believe you but what has this got to do with… oh" Brianna said. Merlin nodded.
"Merlin we can talk later right now you have a spell to figure out." I said. Merlin snapped out of it and then walked over to a floor board and took the piece out, inside laid a magic book. We all gasped in surprised.
"Merlin, remind me never to play hide-an-seek with you." Brianna said causing everyone to laugh. Merlin grinned and then began looking through the book. He stopped at one page and began reading the spell.
"Bebay odothay. Bebay odothay arisan quickum." Merlin read. He then turned to the dog and held out his hand. He repeated the spell but nothing happened. He kept trying but failed. I then realized it was going to be a long night…
Merlin threw his hands up in frustration.
"This is never going to work." He said. Brianna put a hand on his shoulder making him look at her.
"Maybe one of us should try and talk Arthur out of the tournament?" she suggested.
"I'll try." Jacob said. I shook my head at him.
"Arthur is already mad at you and Merlin. It wouldn't help us if Arthur had either of you put in the stocks. I'll go talk to him. I need to check on Morgana anyway." I said. I stood up and walked towards the door.
"Corina!" Brianna called. I turned and looked at her. "Good luck."
"Thank you" I answered before exiting Merlin's room. Lord knows I need it… I thought. I reached Arthur's chambers quickly and opened the door. Arthur was looking out the window in deep thought. His deep blue eyes seemed to stare out into nothing as he thought hard. He looked very… Stop it! He is a prince and you are a servant! I screamed at myself.
Arthur didn't turn from the window when he said, "I thought I told you to get out of my sight."
"Not to me you didn't." I said irritated. Arthur looked up at me.
"Corina? Sorry I thought you were Merlin or Jacob" he said. I winced when he said my brother's name.
"Arthur don't fight Valiant tomorrow. He'll use the shield against you." I said.
"I know."
"Then withdraw." I said. "You have to withdraw." Arthur looked at me anger in his eyes.
"Don't you understand? I can't withdraw. The people expect their prince to fight. How can I lead men into battle if they think I'm a coward?" Arthur said.
"Valiant will kill you. If you fight, you die." I said a little angry.
"Then I die." He shouted. I stepped back from him, but not because I was scared but because I didn't want to slap him.
"How can you go out there and fight like that?" I said.
"Because I have to. It's my duty." Arthur said calmly. I calmed down as well.
"Arthur, you have nothing to prove to your people or your knights. You are already brave and courageous. I know that because you saved my life. It's now time to prove your wisdom and show that you only fight to death knowing your people will be safe from harm." I said.
"Corina I have to fight, this is not about my courage it's about my pride-" I cut him off.
"What is it with you and your pride?!" I shouted. "Fine, fight to death, but don't expect me to watch Arthur Pendragon." I didn't wait to see his reaction I just walked out of the room.
The next morning I woke to sound of a rooster crowing. I groaned to myself before getting out of bed. I saw that Brianna and Jacobs beds were empty and assumed they had gone to check on Merlin. I walked over to a bowl of water and washed my face before going to get dressed. I picked out the last new dress I had. It had two layers, the first layer was a sky blue and the second layer was a dark brown. I then but a belt around my waist and looked at myself. I then put my hair in a half ponytail. Once I was done I grabbed my brown cloak walked towards the castle.
"Good morning Corina." I turned around to find Gwen walking up to me.
"Good morning Gwen." I answered. She smiled at me. She was wearing her red dress and her red cloak. They were faded but on her she looked beautiful. Her dark brown hair was in a low bun.
"Corina, did you manage to get Arthur to withdraw." She asked. My smile faded from my face.
"How did you know?" I asked.
"I asked Jacob last night on my walk home." She said. I nodded.
"He was so stubborn and such a prat." I said causing her to laugh.
"I agree with you." She said. I laughed as well. We reached Morgana's chambers and together went inside.
"Good morning, Gwen. Good morning Corina." Morgana said.
"My lady." We both replied.
"I would like to wear the blue dress today." She said walking towards the changing screen. We both nodded and Gwen walked over to retrieve Morgana's night gown as I went to go get her dress. Once Morgana was done changing Gwen did her hair as I made her bed. Once we were done Morgana smiled.
"Thank you; you are both dismissed until it is time for the tournament." She said. Gwen nodded and left towards the servant's courters to get breakfast. I stayed put and looked down at my feet.
"My lady, I was wondering if I could miss the tournament. There is so much work to be done." I asked.
"Of course Corina. I shall see you at the banquet." Morgana said. I nodded and left for Gaius's room. I reached Gaius's chambers quickly to discover everyone eating. I sat down next to Brianna and she handed me a plate.
"Did Merlin figure out the spell?" I asked. Brianna shook her head. I looked down at my plate.
"He's not giving up though." Brianna said. I smiled at her, she had so much faith in Merlin. I realized that I doubted Merlin I quickly reassured my faith in Merlin.
"Merlin will save Arthur." Jacob said. I nodded. Just then we heard the crowd roar. I stood and walked over to the window and saw that Arthur was facing Valiant. Just then Valiant attacked. I felt my heart lodge in my throat as I saw them begin to fight. Just then Merlin burst into the room.
"Don't go in my room." He said before running out of the room. We all followed close behind.
We reached Arthur just as he knocked Valiant's helmet off. I smiled to myself as Arthur took off his helmet. Valiant became enraged though and attacked Arthur. He stepped on his foot and hit his face with his shield. I grabbed Brianna's hand and squeezed it in worry. Brianna squeezed in reply and together we watched as Arthur rolled out of the way of Valiant's sword, losing his sword in the process. Valiant then faced Arthur in the middle of the arena and that's when I heard it.
"Bebay odothay arisan quickum" Merlin said. The snakes came into view. The crowd gasped in shock.
"What are you doing I didn't summon you." Valiant said.
"He is using magic!" Uther yelled.
"And now they see you for what you really are." Arthur said. Valiant sneered as the snakes dropped to the ground.
"Kill him!" Valiant commanded. I panicked as I saw the snakes attack Arthur. Morgana reacted though she grabbed a sword from a nearby solider and threw it to Arthur.
"Arthur!" Morgana yelled. Arthur caught it and cut the heads off of the snakes. He then attacked Valiant. The crowd cheered as Arthur finally killed Valiant. Arthur looked up at his father before turning around. I quickly turned and walked away. I still didn't want to talk to him.
Later that evening, I changed into my green dress for the feast. I then went to help Gwen ready Morgana. Morgana was stunning once we were done. She wore a purple dress and a dark blue shall. Her hair was half up half down. She told us how she was not looking forward to having here Arthur gloat about him winning. I just smiled.
We entered and I went to stand next to Jacob, Brianna and Merlin. Arthur entered not a moment later and began escorting Morgana down towards Uther. They then turned and I could see they were arguing. They then split up and Arthur came up to us.
"Can you believe Morgana? She says she saved me. Like I needed any help." Arthur said. I laughed as did Brianna, Jacob and Merlin. Arthur looked at me and I just avoided his stare. Arthur then looked between Jacob and Merlin. "I wanted to say I made a mistake. It was unfair to sack you."
"No, don't worry about it. Buy us a drink and we'll call it even." Merlin said. Brianna and I smiled at each other.
"Uh, I can't be seen to be buying drinks for my servant." Arthur said.
"Your servant? You sacked us." Jacob said.
"Now I'm rehiring you." Arthur answered. Jacob and Merlin grin and I hug Jacob.
"Thank you Arthur." I said turning to him. He just nods.
"It's to my benefit really. My chambers are a complete mess. My clothes need washing. My, uh, armor needs repairing. My boots need cleaning. My dogs need exercising. My fireplace needs sweeping. My bed needs changing. And someone needs to muck out my stables." Arthur listed. I saw Jacob and Merlin glare at Arthur who only made me laugh, and soon everyone was laughing.
I know it was short but this is how the episode ends so tada! Anyway next is the Mark of Nimueh part 1! I hope you still like this story. Plus i would like to get a total of 5 reviews or more because my confidence is slowly dying in this story...
Arthur says to keep going and so does Merlin but King Uther... says to quit while i'm ahead. Who should I listen to?