Chapter 6-Snake Bites!
Hey guys, I did publish this chapter earlier but forgot to add the disclaimer at the top, hence the redoing moment. I am changing the poll I am doing tomorrow so if anyone wants to vote for whether you think Morgana should be good or evil you can do so on my profile tonight , or just post it in the review, anyway on with the chapter. I don't own Merlin, but Elizabeth, Laudine, and Kay are my characters.
I sat with Gwen and Morgana watching as the competitors entered the arena. Morgana and Gwen were practically bouncing next to me, "This is exciting," Morgana whispered in my ear.
"That is only because this year you're not part of the price!" I complained under my breath.
"That is true I am travelling to the ball with Sir Leon," Morgana said getting a slightly dreamy look in her eyes.
Before I could begin teasing her about it Uther began his speech, "Knights of the realm, it's a great honour to welcome you to a tournament at Camelot. Over the next three days, you will come to put your bravery to the test, your skills as warriors, and of course, to challenge the reigning champion, my son, Prince Arthur. Only one can have the honour of being crowned champion, and he will receive a prize of 1,000 gold pieces," one of the servant took that as their cue to open the box revealing the gold, "It is in combat that we learn a knight's true nature, whether he is indeed a warrior or a coward. The tournament begins!"
The crowd began to cheer again as the majority of the knights bowed and then exited the arena leaving just Arthur and somebody who I didn't know. As Arthur walked pass Uther stopped him, "I trust you will make me proud," he said simply slapping Arthur on the back.
One of the guards took Arthurs cape off before he put his helmet on the other knight doing the same. Then the battle began it was relatively quick. Arthur being by far the more skilled opponent. Uther was clapping loudly next to me as Arthur celebrated his win.
I could see Merlin cheering as loudly as the rest. I didn't really want to keep sitting next to the Uther's court so I sneaked off out the back and made my way around to Merlin and Arthur who were standing watching Valiant fight.
"Congratulation Arthur," I smiled genuinely at him.
"Thank you my lady," Arthur said back bowing his head slightly in respect.
"Knight Valiant looks pretty handy with a sword," Merlin observed as we watched him defeat his opponent, he exited the arena quickly stopping in front of Arthur.
"May I offer my congratulations on your victories today?" Valiant said his voice cold.
"Likewise," Arthur said any pleasantly in his voice had disappeared.
"I hope to see you at the reception this evening," Valiant said before turning to look at me. Instead of speaking he just looked me up and down, checking me out. I felt myself begin to get disturbed at the way I was being looked at like I was food, before I could tell him to mind his own business he turned and left with his servant.
We stood in silence for a moment before Merlin spoke, "Creep," both Arthur and Merlin then snorted with laugher. I just smiled trying to stop myself from laughing with them.
"Uh, for tomorrow you need to repair my shield, wash my tunic, clean my boots, sharpen my sword, and polish my chainmail," Arthur said changing the subject and then watching as Merlin walked away.
"That is a long list of chores Arthur, anyone would think you were trying to get rid of Merlin as your servant," I observed quietly knowing that when Arthur looked at me with a little guilt in his eyes I was right.
Before we could speak anymore I heard Laudine call from behind me, "Elizabeth!"
I frowned before turning around to face her, "Yes Laudine?"
"You went missing again. I swear my mother used to complain about you doing this as a child as well," Laudine moaned before noticing Arthur standing there, "Sorry my lord."
"No, do tell me more about Elizabeth growing up," Arthur said smirking suddenly.
"Laudine don't we have somewhere we have to be?" I questioned trying to get out of an awkward situation. Laudine nodded her head at me.
"I will find out more about you Elizabeth," Arthur vowed as I began to walk away.
"I'm sure you will my lord," I said bowing to him before taking off in a ran after Laudine.
By the time I reached her she was smiling brightly, "So just remind me again. You don't like him at all right?"
"Shut up," I told her laughing along with her, "Do I really have to be somewhere?"
"Yes you have to meet the knights, after all one of them will be your champion," Laudine teased with a smirk on her face.
I just shook my head at her before falling into a graceful walk over to where I was meeting the knights. It was generally a boring part of the tournament I would say very similar things to them all. It was only when Sir Valiant came up that I began paying more attention, "I couldn't agree more. Knight Valiant, may I present the Lady Elizabeth, my honoured guest," Uther introduced me.
Valiant then turned to face me, he smiled at me, but something seemed off about it like he was thinking of something that I probably didn't wanna know, "My Lady," Valiant said bowing down to kissing my hand.
It made my skin crawl, "I saw you competing today," I said politely knowing the drill with these conversations.
"I saw you watching," Valiant said as it was a cheesy line to try and get me, "I understand the tournament champion has the honour of escorting My Lady to the feast."
"That's correct," I said quickly really trying to get him to move on.
"Then I will give everything to win the tournament," Valiant summaries. I smiled and nodded not really knowing what else I could say. Valiant nodded back, "My lady," he said once again before walking over to shake the hands of the other nights. I could see both Gwen and Morgana watching him as well as I was.
"Well I don't like him much," I muttered taking a deep breath preparing myself for whoever was next that I had to greet.
"He isn't so bad..." Morgana defended him, under her breath. We didn't really want Uther to hear our conversation.
Just then Arthur came to stand in front of me, I smiled and bowed my head before speaking, "They all seem rather impressed by Knight Valiant."
"They're not the only ones," Arthur snapped back at me the bitterness in his voice was obvious for me to hear.
"You know if I didn't believe any better I would think you were a little jealous!" I smirked knowing that I could wind him right up.
Arthur stared at me in silence for a moment, "I don't see there's anything to be jealous of," Arthur said dismissingly.
I felt the smirk leave my face as Arthur walked off, "Could Arthur be any more annoying? I so hope Knight Valiant wins the tournament," I snapped feeling my anger come out.
"Thought you didn't like him," Gwen commented.
I shook my head at Gwen, "Anyone is better than Arthur."
"Yes, that's true," Morgana nodded in agreement.
Tournament was always entertaining to watch with a large number of different tactics in play for the win. I knew that if given the chance I could learn a lot from these nights not that I didn't already have quite a large range of abilities thanks to my father wishing for me to be prepared for any attempted kidnapping which could have taken place on me.
It seemed to go so quickly and I was back to watching Arthur compete once more. Once again the victor seemed to come easily for him. Next up was Valiant, the fight seemed a lot harder this time, both men more equal in their skills. Valiant finally seemed to knock Sir Ewan over and pin him down before hitting him and standing back up. Unlike most of the other time Sir Ewan didn't seem to be moving anymore.
"I think he is hurt my lord," I informed the king who was cheering for Valiant. Gaius quickly seemed to enter the arena with his medical bag. I sat and watched as two of the guards removed him from the arena.
It wasn't until later on that day that I saw Valiant again. Laudine and I were walking towards Gaius's chambers when Valiant and his servant appeared in the opposite direction, "My lady," he said bowing.
"Sir Valiant, what a surprise!" I said trying to keep myself polite.
"I have just heard the rumour that you are destined to marry the Prince," Valiant said bluntly not even trying to hide his curiously.
"Destiny is such a big word, and I'm learning a lot about Camelot," I said simply not wanting to give him any ideas, "Now if you excuse me. My maid and I have to go and visit Gaius."
"You are not unwell are you my lady?" Valiant questioned suddenly getting his manners back.
"No Sir Knight. I am going to visit Sir Ewan," I said before walking off again, not really wanting to have this conversation any longer than necessary.
When we reached Gaius's chambers Merlin was just entering carrying Arthur's armour, "How is he?" Merlin asked.
"It's most odd. Look at this. See these two small wounds. Looks like a snake bite," Gaius explained pointing to the wounds. Laudine went forward to have a closer look.
"How could he have been bitten by a snake? He was injured in the sword fight," I asked out loud feeling like it needed to be said.
"But the symptoms are consistent with poisoning: slow pulse, fever, paralysis," Gaius summaries.
"Can you heal him?" Merlin questioned.
"Well, if it is a snake bite, you'll have to extract venom from the snake that bit him to make an antidote," Laudine said before Gaius could speak, he nodded along with her. They seemed to get on very well, probably because they were both healers in their own rights.
"What happens if he doesn't get the antidote?" I inquired sitting next to Ewan and looking down at him.
"Then I'm afraid there's nothing more I can do for him. He's going to die," Gaius said sadly.
Merlin seemed to mutter something under his breath, "What?" I questioned not looking up from Ewan.
"Nothing," Merlin called out seeming to leave the room, as I looked up he quickly stuck his head back around the door, "Don't leave until I come back," He requested. I nodded then quickly he vanished.
It was around another twenty minutes before Merlin came running back into the room, "What is it that I had to wait here to hear?" I questioned as he walked through the door.
"I've just seen one of the snakes in Valiant's shield come alive. He's using magic," Merlin explained slightly out of breath.
"Are you sure?" I asked getting up from Ewan bedside.
"The snake ate a mouse - one swallow, straight down. Sir Ewan was fighting Valiant when he collapsed. It must've been one of the snakes from the shield. I have to tell Arthur," Merlin said in one breath.
"Is there any chance you might be mistaken?" Gaius questioned this time.
"I know magic when I see it," Merlin rebuffed.
"Perhaps, but have you any proof?" I spoke this time understanding what Gaius was trying to say.
"Don't you believe me?" Merlin said his voice getting desperate.
"I fear you'll land yourself in trouble. How will you explain why you were in Valiant's chambers?" I asked again feeling bad for pointing this out.
"What does that matter? He's using magic to cheat in the tournament!" Merlin said getting angrier.
"But you can't go accusing a knight of using magic without proof. The King would never accept the word of servant over the word of a knight," Gaius pointed out.
"What? So what I say doesn't count for anything?" Merlin questioned finally understanding.
"I'm afraid it counts for very little as far as the King is concerned. That's the way it is," Gaius said softly.
Merlin turned to face me, "Without proof I couldn't go to the king and say I had seen it. My opinion isn't worth as much here as it is back home. Sorry Merlin, we'll have to find another way."
Okay end of another chapter. Hope you enjoyed please review and remember one day left on the POLL!
Until next time
Artistic-Blue-eyes
xxx