Chapter 8-Duty over Life
Hey guys, gonna make this quick this time, hope you like the chapter. I don't own Merlin, but Laudine, Elizabeth and Kay are all my clever inventions.
I was walking through the main square looking around for inspiration on how to help Merlin prove his point when I noticed a stone dog standing at the side of Gwen's house. It caused me to flashback into a memory of when I was younger and my brother used to bully me. I had found a spell which turned objects into animated things. I had used it to create a giant snake something my brother had always been terrified of.
I ran over to Merlin who happened to be sitting next to Gwen on her doorstep, "I have an idea!" I exclaimed not even bothering to remember my manners.
Merlin got up immediately and went to follow me, "Where are you going?" Gwen called after us.
"I need a favour actually Gwen can we possibly bother your stone dog and a wheelbarrow?" I questioned more calmly now.
The look both Merlin and Gwen gave me was one of complete confusion but Gwen nodded anyway going off to collect the wheelbarrow.
It took a little while for us to get the wheelbarrow with the stone dog in up to Gaius's chambers, it was a little easier due to the slight magic I could use every time we were alone to lighten the load, still by the time Merlin and I had reached the chamber we were both exhausted. Gaius looked up at us when we came in, "What are you doing with that?" he greeted us with.
I went ahead into Merlin's room while Merlin spoke to Gaius, "I'm not sure it's Elizabeth's idea."
"You're going to make everyone see those damn snakes for themselves," I shouted out from Merlin's room, reaching under the floorboard to pull out the magic book that lay under there while Merlin floated the dog down onto the floor. I turned the spell book to the right page and relaxed sitting against Merlin's bed before I cast the spell, "Bebay odothay arisan quickum. Bebay odothay arisan quickum," I said feeling my eyes go golden as the dog came to life and began to bark at me. I quickly waved my hand up after a few moments turning it back into stone, "You're turn."
"Why can't you do this?" Merlin asked sitting down next to me.
"I'm gonna be sitting next to the king. Don't think that will go down to well," I explained handing the book over to Merlin and pointing to the spell which I had memorised when I was younger for the perfect revenge.
"Bebay odothay arisan quickum. Bebay odothay arisan quickum," Merlin quoted after me, we watched as nothing happened to the stone dog in front of us. Merlin tried again and again, on about the twentieth time I began biting my nails nervously.
It was another five attempts before I spoke, "You keep trying I'm going to try option B," I said moving to get up from the floor dusting down my dress as I went.
"Which is?" Merlin questioned not looking away from the dog as if just by staring at it he may be able to bring it to life.
"Talk to Arthur," I said simply walking out of the door and making my way quietly to Arthur's chambers.
I walked into Arthur's chambers without bothering to announce my presents. Arthur probably wouldn't have reacted even if I had. He seemed fixated with something outside the window which I couldn't see, "Don't fight Valiant in the tournament tomorrow. He'll use the shield against you," I begged my voice breaking slightly.
"I know," Arthur said calmly.
"Then withdraw," I snapped, feeling like I was stating the obvious, "You have to withdraw."
This was when Arthur finally turned around to face me, "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?"
"Valiant will kill you. If you fight, you die," I yelled getting into Arthur face.
"Then I die," Arthur yelled back at me.
I took a step backwards feeling like someone had just stabbed me, "How can you go out there and fight like that?" I questioned quieting my voice down now cause I realised otherwise the guards outside could hear me.
"Because I have to. It's my duty," Arthur replied as if it explained everything.
"That isn't duty that is just stupidity!" I argued back, "You're duty is to your people. How can you lead them if you are dead?!"
"My people will not follow a cowardly king," Arthur snapped back getting angry again.
"Your people will follow a king who is clever not stupid enough to enter a fight which he has no hope of winning," I said before turning around and walking towards the door. I faced him once last time before I left, "I will pray for you."
I decided to head back into my room knowing that I would probably be a greater distraction to Merlin than a help if I was standing around him. It felt like the second my head hit the pillow Laudine was standing over me, "My lady you have to get up for the tournament," she greeted me brightly.
By the time we had reached the tournament ground Arthur and Valiant both seemed ready to start. I sat down next to Uther scanning the crowd and trying to stop Merlin. It didn't seem as though he had arrived yet. I didn't know what to do there was no option C that I had considered.
Arthur entered the arena and the crowd cheered, I couldn't join in not until I knew Arthur was going to be alright. They faced each other before putting on their helmets. I waited patiently for the fight to begin. They stared each other down for a few moments before Valiant swung his sword forward and the fighting began. It was terrifying watching as the two of them attacked each other so viciously, the sound of metal on metal filled the air. They were both strong fighters. I began biting my nails again, trying to hide my nervousness behind a calm expression. Arthur knocked off Valiant's helmet before removing his own. Valiant's attacks seemed to get more violent as the fighting went on, eventually he managed to disarm Arthur. It was then I noticed Merlin standing at the edge of the arena, he caught my eyes before smiling and nodding at me. I felt a way of relief pass through me, before turning back to the fight.
Valiant pinned Arthur against the wall, before Arthur managed to shove him off. I could feel the magic in the air as Merlin seemed to speak the spell. The snakes which had been dormant on Valiant's shield came to life. I stood up along with everyone else trying to get work out what could happen next.
"He is using magic," Uther muttered next to me.
"And now they see you for what you really are," Arthur yelled at Valiant looking smug.
Valiant just laughed in return before the snakes left the shield and travelled along the floor, "Kill him."
Arthur backed away from the snakes coming towards the stand. I did the only thing I could think of and grabbed the king's sword, "Arthur!" I yelled as I threw it towards him.
Arthur turned and caught the sword swinging back around to face Valiant. With a sword in his hand the odds were a lot more in Arthur's favour. He quickly decapitated the snakes before turning to Valiant and disarming him and then running him through. Valiant dropped to the ground and the crowd began to cheer. I felt myself finally relax after everything. Arthur slapped Merlin on his shoulder on the way out of the tournament ground and I cheered.
As we stood outside the banquet hall waiting to be called in, I felt a huge amount of pride in what had been achieved today, "You should give Merlin his job back you know?" I commented as I took Arthur's arm preparing to be introduced to the crowd.
"I will," Arthur said simply before the doors opened and we walked in the large banquet hall decorated in bright colours to celebrate the end of the torment, "My honourable guests, I give you Prince Arthur, your champion and Lady Elizabeth."
We walked into the middle of the dancing space and Arthur bowed, "My lady."
"My champion," I smiled back curtsying. We began to dance, something both Arthur and I were completely fluent at, "Has your father apologised yet for not believing you?" I questioned as we span in a circle.
"He'll never apologise. I hope, uh, you're not disappointed Valiant's not escorting you," Arthur said sounding ever so slightly shy for a moment.
I paused for a second trying to think of the best way to answer, "Turns out he wasn't really champion material," I said shrugging my shoulder slightly.
We fell into silence for a short time just relaxing and moving to the music, "That was some tournament final," Arthur finally spoke.
"Tell me about it. It's not every day a girl gets to save her prince," I teased.
Arthur shook his head at me, "Uh, I wouldn't say I needed exactly saving. I'm sure I would've thought of something."
"So you're too proud to admit you were saved by a girl," I concluded getting slightly annoyed.
"Because I wasn't," Arthur snapped back.
I pulled away getting even more angry, "You know what? I wish Valiant was escorting me."
"Me too. Then I wouldn't have to listen to you," Arthur gave a quick reply.
"Fine! " I yelled ignoring the looks I was getting from the court.
I turned around and walked away hearing Arthur yell after me, "Fine!"
Okay that another chapter done. This is a love story between Arthur and Elizabeth I promise just she can't like the pig-headness at the beginning if she's gonna love him at the end can she? anyways review, I love to know what you guys think of my work.
Until next time
Artistic-Blue-Eyes
xxx
