Saturday 10th December
All during the week, the girls of Albion College netball team had been training up for the match against Mercia for hours after college had finished. They also needed a kit to represent their group. So, during the week, Albion's leaders had come up with the colours of the kit, in which the colours would be red and gold, and due to many of the staff going down to The Dragon at various points, their new emblem would be of a dragon.
The charity between the two leaders was also decided. The money collected from the two events would go to help children suffering from life-threatening illnesses, such as leukaemia.
At the same time, it was noted that the top principals would be in attendance during the events, so all students from both colleges needed to be on their best behaviour during the week at college and also on the day.
…
Morgana woke up to a rainy start on the Saturday morning, and went to shout Morgause, who was in the room next door, to wake up. Merlin and Arthur, who were already downstairs eating breakfast, greeted both girls as they came to the table.
"Hey Arthur? Do we have any cheerleaders?" Morgause asked when she sat at the table with her toast and jam.
"No. Why would we need cheerleaders?"
"I don't know. Cheer us on maybe?"
"No we don't, and I'm not dressing up as a girl."
"I never said you had to."
By then Morgana had joined them at the table, and had ideas on her mind, when listening to Arthur and Morgause's conversation. By now, all three were glancing over at Merlin, who looked at them in confusion.
"Why are you all staring at me for? Erm, hold on, I know what you're all thinking, and the answer is no. I'm not dressing up as a woman."
"Ah come on Merlin. You'd look so pretty as a woman. Do it for me." Arthur returned, implying that yes he wanted to see Merlin dressed as a cheerleader.
"So I don't look beautiful now?"
"Ah of course you look gorgeous Merlin, but you'd look gorgeous still as a woman."
"If I do then I'm not doing it alone."
"Of course not. I'll persuade Gwaine to do it with you."
"You better get on with it then."
"Ah thank you Merlin. You'll be rewarded later.
"In ways in which we don't want to know." Morgause muttered.
…
Arthur phoned and persuaded Gwaine to act as a cheerleader, but could be a male one, in which Gwaine, being he, would take up as an offer without hesitation, and would cheer on his teammates with Merlin, who would now dress up as a woman, with a little bit of magic.
…
The four arrived at the Camelot Sports Centre at 10am, where various staff was setting up the booth at the entrance for admission, and other girls of the team were inside, distributing the kit for them to change into later on after lunch. Within the next four hours there would be training and warm up sessions. The crowds would be gathering in at 1:30 and the match would begin at 2.
As the other girls were training, Mercia's team arrived at 11am and introduced themselves to Arthur, as well as the rest of the team.
"Arthur Pendragon. So good to see you."
"Girls, Gwaine, this is Bayard Andrews, the principal of Mercia College in Stafford."
"I believe you are the new principal I gather?"
"Quite right. Uther died unexpectedly a few months ago. I took over his position in November."
"Well, let me introduce you to the team. The team consists of Helen (wing-attack), Elena (wing-defence), Vivian (goal defence), Mary (goal attack), Kara (goal shooter), Sefa (goal keeper) and the team captain Sophia (centre)."
"Nice to meet you ladies."
Arthur wasn't going to mention that he already knew half of the team, as he had been in a relationship with them.
"And your team Arthur."
"Ladies and gentleman, my team. This is Morgana (wing-attack), Gwen (wing-defence), Freya (centre). Nimueh (goal-attack), Alice (goal-defence), Morgause (goal-keeper) and our team captain Mithian (goal-shooter).
"Nice to meet you ladies. Who are the other two? The ones who like the cheerleaders, the male and female."
"Oh that is Gwaine and Mer…" Arthur hadn't thought of a female name for Merlin, so had to come up with something spontaneously.
"Merlina. Sorry, she's very new to the team, so it's still taking time to remember. Forgive me."
"Don't worry Arthur, I'm sure she's knows what she's doing."
"Of course. We only gather the best."
…
After much training and the two teams sitting down to lunch, the lockers room were opened up to allow the teams to sit and wait before coming into the sports hall to play.
"Arthur. What did you say to whatshisname about me when he asked of my name?"
"Oh, I told him your name was Merlina."
"I am so going to kill you. Why are you such an arse sometimes?"
"Ooh, I don't know. Why can you be such an idiot at times."
"Because that's me for you. You are so rewarding me for this."
"Anything you want and I'll give it to you."
"Hmm, anything, alright then. As you so wish."
…
As the hall started filling up with fans and other supporters, Arthur and Mithian were giving the girls one last bit of encouragement, not trying to warn them that they would be playing for an hour, with a three minute interval between intervals one and two, and three and four, halftime lasted five minutes, and going over the basic rules one more time would help a lot.
…
Mercia's team were called out first, and took their positions, with their supporters cheering. Albion's team were then called out, with Gwaine and 'Merlina' cheering for them with their pompoms.
In attendance was Principal Olaf Franklin of Wiltshire College, Odin Thornsbrook of East Devon College, Rodor Daniels of County Cornwall College and Cenred Higgins of Bath College.
…
After the first half Albion were leading 7-5, when there was the idea that Albion was using sorcery to win against Mercia. Even though every year this was a charity, and supposedly friendly game, there was always a dispute somewhere along the lines.
"How can there be sorcery in play when Albion hasn't accepted sorcery in the last 20 years or so?" Olaf conducted from the crowd.
"The Pendragons were always shameful to the staff and students of the college." A Mercia student shouted.
"Actually if you don't mind, I lifted the ban once I took over. Sorcery is legal in the college."
"So your team are using sorcery?"
"No, they are not using sorcery. Half of the team have never practised sorcery."
"And who might that be?"
"Gwen for one, Mithian for another."
"But the rest have and therefore you are using sorcery."
"I'm not a sorcerer. I wouldn't know. The only one who isn't playing who is a sorceress is Merlina."
"Well Merlina can be the referee then. If she finds sorcery being used then she'll stop the game by the whistle, speaking of which, fetch her a whistle and can deduct a point from the team who is caught."
"Fair enough."
…
Anyhow the game went on, the teams switching sides. After about 10 minutes, Albion was up 9-7 when 'Merlina' stopped the game. It was caught that Mary was using sorcery against Alice to pass the ball to Kara to try and score some points for Mercia. Due to this the score went to 9-6, and then the game continued.
Not long after the third interval the game continued, now at 11-11. Five minutes before the end, the game was stopped again after Kara used magic to stop Morgause from defending the ball each time she tried to throw the ball into the hoop, making the new score of 11-10. After some good teamwork from Albion, Morgana throwing the ball to Freya, who then threw it to Nimueh, who then passed it to Mithian, the score ended at 13-10, Albion taking home the victory.
…
As for Bayard, he asked Arthur if it was possible to bring along Merlina to the football match the week after. Arthur replied that Merlina was elsewhere that Saturday and therefore couldn't make it, but he'd be sure that Morgana and Morgause would be there to watch out for any sorcery being used, as Arthur was on the team himself as a striker. Arthur also mentioned that the majority of his team didn't know of sorcery, and only that Mordred and Merlin used magic. The team departed with the trophy as Mercia needed to re-think strategy.
...
Saturday 17th December
With only a week to go before Christmas, and that the pupils of Albion College had now finished for the year, today was the men's turn to beat Mercia of the final challenge of 2012 in Football. Again, like the girls kit, Albion's kit for the men was red and gold.
Also like the netball match, today was one of those days where it was raining, and therefore the enthusiasm for the lads had gone down hill. Because of Gwaine and Merlin's efforts as cheerleaders the week before, the girls would support the lads as cheerleaders this time round, all coming to know a few days later of who exactly Merlina was.
…
All 11 of Albion's team were on the pitch of Camelot Stadium by 11, and their coach/manager Mithian would be training them up alongside of Albion's own students.
As for Albion, Percy would be the goalkeeper, with Arthur and Lance as Strikers. Merlin, Leon, Ewan and Will were down as midfielders, whilst Elyan, Gwaine, Mordred and Tristan were the defenders, with Arthur as team captain.
As for team Mercia, Edwin would be leading the team with Helios as strikers. Cedric, Gilli, Julius and Osgar were the midfielders, and Myror, Tauren, Aglain and Cornelius were the Defenders, whilst Aredian was their goalkeeper.
…
Before the game started, or the crowds had started to fill the stadium, both teams, like at the netball game, had introduced themselves to each other, when Bayard and Olaf had begun to speak to one another.
"Doesn't that guy look familiar, the one with the dark mop of hair." Bayard started the conversation off.
"Mordred?"
"No, not him, the really pale and thin one."
"Merlin?"
"Yeah him, he looks quite a lot like that Merlina from last week, the cheerleader who became a referee after the dispute of sorcery."
"He does look a lot like her."
"What this then chaps." Leon asked as he joined in.
"That guy Merlin, looks a lot like the cheerleader Merlina from last week at the netball game."
"Who's Merlina?"
"Excuse my friend Leon here fellas. Merlin and Merlina are twins. That's why they look so alike." Arthur barged in to try and keeps things cool before a fight broke out.
"Do pardon me. Merlina and Merlin though? What strange names."
"Yes, their parents were odd balls. Now if you'll excuse us."
Arthur and Leon departed from the two principals and made their way over to the rest of the team.
...
"Merlin? Here a minute?"
"Yes Arthur?"
"If Bayard says anything about you and Merlina's resemblance, just say you're twins."
"Merlina? Oh…"
"What's going on?" Leon stood in uncertainty.
"Last week before the netball match started, Morgause asked me if we had any cheerleaders for the match, which I replied with no. At the breakfast table the four of us sat, and Morgause, Morgana and myself came up with the idea of Merlin dressing up as a woman, which he would only accept if Gwaine joined in. At the sports centre, I introduced the group to Bayard, who asked who Merlin was. We hadn't come up with a name for Merlin to take on, so off the top of my head I came up with Merlina."
"Hmm, how original Arthur you prat!"
"But how did Merlin manage to dress up as a girl?"
"Well Merlin for one looks and most certainly acts like a girl…"
"Arthur!"
"The rest was with magic though."
"Oh, so Merlin, I'm guessing you're the girl of the relationship then."
"Oh no, not you as well."
"What?"
"First Morgana with the teasing, mind you she's the worst, then Morgause, and now you."
"Ah don't worry Merlin, as least you get to act yourself today."
…
The match in all turned out to be a success, and for the first time in what was years, no form of sorcery was indeed used, although their were suspicions, especially after last week's incidents. As for Mercia, they do really need to come up with new strategies. Within halftime, Albion was already up by three goals to one, with an early goal by Lance at six minutes in the game. Edwin managed to snag one in for Mercia at the 24th minute. Arthur scored through a penalty in 32nd minute and Will took the final goal for Albion just before the 44th minute.
In the end, the game came to 6-2. Arthur provided two more goals during the 60th and 80th minutes of the game, enabling him to score a hat trick and become man of the match, and funny enough Merlin managed to score a goal for Albion in the 71st minute of the game. Mercia's Helios scored the final for the opposition in the 55th minute of the game. So with the quiz, netball and football matches out of the way, Albion for the winter-term of 2012 took in a clean sweep victory over Mercia. At the end of the day the whole point of the final two meetings were for charity, and in the end over £1000 was raised for the children suffering from life-threatening illnesses, and to Merlin and many others, that's what mattered the most.