A/N
So I re-watched Valiant so I could properly do this and Arthur was so mean to Merlin! It really showed how much better Arthur is in the fourth season… anyways the point I was meaning to make was this was hard to do because there is a lot of Merlin learning how to be a proper servant and that of course had to be changed so I hope you guys enjoy it still!
Merlin stood off to the side watching as Arthur's servant prepared Arthur for the tournament. Knights from across the realm where coming to Camelot to battle Arthur to become champion and one thousand gold pieces. Merlin was mildly surprised by the fact that Uther was still holding the tournament after all that had happened the night before. But, according to Uther, they shouldn't let the witch ruin the tournament. Uther did however send some knights to try and find the real Lady Helen's body so they could have a proper funeral for her; Uther did feel guilty about what happened to her, he felt that if he hadn't asked her to perform the witch might not have killed her.
It had been a long night, but eventually Merlin decided not to tell Arthur about the dragon yet, he still hadn't fully accepted the fact that Merlin had magic, and with the stress of the tournament Merlin felt that it would be too much for Arthur, but he did promise himself to tell Arthur, eventually.
"So are you nervous?" Merlin asked as the servant finished putting Arthur's armor on. Merlin did have to admit, the armor did look pretty complicated, but he'd never tell Arthur that.
"No, I don't get nervous" Arthur replied cockily.
"Everyone get's nervous Arthur" Merlin corrected.
"Shut up Merlin" Arthur snapped playfully, reaching over to grab his sword. Merlin hurried over to his spot in the stands while the knights lined up. Merlin sat down next to Morgana saying,
"Hello."
"Merlin" Morgana greeted.
"Lovely day for a tournament!" Gwen exclaimed trying to ease the awkwardness.
"Yep" Merlin agreed trying to keep up a light conversation. The knights came out soon and the crowd erupted into loud cheers. Uther stepped in front of the knight and started talking about how the tournament would prove who the best knight was. For the life of him, Merlin couldn't figure out how bashing each other would prove who was the bravest, but Arthur loved it so Merlin always came out to support him whenever Gaius allowed it. At first Merlin hated going to the tournaments but after awhile, Merlin actually started to enjoy them a little.
Arthur was the first contestant, the two swung at each other a few times, Arthur easily deflecting all of his opponents blows. Merlin cheered loudly with the rest of the crowd for Arthur when he knocked his opponent to the ground. Even Morgana looked pleased to see Arthur win. Arthur was practically glowing when he pulled of his own helmet in victory, he was truly a master swordsman, and this was what Arthur loved to do. The next opponent was very aggressive and took down his opponent almost as quickly as Arthur beat his. The same man easily beat all of his opponents.
"He's pretty handy with a sword" Merlin commented as he knocked his next opponent to the ground.
"Indeed" Morgana agreed grinning.
Later at the feast Merlin stood in-between Uther and Morgana as the knights where introduced. The aggressive on was introduced,
"Knight Valiant of the Western Isles" Uther shook his hand saying,
"I saw you fighting today; you have a very aggressive style."
"As my lord said to lose is to be a disgrace" Valiant replied.
"I couldn't agree more" Uther agreed, "My wards, Merlin and the Lady Morgana." Valiant politely shook hands with Merlin before turning to Morgana; he took her hand and kissed it saying,
"My lady."
"I saw you fighting today" Morgana gushed.
"I saw you watching" Valiant agreed, "I understand the champion of the tournament has the honor of escorting my lady to the feast?"
"That's right" Morgana replied.
"Then I will give everything to win the tournament." Valiant replied. They grinned at each other for a minute, "My lady" he bowed before walking away, Morgana watching him still. When Arthur approached he clamped Merlin on the shoulder and Merlin whispered so only he could hear,
"He's a creeper." Arthur fought down a smirk at Merlin's comment and turned to Morgana.
"Jealous?" She asked innocently.
"What is there to be jealous of?" Arthur asked walking away. Merlin heard Gwen whisper,
"Could he be more annoying?"
"I do hope knight Valiant wins" Morgana replied.
"You don't mean that!" Gwen exclaimed.
"But I do" Morgana replied. Merlin rolled his eyes thinking Girls…When Merlin was able to leave he instantly sought out Arthur who stood awkwardly by the other knights who were talking to Valiant excitedly.
"You don't like him do you?" Merlin asked.
"He's alright" Arthur replied.
"Even Morgana is smitten" Merlin added feeling slightly put off.
"Is someone jealous?" Arthur teased.
"Why would I be jealous?" Merlin demanded.
"Admit it you've always had a thing for Morgana" Arthur teased.
"Why would I like someone who makes fun of me?" Merlin demanded, feeling his face turn red.
"Because you secretly love the fact that she isn't always babying you" Arthur retorted. It was true, Merlin liked the fact that she didn't treat him like something breakable, but that didn't mean he liked her. She was like a sister, so he told himself.
"That is not true!" Merlin exclaimed.
"So you like being babied?" Arthur asked grinning.
"No I hate it!" Merlin snapped.
"So you like that Morgana…" Arthur began grinning evilly.
"Just shut up!" Merlin snapped at Arthur who started laughing.
That night, Evan seemed very distracted; he kept fumbling things and was barely paying attention to Merlin. Evan never dropped things and he never completely blew off Merlin like this.
"Evan… Is something wrong?" Merlin asked.
"Nothing Sire…" Evan mumbled.
"It's Merlin" Merlin corrected, "and something's bothering you. You can tell me you know." Evan was silent for a minute, contemplating Merlin's words.
"I think I'm losing my mind" Evan admitted.
"Why?" Merlin asked worriedly.
"I was in the armory helping Knight Valiant with his armor when I heard…hissing."
"Hissing?" Merlin asked.
"Coming from his shield" Evan continued, looking more and more embarrassed, "And I could have sworn I saw the snakes on his shield blinking…"
"Blinking?" Merlin echoed.
"I know it sounds crazy" Evan assured Merlin, thinking Merlin thought he was crazy. But, Merlin knew he wasn't crazy, Merlin was sure magic was somehow involved.
"You're probably just tired" Merlin assured smiling at his friend, "go take the rest of the night off and get plenty of rest. In fact take tomorrow off as well, feel better."
"Really?" Evan asked amazed.
"You've obviously been working too hard" Merlin continued, "Gaius says that people see weird things when they're tired."
"Thank you Merlin" Evan grinned picking up Merlin's plates and walking out the door.
"Get lots of rest!" Merlin called after Evan. Smiling, Evan nodded his head in reassurance before shutting the door behind him. Once Evan was gone Merlin's smile fell. Something weird was going on, and Merlin knew it had something to do with Arthur.
End Notes
Like I said a lot of stuff had to be simply omitted because there was just no good way to integrate them into the story like in the beginning when Arthur made Merlin put on the armor and fight him, with Merlin being so 'sick' Gaius would never allow that. So I hope you guys liked it despite all of the changes.
