Chapter 12
Outfitted in her armor, her sword secure at her waist Elaina made her way to the stadium. Her hands clenched and unclenched reflexively as she walked. Elaina was nervous, which surprised her. The arguments with Arthur and Gwen had taken a toll on her.
Elaina was aware of the gazes as she made her way toward Sir Leon and Arthur at the center of the stadium. She paused at Merlin and accepted a shield from him. Elaina pulled her helmet onto her head and glanced at Merlin.
"Tell Gaius I need to speak with him after the fight," Elaina instructed. "It's of the utmost importance."
"I'll go tell him now," Merlin said quickly.
Elaina nodded once and set her face in a mask of concentration. She could not reveal to Sir Leon that she was emotionally drained or that she was feeling off physically. Elaina knew that her condition and the training the day before had taken a toll. Elaina stopped next to Arthur and nodded at Sir Leon.
"The rules have already been explained," Arthur announced to the watching knights and nobles. Elaina snuck a glance at Morgana, who smiled encouragingly, as Arthur continued to speak. "Princess Elaina of Heideen has been challenged to prove her expertise with the sword. Sir Leon has agreed to provide the challenge."
Arthur left the ring and joined his father on the raised platform. King Uther stood as Elaina and Sir Leon turned to face one another. Both drew their swords and prepared to strike. Uther raised a hand and studied the fighters briefly. His hand dropped signaling them to start.
Sir Leon took the first strike and swung hard at Elaina. She jumped back instead of deflecting it and jabbed at him as he re-centered himself. He deflected it and Elaina stepped to the side. She paced back a couple of steps and studied Sir Leon for a moment.
Elaina flipped her sword in her hand and struck hard from her left. The swords locked as Sir Leon and Elaina struggled for control. Elaina glanced her sword off of his and struck again. The sound of swords battering against one another rang throughout the enter stadium as the fight continued.
Sir Leon's next strike carried him to close to Elaina and she pulled her shield up to block him. The shield collided with his helmet and knocked it off his head. Elaina stepped back and allowed him a moment to recover. She also pulled her helmet off and dropped the hood on her chain mail.
Sir Leon nodded at her in appreciation and to continue the fight. Elaina struck first striking left then spinning right. She stabbed behind her at Leon but knew she had missed as she turned back around. Leon tripped her up and managed to knock her to the ground.
Elaina rolled away from his as he struck, but he stepped on her shield to pin her in place. Elaina grimaced as she felt her shoulder pop and she released the shield. She swung a leg at Leon catching him in the knee and bringing him down.
Elaina rolled once more and quickly stood. She kicked her shield aside and signaled for Leon to continue. He dropped his shield and nodded at her again. Elaina ignored the pain in her shoulder and flipped her sword once more.
Sir Leon struck first swinging from the right. Elaina countered him and swung back. They battered one another with blows, both trying to gain the advantage.
From his seat Arthur watched the fight. He could tell that Elaina's shoulder was out of the socket yet she fought through it. He was impressed by her skills but that didn't stop him from worrying.
Elaina paced back a couple of steps and tried to formulate a plan. She was exhausted, even if she didn't look it. She could feel her condition setting in depriving her of much needed energy. She needed to find a way to end this fight quickly.
Elaina stepped back in and swung hard from her left, at the last moment she shifted her body bringing her leg around to knock Leon down. She immediately dropped her leg on his chest pinning him to the ground. Her sword hovered inches from his throat.
"Do you yield," Elaina asked.
"I yield my Lady," Sir Leon said with a look of admiration. He had doubted she would last this long against him, let on manage to win. The crowd erupted in surprised cheers as they realized who had won.
Elaina stood up and put her sword back in her belt. She offered Leon her good arm to pull him up. He accepted and they both turned to look at King Uther. Elaina and Sir Leon bowed deeply before the king waiting for him to address them.
"Very impressive," King Uther said. "You should both be very proud of yourselves, Camelot is lucky to have two such warriors as yourselves."
Elaina rose out of her bow and met Arthur's gaze. He bowed his head to her admitting he was impressed. Morgana clapped happily thrilled by Elaina's victory.
"We shall have a feast tonight," King Uther announced, "To celebrate the bravery of both Sir Leon and Princess Elaina."
The crowd erupted in more cheers but Elaina ignored them. She squeezed her eyes shut as pain pierced through her body. She had to get out of the stadium now. She bowed to Sir Leon before grabbing her shield and helmet.
Merlin trotted across the floor to take them from her. "Are you all right?"
Elaina grimaced in pain and shook her head. "Where is Gaius," she asked through clenched teeth.
"Waiting for you in your chambers. Can you make it?"
Elaina ignored Merlin's question and continued to walk. She made it back inside the castle before Arthur caught up with them.
"Elaina," he called as he came closer.
Elaina turned and sagged against the wall, silently praying she could remain upright during the conversation. Merlin stopped next to her and shot her a look of concern.
"That was impressive Elaina," Arthur said. "I was obviously wrong about your abilities and I am sorry."
"It's all right Arthur. Will you excuse me I need to get to my chambers?"
"Are you all right," Arthur asked as Elaina pushed away from the wall. She grimaced in pain as she began walking again.
"Fine," Elaina said stiffly. Pain stronger then before shot through her, causing her to double over. She gasped loudly and clutched at her torso.
"Elaina," Arthur said in concern.
"I'm fine," she gasped. Her knees gave out a second later.
"No you aren't," Arthur said firmly. He picked her up off the ground. "Where is Gaius?"
"In her room," Merlin said quickly.
Arthur walked as fast as he could with Elaina in his arms. Merlin opened her chamber doors for them. Arthur quickly walked in and laid her on the bed. Gaius rushed over and checked her pulse.
"Foolish girl," Gaius reprimanded her. "I warned you this would happen."
"What's happening," Arthur demanded.
Elaina grabbed Gaius' arm and gripped it hard. She shot him an angry look that prevented him from elaborating on the situation.
"You both need to leave," Gaius said looking at Arthur and Merlin.
"I'm not leaving until you tell me what is going on," Arthur replied.
"Elaina has a condition," Gaius began to say.
"Gaius," Elaina shouted angrily. She pushed herself up on the bed and stared at him. "Shut up."
"Elaina," Gaius said firmly. "He needs to know."
"Shut up," Elaina repeated as she began pulling her armor off. Merlin helped her with the armor and the chainmail. Her shirt clung to her body as she climbed off the bed.
"Elaina has a blood condition," Gaius explained. "Without treatment it causes her great pain."
Arthur stared furiously at Elaina. "Why didn't you tell anyone about it," Arthur demanded.
Elaina breathed hard through her nose to keep from crying out in pain. She grabbed hold of the chair closest to her and sat down. "Because that is not all the condition does," she ground out. Everyone stood still as she doubled over again in pain. Tears leaked out from under her eyelids. Her hands clenched in tight fists causing her nails to dig into her skin.
"What else does it do," Merlin asked.
Before Gaius could explain more about her condition Elaina flinched hard. "Are you going to treat me or just stand there," she shouted angrily.
Gaius picked up a jar that was sitting on the table and pulled the cap out. "Drink this," he ordered.
Elaina took the bottle from him and dumped the content in her mouth. She gagged for a moment at the taste but managed to get it down. Everyone watched her closely as she pushed herself out of the chair.
"Thank you," she said softly. Her vision blurred suddenly and the last thing Elaina remembered was falling into Arthur's chest before everything went black.
