A/N: I know, I know. I suck. I didn't get the previews out again. I promise I will for chapter 27. Also, I tried to get this up yesterday, but FF was being fail.

This is the big one. The duel. It's finally here.

JPOV

I slowed Emmett to a walk as I neared Mann's Field. A bird squawked nearby but otherwise all was silent. It made me shiver slightly, even though I was confident everything was going to be okay. I began thinking about the other day, when I was given the solution to my worry.

"You wanted to see me, Sir Jacob?" Merlin asked. He had appeared at Camelot to speak with the King regarding security. I had expressed an interest in talking to him; hoping he could help me.

"Yes Merlin. Let's go to my chambers." He nodded and we started in the direction of the Knights' rooms. We all had the same type of room: bed, window, closet and a table with chairs. We could read or sleep or entertain ourselves. It wasn't much, but it was enough for me. I didn't need luxury.

Upon entering, I noticed Billy sitting on my bed. I whistled at him, his cue to get down. He just looked at me and gave a toothy yawn. Merlin chuckled.

"Your dog is a lot like your father," he said, sitting down. I sat across from him and bent my left leg across my right knee. I reached over and scratched Billy's head.

"How so?"

"He was stubborn and refused to listen, just like Billy." Merlin glanced at me. "And you as well."

I ignored that comment.

We sat in silence for a few moments, watching Billy. He stood up on my bed and stretched, then sat back down and nuzzled the bone near his hind paw. I knew I would have to take him for a walk later.

"What can I help you with, Jacob?"

I turned to look at him. Merlin's gold eyes were kind. He was an amazing man. He predicted that Arthur would become king and rule Camelot for many years. All of that has happened. He's made a few mistakes in his wizardry, but who hasn't? He is only human.

"Are you aware of the duel between Edward and myself on Saturday?"

He nodded.

"Well, regardless of everything, Edward is still my best friend. I don't want to hurt him and I know he doesn't want to hurt me. I feel foolish having called this duel but I can't back out now. It is a question of honor."

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Wouldn't it be more honorable to call it off and walk away with your head held high?"

I shrugged. "I really don't know, Merlin. I've made such a fool of myself over a woman that the only feasible thing I can think to do is to have this duel."

He nodded. "What can I do for you, then?"

I shifted in my seat. "Well, I was wondering if there was a way to make a sword safe?"

He cocked his head and looked at me quizzically.

"What I mean is, is there a way I can use the sword to fight and give the impression that I have hurt Edward when actually nothing will happen?"

"Ah! You mean like an illusion?"

"Exactly!" This is why I like Merlin; he catches on quickly.

Merlin contemplated my question. He stroked his white beard absently. "Yes, I believe there is. But it isn't one you can buy; I will have to create it. It will be another Excalibur, but not as magical."

"That sounds great!"

He rose from his seat and looked at me. "I will make sure you have it by Saturday. It will pierce armor, but the blade retracts. As long as Edward is aware of your intentions, I don't see why it won't work." He hesitated. "Are you sure you want to do this? There is no dishonor in calling it off now."

I shook my head. There was too much riding on this. I had to at least give the impression that I win the duel. Edward would agree to that. And then both of us walk away alive.

He sighed. "As you wish. I will have Excalibur's Legacy to you by Saturday." And with a wave of his hand, he was gone.

I informed Edward and it was agreed that I would "strike" and effectively win the duel. Then we would shake hands like men and walk away. Perfect.

Emmett reached the Field and I stopped him. I hopped off and walked him to a tree to tie his rein to. Unhitching my knapsack, I walked to the area that I called the "practice area."

Edward was already there.

He nodded at me. "Sir Jacob," he said. I nodded in response and turned on my heel. I didn't want him near me while I practiced. I couldn't have him see my moves, even though we've practiced in battle before. I couldn't take a chance that he would win, that he would go back on his word.

It's all for show, but I need to prove I am as good a Knight as he is.

I stopped about five hundred feet away. Pulling Excalibur's Legacy from my belt, I set it on the ground. Then I took off at a run to get my adrenaline going. I would only be gone about five minutes, but that was all the time I needed.

When I returned, a crowd had gathered nearby. I saw my sister and the Princes sit next to Lady Isabella. She looked absolutely radiant. She was glowing, although I couldn't understand why. Then I saw her exchange a look with Edward and it hit me.

They've been intimate.

Edward found another way to defy me. We hadn't set boundaries when we agreed to this duel, but I thought he would be man enough to control himself. Apparently I was wrong.

Lady Isabella looked as happy as a lark. Edward walked over and kissed her hand, whispering sweet nothings into her ear while I stood back and observed. I accepted the fact that I didn't stand a chance with her, but I wanted to prove that in battle. I started to walk to them….

And then I saw Sir Jasper sit behind my sister.

If I didn't know better, I would say they were intimate as well. The way he touched her unnerved me a little; it was as though he was claiming her. She leaned against his chest and every so often reached up to kiss him on the lips. While that was not frowned upon, it surprised me that she would be so bold. Rosalie had never been one for public displays of affection.

She turned and smiled at me. "Are you ready, brother?" I nodded and went to her, noticing that she had brought Billy along. He was lying on his side scratching an itch on his neck. Jasper was watching Rosalie and me intently.

"Yes. I think everything will be okay." I winked at Rose; she knew what I meant.

"How so, Sir Jacob?" Jasper asked. I looked at him. His blue eyes were genuinely curious. He wrapped his arm around Rosalie's waist.

"Let's just say I have some power on my side." I smirked at them and felt Billy lick my hand. I laughed and patted his head lovingly. Then I walked over to where I had laid Excalibur's Legacy down. Hooking it in my belt, I noticed it was quite light.

It will slice through the air nicely.

An announcement was made that the King was present. Everyone immediately stood and bowed or curtsied. He walked to where Edward and I were.

"Sir Jacob. Sir Edward," he acknowledged us. "You know I am not a fan of duels between my Knights, but I am here to support you. My best to both." He held out his hand and we each kissed it.

He turned and walked to the crowd. Before sitting down, he called out "may the best man win!"

With Excalibur's Legacy, I will.

Edward turned to me. "You ready?"

I nodded and pulled the sword out of the loop. I noticed Edward had laid his near mine as well; it was a sign of respect. I kept Excalibur's Legacy pointed down as I took my place in the field. Edward stood before me, waiting.

The signal was given. I raised my arm and lunged for my friend. He deflected my movement and hit my sword with a CLANG! I backhanded it and he was ready again. Every move I made he was able to block. I knew this would happen and so it didn't anger me. In fact, if Edward wasn't so aware I would have been worried.

What did anger me, however, was that the crowd was favoring him. I was a good Knight damn it! I had earned my place here. And yet everyone treated me like the villain.

"Give it up Jacob," Edward said in a low voice when we were shoulder-to-shoulder. "You've put up a good fight. No one thinks you're a failure. Let's end this now and walk away happy."

I swung for his head. He ducked as the crowd let out a gasp. "Ready to be done?" I asked with a smirk.

He shook his head. "This isn't like you, Jacob. I know you are still my friend. Let's just wrap this up like men."

I dodged his sword heading for my side and lunged for his knee. He jumped and hit my shoulder. From the look on his face, I could see that it was completely unintentional. I nodded slightly letting him know there was no harm done. I heard Billy bark.

"Edward," I said lowly as we circled each other. "I have to prove that I am a good Knight. I will let you have Isabella, just give me my dignity."

His sword was heading for my head and I ducked, swinging as I went. I heard the fabric of his tunic rip and I knew I had hit his shoulder. He cursed and dropped his sword, signaling defeat.

"You win."

I stared at him. His left hand gripped his right shoulder and he winced at the pain. I lowered my sword and held out my hand.

"Thank you," I said. Why did I doubt? He took my hand and smiled.

"What are friends for?"

I heard the crowd cheering as our hands embraced. We turned and walked towards the crowd and stood in front of the King. He approached us, clapping his hands.

"Well done. Well done," he said as we knelt before him. "That is exactly the type of duel I want to see, one where blood is not shed."

He stopped in front of Edward. "Sir Edward," he said. "Your technique today was flawless. Your unyielding passion for being a Knight of the Round Table grows stronger by the day."

Edward raised his head to look at Arthur. "Thank you, your highness. I am truly humbled."

Then the King turned and stopped in front of me. "Sir Jacob, you proved today to be a man of pride and dignity. Your commitment to the Knights and to your friendship is unwavering. Congratulations on a job well done."

I raised my head. "Your highness is too kind. I was only doing what a good Knight would do."

He nodded and turned to the crowd. "Thank you to everyone who came today. I think we can all agree that both men handled everything with dignity and pride. You are all dismissed."

Everyone laughed lightly and began standing up. Rosalie ran over and threw her arms around me.

"I knew it would be okay," she said and gripped me tightly. "I knew that my brother would get his head out of his ass."

I laughed and hugged her back. I saw Jasper stand back slightly with a smile on his face. I held my hand out and he took it. "Thanks for your support, Jasper."

I fell to my knees and wrapped my arms around Billy. I could feel him panting and he licked my ear. I truly loved my dog, just like I loved my horse. I squeezed him gently.

"Thanks for bringing him," I said, looking up at Rosalie. She nodded.

A squeal to my right made me jump. As I stood erect again, I saw Isabella smiling widely and she had wrapped her arms around Edward's neck. He held her tightly against him and looked deep into her eyes. I saw the two of them lean forward and kiss passionately.

Although I had accepted her rejection, for some reason seeing the two of them made me insanely jealous. Maybe it was because the two of them looked so happy and I had no one. Seeing the way he held her, the way he stared deep into her brown eyes, the way she rose up on her toes to kiss his nose, watching how they gently caressed each other; it became too much. I felt something surge inside of me and instinctively I reached for my sword. I wanted my ending; the one where Excalibur's Legacy looks like it pierces his skin and kills him.

In two strides, I reached him and shoved the sword towards him, waiting for the blade to retract. I saw Edward fall forward and a mark darken where the "injury" was. I figured that was part of Merlin's wizardry to trick the eye, an illusion as he called it. But the blade was still there, it hadn't retracted. Edward turned to me, his green eyes dark. But what shocked me was the blood on his lip. I pulled Excalibur's Legacy away as Edward fell towards me and into my arms. I knew that something had gone horribly wrong.

As though I was in a tunnel, I heard screaming but it was muffled. People were yelling for help and to call the King back. Isabella was screaming the loudest. I saw the Princess run up and cover her mouth with her hand. Where the hell was she? Tears had formed in her eyes and I saw Victoria pull her into a hug. Edward looked up and me and smiled weakly. Then he fell from my arms onto the ground. I saw people surround him while all hell broke loose. The smell of blood invaded my senses.

I could hear everything, but I couldn't comprehend anything. Suddenly Jasper gripped my upper arms and spoke to me. All I focused on was my best friend. Shouldn't the illusion be over now? Shouldn't everyone know that the sword was fake? Wasn't it? Oh, God. Where WAS Excalibur's Legacy? Why isn't Edward getting up? What was the Princess screaming when she got here? Why is there so much blood?

I started comprehending again and realized that things were not right. My sword had disappeared and there was mass chaos. Isabella was crying and screaming loudly while Rosalie tried calming her. I shook my head and looked at Jasper. His eyes brought me back to the present.

"Are you with me?" he asked firmly. I nodded.

"Is everything okay?"

I watched his blue eyes bore into mine. "No, things are not okay." I saw the King arrive and kneel over Edward, checking the spot now darkened with blood. He wasn't moving and I couldn't see him breathing.

He has to be okay. Oh, God!

The next two words hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt my knees give way and I fell into Jasper's arms. He lowered me to the ground gently. I felt sick and wanted to die. These two words could not be true. No way; Merlin said the sword was safe. He wouldn't have betrayed me that way. Edward had to move, he had to be okay.

The blood in my veins ran cold when Jasper spoke, confirming my fear.

"Edward's dead."

A/N: *hides behind my cat who runs away* Brat!

I know you all hate me and want to kill me right now. I hope you will continue reading. There are more surprises planned and aren't people curious to know what is up with Jasper?

Thanks for reading! As stated before, I promise to get previews for chapter 27 out for those who review.