Chapter 24

I stand to the side of the Hall of ceremonies along with Gaius, Merlin, and Gwen as a group of men are being knighted. It's a rather boring ceremony up until the moment they are officially tapped with the sword by Uther. The excitement is short lived as it is draw out with a speech that Uther makes.

Uther makes reference to Arthur as an upholder of the values of a knight (nobility, honour, and respect – for anybody interested).

But outside the hall, there is a loud noise of fighting, swords clanging together. The entire court looks towards the doors as the noise draws closer. The entrance opens, a knight wearing the clothes of no house enters.

I jump back in surprise, the new arrival with a strong presence that makes me shrink back into myself. The newly appointed knights draw their swords, surrounding the King and Arthur while the rest of the court backs away just as I did. Arthur however, steps forward in front of his knights.

The new figure removes their gauntlet, tossing it to the floor at Arthur's feet. We watch curiously, but it is no surprise when Arthur bends down to accept the challenge.

"I accept your challenge. If I'm to face you in combat, do me the courtesy of revealing your identity," Arthur says and the court watches the knight intently, eager to see who is so bold as the challenge a Prince.

The knight removes his – or should I say her helmet, long blonde waves tumbling down her back. I raise my eyebrows, flickering my eyes between the woman and Arthur.

"My name is Morgause," she announces. Arthur nods in acknowledgment but his face is stiff at the discovery of his opponent's gender. I think the entire court is.

The ceremony ends shortly after Morgouse is given a guest-chamber to sleep in. I follow Merlin about with nothing else to really do for this evening.

"Fights her way into Camelot, challenges the Prince and is given a room much bigger than ours," I ramble to the warlock as we walk through the castle with Arthur's dinner. Merlin huffs in agreement.

"That's the Knight's code for you," he retorts. "Who do you think she is?"

"No idea," I shrug. "But the way she came in was amazing – not the killing guard's part! Just the fact that she had the balls to do it and rather flawlessly."

"The balls?" Merlin wonders.

"Oh, the guts. You know, the courage," I change, not wanting to explain the original saying.

Merlin enters Arthur's room without knocking and I roll my eyes knowing he hasn't learnt anything from today, but I follow him in, not seeing the point of waiting outside. Merlin puts the Prince's food down on the table where Arthur is sitting.

"Elena," Arthur says. "What are you doing here?"

"Keeping you both company" I offer mindlessly, wandering over to his window. Truly, I had no purpose being here but I'm enjoying the comforts of Camelot. "So. Challenged by a woman," I muse, interested to hear the Prince's thoughts.

He looks disgruntled at the words, shoving potato into his mouth.

"I will face her like I do every other opponent," he replies.

"Do you know why she challenged you?" Merlin asks.

"I'm the King's son. Perhaps she believed she will prove herself," Arthur says. I frown, thinking back to her.

"I don't think she feels the need to prove anything. I mean, she practically walked into Camelot. I don't think there is anything to prove," I note, walking back over to Arthur, joining him at his table.

I lean over, picking up one of the small tomatoes off his plate and move it towards my mouth to eat but I catch Arthur looking at me with judgemental eyes. I purse my lips, moving my hand back down.

"Just have it," Arthur mutters, stabbing into his meat. I smile in victory, plopping the sweet tomato into my mouth.

"You don't want to fight her, do you?" I query once I swallow the juice. Arthur sighs, leaning back into his chair.

"I don't have a choice. If I refuse then it's a sign of cowardness but if I kill her, what am I then?"

"And if you lose, then you've lost to a girl. Dead and embarrassing," I add.

"Elena," Arthur snaps and I shrink, holding back a giggle as I realise how mouthy I'm being around the Crown Prince. Probably not good for my reputation but I think I'm beyond caring too much. Damn you Gwaine. I would have never been this complaisant with the Prince, even in non-formal settings. Teasing and banter are different from mindlessly speaking.

"Sorry," I mumble, slightly embarrassed but Arthur doesn't look like he actually cares too much. He hasn't even told me off for sitting around at his table doing nothing. Probably too distracted to care.

"You've never faced a woman in combat. What if you hesitate? She could use that to her advantage," Merlin rambles and now it's my turn to glare at him. He's really not helping the situation. I mean, neither was I but I can see the look on Arthur's face now.

"You think she's going to defeat me?"

"I'm just saying. You need to be cautious because it sounds like she's pretty handy with a sword."

"Since when do you know anything about combat?" Arthur moves from his table, leaning up against the wall to look out the window I was early. "I need you to take a message to Morgause for me. if I'm seen to do it, it could be viewed as cowardice. You must persuade her to withdraw her challenge."

Merlin nods, leaving the chambers immediately to go through with his master's requests but I hang about, joining Arthur at the window.

"People won't think less of you. They would understand that you don't want to fight a woman," I say. "I mean, some women will probably be offended but most would see it as an honourable forfeit."

He doesn't look at me, still gazing out the window. For a moment I think he is ignoring me.

"And what if I do have to fight her?" he asks. I shrug, gazing out the window with him.

"Then you fight with all your might. It's a fight to the death and you can't risk your life over the fact that she's a woman. She's capable, killed five guards on her way here. To hesitate could mean the difference between who dies. Gender doesn't exist on the battlefield, but skill and instincts do. Once her helmet is on, it doesn't matter what's under it, only that they want to kill you."

Arthur looks over me with intrigue, as though analysing me.

"How are you so wise sometimes and almost as oblivious as Merlin other times," he says, shaking his head. I laugh, wrapping my arms around myself.

"It's an act," I counter.

"Which one?" he asks with a raised brow. I only smirk, leaving the question hanging.

"My father was a Captain in the military," I say, smiling at the memory of the man. "He was an intelligent man. My family said I took after him, but I think my brother did more." Arthur's head jerks up at this new information.

"Your father was a Captain?" he asks, and I nod slightly. "Your father was a Lord? You're noble?" he exclaims. I blink in shock, not quite making the connection.

"Uh-"

"Why did you never say anything!" he cries. "You've been working as a seamstress all this time-"

"I'm not noble," I cut him off. "He was a Captain, not a lord."

"But to be granted the title of Captain is to be given a noble title if the person was not already one," he drawls. Right now, it is like we are battling out our confusion, trying to make sense of one another.

"Maybe here, but back in my home nobility is not really a common thing, especially in the military. We have royalty and the title of nobility is only bestowed on people of the royal family and very certain people." Arthur's brows furrow even further in thought. "We have a different order or social classes. It's a bit different from here but back home I was no different from anybody else. Not a noble, though we weren't exactly lower class."

"But you're not there anymore, you're here in Camelot and under Camelot's rules you are considered noble," he states.

"Maybe, but my…title shouldn't change based on where I live," I argue.

"Nonsense, you will be granted the title of Lady, that is how you shall be introduced from this moment onwards."

"No, please don't," I plea. "I like being a seamstress. I don't want to be called a Lady."

"But if you are to marry Leon then you would have that title bestowed upon you as well," Arthur points out. I realise that he is right, not really having thought about that before. I just imagined that I would still hold the same social standing, nothing would change for me.

"I'm not going to argue this anymore, I like being a seamstress and I'm happy to stay a commoner, even after marriage."

"Of course, Lady Elena," he bows, a teasing smirk playing on his lips.

"Arthur," I cry, smacking his shoulder and he only laughs at my miserable face.

The chamber door opens again, Merlin walking back in with a disgruntled look.

"Yea, she's doesn't really want to back down. Just as stubborn as you," he says off-handily. Arthur rolls his eyes, but his face drops back down into thought. I pat his shoulder, giving an attempted form of comfort.

"Just remember what I told you," I say to him.

"Thank you," he mumbles.

I give the Prince one last gaze as I exit back out with Merlin, his duties for the day ending.

I almost walk back to my old chambers but catch myself and walk to my new room (well, new-old room. It's all very confusing). I fall asleep peacefully, my mind running over the events of today which while they are all very wild are somewhat usual. At the least nobody was poisoned or accused of something. But, there's always tomorrow and I'm sure with this new person there is bound to be something.

I stand with Castor in the crowd at the Tournament Grounds as we wait for Arthur and Morgause to arrive, the crowd muttering between themselves rather loudly as everybody anticipates the outcome of the oncoming battle.

"I can't wait for Arthur to be beaten by a girl," Castor smirks. I look up at him with shock and disbelief.

"You do know this is a fight to the death, don't you? If Arthur loses, it's because he's dead," I cry out. Castor tilts his face, mouth parting slightly.

"Oh yeah," he mumbles. "Alright, I'll cheer him on this time, but I need to see him beat one day and by a small woman at that."

I shrug a shoulder, not arguing as it is something I would love to see as well but not at the cost of his death. Leon joins by my side, giving a silently greeting to the both of us.

Morgause enters, wearing her full armour and I'm sure half the crowd are unaware of her gender just as yet, but word does spread fast so I wouldn't be surprised if they do. Uther and Morgana take their seats in the royal box and I scan the crowd, sharing a look with Merlin who is standing with Gaius. The physician has his medical bag ready, as he always does for these things.

Arthur enters the ring and Uther stands to address them.

"The fight is by the Knight's Rules. And to the death."

Arthur walks closer to Morgause, speaking to her but it is much to quiet for anybody to hear. She doesn't give a reply and Arthur walks back, placing his helmet on.

The fight begins, and as much as it is entertaining, the prospect of seeing a death dims that atmosphere. They seem to be as equally skilled as each other, just different strengths and weaknesses. Arthur, in his confidence, leaves a spot open but his body is stronger, overpowering her strikes. Whereas Morgause is smart, taking advantage of these openings but is pushed back by his strength.

Arthur swings his sword in a manner that knocks it from her hands, sending it flying in the air away from her. Arthur takes a step back, allowing her to reach for her sword again. Although honourable, the move almost costs Arthur's life as Morgause proceeds to disarm him, placing the sword to his chest.

This time, she speaks to him and Arthur responds. Morgause drops the weapon from his chest, removing her helmet which lets her blond waves fall down her back once again as she bows to the King before wandering off.

I stand there, not sure what has just happened, and I'm not sure anybody, including Arthur, really knows either.

"Hey," Castor mumbles. "I guess I did get to see it. And he's still alive. Win-win!"

"It's not a win-win," I counter. "It's a win and I have to hear Arthur moan about this for the next month."

"It was quite the entertaining fight," Leon muses. I look up at him.

"You know, if she can beat Arthur, she can beat you too," I jab. Leon's face falter's as he turns to watch the retreating figure of Morgause. "You men are so competitive."

"She's not lying," Castor agrees, causing Leon's head to snap at him, giving him a glare that I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of.

"Whose side are you on?" Leon snarls.

"The winning," he snarls back.

"Smart man," I laugh. "Not incredibly loyal, but smart. Besides, Arthur probably held back because she was a girl," I lie. Leon's face lifts a little at the thought.

"Of course, he did," he agrees. "I would have too."

I roll my eyes. Men, all the same. But that sparks the idea of what I can say to Arthur.

"I'm going to go catch up with Merlin, he can't deal with Arthur's moaning alone."

I jog to catch up with the warlock as he follows Arthur back up to the Prince's chambers. He gives me a look of 'oh boy' as we enter. Arthur plops down at his table, leaning forward to bury his head. Merlin gets to work undoing his armour straps.

"It could've been worse," Merlin says, in a poor attempt to cheer him up.

"How, exactly, could it have been worse?" Arthur snaps.

"You could be dead," he suggests.

"At least I wouldn't have to face everyone. I've never felt so humiliated in my entire life. I was defeated by a girl."

"It's actually quite funny when you think about it," he laughs. Both Arthur and I glare at him and he sucks his lips in retreat. "Or not."

"Besides, I don't think you followed my words last night Arthur," I begin. "I could see you holding back." It is such as lie but I honestly feel so bad for him. It can't be easy having an entire kingdom constantly judge you and then also be under his father – the king's – watch constantly. To be a leader to the knights, somebody they are supposed to look up to and be defeated by a woman nobody has heard of before.

Arthur's head rises further, pointing at me with a soft finger.

"Exactly, I didn't want to hurt her," he agrees.

"And if I saw it, then everybody else saw it too," I add. Merlin looks at me incredulously, but I signal for him to keep his mouth closed.

Merlin finishes removing his armour and gathers a bundle of clothes in a weaved basket to wash. He gestures to ask if I'm coming but I shake my head, wanting to make sure Arthur is actually ok.

I wait a few moments after he's left to speak up again.

"Nobody is going to think any different of you," I say. Arthur leans back in his chair, his eyes drifting from the ceiling down to me.

"And why are you so sure of that?" he deadpans. I lean forward against the table, looking at him directly in the eyes.

"Because" I state. "I don't. Merlin doesn't. Gwen won't. The Knights won't. They train with you every day and they know what you are capable of. This does not make you any less noble, less brave, or less of a man. It just means that the situation got the better of you and you won't let it happen again."

Arthur nods slowly, looking back down at his hands on the table before looking back up at me.

"Thank you," he says sincerely. "I probably don't say it much, but I'm glad you're in Camelot."

"I'm glad I'm here," I say, standing up as I prepare to take my leave. Arthur stands as well, moving forward to stand next to me. A hand rests on my shoulder and he kisses my temple.

"Lady Elena," he teases with a smirk.

"Arthur, I will whack you," I warn but can't hold back my laughter. He holds his hands out, enticing me to, a grin on his face. I step forward, using the back of my hand to smack his shoulder but he jumps out of the way. I go to move again but he catches my wrist, so I resort to my left hand, but he catches it as well, leaving me with both my hands trapped in the air.

I smirk, using my right foot to kick out (albeit softly), aiming at his inner knee but his reflexes are quick and his own right foot hooks around my own knee that's already off-balanced and it sends me tumbling to the floor, Arthur coming down with me as I grip the hands holding my wrist.

We land on the floor grunting. Arthur sits up immediately offering a hand for me to take.

"I am so, so sorry," he says, checking me over for injuries but I can't answer, my stomach hurting from the laughter but I do take his hand, dusting myself as I stand up again. A tear of laughter escapes.

"No-" I breathe. "No that was fun. I should've been more prepared. And look at that, you easily beat a girl. All is normal," I tease. Arthur laughs, shaking his head into the air.

"I guess so," he grins.