Chapter 7: Valiant 1x02
Considering lockdown, I feel like I should've updated this story more than I have.
Amelia's POV
Sometimes this life was a struggle. It's nothing to do with the lack of modern day necessities that I had grown used to from living in the 21st century. Well not exactly. My key struggle was the fact that I am left handed. This is a struggle in this world as there are no ballpoint pens but I have to write by using a pot of ink. This is a problem as when I write from left to right, my hand goes over what I have previously written leaving inky hands as well as smudged writing. I quite like being able to lean my hand on what I am writing upon, which is now not possible. I hear you ask why I did not learn with my right hand second time round. New body, maybe new writing hand. But no. This body was left handed as was my last one.
This torment was going through my head one morning as I glanced upon my book of parchment that I used as a diary, remembering how as soon as I knew how to write with ink and given something to write on, I began to write down everything I remembered about the episodes and the characters as I could remember to make sure I had something to refer to further down the line.
I could see that now the first episode was out the way, it was now for the second episode of series 1, Valiant. Or was is Valient? ... no it was definitely Valiant . Anyway, I did not know how long after the last episode did the next occur.
—
It was not too long later did I realise that the day of the tournament arrived where all of the knights of the realm would come to fight to supposedly prove their bravery and skills but I think there are probably those, like Valiant, who had come because of one thing: greed.
The day before, Merlin came rushing to me asking for help on the different parts of the armour as he had no idea what did what and he had to dress Arthur for the tournament tomorrow, which meant he was in a state of panic. I honestly don't know why Uther hired Merlin as a manservant for his son without checking whether he is actually trained to do the job. I decided to take him to the expert, who was Gwen as I thought she would provide the most help as the armour I have previously worn has been quite different to Arthur's. This led me to witnessing one of the most adorable scenes in the show:
Merlin stood in the middle of Gwen's house dressed in armour looking quite funny with Gwen explaining the names of each part of armour and where they went.
"So, you've got voiders on the arms." Gwen said as she tapped said voiders.
Merlin murmured, "Mmhhmmm", while nodding.
"The hauberk goes over your chest."
"The chest. The arms. The chest." Merlin muttered tapping the parts of the armour on the different parts of his body. He looked over to me as if asking if he was doing okay. I nodded and smiled in approval.
Gwen then held out the helmet to Merlin, "I guess you know what to do with the helmet." She said amused.
"Erm, yeah. Yeah, that was the only bit I'd figured out." Merlin answered letting out a small laugh. Gwen giggled in response. Aww. I remember preferring these two as friends in the show but I could not deny how adorably awkward both of them were in the first season.
Merlin put the helmet on before turning to Gwen and I, "How come Gwen is so much better than me?"
"I'm the blacksmith's daughter. I know pretty much everything there is to know about armour, which is actually kind of sad." Gwen murmured sadly.
"No, it's brilliant!" Merlin exclaimed.
"He's right you know," I agreed. "I keep telling you this Gwen"
She looked down shyly with a small smile on her face.
—
Morgana and I sat in the stands in the tournament grounds with Anne and Gwen next to us. Morgana turned to me and grinned excitedly as all the knights filed into the arena.
Uther struts past the front line of knights before beginning his speech: "Knights of the realm, it's a great honour to welcome you to a tournament at Camelot. Over the next three days, you will come to put your bravery to the test, your skills as warriors, and of course, to challenge the reigning champion, my son, Prince Arthur. Only one can have the honour of being crowned champion, and he will receive a prize of 1,000 gold pieces."
A box is opened revealing the gold. The crowd gasped.
Uther continued: "It is in combat that we learn a knight's true nature, whether he is indeed a warrior or a coward. The tournament begins!" We all cheered and clapped. Uther then moved to his seat.
The knights exited the arena. Guards take Arthur and the other knight's capes, and they each put on helmets. The crowd cheers and Guinevere and Anne whoop. Arthur and the knight begin the first fight.
Arthur won, which was no surprise, and the crowd cheered. Valiant starts his own fights and wins his own bout. I frowned as I watched as I recall my notes telling me he was bad news. Meanwhile, other knights compete. The different shields moved up and down the board as as more and more fights are completed.
—
In the evening Uther, Morgana and I, with Anne and Gwen next to us, lined up in the throne room to meet the different knights in the competition. It become quite boring having to smile and compliment all of them repeatedly after a while. These men's egos were big enough already. I frowned when I noticed it was Valiant's turn to approach.
"Knight Valiant of the Western Isles, My Lord." He said while bowing.
"I saw you fighting today. You have a very aggressive style." Uther complimented.
"Well, as My Lord said, "To lose is to be disgraced."" Well aren't you sucking up to him.
"I couldn't agree more." Ugh. "Knight Valiant, may I present the Ladies Morgana and Amelia, my wards." Here we go, got to put a smile on my face.
Valiant bowed to kiss Morgana's hand then turned to me and did the same to me murmuring "My Lady" to both of us. I smiled politely at him.
"I saw you competing today." It was her turn this time. At these events Morgana and I usually tuck turns in taking the lead when talking so that the other could take a rest from reinforcing these men's egos.
"I saw you watching." He flirted. Of course you did. "I understand the tournament champion has the honour of escorting My Lady to the feast." Morgana often did this instead of me due to the fact that she was the oldest between the two of us.
"That's correct." Morgana responded with a wide smile on her face. I swear if she smiled anymore, her face would fall off.
"Then I will give everything to win the tournament."
She smiles and nods to him, he nods back.
"My Lady." He says to her before turning to me and doing the same.
"Knight Valiant," I say as I nod back to him.
Valiant walks over to shake hands with other knights as Arthur approaches and bows to his father.
"Arthur."
"Father."
Arthur looks over at Valiant with a small glare before walking to Morgana and I.
"They all seem rather impressed by Knight Valiant." Morgana said teasingly to Arthur with a smirk on her face.
"They're not the only ones." Arthur responded snidely.
"You're not jealous, are you?" Please no.
"I don't see there's anything to be jealous of." You shouldn't be, your siblings!
Morgana's smile faded at Arthurs comment.
"You do not agree with her do you?" He asked me.
"Course not," I said as I looked over at Valiant wrinkling my nose.
"Good." He says with a small smile as he briefly squeezed my arm in gratitude. Arthur then walks on towards the other knights.
"Could Arthur be any more annoying?" Morgana murmured to me in a low voice. "I so hope Knight Valiant wins the tournament. I do not understand why you do not like him."
I turned to her and spoke in a equally low voice. "Because I do not like how full of himself he is."
"Is not Arthur the same?" She said in a confused tone.
"Arthur is a good man in despite of it while Valiant is not" I argued.
"You do not know him!" Morgana argued back.
"Neither do you." I said.
Morgana went quite then before turning to the next knight who approached us. Neither of us mentioned how it was supposed to be my turn this time.
"I hope she does not mean what she says" Gwen said quietly to Anne.
"She probably did before Lady Amelia told her off." Anne murmured before sniggering to herself. Gwen elbowed her in the side while smiling.
I smiled as I listened and watched the interaction out of the corner of my eye.
—
The next morning I was back sitting in the stands at the tournament grounds. It was Arthur's turn to fight his next opponent before long and once again he won. It was later on when it was Valiant's turn to fight in the arena. He knocked down his opponent, Sir Ewan, whose helm rolled off. Valiant then preceded to pin him down with his shield. Oh no.
Valiant hits him before standing up throwing his sword to the ground before taking off his helmet. The crowd cheered when they realised he had won the fight; Morgana nudged me in the side to tell me to clap as I had just sat there in a state of shock. Sir Ewan laid motionless on the ground. Gaius appeared and hurried into the arena with his medical bag checking him before guards approached to carry Sir Ewan away.
—
Deciding I should do something, I quickly scurried away to Gaius' chambers when the crowd dispersed for the day.
"It's most odd." I heard Gaius say as I poked my head round the door. "Look at this. See these two small wounds. Looks like a snake bite." Both of them were leaning over Sir Ewan.
"How could he've been bitten by a snake?" Merlin asked as I quietly watched not knowing when I insert myself into the conversation. "He was injured in the sword fight."
"But the symptoms are consistent with poisoning: slow pulse, fever, paralysis." The two of them still had their backs to me.
"Is he alright?" I asked in a slightly louder voice than usual finally deciding I should probably say something instead of standing there awkwardly. They both jumped in surprise before turning to me.
"My lady you should knock. My heart cannot take anymore surprises." Gaius said good naturedly as Merlin put his hand on his own heart.
"Sorry." I said sheepishly. "But is he alright though? Can you heal him?"
"I was just telling Merlin that his injures do not match the fact that he was in a sword fight, but you probably already heard that." Merlin snickered at that clearly having recovered from the fright I had caused. I gave him a small glare that I didn't really mean. "If it is a snake bite, I'll have to extract venom from the snake that bit him to make an antidote," Gaius continued turning back to Sir Ewan.
"What happens if he doesn't get the antidote?" Merlin asked worriedly. I walked over to both of them, standing next to Merlin.
"Then I'm afraid there's nothing more I can do for him. He's going to die." Gaius said in a sad but resigned tone.
"He was fighting Knight Valiant." Merlin muttered.
While I heard him, Gaius clearly hadn't as he asked, "What's that?"
"Nothing." Merlin said before glancing over to me. I didn't know what to do now, I was too afraid of what would happen if I changed too much. Would I make the situation worse? Though according to my notes, Valiant kills the witness of him using the shield, which meant that Sir Ewan could die. I hoped I could try to prevent that.
—
I followed Merlin as he watched Valiant walking through the Red Ribbon Chamber.
"Come on," Merlin murmured to me before following Valiant to spy on him in his guest quarters. We both peaked through the gap in the door as Valiant pulled a mouse out of a cage.
"Dinner time. Come on." Valiant said to apparently nobody. Merlin glanced at me with a confused look on his face as I looked back at him with a worried one thinking of what will probably happen next. I didn't want to say anything yet as I hoped Merlin would figure it out but there was no harm in helping him along I thought.
Snakes suddenly emerged from the shield taking the mouse from Valiant. Merlin scurries away dragging me with him. This made a small noise causing Valiant to glance up just as we darted from sight. We hid in an alcove of the Criss-cross Corridor and Valiant stepped out and gave up the chase when he seemed to not see anything.
—
Both of us scurry into Gaius's chambers. Gaius had moved from beside Sir Ewan to one of the tables in the room.
Before Gaius could say anything, Merlin spoke quickly, "we've just seen one of the snakes in Valiant's shield come alive. He's using magic."
"Are you sure?" Gaius asked in disbelief.
"Yes!" I exclaimed. "He was dangling a mouse in front of the shield. And when the snakes came out one swallowed it straight down!" While I had seen the episode many times, seeing it person made even weirder.
"Sir Ewan was fighting Valiant when he collapsed. It must've been one of the snakes from the shield. I have to tell Arthur." Merlin added.
"Is there any chance you might be mistaken?" Gaius questioned.
"Excuse me! Am I not a reliable witness!" I exclaimed angrily.
"I know magic when I see it." Merlin stated assuredly.
"Perhaps, but have you any proof?"
"Don't you believe me?" Merlin said. He looked hurt so I reached out my hand to rub his shoulder. He looked at me gratefully.
"I fear you'll land yourself in trouble. How will you explain why you were in Valiant's chambers?" Gaius argued. This made me relax, he only wanted to protect Merlin.
"What does that matter? He's using magic to cheat in the tournament!" Merlin exclaimed. Oh Merlin, you've got a lot to learn.
"But you can't go accusing a knight of using magic without proof. The King would never accept the word of servant over the word of a knight." Gaius was unfortunately being realistic.
"What? So what I say doesn't count for anything?" Merlin uttered in disbelief.
"I'm afraid it counts for very little as far as the King is concerned. That's the way it is." Gaius stated.
"What about Amelia?" Merlin asked with hope. "Surely the king will listen to her!"
"I'm just a little girl to him Merlin," I said sadly. "Hardly ever listens to me."
Merlin groaned in annoyance.
—
The next day everyone was back in the tournament grounds for the next round of fighting. Arthur's next opponent stood in the middle of the arena. I couldn't help but gape at the man's size. He is like a giant!
Morgana absently stroked my arm as we sat in the stands.
"He'll be fine," I whispered to her. "Him being smaller will work in his favour." Practicing to fight with a sword had taught me a few things.
"I'm not worried." Morgana murmured.
"Course you're not." I whispered sarcastically. Morgana gave me a look for my tone.
Arthur fought the giant knight and won. I of course cheered for him along with Morgana, Gwen and Anne. Afterwords Valiant stepped up and won his next match.
"Looks like Arthur and Valiant are going to fight each other in the final. This'll be interesting." Morgana murmured conspiringly. I didn't answer her as I glanced at Merlin, who was on the other side of the arena, sharing a worried look with him.
—
In the evening I retired to my chambers as I did not need to stay for the dinner Uther was having with the knights in the council chambers.
I was just lounging on my bed before I got a knock on my door. I got up and was surprised when I saw Merlin on the other side.
"I'm getting an antidote for Sir Ewan so he can tell the king Valiant is using magic. Can you come with me?" Merlin asked.
"Course." I said stepping out of my chambers.
After Merlin had poked his head into the council chambers to make sure Valiant had not retired to his rooms, the two of us hurried towards the guest chambers. When we noticed that the door was locked, Merlin glanced at me nervously and I gave him an encouraging smile; he seemed to still be nervous about doing magic in front of me. He then cast a spell and the door unlocked.
We entered the room and I took a sword from a rack as we approached the shield. Merlin turned to the door when we heard someone approaching. Suddenly a snake slithered out of the shield and poised to strike at Merlin's back.
"Merlin!" I exclaimed as loud as I dared. Merlin spun around just as I lifted the sword and cut off the snakes head. The other snakes then began to come out but I dropped the sword and Merlin grabbed the chopped off snakes head before the two of us ran out of the room.
—
We rushed to Gaius' chambers and handed him the head. Without questioning us, Gaius began to drain some venom from the snake head.
"I'll get started preparing the antidote." Gaius told us.
"I'm going to tell Arthur." Merlin said in a determined voice.
"Do you want me to come with you?" I asked.
"No I'll be fine."
"You'll need this." Gaius said handing Merlin the snake head. Merlin began to walk out of the room but not before Gaius called out to him: "And Merlin, what you did was very brave."
"Well actually I was the one who cut of the snakes head but who cares!" I said sarcastically. Both of them gave me an amused look slightly chuckling. Merlin then left the chambers to go to Arthur.
—
While getting some water for Gaius the next morning, I noticed Valiant being escorted through the Square to the Council Chambers. I hurriedly darted back to Gaius' chambers and told him what I had seen. Gaius then set me to mixing potions while he sat next to Sir Ewan giving him god knows what.
"Welcome back." Gaius said. I looked over and saw that Sir Ewan's eyes had opened.
"There was a snake on his shield. It came alive." Sir Ewan said in a panicked tone trying to sit up.
"You're weak. The snake's venom is still in your system." Gaius told him.
"I must warn Arthur." Gaius' instructions clearly hadn't stopped him.
"Arthur already knows. He's requested an audience with the King." Gaius assured him. "Now, they'll want to talk to you. Rest. You'll need your strength." Gaius then got up and walked to the door. "I need to fetch more herbs. I'll be right back. Lady Amelia could you watch him?"
"Of course." I said. Maybe I could stop him from being killed. The problem was over the years you forget the details and while I knew another snake came to finish Ewan off and Arthur and Merlin lose their witness, but I couldn't quite remember how or it what order things happened. I hoped watching him would help.
I got up to fill up a cup of water for Ewan for when he next woke up from the bucket I used to bring the water. By the time I looked back, a snake had gotten into Ewan's bed. I rushed forward, dropping the cup of water which spilt over the floor, but it was too late. The snake had struck. God Amelia! You had one job!
Gaius then entered.
"I'm afraid we'll have to give you a potion that'll taste like toad water, but it'll get you back on your feet." Gaius then looked up and noticed me standing in the middle of the room with a devastated look on my face.
"Amelia?"
"He's dead Gaius," I spoke quietly. "I'm so sorry! I should have been keeping a closer watch on him."
Gaius leaned over and checked for Ewan's pulse. When he found none, he realised I was right. He sighed.
"We have to got to the council chambers to tell them." He said.
"The king isn't going to listen now is he." I stated rather than asked. Gaius didn't say anything as the two of us left his chambers.
—
Gaius and I slipped into the council chambers. I could see that Uther was leaning over the shield inspecting it while Arthur had his sword drawn in case a snake slipped out. Morgana and Gwen were also there on the other side of the council chambers.
"Merlin." Gaius whispered. Arthur leaned over to Merlin murmuring something to him. Merlin nodded then walked towards us.
"Where is he?" Merlin asked.
"Oh Merlin I'm so sorry!" I cried looking at my feet. Merlin looked at me confused before turning to Gaius asking for an explanation.
As this was happening Valiant continued to play the innocent card, saying that his shield was perfectly normal while Arthur battled against him.
"I'm afraid Sir Ewan is dead." Gaius whispered in explanation.
"What?!" Merlin exclaimed in a low voice. "What do we do now?"
"I have a witness. Knight Ewan was bitten by one of the snakes from the shield. Its venom made him grievously ill, however, he has received an antidote. He will confirm that Knight Valiant is using magic." Arthur said to the court.
"Where is this witness?" Uther asked in tone showing that he clearly didn't believe Arthur. Great parenting Uther. Inspire your child with confidence.
"He should be here..." Arthur muttered in a unsure voice turning to Gaius, Merlin and myself. "Where's Ewan?" He asked quietly.
"He's dead." Merlin responded.
"I'm waiting!" Uther loudly declared.
"I'm afraid the witness is dead." Arthur told his father.
"So you have no proof to support these allegations. Have you seen Valiant using magic?"
"No. But my servant fought one of the snakes from..." Arthur began to say before being cut off.
"Your servant? You made these outrageous accusations against a knight on the word of your servant?" Uther exclaimed at what he saw as something absolutely absurd.
"I believe he's telling the truth!" Arthur argued.
"My Lord, am I really to be judged on some hearsay from a boy?" Valiant so helpfully piped up.
"I've seen those snakes come alive!" Merlin declared.
"How dare you interrupt?! Guards!" Uther shouted angrily. Guards stepped forward and began to take Merlin away.
"My Lord." Valiant said before Merlin could be taken from the room.
"Wait!" Uther ordered.
"I'm sure he was merely mistaken. I wouldn't want him punished on my account." Again with the sucking up Valiant.
"You see? This is how a true knight behaves - with gallantry and honour." Uther said to Arthur. I couldn't help but glare at both Valaint and Uther as the scene played out.
"My Lord, if your son made these accusations because he's afraid to fight me, then I will graciously accept his withdrawal." I really want to hit him now.
"Is this true?" Uther asked turning to Arthur. "Do you wish to withdraw from the tournament?" Why would he Uther? He's Arthur!
"No!" Arthur shouted in protest.
"Then what am I to make of these allegations?" Uther asked.
"Obviously there has been a misunderstanding." Arthur said stepping down. "I withdraw the allegation against Knight Valiant. Please accept my apology."
"Accepted." Valiant said with a smug look on his stupid face.
—
Arthur stormed off to his chambers with Merlin soon trailing after him. I quickly followed them hoping to diffuse the situation knowing that Arthur was going to let out all his hurt and anger on Merlin.
When I entered I saw Arthur with his back to me clearly moping with Merlin standing behind him. Only Merlin glanced at me.
"I believed you, I trusted you, and you made me look a complete fool." Arthur said in a low voice.
"I know it didn't go exactly to plan." Merlin said democratically.
""Didn't go to plan"?!" Arthur exclaimed turning to Merlin.
"Arthur-" I tried to say hoping to stop any yelling but he cuts me off.
"My father and the entire royal court think I'm a coward! YOU HUMILIATED ME!" He yelled.
"We can still expose Valiant." Merlin insisted.
"I no longer require your services." Arthur stated.
"Arthur you cannot do that!" I exclaimed stepping up to him and putting my hand on his shoulder but he shrugged me off.
"You're sacking me?" Merlin asked in shock.
"I need a servant I can trust."
"You can trust me!" Merlin again insisted.
"And look where it got me this time. Get out of my sight!" He shouted. Merlin turned and walked out of the room. Arthur stood there for a while before realising that I still stood next to him.
"What do you want Amelia?" He asked sounding like he hadn't quite calmed down from yelling at Merlin.
"You should not have taken your hurt and embarrassment out on Merlin," I said. "He's a good person who's only to trying to help and protect you." I turned and walked out of the room not looking back to see his response.
I clearly failed at diffusing the situation.
—
I tried looking for Merlin but couldn't find him anywhere until I decided to again walk towards Gaius' chambers and I saw Merlin heading towards me wheeling a dog statue in a wheelbarrow.
"Merlin?" I asked in confusion.
"Can't stop." He said as he continued past me and entered Gaius' chambers with me following.
"What are you doing with that?" Gaius asked.
"I'm going to let everyone see the snakes for themselves." Merlin explained. Oh now I remember. This is how Merlin was able to make the snakes appear in front of everyone, he practiced on the statue.
Merlin put the statue in his chamber and pulled the magic book out from under a floor board and began flicking through it.
"Do you want me to help?" I asked as I watched him.
"No I'm alright. This will probably take me a while." He said. So I left him to it.
—
Not long after I returned to my chambers, Morgana came rushing in telling me about a nightmare she had of Arthur fighting Valiant. I continued to comfort her, telling her everything will be alright, till she fell asleep again.
After waking up the next morning, Morgana decided she needed to see Arthur before the fight so I told I'd see her at the tournament grounds. She left to get dressed and Anne entered to help me get dressed for the tournament.
Not long later Morgana and I met up and walked with Gwen and Anne to the tournament grounds together and took our places in the stands. Arthur then entered the arena and walked up the Valiant, who was already standing there. Both put on their helmets then after a few moments, they charged at each other.
After a while, Arthur knocked Valiant's helmet off. Arthur removed his helmet and they both pull down their mail coifs. Valiant knocked Arthur to the ground and stepped on his shield. He disarmed Arthur, but Arthur caught him before he could strike. Valiant pinned Arthur against a wall, but Arthur shoved him off. Suddenly the snakes come out of the shield. Everyone stood up, many gasping in surprise. I glanced over to the other side of the arena and saw Merlin half hidden behind a wall. I smiled to myself.
"What are you doing? I didn't summon you!" Valiant cried.
"He is using magic." Uther said in shock. We've been trying to tell you.
"And now they see you for what you really are." Arthur announced to the audience.
Valiant simply chuckled and sent the snakes to the ground before yelling, "Kill him!"
Arthur backed up toward the stands in an attempt to get away from the snakes that were sliding towards him. Morgana, seeing that he was trapped, grabbed the sword from the knight sitting next to her before throwing it towards Arthur and shouting, "Arthur!"
Arthur caught it, swung at Valiant, who jumped back, and then killed the snakes with another swing. Arthur disarmed Valiant and ran him through. After a moment Valiant dropped and we all cheered. Arthur looked at everyone cheering then walked out of the arena, slapping Merlin's shoulder on his way.
—
Later in the day the court congregated in the Banquet Hall waiting for Arthur to make his entrance.
Arthur then entered and Uther announced, "My honourable guests, I give you Prince Arthur, your champion." The court applauded. I walked from my spot next to Morgana so that Arthur could walk up to her. He offered her his arm and they exchanged a few words, Morgana curtsying at one point, before Arthur escorted Morgana down the aisle in the middle of the tables.
I walked up to Merlin and Gaius as Merlin turned to Gaius and said, "See, I told you he gets all the girls and the glory."
"And he owes it all to you." Gaius assured him.
"He's right," I said, both of them turned towards me. "We could not have done it without you." Merlin looked down blushing. Gaius and I chuckled at the sight.
Morgana and Arthur by this point had reached the bottom of the aisle still talking but before long they were squabbling. They really act like siblings sometimes.
Morgana soon stormed off towards where I stood, having walked away from Merlin and Gaius, Anne and Gwen soon joining us.
"Unbelievable! He will not admit he was saved by a girl!" Morgana ranted. "He can be so arrogant sometimes."
"He finds embarrassing to admit it." I told her. "Though I do not know why men do this. Being saved by a girl does not make them weak."
"He's probably complaining to Merlin about you." Anne said. We all turned and saw Merlin and Arthur talking.
"I hope he's giving Merlin his job back." Gwen murmured.
"He better." I said.
A/N: By the time I had finished this chapter I had moved back to university, which is mostly online.