During daytime, Valiant places his helmet and family seal onto Camelot's registration table. He states, "Knight Valiant of the Western Isles. I'm here for the tournament."

The Steward greets, "Welcome to Camelot."

Meanwhile, on the training grounds, Arthur asks, "Ready?"

Pulling a grimace, Merlin sasses, "Would it make any difference if I said no?"

Chuckling, Arthur admits, "Not really.", as the Golden Prince draws his sword and starts to attack his shield-holding manservant. "Body. Shield. Body. Shield.", Arthur chants repeatedly, attempting to remind an overwhelmed Merlin.

"Head? Ow!", complained Merlin, (mildly) hurt.

"Come on, Merlin. You're not even trying.", disagreed Arthur, rolling his eyes as he continued his onslaught of swipes. Just then, Arthur prods Merlin in the back, causing the latter to release a pitiful whelp of pain as he self-righteously exclaims, "I am trying, you prat!"

Ignoring the insolence, Arthur commands, "Once more."

Fearing, Merlin says, "Oh, no.", as his unknown brother attacks him at a swift pace.

"To the left. To the right. And left. Head.", continuously chants Arthur. Merlin lets out numerous whelps of pain as Arthur shouts, "Come on, Merlin! I've got a tournament to win."

Fed up, Merlin begs to Arthur; "Can we stop now, please? Ow! Shield. Body." Taking pity on the good sorcerer, Arthur ceases his hits, but not before Merlin unceremoniously falls over backwards, his massive helmet, one- hundred sizes too big, rolling off. Impressed, Arthur compliments, "You're braver than you look. Most servants collapse after the first blow."

Merlin, out of sorts, asks, "Is it over?"

Snorting, Arthur, deciding to momentarily push the sorcerer, asks, "That was just the warm up. How's your mace work coming along?", as the Prince swung a malicious mace about.

A few hours later, in Gaius' chambers, Gaius and Matilda are chatting, exchanging various pieces of Court gossip as Merlin walks in. Looking up from Matilda, Gaius chuckles as he spots his ward. Grinning, the Court Physician questions, "So, how was your first day as Arthur's servant?"

Tapping his head, Merlin slumps down into a seat opposite Matilda's as he asks the two present, "Do you hear clanging and clunking?"

Smiling affectionately, Matilda offers Merlin some of her trademark chocolate. He takes a welcoming bite into it before he explains, "Ah! It was horrible and I've still got to learn all about tournament etiquette by the morning!". Patting her son's shoulder in sympathy, the famed Duchess gives a sympathetic smile as she stands from her chair, saying "Well, good luck Merlin. If you excuse me, gentlemen, His Majesty has given me the task of ensuring that all knights competing in the Tournament are treated exceptionally, and have a joyous and satisfactory experience in Camelot."

Nodding, Gaius acknowledges, "Of course, Matilda. "

As she leaves the room, Merlin wishes, "Good luck, Matilda!"

As soon as the scheming Duchess leaves the chambers, Merlin stuffs the expensive Camelotian delicacy into his mouth before chanting, "Onhríne achtung bregdan!". A book magically slides to the Warlock. The Warlock opens the book up. Exasperated, Gaius lets out a frustrated noise as he slaps Merlin at the back of the head and scolds, "Merlin! What have I told you about using magic like that?"

Matter of factly, Merlin defends, "If I could actually feel my arms, I'd pick up the book myself."

"Merlin!", warns Gaius threateningly. Wisely, Merlin stays silent as Gaius begins treating Merlin's shoulders and head.

Merlin moans, "Ah! I save Arthur from being killed and I end up as a servant. How is that fair?"

Scathingly, Gaius expresses, "I'm not sure fairness comes into it.", trying for a more positive tone, the guardian adds, " You never know, it might be fun."

Scoffing, Merlin tells, "Gaius, do you really think that mucking out Arthur's horses is going to be fun? You should hear my list of duties."

Gaius teaches, "We all have our duties. Me, you, the Duchess Matilda. Even Arthur."

Scorned, Merlin states, "It must be so tough for him with all the girls and the glory."

"Merlin, really!", starts Gaius, "He is a future king. People expect so much of him. He's under a lot of pressure."

Gaius presses hard into Merlin's head as Merlin murmurs under his breath, "Aren't we all."

After a couple of hours, Arthur and Merlin find themselves once again on the Training grounds.

"You do know the tournament starts today?", Arthur asks.

"Yes Sire, sorry.", Merlin sincerely apologies for his lack of speed, fastening the breast plate.

Curious, Merlin asks, "You nervous?"

Indignant, Arthur denies vehemently, "I don't get nervous."

"Really? I thought everyone got nervous.", Merlin annoys.

"Will you shut up!", snaps Arthur, causing Merlin to hide a grin as he hands Arthur his helmet.

Stepping back to marvel at his miraculous handiwork, thanks to Gwen, Merlin says, "Great, yeah. I think you're all set."

Exasperated at Merlin's innocent foolishness, Arthur asks rhetorically, "Aren't you forgetting something? My sword."

Blushing and stumbling, Merlin grabs the forgotten sword from the side before advancing towards Arthur, stammering , "Oh, yeah. Yeah, sorry. Guess, uh, you'll be needing that."

Arthur gently grabs the sword before setting off, leaving Merlin to mumble sarcastically, "That went well."

Now, on the Tournament Grounds, Gwen and Lady Morganna sit eagerly in the stands as knights enter the arena. Marlin peeks around the entrance just as King Uther and Duchess Matilda glide past the front line of the knights.

When the King's hand is firmly on the small of her back, the Duchess pleasantly begins, "Knights of the realm, it's a great honour to welcome you to a tournament at Camelot, on behalf of His Majesty the King. 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, The only Prince of Camelot, Prince Arthur. Only one can have the honour of being crowned champion, and he will receive a prize of 1,000 gold pieces.". She waves her hand towards a grand box, which is then opened, revealing the gold, hence illustrating her point. Continuing, Matilda concludes, "It is in combat that we learn a knight's true nature, whether he is indeed a warrior or a coward. As the Kingdom of Camelot's representative- the tournament begins!"

The excited crowd cheers as the knights leave the massive outdoor arena. Uther stops Arthur before his (Arthur's) fight to tell the Prince of Camelot quietly, "I trust you will make me proud.". Uther tells, comradely patting his son's back, as Arthur steps onto the arena and starts to fight another knight.

"Yeah! Come on!", Merlin cheers on. Soon, Arthur wins, and the crowd goes wild with joy for their beloved prince.

A few hours later, Merlin and Arthur are watching Valiant fight. Merlin, uncomfortable, comments, "Knight Valiant looks pretty handy with a sword." . The manservant is ignored since Valiant wins his fight, and heads towards the two brothers. Upon reaching the two, Valiant starts, "May I offer my congratulations on your victories today?".

Unimpressed, Arthur says a short, "Likewise."

Wanting to have the last word, Valiant tells Arthur, "I hope to see you at the reception this evening.", before walking away from the two sons of Uther Pendragon.

"Creep." , declared Merlin.

Snorting in agreement, a prat-like Arthur demands, "Ah, for tomorrow Merlin, you need to repair my shield, wash my tunic, clean my boots, sharpen my sword, and polish my chainmail."

Meanwhile, in Sir Leon's tent, Leon is getting his armour tightened by a servant just as the Duchess Matilda enters the noble knight's tent.

"Your Grace!", exclaims Leon in surprise, having expected Matilda to be in the stands beside the tyrannical King.

"Your Grace.", bowed Leon's servant, George, submissively.

"George dear, you are no longer needed till after your Master's fight.", commanded Matilda authoritatively, causing Leon to raise his eyebrows.

George bowed in obedience and departed the tent with, "Your Grace, My Lord."

After George had left the two nobles alone, Leon fixed his intense gaze onto Matilda as Matilda's eyes avoided Leon's. The Duchess silently took George's place in front of the wise knight, and resumed the task of tightening Leon's breast plate. After what seemed like lifetimes of complete and utter silence (to Leon), Matilda began conversationally, "I used to help my late husband, my dearest Theobald, with his armour for tournaments such as these," , Leon hummed in understanding and comfort as Matilda continued, her eyes still fixated on the armour, "And before Theo, it was my brother….Balinor, ….though…. He didn't exactly wear the armour for sword fighting." . Matilda's painted lips lifted in amusement, as did her tearful eyes. Using the pad of his thumb to swipe away the few tears, Leon softly confirmed, "Balinor the Dragonlord?" Companionably, Matilda hummed in confirmation.

Suddenly, as if abruptly gathering her senses, Matilda pulled away from Leon as if burnt, and Leon swiftly attempted to obscure the immense feeling of hurt that small action caused him.

"Well, Leon," started Matilda, with a fond expression on her face, "As one of Camelot's three candidates in this tournament, I trust that you shall give… Sir Robert of Hogwarts , I believe it is, not an easy fight."

"Of course, Your Grace.", promised Leon, grinning along Matilda. Matilda's grin fell as she warmly reminded the ginger, "Leon, I have been telling you for nearly a decade now that you can call me Matilda, I would actually prefer it."

"Yes, well,", explained Leon, locking eyes with Matilda, "Old habits are hard to break."

"That they are." agreed the noblewoman, smiling slightly. She gingerly grabbed an elaborate dagger from the table of weapons at the side, and ignoring Leon's visible alarm /concern, cut off a sizable section of the bottom of her fine, Camelot-red dress.

Looking content, she handed the piece over to Leon, and no words were needed between them as Leon tied the cloth around his gauntlet. Leon marched towards the exit, before turning back to say, "I will wear your token of a blessing with great pride and honour, ... Matilda."

The next day in the lavish Throne Room of Camelot, Uther is meeting the remaining competitors.

"Knight Valiant of the Western Isles, My Lord.", Valiant introduces.

"I saw you fighting today.", Uther tells, immediately recognising Valiant, " You have a very aggressive style."

"Well, as My Lord said, 'To lose is to be disgraced.' ", Valiant expressed.

Agreeing, Uther says that he does so (agree, that is) . Then Uther presents Morgana and Matilda; "May I present the Lady Morgana - my ward - and the Duchess Matilda - who is responsible for organising this year's tournament."

Valiant bows and murmurs "Your Grace" to Matilda, before bowing again to kiss Morgana's hand with a, "My Lady."

Starting the conversation, Morgana began flirtatiously, "I saw you competing today."

Flirting back, Valiant exchanged, "I saw you watching. I understand the tournament champion has the honour of escorting My Lady to the feast."

Smiling widely, Morgana confirmed, "That's correct."

Smirking, Valiant commented, "Then I will give everything to win the tournament."

They grin widely at each other, before Valiant departs with a, "My Lady."

Admirable Arthur takes Valiant's place, and shakes hands with his father. "Arthur.", the King greets.

"Father.", the Prince greets back in return.

Arthur walked over to his unknown half-sister. Once the Prince was in hearing range, the Ward commented, gesturing subtly to the other Knights present, "They all seem rather impressed by Knight Valiant."

Scoffing, Arthur says, "They're not the only ones."

Looking at the Prince, Morgana asks, smiling, "You're not jealous, are you?"

Raising his eyebrows in annoyance, Arthur answers honestly, "I don't see there's anything to be jealous of."

As Arthur walks on, Morganna's smile drops. The Lady of Camelot then whispers to her maidservant, Gwen, "Could Arthur be any more annoying? I so hope Knight Valiant wins the tournament."

Certain, Gwen states, "You don't really mean that."

Serious, Morgana vows, "Yes, I do."

Later that very same day, Merlin - who is in the Armoury - spots Valiant's shield and witnesses one of the snakes move. Merlin advances as if to touch the shield, however, Valiant enters and scares Merlin away.

The day after, on the tournament grounds, Arthur is fighting his opponent. During Arthur's fight, Valiant is fighting Sir Ewan in a different area of the Tournament Grounds.

Valiant knocks Sir Ewan to the ground, and then pins the Camelotian Knight to the ground with his mystical shield. Discreetly, Valiant gives the ruthless command to, "Strike him." . Vicious serpents come out of the shield and bite Sir Ewan. Valiant smacks his opponent lightly for show before rising to his two bloody feet. The crowd cheers in celebration of the clear victory.

Matilda gazes at Valiant, suspicious as Arthur and Merlin worry at Sir Ewan lying unmoving and clearly unconcious.

Merlin shared with Arthur, "I think he's badly hurt." . Arthur lightly swatted Merlin in response as Gaius rushed to the Knight of Camelot.

Merlin rushes into Gaius' chambers, a while after Valiant's victory. His mother is already with the Court Physician, aiding with the critical patient.

"How is he?" wondered Merlin, eager for information.

Looking up from the Knight, Gaius voices, "It's most odd. Look at this.", he beckons Merlin over as Matilda moves out of Merlin's path - blood soaked cloth in hand , "See these two small wounds. Looks like a snake bite."

Confused, Merlin questions, "How could he have been bitten by a snake? He was injured in the sword fight. I saw it myself!"

Patiently, Gaius teaches, "But the symptoms are consistent with poisoning: slow pulse, fever, paralysis."

Frowning, Merlin asks, "Can you heal him, Gaius?"

Frowning himself, Gaius replies, "Well, if it is a snake bite, I'll have to extract venom from the snake that bit him to make an antidote."

Fearing the answer, Merlin asks the dreaded question; "What happens if he doesn't get the antidote?"

Sighing deeply, and throwing the blood soaked cloth in a bucket, Matilda turns and breaks to Merlin, ""Then there's nothing more Gaius could do for him. He will die."

Panicked, Merlin brokenly voices out his realisation, "He was fighting Knight Valiant."

Narrowing her eyes, Matilda asks, "What's that, Merlin dear?"

With a horrible expressionless façade, Merlin answers, "Oh, nothing."

Merlin peeks into Valiant's Guest Chambers, to see Valiant feeding the snakes in his shield. Valiant hears the Warlock and attempts to catch him, but luckily fails.

Merlin rushes back to Matilda and Gaius.

Bursting into the chambers, startling the two friends, Merlin announces worriedly, "I've just seen one of the snakes in Valiant's shield come alive. He's using magic." .

Matilda let out a gasp and knocked over a bucket of boiled water as a result of Merlin's claim, while Gaius's head jolted up to stare at Merlin while the Physician urgently began questioning, "Are you sure?"

Nodding eagerly, Merlin expands, "The snake ate a mouse - one swallow, straight down. Sir Ewan was fighting Valiant when he collapsed. It must've been one of the snakes from the shield. I have to tell Arthur."

Exchanging an indescribable look with Matilda, Gaius tentatively ponders, "Is there any chance you might be mistaken?"

Confidently, Merlin confirms, "I know magic when I see it."

Matilda let out a sigh and closed her eyes as Gaius asked, "Perhaps, but have you any proof?"

Looking between his two idols, Merlin - profoundly perplexed and wounded - questioned, "Don't you two believe me?"

Raising his eyebrows at his ward's insecurity, Gaius truthfully explains, "I fear you'll land yourself in trouble. How will you explain why you were in Valiant's chambers?"

Not used to the workings of court and nobility, Merlin naively exclaims, " What does that matter? He's using magic to cheat in the tournament!"

"Merlin, my dear Merlin," , Matilda began, venturing towards Merlin to squeeze his shoulder affectionately, "You can't go accusing a knight of using magic without proof. His Majesty the King would never accept the word of servant over the word of a knight."

In a state of disbelief, small-town Merlin asks disbelievingly, "What? So what I say doesn't count for anything?"

Placatingly, Gaius soothes the truth, "I'm afraid it counts for very little as far as the King is concerned. That's the way it is."

"Unfortunately, Gaius.", Matilda mumbles, earning herself a disapproving glance from her oldest friend and confidant, as she stares at the fallen Camelotian Knight blankly, a thoughtful expression on her face.

The next day in the Council Chambers, various Knights, along with Uther and Matilda are gathered.

"So Valiant, do you think you stand a chance of defeating my son?", Uther asked pleasantly, the liquor dulling his serious, usual Kingly-persona.

Smiling good- naturally, though inside the devious noble was smirking, Valiant humbly told the King, "He is a great warrior, My Lord. I do hope to be a worthy opponent."

"Oh, Knight Valiant," began Matilda, internally plotting, "I do so hope that you shall be quite the opponent for the Prince. You should not present yourself so short. I saw you fighting- you were quite the formidable and bold fighter."

Agreeing with his mistress, Uther seriously suggested, "You should stay in Camelot after the tournament. I could do with more knights like you."

Matilda's alert eyes flickered to Valiant as the Knight agreed, "I'd be honoured, My Lord."

With Valiant's answer, to the surprise of the G-ds, Matilda gave a true smile of contentedness and her shoulders slightly gave away to portray her relief of the Knight's answer.

While his Mother is plotting who-knows-what, Merlin is opening Valiant's Guest Chambers with a golden glow of his molten eyes. He determinedly grabs a sword, and approaches the accursed shield. A snake slithers out, and nearly attacks the father of magic. Luckily, Merlin is able to chop off the snake's head, and flee with the head before any other snakes or partially slimy creeps could attack him.

In the next part, it is going to be revealed exactly what is on Matilda's mind, precisely why she would now be happy with the idea of Valiant staying in Camelot.