Five; Creep
Arthur and Lynette reached the training grounds at a slow walk as they spoke of all the tournaments that have come to pass. Lynette could not remember a time where Arthur had lost one, but she did recall a time when he had almost lost his life. It was when he had first begun to participate in the annual melees and jousts that the king would host for foreign dignitaries.
Arthur had become cocky after winning five rounds with ease and the concerns of Lynette and Morgana had come to fall upon deaf ears. She remembered pleading with him to be careful and to calculate each attack, he had let his ego get the best of him and as a result had been injured by one of the senior knights. The match had been deemed a tie as Arthur had landed a large blow himself, but not large enough to win him the title of champion that year. Arthur had been devastated and Lynette was scared at the image of seeing him in such a state.
Since that fateful day Lynette couldn't help her worry for the prince. Everyday he would risk his life to prove a point, even when there was nothing left to prove. Today was no different as they entered the tent and found Merlin waiting with all the armor laid out perfectly. He gave the pair a cheeky look, but stopped instantly when Lynette raised her eyebrow.
"For your sake this better be quick." Arthur stated as he held his arms out waiting for the first article of clothing.
Lynette stood off to the side to give Merlin space to prepare Arthur for the tournament. She took a seat on one of the barrels of water meant for the competitors and watched in content. She was glad to see Gwen's lessons had come in handy, even if he was a tad slow. Lynette observed as Merlin began to wrestle with a particular piece of armor on Arthur's lower arm, which caused the prince to become stressed once more.
"You do know the tournament starts today?" Arthur asked in an annoyed tone.
"Yes, sire," Merlin answered, struggling again on a different piece of armor. "Are you nervous?"
Arthur sent a look over to Lynette when she tried to stifle her laugh with a cough. It appeared the prince was not so good at hiding his emotions from his servant either. Lynette knew all too well how observant Merlin could be and it didn't surprise her that he would notice his agitation. Despite how rudely Arthur spoke to Merlin and how Merlin mocked him in private, they did care about each other's well being. They were just too stubborn to admit it out loud.
Lynette sent him a smile and winked to which he rolled his eyes, "I don't get nervous."
"Really?" Merlin looked up at Arthur. "I thought everyone got nervous."
"Will you shut up!"
Lynette jumped a little at his sudden outburst to which Arthur apologized. He took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze with an unknown look in his eyes. Lynette could feel her cheeks heat up as she averted her eyes as she suddenly found the barrel very interesting. Merlin smirked at his cousin to which she rolled her eyes before motioning for him to continue. The last thing she needed was Arthur seeing Merlin goofing off instead of focusing on the stressed out prince.
Lynette began to wrap bandages she had brought with her for the knights that would undoubtedly get injured in their pursuit of victory. She felt herself become numb as she focused on her small task. She wouldn't admit it to Arthur, but she was terrified that he would once again end up as her father's patient. It was a fear she had daily, but it only grew more unbearable on tournament days. She couldn't keep him safe and that was the most terrifying thing of all. So, she wrapped the last of the bandages and clapped her hands together to keep them from fidgeting.
Merlin finished with Arthur's cape with ease, but when he looked at Lynette for her seal of approval he found her staring off. The look concerned him, but it was only a brief second before Lynette was smiling at her cousin. She knew her mood swings of worry and playfulness would confuse them so she tried to play it off. She watched Merlin hand the prince his helmet and before taking a step back to admire his work.
Merlin kept her in his peripheral vision, but Lynette hardly noticed as she stifled laughter. The servant had forgotten his master's sword and didn't escape Arthur's notice. The prince stood there hoping that Merlin would realize, but was not surprised when his buffoon of a servant seemed only pleased with his work. Not at all worried about how Arthur was going to compete with his opponents, sword less.
"Great, yeah. I think you're all set." Merlin said, giving Arthur a nod.
Arthur just shook head, "Aren't you forgetting something?"
Merlin's eyebrows furrowed together as he glanced at Lynette for help. Lynette only sighed and offered, "It's sharp and pointy."
Merlin still looked lost as to what he could have forgotten. His silence only served to make Arthur more irritated as he stared at his servant. Lynette knew if the silence dragged on any longer that Merlin would find himself in deeper trouble, but was surprised when Arthur used his words instead of his fists.
"My sword."
Merlin's eyes widened as he apologized, "Oh, yeah. Yeah, sorry. Guess, uh, you'll be needing that."
Arthur grabbed the sword from Merlin's outstretched hands before shaking his head. Lynette leaned forward as Arthur placed a gentle peck on her cheek before marching off. The blonde watched as the prince walked down toward the arena with his cape billowing in the wind. She muttered a silent prayer for his safety before facing Merlin who was grinning from ear to ear.
"That went well."
Lynette found herself pacing in the medical tent as her father gathered supplies before the start of the tournament. She could feel a pair of eyes on her as she walked and forth and back again. The young girl knew she was irritating them, but she didn't care. She had a bad feeling about today. She could feel it in her bones. She had watched Arthur compete many times, but today felt wrong to her. Like death was waiting with a double edged sword.
"Pacing isn't going to help him, my dear."
Lynette turned to look at Gaius who was waiting patiently for her with Merlin in tow. He knew how much Lynette hated tournaments. While it was supposed to be a source of entertainment for many it was a nightmare for medical staff, and his daughter. He wanted so desperately to give her the day off or send her to play with the children at a run down orphanage. Yet, he knew that in doing so she would find her way back here with her mind racing and her heart in someone else's hands.
"Sorry."
"Don't be sorry." Gaius said, pulling her into a quick side hug. "With luck all will be well today."
"How do you know?" She asked.
Gaius sighed seeing the fear in his daughter's eyes, "Arthur may have been quick to a solution, but he has grown since then. He is smarter than you give him credit for and he won't take a risk unless necessary. The boy knows he needs to be a man and this tournament will prove that. Have a little faith in him alright?"
"I hope you are right."
Lynette knew the optimism in his voice as well as the wise words were for her benefit and she sent him a thankful smile in response. She was normally very open about her feelings and thus was surprised to see herself hide her anxiety from her cousin. However, it was enough to know that her father knew her best and he knew today would be hard. Not wanting to waste anymore time dreading the inevitable, Lynette followed her cousin and father down toward the arena .
She listened to the sound of the drums as each of the knights were announced as they entered the tournament arena. Each one walked in with their heads held high and a look of determination to not only impress the lord, but the people of Camelot. She was surprised at how many had entered, but of course she only fully paid attention when Arthur came in. He stood proudly wearing red and gold as he stared his father down in the stands.
Lynette took her place next to Merlin and together they peeked around the entrance as the King Uther strut past the front line of knights. Lynette could see the crowd holding their breath in anticipation. She herself was waiting to hear the wise words of one Uther Pendragon. She knew what this tournament meant and it had everything to do with power. The more he showed the more the people would love him, or at least that's what he hoped.
"Knights of the realm, it's a great honor 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 honor of being crowned champion, and he will receive a prize of 1,000 gold pieces."
Uther gestured to a box which two servant's opened to reveal a pile of gold. "It is in combat that we learn a knight's true nature, whether he is indeed a warrior or a coward. The tournament begins!"
Merlin cheered along with the crowd as the knight's exited the arena, but Lynette watched the exchange that Arthur had with his father. The way Arthur stiffened a little when Uther finished his private talk with his son and left with a slap on his back. Lynette could only guess as to what was said, but didn't have enough time to ponder further. Her face filled with worry as the guards proceed to take Arthur and the other knight's capes off. She knew this was it and with baited breath Arthur and the knight began to dual.
Merlin couldn't contain his excitement and cheered with the rest of them, "Yeah! Come on!"
Lynette cheered as well to show her support but didn't stop worrying the whole time. As time passed Arthur and the knight became more violent with their attacks, but in the end it is Arthur that emerges victorious. The crowd erupts into cheers with Merlin and Lynette joining in delight at Arthur's first victory. Lynette was elated to see him unharmed, but knew this was only the first of many trials that day.
After Arthur finished his fights for that day Merlin and Lynette set to work relieving him of his armor. Though it wasn't Lynette's job she wanted to make sure he was alright. The prince had a tendency to hide his pain through a smile and she would not let him hide this time.
"I promise you I am fine, Nanet." Arthur stated.
"You're fine when I say so, Artie. Now stop moving or I'll sit on you."
The prince's eyes widened, but he quickly complied and held as still as he could. The last thing he wanted was for his best friend to unleash her wrath. Lynette set to work checking his hands and arms, before moving to his abdomen. Once she was satisfied with her check she allowed Merlin to resume his duties, only to find him preoccupied with another fight.
It turns out that both men were enthralled by the violence that the unknown man was showing as he beat a seasoned soldier to the ground. Lynette had noticed him earlier watching Arthur like a hawk and had discovered his name to be Valiant. The feeling of nerves fluttered her system as she watched Valiant win his fight.
"Knight Valiant looks pretty handy with a sword." Merlin said as he watched the man walk off in their direction.
Lynette lets out a scoff at the observation, "Arthur is also just as handy with a sword, as you know, Merlin."
Merlin glared at her, "Thanks for the reminder."
The two cousins were about to get into a glaring match when Arthur shushes them, noticing Valiant walking up. Lynette falls silent as she sizes the man up. He seemed very average and the way he walked showed signs of prior tourneys, but his eyes. They were cold and calculating and sent off an air of distrust. Lynette shifted slightly behind Arthur not feeling entirely comfortable in his presence.
"May I offer my congratulations on your victories today?" Valiant said with a slight smirk.
"Likewise," Arthur started with a nod, but Lynette could tell her best friend didn't like the man.
Valiant returns the gesture to the prince before looking over at the golden-haired beauty beside him, "And who might you be?"
Valiant took a step closer to get a better look at Lynette, letting a sly smirk slither its way onto his face. It took everything in Lynette's power not to slap the smirk off his face. However, she was not a violent person and would not resort to violence now. Instead she took a step closer to Merlin who watched the man with a wary gaze.
It seemed that Valiant wasn't quite getting the message that his advancements toward the girl were unwanted. He kept trying to side step Arthur in order to reach her hand, which had begun to clasp the back of Arthur's unshed armor. It wasn't until the prince of Camelot took a step forward placing himself in front of her slightly and holding his hand out to block him from going any further. It was a small gesture that citizens would find normal, but to Valiant it spoke volumes. He had found a weak spot.
"She is the daughter of the king's physician and a dear friend of mine." Arthur answered with an emphasis on the word dear.
"I beg your pardon, your highness but I believe I asked the girl." Valiant said and raked his eyes up and down Lynette's body.
The blatant disregard for the prince's statement had Merlin reeling in anger, but Lynette remained as calm as ever. She would not give this man an inch that it bothered her, no matter how many chills it sent through her. Her eyes met his in determination and she allowed her eyebrow to lift ever so slightly.
"Excuse me Sir Valiant but I believe my eyes are up here."
Merlin and Arthur had to cough to stifle their laughter as Valiant stared at her in surprise. He had thought her to be a meek little thing that was the prince's plaything. Now he was finding she had nerves of steel and a quick mind to match. She was a challenge he would gladly accept over the course of his stay here in Camelot. He wanted to know what her place was in Camelot and why she appeared to be held in the highest regard by the kingdom's heir.
"Of course, naturally," Valiant smirked at her. "I hope to see you at the reception this evening."
As Valiant left with his servant in tow, Lynette couldn't help it as her body shuddered with pent up energy. She looked down at the ground trying to steel herself, but could feel two pairs of eyes on her. She knew that Merlin was worried for her, but Arthur was most likely seething. This wasn't the first time a knight had made a move on her, but it was the first time a knight had disregarded Arthur's warning.
"Creep."
Lynette let out a laugh at Merlin's attempt to diffuse the tension, "He's a creep with no decency that's what."
Silence settled upon the three, but as they shared a look with each other they couldn't help but laugh. Lynette looked up at Arthur and blushed slightly when their eyes locked. She could see that he was flushed as well, but she only attributed it to his anger at Valiant's advances. She removed her hands from the back of his armor and moved until she was in front of him.
"Don't worry about me." Lynette said. "I can handle him."
"I'm not worried about what he might do."
This was when Lynette realized the recent changes to her dynamic with Arthur. Over the course of Merlin's arrival, Arthur had begun to try and spend more time with her alone. He would make calls for her to come and tend to the knights at training or would walk with her as she made her rounds about the castle and lower town. Their once innocent friendship now seemed to be developing into something else, but Lynette could only guess as to what. She made a mental note to confront Arthur later.
Arthur cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck looking at Merlin, "Uh, for tomorrow you need to repair my shield, wash my tunic, clean my boots, sharpen my sword, and polish my chain mail."
Once Arthur had listed off Merlin's chores he left, leaving Merlin and Lynette alone. Lynette wasn't sure what to make of Arthur's sudden retreat to the castle, but it did not matter. She blamed it on him being tired and left it at that. The young girl picked up her medical basket and began to refill it.
"Well, you have fun with that list."
Merlin looked over from where he was collecting Arthur's armor, "Your future husbands a real prat you know that?"
Lynette laughed and shook her head, "That's your fault. You're his guide."
"Yeah your right." Merlin started looking at her pointedly. "Camelot's doomed."
Lynette shook her head, "We are not doomed. He still has time to mature."
"I'll be old by then."
Lynette raised her eyebrow at Merlin and finished collecting her things. Together the two made their way back to the castle, where Gaius was undoubtedly waiting. Today had been somewhat a success in Lynette's book, but it was only day one. She could only guess what tomorrow would hold as well as tonight's feast. She was just grateful she would not have to attend.