Excalibur

No-one spoke as they stood watching the ceremony, Arthur kneeling before Uther. Evaine smiled as she watched, stood next to Sir Leon, dressed in a white dress with rubies at her throat and ears. She glanced behind her to see Merlin and Anna smiling, the two glancing at one another when the other wasn't looking. Evaine shook her head at the two, turning back to the ceremony.

"Do you solemnly swear to govern the people of this kingdom and its dominions according to the statutes, customs and laws laid down by your forebears?" Uther asked, seriously.

"I do, sire," Arthur answered.

"Do you promise to exercise mercy and justice in your deeds and judgments?" Uther asked.

"I do, sire," Arthur continued.

"And do you swear allegiance to Camelot now and for as long as you shall live?" Uther asked finally.

"I, Arthur Pendragon, do pledge life and limb to your service and to the protection of this kingdom and its peoples," Arthur said confidently.

"Now, being of age and the heir apparent, from henceforth you shall be crown prince of Camelot," Uther stated, placing a crown on Arthur's head. The crowd erupted into applause as Arthur stood, his coming-of-age ceremony done. Arthur turned and nodded to the crowd.

"Are you proud, sir Leon?" Evaine asked above the clapping. Leon glanced at her and nodded, a grin on his face.

"Proud to serve Camelot always, my lady. But knowing that I will one day serve under the reign of King Arthur Pendragon? Even more so," he said and the two continued to clap for Arthur until the window at the far end of the room was shattered, a horse and rider jumping through. Sir Leon pushed Evaine behind him, drawing his sword as glass continued to fall as the dark knight approached Arthur, Uther and the other knights.

"What in the devil's name?" Uther muttered. The man didn't say a word as he stopped before Arthur, throwing his gauntlet to the ground before the crown prince. Arthur sheathed his sword, about to pick up the gauntlet before Sir Owain beat him to it.

"I, sir Owain, accept your challenge," Owain told the dark knight. Evaine shivered as his head turned to look at the knight.

"Single combat, noon tomorrow, to the death," the dark knight spoke, his horse rearing up before he left the way he came. Sir Leon didn't sheath his sword until the dark knight had left.

"Are you alright, my lady?" he asked Evaine, the other courtiers gossiping about what had just occurred and beginning to leave the ruined feast.

"Yes, thank you, sir Leon," she said, and they glanced at the shattered window. "Did you recognise his crest?" the man shook his head, and Evaine once again shivered. "It felt as if death entered with him," she commented. "I think I will retire for the night," Evaine said, Anna by her side at her words. Sir Leon nodded.

"Would you like me to escort you back?" he asked, and her cheeks reddened before she smiled.

"Thank you, but no. You should speak to Sir Owain," she told him, and he nodded before leaving. Evaine spotted Morgana also leaving and she hurried to catch up to her.

"Evaine," Morgana said in greeting, the two ladies and their maids leaving quietly from the chaos that ensued of the ceremony. "A drink in my rooms?" she asked, and Evaine nodded gratefully. Morgana changed for bed when they reached her chambers, the two women sitting down as Gwen and Anna chatted by the window. They had just placed their goblets to their lips when a knock sounded, and Arthur entered, looking frustrated. They rose to greet him.

"He shouldn't have picked up the gauntlet," Arthur told them before they could speak.

"So put an end to it," Morgana told him, and Evaine shook her head.

"The challenge has been taken up," Evaine told her, and Arthur smiled gently at her knowledge.

"The fight cannot be stopped," Arthur added quietly.

"Then fight in his place," Morgana insisted, and Arthur shook his head.

"I can't."

"Why not?" Morgana asked, looking between Arthur and Evaine.

"Owain picked up the gauntlet. Owain is the one who must fight," Evaine spoke for Arthur, seeing him grow more frustrated by her questions.

"That's the knights' code. He knew that," Arthur said, turning away from them and heading to the door.

"But it's a fight to the death," Morgana called, stopping Arthur.

"I know," he said softly, before continuing to leave. Morgana and Evaine shared a look before Evaine grabbed her friend's hand.

"Sir Owain is a skilled fighter, I've seen him train. Have faith in him," she said, and Morgana nodded. Evaine looked to the window at Anna. "We should go. I fear it will be a long night," she said, Morgana hugging her before they left.

"Do you really believe Sir Owain can best this knight?" Anna asked as they walked to Evaine's chambers. Her friend sighed, shaking her head.

"There is something about that knight, something that reminds me of death," she answered, the two pausing to share an anxious look before they entered her chambers.

XXXXXX

The next day at noon, every courtier and peasant lined the stands to see the duel between Sir Owain and the dark knight. Morgana glanced at Morgana, sharing a small smiled from where she and Anna sat next to Sir Pellinor. Arthur walked with Sir Owain, standing between the two as the crowd hushed when he began to speak.

"The fight shall be to the knights' rules and to the death," he announced, leaving for his seat next to his father. Evaine and Anna stood as he walked past, Evaine's smile going unnoticed as Arthur's eyes didn't leave the two men in front of them. "Let battle commence," Arthur called, the dark knight immediately beginning to attack Owain. Evaine winced at every blow to Owain's shield, her hand reaching for Anna's as he wasn't able to swing a single attack at the knight. When he finally managed to hit the dark knight, he was kicked to the ground but managed to roll out of the way of another blow.

"One well-aimed blow," Arthur shouted, a phrase Evaine had heard him teach from when she walked past the training grounds. There was a pause before the dark knight's attacks became more ferocious, cornering him and kicking his helmet and shield away. Evaine gasped along with everyone else as the dark knight stabbed Owain in the neck, killing him instantly. Anna looked away as Evaine watched the dark knight take off his gauntlet once more, throwing it to the ground in front of the royals.

"Who will take up my challenge?" the black knight asked, and Evaine panicked when Arthur began to jump over the stand but was stopped by his father. A figure next to Anna jumped over instead, and her heart saddened to see Sir Pellinor pick up the gauntlet.

"I, sir Pellinor, take up the challenge," Pellinor stated.

"So be it," the dark knight agreed, turning to stare at Arthur and Uther before he left. Evaine watched the knight leave before Pellinor turned around.

"Sir Pellinor," she called, drawing Arthur's attention as people began to leave. The knight walked up to her as she stood, untying the white sash from her waist and handing it to the man. "For tomorrow. I would be honoured if you wore it for luck," she said, smiling softly at the man as he took it from her.

"It would be my honour, my lady," Pellinor replied, bowing his head at the woman before he left. Evaine glanced to the side to see Arthur watching the exchange, and nodded for her to follow after him as he left with his father.

"Go back to my chambers," she instructed Anna, hurrying after the prince who was arguing with Uther.

"Why did you stop me?" Arthur asked his father, the three entering the council chamber.

"We have to give out knights the chance to prove themselves," Uther answered, trying to get away from his son.

"Have you seen how this stranger fights?" Arthur asked.

"And sir Pellinor is more than a match for him," Uther rebuffed.

"He's not recovered from the wounds he suffered at Othanden," Arthur argued.

"I can't help that," Uther said, finally turning to look at his son.

"So you send him to his death?" Evaine asked, stopping to stand next to Arthur. "Sir Owain was a skilled swordsman. Now we will be burning his body," she added, a tear appearing in her eye.

"It was his choice to take up the gauntlet. I am not to blame," Uther said, leaving the two standing there.

"Surely your father has the power to call off the match," she asked Arthur.

"My father is hiding something. The knight scares him just as much as it scares everyone," he said, slumping his arms against a chair. Evaine walked towards the window as Arthur watched her.

"I've never seen anyone fight like he does. He has no mercy at all," she muttered, and he walked over to her.

"Sir Pellinor is a brave man," he said, trying to comfort her.

"Is it enough?" she asked quietly, turning when Arthur couldn't find an answer.

XXXXXX

The fight between Sir Pellinor and the dark knight seemed to be swaying in Pellinor's favour, and Evaine smiled as Anna grabbed her hand in excitement.

"Perhaps he will triumph," Anna said, the crowd gasping and clapping when Pellinor stabbed the knight cleanly through the stomach. The knight just took a step back, not even breaking his stride as he stabbed Pellinor who was open in his surprise at his blow not making any impact.

"Perhaps not," Evaine said sadly, watching the life drain from Sir Pellinor as the dark knight turned to the royal box. Her attention was taken when a gauntlet was thrown, but she gasped in fear and shock as she saw whose it was.

"I, Arthur Pendragon, challenge you," Arthur told the knight, silencing the crowds.

"So be it," the dark knight replied, no emotion evident in his words.

"A single combat, noon tomorrow," Arthur told him, before the dark knight left.

Evaine knocked quietly on the doors later that night, a distracted 'enter' granting her in as she slipped through Arthur's door. She walked over to him, stopping by the table. "If you're here to stop me then it's no use," Arthur said, continuing to practice his footwork, giving the odd blow with a sword. She said nothing, but walked next to him, and placed her hand on his right.

"You should lower your sword. His attacks seem to aim for the middle and upper body. I advise you to keep your shield up and sword low," she said, before placing her other hand on his back. "You're quicker than him. He relies on brute force with his blows. Keep low with your feet apart. That way you will be ready to dart out of the way of any major attacks," she said, and Arthur turned to look at her.

"You aren't going to stop me?" he asked, lowering his sword.

"Even I know it's foolish to try and stop you from doing anything you put your mind too. I too am just as stubborn, remember?" she teased, and he smiled as she walked to the window, glancing at the dark knight staring up at the room. "Just, promise me you'll be careful," she said quietly, and he turned her away from the window. She looked at him, and Arthur felt his heart twinge with an unfamiliar emotion.

"I promise. Thank you, Evaine," he told her for the tips. She nodded, smiling once more and began to leave. "Evaine," he stopped her, her hand resting on the door. "Will you stay with me?" he asked, and cursed himself immediately for doing so, but found himself grinning when she nodded.

"Of course. Perhaps I can show you some tricks?" she offered, and he nodded gratefully for her staying with him and her help. Evaine was demonstrating how to step across the opponent and then pivot, resulting in the opponent's back being left wide open to attack when Merlin rushed in and stood in front of Arthur.

"Merlin, you know that conversation we had about knocking?" Arthur asked, grinning when I hid a laugh as I relaxed near the table.

"You have to pull out," Merlin told him, ignoring his teasing.

"And why's that?" Arthur asked, taking the sword back from Evaine.

"Because he'll kill you," Merlin told him.

"Why does everybody think that?" Arthur asked, nodding towards Evaine who was about to protest.

"Because they're right. Just pull out. You're the crown prince. No one wants to see you die over some stupid challenge," Merlin begged as Arthur studied the sharpness of the blade.

"I am not a coward," Arthur told him.

"I don't think he's implying that, Arthur," Evaine spoke up from beside the fire, Merlin gratefully nodding.

"I've stood there and I've watched you overcome every fear you've ever faced," Merlin praised.

"That's what's required of me," Arthur told him, turning and standing in position with the sword.

"But you are more than that. You're not merely a warrior. You're a prince, a future king. You've proved your courage, but you must prove your wisdom," Merlin advised, and even Evaine wanted to desperately agree with his words.

"I'm not backing down," Arthur said, refusing to listen to his servant.

"Please Arthur, listen to me. This is no ordinary knight. Look at him. He doesn't eat. He doesn't sleep. He just stands there in complete silence. Doesn't that tell you something?" Merlin asked, glancing out of the window before watching Arthur practice.

"No one is unbeatable," Arthur replied.

"If you fight him, you will die," Merlin stated, and Evaine saw Arthur's shoulders begin to tense.

"I'm not listening to this," Arthur said, growing frustrated.

"I'm trying to warn you, Arthur," Merlin implored, coming to stand near Arthur again.

"And I'm trying to warn you, Merlin!" Arthur shouted, raising his sword at him. Evaine stepped forward, shaking her head when Merlin looked at her for help before he left. Arthur sighed heavily, going through the trick Evaine was demonstrating.

"He's worried about you, Arthur," she told him gently, and he nodded, not breaking his concentration.

"I know. It just feels like no-one has faith in me," he said, pausing to glance at her. "All except you," he added, and she blushed at his words.

"You're getting the hang of it," she told him, before pointing out where he could improve.

"That's enough. I'm done," he said some time later, and Evaine yawned as she poured two goblets of water out as Arthur propped his foot on a stool next to the window, staring out and studying the dark knight who had not moved as Evaine handed him the drink. She turned when the door opened, smiling as Morgana hesitantly walked forward.

"I don't want you to fight tomorrow," Morgana spoke, Arthur chuckling at her words.

"You're worried about me?" Arthur asked with a small smile.

"I don't know what it is. Please, I'm begging you," Morgana continued, her voice quiet.

"I have to do this. It's my duty," Arthur answered, and Morgana nodded.

"I understand," she said, before leaving the two. Evaine sat in the chair next to the window, leaning her head against the window.

"You don't have to stay," he told her, seeing her eyes straining to stay open. She shook her head at his words, glancing up at him.

"I told you I would stay, and stay I will," she said, and he smiled at her, looking out the window as her eyes closed a few minutes later. Arthur opened his mouth to speak again, but stopped himself when he saw the woman, her breathing slow and even in deep sleep. He pushed a hair out of her face, and she moved as he did so. He hesitated before lifting her up, her head nestling into his shoulder as he moved her to the bed, placing one of his furs over her before moving back to the window. A knock sounded on his door an hour later, Gaius' voice drifting through as he walked in.

"I've brought you something that might help you to sleep," he said, holding out a vial to the prince.

"I'm fine. I don't need it," Arthur said, walking to meet him.

"Here. It'll relax you, take the edge off your nerves," Gaius instructed, watching as Arthur downed the potion.

"I wouldn't drink it for pleasure," Arthur complained.

"Why don't you sit down for a moment?" Gaius said, leading him to sit on his bed.

"Mind you, if you forget about the taste, the after-effect is quite pleasurable," Arthur said, his voice slowly showing that he was becoming drowsy from the effects of the potion.

"Just lie back," Gaius soothed, lifting his feet up as Arthur passed out into a deep sleep. Gaius began to leave before he realised Evaine was asleep as well on the bed. The man hesitated before he left, not wanting to wake her up and knowing she would forgive him for his actions as he locked the door.

XXXXXX

The sun filtered through the windows, shining on Evaine as she blinked awake, stretching for a moment before she noticed someone laid next to her. She jumped up, sighing in relief when she saw it was Arthur, lightly snoring in his deep sleep. Knowing she had to wake him, she began to move to his side of the bed, but stopped when she heard swords clanging together outside. She rushed to the window, barely able to make out the dark knight fighting against what looked to be the king.

"Arthur," she breathed, turning and running to his side as he blinked awake, his eyes furrowing when he saw her but clearing when he heard the noise as well. He rubbed his head, before he ran to the window. "Arthur, it's your father, he's fighting," she said, Arthur searching the grounds before they ran to the door. Arthur pulled on it, but it wouldn't open, and he shouted for the guards to open the doors but was met with silence. He tugged on the doors frantically, kicking and banging on them to open. "Is there another way?" she asked, and he paused before he ran to the side door, but shouted when he found that locked as well. Evaine rushed back to the window, opening it so the sound of metal against metal filled the room.

"How is he doing?" he asked her, running to her side and unable to see anything.

"Remarkably well," she commented, gasping when there was a flash of gold, and then the sound of clapping and cheering. "Your father won; he killed the knight," she said, turning to him with a grin as Arthur sighed in relief. They both turned when the doors were finally opened.

"I'm going to find father," he told her, waiting for her to nod before he ran out. She sighed with a smile, closing the window and leaving for her own chambers, closing the doors quietly in the hopes of not alerting Anna.

"And where the hell have you been?" a voice called, Evaine wincing as she turned to see her friend stood with her hands on her hips, tapping her foot and looking as though the devil himself.

"Would you believe me if I said I was accidentally locked in a room with Arthur all night after we both fell asleep?" Evaine asked, shutting her eyes at Anna's scream.

"WHAT?"