"What is it with you men that makes you want to kill each other for entertainment?"
Morgana had been at court for years now, and she is convinced she will never have a clear answer at that. Arthur, on the other hand, had no questions for it.
"We fight for honour Morgana, to impress the King or make our families proud..."
"And for the chest full of gold Uther promised the winner… surely with gold involved the honour doesn't matter as much"
"And for your hand at the ball…"
The Lady stopped beside her adoptive brother where she was walking. Is this one of his jokes?
"You're not serious, right…" she asked with an annoyed expression. She hated the way that he smiled at her in answer. Oh, how he could get on her nerves.
"I'm afraid, milady, you'll be attending yet another ball with me… hope you enjoy my company"
"Bold of you to assume you would win"
"I always do"
With that and a smirk on his face, the prince left the annoyed Lady behind and joined a group of knights on the field. Arthur may be irritating but he's right. He never loses. He's the best knight in all of Albion, all of that to impress a very unimpressed father. He better win if he knows what's best for him, or Uther would most likely disown him and Morgana would have to spend the evening with some presumptuous knight who will do her all kinds of favours to gain the king's. Knights can be very rude and way too straight forward about their intentions, which is inconvenient when it comes to Morgana, because they all would want her hand in marriage. Or dirtier stuff. It's disgusting and tiring but it's also power. And one the Lady had mastered. Men are almost too easily controlled.
Even though Arthur is also a knight, he is like a brother to her and she a sister to him. He doesn't treat her like a knight would and for the winner's ball that is all she hopes for. Still, it wouldn't hurt if she annoyed him a bit by flirting with his competitors.
Merlin enters the scene and clumsily helps Arthur with his armour. Morgana smiles as he completely forgets about the sword, and her heart swells at his embarrassed smile.
Oh, gods no. I'm doing it again…
The Lady quickly composes herself and finds her place next to Uther and Gwen in the arena where the combats will take place.
As expected, Arthur wins his first rounds. That was no surprise, but what was surprising everyone was the ferocity of one particular knight, who killed all his opponents and fought with no mercy. Valiant was his name, and by the way he fought, he was no nice man. Which is exactly the king's type of person, so there's no need to say that his cheers got louder for this knight and reduced to a nod for his own son. That nod was surely more hurtful and disarming than any beatings the prince got during his fight. After what felt like an eternity, the first round finally came to an end, and everyone got to retire and prepare for the night's feast. Both Arthur and Valiant remained undefeated, and it was starting to annoy the young prince how much attention his father payed to his opponent.
Add that to Morgana's own fake attention to the knight (specifically requested by the king) and Arthur was about to lose his line. It gave her no pleasure to entertain the knight that way but she knew the consequences if she didn't.
Still, from time to time, her look would turn away from the arrogant Valiant and searched for a certain servant around the room. She will not deny that his company would be much better that the one she has now, who, she noticed, would not stop eyeing her.
This is just too much… Uther wants me to keep his guests occupied, fine! But I will not be treated as an object any further
The Lady quickly though of an excuse to return to her chambers, but instead found herself walking around the castle halls, breathing the night's air and wondering to herself if she will ever free herself from this prison. She found a balcony that faced the village, and stood there, admiring the lights that came from the homes and imagining what it would feel like to belong, to have a family… all sat around the table and conversing about simple things. She looked up at the sky. The wonderfully dark sky ,dotted with tiny stars here and there, shining equally the village and the castle.
Nature has no prejudice about us humans does it? Fire warms both poor and rich, the sky covers men and women alike... a balanced justice, one humanity most certainly does not learn from or value. Nor deserve...
So lost in her own thoughts, she didn't even notice Arthur storming in the corridor that was connected to the one she was, followed by Merlin and stopped just in the corner, close enough she could hear them, but not too close that they could see her…
"We can still prove it, Arthur, we just need to find more proof and then..."
"No, Merlin! You embarrassed me in front of my King and Sir Valiant"
"You must believe me"
"No More! I will hear you no more! You should be ashamed of yourself Merlin"
"My lord, what I said is true…. The two knights killed by Valiant died of venom… serpent venom! Ask Gaius! He can show you the b.."
"Stop lying to me! Shut up about this nonsense! I took you by your word and look where that got me!"
"Why would I lie to you?!"
"I don't know and I don't care… you're hereby relieved of your duties as my manservant…"
"WHA….!?"
"I thought you to be an honourable man, but it seems I was wrong"
Merlin's expression falls at that. He looked at the prince incredulous for a second then gives out a sarcastic chuckle and replies with a low and serious tone, one like Morgana had never heard him speak before.
"Many things could be questioned about me, your highness….I'm no noble, no rich lord, and may not be the best servant in this kingdom…. but my loyalty… to Camelot and to you… my honour… never."
If looks could kill Arthur wouldn't be standing so tall and mighty now. From where she stood Morgana could feel how those word were true for him. Merlin may be questioned and bullied about a lot of things, but he is a honourable man.
"I can find those proofs"
"You will do no such thing!" Arthur replied, with his commanding voice. "You are to leave Sir Valiant in peace… that's an order, Merlin… Do you understand?"
Nothing. Merlin looked at him as if he couldn't believe his ears.
"Do. You. Understand?"
He sighs. "Yes… My Lord". He bows his head slightly and leaves without a sound leaving an emptiness behind him like no other.
What was all that about?
Well hello you.
That's it. That's my note. Just wanted to say hi :)
Also I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did writing it. Please leave a review... they are very very important.
B)
