*Stretches funny bone* Alrighty lets get crackin'
Dew was still fresh on the ground when Merlin and Viviane met for the sparing. Good, I hate it when dew gets stale Percival and Leon had come to watch the show. Forgive my lack of knowledge but I haven't watched Merlin in like... five years, and I honestly have no idea which of the knights Percival and Leon were. Glad they made such an impression?
"Ready for this?" Viviane asked swing the sword around lightly. Her sword was a feather.
"Whenever you are." Merlin shrugged, bouncing slightly with anticipation. Okay, but have you ever tried bouncing and shrugging at the same time? That boy's got talent! Viviane grinned then swung her side quickly at Merlin's head how did she get her side all the way up there? That's some serious gymnastics right there, forcing him to parry quickly. He stepped back a bit to give himself some room to maneuver, but Viviane quickly closed the gap. Just a hint: don't right play by play combat when you don't know how fighting works. The fight rapidly fell into a pattern. Attack, parry, retreat, pursue; again and again. Come on now, this is just lazy! Merlin was trying to break out of it, but Viviane wasn't letting up. Just as he was considering using his magic to give her a little slip, his back foot moved out from under him. He quickly regained his balance and moved to parry the next attack. However, the slip had disoriented him and he missed nicking Viviane's shin by accident. So he slipped and actually landed a blow because of it? Macgyver would be proud.
She cried out in pain and dropped her sword, which missed Merlin's ear by inches. 4 to be exact. Leon replayed the footage and paused to measure. Viviane slumped to the ground gritting her teeth as she clutched at her wounded leg. Leon and Percival both leaped from their spectator's seats, throwing down the camcorder, and rushed over.
"Are you alright?" He who is he? Leon or Percival? More proof that the two are completely interchangeable asked Viviane, who shook her head incomprehensibly. It was more of a weird zigzag bobbing motion to be fair. Like a mix between listening to a sick jam and feeling ready to throw up. "Show Merlin the wound to make sure it's nothing serious." Fighting off tears Viviane rolled up her pant leg. The cut was small and shallow, bleeding only slightly. So she's a crybaby too?
"It's not too serious." Merlin reported into his abc27 reporter mic, which he then passed to Viviane to let her get a word in.
"Oh yeah? Sure feels a lot worse." Viviane fumed. She was high as a kite.
"It was an accident, I lost my balance." Merlin said defensively.
"Whatever." Viviane sulked. She rolled down her pant leg wait... she's wearing pants? and walked off.
"Make sure to have Gaius take a look at it!" Merlin called after her. He got no response. Otherwise known as "Talk to the Hand".
Sceneeeeee .oOo. Chaaaaannnngeeee!
"It's a beautiful day out." Gwen smiled Because of the number of times I have seen the words 'Gwen smiled' it is now canon to this fanfiction that she has had plastic surgery on her face to make it permanently smiling to improve her image as queen. staring out the open window. Arthur grunted in agreement as he shoveled another slice of pork into his mouth. Symbolism?
"Breakfast milady?" Viviane asked sweetly. It was like a chocolate marshmellow covered in honey and deepfried in melted gumdrops. Merlin watched Viviane out of the corner of his eye. She seemed better than earlier that morning, but she still refused to talk to him. Boy, you is shunned.
"Thank you Viviane." Gwen smiled as she sat down at the table. She didn't have a choice. Somedays she would lie in bed regretting her decision to go through with the plastic surgery.
"A day like this would be beautiful for a picnic wouldn't it?" Viviane smiled gazing wistfully out window.
"That sounds pleasant." That is the blandest response ever. Arthur smiled taking a drink from his goblet. "Are doing anything today Gwen?" Arthur ask.
"I wasn't." Gwen smiled at Arthur. "But then I remembered that I have to go for another check up at the doctor's to make sure the surgery is healing like its supposed to so I will be unavailable until after that."
"Merlin, prepare a picnic lunch for later today." Arthur instructed. "I think that place over looking the castle was a good spot."
"That sounds lovely." Gwen agreed. A knocking on the door interrupted their conversation. "Yes?" Gwen called out.
"A message for the King milady." Someone said from the other side.
"Ah, yes. Come in!" Arthur said, setting down his goblet.
"A letter from Lord Greenvale." The man said.
"Yes, thank you…" Arthur started, unsure of the mans name.
"Ronnie, sir." He said. Just so I could stop calling him 'the man'
"Right, the page who just started. Well, thank you Ronnie. And please tell the cook that we'll be lunching out today so pack a picnic." Arthur said opening the letter. King Arthur strives to be a good Lord who knows all of the servants working in his castle.
"Very good my lord." Ronnie bowed and left. Viviane's gaze followed him the whole way out. "Notice me sempai!" she muttered under her breath.
"What does Greenvale want?" Gwen asked looking at the letter Arthur was reading.
"He writes that he'll be visiting soon to discuss a matter of urgency." Arthur said, a puzzled expression on his face. "He'll be here within a fortnight." Arthur looked up. "I'll have to tell a maid to fix up a room for him."
"But that can wait till later, right?" No! There's no time to wait! A fortnight is just a moment away. We must hurry to prepare for his arrival! Gwen asked. "Let's just enjoy the picnic for now."
"Yes of course." Arthur smiled a Gwen. It was like a mirror.
"Merlin and I will make sure to stay out of your way." Viviane smiled because she felt left out of the couple's smiling moment.
"Yes, you two enjoy yourselves in the meantime. Maybe go for a stroll in the forest?" Gwen suggested winking at Merlin and Viviane. Merlin looked up startled. He had been busy inspecting the floor? Viviane curtsied and made her way out of the room. Merlin started to head after her.
"Merlin!" Arthur called from behind him motioning to the pitcher on the table. Merlin rolled his eyes and quickly picked up the empty pitcher than made his way out the door. He ran to catch up with Viviane, then cut her off. He opened his mouth, then started speaking.
"What are you planning?" Merlin asked, glaring at the smiling girl.
"I'm not quite sure what you mean?" She smiled, though her eyes said otherwise. Her eyes said "Fool, I will become part of their smiling mirror if it is the last thing I do! And you shall not be the one to stop it!"
"Why are you pushing so hard for a picnic?" Merlin said, narrowing his eyes.
"It's a lovely day. Why wouldn't I be?" Viviane shrugged, still grinning.
"I think you have another reason." Merlin challenged.
"Still don't trust me, huh?" She sighed. Why would he? Merlin threw his arms up in frustration. Viviane caught them before the fell to the ground and handed them back to Merlin. The pitcher bumped into Viviane's arm causing her to shout out in alarm. The cry surprised Merlin, who dropped the pitcher, which made a loud clanging as it hit the ground.
"Is everything okay out there?" Gwen asked poking her head out the door down the hall.
"Fine!" Viviane called quickly, rubbing her arm.
"Yeah, sorry. Just lost my grip on the… jug…. Thing... yeah." Merlin said awkwardly. Gwen laughed slightly.
"Alright then, if everyone's fine." She smiled then disappeared back into the room. Both faces in the hall quickly dropped their smiles.
"Tell me what you're planning." Merlin said, turning back to Viviane angrily.
"I'll tell you when you tell me. How's the saying go?" Viviane said straitening up. "A lie for a lie. A secret for a secret." I have literally never heard anyone say that before. Merlin swallowed uncomfortably. It was a very awkward swallow all around. "Or something like that anyway." Viviane shrugged. "See you around." She smiled once again, and left abruptly.
Scene.oOo. Change!
The courtyard was busy as usual when the four of them saddled up to leave for the picnic. Merlin pulled the reigns slightly and trotted over on his horse. Viviane was still on the ground try desperately to get into the saddle. It was clear that the horse was much too tall, but Viviane refused to admit it. Shorty.(trigger warning for sensitive short people)
"Have you ever ridden a horse before?" Merlin said trying not to laugh at the girl's clumsiness.
"Of course I have!" Viviane said defensively. Merlin watched for a couple more minutes as Viviane tried and failed to make it up into the saddle. Minutes? dude. I know you don't like her but that's just mean.
"Here, let me help." Merlin sighed starting to dismount. Oh no! Don't loose the high ground
"No! I'll get it." Viviane said, determined.
"Merlin! Let's get a move on!" Arthur called. He and Gwen were already mounted and eager to leave. Merlin turned back to Viviane.
"I'll be right behind you. Just go!" Viviane said. Merlin highly doubted her words but turned to trot after Arthur and Gwen. They had already made it out of Camelot before Merlin heard Viviane trot up behind him. He turned to see her whispering something in the horse's ear. Her gaze connected with Merlin's and she immediately sat up because she had been whispering her evil plans to her new horse friend and knew Merlin could read lips.
"Told I could do it." She said smugly.
"Eventually." Merlin added under his breath.
The four trotted along under the high sun, silently admiring the beautiful woods they passed through. They quickly reached their destination and dismounted. Joy
"This spot looks good." Gwen mused, motioning to a grassy spot overlooking the city of Camelot. The cliff in front of them was a long drop but the view was fantastic. Stretching all around was a sea of emerald trees, moving like waves in the gentle breeze. Hey that rhymed Merlin spread out the blankets and pillows, and then set out the food.
"Thank you Merlin." Gwen smiled. "Now, you and Viviane go enjoy yourselves." Merlin sighed and left the small clearing, only to realize that Viviane was nowhere in sight. Her horse was also missing. How could she have left so fast? Especially with a horse she had such trouble with before. Merlin turned in a circle looking to see if he had just missed her the first time. You know how tiny full grown humans can be. But she wasn't there. There was no trace of the girl. Merlin felt his stomach churn. His hair stood on end. Faint traces of magic tainted the air. Something was wrong. His spidey senses were tingling.
Suddenly, a loud twang echoed off the trees. Merlin turned back to the clearing to see an arrow inches away from where Gwen and Arthur were siting. Arthur jumped up immediately, grabbing for a sword that wasn't there. Half a dozen ruffians busted into the clearing, forming a semi circle around the King and Queen, pushing them closer to the cliff edge. Merlin... maybe you just suck at looking for people. There were 6 people right there and you didn't see any of them.
"Right where they said they'd be!" one of the ruffians commented in delight. "This is gonna be easy!" Merlin rushed to Arthur's horse.
"Arthur!" Merlin called out. Arthur looked over quickly and the sword that had been tossed in his direction. Upon seeing that their quarry was now armed, the ruffians charged forward. Arthur sprung into action, sword flashing everywhere. *cue epic fight music* Before Merlin could think to help, five of the six ruffians had their faces in the dirt. Arthur advanced toward the last one, who, shakily grabbed a horn from his belt and blew it. But the sound was cut of as the man sank to the ground. He was afraid of loud noises.
"That was a call for reinforcements." Arthur said peering through the woods. "We need to get out of here." They all mounted quickly.
"Where's Viviane?" Gwen asked, looking around frantically.
"She left earlier." Merlin explained, also looking around, though he knew she would be nowhere in sight.
"Merlin, go find her." Arthur instructed.
"But-" Merlin started to protest.
"She might be in danger!" Arthur cut off. "Go find her!" Can I just take a moment to acknowledge that literally all Gwen and Arthur have been doing is trying to set up romantic situations to get Merlin and Viviane hitched? This is like... some hardcore matchmaking here and I respect it, even if I don't ship it. Merlin didn't argue this time, but turned his horse and galloped into the woods. She was in danger all right. How could he have been so blind? She had acted so suspiciously. Suggesting a picnic then getting ambushed. It was too obvious. He furrowed his brow and pushed his horse faster, nearly running into Viviane. Literally?
"Whoa!" Viviane cried in surprise, her horse rearing in panic. "Merlin, what's wrong?"
"You!" He cried, "This was your plan wasn't it!"
"What? What plan?" Viviane asked, suitably startled. The suit walking by looked very startled indeed.
"Oh, don't start." Merlin said glaring at her.
"Merlin, what's going on?" Viviane questioned, really panicking now. "Did something happen to the King and Queen?" At the thought she started drifting her horse back toward the cliff.
"Well guess what. Your little scheme failed." Merlin smiled. "They've escaped. They'll be safely in Camelot by now."
"Were they attacked?" Viviane's eyes widened. Before waiting for an answer, Viviane spurred off after the Kind and Queen. Merlin tugged the reins hard and shot off after her.
Arthur and Gwen were dismounting when Viviane came hurtling into the courtyard, with Merlin right behind her.
"Are you alright milady?" Viviane asked, swinging off her horse before it had even stopped. Like a boss.
"Yes, I'm fine." Gwen assured. "Are you alright? Did the Ruffians attack you?" Viviane shook her head.
"I didn't see anyone except Merlin." She said confused "I am so sorry, I shouldn't have left like that. If something had happened to you, I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself." Viviane shook her head thinking of the worst.
"That's what you say now." Merlin said, bring his horse over and dismounting.
"What do you mean?" Arthur asked, coming over.
"Didn't you here them?" Merlin asked, astounded. "Those men said 'right where they said they would be.' Someone tipped them off." He glared at Viviane. Ah so you picked up on that sneaky little bit of ruffian dialogue did you Merlin? Good good.
"And you think it was me?" Viviane asked, offended.
"Who else could it be?" Merlin asked, "You even suggested it!" Gwen looked at Viviane suspiciously. Oooh girl, you in troubleeee.
"It wasn't me!" Viviane cried indignantly.
"We're the only people who knew about it." Merlin pointed out. "And I'm pretty sure it wasn't either Arthur or Gwen."
"Well you seem pretty quick to jump to conclusions yourself." Viviane said nodding towards Merlin in disgust.
"No, I know Merlin didn't do it." Arthur said decisively. "He's not smart enough to do it."
"Gee, thanks so much!" Merlin rolled his eyes.
"Wait," Gwen said, thinking, "We weren't they only people who knew about it." The others turned to her. "Well, the cook knew about it, she made the lunch. And the page too."
"And her!" Merlin added, referring to Viviane. Merlin, one would almost thing you didn't like her or something.
"I didn't do it!" Viviane repeated even louder. YES VERY HELPFUL
"Enough. Both of you." Arthur said. "We'll call the other two to my chambers and we can discuss it in there. No point making a scene about it."
"I think it's a bit late for that." Gwen said, looking around at the staring spectators.
"Don't mind it." Arthur said. "You, take these horses to the stable!" He said, calling out to a passing servant. "Merlin, go get the other two and bring them up to my chambers. We'll listen to their stories there." Merlin started to speak up, but Arthur cut him off. "All three of their stories."
Is Viviane guilty? Will she be beheaded for treason? Will Merlin FINALLY get he's greatly needed peace of mind?
Find out Next Time on The Lady Viviane: How NOT to Write an Original Character!