As soon as the guards had been sent to fetch Valiant, Arthur and I began heading straight for the council chamber, I just prayed Yuwin would wake up in time to give his statement. Arthur had told me a guard would inform Gaius that the council was gathering so I didn't need to worry about him being unaware, it had been a surprise to me that things had progressed so quickly, I had assumed it would take longer to arrange. If I'd known how fast it would be, I may have held out until Yuwin woke up. Who knew if he even remembered what had happened? He'd been struck in the head after the snake's had bitten him, he may be suffering from amnesia for all I knew.

Valiant sauntered into the council chamber, his cloak fanning out behind him and his shield in hand within moments of our arrival, paying no mind to the guards escorting him and acting as though he hadn't a care in the world. I barely held back my objection when the guards moved away from him, taking up places on either side of the door instead, knowing it was the best course of action they could have taken under the circumstances.

Guards were always stationed at the doors during meetings so it wouldn't seem suspicious and therefore wouldn't be considered a threat to Valiant who currently had no idea as to why he'd been summoned. Although from the warning look he was sending my way, he definitely suspected I was responsible for it. I forced myself to stand tall and meet his gaze, fighting the desire to hide myself behind Arthur's broad back. I felt a hand on my elbow and looked down to see Arthur had reached out to support me, clearly sensing my distress even as I tried to act fearless, and I shot him a weak smile in thanks.

Uther chose that moment to stride through the doors and take his seat in the throne atop the dais, turning his eyes immediately to Arthur, who hurriedly removed his hand from my arm before his father could notice.

"Why did you summon the court?" He spoke not with the voice of a father questioning his son, but as a King demanding answers from one of his subjects and I felt myself automatically swallow back fear at the warning in his tone. Arthur stepped forward, no sign of fear or hesitation as he met Uther's eyes.

"I believe Knight Valiant is using a magick shield to cheat in the tournament," Arthur stated clearly, without even a hint of uncertainty, as sure as himself as his birthright demanded he be. It was moments like this that reminded me who he truly was and who he would one day become. I watched Valiant closely as Arthur made his accusation, unable to help the pleasure that bloomed in my chest as I watched his eyes widen in shock and a hint of fear at the unforeseen turn of events.

He had no doubt assumed he had been summoned over attacking me, perhaps believing that Arthur had been able to convince his father that my social standing didn't matter, that everyone in Camelot deserved an equal right to protection regardless of their station. They did, and I knew Arthur believed the same and I hoped that when he was King, he would make sure injustices like this would be a thing of the past.

Uther stood from his throne, turning his gaze on the silent Knight who stood accused before him.

"Valiant? What do you have to say to this?" Valiant took this opportunity to approach the dais, feigning outrage at the accusation

"My Lord, this is ridiculous! I have never used magick. Does your son have any evidence to support this outrageous accusation?" I had automatically moved closer to Arthur as Valiant approached, cursing myself for being so weak and unintentionally risking drawing attention to myself.

"I do." Arthur motioned for me to step forward, surprised to see me so close behind him and I gave him an apologetic look before moving away from him and toward the king. Unsurprisingly, I didn't feel that same sense of safety from being beside him as I had with Arthur and I hurried to pass him the snakes head, curtsying before scampering back to Arthur and automatically taking a position that kept him between Valiant and myself. And the King. I held my breath as I watched Uther examine the snakehead closely. At least he seemed to be taking this seriously. I could feel Valiant's eyes on me and I kept mine focused on the King, not trusting myself to meet them for fear of making myself look weak in front of Uther and his men.

"Let me see this shield," Uther ordered and I watched out the corner of my eye as Valiant held the shield out to him, automatically.

"Don't let him get too close." I urged Arthur in a quiet voice, unsure as to whether Valiant would be insane enough as to attack the King. Arthur spared me a quick smile and reached into his scabbard for his sword as he spoke out.

"Be careful, my Lord." Uther spared him only a glance, brushing his hand over the shield.

In the silence of the audience hall I heard the door squeak quietly open and turned to see Gaius motioning me over.

"We need Yuwin. Find out what's happening." Arthur whispered, noticing Gaius' entrance. I nodded and headed over to him, not looking back as I heard Valiant speak up.

"As you can see, my lord, it's just an ordinary shield."Oh yeah, like he's gonna bring the snakes to life in front of them all. Even he's not that stupid. And he clearly wasn't insane, either. If he had intended to kill the King, he'd had more than one opportunity to do so which meant he was either directly targeting Arthur or he just wanted to win this competition, whatever the consequences.

"He's not going to let everyone see the snakes come alive." Arthur scoffed, causing Uther to turn on him, furious at the accusation of Valiant without clear evidence. Showing no special treatment for his son and heir.

"Then how am I to know that what you say is true?" Arthur continued to stand his ground, and I had to admit that I was proud of how he handled himself. Gaius' words quickly squashed that feeling.

"Yuwin is dead, Merlin. I don't know what happened. He was recovering and confirmed that Valiant was using magick, I went out to get some herbs and when I came back he was no longer with us." My stomach sank in horror and undiluted terror as I realized what this meant. I looked toward Arthur, seeking his eyes but they were on the King. We were so screwed!

"I have a witness. Knight Yuwin was bitten by one of the snakes on the shield. Its venom made him grievously ill, however, he has received an antidote. He will confirm that Knight Valiant was using magick." Dammit! I had to admire how Arthur looked Valiant straight in the eyes as he said this but shit, our witness was dead!

"Where is this witness?" Arthur turned to look at me and Gaius as he answered the King.

"He should be here." He said, his voice not as confident as it had been when he noticed the empty spot beside us. I met his eyes and shook my head, he looked to his father quickly before walking over to us.

"Where's Yuwin?" He demanded and my voice was small when I answered.

"He's dead." Arthur just looked at me as though he couldn't believe what I'd just said.

"I'm waiting!" The King shouted and Arthur turned back to him, looking around at the council, and then back to the King. He stood forward towards his father, his posture showing he already considered himself defeated.

"I'm afraid Sir Yuwin is dead." His voice had gone low, all certainty and pride gone in an instant.

"So you have no proof to support these allegations. Have you seen Valiant using magick?"

"No, but my servant fought –" Arthur began, grasping at straws to defend his argument.

"Your servant? You make these outrageous accusations against a Knight on the word of your servant!" Uther's bellow cut off his words and I watched as Arthur struggled to keep his composure. Gaius had been right, the second I was mentioned, it was all over and now Arthur was being humiliated in front of the whole council... because of me.

"I believe she is telling the truth!" Arthur yelled, automatically coming to my defense. Even after I had failed him so thoroughly.

"My lord, am I really to be judged on some hearsay from a girl?" I couldn't let Arthur face all of Uther's wrath, not when this was my fault, I should have stayed with Yuwin, I should have made sure that nothing could go wrong! I stepped forward and walked to Arthur's side, knowing I was a fool to do so but unable to leave him to bear this alone.

"I've seen those snakes come alive!" I shouted, my despair overtaking my common sense. I cringed as I felt the eyes of every person in the room turn towards me, my legs trembling as Uther turned his full fury on me, his eyes bulging and the vein in his temple throbbing as he opened his mouth to scream at me.

"How dare you interrupt!? Guards!" My eyes automatically sought out Arthur, the look he shot me left me weak as he simply moved aside, saying nothing as two guards grabbed me and turning away as they began dragging me towards the door. I didn't even bother to put up a fight, turning limp in their arms as my strength left me in a rush.

"My lord?" It wasn't Arthur who began to speak out in my defense this time. It was Valiant. The guards stopped and I found myself looking up to watch as Valiant inclined his head to Uther before turning his sights on me. "I'm sure she was merely mistaken. I wouldn't want her punished on my account." His words were kind but his eyes said enough. If anyone was going to punish me for this... it was going to be him. And he couldn't reach me in a cell. Uther turned his sights on Arthur, everyone else turning to see what he would say to his son, missing the sly smirk spreading across Valiant's face as he inclined his head in my direction.

"You see? This is how a true Knight behaves; with gallantry and honor." Honor my ass! That slimy son of a –

"My lord, if your son made these accusations because he is afraid to fight me then I will graciously accept his withdrawal." Valiant offered, appearing unconcerned at the events now playing out before him. If only it was that simple... Arthur would never withdraw. He was too proud and he had to be the one to set the example for the other knights under his command. I fought back the tears that began to sting my eyes as a new wave of hopelessness crashed over me, the guards still holding tightly to me the only thing keeping me from sinking to the ground in despair.

"Is this true? Do you wish to withdraw from the tournament?" Uther stepped closer to Arthur, his question laced with disappointment and shame.

"No!"

"Then what am I to make of these allegations?" Uther demanded. Arthur began looking around himself at the members of the court, silently asking for help. No one stepped forward. As I followed his eyes I caught sight of Morgana, her eyes burning with rage as she glared at Valiant, her clenched fists trembling at her sides. Her clear belief in us forced strength back into my legs and I began to stand tall, ignoring the warning squeeze of the guard's hands on my arms as Morgana's eyes met mine. 'I'm sorry,' she mouthed and I sent a small, understanding smile her way, knowing that nothing she said could help us now and that it would only get her in trouble too. I didn't want that, I had already caused enough damage for one day.

"Obviously there has been a misunderstanding." The defeat in Arthur's voice brought my eyes back to him but I forced myself to stay strong this time, I couldn't afford to give up too. "I withdraw the accusation against Knight Valiant." Arthur re-sheathed his sword, focusing on both his father and Valiant. "Please accept my apology." He inclined his head to both of them, acting contrite and apologetic but I could see the tense way he held himself, how much he hated having to admit fault in this but knowing there was nothing else he could do. And that he must hate me for it.

"Accepted." Valiant had shown himself to be nothing less than an honorable Knight, gracious in accepting the Prince's apology and sticking up for a worthless servant who had lied about him, no one was going to believe it was all an act. No one wanted to. Only Morgana had appeared to have any faith in us, which meant there was a good chance Gwen would also be on our side but other than that...

Arthur turned on his heel, striding past me as he exited the council chamber without ever making eye contact with me. As the guard's released me, I slowly followed after him, my feet dragging as I prepared myself for what was to come.