Gwaine looked at the Amata Knight "Tomorrow at sunrise at the practice field, it will be empty then" with that he turned and walked to Merlin taking his arm they walked to the stables together. Percival and Lancelot brought out the horses they had saddled and the group rode off. Once they were a safe distance from the others Merlin turned to his brother, his body language clearly showing his anger.
"What did you do that for? I could have dealt with it!" he demanded "Now you are having a duel, and to the death! What do you think King Uther will think of that?"
Gwaine stopped his horse, he looked at Merlin disbelievingly "You think I would allow anyone to treat you like that!"
"I can look after myself I am not a damsel needing rescuing" Merlin shouted back
"But you are Merlin, remember as far as everyone is concerned that's just what you are. What sort of brother would I be if I didn't defend you? And exactly what could you have done without making things worse!?" Gwaine looked at Merlin "Look you know I can take him easily, what's the problem?"
"Uther Pendragon!" Merlin replied "And you might get hurt!" Merlin looked at his brother "I couldn't bare that"
Gwaine gave a rueful smile "I know it might make things difficult with the tyrant but I can always leave afterwards. I won't get hurt Merlin….do you have no faith in me?"
"I know you can beat him in a fair fight but will it be fair? I don't trust him" Merlin paused before adding "Anyway sooner or later I am going to have to deal with such things on my own"
Gwaine looked at his brother and grinned "Remember you have a husband to look out for you, so keep your dagger sheathed"
"Arthur will be away and I am forbidden to go with him." He said peevishly "I am beginning to think this destiny thing stinks" with that he kicked his horse and rode ahead.
Lancelot turned to Gwaine "I think Merlin is finding the idea of being the woman in the relationship difficult Prince Gwaine"
"I know, but it is at least safer that way, he is but sixteen" Gwaine kicked his horse to try to catch up with Merlin. The knights followed suit.
Just before they caught up with Merlin Percival said his piece "Sire don't forget when you were sixteen you were already fighting in battles. At sixteen the Pure One is still a man"
"He is, but he is also the Pure One with a destiny, it will be harder for him in many ways, is it so wrong for me to try to protect him? If it is then I will always be wrong because I will protect him until the day I die" Gwaine didn't speak again until they were beside Merlin. "Merl I'm sorry, but I couldn't do nothing, if I had he would have never let you alone" Gwaine looked at his brother with the puppy dog eyes they both used to good effect.
"I know, now where is Aithusa?" Merlin called out in the dragon tongue then he heard the tale, tale noise of a dragons wings as the white dragon landed nearby. Merlin got off his horse and walked to the dragon and hugged her.
The others dismounted and joined Merlin who looked up "Do you think I should send her back home? I couldn't bare it if she were hurt"
Gwaine knelt beside the pair "I don't know Merlin it might be best, she could always visit you if she did. Or she could stay out here until Sarrum leaves, but I don't think King Uther is much better" hesitating because he knew what Merlin's reaction would be he added "I could take her back with me, I expect I will have to leave tomorrow anyway, I can't see Uther wanting me to remain after the morning"
"What! You have another month, you can't go yet!" Merlin glared.
"I might not have any choice Merls, you know that" Gwaine told the younger man "I have to leave sometime. You will still have Percy and Lance not to mention Arthur, Think about what you want to do with Aithusa. Now come on let's make the most of today and have that ride we have been looking forward to."
Gwaine had been right in thinking that King Uther would not be amused after they had returned to Camelot Gwaine was called to the throne room, Merlin followed not willing to leave his brother. As they entered they found Arthur with his father, the Camelot Prince immediately stepped towards Merlin and hugged him. Uther looked livid.
"How dare you challenge a visiting King to MY Kingdom!" he shouted "You forget yourself Prince Gwaine"
Gwaine sneered "I wouldn't have had to if he hadn't molested The Pure One! Did he tell you that part?" he noticed Arthur straighten and look at Merlin carefully his hand going to his sword.
"King Sarrum took exception to the presence of the dragon, which I warned was to be kept out of sight, as to the Princess he was stopping her getting hurt."
"Emrys was protecting Aithusa and she was grabbed, from what I saw a hand to the bosom, let alone the hand round her waist was not required, nor was the manhandling of him hurting the recent injury! or do you allow your women to be treated so" Gwaine demanded by now angry beyond belief "Because if it is I will take my sibling away from here" luckily no one seemed to notice his use of the male 'him'.
With that Arthur stepped forward to Merlin's side "Is that true Merlin?" he asked looking closely at Merlin. The raven haired man nodded "It is"
Arthur turned to his father "This clearly puts a different slant on what was reported to you Sire. I cannot allow such behaviour towards my wife. Had not Gwaine already challenged I would have, although it pains me as a challenge has already been made and accepted under the knight's code I cannot issue another"
"You think I should take their word over a Kings!" Uther demanded of his son
This was too much for Merlin who stood straighter "He was going to kill Aithusa. I went to stop him and he grabbed me round the waist he held tightly so I tried to kick him, then he pulled my bad arm behind my back and hurt me" Merlin recounted. "I told Aithusa to fly away. When Gwaine tried to help the King grabbed me again and put his hand here" he touched his chest "So I bit him and made him let me go, no one but my husband is permitted to touch me" Merlin looked at Arthur "Gwaine had to challenge him…. To protect my honour, he did no wrong!"
"Father you must demand that King Sarrum apologise, I will not have my wife treated so" he turned to Gwaine "I would have killed him on the spot. But as you have challenged him I wish to be your second"
Gwaine nodded, pleased at Arthur's reaction "It is the Knight Albin who picked up the challenge."
Uther looked at his son "You take his word over a Kings!" he demanded "You will not act as a second I forbid it"
"I take both Prince Gwaine's and my spouse's word yes! If he had not already have challenged I would have. I will be second whether you approve or not. I will not have Merlin treated in such a fashion. I also demand that King Sarrum leave as soon as the challenge has been met" Uther looked shocked and deeply angered by this son's defiance.
"How dare you speak to me so! The King will not be asked to leave!" Uther turned to Gwaine "But you will, this minute!"
"I will leave after I have killed Sarrum's champion, the challenge was lawfully given and accepted, you would dishonour both parties if it was prevented from happening." Gwaine glared at the King "I would have expected you to have been more supportive of your son's spouse"
"Would that I had never seen any of you!" Uther shouted. Then realising what he was endangering "But we have a treaty and it will be kept. But I will not tolerate any further insults to my fellow King, something I am sure your father would understand"
Gwaine threw back his head and laughed "How little you know my father, King Balinor would have already shinned Sarrum alive. King Balinor would not tolerate the treatment The Pure One tolerated, something you need to bear in mind. Don't worry I will leave, but my father will visit on his way home to check Merlin you may be sure of that, Make sure Sarrum is gone as Balinor's memory is a long one. You have not yet dealt with the Gangani in anger" after a significant pause he added "You will see something of it tomorrow if you attend the duel" with that he turned his back on the King and looked at Merlin and Arthur "Make sure the physician checks that shoulder, I will see you in the morning" then he walked out his head held high.
Arthur looked at his father once more "Sire remember we are getting more from the treaty with the Gangani than we ever have from Amata. Whatever you say Gwaine is right Merlin deserves your support and protection. I am taking Merlin to Gaius"
Uther looked at his son "Watch your mouth Son, remember I am your King! I demand your loyalty, respect and obedience"
Arthur looked his father in the eye "You have my loyalty and in most cases my obedience but I have a partner now and Merlin comes first. As for my respect… you have always told me respect is earnt"
Before Uther could react to his son's words Arthur and Merlin left the room and headed to the physicians chambers. "Arthur be careful" Merlin told him "Thank you for your support but he is your father and King"
"As I said Merlin you are my first responsibility now. I just wish I could have been there to protect you" Arthur stopped and looked at Merlin "I am sorry your brother must leave"
Merlin sighed "So am I, I am also going to lose Aithusa, I cannot risk her safety. But this is my home now"
Arm in arm they walked on, the two Gangani knights following at a discrete distance. Gaius took Merlin and Arthur into the small back room, to protect Merlin's secret. Checking Merlin's shoulder he found a large bruise forming but luckily no further damage. He handed Merlin a jar of salve "Rub this in twice a day to ease the shoulder. I will check you tomorrow morning"
"It will have to be after the duel, because I am going" Merlin looked at Arthur "You cannot stop me"
"I will not, it is your brother, but please keep silent" Arthur told him after he explained to Gaius.
The next morning Arthur and Merlin went down to the training ground after going to Gwaine's chambers. Arthur and Gwaine were in full chainmail. Gwaine's rooms had been packed and his servant had taken his belongings down ready for his to leave. Merlin hugged his brother "Take care I do not trust them"
Gwaine grinned "Nor do I, don't worry the Princess will cover my back" Gwaine looked at Arthur "Look after him once I'm gone. King Balinor will visit next month I suspect Merlin will be safe until then" he grinned. "But I don't trust Sarrum or your father, I'm sorry, but I trust you with Merlin's life guard it well"
Arthur looked at his brother in law "I will, his life is more important than mine to me" he clapped Gwaine on the shoulder "Fight well my friend I won't wish you luck you don't need it"
As they reached the training ground they found the Amata group already there, King Sarrum had a bruise on the right side of his face. King Uther was also present "I expect this fight to be undertaken by the knight's rules and it will continue to the death".
It wasn't long before the two men were fighting. It was clear that neither men intended to lose, but with a fight to the death that wasn't surprising. But the ferocity of the Crown Prince from Gangani showed surprised everyone present but Merlin. He was almost playing with Albin he managed to draw blood on two occasions. On the second occasion Albin seemed to be galvanised and fought Gwaine back across the field but it wasn't long before Gwaine once more drew blood. Then Gwaine suddenly changed his style and Albin was beaten back.
As the fight progressed both Merlin and Arthur watched for signs of treachery as there was a good crowd of both Camelot and Amata knights watching. But it wasn't the crowd that needed watching. Albin was forced back and as he reached the edge of the field near the crowd he stumbled at as he fell back into the crowd Gwaine stepped back letting him recover and get out of the spectators so no one else was hurt. As Albin can out he had a mace instead of the sword. As he swung it Gwaine stepped back. Arthur went towards the Amata knights to stop further action.
But Gwaine didn't need the interference. He deliberately allowed the mace to become entangled round his sword, then as it looked like he was going to be disarmed he dropped it. As all eyes were on him he caught the dagger thrown to him by Merlin. Swinging the dagger down it connected with Albin's arm at the wrist and the hand was almost severed at the wrist. Bringing the weapon back he finished the job by slitting the other knight's throat. Then he bent down cleaned the blade and returned it to Merlin with a courtly bow. Then he turned to King Sarrum.
"Your knight was not even honourable enough to fight fair. But he has been beaten and faced the price. The challenge has been proven are you are seen as the guilty party. Do not dare to believe you can in any way get back at Emrys for throwing me the dagger, for I'm am certain otherwise it will kill another. Remember all Gangani regardless of gender can look after themselves, and that isn't even taking into account Prince Arthur." Then he turned to King Uther "I will take my leave Sire" The Sire came out with more than a hint of sarcasm "But as I said my father will visit soon. As for you King Sarrum we may yet cross again"
Gwaine walked back to Merlin "Look after apples for me, I feel a different transport might be more suitable. I will look after Aithusa" he grinned and hugged Merlin then he turned to Arthur, who had moved back to Merlin's side "Brother look after Merlin for me, I trust the Pure One to your care and you to hers" he winked before turning and calling to the sky.
"Tell your soldiers to take care for Kilgarrah might be a bit cross." he told the Kings as they looked up to see a full sized dragon come into land then he added "Remember we are not only good fighters and sailors but we have dragons! And not just small ones and they all love Emrys" with that he got on Kilgarrah's back with his pack and waving took off leaving two speechless Kings behind him and knights from both sides that would talk of this day and spread the word.
Both the Kings had for once been left speechless by what had happened. But it was clear to Arthur that he would be receiving hard words later, but his estimation of both Merlin and his brother had gone up even higher than it already was, yet his opinion of his father had never been so low.