Uther woke the next morning with Gaius leaning over him. Gaius looked round at Merlin and Arthur who were standing at the end of the bed. "Well?" Asked Arthur.
"He's got a bad fever and a few other things, but he'll be fine."
Uther looked round there was someone sitting next to him on the bed but everything was fuzzy and he couldn't make them out. He then heard Rose's voice he couldn't make out what she was saying but her voice came from behind where Gaius was.
Morgana stood with Gwen they didn't know what to do. Morgana turned to Robin "What happened?" Robin looked at her "Well he fainted I think that's what Rose said had happened" Morgana nodded and looked at Gwen to see what she thought. Gwen looked back just as blankly.
Uther's vision was becoming clearer and he began to make out that next to him was a woman with long blonde hair with slight curls. He still couldn't make out her face. He guessed she was smiling but he couldn't be sure. She became more and more in focus. He blinked again and trying to get rid of the last of the blur. He couldn't believe his eyes it was Igraine!
Seeing that Uther was alright Rose, Robin, Arthur and Merlin dashed off so that they would able to get ready for their fights. Morgana and Gwen left so that they could get ready. Which left Gaius who was making sure Uther was ok and Igraine who wasn't going to leave Uther for anything. She held his hand and pulled him close. He didn't know what to say ,he was speechless which is what all Kings hate. They hugged and kissed passionately, he remember what it felt like to have her with him. Tears crept into his eyes. Gaius left the room sensing they would like to be on their own.
The jousting went on almost two weeks before it was the final joust. Rose vs. Arthur. They got ready preparing themselves. They walked in to the arena and mounted their horse and unicorn to the cheering crowds the adrenaline was building up. They charged. As Rose and Arthur came together they smashed into each other so hard the crowd felt it! The two lances shattered into a million tiny pieces going everywhere. Amazingly both Rose and Arthur stayed in their saddles.
They came round for the next run. When they came together this time, it was even worse. Arthur was thrown to the floor and Rose barely stayed in the saddle. She hadn't fallen out of the saddle yet. Arthur got up as quickly as he could, he was very winded. Merlin and Igraine stood together waiting worriedly to see what happened, this effect was being mirrored all round the arena everyone was holding their breath. Merlin and Igraine didn't mind who won but they were glad it was going to be one of them not any old knight.
Arthur gave a thumbs up to his father which meant he was ready to carry on. Uther, Rose, Merlin, Igraine and Gwen let out a sigh of relief and so did the crowd.
Arthur got ready for another run, grabbing a lance he hugged his knees tight to the horse and took a deep breath. Unless this knight fell this time he had lost because he didn't think he could quite do another run if he fell again.
They were ready again they charged making a huge smash and crunch as they both fell to the floor. Groaning they sat up the lances were no more, the pieces were so tiny you could barely see them. The shields may have been made of metal but were bent under them. Arthur's horse had sped off to the end where it had been caught, but Rose's unicorn stayed near Rose not wanting to leave her. Rose stood up and Arthur was soon to follow. Arthur stood up clapping, the crowd were on their feet. "Would the loser please remove his helmet!" Arthur pulled it off and there was a bit of shock before a huge round of applause. Arthur nodded and turned to the winner. "Would the victor please remove her helmet!" Uther was grinning, the crowd looked at the people next to them. Rose removed her helmet and the crowds were cheering the women were cheering the loudest. Arthur ran towards her picking her up and spinning her round. She was smiling so happily. Win for the girls!
There was to be a Ball that night to celebrate such a wonderful jousting tournament, Igraine hadn't been seen in public yet but she was going to the ball. Rose walked in with Arthur looking more grand then he had ever before, you could really see him becoming King one day. Rose looked completely stunning. She was wearing red again this dress was long, it had no sleeves, no straps. It held itself up like a corset. The dress had so many layers which looked fantastic.
Uther and Igraine had the first dance half way through they were followed by Rose and Arthur as 1st and 2nd place in the tournament. Igraine also looked amazing the guests, knights and even some of their older servants who knew who she was were astounded to see her. Igraine's dress was a light pink with silver and gold embroidery all over it.
As the hall began to fill up with dancers Uther and Igraine stopped Rose and Arthur were quick to follow. Uther went to talk to some of the guests Igraine went too but not before she let Arthur know she knew he loved Gwen. She was smiling in such a way that Arthur could tell she liked Gwen and didn't care if Arthur loved her. "But I don't think we'll tell Uther just yet," and with that she walked away.
Arthur stood there not sure what to do. He pulled Merlin aside and quizzed him on it. "What!?! No, I haven't told a soul. I swear!" Arthur looked at him for a moment then they went back to Rose, Morgana, Gwen and Robin.
"Well, what do you lot think of Igraine then?" Rose asked.
"Yeah, she's really nice" Morgana replied.
"She really loves him doesn't she" Gwen observed.
"Well at least Uther's not doing those looks at her." Merlin agreed looking over at them. "Merlin, what do you mean?"
"Well, you remember Catrina." They agreed with him.
"You're right but why doesn't he do that?" Morgana asked.
"Oh because Catrina only had control of his mind with an enchantment. Where as Igraine owns his heart, but has very little influence!"
"How does that work?" Robin asked looking slightly confused the rest of them looked the same way. Rose gave them a look as if it was so obvious that there was really no point explaining. "It just does, ok?" They nodded. "Oh it also may have something to do with the fact I teased them a little about it." They looked at her. She rolled her eyes "So that they didn't behave grossly in public. Hey Uther's my brother and Igraine's my best friend can you see what I mean now?" They all nodded knowing exactly what she meant.
Robin looked at Rose and asked her to dance. Arthur looked at Merlin and whispered "I'll ask Gwen to dance if you ask Morgana" he was grinning "Oh and if she does dance with you I'll get another I'll get someone else to muck out my stables." Merlin looked at him and whispered back "You're on!" Morgana had walked away to talk to Igraine, but they were by Uther and a load of highly thought of and rich guests one or two were even Kings. Merlin looked at Arthur who was laughing. He nodded and pushed Merlin forward.
Taking a deep breath and walking forward, he stood in front of Morgana and looked back at Arthur who hadn't moved he was laughing to much. Merlin built up all the courage he had and opened his mouth to speak. Morgana was looking at him not quite sure what was coming next. "Erm…" He could feel the eyes of the people around them on him. "Would you…" he couldn't say it. He could already hear some of them laughing. Igraine sighed taking pity on Merlin. "Like to dance?" She finish for him. He nodded feeling himself go pink. He knew Arthur was laughing so hard behind him, if Morgana said no not only would he have to muck out Arthur's stables he would also not be able to live it down. Arthur would just keep bringing it up, Morgana may not be his friend anymore.
"She's more likely to accept if you bow and hold out your hand. He heard someone say. "Really?" He asked not sure if they were winding him up. "Yeah, it really works it's supposed to look more knightly or gentleman like." Merlin did as he said feeling a total PRAT! He felt Morgana's hand hold his, "Yes I would like to dance." Merlin felt really good he looked back up and saw Morgana smiling.
Merlin turned and looked at Arthur who was smirking slightly. Merlin and Morgana began to dance and found that Arthur and Gwen had begun to dance as well. "Thank you for asking me to dance, I thought I might not be going to because no one was asking." Morgana told Merlin as they danced to a fast song.
"You mean you made me wait a while before giving your answer just to make me think that you weren't going to?" Merlin asked.
"Yes well Arthur was watching and I didn't want him to think that I was desperate to dance."
The dancing went on all night and Merlin and Morgana danced all night. Merlin was on a high when he went to bed even though his feet ached and so did his legs and that it was going to be back to normal again tomorrow. He had had a lot of wine that night and Gaius warned he would probably regret it in the morning, but he didn't care. He even could have sworn he saw Arthur and Gwen kissing, but he couldn't he sure, they were dancing so fast he only saw it for a second.
He woke that morning and felt all the pains he hadn't felt before. Every part of his feet and legs hurt. As he got up he felt every part of his body refusing. Stumbling down the steps to where Gaius was, he knew he couldn't get through the day if Gaius didn't give him something for the pain.
He looked at Gaius looked back grinning "what did I tell you?" Merlin nodded and Gaius handed him a phial. "Drink this it will help with the pain," Merlin grinned at him and then downed it in one he then wished he hadn't for the taste was revolting.
