Merlin rubbed his eye and blinked hard trying to release a piece of sand that got in his eye. Once the grain streamed through his tears he shook his head after hearing a loud cheer echoing from the stadiums.
"This is just terrible…" Merlin moaned looking back at the stadium, imagining the cheery crowd rooting the tournament players away. He turned over to a strained Sir Leon who was walking to and fro a few meters exhaling every few moments. Sir Leon was rubbing his face and looked more panicked than ever.
"This is ridiculous. When is she coming?" Sir Leon moaned looking at the skies frantically.
Merlin frowned watching Sir Leon.
"Calm down Leon…"Sir Leon said to himself while shooting short puffs of air, ignoring Merlin.
"So…. "Merlin began, figuring he better help Sir Leon calm down. "So Sir Leon, I never got to ask you. How did you become a knight at Camelot?"
Sir Leon glimpsed at Merlin and considered him for a second.
"Well…. It was about four years ago." Sir Leon said fully turning to him as he began to imagine the time. " I was 21 at the time." He rose a little higher and seemed be calming down. It's working. "I remember it like it was yesterday. I was walking down the roads of Camelot - mind you I had no intention to become a knight – but on that day, I was at the market watching my mother look for some mirrors, when I saw the most beautiful women ever." Sir Leon explained, then putting his head down. "It was the Lady Morgana." He said under his breath ashamed. "She had a heart of gold then, cared for the villagers and ask us all how we all did. Oh all the young men had somewhat of a fancy for her, for she was a princess of Camelot essentially and yet was the kindest girl you could ever see. Her beautiful dark curls bounced in the air and her beaming smile lit up a room. Her eyes so kind and lovely. I thought she was wonderful…." Sir Leon said with a smile. He then straightened himself up after realizing he drifted off. "Anyway, at the market, a few men thought it would be a good idea to steal from the Lady Morgana. They went up to her and grabbed her wrists, and demanded all her jewelry. I was one of the few ones that had noticed, and my heart jumped from my chest, furious at these men for trying to hurt the Lady Morgana! So I- I don't know how I did it, but I just ran up to the men and punched them in their faces, releasing Morgana from them. She- she was so pleased, that she requested I meet with the King for a reward. When I did, he said the courage I had demonstrated what it takes to be a knight of Camelot and suggested I be trained to be a knight of Camelot. I was more than honored! I was able to train alongside with the prince! Imagine that….I … I owe it all to Lady Morgana. "Sir Leon said looking down. "But I suppose I can't anymore."Sir Leon said with a disappointed sigh.
"Wow…" voiced out a man. Merlin looked to his left and couldn't believe his eyes when he saw a jovial man with cheeks fatter than he's seen. It was a surprise the two didn't notice him.
"Oh hello there, I'm Dagonet!" the man said putting his hands out after popping some berries in his mouth.
Sir Leon was more than confused, but only had his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Uh..."Merlin shook his hand. He didn't know where to begin. "What- What do you want?"
"Ooh, I'm here for the tournament. I just arrived. I saw you two talking and wanted to hear what was so interesting. Mother couldn't wait for the story to be told so she already left." Dagonet said pointing ahead at a tiny woman walking ahead. "Gross, these berries are atrocious here in Camelot." He said spitting the berries on the ground.
Merlin and Sir Leon instantly glanced at each other thinking the same thing, after realizing they just let people walk by unnoticed. No more story telling.
"What are you two doing?" Dagonet said eating another berry.
Sir Leon shook his head and immediately left the conversation to guard the area with more focus than ever.
"We are here to guard the area and greet people. I - I think you better go..."
"I see… wow, you have such a great job here," Dagonet said looking ahead. A women began waving and jerking her arm to bid Dagonet over. "Oh mother looks furious… I better go Merlin."
Merlin looked at Dagonet and ran his fingers through his hair, then turning to Sir Leon who was facing the forest. He then remembered Sir Leon's story.
Merlin just didn't know whether or not it was a good thing that Sir Leon and Morgana had this respectful connection damaged so recently.
"…And the sole winner of this tournament has been awarded a chest of a thousand golden coins. As you all may already know, the reigning champion has been my son, Prince Arthur. I have decided that for this tournament, the award will be slightly different. Whoever wins this tournament, aside from my son, will win double the amount in the treasure chest. That is , two thousand golden coins." A few gasps sounded from the audience in the stadium, as Arthur jerked his head critically at his father standing up delivering this speech. "So good luck to you all! May the best man win!"
The crowd roared though the stadiums, as the fighters clapped in tents.
A man dressed in a bright red and gold checkered outfit stood on side of the stadium walked in the field and held out a scroll of parchment. He let the end of the scroll drop dramatically on the sandy ground, so that he could read out the list of names that were to compete.
"Thank you ladies and gentleman." The man said in a booming voice. "The first men to compete ARE…Kay and Augesel!"
Kay glanced back at Bedivere before heading out. "Beddy that's me! I'm up! Augesel ha-ha, what a name."
Kay headed out and took out his sword, and Augesel did too. Augesel's armor seemed to be made from a copper material, and his choice of weapon was a spear. That didn't keep Kay from howling with laughter, which made the audience chatter to themselves as they watched Kay gasping for breath.
"Why is he laughing?" Gwen asked Gaius, still staring at Kay who was making no effort to hide his feelings about Augesel. Augesel began crossing his arms and faced the king waiting for the signal to begin.
"I presume because Augesel decided to use a spear in the tournament."
The two began fighting at the sign of a signal.
"Why IS he using a spear?"
"I don't know… perhaps we will be surpr-OH dear… never mind." Gaius said instantly after seeing Kay take down Augesel in a matter of moments.
The crowd celebrated while Kay lifted his hands in triumph, threw his helmet down, and smiled big.
He walked over to the tent with a triumphant bounce in his step.
"See that Bedivere!"He said taking off his helmet. "Haaa haa!"
Merlin began making sounds with his tongue and tried to understand why putting the tip of his tongue on the roof of his mouth made a tsk sound. He tried it again in different variations and then looked up at the sky. The weather was getting warmer, and he was feeling thirstier. He pulled out his water canteen and took a sip and looked over at Leon.
Leon seemed to be a lot calmer and was now sitting on the ground, throwing some rocks into a circle etched in the ground by Leon's finger. Merlin walked over to collect a few pebbles of his own and drew a circle on the ground and sat down. He aimed at the circle and flicked the pebble in.
The heavily costumed speaker went in the middle of the field and brought out his list of names.
"Well.. That has to be a record. Next up is…. Kaherdin and Bedivere!"
The crowd cheered away.
"Kaherdin looks like an easy man to beat. Get him Beddy!" Kay said clapping Bedivere's back while chugging down some water.
Bedivere put on his helmet and walked to the stadium with Kaherdin.
As the cheering stopped, the man signaled the two to start fighting.
Bedivere pulled out his sword, held out his shield, and barged ahead at an angle to uproot Kaherdin. Though Kaherdin spun around and swung his sword at an angle to hit the backs of Bedivere's ankles. Bedivere, seeming to anticipate this, jumped and avoided the strike, and backed off quickly. A few shouts and howls came from the stadium as everyone watched on anxiously. The two men circled each other tensely and Bedivere ran up to strike Kaherdin's arm, though Kaherdin pulled his sword out and blocked it's blow.
The next few moments confused almost everyone, causing gasps from the crowd to resonate the arena. As Bedivere backed away, somehow his left foot was tucked behind his right foot when he backed off, therefore he tripped over his own self and fell with a large thud. At the sound of Bedivere making a thump on the ground, the crowd cheered for Kaherdin as Kaherdin jumped for joy, pulling off his helmet proudly.
"Wow…" Gwen said clapping with the crowd. "Did he just trip over himself?"
"I'm afraid so.." Gaius said in concern, watching Bedivere quietly getting up and brushing his pants as he walked back to the tent with his head down in humiliation.
As Bedivere walked in the tent, Kay followed him around.
"Beddy, what in the world happened out there?" Kay asked as Bedivere picked up his parcel fumed.
"Didn't you see? I tripped." Bedivere snapped.
"That's not like you!" Kay said with some slight concern, watching Bedivere go off to another direction to try and avoid the other contenders stares. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going back to my room."
Kay paused and shook his head as he watched Bedivere go off. He turned away and saw a crowd of men staring.
"WHAT ARE YOU ALL LOOKING AT!" He threatened.
The main speaker then went back in the field and pulled out his list.
"That has to have been another record. The only player that has knocked out himself! Ha ha ha!"
The crowd howled in laughter and clapped away.
"The next one up is… well, it is an honor! Prince ARTHUR and Galeron!"
The crowd rejoiced.
Arthur came out of his tent and into the stadium with his hand up high. The crowd cheered louder than ever, whistled at Arthur, while others stood clapping in support.
"There's Arthur…. Oh I hope he doesn't do anything silly." Gwen said clapping away.
"Arthur has already fought Galeron before in the past tournaments. The only thing he has to watch out for is Galeron's quick fencing arm." Gaius explained watching on.
"Ohh! They are starting!" Gwen said watching closely.
"When is lunch?" Merlin asked Leon, yawning.
"I think in a few hours. Someone will come here and give us some lunch when the rest are eating." Leon said throwing pebbles at the etched circle on the ground.
Merlin rubbed his face in boredom. Merlin got to his feet and stood on his tippy toes to see if he could get a glimpse of the stadium. There was no way to view what was happening inside.
"You want to have a competition? Let's see how many pebbles out of ten we can get into the circle. Whoever gets the most wins!"
"Sorry Merlin, but we need to focus," Leon said tossing another pebble in the circle.
Arthur rose his arms high and pulled his helmet off to show his pearly whites as the audience applauded his win against Galeron.
"Arthur absolutely knew Galeron was going to switch his aim of attack!" Gwen said admirably, gripping Gaius's arm happily. "That was amazing!"
"Indeed!" Gaius said clapping.
Arthur walked up to the two, beads of sweat pouring down his hair.
"Gwen… Gaius! How are you doing?" Arthur panted happily. He looked off into the stadium with a smile.
"Arthur you were absolutely wonderful! I thought Galeron had you for a moment."
Arthur turned to Gwen and smiled. "It's all a bit of drama, Gwen."
Gwen giggled.
The speaker went to the middle of the stadium and pulled out his list once again.
"Well that was an incredible fight! I think everyone has to agree! Prince Arthur is unbeatable . Will there be anyone that can triumph over him? We will see! Now, to end the first rounds, we have Gawi- Gawaine? And Johfrit! Johfrist if you all remember was the 2nd runner up for the past 2 years. Let's wish Gawaine luck!"
"Oh I have to see this! Ha haa" Arthur said laughing away.
"Why?" Gwen asksed.
"Gawaine. He comes in here unprepared, treating this like a childs game. Now he has to face Johfrit, one of the best players in the tournament."
Gaius, Gwen and Arthur watched Gawaine walk towards the stadium with his borrowed armor, next to Johfrit who transpired confidence, strength and competence.
"He looks so uncomfortable.." Gwen said concerned, watching Gawaine in his armor."The chain mail looks too big for him."
"Ha hah.. Well that's what he gets. This should be a quick round."
Gawaine faced Johfrit and the speaker signaled them to start. Johfirt wasted no time and ran towards Gawaine and jumped in the air with his sword pointing towards Gawaine. Gawaine instantly ran and slid through the sand beneath Johfrit to the other side, leaving a whirlwind of dust to form as he tumbled and shot up.
"What the hell…" Arthur gasped, watching more closely.
Gawaine and Johfrit spared a little, and it was evident Johfrit began to lose a bit of confidence as he seemed to be trying harder than Gawaine. Gawaine lifted his foot and kicked Johfrit in the stomach with such force, Johfrit slid back a few inches, spun around, and distanced himself from Gawaine nervously. Gawaine pointed the tip of his sword at Johfrit, and beckoned him over with his hand. Johfrit angled his back towards Gawaine and seemed to have been planning on using his left hand to attack, but quickly switched his fighting arm to attack by his right hand, giving Gawaine only a second to block his blow.
Not only did Gawaine manage to extend his sword to his left side to block Johfrit, Gawaine slid his feet between Johfrit's feet and locked Johfrit's left leg and pushed him ahead. The sound of Johfrit falling was a shock to the crowd, for they hoped Johfrit to go against Arthur in the final round. After a few seconds of silence, the crowd cheered with wild excitement. They sure didn't expect Johfrit to lose, let alone lose by a stranger like Gawaine. Gawaine held out his hand and offered Johfrit help in getting up. Johfrit accepted and eyed Gawaine carefully in confusion, and nodded as he walked out of the stadium to allow Gawaine to soak in the appreciation from the crowd.
As Gwen and Gaius applauded, all Arthur could do was stare in stunned disbelief.