I am really sorry about how slow I've been updating. I am trying to get back on my normal schedule so hopefully you won't have to wait too long next time.

Valiant was beginning to regret his decision to do this tournament. It wasn't that Sir Kay was necessarily a skilled fighter; he was just really strong and really big. His method of winning wasn't so much getting hits on his opponent, but rather bring down his sword as fast and hard as he could in hopes that he would knock his opponents sword to the ground. It was a good strategy.

A really good strategy. Because of this, Nimueh's spells weren't really working. There were no techniques for Valiant to copy. Valiant was grateful the only thing that had kept him going this long was his endurance. However, even that was starting to wane with each blow. He thought maybe he should just give up and let Kay win. He already had the king's favor.

Valiant shook his head and lunged forward, hoping to catch Kay off-guard. It almost worked, but he didn't get quite enough momentum to hit Kay. He couldn't give up yet. He had to win this. He had to impress the people and show everyone that he was the warrior they needed. Besides, there was still one trick in his bag he had yet to try.

"Attack," Valiant hissed. He couldn't see the snakes, but he could feel them moving. Kay's eyes widened.

"Sorcery," he gasped. He lunged forward, this time with the intent to kill. Only Valiant's snakes were faster. Swift as lightening they flew out. One quick bite and they retracted back into his shield. Kay stumbled forward. Valiant easily stepped to the side, making it look like Kay had gone to attack him. Valiant knocked him to the ground and smiled as people began to cheer. But he could get complacent yet. He ripped off his helmet and knelt beside Kay.

"Sir, Sir Kay? Are you alright?" he asked, his voice in a state of panic. He was aware Sir Leon and the physician were next to him. The physician turned Kay over.

"He doesn't look injured. Could it be exhaustion, Gaius?" Sir Leon asked.

"Help me get him to my chambers. I need to make sure," Gaius responded. Several more knights had come out onto the field and were now helping put Kay on a stretcher. Valiant stepped back. Hopefully they wouldn't notice the snake bite. If they did, hopefully they wouldn't suspect Valiant.

"So I guess you're fighting Arthur in the finals," a voice from behind him said. Valiant whipped around to see Gwaine, his foot propped up on the stands with a pair of wooden crutches resting next to him.

"You don't seem too happy about that," Valiant snarled. Gwaine shrugged.

"I just think it's a bit odd that two of your opponents are severely injured. No one else has that kind of a track record," Gwaine said, picking at his fingernails.

"What are you trying to say?" Valiant snapped. Gwaine looked up at him and glared.

"Hurt anyone else, and we'll have a problem," he said simply. Valiant clenched his teeth. Should he kill this knight? Or would that be too suspicious. He would ask Nimueh when he next saw her.

"I'm not here to fight. I'm here to become something greater. If you don't like it, then learn to," Valiant said. He turned on his heels and stomped off towards his tent. He had other things to worry about besides drunken knights with too much time on their hands.

oOoOoOo

Merlin huddled back on the stands, trying to decide what to do. He liked Kay, but not as much as the other knights. But there was still the problem with Valiant. He had hurt both Gwaine and Kay. And then there was his shield. Gaius didn't seem to like it that much. Merlin wondered why. Could it be that Gaius didn't like shields from Mercia? Or was it because Valiant had grabbed Merlin?

Merlin winced and rubbed his wrist absentmindedly. He didn't like this man. He didn't like the way he looked or the way he talked. It was like Valiant knew something that no one else knew. It was like Valiant was here to do something other than win the tournament.

Merlin hopped off the bleachers and went to find Arthur. Maybe he could convince him to not fight Valiant tomorrow.

Merlin quickly found Arthur's tent and slipped inside. Leon and Arthur were in there, whispering to each other.

"Gaius thinks it may have been exhaustion. They were going at it for an awfully long time," Leon said. Merlin slipped into the shadows. They never talked about stuff like this when Merlin was around. They just tried to make it seem like everything was happy. Merlin didn't like it. He was smart and strong. He could help out if they needed!

"Is he sure? Something isn't right with Valiant. He may have charmed my father and Morgana, but every time I see him…" Arthur trailed off. Leon shrugged.

"I can't say what the right course of action is. We should keep an eye on him just in case. And Merlin, you shouldn't listen in on people's conversations. It's rude," Leon said. Merlin gasped. How did Leon know he was there? He had been so quiet. Arthur sighed and shook his head. He turned towards the shadow Merlin was hiding in and marched over.

"Honestly, Merlin. You act like we don't tell you anything," Arthur said. Merlin slipped out from the shadow.

"You don't. You treat me like a child!" Merlin muttered. Leon reached over to brush some straw out of Merlin's hair.

"You don't tell us everything either. Besides, what good would telling you anything about Valiant do?" Leon said.

"I could look for clues. If he's evil, he must have evidence hiding somewhere," Merlin said. That was how he could help. He could figure out why Valiant was here.

"Merlin, don't go looking for trouble. Stay away from Valiant. If he catches you sneaking around his chambers, he might not take it well. We can't have you in danger. Let us handle it," Arthur said, practically pleading with Merlin to leave well enough alone.

"But, I want to help," Merlin said.

"Then stay out of trouble. It would be distracting for us if you were to go snooping around. Take care of Gwaine and Kay. That's all we need you to do," Leon said earnestly. Merlin's shoulders slumped forward.

"Alright. I promise to try not to get into trouble," he said.

"Try?" Arthur asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Well I don't go looking for it, usually. It just sort of is attracted to me!" Merlin cried, waving his hands in the air. Arthur chuckled and shook his head.

"Why don't you go make sure Gwaine is resting like he's supposed to. Don't worry, Merlin, we can take care of Valiant. Trust us," Leon said. Merlin nodded.

"Okay. I trust you," Merlin said. He turned and skipped out of the tent, searching hard for Gwaine.

Arthur sighed and sank down onto a chair.

"That was easier than I thought," he said. Leon sat down next to him.

"I can't investigate all you want me to investigate. I still have to deal with the actors that are coming here. I can't split my time more than I already have," Leon explained.

"Then we're down three knights. I'll see if Percival, Elyan, and Lancelot can look into Valiant and tail him. He's already met Lancelot so it should be relatively easy for him to befriend the man."

"And if our doubts are incorrect?" Leon asked.

"Then we let Valiant live here without fear."

"And if we are correct?"

"Then we kill him before he hurts Camelot or her citizens."

oOoOoOo

The night air was cool around the string of tents that sat in the clearing. Guards were stationed around the perimeter, ensuring the nobility and actors were safe. Lady Marie stepped out, shivering and pulling the cloak tighter around her shoulders.

"My lady, what has happened?" Lord Aaron said. Aaron was a middle-aged scholar, bright and well spoken. But even he couldn't find a cure to the curse. It was only after the witch had come to their aid that the kingdom was able to see a light at the end of the tunnel. This horrible nightmare was about to come to an end.

"Do we really have to do this? There must be some other way!" Lady Marie said, looking at the hallowed faces. Patrick, a guard, had lost his little girl just last week. But he couldn't mourn her. If everyone who had lost a child had time to mourn, there wouldn't be any functioning people left in the kingdom.

"You know as well as I this is the only way. My research showed nothing! And if this continues much longer, our land won't have a future. I know this isn't right. But what choice do we have?" Aaron said. Marie sighed and walked back towards her tent.

"It still feels underhanded. We should tell them the truth. They don't deserve this misfortune. They might even help," Marie said.

"We cannot afford to wait any longer. It has to be done now. But this is Camelot we're talking about. They might be able to find something we have not. Have faith. This will all workout in the end," Aaron said.

"I pray you are right," she replied before slipping back into her tent.

What's going to happen? Will Merlin find trouble? Stay tuned for more.