Chapter Seven

Jocelyn hurried down the staircase, late as usual. She had been informed that her presence was required in the hall, but was puzzled as to why the court had been called together. She skipped the last step and rushed on towards the door.

Before she could the reach the hall, Arthur came striding out, brushing past her without stopping. Jocelyn turned to look after him.

"Arthur?" she called but he didn't respond. Moments later Merlin marched past her, following the prince. "Merlin? What's wrong?"

The manservant didn't acknowledge her either, swiftly disappearing up the stairs. Frowning, Jocelyn turned back towards the hall, hoping to find an explanation there.

When she reached the doors she found them wide open, the guards only just returning to their posts. The court was beginning to disperse and some of the knights paused to bow to her as they passed. She acknowledged them distractedly, looking further into the room. Jocelyn caught sight of Uther's cape whipping around the corner and away, before noticing Morgana standing to one side with Gwen. She hurried towards them.

"What's happened? What's wrong with Arthur?" she asked as she reached them.

Morgana sighed, a concerned frown in place. "He accused Valiant of using a magical shield."

"What?" Jocelyn exclaimed, shocked. She looked around the room for the knight, but he appeared to have already left. She turned back to her sister. "And was he?" she demanded.

"Arthur didn't have any evidence. Uther did not believe him."

"Do you believe him?" Jocelyn asked her.

Morgana met her gaze for a moment before looking away without committing herself.

"Why did Arthur accuse him?" Jocelyn was not about to let the matter drop.

Morgana didn't reply, but after a moment Gwen spoke up.

"Merlin told him Valiant was using magic and Arthur believed him. Merlin said that he would be able to get a witness."

"What happened to the witness?"

Gwen looked troubled. "Knight Ewan died," she said softly.

Jocelyn let out her breath in a rush, turning from her sister and the maid to contemplate the now nearly empty room. She was silent for a minute before coming to a decision and suddenly leaving the hall without telling them where she was going. Morgana watched her leave, frowning slightly, before turning back to Gwen to continue discussing the events.

While she was mounting the staircase, Jocelyn was still unsure of her destination, but by the time she reached the top she had also reached a resolution. She would visit Gaius first.

She knocked briskly on his door and entered as soon as he called out.

The physician did not seem particularly surprised to see her, raising one eyebrow as she came to sit down opposite him.

"Ewan died," Jocelyn said without preamble. Gaius nodded though it had been more of a statement than a question.

"How?"

"A snake bite," Gaius replied heavily.

Jocelyn's frown became even more pronounced as she remembered Valiant's armour. "From Valiant's shield?"

"Yes, the snakes can come alive."

"You believe he is using magic?"

"Yes."

Jocelyn was silent once more, considering the situation.

Gaius watched her thoughtfully for a moment, before saying softly, "Arthur will fight him tomorrow."

She nodded, almost absently. There was silence for a few minutes more before Jocelyn got abruptly to her feet and left the room.

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As she reached the corridor outside it, Jocelyn heard raised voices coming through the open door of Arthur's room.

"Valiant will kill you! If you fight, you die!" Merlin exclaimed.

"Then I die," Arthur replied firmly.

Jocelyn's breath caught in her chest and she took a step backwards. She could appreciate the danger but it wasn't until that moment that the reality of what Arthur would be facing the next day hit her.

"How can you go out there and fight like that?" Merlin asked, more softly, but still uncomprehending.

"Because I have to." Arthur replied after a pause. "It's my duty."

There was silence and Jocelyn continued to hesitate. After a minute Merlin came striding out of the room, his expression troubled. He paced down the corridor away from her and she watched him go for a moment. Taking a breath, Jocelyn took a few steps forward to rap on Arthur's still open door.

He had been staring out of the window, but turned at her tentative knock. There was no surprise in his expression and after a moment he relaxed, rolling back his shoulders and offering her half a smile. She returned it and walked forward to sit at his table, while Arthur poured out two goblets of wine. He handed one to her and sat in the chair at the head of the table, adjacent to hers.

They were silent - Jocelyn sipping from her goblet, Arthur toying with the stem of his. The silence stretched as the light faded outside.

All of a sudden, it appeared Arthur was incapable of bearing his inaction any longer. He got to his feet and went to fetch his sword. He faced her as he buckled the belt.

"I'm going to go and practice."

Jocelyn nodded and got to her feet as well. He accepted her silent offer of company and led the way from his room.

When they reached the courtyard, Arthur shrugged himself out of his long jacket and Jocelyn held out her hand to take it from him. As he took up a position and drew his sword, she went to sit on the cold stone steps, drawing his leather coat around her shoulders for warmth.

As Arthur went through the movements and Jocelyn watched him with quiet eyes, they both failed to notice they were being observed. Morgana's gaze was heavy and concerned for what the coming day would bring, Uther's was frowning.

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An hour later, Arthur had worked up a light sweat and his hair was beginning to stick to his forehead. He brought his sword down in one last, long swipe before relaxing and taking a step back, as if he was truly fighting an opponent.

He took a moment to catch his breath, before sheathing his sword and turning back towards the castle's entrance. He was surprised to see Jocelyn sitting on the stairs, forgetting her in his concentration.

Walking forward, he held out a hand to help her to feet. She took it gratefully and stood up, using her spare hand to keep his coat around her shoulders.

"You're freezing!" Arthur exclaimed, lightly chastising, and clasped her cold hand more fully between his two warm ones, hurrying her back into the castle.

At the sudden blaze of light indoors, Jocelyn blinked, sleepy and disorientated. Arthur led them down the corridor to her chambers, pausing at the door. She slipped his coat from her shoulders and handed it to him.

"Thank you," he said accepting it. She nodded and opened her door. "Night, Jo."

She smiled at him and went into her room. Arthur turned back down the corridor towards his own room and a restless night.

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