Merlin's excitement for the tournament had diminished drastically since the Valiant incident: he could scarcely even watch the men fight, remembering the pale face of the dead man the other day, and spent most of his time in the stands with his pensive eyes elsewhere. Valiant was not fighting today. He supposed that was fortunate, not least because he wasn't in the mood to watch him closely. Sir Leon fought once, and Merlin feigned approval for the duration of the fight, clapping at appropriate moments, and cheering half-heartedly when the knight won the round and clambered once more up the rankings. But he was rather glad when it was all over for the day and he could leave the arena behind.
He dawdled after Gaius up to the chambers: and it was because he was on his own, no doubt, that Arthur saw it fit to corner him.
This time Merlin bowed, because he wasn't concentrating, and stared up at the prince, whose expression was fervent, a stark contrast to his usual smirk.
'Merlin, you had better be right,' he said, as he had the previous day. 'I've told my father. He's going to investigate. Did you say it was the shield?'
Merlin nodded, not quite knowing how to react.
'I didn't tell him that it was you who told me – but I will if you've got it wrong, believe me.' Merlin did not much approve of this, but said nothing. 'But...' And he frowned, as if he could not get the words out. 'I believe you. You're a silly peasant, but you're not a liar.'
Merlin smiled lopsidedly, knowing that that was as close to a compliment as he would get from the other boy, and watched Arthur go before hurrying off back to his own quarters.
The next he heard of the whole matter, Gaius had been summoned to the council chambers, where Uther awaited his best advisors, and, at length, a certain Knight Valiant. The physician did not invite Merlin to accompany him, but the boy followed anyway, knowing that he would at least be able to stand at the door: he had found that boys of his age weren't usually deemed a threat to security, and could sneak around as much as they liked. Gaius was well aware of this, of course, and did not like Merlin's rather prodigious exploitation of the fact, but the child was like a leech, and anyway he was harmless despite everything.
A circle of knights and nobles ringed the table, with Uther at the head, and a rather pompous-looking Arthur overseeing proceedings from one side of the room. Merlin sat in an alcove opposite him, and watched the prince as much as he watched the others. Gaius took his place at the table.
King Uther explained the situation briefly, and then, turning to the guards at the door, asked that Knight Valiant be brought before the court.
The door opened, and in came a confident-looking Valiant, clutching the offending shield, which he had been instructed to bring.
'Sire,' he said, bowing low.
'Give me the shield,' said Uther.
Valiant came up and handed it over; the guards then restrained Valiant, and held him a few paces away, watching him intently.
Uther's fingers brushed the design, the interlocking snakes. Merlin shuddered involuntarily, for he feared that they would come to life, and endanger the King himself. The magic within him began to spark a little in anticipation.
'I have been informed,' said Uther, 'that this is a magic shield, and that you are using it to cheat in the tournament. What do you say to this?'
'I say it is a false accusation,' said Valiant calmly, 'and that your informer must be mistaken.'
Uther's mouth twitched. 'We are very capable of determining if you are lying. Camelot's court is experienced in the activities of sorcerers.' He began to examine the shield, its every facet; Merlin wanted to do something, but he did not know what; then Uther passed the shield to Gaius, who inspected it yet more intently. With each successive examination, Merlin grew more and more nervous: how would they find anything, except by accident, as he had? Would they continue to treat the situation as serious, or would they, with lack of evidence, drop it, blame him, and unleash Valiant on some other unsuspecting knight?
The meeting seemed to last hours, the shield revealed nothing insidious, Valiant's expression did not change from one of innocent confusion. Merlin glanced towards Arthur. The prince was looking straight at him, and not favourably.
At last Uther took up the shield, and, after looking upon it once more, handed it back to Valiant; Merlin drew in a sharp breath, but could not summon up the courage to say anything.
'I cannot find anything incriminating,' said the King: 'you are innocent until proven guilty, and free to go. I do apologise for the inconvenience.'
'Not at all,' said Valiant: 'I understand how seriously you must take these matters, sire.'
Just then Uther's glance fell on Arthur: and the latter, who had by now reached boiling-point, jumped up, and, as if he had been accused directly, cried:
'It wasn't me... It was Merlin who made the claim.'
All eyes fell upon the poor child, who met their stare with a steady gaze of his own. Valiant, too, turned to him: and recognised him, evidently, for the smallest of smirks appeared on his face, though he tried to hide it.
'I can't prove anything,' said Merlin at last: 'I don't know what I saw.'
'He's just a child,' said Valiant, a little too quickly.
'With a hyperactive imagination,' added Uther. 'Well! I trusted my son's account, but if he got it second-hand from...' He left the prospective insult hanging. 'Very well. I shall deal with this later. Court dismissed. Valiant, you are free to go: and once again please do accept my apology.'
'No hard feelings,' Valiant replied, smiling, and left.
The men began to filter out, and Merlin, now blushing furiously, hurried to Gaius's side. The old physician took his hand and tried to look reassuring, but it was difficult in the circumstances, when so many people were staring at him with – was it pity? Disappointment? Merlin tried to avoid their gaze, and, when Uther dismissed them, scurried off without looking back at Arthur. He knew what the prince must think of him now: he had blown his one chance at success.
But what must he do now? He had taken matters into his own hands – he had told Arthur about the threat – he had done his best at following the dragon's advice.
You must show Arthur what threatens him...
The words resounded in his head, more mocking with every turn, until he became tired with them, and tried to drive them out with the most mundane thoughts; but then, suddenly, as he was approaching home, something clicked.
He halted at the door, and for a moment did not follow Gaius in. The dragon's message had not been so enigmatic after all... Indeed, it had been perfectly worded, for such a vague piece of advice.
You must show Arthur what threatens him...
He had worked it out. It all made sense now. He knew what he must do.