Arthur, along with several guards stormed into the chamber of the two knights who jumped up as the door slammed against the cold stone door.
"I have reason to believe you are using enchanted blades in the malay tomorrow" Arthur growled, "Show them to me!"
To his utter surprise the two men didn't seem at all fazed by the search, every weapon they turned up was indeed truly blunt, not a single magical item to be found, could Merlin, Lancelot and Gwaine of been wrong? He shouldn't of waited so long to do this search, Gwaine and Lancelot had already been kicked out of the city and were heading for the borders as was the kings order.
Feeling stupid for not thinking this through the prince hid his face from the smug smiles of Oswald and Ethan. They knew he knew about their weapons, Arthur also knew they had some how hidden them until the time was right and he had no proof, nothing to stop them competing and nothing to prove he should pull out. He just couldn't give up! He would be laughed out of Camelot if he backed out of the competition. Somewhere in the back on his brain a small voice that sounded like Merlin told him to damn his pride. He couldn't listen to it.
He wishes Merlin would wake up already, their father's sanity had been some what questionable since Morgana's betrayal and this wasn't helping, the king was one big ball of rage.
...
Arthur began to dress as Turner laid out his chain mail and armor for the malay. Merlin had slept through the night with Uther watching over him for most of it. Gaius assured him there was nothing to worry about and that Merlin would most likely be awake by the end of the competition. Secretly Arthur was glad, at least now Merlin wouldn't have to take part in a game he hated.
"Ah Arthur" Uther greeted, entering the room with a long roll of cloth, "I trust you are ready for the challenge?"
"Yes father" Arthur replied as confidently as possible
"I came to bring you this" Uther smiled unwrapping the material to reveal a dull and scratched sword, "I won my malay with this blade, the edge is dull it's perfectly safe"
"Thankyou" Arthur swallowed feeling the weight on his shoulders growing.
"With Merlin out of the competition, all of Camelot is eager for your victory today" Uther added, placing his hand on his sons shoulder, unaware of the immeasurable pressure he was adding.
...
Merlin groggily found himself becoming aware of his surroundings, he could tell he was in a bed with one hell of a headache that was for sure. The closer he got to full consciousness the less he wanted to succeed as the pain became stronger every second. Eventually though he decided it was best to at least try and see where he was.
cracking his eyes open he found himself in his own chambers, under the warm covers of his bed. It was insanely tempting to float back into sleep once more but the thought of Gwaine and the enchanted blades made him think other wise.
"Will...?" He called groggily, sitting up and patting the white bandage wrapped around his head, finding the tender part at the back of his head.
"Sire!" William greeted happily, appearing from the doorway, "You're awake!"
"Yeah...where is everybody?" The prince asked, just now noticing th faint sound of cheering.
"At the malay sire" William answered, "Arthur seemed really nervous"
"Arthur, nervous?" Merlin questioned, his brain finally catching up, "Gwaine and Lancelot, did they?"
"Don't worry sire, they have been banished" William replied, getting out the princes clothes.
"What?" Merlin cried jumping out of bed a little too fast and stumbling slightly.
"Oswald told everybody about Gwaine attacking you..." The servant said looking confused. Merlin felt as if a bucket of ice had been dropped over him. Daggar was in the contest! He was going to kill Arthur!
"I've got to go!" Merlin cried quickly throwing his clothes on and running down the hall, his head gave a throb of protest but he swiftly ignored it. He stepped out into the field full of bright tents in which the knights had changed, from the sounds coming from a few of them, at least half were out of the competition and injured now. His stomach clentched at the sound of gasps from the crowed not to far away.
The warlock pulled up against the fence to see only a few knights left, one was Arthur, two were 'Ethan' and 'Oswald', but he didn't recognize the last. However he was grateful to see him disarm Ethan and sending his plunging to the floor unconscious. A smile plastered itself on his face as he watched Arthur and the stranger fight against the evil bandit, finally taking him down.
He recognised that rougish style, his thoughts were confimred as Gwaine slid the helmet off, grinning at Arthur who returned the favour.
"Should of known" Arthur smiled, "Nobody fights like you do"
The happy moment was ruined as Uther stood, full of fury, ordering the guards to seize their friend. Merlin wasn't surprised to see Lancelot jump into the ring to defend his friend, as did he. Everybody was surprised to see Merlin up and awake, let along running across the training feild to defend his 'attacker'.
"They lied" Mrlin defended, "Gwaine was helping me, Oswald and Ethan are fakes!"
mummbling broke out among the crowd, Uther glared down at the small group.
"It's true" Lancelot spoke up, stapping the chains and holding up the crystals while Gwaine ripped the helmets off the two men, who were now long dead. Revealing their true faces.
"Their swords are magical!" Merlin declared, he saw Uther stiffen at the word, "They only appear blunt, they wanted to kill Arthur"
"Once again I owe these two my life" Arthur proclaimed, "You can't punish them for that"
"Fine" Uther growled, clearly embarassed, "They are free to go"
The king stormed off to the castle leaving the four friends grinning ear to ear.
...
"What do you mean your leaving?" Merlin cried as Lancelot and Gwaine saddled their horses.
"You and Arthur, you are good people" Gwaine argued, "But while Uther rules, I don't think Camelot is much of a home for me"
"And I can't leave him on his own" Lancelot sighed, "He'd get himself killed"
"You are welcome any time though" Arthur offered, "You're not banished anymore"
"We know" Gwaine smiled, "We're grateful, if you ever need help, send word"
"We will" Merlin agreed sadly, he didn't want to see his friends leave just yet. They had only just met. The princes waved the two men off as headed back to the castle, they had almost made it to their rooms when the heard their fathers yell of rage. Apparently he had noticed the stable was now missing two of it's best horses...
Sorry I'm so slow!
Ive just started year 12 and the work load is so heavy, by the time I finish all my work and study Im so exhuasted that I just fall asleep. Ive been trying to write a little bit every day, even if it's only a few lines.