Merlin and Melanie followed closely behind Gwen and Arthur as they rode through the woods. An arrow flew through the leaves and hit a tree by Arthur's head. He pulled his sword from the sheath on the saddle and Melanie pulled out hers as well.
"Where did you get that?" Arthur asked.
"Brought it with me." Their attackers came into view. Saxons. One charged at the queen, but Melanie stepped between them. Their swords clashed. With a simple trick of the wrist, Melanie disarmed him. She put the tip of her sword to his chest and he coward in fear. She flipped her sword and hit him in the head with the butt of the handle. He fell limp.
She joined Arthur in holding off another eight men.
"Guinevere!" Arthur cried. "Get back to the castle!"
A Saxon jumped Melanie and pinned her to the ground. She kicked him and launched him over her head. She heard a snap as he landed on a rock, breaking his spine. She swung her sword at another and sliced his neck open.
A Saxon came from behind and swung at Melanie's arm. Leaving a long gash behind. She ignored the searing pain and fought against her new opponent.
Nine Saxon lay dead before them. Melanie clutched her arm in pain and Merlin ran to help her.
"What happened?" He asked.
"One of them hit my arm. It's nothing major." She assured. Merlin took off his kerchief and wrapped it around the wound.
"Let's get you to Gaius." Merlin said.
"That was amazing." Arthur complemented. "What you did back there."
"Thank you My Lord." Melanie replied. "It's not the first time I've dealt with Saxons."
"You've dealt with them before?"
"Three times actually." Melanie nodded. "As soon as Morgana took control of them, I've been seeing them everywhere. I've run into them in the woods many times."
"And you've beaten them?" Arthur was astounded that a woman could be so strong.
"I'm alive aren't I?"
"I told you she was good." Merlin said.
"Impressive."
"You seem surprised." Melanie said.
"It's not every day I see a woman with talent such as yours."
"Why shouldn't women be able to defend themselves?"
"I never said that."
"That's right, you didn't. Though it shouldn't come as much of a surprise to you when you see a woman handy with a sword. We're just as capable as men."
"I can see that."
"Arthur," Merlin said. "Would you ever consider knighting a woman?"
"Yes, My Lord," Melanie challenged. "Would you?"
"I've never met a woman brave enough to."
"I find that hard to believe." Melanie replied cooly.
"Meaning?"
"There are many great female swordsmen. Enough to make an army of our own. Hard to believe you've never met one of them."
"The point is," Merlin interrupted. "If you did know one brave enough, would you knight a woman?"
"I've honestly never thought about it." Arthur admitted.
They walked the rest of the way in silence. Arthur contemplated the idea of a female knight. He had met
Many a great female swordsmen. But they had all either turned on him or died before he could even consider it. Would Melanie turn on him and the kingdom? Or would she die a painful death herself?