Chapter 5-Valiant

Hey guys, apologises for taking so long. Maths degrees are hard work! Anyway I've had a moment to write and this is the chapter. Hope its okay. This is also a quick note to say that the Morgana poll will be up on my profile for another week before I change it to a different one. There will be quite a few polls based on both this series that I plan on writing and the charmed series I am also working on at the moment. I would appreciate it if you answered it, then I'll write it anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter please review. I don't own Merlin, but Elizabeth, Kay and Laudine are all my characters.

It was a beautiful sunny day when I finally took up Arthur's invitation to go and watch him train for the tournament. What I hadn't realised was that part of the training would involve torturing Merlin even more. Ever since Arthur had gotten Merlin as his new manservant he had been on a mission to try and get rid of him again. This involved long lists of chores, using him as target practice and generally making Merlin feel small.

I knew if it didn't get any better I would be the one having a go at Arthur trying to make him be a little bit nicer. At this moment Arthur was standing in all his usual armour minus the helmet in front of Merlin who had been kited out in amour which was way too big for him, at least Arthur had given him a shield to defend himself with! Merlin tried to put his sword away and ended up dropping it on the floor. I picked it up and handed it back to him.

"Ready?" Arthur questioned, sounding really impatient.

"Would it make any difference if I said no?" Merlin asked back while putting on his helmet.

"Not really," Arthur said swinging the sword out in front of him as if he was fighting an invisible opponent. It was only when Merlin finally pulled out his sword that Arthur began to attack him shouting orders as he went, "Body. Shield. Body. Shield," At each order Arthur attacked Merlin.

Shockingly Merlin wasn't actually doing a terrible job of it, he was blocking and dodging when he had to without even needing to use his magic.

Arthur then decided to change tactics, "Head," He ordered before bringing his sword down hard on Merlin's helmet.

"Ow," I could just about hear Merlin complain underneath all that armour.

"Come on, Merlin. You're not even trying," Arthur teased while tagging him in the back.

"Ow! I am," Merlin yelled back.

"Once more," Arthur ordered before beginning to attack again, "To the left. To the right. And left. Head," that seemed to be Merlin's weakest move, which meant Arthur was using it even more, "Come on, Merlin! I've got a tournament to win."

"Can we stop now, please?" Merlin begged before Arthur once again began attacking, "Ow! Shield. Body,"

"Shield," Arthur commanded, before hitting Merlin on the head once again. Merlin swayed for a moment before collapsing backwards onto the floor his helmet rolling off. I quickly ran over next to him to check for any injuries.

"I think that's enough for the moment Arthur, or you won't have a manservant left," I snapped at Arthur before feeling the back of Merlin's head. There didn't seem to be any lumps.

"You're braver than you look. Most servants collapse after the first blow," Arthur stated coming over to stand above Merlin.

"Is it over?" Merlin questioned looking at me.

I smiled sadly at him shaking my head, "Merlin that was just the warm up, knights can train for hours on end."

"How's your mace work coming along?" Arthur said swing one around his head as he spoke.

Merlin sighed heavily as I got him up so he was standing. I kept my hand on his shoulder just in case he collapsed to the floor once again.

"My lady?" Laudine called out from behind me. I turned to see her walking angry towards me, "You were supposed to be meeting the King!"

"Well Arthur invited me to watch him train. I'm sure that will cheer Uther up enough that he'll forgive me," I smirked at her knowing that if that didn't work I could always place a thought into his head.

"No magic," Laudine snapped at me under her breath so that Arthur couldn't hear us. He however seemed to be distracted by finding different ways to torture Merlin using a mace.

"I know, I know Laudine. I just miss it that's all," I said softly as we sat back down onto the hill side watching the boys fight again, well Arthur attack and Merlin fall over a lot.

Laudine nodded, "So do I my lady, but we cannot keep you safe if the King finds out our secrets," I nodded showing I understood her concern, "Now do tell me what you think of the Prince?"

"Arthur?" I questioned before starting to rant, "He is an arse. Merlin was right, sometimes I think he just treats the servants poorly to spite them. Did you know a few days ago he threw food over one of them before they poured too much gravy? What kind of man treats people like that? His own people at that?"

"Sounds like you like him just a little bit, my lady," Laudine laughed.

"He is alright on the eyes I admit," I said reluctantly, "And if I could magic off his mouth he would be the perfect husband for me."

Instead of telling me off for threatening magic again Laudine just laughed even louder drawing the attention of Arthur and Merlin.

"Is something funny my lady?" Arthur called out from where he was once again standing over Merlin.

"Just women talk my lord," I smiled back in reply. Before looking back up at Camelot and watching as the people went about their daily lives thinking about how this was where I needed to be.

We didn't stay outside for much longer, apparently Arthur was getting annoyed at Merlin for not being good enough. I nearly laughed at the irony of the fact he had asked a servant to help rather than a knight if he wanted to train fully.

Merlin had stumbled ahead of Laudine and me to reach Gaius's chambers before us. When we walked in Merlin was sitting a down while Gaius was treating his shoulder, "Gentlemen," I greeted trying not to laugh at the way Merlin seemed to be groaning in pain.

"My lady," Gaius smiled back at me.

"While we are alone, I'm Elizabeth," I said for what felt like the hundredth time since meeting him.

"Elizabeth," Merlin mimic, wincing as Gaius pulled his arm out it clicked as it went, "Ah! I save Arthur from being killed and I end up as a servant. How is that fair?"

"I'm not sure fairness comes into it. You never know, it might be fun," Gaius suggested.

Merlin scoffed back, "You think mucking out Arthur's horses is going to be fun? You should hear my list of duties."

"We all have our duties. Even Arthur," I said softly, feeling odd as I defending Arthur for once.

"It must be so tough for him with all the girls and the glory," Merlin complained even more.

"There is more to being a Prince and Princess than fans and glory you know?" I snapped at Merlin feeling like I had to defend myself as well now.

"He is a future king. People expect so much of him. He's under a lot of pressure," Gaius agreed with me, before pressing hard on Merlin's arm.

"Ah! That makes two of us," Merlin moaned back.

"And one day you will be rewarded," I said resting my hand on Merlin's shoulder before looking over at the amour at the side of the room, "You should go and speak to Gwen about how to put amour on people."

"Why Gwen?" Merlin questioned looking confused.

"She's a blacksmiths daughter, if anyone can help you learn where to put each section she can," I concluded before picking up Merlin and pushing him towards the door.

"My lady, you should probably go and see the King now," Laudine reminded me.

I sighed loudly, "I know Laudine. I'm going."

We walked down the corridor towards the Throne room quickly it was getting late and I really wanted to get some sleep before the tournament tomorrow. I stood politely in front of the double doors as the guard when in to speak to Uther. I only had to wait a moment before the doors were opened and I could see the king again.

He was sat at the end of the long table with Arthur and Morgana on either side of him. Another servant was looking after Arthur tonight while Merlin learnt how to deal with every piece of tournament etiquette.

"I apologize my lord, I didn't mean to disturb you," I said bowing my head towards Uther.

"No problem, feel free to join us," Uther said pointing to the chair next to Arthur. I knew he was really trying to get us two together, "We were just discussing the tournament."

"I am very much looking forward to it," I said truthfully, tournaments were one of the most entertaining things on the calendar for a kingdom.

"I am glad to hear that. I have come up with an idea," Uther said smiling as if he knew something I didn't.

"Really my lord?" Morgana questioned looking just as interested as I was.

"I think this year we should change the prize a bit. The gold will remain of course but the winner should also get to go to the ball with one of the court," Uther suggested looking towards both Morgana and myself. I could see where this was going.

"Well my lord. I have already been asked by Sir Leon," Morgana said attempting to sound apologetic but failing.

"How about you Elizabeth?" Uther questioned turning to me.

I opened and closed my mouth a few time trying to come up with an excuse before shaking my head, "I have yet to get myself a partner for the ball."

"Then that is sorted, you shall go with the Champion, who of course will be Arthur," Uther said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Arthur smiled politely nodding his head, "Yes father."

I nodded my head as well, "Well now that is sorted I suppose I should go and get some rest, after all I have an important role tomorrow."

"Very well," Uther said.

I got up and bowed once again before exiting the room. I turned to face Laudine, "What just happened?"

"I think you have just become a prize to be won," Laudine said trying to hold back her laughter.

"And Merlin said that royals get off easily!"

Okay that's another chapter done. I will try and get published ASAP, but no promises at the moment I'm so busy that it's hard to find time to sit down and write, anyway please review I love to know what you think.

Until next time

Artistic Blue eyes

xxx