Chapter 21–The Black Knight
Hey guys, another day another chapter. I'll make this quick because I have a terrible headache . Anyway I don't own Merlin, but Elizabeth, Laudine and Kay are my characters. Read, enjoy, review…
It had been a manic day in Camelot, everyone running around like they had lost their heads. It had taken Arthur and me about two hours of dealing with it before we had sneaked out onto the hill which seemed to be the place we were constantly using as an escape from the real world. From here we had the perfect view of the castle, the sun was just beginning to set filling the skies with oranges and pinks.
"Just think in a few hours you will be crowned, an official Prince of Camelot. You don't expect me to bow to you do you?" I joked at Arthur. Trying to get rid of some of the nerves I knew he must be feeling, it was one of the times I was grateful that Princess' were married off rather than crowned.
Arthur laughed, "As if you would ever do that anyway!"
"That's true," I said laying backwards onto the grass and taking off my shoes moving my toes in between the grass blades and feeling my body tingle with the magic of the earth, "You know the servants haven't stopped talking all week."
"It's not like this is gossip, we always knew it would happen," Arthur said sounding a bit grumpy about the idea, then again the servant would gossip about everything.
I rolled over onto my stomach and looked at him, "Yes, but they want to see what you do with your new powers. The court want to know what there next King will be like," Arthur didn't reply instead looking out at Camelot which was shining with the rays of the sun, "Plus the banquet is a definite bonus," I finished lighting up the mood.
Arthur laughed again. We stayed there in silence just watching as the sun began to disappear behind the castle before we heard someone yelling, "Elizabeth! My Lady! Arthur! My Lord!"
I moaned into the grass before lifting my head up to see Laudine and Kay coming towards us, "My lady I have been looking for you."
"And I have been hiding Laudine," I smirked at her, knowing how much it annoyed her when I wouldn't do what I was told.
"It's a miracle I've managed to stay in this job this long," Laudine muttered under her breath. I laughed still hearing her, Arthur joined in, "Anyway My Lady. You need to come back in the castle. It's nearly time."
"Fine," I said getting up and dusting myself down before turning back to Arthur and kissing him on the cheek, "You need to go to or Uther will have our heads."
Arthur nodded his head in agreement getting up and walking with me back into the manic of Camelot.
It was late evening when the ceremony took place. I watched on as Arthur knelt down before Uther. Merlin and Gwen where standing with Laudine at the edge of the room out of the way. While Kay was standing with the other knights. I had been stuck next to Morgana behind Uther's back, "Do you solemnly swear to govern the people of this kingdom and its dominions according to the statutes, customs and laws laid down by your forebears?" Uther questioned.
"I do, Sire," Arthur replied.
"Do you promise to exercise mercy and justice in your deeds and judgments?" Uther asked his voice formal.
"I do, Sire," Arthur repeated.
"And do you swear allegiance to Camelot, now and for as long as you shall live?" Uther continued to question, holding out a sword with a ruby incrusted handle.
Arthur laid his hand on it as he spoke, "I, Arthur Pendragon, do pledge life and limb to your service and to the protection of the kingdom and its peoples," bowing his head down.
Uther moved over to get the crown placing it on Arthur's head, "Now being of age and heir apparent, from henceforth, you shall be Crown Prince of Camelot," The court began to applaud. Arthur turned around and face us, I could see from his face just how proud he was even if he never said it out loud.
I cheered out ignoring the looks I was getting from the other members of the court. Arthur smiled at me out of the corner of his eyes.
Suddenly there was a large explosion as a knight wearing pure black armour burst through the stained-glass window. I took a step forward before feeling Kay pull me backwards slightly, "Something's not right," He whispered into my ear as Arthur and his knights drew their swords.
"Of course something isn't, a man just burst through a window," I pointed out the obvious not really getting what he meant.
"And didn't get a scratch," Kay finished. I realized what he meant then, how was it possible to burst through a window and spend glass everywhere and yet the horse and his rider were perfectly safe. The knight rode up to Arthur and threw down a gauntlet. The wind howled through the now 'opened' window.
Arthur sheathed his sword and went to pick up the gauntlet but one of the younger knight bet him to it, "I, Sir Owain, accept your challenge," the brave knight spoke. I felt relief and guilt fill me up. Relief at the fact he had got there before Arthur, but guilt at the fact he was surely die for that fact. I remembered watching the knights train before Sir Owain wasn't one of the best, but he was stupidly brave.
"Single combat. Noon tomorrow. Till the death," The knight said in the cold voice before riding back out of the room more slowly than before. The whole room fell into complete silence.
Once the knight exited Uther turned to everyone, "You're all excused," he said sharply leaving no room for argument.
I walked out knowing that Laudine was following me, before turning off to go to my room. It was then I noticed Arthur storming off in a terrible mood, "Laudine I'll be right back," I said softly to my lady in waiting before following Arthur back into his chambers.
"He shouldn't have picked up the gauntlet!" Arthur yelled knowing that I had followed him.
"So put an end to it," I argued back.
"The challenge has been taken up. The fight cannot be stopped," Arthur explained to me.
It was then I remembered the rules of Camelot. The knight's Code, "And because Owain picked up the gauntlet. Owain is the one who must fight. That's the Knight's Code. He must have known that. It's a fight to the death how could he be so stupid?"
"I know," Arthur replied softly, sitting down into his chair.
I stepped over to him and gently placed my hand on his shoulder, "Make me a promise?" I questioned gently.
"What?" Arthur asked looking up at me.
"Don't pick up that gauntlet if it falls again, there was something about that knight, he didn't seem right somehow," I begged.
Arthur looked away from my pleading eyes and back towards the fireplace, "I can't promise that."
"Please Arthur, just trust me. Something isn't right about him," I tried again.
"You should go to sleep," Arthur said avoiding my pleases completely.
I nodded my head and kissed him gently on the cheek, only pausing when I got to the door, "Do you think Owain will be able to win?"
Arthur didn't answer instead continuing to look into the fire.
It seemed far too early in the morning when Laudine came to wake me the next day. I got dressed quickly into formal wear that was appropriate for the battle today before making my way over the window. In the grounds in front of the castle stood the black knight from yesterday, "Has he moved at all?" I questioned Laudine.
She shook her head, "No my lady. Not that I have seen at least."
"There is something about him Laudine, something just doesn't seem human," I whispered confiding my fears in her.
"I agree my lady," Laudine nodded, "By the way Arthur asked if you would meet him in Sir Owain's chambers before the fight today. He wants you to accompany him to it."
I nodded my head before exiting the room and heading down to the knight's chambers were I knew Owain's would be, after Laudine asked for directions we finally found it. I knocked before entering. Seeing both Arthur and Merlin in with Owain helping him get ready, "Listen to me. The problem is, we've never seen him fight. You have to quickly get the measure of him," Arthur was speaking, while Owain just looked arrogant. He noticed me and bowed, "My lady."
Owain bowed also, before turning to Arthur, "But I have the same advantage. He's never seen me fight."
"True," Arthur admitted reluctantly.
"You've watched me," Owain said, Arthur nodded his head, "And?"
Arthur paused trying to think of what to say, "And I know no one braver. Remember, all it takes to kill a man is one well-aimed blow."
"I think you deserve something," I said watching as Laudine handed over a piece of ribbon that I saw her pick up before me left, "Wear it for luck."
"Thank you, I shall wear it with pride, but I won't need luck," Owain replied over-confidently.
"No man has ever won a fight without a bit of luck," I smiled back at him, seeing the hopeless look on Arthur's face.
"My Lords, and Lady we need to move if you wish to fight," Laudine pointed out.
"Of course," Arthur replied holding out his arm for me to link onto. We walked to the tournament ground with Arthur telling Owain points that he needed to remember. It felt more like a funeral march than the excitement before a championship. I stood next to Merlin and Gaius as Arthur walked into the middle to start the preceding, "The fight shall be to the knight's rules! To the death!" Arthur spoke before walking into the stands to be next to his father. The black knight didn't seem to even be breathing, "Let the battle commence!" Arthur called out.
The Black knight immediately became on the attack, slamming his sword into Owain's shield multiple times. The crowd were calling out, "Come on, one well-aimed blow!" I muttered under my breath as Owain got pushed onto his knees. He swung his sword up and it went straight through the black knight's gut.
"Yes," Merlin called out from next to me, but the knight just kept on fighting. It was obvious that Owain was weakening, he collapsed once again onto his knees and was kicked to the floor before the black knight raised his sword and stabbed Owain through the heart. The crowd gasped in horror and I watched my favour flutter on the ground.
The knight turned back to the crowd and once again took off his glove, "Who will take up my challenge?" His cold voice questioned as he threw down the gauntlet. Arthur tried to bolt over the barrier but Uther grabbed him and held him back.
Instead Pellinor decided to, "I, Sir Pellinor, take up the challenge."
"So be it," The knight said before turning and exiting the arena. Merlin and I watched in silence as he left.
"Should we tend to his wounds? He took a hit," Merlin said quietly to Gaius.
Gaius looked confused, "Owain didn't land a blow."
"No, I saw it. The sword definitely pierced him," Merlin argued.
I stepped in before Gaius could say anything back, "It did Gaius and I think you know that. What's going on? He should be dead."
"Perhaps he already is," Gaius said softly.
"What do you mean Gaius? What is he?" Merlin asked his voice now more on edge than before.
"Come with me," Gaius said simple to us. We walked carefully towards what I recognized as the burial vaults.
"Are you sure we should be doing this?" Merlin questioned his voice quacking slightly.
"You're not scared, are you?" I joked looking around at the dark tunnel we had just entered.
Merlin just stared at me for a moment, "You know you're beginning to sound more and more like Arthur."
"I keep telling her that," Laudine smiled at him.
"Okay once you two have finished ganging up on me," I sighed as we made our way deeper into the tunnel, "And anyway it just a burial ground."
"Oh yes, I love old crypts. I wouldn't be seen dead anywhere else," Merlin replied sarcastically before the door slammed shut behind us.
Gaius turned up to look at it, "Must've been a gust of wind."
"We should've brought a torch," Merlin said looking around.
I noticed there was a torch sitting on the wall not lit, "Leohtbora,"I whispered softly watching as the tunnel was lit in a glow.
Merlin picked it up, "Huh. Handy!" We made our way down and through the graves, "What are we looking for?" Merlin questioned.
Rather than answering Gaius ordered, "Bring your torch over here."
"We're breaking into someone's grave?" Merlin questioned before we turned to see the grave itself. It looked like something had forced its way out of there, smashing through the stone coffin which held him.
"We're too late. I think someone's already broken out," I said before taking a closer look at the grave, "This grave, I know of it. It's Tristan de Bois isn't it?" I asked Gaius. He nodded at me slowly.
"Who is that?" Merlin questioned looking confused.
I shook my head looking around, realising that it was possible we were not alone down here, "We should continue this conversation back in your chambers."
The walk back to Gaius's chamber was quick and silent. Once we closed the door Gaius began to explain, "Tristan de Bois was the brother of Ygraine, Uther's wife."
"Arthur's mother?" Merlin said to make sure.
I continued, "I remember the stories, when Ygraine died in childbirth, he blamed Uther and came to the gates of Camelot and challenged him."
"To single combat," Merlin finished for me.
"Uther won. But in his dying breath, Tristan cursed Camelot to one day suffer his return. I thought it was the ramblings of a dying man," Gaius said before getting out a book.
"Men don't just rise up from the dead, though, no matter how angry they are," Merlin pointed out.
"Then he must be a wraith," I said looking at Laudine who nodded in agreement with me.
"A wraith?" Merlin questioned looking confused.
"It's the spirit of a dead man conjured from the grave," I explained, looking over Gaius's shoulder and pointing to the picture of the skeleton on the page that was open.
"So this is the work of a sorcerer?" Merlin questioned.
I nodded, "Powerful magic can harness the grief and rage of a tormented soul and make it live again. There aren't many sorcerers who could do it. Apart from possibly you and me."
"How do we stop it?" Merlin questioned looking at me. I turned to Gaius, not really sure of the answer.
"We can't. Because it's not alive, no mortal weapon can kill it," Gaius said.
"Surely there must be something," Merlin pushed.
"Nothing can stop it until it has achieved what it came for," Gaius continued.
"And what's that?" Merlin questioned.
This time I answered, "Revenge."
"On Camelot?" Merlin questioned.
I shook my head, "On Uther."
"What does that mean for Sir Pellinor?" Merlin questioned looking very worried.
"It doesn't look good at all," I said softly.
Okay that is the end of this chapter. You know the drill by now guys. Review, I love to know what you think. Do the poll, it's on my profile and I hoped you enjoyed this chapter. The next one will be up soon,
Until next time
Artistic-Blue-Eyes
Xxx