New chapter is up, sorry these are short. Once I start getting my OC into the thick of things the chapter will be much longer promise. Next chapter will be a joint of the episodes The Mark of Nimueh and The Poisioned Chalice, so it will be a long one. Thanks for reading, reviews are appreciated!
Chapter 2:
I saw Merlin many times over the following weeks, and I watched as he started playing a larger role here in Camelot. From my visits with Gwen, I learned how highly she thinks of him. It wasn't until Prince Arthur accused Sir Valiant of sorcery based on Merlin's word alone that I learned how much Prince Arthur valued him. I thought it was strange and it wasn't until I officially met Merlin that I realized why everyone held him in such regard.
Elaine turned the page in her book, the story was about a great king of old and his epic life. She was currently sitting in a small alcove that was lighted by a large stain-glass window. She was interrupted when guards rushed past her, their armor clanging and ruining the peace that Elaine was surrounded in. Her eyes followed their movement, curious as to why they were in a hurry.
She turned to face the window that over-looked the courtyard, her back straightening in her seat. There were two guards and a knight leading another knight in yellow to the castle. The guards that had rushed past Elaine, met the group at the foot of the stairs and led them inside.
Elaine's curiosity officially peaked, she marked the spot in her book with a ribbon then went to the royal court, assuming that that is where the escort was taking him. While she had not yet met the knight, Elaine had heard of him when she had visited the court the day before. The nobles spoke of a knight whose skill might be even greater than Prince Arthur's and had advanced to the finals in the tournament. His description was that of a young man in yellow with green snakes decorating his shield. Based on the description, it was Sir Valiant that they had arrested and were now taking to court.
She reached the court after the guards did, and snuck in before the doors closed. Elaine made her way over to Gwen, who was standing next to Lady Morgana, pushing between the other people in the court. From the look that Prince Arthur was giving the knight, it was obvious who the accuser was.
The large doors opened, and King Uther walked in. He glanced at his son, before making his way to the king's throne. "Why have you summoned the court?" He asked his son, not bothering to hide his annoyance with him.
Prince Arthur glowered at Sir Valiant before stepping in front of everyone. He truly looked like a powerful prince, with his proud shoulders and confident face. He looked noble and imposing compared to the knight next to him or the king who was more arrogant than a donkey. "I believe Knight Valiant is using a magic shield to cheat in the tournament." He said addressing King Uther.
King Uther looked at Knight Valiant surprised, "Valiant, what do you have to say to this?"
Sir Valiant glared at Prince Arthur before replying to King Uther. "My lord, this is ridiculous. I have never used magic." He stepped forwards, towards King Uther then faced Prince Arthur. "Does your son have any evidence to support this outrageous accusation?"
"Do you have evidence?"
"I do." Prince Arthur signalled Merlin to come forward; Merlin brought forward a large snake head and gave it to King Uther.
Elaine stepped forward, trying to get a better look at the grotesque snake. It wasn't like any snake she had seen before. It was much larger than the ones that were indigenous to Camelot.
King Uther turned his back to the court, examining the snake in the light that came from the clerestory. He turned back around and motioned to Knight Valiant, "Let me see this shield."
Merlin leaned close to Prince Arthur and Elaine watched as he whispered something in his ear. Prince Arthur nodded in agreement and unsheathed his sword, "Be careful, my Lord." He told his father, looking like he was preparing for a fight. King Uther and Knight Valiant both gave the prince a hard stare.
A faint voice whispered, "Merlin," and Elaine's head turned to see Gaius waving him over. Before Merlin could go to him, Prince Arthur grabbed his arm and whispered to him. He nodded, and went over to Gaius. He began talking to Merlin, and with each word Merlin's face became more and more disappointed.
"As you can see, my Lord, it's just an ordinary shield." Knight Valiant told King Uther.
"He's not going to let everyone see the snakes come to life." Prince Arthur said waving at all of us in the court.
"Then how am I to know what you say is true?" King Uther asked, giving his son a disapproving look.
"I have a witness." Prince Arthur replied, looking steadfast in his accusation against Knight Valiant. "Knight Ewan was bitten by one of the snakes from the shield. Its venom made him grievously ill, however, he has received an antidote. He'll confirm that Knight Valiant is using magic."
"Where is this witness?"
Prince Arthur looked confused as he turned to where Merlin and Gaius were whispering. "He should be here." He said slowly, his brows lowered in doubt. After a look from his father, he went over to Gaius and Merlin. The prince asked Merlin something indistinguishable from where Elaine was standing to which Merlin's reply made Prince Arthur visibly stunned.
King Uther, frustrated and tired with this whole occurrence, yelled, "I'm waiting!"
Prince Arthur turned around with a desolate expression, he looked around the court as if he was searching for some sort of help. His gaze stopped between Knight Valiant and his father, he stepped towards King Uther and spoke, "I'm afraid the witness is dead."
"So you have no proof to support these allegations?" King Uther asked his son, giving him a scolding look. "Have you seen Valiant using magic?"
"No." He told his father, when he realized that he was losing this trial, he turned to Merlin for a last moment effort. "But my servant fought the snakes-"
He was interrupted by King Uther's outraged voice, "Your servant?! You make these outrageous accusations against a knight on the word of your servant?"
"I believe he is telling the truth."
"My Lord, am I really to be judged on some hearsay from a boy?" Knight Valiant asked in a haughty voice.
Merlin rushed forward at this, "I have seen those snakes come alive." He protested.
King Uther ignored his words, staring at Merlin with venom in his eyes. "How dare you interrupt? Guards!"
At his words Gwen jumped, looking at Merlin with concern in her eyes. Elaine grabbed on to her arm, afraid that she might do something as foolish as Merlin had done. As the guards were taking them away, Knight Valiant spoke to the king. "My Lord." He said in a voice that spoke of practiced remorse.
"Wait!" King Uther said, looking to Knight Valiant.
"I'm sure he was merely mistaken. I wouldn't want him punished on my account."
"You see?" King Uther asked Prince Arthur, looking at Knight Valiant with admiration and the opposite at Prince Arthur. "This is how a true knight behaves, with gallantry and honor."
"My Lord, if your son made these accusations because he's afraid to fight me, I would graciously accept his withdrawal."
Elaine looked at her prince wishing that there was some way that she could help him. She knew that Prince Arthur would have only made these accusations if she truly believed them, and if he believed in them then that was enough for her.
"Is this true? Do you wish to withdraw from the tournament?" King Uther asked his son.
"No." Prince Arthur replied stubbornly.
"Then what am I to make of these allegations?" He asked, staring Prince Arthur down.
Prince Arthur looked at Sir Valiant, the knight looking cocky and pleased with himself. He glanced around before stepping away from his father, backing down from his stare. "Obviously, there has been a misunderstanding." He said, his face holding an expression of regret. "I withdraw the allegation against Knight Valiant." He looked at the ground and sheathed his sword, "Please accept my apology."
"Accepted."
Prince Arthur nodded, before turning around and leaving the court, his eyes not looking at anyone. Gone was the look of the proud prince, now all you could see was the shamed boy that couldn't meet anyone's gaze.
Elaine frowned, her round eyes went to Gwen and Morgana; Gwen was still looking concerned at Merlin, but there was also some pity mixed in her expression for Prince Arthur. Morgana looked like she wanted nothing more than to follow after Prince Arthur and to comfort him from this embarrassment. Elaine's face was one of confused anger; her anger directed toward the king that had refused to listen to his son and at the knight that had managed to make a fool out of Prince Arthur.
The next morning Elaine left the library early, heading for the tournament. Knowing that she wanted to be there when Prince Arthur beat Knight Valiant and proved himself correct despite the flounder at yesterday's court. The stands were filling by the time Elaine got there, but the young girl managed to snag a seat in the front next to Gwen. She smiled at Elaine when her friend sat next to her, "Elaine! What are you doing here? You never come to the tournaments."
Elaine smiled back at her and shrugged her shoulders, "I figured I was due for some fresh air, the library gets so dusty nowadays." Gwen nodded, accepting her answer. She didn't know that Elaine actually loved the library especially with its dustiness, it's part of the library's charm.
Knight Valiant had already entered the field by the time Prince Arthur showed up. Gwen shifted beside Elaine and Morgana, her hands clasped tightly together with Morgana clutching on to Gwen's cloak. They shared the same look of worry, it seemed to have been stuck on their face since yesterday. While Elaine's face looked the opposite of theirs; her face was calm, masking the hidden anger that was in her eyes.
Their attention was fixed on the field as Prince Arthur and Knight Valiant tapped swords. The battle started when Sir Valiant rushed forward with a shout; Prince Arthur easily dodged him and thrusted his sword at his back. The move was blocked then continued by a series of thrusts, parries, and blocks from both sides. Swords swing as the men's bodies turned in elaborate moves to the sound of metal clanging. Prince Arthur swung his sword at his opponent, hitting the man's helmet and knocking it off of his head. The crowd cheered as their prince removed his own helmet to keep the fight fair. An honorable act that Elaine admired him for, but she only thought of how foolish it was to expose his head like that.
Sir Valiant gained the upper hand when Prince Arthur lost his shield and sword, with this advantage Sir Valiant managed to trap him against the wall with his shield. Elaine's gaze was momentarily distracted when she noticed Merlin was standing by the entrance to the field, leaning forward against the wall. His hand was held in front of him, as if he reaching for the two knights. Her attention was fixed back on the battle when Prince Arthur managed to dislodge himself from Sir Valiant's shield.
Suddenly there was a hissing sound and two snakes slid out of the yellow knight's shield; both of them resembling the one from yesterday's trial.
Gasps burst from the stands, as everyone was shocked by the sight of magic. Elaine only slightly less surprised than everyone else. Even Prince Arthur looked surprised at the snakes before him, his gaze hardened when he looked at Sir Valiant.
Sir Valiant looked at his shield, "What are you doing? I didn't summon you!" He told the snakes.
"He is using magic," King Uther said, staring at the knight with a look that could kill.
"Now they see you for what you really are." Prince Arthur told the knight with a pleased look for being right.
Sir Valiant looked at Prince Arthur and chuckled, the snakes detached themselves from the shield falling to the ground. "Kill him!" Sir Valiant ordered, and the snakes began slithering towards Prince Arthur.
Prince Arthur back away, looking daunted at the snakes, his sword and shield still lost. "Arthur!" Lady Morgana yelled, and tossed him a sword she took from the knight next to her. Prince Arthur caught it and swung around, slicing the heads from the snakes' bodies. He attacked Sir Valiant with a newlyfound vengeance that Sir Valiant couldn't beat. Prince Arthur thrusted his sword into Sir Valiant, dealing him a fatal wound.
When the knight fell, the crowd broke out in cheers for their prince. Elaine cheered along with them, smiling in relief at Prince Arthur. The young prince stood in the center, catching his breath; once he did, Prince Arthur grinned and waved to the crowd, acknowledging their cheers for him. Elaine stopped cheering when she once again noticed Merlin. Finding it strange that the servant seemed as if his pleased grin was out of pride for himself. It couldn't be, Elaine thought, it must be pride from Prince Arthur winning and proving them right.
Her brow furrowed when she thought of Merlin earlier holding his hand in front of him. Despite her thoughts leading nowhere and dismissing him from her mind, a nagging suspicion continued to gnaw at her. Elaine filed the doubts away, knowing that this occurrence was something that she could ponder about later. And indeed she did, later that night after the banquet for the champion. After she had gone to her room from exhaustion and changed into her nightwear. As Elaine laid in bed, her thoughts were running rampant about the strange boy. There was just something different about him, was the last thought to cross her mind that night.
If it wasn't clear, the words italicized are Elaine's personal thoughts. There's going to be a lot of them next chapter.