Sorry for the delay folks. Busy weekend. Well, here is Valiant Part two, will try to get part three up later. Please enjoy!
I do not own the characters of BBC's Merlin.
Merlin found a spot in the sets that let him see the action but still be able to run off in case Arthur needed help with something after a fight. "First tournament?" A fellow servant asked smiling at how excited Merlin was.
"Yeah." He answered watching as the knights marched in. He spotted Arthur quickly enough but was slightly distracted at seeing all the others as they all swaggered it stand in front of Uther in neat lines.
"Knights of the realm." Uther began as he walked towards them. He looked them over, his eyes lingering slightly on his son. "It's a great honor to welcome you to the tournament at Camelot. Over the next three days you will put your bravery to the test, your skills as warriors, and of course challenge the reigning champion. My son, Prince Arthur."
Arthur stood a little bit taller at the small words of praise. He had to win again. "Only one can have the honor of being crowned champion." Uther continued. "And he will receive a prize of 1,000 gold pieces. It is in combat that we learn a knight's true nature. Whither he is indeed a warrior, or a coward." He paused for a moment. "The tournament begins!"
The crowd erupted into cheers as Uther went back to his seat as the knights left the field except for the two that would be fighting first. Arthur came to stand near the stands close to where Merlin was sitting. He glanced at the servant.
"Enjoying yourself?" He asked as the two knights began their fight. Merlin looked over at Arthur.
"It's better then being on the receiving end of the blows." He commented a grin in place. A smile appeared on Arthur's own unbidden.
"Just remember to pull yourself away in case you're needed."
"Why do you think I sat here?" Merlin asked. "Decent view, and I can get away without disrupting anyone in case you need me to fix your cape or something."
"Just watch the fight."
"Of course sire." Merlin's attention was back on the fight then.
Arthur's turn was next as he stepped out ready for the fight already. It was over with shortly, Arthur pulling an easy win. Merlin was on his feet following Arthur off the field quickly. He was helping him re arrange his armor as sounds of other fights carried over the way.
Several more fights followed the same pattern and by the end of the day, Arthur had been able to make it to the next day of fighting. Yet so did another knight.
"Knight Valiant is pretty good with a sword…" Merlin commented. "Might end up being your final opponent."
Arthur was about to comment back when the knight in question walked by. He paused looking at Arthur before walking over. Merlin's head was instantly bowed as Valiant came to a stop before them. "May I offer my congratulations on your victories today." He said still panting a bit from the aftermath of his fight.
"Likewise." Arthur answered. Merlin glanced between them; he could tell they were sizing each other up, so clearly they had a good idea of whom they would be facing at the end later.
"See you at the reception this evening." With that Valiant moved on with a servant tailing behind him.
Arthur turned to Merlin. "And guess who will be making sure my cup doesn't run dry?"
Merlin nodded his head. "Of course."
Arthur then launched into a list of chores for Merlin to complete for the next day. Merlin just watched Arthur as the list grew.
"And when I am I supposed to sleep?" He asked.
"Might get a few minutes in if you start now." Arthur said. "Could have gotten a head start if you weren't so busy watching all the fights."
Merlin grumbled slightly under his breath as he began to pick up the items Arthur had mentioned. It was going to be a long night.
Merlin was finally able to get everything back into his room and looked at the pile of things he needed to do. On top of all this, he knew he needed to study the spells in his book. Then it came to him. Magic.
He could use magic in this little back room and get the work done all at once. He could be studying while the chores did themselves. Then he would be able to serve Arthur at the reception and then retire for the night. It was brilliant.
He let his magic out and take up the items moving them as was needed as Merlin himself relaxed on his bed picking up his book and opening it. Things were moving smoothly as he read along the sounds of the work becoming comforting in a way.
It was then Gaius choose to enter the small room. "Wait's going on here?!" He exclaimed making Merlin stop the magic and everything falling to the floor. "I thought I told you to be more careful!"
"There was no other way for me to get any sleep tonight if I didn't!" Merlin protested.
"Risking your own neck if you keep it up." Gaius said raising his eyebrow. "Now get moving, the reception will start soon."
Merlin fought back the roll of his eyes as he got up and pulled on his jacket as he headed out the door. "And Merlin, when you get back, you will finish these chores without magic." He said firmly.
"Fine." Merlin said as he left. Really, Merlin had made sure no one would see him using his magic and it made it so much easier.
Merlin stood just behind Arthur as the various knights who were to go onto the next day greeted the royal family. He could feel his eyes beginning to close when a small nudge to his side woke him up again.
He sent a small thankful smile towards Gwen who beamed right back at him before turning her attention back to Morgana who she was to end to for the night. Merlin's own attention turned to Arthur. The greet seemed to be over and he now turned to Merlin glancing at Gwen and then back to his own servant. "Making friends already are we?"
Merlin looked between Gwen and Arthur and a small flurry of nerves hit. "It's not like that." He said. "We're just friends."
Arthur nodded. "Just as long as it doesn't interfere with your work Merlin."
The next morning, Merlin found he was somehow able to finish all of the chores Arthur had given and get some decent sleep in. After having tended to Arthur who claimed he now wanted to use a different sword than the one last night, really what had been the point in making him sharpen it if he wasn't going to use the thing?
Merlin went off to the armory to get the sword Arthur wanted to use instead. While there he noticed some hissing coming from the room. He turned quickly. "Hello?" He asked hoping it was a person and not a snake like he thought. The only thing to catch attention was Valiant's shield.
He found himself in front of it quickly reaching a hand out to it. He could feel it radiating off the metal. Magic, and it was fresh magic. Maybe the kingdom Valiant came from had a more lax view on magic, and so Valiant was able to get protection charms on his shield. Yet something about the feel of the magic pouring off the shield told Merlin otherwise. He didn't like the feel of this magic.
He was reaching out to touch it anyway. He was just about to when a sword to his chest stopped him. He looked up to see Valiant. "Can I help you with something boy?" He asked.
"No." Merlin answered. His bad feeling only grew at how defensive Valiant seemed to be of the shield. Just what sort of enchantment was it that would make the man act like this? "I'm good. Your shield was just interesting is all, I meant no harm."
It seemed to calm Valiant as he lowered his sword and picked up the shield. "Life-like aren't they?" He asked now seeming to be proud of it. "Makes you think they could leap off and bite you doesn't it?"
"Yeah…" Merlin agreed not wanting to upset him further. "Really well made."
"Go on." Valiant said waving Merlin off. "I'm sure that Prince Arthur will be looking for you soon."
"Right." Merlin said quickly picking up the blade Arthur had requested and scampering off out the door.
Merlin dashed all the way up to Arthur's room and laid the sword down with the rest of the armor. Arthur walked over inspecting the state of things. He had to admit, the spread looked impressive. "Let's see if you're any better at putting it on." He said giving Merlin to go ahead to start helping him into it.
Merlin learned quickly. Arthur could have sworn he had blinked and then Merlin was working on fastening the last of the straps of the armor and reaching for the sword. Arthur looked at Merlin; perhaps this boy would serve being a servant. "Well, that could have gone worse…" Arthur commented taking the helmet from Merlin.
"I'm a fast learner."
"I hope that's true." Arthur said now heading out the door. "Come one then, I have a tournament to win."
Merlin fell into step behind Arthur as they were entering the arena Gaius caught sight of the smile on Merlin's face. "I thought I told you to be careful or else you might find yourself enjoying your job…" He said making Merlin laugh a little.
"Well, it isn't all bad…" He commented turning his attention to Arthur who was about to start his first fight of the day.
Arthur had insisted on watching Valiant's fight. Merlin didn't blame him for hit. In fact Merlin was curious to see if he would spot anything strange about the shield. The fight was almost over and he began to suspect nothing was going to happen, when a snake from the shield came to life.
He watched it bite the knight on the ground. He looked to Arthur who clearly didn't see the snake. Maybe it had just been a trick of the light? Merlin knew he needed to get a better look at that shield. Even if it turned out to be nothing, he didn't want to risk Arthur getting a snakebite by magical means.
Gaius was out on the field tending to the fallen knight. Merlin's concern bubbling up even more, he noticed the look of slight confusion on Gaius' face when he saw something on the man's neck. So it was in fact real. Merlin could feel his chest tighten.
Merlin made it to Gaius' chambers as quickly as he could. "How is he?" He asked setting Arthur's things down on a table.
"You see these two small wounds?" Gaius asked pointing to the man's neck. "They look like a snakebite."
"I saw a snake come from Valiant's shield during the fight." Merlin said. "I thought it had been a trick of the light seeing as Arthur didn't notice, but this really just confirms what I saw doesn't it?"
"Indeed it does." Gaius said. "But you would need more proof if you want to prove it to Arthur or even Uther. Remember, you're just a servant and Valiant's a knight. His word will have more weight than yours. You will need undeniable proof of your claim."
Merlin nodded as he got up and headed out the door. "Where are you going?" Gaius asked.
"To get my proof." Merlin answered while he let the door close behind him.
Merlin took to following Valiant out of the armory. He would have just gone in after Valiant left, but the man had his shield with him, most likely to keep a closer eye on it. Merlin kept out of sight as he followed the knight sometimes being forced to elongate the shadows to help hide himself. Seriously though, it was far too easy to sneak around this place.
He stopped at the slightly opened door to Valiant's room and watched as the man feed a mouse to the snakes on the shield as an award for a job well done. Merlin had to get a head from one of those snakes. He just knew it, but for now he had to wait for Valiant to leave the room.
Merlin pulled back and took to waiting in the shadows for when Valiant was to leave. He knew there was another feast tonight to celebrate the remaining competitors, Arthur had given Merlin the rest of the night off in order to work on the longer list of chores he had piled on the boy.
Merlin was grateful for that, because now he was able to make sure Arthur was safe from this snake-enchanted shield.
Valiant finally left for the feast and Merlin slipped into the room. The magic of the shield seemed to be still active as the snakes sprang out again as if hoping for a further meal. Seeing as it was not their master with food one of them began to pull back for a strike. Merlin picked up a sword and quickly sliced the head off before it could hit him. The other snakes retreated into the shield not wanting to meet the same fate. Merlin put the sword back down and picked up the severed snakehead. He bolted from the room and rounded a corner, not noticing that Valiant had seen the wisp of his jacket flutter past.
Merlin's first stop was to Gaius so the man could work on anti-venom and save the fallen knight. Merlin then took the head with him to Arthur. Arthur was eating a snack when Merlin arrived and put the snakehead down explaining what had happened.
"You chopped its head off?" Arthur said looking at the rather vicious looking head. He had to admit it was a brave act to do. Merlin's continued rant on defending his position on the topic made him look carefully at his servant.
Merlin had no reason to want to make Arthur look like a fool. If anything the boy wanted Arthur to win, and fairly if this was any sign of things. He was full of surprises really. First he pushes him out of the way of a dagger, the evidence still clear from the clean bandages that adorned Merlin's wrist, and now he risks his own live to bring him proof that a fellow knight is cheating by using magic.
"I know I'm just a servant." Merlin said seeing Arthur now on the fence about the entire thing. "My word doesn't count for anything, but I wouldn't lie to you."
Arthur looked at Merlin carefully. "I want you to swear to me that what you're telling me is true."
"I swear it's true." Merlin answered, a slight tone of relief mixing in his voice.
"Then I believe you." Arthur commented looking right into Merlin's eyes.
Please R&R folks.