Final part of Valiant... Must say, not my favorite episode...
I do not own the characters of BBC's Merlin.
Merlin was a bit surprised at how fast Arthur was able to call a meeting to discuss the issue. The next morning Merlin found himself standing next to Arthur with Valiant being marched into the room by a set of guards, his shield on his arm.
Uther walked in wasting no time in starting the meeting. "Why have you called the court?" He asked Arthur as the Prince stepped forward.
"I have reason to believe that the Knight Valiant is using a magic shield to cheat in the tournament." Arthur said, speaking clear enough for all present to hear.
"Valiant what do you have to say to this?" Uther asked already feeling the anger rise inside him. How could a knight of the realm even think about using magic?
"My lord this is ridiculous." Valiant argued stepping forward. "I'd never use magic. Does your son have any evidence to support this outrageous accusation?"
"Do you have evidence?" Uther asked looking to Arthur.
"I do." Arthur held out his hand and Merlin put the severed snakehead in it. While pulling his hand back one of the fangs nicked one of Merlin's fingers causing the boy to jump a little and hope Gaius had been able to remove all traces of the venom. He could hear the laughter of the Lord of Magic in his head at having received a magic scar in such a silly way but held back the eye roll.
Uther took the snakehead from Arthur and looked it over carefully. While Uther was distracted Arthur took the chance to glance at Merlin and make sure he was all right. The boy had his finger in his mouth in an attempt to stop the bleeding. He seemed to be successful as before Arthur looked away Merlin was standing normally again.
"Let me see the shield." Uther said gesturing to Valiant who held it up for Uther's inspection.
"Don't let him get too close…" Merlin muttered under his breath. While he may not have liked the current king much, Merlin doubted it would make a strong case for magic in Arthur's eyes if Uther was killed due to an enchantment.
As Uther stepped closer Arthur drew his sword. "Be careful my lord." He said standing ready to defend his father if need be. Valiant sent a quick sharp glare over Arthur's shoulder knowing fully well where the prince got his information.
Just as Uther was running a hand over the image of the snakes Gaius entered getting Merlin's attention. The boy carefully made his way over to the older man. Hopefully he had some good news.
"As you can see my lord, there is no magic." Valiant said calmly as the king finished his inspection.
"Of course he wouldn't summon the snakes with such a large audience." Arthur said gesturing to the room.
"Then how do you plan to prove your case?" Uther asked.
"I have a witness. The Knight Ewin was bitten by one of the snakes on the shield." Arthur said turning to face Merlin and Gaius. From the clearly paler skin on Merlin's face the news Gaius had wasn't good.
"Where is this witness?" Uther asked Gaius.
"He is dead sire." Gaius said with a sigh.
"So you have no proof to support these allegations…" Uther said as calmly as he could. "Have you seen Valiant using magic?"
"No." Arthur said. "But my servant-"
"Your servant?" Uther asked now looking to Merlin who gulped. "You make these outrageous accusations against a knight on the word of your servant?"
"I believe he is telling the truth." Arthur defended. Arthur didn't know why he could tell Merlin was indeed telling the truth, it was just a feeling. One that seemed to be making a fool of him right now.
"My lord am I really to be judged based on some hearsay based on a boy?" Valiant asked looking at both Arthur and Merlin. The man had to bless the ways of the realm, really he did, because now it would seem he would get away with his cheating.
"I've seen those snakes come alive." Merlin said stepping forward, yet he wisely stayed behind Arthur.
"How dare you interrupt?" Uther snarled at Merlin making the boy step back in slight alarm. Arthur just took a small half step wedging himself further between his father and Merlin. "Guards!"
"My lord." Valiant said getting Uther's attention.
"Wait." Uther commanded as the guards paused in marching Merlin to the dungeons.
"I'm sure he was merely mistaken." Valiant said looking right at Merlin. "I don't want him punished on my account."
"You see?" Uther said addressing 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 then, I will graciously accept his withdrawal." Valiant said. Merlin could feel the shift in Arthur. He could tell the prince did not like his pride coming into question. He would need to find some way to expose Valiant so Arthur could survive the fight.
"Is this true?" Uther asked eyeing Arthur carefully. "Do you wish to withdraw from the tournament?"
"No." Arthur said knowing he was now backed into a corner. Fight, or be branded a coward.
"Then what am I to make of these allegations?" Uther asked.
"Obviously there has been a misunderstanding." Arthur said trying to pick up whatever pieces of his pride he still could. "I withdraw the allegation against knight Valiant." Arthur sheathed his sword finally. "Please accept my apology."
"I accept it." Valiant said keeping the triumphant tone at bay. Arthur left the room quickly, Merlin following soon afterwards.
"I believed you. I-" Arthur shook his head. "-trusted you… You made me look a complete fool." Merlin could hear the anger being barely held back.
"I know things didn't go to plan…" Arthur looked at Merlin then. It was clearly the wrong thing to say.
"Didn't go to plan?" He asked standing up from leaning on his table. "My father and the entire royal court think I'm a coward. You humiliated me!" Arthur turned from Merlin then in an attempt to not strike his servant.
"We can still expose Valiant…" Merlin offered up.
"I no longer require your services." Arthur said still not looking at Merlin.
"You're sacking me?" Merlin questioned not sure he was hearing correctly.
"I need a servant I can trust." Arthur said calming himself for a moment.
"You can trust me!" Merlin said trying to defend himself.
"And look where it got me this time." Arthur snapped. "Get out of my sight!"
Merlin finally left Arthur alone with his thoughts. Instead of heading back to Gaius' chambers, Merlin went down to the dragon's cave. On entering he saw the dragon and the lord of magic talking.
"You will not manipulate him Kilgarah." The god said firmly.
"Just as you are not shaping him as you please?" Kilgarah responded. "And do not even think you can order me. You know you gave that gift away to your precious lords and now look at them. Only one left and it is unknown if he is even alive."
"Unknown to all but a god."
"What are you two talking about?" Merlin asked making himself known and forgetting the reason he came in the first place.
They both looked at him ending their conversation. "Nothing that concerns you for the time being." The lord said standing with a grin and taking a step towards Merlin ushering him further in. "To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?"
"Just that whatever you two seem to think my destiny is, you've got the wrong person." Merlin answered being taken by the god's charm and putting what he heard to the back of his mind for a bit. "So goodbye."
He turned to leave yet stopped at the laughter that spilled from the two. "If only it were so easy one's destiny." Kilgarah said as they both settled for smiles.
"How can it be my destiny to protect someone who hates me?"
"Half cannot truly hate that which makes it whole." The lord of magic answered Merlin resting a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Very soon you shall learn that."
"Great." Merlin said shrugging the god's hand off. "Just what I needed, more riddles."
"That yours and Arthur's paths lie together is but the truth." Kilgarah said.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"That this is not the end." The lord of magic said turning the boy around. "It's just the beginning…" He pushed him towards the steps. "Now go and save your prince."
Merlin sat on the steps of the castle thinking. Just how was he going to save Arthur in the fight against Valiant? There was no way Valiant would expose himself. Not intentionally at least. He was lost in his thoughts as Gwen came over and sat next to him. It wasn't until she spoke that he noticed her.
"How are you Merlin?" She asked.
"I'm fine." He answered her after just sending a glance her way.
"Is it true what you said about Valiant using magic?" Gwen asked. Merlin just nodded his head. At least he had one person believing him besides Gaius, but then again Gwen was just another servant like he used to be. "What are you going to do?"
"Why does everyone think it's up to me to do something about it?" He said looking at his finger. The faint scar from where he glazed his finger on the fang of the snakehead would not be anywhere near enough evidence to prove anything.
"Because it is…" Gwen said not believing that the words came from her. "Isn't it?" As soon as the question left her lips she had to think about it. Why would Merlin need to anything about something to do with magic? "You have to show everyone that you were right and they were wrong."
"And how do I do that?" Merlin asked turning his head to look at her.
"I don't know…" She said making Merlin nod slightly. He looked around the courtyard. He was back to square one. Something caught his eye.
A dog statue, it was motionless. What if there was a way to give it motion? Maybe that is how Valiant did it. The original spell could have been cast by a magic user meaning all Valiant had to do was call on the enchantment already there. It didn't even have to be the same spell, just one that would call out the snakes. Make themselves known and let Valiant panic at the sight of them coming before his summons.
"That's it…" He muttered almost forgetting that Gwen was next to him.
"Where you going?" Gwen asked as Merlin vaulted upright and went to the statue. She followed him and looked between Merlin and the statue confused.
Merlin tried to pick it up, yet finding it to be too heavy for him to carry he looked to Gwen. "Do you have a wheelbarrow?" He asked her. She smiled knowing he had some sort of an idea, but not quite knowing what. She decided not to ask as she went to go get the wheelbarrow.
Merlin pushed the wheelbarrow with the statue in it through Gaius' chambers. "What are you going to do with that?" He asked Merlin as he went by seeing the glee evident by the dancing gold sparks in Merlin's eyes.
"I'm going let everyone see the snakes for themselves." Merlin said proud of himself. He could vaguely remember a spell in his book on animation. He just had to get a bit of practice in first.
Setting the statue in his room Merlin got to work flipping through the pages looking over the words for what he needed. Finding it he looked it over getting the words in his head. Now to figure out just how to say them. Merlin worked for hours trying to get it right with no success.
He fell back on his bed in frustration, his eyes landing on the puzzle box Arthur had given him as thanks for saving his life. Picking it up he headed to Arthur's chambers. He might as well give it back, maybe even convince Arthur not to fight.
Entering the room Arthur glanced at him. "I thought I told you to get out of my sight." Merlin gave a small sigh and put the puzzle box on the mantle. Arthur watched the movement from the corner of his eye.
"Don't fight Valiant in the final tomorrow." Merlin pleaded. "He'll use the shield against you."
"I know." Arthur said. Merlin felt his heart skip a beat.
"You still believe me?" He asked staring at Arthur.
Arthur looked at him. "I asked if it had been true and you told me it was." He answered. "I could see no signs of deception in your eyes. Of course I still believe you." He watched as Merlin closed his eyes and bowed his head ever muscle relaxing in the boy.
"Thank you…" He said softly meaning it. Arthur gave a small nod of his head when Merlin looked up again. "You should withdraw…."
"Don't you understand?" Arthur asked looking at Merlin and picking up the puzzle box turning it over in his hands. "I can't withdraw." He remembered watching Merlin solve it as if it was nothing. The excited glint in his eyes at having the finished result before him. "The people expect their Prince to fight. How can I lead men into battle if they think I'm a coward?"
"Valiant will kill you." Merlin said. He could feel something freeze in his veins as he voiced the thought out loud. He couldn't watch Arthur die if he had a chance of saving him. His only chance was a spell he couldn't get to work. "If you fight, you die."
"Then I die." Arthur said as if it didn't matter.
"How can you go out there and fight like that?" Merlin asked. How could anyone go into a fight knowing that they would most likely be dead at the end of it?
"Because I have to. It's my duty." Arthur said holding the puzzle box out to Merlin. "I told you to keep it and I meant it."
Merlin took the box form Arthur again looking down at it. He looked back up at Arthur and left. He had to master that spell. If it was Arthur's duty to march into the heat of battle where the only chance of him living was Merlin's mastery of magic, then he would master it.
Morning finally came and greeted Merlin. He was half sleep as he tried to get the spell to work the entire night through. He could feel that his magic wanted to work for him, it really did. It was just confused as to what he wanted it to do. It had never done anything like this before. Move objects, sure, slow down time, not a problem in the slightest. Yet making something that wasn't alive, come to life? It was different, magic more advanced than he was used to.
Finally his magic figured out what needed to be done. He was still muttering the spell when he felt the tingling of his magic flow out of him. He then heard a bark. His eyes opened quickly and looked at the dog that now sat next to him. "I did it!" He said the relief flooding him. The dog barked again and made a lunge for him making Merlin bolt to the door and close it quickly. "Right, guard dog statue…"
Gaius entered at that moment and Merlin was half way out. "Where are you going, and what is going on in your room?" He asked.
"Arthur's fight, and I'll deal with it when I get back, just don't open the door." Merlin called back already at a run.
Merlin made it to the fight and stayed behind a stonewall. He needed to wait until Valiant was too far away from Arthur in order to block the snakes from being seen from everyone. The cheers of the crowd faded into the back ground as Merlin watched the fight carefully.
Valiant lost his helmet and Arthur removed his own to even the odds. They both pushed back the chainmail hoods before continuing the fight. Arthur's actions only drawing more cheers from the crowd.
Arthur lost his shield, and Valiant held onto his own. Of course Valiant wouldn't drop the shield, it held his only chance of winning against Arthur. Arthur's sword fell and the two were against a wall. Arthur was able to push Valiant away and gain more room to move. The two danced around each other and when they were far enough apart Arthur caught a look at Merlin.
The boy's attention was not on Arthur. It was on the shield Valiant held. Arthur could see Merlin's lips move, and then there was that gold flash. It wasn't a trick of the light. Merlin had clearly done magic and Arthur knew he was the only one to see it.
He watched at two snakes came out of Valiant's shield. Just what was that boy thinking? He looked up at Valiant. The knight panicking at the sight of the snakes. "I didn't summon you!" He shouted at them. It clicked. Merlin was just showing everyone that Valiant was indeed using magic.
Valiant seemed to notice the trouble he was in and decided to end the fight quickly. "Kill him." He ordered the snakes.
Arthur caught a flash of fear in Merlin's eyes as they dared around looking for some way to help Arthur. Arthur pushed it to the back of his mind, he would think more on it later. "Arthur!" He heard Morgana call as she tossed a sword to him.
Arthur swung the blade cutting off both heads at the same time and then advanced on Valiant. The fight was over quickly as Arthur ran the sword through the man. As his breath caught up with him and he held a hand up for the cheering crowd he looked for Merlin, the boy was already gone, apparently satisfied his work was done.
That was twice now Arthur owed Merlin his life. Only difference was, this time no one could know about it, and Arthur needed a bit of time to think about the idea of Merlin having magic while in Camelot.
Marlin found himself attending the fest as Gaius' guest once again. At least this time there was no singing witches trying to kill Arthur. Merlin was leaning on one of the pillars half covered in shadows as he did his best to stay awake. It had taken him all day to get the dog under control and finally back into a statue and then back to his original placement. He even had a few new bandages on his arms and legs covering the bite marks left by the beast.
He was able to summon up enough energy when Arthur entered with Morgana. Again the lady was quite the beautiful sight. Yet Merlin's eyes were on Arthur. The Prince was living to see yet another day and that was victory enough. Merlin felt himself falling asleep again when he lost sight of Arthur.
He wasn't expecting the hand to land on his shoulder. He jumped eyes looking wildly at Arthur who raised his hands up with a smile. "Jumpy aren't you?" He asked just standing next to Merlin now. "And you don't seem to have gotten any sleep at all."
"I'm fine." Merlin said putting on a smile.
"And can you believe Morgana?" Arthur said. "She says she saved me. Like I needed any help."
Merlin's smile grew. Arthur was waiting for a comment on the magic display yet found none coming. Merlin didn't know Arthur had seen him. "I wanted to say, I made a mistake." Arthur continued. "I never should have sacked you."
"Don't worry about it." Merlin said shaking his head. "Buy me a drink, we'll call it even."
Arthur shook his head. "I can't really be seen buying drinks for my servant." He said as it dawned on Merlin. He had his job back. Well that would certainly make protecting Arthur easier.
Then came the list of chores.
Please R&R!