Melion, Marrok and Biclarel Get A Culture Shock
"Well, one thing is for certain: that was actually an interesting introduction …"
"You sensed it too?"
"Biclarel, the stench of secrets was there along with the apprehension," Melion rolled his eyes as the trio continued to watch the training grounds continued to fill with Knights of Camelot and Knights of the Round Table, all chatting and enjoying the midday sun. The three Knights were quietly preparing for their test while at the same time keeping an eye open for the two strange young servants.
Merlin and Gadiena.
Neither Melion, Marrok or Biclarel could easily remember the names of any of their own servants, or even their faces, most of the time but those two had immediately caught their attention. It was not just the unusual song – one that sounded so eerie and yet so jaunty at the same time – but it was also the borderline impertinence as well as the sense that they got from the pair. The cousins were not ordinary. The question was: were they stuck with the same kind of … problem as Melion, Marrok and Biclarel were, or was it an entirely different secret?
"I think we should worry about our own, instead of theirs," Marrok stated crisply. "Unless you both wish to be skinned."
Melion scoffed. "My father and grandfather fooled King Uther their entire lives. Fooling the new one will be just as easy."
"Careful, Melion," Biclarel warned with a pointed look. "Letting one's pride blind one can lead straight to the gallows or the chopping block."
"If you're lucky," Marrok added with a small growl.
"Everything in order?"
The three Knights sharply looked to one of the youngest Knights of the Round Table – Sir Mordred, they heard him being called – who had come over to them, smiling a soft, friendly smile. Melion gave him an assessing look while Marrok and Biclarel returned the smile.
"Yes, thank you. Everything is in order on our end," Biclarel reassured. His brow furrowed a little. "Just wondering when the King will arrive."
"It should not be too long now," Sir Mordred replied, looking over his shoulder at the entrance to the training grounds.
"How did you find the test, if I may ask?" Melion questioned, hoping to get an idea of what they were very likely to face.
Sir Mordred flush a little. "I … well … I didn't have to face this test," he admitted whilst kicking the ground a little.
"What? Why?" Melion demanded with a scowl.
"Melion, tone," Marrok chided.
"Because I saved the King's life," the young Knight confessed with a short, slightly mirthless laugh.
"How?" Melion pressed further. "On the battlefield?"
"No, I … stabbed Morgana in the back when she was about to kill him."
Mordred flushed even more in embarrassment as these three noble Knights gaped at him in awe and shock. It was for once fortuitous that they were quickly joined by the resident blabbermouth Gwaine. "What has happened? Wait, don't tell me. Has Mordred finally found a lady friend?"
"Gwaine!" Mordred hissed, now positively strawberry red in the face.
Gwaine, of course, ignored his friend and turned to the three young nobles with a grin. "We keep attempting to get Sir Mordred's head turned by any young damsel but so far we have not gotten a hit! I am Sir Gwaine, by the way," he held out his hand.
Marrok was the first to take it. "My name's Marrok, son of Meliant. My friends are Biclarel, son of Lucan and Melion, heir to the House of Tanas," he introduced as Biclarel and Melion too shook the Knight's hand.
"Ah! The new ones!" Gwaine lit up. "I thought I didn't recognise you – apparently for good reason."
"Worried that you were still hung over?" Mordred quipped easily.
"Oh, very funny!" Gwaine huffed. He then took a closer look at the coats of arms that the three men wore. "Hey! You all have wolves on your arms! Even a three headed one," he gestured to Melion's coat of arms. "That is unique."
"The wolf is important to our families," Biclarel answered civilly whilst Marrok and Melion shifted a little. Melion had been the one to take up kicking the ground with his heel.
"You don't say," Gwaine grinned. "Do you know, before he died, my father's personal coat of arms was a two headed eagle. I have no idea why he picked that – my mother never told me either – but it was something I always remember seeing around the house I grew up in."
"How did your father die?" Melion asked.
"Melion," Biclarel sighed.
"What? You are just as curious," Melion huffed.
Gwaine smiled sadly. "He was killed, fighting for King Caerleon's army when I was seven."
Marrok and Biclarel shot Melion a cold look, causing their friend to turn a little sheepish and contrite. At this precise moment that all the Knights stood to attention as the King, followed by Merlin and Gadiena, arrived at the training grounds. Marrok, Biclarel and Melion sobered and each took a deep breath.
"We all know why we are here: to test and welcome three potential new brothers-in-arms to our ranks!" King Arthur stated proudly. "For those of you who have not been introduced, they are Marrok, son of Meliant; Biclarel, son of Lucan; and Melion of House Tanas."
The three bowed their heads and murmurs of greeting rippled around the Knights. The King turned to address them. "All three of you will face two of my Knights and then myself. At the end, I will decide whether you are fit to join the ranks of the Knights of Camelot. Understood?"
"Yes, Sire," the three of them chorused obediently.
"Good! Prepare yourselves – Merlin, Gadiena, check if they have everything they need," the King ordered, though barely noticed that his manservant and the new comer were one step ahead of him and had gone over to the three nobles the moment 'prepare yourselves' had left the King's mouth.
As Merlin and Gadiena approached, Melion could not help but grin. "Not much opportunity to sing this time, I'm afraid, you two!" he could not help teasing.
"There never is here," Merlin answered with a small smile as he and Gadiena went about checking their armour, chainmail and whether the swords had been sharpened properly. "Arthur likes to keep everyone on their toes."
"You can say that again!" Gwaine agreed with a laugh.
"Should you really be calling the King by his given name?" Biclarel questioned, a slight tension to his tone. Marrok and Melion had also tensed up visibly.
"Camelot has a lot of things that are done differently to most kingdoms," Mordred stated coolly but civilly. "Including a King who enjoys it when his servants are a little bit more informal than what he is used to."
"And Knights who do consider some servants their friends," Gwaine added, giving Biclarel a pointed look that was very quickly turning slightly hostile. Sensing the danger, Mordred steered his friend away and marched him back to a blonde Knight and a Knight with some very impressive muscles.
Gadiena quickly followed them, leaving Merlin with the three nobles. Marrok frowned when he noticed a lot of tension suddenly alleviate from the young servant. "We are not offended," he tried to reassure. "Nor, at least I think, did Biclarel mean to offend anyone. We are just … surprised."
Merlin chuckled. "You didn't offend – none of you did."
"Then why do you look like you're afraid that we're about to hit you?" Melion inquired bluntly, folding his arms.
"It isn't you," the young man reassured with a soft smile. "Let's just say that I am a little … angry with my friends for something that happened a couple of days ago."
"What happened?" Biclarel wanted to know, brow furrowing as the three of them looked towards the group of Knights of the Round Table, who were eyeing them with a look of irritation and – shockingly enough – envy. Gadiena quickly distracted the giant of a Knight, Gwaine, the blonde one and Mordred with asking whether or not their swords had already been sharpened.
Merlin considered for a moment or two, and then shook his head. "It's stupid. Don't worry about it. Just focus on throwing the Royal dollophead into the mud."
Marrok, Biclarel and Melion were once again left blinking in shock and almost gaping at the natural, flippant impertinence exhibited by Merlin, but they recovered rather quickly. It was just something they needed to get used to, they realised.
"Marrok, son of Meliant, you are first!" the King stated clearly.
"Good luck," Merlin shot the noble a kind smile.
"Thank you," Marrok found himself saying before he stepped onto the field, opposite the blonde knight who had been amongst the group of Gwaine and Mordred's friends.
"So, he is up against Leon," Merlin muttered out loud. "This should be interesting."
"Why is that?" Melion could not resist asking.
"Leon has an orthodox fighting style; it's effective but also makes him predictable. Take him by surprise, and you do have an advantage," Merlin explained. "I don't really blame Leon for it though. He is one of Arthur's most long-standing knights, personally trained by him. Things are bound to rub off."
"You know what you're talking about," Melion smirked a little.
"I have seen them train and see them on the battlefield. I would be as useless as most people think I am if I didn't notice," Merlin informed bluntly with a small smile of his own.
Biclarel frowned. "Who thinks that you're useless?" he wanted to know.
Merlin chuckled softly. "Sorry. Ignore that. It's just me being … well, guess I am still a little bitter. Oooo Marrok got a good hit in there! Leon was almost knocked off his feet!"
Melion and Biclarel decided to oblige the servant and allow him to change the subject.
"Marrok is one of the best," Melion agreed proudly. "Our families are all close and Marrok wiped the floor with all of his combat masters, and all of ours as well! He has taught us so much."
"He is fast too," Biclarel continued. "Always been kind of jealous of how he makes chainmail seem so weightless. He moves like it doesn't weigh you down."
"Well, it explains why Leon is barely blinking right now," Merlin chuckled, eyes on Marrok and Leon, who were both circling each other like lions who were fighting for pride and territory. "He could definitely learn a thing or two from Marrok in training – they all could."
"You want us to succeed?" Melion could not keep the surprise from his tone.
"We haven't had new Knights in quite a long while. Arthur might be less judgemental than his father but he still has some very high standards," Merlin responded. "We need some new blood or things will become stale. Besides," he grinned sunnily, "my friends could do with some healthy competition."
Both nobles involuntarily snorted. They had to compose themselves when Marrok had knocked Leon to the ground with his shield, sending the Knight of the Round Table into the mud. Merlin too had to bite into his cheek but quickly allowed himself to chuckle.
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"Bedivere is next?! The King might as well hand that noble the win right now!" Gwaine huffed indignantly, folding his arms. "Arthur should have let me at him. Actually give him some proper competition!"
Percival hummed shortly in agreement while Mordred looked like he was trying to supress an eyeroll. Gadiena shot the Knight a pointed look. "Don't be such a child. Just because Merlin is trying to make them feel welcome and included – it really isn't a good reason to act like jilted lover!"
Gwaine spluttered while Percival and Mordred started splitting their sides laughing. Eavesdropping Knights also started chuckling at that. "I am not acting like a jilted lover!" Gwaine protested indignantly.
"Oh please! You were worse than wolves during mating season," Gadiena responded, shaking her head at him. "I don't know why this should be spelled out for you, but all you have to do to make it up to my cousin, is to actually apologise and mean it! Spend some time with him when you can. He told me you were one of the first friends he ever made in a Camelot outsider since Lancelot!"
Gwaine flushed with embarrassment. "Yeah," he agreed quietly.
"He told me that you hated nobles, precisely for how your King used to treat your family," Gadiena continued. "And look at you now – you are acting just like him!"
Percival and Mordred stiffened a little. Gwaine's jaw clenched at hearing that. "Watch yourself, girl," he growled in a warning tone.
"Why? Don't like it when the wool is taken from your eyes?" Gadiena did not back down. "You didn't defend your friend when you knew he would never do anything to hurt the King. He threw him in the dungeons and never looked back. Never came to check on him." She scoffed. "I wonder, would you actually have stood by and let him get executed, or would you have tried to save him from the axe?"
Gwaine looked like he had been punched in the gut at this point. Mordred had visibly wilted too, as did Percival. Gadiena shook her head at the three of them. "Did you know that Merlin invites another Knight to dinner with him and Uncle Gaius? Tristan, I think his name is." The name made all three look up quite sharply; they clearly knew him. "If you actually are serious about making it up to Merlin, I suggest you three try coming to dinner. Just tell him you're interested in joining him for an evening – something! Merlin is not going to make it easy on you, and frankly I support him in that."
"We … didn't think he would want us to disturb him during the evenings," Mordred flushed. "Especially me. He … doesn't really like me."
"Which I still think is nonsense," Gwaine insisted.
"I will work my magic on him – oh wait, magic is illegal here!" Gadiena joked, causing all three Knights to snort a little. "In any case, I will talk to him about what it is. From what I can tell, and I admit I haven't been here long enough to make a proper analysis, but you seem nice enough to me."
Mordred looked pretty pleased at that, flushing a little.
"May I ask you something?" Percival asked.
"Fire away," Gadiena answered as Leon joined them, looking extremely disgruntled.
"Mordred and I heard Merlin hum a song not too long ago," Percival began. "One I certainly have never heard of before and I was wondering if you know what it could be."
Gadiena grinned. "Well, in all likelihood it is our favourite family song," she answered. "It's called The Wolf and The Raven. It's a song about the Familiars of Death."
"Really?" Mordred's eyes widened in surprise. "But it sounded so happy …"
"Yes," Gadiena agreed. "Because there comes a moment when their arrival is a happy one."
No one had a good answer to that. Clashing of swords drew their eyes back onto Marrok's test; they had missed the potential Knight's fight with Bedivere and they were now watching him take on Arthur. The King and Marrok exchanged many even blows, countering each other to perfection.
"What do you make of them? The new ones?" Leon inquired.
Gadiena smiled softly. "I don't think I make anything of them yet. Marrok is a graceful fighter, Biclarel – I think – is quite soft spoken and Melion, well he has a youthful pride. More than that I really can't say, given our brief acquaintance."
Leon nodded along to what she was saying.
"You seem to know your way around armour," Mordred could not help but point out. "You knew exactly what to look for with those three."
"I picked up many odd jobs on my travels in order to earn some money. I mostly disguised myself as a man in order to protect myself," Gadiena replied truthfully. "One of them was with a blacksmith in one of the towns I stayed in. I picked up the basics quite quickly because I had quite the harsh taskmaster in my boss."
"And your ring?" Gwaine noted the piece. "Did you make it yourself? It's quite good!"
Gadiena flushed a little as she fiddled with the iron ring on her finger. "Thank you, but your compliments are wasted on me. I didn't make this ring – another blacksmith did. This ring was my mother's wedding ring; it's one of the only things I have left of her."
"Oh. I am so sorry," Gwaine deflated a little. His friends shook their heads at him derisively.
"You couldn't have known," Gadiena gave him a soft smile.
"What about your father? Is he also …" Gwaine simply could not help himself.
"My father is a mystery to me," Gadiena sighed. "From what I know from Aunt Hunith, Mother refused to divulge who it was. I don't know anything about him, so for all I know he is dead. But he could also be alive."
"Sounds indeed like a mystery," Leon agreed. "Have you tried finding him yourself?"
Gadiena snorted. "I know not to bother. The only thing I am certain of, is that my father does not wish to be found or known by me."
"But how do you know?" Percival frowned.
"Merlin is prone to funny feelings, right? Well, so am I," Gadiena chuckled. She then laughed out loud. "Oh gods! Did you see that?! Marrok perfectly countered that highland attack!"
The Knights didn't say anything but chuckled at Gadiena's enthusiasm.
"Did you ever get to meet your uncle before he died? Merlin's father, I mean," Gwaine wanted to know.
"Unfortunately not," Gadiena sighed. "I only got a letter from Uncle Gaius about what happened and who he was … I would have liked to have met him at least once, though. Merlin always wanted to meet his father because the village children always said horrible things to him about not having a father and being born out-of-wedlock … demon's child, they called him."
"What?" Leon voiced the indignation but the faces of the Knights all quickly turned thunderous.
"Yes," Gadiena confirmed with a dark tone. "They said that an incubus slept with his mother because she was "easy" to take. They only stopped when I whacked each and every one of them with my stick. Will helped me a bunch of times, but I did most of the whacking."
"That's just disgusting – not your behaviour, but theirs," Percival stated, shaking his head.
"Welcome to living in a backwater with judgemental people all around you," Gadiena laughed mirthlessly. "I got something similar, but less than Merlin because I was seen as genuinely useful to the village, given my healing skills. Merlin and Will loved to cause mischief so …" The warlock lit up. "Now, enough about me for now. Time for all of you to tell me something about yourselves. Gwaine, since you like to talk, you first!"
Gwaine brightened. "What would you like to know?"
"Anything: where you have been, how you met my cousin and the King, how you failed to flirt with the Queen-"
"She wasn't the Queen then!" Gwaine paled as his friends laughed at his expense.
"Details, details," Gadiena teased. "Come on, start spilling!"
"Well, I don't know what Merlin has or hasn't told you, but it all started with a tavern fight," Gwaine grinned.
###########################################################################
Merlin was on one hand a little miffed that Gadiena preferred to engage some of his friends in conversation rather than helping him in keeping an eye on the newcomers, as she had agreed to do, but on the other hand, was rather relieved that his cousin was making an effort to get to know them and that they were welcoming to her. Arthur had refused to allow Gadiena help him with his armour, since she was not officially a servant, but still allowed her to come to the test and help out. The Knights were cordial and respectful; Gwaine was at least keeping his hands to himself and not flirting with Gadiena.
Merlin already felt like giving Gwaine a good whack around the head; he didn't fancy the feeling turning to wanting to deck his friend, no matter how angry or not Merlin was with him.
As for Marrok, Biclarel and Melion, despite being nobles, Merlin found that they didn't strut about like Bedivere, Caradoc or some of the other Knights tended to, especially if they had noble blood in their veins. As for their fighting styles, the warlock could readily admit that they had more than enough talent. Marrok was not only lethal, but he was graceful – it was odd to even try to describe a Knight like that but Merlin found the adjective rather fitting. Each move he made was methodical, well thought out, and it was perfect counter to his opponent almost every single time.
Merlin was not surprised Marrok could best Arthur at all, and the King had not even been all that annoyed at losing, for once. In fact the King had beamed at his opponent. "You really must show me how to pull of some of those moves you do! Splendid display! Oh yes, you are ready, all right."
"Thank you, Sire," Marrok had grinned as he bowed and then reassumed his place with his friends and Merlin.
"Well done," Merlin had stated almost immediately.
Marrok had nodded to him before turning his attention to Biclarel, who was called up next. With Biclarel, Merlin noted that the style of fighting was not as graceful as Marrok's but he was extremely quick on his feet. Biclarel combined speed with an orthodox fighting style, which against Percival and Kay, was very handy indeed. Against Arthur, Biclarel was evenly matched and relied on finding the weak points in his opponent's moves. Merlin could not help but be fascinated. The noble was like a scout on a reconnaissance mission while not yielding to Arthur at all. Eventually Biclarel found the weakness and the opening, and managed to disarm Arthur swiftly and elegantly.
Arthur had chuckled. "I heard from my father about how Lucan could fight. It seems you have inherited his talents, Biclarel."
"That is very kind, my Lord," Biclarel answered with a bowed head.
Melion, undoubtedly, had the more aggressive style of the three of them. Not for a single moment did the young Knight give a quarter to his opponents, which in this case were Mordred and Sir Geraint. Mordred's own skill and aggressive fighting style was a good match for the noble but Geraint found himself quickly overwhelmed by Melion. Arthur, though, had no issues keeping up with Melion, even dodging certain attacks with ease that were less coordinated than others.
Melion's duel with the King ended in a draw, much to the annoyance of the former. Merlin noted that Marrok and Biclarel visibly deflated with relief, which made his brow furrow. The King, though, chuckled. "You actually got me to put some effort in. If we hone your attacks even more, you could be a force to be reckoned with."
"Yes, Sire," Melion responded obediently, although he did look slightly irritated.
"Well, good news is I have more than enough of an idea of your strengths, talents and also your weaknesses. I personally think all three of you would make fine additions to our ranks so – congratulations! The Knighting Ceremony will be this evening," Arthur stopped as applause and whooping ensued amongst the Knights. He then turned to his trusted friend. "Merlin, would you come here a moment?"
Though confused, Merlin obeyed, wondering what Arthur could want to discuss with him. "My Lord?"
"Have Gwaine and the others apologised to you yet?" was the first question out of the King's mouth.
Merlin blinked in surprise for a moment before shaking his head.
"Right," Arthur did not look too happy. He then gestured with his head to his three new Knights. "What do you make of our new brothers-in-arms?"
Merlin looked back at the three new Knights, who were bantering with some of the other Knights. "I am not sure yet. They are all three skilled fighters, and they are nice enough," he answered truthfully. "If I have to be honest, Melion seems to be a bit of a prideful hothead, but I know one or two of those."
Arthur rolled his eyes at this and gave Merlin a playful whack around the head for that comment.
"You don't think I am rushing into my decision?"
"No, Sire."
"Good," Arthur sighed in relief. He then grinned. "I suppose I should dismiss you and Gadiena for now. You do have other chores to do before the Knighting Ceremony."
Merlin smirked a little before pretending to look confused. "Do we? No, I don't think we do, unless Gadiena gets saddled with some sewing work from Ettare."
Arthur snorted. "Of course, leave my horses living in a pile of filth!"
"They're too spoilt. A bit like their owner."
"You take that back!"
"I am not taking back the truth! To suggest such a thing is very ungallant, Sire."
"Ungallant?! Right, that is it!"
What followed was a sight that the Knights of the Round Table and Camelot were used to by now, but completely took Marrok, Biclarel and Melion by surprise: the King of Camelot was chasing his manservant about the training grounds with a giant hammer while Merlin was running for his life, while laughing. Gadiena was splitting her sides at the sight of the King trying to catch her cousin. She laughed even more when Merlin raced towards her shouting, "Gadiena, let's get out of here before King Prat turns me into a pancake!"
"What on Earth …?" Melion shook his head in disbelief as they all stared after the fast retreating figures of Merlin and Gadiena. "Did that just happen?"
"You'll get used to it," Sir Kay answered with a smirk.
"Quicker than you ever expected to," Sir Bedivere added with a hearty chuckle. "When Merlin first became the King's servant it took us about a month or so to get used to it. None of us ever dared to question it, though, after Merlin took poison for him when he was still Prince Arthur."
"What?!" Marrok's eyes almost bugged out of his sockets. Biclarel paled considerably.
"Yes, when Lord Bayard of Mercia came to Camelot for a peace treaty," Sir Caradoc informed. "One of the chalices was last with poison from some kind of flower. Merlin discovered the plot, took the poison on Arthur's behalf. Very nearly died from it too but Arthur and Gaius saved his life."
"Bloody hell," Melion commented, gaping.
"Yes, welcome to Camelot," Sir Geraint grinned.
Meanwhile, Merlin and Gadiena had gone to deal with Arthur's horses. Merlin did all the mucky work while Gadiena kept the horses occupied with chit-chat about their riders and whether or not they were getting enough exercise. After a while, Gadiena turned to look at her cousin while he continued his backbreaking work.
"Are you sure I can't take over for a moment?" she asked again.
"I think it is best that only one of us needs a stiff bath later. Gaius doesn't like wasting water," Merlin answered as he pricked fresh hay onto his fork. "Besides, Arthur wouldn't want you to do all my work or he will start calling me lazy, as he normally does."
"Which he only means in jest," Gadiena grinned.
"I know. It still hurts a little, though," Merlin admitted.
"Understandable, considering everything that you do for him. Even the things he doesn't know about," Gadiena agreed. "I talked with your friends."
"I saw. What about?"
"Everything – about them, about how they all met you," Gadiena smiled softly. "I probably shouldn't have started with Gwaine because he spoke very enthusiastically about your adventures together. The others barely got a word in!"
"Yes, that is Gwaine," Merlin chuckled fondly.
"I also told them to try and make some more time for you," Gadiena continued. "Because if Sir Tristan can find the time, I don't see why they can't either, especially dinner. Mordred has readily agreed to it, as did Percival, Leon and Gwaine."
"I see," Merlin's brow furrowed a little. "Well, I will believe it when I see it."
"Fair enough," Gadiena scoffed quietly. "I never thought I would see the day that I act as mediator between my cousin and his friends, who happen to be Knights of the Round Table!"
Merlin chuckled. "It's how legends are made!"
"In most cases," Gadiena agreed, her countenance saddening a little. "Though mine will be decidedly different from yours."
Merlin regarded her for a moment with an assessing look before turning back to finish his work. Once everything was in order, the cousins headed back with Gadiena now and again holding her nose because of the poo smell coming from her cousin's clothes. When they got back to the physician's quarters, the family only had around an hour to prepare for the Knighting Ceremony. Gadiena went first because she didn't need to take that long, and then Merlin did because he was in dire need of one. Both of them then dressed in some of their best clothes and neck scarves, and then headed down to the Ceremonial Chamber, where Knightings, banquets and envoy meetings were held.
"OK, anything I should know before I embarrass myself?" Gadiena wanted to know as she followed Merlin through the labyrinth of corridors.
"We don't have a particular function – we will wait on the King and Queen, mostly, and keep our mouths shut unless spoken to," Merlin answered. "Then after this we will have dinner with Gaius and just enjoy the rest of our evening."
"Don't you need to help the King get ready for bed?" Gadiena questioned.
"The Queen mostly does that job for me these days," Merlin flushed.
Gadiena snorted at that.
The two warlocks filed into the Ceremony Chamber after a group of nobles and quickly took their place at the front a few paces behind where Arthur was standing. The King, dressed in his own armour and for once crowned, gave them both a once over and nodded in approval, which made Gadiena relax considerably. Queen Guinevere too smiled serenely from her throne. She had perhaps thought her blue and red gown was a bit much for the occasion but apparently not. The cousins stood to attention as the rest of the nobility and the Privy Council filed in. Not too long after, Marrok, Biclarel and Melion were led into the room by Leon and Percival, who bowed to the King before stepping to the side and joining Merlin and Gadiena.
Marrok, Biclarel and Melion knelt before the King, their heads slightly bowed. Arthur stepped forth, addressing the assembly. "Loyal friends, today we welcome three new Knights into our ranks. They have passed their tests and have sworn to uphold the Knight's Code. From this day forth, they will be your protectors," Arthur then drew Excalibur and proceeded with the ceremony. "Arise, Sir Marrok, Knight of Camelot. Arise, Sir Biclarel, Knight of Camelot. Arise, Sir Melion, Knight of Camelot. May you never forget the sacred covenant you have made."
All three Knights arose as applause echoed around the room. Marrok and Biclarel looked more embarrassed that anything else but Melion had no issue basking in the applause.
"Well, that was quick," Gadiena could not help but comment to Merlin.
"They usually are," Merlin reassured. "Unless of course someone decides to barge in and ruin the party. Had that happen more than a couple of times!"
"Indeed. Be glad this one is rather boring. It is preferable," Leon added.
"Camelot is a magnet for excitement," Percival agreed. "Enjoy the peace while you can, Gadiena."
"Speaking of which, I don't think we should be keeping Gaius for dinner," Merlin stated with a small smile. "Come on, cousin."
Percival visibly deflated while Leon gaped a little. "Merlin, please wait! We-"
"See you tomorrow!" Merlin called over his shoulder, Gadiena following reluctantly.
Once the pair were out of earshot, Gadiena rounded on her cousin. "Well, that was rude! You didn't even say good night to the King or the new Knights! How are they supposed to try and make it up to you if you're not going to even give them the chance?" she exploded. "Maybe you should take your own room and I will take the other bed in Uncle Gaius' chambers because apparently you need a better night's sleep!"
Merlin had the decency to look a little sheepish. "Why do you have to be right?"
"You know what? Tomorrow I am going to invite all your friends and those new Knights to dinner and you're going to be civil and hear them out," Gadiena stated with a tone full of authority. "Is that understood?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good."
Dinner passed without too must hassle. Tristan had taken up Merlin's offer and had actually joined them this time. The Knight absorbed all the gossip Merlin and Gadiena could give him about Marrok, Biclarel and Melion – except of course for the funny feelings they had about him. The rest of the evening passed quietly, with Gadiena helping Gaius with the preparation of medicines while Merlin continued to read his grimoire. Eventually, the physician's chambers fell silent too as Gaius and Gadiena soon fell asleep. Merlin was still awake at eleven, pondering Gadiena's words.
When the warlock finally managed to still his mind enough to get some sleep, he could hear the sound of howling wolves as he drifted into a deep slumber.
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Marrok, Biclarel and Melion have joined the fold! What kind of excitement can follow from here? Will Gadiena's vision come to pass soon or was it a false alarm? Stay tuned to find out!
Let me know what you guys think of this one! I am getting rather giddy at the idea of continuing the next chapter because it is going to get pretty good from here because Gorlagon will finally be introduced!
Kingmaker'sUmbreon