Of Monsters and Men (BBC Merlin)

Valiant

WE WERE OUT on the training field. Arthur was breaking Merlin into shape, or at least, trying to.

"Ready?" Arthur asked, getting into offensive.

"Would it make a difference if I said no?"

"Not really."

Abigail began making her way out to me from the stables.

"Try not to kill your new servant while I'm gone Arthur, I really don't want to cover for you." I quipped, getting up from sitting under a tree and met my maid halfway. "Everything set?"

"Yes My Lady. Sir Ewan and Sir Leon are waiting in the stables for you." She bowed and we started walking over to the horses.

I gaze over my shoulder to watch Arthur hound Merlin with simple attacks, giggling to myself, then facing the direction I'm going again.

That poor boy. Doesn't know a single thing about fighting.

"Abigail?" My maid whirls to face me.

"Yes My Lady?"

"Alert Gwen that Merlin will need help with tournament etiquette - you might as well help him too while you're at it. He's going to need all the help he can get if he's going to survive my brother." Abigail giggles, nodding her head.

"It shall be done."

The rest of the way to the stables was quiet. Upon entering I was greeted with smiles from my two good friends. Without a word said we mount our horses and head out the city gates, away from the castle.

The ride out was peaceful, only the sound of birds and other animals, as well as our horses could be heard. I decided to hum quietly but Ewan had caught on and soon the three of us were all humming the same song together, some of us being more flamboyant than others.

Eventually we found a spot near a stream of water that ran through the forest and started unpacking. I insisted we didn't take servants with us and do it all ourselves which they happily agreed.

Leon and Ewan grabbed the food as I took care of the blankets and a couple pillows we brought with us on the horses. Peering up to the sky, the sun was high, so I easily deduced it was lunch time.

"Made good timing, it's noon." Ewan removed the glove from his right hand and went for the fruit Leon was placing on the blankets amongst the other food.

"Good thing too, I'm starving." Leon swatted Ewan's hand away from the plate causing me to laugh at the two. Ewan pouted as his stomach verbally grumbled. "Come on, it's not like we're waiting on anything. It's just the three of us, status doesn't matter now."

"True." Pretending to consider his words I look to Leon, a mischievous smile finding it's way on my face. "Well, we shouldn't let the man starve." Leon nodded, catching on.

"You're right, my bad." My blonde, curly friend mock apologised. He offered the apple back to Ewan but before he could take it, Leon threw it at me which I caught with ease and took a bite out of it.

"Oh, this is good." I moaned in a exaggerated fashion, "Leon, you should try it." Taking the apple with a bite in it, I threw it back to Leon. He caught it and took a bite from the other side of the apple.

"You're right, it is." He agreed with a cheeky grin. Ewan who had been painstakingly watching the whole thing, huffed in agitation.

"Okay, you've had your fun. Can we eat now?" Nodding to him I couldn't help but giggle. Both knights sat down next to me, getting comfortable and all of us listening to nature as we ate happily, enjoying each other's company.