Valiant (Merlin)

Chapter 2

Merlin was heading off towards his home, head hanging low, when a hand slammed onto his shoulder. He spun around, where Valiant stood, who should have been angry but had a smirk on his face. "You really thought you could outplay me? Telling Arthur about my 'magic'?" He laughed. "Come with me." Merlin didn't want to go, but he knew that if he didn't, something even worse would happen. He was already upset about being sacked. So Valiant led Merlin to his chambers, his grip tightening if Merlin tried to edge out of it.

In Valiant's chambers, He pushed Merlin against the wall, summoning his snakes. They hissed, mouths open, ready to bite. "If you dare get in the way of me winning, I swear you will regret it. Both you and Arthur and anyone else you are close to." Merlin didn't know what to do. He knew Valiant would do anything to win the tournament, happy to kill Arthur. He couldn't risk Arthur's life, not after the Dragon's prophecy about his future. But Merlin also couldn't risk all their lives. Without waiting for Merlin's answer, Valiant said, "That's what I thought." He muttered under his breath, summoning the snakes back into the shield. He headed on out of his chambers, leaving Merlin to follow miserably. As he stepped outside the door, he bumped into Gaius. "Are you alright Merlin?" Gaius asked, concerned. 

"Oh yeah, everything is fine. No one believed me, Arthur sacked me, Valiant just threatened me and everyone I'm close to, and now Arthur is going to fight in a tournament where his opponent wants and is able to kill him. How do you think I am, Gaius?" Merlin ranted. He let out a breath.

"I'm sorry, Gaius. I just don't know what to do," Merlin admitted. 

"You can't do anything, Merlin. Not everything is up to you. Arthur is a strong and brave knight; he can fight Valiant."

"I hope so. I need to go. I need to see if there is anything I can do. Anything." 

"There is only 2 hours before the tournament," Gaius called out as Merlin headed off to his room to consult his books.