Valiant (Merlin)

Chapter 10

The next morning, Arthur woke from banging sounds coming from outside. He pulled himself up, still drowsy from sleep and the medicine Gaius had given him to take the night before and limped over to the window. Servants were setting up the execution for Valiant. Arthur hadn't been told about any execution, but he knew who it was for.

He quickly got dressed, struggling to put his trousers on with his bandaged leg. However, he didn't want to wait for the servant to come. Eventually, he was dressed and headed out to the throne room to talk to his father, passing the servant who looked confused seeing the prince awake and already dressed.
He decided to go and visit Valiant. He wasn't sure why, in all honesty. But he did. The guards outside the cells were reluctant to let Arthur in, but couldn't go against the orders of the prince. Valiant was stood up, watching out of the sliver of a window at the crowd gathering to watch his execution. He turned around at the sound of Arthur's heavy boots on the stone. "Arthur. Nice of you to visit."
"When is it?" Arthur asked bluntly. He had no kindness to show to Valiant. Not surprising when Valiant had tried to kill him just the day before.
"Midday."
"Why? Why did you want to kill me?"
"I needed to win this tournament. I knew how much power and honour I would have if I won it. You were just a hurdle I needed to get over, and if I had to use magic to help myself win, I was happy to do so."
"It doesn't count as winning if you cheat," Arthur argued.
"I couldn't care less. The tournament is a battle of power. Magic is power. Talking of magic, have they caught Merlin yet?"
Arthur gritted his teeth. "No."
"Shame. When they do, he will get what he deserves."
Leaving the conversation at that, Arthur began to head out of the dungeons. Behind him, he could've sworn he heard Valiant muttering something. He dismissed it, thinking it to just be paranoia.

Back in the throne room, Arthur decided to catch up with his father. Uther was sat talking to his advisors when Arthur burst in. Uther looked up with a jump. Taking the hint, the advisors shuffled out of the door.
"How are you Arthur?"
"I'm okay. What is the news on Merlin?"
"The knights haven't found him yet. Arthur, I have to get down to the courtyard for the execution. I will meet with you later and we can discuss the matter then." Arthur simply nodded as Uther began to leave. Just before he left the room, Arthur called out, "Wait!" Uther spun around. "What happened to Valiant's shield?"
"Gaius is taking a look at it. He has a good knowledge of the history of magic so I asked him to see if he could find out where it came from." Without waiting for a response from Arthur, Uther left the room. 

Arthur went back up to his chambers and could hear the jeering from the crowds. He refused to look out the window at what was happening below. Silence fell over them. Suddenly, he heard the creak of the rope and small gasps from the crowd. Arthur winced. Before, Arthur tried not to feel anything when Uther would execute sorcerers for their magic. But now he'd found out his own servant, a person who had saved his life twice, someone who Arthur had started to really like, had magic. Arthur's entire perspective of magic is muddled. Magic may not be as bad as he thought it was. Merlin had used it in the arena to save Arthur's life. And he had no doubt now that it is also how Merlin saved him from Lady Helen. He decided to go and talk to Morgana about his situation, as she was probably not at the execution. He needed a friend to talk to.