Elizabeth Pendragon: Merlin Fanfic

Valiant's Enchanted Shield

Elizabeth's POV

Today is the first day of Merlin as Arthur's man servant. I am outside picking flowers as Arthur uses Merlin as a training dummy. So that he can practice for the three day tournament that starts tomorrow. We hold it every year. The winner gets to usually escort me or Morgana to the final feast. It was meant to be my turn this year, but after what happened last night with the sorceress. Father has made it Morgana again, saying he'd escort me to the final feast.

"Body. Shield. Body. Shield, head" Arthur says.

"Head?" Merlin asks and Arthur whacks him in the head. Luckily Merlin is wearing a helmet. "Ow!" he says.

"Come on, Merlin. You're not even trying" Arthur complains.

"Ow, I am" Merlin tells him.

"Once more" Arthur tells him. "To the left. To the right. And left. Head" he says and Merlin shouts in pain again. His head is going to ringing after this. "Come on, Merlin! I've got a tournament to win" he states.

"Can we stop now, please?" Merlin asks. Arthur disagrees and continues to swing at Merlin with his sword. Merlin topples over backwards and his helmet rolls off.

"You're braver than you look. Most servants collapse after the first blow" Arthur tells him.

"He's right" I agree as I stand with some flowers.

"Is it over?" Merlin asks.

"That was just the warm up. How's your mace work coming along?" Arthur asks. As he swings his own. Merlin sighs and puts his helmet back on getting to his feet. They continue training.

Arthur finally allowed Merlin to leave. Though gave him a list of things to do before the tournament tomorrow. Arthur escorted me back to my room. I put the flowers I had picked in a glass of water. The rest of my day was uneventful.

(Time skip)

I sit beside Morgana and Gwen as we wait for the tournament to begin. Arthur stands with the other competitors. As my father addresses the crowd. "Knights of the realm, it's a great honour to welcome you to a tournament at Camelot. Over the next three days, you will come to put your bravery to the test, your skills as warriors, and of course, to challenge the reigning champion, my son, Prince Arthur. Only one can have the honour of being crowned champion, and he will receive a prize of 1,000 gold pieces. And have the honour of escorting the Lady Morgana to the final feast of the tournament" he announces.

"It is in combat that we learn a knight's true nature, whether he is indeed a warrior or a coward. The tournament begins!" he declares. Before he joined us in the stands. He whispered something to Arthur. No doubt something about not losing the tournament. And to make him proud. Father takes his seat as the matches begin.

Morgana was really impressed by Knight Valiant. I find him to aggressive with his fighting. Yes, the goal is to win. But you don't have to seriously hurt or kill anyone to win. Arthur won every fight he was in today also. I am nervous for his first match tomorrow, he has to face a giant of a man. Who seems to win his challenges with brute strength. But Arthur should be quicker.

Anyway, we're in the throne room now. Greeting the winners from today's fights. It's now Knight Valiant's turn to meet my father. "Knight Valiant of the Western Isles, My Lord" he states shaking my father's hand.

"I saw you fighting today. You have a very aggressive style" father states.

"Well, as My Lord said, "To lose is to be disgraced" Valiant tells him.

"I couldn't agree more. Knight Valiant, may I present the Lady Morgana, my ward. And my daughter Princess Elizabeth" father says introducing us. Valiant bows to kiss Morgana's hand then mine.