Basically Merlin [A Merthur Fanfiction]

Episode Two: Valiant: Part Two

Episode Two: Valiant: Part Two

"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."

The first day of the tournament goes... well.

It's my first time being at such an event and despite how useless the violence is, cheering along with the crowd is easy and every clash of swords is exciting.

Arthur, of course, wins every round in the first day and despite how much I hate the prince, it's hard not to admire his skill as he slices through opponents like butter.

When the day is finally done, I'm helping Arthur remove his armour. I almost want to laugh at the irony of my life but I stop myself as Valiant walks by, his eyes watching Arthur.

"May I offer my congratulations on your victories today?"

The guy instinctually worries me. I watch closely as Arthur replies.

"Likewise."

"I hope to see you at the reception this evening." He walks away without another word.

Watching him go, I tell myself I'm imagining things. "Creep."

Arthur snorts and I immediately follow suit. I am pretty funny.

The smile goes away pretty quickly though and he begins to talk, voice changing to the tone I really don't like. "Uh, for tomorrow you need to repair my shield, wash my tunic, clean my boots, sharpen my sword and wash my chainmail."

He begins to walk away and I have the strongest urge to throw the armour I'm holding at him.

***

Several pieces of floating chores fall to the ground with a crash as Gaius enters the room.

"Are you using magic again?" he huffs, looking around at all the bits and pieces on my bedroom floor.

I shake my head quickly. "No."

"What's all this then?"

The helmet on the ground stares at me accusingly.

I shrug.

"I just came to tell you supper's ready." He gives me one last hard look before leaving the room.

Sighing, I fall back onto my pillow and let the open book rest on my chest. This job was going to kill me. Quite possibly literally.

***

Feeling a little (or maybe a lot) annoyed by another day of servant work, I make my way to the armoury. Looking over Arthur's armour I grumble a little before a sound draws my attention.

"Hello?" I walk toward the noise. "Is there someone there?"

The sound becomes obvious once I see Valiant's shield. It's a hiss.

I bend down, eyes widening as the snake's eye blinks on the shield, the deep red of it staring back at me.

The movement is gone in an instant but I know my imagination didn't conjure it up. My hand moves of its own volition to touch the shield.

A sword points to my chest all too suddenly.

I stand up slowly, fear cold in my veins.

"Can I help you with something, boy?" Valiant asks. His words are coated in a warning and his eyes are dark. The threat is there, clear as day.