Merlin and Arthur were on the training field both in armor and both holding swords.
"Ready?" Arthur said getting into a battle stance.
"Would it make any difference if I said no?" Arthur chuckles and shakes his head.
"Not really." He says and attacks Merlin. With each hit he announced what he would hit. And each time Merlin would absent mindedly say it back. Like a parrot.
"Head." He said after a couple of hits.
"Wait Head?" Arthur hit her helmet, causing it to ring. 'So that's what head means.'
"Come on, Merlin. You're not even trying." Arthur said as he tagged Merlin in the back.
"Ow! I am."
"Once more." He said ignoring her comment.
'Oh, no.' She thought. As Arthur once again started to attack.
"Ow!" She said as the sword hit her side.
"Come on, Merlin! I've got a tournament to win." Hit. Hit. Hit.
"Can we stop now, please?" Hit. Hit. Head. "Ow!" She said as Arthur hit her head causing her and her helmet to fall.
"You're braver than you look. Most servants collapse after the first blow." Arthur says standing above her.
"Is it over?" She asked hopefully causing Arthur to laugh.
"That was just the warm up." He says chuckling at her groan. "How's your mace work coming along?" Arthur asks swinging a mace over his head. Merlin groaned and fell back in dismay.
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After three more hours of 'training' she finally was able to go back to her chambers. Training, more like Arthur hitting Merlin while she attempts to, and fails, to protect herself.
"So, how was your first day as Arthur's servant?" Gaius asked as she stumbled into their chambers. Merlin, not hearing the question, tapped her head and shook it, as if getting water out.
"Do you hear clanging?" She asked suddenly. Gaius laughs and repeats his question.
"It was horrible and I've still got to learn all about tournament etiquette by the morning. I save a life and become a servant. How is that a reward?" She asks as she sits down at the table and starts to read on tournament stuff.
"Oh, you never know Merlin. You might have some fun with this job." Gaius suggested causing Merlin to laugh.
"You think mucking out Arthur's horses is going to be fun? You should hear my list of duties." Honestly, if it were all written down it would be as long as her body.
"We all have our duties. Even Arthur."
"Ah, yes. It must be so tough for him with all the girls and the glory." She says sarcastically.
"He is a future king. People expect so much of him. He's under a lot of pressure." Merlin only rolled her eyes.
'Sure, pressure.'
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The next morning Merlin walked through the busy town to Gwen's house. Gwen was teaching her about armor and swords and all that stuff.
"So, you've got voiders on the arms." She said pointing to the metal on her arms, Merlin nodded.
"The hauberk goes over your chest." Gwen then pointed to her chest.
