Forbidden Love - Merlyn [2]

Chapter Six: You Can't Change Who You Are

Hi guys! I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for the support and love you have shown for this book series. It's hard to believe that I only started the second book on the 24th of November and have done one episode yet have 6.4k reads and 507 votes. It all means a hell of a lot.

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Jousting, Merlyn did not get it especially on a hot day like it was. Two horses started on either side of a five metres barrier, charging down the barrier with long lances aimed at one another. The entire point of the sport was to throw your opponent off their horse, it was dangerous beyond belief. At that moment a knight and Arthur were practising for the upcoming tournament. Arthur and Sir Richard were on their horses, lances in hand whilst Merlyn watched from the sideline. Quickly the pair charged at one another, soon enough they were tilting their bodies towards the barrier (as was custom), aimed their lances moments before Arthur's lance crashed into Richard, splintering and causing the man to fall off the back of his horse.

Merlyn cringed as she watched Richard hit the sand covered floor. It had to hurt. Arthur rode over to her, proud to have knocked his opponent down, his lance was destroyed but otherwise he was fine. Even though Merlyn grabbed Arthur's horse's reins, her eyes were locked on Richard. Thankfully, the man quickly gained his footing and seemed to be alright ... except for his pride being hurt. Knowing he was alright, Merlyn moved over to Arthur who handed her his broken lance.

"That has got to hurt" Merlyn commented as she stood beside Arthur's horse whilst the man on top lifted the visor of his helmet.

"That's the point, Merlyn. It's not a pillow fight" Arthur replied as he turned his horse back around to get ready for the next fight. "Fetch me another lance, will you?" Quickly Merlyn did as she was told; placing the remainder of the previous lance with the other used lances (each and everyone splintered into lots of pieces) and picking a brand new lance for the prince. The lance was scrap feet taller than she was but the servant managed to get it to Arthur who was impatiently waiting. As Merlyn handed Arthur the lance she noticed who his opponent was, Sir Leon. Merlyn stood off to the side biting her lip; she really didn't want either of them getting injured.

Once again, the two horses charged and the knights tilted, however, this time something new happened. With the sun shining brightly, a sunbeam reflected off of Leon's lance, the light reflecting straight into Arthur's eyesight. The prince flinched and closed his eyes, blinded. The action left Arthur completely open, giving Leon the advantage. Leon could unhorse him easily. But Merlyn watched in surprise as the knight lifted his lance, pulling out of the joust.

Quickly, Leon pulled his horse to a stopped whilst Arthur charged his horse over to the group of knights and Merlyn. He was clearly angry even though he had a helmet on they could all tell. Whilst Leon calmly dismounted off his horse, Arthur practically threw himself off.

"Why did you pull out?" Arthur asked angrily as he ripped his helmet off. Leon's eyes widened at Arthur's reaction. "I was wide open, you could have unhorsed me."

"I was fearful that I might injure you, Sire" Leon admitted. Merlyn cringed at the words, she knew Arthur wasn't going to take that well.

"You had the advantage. You can't afford to hesitate" Arthur scolded, they had been training for so long and Arthur thought Leon knew this.

"I wouldn't have done if I were facing a different opponent" Leon corrected, causing Arthur's jaw to drop open. Leon fought differently against him; the idea shook Arthur to his core. "You are the future King, My Lord." Whilst Leon's words made sense to everyone in the group, Arthur was the only one surprised by it.