----------------------------------------
(Morgana's POV)
----------------------------------------
"Say goodbye Prince Arthur. After today Camelot will have a new champion." Arthur shuddered in pain. Gasping for air as the snakes finally released his neck.
"S... Sorcerer. "Arthur gasped falling to his knees. Blue eyes clouded with agony as he raised a trembling hand to his neck." Goodbye Arthur Pendragon." With one last pain filled gaze at his attacker Arthur collapsed on his back. Eyes slowly closing amid the panicked shouts of his father, and knights. The last thing he saw before everything went dark was the thinly veiled smirk of the knight with the magic shield.
"ARTHUR!!"
"Milady’s are you ok?" Gwen worriedly asked rushing to my side. Tears pricking the corners of my eyes, breath coming out in pants, I threw myself into the waiting arms of my maidservant. Stuttering through my tears of my horrible dream.
"It was only a nightmare. Shh. Arthur is ok. Shh my lady." Gwen soothed gently running her fingers through my raven black hair. Finally, after sobbing my heart out, I collapsed against her too exhausted to move. Gwen gently shifting me, laid me carefully on my pillow as I finally drifted off to sleep.
----------------------------------------
(Merlin's POV)
----------------------------------------
"Up an at em lazy daisy. You have a lot to do before the tournament today."
"Merlin. let me be." Arthur groaned burying his head under his pillow.
"Honestly are you going to do this every day. You have way too much to do for you to be lazing about in bed all day." I sighed marching over to him and taring his blankets off him.
"Merlin..."
"I'm sorry I can't hear you beneath all that whining." I hummed turning to his closet and pulling out his clothes for the day. I laughed as Arthur finally emerged from his pillow looking like a rats nested in his hair. Glaring and throwing a goblet at my head, (Which I dodged.), He at last got up and allowed me to dress him for the day. It was as he was sitting down to breakfast that there was a knock on the door.
"Enter." Arthur yawned rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Arthur... um can I speak with you." A timid voice asked as the raven locked head of lady Morgana appeared around the door. I frowned at her tired eyes and worn pale face. She looked as though she hadn't slept in days. Arthur took one look at her and sighed. Running his fingers through his golden locks.
"Another nightmare?" He asked tiredly.
"What is it this time?" I frowned at his dismissive tone, as he waved her in, returning once more to his sausages.
"It was the tournament. One of the knights was using magic to summon snakes from his shield. You died after being bitten by them." She hesitantly replied closing the door as she stepped inside.
"Oh, and did you see who this mysterious knight was?" He sarcastically asked propping his head on his hand as he raised an eyebrow at her.
"No, he was shrouded in smoke. I couldn’t see his face. You don't believe me do you."
"Honestly Morgana. I think you just had a bad dream. Happens to the best of us. Have you been taking the sleeping draughts Gaius has been giving you?"
"Arthur forgets about the draughts. What if it comes true?" She insisted panic clear on her face.
"It’s not going to come true. It’s just a nightmare. "
"But..."
"Honestly Morgana I have a lot to do today. So, if you wouldn't mind." Huffing in exasperation lady Morgana turned on her heels and left the room. Steam billowing out of her ears.
"What was that about?" I enquired after a moment.
"Nothing to be concerned about. Morgana has been plagued with nightmares since she was young. She has gotten it in her head that they are visions. After she accidentally dreamed that i would be attacked by bandits while hunting when I was 14, and it came true. Ever since than she has been terrified of her dreams coming true again. Its rather silly really." He chuckled shaking his head as he took a bite of his toast.
"But what if this does come true? If it came true once it could happen again." I prompted slightly concerned now.
"Honestly merlin. Is it some form of women’s hysteria believing stuff like this? Morgana is just tired, and a little bit crazy from being on her bleedings. Women are crazy during that time. You can't listen to a word they say. Nothing useful ever comes out of their mouths anyway. Her dream is not going to come true. Now enough of this. You have chores to be doing." Offended at his stupidity I smacked him across the back of his head, causing him to stare at me in shock. Turning I marched swiftly from the room before he had a chance to respond.
----------------------------------------
"Stupid Prattis prince's, and their stupid ideas of women." I grumbled furiously scrubbing at Arthurs sword. I paused in my polishing as a weird hissing caught my attention. Curious I placed the sword beside me on the Armory bench. Getting up and following the sound I frowned as I came face to face with a golden shield with vivid looking snake drawings on it. Fascinated by the intricate snake designs I was just reaching out my hand to touch it when I felt the cold steel of a sword against my neck.
"What are you doing to my shield girl?" I gulped lowering my hand as I stammered out a response.
"I was just polishing the prince's armor." I whimpered as he pressed the blade closer to my skin drawing blood.
"Oh, and why than are you messing with my shield. Last I knew my armor wasn't the prince's."
"I...I..." I sighed in relief as the sound of other knights entering the armory reached our ears. Huffing in annoyance my attacker withdrew his sword. Sheathing it.
"Best get out of here. If I catch you messing with my shield again, I doubt you will enjoy the consequences. Now scram." I shivered in dread at his words as I swiftly exited the armory. Gathering up Arthurs Armor on the way. I certainly hope I never run into that knight again.
----------------------------------------
"Nervous?"
"I am a prince. Prince's don't get nervous merlin." He scoffed sniffing indignantly as I clasped his armor around him.
"Everyone gets nervous Arthur. Even me." I calmly pointed out handing him his sword.
"You get nervous at a butterflies sneeze." He teased sheathing his sword and holding his helmet under his arm.
"I do not."
"Sure, and I suppose it wasn't you who jumped 3 feet when a bunny just happened to sneak up on you yesterday. "
"Prat."
"Idiot."
"Clot pole."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
"What is even a clot pole?"
"Two words?"
"Yeah?"
"Arthur Pendragon. " Rolling his eyes and ruffling my hair, as he past, Arthur left the armory for the tournament. We were just approaching the arena when I suddenly froze. A sense of dread washing over me as I saw the knight from before approaching us. Arthur seeing this smiled, calling out to him, as he held out his hand for him to clasp.
"Sir Valiant how goes things?"
"Satisfactory I suppose." He replied ignoring Arthur's outstretched hand. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing at the vein throbbing to life on Arthur's forehead. Lowering his hand, and awkwardly clearing his throat, Arthur quickly composed his face into a neutral look.
"Yes, glad to hear it. I hear you are facing Sir Ewan in the tournament today?"
"Yes, though he is of no consequence. He is no match for my strength."
"Hmm perhaps but I wouldn't underestimate him so soon. He has a tendency to surprise even the best of my knights."
"Hmmm." Valiant hummed his eyes finally landing on me.
"Ahh the girl from the armory. Keeping out of trouble, are we? I would hate for something tragic to be fall you for snooping again." Valiant hummed stepping toward me a warning beneath his glinting eyes. Before I had a chance to respond my vision was suddenly blocked by a red and gold Camelot cape.
"Do you have an issue with my maidservant Sir Valiant?" Arthur demanded venom seeping dangerously into his voice as he shielded me from view. Peeking around his shoulder I watched as Valiant bowed once in submission to Arthur before responding.
"Forgive me your highness. I was merely... making conversation. If you will excuse me." Turning on his heel Valiant swiftly headed for the arena where his first match word be starting soon.
"Creep." I whispered just loud enough for Arthur to hear. By the smirk playing across his lips Arthur definitely heard me.
"Come the first match will be starting soon."
----------------------------------------
"My honored guest, I thank you all for joining us for our yearly harvest tournament. Each knight will face each other with blunted swords and a determination to win. They will fight until either opponent is unable to fight. At the end of the tournament the winner of every challenge will receive a hundred gold coins, and the honor of escorting my ward lady Morgana to the end of harvest feast. The first match will be between Sir Ewan and Sir Valiant. Let the tournament begin." Valiant and Ewan who had been standing only moments before below the kings raised platform, overlooking the arena, began to circle one another. A smirk on Valliant’s and a calculating one on Ewan’s. Valiant was the one to make the first move. Lunging forward and attempting to catch Ewan by surprise. Only for Ewan to dodge at the last moment and strike at his side. Causing Valiant to grunt in pain as Ewan landed a hit. Which Valiant returned with a hit of his own.
Back and forth this went until finally Ewan had Valiant pinned against a wall his shield the only thing keeping Ewan from victory. It seemed like Ewan’s victory was assured, but this the unexpected happened. A glint of something green and slimy. A cry of pain. Ewan stumbling back before falling to his knees as Valiant, no longer pinned, lunged toward him knocking him onto his back and holding his sword to Ewan’s throat. Silence fell across the, but only for a moment, before loud cheers broke out across the crowd.
Narrowing my eyes, I frowned as Valiant getting off Ewan waved to the cheering crowd. What caught my attention through wasn't Valiant but the still prone form of Ewan. Who hadn't so much as twitched since he had been knocked to the ground? Gaius must have noticed this too for the next moment he was dragging me over to kneel beside the fallen knight. Checking him over and frowning in concern at his pale sweaty complexion.
"This can’t be right." He muttered. His fingers dancing across Ewan’s neck.
"What is it? Is he ok Gaius?" Instead of answering my questions Gaius started ordering some nearby knights to help him carry the panting and groaning knight to his chambers. Only when Ewan was laying on a cot, and we were once more alone, did Gaius deem fit to answer my question.
"Snake bite."
"What?"
"Ewan. He was bitten by a snake. Unless we can get the venom from that same snake to make an antidote, I am afraid he will die."
"But how was..." I stopped midsentence as I remembered the flash of green and yelp of pain I had witnessed in the area. Only then did Morgana's warning about a knights shield play across my memory. Gasping and spinning around. I bolted from the room ignoring Gaius calls to return. Hurrying down the hall and stopping in front of Valliant’s door I silently inched the door open. Just enough to see Valiant whispering to his shield. dangling a mouse overtop of it. I stifled a gasp as I saw 3 green slimy snakes shoot out from the metal devouring the mouse. Softly closing the door, I silently hurried to Arthur's chambers. He may be a prat but even he couldn't possibly brush off a warning of magic.
----------------------------------------
Or maybe he would.
"I'm telling you Arthur, I saw it with my own eyes. There were snakes coming out of his shield. He was feeding them a mouse." I pleaded hoping to break through his stupidity.
"Merlin are you on your bleeding or something? You’re acting more hysterical than usual." I sputtered at that furious.
"Arthur this is serious. He is using magic. Ewan is currently dying right now from a snake bite, and you are just brushing this off. You must inform the king before it’s too late." I insisted trying yet failing to rain in my anger.
"Merlin I am not going to bother the King for such trivial matters as a woman’s imagination. Not to mention a Servant woman’s imagination. More than likely there was a snake already in the arena and Ewan startled it. You probably just imagined the magic part."
"But..."
"No, I don't want to hear anymore. You will leave and get on with your chores or you will be fired. This is why I didn't want a woman serving me they are all crazy." He sighed waving me away and ignoring the tears pooling in my eyes.
"You know what fine. I quit." He spun around at that staring at me in shocked silence.
"You are a fool Arthur Pendragon ignoring the warnings of others just because of their gender or status in the castle. It will be your downfall one day. I only hope your downfall won't be at the bite of Valliant’s pets. Goodbye Sire." I spat marching furiously from the room. Destiny be dammed I am done trying to help the worlds biggest prat. As soon as the sun rises tomorrow, I am heading back to Elda.
At least that’s what I planned to do until I walked into Gaius chambers and found him covering the now deceased Ewan with a white sheet. Only then did I remember it’s not just Arthur's life at stake here. If Valiant wins the tournament Camelot will be without an heir and be vulnerable to attack. No, I can't let that happen no matter how much of a prat he is. Swallowing my pride once more leaving the room. I headed toward Gwen’s to borrow her little stone statue of a dog she keeps outside her dads shop. If I wanted to save the prats life, I would need practice in bringing things to life.
----------------------------------------
It had taken me all night, but I finally managed to bring the little stone dog to life. It nearly bit my head off once alive, but I did it. Turning it once more to its original form with another spell I raced for the arena where Valiant and Arthur had already begun their battle. I nearly stopped breathing when I saw Valiant knock Arthur's sword out of his hand and pin him to the wall by Valliant’s shield. Working quickly and speaking the spell I allowed my eyes to glow gold summoning the snakes for all to see.
"What are you doing. I didn't summon you." Valliant’s panicky voice rang out through the arena. There was a collective gasp through the crowd at that statement as Valiant was finally revealed for the sorcerer he was. Pushing him away Arthur stood there a moment panting in fury as he gazed at the panicking knight.
"Sorcerer." Arthur angrily whispered. Sighing in resignation Valiant trained his eyes once more on the prince.
"Attack." Valiant commanded as the snakes slithering from the shield stalked over to the prince.
"ARTHUR!!" Morgana screamed tossing him a sword. Which he quickly grabbed nodding gratefully to her as he swung at the approaching snakes. He had just decapitated the last snake when I noticed Valiant sneaking up behind him sword raised. Eyes flashing gold I smirked as Valiant tripped over his own feet landing face first in the dirt. Before he could get his feet out from under him Arthur was upon him. Running his sword through the traitors back. Cheers of victory rang out through the crowd as Arthur once more sheathed his blood soaked sword and turned to face the waiting crowd.
Sighing in relief that he would be ok I headed back to my room to pack for tomorrow. I may have saved his life, but I still planned on leaving back to eldador.
----------------------------------------
I was just packing the last item in my bag when suddenly a knock on my door grabbed my attention. I paused glancing up in confusion as I saw Arthur standing awkwardly in the doorway. Running his fingers through his golden hair.
"Sire did you need something." I enquired standing up and folding my arms respectfully behind my back. He cringed slightly at my use of sire as he sighed walking fully into the room and closing the door.
"I feel I have been unfair to you. You were only trying to warn me and yet I treated you badly. You were right as a future king it is my job to listen to the views of all my subjects. Not just the males either. I... I am sorry."
"Come again. I don't think I quite heard that. Mind repeating it." I teased a smile growing on my face.
"I don't know what you’re talking about. I didn't say anything. " He sniffed pridefully sticking his nose in the air.
"Anyway, I have a lot of socks in need of washing and no servant to do it. So, um I was wondering if perhaps you might give me another chance?" He hopefully enquired. His voice losing his arrogant tone half way through. Instead replaced by that of a small hopeful child. I smiled at him my frozen heart melting as he finally revealed his more vulnerable side.
"Of course, you prat. Who else could put up with you.”? I teased punching him lightly on the shoulder.
"You can't talk to me that way. " Stated no real anger in his voice as he turned his back to me. I could see a smile tugging the corners of his lips as he swiftly walked toward the door.
I expect to see you bright and early tomorrow and do try to be on time for once."
"Yes, your pratness." I sang, mock bowing to him as he left. Maybe he can be a good King after all. Maybe.