6Disclaimer: I don't own the show Merlin or anything from the movie, Jumper. I only own my OC, Kala.
Chapter Two: Valiant
A man walks through a dark shop, looking behind him casually to see if anyone is following as he heads up to a counter where a middle aged man sits. The man looks down and casually says, "I understand you have a shield for me."
The merchant smiles and motions for the man to follow him around back, when they entered the back room he holds up a yellow shield with fierce green snakes painted on. "With your swordcraft and this shield, I guarantee you'll win." The merchant said with confidence.
The man nodded as he commands, "Show me how it works."
"Certainly." The merchant says smiling before he says an incantation. From the incantation, the three snakes from the shield hisses while it becomes alive from the shield. The man takes a step back as the merchant begins to talk. "When you're competing in the tournament, you pin your opponent under the shield, and the snakes strikes. Your opponent will then be paralyzed. The snakes are under your command, they will do anything you want them to."
The man grabs the shield as he looks at the snakes, "Anything?"
"Just say the word." Both the merchant and the man begin to laugh.
"Kill him." The man said as the merchants smile slipped off his face when the snakes attack him. The man looks towards the man before turning to leave the shop.
The man hops on his horse and he heads to Camelot dressed in clothes of a knight. By the time he reached there it was morning and he heads for the registration table dropping his shield on the table. "Knight Valiant of the Western Isles. I'm here for the tournament."
"Welcome to Camelot." The man behind the registration table said as he registers Valiant. Valiant smiled mysteriously as he looks at his shield.
Kala woke up early and quickly dresses in her brown woolen dress with a long sleeved cream-colored shirt, and under her dress she's wearing black pants with knee high black boots that holds her two knifes. Since she's still banned from carrying her trusted bow and arrows, orders from Gaius, she's taken to keeping her knifes out of sight but with her at all times. Kala jumps to Merlin's room to find him still asleep.
"Wake up Merlin! We're going to be late and you still have to wake up Arthur. Remember we have to help him train for this stupid tournament." Kala yelled as she kicked the side of Merlin's bed. She's dreading this tournament, knowing destiny, something bad is going to happen.
Merlin turned his head away from Kala and mumbles, "I'm up…I'm up…"
After a few minuets, Merlin still refuses to get out of bed Kala walks outside to grab two cups of water and she went back to Merlin's room and dumps the water over his head. Merlin sits straight up and glares at Kala, he turns his head to look outside and his eyes went wide.
"I'm late! Why didn't you wake me sooner?" Merlin yelled as he scrambled out of bed and rushes to get dressed.
"I did, you just refused to get out of bed." Kala said as she walked out of his room and down the stairs. She waits by the door as Gaius shakes his head while he works, she opens the door as Merlin rushes out and they both head to Arthur's chambers.
"You're late Merlin." Arthur said already dressed for the day ready to train.
"Sorry Arthur." Merlin said as Arthur began tossing stuff towards him to carry.
"I was thinking we should train outside of the castle walls." Kala said crossing her arms as she leans against the wall.
"Sounds good." Arthur said nodding his head as he tries not to notice how beautiful she looked as she leaned against the wall. The three of them walked outside and Kala helped Merlin carry some of the weapons seeing that he was struggling over the weight of it.
When they reached the spot they wanted Kala grabs Merlin and beings to put armor on him. "What are you doing? This is your job? You're supposed to help him train." Merlin asks confused and slightly panicked, he really doesn't feel like being on the receiving end of the attacks as places a helmet on his head and hands him a shield.
"Well for one, you were a pain in the ass to wake up this morning. Two, I won't always be her to help train Arthur." Kala said as she then hands him a sword. Merlin stumbles with it and Kala tries really hard not to laugh.
"Ready?" Arthur asks impatiently.
"Would it make any difference if I said no?" Merlin asks even though he already knows the answer.
"Not really." Arthur and Kala said at the same time as Arthur had his back towards Merlin and he starts swinging his sword and Kala stood off to the side.
"Great…" Merlin muttered as he draws his sword.
"Merlin, he's going to attack you and you just try to block off his attacks." Kala said as she motions for Arthur to begin. Poor Merlin doesn't know what just happened, he tries to block off Arthur's attacks but keeps getting hit in the head.
"Come on Merlin. You aren't even trying." Arthur yells.
"I am!" Merlin said as he yelped from being hit.
Kala shakes her head before sighing; "This is going to be a long morning…once more!" Kala yelled, Merlin looks towards her pleadingly before Arthur attacks him again.
"Come on Merlin! I've got a tournament to win." Arthur said looking impatiently at his new manservant.
"Can we stop now please?" Merlin asks pleadingly as he backs away a little. After another fifteen minuets of training the attacks finally stop with Merlin groaning on the ground.
"You're braver than you look. Most servants collapse after the first blow." Arthur said mildly impressed.
"Is it over?" Merlin said hopefully.
"Sorry Merlin, but that was just the warm up." Kala said laughing as she holds up two maces.
"How's your mace work coming along?" Arthur said laughing as well when he grabbed the mace from Kala's hands and starts swinging it over his head.
Merlin sighs and collapses on the ground with another groan. Kala shakes her head and looks towards Arthur. "How about we give him a few minuets to rest." Kala suggested still holding onto the mace and grabbing Merlin's shield.
"Then how else am I going to train? I can't train when he's down there resting." Arthur argued.
"I'm your training assistant right? I'm more than qualified to help you train for the tournament." Kala said as she swung her mace to the side.
"But…you're a girl. You're not even wearing the proper armor or anything." Arthur said trying to get out of sparing with her. Kala rolled her eyes and swung the mace towards him and Arthur quickly pulled up his shield protecting him from her attack. Kala smirked as she continued to swing her mace. Arthur smirked as well and for the next hour they trained with the mace. Kala almost jumped a few times out of reflex when the mace almost hit her on the side.
"You're pretty good." Arthur complimented as he stopped swinging as he smiling lightly at his friend.
"Thanks, I guess all those years of training really pulled off. You're almost as good as me. A few more years and you might beat me and being a girl doesn't mean anything." Kala said teasingly.
"Please, it's the other way around Kala. I was just going easy on you." Arthur said not wanting to admit that Kala almost beat him. He was curious as to where she trained; he stored away the thought to ask her later.
Kala laughed as she drops the mace and shield near Merlin's head startling him awake. "Your turn Merlin." Merlin groans as he picked up the mace and shield as he stood up preparing himself for the worst.
Kala and Merlin walked in Gaius' chambers late at night exhausted on Merlin's part. Kala still looked to have energy to spare, though deep down she was tired as well. Gaius laughed when he saw the state Merlin was in. "So, how was your first day as Arthur's servant and training assistant?" Gaius asked his wards.
"Do you hear clanging?" Merlin asked seriously as he pats his head. He heads to the table ands sits exhausted and Gaius starts massaging his shoulders.
"That's just you Merlin." Kala said sitting across from him as she pushed some books towards him.
"It was horrible, Kala almost had Arthur kill me! I've still got to learn all about tournament etiquette by the morning. Kala can you help me, please" Merlin begged towards his friend. Kala nodded as she ate a piece of bread. Merlin looked at Kala gratefully and then looked at the book Kala put in front of him and said an incantation that caused the book to open to the place where he needed to read.
Gaius stopped massaging Merlin's shoulders and slapped him upside the head, "Oi! What have I told you about using magic like this?"
"If I could actually feel my arms, I'd open the book myself." Merlin said defending himself.
"Never mind your arms, what do I do if you get caught? And don't think I haven't noticed you jumping Kala." Gaius said with a glare towards Kala's direction. Kala shrugged not denying the fact that she jumps.
"What would you do?" Merlin and Kala asked at the same time.
Gaius chuckled lightly and said, "Well you two make sure it doesn't happen, for all of our sakes."
After ten minuets of silence Merlin looks up from the book angrily, "We save Arthur from being killed and I end up as a servant and Kala ends up as his training assistant. How is that fair?"
"I actually don't mind my job…sort of." Kala muttered as she remembered the few times she'd almost jump when she sparred with Arthur. She really needs to have more control over her ability; she can't afford Arthur to find out just yet.
"Well aside from Kala, I hate my job." Merlin complained.
"I'm not sure fairness comes into it. You never know, it might be fun." Gaius said lightly.
"Sure, almost jumping at random times when Arthur hits you with the mace, that's fun." Kala said sarcastically.
"You think mucking out Arthur's horses is going to be fun? You should hear my list of duties." Merlin said with a scoff. Gaius shook his head at the complaints of his wards.
"We all have our duties, even Arthur." Gaius said focusing on Merlin's sore shoulders.
"It must be so hard for him." Kala said with fake sympathy.
"With all the girls and the glory." Merlin finished after Kala with the same level of fake sympathy.
"He is future king. People expect so much from him. From what I understand, he is under a lot of pressure." Gaius said putting more pressure of Merlin's right shoulder.
"That makes the three of us." Merlin yelped as Kala winced at the sight.
The next morning Kala and Merlin headed to Gwen's house carrying Arthur's armor. Kala knocked on the door and smiled when Gwen answered it. "Good morning Gwen."
"Good morning you two. What can I help you with?" Gwen asked as she let you two friends in the house.
"I tried explaining to Merlin here, on how to put on armor, but he's being difficult." Kala said glaring lightly at Merlin.
"I'm not being difficult, you just stink at explaining." Merlin shot back glaring. Kala and Merlin were in middle of a glare showdown when Gwen decided to break it up.
"Okay, okay, Merlin stand here and I will explain to you which part of the armor goes where as I put it on you." Gwen said as she guided Merlin to stand where she wanted. "So you've got voiders on the arms. The hauberk goes over your chest." Gwen said explaining as she pats on armor with Merlin nodding.
"Chest, arms, chest." Merlin muttered, repeating everything in his head.
"I guess you know what to do with the helmet." Gwen said handing Merlin the helmet.
"I don't know Gwen, that's debatable." Kala said teasingly as she leaned against the table.
"Yeah. Yeah, that was the only bit I'd figured out." Merlin said denying what Kala said as he playfully glared at Kala. Gwen laughed as Merlin put on the helmet.
"How come you're better at this then me, and better at explaining it then Kala?" Merlin asked amazed as he smiled at Gwen.
"Hey, I am good at explaining. You just suck at listening…" Kala said as she playfully punched Merlin's shoulder.
"I'm the blacksmith's daughter. I know pretty much everything there is to know about armor, which is actually kind of sad." Gwen said with a slight frown.
Merlin animatedly shook his head in disagreement. "No! It's brilliant!"
"Yeah, I agree with Merlin. Your knowledge with armor is amazing and you're really patient when you were showing Merlin." Kala said as she gave Gwen a side hug. Gwen laughed and hugged back her friend, it was nice having two new friends in her life, and it makes her day a little less lonely.
Down in the training grounds Arthur stands impatiently as Merlin struggles to put on the voiders on Arthurs arm. "You do know the tournament starts today"
"Yes, sire." Kala and Merlin said at the same time and Merlin checks the rest of the armor.
"Are you nervous?" Kala asked as she holds the helmet staring at her friend with curiosity.
"I don't get nervous." Arthur said lying; Kala could tell that he was nervous, if only a little bit. Arthur had become an expert at hiding his real feelings over the years; he can't afford to show his people that he holds fear or nervousness; he wants his people to look up to him and respect him and most importantly, make his father proud.
"Really? I thought everyone got nervous. I'm pretty sure Kala gets nervous when she fights." Merlin said innocently.
"There's nothing for Kala to be nervous about, she's never been in a tournament and I highly doubt she gets nervous from simple sparing." Arthur said getting even more impatient.
"But-" Merlin said before he got interrupted.
"Will you shut up?!" Arthur snapped. Kala frowned, she noticed the more Merlin talked about being nervous and fighting, the more agitated Arthur got. She laughed to herself at the fact that Arthur was loosing his cool.
Merlin walks over to grab Arthur's red cape and quickly ties it on while Kala handed Arthur his helmet. Kala looks towards Merlin and then at the sword waiting for Merlin to realize that he forgot the most important tool.
"Great. Yeah. I think you're all set." Merlin said proud of himself. Arthur and Kala stared at Merlin with an expectant look.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Arthur asked, Merlin looked confused as he looked Arthur over and shakes his head. "My sword. Honestly Kala, I thought you were going to help Merlin."
"Sorry, Sire." Kala said sarcastically, she knew that Merlin was trying his best.
"Oh yeah. Sorry, I guess you'll be needing that." Merlin said as he quickly retrieved the sword and before he was able to hand it to Arthur, he just grabs it out of his hands and marches off away from Merlin and Kala.
"That went well." Merlin muttered as he looked at Kala. Kala shakes her head and they both went to follow Arthur.
"I do get nervous, I get nervous everyday I walk outside of my room." Kala said after a few minuets of silence.
"What do you mean?" Merlin asked as he looked at Kala curiously.
"There's people out there who want people like me dead, they will stop at nothing to do so. They will kill everyone I know and those who stand in their way. Its much like what Uther is doing to those who practice magic." Kala explained as they reached the tournament grounds.
"Who are these people?" Merlin asked softly so that no one around them could hear.
"Paladins." Was all Kala said before she stood off to the side of the entrance as the knights entered the arena the crowd talking in excitement.
King Uther walks in front of the knights proudly as he says, "Knights of the realm, it's a great honor 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 honor of being crowned champion, and he will receive a prize of 1,000 gold pieces." At the table a man opens a box revealing the gold pieces. "It is in combat that we learn a knights true nature. Whether he is indeed a warrior, or a coward. Let the tournament begin!"
The crowd erupts with excitement and cheers as the knights leave the arena. Before Uther left the arena he stops by Arthur and whispers, "I trust that you will make me proud."
Arthur nodded trying to calm his nerves and the guards took the two knights capes and him and the other knight begins fighting. Kala and Merlin cheer as loudly as they can, trying to encourage Arthur. During the fight, Arthur could hear Merlin and Kala cheering, and that motivated him even more to try and win the fight. He couldn't let their hard work be for nothing. As Arthur's opponent falls to the ground, the crowd cheers at his victory.
Near a tent, Arthur, Merlin and Kala stood watching the fighting of the other knights continue. "Knight Valiant looks pretty handy with a sword." Merlin said softly and Kala nodded in agreement. Something seems odd about Valiant and Merlin and Kala cant quite put their finger on it. Kala looks over Arthur's shield to see what exactly needs repairing and Valiant walks over to Arthur.
"May I offer my congratulations on your victories day? It appears that you trained well." Valiant said with forced politeness and looks towards Kala with smile which Kala ignored.
"Likewise." Arthur said as he casually took a step in front of Kala not fully trusting this Knight Valiant.
"I hope to see you at the reception this evening." Valiant said as he walked off with his servant. Arthur, Kala and Merlin's eyes followed Valiant not really knowing what to make of the knight.
"Creep." Merlin said randomly and Kala and Arthur looked at him with a slight smile. The three shared a slight laugh before Arthur tried to cover up the fact that he shared a laugh with his servant.
"Uh, for tomorrow you need to repair my shield, wash my tunic, clean my boots, sharpen my sword, and polish my chainmail. Kala shall help you." Arthur commanded as he walked away from his two friends. Kala and Merlin groaned as they packed everything up and headed for home.
Kala and Merlin sat on his bed working, well magically working. Kala was repairing the shield while Merlin used magic to do the rest of the chores while reading his spell book and Kala occasionally quizzing him. The two were absorbed with what they were doing that when Gaius walked in he saw everything being done magically. Kala stopped working and quickly nudged Merlin's foot and everything fell to the ground.
"Are you using magic again?" Gaius said even though he already knew the answer.
"No." Merlin denied weakly.
"What's all this then?" Gaius said pointing around him. Merlin and Kala shrugged.
Gaius sighed and pointed to the door behind him, "Well, I just came to tell you both that supper is ready."
Merlin and Kala nodded and laughed lightly as they got up and walked down stairs to eat. As they were eating Merlin randomly asked, "So who exactly are Paladins?"
Kala froze, almost forgetting that she mentioned them to Merlin, she set down her fork and looked at Merlin with seriousness. "They want us dead, like I said before. They've been hunting Jumpers for centuries; they feel that Jumpers holds too much power and that we should be exterminated. It was risky me even coming back here. Paladins are smart, fast, and organized and no matter what, they will kill us, and all those who stand against them. King Uther would love them; they hold the same feelings towards those who are different. Most people like me, live without family and friends. Jumpers have to be careful of whom they know and where they use their ability. That's one of the reasons why Gaius doesn't want me jumping all the time. For all we know Paladins could be living here in Camelot. It's a never ending war between Jumpers and Paladins…"
Merlin just stayed quiet, absorbing everything his friend had just said to him. In so many ways, they were alike. Gaius had taken to going to bed before Kala explained whom Paladins are. Merlin finally holds a new understanding as to why Gaius was really protective of them; they don't know whose lurking about waiting to catch them in the act of jumping or using magic. The rest of the supper they ate in silence and retreated to their own rooms.
All the knights stood in line to meet King Uther and his ward Lady Morgana, Valiant walked up to Morgana and kissed her hand, "My Lady."
"I saw your competing today." Morgana said with a smile.
"I saw you watching. I understand the tournament champion has the honor of escorting My Lady to the feast." Valiant said with a charming smile.
"That's correct."
"Then I will give everything to win the tournament." Valiant said as Morgana smiled and nodded her head before he walked off. When Morgana turned her head back towards the rest of the knights in line Arthur walked up in front of her.
"They all seem rather impressed by Knight Valiant. If I saw correctly, I think I saw Kala look at him impressed as well." Morgana said teasingly, she knew for a fact that the look she saw on Kala's face when Valiant was fighting was not a look of impressed, but Arthur didn't know that.
"They're not the only ones, and I don't think Kala was impressed." Arthur muttered, feeling a little jealous at the thought of Kala being impressed with Valiant, but not that he would ever admit that to anyone.
"You're not jealous are you?" Morgana said with a teasing smile.
"I don't see anything to be jealous of." Arthur grumbled before walking off.
"I hope Knight Valiant wins the tournament." Morgana mumbled to Gwen.
"Surely you don't mean that." Gwen said with disbelief.
"Yes I do." Morgana said turning back to greet the rest of the knights.
Kala and Merlin walked through the morning air as they headed for the armory to pick up Arthur's armor. Before either of them went to grab the armor, they heard a hissing sound from behind them. "Hello? Is someone there?" Merlin called out.
They both walked towards the sound and they saw the snakes one Valiant's shield blink. As Kala and Merlin were about to touch the shield, a sword was held out in front of them. "Can I help you two with something?" Valiant said annoyed.
"Nope, we're good. We were just gathering our master's armor for today." Kala said calmly.
"Then you'd best be on your guy's way." Valiant said as he slowly pulled away his sword and Merlin chuckled nervously and him and Kala gathered up Arthur's armor.
"Right yeah, no problem." Merlin said as they left the armory in a hurry. Once they reached outside they both looked at each other nervously.
"I really don't trust him Merlin." Kala muttered as they headed up stairs towards Arthur's chambers and Merlin nodded in agreement. When they entered Arthur's chambers they laid out the armor neatly and waited patiently for Arthur to walk in. Arthur stared at the armor impressed, not believing that his idiot servant managed to do everything in one night.
"You two did this on your own?" Arthur asked the two.
Merlin and Kala nodded and said simultaneously, "Yes, Sire."
"Now lets see if you can get me into the armor without forgetting anything Merlin." Arthur said sarcastically. Merlin smirked and confidently dressed Arthur in his armor. Kala stood there watching impressed and Arthur looked impressed as well. "That was much better. Not that it could have gotten any worse."
"I'm a fast learner." Merlin said smugly with his arms crossed and Kala laughed lightly. Arthur shot her a quick glance before looking towards Merlin.
"I hope for your sake that's true." Arthur said giving Merlin a pointed look.
"Good luck." Merlin and Kala said at the same time smiling. Arthur gave them a look of tolerance before walking out. He hated the fact that they talked at the same time sometimes, it made it seem like they are really close. But Arthur got the feeling that Merlin and Kala only see each other as brother and sister, but only time could tell to see if that was true.
Kala and Merlin walked behind Arthur as he made his entrance in the arena. Merlin and Kala looked from the side entrance smiling as Gaius walked up behind them. "Is it my imagination or are you two enjoying yourselves?" Gaius asked smugly.
"It…it isn't totally horrible all the time." Merlin admitted.
Kala laughed, "Its hilarious to see Arthur yell at Merlin for every little thing."
Merlin shot Kala a look before cheering when Arthur begins fighting his opponent and a few minuets later wins. Merlin and Kala watched quietly when they saw Valiant fight a knight. They turned to walk towards Arthur and as they turned back around to face the arena they saw the knight unmoving.
"I think he's badly hurt." Kala said to both Arthur and Merlin. Gaius quickly walks to the fallen knight with his medical bag in hand as Valiant walked around smiling. After Kala and Merlin were dismissed, they quickly walked into Gaius' chambers dropping the armor and the table and walked over to Gaius and the sick knight.
"How is he?" Merlin asked concerned as he stood next to Gaius with Kala following suit.
"It's odd…here look at this you two." Gaius said pointing at the knight's neck as Merlin and Kala leaned over to examine it. "See these two small wounds. It looks like a snakebite."
"How could be have been bitten by a snake?" Kala asked confused.
Merlin nodded before adding, "He was injured in the sword fight."
"But the symptoms are consistent with the poisoning. Slow pulse, fever and paralysis." Gaius said before standing up.
"Can you heal him?" Merlin asked as he looked up at Gaius.
"Well, if it is a snake bite, I'll have to extract venom from the snake that bit him to make an antidote." Gaius said explaining.
"What happens if he doesn't get the antidote?" Merlin questioned further.
"Then there won't be anything more that Gaius could do…he will die." Kala said understanding as she continued to look at the knight.
Merlin then blurted out, "He was fighting Knight Valiant."
"What was that?" Gaius asked not hearing him clearly.
Kala looked towards Merlin shocked and both quickly said, "Nothing." Before walking out of Gaius' chambers.
Once they were out of Gaius' chambers Kala whispered to Merlin, "Do you think Valiant's shield caused this?"
Merlin nodded as he spotted Valiant walking towards his guest chamber holding his shield. He looked towards Kala motioning for her to be quiet as he pointed towards the direct Valiant went. Kala and Merlin silently followed Valiant to hear him say, "Dinner time."
Merlin and Kala saw Valiant holding a mouse over the shield with the snakes alive. Kala gasped and both she and Merlin took a step back only to knock something over. They threw each other a look and Kala quickly grabbed Merlin's arm and they jumped into Gaius' chambers. Merlin fell to the ground gasping for air, and Kala patted him on the back.
"Sorry, I didn't have time to tell you to hold your breath." Kala apologized; Merlin stared at her nodding silently telling her that it was okay. Merlin felt that, that was the most horrible but free feeling experience that he has ever felt. Gaius rushed over a little peeved when he saw that Kala jumped in the room with Merlin, he quickly looked over at his sleeping patient and turned back towards his wards.
"What in blazes is going on?" Gaius demanded with his arms crossed as he waited for Merlin to catch his breath.
"We've just seen one of the snakes in Valiant's shield come alive." Kala explained as she continued to pat Merlin's back softly.
"He's using magic." Merlin finished as he got his breathing under control.
"Are you two sure?" Gaius asked as he handed Merlin a cup of water and Merlin nodded.
"The snake ate a mouse, one swallow, straight down. Ewan was fighting Valiant when he collapsed." Merlin said explaining.
"It must have been one of the snakes from the shield." Kala said right after Merlin and she faced him and they both said at the same time, "We have to tell Arthur."
Gaius shook his head, "Is there any chance that you two might have been mistaken?"
"No, I know what magic looks like, and what we saw was definitely magic." Merlin said as him and Kala walked towards the door.
"Perhaps, but have you any proof?"
"Don't you believe us?" Kala asked crossing her arms.
"I fear that you two will find yourselves in a lot of trouble. How will you two explain why you were in Valiant's chambers?"
"What does that matter?" Kala said looked straight towards Gaius.
"He's using magic to cheat in the tournament." Merlin said finishing Kala's sentence.
"But you can't go accusing a knight of using magic without proof. The King would never accept the word of a servant and a training assistant over a word of a knight." Gaius said in a loud whisper.
"What? So we say won't count for anything?" Merlin demanded leaning over the table with his hands.
"I'm afraid it counts for very little as far as the King is concerned. That's the way it is." Gaius said apologetically towards his two wards. Merlin and Kala sighed as they walked towards their rooms.
In the morning Kala and Merlin stood next to Arthur in silence as they observed a servant using a small step ladder to put a helmet on a tall knight. "Are you telling us that you've got to fight that?" Merlin said in disbelief.
"Yes. And he's strong as a bear-" Arthur said before he got interrupted by Kala.
"But he's slow." Arthur looked at her and nodded, indicating that what she said was true.
Merlin looked like he understood and said, "Ah…and you're fast."
Arthur looked towards Kala and Merlin smug, "Exactly."
Merlin and Kala smiled lightly as they patted Arthur's shoulders before he walked off towards the arena. Kala looked towards the direction Morgana and Gwen were sitting. "It looks like Morgana is worried." Kala said towards Merlin nudging him but he was too focused on watching Valiant and his shield.
Gaius walked up to them and said, "How are you two getting along?"
Kala shrugged as Merlin said, "Fine. Just doing our jobs. Minding our own business."
The tournament went on with Arthur winning against the tall knight, and Valiant winning his match. Merlin and Kala looked at the scoreboard cautiously as they saw whom Arthur was going to fight in the final.
"Valiant is going to fight Arthur in the final." Merlin muttered to both Gaius and Kala.
Kala nodded and said the next horrible words with a sad frown, "He'll use the shield to kill Arthur."
Kala walked towards Arthur's chambers, hoping to talk to him before he went to dine with his father and the other knights. Just before she was able to knock on his door, the door opened revealing Arthur. "Kala, I didn't call for you." Arthur said as he closed his door behind him.
"Sorry, I just wanted to talk to you is all." Kala said as she walked beside him to the direction of the council chambers. Arthur looked towards her shocked but motioned for her to continue. "I don't think you should fight Knight Valiant. There's something about him that I don't trust. Something tells me that he doesn't fight fair. I just…I just don't want you to get hurt."
"I don't like or trust the guy either, but unless you provide me proof, then I will believe you. But that won't stop me from fighting him. There's nothing to worry about Kala." Arthur said trying to sound reassuring before he walked into the council chambers.
Kala just leaned against the wall thinking about what she and Merlin could do to provide proof; just then Merlin came walking in her direction quietly. "What are you up to Merlin?"
"Is Valiant in there?" Merlin mumbled quietly. Kala looked inside and looked back towards Merlin with a nod.
Merlin looked towards her with a look of determination and pulled her towards the direction of Valiant's chambers. Outside of Valiant's chamber doors, he muttered a spell and the door unlocked. Kala pulled a sword from the rack near the door and held it in front of the shield. They both stood in front of the shield waiting for something to happen. Footsteps were heard and the door rattled. Kala grabbed Merlin's arm preparing herself to jump if need be. The footsteps fainted away and Merlin and Kala heard hissing, they slowly turned around. Before Kala had a chance to slice the head off, Merlin grabbed another sword and with a swift movement, the snake fell to the ground. Kala and Merlin drop their swords and Kala carefully grabs the snake's head and both took off running towards Gaius' chambers.
When they entered Gaius' chambers, Merlin held out the snakehead. "Here, this is the snake that came out of Valiant's shield and bit Ewan."
Gaius' drew out the snake venom and held up the vile, "I'll get started on preparing the antidote."
"We're going to tell Arthur." Kala said as she and Merlin headed for the door.
"You'll need this." Gaius said tossing the head. "And Merlin, Kala, what you two did was very brave." Merlin and Kala nodded as they headed for Arthur's chambers.
"Do you think he'll believe us?" Kala asked outside of Arthur's door.
Merlin shrugged, "Only one way to find out." Kala sighed and knocked on the door, once they heard that they could enter, Merlin placed he head on Arthurs table and explained how they got the snakehead.
"You? You chopped its head off?" Arthur said with disbelief, he couldn't imagine his manservant using a sword to chop of a sly snake, Kala he could believe, but Merlin? Get real.
"Ewan was bitten by a snake from the shield when he was fighting Valiant." Kala explained and Merlin began to finish her sentence.
"You can talk to Gaius, you can see the puncture wounds in Ewan's neck where the snake bit him. Ewan was winning and Valiant had to cheat."
Arthur looked at Kala and Merlin with hesitance and rolled his eyes; "Valiant wouldn't dare use magic in Camelot."
"Ewan was pinned under Valiant's shield.-"
"No one could see the snake bite him." Merlin and Kala said finishing each other's sentences once more. Arthur shook his head and stood up from his chair.
"I already told Kala, and now I'm going to tell you Merlin. I don't like the guy, but that doesn't mean he's cheating." Arthur said as looked towards the window.
"You said you would believe me, us, if we provided proof of Valiant not fighting fair. Are you really going to not see the proof that's right in front of you?" Kala demanded as she pointed towards the dead snake and Arthur leaned over to grab a hold of the snakehead.
"Gaius is preparing an antidote with the snake venom as we speak. When Ewan regains consciousness, he'll tell you want happened." Merlin said seriously.
"If you fight Valiant in the final, he'll use the shield. It's the only way he can beat you." Kala said with the equal amount of seriousness. She can't let anything bad happen to Arthur, not while she's still around.
"Have you ever seen any snakes like this in Camelot?" Merlin asked as Arthur turned towards him starting to slowly believe what Merlin and Kala were saying. "I know we're just servants, and our word doesn't count for anything. But we wouldn't lie to you." Kala nodded in agreement, she would never do anything to intentionally hurt Arthur, she will always tell him the truth on need to know bases.
Arthur sighed and looked at Kala and Merlin with severe seriousness, "I want you two to swear to me that what you are telling me is the absolute truth."
"We swear it's true." Merlin and Kala stated with the equal amount of seriousness.
Arthur looked at the both of them satisfied with their swears and nodded, "Then I believe you." As they stood in silence, none of them noticed a snake on the ceiling's support beam looking down towards them.
Merlin, Arthur and Kala stood in the Council room just as Knight Valiant walks in with confidence with Camelot guards following behind him. The trio's eyes followed Valiant with a suspicious look as he walked past them. They all stood facing each other as they waited for King Uther to arrive.
Back in Gaius' chambers, Ewan awoke as Gaius patted down the sick man's forehead. "Welcome back." Gaius said kindly with a slight smile.
Ewan looked towards Gaius weakly with his voice raspy he said, "There was a snake on his shield. It came alive."
Gaius nodded believing him, "You're still weak. The snake's venom is still in your system."
Ewan shook his head and tried to get up, "I mist warn Arthur."
"Arthur already knows," Gaius said as he gently pushed Ewan back down on the bed. "He's requested an audience with the King. Now, they'll want to talk to you, so you have to rest. You'll need your strength. I will be right back, I need to fetch more herbs."
Ewan sighed and he closed his eyes breathing softly as he heard the door close shut. Ewan opened his eyes again when he heard hissing, he carefully tried to sit up but quickly leaned back when the snake slithered out from under his blankets. He stared at the snake in fright, already knowing that the snake will strike him.
Back in the Council chamber, Uther walked in slightly annoyed, "Why have you summoned the court?"
Arthur walked out from his place next to Merlin and Kala and spoke out confidently towards his father, "I believe Knight Valiant is using a magic shield to cheat in the tournament."
"Valiant, what do you have to say to this?" Uther asked towards Valiant, already taking this matter seriously as soon as Arthur said the word 'magic.'
"My Lord, this is ridiculous. I never used magic," Valiant said as he casted Arthur a look and walked towards Uther with seriousness, "Does your son have any evidence to support this outrageous accusation?"
Uther looked towards his son, "Do you have any evidence?"
"I do." Arthur said nodding as he motioned for Merlin to come forward and hand Uther the snakehead. As soon as Merlin handed the snakehead to Uther, Valiant glared towards Merlin and Kala. Kala isn't a coward, far from it, but the look that Valiant is sending her way made her want to jump away. The way Valiant is staring at her reminded her too much of a Paladin.
"I'm afraid this potion tastes like toad water, but it'll get you back on your feet," Gaius said has he stirred the potion, "Ewan?"
Gaius walks over to Ewan quickly and checks for a pulse but pulled his hand away and sighed.
"Let me see this shield." Uther said holding his hand out towards Valiant.
Valiant holds out his shield and Kala quietly whispered near Arthur's ear, "Don't let him get too close."
Arthur, taking his friend's word seriously called out to his father has he drew out his sword ready to strike if anything happened, "Be careful, My Lord." Uther looked towards Arthur and laid a hand on the snake pattern shield not noticing the look Valiant shot towards his son.
"Merlin, Kala." Gaius whispered from the side of the room. Arthur, Merlin and Kala turned towards the sound.
"We need Ewan. Find out what's happening." Arthur whispered to Merlin and Kala. They nodded and walked towards Gaius quietly but quickly.
"As you can see, My Lord," Valiant said looking between Uther and Arthur, "It's just an ordinary shield."
"He's not going to let everyone see the snake come alive." Arthur said holding his arms out.
"Then how am I to know that what you say is true?" Uther asked looking at his son, starting to not believe him.
Arthur looked between his father and Valiant, "I have a witness. Knight Ewan was bitten by one of the snakes from the shield. It's venom made him grievously ill, however, he has received an antidote. He will confirm that Knight Valiant is using magic."
Merlin and Kala covered their faces not believing a word Gaius told them, they were so close and they both winced when Uther asked where the witness was.
"He should be here…" Arthur said looking back towards Merlin and Kala and walked towards them and asked, "Where's Ewan?"
"Arthur we are so sorry but…"Kala said as she trailed off not really knowing how she could basically say that they're only 'living' proof is dead. Without Ewan to testify, all this would have been for nothing and they would look like fools. She just hoped that after this, Arthur would still hold a level of trust towards them. Trust is an important thing to her and Merlin, especially with their gifts.
"He's dead." Merlin said for Kala and Arthur sighed.
Uther was standing there impatiently, "I'm waiting!"
Arthur turns back towards his father and the crowd, he looks around feeling like a fool. He was starting to doubt Merlin and Kala, had what they said even true? He trusted them, had it all been for nothing? "I'm afraid the witness is dead." Arthur said ashamed.
"So you have no proof whatsoever to support these allegations. Have you even seen Valiant use magic?" Uther asked as he stood in front of his son. Arthur looked towards the floor wanting all this humiliation to be over.
"No," Arthur said softly but looked towards Merlin and Kala and pointed towards them, "But my servants fought the snakes…"
"You're servants? You made this outrageous accusations against a knight on the word of your servants?" Uther demanded not believing that his son would trust a word of a worthless servant. Valiant smirked and slightly shook his head.
"I believe they're telling the truth!" Arthur said still holding onto a shrivel of hope that what Merlin and Kala had been true.
"My Lord, am I really to be judged on some hearsay from a boy and a worthless girl?" Valiant asked as he looked towards Merlin and Kala.
"We've seen the snakes come alive!" Merlin and Kala shouted at the same time and Arthur rolled his eyes lightly.
Uther stared at them with a look of outrage, "How dare you two interrupt? Guards!"
Four guards came towards Merlin and Kala and started to drag them towards the door and Arthur looked shock and watched as his servant and training assistant were being dragged away. Valiant walked towards Uther, "My Lord."
"Wait!" Uther yelled towards the guards and they all stopped and look towards Uther and Valiant.
"I'm sure he was merely mistaken," Valiant said as he looked towards the duo being held by guards, "I wouldn't want them punished on my account."
"You see?" Uther said towards Arthur, Arthur looked towards his father ashamed, "This is how a true knight behaves, with gallantry and honor."
Arthur looked down towards the floor and looked towards Valiant when he started talking, "My Lord, if your son made these accusations because he's afraid to fight me, then I will graciously accept his withdrawal."
Arthur's eyes widened, he was no coward! He has no intention of forfeiting from the fight; he won't be made a fool in front of the court or in front of his people and especially in front of his father. Uther looked towards his son and asked, "Is this true? Do you wish to withdraw from the tournament?"
"No!"
"Then what am I to make of these allegations?"
"Obviously there has been a misunderstanding. I withdraw the allegation against Knight Valiant. Please accept my apology." Arthur said towards his father and Valiant and he put away his sword. He feels so humiliated, he should never have trusted Merlin and Kala, and they made him look like a fool.
Valiant smiled, "Accepted."
Arthur quickly walked out of the room not casting Merlin and Kala a second glance; he just wanted to get out of the room as quickly as possible. Merlin and Kala roughly pulled their arms out of the grasp of the guards and glared towards Valiant who stared back at them smugly. The duo looked towards Gaius and quickly walked out the Council chamber and went after Arthur.
Arthur had his back towards the door when Merlin and Kala walked in, Arthur already knowing who walked in said to them, "I believed and trusted you both, and you two made me look like a complete fool."
"I know it didn't go exactly to plan." Merlin mumbled and Kala quickly elbowed him in the ribs.
"'Didn't go to plan'? My father and the entire royal court think I'm a coward! You both humiliated me!" Arthur yelled towards Merlin and Kala.
"We're sorry Arthur, but we are telling you the truth. Valiant is using a magic shield." Kala said sincerely and seriously as she looked towards Arthur. Arthur just stared at her and looked away from her green eyes, he doesn't know if he can trust her or Merlin anymore. He wants to, but after what happened in the Council chamber, he's finding it hard to do so.
"We can still expose Valiant." Merlin said determined and Kala nodded in agreement.
Arthur sighed and told Merlin and Kala, "I no longer require both of your services."
"You're sacking us?" Merlin and Kala asked shocked.
"I need a servant and a training assistant that I can trust." Arthur said with his back turned towards Merlin and Kala. Arthur can't look at both of them; he especially can't look at Kala, his friend. He knew that sacking her would mean loosing her friendship and knowing that hurts him, he was even starting to view Merlin as a friend as well.
"You can trust us." Merlin said seriously not taking his eyes off Arthur.
"And look where that got me this time. Get out of my sight!" Arthur yelled towards them as he stared out the window. Merlin stared at Arthur's back for a second before turning walking out of the room. Kala stood there quietly as Arthur sighed and bowed his head down as he sat at the edge of his table with his head to his face.
"I know we haven't seen each other in eleven years and trust is something to be earned and not automatically given and the amount of trust that I earned from you is now lost. I am truly sorry about what happened…" Kala said softly as she sat at the table also not looking at Arthur who stayed quiet. "Just because we couldn't provide evidence to prove that what we saw was true, and we never meant to humiliate you."
Arthur stayed quiet, listening to what Kala was saying, he badly wanted to forgive her but she was right, the small about of trust that she had earned from him was gone and him sacking her wouldn't give her the opportunity to earn it back and he knew deep down that they hadn't meant to humiliate him.
"If you sacking me, means losing your friendship, then so be it, but know this, I won't stop being your friend and I will be around if you ever need me." Kala said laying a hand on Arthur's shoulder before walking out of his chamber leaving him to sit in silence.
Kala walked outside and she saw Merlin at the steps in the square talking to Gwen about Valiant and his magic shield. "So what are we going to do about Valiant?" Kala asked as she sat at the steps beside Gwen who nodded in agreement.
"Why does everyone seem to think it's down to me to do something about it?" Merlin asked a little annoyed.
"You have me to help you prove what happened is true." Kala said as she looked outside the square.
"You have to show everyone that you and Kala that you were right and they were wrong." Gwen said with honesty.
Merlin shook his head in disbelief and smiled lightly, "And how would we do that? It worked so well in the Council chamber."
"I don't know." Gwen admitted, but she had faith in her friends, everything will turn out all right, they just needed faith. Merlin and Kala's eyes caught sight of a dog statue and they looked towards each other smiling.
"That's it!" Merlin and Kala said at the same time thinking of the same thing as they walked towards the statue.
"Where are you two going?" Gwen asked confused as she followed her friends, thinking that they were starting to go crazy as they both tried to lift the dog statue.
"Do you have a wheelbarrow my friend?" Kala asked smiling innocently.
After an hour of retrieving the wheelbarrow and the three of them loading the statue, Gwen went to Morgana's chambers as Merlin and Kala made their way towards Gaius' chambers. "What are you doing with that?" Gaius asked confused as his wards walked past him with a look of determination.
"We're going to let everyone see the snakes for themselves." Merlin said with a determined smile and Kala nodded she held onto Merlin's arm and the statue. Merlin held his breath as Kala jumped them to his room. Once they were in the room, Merlin pulled out his magic book from under the floorboard and started muttering a spell towards the dog statue multiple times.
During the time of Merlin practicing Kala fell asleep on Merlin's bed. Merlin looked towards is friend and softly pulled the blanket over her before walking out of his room and towards Arthur's chambers. Once he reached the chambers he walked in quietly. Arthur stared at the fire and muttered, "I thought I told you to get out of my sight."
"Don't fight Valiant in the tournament tomorrow. He'll use the shield against you." Merlin said seriously.
Arthur sighed, knowing that Merlin was right. "I know."
"Then withdraw. You have to." Merlin said pleading, how hard was it to withdraw?
"Don't you understand? I can't withdraw. The people of expect their prince to fight. How can I lead men into battle of they think I'm a coward?"
"Valiant will kill you. If you fight, you will die." Merlin said trying to get Arthur to understand.
"Then I die." Arthur said softly not caring anymore.
Merlin stared at him in shock, this was his last attempt to get Arthur to forfeit the match, "How can you go out there and fight like that?"
"Because I have to. It's my duty." Arthur said not taking his eyes off the fire.
Merlin stared at Arthur with tears forming in his eyes, he knew that Kala would be upset if Arthur dies, they were destined to protect Arthur and if he dies in this tournament, then they have failed their task. He knew that Kala would do everything in her power to stop Arthur from being killed. She had told him multiple times that she will protect Arthur and him with her life, he knew that she was serious. She would jump into the arena not caring that everybody saw her and she would take the plunge and literally die for Arthur if it means saving him. Merlin doesn't want her to give up her life and he will try everything in his power to make sure that this spell will work on the dog statue.
The next morning Arthur walks into the arena feeling a little sadden when he noticed that Kala and Merlin were nowhere in sight, but he shook off the feeling and continued to walk with confidence. He has to win this tournament and prove to his father and the people that he is no coward. Arthur drew out his sword ready to fight Valiant.
Kala woke up to find Merlin still mumbling the spell with his eyes closed. Her eyes shifted towards the dog statue and she began to smile widely, "You did it Merlin!"
Merlin opened his eyes and laughed as he happily hugged Kala and they both ran outside before the dog followed them barking. They ran down the stairs as Gaius yelled, "Arthur's fighting Valiant!"
"We know, we're on our way there." Merlin said walking out the door.
Kala quickly turned back towards the door staring at Gaius smiling "Oh, whatever you do, don't go into Merlin's room. I'll make sure that he deals with it later." Gaius looked cautiously at Merlin's door and peeked inside only to quickly close it when the dog starts towards him barking.
Merlin and Kala ran as quickly as they could towards the arena and they stopped near the arena entrance to see Valiant and Arthur fighting. Kala and Merlin looked towards each other and Merlin nodded as he muttered the spell towards Valiant's shield with his eyes glowing.
Valiant looked towards his shield to see the snakes coming out panicking. Arthur stared at the shield in shock, taking a cautious step back swordless. The people in the stands stared towards Valiant shocked and scared and Uther stared at Valiant outraged. "What are you doing? I didn't summon you!" Valiant yelled at his shield.
"He's using magic." Uther muttered to himself standing up from his chair.
"And now they see you for what you really are." Arthur said smugly still a small distance away from the shield but quickly took more steps backwards as Valiant sent the snakes to the ground towards him.
"Kill him!" Valiant yelled to the snakes laughing and Arthur backs up towards the stands defenseless. Morgana looked around quickly and pulled out a sword from the knight next to her and tosses it towards Arthur yelling his name. Arthur quickly catches it and kills the snakes and quickly disarms him and kills him muttering to him, "It looks like I'll be going to the feast after all."
The crowd cheers happily and Arthur pants relieved that he didn't die and smiled lightly, he looks towards his father and nodded. Arthur walks out of the arena and smiles at Merlin and Kala and pats them on their shoulders and continued to walk away. Merlin and Kala smiled towards each other happy that everything turned out all right.
Kala looked out towards the cheering crowd and frowned when she saw a man at a distance. The man stared at her and smirked before leaving, Kala paled when she realized whom it was and quickly went to follow Merlin towards the Banquet Hall.
Merlin and Kala stood off towards the side next to Gaius and smiled lightly when Arthur walks in with Morgana at his side. "See, I told you he gets all the girls and the glory." Merlin said teasingly, Kala chuckled but was still deep in thought.
"And he owes it all to you both." Gaius said smiling, but frowned when Kala was silent. Merlin and Kala walked away quietly, Merlin stared at Kala worried, and she hadn't said a world since Arthur won the tournament.
"Can you believe Morgana? She say's she saved me. Like I needed any help. Listen, I wanted to say that I made a mistake. It was unfair for me to sack you both." Arthur said apologizing, but frowned when Kala wasn't looking at him.
"No, don't worry about it. Buy me and Kala a drink and call it even." Merlin said smiling and nudged Kala trying to get her to smile. Kala just shrugged not really paying attention, her thoughts are still towards the man that she saw. If he was there, then there might be more around. This just means that more trouble is coming for Camelot.
"Uh, I can't be seen to be buying drinks for my servant and training assistant." Arthur said smiling lightly as he looked out towards the people mingling.
"Your servant? You sacked us." Merlin said not believing Arthur. Kala's mouth twitched to a smile and both Arthur and Merlin smiled at the sight. Arthur knew he had done the right thing.
"Well, now I'm rehiring you both." Arthur said smiling. Kala shook her head smiling softly before walking away leaving Arthur giving Merlin a list of chores to do. A few minuets later Arthur tapped her shoulder.
"Are you alright?" Arthur asked concerned for his friend.
Kala nodded, "Yes, I'm alright…"
Arthur stared at her not believing her, "You seem awfully quiet, is this about me sacking you and Merlin yesterday and losing my trust?"
Kala snorted and shook her head, "No, and even though I'm grateful that you rehired us, I don't think I fully trust you. There is something that you aren't ready to know about me."
Arthur just stared at his friend and nodded, but he had an unsettling feeling at the bottom of his stomach but he knew that in time, Kala would trust him and tell him whatever it is that she needs to say. It would be a long road, but he is willing to wait, he hopes.
A/N: Well here is chapter two of this series. This episode was never my favorite but it's still a good episode. Again, if anything in this or future chapters that I write sound like anything like other stories written by other authors, let me know and I will change it. I don't like plagiarism and I hope that none plagiarizes my story.
I will try to have the next chapter up in a week or two.
I would like to thank everybody who favorited, reviewed, and are following this story. It really means a lot to me and I appreciate it.