In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy. His name: Merlin

Catie's POV

It's Merlin's first day as Arthur's man servant. Arthur decided to use him as a training dummy as a three day tournament starts tomorrow. So I helped both prepare with some protective armor. Before they left to train outside. While I clean Arthur's room. As they left I told Merlin I'd help him with the armor tomorrow before the tournament.

Merlin survived his first day. Though his head was apparently ringing most of the night. He some how managed to get all of Arthur's armor and chain mail polished. As well as read up tournament. And muck out Arthur's stable. Anyway, I am currently demonstrating how to put armor on, using him as the mannequin.

"So, you've got voiders on the arms" I tell him. As I tighten the straps. He nods his head. "The hauberk goes over your chest" I say patting it.

"The chest. The arms. The chest" he says.

"I guess you know what to do with the helmet" I say teasingly as I offer it to him.

"Erm, yeah. Yeah, that was the only bit I'd figured out" he admits putting it on. I laugh. "How come you're so much better at this than me?" he asks me.

"Gwen and I are the blacksmith's daughters. We know pretty much everything there is to know about armour, which is actually kind of sad" I tell him. "Though I am better with a sword then her" I add.

"No, it's brilliant!" he tells me and I smile. "Wait, you can fight?" he asks me curious.

"A little, only enough to defend myself" I tell him. "Shall we go through it again?" I ask him. He nods his head and I remove the armor. I have Merlin tell me what goes where and show him again how to put it on. Before taking it off and we want to the arena. I go to the stands while he went to put Arthur into his armor.

I sit beside Gwen and Morgana. "How did it go?" Gwen asks me.

"He learns quickly, though he is still a little slow with putting armor on at the moment. The more he does it, the quicker he'll get" I state.

"With you there as a teacher, I'm sure he'll learn quickly" Morgana states. "Now, shush" she tells us. As Uther stands to address the crowd and those competing in the tournament.

"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" he explains.

A box is opened revealing the gold coins inside. "It is in combat that we learn a knight's true nature, whether he is indeed a warrior or a coward. The tournament begins!" he declares. The crowd cheers. The knights exit the arena. I see Uther whisper something to Arthur before he comes to join us in the stand to watch the tournament.

Guards take Arthur and the other knight's capes, and they put on helmets. The crowd cheers and Guinevere whoops. Arthur and the knight fight first. Arthur wins and I applaud. With the rest of the crowd. The knight in yellow fights next and wins. It may have been his first fight, but I can already tell he has a very aggressive fighting style. He also seems to have caught Morgana's interest. I don't see the appeal, you can tell a lot about a man by the way he fights. With such an aggressive fighting style, he may not be a very honorable man. Though I could be wrong.

Arthur wins all his matches and so does the knight in yellow. I think the announcer called him Knight Valiant. Anyway I left after the last fight and went straight to Arthur's chambers. I prepared him a bath and laid out some clothes for him. "Thank you Catalina" he says as he enters the room.

"Anything else I can do my lord?" I ask him.

"No, you may go" he states. I bow and leave the room. I decide to go see if Merlin needs any help. I arrive at Gaius' chambers and knock. He answers it.

"Catalina, how may I help you?" he asks me.

"I was wondering if Merlin needed any help with his chores before the feast" I state.

"Oh he has it well handled" he assures me.

"Ok, well let him know if he needs help I am available" I tell him. He nods his head. I leave for the throne room. I stand with Gwen and Morgana as Uther meets all the knights still in he tournament. I notice Arthur in line.

"Knight Valiant of the Western Isles, My Lord" the knight in yellow states. As he shakes Uther's hand.

"I saw you fighting today. You have a very aggressive style" Uther comments.

"Well, as My Lord said, "To lose is to be disgraced" Valiant tells him.

"I couldn't agree more. Knight Valiant, may I present the Lady Morgana, my ward" Uther says introducing her. Valiant bows to kiss the back of Morgana's hand while Arthur looks on with a wry grin.

"My lady" he says.

"I saw you competing today" she tells him with a smile.

"I saw you watching. I understand the tournament champion has the honour of escorting My Lady to the feast" he states.

"That's correct" she tells him.

"Then I will give everything to win the tournament" he tells her. Morgana smiles and nods to him, he nods back. Valiant walks over to shake hands with other knights. Arthur bows to his father as he finally reaches us. Arthur and Uther acknowledge each other. Before he comes over to us.

"They all seem rather impressed by Knight Valiant" Morgana tells him brightly.

"They're not the only ones" he states.

"You're not jealous, are you?" she asks him teasingly.

"I don't see there's anything to be jealous of" he tells her. Then walks away as her smile falls.

"Could Arthur be any more annoying?" Morgana asks us.

"Yes" I answer.

"I so hope Knight Valiant wins the tournament" she states.

"You don't really mean that" Gwen says.

"Yes, I do" Morgana states. We focus back on the knights greeting Uther. Who then introduces them to Morgana. There was then a feast before all the competitors had to go to bed. So that they'll all be well rest for the tournament tomorrow.

(Next day)

The second day of the tournament has began. Merlin put Arthur's armor on in record time. Knight Valiant won all his matches again. But it looked like Sir Ewan could have beaten him in his last match. He was left unconscious. Merlin helped Gaius take him away when he didn't get up. But came back in time to prepare Arthur for his final battle. He faced a giant of a man. But still won, thanks to being faster then his opponent.

That night there is another feast. Merlin had the night off to help Gaius. So I am in charge of keeping Uther's goblet filled. I just refilled it when the knight toast to Valiant. "Long live Valiant!" they say and drink. As I stand silently behind Uther waiting for an order. While listening in on the conversations. Arthur is dining in his chambers, I had taken him food earlier.

"So Valiant, do you think you stand a chance of defeating my son?" Uther asks him. He and Arthur are the last knights standing. They will fight tomorrow in the final.

"He is a great warrior, My Lord. I do hope to be a worthy opponent" Valiant tells him.

"You should stay in Camelot after the tournament. I could do with more knights like you" Uther tells him.

"I'd be honoured, my lord" Valiant tells him.

"Catalina!" Uther says and I step forward.

"How may I be of service, my lord?" I ask him politely.

"Your are free to go, the other servants can handle the clean up" he tells me.

"Of course, thank you my lord" I say bowing to him and leave. I decide to go check on Arthur. See if he is done eating. I knock on the door.

"Enter" he says and I do so to see Merlin there. Arthur holding a served snake head. "Can I help you Catalina?" he asks.

"I only came to collect your cutlery, if you have finished eating" I tell him.

"I have, tell me. Have you ever seen a snake like this?" he asks offering me the head. I take it and exam it.

"No my lord, not in Camelot" I tell him.

"I know I'm just a servant and my word doesn't count for anything. I wouldn't lie to you" Merlin tells him.

"What are you two talking about?" I ask curious as I put down the snake her. And start to gather the cutlery.

"Merlin is accusing Valiant of cheating and using magic to make the snakes on his shield come to life" Arthur tells me. I look at them shocked. That is a serious accusation. "I want you to swear to me what you're telling me is true" he tells Merlin.

"I swear it's true" Merlin assures him. I see no lies in his eyes. I'm pretty good at spotting lies.

"Then I believe you" Arthur tells him. "Catalina, inform my father I wish to talk to the court" he tells me. I bow my head and leave. I drop the cutlery off at the kitchens and summon the court. Before going to the council chambers, I stand by Merlin as Uther appears.

"Why have you summoned the court?" Uther asks Arthur.

"I believe Knight Valiant is using a magic shield to cheat in the tournament" Arthur states.

"Valiant, what do you have to say to this?" Uther asks.

"My Lord, this is ridiculous. I've never used magic. Does your son have any evidence to support this outrageous accusation?" Valiant asks.

"Do you have evidence?" Uther asks Arthur.

"I do" he says and Merlin hands Uther the snake head. He exams it before placing it down.

"Let me see this shield" he tells Valiant.

"Don't let him get too close" Merlin whispers to Arthur.

"Be careful, my lord" Arthur tells Uther while drawing his sword. Who exams the shield. Even touches it and nothing happens. Gaius enters and Arthur had Merlin go to talk to him.

"As you can see, My Lord, it's just an ordinary shield" Valiant tells him. Lie. Though no one would believe a servant over a knight.

"He's not going to let everyone see the snakes come alive" Arthur states.

"Then how am I to know that what you say is true?" Uther asks him.

"I have a witness. Knight Ewan was bitten by one of the snakes from the shield. Its venom made him grievously ill, however, he has received an antidote. He will confirm that Knight Valiant is using magic" Arthur tells him.

"Where is this witness?" Uther asks. Arthur looks back at Merlin and Gaius. He heads over to them. They talk in whispers, before he turns back to his father.

"I'm afraid the witness is dead" Arthur tells him.

"So you have no proof to support these allegations. Have you seen Valiant using magic?" Uther demands.

"No. But my man servant fought one of the snakes from..." Arthur stars to explain.

"Your man servant? You made these outrageous accusations against a knight on the word of your servant?" Uther demands.

"I believe he's telling the truth" Arthur states.

"My Lord, am I really to be judged on some hearsay from a boy?" Valiant asks.

"I've seen those snakes come alive!" Merlin exclaims. Damn it, he shouldn't have interrupted.

"How dare you interrupt?! Guards!" Uther orders. The guards grab Merlin, knocking me away. Luckily I managed to stay on my feet, but my arm will no doubt have a bruise on it by morning.

"My lord, I'm sure he was merely mistaken. I wouldn't want him punished on my account" Valiant tells Uther. Before Merlin is taken away.

"You see? This is how a true knight behaves - with gallantry and honour" Uther declares.

"My Lord, if your son made these accusations because he's afraid to fight me, then I will graciously accept his withdrawal" Valiant states.

"Is this true? Do you wish to withdraw from the tournament?" Uther asks Arthur.

"No!" Arthur snaps.

"Then what am I to make of these allegations?" Uther asks him.

"Obviously there has been a misunderstanding. I withdraw the allegation against Knight Valiant. Please accept my apology" Arthur says. Valiant accepts his apology. Arthur leaves and Merlin follows. I do the same. "Catalina, you are dismissed for the night" Arthur tells me. I nod and leave going home.

(Next day)

I am in Arthur's chambers helping him prepare for his battle with Valiant. I had seen Merlin this morning at dawn. Apparently Arthur had fired him. I told him not to give up, if no one would believe Valiant was using magic. Then it was up to him to prove that he is.

Morgana enters the chambers and I bow to her. "Let me" she says. I nod and leave her with Arthur. I go down to the arena and check his sword and shield. Both are ready for the fight. Arthur soon appears.

"I know you don't need it, but good luck my lord" I tell him. As I hand him his sword and shield. He nods his head and enter the arena. He and Valiant put on their helmets and the battle begins. I go take my usual seat beside Gwen and Morgana.

Arthur knocks Valiant's helmet off. Arthur removes his helmet and they both pull down their mail coifs. Valiant knocks Arthur to the ground and steps on his shield. Valiant disarms Arthur, but Arthur catches him before he can strike. Valiant pins Arthur against a wall, but Arthur shoves him off. Suddenly two snakes appear from the shield.

"What are you doing? I didn't summon you!" Valiant exclaims. I look around and spot Merlin. Who is smiling triumphantly. Did he summon them? Does he have magic? No that can't be right. Gaius wouldn't harbor a sorcerer, he's been loyal in Uther's fight against magic for twenty years. He must be happy that Valiant has been exposed for the lair he is.

Valiant orders the snakes to kill Arthur. Morgana shouts his name. She grabs a the sword from the knight sitting next to her and throws it to Arthur.  Who catches it, swings at Valiant and then kills the snakes. Arthur disarms Valiant and runs him through. Valiant drops and the crowd cheers. Arthur slaps Merlin's shoulder on his way out of the tournament grounds.

Arthur gave me the night off to enjoy the feast. I spot Merlin and head over. "Hey, happy to be proven right?" I ask him.

"Yep, but I doubt I'll get an apology from the king" he tells me.

"Uther is not the sort to apologize, even when he is in the wrong. At least I've never seen him apologize for anything" I tell him. Arthur heads our way. "Congrats on the win, my lord" I say and he nods his head.

"Can you believe Morgana? She says she saved me. Like I needed any help" he states. I roll my eyes as he focuses on Merlin. "I wanted to say I made a mistake. It was unfair to sack you" he tells him.

"No, don't worry about it. Buy me a drink and call it even" Merlin tells him.

"Uh, I can't be seen to be buying drinks for my servant" Arthur tells him.

"Your servant? You sacked me" Merlin reminds him.

"My chambers are a complete mess. My clothes need washing. My, uh, armour needs repairing. My boots need cleaning. My dogs need exercising. My fireplace needs sweeping. My bed needs changing. And someone needs to muck out my stables" Arthur tells him.

"Arthur, I cleaned your chambers this morning, how are they dirty again?" I ask him.

"It's my special skill" he says with a shrug and leaves. I sigh.

"I'll take his chambers, clothes,boots, fire place and bedding. You take the rest?" I ask Merlin.

"Why do I get all the hard chores?" he asks me.

"You're the man servant and you had the day off. I haven't" I tell him.

"Fair point" he says. "Guess we better get to it" he mutters. I nod my head and we leave the feast. It was very late by the time I left for the night, after I hung the clothes and bedding to dry. I fall asleep as soon as I get home, exhausted from all the chores.

A/N

Picture above of the last fight between Arthur and Knight Valiant.