Chapter Thirty, Another Stupid Tournament

Merlyn couldn't believe that Uther was holding another tournament but this time it was an open tournament to all comers across the realm, and that there were no rules. Which made more work for her and the other servants. But also made it harder for her to assess who, if any, of the competitors were a threat to Arthur; the man she loved.
"This is the stupidest thing I've ever heard!" Merlyn complained to Arthur as she stood from Arthur's bed where they'd been cuddling since dawn.

Ever since Morgana had framed her they'd both needed the reassurance so had taken to waking at dawn where Merlyn would bring Arthur breakfast - which they would share - before spending a few hours cuddling and sharing sweet kisses. Stretching, she adjusted the long black skirt, an emerald green off-the-shoulder shirt with a black corset with gold embroidery, and slipped her brown boots back on.
"I'm with you on that one, love." Arthur muttered in agreement, kissing Merlyn's neck and tying the end of her side plait for her with a black ribbon.

"I may enjoy a tourney, but recent events have left them with a lot to be desired. That said, you know what my father's like."
Before they could say more there was a knock on the door and in entered, once Arthur had bade them entrance, Gwaine with George behind him carrying Arthur's armour and sword. To avoid suspicion on Merlyn once again, Arthur had taken to having George as his second servant.
"Morning dear sister, Princess." Gwaine greeted, teasingly, Merlyn giggled while Arthur rolled his eyes at him.

"Merlyn, we're heading to the training grounds today."
"No one thought this through did they? Seriously Arthur! A tournament open to all comers for a prize of a hundred gold coins. Are you trying to make my job harder?" Merlyn ranted, continuing her conversation and showcasing her displeasure.
"I happen to agree with my sister. It's ridiculous. Which is why I'm not participating. I'm not causing my sister, anymore stress. I wonder what kind of people are going to turn up." Gwaine informed Arthur, who had opened his mouth only to close it again.
"I agree with you." Arthur sighed. "But it's tradition. The tournament's been held every ten years for centuries."

"Arthur," Gwaine called, stopping the Prince. "I'll train with you but I won't participate. No matter what people say or think." People I.e. Uther and Morgana were left unsaid.
"Of course." Arthur agreed, stepping behind the screen to get ready with George's help while Merlyn and Gwaine stepped out - Gwaine to the field and Merlyn taking the dishes to the kitchens. As the door shut he heard Gwaine comforting Merlyn and couldn't help but feel guilty despite that he had no part in organising this. It was all his father's doing.
'Of course it was.' Arthur thought despondently.

***

Arriving at the Training grounds, Merlyn was shocked at some of the people who had turned up to this tournament let alone the weapons they wielded. As she neared where Arthur and Gwaine were training, George standing at the sidelines, she could see her brother in all but blood roll his eyes at her love, Arthur, as he offhandedly commented there was nothing to worry about.
"Tell me he can't use that in the contest." Merlyn begged alarmed, joining Gwaine, her best friend as well as brother, the love of her life, and her acquaintance, George; just as a man dressed as a Viking knocked the head and helmet off of the training dummy with his very large battle axe.

Pausing in their sparring Arthur and Gwaine looked over at Merlyn, after taking a swig of water Arthur answered her.
"He can use what he likes. It's an open tournament." Arthur reminded her.
"What about the Knight's Code?" Merlyn queried.
"It counts for nothing, the only rule is there are no rules." Arthur stated ominously.
"Oh, yeah that's a brilliant idea. There's nothing to worry about at all." Merlyn said sarcastically, rolling her eyes at the idiocy of men.

"Relax, sister. I'll help you if it comes to it." Gwaine assured, kissing her forehead lovingly.
"Go on, back to training." She shooed.
"Yes, thank you Merlyn." Arthur drawled. "And please, stop distracting my Knight." Arthur teased.
"Whatever you say, Dollophead. It's not my fault you're so rusty." Merlyn teased, her cerulean eyes gleaming with happiness. Those around them were surprised (the competitors) at their behaviour while those who lived in Camelot just shook their heads fondly at the pair with a smile, all too used to their behaviour and teasing banter.

***

Later that day while Gwaine was out on patrol with Arthur, Leon and some of the other Knights, Gaius was delivering potions and draughts to the competitors and George was cleaning Arthur's chambers, Merlyn was in the armoury re-lacing Arthur's gauntlets when she was startled by a sudden gruff voice.
"Well, if it isn't the Princess of Camelot. Come give us a kiss or is that just reserved for the Knights of Camelot." A large dark bearded repugnant man asked, causing Merlyn to scrunch up her nose in disgust.

"That was my brother!" Merlyn sneered at them. "It's Lady Merlyn." Arthur had told her to say this to protect herself against the visitors.
"But you don't look like a Lady to me." The man guffawed at her, eyeing her clothes and the work she was doing. "Does she?" He asked his companion.
"No she doesn't." The man replied, chuckling darkly.
"You look like a servant to me. I always wanted a servant." He stomped his dirty boot on the bench beside Merlyn making her jump. "'Ere, clean them." He ordered, leaning closer to Merlyn.

"What?" Merlyn asked incredulously.
"My boots." He responded, but when Merlyn didn't move he lunged forward to grasp the front of her shirt, only just missing as Merlyn quickly leaned back away from him. "Hurry up. Or you could always service us another way." He leered at her. Looking at them cautiously, Merlyn edged around them to get a cloth, even though she knew how to fight with and without her magic she would never do anything to risk herself if she didn't have to; especially after what Morgana did.

And there's no telling what else these two would do, who were without a doubt, worse than Valiant who had also leered at her.
'Please. Please can someone enter. Or can someone just walk past. Please!' Merlyn prayed silently, as memories of the fake Sir Ethan and Oswald swirled to the surface.
Meryn yelped in pain as a sudden stinging pain seared on her backside when the man whipped her.

"I'm looking for a cloth!" Merlyn shouted at them.
"I don't care if you use your tongue!" The man refuted angrily, a red tinge appearing on his cheeks, barely seen through his thick dark beard, while his cold icy blue eyes bored lustrously into Merlyn. "Clean 'em! Or you'll serve us the way you tease the Prince!"
"Stay where you are. And you, you leave her alone!" A voice announced from the doorway. Attracting everyone's attention; to a young man. A man who was very slim and had dark hair and blue eyes just slightly darker than Merlyn's own stood in the doorway.

Merlyn knew better than anyone that a small stature meant nothing and besides, she could feel the magic coming from him as she watched cautiously as the three seemed to know each other.
"Oh, so you've decided to join us after all." The bearded brute simpered to the man in the doorway.
"I think you should put that down, sir." The young man instructed calmly, gesturing towards the whip in the brute's hands. That didn't have the desired effect he was going for as the bald, black eyed man and the dark haired brute just chuckled raucously. Not believing the newcomer or Merlyn was much of a threat to them.

"Did you hear that?" The bearded man chuckled, directing his question towards his companion.
"Oh, I heard it all right." The other man agreed.
"Why don't you say it again." The man demanded.
"I'm sorry. This is my fault, leave him out of it." Merlyn interrupted, trying to diffuse the situation but all it did was make the bald man step threateningly towards her.
"I'm not hearing you!" The bearded man jeered.
"I've said what I have to say." The young man, who was perhaps the same age as Merlyn or maybe a little older, replied with an undercurrent of a warning in his tone.

In a matter of seconds the whip was flicked out causing the man's eyes and ring to flare gold causing a sword to fly into his hand meeting the whip and yanking it from the aggressors hands. Not one to be humiliated, the thug pulled out a dagger while the other was distracted as he picked up the whip.
"Watch out!" Merlyn shouted in warning, not wanting him to be injured all because he tried to help her. Seeing the dagger lunging for him he jumped backwards avoiding the dagger as he brought down the whip on the thug's knuckles causing him to cry out in pain.

"Now," he said, twirling the whip above his head in warning with one hand and the sword held in front of him with the other, as he edged around them towards Merlyn. "Get out!" He ordered them, the thug glared at them as he held his bleeding hand with the other as they reluctantly left the armoury.
"Thanks for the warming." The young man said, once the others had left as he returned the sword to the rack. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, thank you." Merlyn said gratefully.
"It's alright. I've already had a run-in with those two." He informed Merlyn, admiring the swords on display.
"You have?" Merlyn asked, concern was clear in her voice as well as shining in her cerulean eyes.

"Yeah, I know what it's like to be picked on. And I couldn't stand by and let something worse happen to you if I could help it."
"Merlyn!" Arthur's voice floated through the open door.
"Thank you again. I'm Merlyn." Merlyn introduced.
"I'm Gilli." He introduced a smile upon his lips, as he shook Merlyn's hand before he brought her hand up, lightly kissing her knuckles, in doing so he showed Merlyn a clearer view of his ring.

"Merlyn! MERLYN!" Arthur shouted in concern and slight annoyance when she didn't answer as no one could find her.
"Urgh!" Merlyn groaned, rolling her eyes. "I've gotta go but thank you, again, and good luck in the tournament." She added, before hurrying out of the armoury to see what her Dollophead of a best friend and lover wanted.