CHAPTER THREE
episode two, valiant.

ISABELLA VALOUR walked up to the stand where uther, morgana and herself would be sat as they watched the tournament. uther and morgana greeted her with a bow of their heads which she returned, before sitting down on her throne.

the crowd began to cheer and applaud as isabella made sure to join in, estella and gwen were sat near herself and morgana, so they made small conversation whilst they waited for the knights.

isabella tilted her head as she noticed arthur eyeing somebody, she followed where he was looking to see a man staring at them with a slight smirk. he had a yellow cloak and three serpents embroidered onto his chest and shield.

uther stood up and walked down towards each of the knights from different kingdoms. "knights of the realm, it's a great honour to welcome you to the 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."

isabella smiled lightly at the mention of the prince's name, to which arthur sent her an arrogant smirk, raising a brow as she rolled her eyes.

"only one can have the honour of being crowned champion. and he will receive a prize of one thousand gold pieces." uther began as one of the guards opened the chest with the gold as the crowd gasped in awe.

"it is in combat that we learn a knights true nature: whether he is indeed a warrior...or a coward. the tournament begins!" he yelled, raising his arm as the crowd cheered once again.

isabella noticed the knight in yellow sending a nod with a slight smirk towards morgana, and she smiled. "it seems you have an admirer." she spoke, amusement laced in her tone as morgana chuckled in disbelief.

"definitely not, your majesty. he was looking at you earlier." she raised her brows as isabella laughed, titling her head back.

"and then he saw the glare from prince arthur and looked away." gwen added with a smirk.

the four girls all laughed at the girls words and watched as arthur prepares to start off the tournament. "are you nervous?" morgana asked.

"i have faith in the prince...however, since it is my first tournament in camelot, so of course i am slightly nervous. but my excitement is taking over." isabella smiled, her eyes not leaving arthur.

uther joined them and sat down in the middle, sending a nod to morgana and isabella who bowed their heads slightly. the crowd cheered loudly as the tournament began.

it was always clear arthur was the better fighter, however it still put a smile on isabella's face when the crowd cheered louder and arthur removed his helmet, smiling slightly as isabella clapped, smiling at the future king.

the next fight was the man in yellow, and another in grey, who had immediately been knocked down by the man in yellow. "he seems good." estella commented.

"he does..." isabella spoke slowly, looking unsure.

morgana chuckled. "arthur will be fine if that's what you're worried about."

"i am not worried." she sent morgana a look, and the girl laughed.

"of course, your grace." she shook her head.

the rounds went by quickly, the only ones standing out to the crowd was the man in yellow, who they had learnt his name was knight valiant, and arthur who seemed to knock down the opposite person within minutes. naturally, this made isabella's excitement slowly turn to nerves.

the tournament soon finished for the day, and everyone slowly left and went back to their day, mostly talking about the tournament and what was yet to come.

that evening, the pendragon's and isabella had to greet all of the knights. knight valiant was first, and greeted the king with a smile.

"knight valiant of the western isles, my lord." he bowed slightly.

"i saw you fighting today. you have a very aggressive style." uther commented, morgana couldn't hide her smile at the man.

"as my lord said, to lose is to be disgraced." valiant spoke. uther smirked, shaking his hand. "i couldn't agree more."

"knight valiant, may i present princess isabella valour of devlin, and the lady morgana, my ward?" he walked towards them. the man bowed slightly and smirked at them.

he kissed morgana's knuckles, and then isabella's, who couldn't help but notice the annoyed look on arthur's face who watched from a few rows down.

"my lady, your grace." he spoke.

"i saw you competing today." morgana smiled.

he nodded, "i saw you watching." he acknowledged. "i understand the tournament champion has the honour of escorting my lady to the feast..."

"that's correct." she nodded.

"then i shall give everything to sun the tournament." valiant smirked as he moved onto isabella.

"princess isabella," he bowed and she sent him a nod. "may i ask, why isn't it you being escorted by the tournament champion?"

she looked slightly taken aback by his words but answered. "i will be marrying the prince one day, so he shall be escorting me. it's likely prince arthur will win, however, so it seems he will have both me and morgana on each arm." she smirked slightly as estella snorted and gwen looked down to hide her laugh.

"i see." he straightened up and walked away as she giggled slightly.

"isabella," arthur bowed slightly as she returned it with a small smile, accepting the kiss to her knuckles. "arthur." she greeted.

"what did you say to knight valiant? he looks like he's just been stabbed in the back."  he asked and the girl chuckled quietly.

"if i tell you, it would higher your ego even more, my lord." she smirked slightly.

he scoffed, looking away with a smile. "you absolutely must tell me, bella. otherwise i'll be thinking about it all day and night and will loose the tournament."

"you should loose the tournament. otherwise like i said to knight valiant you shall have both me and morgana on each arm. how silly." she tilted her head as he shook his head with a laugh.

"you know my loyalties lie with you, my lady." he joked and she rolled her eyes with a small smile.

"now, of you go, arthur. i have other knights to greet." she waved him away. he looked at her in disbelief, a laugh escaping his as he walked away.

"you two do act like an old married couple." morgana commented and the girl grimaced.

"unfortunately, that will be us one day."

a laugh escaped morgana's lips, before her eyes landed on knight valiant as she sighed happily. "i so hope knight valiant wins the tournament."

"i'm sure you do, however we all know who will actually win." isabella smiled teasingly and morgana rolled her eyes, smiling lightly.

"isabella's right... and you don't really mean that." estella chuckled.

morgana sent them all a stubborn look, "yes, i do."

isabella, gwen and estella simply laughed, catching the attention of the other people in the room. "you may hope valiant will win... but i have faith arthur will. faith beats hope." isabella shrugged and morgana frowned.

"who says that? i've never heard that phrase before." she chuckled slightly at the princess.

"yes, i made it up." she spoke as she accepted a kiss on the knuckles from one of the knights.

THE NEXT morning, everyone returned to their places as they got ready to watch the second day of the tournament.

arthur walked out and immediately the cheers got louder as the four girls chuckled. "how do you feel almost every woman in camelot is in love with your future husband?" gwen teased.

isabella turned to the girl and raised her brows. "they can be in love with him all they like...i'm the one marrying the arrogant old toe." she smirked as the girls all laughed once again.

the tournament began, and of course, arthur won his rounds almost immediately, however, so did knight valiant. he managed to take his victims down in minutes.

however, just as a knight in purple was about to get up, valiant kneeled down, and the purple knight fell back down, unconscious.

isabella's eyes widened as she watched valiant stand up confidently, pulling off his helmet with a smirk, however, the knight on the floor seemed to be badly injured.

the crowd watched as gaius made his way over and checked on the knight, ending up taking him back to his chambers to treat him.

"i do hope the knight is feeling better soon." isabella admitted as the three girls nodded in agreements. "so did i...at least knight valiant isn't hurt." morgana smirked. 

"it appears you are in love with this knight, morgana." isabella teased and the girl laughed slightly.

"not in love, just...admire greatly."

"i'm sure that's the same thing." gwen spoke and the girls laughed once again.

arthur went up next, and had to fight a extremely tall man, much taller than arthur and any other of the knights. however, as always, arthur walked out with confidence, although isabella could see behind his eyes he was slightly nervous.

isabella held onto morgana's arm as they waited for arthur to come out.  "you're not worried, are you?" estella asked with a small frown.

"of course not." isabella answered as she watched the tournament begin.

she let out a breath as the opposite knight swung his sword, which arthur managed to dodge causing isabella to clap.

arthur managed to defeat the man a few minutes longer than usual, but he still did it. knight valiant went up next, and also managed to defeat his quickly as morgana clapped with a smile.

the man he had fought was left on the floor as gaius once again had to hurry over to him and take him in on the bed towards his chambers.

it was the end of the tournament soon after, which meant the next morning arthur had to fight knight valiant. seeing the state the purple knight was left in, it was clear isabella was nervous.

THE KNIGHTS, isabella and a few people in court had been called to the throne room by arthur for an audience with the king. isabella walked in, bowing her head slightly at arthur as she walked over.

"what is going on?" she asked, a frown on her face. "we think knight valiant is using magic to make the snakes in his shield come to life, your majesty." merlin answered for her.

her eyes widened and she looked up at arthur. "if this is true, you cannot fight him. you could be killed." she whispered just as valiant walked in.

"i know, that's why we are here." arthur spoke, eyeing valiant who returned the look.

"but what if your father doesn't believe you?" isabella asked quietly.

"he will. we have evidence." merlin nodded firmly.

"i don't trust the man one bit...there's something about him." she whispered, turning to look at the knight before shivering slightly and turning back to the men.

"have you got a witness?" she asked and merlin nodded, but before he could answer, uther walked in and stood near his throne.

"why have you summoned the court?" uther asked, arthur and merlin walked forward as gwen, estella and morgana came to stand next to isabella.

"i believe knight valiant is using a magic shield to cheat in the tournament." arthur spoke and immediately everybody tensed.

uther turned around to face his son with a shocked look. "valiant, what do you have to say to this?" he asked.

"my lord, this is ridiculous. i have never used magic." valiant rolled his eyes. "does your son have any evidence to support this outrageous accusation?"

"do you have evidence?" uther asked, and arthur nodded. "i do."

he waved his hand at merlin who walked forward and held out the snakes head he must've cut off. isabella noticed valiant's eyes widening slightly.

uther studied it for a few moments, before turning around. "let me see the shield." he ordered.

valiant pulled out the shield and uther stared at it for a few moments, running his hands across as gaius walked in, and merlin turned to him and walked over.

"as you can see, my lord, it's just an ordinary shield." valiant spoke cockily.

"he's not going to let everyone see the snakes come alive." arthur scoffed.

"then how am i to know that what you say is true?" uther glared slightly.

"i have a witness. knight ewan was bitten by one of the snakes from shield. the venom made him grievously ill...however, he has received an antidote. he will confirm that knight valiant is using magic."

"where is this witness?" uther asked and arthur looked back at merlin and gaius with a frown.

"he should be here..."

everyone watched as arthur walked over to merlin and gaius, they spoke for a few moments, before arthur came back in disbelief.

he looked around the room, and sighed. "i'm afraid the witness is dead." arthur spoke as isabella sighed quietly, looking down.

"so you have no proof to support these allegations. have you seen valiant using magic?" uther asked. arthur looked back at him nervously.

"no...but my servant fought the snakes—"

"your servant?" uther spoke in disgust. "you make these outraged accusations against a knight on the word of your servant?"

"i believe he's telling the truth." arthur disagreed.

"my lord, am i really to be judged on some hearsay from a boy?"

"i've seen those snakes come alive." merlin spoke up. 

"how dare you interrupt!" uther yelled, "guards!" he exclaimed as they held onto merlin and pulled him out.

"my lord." valiant spoke, stopping the king.

"wait." uther ordered, and they stopped with merlin.

"i'm sure he was merely mistaken. i wouldn't want him punished on my account." valiant acted as a hero as isabella rolled her dark eyes.

"you see? this is how a true knight behaves. with gallantry and honour." uther glared at his own son.

"my lord, if your son made these accusations because he's afraid to fight me, then i will graciously accept his withdrawal." valiant said smugly, crossing his arms.

isabella's mouth fell slightly in disbelief as she glanced at estella, gwen and morgana who looked shocked as well.

"is this true?" uther stepped towards arthur. "do you wish to withdraw from the tournament?"

"no!" arthur immediately answered, embarrassment and fear in his eyes.

"then what am i to make of these allegations?" uther whispered angrily.

arthur looked at everyone watching him, and was clearly embarrassed. "obviously, there has been a misunderstanding. i withdraw the allegation against knight valiant. please accept my apology."

knight valiant smirked and nodded smugly. "accepted."

arthur nodded before leaving the courtroom as merlin was let go. isabella frowned at knight valiant who looked at her with a smirk. she glanced at gwen, estella and morgana once more before leaving the room to follow after arthur.

she bumped into merlin on her way in, who smiled slightly at her, but it was clear he was hurt as he rushed away.

she knocked on arthur's door, and heard a slight scoff. "merlin, if that's you again—" he began.

"it's me." she cut him off.

"isabella?" he opened the door, she smiled lightly at him as she entered the room.

"i apologise it didn't go the way we hoped." she spoke.

he shook his head. "i was made out to be a fool." he spoke angrily and she shook her head.

"we'll find a way, arthur... i can try to convince the king i saw it too."

"no...if he finds out you lied he won't be happy. you could be removed from camelot and i don't...the people don't want that." he stood up, she smiled lightly.

"i'll leave you to prepare for tomorrow. i'm sorry, again. truly." she whispered, before walking to the door.

"thank you for trying, bella." his voice stopped her, she turned to him and smiled.

"always...i have faith in you, arthur. i always will." she spoke, before leaving the room and closing the doors behind her.

THE PRINCESS and the rest of camelot arrived at their seats for a final time to watch the last day of the tournament. nerves filled isabella's body as she watched with her brows furrowed when arthur walked out.

the crowds cheers got louder, only increasing her fear as morgana, estella and gwen shared the same feeling. uther sent a short nod to the two knights.

arthur glanced towards isabella, and she put on a smile, nodding at him, he sent her a nod, seeing the fear in her eyes and forced himself to look away.

the fight began, and isabella watched, practically on the edge of her seat as she held her hands together, shaking slightly as she adjusted the tiara on her head.

arthur got knocked back slightly, which made her eyes widen and a nervous breath leave her lips as uther sat forward.

knight valiant's helmet got knocked off his head as arthur then took of his and the crowd cheered for him. valiant smiled mockingly at the prince, which only seemed to anger arthur further.

a horrified gasp escaped the crowd's lips as arthur fell to the floor as valiant ran towards him, even uther jumped up in his seat slightly. valiant stood in his shield, and slamming his sword down, which luckily arthur managed to roll over and stand up.

the princess let out a sigh of relief and clapped slowly as the fight continued. valiant knocked arthur's sword out of his hands and valiant shoved him against the wall.

all of a sudden, snakes began to appear out of his shield as isabella, and everybody else's, eyes widened in horror.

isabella stood up from her seat, uther doing the same as valiant looked angry at the shield. "he is using magic!" uther whispered.

"and now they see you for who you really are!" arthur spoke as valiant looked at him and chuckled darkly.

the snakes went onto the floor, "kill him." he yelled and the snakes began to try and bite arthur.

isabella quickly snatched a sword from a guard, seeing that he didn't have one. "arthur!" she called out, arthur turned around at her voice and caught the sword she threw at him.

arthur immediately beheaded the two snakes and then got back to fighting valiant. something happened, and the two came together as arthur whispered something in valiant's ear, before valiant fell to the floor.

the crowd cheered as isabella couldn't help but laugh in relief, clapping proudly as arthur looked at her, sending her a smile and a thankful nod which she returned.

the prince walked closer to where the princess was stood, and reached up to pull her down in for a hug as the crowd awed, clapping for the soon to be king and queen.

uther smiled, nodding in approval at the two before isabella sat back down, a small smile on her face.

ISABELLA WORE a pink gown to the feast, which was off shoulder and had flower patterns all over. she stood next to arthur as uther began to announce them. morgana hadn't accepted the champion having to escort her, and let arthur escort isabella instead.

"i give you prince arthur, your champion, and princess isabella, his future wife." uther announced as both of them chuckled at the titles and walked in the room, both of their crowns on their heads.

usually, isabella wore a tiara, but this time, she wore her crown to celebrate fully. the two smiled at the people who clapped for them as they walked towards the table.

"has your father apologised yet for not believing you?" she asked quietly, he smiled slightly.

"he'll never apologise."

"i'm sorry you feel that way." she spoke. he smiled down at her, pressing a light kiss to the side of her head as he then began to act arrogant again.

"well, that some tournament."  he said and she raised a brow at his change in attitude.

"well, it's not every day a princess gets to save her prince." she tilted her head.

he pulled a face and scoffed. "i wouldn't say i needed saving...i'm sure i would've thought of something." he nodded with a arrogant grin.

"so you're too proud to admit that you were saved by a girl...the girl being your future wife, too." she smirked slightly and his eyes widened.

"because i wasn't." he smirked back.

"okay...you know what? i wish knight valiant was escorting me instead of you." she lied, holding back a grimace. he laughed at her.

"you're a terrible liar, princess. plus, i know for a fact you hated the man."

"yes, yes. whatever, arthur. come on, can we sit down? i'm hungry." she tugged on his arm as he chuckled and followed her to their seats.

i love them 😩