❝ 𝕬𝖓𝖓𝖚𝖆𝖑 𝕿𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖓𝖆𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖙 ❞
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[ 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐈, 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐈𝐈 ; 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒕 ]

𝐉𝐄𝐍𝐍𝐘 𝐖𝐎𝐊𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐘 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆, she felt the rush of breeze creeping into her room, it howled softly through the gap of her window, she felt a strange urge when the soft wind blew on her face, immediately she was up that it was unintentional, it was an urge that got on her feet. But it wasn't windy at all when she stepped outside to haul water, the winds might've passed.

          When Jenny wakes up early before her mother, it is a sign that she had a dream, a dream that startled her, and Myriam falls into worrisome for the whole day while the girl goes through the day like she never had bad dreams before.

         So what dream Jenny startled her this time? When she does tell Myriam her dreams, they don't make sense. Neither Jenny make sense out of them. The startling dreams are full of mysteries, they don't often match, things aren't supposed to be way they are, like Autumn comes after Spring, like the sun would set and rise where they shouldn't been, oceans dry and mountains melt into water. Her nightmares are like puzzles, unfit ones.

         This morning was somehow different.

         The day was warm and bright, the blue filled the skies almost entirely and white fluffy clouds hovered across the sky. The day was near as perfect, as if Camelot has been blessed for this such beautiful day after what the unfortunate events at the feast during the festival for celebration. It wasn't so unfortunate at all; the festival would've ended with a great tragedy if the dagger hit Prince Arthur. Thanks to the new boy in Camelot, Merlin for saving the Prince's life.

         The day of an Annual Tournament was approaching. Every year, noblemen from all over the Kingdom come together, one who represent their noble house will participate, fight in a combat, see who makes to the top and crowned as champion. For the past years, Arthur Pendragon remains the champion. Shall he defend his title this year? Jenny was looking forward to the tournament, despite of how nerve-wracking it gets when she watches the men fighting with swords, nervous for any of them getting hurt.

          "I want to bet that Arthur won't make champion this year, you in?" Cedric said, enthusiastic about the tournament, his garments were all in dull brown and grey, leather boots and vest, bore a sword as it hung by his belt. He was on a break from knight training, he comes to the marketplace and loiters in Jenny's shop stand nearly every day during lunch.

          "Ced, you know I don't fancy gambling" the girl frowned at him, she was sewing a grey and ivory dress, adding some little silks to embroidered them into roses around it's collar, and some dark greens for ivies and thorns. "Besides, you'll lose the bet anyway"

          "It's just a wee bet, and Arthur's got to lose this time, he can't win three times in a row" There have been so many days where Cedric wish he could participate a tournament, but it seems it'll ever likely to happen, his father served and pledged for house Pendragon for so long, Cedric had this pressure in his chest to follow the steps of his father. But who knows that one of these days he'll participate one of the tournaments.

          Jenny wasn't paying attention around her as she was too focused sewing her dress that she plan to wear during the annual tournament, a voice chirped, "Hello, Jenny".

          She was surprised that it was Merlin, he was carrying some armour, barely holding them at once, "Oh hi, Merlin. How is your job as Prince's servant going?" she stood up, gently set her dress down on a chair she was sitting.

          "Oh, you know Arthur, it's been great!" His voice was loud at the last word, of course, he was being sardonic. "Prince Prat has been making me do everything he can't do, I'm exhausted"

          Cedric snorted, he was still eating the stew that Myriam made. Jenny expressed a sympathetic look, "It's what servants do, don't they? I think it's great that you're serving in a Royal Household. I've been serving for Morgana part time. It's not that bad" she shrugged, trying to cheer the boy up a little.

          Merlin set the armour down on the counter for a moment, he let out a dry chuckle, "Try serving Arthur, believe me" he flashed a smile.

          Jenny's chest heaved, she was about to speak, but was unable to find words except to express a gentle but awkward smile, "What's all this?" she gestured at the armour, she was suddenly so quick to change the subject and felt unexpectedly embarrassed.

          "Right, I'm supposed to meet Gwen at her place to teach me about all this . . . armour" Merlin replied, "I think she forgot to tell me where she lives, I just happen to pass by and thought you could tell me where she lives?"

          Guinevere? Guinevere who is Morgana's handmaiden for so long, she preferably be called as "Gwen". Jenny likes Guinevere a lot, she's sweet and kind, her and Jenny weren't close friends, they bump into each other, exchange little conversation, Jenny often drops by her home, for when Myriam cooks and she has Jenny to give the leftover to Guinevere and her father. Guinevere sometime is too busy to cook for her father and when her father is too busy at his job as a blacksmith to cook for his daughter after her long day at work.

          "Yes, yes." Jenny walked out of the stand, she turned to Cedric, "Mind if you watch my stuff?" He was shaking his head in response before giving a nod of go in an apathetic way. Merlin followed Jenny down the trail, making their way out of the marketplace.

          "You know, if I had the time right now, I could've teach you all about that armour" she gestured at the armour the boy was carrying.

          "Really? You know all about the armour?" Merlin was astounded. "How do you know all about it anyway? It's just you don't look like the type who would know— I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"

          "It's fine, I get it. I'm not into fighting with swords and wearing armours, it all seems . . . exhausting" she laughed lightly and somewhat embarrassed. "I just know all about it because my best friend, Cedric taught me, he used to try teaching me to how to use a sword and how to fight to defend myself when we were little" It was shortly after she met Cedric, those early days, the boy encouraged the girl to pick up a weapon, taught her to defend herself if the bullies come back to bully her again.

          "Best friend? Cedric? Oh— I thought you two were— you know, wrong idea" Merlin flushed from embarrassment and Jenny could see that. He quickly changed the subject "You serve Morgana? How come you're not working in the castle?"

          "I like the market, people love my work" she didn't want to add about how she loves getting all the praise from the women and girls for her beautiful work, she didn't want him to think that she was conceited or anything. There was another reason why she doesn't go to the castle, "and besides, I don't think the King enjoys my company within the castle"

          "Why?" Merlin was confused and curious.

          Jenny wasn't sure where to start, she didn't want to carry on her history, "You know how Uther is, his . . . hatred towards . . . magic"

          Merlin wondered quickly, astonished for a moment there, "So . . . are you—?"

          Jenny immediately knew what he was thinking, "Oh no, no" she chuckled sheepishly, "No. He just thinks that I am. If I was, I'd be dead long time ago"

          "Why does he suspect that?"

          Before Jenny could continue, she noticed they were near Guinevere's and her cot can be seen. "Maybe that's a story for another time," she halted, knowing that she had to go back to the market for her shop and Cedric's break should be over any moment. "I have to go back now. Gwen's place is right there, it's on the left" she pointed directly at Guinevere's place.

          "Thank you" Merlin smiled. "I'll see you around?"

          Jenny beamed and nodded, "I'll see you around"

───｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

          It was the day of the annual tournament. The day was cloudy but still bright out and slightly brisk. Knights from all over the Kingdom have arrived Camelot starting yesterday, some arrived late last night when the town was asleep. The tourney took place near the walls of the town, there were three sections of grandstands, facing the arena where knights will fight.

         Jenny arrived the arena with her mother and her friend, they seated themselves in the front to get closer view of the tourney, they were in the middle section of the grandstands where the King was also seated with the Royal Court. The grandstands were decorated in red and gold which were the colours for house Pendragon, Pendragon banners were all over as it is the host of the tournament. Jenny wore the ivory, grey gown she made for this event, the daylight brought out the hints of purple from the gown, and the roses embroidered around her collar with dark green ivies and thorns. The gown brought out her auburn hair that was half tied in an elegant knot and her twinkling blue eyes.

        The drumming began, signalling that the tournament is about to begin, it intensified every minute, nearing the start, the drumming was getting rhythmic when the sight of the participants approached the arena from the gates of the town. They were formed in two lines, about fourteen of them in each line. Each of them wearing different shades of colour capes, representing their home colours. The crowd applauded and cheered for them.

         Jenny found some of the participants so intimidating than last year, most of them looked older and had long-time experience of fighting, and so very few of them being young. Arthur was one of those few being the youngest. When they halted in front of the arena, facing the King's seat, the music stopped playing and the King approached the knights.

         "Knights of the Realm" Uther began, "it's a great honor to welcome you to the tournament of Camelot. Over the next three days, you will come to put your bravery to the test, your skills as warriors l, 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 one thousand gold pieces"

         The treasurer of the court opened a small chest and revealing a thousand worth of gold coins, the crowd fell in awe and murmured by the sight of the gold.

         "It is in combat that we learn a knight's true nature whether he is indeed a warrior or a coward" Uther said, he then waved a hand up and declared "the tournament begins!"

         The crowd erupted much louder cheers and applause, the knights scattered off the arena except Prince Arthur and another Knight who's garments were all in dark greens and light greys, his shield was striped with greens and light yellow with dark sigils printed over the green lines.

         The combat began without a signal, the two knights just approached each other, keeping their stance positions and their swords clashed. The swords clashing somehow rose above the cheers and applause, Jenny wasn't sure what people were cheering for, encouraging for their Prince to win or they were enjoying the show, maybe both. Jenny's heart intensified for Arthur, she was on the edge of her seat, grasped her mother's hand in anxiousness. The fight lasted for long several minutes until finally, victory was met by Arthur. He won his first match and will be moving on the next round with a next opponent.

          The tournament went on, there was a yellow Knight, whose crest was a snake with yellow and green colors. He won in the next fight after Arthur, the yellow Knight knocked down his opponent with his armoured knuckles, moving on to the next round. Next was a warrior who bore two swords and with a Knight with dark crimson colors, Jenny found the man with two swords a lot intimidating when he showed his skills of how he could swing and spun both of his swords around. A lot of these fighters were getting hurt and knocked down, but all of them who were knocked off the rounds stood back up when their match was done. Arthur won his second match and was moving on which his third match against another opponent will be taken place the next day.

          The last very last fight of the day was finished by the yellow Knight winning, beating the man with two swords, Jenny wasn't sure if she should be worried over this yellow Knight whose skills are matched with Arthur's, or maybe his skills were much greater than the Prince's.

          "I'm betting that Knight Valiant stands his chance of winning this tournament" Cedric said, everyone began leaving the arena for the day and the tournament will resume tomorrow. "He was pretty well today, probably the best fighter I've seen today"

          "Yes, he was impressive" Jenny murmured, she walked out of the arena with her mother and entered the gates of the town. "But I still believe Arthur will win"

          "I don't understand why he's still competing," Cedric whined "let another knight have the chance, what's he fighting for? Surely, he's not fighting to win all that thousand gold pieces when he's already worth more than that. Why does he need it?"

          "It's not the gold he's after, dear boy" Myriam said, "He's the future King, he wants to prove that to his father and their people"

          Cedric was never a fan of Arthur since he began his training, his early days of training were rough because of the mistreatment he got from Arthur. Cedric used to believe that he'd be friends with Arthur because of their fathers, how Cedric's father served for the King, helped winning his wars and helped the King to succeed his goals. The boy was training to be a knight and serve the King, serve Uther like his father did, and God forbid, not for Arthur.

───｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

          Second day of the tournament had seemingly been blessed by another beautiful day. Jenny walked to the tourney with her mother and Cedric again, the arena was the same as it was left yesterday, the three of them made their place on the same seat as yesterday. Everything and everyone were the same, her mother dressed the same, wearing a mossy green gown, letting her dark wavy hair down, and Jenny's gown remained the same, but her hair was different.

          This day of the tournament, they got more intense than yesterday, the knights were fighting harder than yesterday, as if their fights yesterday were all children's play. The number of competitors decreased to half of them today, half of them knocked out yesterday and then most of them gone. Half a dozen of knights now. Very few of them and the rounds will continue tomorrow.

          There was a purple knight, Ewan who went unconscious in the end, he fought against the yellow knight, Valiant. Valiant had Knight Ewan pinned down against the ground for the longest moment before Valiant was on his feet, showed no mercy when he knocked the poor knight with the pommel of the sword. Everyone applauded for Knight Valiant. Court Physician, Gaius hurried over Knight Ewan to check, but in the end, the knight was carried off in a stretcher back to the town with Gaius following.

          "Do you think he'll be okay?" Jenny said in a low voice to her mother.

          "I'm sure Gaius will get him back on his feet," Myriam reassured. Jenny was only worried because of how brutal Knight Valiant had gotten than yesterday, he was unstoppable today, fought impressively but slightly barbaric, and she did not like Valiant today, too ruthless that one. How merciless he was.

          When evening fell, Myriam's ache on her shoulder was not going away, it's been days, Jenny had to help her through the town from the tourney, with Cedric's help too. Myriam constantly said she was fine but Jenny knew she wasn't. It must've been the injury she had a week ago.

          "Perhaps Gaius will have something to ease the pain" Jenny implied, "I'll go and ask him if he has something"

          Myriam hesitated, "Okay" she got up to start cooking supper while Jenny leaves to the castle.

          The town seemed to be dying down slowly, everyone preparing to settle for the night, marketplace abandoned for the rest of the day, except for the taverns, the usual costumers preparing for their drunken night, children heading home as their curfew was near, and the sun was also getting ready to settle. The skies showered by the sunset colours and the darkened blues hinting the night was on the verge.

          When she arrived the castle, only guards were around, the auburn-haired girl strolled through the halls and stairs until finding Gaius's chambers. Before she entered the chambers or make her announcement, there was somebody else in the chambers, but she knew Merlin was living with Gaius and she heard them talking almost intensely. She couldn't interrupt them talking, nor she cannot leave without any pain medicine for her mother. She halted by the door, hearing Gaius and Merlin, she couldn't help it to listen . . .

          "Perhaps, but do you have any proof?" this was Gaius asking.

          "Don't you believe me?" said Merlin.

          "I fear you'll land yourself in trouble" Gaius was worried, "How will you explain why you were in Valiant's chambers?"

          This made Jenny's brows furrowed in wonder and confusion, she didn't notice she leaned in against the door to hear clear and loud. "What does that matter? He's using magic to cheat in the tournament!" Merlin argued.

          Valiant? Valiant is using magic? Jenny was aghast. "But you can't go accusing a knight of using magic without proof. The King would never accept the word of a servant over the word of a knight" Gaius warned.

          "So what I say doesn't count for anything?"

          "I'm afraid it counts for very little as far as the King is concerned, that's the way it is"

          Merlin didn't respond to that, he can be heard departing the chambers, for a moment, Jenny thought he was coming her way but no, he left to another room. Jenny took a moment, she felt like she just invaded a privacy, she knew she wasn't supposed to hear, this was between Merlin and Gaius, but she now heard it almost all of it. But to learn that Valiant is using magic to cheat his way to win the tournament was surprising, she never heard anyone cheating their way to victory in the tournament, it was not fair.

          But is it true though? Should she believe a servant over a knight? But this servant wasn't any other servant to her, it's Merlin, he was her new friend. A friend she barely knows though, but knight Valiant, she saw how barbaric he was today, she don't know him.

          Jenny had to pretend she didn't heard what she just heard, she had to pretend she just arrived, she reluctantly knocked on the door and Gaius responded for her to come in. She opened the door and peered her head in, smiled at the man, "Hello,"

          "Oh, hello, Jenny" Gaius smiled back, he smiled like he never had a conversation with Merlin earlier. "I didn't expect you here this evening, what brings you here?"

          "My mother, she recently had a minor injury, her shoulder has been aching and all this time, you know how stubborn she can be, all this time she thought the pain would go away on it's on, and I was wondering if you have any remedy for her" She was standing by the door and didn't notice knight Ewan on the cot. unconscious. He should be up on his feet by now as he's in perfectly good hands by Gaius.

          "Oh yes, I did, but unfortunately, all the pain remedies have been used, because of the tournament, knights come to me for pain relievers, so I'm all out for now"

          "Oh, well, maybe next time, I'll just let my mother know that she'll have to hang on for a day or two" she said.

          "I'm sorry, I really am, I'll get the remedy ready very soon" Gaius promised.

          Jenny couldn't help to wonder about the knight on the cot. "Is he okay?" she gestured at Ewan.

          "Well, yes" Gaius hesitated. "He's resting, you shouldn't worry, but worry and take care of your mother, Jenny. Tell her what I said, she should be fine for a few days"

          Jenny nodded, her eyes were across the room, toward the door where Merlin should be, a bit of hope that he'll come out and she'll say her good night. "All right, good night, Gaius" she said sweetly.

          "Good night to you too and your mother" he said.

          Jenny left the chambers without looking back or said anything else.

───｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

          Another day of the tournament, the third day, the eve of the final tournament. Very few knights left. Jenny was anxious, she couldn't help to think about what she heard yesterday, about Valiant using magic, could he use it again in his match against his next opponent? But what kind exactly magic he's using? That's the part she couldn't understand.

          Arthur was going to fight a knight who is the biggest knight participating the tournament. The big knight stands tall like a grizzly bear, one of those two will make it to the finals tomorrow. The big Knight standing over Arthur made the Prince look short. But Cedric always said that the big and tall people are so slow but those with average height have the advantage of being quicker and swift.

          When the fight started, Arthur and the big knight danced around in circles with their swords clashing one another, there were plenty of times where Arthur almost dropped his guard and lost to the big knight. The Prince fought harder, he was quicker than the other, he dodged the opponent's sword a few times, shielded himself with his shield until finally, he had the big knight drop his guard and the Prince knocked him down with his shield, ending the combat. Arthur won and he'll be fighting the final round of the tournament tomorrow.

          The next fight was Knight Valiant, his fight against his opponent was short and quick than Arthur's recent fight. Knight Valiant knocked out his opponent with his fist, winning the round. Jenny tried to watch carefully for him, to see if she could catch him in act of doing magic, but she didn't see anything. She did not find herself cheering for him this time while everyone around bellowed and applauded for Valiant. He won and that means he's going up against Arthur tomorrow. If knight Valiant is really using magic to cheat his way up to the victory, then he is no knight, he has no honor, he's no warrior.

          What happened to Knight Ewan when Valiant fought him yesterday? Jenny saw Ewan resting in Gaius's chambers, like he wasn't in a good shape, perhaps whatever happened to Ewan involved with Valiant using magic. Or like Gaius said, Ewan was just resting. If magic is what placed him in that condition, same thing could happen to Arthur.

          "Cheer up, Jenny" Cedric nudged the girl's arm, he, Jenny and Myriam made their way across town from the tournament. "What's troubling you today? You've been awfully quiet and it's depressing" Cedric always thought that when Jenny smiles, it's a good day, her smile brings joy to his day, like his day is going to be okay. But when she's not, it's as if something bad is going to happen.

          "Prince Arthur is going to fight Knight Valiant tomorrow" Jenny fret, she hadn't told them about what she heard, if she told them, would they believe her? Especially the accusations were coming from a servant.

          "Ah yes, he will" Cedric beamed, also relieved that the reason the girl was troubled was just over a Prince. He rolled his eyes, "I'm still holding my bet for Valiant. Poor Jenny, fretting over her precious Prince losing tomorrow" he cooed.

          Jenny didn't respond, she would punch him on his arm in response if she wasn't so gloomy today. "Jenny, what is wrong?" Myriam was worried.

          "If I tell you, you'd probably wouldn't believe me" Especially the words were coming from Merlin if Myriam and Cedric questioned how she knew all about it.

          "You're my daughter, why wouldn't I believe you?" Myriam soothed.

          "And I'm your best friend" Cedric added as he raised his hand up to his shoulder. "Your very most trustworthy friend, you can tell me anything"

          She couldn't tell them right now, not while surrounded a lot of people, so she waited until they were at her home, she explained what she heard, what Gaius and Merlin said about Valiant. She also explained why Merlin could be right. What could happen to Arthur after what happened to knight Ewan. Only Cedric was seemingly dubious and her mother showed concern, still Jenny wasn't sure if her mother believed her, Myriam went on to start cooking supper, even though it was barely evening.

          "Okay, you've heard this from a servant? Specifically, Merlin, Arthur's servant . . . the idiot" said Cedric. "and you believe him? Over a knight who likely made vows and has honor"

          "To be fair, no one really knows who Valiant is, neither we do" Jenny shrugged.

          "And you barely know Merlin"

          "I consider him my friend" Jenny admitted, "but telling you all this don't matter at all, nothing can be done anyways, I'm just being honest and telling you of Valiant's true colors. Wouldn't want you putting your little bets on a wrong knight"

          Cedric sighed sharply, obviously disappointed, "Now look what you've done," he grumbled, "I'm conflicted!"

───｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

          The final day of the tournament was supposed to take place today, but the King announced that the final match has been postponed until tomorrow. From what Jenny heard from another person who works in the household, the Prince have summoned the court today and has news to share to the King and the entire court. Could Merlin have taken action against Valiant by now? If he did, the tournament would've been withdrawn by now and Valiant would be locked away. With any practice or usage of magic is a death sentence, Valiant's fate is obvious. But Jenny haven't heard anything about tournament being withdrawn or about Valiant, that means the fight tomorrow will still happen.

          After spending her day working, Jenny settled her shop, went home for a bit before leaving to the castle to meet Gaius and hoped he had medicine for her mother. Gaius said the medicine will be done tomorrow and it will be ready. When Jenny left the castle, she found Merlin sitting miserably on the marble steps in front of the main entrance of the castle.

          She approached him, halted in front of him, "Hello, Merlin" she greeted tenderly.

          "Hi" He was sullen and barely looked up at her.

          "I'd ask how you're doing, but seeing how you are right now, I assume you're not good right now" she said.

          Merlin said nothing briefly. "I got sacked"

          Jenny offered no response, except to show sympathy for him, she reluctantly sat down sext to him. "I'm sorry to hear that. What happened?"

          "You'd probably wouldn't believe me" Merlin muttered.

          Jenny had a hunch that he might be preferring to the accusations towards Valiant. Jenny was nervous and at the same time, embarrassed to admit, "I got a confession to make" she began, she took a breath in, then let out, "I eavesdropped on you and Gaius about Valiant two nights ago. I know, it's rude of me to invade you and Gaius's conversations. I heard only that Valiant is using magic and you want to warn to Arthur about it . . . Did you?" she looked at him.

          Merlin's expression read in surprise and somewhat, relieved. He glimpsed down at his feet, "I did . . . he did believe me, we tried to expose Valiant to the King but unfortunately, it didn't go as planned and I got Arthur humiliated instead. Uther didn't believe us. That's why I got sacked"

          Jenny sighed, "That is indeed unfortunate. There's nothing can be done, isn't it? and Valiant is going to get away with it"

          "Unfortunately" Merlin murmured. "And Valiant will use his enchanted shield to kill Arthur. Like he did to Ewan"

         Enchanted shield? Knight Ewan is dead? Jenny was appalled. She didn't know what to say, felt the need to help and do something, but she had nothing. She felt helpless and all she could do was offer suggestions. "I think all you can do is try and persuade Arthur to withdraw from the fight" Even though it won't happen, as she knew a Prince wouldn't dare to withdraw without making everyone to think he's a coward. "Or find another way to expose Valiant. If there is a possibility"

          "I could try and convince him to withdraw" Merlin knew it was hopeless, it was better than nothing.

          Jenny stood up, turned to Merlin before she leaves. "I'm sorry that I could not be more helpful. Good luck with persuading Arthur"

          "Why do you believe me? I mean, you barely know me. Most would believe a knight over a servant" Merlin asked.

          Jenny smiled and huffed softly, "You're not a servant to me, Merlin, you're my friend"

───｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

          "Are you still betting on Valiant?" Jenny asked Cedric, "I hope you didn't, or neither you made any. It would be barbaric if you do" she said this because Arthur might die today. Die in front of his people.

          Cedric didn't answer. It was officially the final day of the tournament and the only remaining opponents are Arthur and Valiant. At the end of the tournament, the victor will be revealed. Jenny almost had a sleepless night, thinking of how it will go down in this final, her sleep was restless despite she overslept, she had little time to get ready and she was rushing. She wore a different dress this time, it was a sleeved blue gown that matched her eyes and made her braided auburn hair so bright that can be noticed from a mile away. She didn't try to look perfect; she didn't feel perfect or beautiful today, she did indeed look she had a restless night and her eyes were noticeably tired. Her well-being wasn't important, not this day.

          Valiant was already in the arena, stood at his side of the arena, facing where Arthur would stand. Jenny didn't refer Valiant as 'Knight Valiant' anymore.

          Applause bellowed for the arrival of Arthur. Jenny clapped along with the crowd, almost miserably and weak as she was so worried of what could happen. She hoped somebody could stop this fight at this instant. Arthur made his place, put his helmet on, his sword and Valiant's sword cling together as if its gesture of 'good luck' to each other and then both were on their fighting stance.

          Valiant shouted and charged forward, the swords clashing began.

          Both tried to strike each other with their swords, shielding themselves by the strikes, Arthur swung the sword at Valiant's feet, but he dodged back, Arthur against strike his sword down at Valiant but defended himself with his shield. It was Valiant's turn to strike back, swung his sword at Arthur again and again but the Prince dodged and used his shield block the sword. When Arthur's sword met with Valiant's sword, Valiant lunged forward with his shield, crashing onto Arthur's shield and the Prince stumbled backward. Jenny fidgeted at this moment and grasped onto her mother's arm.

          Both fighters backed away for a moment, stood in their stance position until Arthur charged forward this time, there were more swords clashing, striking each other, shielding themselves again and again, went around in circles until Arthur knocked Valiant's helmet off his head, Arthur stepped back, pulling his own helmet off, Valiant took his hood off and Arthur followed. The intensity arise from the fight, amusing the audience that they cheered so loud.

          Valiant charged ahead, he was quick this time, his foot stomped on Arthur's foot, struck him on the chin with his fist, sending Arthur staggering back and fell. Valiant let out a yell as he charged on the Prince, stomp and pressed Arthur's shield so he wouldn't defend himself, Valiant stuck down his sword at Arthur, but Arthur slipped off his shield and rolled away, Valiant's sword missed by an inch. Jenny wasn't the only one who gasped at that close call, everyone else did. Arthur having no shield, tried his hardest to fend for himself with his sword but got knocked out of his hand. Arthur quickly lunged forward, had his hands on Valiant's sword and shield arms. Valiant pushed forward, pinned Arthur against a wall, Arthur pushed back, thrust his arm on Valiant, sending him to stagger back into the middle of the arena.

          Then something happened. Valiant's shield came alive, the snakes magically emerged from it, two snakes, hissing loudly and prepare to attack Arthur. Everyone fell in shock, the audience were on their feet, trying to get a clear look at what they were seeing.

          "What are you doing?" Valiant can be heard, speaking the snakes, "I didn't summon you!"

          "And now they see you for who you really are" Prince Arthur taunted as Valiant looked at the crowd, he has been exposed and now everyone knows that he's a cheat.

          Valiant chuckled, the two snakes slithered out of the shield, slithering towards Arthur, "Kill him" Valiant ordered the snakes. Both snakes attempted to attack the Prince, he backed and dodged from them.

          Morgana pulled the sword from one of the guards near her, "Arthur!" she called. Arthur turned and Morgana tossed the sword to him. He caught the sword, swung the sword at Valiant away, Arthur sliced both snakes' heads off and charged once again at Valiant. It took a couple of swings until Valiant's sword was knocked off, then finally, Arthur struck him into the abdomen, killing him.

          When Valiant fell, the audience applauded, meanwhile Jenny hesitantly clapped, all she felt was relief for the Prince, she knew that either way Valiant was knocked down, he'd be executed. He tried to kill Arthur and already killed one of the Knights who didn't deserved it. Perhaps Valiant deserved to die after all.

          Later on, it was evening, the feast hadn't started, Jenny just left Morgana's chambers to present her a gift, which was a gown for the feast. Morgana offered her an invitation to the feast but Jenny kindly apologized and turned down the offer, she felt like staying put in her home with her mother, on her way out of the castle, she went straight to Gaius's chambers to pick up her mother's medicine.

          When she arrived the chambers, she knocked, heard Gaius to come in, she found him at the table, having supper meanwhile spotted Merlin quickly shutting the door of his room, as if he was doing that she shouldn't see. "Oh, hello, Jenny" Gaius greeted, "Right, I have Myriam's medicine ready" Gaius was on his feet and moved to one of the shelves.

          Jenny waved at Merlin awkwardly, he waved back with a shy smile as he went over to the supper table. Jenny turned to Gaius and reached a vile of medicine, giving it to Jenny. "Thank you so much, Gaius"

          "You're most welcome" Gaius said kindly.

          Before Jenny said her good night to him and Merlin. There were loud barkings from Merlin's room, it caught Jenny's attention and curiosity. She immediately knew what it was, she fell into excitement and went giddy as she grinned enthusiastically, "I didn't know you had a dog, Merlin!" she walked towards the room.

         "Uhm— Jenny, I wouldn't go in there if I were you" Merlin uttered in worry, got up, hurrying to her.

         But Jenny was already opening the door before Merlin stopped her. She found a Rottweiler dog by the door, barking in the most defensive way, barking aggressively at the girl. But Jenny wasn't afraid. She merely gasped in surprise, "Who are you, lil fella?" She cooed. The dog continued to bark until she raised a hand at the dog, made a sign gesture, "No . . ." The dog suddenly stopped barking. "Sit" she commanded and the dog obeyed. "Good boy" she pet the dog's head and chin while the tail wiggled.

         "Oh, you know . . . Dogs" Merlin stammered in surprise.

         "And you don't? Is he not yours?" Jenny stared at Merlin in confusion.

         "Well— I just found him today, he's a stray I think, since he's got no collar or he's neither from the castle" Merlin said, like he barely found words to say.

         "Dogs like this lil fella here are very affectionate and loyal to their owners" Jenny was on her knee as she kept petting the dog. "He'll take good care of you"

         Merlin quickly had an idea, maybe it was a bad one but maybe no one will notice where he really found the dog. "Do you want to keep him?"

         Gaius uttered an incoherent sound out of his throat, about to protest but he didn't. Jenny looked up at Merlin, beaming, "Really?!"

         Merlin nodded, "Yeah. If you want to"

         "Are you kidding? I'd love to!" Jenny was giddy, she jumped to her feet, threw her arms around Merlin and hugged him tightly. Merlin felt a fluttering feeling in his stomach and hugged back. He grinned at Gaius who read disapproval in his face before Merlin gave a thumb up. When Jenny let go of Merlin, she turned back to the dog, "Come on, boy. Let's go" she clapped once, made hand gestures, Merlin wasn't sure what made the dog to obey the girl, her hand gestures or her commands. But all he knew was that he made the girl happy. His new friend, he made her happy and that made him feel happy.

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yepp, ig i'm writing an entire episode for each chapter xD
I already adore jenny and merlin?? this season will likely to
explore their growing friendship, build them up before
it turns "romance" because I'm a sucker for slow burns ^_^