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Valiant

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Light dawned the morning of the first day of the tournament and Nerissa was already awake. She was awake partially due to excitement from getting to attend the tournament with Gwen and Lady Morgana. But she was also already awake because that voice called out to her once again last night. Nerissa desperately wished to know who was calling out for her in the night, if only because then she might be able to get a decent night's sleep once again. But also because Merlin for some reason felt she wasn't capable of handling whatever it was he knew about the voice. She wanted to prove her brother wrong, as a sister naturally does.

Nerissa hobbled over to the cupboard to look through the dresses Lady Kenna had given to her. She decided on a rather simple dark green dress for the occasion, not quite sure what to expect from her first tournament. Nerissa's knowledge of tournaments consisted only of what she had heard Merlin reading aloud to her while he was studying the subject himself. Tournaments like this weren't held in a small, sleepy place like Ealdor.

She brushed her hair but was unsure of how to style it. So, she left it cascading down her back in soft auburn waves before slowly hobbling downstairs.

When she passed Merlin's room, she peeked inside to find her brother still sleeping and snoring rather loudly. It would only be a matter of time before Prince Prat called for him, so Nerissa opted to let her brother continue sleeping instead of pressing him on the matter he was hiding from her. Merlin would be no use to her freshly woken and cranky. Although, it might be rather fun to send a cranky Merlin to Prince Prat. But for today, she decided to play nice. There would be plenty of other times Nerissa could manage to get the information she desired.

Gaius was also still asleep when she got downstairs. Nerissa's brow furrowed as she frowned seeing her uncle sleeping on the makeshift bed. She knew she said that he usually slept there anyway, but she still felt a bit guilty about kicking him out of his room. Trying to assuage her guilt, Nerissa opened one of his books of science and set to reading while she prepared breakfast. She was bound and determined to be helpful enough to Gaius to earn her keep in Camelot. And if Uther found her singing to be enough to his satisfaction, perhaps he might call on her more often to perform, which ought to help ease the burden she had created.

Just as Nerissa added fruit she had dried to the porridge over the fire, Merlin came bounding down the stairs at a breakneck pace. Well, breakneck for Merlin.

"Why did you let me oversleep?" Merlin shouted at his sister as he took the wooden spoon from her hand and dipped it into the porridge.

Nerissa stared at him with wide eyes, but she blinked her shock away and folded her arms across her chest. "Sorry for thinking you could use some more sleep before the big day. Next time I have the opportunity to be nice to you, I won't."

Merlin rolled his eyes and shoved a spoonful of porridge into his mouth. "I'm late!" Merlin said, after swallowing the porridge. "That's good by the way." He then dipped the spoon back into the kettle.

"Where could you possibly need to be this early in the morning?" Nerissa scoffed, trying to take the wooden spoon from her brother, but with her ankle still on the mend, he managed to move quicker than her, for once in his life.

Merlin shoved another spoonful in his mouth. "Gwen offered to help me figure out the armour," he said with food still in his mouth. Nerissa crinkled her nose in disgust at her brother's lack of manners. "She needs me to be there before she goes to Morgana."

"Well, maybe if you'd have told me, I could have woken you up," Nerissa bitterly retorted. "Seems to be quite a lot aren't telling me."

"You're being ridiculous, why would I have asked you to wake me? You're never up before me."

Nerissa threw her hands up in frustration. "Then why did you yell at me for letting you oversleep?"

"First of all, I didn't yell." Merlin took another spoonful of porridge. "Second of all, I needed to rile you up to distract you so I could eat some breakfast." He pointed to the wooden spoon he dipped in the kettle once more.

Nerissa rolled her eyes. "You could have just asked for a bowl," she muttered.

"But this way was more fun. Let's do it again sometime." Merlin dropped the wooden spoon into the kettle. Nerissa was about to yell at him when her brother drew her into a hug and softly kissed the top of her head. With a sigh, she hugged him back. "Be good at the tournament today."

She scoffed as Merlin untangled himself from her. "Look who's talking," Nerissa teased.

Merlin winked at his sister and turned on his heel to leave when Nerissa called out to him. "Wait!"

He stopped and gave her a look asking her what she wanted, without saying it. Nerissa motioned for him to come closer. Merlin trudged toward her sister reluctantly. She tucked her hair behind her head. "I know this tradition is normally for a knight and his lady, but I got to thinking after you read about tokens..."

Nerissa pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve. She looked up at her brother and offered him a small smile. "I thought you could use some luck today too."

She handed Merlin the handkerchief and he examined it, smiling at her. It was one of their mother's handkerchiefs. Nerissa sighed with relief that he seemed to understand the gesture. He shoved the handkerchief into his pocket before he hugged his sister once more.

Merlin ruffled his sister's hair and then left. Nerissa shook her head, trying to comb her hair with her fingers. She wasn't sure she would ever understand her brother. After pouring herself a bowl of porridge, Nerissa set down at the table and continued to read more about medicine and science as she ate. Most people wouldn't be able to stomach such a feat, but Nerissa was more than capable of such a thing. In some ways, life in Ealdor had prepared her well. But not all things, she would eventually come to learn.

When it was nearly time for the tournament, Lukas came bursting into the physician's quarters to escort Nerissa. She smiled at the boy's thoughtfulness, although he did make sure to tell her that it was Lady Morgana who told him to fetch her. Not that he minded, of course, he was quick to add on. In Nerissa's short tenure in Camelot, Lukas, despite their age difference, seemed to be her closest friend and for that she was thankful. Back in Ealdor, she had been severely lacking in the friend department.

Nerissa leaned heavily upon Lukas as they descended the stairs. Why did there have to be so many bloody stairs? It was like King Uther was trying to make a point of his status...with stairs. Who needed so many stairs? Not her, that was for certain. Someday, she would live somewhere without so many bloody stairs.

They were nearly halfway to the tournament arena when Nerissa told Lukas they needed to stop for a spell. Perhaps she had been too hasty in her pace or maybe she wasn't ready for such a distance yet. Nerissa sat down on an overturned barrel and gently rubbed the ankle which was still wrapped in bandages for support.

"Should I go look for a cart?" Lukas asked, his concern for her was written all over his face He looked over his shoulder to see where exactly they were. "I think ol' Gregory would let me borrow his. I can run real fast..."

"No. Absolutely not," Nerissa told him. "I don't want to make such a scene, coming in on a carriage. No. We left plenty early enough to account for my ankle. I just need a small respite and I'll be ready."

Lukas didn't look convinced. "I don't want Gaius angry with me. Or Merlin. Or Lady Morgana. She told me to get you there safely and then to the feast so you can sing..."

"Lukas, I'll be fine," Nerissa protested.

"Sorry, I hate to interrupt..." someone interrupted.

Both Nerissa and Lukas turned to see a knight beside them. Nerissa was certain this was a knight given the fact he was wearing chainmail and armour, but he wasn't a knight of Camelot. No, this knight was dressed in yellow, not Camelot's crimson.

"Knight Valiant of the Western Isles, at your service, milady," the man said, swooping down into a rather formal bow, far too formal given their situation.

Nerissa blushed. "I-I'm not a lady," she stammered, tucking her hair behind her ears. "I mean, I'm a lady but I'm not a lady." She chewed her lip nervously as Valiant stood tall and looked her in the eye.

"Well, you certainly look like one," he offered with a wry smile. Lukas scowled at that comment, but Valiant continued, "You are this evening's singer, no?"

"I am."

Valiant gave a small nod of his head. "Now, I couldn't help but overhear you seem to be having some difficulties getting to the tournament. I thought I might be able to be of some assistance."

"I couldn't ask that of you," Nerissa quickly offered, tucking her hair behind her ear again, even though it was already tucked in place.

"You don't have to. I'm offering."

"She has me," Lukas said, puffing his chest out and standing a little taller.

Valiant seemed to chuckle at that before he ruffled Lukas's hair, which young Lukas did not approve of. He moved out of Valiant's reach. It was clear Lukas did not like Knight Valiant. Valiant then sighed slightly and hung his head. "I suppose I ought to tell you my true motives. I overheard you were sitting with Lady Morgana and I was hoping to make an impression on her because I heard she would escort the winner of the tournament and ...."

"Say no more," Nerissa said holding her hands up for him to stop.

"Yeah, say no more," Lukas muttered under his breath, with his arms folded across his chest.

If Knight Valiant was trying to gain Morgana's favour, she certainly wouldn't stand in his way. He was awfully handsome and while she didn't know Lady Morgana long, she was certain even a blind old bat could find Valiant handsome. While Nerissa knew nothing of this Knight Valiant, she supposed it couldn't hurt matters for her to help him.

"I would very much appreciate your assistance, Knight Valiant," Nerissa said, which made Lukas's eyes nearly bulge out of his head.

Valiant smiled and offered her a small bow. "It would be my honour..." his eyebrow quirked. "I'm sorry, I don't even know your name."

"Nerissa. I'm Nerissa." Nerissa beamed brightly as he held her hand out for him to shake. Valiant took her hand and placed a gentle kiss on her hand, which made her blush once more. Lukas rolled his eyes.

"That's a beautiful name, lass."

Nerissa blushed again.

Lukas muttered something unintelligible under his breath.

"Any chance you're from Gaeafel?" Valiant asked. "If I recall correctly from my travels, that's a family name there."

Nerissa shook her head. "Ealdor, born and raised."

Knight Valiant offered a slight nod of understanding. "Well then, let's get you to the tournament."

Nerissa smiled as Valiant took her hands and helped her to her feet. He then bent down and wrapped an arm under the crook of her knees and another on her back before he picked her up and carried her bridal style. "Wrap your arms around my neck," Valiant ordered Nerissa.

She did as she was told.

Knight Valiant then began to carry her toward the tournament arena with Lukas scowling behind them. Nerissa continued to blush as deeply as a tomato as Valiant carried her through the crowd of people, some of whom began to whisper about her. But Nerissa knew he was only helping her to gain eventual favour with Lady Morgana. She wasn't sure she minded all that much.

But she knew it was especially worth it when Knight Valiant carried her past Merlin and Prince Prat. The looks on their faces made the whole ordeal worth it. Both of them scowled in their direction. Nerissa grinned and waved at her brother. She was too focused on her brother's scowl to see that Arthur had lifted his arm and waved back at her. But Knight Valiant didn't miss the exchange.

"Prince Arthur?" Valiant asked.

"More like Prince Prat," Nerissa scoffed. "He's the reason I'm laid up such as I am." She lifted her ankle.

"Doesn't sound very princely...or knightly," Valiant offered. "To purposely hurt a girl..."

Nerissa blushed. "I don't believe he did it on purpose it's just that..."

"He hurt you, didn't he?"

Nerissa nodded her head.

"Does that seem like worthy behaviour of a champion?"

She sighed.

"And that's why I intend to usurp Arthur."

Nerissa chewed her bottom lip. She knew nothing of this man or his fighting capabilities, but his words were icy. Something about them rubbed her the wrong way, but when Valiant offered her a smile, it seemed to melt any hesitancy she had felt.

"You're going to have to direct me toward Lady Morgana."

Morgana was already seated near the king's box and Gwen was with her. Nerissa pointed in their direction and Valiant gallantly carried her to her spot on the bench beside Morgana. Both Morgana and Gwen had that look in their eyes that said she was going to have to spill the details as soon as Valiant was gone. Once Nerissa was seated, Valiant gave one final bow before he left to prepare himself for the tournament.

"What was that about?" Gwen asked.

"Better yet, who was that?" Morgana questioned.

"I believe he called himself, Knight Valiant," Nerissa responded rather coyly, which only made Gwen and Morgana want to know more. Nerissa threw her head back in laughter before she explained the situation to Morgana and Gwen, who were even more intrigued by Knight Valiant.

"Seems the age of gallantry isn't over," Morgana mused with a smile.

Lukas muttered under his breath from his spot beside Nerissa. Nerissa shot Lukas a concerned glance, but he seemed to be too busy pouting to see it. She elbowed him in the ribs and was just about to say something to him when the knights began marching into the arena and the crowd began to cheer, which seemed to make Lukas return to his usual jovial self.

The knights stood in their lined formation and the crowd cheered even louder. Nerissa noticed that Lady Morgana seemed to have her eye on a certain valiant knight, who seemed to be looking right back at the king's ward. At least he did until the horns sounded and King Uther entered the arena.

King Uther held his hands up as he faced the crowd for a moment before he turned to face the knights. Nerissa clapped along with the crowd, but not nearly as enthusiastically as the rest. Uther motioned for silence.

"Knights of the realm, it's a great honour to welcome you to a tournament at Camelot," Uther greeted the men who were eager to fight. "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."

Nerissa found herself glancing in Prince Prat's direction. He seemed very focused on his father as the crowd cheered for him, although he did glance her way for a split second. Nerissa pretended not to notice, but she did see his glance. She held her head high and waited for Uther to continue.

"Only one can have the honour of being crowned champion, and he will receive a prize of 1,000 gold pieces."

A wooden chest was opened, revealing the gold pieces. Nerissa's eyes widened. She had never seen so much gold in all her life. She had never imagined so much gold at once before. It was quite a sum to win. No wonder so many people wanted to take on Prince Prat. Nerissa mused that almost all of them would be better off with the prize money than Prince Prat.

Uther continued, "It is in combat that we learn a knight's true nature, whether he is indeed a warrior or a coward. The tournament begins!"

Most of the crowd got to their feet and began cheering. Even Lukas was jumping up and down beside her. He stopped for a moment to help Nerissa to her feet before he began to clap and holler once more. Nerissa clapped too, but she probably looked rather pathetic compared to Lukas.

Uther made his way to the king's box. On his way to his seat, he squeezed Lukas's shoulder, which caught the young boy off guard. He whirled around to look at Uther who offered him a nod of his head. Lukas nodded back, which made Uther smile. Nerissa was beginning to have her suspicions, but she would keep them to herself...for now.

Morgana pulled Nerissa back to the bench and looped their arms together. "Arthur's up first," Morgana whispered.

Nerissa nodded as Prince Prat walked to the centre of the area. The first match was about to begin.

My kitty, Misha, wanted to add spoilers to this chapter. I'll let you translate. Lemme know if you know what he's trying to say. haha. rdfcxbuiojsdfenjhu3265555555555555555555555555555555555555555 assssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss6tfv

Author's note: Another chapter! First, if there are any random letters in the chapter - they belong to my cat. I've tried to hunt for them, but I couldn't focus anymore. So, if they're there, blame Misha Kitty! He's my little troublemaker, but in his defence, he wanted snuggles.