TOAFK - The Green Knight
Title: The Once and Future King
Fandom: Merlin
Pairing: Pretty Gen, like The Sword in the Stone, but with eventual (by fan vote) Merlin/Arthur and Gwen/Lancelot. Other pairings will be added as chapters with them are posted.
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin or its characters in any way, shape, or form.
Warnings/spoilers: up to 3x08
A/N: This is a sequel to The Sword in the Stone, and you should definitely read that before reading this.
Summary: Arthur knows of Merlin's magic, but their destiny has only begun. The journey to uniting the lands of Albion is long and filled with danger. Presented in 14 parts. Click Here for Masterpost.
Chapter Summary: After Arthur's call to arms, lords and commoners come from all over to join the ranks of the Knights of Camelot. And when a seemingly undefeatable knight dressed in green challenges Arthur's knights in battle, it is the most unlikely man who accepts. Will Strength be enough to win this fight? And why does the green knight hold such a grudge against Arthur and his men?
...
...
Part VII - The Green Knight
...
...
Obviously, this chapter is based on the legend of Sir Gwaine and the Green Knight.
...
...
Every inn in Camelot was full, with many visitors taking space on the floor or camping outside the walls or rooming with a helpful townsperson just to be close by. The market was selling out faster than the farmers and craftsmen could stock. Delivering medicines for Gaius was an adventure in and of itself. Merlin had to twist and turn and take new routes behind and between businesses to get through the crowded streets.
It wasn't until he was on the stairs to Gaius' chambers that Merlin felt he could breathe again. "Sorry that took so long. Arthur's call to arms tournament has turned Camelot into a madhouse," he said as he walked in, then paused when he saw the knight in the room.
Sir Leon chuckled. "That it has," he agreed, then nodded at Gaius. "Thank you for the medicine. I wouldn't be much of a challenge to these upstarts if I caught cold."
"Of course," Gaius replied and headed over to his work table.
The knight turned back to Merlin with a smile. "I was sent to find you, actually. Getting the medicine was just a bonus," he revealed. "Arthur wants to see you."
Merlin lifted an eyebrow. "What for?" Arthur had practically kicked Merlin out of the castle until the tournament was set up and ready. He seemed to think Merlin was somehow going to destroy part of the ring or ruin the stands or something. Merlin honestly didn't know.
Leon shrugged. "He didn't say, only that he needed to see you in his chambers immediately."
Nodding, Merlin hung the medicine bag on a hook by the door and turned to go find the king. At least there wasn't so large a crowd inside the castle as outside of it.
...
...
It turned out that Arthur had only wanted him to tell him and Morgana where they would be sitting during the tournament. Just outside the city walls several arenas had been built, with stands for spectators around them and preparation tents for the combatants. Arthur and Morgana would sit in a specially built royal pavilion section of the stands, overlooking the largest of the arenas. Gwen would be in a lower seat to Morgana's left, Merlin in a lower seat to Arthur's right.
"I lifted the ban on magic," Arthur told Merlin while he and Morgana were there. "That means there may be magicians among the hopefuls. I need you both to keep an eye out for any foul play. I don't want to lose any potential knights to someone less apt simply because they weren't prepared to fight snakes and fireballs, or someone who can increase their strength tenfold."
"Of course," both sorcerers agreed.
After that, they were dismissed, and Morgana insisted Merlin walk her back to her chambers. Merlin knew this meant Morgana had something to say, and he wasn't disappointed. Almost all the way to Morgana's chambers, she smirked and said, "You've done quite well for yourself."
Merlin frowned. "What do you mean?"
"The seating arrangement for the tournament," Morgana said as if the answer were obvious, keeping her eyes forward while they walked but radiating satisfaction.
"I'm the king's manservant, of course I'll be seated near him. In case he needs me," Merlin said, not understanding what the big deal was. "I'm happy for Gwen though. Arthur had her seated next to you in the royal pavilion." It was a step closer to Arthur publically courting her, if that was his intention. It would be good if that were true. For both of them. For the kingdom.
Morgana turned to look at Merlin and lifted one immaculate eyebrow. "Gwen?" she asked. "Gwen may be seated to Arthur's left, next to the place of the King's consort, but Merlin...You are sitting directly to Arthur's right. Surely you've been a royal servant long enough to know what that means?"
What that means? Sitting to the king's right? Merlin thought back to all of Arthur's complaining about royal affairs, to reading countless texts on royal procedures and the like in preparation for him writing one of Arthur's speeches when Arthur was being particularly childish about being the prince...
Arthur used to sit to Uther's right. It was a position of trust, the most important seat after the king and queen. To sit at the king's right hand meant you had a special relationship to the king, you could speak and act with the king's authority, and people were to treat you with the same respect and obedience as they would the king.
Merlin stumbled on even stones and had to grab the nearest sconce to avoid face planting. Morgana actually giggled, which turned into full on laughter when Merlin glanced up at her and she saw his beat red face.
"Oh come on, Merlin," she admonished teasingly. "You've been at Arthur's side for over half a decade now. Surely this isn't that surprising?"
But it was. For so long, Merlin had expected that he would remain in Arthur's shadow forever. He wasn't even upset about it most of the time because it was just the way things were. Even with Arthur accepting his magic and repealing the ban, Merlin had assumed he would continue to be Arthur's silent support while Gwen or some other lady stood at his side. This was different than anything he'd anticipated. His chair was lower than Arthur's, but it was only by one step. To be seated, publicly, at Arthur's right hand during a tournament? That would mean-
"Arthur wouldn't mean it that way, right?" Merlin asked as he released the sconce. "There are going to be hundreds of people from all over the kingdom there. If he thought they would think about it that way, wouldn't he move me?"
Now Morgana's expression morphed into pity. "You deserve much more credit than you're given, Merlin. Arthur knows it too."
"But, but," Merlin stuttered. "It'll raise questions. It could reflect badly on him as a king to sit a servant in that spot. I need to go-"
He only got one step down the hall back towards Arthur before Morgana wrapped her surprisingly strong hands about his right arm and forced him to stay. Her gaze, when he met her eyes, was as fierce as her grip.
"So what if people know how important you are to him? Maybe that's why he sat you there," she said. "One day, Arthur will make an announcement on your behalf. One day, you will sit at the high table with Arthur during feasts instead of serving at them. But tomorrow is the day when Arthur begins the long road to your destiny together. Tomorrow, you sit at his right hand, where everyone can see you. Tomorrow, Arthur will be surrounded by those he holds most dear and he is not ashamed to let everyone know it. Accept it as the gift it is."
And, as if she had spoken a spell, Merlin felt the fight drain from him. In fact, a small smile lifted his lips. If that was Arthur's purpose behind the action, then who was Merlin to tell him no?
...
...
The main arena was packed, people standing around once the stands were full just to watch the hopefuls compete. The rules were simple and had been explained to each fighter when they signed up.
For three days, they would be paired up with other fighters from across the kingdom. For every win, they got a point in their favor. Every loss was a point in their opponent's favor. If they became knights of Camelot, then they would be trained in many weapons, but only swords were allowed at the tournament. No killing was allowed.
On the fourth and fifth day, the twenty-five men with the most wins would get the honor of facing a knight of Camelot in open combat. If they survived for four minutes against the knight then they would have earned their place among the knights.
Arthur would later have them all face him in combat as well for the previous requirement of surviving one minute of open combat with him, but to test their skill and their willingness to attack any opponent rather than to earn their spot.
Once Arthur and Morgana had walked up to their raised chairs and all four of them in the royal pavilion had taken their seats, everyone looked to Arthur. He nodded to a slightly fellow dressed in bright colors. The man lifted a long trumpet and let loose several notes of loud sound, signaling the start of the tournament in all arenas at once.
In the three other arenas, the knights would preside over the fights, looking for evidence of cheating or the beginnings of a knight. The honor of competing in front of the king had been decided simply and fairly by a drawing of lots, to avoid favoritism.
The first fight in the main arena was between a man with just graying hair who looked like he might fight bears in his spare time and a young man who more resembled a twig than a fighter. Both wore one of several sets of chainmail Arthur had had made specifically for the peasant entrants who would not have their own from home. However, the older man held his sword like Merlin had upon arriving in Camelot while the younger man at least had his hand positioning and resting stance right.
When the battle started, the older man rushed to strike first. The younger man's eyes widened and he scrambled out of the way with little finesse. Several spectators laughed. Arthur's hands gripped the edges of his chair tightly, a small but telling detail Merlin knew meant he was unimpressed and upset about it.
The fight went better from there, though. The younger man was faster and managed to land a strike of his dulled blade on his older opponent's right shoulder from behind, earning him cheers from the crowd. The older man turned around with a deep set frown and sliced horizontally, but the younger man caught the attack with his own blade. With no small amount of effort, the younger man managed to tilt his opponent's blade away. The shifted angle caused the older man to lose his grip on the sword and it went tumbling into the dirt, paired with the crowd's gasps. The younger man held his sword to the older man's neck but didn't attack.
One point to the younger man. They shook hands with amiable smiles while the stands erupted with cheering and clapping, the older man grabbed his sword from the earth, and they exited the ring to go mark their scores with Geoffrey. It was a short battle, not even a minute long.
"Are you bored yet?" Merlin asked out of the corner of his mouth, doing his best not to smile.
Arthur glanced at him while the next two fighters were found and led to the arena. "Of course not, Merlin. This is my tournament. I arranged it and I'm happy to sit and observe."
"And judge," Morgana quipped, smirking when Arthur shot her a glare. Gwen allowed herself one giggle but it was enough for Arthur to look scandalized.
He huffed and faced the arena again. A pleasant smile slid onto his face even as he said, "Just remember, you have jobs to do today as well. You don't get to just sit around and enjoy the show."
The next fight was, honestly, embarrassing. Both combatants looked frightened of their own blades. One of them managed to disarm his opponent but lost his own sword in the process, resulting in a scuffling match as they both attempted to retrieve their fallen weapon first. It took eight minutes for one of them to win and both men were huffing, exhausted, and covered in dirt. Arthur nodded to them as they left and tried not to look as baffled as he felt. Neither of those men would make it to the fourth day. The crowd, while laughing often during the battle, seemed to agree with him as their clapping at the end was sparse.
One of Camelot's own kitchen boys stepped into the arena next, facing a man three times his size. Arthur recognized him because Kay often pointed him out, teasing him with the nickname 'Good Hands'. It wasn't the nicest interaction, but was definitely better than how Kay used to call Arthur 'Wart' as a child just because he was shorter. In fact, Kay was one of the knights around the main arena, watching the fights and prepared to defend Arthur should an attack happen.
Surprisingly, the kitchen boy could fight. He let the larger man come at him and then knocked the man's sword away, then forced the oaf to his knees in surrender, all without moving an inch. Arthur and Morgana exchanged wide eyed surprise, and then the king turned to Merlin.
"Merlin, that kitchen boy, what's his name?" he asked after the fighters were leaving the arena.
Merlin glanced up at him with equal awe on his face. "Gareth," he said. "He's been working in the kitchens for...I think two years now. I had no idea he could fight like that."
Arthur let out a huff, but it was a pleased noise. "If he keeps it up, 'Gareth the kitchen boy' may become Sir Gareth, Knight of Camelot."
Two brothers faced each other then, both of them lesser sons of a local lord. They sniped at each other about seeing who was better at last, about who their father doted on more, about their skills or lack thereof in regards to swordsmanship and courtship. There was more verbal sparring than use of the sword. Arthur almost declared them both losers of the fight after five minutes passed with them doing nothing more than shouting at each other, but then the elder brother struck out and started the real fight. The crowd, which had grown as bored as their king, cheered and clapped as if their enthusiasm alone would keep the brothers from devolving into petty bickering again.
The younger brother won.
Three more fights and the crowd was beginning to calm down. More people were wandering away to find food, or sending a friend to do so while they saved the much coveted seats. There would be a break soon, giving the fighters and the townspeople a chance to recoup and prepare for the next set of battles. The last fight was between a man with shoulder length blond hair and a man with even longer black hair.
"Maybe their hair should fight instead of them," Morgana teased quietly. "They have more hair than I do."
The blond stepped forward and swung his sword. It was parried by his opponent, who forced him to step back again. The blond glared, shifted his grip on his sword, and-
Arthur stood from his seat as the blond fighter fell to the ground, a green sword embedded in his back. The crowd gasped and a few people screamed. Kay sent a herald away, no doubt to warn the other arenas of what had happened. The black haired fighter dropped his weapon and ran as blood darkened the sand of the arena floor.
To match the green sword, a man dressed in a green tunic and pants, no armor or chainmail, marched into the arena. As he reached the center of the ring and ripped his sword from the dead man's body, it became clear that not only was his clothing green, so was his very skin.
"Who are you?" Arthur demanded as Merlin, Morgana, and Gwen also stood up and armored steps sounded in the distance. "What business do you have here?"
The green man pointed his sword at Arthur, and Merlin stepped between them. If he intended to attack the king, he would have to go through Merlin. Arthur didn't push him out of the way since he could still see the enemy, but he did put his hand on Merlin's shoulder in case he needed to. He wasn't about to let Merlin die in his place, after all.
"I am the Green Knight and I have come to issue a challenge to all the brave men of Camelot," the green man declared, casting his gaze around to everyone gathered as more and more men in chainmail appeared. "I will accept a fight with any man who thinks he can defeat me. If he can, I will give up my life. If none can defeat me, then I will kill King Arthur without hesitation."
The crowd gasped.
Arthur shook his head. "If I am your target, then face me and me alone."
The Green Knight gave a crooked smirk and it looked wrong on his face. "You misunderstand," he said. "This is a message. Now," he said loudly, turning away from the pavilion, "who will be my first opponent?!"
For several moments, no one moved. Arthur's hand retreated from Merlin's shoulder to grasp the hilt of Excalibur, but Morgana's hand covered his. She motioned to the crowd, where a young man was entering the ring. He had short, copper hair and a gentle face.
"If you threaten the king," he said in a light voice, drawing his sword with steady hands, "then I have no choice but to stop you."
Before Arthur could even open his mouth - the young man was brave but was so scrawny and untrained that there was no chance he could defeat the knight - three more men had left the anonymity of the crowd to face the Green Knight at the young man's side, including Gareth. Arthur relaxed minutely. Four against one, even with untrained men, were slightly better odds. Still, he would prefer to fight this battle himself, or have his knights included.
The Green Knight attacked first. He ran toward the young man who first stepped forward and slashed down from above. The young man managed to parry the attack but his entire body shook from the effort. The largest of the others took the opportunity to attack the Green Knight from behind. The Green Knight shoved the young man to the ground and flipped around to attack his second opponent before the strike could land. The Knight's attack caught the large man in the side since both of his arms had been up in preparation for an attack. He coughed and fell sideways, clutching his side. The chainmail protected him from a direct cut, but there was no doubt in Arthur's mind that something had broken, possibly a rib or two.
The two remaining men rushed the Knight at once from opposite sides. Impossibly, both attacks missed. The Green Knight stepped closer to one of the men and thrust his sword forward, catching his opponent in the shoulder and sending him crashing to the ground with blood beginning to color his borrowed mail. Immediately, the Green Knight ducked the second attack, then spun and slashed upward with his sword once he was facing his remaining opponent, Gareth. The attack barely missed catching Gareth in the face as he stumbled backward to avoid it. Gareth regained his footing after barely a heartbeat and thrust his sword forward, but the Green Knight knocked it wide and shouldered the young man back. The Green Knight slashed at Gareth, but he parried and held the attack.
The young man who had first stepped forward was back on his feet. He lifted his sword to bring it down on the Knight's head, but the sun caught the blade as it moved, reflecting off Gareth's mail. The Green Knight stepped backward, loosening the cut of sword upon sword and making Gareth stumble half a step. The Knight caught him in the face with the hilt of his sword and in the groin with his boot, before he quickly turned to catch the youngest opponent's blade while Gareth collapsed to the ground. Someone in the crowd - it sounded like Kay - shouted Gareth's name while the rest of the audience had been shocked into silence.
The young man pressed his full weight into his attack and managed to make the Green Knight step back once, but he wasn't heavy or strong enough to keep it up. With a shove from the Green Knight in return, the young man was forced back two steps, three, four. Just as he began to stumble over his own feet, a third sword joined the mix, breaking the parry.
"Lancelot," Gwen gasped.
Merlin and Arthur relaxed immensely. Lancelot had once been a knight of Camelot. He was a good, strong fighter. If anyone could take on The Green Knight, it was him. Maybe they wouldn't have to get involved after all.
"Leave the boy alone and face me," Lancelot challenged.
"Hey," the boy protested. "I can fight too!"
"Sure ya can," a third voice joined in, causing Merlin to grin and Arthur to resist a groan. Not wearing any chainmail at all, hair fight ruffled but still somehow perfect, Gwaine had stepped into the arena. "No doubtin' that. But protecting the princess is gonna take some muscle."
Lancelot smiled at the boy. "Let us handle it this time. I promise, once you've had more training you can fight whatever battles you want. You've done enough for now." He nodded to the fallen men on the field. "Help your partners. That is also part of being a knight."
The Green Knight gave a twisted grin once more. "And are you a knight? One skilled enough to defeat me?"
"He might not be, but I am," Gwaine declared with surety.
Arthur rolled his eyes. "If he lives, I'll put him in the stocks," he said quietly.
"For what? Being right?" Morgana teased in return.
"Do you think they'll be alright?" Gwen whispered.
Merlin looked at Arthur, then to Gwen, and nodded. It didn't seem to help calm her nerves.
The Green Knight looked between Lancelot and Gwaine, then raised his eyes to Arthur. "I respectfully request reprieve," he said loudly. "One night to rest, and in the morning I will accept the challenge presented by these men, the last chance anyone in Camelot will have to stop me before I come for you."
"Why should I grant such a request?" Arthur asked coldly. "You have disrupted my tournament and killed my people."
"One man," the knight corrected. "Who, you will find, was using magic to hide his identity as a wanted criminal, while I came to challenge you face to face. Give me a reprieve for the night."
Arthur cast his gaze around the arena. The young man had stopped midway through pulling the chainmail off the largest of his partners, looking between Arthur and the Green Knight in concern. All three of the men who had helped him were alive but injured, letting out soft groans or whines at their many injuries. Lancelot nodded to Arthur, letting the king know he would accept any decision. Gwaine gave a loose shrug. He didn't care when the fight happened as long as he got to participate.
Now Arthur looked to Merlin. The man's green skin obviously pointed to magic of some sort. Perhaps it was magic that made him unbeatable. If he gave Merlin time, the servant could find a way to dispel the magic and give Lancelot and Gwaine an even chance against the Green Knight. That would ease everyone's nerves, not least of all Gwen's.
Nodding, he faced the knight. "One night," he agreed.
The Green Knight sheathed his sword and Kay and Gaius immediately rushed into the arena. Knights surrounded the pavilion and began leading Morgana and Gwen away. Arthur pulled Merlin close before letting himself be led as well.
"Find a way to defeat him," he said. "Quickly."
Merlin nodded and headed into the arena to help Gaius. Kay was checking over Gareth while Gaius dealt with the most serious wound, so Merlin knelt by the largest of the men alongside the young man. A quick press of fingers to the large man's side caused him to shout in pain and Merlin grimaced. Definitely a broken rib or two.
He looked to the young man, whose features were even softer up close. "What's your name?"
"Luned," the young man answered after a short pause.
"Alright, Luned," Merlin said, "I need your help to carry him to the physician's chambers. We're going to make a chair with our arms. Can you do that?"
Luned nodded with a determined expression. "Just tell me what to do." He may be young, but Merlin thought the boy had the determination required to be a knight.
...
...
The Green Knight, in a move scarily similar to the wraith knight from years ago, stayed in the arena overnight. If there had been a doubt to his enchantment, it was immediately gone upon seeing the man sitting in the center of the ring without moving a muscle. There were knights stationed periodically around the arena to keep an eye on him and Merlin had to sneak in to do what Arthur asked of him.
Crouching next to the stands, hidden from view, Merlin focused on the Green Knight. He needed to dispel the magic that was on this man. He moved too fast to not be using some form of magic.
"Áblinnan galdor," he murmured, eyes flashing gold in the dark.
There was barely a breeze in the arena. Nothing changed about the Green Knight. Merlin held out his hand and repeated the spell with different inflection, but still nothing happened.
"Ende galdorcræft," he tried instead.
The Green Knight's clothing ruffled slightly and he turned his head toward Merlin. Merlin gasped and slid further into the shadows, hiding from sight.
"It is not so simple as that," the Knight said, his voice just loud enough for Merlin to hear it. A few of the knights standing guard shifted to pay their charge more attention, but the Knight had already shifted back to his previous position and did not move under their gaze.
Not so simple. If Merlin couldn't stop the Green Knight on his own, then he would need help from someone stronger, older.
...
...
"If I am not mistaken, there is a powerful spell at work in Camelot this night."
Merlin looked up at the dragon with a frown. "So you know what it is that makes the Green Knight so strong?"
Kilgharrah hummed. "Indeed I do," he said. "Though I have not felt this magic in a long time. That it has come to Camelot is both unusual and yet something I should have expected."
"I don't have time for riddles," Merlin said. "The Green Knight is fighting against Lancelot and Gwaine tomorrow. If they can't defeat him, he's going after Arthur. He already killed one man and injured four others. I need to know how to end whatever spell he's using."
Kilgharrah laughed but it was not a noise of amusement. "He? He is not using a spell," he revealed. "That man has had an enchantment laid upon him by another. I doubt he knew what it was until it was too late."
Merlin frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Your enemy is human, Merlin, and easily defeated. He wears a sash around his waist, does he not?"
Merlin hadn't been paying much attention to the man's clothing but...thinking back to earlier... "Yes. It's tied around his tunic. Why? Is that the source of the spell?"
Now the dragon looked pleased. "That sash was woven together with magic long ago. It protects its wearer from all harm, giving them whatever skills necessary to avoid a battle wound and healing any they receive otherwise." He huffed and smoke flew from his nostrils. "It was lost long before a Pendragon walked this land. Whomever found it and gave it to your knight must be a powerful sorcerer indeed. You would do best to remember that."
...
...
When Merlin climbed the steps into the royal pavilion the next morning, Arthur raised an eyebrow at him. He frowned when Merlin shook his head.
"I know how to make him vulnerable," Merlin whispered, "the problem is I can't get close enough to do it."
Arthur rolled his eyes. "So go tell Lancelot how to do it," he whispered back. "He knows, doesn't he?"
Merlin blinked for a moment, feeling stupid. Of course! He snapped his fingers and pointed at Arthur, with an 'ahhh'. Arthur pushed him away by the face and resisted the urge to smile as his servant stumbled down the stairs in search of the would-be knight. Morgana lifted an eyebrow at him when he turned to her and the urge to smile flipped into a frown that just made her laugh at him.
...
...
Lancelot and Gwaine were in a tent together, preparing for their fight. Lancelot wore the chainmail and armor Gwen had once made for him, while Gwaine wore nothing but his usual rugged clothing. Merlin ran through the closed flap and skid to a stop once inside.
"Merlin!" Gwaine greeted with a bright smile. "Was wonderin' if I'd get to see you, what with you sittin' in the royal seats. Life is good then?"
Merlin threw a smile back at him. "Yeah. Life is...Life is really really good. Um, I'll, can I talk to Lancelot for a minute? Um. In private?"
That had the smile dropping from Gwaine's face faster than a guillotine. "Oh. I see. A year apart and things change."
Merlin rolled his eyes. "It's been more than a year, you infant," he corrected, causing Gwaine to grin again. "And I'll talk to you after the match, Gwaine. We can go drinking or whatever. But right now I need to talk to Lancelot."
Shaking his head with humor, Gwaine gave a horrible bow and waltzed out of the tent. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do, Merlin!"
"That's nothing!" Merlin couldn't resist calling after him. Gwaine's laughter echoed back.
Once they were alone, Lancelot took a step closer with a pensive expression. "What's the matter, Merlin? Is it about the fight?"
Merlin nodded. "I found out what makes him so untouchable," he revealed. "He's wearing a sash around his waist."
Now Lancelot nodded once. "Yes. I saw it yesterday. It's very thin."
"It's got a spell on it that protects him. If you get the sash off him, he'll be just like any other man," Merlin said. "I can't do it because I can't get close to him."
"But I can," Lancelot finished. He clapped Merlin on the shoulder and smiled. "Don't worry, Merlin. I'll do whatever I can. I'll protect Arthur with my life."
That didn't really make Merlin feel any better. He trusted Lancelot to do whatever was needed to protect Arthur from the Green Knight, but he didn't want Lancelot to die doing it. It seemed that Merlin would need to be prepared to intervene if things took a turn for the worst. No matter if it revealed his magic to the people too soon or not, if Arthur or Lancelot or Gwaine might die, Merlin wouldn't hesitate to save them.
...
...
Gwaine and Lancelot stood on either side of the Green Knight. There was no trumpet or drum or flag to signal the beginning of the fight this time. Both would-be knights stood with their swords drawn, waiting. The crowd was silent around them, the arena was surrounded by knights and guards, and Arthur sat at attention in the king's chair.
Gwaine struck first. He aimed for the Green Knight's shoulder, but missed when the Knight took several steps backward to avoid it. Then Lancelot attacked; his strike aimed at the Green Knight's waist, where the sash was tied. The blow landed, but it only cut the Knight's tunic and not his flesh. Then the Green Knight slashed at Lancelot in return. Lancelot parried and threw the attack wide, ramming his shoulder into the Green Knight while his hand reached for the sash. A cut to his left arm made Lancelot gasp and retreat just before his fingers could touch the fabric.
The Green Knight's blade came down at Lancelot's head but Gwaine stepped in the way, his sword catching the blow before it could find its mark.
"Not very sporting ta go fer the head, friend," Gwaine commented, his voice barely betrayed the strength he was using to hold the Knight's attack.
"Are we playing games, then?" The Green Knight replied.
Metal grinded as their swords slid along one another to the tips before both men stepped away. Lancelot gave Gwaine a grateful nod when they locked eyes, then stood at his side ready to fight again.
This time Gwaine let Lancelot take the first strike. Lancelot feinted a slash from above and then thrust forward toward the Green Knight's waist again. The Knight's sword slammed into his, throwing Lancelot off balance. The Green Knight pushed Lancelot back and then did his own thrust, cutting along the chainmail along the left side of Lancelot's waist. His green sword cut through the links and the protective fabric underneath, and slowly the shining metal was stained with red. Someone shouted in alarm in the crowd.
Gwaine slashed at the Knight's upper right arm before Lancelot was even finished being wounded, but it was as if his blade had moved through empty air. He didn't land a hit even when he was certain he should have. His second attack was parried, and his third, with a very solid if discolored sword, but then the Green Knight backed up to a safe distance and simply watched them.
A snort came out of Gwaine before he could stop it. "For all that show and tell yesterday," he noted, "you seem reluctant today."
"Do not mistake strategy for reluctance," The Green Knight admonished. "Simply running around blindly with a sword is no way to accomplish one's goals."
That drew a small smirk to Gwaine's face. "Ya sure about that?"
"Perhaps now isn't the best time for small talk," Lancelot pitched in, coming to stand at Gwaine's side even though he was beginning to limp.
Gwaine eyed the wound. "You alright?"
Lancelot nodded with a grimace. "It's a shallow wound. I'll be fine."
For a moment, Gwaine stared at Lancelot's face, considering. Then, as if accepting the answer, he shrugged and stepped forward, slicing sideways at their enemy. His attack was parried once more and then the Green Knight moved around him and rushed at Lancelot. Lancelot raised his sword and their blades met in the air with sparks, their faces only inches apart and separated by their steel. With a grunt, Lancelot shoved the Green Knight away, though it obviously caused him pain. He stumbled and the Green Knight took advantage. The Knight's blade struck Lancelot's close to the hilt, knocking it from Lancelot's hand. Some in the crowd gasped as it fell to the ground, leaving Lancelot defenseless.
Gwaine hurried to defend him once more. This time the Green Knight cut at Lancelot's neck. Gwaine's blade caught the Knight's just as metal met skin. Lancelot ducked to the ground, his hand on his neck, and rolled to grab his sword again. The Green Knight pulled his sword back and stepped away, keeping his eyes on Gwaine even as Lancelot regained his sword.
"You're avoiding me," Gwaine growled, so quiet that Arthur in the royal pavilion almost didn't catch it. "Stop runnin' away. If yer gonna try an' take someone's head off, make it mine."
Now the Green Knight laughed. "If that is what you wish."
The Green Knight stepped within reach and slashed at Gwaine's right shoulder where it met his neck. Gwaine ducked to the left and the blade caught nothing but air. Gwaine replied with a horizontal cut that was parried and returned with a diagonal slice. Gwaine's leather vest received the brunt of the attack while Gwaine dodged a real injury. With a glare, Gwaine gave an upward cut that was knocked to the side. The Green Knight turned his blade and immediately tried a horizontal slash but Gwaine dropped down, only losing a few strands of hair, and thrust forward with his sword before the Green Knight could try anything else.
The Green Knight froze and for a moment it looked like Gwaine had finally managed to run him through. Then Gwaine spun his sword down and away from the knight, taking the green sash with it but no blood. As soon as the fabric was away from him, the green bled from the knight's skin like wine from a goblet. His hair was left a pale blond, his skin fair but aged. His clothing changed color as well, fading in shades until it was pale blue fabric or brown leather.
The knight's now normal blade slipped from his fingers and stuck in the sand beside him, wobbling and then slowly falling over. Gwaine tossed the sash away and then looked at the face of his opponent.
"Did I win the game, then?"
"So it would seem," the previously green knight muttered, sounding equal parts shocked, pleased, and exhausted. "You are a noble man. Camelot is lucky this day."
The knight slid to his knees in defeat and the crowd erupted in cheers so loud that Merlin thought he might go deaf. Camelot's knights rushed forward to clap the formerly green knight in irons while Gwen hurried from the pavilion to meet Lancelot on the field. Sir Leon let her through and then she and Percival helped to walk the limping Lancelot over to Gaius. He received many congratulatory pats from the spectators but was mostly let through to get medical treatment.
Merlin glanced at Arthur, who looked conflicted even as he gave orders to the guards beside him, his voice lost to the crowd. The king met Merlin's gaze briefly, but it was Morgana who touched Merlin's arm and led him out of the pavilion. They hurried, but did not run, to the arena floor, people parting before them like a stream around rocks. Morgana was already ordering the knights and guards not to touch anything by the time Arthur joined her to oversee the arrest and the retrieval of the sash. Merlin ran over to Gwaine while the knights were still keeping the crowd in check.
"How?" he gasped. "How did you know about the sash?"
Gwaine smirked at him. "Lancelot was after it and I figured, why not, I've seen crazier things."
What could be crazier to Gwaine than a magic battle sash, Merlin didn't know nor care. He laughed and Gwaine took the opportunity to pull Merlin into a one armed hug.
"I'm glad you came," Merlin admitted as they pulled away from one another.
Gwaine shrugged and flipped his hair out of his face with a shake of his head. "I wouldn't've missed this fer the world, Merlin."
...
...
Morgana oversaw the transfer of the sash into the royal vaults, sealed in an unmarked box with a heavy lock; Merlin stayed with Arthur outside the city walls as he picked up the tournament where it had left off; and while Gaius was examining the Green Knight, Gwen went with Lancelot to the physician's chambers.
She cleaned his three wounds and bandaged them with care. And she was proud of herself for not blushing at having Lancelot's bare chest directly in front of her for so long, touching his fair skin with her dark hands. If she thought about it too much, she would blush, so she focused on the medical aspects of what she was doing instead.
Lancelot winced when Gwen pressed a little too hard while securing the final strip of bandages. She frowned. "I'm sorry."
He shook his head. "No, no, it's alright," he assured her.
Gwen sat down in the chair across from where Lancelot was seated and let her hands fall into her lap. "I hated that," she admitted. "I hated sitting there and watching you get hurt."
"Gwen," Lancelot said quietly, his expression softening. "I'll be fine. You saw the wounds yourself. They aren't nearly as bad as they first looked."
"I sometimes wish you were not so honorable," Gwen admitted.
Now Lancelot lifted a surprised eyebrow. "And what else was I to do? The man needed to be stopped and I knew how to do it. If I had stayed away, Arthur would be in grave danger and more men would likely be dead."
Gwen nodded, clenching her hands. "I know. You saved lives by stepping forward and fighting, though I'm beginning to doubt Arthur was in danger. Merlin would have done something, I'm sure. But you're right. And if you had done any differently then you wouldn't be the wonderful man I know so well," she said with a slight smile. "I only wish you weren't in danger so often."
For a long moment the two of them simply stared into each other's eyes. Lancelot was conflicted. Gwen lived in Camelot, with Arthur. Yet even though Arthur was now king, he and Gwen were not married or even courting, as far as Lancelot could tell. Still, she sat in the royal pavilion and that meant something. It was a very public place to sit, one with heavy meaning. If Gwen was sitting there with Arthur, Morgana, and Merlin, then that meant she was trusted, beloved, impor-
"Wait," Lancelot said into the quiet of the room, his relationship worries fading for a moment. "Merlin would have done something? Gwen what do you mean?"
All the color drained from Gwen's face and she covered her mouth with her hands. "Oh, no. I didn't-That is, I meant...I didn't mean anything," she insisted through her fingers. "It's just that Merlin is always at Arthur's side and I know that he would do anything to protect Arthur, the same as any of the knights."
Lancelot blinked at her owlishly for a few moments. Then a smile crawled onto his face. He reached over and took her gentle hands in his own, pulling them from her face.
"Gwen," he said softly. "You don't have to worry. I already know about Merlin. I have ever since the first time we met, when he defeated the griffin." Her eyes widened but before she could speak he continued. "I don't know how you found out but I'm glad Merlin has another friend in Camelot."
Gwen shook her head, a bemused but pleased smile on her own lips. "He has many friends in Camelot, including Arthur." Now it was Lancelot's turn to look surprised. "I'm glad I don't have to keep it from you. I hate hiding things from you."
"I will never keep a secret from you," Lancelot promised. "Never again."
When he leaned forward to hug her, it pulled at his wounds and he winced, so Gwen did the leaning for him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She squeezed him as tightly as she dared without injuring him and replied, "Nor I from you."
...
...
The tournament ended as scheduled five days later. The Knights of Camelot had gained twenty new men; including a man named Griflet from the Western Isles who had become fast friends with Bedivere after their bout, a witty lord named Dinadan, and a farmer named Lucan - barely older than Merlin - that had the largest muscles Arthur had ever seen. And of course, Lancelot and Gwaine as well.
Now Arthur had to deal with the man who had disrupted that tournament.
The previously green man, now completely ordinary in appearance, was kneeling in chains before the throne. Arthur sat upon that throne, his crown in place on his head and a red cape flowing from his shoulders. Other than the guards standing around the chained man, Merlin and Gaius were the only people in the room.
"What is your name?" Arthur asked.
"Bercilak de Hautdesert, my lord," the man answered, his voice steady but grave, his eyes on the stone floor.
Arthur glanced at Gaius briefly before returning his eyes to the captive. "Hautdesert?" he repeated in question. "You are a lord of Caerleon?"
A nod was his only answer. This changed things a bit. If this man had been but a peasant, then Arthur could cast judgment however he wished. But being a lord from another kingdom meant Arthur had to tread carefully or risk upsetting the king and queen of Caerleon, with whom he had a new and tentative treaty.
"Why did you attack at my tournament?" Arthur asked.
Lord Bercilak did not lift his gaze from the stone. "My wife fell ill, sire," he said. "I have some minor skill in the magical arts, but even I could not combat the sickness." Arthur saw Merlin tense in his place at Gaius' side, cautious at the reveal that the sash had not been the knight's only source of magic, but for some reason the king found he himself was not afraid of Lord Bercilak. "A blond woman appeared one day with a bargain. If I accepted the green sash she held and did her bidding, then she would heal my wife."
Now Arthur tensed along with his servant. A blond woman? "What woman?" he asked, his voice hard.
Lord Bercilak shook his head and looked up at Arthur at last. "I recognized her, but I do not remember from where, your highness. She was beautiful and I felt no ill intentions from her. "
No one who had ever met Morgause could claim she seemed completely without ill will. Another blond sorcerer then? In Arthur's mind, he saw a beautiful woman standing upon a raised stone, smiling at him. Was it possible? Would the seer Tethella have enchanted this man and sent him to Camelot? But why?
"What were her intentions?" the king asked.
Lord Bercilak did not hesitate or waver while he answered. "The sorceress told me that I was known as a great judge of men's worths and that my skills were needed. She healed my wife and I accepted the sash, tying it around my waist. It drew upon my meager magical strength and made me unbeatable, she said. I was to come to Camelot during your tournament and test your court, to see who among those who wished to be knights truly deserved it. I fear I have failed in my task by being beaten so quickly."
"Gaius?" Arthur asked, turning his attention to the physician.
Gaius took a step forward and Bercilak also looked at him. "I have inspected him as thoroughly as I can, sire. By my knowledge he is a normal, healthy man and nothing more. The sash that was pulled from his waist does seem to be the source of his great strength and speed." He shook his head. "I do not believe that Morgause is behind this. Your life was never truly in danger and only a small few in Camelot suffered for it. And he was telling the truth about the man he killed, so that is also in his favor."
All of that was true as well. Arthur took a deep breath.
"Return Lord Bercilak to his cell and ensure he is given water to bathe in as well as food. Also, please send for the four men who faced Lord Bercilak in combat. Gaius, if any of them are injured and need assistance in getting here, help them in any way you can. I need to speak with all of them," he ordered, keeping his voice as calm as possible.
He gave Merlin a look that kept the servant from leaving with the others. Only when the great doors were shut and they were the only two left in the throne room did Arthur let his regal pose drop. He let out a heavy sigh and leaned back in the throne like he would in the cushioned chair in his chambers.
"Arthur?" Merlin asked, erasing the space between them and joining Arthur on the raised steps.
"What do you think, Merlin?" he asked, waving his hand toward the open space where Lord Bercilak used to kneel.
Merlin stared at the open space as if he could still see the chained lord, his eyes intent and calculating. Arthur watched Merlin's face the entire time his servant was thinking. He knew Merlin was not the bumbling idiot he had believed his friend to be for so long, yet he always enjoyed seeing the pondering look on Merlin's face when he was considering a situation, when he was choosing his words carefully. Better yet was the expression Merlin wore whenever he gave a particularly inspiring speech or comment, but Arthur preferred having only a few glances of that expression for fear of getting used to it and not being as moved by Merlin's uncanny wisdom.
"I think," Merlin said at length, "that Morgause isn't behind this."
Arthur nodded. "Do you think perhaps the seer Tethella is?" he asked.
When Merlin's eyes caught Arthur's, Arthur saw that Merlin was surprised Arthur had thought of the seer at all. After a moment, he nodded.
"Tethella is a seer. She would know if someone were concealing their identity to sneak into the city. She also believes in the future kingdom you will create, so...if she wanted to make your job a little easier, maybe, then she might send someone to point out good knights to you."
Arthur lifted an eyebrow. "You don't sound too sure of that, Merlin."
Merlin shrugged. "I'm still learning everything I can do with magic. Tethella is older than she looks and immensely more powerful than I am right now. I don't know half of what she does so I can't really guess as to why she would do anything, except that whatever she does she does for good."
"And if it isn't Tethella?" Arthur asked, eyes still fixed on Merlin's.
Now Merlin frowned, but it was more of a confused look than a sad or frustrated one. "I can't think of any other magic users who have shown an interest in Camelot so far. Not to say that there aren't others, because there are magic users everywhere, but to find one strong enough to heal Lord Bercilak's wife and to find a long lost magical artifact to use in their plans? That narrows the list down to about four people I've ever met. One of them is dead, one is Morgana, one is Morgause, and one is Tethella. Morgana isn't stepping up and we've already decided it wasn't Morgause."
Hearing Merlin explain his thinking process aloud to Arthur was an odd experience. Arthur wasn't sure he liked it, or whether he preferred to just get Merlin's final decision and to accept that of course the young sorcerer had thought it through. He liked to think he was getting pretty good at just taking Merlin's word for things.
Arthur nodded. "Alright. So Tethella enchanted Lord Bercilak to help me figure out which of my contestants were most worthy to wear the Pendragon red," he said. "I'll let them know as soon as they arrive then."
Merlin stared at him blankly. Arthur couldn't help but begin to grin, which made Merlin gape at him.
"You-You planned that from the beginning," the servant accused with a frown. "You already decided that Lord Bercilak was innocent of a crime and you just let me ramble on like a fool!"
Arthur laughed. "Oh you're always a fool, Merlin," he teased. "And yes, I had already decided, but I did want your opinion as well. Shocking though it may be, I trust you and would have reconsidered if you had a convincing argument."
Merlin was red in the cheeks and Arthur wasn't sure if it was from indignation or from the sidelong compliment he had just paid to him. Either one would be an acceptable response. He beamed at Merlin and the sorcerer reached over and knocked Arthur's crown into his lap in retaliation. Arthur laughed.
"Careful," he said with a smile. "I could have you thrown in jail for that."
Merlin rolled his eyes. "I could make all your clothes invisible in the middle of a court meeting, but we both know neither of us will follow through."
The king laughed again.
...
...
Merlin hadn't been out of Arthur's presence for five minutes, had just walked out into the sunny open courtyard, when an arm latched around his shoulders and he was pulled into a rough hug.
"Merlin!" Gwaine sang. "Finally out of tha' lion's den, eh?"
Merlin shoved at Gwaine to make him let go, but it was futile without some magical assistance. "What do you want, leech?" he teased.
Gwaine pressed his free hand to his chest with a gasp of mock hurt. "Ya wound me! A leech? Such a terrible thing ta call a knight, wouldn't ya agree, Sir Lancelot?"
For the first time, Merlin noticed the third man in the courtyard with them. Lancelot appeared vaguely tired but otherwise showed no signs of being wounded only days ago. His clothing hid all the bandages he still wore. The tanned knight shook his head but he was smiling.
"Gwaine wants to celebrate our victory," Lancelot explained instead of answering Gwaine's question.
Merlin grinned. "You're off to the tavern then, I suppose?"
"Who's 'you'?" Gwaine asked, beginning to walk Merlin across the stone yard and out into the city. "We are going. I wouldn' taste my first heav'nly pint in Camelot in almost two years without ya by my side, Merlin. It just wouldn' be right."
"Of course not," Merlin agreed, managing to stand up almost straight without dislodging Gwaine's arm, so that he looked like he was walking with Gwaine instead of being forced to stay with him. "So we're celebrating your victory over the green knight?"
Lancelot smiled and looked about to agree but Gwaine snorted.
"O' course not," he said. "I mean over his highness. Did ya see the look on his face when he knighted me? Priceless."
Lancelot gave a teasing grin. "I hardly think Arthur's face was priceless. I remember seeing tears in your eyes during the ceremony, Gwaine, so I know you're proud to be a knight," he said.
"Lies and slander, all of it," Gwaine insisted with a shake of his head, though his cheeks were tinted pink.
"Laudine!"
Merlin turned his head at the familiar voice, even as Gwaine continued to drag him toward the tavern. Luned raced by, barely missing running into them, and down the street.
"Laudine!"
A women stepped out of the nearest inn and smiled when she saw Luned. She was absolutely gorgeous, with wavy hair like spun gold and pale skin, dressed in a pastel orange and deep blue gown. Luned grasped her by the hands, and Merlin noticed he was shorter than Laudine, and beamed.
"I'm a knight!" Luned crowed. "They made me a knight of Camelot!"
Laudine's smile grew as wide as Luned's and she leaned down to press a kiss to Luned's lips. "As you always dreamed."
Merlin saw Luned wrap Laudine up in his arms and lift her, just a bit, to spin her around as he gave a melodious laugh. Then Merlin was shuffled into the tavern and focused back on his newly knighted friends and the terrible choices they were no doubt about to make together.
...
...
Next Time: My Fair Lady
A festival of love is upon Camelot and everyone is invited. Arthur struggles for a way to enjoy the celebrations with Gwen, Morgana isn't the only one getting lots of attention from hopeful suitors, and Gwaine offers to help lift Merlin's drooping spirits, which causes revelations for both the king and his sorcerer.
...
...
Translations:
Olde = New
Áblinnan galdor = Cease spell
Ende galdorcræft = End magic arts