Queen of Camelot ~~~ON HIATUS~~~

Chapter Five (II)

"Knight Valiant looks pretty handy with a sword." Merlin commented, glancing at Artura. She nodded her eyes trailing Valiant as he exits the grounds.

He made his way over to the two both watching him carefully. Artura placed a friendly smile upon her face as he got closer not wanting to anger anyone quite yet. "May I offer my congratulations on your victories today?" Knight Valiant asked grinning.

Artura nodded, "Likewise."

He nodded back respectively. His eyes never leaving Artura as he spoke to her. "I hope to see you at the reception this evening." Artura smiled as he left with his servant resisting the urge to squirm in discomfort.

Merlin on the other hand scrunched up his nose in disgust. "Creep." He mumbled, glancing at the fading Valiant.

Artura nodded grunting in agreement. Merlin returned it turning to leave. However, Artura was not done with him. "Uh, for tomorrow you need to repair my shield, wash my tunic, clean my boots, sharpen my sword, and polish my chainmail."

Merlin sighs turning back to Artura giving her a mocking bow and smile. She suppressed a giggle giving him a serious nod before leaving the grounds to get some peace.
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Merlin laid in his bed doing his chores. Well okay he was doing then without touching them.

Gaius found it the perfect time to come inside to inform Merlin only to find him short cutting through his work. "Are you using magic again?" Gaius scolded eyes widened at the magic at use.

Raising his head from his book he looked around his room frowning. "No."

"What's all this, then?" Gaius asked eyebrow raised and hands on hips. Merlin glanced around once again shrugging. So long his eyes Gaius announced, "I just came to tell you that supper's ready."
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Morgana watched as each knight presented themselves to Uther. They then would address her telling her about how They hoped to a companion her to the champion dinner. She smiled kindly and thank them.

Finally the knight she had been waiting for came up. A more heartfelt smile danced across her face as the Knight Valiant approached. "Knight Valiant of the Western Isles, My Lord." He introduced to Uther bowing lowly before his eyes laid upon Morgana.

"I saw you fighting today. You have a very aggressive style." Uther commented not releasing Valiant to speak with Morgana.

He turned back to Uther giving a grateful nod. "Well, as My Lord said, 'To lose is to be disgraced.'"

Uther smiled pleased with his words or his own just words. "I couldn't agree more. Knight Valiant, may I present the Lady Morgana, my ward." He turned to Morgana placing a hand on her shoulder looking at Valiant.

Valiant takes a step towards Morgana bowing deeply taking her hand gently he pressed his soft lips on her hand liking up at her with a small smile. Morgana's face flushed a little as he rose back up. She glanced away hiding her blush. Looking at Arthur she finds his staring at the crowd with all uncomfortable grin.

"My Lady." He spoke pulling her back in.

She smiled at him ignore Arthur for the moment. "I saw you competing today." Morgana commented sparking up a small conversation.

"I saw you watching. I understand the tournament champion has the honour of escorting My Lady to the feast." Valiant said his eyes never leaving her own.

Morgana nodded happy he had mentioned it. "That's correct."

His eyes glowed with excitement as he made his own promise. "Then I will give everything to win the tournament." Morgana preferred this promise more than the other knight. He was different from the others. He was truly noble and charming and not creepy. She smiles at him once again nodding to him.

He returns the nod bowing once again. "My Lady."

Valiant takes his leave heading over to the other knights there shaking hands with them and making new friends.

As Morgana and Gwen watched they noticed him talking the most to his next opponent Sir Ewan.

Out of the corner of Morgana's eye she saw Arthur bowed to his own father showing him the utmost respect.

"Arthur." Uther greeted sternly.

Arthur returned the affection speaking back in the same tone, "Father."

Turning her head a little to see Arthur better she watched him glance at Valiant before making his way closer to Morgana.

Peeling her eyes away from Valiant she turned to Arthur offering him one her loving smiles. He halfheartedly returned it. "They all seem rather impressed by Knight Valiant."

Arthur frowned looking at the man being mentioned. Giving a small look of disgust that only those who knew him would have caught he added. "They're not the only ones."

She was taken aback this was new side of Arthur. He must have not liked him taking interest in her and Morgana returning the interest lightly. "You're not jealous, are you?" She accused grinning a little.

His eyes wandered over to Knight Valiant. He looked at him specifically, "I don't see there's anything to be jealous of." Arthur shrugged playing his jealousy off of what she suspects was about him but she could've been wrong.

Her smile fades mad she couldn't get him to admit his feelings. Arthur shrugs walking over to his own group of knights.

Morgana turned towards Guinevere she spoke in a low voice growling, "Could Arthur be any more annoying? I so hope Knight Valiant wins the tournament."

Gwen gasped her jaw dropped a little. "You don't really mean that." That would be fine, however, they both knew what Arthur would have to go through if he lost. Uther would not be happy. So he would lose was not a costumed with each other no matter how cocky he would get.

Morgana glared at Arthur. She turned on her heels muttering, "Yes, I do."
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A.N: Welcome to Episode Two. I was so excited to write the last part, I felt it had a lot of irony. I feel as if Artura would be jealous of Morgan's freedom. She and Merlin agreed the dude was a creep so it's not jealousy of Valiant hitting on Morgana.

Issue #5: How long does she keep her gender a secret from Merlin? And what comfort would he bring? Would this encourage him to tell his secret earlier?