chapter five!
005. the eye of a serpent

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    AS SOON AS she was relieved from her duties, Odette bid Morgana farewell and raced down the stairs from her chambers. Knowing this castle so well, it barely took any time to cross from east to west to the Physician's chambers. A path she knew quite well in the nights she spent at Gaius's care when she had no food or water, or even a bed to call home. Where he'd teach her to read and to write, and to tell her that everything will be all right. Like an guardian angel, Odette always had Gaius. If she was ill, if she was starving, if she had nowhere else to go, he welcomed her with fatherly arms and made her feel safe when after her mother's death, the young handmaiden had no one.

    But she didn't come for wisdom, a meal or even a book to learn from. Odette couldn't get Sir Ewan's vicious defeat out of her mind, even hours after the day's fighting had come to an end. Morgana had reassured her many times that the knight will be all right and that Sir Valiant (who could do no wrong) would never be so cowardly to go against a knight's code. But no peace settled in the churn of her stomach, and so Odette climbed the stairs up the physician's tower to see how Sir Ewan was doing herself.

    She wasn't surprised that she bumped into Merlin on her way there. The clang! of Arthur's armour did, however. Odette gasped as the pile hit the ground and Merlin wasted little time in picking it up. "Sorry!"

    She crouched down to help him, finding herself yet again holding the Prince's helmet in her fingers. "We need to stop meeting like this," she tried to joke, but it came off very dry from her tongue.

    Merlin breathed a weak chuckle, and the two of them stood there in the staircase, a little unsure on what to say to each other next. "You're here to see how Ewan's doing?" in the end the young warlock asked.

    Odette nodded. "I have to," she whispered, shuffling closer to Merlin as she expressed her suspicious thoughts. "Something wasn't right about the way Valiant won that round," she told him quickly. He hung onto every word. "I don't know whether I imagined it or whether I'm mad but..."

    "But what?" Merlin pressed, eyes wide as she awaited the rest of her tale.

    Odette glanced around them. Even if they were the only ones in the stairway, she was scared that anyone could somehow be listening. "Ewan seemed to have been knocked out before Valiant took his blow," her voice was even softer. "I saw his sword arm go limp and it was only afterwards that Knight Valiant struck him."

    Merlin frowned at this. He pursed his lips, "Are you sure it wasn't a trick of the sunlight."

    "I know what I saw," stated Odette, now determined. "There isn't something quite right about Knight Valiant I can feel it."

    He thought about this. She watched his dark blue gaze gloss over like deep down, he had a very similar feeling. Soon, he decided to take her arm and gently push her in front of him up the stairs. "Come on," said Merlin. "We can look and see how Sir Ewan is doing ourselves."

    Odette chewed at her bottom lip, only feeling worse now that she's spoken her worries to Merlin▬she had expected (perhaps relied on) him telling her she was mad and had imagined things, but instead, he seemed to agree with her, and it only worsened the unsettled feeling that has grown the past two days. 

    But she said little else as she led the way up the stairs to Gaius's chambers. Reaching the door, she glanced at Merlin a final time before gently pushing the door open and peaking inside the threshold. Merlin wasn't so graceful, he ran right into her and made the two of them stumble into the room. 

    Gaius glanced up from where he hovered over the canvas cot in his chambers, settled neatly beside shelves of potions and herbs. There, lying tragically still was the brave knight Sir Ewan▬he looked worse than he had on the arena field. Pale and sweating ... nothing that would strike Odette as the symptoms of being knocked unconscious. 

    In seeing the two young servants huddling amongst each other, barely able to keep the other on their own two feet, he sighed and nodded for them to come over. Instantly, they scurried across the floor, dropping their things on the centre table with thuds and clangs before rushing to the physician's side. 

    "How is he?" asked Merlin, a little breathless. 

    Gaius pursed his lips. His brows furrowed over the glasses perched on the tip of his long, hooked nose. He gestured for the two of them to crouch down at Ewan's side, pulling back the blankets tucked around him to keep him warm to point out something that has been irking him the moment the knight was lain down. 

    "It is most odd," murmured the physician. "Look at this..."

    Odette bent her knees, chin right by Gaius's pointed finger to see what he meant. Merlin hovered over her shoulder, the both of them frowning at the strange sight on Sir Ewan's neck. There were two indents in his skin▬swollen and red, like something with pincers had struck. 

    "See these two small wounds?" went on Gaius▬the two friends nodded. "It looks like a snakebite."

    "A snakebite?" Odette echoed, puzzled. She glanced up at Gaius, finding this absurd▬but not in a way that made her want to chuckle in disbelief, but in a way that only fed her terrible feeling; like something was sinking in her stomach. "But ... how could he have been bitten by a snake in a sword fight?"

    "It puzzles me such," confessed the Court Physician, meeting hers and Merlin's intense gazes, "yet his symptoms are consistent with poisoning▬slow pulse, fever, paralysis..."

    Odette made a face, turning back to the limp knight lying before them. She eyed the sickly tone to his once warm cheeks▬his jaw was red from where Valiant had struck him, but right now, that was the least of Sir Ewan's problems. When on earth could a snake have bit him in the moments of his fight and before he was knocked to the ground? It didn't make sense. It was inexplainable. 

    "Can you heal him?" then asked Merlin as Gaius stood up, taking the bowl he had with him. He set it on the table and squeezed the water from the damp rag. 

    "Well," he said as he did, fixing his spectacles momentarily, "if it is a snakebite, I'll have to extract venom from the snake that bit him to make an antidote."

    Merlin followed him. Odette watched him over her shoulder, "What happens if he doesn't get the antidote?"

    Gaius stopped. He glanced up at his young ward and breathed a sigh▬he looked as if another ten years had just weighed down upon his soul. "Then I'm afraid there's nothing more I can do for him. He's going to die."

    Odette's brows furrowed deeply. Slowly, her gaze settled back onto the two puncture wounds at Ewan's neck; she remembered the moment she saw his hand go limp in reaching for his sword back at the arena. Her blood ran cold.

    It was maddening▬impossible, even, but how else could there be a way to explain how he ended up in such a state? She got to her feet, breath hitching as the realisation dawned on her like a morning winter's frost. 

    The young handmaiden turned to Merlin and whispered▬knowingly to no one else except for them, "He was fighting Knight Valiant..."

    His eyes widened as he, too, considered her outrageous accusations▬but he did not say anything in objection. Odette could see in the fall of his face that he thought the very same. Gaius's question for her to repeat her words barely reached her ears before Merlin breathed out a quick, "Nothing," and the two servants marched out of the door. 

    Together they rushed down the staircase, hearts pounding with nerves. Odette could feel her blood pumping into her ears, knowing where they were heading without a single word between them. 

    She shouldn't be doing this. A servant's best business was no one else's▬to keep their head down, to hold their tongue, and to find themselves in no trouble. Their place was a place that was a step above nothing▬a place within the shadows, as the leftover crumbs on a plate or the dust upon a dresser. They had no concern in the affairs of anything else. 

    But even if she was born into that life▬a mere orphan left to perish; unwanted, Odette always liked to bite off more than she could chew. When it came to those she cared about, trouble was of little concern. If Knight Valiant had ill intentions, he did not only threaten those like Sir Ewan, he also threatened Morgana; he threatened Arthur. 

    It wasn't until they reached the wing of Sir Valiant's chambers that Merlin spoke. As he and Odette hid in the darkness of the archway above an alcove, he turned to face her▬as if only just realising what they were about to do. 

    "You should head back," he whispered to her. "This could be dangerous."

    "No," Odette said immediately, stubborn. "I'm not going anywhere."

    She missed the small, grateful smile Merlin held in the dim light. Soon, he was back to peering around the corner, hand resting on her shoulder as they stayed on high alert for the arrival of Valiant from the armoury. At this time, he should've relieved himself of his armour and was on his way to retire for an early night before the festivities continued tomorrow▬and Odette's assumptions proved true, for not even a few minutes did she and Merlin wait before the serpent knight's figure appeared down the corridor. 

    With silent gasps, the two servants ducked further into their hiding place, staying there for a few seconds before▬in unison▬they carefully peeked back out, eyes following the Knight Valiant as he passed without a glance, heading straight for the doors of his private room. He disappeared within. Odette and Merlin shared a glance; a nod. Careful not to make any noise, they crept out of the shadows of the alcove and towards the noble's door. 

    Odette avoided the barred light of the candlelight reflecting out through the cracks in the wood, guiding Merlin with her to take a wide berth to miss the possibility of Valiant seeing their shadows stop right outside. 

    Reaching the other end, shoulder-to-shoulder, the young warlock and handmaiden tiptoed up towards the door▬holding their breaths and praying that no one passed to catch them in such perilous matters. Slowly, they hunched in close enough they could peer through the cracks of the oak. 

    Inside, the warm light of the candles upon the dining table flickered. Valiant passed, relaxed▬completely unbeknownst to the suspicious watching eye. Odette narrowed her eyes, straining to see around the room to know where he had went, but it wasn't long before he came back into view. In his hands he held a small cage; something grey scurried around inside it.

    He set it down onto the table before carefully opening up the cage hatch▬he reached inside, and Odette arched a brow, confused as Valiant picked up a small rodent by its tail. The mouse squeaked in distress, flailing his small frail legs and squirming as he was carried up and away from his cage. Valiant chuckled▬she hated the smirk on his face before, now, she hated it even more. 

    He dangled the mouse in front of his eyes, amused at its futile attempts to get away. "Dinnertime," he whispered.

    For a terrifying moment, Odette thought he was going to eat the mouse himself. Until he crouched down to something leant against the head chair at the table. He dangled the mouse before it▬something round and thin ... a shield. The same serpent shield he bore on his arm when he fought. 

    Odette clasped her hand over her mouth to stop the want to scream when the snakes on the shield came to life. They merged from the art depicted in such a way, she almost thought it was a trick of the light. Until she heard the low hisses from their throats, and saw the tongues flicker out, gazing upwards at the mouse with hungry mouths. 

    The snake at the top of the shield managed to snatch the rodent in its teeth and its brother heads grabbled for it▬they ripped the flesh apart; tugging the poor mouse apart at its limbs until its pitiful screams cut off to nothing, and all that was left was a thin tail on the stone floor. And Valiant watched it happen▬a fearsome gleam in his eye. 

    Odette couldn't force herself to watch for any moment longer otherwise she was sure she would be sick. She grabbed the sleeve of Merlin's jacket and tugged him into a run away from Valiant's chambers. The two young servants sprinted down the hallway before the serpent knight could see, ducking quickly into the servants entrance that led back down to the kitchens. They took the long way back to Gaius's chambers that evening. 

    Neither friend could take a moment to stop and breathe to speak about what they had just seen until they reached the safety of Gaius's chambers. They burst back through, giving the physician quite the start▬though they cared little. Merlin closed the door behind them, making sure to lock it shut and only then did they stop.

    Odette took a long breath, clutching a stitch at her side as she tried to comprehend everything she had just seen. She stared at Sir Ewan who hadn't stirred at all from where he lied on his death bed, sick to the stomach. The memory of those snakes ripping apart that poor mouse▬she believed she'll never get it out of her head. 

    "What has gotten into you two?" Gaius demanded, voice turning stern at their outburst.

    Merlin ignored his scowl, flushed at the cheeks from running all the way across the castle. He pointed at Odette, heaving before managing a breathless, "We've just seen the snakes on Valiant's shield come alive!"

    "He's using magic," Odette said between breaths. She took a seat at Gaius's table, very troubled. Now that she had a moment to stop and think, she felt terror rise up in her chest. "Gaius▬he's using dark magic."

    Gaius was silent for a moment, taking their words in. His face turned gaunt. "Are you sure?" he asked them gravely. 

    Merlin scoffed▬was he sure? "The snakes ate a mouse▬" he flung out his hands to mimic the way the creatures had torn that poor animal apart, "▬ripped him apart before each taking one swallow, straight down. Ewan was fighting Valiant when he collapsed. It must've been one of the snakes from the shield."

    "I saw Ewan fall limp before Valiant could take his blow," added Odette helpfully, hand against her forehead in her dread. "He was putting up a good fight, Valiant had no choice but to cheat if he was to win."

   Gaius had nothing to say. He frowned down at Sir Ewan barely breathing, sweating under woollen blankets▬but there was an apprehensive look about him, like this might just be even worse than they feared. 

    Merlin was still in a rush. He paced around Ewan's bed once before making up his mind. He started at a march to the door yet again, "I have to tell Arthur▬"

    Instantly, Gaius was on his feet, "Is there any chance you might be mistaken?" he asked hurriedly, stopping Merlin in his tracks. 

    The warlock spun back, if not incredulous by such a question. "I know magic when I see it," he said. 

    "Perhaps, but do you have any proof?"

    He frowned, taken aback. Merlin gestured to Odette still seated by the table, "Don't you believe us?"

    "I fear you'll land yourselves in trouble," said Gaius, sounding quite severe. "How will you explain why you were in Valiant's chambers?"

    "What does that matter?" let out Merlin, growing annoyed. "He's using magic to cheat in the tournament!"

    "Yes," the physician was becoming exasperated. He approached the young boy, desperate to explain the situation. "But you can't go accusing a knight of using magic without proof!" Odette watched, not sure on what to say or what to do. She knew Gaius was right, but that didn't mean she liked admitting the truth. "The King would never accept the word of two servants over the word of a knight."

    "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 swallowed back his bitterness. Clenching his hands, his gaze turned into a glower and without another word, he stormed off to the ajar door on top of the small set of stairs▬he slammed it closed behind him, and Odette hung her head. She felt a wave of defeat as she went back to staring at Sir Ewan, watching as his chest shuddered up and down ... and barely anything more. 

    She wondered what her mother would have done in this situation. Would she had done something no matter the consequences? Or would she have accepted loss even before the chance of victory ...?

    Odette forced her gaze to the window. She knew exactly what her mother would say: the sunrise will guide you onto the right path.

    And that was all she could hope for now; that the day would bring something better than the night. 

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    SO FAR, the sunrise hadn't given her an answer. Odette gazed at it as it rose up closer and closer to the midday, begging for it to light up a path she needed to take▬she hated it, having to sit there at the front of the stands and watch Knight Valiant fight without honour or integrity, those horrible snakes staring right back at her, as if they knew she was aware of their true nature▬taunting her to say something and face the consequences. 

    They seemed to laugh at her at each strike, you wouldn't dare, they teased her. You're a coward. 

    She twisted the fabric of her cloak in her fingers, wringing them as she watched Valiant▬yet again▬rise above in the leader board, closer and closer to the top where Arthur wasn't far behind. It was clear now who will be the two set up against each other in the final, a prince against a cheating knight▬except his cheat might just win over them all. One strike, and the King's son would be just like Sir Ewan on that bed in Gaius's chambers, no better than dead. 

    Gwen noticed her stressed tugs, watching her keep wrapping and unwrapping the edges of her cloak around her hands and fingers, "Are you all right, Odette?" she asked her gently. 

    The young handmaiden met her dear friend's gaze briefly, finding Guinevere's brows knitted with deep concern. She must look very troubled▬perhaps just as sick at the cheeks as she felt in her stomach. Quickly, a lie fell right off the edge of Odette's tongue▬and later on, she will concern herself with just how easily she managed to twist the truth to one of her closest companions. "I'm fine," she said in a small voice. She turned her gaze back onto the arena field, "I'm just looking forward to the final, is all ..."

    Gwen arched a thin brow, watching the way her friend swallowed harshly. She nodded to herself, quite knowing. Leaning in close, she whispered so no one else could hear, "I'm sure Arthur will be fine."

    Odette frowned at her, startled by the comment. Even if she didn't know the complete truth, Guinevere had this gift that made her able to see into the depths of Odette and bring out an understanding of exactly how she felt. She wasn't sure whether it was because there was something so wise about the blacksmith's daughter, or whether because she knew her so well ... or both. 

    "He's faced adversaries far worse than that of Knight Valiant of the Western Isles," grinned Guinevere, nudging her friend lightly▬so soft not even Morgana could overhear them amongst the excited murmurs as the next fight began. "He'll showcase himself victorious, don't worry."

    Yet again, by the end of the day, Odette found herself wandering towards Gaius's chambers. She carefully stepped inside after knocking on the door, eyes gentle as they set upon Merlin sitting next to Sir Ewan's fading body on the physician's cot. He looked worse than a gloomy winter's day.

    "Hello, Merlin," she greeted softly. 

    He barely glanced up, briefly noticing her step inside and close the door behind her. "Odette," he muttered, as if wanting to be happy to see her, and yet couldn't muster anything more than the sullen sight he was now. 

    Carefully, Odette swept across the room, her skirts hovering just above the stone floor. Without a word said, Merlin shuffled over on the seat and let her sit down beside him. She settled against his shoulder, slumping out a sad sigh as she noticed Knight Ewan's skin looked even paler than it was yesterday. 

    They sat there in a sad, and yet comfortable silence for a few moments until Odette forced her gaze away from the dying knight onto her new friend▬and she felt, in that second, that she had known him for years. It was strange, how an individual met another, and it was like their souls had been intertwined since the very first sunrise. "How have you been?" she asked him in a murmur. 

    Merlin set his jaw. He looked down at his hands, "Ewan's going to die," he said, sounding rather broken, "and Valiant's going to use the shield against Arthur in the final▬and I can't say a word."

    She pursed her lips, unable to find anything encouraging to say. Instead, Odette shuffled in her seat and leant against him▬for all she could offer was her silent comfort. It was a lonely life when no one cared about your voice; cared to listen. But even then, there was always someone else in the shadows of the castle who felt just as alone. And when you were alone together, some part of it became bearable. 

    The answer had not shown itself with the sunrise▬no path had brightened up before Odette's eyes as she gazed out the castle windows. Her mother's advice passed through her like a ghostly wind, leaving her nothing except an aching chill for her to be right there with her, at her side here tonight with the answer there on her tongue. 

    Odette had many words to describe Arthur. Condescending, conceited, immature▬but deep down, she'll always care for him. There was something about the Prince that no matter his arrogant words, gave her hope. Even as a child, he seemed so bright like the sunrise had made a home within him. The sky was in his eyes, and the light had kissed his hair. Maybe that was why, no matter the trouble he caused her (and maybe she caused him), Odette continued to follow him until she couldn't anymore. And even then, her eyes searched for him in the crowd, hoping that maybe he'd find her, too, and remember the days▬as children▬they had sort of come to enjoy each others company. 

    She knew she couldn't watch Arthur die knowing that she could've done something to stop it; it didn't matter if he cared to remember their friendship or not. She remembered. She will always remember.  

    The door opened again, and it was Gaius that entered this time. Odette and Merlin glanced up, both silent and already grieving the next day with heavy hearts. 

    The Court Physician stopped by them and the unconscious knight who even though his breathing was ragged and dry, he could not move a single muscle. Soon, Gaius sighed▬he couldn't stare into their glum gazes any longer. 

    "Merlin," he began, admitting with a clasp of his old, nimble fingers in front of his long red tunic, "about what I said yesterday ... Look, Uther really wouldn't listen to you, Odette or me ..." slowly, he came to stand behind them, and together, the three of them frowned down at Sir Ewan. "But you are right. We can't let Valiant get away with this."

    Merlin was momentarily surprised▬but he didn't let him faze him for long. In seconds, he was on his feet, exasperated, and yet with a fresh determination, "But we don't have any proof."

    "Well," suggested Gaius, "if we could cure Ewan, he could tell the King that Valiant was using magic. The King will believe another knight. But how we get the antidote▬well, that's another matter."

    Odette's brow quirked as an idea struck her. "If you had the snake venom," she said thoughtfully, "then you would be able to create an antidote to cure Sir Ewan?"

    Gaius nodded, not too sure where she was going with this, "Theoretically, yes. But how do you suggest getting the same venom of the snake that bit Ewan ...?"

    She was already on her feet as a plan finally came to mind. Under the dim gleam of the candlelight, Odette was flushed with a victorious thrill. Merlin froze, unable to stray his gaze from the gleam she held▬something regal and commanding that made him ready to believe and follow whatever word she spoke. 

    Odette met his eye, and he understood exactly where she was going; the scheme she had brewing like a potion on top of a simmering flame. "It'll be easy," she decided to say, vague and mysterious before setting off to the door. Merlin followed her, and the two of them set off into the castle in the depths of the night. 

    The knights were dining with the King in his private feasting hall▬the two remaining champions and the foes they vanquished earlier today. Valiant would be amongst them, which meant his chambers were conveniently free. Once they were sure he was seated with the King, Odette grabbed Merlin's sleeve and led him at a rush for the servants' corridors situated in the dining hall alcove. 

    For a moment, the Prince situated across from the infuriating Valiant was distracted from his goblet of wine when he noticed the flash of a brilliant shade of hair under the light of the torches. He frowned across the dining hall, curious and yet confused as he caught the edges of a familiar dress that swept around the ajar servants' door. No one but Arthur saw her, recognising Odette anywhere▬and he prayed to God she would be careful with whatever trouble she had thrown herself into now. 

    The young handmaiden led Merlin through the corridors she knew like her own crafted maze. She was the keeper of the dark castle hallways, truly known only to the forgotten and the mistreated▬beings who did not even hold enough station to be a free man of their own home. She knew the quickest routes to get from the King's dining hall to Valiant's chambers▬for she had been the maid who had tended to a travelling dancer that had resided in the same room a few years prior. 

     "Around here▬" Odette marched through without barely a glance as to where she was going, and before Merlin knew it, she stopped before a wooden door. She glanced back at him, bouncing her brows that said, well, here we are and went to force the door open. 

    When it didn't budge, she tried again. It was locked.

    Merlin stepped forward and Odette let him. She watched, enamoured by the way he took a deep breath and held up his hand. He whispered something in a tongue ancient and powerful▬his gaze flashed a deep gold, and Odette heard the old lock click open. 

    He met her gaze and bounced his brows much like she had done, smug. She smirked, "That's handy," she told the warlock and he shrugged, chuckling briefly as she gingerly pushed open the door to peak inside. 

    Like they had suspected, the serpent knight's chambers were deserted. With another glance over her shoulder to check whether Merlin was ready, Odette took a long breath through her nose and pushed the door out wide to let the both of them in. 

    She let Merlin go in before her so she could keep an eye out▬to strain her ears for footsteps outside the chambers, either a servant coming to ready Valiant's room before he would retire, or the knight himself returning from his dinner with the King. Odette watched Merlin make his way straight for the weapon rack at the other end of the room, pulling up a sword into his hands. He turned it on the shield settled just where it had been when they saw the snakes come to life▬right now, it looked like nothing; innocent ... as innocent such a menacing picture could be. None of the snakes moved, but Odette knew they were there▬perhaps she was imagining it, but she could hear their hisses like echoes in the castle stone walls. 

    They waited for the snakes to show themselves▬but Odette knew it wouldn't be that easy. They had to somehow coax them out before Valiant returned; taunt one to show itself so they could cut off its head.

    Merlin kept himself at a blade's distance. He arched a brow, tentatively tapping the tip of the sword against the eye of one of the serpents. Slowly, he dragged it down, tracing the knot its body made with its brethren. He seemed trying to will them to life without even a breath of a spell▬and for a moment, Odette wondered whether he held to power to do so with commanding ease. Merlin wasn't just some random sorcerer ... he was something terrifyingly powerful. 

    But before he could manage to draw the serpents from their disguise, footsteps echoed up the hallway outside the chambers. Merlin spun back around, his sword arm faltering as he listened to see where the footsteps were heading. They were drawing closer. 

   Odette went to whisper for him to rush to her before they'd run out of time when the hissing she had heard like a distant wind grew louder. Her eyes widened and her breath hitched to see one of the snakes▬the head at the base of the shield emerge from its frozen cage. Long, slender, it crawled out without Merlin noticing, rearing back its head with two, sharp fangs extending out for a bite.

    "Merlin!" Odette exclaimed.

    He spun back. His breath hitched with sudden fear▬he acted out of pure instinct. Before the serpent could strike him dead, he swung the sword he had taken upwards with miraculous accuracy, taking off the head of the snake with one, single slice. 

    The brother heads shrieked in fury▬they darted out into the blinking eye, furious at the murder of their kin. Merlin dropped the blade and grabbed the snake head▬he ran past the remaining two heads, ducking their strikes within an inch of his hair, racing to Odette who reached out a hand to meet him halfway. She grabbed his sleeve and tugged him back into the servants hallway, closing the door behind them, locking it again barely seconds before the other chamber entrance opened.

    Odette and Merlin took off back through the winding corridors, heart racing. The handmaiden's eyes flickered to the disembowelled serpent head clutched tight in Merlin's palm, and something surged within her▬they had what they needed to unravel Valiant's twisted plan right before his eyes.

    She just hoped that it would be enough. 

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    THE SERPENTS fangs punctured the canvas at Gaius's touch, forcing the venom down through into the glass bottle. Merlin watched, feeling unwell at the sight, knowing that the touch of such poison caused Sir Ewan to be albeit dead beside him. There were two more snakes with the same terrible venom still alive, able to emerge from Valiant's shield by his command▬their sights set on a prince completely ignorant to the threat of his life on the morrow. 

    His glance briefly flickered towards Odette standing next to him, looking shaken and pale from their ordeal. Merlin hadn't expected her to set forth upon an adventure so dangerous▬she was brave; very brave. 

    The two young friends watched the physician work, careful and ginger. Once he was done, he examined the amount he had procured in the glass before nodding. He glanced at them down the lenses of his glasses, "I'll get started preparing the antidote."

    Merlin huffed, admittedly relieved they managed to get this far, "I'm going to tell Arthur."

    Gaius passed him the snake head he had captured, "You'll need this."

    The warlock took it yet again, turning the head in his hands. He turned to Odette, wondering whether she would come with him, but she hadn't moved. She had been determined and courageous before, but when Merlin mentioned going to Arthur, there seemed to be some flicker of fear that danced amongst her gaze. He wasn't sure what scared her so much▬but there was something about facing the Prince that made her freeze. 

    He frowned, taken aback, but said nothing. He kept it to himself, and went to leave when Gaius spoke before his feet could lead him back into the stairwell, "And, Merlin," the warlock glanced back. Gaius sent him a small, proud smile, "what you and Odette did was very brave."

    Merlin couldn't help the way the corner of his lips tugged upwards▬hearing Gaius call him brave, it filled him with a surge of pride and satisfaction. He nodded, thankful before leaving, and Odette looked to her hands, troubled. 

    The warlock found the Prince eating an extra platter of bread and cheese after his supper with the knights and his father. He looked up when his servant entered his chambers with little proper announcement, incredulous and about to tell him to leave and try again (with a knock!), when Merlin burst into an explanation of everything that had happened. He told Arthur of his and Odette's adventure in great detail.

    At first, Prince Arthur stared at him, confused and disbelieving▬he picked at his cheese with a dubious brow arched amongst his blonde hair. His blue gaze flickered between Merlin and the snake head he clutched out before him. 

    There was silence after Merlin finished.

    Then, Arthur let out, "You?"

    Merlin sighed, sort of expecting it.

    The Prince looked as if he was having a very hard time trying not to laugh. He pointed a slice of bread at his manservant, "You chopped its head off?"

    The young warlock refused to let his soft chuckles get to him. He set down the snake head on the Princes's dining table and continued his story in a hushed, frantic mutter, "Ewan was bitten by a snake from the shield when he was fighting Valiant. You can talk to Gaius▬" he added at the look on his master's face, "▬you can see the puncture wounds on Ewan's neck where the snake bit him." Arthur scoffed a little, turning back to his meal. Merlin stepped in closer, desperate for him to see some sense into his thick head, "Ewan was beating him. He had to cheat!"

    Arthur just shook his head at him. Gentle, like a chiding older brother, the Prince sighed and told the young manservant: "Valiant wouldn't dare to use magic in Camelot."

    "Ewan was pinned under Valiant's shield," went on Merlin. "No one could see the snake bite him."

    "I don't like the guy," admitted the Prince, holding up his hands in mock surrender as he stood up, "but that doesn't mean he's cheating."

    "I saw the snakes come to life," Merlin followed him as he turned away, crossing his arms and peering a distant gaze at the sleeping city below. 

    "Yes, you chopped its head off," Arthur muttered dryly, "congratulations."

    Merlin chewed at his tongue. He clenched his jaw and with a sharp roll of his eyes, he pulled out a desperate idea from within his sleeves▬a name he hoped the Prince still remembered like the girl remembered him. If he still held a nostalgic fondness like she did him, perhaps he'd believe▬perhaps Merlin could get him on his side.

    So, with a deep breath, he said: "Odette saw it. She was with me."

    The reaction wasn't something he expected. Or perhaps he did▬even then, he was surprised at how quickly the Prince spun back around, and he looked just the same as Odette had in Gaius's chambers. Merlin saw the exact same fear in the Prince's eyes that was in the gaze of the Lady Morgana's second maidservant; they were scared ... scared of how the childish friendship they once developed (and lost) still held a chokehold upon their being. 

    "Odette?" breathed Prince Arthur, her name whispered upon his lips like a gentle breeze. 

     Merlin knew he had his attention. He stepped closer, "Gaius is preparing an antidote to the snake venom▬when Ewan's conscious, he'll tell you what happened. If you fight Valiant in the final, he'll use the shield. It's the only way he can beat you." 

    Arthur still didn't quite believe him, and it was frustrating. It wasn't because he was a servant▬at least, Merlin hoped it wasn't. It was because Arthur couldn't see past the lanky, clumsy fool he could be; the same boy that made a complete idiot of himself in the markets, the same boy who joked and scoffed at his words▬a joke. 

    Merlin refused to be a joke.

    He grabbed the snake head again and brandished it angrily, "Look at it!" he snapped, and didn't care if he would be thrown in the stocks for his attitude▬he grabbed Arthur's attention. "Have you ever seen any snakes like this in Camelot?"

    He was surprised by his outburst, but despite it, the Prince hesitantly took the severed head in his fingers. He examined it, tracing the scales as if to check whether they felt real. 

    Merlin watched him, and the anger that had swelled in his chest faded away as he finally saw Arthur consider. He sighed, pursing his lips and muttering a soft, "Look ... I know I'm just a servant and my word doesn't count for anything." The Prince met his gaze, and for a moment, Merlin thought he would interject and tell him differently. It struck him, taken aback. He didn't let him have the chance. Stern, the warlock stated: "I wouldn't lie to you."

    It seemed so ironic that Merlin meant it with everything he had, and yet, despite it, he lied to him even now. He would be lying to Arthur every breath of his existence. He was genuine, and yet he was a hypocrite. 

    He wondered whether Destiny was laughing. 

    Arthur frowned at the snake's head. He stared at it, trying to imagine his servant standing before it▬braver than many of his knights, slicing off its head to take it to him in order to try and protect his life after such little time knowing each other ... after how he had treated him the day they met just a few nights before. And Odette, following him into the danger to do the same, despite how terrible everything ended for them. 

    It startled him just how ready Prince Arthur was to trust Merlin because of it. 

    "I want you to swear to me," he said to his manservant▬young and bright-eyed, barely on the verge of his seventeenth birthday, "that what you're telling me is true."

    Merlin fought back a grin. "I swear it's true."

    Arthur watched him▬he stared, searching for anything that should tell him the choice his father would make: to send his servant away and believe the word of nobility over the dirt scuffed on the tips of Merlin's shoes. Perhaps a night in the dungeon for breaking into a nobleman's private chambers. But instead, all the Prince saw was every reason to assume his young manservant was telling him the truth.

    "Then I believe you," he said. 

    That time Merlin couldn't hold back his smile▬he tried to swallow it, but nothing could stop the relief and pleasant surprise that Arthur was ready to believe his word; that he held him in such high regard.

    Perhaps the Prince of Camelot wasn't as horrible of a person as he originally thought... There was something about him; something that lived within his gaze and weighed down upon his shoulders, that gave Merlin the same hope of a warm sunrise. It was that which made him start to believe the words the Great Dragon told him about Arthur Pendragon's future. 

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    "YOU SEEM nervous?"

    Odette's brows furrowed, glancing sideways at Guinevere who just arched one of her own back. She hadn't slept all night, staring at the opposite wall of Morgana's antechamber in her nerves of what the morning would bring. She couldn't stop thinking of what could happen▬both good and bad. The possibility that everything would be in vain, and Arthur would face Knight Valiant made her sick. 

    But she had to pray for the best. She had to pray that this would go the way they wanted. And so, she forced the smile on her face, and it was bright, "Nervous?" she whispered back to Gwen at Morgana's side. "Of course, not..."

    "Can't possibly understand why Arthur would want to call a council against Sir Valiant," muttered Morgana, eyeing both the knight in his canary cape and the Prince standing rigid beside Merlin. Odette caught the warlock's gaze across the council chambers and he sent her a nod. She started to feel a little better. If Merlin was confident this would go in their favour, then she believed him. "Perhaps it's a result of a wounded ego."

    Odette turned to frown at her, "You know that's not true," she told her friend. Shuffling on her feet, she stood up a little taller, "Whatever he's called for, it must be important. He's not one to do such without good reason."

    Morgana eyed her, curious. Then, a playful smile graced her lips despite the brooding air, "I never suspected you to hold such faith in our Prince?"

    "I don't," said Odette quickly, trying very hard not to be hurt by Morgana's little recognition between her handmaiden, and the young girl who used to follow Arthur and Ronyn around many years ago. She wouldn't expect her to remember, but sometimes, she hoped for it. "I just ... state the truth▬we all know Arthur takes these sorts of things seriously."

    Morgana snorted at that, "Perhaps▬if he feels up to it, I suppose."

    It would be a blue moon when the King's Ward complimented the Prince instead of finding any chance to poke fun and insult him. But she frowned at Sir Valiant with an air of suspicion, for despite it all▬even if she might never admit it▬the Lady Morgana trusted Arthur's judgement. 

    Finally, just as the members of the court grew restless in the tense silence, the King arrived. He did not look happy▬he stormed through the opened doors, dressed in his formal robes of judgement. As he passed Arthur, he demanded, "Why have you summoned the court?"

    The Prince stepped forward, anxiously waiting for his father to reach the head of the hallway, standing before his chair before announcing: "I believe Knight Valiant▬" he shot the man a scowl who stood, silent accompanied by guards, "▬is using a magic shield to cheat in the tournament."

    The word magic brought a breath of whispers amongst the court. Morgana's eyes widened and her playful persona dropped away to show a breath of fear. She turned to her young maidservants, wondering whether they were the same▬shocked that such a noble man would do such a dastardly thing. Guinevere quirked a brow, her bright eyes growing heavy with scepticism. Odette, however, had her stare locked onto Knight Valiant▬she searched for any movement in his stoic stance, desperate to see any shock, or terror at them figuring out his secret. It didn't settle well with her that he showed no difference. 

    The King turned to him, looking like a startled stoat. "Valiant," he breathed, as if the very idea of a knight such as him practicing magic was absurd. Odette clenched her jaw. He had no problem accusing every passing servant of sorcery, but when it was someone who held a title of nobility the idea was impossible within his mind. "What do you have to say to this?"

    "My Lord, this is ridiculous," stated Sir Valiant of the Western Isles, gaze moving from Arthur and Merlin's equal glowers to the King. He lied so smoothly▬he held the same serpent tongue as the creatures on his shield. "I have never used magic. Does your son have any evidence to support this outrageous accusation?"

    Uther eyed his son, "Do you have evidence?"

    "I do."

    Arthur held out his hand and Merlin shuffled forward, passing over the serpent head he had taken with a bow to the King. He took it▬and even he could see the uncanny resemblance to the snakes on Valiant's shields. 

    Ronyn frowned, taken aback▬he awkwardly moved his head to the side to try and see the snake head as the King turned his back on the court, examining it himself. Odette was surprised when he caught her gaze across the room to say, what even in God's name? Until his mother noticed the faces he pulled and lightly tapped him on the chest. He fixed his posture, though still quite incredulous. Odette found it regrettably welcoming; for in such a serious matter he found amusement▬only Ronyn would judge the use of snakes by a sorcerer in a tournament. 

    "Let me see the shield," the King turned to Valiant, gesturing for him to bring it forth. As he did, he held the severed head next to it, examining the similarities. 

    Merlin quickly stepped in close to Arthur. Odette heard him whisper, "Don't let him get too close."

    The Prince unsheathed his sword at those words, holding it out with a daring stare towards Valiant who's gaze only made Odette's glare turn colder▬why was he amused? They had figured out his secret. He was surely to be condemned now. "Be careful, My Lord," Arthur told his father. 

    Uther hesitated▬though there was little worry. Odette was confused. Did he not believe the word of his own son? She watched him feel the surface of the shield, running his gloved hand across the knotted serpents. They did not move from their frozen state. 

    Through the ajar door, Gaius slipped into the court room. Odette's hopes pitched high to think that Sir Ewan would be in following, but the physician was alone. Her worries grew; something wasn't right.

    Merlin and Arthur met his gaze, and the Prince ushered his servant along to speak to Gaius and figure out where their witness was. Odette fiddled with her fingers, sharing nervous glances with Morgana and Guinevere. 

    "As you can see, My Lord," said Valiant as the King continued to inspect the serpents, "it's just an ordinary shield."

    Arthur scoffed at this. He turned to the noblemen and women in the court, gesturing a wild arm towards the knight, "He's not going to let everyone see the snakes come alive▬"

    "Then how am I to know that what you say is true?" asked the King.

    It was sad, to see a father have such little faith in his own son▬it was even sadder to see Arthur act so nonchalantly about it; used to constantly trying to prove himself, again and again and again. "I have a witness. Knight Ewan was bitten by one of the snakes from the shield. The venom made him grievously ill. However, he has received an antidote. He will confirm that Knight Valiant is using magic."

    "Where is this witness?"

    "He ..." Arthur shuffled on his feet, uncertain, "... should be here ..." he glanced back to where Merlin and Gaius conversed in low, serious tones by the chamber entrance. Odette's breath hitched in the back of her throat▬now she was sure something terrible had happened. She eyed Knight Valiant, and hated the slight smug smirk on his face. Whatever it was, he had something to do with it.

    The Prince set his jaw and marched over to the two of them. He joined their hushed murmurs. All eyes were upon them, waiting for Arthur to say something. The King was growing impatient. 

    When he had waited too long, he snapped, "I'm waiting!"

    Arthur spun back around. There was no confidence left in his gaze. He swallowed harshly and bowed his head, unable to look his father in the eye▬unable to look any of them in the eye. He took a deep breath and said: "I'm afraid the witness is dead."

    Uther Pendragon flared with anger▬and disappointment. "So, you have no proof to support these allegations." Arthur tried to say something, but he was cut off. "Have you seen Valiant using magic?"

    Arthur bit his tongue. "No." At the murmurs that followed▬his father's sigh, the Prince stammered on his own words. He took a step forward, as if to follow his father as he turned away, becoming livid. "B▬But my servant fought the snakes▬"

    The king turned back around. Odette hunched a little, recognising that anger, "Your servant?" he echoed, shocked. "You make these outrageous accusations against a knight on the word of your servant?!"

    Arthur gritted his teeth. "I believe he's telling the truth."

    Odette's eyes widened. She stared at Arthur, a little shocked he'd so openly support Merlin's word▬in a way that filled her with a sudden, swelling admiration. 

    But it seemed like she was the only one who felt such. Other courtier members shared looks, judgemental and dubious to themselves▬but Arthur could feel them, even if he didn't see them. He became suddenly very small, the tips of his ears growing pink in embarrassment. 

    "My Lord," Valiant stoked the flames, stepping forward▬and the King listened to him without hesitation, "am I really to be judged on some hearsay from a boy?" he gestured to Merlin standing in Arthur's shadow, fuming. 

    He couldn't stop himself. Before anybody could stop him, the young warlock stormed forward, "I've seen those snakes come alive▬!" Arthur stopped him before he got too far, but he wasn't quick enough. The King turned wrathful.

    "How dare you interrupt?!" he shouted. Arthur stiffened, unable to do anything as Merlin condemned himself. "Guards!"

    Odette wished she could do something. She wished she had the courage Merlin held to speak out of term to stop the guards from grabbing his arms and dragging him harshly towards the council chamber doors. But all she could do was stand still and quiet, deciding to take the hem of Gwen's dress sleeve▬whether it was for comfort, or to keep her from doing something she'd later regret, she didn't know. Perhaps it was both. 

    Merlin struggled as the doors were opened yet again for him to escorted out, but Knight Valiant turned to the king and murmured a soft, "My Lord."

    The King held up a hand at his word, "Wait."

    The guards froze, and Merlin glanced back over his shoulder, confused by Valiant's choice. 

    "I'm sure he was merely mistaken," said the knight. "I wouldn't want him punished on my account."

    The King nodded, and Odette suppressed a scoff. She shook her head, clutching Guinevere's sleeve tighter when Uther set his gaze upon Arthur to say, "You see? This is how a true knight behaves▬will gallantry and honour."

    Lord Ronyn clenched his jaw. In seeing the slight fall of Arthur's gaze, he went to say something to defend his honour, but at his mother's gentle brush of his doublet, he stayed silent. He met her gaze and she subtly shook her head▬this was no time to defy the King. 

    "My Lord," then said Sir Valiant, mirthful to see the Prince look so small, "if your son made these accusations because he's afraid to fight me, then I will graciously accept his withdrawal."

    Morgana's nostrils flared▬even she found these words too much. The one person who should defend his son's honour; who should believe him and be at his side, did not take his side at all. He stood there and watched as Valiant tainted a blow upon Arthur's pride; declare him a coward in front of his entire future court. The Prince clenched his hands, looking murderous. 

    The King stared at him. He did not defend his honour, no, not at all▬he questioned it. "Is this true?" he breathed and Arthur stared at him, unable to believe his words. "Do you wish to withdraw from the tournament?"

    "No!" exclaimed Arthur.

    "Then what am I to make of these allegations?"

    Odette's clenched grip on Guinevere's sleeve fell as her anger replenished to sympathy. There was honour in Arthur's being, and there was courage, and there was dignity▬he might hide it, or perhaps hasn't yet realised what he held deep within was something good and revered ... but he had it; he had far more than what any king, or knight yet in the many kingdoms around the land could even dream to behold. Odette could see it, even if he▬or no one else▬did. 

    No matter what has happened between them, and no matter what will never happen; no matter the years of forgotten friendship and ignorance, no matter the words she scoffed to others about his faults, Odette knew she would defend that honour. Maybe to herself, maybe in whispers and gentle glances she knew he never found; maybe with her patience, and her virtue, standing in the shadows as nothing▬but she defended him. She will defend him. 

    "Obviously ..." started Arthur, quiet and shameful, "... there's been a misunderstanding. I ..." he took a sharp breath through is nose. He sheathed his sword, "withdraw the allegation against Knight Valiant." He bowed his head, abash. "Please accept my apology."

    Knight Valiant was too smug to be genuine, "Accepted."

    Not that Arthur noticed. He gave his father a final glance before spinning on his heel and storming out of the council chambers. The court had been adjourned▬

    Valiant seemed to have already won. 

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    a/n: 

    arthur is the only one at the start to truly see odette for odette, even if she doesn't know it. (and even if he has no idea how to say it mr. what else is there should write a book how to offend women in five syllables or less)

    and odette is the only one at the start to truly defend and believe in arthur, even if he doesn't know it. (even if she has no idea how to say it, or how to be heard)

    soulmates. 

    also literal sunshine x sunshine protector - could go either way lets be honest. no but literally odette is all like arthur here's a flower! and he's like wtf no but then is like mERLIN I NEED WATER AND A VASE OR WHATEVER GIRLS HAVE and has it beside his bed because we all know he's adorable.

    merlin: *mentions odette*

    arthur: odette? did you say odette? where is odette? 

    (Arthur having blonde hair odette says is sun-kissed and blue eyes like the sky basically making him symbolic as the sunrise odette is always looking for- )

     anyway goodnight. comment and vote <3 let's all rant about merlin in this book together. 

    (fuk I need to finish writing episode 3 before i publish the next chapter I wanna have be at least an episode in front with prewritten chapters)