The next few days of the tournament passed calmly with Arthur and Valiant still high in the wooden board.She watched every time as the other knights signs were taken down while the gold dragon of Camelot and the snakes of Western Isles were steady.
Despite the crowd enjoying the festivities and cheering on for their prince,the suspicion about Valiant didn't leave her mind.She had definitely seen the snakes move on his shield and the recent accident in his opponent didn't lessen the accusations.
And it was now down to Arthur coming against Valiant.
"I don't understand it either Gaius."said Isabella as she looked down at the unconscious man.He was sweating and had a few hallucinations here and there but nothing more."A snake bite,from a shield.Valiant isn't a sorcerer Gaius,Merlin saw the snake too."
"That doesn't prove anything,though."said the man as he sat beside her in the bench."The King could have his head for just entering another knight's chambers."he shook his head,while letting out a small sigh.
"I'm sure he's trying to be as careful as possible."Isabella replied as she watched sir Ewan breath slowly.His head slightly turned to expose the wounded side of his neck.
Merlin had a bad side,and that was that he often found himself in trouble.There was a very thin line right now in which he could step and getting himself separated from his head but hopefully he was lucky enough.The good side of this all was that Valiant was currently with Arthur and the King in a feast in the Great Halls.
"But trying to win the tournament in such a way makes him a coward in the first place."Isabella scoffed as she got up from her spot.She crossed her arms as she let her eyes roam the space around her.
"Everyone would do anything for even a small amount of gold."said Gaius from behind her.Isabella chuckled under her breath.He wasn't wrong about this.Not only for the tournament but people could just blame someone for sorcery and win their amount of gold and then go home like nothing happened.
Suddenly the door opened and Merlin entered,his hair sticking out and a snake's head at hand.There was their proof.
Gaius quickly got up from his spot,took the snake's head and pressed its teeth against a big vial.He then gave it a small sniff."I'll get started preparing the antidote."said the man as he moved to his table.
"I'm going to tell Arthur."said Merlin as he was already hurrying to get to the door,like it was going to flee.
"You'll need this."said Gaius as he gave Merlin the head back."And Merlin,what you did was very brave."Merlin stopped on his trucks to look at Gaius.A grin took over his face,a feeling of proudness emanating from him.
Isabella smiled at him as he jogged out the door and off to Arthur's chambers."You really are boosting his self-esteem."Isabella said as she turned to look at Gaius.
"Sometimes it's necessary."he replied as he squinted close to the vial and then mixed it with a small spoon."Now come help me,dear,the quicker we make this the quicker he will come around."
Isabella nodded and joined the man on his work.Her eyebrows though didn't stop furrowing the whole time.A man capable of winning with his own sword, used his magic shield in order to cheat.And that confirmed the question,that Valiant was indeed a snake.
She hoped that Merlin would be able to convince Arthur and things get justified.
It took them the better portion of the night to actually make the antidote but hopefully it would work.Gaius kneeled beside sir Ewan and with a small wooden spoon placed the substance on his lips.
Isabella sat on the edge of his bed,her worried eyes trained on his face.It took a couple of minutes before his breathing evened out and his eyes began to flicker.The brunette released a breath she didn't knew she was holding and exchanged a relieved look with Gaius.
"Welcome back."he said at the now conscious knight.He appeared in a bit of daze,or perhaps a little dizzy as he took his surroundings in.
"There was a snake on his shield."he said in a raspy voice."It came alive."he began to get up,only for Gaius to place a hand on his shoulder,gently pushing him back to the bed.
"You're weak.The snake's venom is still in your system."said Gaius steadily in order for him to understand.
"I must warn Arthur."said Ewan as he once more tried to get up,this time Isabella placing a hand of his leg to also gently push him back to the bed.
"Arthur already knows.He's requested an audience with the King.Now,they'll want to talk to you.Rest.You'll need your strength."replied Gaius with his hand still on his shoulder.
"I'm going to inform Merlin that everything is alright."said Isabella as she gave a small smile to the two before jogging quickly out of the door.
Her boots clicking on the way there,gave her a boost of confidence.Maybe everything would go just fine this time.
There were already people gathering on the courtyard meaning that the audience would take place in a couple minutes.She continued her quick spring all the way to the palace and the long hallways.Passing servants and knights that may or may not had questioned her sanity.
She was finally able to spot Merlin and Arthur walking slowly to the Throne Room, while making small talk or Arthur rumbling about his armor again.
"Merlin!"Isabella exclaimed from the end of the hallway as she jogged the rest of the way there."He's okay,he's alive."she said as she looked between him and Arthur.A weight seemed to lift from both their shoulders at the mention of Ewan being alive.
Besides that fact,she was also glad Arthur believed Merlin.With a witness and a proof of his crime,Valiant would come to justice.And so the three entered the Throne room with a different air.
The room began to fill with other knights,guards and other important people,she guessed.Even Guinevere was there along side the dark haired lady whom still she didn't know the name of.Stillness seemed to be held heavy in the room,and she couldn't help but bit the inside of her lip as she waited patiently for the audience with the King to roll smoothly.
She stood beside Merlin who seemed also in the same state as her but surprisingly he was able to hide it better than her.The two did share a few glances but nothing more than that.
Finally Valiant was escorted inside the room,with his yellow cape billowing behind him and his shield in front of him.He had a neutral expression on his face as he walked across the room and close to the throne.Maybe he knew what was coming up and probably had his answers already quick in the tip of his tongue or he was also nervous and was masking it extremely well.Either way this audience couldn't be cancelled,not now.
And last the King walked in,his own red cape waving behind him."Why have you summoned the Court?"asked Uther,an ever so slightly hint of boredom coming out of it,as he spared a look at his son.So that was the King of Camelot.He turned to look at him just as Arthur stepped forward.
"I believe Knight Valiant is using a magic shield to cheat in the tournament."said Arthur as he held himself straight in front of his father.That seemed to spike his interest since he turned surprised at the knight dressed in yellow.
"Valiant what do you have to say to this?"asked Uther.
"My lord,this is ridiculous I've never used magic,"Valiant answered as he took a step closer to the King,throwing a look over at Arthur."Does your son have any evidence to support this outrageous accusations?"
"Do you have evidence?"asked Uther quickly.
"I do."said Arthur in the same beat as he motioned for Merlin to give him the snake's head.Isabella stayed behind,watching as Valiant had broke a bit of a sweat as Uther examined the snake's head.
"Let me see the shield."said Uther as he turned to Valiant.Merlin whispered something on Arthur's ear as Valiant showed his shield.
"Be careful my lord."said Arthur as he unsheathed his sword.The three sharing a few unreadable looks for a few seconds as Uther felt the shield.Isabella's heart was beating harder than she had anticipated.
Gaius then walked inside the room,his face pale and his eyebrows furrowed."Merlin."he whispered just loud enough for him to listen.The old man stood beside her as Merlin joined them.The conversation between the King and Arthur kept going beside them.
"He was just fine this morning."whispered Isabella as she looked between the two.Gaius shook his head as Merlin pressed his lips tightly together.Arthur quickly joined the picture,his eyes looking straight at Merlin.
"Where's Ewan?"a small moment of silence followed.
"He's dead."said Merlin.The look on Arthur's face was indescribable.Disappointed,sad,humiliated she could see them all.
"I'm waiting!"exclaimed Uther.Arthur looked once all around the room, before his gaze returned back to his father's.He took a few steps forward.
"I'm afraid the witness is dead."he replied,his gaze downcast.
"So you have no proof to support these allegations?"Uther asked."Have you seen Valiant using magic?"he asked again,his expression becoming more stony with the minute.
"No."said Arthur calmly."But my servant fought-"
"Your servant?"a look of disgust took over Uther's face as he looked at his son."You make these outrageous accusations against a knight,on your word of your servant?"
Isabella felt herself almost making a step forward for speaking like this.Not only because he talked down to his son,next to the throne,but also because he gave no care for Merlin that served his son.The person he himself placed on that spot.
She felt a hand grasp her arm and she turned to see Gaius giving her a stern look that said not to step into this.
"I believe he's telling the truth."Arthur exclaimed, although his voice slightly more raised than the previous moments.
"My lord,am I really to be judged on some 'he say' from a boy."Valiant popped up,a hint of sarcasm on his words.This whole situation had turned in his favor now.
"I've seen those snakes come alive!"Merlin said as he ushered sharply next to Arthur.Isabella knew he wanted to help him in this situation but she doubted this would turn for the better now.
"How dare you interrupt."said Uther,not yelling,yet still his voice echoing in the throne room."Guards."Isabella turned sharply to Gaius and held on his hand as two guards approached Merlin.
"Expose Valiant."she said as she didn't leave any room for him to argue."My lord."she said as steadily as she could.The whole room turning to look at her as she stepped slightly to the center."Merlin isn't at fault here,I am."
Arthur stepped slightly to the side,giving her an odd look,which she probably guessed meant 'what the hell are you doing'.Uther looked down at her,his brows furrowed."Who are you?"
"My name is Isabella."she bowed,not how a lady would,but how a knight would.When she got up she looked once over her shoulder at Merlin who looked frantically at her and Arthur."It wasn't Merlin who saw Valiant using magic,it was me."she tried to keep her breathing even."I told Prince Arthur,he was covering up for me."she looked in between the King and Valiant.
"Father-"Arthur started only for Uther to shush him with a wave of his hand.
"A peasant has no right to speak like this to an honorable knight,more so a woman like yourself."he said in a slow threatening voice as his eyes closed slightly in a glare."How did you even managed to be here and speak those words is beyond me,"he took a step closer to her.Her heart started to beat harder against her chest."And yet you show no shame."
Isabella took a shaky breath, trying her hardest not to show it.She raised her chin high and looked him straight in the eye."I have no shame when it comes to justice.And yes I am a woman,and I do accuse Knight Valiant of sorcery."she said,her teeth closed tightly as she looked at him with all the bravery she could master.If it was even humanly possible Uther glared more at her.
"Guards,"he said."Take this discourteous fool to the dungeons,we shall deal with this after the tournament is over."he spoke in a steady rhythm,his eyes never leaving hers.Two pair of arms took a hold of her and turned her towards the other way.She didn't protest or resist their dragging, she was already in a difficult position she didn't want to make it even worse.
On her way out she noticed Gaius and Merlin,both looking either confused,shocked, terrified or maybe all of them.
The conversation behind her continued on,the sharp gazes of knights and the king making holes in the back of her head as she exited the room.The doors closing with a quiet thumb behind them.
What was she even doing getting into all this mess?What was she even thinking?She doubted any of this would get her or anyone in a better position, it would either be a dream or a miracle.
The three of them made their way down to the cells,passing more guards and knights on the way that did give one or two confused looks.Upon reaching her cell her sword was taken from her and she was left locked and alone in the middle of the day in a dirty cell.
A small window with bars was placed on one of the walls, filling the room with light.From there it out looked the outside of the castle.A muddy road going as far as her eye could catch and green filling the rest of the space.Mountains spread out far away and the blue sky peeking from clouds up above.
Her whole cell was filled with hay and a thin mattress that should probably resemble a bed of some sorts.That was at least the good part,because the smell of this place was awful.
She tried her best to ignore it as she pulled her cloak closer around her form and sat down at the mattress.Her back leaning against the cold stone wall.This was going to be a long night.
***
She didn't even realize when she had fallen asleep when the door of her cell opened with an annoying scraping of stone.She opened her eyes,blinking away the sleep and trying to adjust to the low light of the room.The sky was already dark outside and the torches were burning brightly around her.
With a frowned face and a determination on his step,Merlin,walked inside.The guard behind him closed the door and left them alone,giving them some privacy."Merlin-"
"What was all this about?"he asked.The irritation in his face told her every feeling he had right now."The King could easily cut your head off for speaking like this!"Isabella got up from her spot,her back sore from sleeping in one position this whole time.
"Merlin-"she tried again only to be cut off.
"If Arthur hadn't put in a few good words about you,Gaius or me wouldn't be able to save you!"he had started to slowly pace around the cell.His hands flailing around with his words."And think about all the ways he would embarrass you publicly before ending you!"
"Merlin!"she said once more,finally earning his silence."For Lord's sake I'm aware of all those things."he stood just a few paces across from her,a confused look across his features."You thought I didn't knew what I was putting myself into?"she sighed lightly looking around the dark interior of her cell."I stepped in on this because with you on the cells Arthur would be unprotected.And that makes Valiant's plant of winning a step further.But now it doesn't."she looked at him for a few seconds a soft expression on her face.She realized she had made a mistake by going head first into this but apparently something had pushed her."I do believe that he uses magic to win and you need to stop him."
"Without Arthur's trust I doubt it."he answered as he looked down.Isabella frowned at this her lips parting in an unsaid question."After you were taken away,there was no evidence,no witness,nothing to prove Valiant had used magic.Arthur stormed off,"he run a had through his dark hair."I tried to reason with him that I was telling the truth but,"he sighed heavily closing his eyes tightly.His silence filled the rest of her question.
It seemed there was a bond starting to form here.Arthur was an important figure of the kingdom and his judgement was important,in some issues.And Merlin only wanted him to be happy.Even though none of them would utter it in the near future.
"I'm sorry."she said quietly.Merlin pursed his lips and shook his head.She was at fault here too.Putting herself in a situation where she didn't belong."It's my fault.All of it."she run her hands across her face,looking anywhere but him.
"No it is not."Merlin said stepping closer to her a bit of silence followed and a heavy sigh from him."I'm going to find a way to expose him one way or another."his hand found her shoulder and gave her a small squeeze.She raised her gaze to look at him.The determination in his eyes was something that really surprised her.
Despite all the situation going off the wrong way he was still positive that he could fix everything.
"How?"she asked quietly,her voice barely a whisper as something seemed to clench inside of her.The door behind Merlin opened,meaning their time was up.
"I have no idea."he shook his head before turning around and leaving her in the silence of her cell.The guard locked the door and went on his way as Isabella inched the metal bars.Merlin's figure becoming smaller and smaller against the low light.Her hands gripped tightly at the cold metal.Be careful.