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Sir Cador was beginning to wish he had skipped the training this morning, while laying on the ground, every muscle in his body aching.
It had all started with Merlin and Arthur, as usual.
They had started the training this morning with the senior knights helping the new recruits. The new batch of knights had arrived the previous day, and Arthur had wanted to begin their training as soon as possible.
The new set of knights included Sir Galahad, Sir Kay, Sir Lamorak, Sir Degore and Sir Pelleas. They were easy to get along with except Sir Pelleas, who seemed a bit straightlaced.
All five of them had stopped in their tracks that morning when they arrived at the training field to find Arthur in an intense fight with Sir Leon and Merlin sitting on the sidelines as usual. Except this time, he was reading a book, while sitting on the dewy ground, his back propped against a dozing Aithusa.
Everyone in Camelot had now gotten used to Merlin’s magic and the white dragon, but since the new recruits had all come from lands far from Camelot, they didn’t seem to be that much familiar with the changes that came with the new laws.
Sir Degore, in particular, seemed somewhat hesitant to enter the training field, but eventually he made up his mind and followed his fellow knights, his eyes as wide as saucers.
Arthur had assigned a recruit to a couple of knights each. Sir Cador was paired with Sir Lancelot, and Sir Degore was the one assigned to them. After that followed an intense training session. Sir Degore was often distracted by watching Arthur fight with Percival and Elyan and occasionally glancing at Merlin, who was still reading his book, paying them no mind. Sir Cador could take a guess that it was a book entirely about magic.
“I heard that a white dragon attacked those of Camelot during the great battle. Is that the same dragon?” Sir Degore asked, curiosity tinging his voice while Arthur had called for a brief break.
“Yes,” Lancelot said, glancing at Merlin. Merlin seemed to notice the attention on him because he finally got his head out of his book and waved once at them, a broad grin lighting up his face. Lancelot waved in response, his lips tugging up in a fond smile that Sir Cador had noticed was especially reserved for Merlin. “She was under the thrall of Morgana’s powers at that time, but with her death she was able to free herself.”
Sir Degore seemed to devour those words, gazing in awe at the ethereal picture that Merlin and Aithusa cut in the morning sunlight.
“Is it also true that the court sorcerer is the last dragonlord? And that he had served King Arthur as a manservant, all those years, while hiding his magic?” Sir Cador felt as if Degore’s eyes would get any wider, they would definitely pop off their sockets.
“Yeah. I found out that Merlin had magic during the first time I came here, when he defeated the griffin. After that I’ve seen Merlin sacrifice his life repeatedly for all of us. I have never met another man braver than Merlin.” Lancelot said, clearly lost in past memories. Sir Cador was surprised to hear about these new incidents. He knew Lancelot had known that Merlin had magic long before him. But he had never realized how long he had actually known about Merlin’s secret.
And then Sir Cador was brought out of his reverie by a shout from Arthur. “Hey, Merlin. Come train with us. You are the one who needs it the most, seeing as you still fight like a daffodil.” The teasing edge was apparent in Arthur’s voice.
“I’m quite happy here, my lord, reading my book rather than jabbing pointy sticks at each other.” Merlin said, glancing up once before returning to his book.
“Maybe we shouldn’t disturb Merls, princess. He’s also got work to do, seeing as he’s our magical protector.” Gwaine wiggled his eyebrows, while the other knights broke into laughter.
“Thanks Gwaine.” Merlin said, snorting.
“Merlin, you are no fun. Come on, you wouldn’t want our new knights to think of you as a wimp.” A grin flitted across Arthur’s face. Sir Cador’s gaze turned to Sir Degore in time to see an offended expression cross his face. Sir Cador snorted. No way they would think that while Merlin sat there casually leaning against Aithusa.
“At least I’m not a clotpole.” Merlin muttered, but everyone heard it. The senior knights had to suppress their silent laughter while the green knights looked on with horrified, yet at the same time fascinated expressions. Sir Cador knew that this was one of Merlin’s favorite words to call Arthur.
By now, Aithusa too had woken up and was watching the proceedings, amused.
“Once again Merlin, that’s not an actual word.”
“What ever you say sire,”
“Come on Merlin. Just this once?” Arthur picked up his sword in anticipation.
“Merlin,” Aithusa chirped, in a slightly admonishing tone. Wait, was it Aithusa that spoke? Sir Cador felt shock ripple through him. Sure, he had seen humane like expressions on Aithusa’s face, but he didn’t think the dragon could speak!
Exclaims rose from the crowd.
“She can talk?” Arthur shouted.
“Well yes. Unlike you, she’s not a dollophead.” Merlin calmly glanced up at the frozen crowd and arched an eyebrow. Arthur sputtered indignantly. Merlin’s lips pulled up into a smirk. In that moment, Sir Cador realized that Merlin was far more mischievous than he thought him to be.
“Why didn’t you tell me before?” Arthur still seemed to be sorting out his thoughts. Sir Cador could relate.
“Because she only started speaking yesterday.”
Arthur huffed in fond exasperation.
“Sire, should we start the next round?” Sir Leon approached them, glancing up at the rising sun.
“Of course. Merlin, coming?”
Merlin stared at him, his face scrunched up in annoyance. Aithusa nudged Merlin’s arm once again, which prompted Merlin into a staring contest with Aithusa. “Fine.” Merlin said finally, after a moment.
“I knew you would agree Merlin,” Arthur pointed his sword at Merlin before turning around, with a grin on his face.
“Prat,” Sir Cador heard Merlin say under his breath, but Arthur didn’t seem to hear, as he was too far away. Sir Cador turned to follow him, but glanced at Merlin one last time, feeling puzzled. Why was he not getting up? He did agree, after all.
“Merlin, get your lazy backside over here.” Arthur shouted from across the field. Suddenly, a sword appeared out of nowhere and whacked Arthur in the back.
Arthur was quick enough to put up his sword next time, but Sir Cador could see that it was just barely. Sir Cador was more concerned with the sword that was hovering dangerously close to their king, as if it had a mind of its own.
Shouts arose from the knights as they drew their swords as a single force.
“Merlin!” Arthur yelled, still engaged in the fight. Everyone turned their confused gazes over to Merlin to find him chuckling, his pupils burning a brilliant gold. The knights relaxed, realizing that it was just Merlin.
“What sire?” Merlin called out innocently.
“What the hell do you think you are doing?” Arthur parried another strike before rolling over to escape the next swing.
“You wanted me to fight.” Merlin’s attention was once again on the book, even though the sword continued to land blows upon Arthur, who was trying hard to keep up with the speed of the invisible swordsman. Sir Cador knew that Arthur was the best swordsman in Camelot. Possibly in all of Albion. But he had never seen a swordsman fight this fast.
“Want a helping hand, sire?” Elyan called out, concern flickering in his expression.
“Hey Merls, why don’t you enchant more swords? See if the princess can fight against two.” Gwaine grinned. Arthur opened his mouth, probably to yell at Gwaine, but then he had to parry a particularly fast blow.
“Merlin, why don’t we all practice against your enchanted swords? They are very skilled. We could get more practice from it.” Sir Leon suggested, gazing at the duel with a calculating expression.
Merlin shrugged. “All right.”
And then a dozen swords came flying out of nowhere and Sir Cador, along with the other knights, were all pulled into the most intense training that they had ever been through.
By the end of the training session, they were all flat on the ground, panting for breath.
Sir Cador was staring at the sky, trying to catch his breath, when a shadow fell over them.
There was Merlin’s grinning face gazing at them. “Care for another round?” He asked cheerfully. Sir Cador thought to himself how he had no right to stand there, looking that happy.
Groans from every knight were the only response. Sir Cador made a mental note to himself to never challenge Merlin to a duel.