Set between 'A remedy to cure all ills' and 'The gates of Avalon'.

A few days after the ordeal Merlin and Gaius are put through ('A remedy to cure all ills'), Arthur gives Merlin the day of to help Gaius and make sure all of Gaius' things are fixed.

Merlin was grateful that Arthur was giving her the day off, but she was also angry. Arthur thought she was a guy. Merlin glared at Arthur's bed as she finished changing the sheets.

*FLASHBACK*

Merlin was clearing away Arthur's breakfast when Arthur announced: "You can have the day off tomorrow".
Merlin nearly dropped Arthur's plate. "Really?" She asked.
"Yes, after my breakfast of course but on one condition: you're not allowed to go to the tavern" Arthur grinned at her, "I can hardly be seen having to drag my drunken man-servant from the tavern can I?" Merlin felt her happiness deflate. Man-servant? MAN-servant?!

Arthur continued, obviously not spotting his servants glare, "There is a tournament of a kind tomorrow, most of the Knights will be assembled and anyone can challenge a Knight one-on-one. The competitors can use any amount of any weapons except long-range-only weapons like a crossbow. While this tournament is on I won't need you but Gaius might-I heard he's still unpacking?" Arthur snorted and Merlin took the chance to escape.

*END FLASHBACK*

Merlin looked at her clothes and sighed. She was wading a baggy red tunic and brown trousers that his her figure. She also wore a blue neckerchief and a red hat that matched her tunic. Merlin guessed that with her hair tucked up and her baggy clothes you couldn't really tell if she was male or female.

As Merlin finished tidying Arthur's chambers, Merlin had the perfect idea on how to reveal to Arthur she was a girl without simply telling him.

After Arthur dismissed Merlin, she walked to Morgana's chambers, where she knew she would find both Gwen and Morgana.

With Morgana and Gwen's help, Merlin was ready for her day off.

After she got Arthur ready, Merlin ran back to Gaius' chambers to get change.

"My people" Uther began, "As you know, in today's tournament, any person of Camelot can challenge a Knight of Camelot to a fight, if that Knight has applied. Not every Knight has volunteered and the challenger cannot pick their opponent. They can use any number, of any kind of weapon. No killing or maiming. Magic and enchantments are against the law and anyone who attempts to use them shall be killed. Let the tournament begin!" The King sat down with Arthur and Morgana at his sides.

A man walked into the ring clutching a scroll: Sir Pellinor vs. a man by the name of Ox. Name shall be revealed at the end if the match." The mentioned people took their places in the ring and Sir Pellinor beat Tom.

More matches followed on in this fashion. The Kings beat their opponents and their names were announced at the end of the match. Merlin looked at the others waiting to compete against the Knights. She was the only women there and was getting some glances that clearly showed they thought she didn't belong there. Merlin smirked under her helmet.

None of the Camelot Knights had been beaten.

Finally, the announcer was walking back into the ring to announce the last battle: "Sir Leon vs... The Viper Maiden!" 'Perfect!' Merlin thought, 'I know his fighting style.'

Merlin walked proudly into the ring where Sir Leon was stood.

Everyone was watching her in silence. She was wearing a top the same red as the Viper snakes in Camelot. Her armour was simple and her hair was tucked inside her helmet. Her body armour protected her and showed her slim figure. She wore her sturdy plain black trousers she wore when she trained. She had her two largest weapons coiled in her custom made shield. Her hip belt held several daggers with specially designed sheaths. She drew two daggers and got into a fighting stance.

Leon charged her. She deflected his blow with her shield and jumped back. She ducked and weaved around his strikes. She threw two daggers at him. He managed to dodge one but the other cut his cheek. She retreated slightly and threw more daggers at him. He tried blocking most of them with his sword but they cut his arms and legs, leaving numerous shallow cuts. The crowd was still silent. Merlin danced back and caught sight of Morgana grinning at her from the Royal stand.

Merlin rested a hand on the handle of her next weapon as she studied Leon from a few metres away. He was looking confused. He shook his head and charged her again.

Any spectator could see something was off. Leon stumbled as he ran and his attacks were slower and sloppier. Everyone leant forward as Merlin ran across the ring again. She let go of her shield... And was left holding two me him length whips. The crowd gasped as Merlin swung round and struck Leon with one. The ends were large and anyone could tell they weren't sharp. With an amazing precision she aimed at Leon's wounds.

He charged again as she kept hitting him.

Then... Leon tripped. He was on his knees. Merlin immediately had two daggers in place on his neck and over his heart. "Do you surrender?" She asked in the silence. Leon nodded and accepted her hand to pull him up.

They stood shaking hands as the announcer stumbled back into the ring. "The winner is The Viper Maiden!" He yelled. Immediately the crowd were on their feet, applauding.

When the applause died down, the announcer motioned for Merlin to reveal her name and identity. She grinned and pulled off her helmet.

Her long black hair tumbled down her back. She turned to look up at the Royal stand. She locked eyes with Arthur and shouted' "I am Merlin. Personal servant to Arthur, Prince of Camelot!" Arthur's face was priceless. He had turned a pale white and his mouth was hanging open in a comical 'O' shape. Merlin smirked at him and bowed to Uther. Merlin fetched her shield and daggers as Leon swayed slightly on his feet. She steadied him and started escorting him out of the ring. The people watched them go as they cheered for the Victor. Morgana smirked at Arthur as she started to leave.

Merlin had escorted Leon back to his chambers. She helped the Knight sit down as she took out a vile from her bag, "Drink this" she instructed, "It will stop the effects of the confusion potion that was on the daggers and whips." Leon drank it and leant his head in his hands.

A few minutes later, Sir Leon roused himself and looked at Merlin who was sharpening a dagger. "Confusion potion?" He asked.

Merlin grinned, "In my sheaths there was a confusion potion and my whips were edged with small sponges that released more potions onto your cuts. The rules state nothing about using potion covered blades, so I didn't cheat and still beat you!" She grinned wider, "Did you see Arthur's face?" Leon burst out laughing at the same time Merlin did.

When they finally calmed down, Leon was still looking at Merlin. "You were incredible" he said. Merlin blushed faintly and said teasingly "You've defiantly had more successful fights" they laughed again.

"Merlin..." Sir Leon began, "I've wanted to ask..."

Merlin looked at him with her large blue eyes.

"Would you..." He took a deep breath and looked her in the eye, "could I ask you to come with me on a picnic tomorrow? "He blushed a deep fiery red.

Merlin smiled at Sir Leon's way of asking her out. It was just like him too- respectful, polite and extremely charming.

"I'd love too!" She said, "But I don't think Arthur will be giving me another day off for a while!"

A knock sounded at the door. "Come in" Leon called as he took Merlin's hand and kissed it.

"Unfortunately I have a feeling we need to see Arthur and the King about what happened. I imagine I looked rather worse for the wear" Leon said.

Merlin chuckled as Arthur walked in and added, "You certainly did". Leon hastily released Merlin's hand and looked sheepishly at Arthur.

"My lord" he said as Merlin said happily "Arthur".

Arthur blanched and said, "Merlin, we need to talk"