munnin | Fic: Camelot here we come. Fangirls of Speed

Title:

Operation: Camelot! Part 6.
Characters/Pairings: Team Fangirl, Arthur/Merlin
Rating: PG (for now...)
Warnings: Crack, crack and more crack. Silliness abounds. Minor suggestiveness of swords (that might just be me...)
A/N: I maintain it’s all Ezzy’s fault. Long my she reign as Queen of Squee.
In reading order: Team Fangirl Monthly Meeting
Operation Camelot - Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five.

Munnin ran the wet-stone down the length of the blade, the sword resting against her outstretched foot. Her arm twinged slightly but the rhythm of stone on steel was comforting and familiar, pleasurable in the simplicity of the task.

Ezzy and Alichay had crashed for the night (clearly all that squee was exhausting) and Bitt had gone wondering to scoping the grounds. Munnin envied her determination, Bitt never missed a trick, meticulous to the last detail. Munnin was so lost in her own thoughts she didn’t hear Arthur lean in the doorframe of the armoury, watching her. “My man servant could have done that for you.”

She glanced up, if only for a second before returning to the sword, testing the edge with the pad of her thumb. “Perhaps my lord but I’m a servant myself. It would be unfair to shirk my duties off to another. That and I’m a bit old fashioned about my gear; I’d rather tend it myself.” Satisfied with the edge she rubbed the length of the blade with an oiled cloth, chasing the last traces of wolf blood out of the engravings and holding it up to the flickering lamplight.

“May I?” Arthur asked, hold in out his hand.

She turned the sword, gripping the blade though the cloth as Arthur closed his hand around the handle.

“It’s light.” He commented, holding the sword out at arms length to feel the balance. “A little handle heavy but fast I’d imagine. Small grip through.”

Munnin shrugged, wiping the oil off her fingers. “Made for my hand.”

Arthur raised an eyebrow. “This sword was made for you? A woman?”

“Yes my lord.” Munnin looked up at him, a dangerous edge to her tone. “My own lands I am a warrior. Why should a weapon not be made for a warrior?” She watched his face carefully. “This surprises you my lord? The women of Camelot can not be knights?”

“Morgana wishes she was but no. Women do not fight here.” He rested the blade on his sleeve as he offered it back to her.

“A pity. Female warriors have much to offer. Speed, cunning, ferocity.”

Arthur quirked an incredulous eyebrow at her. “You can’t tell me women can fight as well as men?”

Munnin levelled him a serious look. “Differing styles perhaps; greater reliance on footwork and agility rather than brute strength but just as well. Yes.”

Arthur pulled a face. “I don’t believe it. No woman could ever beat a man in combat.”

Munnin count to ten under her breath, forcing herself to remember this was part of the plan. “Perhaps when my arm is healed my lord,” She pushed her sword back in its scabbard, satisfied with the clean slide of the freshly oiled blade, “we may test that idea. If you will lower yourself to spar with a woman.” With a bow she crossed the room without waiting for his answer and disappeared into the night.

***

The next morning the four of them sat on the edge of the training area, Munnin and Bitt with their heads together watching and commenting on each of the knights, assessing their difference styles, strengths and weaknesses.

Several of the knights, Arthur included, found their scrutiny somewhat distracted. “Must we suffer these giggling women?” Sir Severause demanded of Arthur as Ezzy exploded into laughter after Bitt’s comment that he used a sword like a hammer.

Severause was getting under Arthur’s skin. Again. His brutish and graceless technique was only slightly useful in the field but was an embarrassment at tournament. No matter how many time Arthur tried to teach him footwork, the behemoth just stood and slashed. Unfortunately Severause was the son of one of Uthur’s most favoured knights so there was no easy way to get rid of him.

“No. They stay.” Feeling playful Arthur turned on the larger knight. “In fact I think you could learn something from these women?”

“What? How to dance?” Severause laughed scornfully.

Arthur cast a glance over to where Munnin and Bitt sat. Munnin met his eye with a rye smile and nodded, turning to have a quick conference with Bitt. Bittenfeld throw her head back laughing as Munnin stood up, bowing slightly as Arthur crossed to them.

“Princess Ezzy? Perhaps one of your ladies will you favour us with a demonstration?” He held his hand out to Munnin.

Ezzy glanced across to Munnin and Bitt, both grinning wickedly. Munnin cocked her head towards Bitt.

“Alas my lord, Munnin is still incapacitated,” Ezzy answered Arthur smiling, “but I believe Bittenfeld may be willing to oblige...”

Bitt shot Ezzy a nasty grin as she pulled her hair back and accepted Arthur’s hand, glancing over her shoulder to Munnin. “You owe me a drink for this.”

“You’re on.” Munnin called as Bitt took up her place in the training ring.

Severause spluttered indignantly as Bittenfeld took up her stance, feet braced wide, her katana proud in a low guard. “My lord! You can’t be serious? Me? Fight a woman?”

“It’s just an exercise Severause.” Arthur placated. “All you have to do is not let her hit you.”

Severause’s jowly face was beet red. “And if I refuse?”

“You forfeit your place in the tournament tomorrow.” Arthur gave him a perfectly princely smile. “Surely you can block an attack from one woman?”

Severause grumbled under his breath but took up his sword never the less. “Don’t blame me if I break her.” He spat, waiting for Bitt to attack.

“You’ve got to catch me first big boy.” Bitt teased, feigning left and easily stepping clear of the brute’s big swinging shot.

His habit of heaving the sword from the shoulder made every one of Severause’s shots ridiculously easy to predict and Bitt stepped around them without ever having to lift her sword in defence. Increasingly frustrated by Bitt’s light and agile footwork, Severause swung hard for her shoulder, burying his blade in the soft dirt as she ducked away. Without hesitation Bitt twisted out, pushing his already overbalanced bulk forward and dropping Severause to his knees.

Almost lazily she laid the cold, unsharpened back edge of her blade across the back of his neck. “Here endth the lesson.” She whispered, withdrawing the blade and returning it to the scabbard with a bow to Arthur and the watching knights.

As she turned, grinning toward Munnin, Severause got to his feet and barrelled towards her. Before either of them could draw a blade; Arthur struck the big man hard across the face, dropping him back to his knees. “You would attack an opponent from behind? After being defeated in fair combat? You’re a disgrace!” Arthur spat the word, striking him again as he tried to rise. “Get out of my sight. You will not compete tomorrow. You will not be seen tomorrow! After the festivities we will discuss if you have a place among my knights.”

Bitt breathed out slowly, easing her fingers open from where they were clenched around the handle of her sword. Surprised to hear Ezzy and Alichay clapping madly, she glanced across to Munnin whose hands were also on her sword. They shared a brief look of relief.

“My lady Ezzy, perhaps it is time you and your companions retire. The feast will be starting soon.” Arthur too had that tensed look of someone who’d been braced of disaster in the face of a near miss.

As they returned to the castle, Munnin followed Alichay eye line to where Merlin stood on the very edge of the field, watching everything. “Tonight?” She asked the younger Fangirl.

“No. After the tournament. During the celebrations.” Alichay dropped her eyes, looking every inch the demure maid. “Are you ready with Arthur?”

“Yes.” Munnin replied with confidence, knowing the prince’s eyes followed them.

“Good.” She stepped ahead to walk beside Ezzy, their heads bent together in discussion.

“I’m glad they’re on our side.” Bitt sighed, watching the two young conspirators. “We’d be in trouble if they won’t!”