Merlin puts up a sheet in the armory where all the knights can see. It’s their names in brackets like a tourney list. They were not aware there was a tourney coming up? What is this?
They notice Merlin observing them and making some notations. Not just during practice but all day. When he sees them around the castle, when they are relaxing at the Rising Sun, everywhere. It’s getting unnerving.
After a few days, some of them have moved up in the lists and some have not. And they have no idea why. Sir Ban seems to have bested Sir Agravaine (though let’s be honest, most of them would say they weren’t surprised). Sir Gareth won against Sir Kay and would now be facing off against Sir Devore who had won against Sir Mellion.
Now the knights are on their best behavior whenever Merlin is around. They still aren’t sure what they are being judged on, but damn if they aren’t going to WIN!
The next time the brackets go up, more knights are knocked out of the running for…whatever the criteria are.
The knights are now doing their absolute best on the practice fields. King Arthur commends each of them for their form - on point like he has never seen. Some kind of fire has been lit under them and he doesn’t know why but he likes it!
The next brackets go up and still they are no closer to figuring out why the winners are winning. You would think they would be insufferable about it - like any tournament - but since they don’t know why they were winning, they can’t be sure they are doing the right thing to win next time.
The knights of Camelot are suddenly the most chivalrous, most well behaved, most dedicated to their craft in all of Albion. The people are amazed at their sudden kindness and generosity. Meanwhile each of them grow more and more paranoid as the brackets keep going up.
Quests! Maybe it was quests? The knights start going out on quests and the word fame of Camelot spreads.
Arthur cannot figure out what has come over them all.
Arthur: Merlin, have the knights seemed…different to you?
Merlin: oh, you mean since I put up the lists?
Merlin: the lists where they think they are competing with each other.
Arthur: competing for what?
Merlin: I have no idea what they think they are competing for but they sure are working hard to win it!
Arthur: and how exactly are you determining these “winners?”
Merlin: oh I’m just flipping a coin. They don’t know that though and they are all being extra nice to me😁
Merlin: for shits and giggles, yeah
