This is not a story for Arwen fans, I warn you now. However, hopefully it will be a story that interests and excites you. There will be spoilers for series four throughout the story including in this author's note so read no further if you haven't seen it yet.
I love Lancelot and I hated the way the affair was portrayed in the BBC show especially as if you are going to make it happen because of magic then at least people should find out. As no one ever did then they should have had a regular affair because it was awful seeing Gwen feel guilty for something that wasn't her fault etc. I could rant forever. I know ultimately what they do is wrong but it could have been dealt with better.
All the characters belong to the BBC, only the story is mine and is not made for profit.
Lancelot looked down on his new uniform and smiled. He was a knight, again. Although this time it was hopefully going to be significantly more permanent. He was happy. Well as happy as he could be. His life was good. He had lovely quarters, a great job, amazing friends. What more could he want? His mind instantly filled in the blank. Her. He wanted her. But she was not his to have.
She paid him the same politeness, the same courtesy as she did everyone else. She treated him no differently from the others, no special smiles, no longing looks across the table, nothing. It was like nothing had ever happened between them. It was his fault. Hadn't he wanted this? He left her. He had his chance and he ruined it. He left her to be with Arthur and his wish had come true. They were together, they were happy.
Why did he leave her? If he was honest to himself it was because he was scared. He loved her so much and that scared him. He ran away like a little boy, pretending to be noble but really, he couldn't deal with the overwhelming emotion that took over his heart. Arthur was a better man than him. He took that step, he defied laws and rules, just to be with her. He deserved to be with her, not me.
Lancelot mentally shook himself. Stop it, he thought angrily. Get over it. It's done now. Time to get to work. He was on patrol duty today which involved wandering through Camelot on a horse and generally maintaining law and order. It was not the hardest job in the world and it was rather enjoyable. People were very friendly, often stopping him in the street to talk. Sometimes he would have to step in and intervene with market trader disputes but never anything serious.
This particular day was different. As he rode along, he witnessed a man beating a boy with a stick while a woman was screaming at him to stop. Lancelot galloped to the scene, and jumped of his horse.
"Stop that now," Lancelot yelled.
The man looked startled, "But sire, he stole from my shop. He picked up an apple and tried to run off."
"I think he has been punished enough. Let him go," Lancelot asked firmly.
"No sire, he needs to learn his lesson," the man replied angrily.
Lancelot drew his sword. "I said, let him go."
The man raised his hands in the air and backed off.
"Come here boy. Did you steal this man's apple?"
"Yes sire, I'm sorry. I was hungry…" the boy muttered quietly, his face looking down to the floor.
"You know that's wrong, don't you?"
"Yes sire," the boy replied meekly.
"Good. Now what do you want?" Lancelot's voice softened.
"What?" the boy asked shocked.
"What would you like to eat?" Lancelot smiled down at the boy.
"Er…can I have some apples and some bread please?" the boy beamed back at Lancelot.
"No problem, and miss, can I get you anything?" Lancelot spoke to the woman who had been watching him with cautious eyes since he arrived.
"Could we have some vegetables please?" She replied quietly.
Lancelot brought them the food they had asked for and gave the shopkeeper some extra as well.
"Thank you sire," and both the woman and little boy bowed their heads.
Lancelot replied, "There is no need. Just try and keep him out of trouble."
"Yes sire," they smiled at him as he mounted his horse and went back on patrol.
Nothing else eventful happened on his patrol and he returned to his chambers tired and hungry but happy. First though, he needed a bath. His manservant was busy potting around getting his bath ready while Lancelot got undressed. He removed his armour and took off his cape. He had just pulled his shirt up over his head when there was a knock at the door. Assuming it would be another servant or one of the guys, Lancelot called out, "Come in."
Lancelot's back was turned away from the door but he heard it open and someone gasp. Quickly he spun round to see who was there. Gwen was stood, staring at him, her eyes not looking at his face. No they were located much further down his body he noticed. Gwen immediately looked up and met his eyes, with a blush emerging across her beautiful cheeks.
"Sorry Gwen, I didn't expect it to be you. Let me make myself decent," Lancelot hurriedly shoved on his shirt. Regaining his composure he turned and faced her. He was always struck by her beauty. The way her gorgeous brown eyes revealed her every emotion, the way when she smiled her whole face lit up. "How can I help you?" he asked shyly.
"I wanted to say thank you," Gwen replied with a smile on her face.
"What for?" Lancelot asked confused.
"For helping my friend, Elizabeth and her son, James today. She has been struggling for money since her husband passed away last year," Gwen explained.
"Well it was nothing, anyone else would have done the same thing," Lancelot muttered sheepishly.
"No they wouldn't have. I just wanted to say thank you and give you this," Gwen handed him a flower. "It's just a simple token but I wanted to give you something."
"Thank you Gwen, I will treasure it," Lancelot replied with a wide smile on his face.
"Okay, well I've got to go. Goodbye." Gwen waved and left the room.
Lancelot admired her figure in that dress as she walked away, and immediately hit himself for doing so.
There was a ball that night. There is always ball. Some royalty or noble paying their respects to the great king of Camelot and his son. Lancelot suspected that it would soon be Arthur upon that throne. The old king did not look to have much life left in him. But as one of the knights of Camelot, he was expected to attend. He had not anticipated all the formalities that came with the job but nevertheless it was his duty. At least he could just wear his armour and not have to worry about new outfits every time. He would have been close to packing it all in if that had been the case.
Gwaine had knocked on his door and they had walked to the banquet hall together. Gwaine was in the mood to dance, drink and be merry. Lancelot was not looking forward to the event but Gwaine's excitement was contagious. He arrived with a smile on his face. The ball room was full of people, mostly in fine dress but around the corners of the room, Lancelot recognised his friends, the servant girls and boys. Merlin was looking as bored as ever stood behind Arthur while Gwen stood behind the king. And of course she was easily the best looking girl there, even in her more simple dress. Lancelot was watching her, not expecting her to catch him, after all when was the last time she had looked for him. But tonight, she met his eyes and smiled.
Lancelot was embarrassed, he had not meant for her to catch him staring. So he immediately looked away and did not return her smile. You idiot, he thought to himself. Right focus on the party, Gwaine is over there talking to some ladies, just go over and be social. He went and joined Gwaine and was instantly asked to dance. Gah I hate dancing, Lancelot inwardly groaned but always the gentleman, he offered the lady his hand and went for a dance. She was very pretty, with long blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes, a noble lady from the visiting king's land. She was of moderate intelligence but her voice was very high pitched and it grated on Lancelot. Judging from her conversational topics, Lancelot was meant to be very impressive with how important her family was. He nodded politely while she chattered on and on.
Lancelot was growing bored and weary of this tiresome woman. She had not asked Lancelot about himself once and yet proceeded to tell him every detail about her own life. Lancelot glanced around the room, desperate to make eye contact with someone who could rescue him. The knights usually had each other's backs but Lancelot could only see Gwaine, who was clearly distracted by a curvy blonde attached to his arm. Merlin, where is Merlin, he wondered. Merlin was stood by Arthur's side as usual and noticed Lancelot distressed expression. He laughed and nudged Gwen, who turned and giggled at Lancelot as well. However, she came to his rescue.
"Sire, sire," Gwen impatiently tapped Lancelot's shoulder.
"Gwen, whatever is the matter?" Lancelot was attempting to sound concerned but his acting had never been that great.
"Your needed urgently, there has been a disturbance in the lower town," Gwen explained.
"Yes, of course. Please forgive me, my lady." Lancelot bowed his head towards the woman, whose name he had already forgotten.
"Of course," she curtsied and went to find her next target. Judging from the direction she was heading in, Sir Leon was next.
Gwen grabbed Lancelot's arm and pulled him out of the ballroom. They ran down the corridor and collapsed into a fit of giggles.
Lancelot put his back against the wall and slid down it, landing on the floor with a bang. "Thank you so much Gwen, I can't tell you what a nightmare she was."
Gwen sat down next to him and smiled, "Its quite alright, it's not every day I get to save a knight. I thought it was meant to be the other way around."
"I've saved you in the past, remember when I…" Lancelot stopped. He knew he couldn't say anymore without the conversation turning awkward. What could he say? Remember when I kissed you, remember when I was willing to give up my life for you, remember when I left you without saying goodbye?
Gwen was clearly having similar thoughts.
"Yes, I remember," she smiled and patted his hand. "I should return to the ball, the King might need me."
"Yes of course." Lancelot stood up and offered his hand to Gwen.
Gwen took it and Lancelot helped her up.
"Thank you for rescuing me tonight," and with a smile, Lancelot bowed his head and kissed Gwen's hand. "Goodnight my lady."
Gwen blushed, "I am not a lady."
"You are to me." And with that final comment, Lancelot walked away and refused to look behind him to see if she watched him leave.
Well that was part one. Please review as I would love to know if people are actually wanting to read about this couple.