A POV2

Today was another disappointing day.

First, I'd ridden out with Father to an outlying village. I'd thought we'd have a nice man-to-man talk, no heavy stuff (how to be a good king, etc.). But as we reached the outskirts, it became apparent that the village was on fire. Some previously unknown creature was behind the destruction, but oddly enough, it hadn't taken any livestock. Just villagers. Whatever for? Food? Hopefully it would stay away from Camelot proper.

The second event was a very disappointing knight's trial. The guy came at me swinging two swords. Like I'd never faced that before. He lasted maybe ten seconds. And that's a generous estimate. It seems all I get in front of me lately are losers. How can I defend Camelot with rubbish like this?

I complained to Merlin a bit (he's starting to grow on me, like fungus) as we walked back to the citadel. He told me about a friend of his who (in his opinion) would make an excellent knight. I didn't quite believe him; what does he know about knightly qualities? And when did he have the wherewithal, let alone the time, to make friends with nobles? Still, if he was telling the truth it couldn't hurt to meet the guy. He may work out, unlike the others this week.

XxxxxxX

Another day, another training session. Today's is a bit ramped up thanks to that strange creature. As I dismissed the knights for the day and went to put away my sword, I saw this new fellow attired as a knight; Merlin and Guinevere, Morgana's maid, stood behind him. Ah, this must be the friend Merlin mentioned the other day. Let's get this over with then. The new guy walked over and stopped a respectful distance away.

"Yes?" I inquired.

"Lancelot, fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria."

"Lance a lot," I repeated, not quite believing how ridiculous this name sounded. Are these three trying to pull a prank on me? Maybe he really does lance a lot; he is here to become a knight. "My servant mentioned you. Got your seal then?"

He bowed and made to hand over the scroll, "Sire." That's when I smacked him upside the head. He went down hard and I just managed to suppress a snigger.

"Sluggish reactions. In a battle you'd be dead by now. Come back when you're ready," I stated, and turned to walk away. Honestly, what was he thinking? He may not be a practical joke but he's a joke, at any rate.

"I'm ready now, sire," I heard. When I turned back around he was standing determinedly, hand on sword.

Oh this will be fun. "You are, huh?" I smirked. He nodded. "Fine. You can start by cleaning out the stables." This time I really turned and walked away. Let's see if he's still standing, let alone eager, in the morning. Everyone has to start somewhere, right?

XxxxxxX

The next morning I strolled out of the castle, intending to see if this "Lancelot" fellow was still about. Lo and behold, he was sitting at the smithy, sharpening a sword. He lives! I grabbed a nearby broom and tossed it to him while his back was still turned. He turned and caught it agilely. "Not bad," I noted.

He stood and bowed, "Would you like me to sweep the guardhouse again sire?"

I reached for another broom, "It definitely needs sweeping. But first, I want you to kill me." I pulled off the broom head and glanced back to see his surprised face.

"Sire?" he queried, puzzled. I like to see that.

"Come on; don't pretend you don't want to. If I were you I'd want to," I threw out at him. It had to be true. He needed some goading- I wanted to see his not-so-polite side. He pulled the head from his broom. Oh yeah, this is gonna be good. "Come on," I taunted, and gestured for him to attack.

He jabbed and we exchanged a few blows. Weaker than I'd thought. "Come on Lancelot, you're not beating a carpet." I'm sure I could arrange that though.

He finally got the idea to use the broom like a sword instead of a staff. We traded more blows, more prolonged and intense than before. I could tell this is where his strength lay; he'd obviously studied swordplay extensively. I shoved him into a hay cart and he dodged before I landed my strike. After a few more minutes of intense strikes, I finally landed one to his abdomen.

"Congratulations Lancelot, you've just made basic training," I said, as he backed off to recover- from the exertion and the surprise. Just then the alarm bell sounded. I glanced at him to follow, and we ran back to the citadel.

After armoring up, I ran to meet Father. Apparently the unknown creature had attacked another village and refugees were streaming into the courtyard.

"I want to track this thing down, but we cannot track it when it flies," I explained to him.

"You don't have to track it. The creature's heading south towards the mouth of the valley."

"To Camelot," I finished for him.

"You must ready the knights Arthur."

"Have faith Father. We'll be ready."

XxxxxxX

The knights were gathered for an emergency training session. This creature wasn't like anything we've faced before- we fight men, not animals.

"The creature's heading for Camelot. It's fast and agile but big enough to hit and hit hard. Starting today, your training routines will concentrate on attack strategy. We don't have much time. Dismissed." They scattered to prepare. I saw Lancelot standing off to the side- doubtless he'll want to help. There's just one small problem with that . . .

Lancelot approached me and bowed. "Yes Lancelot?" I acknowledged.

"Is there anything I can do sire? It's just—I know that in the case of combat only a knight may serve."

"That's right Lancelot, and you aren't a knight yet, which is why I'm moving up your test. You'll face me in the morning." I didn't miss his surprised yet grateful look as I walked away. If I'm right, and I always am, he was going to be a valuable asset to our corps.

XxxxxxX

"Well. Here we are. Your final challenge. Succeed, and you join the elite. Fail, and your journey ends here. Lancelot, fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria, your time starts now." And with that, I turned my back on his two biggest fans, Merlin and Guinevere, and put on my helmet. This fight had the potential to go the distance- I really needed him to win. We moved into ready positions then started.

It didn't take him long to gain the advantage. He pressed me backwards with strong slashes and thrusts until I managed a backhand to his face. He went down hard and his helmet flew off. He appeared unconscious, so I stuck my sword in the ground and removed my helmet. I wanted to scream in frustration; he was the best candidate I'd fought in weeks. He shouldn't have gone down so easily!

I walked over to him. "Shame," I commented, and bent to remove his sash. He sat up abruptly and swept me off my feet, literally. What the . . . ? I crashed to the ground, stunned in every sense of the word. He picked up his sword and pointed it at my chest.

"Do you submit sire?" he queried. Three guards came up immediately to restrain him. The crowd had gone silent in astonishment. I stood up quickly.

"On your knees!" I bit out angrily. The guards forced him down and I put my sword to his chest. It looks like his unconventional tactic earned him a knighthood after all.

XxxxxxX

"Arise Sir Lancelot, knight of Camelot," my father intoned, as he finished the last step in the knighting ceremony. I looked on proudly from behind them. Lancelot looked stunned, as if he couldn't believe he was here and having this honor bestowed upon him. I couldn't believe it either—he'd come such a long way in such a short time it was hard to believe.

I saw Father walk a little way off with him, no doubt to convey his personal congratulations to him. When he finished I ambled over to Lancelot, threw my arm around his shoulders and guided him out of the hall. It was time to party, and party hard. Camelot was ready to celebrate its first new knight in weeks.

XxxxxxX

Lancelot and I sat in the middle of the celebrations, tankards of ale in hand. I looked up as Morgana and Guinevere came into view. Yow! Morgana was wearing that sleeveless maroon dress again. She's always liked being the center of attention. "Here's trouble," I commented to Lancelot, indicating the two women. "Tell me, do you think she's beautiful?" Meaning Morgana, obviously.

"Yes sire, I do," he replied. Well, the man had good taste in women! Wait, what? I couldn't be sure, but I think he was looking at Guinevere. I gave myself a mental shake.

"Yeah, I suppose she is," I sighed. Another conquest for her, more competition for me. Ugh. We chatted aimlessly for a few more minutes until I deemed it was time for the announcement.

"Ladies and gentlemen," I said as I stood. "Please join me in a toast to our new recruit! A new knight of Camelot, Sir Lancelot!" Applause rang out as he stood. The party really got going after that. At least I think it did; I don't remember much after that point.

XxxxxxX

I was roused early the next morning- way too early, in fact- but not by Merlin. He was probably having a nice lie-in courtesy of all the ale he'd consumed. I'd noticed that it didn't take much to knock him out.

Whoever it was shook my shoulder timidly a few times. Clearly he'd heard how much I love mornings. "Prince Arthur, Prince Arthur-" I heard before I blearily opened my eyes to see a guard. Seeing that, he proceeded with his message, "The King requests your presence in the throne room immediately."

I moaned and groaned but managed to stagger out of bed and dress myself. Somehow I managed a steady walk to the throne room, my angry father and a stern-looking Geoffrey of Monmouth. Whatever this is, it isn't going to end well. Just then Lancelot was dragged in by two guards and forced to kneel. Wait, what was happening here? He wasn't even dressed properly for heaven's sake!

Before I could express my indignation, Sir Geoffrey spoke up, "His credentials are faked. The seal itself is perfect, forgery of the highest quality, but a forgery it must be. There is no record of a fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria. Therefore, he-"

"-lied," Father finished. Lancelot closed his eyes and bowed his head in shame. "Do you deny it?" Father added.

Lancelot shook his head, "No sire." He looked absolutely despondent. At least he's telling the truth now. I couldn't bear to look at him. He was too good to be true, but I had to wonder at his motive for lying.

"You've broken the first code of Camelot and brought shame upon yourself and us. You're unworthy of the knighthood bestowed upon you. You never were and you'll never be. Get him out of my sight!" Father declared coldly. That was harsh; Father always did have a terrible temper. Lancelot visibly drooped during this whole diatribe. The guards hauled him to his feet and out the doors.

I definitely had a problem with all this. Even though he'd told a rather big lie, something didn't seem just in this case. "Sire," I said, addressing my father.

"Do you contest my judgment?" he replied testily. Apparently he didn't want to back down.

"His deception was inexcusable, but he meant no harm, sire, I'm sure of it. He only wished to serve."

"The first code is a sacred bond of trust. It is what binds the knights together. How can you trust a man who's lied to you?" What could I say to that? He had me and he knew it, so I fumed silently. There had to be another way through this. I wandered back to my chambers to find breakfast and get ready for training.

When I got there, I found breakfast and Merlin pacing. After I entered, he stopped pacing and walked toward me, mouth opening to fire questions about Lancelot, no doubt. I held up a hand to stop him then went to sit at the table to eat. I could hear him behind me tapping his foot impatiently. I counted down in my head: 5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . He walked to the side of the table where he could see me, and I braced myself. "Do you know what happened to Lancelot? Guards burst into Gaius's chambers and hauled him away someplace. Do you know where he is and what he's done to deserve that? Because he's done nothing wrong and I-"

"He's in the dungeon for faking his seal of nobility and lying about his lineage," I cut him off because he'd never stop if he really got going. And his anxiety was making my mood worse. He stared at me with his mouth open for a bit while I finished breakfast. "Close your mouth, you'll catch flies," I noted. "Now help me with my armor." He did as told for once, then asked if he could go visit Lancelot. I assented and he quickly left. I rolled my eyes and sighed. Probably he'd deserved a better explanation than that, but I needed to continue that new training. Lancelot would likely explain, at any rate.

As I left my chambers again, the alarm bell clanged throughout the citadel. Great. Perfect. Of course the creature would choose now to attack. I immediately began running for the door.

Sounds of panicked people greeted me as I rushed outside. I looked up as I ran—the creature screeched as it flew overhead. Clearly it enjoyed the utter chaos it was causing. Luckily for me a few knights had already assembled. "On me!" I yelled.

They formed a ring around me and readied weapons. "Defend!" I yelled, and we all knelt, shields in front. The creature hovered in mid-air, assessing us without fear. It dove at us and we scattered. It landed in front of us and we reformed into a V-shape. I took point and jabbed at it with a spear a couple times before falling back. I repeated the motion and made contact. Before we could all cheer, the spear broke in half in my hand. What the? It lunged forward and I fell backwards to avoid its sharp-looking talons. I crept backwards as it reared over me. A guard bearing a torch ran out of the castle and tossed it in my direction. If steel wouldn't work, maybe fire would. I grabbed the torch then stood and waved it at the creature. It retreated and then took flight again, screeching as it flew over the castle and disappeared from view.

I returned to the throne room to report to Father. "You said your knights were the best in the land. You proved that today," He said proudly.

"Well, all I know is it's still out there."

"Let's not wait for it. The kingdom has been terrorized by this creature for too long. We end this now," he declared.

"Sire, if I may," Gaius's voice rang out. We turned to face him. I hadn't even seen him and Merlin standing there

"Gaius?" Father inquired.

The man in question stepped forward, "I've been researching this creature sire. I believe it to be a griffin. "

"A griffin?" Father asked, confused. "What's in a name?"

"A griffin is a creature of magic." We all stared at him, dumbfounded.

"I don't have time for this, physician." As usual he automatically rejects anything connected with magic. I had to quash an eye roll.

"It is born of magic sire, and it can only be killed by magic," Gaius asserted.

"You're mistaken. It is a creature of flesh and blood like any other. Arthur proved that just now."

I stepped in, "I'm not so sure Father. I feel there may be truth in what he says."

"What truth?" Father asked.

"The griffin was unscathed sire. Our weapons were ineffective against it."

"Ineffective? I think not. It's tasted our steel once; the next time will be its last. When will your knights be ready to ride again?"

"An hour, maybe two."

"Good. We finish this tonight," he said, then turned to leave.

I turned to look at Gaius and Merlin. It looked like none us of agreed with Father. Just how were we to beat this thing anyway? There is no one with magic who would help, and even if there was, it was illegal. Not to mention it may not work anyway. It was clearly a lost cause. I walked away, back to the knights to prepare them for the coming slaughter—um, battle. It was most likely a suicide mission though.

While I was with the knights, a solution to the Lancelot problem popped into my head. I could get him out of his situation and Father would likely be only mildly angry. He wouldn't do much to his only heir, after all. As soon as I could step away from the preparations, I headed off to the dungeon.

I walked into his cell. Seeing him reminded me of how peeved I still was. "I should have known. How could I have been so stupid! You don't sound like a knight; you don't even look like a knight!"

Lancelot looked aghast and said, "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too, because Lancelot, you fight like a knight! And I need—Camelot needs—" I didn't know how to finish. Our cause was hopeless.

"The creature-"

"We couldn't kill it. I've never faced anything like it."

"I've faced it myself sire, a few days ago. I struck it head on and wondered how it survived."

"There are those who think that this creature, a griffin, is a creature of magic and only magic can kill it."

"Do you believe this?"

"It doesn't matter what I believe. The use of magic isn't allowed. Knights must triumph with steel and sinew alone."

"Sire."

"There is a horse waiting outside."

"Thank you. Thank you sire."

"Lancelot—take it and never come back here."

"No, no, please sire. It's not my freedom I want. I only desire to serve with honor."

"I know."

"Then let me ride with you sire."

"I cannot. My father doesn't know about this. I'm letting you go myself but I can't do any more. Now go- before I change my mind." I turned from him as he left the cell. I really hope he takes this chance to leave and doesn't try anything stupid. He doesn't deserve to lose his head. Maybe someday . . .

I left the dungeon and returned outside to find the knights assembled and waiting. Good! Time to get this suicide mission on the road. "It's time," I said, and we took up our armaments and mounted. No one spoke as we rode out the gate and through the village to face fate.

We didn't get too far up the road when the griffin stepped out of the woods. Yikes! "For the love of Camelot!" I yelled, as I raised my sword. I heard everyone around me do the same. It's do or die time. As we surrounded and attacked the griffin I could hardly hear myself think, what with the screeches, cries and clashing swords. That ceased to matter when I was swiped with a talon and flew off my horse. A rock came up to meet my head and I knew no more.

Sometime later, but still night thankfully, a rather ladylike yell penetrated the haze in my head. That sounded like . . . nah, it couldn't be. I groaned and sat up slowly, then stood and squinted into the distance. A figure on a horse appeared out of the fog. "Lancelot?" I said in disbelief. He was supposed to be gone by now.

"Sire," he confirmed, and nodded.

I began walking toward him. I gasped, because there lay the griffin on the ground, unmoving. "You did it!" I still didn't quite believe. "You killed it Lancelot!" We clasped arms and slowly made our way back to the citadel, glad to be alive. I hoped some of the others were still alive. Testing more prospective knights didn't appeal to me.

We walked together to the throne room. He waited outside while I went in to brief Father.

"You did it!" he exclaimed proudly, and stood to embrace me.

"Not I, Father. It was Lancelot," I turned to signal him forward.

"What's he doing here?" Uh oh.

"Father, I can explain-"

"You!" He exploded, and strode toward Lancelot threateningly. "Wait outside," he commanded. Lancelot turned and left, doors closing behind him.

"You had no right!" He turned his temper on me. This wasn't going to end well, for anyone, if he got his way. And since he was the king, he almost always did.

"I confess; I let him go and I'll take the responsibility, but surely Lancelot's actions change things-"

"His actions don't change anything! He broke the law!"

"He risked his life for me! He served with honor." Surely he could see this?

"I see you feel strongly about this Arthur," he said, quieter. "Under the circumstances, maybe a pardon." Well that's a shoddy compromise.

"No. Not good enough Father," I walked toward him, adamant. "You must reinstate Lancelot to his rightful position, as a knight of Camelot."

"Never. The law is the law. It bends for no man."

"Then the code is wrong!" I spat back.

At that moment, the doors banged open forcefully and Lancelot strode in. Uh oh.

"What is this?" Father inquired, clearly caught off guard.

"Let me speak!" Lancelot threw out while grappling with the guards who'd come to restrain him.

"Wait!" Father directed, "I'll hear him." Did I hear him correctly? I actually convinced the old man to reconsider? I caught my mouth before it could drop in shock.

"Forgive me sire," Lancelot said, inclining his head. "I've come to bid you farewell."

"What is this Lancelot?" I asked, genuinely puzzled. Surely he knew his fate was still undecided?

"I lied to you both and now there is conflict between you. I cannot bear that burden, as you should not bear mine. I must start again, far from here. And maybe one day fate shall grant me another chance to prove myself a worthy knight of Camelot."

"But Lancelot, you've already proven that to us," I replied in stunned disbelief. I'd almost convinced Father to reinstate him.

"But I must prove it to myself," he said. "Your highness, Prince Arthur." He bowed then slowly turned and walked out of the room. We gazed at him, totally stunned. Whoa, what? Many of my noble knights didn't act this, well, noble.

Both of us stood there a few moments, contemplating Lancelot. Is it possible that nobility isn't just born and bred? He certainly embodied many knightly qualities—bravery, gentility, nobility . . . It was a lot to think about as I slowly wandered back to my chambers to call it a day.