The devil gave me a crooked start when he gave me crooked feet.

But Gabriel don came to me and kissed me in my sleep.

And I'll be singing like an angel until I'm six feet deep.

.

I found myself an omen and tattooed on a sign.

I sent my mind a wandering and I walked a broken line.

You have a mind to keep me quiet and although you can try,

better men have hit their knees and bigger men have died.

-Raise Hell Brandie Carlile

Elin stared at Vivienne with a cold expression, not saying a word.

Vivienne with black hair and sky blue eyes and the beauty that every woman desired was looking at her with a pleading expression.

"Please! I will secure your freedom. Give you the vengeance you desire. Just tell me."

Elin still said nothing simply reaching forward and touching the belly of the ex-witch. Her eyes did not flash gold for a brief moment as was customary, but stayed gold as she continued to mouth the spell.

She pulled away, "She… will be safe. From Uther at least."

Vivienne nodded, "That is comforting. Will Gorlois know?"

"Only Uther and Gaius will be aware for most of her childhood and slightly farther. She'll be safe when it is common knowledge."

"And the price you ask of me?"

For the first time in that whole conversation Elin smiled, then gestured for the Lady to come closer.

She whispered her price in Vivienne's ear, then she sat back down in the middle of her cell in the deepest part of Camelot. Her light gray eyes filled with the smug satisfaction they always held when she won something against Uther.

"See you in twenty years My Lady, that is, if you survive after the birth of your daughter. That is why you are still alive My Lady." Elin's smile turned into a smirk, "But, I'm sure you already knew that."

Vivienne clearly shaken, turned towards the steps and with obvious reluctance went to complete the task assigned to her.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Merlin looked at his savior with a relieved smile, "It's gone." he turned towards the other man, "You saved my life. I'm Merlin."

The man held out a hand, "Lancelot."

Merlin shook it and his new acquaintance promptly passed out.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Uther and his son ride up to one of the many farming villages in Camelot. But this one was destroyed completely.

"What creature could have done this?"

Arthur looked at the scene with an unreadable expression, "We found no tracks in or out. The villagers said it had wings and I'm inclined to believe them. But that's not all..."

Uther looked sharply at his son, "What?"

"It… took no livestock, only people. Whatever it is, it has a taste for human flesh."

Uther's face hardened, "Post sentries in all the outlying villages. Put the lookouts on full alert. If this thing should make for Camelot, we must be ready. "

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Arthur walked towards Merlin with a frown, "Grummund's the third to fail this month. How am I meant to defend Camelot with rubbish like that?"

Merlin gave his best smile and said, "Well, it's a good thing I can help."

The Prince snorted, "You, Merlin? You haven't the faintest idea what it takes to become a knight. Courage, fortitude, and discipline."

Merlin shook his head, "No, of course I don't. But I know someone who does."

Arthur raised a brow, "Really?"

"He saved my life."

"That's blowing it for starters." Arthur deadpanned.

Merlin quickly went to Lance's defense, "He's really good. Honestly."

Arthur nodded in a way that said he really didn't care, "That's great Merlin. But you forget the First Code of Camelot."

"The what?"

"The First Code," Arthur said slowly, "Only those of noble blood can serve as knights. So unless your friend is a nobleman..."

Merlin's eyes widened ever so slightly, "Oh.. um, he is a nobleman."

Arthur actually turned towards Merlin at that, "Is he?"

Merlin nodded, "Yep."

"Right then, bring him to the training grounds tomorrow. With his seal of nobility."

Merlin smiled, big and bright, "Thanks Arthur. You won't regret it."

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Merlin rubbed the back of his neck and looked at his new friend nervously, "Hey Lance? You don't happen to be a nobleman by any chance?"

Lancelot laughed, "Good lord, no. Why do you ask?"

Gaius interrupted, "The First Code of Camelot states that only those of noble blood can serve as a knight. Uther created the knights to protect this kingdom from those who wished to destroy it. He knew he would have to trust each of his knights with his life. So he chose them from the families that had sworn allegiance to him."

"The nobility." Merlin provided.

"And thus the First Code of Camelot was born. Only the sons of noble families have ever served as knights."

Merlin huffed, "But that's not fair."

Gaius shrugged, "Fair or unfair. That's the way it is. I am sorry Lancelot. Truly."

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Lancelot stiffened when Gwen reached down to take a measurement of his waist.

"This is," he coughed uncomfortably, "This is very kind of you, um.."

Gwen looked up and smiled, "Gwen. Short for Guinevere."

"Well then, thank you Guinevere."

Gwen shook her head,"Don't thank me. Thank Merlin. Merlin would do anything for anyone, wouldn't you, Merlin? Sorry, can you raise your arms? Thank you. Sorry. I think it's great that Merlin's got you this chance. We need men like you. "

Lancelot looked at her, "You do?"

Gwen blushed, "Well, not me personally, but… Camelot. Camelot needs knights. Not just Arthur and his kind, but ordinary people like you and me. "

"Well I'm not a knight yet, My Lady."

"And I'm not a Lady."

The soon-to-be-knight blushed, "Sorry My-"

"Okay were done. I should have these ready in no time." Gwen holds out here hand to shake, "It's nice to meet you Lancelot."

Lance takes her hand and kisses it, "As it was you, Guinevere."

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Arthur approached Lancelot who was sharpening swords per the Prince's request. He picked up a broom and tossed it at the other man, who looked up from his work to catch it.

The blonde looked impressed, "Not bad."

Lancelot bows, "Would you like me to sweep the guardhouse again, Sire?"

"It certainly needs sweeping. But, first-" He picked up another broom and removed the bristles, "I'd like you to kill me."

"Sire?"

Arthur rolled his eyes, "Don't pretend like you don't want to."

Lance removes the end of his broom.

Arthur looked at Lancelot and repeated, "I want you to kill me."

Lancelot attacked and people gathered around to watch the fight.

It ended with a broomstick to the gut and Arthur congratulating Lancelot.

But, he didn't get to enjoy this victory due to the warning bells.

Ya know I was going to show how Elin got put in prison, but then I decided that I would wait on that. Sooooooo Lance and People, that's the real title of this chapter. At first when I was trying to spell his name I was putting Lance-a-lot without the in between bits so it was Lancealot. It didn't look right so I got rid of the 'a'. Yep. I have cake. And problems. That too.

Also Elin did a thing. Won't tell you what the thing was. But she did it. I liked writing devious Elin, it was fun. I don't think Vivienne dies in this story, but I don't know where she goes.

OH before I forget choices for the ones who read this far, because while I haven't really finished with Elin before the purge at this moment in time we are done with it, so I can:

1)Write Uther's version for the purge in the first part of each chapter

2)Stop doing the beginning part completely

3)Or do something else completely amazing, and remember what the amazing idea was. Not in that order of course.

Wow I just noticed how short this chapter was. Oops.

I think that's it. Could've forgotten something. Oh well. Don't forget to review and all that usual end of the chapter stuff.

-Night