Merry Christmas! I am back. A thousand times sorry for the delay. Life just got in the way. But I am back and I hopefully have written a chapter that you will enjoy. Have a wonderful holiday season.

She stayed with him all night. Nothing further happened between them but he hugged her and soothed her till she fell asleep. He thought he would never sleep, scared that he would wake up and she would not be there in the morning. But he did fall asleep eventually, listening to her quiet breathing.

He awoke to sunlight streaming in through his window. He could feel her presence as he woke up and relief filled his heart that she had not disappeared during the night. He looked over at her, her face so peaceful and beautiful. She looked so much younger when she was asleep.

His door started to creak open. Panicked Lancelot threw the blanket over Gwen.

"Sire? Are you awake?", a voice called from outside the door.

"Yes, I am. I'll be ready in five minutes James," Lancelot answered hurriedly.

Gently Lancelot nudged Gwen awake, "Gwen, Gwen," he whispered.

"Mhmm…", she started to stir.

"Gwen, I'm sorry my love but I need you to wake up."

"Lancelot?," Gwen asked confused.

"Good morning my darling," Lancelot smiled at her. "If you want to avoid scandal I suggest you hide under my bed."

And with that comment, Gwen sat up right, her hair sticking up at the back.

"Quickly now, James will not wait forever."

Gwen scrambled out of the bed, taking most of the blanket with her and landed on the floor with a thump.

"Are you alright sire?" James asked, slowly edging the door open.

"Perfectly fine," Lancelot ducked his head under the bed. Gwen was completely covered by his blankets. "Come in James."

With a look of suspicion, James cautiously entered the room. "I swear I heard you talking to someone sire?"

"No, nope. Just talking to myself," Lancelot lied, badly.

James raised an eyebrow at him but he let the subject drop out of respect for his master.

Lancelot got ready for battle in silence and James left as soon as possible as the tension in the room became unbearable for the poor boy.

Lancelot threw the blankets back on to the bed. "He's gone Gwen, you can come out now."

Gwen peeked out from under the bed, and Lancelot's heart melted at the sight of how cute she looked. He gave her his hand and helped her up.

"I am so sorry for that my darling."

"Shh my love," Gwen put her finger to his lips. "It's alright, I understand." She stroked his face. "You look so handsome in your armour." Her lip started to quiver. "Please keep safe."

Lancelot's heart raced. How he longed to hear her utter those words. He took her into his arms and kissed her passionately. "I vow to you that I will never leave you again. I will always return for you."

She smiled, breathless from the force of the kiss. "I believe you."

And with those final words, Lancelot left his chambers and went to battle.

Arthur was uneasy. It was obvious to anyone. Even Gwaine asked if he was okay. He didn't come and join them in their usual routine of sitting round the fire exchanging war stories and battle scars. Gwaine always had a new story to tell which never failed to make everyone crack up laughing. Arthur disappeared into his tent.

Merlin answered Gwaine's question, "He's our king. If anything were to happen to any of us, he'll hold himself personally responsible." Lancelot wondered just how much of that statement was the real reason for Arthur's behaviour. Arthur had not mentioned Gwen at all that day and seemed completely focused upon the battle, but still Lancelot suspect Arthur may already be regretting his decision.

Still, Merlin's response sobered them all up and they decided to go and talk to Arthur. They were the knights of Camelot after all. Elyan, the most sensitive of them all, spoke on their behalf.

"Elyan?", Arthur asked surprised as they all walked into his tent. The knights were silent.

"Well?" Arthur prompted.

"We just want you to know there isn't a man among us who would not die for you. We've made our pledge and we wear the Pendragon crest with pride. Tomorrow we fight in your name, sire, for freedom and justice in this land," Elyan replied.

The boy should have been a poet, Lancelot thought to himself. He whole heartedly agreed, and wished he could voice his feelings so articulately.

It was clear that Arthur was deeply touched by Elyan's words. "Thank you, Elyan. Thank you all." Lancelot nodded at Arthur in response. He patted Merlin on the shoulder on his way out of the tent.

The next morning, all hell broke loose. Arthur declared that he had approached Queen Annis during the night and she had agreed to a trial by combat. The knights were furious that Arthur had gone behind their backs and agreed to such an idea.

"But, sire, we can win this battle. I know we can," Lean retorted.

"I don't doubt it. But at what cost? How many men will be slaughtered?" Arthur replied.

"And what if we were to lose this trial? We can't give up our land," Elyan argued.

"That's the deal I've struck. I believe it to be fair and I'll stand by it."

Lancelot remained silent. He knew there would be no talking Arthur out of this. He had never met a more stubborn man. But he was proud of his king, admittedly annoyed that Arthur had not felt the need to confer with his knights before he made this deal, but he was glad Arthur had seen how wrong he was to kill King Caerleon.

"Well, all that remains, my lord, is for you to choose your champion," Lord Agravaine's voice interrupting Lancelot's internal dialogue.

"I would be honoured to fight for Camelot," Lancelot was the first to volunteer. He knew he was the best knight at combat. His defeat of Arthur in his initiation fight was legendary.

Percival immediately followed suit, "It would be a privilege, sire."

"Sire," Elyan put himself forward.

Arthur interrupted them, "There can only be one choice. One choice which is just and honourable. This fight's mine."

"Sire, you cannot do this. Think of your people, your kingdom. Think of the people who love you and need you," Lancelot knew that Arthur could not fight this battle alone.

"Enough Lancelot. I have made my decision." And with that comment, Lancelot and the rest of the knights were silenced.

That evening Lancelot was called into Arthur's tent.

"Lancelot, I have a favour to ask of you."

"Anything, sire," Lancelot bowed his head.

Arthur was hesitant.

"If this day should prove to be my last…give this Guinevere," Arthur put his rings into Lancelot's hand.

"Tell her I'm sorry. And protect her. I know you still love her. If I don't make it back…," Arthur put his hand on Lancelot's shoulder, "I want to know that she will be looked after."

Lancelot was taken back, "Of course sire. But you will make it back to tell her yourself," Lancelot gave Arthur a small smile.

"Thank you, old friend. But I suspect that she might not want to hear it," Arthur sighed.

"Only time will tell," Lancelot replied. They shook hands. "Good luck sire."

Agravaine entered the tent, "It is time, my lord."

I want this story to treat all the characters fairly. I wanted it to be a real love triangle, where both men are great and it is a genuinely difficult decision for Gwen to make while still following the story as told through the series. I hope you feel that I am writing both men as they deserve to be written. I still miss Lancelot. Please review, it makes my day.