Hey guys!

I am so happy you guys liked the new Lancelot chapter. Time for part 2!

DISCLAIMER: MERLIN ISN'T MINE.

Enjoy!

I ran to find Merlin (I did more running here than I had ever done in PE class). Morgana just told me that Lancelot was already in the dungeons. I wanted to find Merlin before he went to see Lancelot. I turned the corner, and bumped into someone, causing us to go crashing to the ground. Whoever was it landed right on top of me. The breath literally knocked out of me, I looked up, but it was just Merlin. I sighed, "Merlin. I was looking for you."

He nodded. "I was looking for you. Lancelot is in the dungeons."

"Morgana told me." I said. I looked at the position we were actually in, cleared my throat, and Merlin got right off of me, blushing very hard. He grabbed my hands and helped me up. "Right, sorry."

I shook my head, even though I was blushing too. "No problem. Come on, let's go see Lancelot."

Merlin and I walked to the dungeons. We got to Lancelot's cell, and Merlin spoke up. "We don't know what to say to you, Lancelot.

Lancelot shook his head. "You're not to blame."

"Yes, we are." I insisted. "We pushed you. We made you lie."

"The choice was mine. My punishment is mine to bear, and mine to bear alone." Lancelot said firmly. Gah, why was he so noble?

"I wish there was something we could do." Merlin said.

"There is. You can stop blaming yourselves." Lancelot told us.

I just gave him a sad smile. A guard tugged on my arm, signaling my leave. I sighed, gave Lancelot one final look, then left.

"A shame about Lancelot, isn't it?" Morgana asked as we had a cup of tea later that day. "He would have made a very handsome Knight."

"Would have made a very noble Knight too." I said absentmindedly, tracing the designs of the table with my finger.

Morgana took my hand in hers, forcing me to look at her. "I know Lancelot is your friend, Lizzie. But, what Uther says goes, unfortunately. If Arthur was in charge, you know things would be different."

Things would have been a lot better if you weren't trying to take the crown from him every ten minutes. "He saved my life, Morgana. I wanted this one thing for him, and I couldn't even get it. Do you know how much that hurts?" I asked. "If Lancelot is my friend, then I am a pretty lousy friend."

Morgana took both my hands and looked me fiercely in the eyes. "Elizabeth. You are not a lousy friend. You are a very good friend. You tried your best. You didn't even tell Uther Lancelot was not a nobleman, even though you knew the truth." She brought her hand to my cheek. "Please, stop blaming yourself."

I shook my head. "And because of me Lancelot is in jail. What do I do Morgana?"

She went to say something, but words clearly failed her. "I don't know."

I nodded. "I thought so."

Then next day, I was going for a walk in the Square when my peaceful day was cut short of being peaceful. I didn't notice the winged beast behind me until I heard it. Well, the sounds of screaming people and the warning bell really pointed it out too. It was just behind me, its talons ready to strike. I screamed, my last scream before my possible death, when I was roughly pushed to the ground. My head ached (too many head injuries here), and I scratched my cheek, but at least I wasn't dead. I looked up to see Arthur on top of me. Man, how many hot guys were going to fall on me here?

Not that I was complaining.

"Are you alright?" He asked worriedly.

"Much better if I could breathe." I rasped. He quickly got off of me, and helped me up. He had one of the Knights escort me back safely inside the Castle, and rushed back outside to defend Camelot from the creature. Then I was running. I had to find Merlin. At least then I could use my knowledge to help. I turned on my heel when I remembered someone should debrief Lancelot on what was going on. Then I ran to the dungeons. Man, I did too much running here.

I went over to Lancelot's cell, where he ran up to grab the bars. I grabbed the bars too. "Lancelot."

"My La-Lizzie, what is going on?" He asked.

"The creature has made its way into Camelot. Arthur and the Knights are trying to defend us but it simply isn't working." I looked over to the guards, and did something that was probably really stupid. "Release Lancelot."

Lancelot looked at me in disbelief. "What?"

"I'm sorry, my Lady, I can't." The Guard told me.

"Lizzie, don't stick your neck out for me." Lancelot insisted.

"You heard me. You are under my orders." I commanded, ignoring Lancelot's protests. Man, I loved being in authority.

"I'm sorry, my Lady." He said sternly. "I am under the King's orders not to release the prisoner."

I groaned, and turned back to Lancelot. "I'm sorry Lancelot. You don't deserve being back here."

He smiled and shook his head. "I lied. To the King. I do deserve to be here. You, however, do not. Please, Lizzie. Go find Merlin, and help him."

I slowly nodded. "Okay. You won't be in here for much longer, Lancelot. I promise."

I made sure to give the guard a hard glare, then left to find Merlin. Uther, Arthur, and their entourage are going to the throne room, so I caught up with them. I walked beside Merlin and poked him in the side. "Merlin, what's going on?"

He turned to tell me, when his face dropped. "Liz, what happened to your cheek?" He asked, bringing his hand to my face. He gently ran his fingers down my cheek, in almost a caressing gesture. Heart pumping madly, I looked at him confused, and he brought his hand back, his fingertips laced with blood.

"Oh." I said, bringing my own hand to my cheek. I took my hand back, and saw blood. I rubbed it away, hoping that I didn't just make a mess of my face. "I fell, but I'm fine."

We all entered the throne room. "You said your knights were the best in the land. You proved that today." Uther said sarcastically.

"All I know is it's still out there." Arthur said.

"Let's not wait for it. The kingdom has been menaced by this creature for too long. We finish this now." Uther commanded.

"Sire, if I may." Gaius interrupted.

Uther nodded to him. "Gaius?"

Gaius and Merlin walked forward. "I've been researching this creature, Sire. I believe it to be a griffin."

"A griffin? What's in a name?" Uther asked.

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, I added in my head. I couldn't help it. I loved Shakespere.

"The griffin is a creature of magic." Gaius informed him.

Uther shook his head in dismissal. "I don't have time for this, physician."

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

"You are mistaken. It's a creature of flesh and blood like any other." Uther protested. He turned his head to Arthur in acknowledgement. "Arthur proved that today."

Arthur shook his head. "I'm not so sure, Father. I think there may be some truth in what he says."

"What truth?" Uther questioned.

"The griffin was unharmed, Sire. Our weapons seemed useless against it." Arthur explained to him.

Uther scoffed. "Useless? I think not. No, 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." Arthur estimated.

"Good. We finish this tonight." Uther said, dismissing the court.

This may be my last chance to help Lancelot. "Sire?"

He turned his head to me. "Yes, Elizabeth?"

I took a deep breath. Here goes nothing. I was about to speak when Uther interrupted me. "What has happened to your face?"

I lifted my hand back to my cut and just shook my head. "Nothing, Sire, I'm fine. As I was saying, while I know our Knights are trying as hard as they can, we need more help or we don't stand a chance. I know you aren't going to be open to ask neighbouring Kingdoms for help, but there is a man down in the cells, who has the skills in fighting, and wants nothing more than to help Camelot."

Uther was already shaking his head before I was done. "Absolutely not."

"Sire, I know that Lancelot lied and lying is wrong, but-"

"Enough!" He practically shouted. "This man has deceived Camelot, I will not have him fighting."

"If this is about your pride..." I tried.

"It is about the Knight's Code, which Lancelot has violated."

"...Camelot matters more than it." I said, completely ignoring what he said.

He looked at me and gave me a menacing glare. "Hold your tongue, child."

I wanted to keep talking, but I also didn't want to end up in the dungeons where I wouldn't be able to do anything. I just gave Uther a glare, and stalked out of the room. I hated that he could boss me around! I thought I got the freedom to do so when I left home for University!

I ran into Gaius chambers as he's explaining the griffin to Merlin. "It's true, isn't it? That he griffin can only be killed by magic?" I asked as I walked over to them.

"Yes, Liz, I'm certain of it. If Arthur rides out against it, he'll die." He turned to a table, and grabbed a cloth. "Here. Clean up your face." I graciously took it and gently rubbed the scratchy material against my cheek. I liked the towels back in the castle way better.

"Then he must be stopped. Uther must see reason." Merlin insisted.

"Where magic is concerned, our King is blind to reason." Gaius pointed out. "And yet...magic is our only hope." He admitted.

"You're not suggesting..." Merlin asked, disbelieving.

"It is your destiny, Merlin. The true purpose of your magic." Gaius said wisely.

"You saw it, Gaius. I can't go up against that thing." Merlin said.

"But if you do not, then Arthur will surely perish." Gaius pointed out.

"No...this is madness. I don't have magic that powerful. There must be another way." Merlin tried to insist.

"This is the only way." Gaius said.

"Do you even care what happens to me? Oh, just do this, Merlin. Do that, Merlin. Go and kill the griffin, Merlin. I'll just sit here and warm my feet by the fire." He ranted.

"Merlin!' Gaius said sternly. "Merlin, you are the only thing I care about in all this world. I would give my life for you without a thought. But for what? I cannot save Arthur. It is not my destiny. You know."

I had never felt more uncomfortable in my life. I decided to pipe up. "If it was a matter of life or death, Merlin, I would give my life for you too." I said truthfully. Merlin really was an amazing person, and the world needed him more than it needed someone like me.

He looked at me in disbelief. "Why would you do that for someone like me?"

I shook my head. "Social standings don't matter to me. Don't you see how I insist not to be called 'my Lady'? And I'm your friend, Merlin. I would do that for Arthur, I'd do it for Morgana"-for now, at least-"And I'd do it for you. Don't think for one second that I wouldn't."

He hanged his head down. "I'm sorry."

"I don't know what else I can say." Gaius said.

"I'll say it for you. We have two hours to find a way to kill that thing." Merlin confirmed, and we started looking through books. Gaius found the spell, and pointed to it. "There. You must do this for Arthur."

Merlin shook his head. "I've never cast a spell of enchantment this powerful."

"Nothing less will kill it." I got up, grabbed a rusty dagger, and handed it to Merlin. "Here. Try. You have it within you. I know you do." I said, nodding my head.

Merlin held the dagger out in front of him, and said the incantation. "Bregdan anweald gafeluec."

Nothing happened, and Merlin, Gaius and I shared a look. "Don't worry, Merlin, we have plenty of time." Gaius insisted.

Merlin kept trying to do the spell, but kept failing, and kept getting discouraged.

"Don't worry, Merlin. We know you're trying." Gaius assured him.

"And I'm failing. And if Arthur dies because I'm not good enough..." Merlin said.

I interrupted him. "Merlin, you won't!"

And that was Gwen's cue to run in. "Merlin! Lancelot's riding out to kill the griffin!"

"He's what?" Merlin asked in disbelief. Gwen shrugged, words failing her, and Merlin ran out. I ran after him. He stopped, spinning around on his heel. "You're not coming."

Could people stop telling me where to go? "I am coming. Lancelot saved my life too and I owe it to him. Besides, the people of Camelot are my people, and I would do anything to help them." And I really would. Even though I hadn't been here long, I loved these people like they were my family, and I would do anything for them.

Merlin looked like he's going to argue, but stopped himself. "Alright, come on."

Merlin and I ran to Lancelot as Lancelot saddled his horse. "We're coming with you." Merlin told him.

"No, you're not." Lancelot said.

"Just try and stop us." Merlin told him.

"Merlin, you're not a soldier. And Lizzie, I can't let you get hurt. Your family would never forgive me."

"You said it yourself, Lancelot, Arthur needs all the help he can get. Now let's go." Merlin said.

"And as for me," I said. "You're not going to stop me. It's a good thing Uther doesn't know, then. Right?"

We all got ready, and rode to where the griffin was. From where we were riding, we could hear sword clanging, hissing from the griffin, and worst of all, the sound of dying men. THAT would haunt me in my nightmares.

We got to where all the fallen Knights are, and I immediately go looking for Arthur. "Arthur?" I called, looking around for him. "Arthur?" I called worriedly again. I found him on the ground, unconscious. I checked his pulse, and sighed in relief that it was beating. Even though I knew he was alright, I was still worried sick that he was dead. "He's alive." I called over to Merlin.

We all heard the griffin hiss, and Lancelot rode into attack position with a lance, shutting his visor.

Merlin looked over to me. I nodded at him, and he turned back to Lancelot's lance. "Okay, Merlin, it's now or never." I heard him say.

Lancelot reared his horse, and Merlin said his spell. "Bregdan anweald gafeluec."

Nothing happened. Lancelot charged, and Merlin said the spell again, this time more sternly. "Bregdan anweald gafeluec."

Nothing happened as Lancelot passed Merlin. I got up, and ran to Merlin's side. I grabbed his hand, and squeezed it for support. "You can do this Merlin. You can."

This time, the griffin charged. He looked to me, then back to the lance. "Bregdan anweald gafeluec!" He said, putting all his feel into his voice.

The lance flamed blue, and Lancelot struck the griffin, killing it. As it died, the magic glow disappeared.

Merlin and I looked to each other happily. "Yes!" We both screamed, and we leaped into an embrace. I squeezed him tight, and he buried his face into my hair. We pulled away when we hear Arthur waking up. We looked to each other, panicking, when I finally just grabbed Merlin's hand and ran. We managed to kill the griffin. Now all we had to do was hope that real Arthur was a better convincer than show Arthur.

Merlin and I ran back to his chambers. We paused, and Gaius waited expectantly. Merlin and I grinned hugely. "I did it." Merlin said.

Gaius and Merlin hugged, and Gaius said, "Thank God!"

Gaius and Merlin pulled away, and Merlin looked to me. "Lancelot." He said.

I nodded, catching his drift. "We should go find out what happened to him."

Merlin and I round the corner to the throne room, where Lancelot was waiting outside. "What are they doing?" Merln asked.

"Deciding my fate." Lancelot answered.

"They'll restore your knighthood, they have to." I said, somehow thinking that I was very sure of myself.

Merlin nodded in agreement with me. "You killed the griffin."

"But I didn't kill the griffin." Lancelot said, as I knew he would. He gestured for me and Merlin to follow him, and we did. He looked to Merlin. "You did."

Merlin scoffed unbelievably. "That's ridiculous"

Lancelot just smiled and said, "'Bregdan anweald...'" he trailed off. "I heard you. I saw you." He looked to me. "And judging by the look on Lizzie's face when she was standing next to you, she already knew."

Merlin got a worried look on his face, but Lancelot reassured him. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. But I cannot take the credit for what I did not do. There'll be no more lies, no more deceit."

"What are you going to do?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

Lancelot said, "The only thing I can do." And he burst through the doors of the council room.

"What is this?" Uther asked.

The guards restrained Lancelot, but Lancelot said, "Let me speak."

"Wait! I'll hear him." Uther said.

The guards released Lancelot, and he spoke. "Forgive me, Sire. I've come to bid you farewell."

"What is this, Lancelot?" Arthur asked confused.

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

There he went, being adorably, heartbreakingly noble again.

"But...Lancelot, you've...already proved that to us." Arthur told him.

Lancelot nodded. "But I must prove it to myself." He explained. He bowed to Uther. "Your Highness." Then he bowed to Arthur. "Prince Arthur."

He backed out of the room, gave Merlin and I a small smile, and left.

Later that night, I went looking for Lancelot. I did find him, getting his stuff ready for leaving in the morning. I stepped in, and smiled. "Lancelot."

He smiled at me. "Lizzie."

I walked farther in. "Do you really have to leave? I know a few people who wouldn't be happy if you left."

He nodded. "I know, but you must know, I need to do this for myself."

I nodded too. "I understand that Lancelot. But that doesn't mean I have to like it." I went over and gave him a hug, which he gratefully returned.

"I'm going to miss you Lancelot. A lot." I said, pulling away.

"I will miss you too, My Lady." He told me.

I gave him a look. "What did I say about the 'My Lady' thing?" I teased.

He smiled again. "I know."

"Goodbye, Sir Lancelot." I said. I stepped on my tip toes, and gave him a sweet kiss on the cheek in farewell. He flushed a light shade of pink, but smiled at me. I started moving towards the door, no matter how badly I wanted to drop to my knees and convince him to stay. Hey, Camelot was severely lacking in hot men.

My hand was on the handle when his voice called out. "Promise me one thing, Lizzie."

My face went confused, but I nodded anyway. "Of course."

"Pay more attention to Merlin. He has a little trouble expressing himself sometimes," He said.

What? What was he?...oh no he didn't.

I wanted to say something, but I had a feeling I would have felt more awkward than I already did. "I don't know what you mean, but I will. I promise." And with that awkward note, I left for bed.

"I can't wait to see you again, Sir Lancelot," I whispered to myself as I walked back to my chambers.

The next morning after Gwen helped me get ready, I saw her staring out the window, looking after who I could only presume is Lancelot.

"Gwen?" I said, trying to get her attention, going over to the window where she was. "Guinevere?" I said, using her full name to try and get her attention. She finally looked over to me. "Lancelot?" I guessed.

"Oh." Gwen looked like she was just going to protest, but gave up. "Yes."

I looked at her, feeling pity. I smiled slightly. "Come, Gwen. We've a busy day ahead."

"Yes, My Lady." She said, moving away from the window. I grabbed her arm. "Gwen?"

"Yes?" She said.

I rubbed her arm. "Everything will be alright."

She just smiled at me, and moved to grab my laundry. I sighed. She was just so hopeless when it came to guys.

I didn't get to see Merlin all day that day. Arthur kept him busy, and Morgana kept me busy. So when I finally got the chance to speak to him about Lancelot, it was pretty late at night. I went over to his chambers, greeted Gaius, and walked into Merlin's room, who looked a little upset, laying down on his bed. "Somebody doesn't look happy." I teased, which didn't even get a smile from him. I sighed. "Okay. Move over."

He looked at me confused. "What do you mean?"

I went next to his bed and gestured for him to move over. "Come on. Make room." Although he looked confused, he still did, and I laid down next to him, my back facing him.

"What exactly are you doing?" He asked.

I rolled over. "Copying you." I finally changed the subject to Lancelot. "I take it you're sad because of Lancelot."

He nodded. "Do you think he'll come back?"

"Oh, yeah." I said, not even hesitating. "In fact." I sat up straighter, and put my head in my hand. "I predict that Lancelot's time in Camelot has just begun."

Merlin laughed at me. "Oh, so you're psychic now?"

He had no idea how right he may be. "Would you believe me if I said yes?" I tested.

He tried not to laugh, but failed. "Probably not."

I laid on my back. "Was worth a shot." I said, laughing along with him.

And for the rest of the night, Merlin and I just laid there and talked. And talked. And talked until we eventually fell asleep. I just hoped I didn't have any nightmares tonight. I wouldn't want to freak poor Merlin out...

TBC...

And it is done! Oh, who else loved the Merlin and Liz moment at the end? I know I sure did!

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