Chapter 21: Knuckles and Lamorak
The two mythological creatures ran through the forest at a fast pace, obviously enjoying themselves. Knuckles raised his head and howled loudly before barking again. Lamorak just ran beside him, a grin forming on his muzzle. He took a breath and let out a loud yowl. Knuckles howled again and ran deeper into the forest as the Great Lynx followed him. The two ran for miles until they finally stopped in a large clearing.
Lamorak was panting, He looked at Knuckles. "Why don't we rest for a bit?"
The werewolf nodded and lay down, putting his head on his paws, and looked at Lamorak.
Lamorak laid down as well. "I guess we won't be able to talk together while your in your wolf form?"
Knuckles whined and shook his head.
Lamorak sighed. Then he thought of something. "Why don't you ask Merlina for help? She was able to give me my mythical creature forms, maybe she can give you the ability to talk in your wolf form."
Knuckles wagged his tail and barked in happiness. Lamorak smiled and got up, stretching, before laying back down again. The two rested for a while before getting up. They looked around and saw that it was almost dark.
Lamorak was surprised, he hadn't realized how late it was. He turned to Knuckles. "We should head back now."
The werewolf nodded and got up. He howled once more and ran back to the castle, followed by Lamorak. Once they got back, the two mythical creatures reverted to their normal forms.
Knuckles smiled and looked at Lamorak. "That was fun!"
Lamorak smiled at him. "It was. Do you want to go talk to Merlina now?"
"Sure," Knuckles said. He and Lamorak walked into the castle and saw the knights, along with Sonic, in the great hall. The griffin king turned as he saw them and screeched.
Sonic ran over to them with Percival trailing behind him. "You were gone for awhile. I thought Morgana had got you both!" Sonic said a small chuckle, indicating he was joking.
"We just ran through the forest for a bit," Knuckles said. "Where is Merlina? I'd like to talk to her."
Sonic looked at him curiously then pointed him in the direction of Merlina's chambers. "She's trying to figure out why he spell gave Lamorak three forms." He told them. They bowed to Sonic and walked toward Merlina's chambers, talking as they went.
As they walked up the stairs, Out of the corner of his eye, Knuckles saw Sonic look at Percival and blush, Percival blushing along with him. Then he walked over to her and nuzzled her lightly as they walked back to the table. He smiled to himself as he turned the corner with Lamorak, who hadn't seen a thing.
"It looks like Sonic and Percival are falling in love," he told Lamorak.
"What? I didn't notice anything," Lamorak looked at him.
"I did," Knuckles told him. "They blushed at each other, and Sonic walked over to Percival, nuzzling her fondly."
Lamorak smiled. "They fit each other. Sir Percival told me how he saved her life once."
Knuckles nodded and the two knights continued walking. Soon, they got to Merlina's chamber and opened the door.
Merlina looked at them. "Sir Lamorak, Sir Knuckles, what can I do for you two?"
"Knuckles wants to ask for a favor." Lamorak told her.
"What is it?"
Knuckles cleared his throat. "I was wondering if you can make me talk when I'm in my wolf form."
Merlina blinked, surprised. "I am not sure if I can; magic doesn't work on werewolves that well for some reason."
Knuckles sighed. Then looked at her again.
"Can you try?"
Merlina nodded. "You'll have to be in your wolf form, though."
The knight nodded and transformed into his wolf form. Merlina shot a bolt of magic at him and sighed.
"Did it work?" She asked.
Knuckles tried to speak but all that came out were barks, growls, snarls and howls. He shook his head and reverted to his normal form. Knuckles was disheartened by the failure, but then he looked at Merlina again. "Why won't magic work on werewolves?"
"I am not sure," Merlina said. "Perhaps it has something to do with the lycanthropy. Anyway, I'm sorry that I can't help you."
Knuckles sighed. "It's fine," he said, and walked out of the room, followed by Lamorak.
Lamorak looked at Knuckles downcast face and tried to cheer him up. "Don't worry Knuckles, we'll figure something out."
The knight shrugged. "At least I can talk while I'm in my normal form."
Lamorak sighed. "I guess. Maybe we can work out some sort of system to understand each other."
"Yeah, that will work."
Lamorak nodded and the two knights walked back out into the great hall. Sonic saw them and smiled. "Did Merlina help?" He asked, and looked at Knuckles.
"She tried to cast a spell that would allow me to talk in wolf form but it didn't help," Knuckles said. "I'm fine with that, though. So, what are we going to do now?"
Sonic thought about it. "Well, we're not sure. We're thinking of either doing a patrol to look out for any signs of Morgana, or taking the fight to Morgana directly." He told them.
"We could go on a patrol," Knuckles said, and looked at Lamorak. "What do you think?"
"Whatever you decide to do. I think we should gather more information before we fight her though," the griffin said.
"That would be fine," Knuckles said, and looked outside, frowning. "There's another full moon tonight, Sonic. Do you want me to go into the forest?"
Sonic sighed. "Yes. You should set out soon. The sun will be setting soon."
The knight nodded and looked at Lamorak. "I'll be going soon. Would you like to come with me? Maybe we can work on some kind of communication."
"Alright. I'll fly you into the forest. Then I'll transform into my Great Lynx form."
"Thanks," Knuckles said, smiling.
Percival looked at them. "It looks like you two have formed a close friendship."
They looked at her and nodded, then walked out into the courtyard. Lamorak transformed into a Roc and put Knuckles on his back, then flew out into the forest.