No reviews for the last chapter. Come on everyone!!! please


"That isn't my surcoat. Mine was a copy of Lord Eldred's" Lancelot frowned at the cloth Igraine held up.

"Exactly, this is your true coat of arms. The one Uther has given you"

The poor man was stunned "Uther is willing to give me his family's crest on a canton?"

"Yes Lancelot. You have saved Camelot from the griffin, as this depicts, and you have returned Ruth to Camelot. Therefore you are welcome to carry our crest as part of your own"

"Cheer up Lance" Ruth was wriggling around on the bed of the empty chamber that had been commandeered for the new knight to hid in "You'll be a Knight of Camelot soon"

Igraine smiled, her daughter always managed to lighten the mood of things.


"Stand still please, Lancelot. I am balancing on a wobbly stool and if I lean any further to do up these straps you will end up with me clinging onto your back" the fretful knight did as he was begged, allowing Ruth to finish doing up his surcoat shoulders.

"Thank you my lady. I am honoured that you were allowed to see me into my correct attire for this evening" He turned round and lifted her off the stool that Gaius had been persuaded to lend Igraine, not knowing its true purpose.

"Stop raking your hair. It's sticking out every-which-way" it had been one of her regular corrections all the time they'd travelled together

"Yes Ruth" he blew her kiss as she slipped out a side door, leaving him alone until Uther arrived to go to the hall with him.


The hall was packed to almost bursting, the double row of knights providing more than just a ceremonial corridor. Uther marched down between them with his long strides, the knight-to-be following in a cloak and hood. Before the sword was drawn, with the knight kneeling in front of him, the King gestured for the Camelot knights (and Arthur) to group up and wait towards the back of the chamber. This wasn't the standard procedure but they obeyed the command as they had learned to.

Now it was the ceremony. Uther tapped the knight on each shoulder, reciting the words he'd chosen

"Arise Sir Knight, new protector of Camelot"

Looks were exchanged, they weren't what was normally said. As Lancelot rose the king whispered in his ear "When you take your hood off be ready to be flattened by a stampede. He nodded and turned to face the group of knights. The cloak's clasp had already been undone, with a single movement he swept back the hood.


Arthur and Merlin stared as a very familiar face came into view.

"LANCELOT!!!!" the floor shook as the 23 people raced as one towards the knight.

Lancelot found himself surrounded by the Knights of Camelot, having his hand shaken and his back slapped in congratulations. Over all the noise he could hear Arthur chanting

"Lancelot. The griffin knight. Lancelot. The griffin knight"

Merlin grabbed him in a tight hug, Arthur followed his servant's example, forcing Merlin away. As more knights joined the chant Lancelot was lifted up on their shoulders, high in the air. Borne by the sea of scarlet he was carried out of the audience chamber and down the stairs towards their customary celebration.


Hope you enjoy that. The party is next chapter, which I'll only post if I get 4 reviews

A canton is a small square in the corner of a shield