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*Annabelle's P.O.V.*
"One!" Arthur called out to his Knights, who were training. "Two!... Three!..." I smiled at Lancelot, as I fixed his tunic, and he gave me a small, nervous smile back.
"Well..." Merlin said, fixing Lancelot's armor with Gwen by his side. "You certainly look the part."
"Doesn't he just?" I asked grinning.
"I don't feel it." Lancelot said uncomfortably, and I smiled, walking over to him.
"You look great, I assure you." I said, fixing his hair, making him give me a small smile. "Very dashing." I added, grinning, making him chuckle. Gwen nodded, walking over to my side.
"Any women would faint if they saw you right now." He smiled, and I looked at Arthur as he trained his Knights. But I thought I saw Lancelot glance at me as Gwen said that.
*Arthur's P.O.V.*
"Okay, that'll do for today." I said loudly, and the Knights bowed to me before leaving. "Well done." I turned around, walking over to the table with extra swords and placed the one I had in my hand in one of the sheaths. I then spotted Annabelle with my lazy excuse of a servant, Morgana's maid, and another man I have never seen before. I saw him glance at Annabelle with a small smile, and jealousy immediately built up inside of me. I recognized the look. It's the same look I give her. A look of love. But his was more noticeable, as I always tried to hide my feelings for Anna, but now that I saw another man fall in love with her, I had to admit. I am in love with Annabelle.
*Annabelle's P.O.V.*
"This is your chance." Merlin said, fixing Lancelot's armor one more time, before clapping him on the back. "Go for it." Lancelot took a deep breath trying to calm himself down, causing me to put a comforting hand on his arm, before walking towards Arthur, with the scroll in his hands.
"Yes?" Arthur asked, noticing Lancelot, who was standing right in front of him.
"Lancelot." Lancelot introduced himself. "Fifth son of Lord Eldred of Nortumbria."
"Lanc... elot." Arthur repeated slowly, making Lancelot give a small nod. "My servant mentioned you. You got your seal?" Lancelot bowed, stretching out his hand that held the seal in front of him.
"Sire." Arthur grabbed the seal, and the same time slapped Lancelot hard across the face, making him groan and fall on the ground. I quickly covered my mouth, muffling the gasp.
"Sluggish reactions." Arthur concluded nonchalantly, making me narrow my eyes at him. "On the battlefield you'd be dead by now. Come back when you're ready." He said, turning around and walking away. Lancelot quickly got up though, and stood straight with his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"I'm ready now, Sire."Arthur stopped and turned around to face him, with a smirk on his face.
"You are, are you?" Lancelot nodded, and Arthur nodded, his smirk growing. "Fine. You can start by cleaning out the stables." The Knights, that have returned to see what was going on, laughed as he walked away. Lancelot turned around to look at Merlin, Gwen and me in disbelief, causing Merlin to give him a thumbs up, and Gwen to nod, smiling and raising her eyebrows. I sent him a reassuring smile as well, but inside I was fuming with rage.
*Late in the evening*
"I'm sorry about Lancelot." Gaius said walking over to stand next to Merlin, who was cutting vegetables, and to me. I was just sitting on the stool by my brother. "I see you're upset."
"Oh... You know... That's life..." Merlin nodded, making me cover my eyes with my hand. He was a terrible liar! "Win some, you loose some."
"You're taking it very well." Gaius observed, looking at him in slight suspicion. I sighed quietly. This is never going to work! He will find out sooner or later. "I have to say. Very mature." Merlin looked up at him, seeming proud of himself. I sighed again. He has nothing to be proud of! Yes, he is helping a friend, but he is also lying to the man that has showed us nothing but kindness ever since we arrived in Camelot. I, for one, didn't like lying to Gaius.
"Thank you, Gaius." He thanked, making me groan quietly. I opened my mouth to say something, when the door opened and someone walked in. We all looked up, and my jaw dropped. Lancelot looked awful! His hair was ruffled, and his shirt was dirty from mud, along with every other part of his body. His revealed chest glistened in sweat, and he looked as if he was ready to fall over from exhaustion. "How did it go?" Merlin asked happily, and I stood up, elbowing him in the ribs.
"Are you alright?" I asked, and Lancelot sent me a small, strained smile, before going to his and Merlin's room. I was staying with Gwen for now. Once he disappeared behind the door, I looked at Merlin with a stern look on my face, and then shook my head, leaving the quarters.
*5 minutes later*
"Annabelle!" Arthur exclaimed, clearly surprised to see me. I sent him a small smile.
"May I come in?" I asked, and he nodded, snapping out of his shock, and smiling instead. I smiled back, and he opened the doors wider for me to come in. Once I entered, he closed the doors behind us and walked over to his bed, sitting down. He patted the spot next to him, and I smiled, sitting down next to him.
"What is it that you wanted?" He asked kindly, and I took a deep breath.
"You remember Lancelot, right?" I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion as I felt and saw him tense at the question.
"Yes, what about him?"
"I just wanted to ask you if there is any way that you could give him a chance? He's a great man, and a friend. He saved my brother's life. Could you please give him a chance?" I pleaded, and he sighed. "Look, when he came back to Gaius's quarters today, he looked as if he was ready to pass out. If you really want to keep him in the stables, can you at least make his work a little easier?"
"Alright." He sighed in defeat. "I'll give him a chance to face me tomorrow." I smiled happily, and we both got up from his bed. I was about to leave, but then quickly turned around and hugged him, my arms around his neck. Arthur seemed shocked at first, but quickly recovered, and hugged me back tightly, his arms snaking around my waist. We stayed like this for a moment, and then I pulled away, smiling at him as I noticed a small blush on his cheeks.
"Thank you."
*The Next Day*
I dabbed the woman's wound lightly with a wet cloth, as Merlin helped another woman sit down.
"You're both safe now. I promise." I said gently, just as Arthur rushed into the courtyard. I took a quick breath. "Gwen will you please hold this cloth to the wound for a second?" I asked as my friend came over and grabbed the cloth from me, nodding. "I'll be right back." As soon as I said that, I quickly ran over to Arthur. He saw me, and I could see a relieved expression on his face.
"Are you alright?" He asked concerned, and I nodded. "What happened?" He asked, referring to the wounded people in the courtyard.
"Their village was attacked." I explained, and looked him in the eyes. "By a winged creature. They say it had wings and head of an eagle, and a body of a lion." He looked at me with wide eyes. "I don't think this is just an ordinary animal like your father says." I said, and Arthur nodded. I smiled at him. "I have to go back to the wounded." I was about to walk away, when he stopped me by grabbing my hand.
"Thank you, Annabelle." He said with gratitude, and I looked at him in confusion.
"What for?"
"For taking care of these people. You have a really good heart. Thank you." I smiled at him one more time, before running over to the wounded, Merlin, Gwen, Gaius, and Lancelot who must have just arrived.
"Their village was attacked." Gaius explained to Lancelot, as I grabbed another wet cloth and held it to a boy's head wound. "By a winged monster." I saw Lancelot and my brother share a look, making me look at them suspiciously.
*Late in the Evening*
"Alright, I'm leaving. I'll see you tomorrow." I said as I grabbed my shawl.
"Here, let me help you." Lancelot offered, and I sent him a smile as he wrapped the shawl around my shoulders.
"Thank you." I thanked him, and he smiled at me kindly.
"No problem." I smiled and gave him a hug.
"I heard that Arthur gave you a chance. Congratulations. Gwen and I will come to support you tomorrow." I whispered in his ear, and I felt him smile against the skin of my neck, sending slight chills down my spine. I pulled away, and then walked over to Gaius after smiling at Lancelot one more time, and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Goodnight, Gaius." I said, and he smiled at me.
"Goodnight, my dear,"
"I'll walk you out." Lancelot offered, and I nodded at him thankfully. I then walked over to Merlin and gave him a hug, and he kissed my forehead.
"Goodnight, Anna." Merlin said, and I smiled at him.
"Goodnight." I smiled at them one more time, and then walked out of the chambers as Lancelot opened the door for me.
We walked through the courtyard in a peaceful, comfortable silence, until my voice broke it.
"What happened to you and Merlin that day in the forest?" He looked at me in confusion, and I sent him a look. "Don't you dare lie to me. I saw the look you two shared today when Gaius mentioned 'the winged monster'. What really happened?" Lancelot took a deep breath, and nodded.
"You're right. I guess I can't lie to you." He sent me a small smile, and I shook my head, chuckling. "I saved your brother from that creature. The exact same one." My eyes widened.
We walked all the way to Gwen's house, talking and laughing quietly. Lancelot is a really great company, and I have to say I was a little disappointed when we finally reached our destination. I sighed, and turned around to look at my new friend.
"Thank you for walking me over here." I thanked, and he smiled at me.
"It was no problem, My Lady." He grabbed my hand and bent down, placing a kiss on it. I smiled, and thanked God that it was dark because he couldn't see the blush that formed on my cheeks. I stood on my tiptoes and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.
"Goodnight." I said quietly, and walked inside Gwen's house. I closed the door, and placed my forehead against them, smiling to myself. I then turned around, and screamed as Gwen's face suddenly appeared inches from mine. "Gwen, don't scare me like that." I said in a breathless tone, taking off my shawl. I looked at her, only to see her smirking.
"What was that?" She asked, wiggling her eyebrows, and I sighed.
"It was nothing." I answered, walking over to my side of her bedroom. "Shut it!" I called as I heard her giggling, making her laugh even harder. I rolled my eyes. There is nothing between me and Lancelot except for friendship.
*The Next Day*
"Well... Here we are... Your final challenge...Succeed... And you join the elite... Fail, and your journey ends here." Arthur said in a stern tone, as he walked across the training field towards Lancelot. I sighed as I fumbled with my cloak nervously. Lancelot and Arthur in front of each other, but a good distance away. "Lancelot... Fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria." Arthur looked over at the man who was standing by the table making him turn the hourglass upside down, letting the sand start falling. "Your time starts now!" Arthur declared, putting on his helmet, causing Lancelot to do the same. They both unsheathed their swords, and Arthur swung it around, walking closer to Lancelot. Lancelot walked closer as well. They both got into their ready positions, and I shared a look with Gwen, who stood on my right, and with Merlin, who stood on my other side. After a second or two, their swords clashed so fast that I couldn't even see who attacked first. Gwen and Merlin grinned as Lancelot slashed at Arthur's helmet with his sword, as did I, but I couldn't help but glance at Arthur worriedly.
Lancelot kept on attacking, and Arthur suddenly ducked, causing him to swing his whole body in a circle because of the powerful swing he made with his sword. I gasped as I saw that, and covered my mouth with my hand, as I heard Gwen gasp next to me, and saw her arm travel behind me and grab onto Merlin's jacket.
"Sorry." She apologized quietly as she realized what she has done. I smirked, and then quickly turned my attention back to the two competing men. Lancelot kept attacking, and their swords clashed against each other multiple times, until Arthur hit Lancelot in the face with his fist, causing him to let out a groan and fall down hard. I gasped once again as I saw his helmet fall off. I sighed. He didn't make it. But I was also worried. Lancelot's eyes were closed, and he wasn't moving. I shared a worried glance with Merlin as Arthur stuck his sword into the ground and took off his helmet. He then walked over to the unconscious Lancelot and stood above him.
"Shame." He said, and bent down to retrieve the blue sash that was tucked through Lancelot's belt that symbolized that Lancelot was trying out for a knight. But suddenly Lancelot shot up and tripped Arthur, making him fall down on the ground, and got up quickly, retrieving his sword and pointing it at Arthur, who still lied on the ground.
"Do you submit, Sire?" I grinned at him, relieved that he was alright. Suddenly three guards walked up to Lancelot, and grabbed him by his arms, pulling him away from Arthur. The royal then got up and pulled the sword out of the ground, approaching Lancelot angrily.
"On your knees!" Arthur growled, and the guards forced Lancelot on his knees. I looked at them worriedly when Arthur pointed the sword he was holding at Lancelot's chest.