Hello, my Merlin fans, I am back! First, I want to say Happy Easter weekend!

I am sorry that I did not update. I have been very busy for the past couple of months. My job, studying for my exam, and spending time with my family. Again, the next chapter will take some time because of life and my next update is my "Red Rose Nightmare" story. Please be patient with me.

Again, I want to thank my friend OtherCharacterNut for proofreading and giving me great ideas for this chapter. I could not do it without you!

Also, please check out my Twitter page, my YouTube channel, and my Polyvore page to see posters and what clothes Sam is wearing in each chapter. Anyways, do not forget to favorite, follow, review, and enjoy this chapter.

Also, I do not own anything except my OC Sam.

Sam's POV

"Tell him what you told me," I heard Uther command outside the court doors.

After Lancelot was arrested, it took all I had not to bang my head against the cold, hard wall. I got so distracted that I forgot how soon Geoffrey would discover Lancelot's true lineage in his research. I had to step up my game or I would be the ruin of Camelot! I shook my head. No, this is how it was in the show and Lancelot still became a knight. I just had to stay calm and keep to its path.

I placed my ear to the door and heard Geoffrey's voice declare, "These credentials are faked. The seal itself is faultless, forgery of the highest possible standard, but a forgery it must be. There is no record of the fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria." My fingernails clawed the wood as I told myself that this was part of the path. "Therefore he -"

"Lied." Uther stated as he interrupted Geoffrey. I could imagine his cold eyes glaring at my friend. Lancelot must be kneeling down, remaining strong and brave in his fear of punishment. "Do you deny it?"

My heart broke as I heard Lancelot confess, "No, Sire."

"You've broken the First Code of Camelot. You've brought shame upon yourself and upon us. You are not worthy of the knighthood bestowed upon you. You never were. And you never will be. Get him out of my sight."

Suddenly, guards moved to the door and I ran to hide behind a pillar. I peeked around to see poor Lancelot be taken out of the room. I blinked back my tears as though I could feel his pain inside me. I knew he would be thrown in the dungeon and I couldn't stop myself from following them.

I slowly walked down the stairs, my heart thumping faster than each step. I had to control my own fear and sadness in order to be there for my friend and give him hope. I nodded my head to the guard and stepped into the dark hallway of cells. Lancelot was sitting in the one ahead of me, as dreary as the dirty ground he sat on. He lifted his head as I drew closer and I almost saw him smile as I sat on the other side of the bars.

"Hey, you doing ok?" I rolled my eyes and pressed my forehead to the iron cage. "Of course you're not ok. That was a stupid question."

Lancelot chuckled and said, "Even behind bars you know how to make me laugh, Sam."

I looked up into his dark eyes and I couldn't blink back all the tears. "I am so sorry, Lance. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have let this happen."

He shook his head and replied, "No, Sam, this is not your fault."

"It is! Merlin and I pushed you. And I should've rem- known that Geoffrey would check your nobility status and I should've stopped him. Better yet, if we never met none of this would have even happened and you'd be better off."

"Don't you say that, Samantha!" I leaned back at the harsh sound of his voice as he came right up to the cell door. "If we had never met, that creature would've killed you and I could not have lived with myself. I'm glad we met, that I met Merlin. You're not to blame. The choice was mine. My punishment is mine to bear, and mine to bear alone. Not yours and not Merlin's."

I suddenly felt a smile break through my sadness at knowing Lancelot did not blame me for losing his reputation and knighthood. But in my heart, I knew that no matter what he would be the best and truest knight that Camelot would ever know. The unfortunate part being he would have to wait a long time for it to be possible.

With a deep breath, I said, "You may not believe it, sitting in here, but I know that when Arthur is king you'll get another chance. You are a knight at heart, my friend. I just wish there was something I could do."

"There is," Lancelot gently took my hand that was holding the bar and finished, "You can stop blaming yourself and tell Merlin the same thing."

We shared a smile until a guard came up behind me and tapped my shoulder. I looked up and nodded so he knew I understood that my time was up. I said goodbye to Lancelot, but as I walked away I heard him softly call out, "I believe you, my friend." I turned back and my last sad tear disappeared with a wink.

I headed back to the Physician's Chambers with a lifted heart and the hope of easing the guilt I know Merlin must be feeling. Just as I knew that Gaius was rubbing the fact that he was right - again - in his face. Merlin looked up from his book the moment I walked in the room. In the next moment, he abandoned his reading and ran over to me.

"How is he?"

I cleared my throat and answered, "He's um… He's doing much better than you or I would be, I think. Somehow in losing his dream he didn't lose himself. So that's good… since it's our fault he's down there. But he doesn't want us to blame ourselves! He told me to tell you that."

"Still, I'm the one who created the fake seal," Merlin murmured to himself.

I touched my brother's arm and said sternly, "Did you not hear me? Blame is not welcome here. What we need to do is figure this out. And we will."

Merlin sighed and caught my gaze. I held him there until he relinquished enough guilt to nod in agreement. Wanting him to feel even better, I teased, "Did you just smile? Gaius! The sun gets to rise again because Merlin has graced us with a smile!"

I laughed when Merlin glared and shoved me over to the potions. "Shut up."

"If you two are done, I need to tell you something," declared our adopted uncle. We walked over to him as he stated, "Come and take a look at this. I realized my mistake. I've been looking for the creature in the wrong place, in the records of all known living things in the kingdom. And then I thought, what about creatures only recorded in legend? In myth? Then I discovered this."

I looked at the picture he was pointing to in the book. I instantly recognized it as it had the wings of an eagle and the body like a lion. "That's it. That's the monster Lance saved me from." I pointed to its name and read, "A Griffin."

My head snapped forward at the sudden sound of warning bells. I ran to the window with Merlin and Gaius to see people running wildly around the square. I gasped at the sight of the griffin's shadow as it flew over the castle. I slowly turned and said, "It's here. The griffin's in Camelot."

At the sound of panic, I instinctively ran outside and made my way to the gardens. The people I worked with were always outside and usually near the castle walls...now vulnerable to attack. I had to do whatever I could to protect them. When I arrived at the gardens, it felt like I was too late. My boss, Mrs. Grover, was nowhere around and that wasn't like her. I looked over the grounds to see that many didn't show up, understandably, but Tom - Tom who was so faithful to trimming the vines from the castle walls - was busy at work.

"Tom," I called out to him. "Where is Mrs. Grover? I thought she would be out here with us."

His face became very solemn as he replied, "She's home with her daughter. When the creature attacked the Lower Town, she was hurt. Mrs. Grover fears she will not live to see tomorrow."

I gasped at the thought of Annabelle being hurt and told Tom that I wouldn't be working today either. That I needed to help Mrs. Grover and her daughter in their time of need, as I had access to the Court Physician's medicine. The sweet nine year old's smile flashed in my mind as I collected herbs and flowers. On warm, sunny days she would come to the gardens with her mother and help me pick roses for the bouquets set around the castle.

I gathered many helpful plants and tied them together to present to Mrs. Grover. I walked up to her small cottage on the edge of the Lower Town and knocked on the door. When she came to open it, I forced myself to not show how I was feeling. Mrs. Grover's eyes were red and her face was pale. I scared for her and Annabelle, but I wouldn't make the same mistake as Merlin did with Gwen's father.

"I don't mean to disturb you, Mrs. Grover, but I brought some flowers and herbs that may help Annabelle if she drinks them in tea. I learned it from Gaius. He says it helps strengthen the body to help it heal from trauma."

She smiled at me gratefully and took the plants. "Thank you, Samantha. I will make it for her now."

I stepped into her home and it smelled of lavender and honey. Annabelle was laying in her bed, bandaged and bruised, but the bleeding seemed to have stopped. She was in and out of sleep so I decided not to disturb her and just left the rose next to her pillow for when she woke up.

I turned to see Mrs. Grover leave to get a clean cup and I took my chance. I went over to the herbs in the teapot and chanted, "Nema arick towar." I felt my eyes burn gold as the water suddenly boiled to the rim before simmering back down. I smiled as Mrs. Grover returned and said, "If she's half as strong as her mother, all she needs to do is drink this and I'm sure Annabelle will survive."

3rd POV

While Samantha was helping Mrs. Grover, Merlin and Gaius went to see the king to inform him of the griffin's true nature. Of course the king's own nature refused to believe the truth and ordered Arthur to prepare the Knights of Camelot for battle.

Merlin and Gaius returned to their chambers in distress. Merlin's mind raced so quickly that he had to ask Gaius, "Is it true? The griffin can only be killed by magic?"

Gaius read the page again and nodded, "Yes, Merlin. I'm certain of it. If Arthur rides out against it, he'll die."

"Then he must be stopped. Usher must see reason!" Merlin insisted.

"Where magic is concerned, our king is blind to reason. And yet... magic is our only hope."

Merlin stopped and stared at his guardian. "You're not suggesting..."

"It is your destiny, Merlin. Yours and Sam's. This is the true purpose of your magics."

The young warlock couldn't believe what he was hearing and began to pace, running his hands through his hair in frustration. "You saw it, Gaius. We can't go up against that thing. Sam was almost killed!"

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

Merlin shook his head and paced even harder across the floor. "No, this is madness. Our magic is not that powerful, on our own or combined! There must be another way."

"This is the only way."

"Do you even care about what happens to us?" Gaius sighed at his harsh words as Merlin continued, "Oh, just do this Merlin! Do that Samantha! Go kill the griffin with your little sister, Merlin! I'll just sit here and warm my feet by the fire! I don't care if Sam is killed this time! Or if the griffin kills Merlin too!"

"Merlin," Gaius shouted to silence the boy and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Merlin, you and Samantha are the only two things I care about in this world. I would give my life for you both without a thought. But for what? I cannot save Arthur. It is not my destiny," They looked each other in the eyes and Gaius finished, "You know."

Merlin understood and lowered his head. "I'm sorry."

Gaius smiled sadly and said, "I don't know what else I can say."

"I'll say it for you: We have two hours to find a way to kill that thing. And we're going to need Sam's help."

It had been a couple of hours since Sam's visit to Mrs. Grover's after the griffin attacked. Lancelot impatiently sat in his cell, glancing from the small window to the cell door. He needed to know what was happening out there. He needed to something to help. The creature had reached Camelot, right? Lancelot rose to his feet when Arthur suddenly appeared in the dungeon hallway.

The Prince glared at the fallen knight. "I should've known. How could I have been so stupid? You don't sound like a knight, you don't even look like a knight!" Arthur shouted. How could he have allowed this imposter the chance to betray his trust?

Lancelot looked down at his feet and shamefully said, "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry, too. Because, Lancelot, you fight like a knight." The prisoner looked up in shock. "And I need...Camelot needs..."

Lancelot could tell Arthur was struggling on what to say next. He shifted where he stood and inquired, "The creature?"

Arthur sighed before replying, "We could not kill it. I've never faced anything like it."

"I faced it myself, Sire. Some days past. I struck if full square. I wondered how it endured."

Arthur glanced at Lancelot in disbelief. This was the creature that nearly killed Sam? Suddenly, he felt a strange feeling boil up in his chest. "That was the creature that attacked Sam in the forest?"

"Yes sire."

Arthur hardened his stare on Lancelot. He was Sam's hero. The fake knight who fought true was held in higher regard than himself. Held in more affection. Arthur shook his head. He couldn't start thinking like this. Sam was a servant girl. Even more than that, she was manservant's sister. He sighed and said, "There are those that believe this creature, this...griffin, is a creature of magic. That only magic can destroy it."

Lancelot frowned at the thought. "Do you believe this?" he asked Arthur.

"It doesn't matter what I believe. The use of magic is not permitted. The knights must prevail with steel and sinew alone. There's a horse waiting outside."

Lancelot smiled, thinking Arthur might re-bestow his knighthood and fight the griffin alongside him. "Thank you. Thank you, Sire."

"Lancelot, take it and never return to this place."

Lancelot's smile instantly dropped. Leave and never return to Camelot? No, he wouldn't… he couldn't… If he left then his dream to become a knight would be lost. He would never see Merlin, or Sam, or… Gwen ever again. "No. No, please, I... It's not my freedom I seek. I only wish to serve with honor."

"I know."

"Then let me ride with you, Sire," insisted Lancelot, trying to make Arthur reconsider.

Arthur stared at Lancelot straight in the eye and said firmly, "I cannot. My father knows nothing of this. I release you myself, but I can do no more."

Lancelot's heart sank. He knew that this was his only chance, but the Prince was allowing him to live instead of being killed for treason. Arthur turned his back and said, "Now go before I change my mind."

He felt Lancelot's eyes glace at him. Arthur knew his father would be greatly angered him for releasing Lancelot, however in his heart, Arthur knew this was the right thing to do. He closed his eyes as he heard the sound of footsteps leaving the dungeon.

Sam's POV

Gaius, Merlin, and I were looking for the spell to defeat the griffin in one of the many magical books that had been hidden in the chambers. I hoped I would be able to recognize it, but everything looked so foreign. Gaius stopped on the page that held the correct enchantment and pointed it out to us.

"There. You must do this for Arthur."

Merlin studied the spell, as did I over his shoulder, but while I knew Merlin would be able to cast it...he was getting more and more nervous. "I've never cast a spell of enchantment this powerful. And unless she's been practicing on her own in secret, Sam hasn't mastered this kind of magic either."

I was tempted to smack him on the arm, but I curled my fingers because I knew he was right. As much as I wish I took to magic as quickly and brilliantly as Hermione, I was not like her.

"Nothing less with kill it," Gaius handed me a rusty dagger and finished, "Try. You both have it within you. I know you do."

Merlin and I nodded our heads before facing each other. I held out the dagger so Merlin could grasp the hilt with me and we chanted the spell. "Bregdan anweald gafeleuc."

We waited... and waited... and nothing happened. "Brendan anweald gafeleuc!"

I honestly thought that with both us of here, something might've sparked with the spell. Apparently I'm just as useless as I was with Lance's knighthood. I let go of the dagger and groaned, "Seriously? Nothing at all?"

Gaius sighed and came up to place a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, Sam, we have plenty of time."

I wasn't comforted. I wish I was but more than 20 times of trying later, Merlin and I were nowhere closer to casting the spell. I was almost ready to give up. If we couldn't find it within ourselves to cast the spell here on the dagger, then we would have to do so out there with Arthur and the knights when they ride out to destroy it. I knew Merlin was able to do it in the show, we just needed to give this up and get out there!

"This isn't working!" I shrieked as I threw the dagger on the table. I went to sit down and ran my hands through my tangled hair. "We just need to go! We could be wasting time! What if Arthur's already out there?"

Merlin grabbed the dagger and glared at it with the same hatred I felt for it.

"Don't worry you two, I know you're trying." Gaius tried to convince us.

"And we are failing!" Merlin responded. "If Arthur dies because I'm not good enough-"

"Merlin-"

Gaius was unable to say anything else, the door opened and slammed into the wall. Gwen came running in, her eyes red from crying, and screamed, "Merlin! Sam! Lancelot's riding out to kill the griffin!"

I jumped out of my chair and shouted, "What now? When did he leave?" I didn't wait for an answer. Without thinking, I grabbed my dark blue cloak and ran out of the room. I could tell Merlin was right behind me as Gaius called out for both of us.

Merlin and I raced to the town to find Lancelot. I felt Merlin tug on my sleeve and point. I looked to see where or who Merlin was pointing to. Right in front of us was Lancelot in armor as he saddled a horse. We rushed over to him. Lancelot heard us coming and glanced over at us.

"We are coming with you," exclaimed my brother.

Lance sighed and shook his head. "No, you're not."

I scoffed and replied, "Says you."

"Yeah, just try and stop us."

Lancelot was getting frustrated as he tried to convince us, "Merlin, you're not a soldier and it is not safe for you Sam."

I crossed my arms and said sternly, "What, it is not safe because I am a girl? Merlin and I are coming no matter what."

Lancelot was about to comment back, but Merlin intervened. "You said it yourself, Lancelot, Arthur needs all the help he can get. Now let's go."

Without giving Lance another chance to protest, Merlin and I ran to the stables. I mounted on a black horse named Moonlight, as my brother mounted on a brown horse named Samela. All three of us galloped down the path of the dark forest. I pulled on Moonlight's reins to stop, after hearing some terrifying noises. Swords clanging, screams of men, and a screeching sound of a wild animal. My heart dropped when I realized Arthur and the knights of Camelot were fighting the griffin right then… and they would die!

I kicked Moonlight's side and pulled on the reins towards the horrible noises. I held my breath when the sounds stopped and it was completely silent. The boys and I dismounted our steads. I slowly followed them, but I covered my mouth in shock. The sight was horrifying. The knights' bodies were laying on the ground, bloody, bruised, and broken. I could not tell who was dead and who was still alive.

My eyes landed on one body with blonde hair. I gasped when I realized who was laying on the ground.

"Arthur," I whispered before I ran to him. I fell down to my knees as I tried to find a pulse. "No no no! Come on, you idiot! You have to be alright."

As I continued to try to find a pulse, I could hear Merlin and Lancelot running up to me.

"Well?" I heard my friend ask me.

I held my two fingers onto the Prince's neck and I felt a slight tapping beat. I sighed in relief, before I looked back at my brother and my friend.

"He's alive. A little banged up, but alive," I said. My heart dropped when I heard the hissing of the griffin and I could tell it was close by. I looked at Lance and whispered, "If you are really going to do this… please be careful."

He nodded his head before mounting back on his horse. I held my brother's hand instantly when the griffin came into view. I remembered what happened in the episode, but it was still terrifying. I felt him squeeze my hand for comfort. I looked to see Lancelot and the griffin were ready to attack. Lancelot positioned his lance as he shut his visor over his face. We must recite the spell to help him. Lancelot will not survive if the spell does not work.

"Ok, it's now or never," I heard Merlin whisper to me.

"Let's do it," I murmured back.

As Lancelot's horse started to gallop to the griffin, I held my brother's hand tightly as we said together, "Bregdan anweald gafeluec." Nothing happened. We looked at each other and said again, "Bregdan anweald gafeluec." Again, nothing happened. My heart was pounding in my chest as Lancelot passed us. Ok, we cannot give up! "Bregdan anweald gafeluec!" Once again, nothing happened. Why wasn't the spell working? It worked in the TV show! I was beginning to be scared as the griffin charged at Lancelot and raised its claws. One more time! It must work! I held Merlin's hand tightly as we said with force, "Bregdan anweald gafeluec!"

I felt a strong power as the lance that Lancelot held started to spark. The end of the lance flamed into a bright blue. I stared in awe as Lancelot rams the lance into the griffin's chest. The griffin gave a single cry as it landed on the ground. His eyes stared into the sky before closing for the last time. It was dead. The blue flame on the lance slowly disappear. I couldn't believe it… we did it! I laughed as I placed my hand to my mouth. Merlin, Lancelot and I did it! I gasped in shock as Merlin picked me up and spin me around.

"Yes!" he shouted out loud. "We did it Sam! We actually did it," the thought came into my head.

I smiled as I hugged him tightly. The griffin and the nightmare was gone! Before I could say anything, we heard someone waking up. I turned my head to see it was Arthur. I looked back at Lance, before Merlin and I ran back to the castle. We knew Arthur would kill us if he saw us here.

We ran back to the Physician's Chambers all out of breath. We burst through the door where Gaius was waiting for us.

"You did it?" he asked us.

I was about to speak, but I was so tired the words would not come out. Thank God Merlin spoke up for us.

"Yeah, we did it."

Gaius smiled at us before pulling us into a hug. I gasped at the bone crushing group hug.

"Guys, you are crushing my lungs," I wheezed out.

After we told Gaius what happened with the battle of the griffin, Merlin and I ran to the council chamber to find Lancelot waiting in front of the doors. He looked distorted and worried.

Merlin looked at Lancelot and asked, "What are they doing?"

Lancelot sighed before saying, "Deciding my fate."

"They'll restore your knighthood, of course they will."

I nodded my head and agreed with Merlin. "Of course, you killed the griffin."

"But I didn't kill the griffin." Lancelot grabbed my arm and pulled me slightly away from the guard. Merlin followed us before Lancelot leaned in and said, "You two did."

Merlin and I immediately looked at each other before we nervously and pathetically laughed at the statement.

"That's ridiculous," said Merlin.

"Don't joke like that Lance."

"I am not joking Sam. 'Bregdan anweald,' I heard you. I saw you." Merlin looked worried, knowing our secret was out. Lancelot could walk into the council room and tell them we are a witch and a wizard. Lancelot sighed and said, "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?" asked Merlin concern.

"The only thing I can do."

I touched his shoulder and said softly, "You're going to be forced to leave."

"If that is the way to be… then so be it."

I couldn't take it anymore. I felt tears falling down my checks as I grabbed my friend and hugged him tightly. His strong arms wrapped around my waist and he placed his face on top of my head.

"I will miss you, Lance."

"I will miss you too, Sam."

I slowly released him and I rubbed my eyes. Merlin placed his arm around my shoulder as we watched Lancelot open the doors and walk into the room as he sealed his fate.

The next day, Merlin, Gaius, and I stood on top of the battlements. I felt a tear slowly slide down my check as we watched Lancelot riding off. His punishment was that he was banished from Camelot and he would never be a knight, again. It was not fair. He was supposed to be one of the legendary knights of Camelot.

"Perhaps you were right, Gaius. Perhaps I should have never got involved," Merlin said sadly.

Gaius sighed before replying, "No Merlin, I was wrong. Lancelot needed you two and you both needed Lancelot. Your destinies were entwined."

"Will he ever return?"

"That I cannot say."

"He will, I have faith he will be back," I said. Merlin reached over and squeezed my hand. As we continued to watch Lancelot gallop away, I said very softly, "Till next time then, Sir Lancelot."

And there you have it, another chapter done. Again, the next chapter will take some time so please have patience with me. The next update will be my "Red Rose Nightmare" story and then I will be back with "My Magical Wish." Do not forget to favorite, follow, review, and until then…

Grapejuice101