In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young girl. Her name: Merlynn.
-0-
Merlynn was crouched in the woods picking mushrooms for Gaius. She wasn't sure how she felt about working for him and Arthur. Of course she was happy to help out her poor old uncle, but sometimes it would be nice to have a morning off to herself. At least Will was there to keep her company. He was quite happy to be out of her chambers for a while. She looked up when he began to bark and growl at a bush, Merlynn barely had time to send him a confused look before a great creature burst through the bush and charged her. It startled her so much that she didn't even consider using her magic, her and Will ran, but she tripped over a root, leaving her at the mercy of this monster. She waits for her inevitable fate when suddenly a man appears and fight of the beast. When his strikes prove to be useless, he turned to her.
"Run! Run!" He called, as he grabbed her arm and pulled her along until they reach a fallen tree which provides them with the hiding place they need, Will had also joined them there. The beast gives up and leaves. Merlynn looked at her savior, panting from the shock of it all. He was a handsome man with a defined jaw, dark eyes, long dark hair, and slightly dark skin. He was the definition of a tall dark stranger.
"It's gone." She told him, and he relaxed. "You saved my life." She whispered in shock. She lifted her hand towards him. "I'm Merlynn." She introduced.
The man took her hand and instead of shaking it brought her hand up to his lips and placed a kiss on it, making her blush. "Lancelot, my lady." He whispered before he fainted, drawing Merlynn's attention down to his injured side.
Thinking quickly she shed the cloak she was wearing and lay it on the ground. She managed to roll him onto it, and then with the help of Will, proceeded to drag him to Camelot. She was just reaching the gates when she was spotted by a passing knight.
"What is going on here?" Sir Leon asked as he approached her.
"Please help me. He is injured, he needs to see Gaius." She informed him. He nodded and signaled for some of the guards to aid him in carrying Lancelot to Gaius' chambers.
-0-
Gaius had informed her that Lancelot would be fine and eventually he woke up and he was talking to Merlynn about his dreams.
"Ever since I was a child I've dreamed of coming here." Lancelot remarked looking out of the window, while Merlynn sat on a seat looking up at him fondly. "It's my life's ambition to join the knights of Camelot. I know what you're thinking, I...I expect too much. After all, who am I? They have their pick of the best and bravest in the land."
Merlynn smiled at him. "Lancelot."
"Yes?" He questioned.
"They are going to love you." She declared. He looked at her smiling hopefully.
"They are?" He questioned.
Merlynn nodded eagerly. "I've seen you in action. You could shame the great Arthur himself."
Lancelot looked away modestly, blushing at her praise. "I hardly think so."
"In fact, you know what I'm going to do?" She asked him standing up. "I'm going to talk to him right now."
"You know Arthur?" Lancelot asked as she headed for the door.
Merlynn looked back and winked at him as she left. "Oh yes."
-0-
"Grummund's the third to fail this month." Arthur complained, putting his sword onto the pile quickly growing in Merlynn's arms. He was talking about the man who had just failed the final test. "How am I meant to defend Camelot with rubbish like that?" He asked her.
Merlynn smiled up at him hopefully as she tried her best not to trip on the hem of her dress, since she couldn't see her feet over the pile. "Well, I think I might be able to help."
Arthur looked at her and laughed. "You, Merlin? You haven't the faintest idea what it takes to become a knight. Courage, fortitude, discipline. Plus," He looked her up and down, having to make sure that he didn't linger anywhere that wasn't appropriate. "...you're a woman."
"No, no, no, of course I don't, but I do know someone who does." She told him hastily.
"Yeah?" He questioned doubtfully.
"He saved my life." She told him.
Arthur looked back at her with a face full of shock and worry. "Why did your life need saving?"
Merlynn looked up at him, surprised at the strong reaction he gave. "Uh, a creature attacked me in the woods. He scared it away." She told him.
Arthur looked at her suspiciously before nodding at her. As long as she was safe.
"He's really good. Honestly." She told him.
Arthur felt an uncomfortable churning in his stomach at the way she was praising this man. "That's great, Merlynn. I'm sure he's terrific, but you forget the First Code of Camelot."
"The what?" She asked naively.
"The First Code. Only those of noble blood can serve as knights. So, unless your friend is a nobleman..." He trailed of doubtfully.
"Oh, er, he, he is a nobleman." She told him, the words rolling off of her tongue before she could stop them.
"Is he?" Arthur asked curiously.
Merlynn nodded. "Absolutely."
Finally Arthur gave in. "Very well. Bring him to the training ground tomorrow. And make sure he brings his seal of nobility."
Merlynn smiled up at him blindingly. "Thanks Arthur. You won't regret it." She assured him.
-0-
Merlynn was in the library looking for a book. The news that Lancelot couldn't be a knight had broken her heart. He deserved to be able to achieve his dream. And she wouldn't rest until she had righted this wrong.
As she picked up a book about nobility a throat cleared behind her. She turned to see Geoffrey standing there looking at her skeptically.
"Homework." She informed him.
Merlynn opened the book, smiling down and closes it immediately before going and sitting down at one of the tables. She opens it again, and scrolls through the pages until she reaches the Northumbrian nobility. She pulls out a piece of parchment and lays it on the page next to the crest.
"Ic us bisen hræd tán hwanon." She whispered, watching as both pages glowed before the crest appeared on the parchment she had brought. She smiled at it, before closing the book. As she was leaving she ran into Geoffrey who had been approaching her. She sent him a smile.
"It's a...real page turner." She remarked as she made a swift exit.
-0-
Merlynn raced to her chambers and quickly held out the parchment to Lancelot as soon as she entered.
"What's that?" He asked looking at her confused.
Merlynn smiled at him while opening the parchment so he could see the crest. "This is your seal of nobility."
"I don't understand." He muttered confused.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Lancelot, fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria." She declared as if she was announcing him to the kingdom.
Lancelot immediately shook his head. "No, Merlynn. No."
"Oh, right. So you don't want to be a knight, then." She remarked sarcastically, while rolling up the parchment again.
"Of course I do!" He exclaimed.
"Well...the rules don't allow it. Damn the rules! The rules are wrong!" She told him.
"But it's a lie." he protested. "It's against everything the knights stand for."
"You have as much right to be a knight as any man. I know it." She argued.
"But the rules, Merlynn." He told her but his strength was wavering.
"We're not breaking the rules." She told him. "We're bending them, that's all. You get your foot in the door. But after that you will be judged on your merit alone. And if you succeed - if they make you a knight - it'll be because you earned it, noble or not. I can't change the way things are done around here, but you can...if you let me help you."
-0-
After Merlynn had convinced Lancelot to use the seal, she had taken him to Gwen's so that she could take Lancelot's measurements and make him hi armour.
"Thi...*ahem* This is very kind of you, er..." Lancelot said, slightly embarrassed as Gwen had to put her arms around him.
"Gwen." She told him smiling up at him.
"Gwen." Lancelot finished his sentence.
"Short for Guinevere." She informed him.
During this sweet conversation Merlynn was sat in the corner of the room, smiling as her two friends blushed and stuttered around each other.
"Ah. Then thank you, Guinevere." Lancelot told Gwen smiling down at her gently.
"Don't thank me." She said blushing. "Thank Merlynn. Merlynn would do anything for anyone, wouldn't you, Merlynn?" She said looking at her friend who was just giving her a big smile. "Sorry, can you raise your arms? Thank you. Sorry. I think it's great that Merlynn's got you this chance. We need men like you." She told him.
Lancelot looked down at Gwen a smile tugging at his lips. "You do?" He questioned.
Gwen realised what she had said and was quick to try and backtrack. "Well, not me personally, but you know...Camelot. Camelot needs knights. Not just Arthur and his kind, but ordinary people like you and me." She told him blushing madly whilst tucking some hair behind her ear. She had uncharacteristically decided to wear it down today and Merlynn could see how it complemented her.
"Well, I'm not a knight yet, My Lady." Lancelot informed Gwen.
"And I'm not a lady." She told him giggling. Merlynn was trying to hold in her laughter in the corner of the room, but it was proving very hard, the both of them were like puppies.
Lancelot looked down at Gwen blushing, "Sorry, my..." He trailed off not really knowing how to address her.
"Okay, we're done. Erm...I should have these ready in no time. It's nice to meet you Lancelot." Gwen told him.
She reached out to shake hands, but Lancelot took it gently in his and lay a kiss on the back of it.
-0-
Merlynn and Lancelot were walking down the Courtyard Corridor when Lancelot struck up a conversation.
"She seems lovely. Guinevere." He remarked.
"Oh, yeah. Yeah, she is. And the best seamstress in Camelot, I promise." She assured him.
Lancelot looked at her hesitantly not knowing how to ask the next question. "Do you know if she... I mean is anyone..."
Merlynn chuckled at him. "No, no. She isn't being courted by anyone." She assured him.
Merlynn gives Lancelot a sideways smirk making him blush and look away. This made Merlynn chuckle as she grabbed his arm and pulled him back to their chambers.
-0-
Arthur was training recruits when Merlynn, Gwen and Lancelot arrived at the training field the next day. Gwen was fixing Lancelot's armour.
"Well...you certainly look the part." Merlynn assured him as Arthur was instructing the knights.
Gwen smiled at Merlynn, "Doesn't he just?"
Lancelot was shifting uncomfortably. "I don't feel it."
Merlynn looked up and noticed that Arthur had dismissed the knights. She quickly grabbed Lancelot's shoulder, not noticing how Arthur glanced over at her and saw her touching the man.
"Here's your chance. Go for it." She encouraged him pushing him toward Arthur who was putting a sword in the sword rack. Lancelot approached him.
"Yes?" Arthur asked as he saw him approaching.
"Lancelot, 5th son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria." Lancelot declared.
Arthur looked over him skeptically. "Lance...a lot? My servant mentioned you. Got your seal?" He asked him.
Lancelot bowed as he presented the fake seal to Arthur. "Sire." He said respectfully.
Arthur suddenly smacked him causing Lancelot to fall down. Merlynn wanted nothing more in that moment then to walk up to Arthur and smack him around the back of the head like Gaius had done on occasion to her.
"Sluggish reactions." Arthur declared turning to walk away. "In a battle field you'd be dead by now. Come back when you're ready." He called over his shoulder.
Lancelot was quick to rise from the ground and place his hand on his sword, showing that he was prepared this time. "I'm ready now, Sire." He called out, making Arthur stop and turn back around.
"You are, are you?" He questioned. Seeing how the man had no intention of backing down he rolled his eyes. "Fine. You can start by cleaning out the stables."
Many onlookers laughed at poor Lancelot's misfortune. Lancelot looks uncertainly at Merlynn who gives him two thumbs up, trying to offer him some sort of comfort.
-0-
"I'm sorry about Lancelot. I see you were upset." Gaius told Merlynn while they sat eating their supper that evening.
Merlynn had to control her features to look disappointed. "Oh. You know...that's life. You win some, you lose some."
Gaius looked at her surprised. "You're taking it very well, I have to say. Very mature."
Merlynn smiled at her uncle. "Thank you, Gaius."
Lancelot then entered covered in...dirt. Or at least Merlynn hoped it was dirt.
"How'd it go?" She asked him trying to sound happy and bright.
Lancelot just grunted at her, before going into her room for a bit off privacy. Gaius gives Merlynn a look, wanting an explanation.
"He found work at the stables." She told him innocently.
"I see. And the truth before I lose my temper?" Gaius ordered her.
Merlynn shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal. "He's er...trying out for the knights."
"The First Code of Camelot has never been broken for any man. What've you done, Merlynn?" He ordered her.
"Okay, I bent the rules a little, but the rules are wrong. They're unfair." She argued desperately.
Gaius looked at her in shock. "You bent the rules? Using magic?"
"It was nothing, honestly. It was more of a trick than actual magic." She told him.
Gaius glared at her. "Your magic is not a toy, Merlynn. It's not for you to use or abuse as you see fit."
Merlynn nodded. "I know. I know."
"Then why'd you do it?" Gaius interrogated her.
Merlynn looked at him, desperate for him to understand. "I owe Lancelot my life. I am paying for that debt the only way I can by giving him the opportunity he deserves. If you want to punish me for it, go ahead." She told him. She then left the table and stormed out of the chambers, going for a walk to clear her mind.
-0-
The next day, the warning bell was chiming as many injured villages flooded through the gates of Camelot.
Merlynn was helping an injured woman to sit near Gaius in the Square. "You're safe now, I promise." She comforted the poor woman, who had a bandage wrapped around her head.
Gaius was tending another woman, when Merlynn approached him.
"How is she?" She asked him.
"Okay." He assured her.
Lancelot ran into the Square, looking around in shock at the sheer number of people.
"What happened to these people?" He asked her.
Gaius was the one who answered though. "Their village was attacked by a winged monster."
Merlynn and Lancelot exchange a look, both thinking of the creature that attacked them.
-0-
Many hours later Merlynn had finally stopped tending all of the people after Gaius had sent her away to get some rest. She was now back in her chambers, washing the blood off of her hands.
Tears were flooding her eyes. So much pain... so much suffering. And for what? Nothing. This wasn't some battle, this was just some creature that decided to attack. She was wiping her nose when someone burst into the room.
"Merlynn! Where are you I need-" Arthur's voice stopped when he looked up at his servant. She was in quite the state. Her hair was a tangled mess, her dress and ash marks as well as blood splatters. She had blood stains all over her hands and there was a streak of rede across her cheek where she had wiped her face. Her eyes were pooling with water as she restrained herself from crying. Her blue eyes glistening brightly from the extra moisture. She was both a mess, and a beauty at the same time.
"I-I'm sorry S-Sire. I was helping Gaius." She informed him speaking shakily. He could see that she was weak, tired and only holding onto herself by a thread. He walked over to her slowly, as if approaching a wounded animal. He then ever so gently pulled her against him. Encasing her in his arms. To protect, or to hold her together he didn't know he could just tell that she needed it.
-0-
"Arise, Sir Lancelot, Knight of Camelot." Uther declared. Lancelot had done it. He had managed to beat Arthur and successfully earned his place. Merlynn was clapping louder then everyone else happy for her friend. She was stood with her other two friends. Morgana and Gwen.
"Who is this man? He seems to have come out of nowhere." Morgana observed.
Gwen and Merlynn shared a secret smile. "I know. It's been a bit of a surprise to all of us." Gwen told her mistress. The celebrations continued into the evening. Merlynn had changed into her white gown that she had worn at the first celebration of camelot and had her hair in a half up, half down look that kept it off of her face and had it pooling down her back in soft waves like a waterfall. She looked at Gaius as she observed Lancelot and Arthur who were sat on the edge of one of the tables, as they drank their alcohol.
"Look at him, Gaius. Does not Lancelot deserve this moment?" She questioned her uncle giving him a pointed look.
"I never said he didn't. But destiny and desserts are not the same thing. You played God, Merlynn. You set him on a path of your choosing. Tonight you brought him triumph, but who knows what the future may hold." He told her wisely.
Merlynn shook her head at her uncle. "Yeah, I don't know what it said on your invitation, but on mine it said celebration." She informed him. Causing Gaius to chuckle.
"Point taken. Don't come back too late." He informed her as he left.
"Alright." She told him distracted as she looked for Gwen in the crowd. Finally spotting her she headed over and joined her friend. She didn't notice how Arthur's eyes followed her.
Arthur watched Merlynn and Gwen while he and Lancelot sat on a table, drinks in their hands.
"Tell me," He ordered, gaining Lancelot's attention "...do you think her...beautiful?" He asked his new friend as his eyes stayed locked on his servant who was busy talking with Gwen. He didn't notice that Lancelot's eyes followed Gwen.
"Yes, Sire. I do." He told him.
Arthur sighed and nodded to himself. "Yeah. I suppose she is." He had been denying that he found her at all beautiful for a while now. She was his servant, he wasn't allowed to see her in any way but that. Not only would it cause trouble but it would also only lead to pain if it lead to something more.
"You know what?" Merlynn remarked looking at Gwen. "I think our Sir Lancelot might have eyes for you, Gwen." She teased her friend.
"Don't be silly." Gwen muttered looking away as a blush warmed her cheeks.
"What? So what if he did? Would that really be so bad?" She asked her.
Gwen sighed, "He's not really my type." She told Merlynn who rolled her eyes.
"Oh, well, there's a surprise. Sometimes, Guinevere, I wonder if you'd know what your type was if he was standing right next to you." She commented.
Gwen nodded at that. "You're probably right."
Merlynn grabbed another drink from a passing servant as a wicked idea entered her mind. "So, come on. Just for the sake of argument. If you had to, Arthur or Lancelot?"
Gwen chuckled at her. "But I don't have to and I never will."
Merlynn sighed at her friend. "Oh, you are no fun, Gwen."
"Well then who would you pick?" Gwen questioned challengingly.
"Arthur." Merlynn answered, straight away.
"You answered that fast." Gwen commented, as Merlynn blushed. "Why Arthur?" She asked curiously.
Blushing, Merlynn answered. "Well, I already see Lancelot as a brother, so I am not going to pick him and well.. Arthur's really-"
She was saved from elaborating when Arthur suddenly pounded on the table.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a toast to our new recruit, our new knight of Camelot, Sir Lancelot."
The crowd applauds as Lancelot and Arthur toast.
-0-
The next morning both Lancelot and Merlynn were feeling the effects of the amount of drinking that had been done the night before.
"Argh." Lancelot groaned. "Two yards of ale? Two miles, more like it."
Gaius was cheery as always. "Good morning, gentleman, lady." He held out two fizzing drinks to the pair. "Don't look at it, don't smell it, just down it in one." He ordered them.
"Argh." They both groaned at the taste.
"Better? Good. Can't have you nodding off first day on the job, Lancelot." He informed him.
"That's Sir Lancelot, if you don't mind." Merlynn teased her uncle, making them all laugh. They were all surprised when suddenly guards burst into the room.
"What are you doing?" Merlynn called as Lancelot was grabbed by them and dragged out of the room.
"King's orders." One of the Guards called to her. Gaius held Merlynn back as lancelot was forcefully removed.
"Stop!" She cried, but she was ignored.
-0-
They knew. They had worked out that Lancelot wasn't a noble.
Merlynn visited Lancelot in the dungeons, as soon as she could. "I don't know what to say to you, Lancelot." She whispered brokenly to him.
"You're not to blame." Lancelot assured her.
"Yes, I am. I pushed you. I made you lie." Merlynn argued.
Lancelot just smiled at her gently. "The choice was mine. My punishment is mine to bear, and mine to bear alone."
"I wish there was something I could do." Merlynn told him as she rested her head against the bars of his cell. Lancelot smiled gently at her and rested his forehead against her. She didn't know what it was about him that made her feel so comfortable, but he really did feel like her brother.
"There is. You can stop blaming yourself." He told her. He lay a kiss to her forehead, and backed away from the bars. Merlynn soon left, not knowing that Arthur had seen everything from his place in the shadows.
-0-
"Merlynn?" Gaius called as she entered their chambers.
"Whatever you do, don't say, 'I told you so.'" She begged him.
"I have no wish to gloat, Merlynn." Gaius told her. "What's done is done. Here. Come and take a look at this. I realised 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, but what about creatures only recorded in legend? In myth? Then I discovered this." He told her, showing her a book that had the creature on it.
"That is it." Merlynn exclaimed, pointing at the creature. "That's the monster." Suddenly the warning bells sound. Merlynn and Gaius go to the window to see people running wildly around the Square, screaming as the griffin swoops down overhead.
Merlynn runs to the courtyard and arrives just in time to see Arthur pinned to the ground by the creature. Quickly thinking she spots a torch.
"Arthur!" She screamed. He looked at her. She threw the torch in his direction, and he caught it.
Arthur waves the torch at the griffin and it takes off making hissing sounds. As soon as it is gone, he leans over with his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. He looked up and gave Merlynn a thankful smile.
-0-
Merlynn and Gaius entered their chambers. "Is it true? The griffin can only be killed by magic?" She asked her uncle.
Gaius nodded sadly. "Yes, Merlin. I'm certain of it. If Arthur rides out against it, he'll die."
"Then he must be stopped. Uther must see reason." She cried out, scared for Arthur's safety.
"Where magic is concerned, our King is blind to reason. And yet...magic is our only hope." He told her.
Merlynn noticed that he was sending her a pointed look. "You're not suggesting..."
"It is your destiny, Merlynn. The true purpose of your magic." He told her.
"You saw it, Gaius. I can't go up against that thing." She told him fearfully.
"But if you do not, then Arthur will surely perish." He told her.
Merlynn shook her head backing away from him. "No...this is madness. I don't have magic that powerful. There must be another way."
Gaius looked at her calmly. "This is the only way."
"Do you even care what happens to me? Oh, just do this, Merlynn. Do that, Merlynn. Go and kill the griffin, Merlynn. I'll just sit here and warm my feet by the fire." She cried out angrily.
Gaius had never looked so appalled. Merlynn! Merlynn, 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." He told her resting his hands on her arms.
"I'm sorry." She told him.
"I don't know what else I can say." Gaius told her.
"I'll say it for you. We have two hours to find a way to kill that thing." Merlynn told him.
This is how Gaius and Merlynn ended up flipping through books.
"There." Gaius called as he located the spell. "You must do this for Arthur."
Merlynn shook her head doubtfully. "I've never cast a spell of enchantment this powerful."
"Nothing less will kill it. Here." He told her handing her a rusty dagger that he had. "Try. You have it within you. I know you do." He encouraged her.
Merlynn nodded at him. "Bregdan anweald gafeluec."
Nothing happens. Merlynn and Gaius look at each other.
"Don't worry, Merlynn, we have plenty of time." He assured her.
A while later, Merlynn had lost count of the times she had tried the spell. All without success. She was starting to loose hope that she would be able to save Arthur.
"Don't worry, Merlynn. I know you're trying." Gaius told her.
"And I'm failing." She cried. "And if Arthur dies because I'm not good enough..."
"Merlynn!" Gaius cried, not wanting her to think that she wasn't good enough, not for one moment.
Gwen suddenly ran in, surprising them both.
"Merlynn!" She cried. "Lancelot's riding out to kill the griffin!" She told her friend.
"He's what?" Merlynn said in shock.
Gwen shrugs at her helplessness. Merlynn quickly runs out.
-0-
Merlynn runs to Lancelot as Lancelot saddles a horse.
"I'm coming with you." She said as soon as she was in hearing range.
Lancelot shook his head at her. "No, you're not."
Merlynn scoffed at him. "Just try and stop me." She challenged him.
"Merlin, you're not a soldier." He told her.
"You said it yourself, Lancelot, Arthur needs all the help he can get. Now let's go."
-0-
Merlynn and Lancelot ride along. They hear dying men, sword clanging, and the screeches and hissing of the griffin. This sets Merlynn on edge. They soon reach the fallen knights and Merlynn hastily dismounts when she spots Arthur on the ground.
"Arthur." She whispered to herself, she crouched by his side and immediately feels for Arthur's pulse.
"Well?" Lancelot questions as he walks behind her.
Merlynn lets out a sigh in relief. "He's alive." She assured him. She looked down at his face and see's his eyes flutter slightly. He was fine. He was alive, she got there in time.
The griffin hisses drawing their attention back to the creature. Lancelot quickly jumps jack onto the horse before moving into an attack position with a lance and shuts his visor.
"Okay, Merlin, it's now or never." Merlynn whispers to herself.
Lancelot rears his horse, ready.
Merlynn focuses on the lance in Lancelot's hand. "Bregdan anweald gafeluec."
Nothing happens as Lancelot charges.
"Bregdan anweald gafeluec." She tried again. But again nothing happens. Merlynn watched as Lancelot passed her.
"Bregdan anweald gafeluec!" She was getting desperate now. Her voice began to rise as the griffin charges.
"Bregdan anweald gafeluec!" She cries. She watches in happiness as a blue flame ignites at the end of the lance. It grows and shines brightly as it strikes the griffin. The creature cries out in pain as it falls to the ground. The magic glow disappears and Merlynn celebrates.
"Yes!" She cried looking at Lancelot who looks shocked at the outcome.
Merlynn hears a groan and glances at Arthur only to see that he is beginning to wake up. Merlynn takes this as her cue and quickly runs off.
She bursts into the Physician's Chambers.
"You did it?!" Gaius cries seeing the big smile on his nieces face.
"I did it." She confirmed. Gaius quickly embraces her.
"Thank God!" He cried as they both laugh in delight.
-0-
Merlynn rushes down to the throne room where Lancelot is standing outside the doors.
"What are they doing?" She asks him.
"Deciding my fate." He informed her.
"They'll restore your knighthood, of course they will. You killed the griffin." She told him. Since he had saved them the least they could do was make him a knight again.
Lancelot gave her a knowing look. "But I didn't kill the griffin." He walked slightly away from the guards, before leaning in and whispering, "You did."
Merlynn's blood turns to ice. "That's ridiculous." She tells him.
"'Bregdan anweald'" He repeats her. "...I heard you. I saw you." He told her.
Merlynn looked at him worried.
Lancelot smiled gently at her. "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." He told her.
"What are you going to do?" She asked him.
Lancelot smiled at her sadly, lifting his hand and he gently rested it on her cheek. "The only thing I can do." He informed her.
-0-
Merlynn and Gaius watched as Lancelot rode off. Merlynn was sad to watch her new friend go.
"Perhaps you were right, Gaius. Perhaps I should have never got involved." She remarked to her uncle.
Gaius looked at her sadly, he rested his hand on her shoulder giving it a gentle squeeze. "No Merlynn, I was wrong. Lancelot needed you and you needed Lancelot. Your destinies were entwined."
"Will he ever return?" She asked him.
"That I cannot say." Gaius told her. He then returned to his work as Merlynn continued to look out over the battlements. She smiled fondly at the retreating figure of Lancelot.
"Till next time then, Sir Lancelot."
"I'm sure he will be back." A familiar voice said behind her. She turned around to see Arthur standing behind her.
"I know he will. I will miss him though." She told him.
Arthur glanced at her, he wanted to be her friend. "I am sure that he will return, men in love always come back."
"Not sure if it is love yet, he hasn't been here long." She remarked. Sure, Lancelot was obviously fond of Gwen, but they had only known each other for a few days.
"Well if he truly cares about you-"
"Me?!" Merlynn asked turning to him.
Arthur looked at her confused. "Weren't the two of you..." He trailed off, but still his point was clear.
Merlynn scoffed. "No. God no! He was just a friend. I mean even if I did, he only had eyes for Gwen. He wasn't really my type." She told him.
Arthur let out a relieved breath. But he had to hold in the words that almost left his mouth. 'What is your type?'
"Anyway Sire. I have some chores to be getting on with so..." She quickly left, laughing to herself. The thought of her and Lancelot, what an absurd thought.
Little did she know that as she walked away, Arthur was smiling at her back.