Hi! Thanks to all who have shown an interest to the beginning of Rebellious Lady! Massive thanks to the early support by IIChaosII, StorysForLife and rach-florence for following and favouriting!
Disclaimer: I do not own the plot or characters of Merlin, though I do own my own characters Evaine and Anna as well as any changes during the story.
Thanks and enjoy,
Phantomshadow99
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Lancelot
The next evening Evaine went to visit Gaius, so he could check her wound, and smiled as he deemed it clean and healing well. "I still would take care, Evaine," he told her, wrapping a clean bandage around it. She was about to leave when Merlin rushed in, stumbling along with a wounded man.
"Gaius, this man needs help!" he said, and she rushed to help the two men lay him down on Gaius' bed. Gaius quickly asked for a bowl of water and a towel. Merlin rushed to do it, but Evaine stopped him.
"Stay with Gaius, he may need you. I will fetch it," she told him, and he nodded in thanks as she left the room and grabbed the nearest bowl of water and a towel a maid was carrying. "Here," she entered the room again, putting the water on a table next to the man. Gaius lifted the man's shirt up, inspecting the gash on his side. "Will he be alright?"
"The wound itself is superficial. The fever will pass. He should be fine by the morning," he said, wiping the wound clean and bandaging it.
"Who is he, Merlin?" Evaine asked, looking at the worried assistant.
"His name is Lancelot. He saved me in the woods. The way he handled a sword, Evaine, it was amazing," he said, smiling at Lancelot.
She put her hand on Merlin's shoulder, smiling gently. "It was good of him to save you. Hopefully we can meet him properly in the morning. If I can be of any assistance, please let me know," she told them both, and Merlin smiled as she left.
"She's very different than any other of the courtiers, isn't she?" he asked Gaius as he tended Lancelot. "She treats everyone with such care, it's so rare." Gaius nodded, glancing at the boy.
"She is a good woman. Her handmaiden is also a sweet girl from what I hear," Gaius hinted, chuckling when he saw Merlin redden.
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Evaine and Anna left her chambers, chatting about nonsense as they walked to Gaius' room, Evaine eager to see if the man had woken up yet. They knocked and entered, seeing Merlin sitting as Lancelot was stood looking out the window, turning when he saw the two women.
"Merlin, good morning," Evaine greeted, glancing as Anna blushed at the sight of him and smiled knowingly.
"Good morning lady Evaine, Anna. This is Lancelot," he introduced, the young man stepping before the lady and raising her hand to kiss it. Evaine blushed, feeling Merlin and Anna's gazes on the two.
"Lady Evaine, it is a pleasure," Lancelot said, smiling softly at the woman.
"It is good to see you looking well, Lancelot. I heard you saved Merlin's life in the woods yesterday. You have my thanks," she replied, smirking as she saw it was Merlin's turn to blush. "What were the both of you talking about?" she asked, taking a seat as Lancelot wandered back to the window, staring out at Camelot.
"Just that, ever since I was a child I've dreamed of coming here," Lancelot told the three, turning to face them, his eyes catching Evaine's gaze. "It's my life's ambition to join the knights of Camelot. I know what you're thinking, I expect too much. After all, who am I? They have their pick of the best and bravest in the land," Lancelot said, and Merlin grinned.
"Lancelot," Merlin spoke, breaking the connection between the lady and the man.
"Yes?" he asked.
"They're going to love you," Merlin assured, Lancelot walking forward at his words.
"They are?" Lancelot asked, as Evaine glanced at Anna smiling at them.
"I've seen you in action. You could shame the great Arthur himself," Merlin stated.
"I hardly think so," Lancelot rebuffed, making Evaine chuckle.
"It is not as hard as it seems, Lancelot, trust me I know," the lady said, and Lancelot reminded himself to ask her later what she meant.
"In fact, you know what I'm going to do? I'm going to talk to him right now," Merlin said, standing and walking past the group to the door.
"You know Arthur?" Lancelot asked, amazed.
"Oh yes," Merlin replied, grinning.
"Arthur is at the training grounds I believe. May we accompany you gentlemen?" Evaine asked, and Merlin nodded, Anna quickening her pace to walk beside him as they left, leaving Lancelot and Evaine to follow behind the two.
"Have you been in Camelot long, my lady?" Lancelot asked, and Evaine smiled at his gentle voice.
"Only for a few days, so I am still learning my way around the place. If you need any help during your stay, please let me know," the lady answered, and Lancelot nodded his head, smirking at the offer.
"I will be sure to take you up on that offer if I ever need to, my lady," he replied, and the two smiled as they continued their walk to the training grounds, seeing many of the knights and some commoners gathered around, waiting to see if a hopeful knight would pass Arthur's test.
"Right, you jumped-up dung beetle, this is it, your final test. Pass this and you're a knight of Camelot. Fail, and you're no one. You face the most feared of all foes, the ultimate killing machine. You face me," Evaine scoffed at his words, Anna elbowing her lady as Arthur turned in their direction. "Your challenge is to last one minute in free combat. Grimond, second son of Wessex, your time starts now," he instructed the lord's son, each facing one another as the timer was turned. It lasted all but seconds as Arthur managed to knee Grimond, disarm and knock him to the ground. "Take him away," Arthur commanded, walking to the other knights who were clapping for their prince. Evaine looked to see how nervous Lancelot became, and gently touched his shoulder.
"You will become a great knight of Camelot, Lancelot, I know it," she told him, and Lancelot smiled at her kind words, as another handmaiden appeared by the group.
"Lady Evaine," the woman dipped in a small curtsey, "my lady Morgana has asked if you wish to join her on a walk of the castle grounds," she added, and Evaine nodded.
"What is your name?" she asked.
"Gwen, short for Guinevere, my lady," Gwen answered, sharing a smile with Anna and Merlin.
"It is good to meet you, Gwen, please just Evaine is fine," she told the girl, before facing Lancelot. "I hope to see you soon," she told him, sharing a smile before leaving. Merlin and Lancelot watched the women leave, Evaine striking up conversation with Gwen, as if they had been old friends.
"She is…unique," Lancelot commented, Merlin smiling at his friend before rushing off when Arthur called for him.
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A knock sounded on Evaine's door later that day, and Anna opened it as Evaine looked up from her writing desk.
"Lancelot, please come in," she said, standing as the man entered. She frowned at his face, and smiled at Anna. "Anna, could you get us some wine, and food?" she asked, and Anna nodded, smiling at the two as she left. Evaine gestured for Lancelot to sit before her fire, she taking the seat next to him.
"I did not know where else to go, my lady," he said after a moment, and I took his hand.
"What happened?" she asked gently, and he proceeded to tell her about the first rule of Camelot, and how he is not the son of a lord. Evaine sighed, cursing the stupid rule. "I am sorry, Lancelot, truly. I have known you for but a short time, and I know your heart is pure and that of a knight's. Why do you want to be a knight so much?" she asked, and Lancelot smiled softly.
"When I was a boy my village was attacked by raiders from the northern plains. They were slaughtered were they stood. My father, my mother, everyone. I alone escaped. I vowed that day that never again would I be helpless in the face of tyranny. I made sword craft my life. Every waking hour since that day I devoted to the art of combat. And when I was ready, I set forth for Camelot. And now it seems my journey ends, everything I've fought for wasted," Lancelot said, and Evaine squeezed his hand.
"We will think of something, I swear," she said, both of them looking as an urgent knock sounded and Merlin rushed in.
"I have a plan," he said, before explaining the plan. "Evaine, we may need your help," he added, and I nodded.
"Anything you ask I will strive to do," she said, surprised when Lancelot kneeled in front of her and kissed her hand. Merlin hid his smile as she blushed, Lancelot and Evaine lost in each other's stare.
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Evaine walked arm-in-arm with Anna, taking a leisurely stroll towards the training grounds where they would meet Lancelot, Gwen and Merlin.
"He is very brave," Anna commented, as they caught glimpse of the grounds, Arthur running his knights through some drills. Evaine's gaze flickered to Lancelot, who smiled when he saw her across the way.
"Yes, he is," she replied, Anna snorting as she saw her conflicted gaze. "What?" Evaine asked, nudging her arm against Anna's.
"I meant Arthur, Evaine," she teased, and Evaine laughed, her eyes catching sight of Arthur as he noticed the two women. She nodded in his direction, Arthur smiling in greeting.
"Well, you certainly look the part," Merlin told Lancelot as he finished tying the back of the man's tunic.
"Doesn't he just?" Evaine called, making Lancelot even more nervous than before.
"I don't feel it," Lancelot said, fumbling with the fake nobility seal in his hand. Arthur finished with his knights, and Merlin pushed him forward.
"Here's your chance. Go for it," he told the man, Evaine and Anna standing next to Gwen. Lancelot approached Arthur, the two speaking before Lancelot bowed, holding his seal to the prince. Evaine winced as Arthur slapped Lancelot, resulting in him falling from his surprise.
"Sluggish reactions. On the battlefield you'd be dead by now. Come back when you're ready," Arthur said, beginning to walk off until Lancelot spoke, standing once again.
"I'm ready now, sire," Lancelot called, making Arthur turn.
"You are, are you? Fine. You can start by cleaning out the stables," Arthur told him, continuing to walk to the knights who laughed at his command. Evaine coughed, hiding her laugh as Merlin held both thumbs up to Lancelot.
"I'm sure that will make him feel tons better, Merlin," Evaine said, watching as Lancelot began making his way to the stables.
The next few days, Lancelot endured many chores and tasks by Arthur, but the man continued to do as he was asked, no matter how embarrassing or menial the job. Evaine visited Gaius on the third day of Lancelot's tasks, the physician checking the lady's wound.
"It is nearly healed, Evaine, you no longer need a bandage. I'm afraid it may leave a small scar however," he told her, and she pulled her sleeve back down.
"A scar does not worry me, Gaius. Thank you for tending me," she said, just as the warning bells sounded and screams were heard from outside.
"Gaius," Merlin ran in, and Gaius retrieved his bag.
"My lady, you do not need to come with us," Gaius told Evaine, noticing that she hurried to the courtyard alongside them.
"I can help you," she told them, running off to help carry a crying child through the door as Merlin joined and Gaius began tending the many wounded.
"It's all right, you're safe now child," Evaine told the child, gently wiping the girl's brow. "Where is your mother and father?"
"I don't know," the little girl said, tears falling. Evaine held the child close, walking over to Gaius.
"We'll find them, don't worry," Evaine said, handing her to Gaius and Merlin who began tending the cut on her forehead.
"What happened to these people?" Lancelot asked the three, running up to them.
"Their village was attacked by a winged monster," Gaius said, not looking away from the little girl. Lancelot and Merlin shared a look that Evaine caught.
"You know of it?" she asked, looking around to try and believe such a creature existed.
"It's what Lancelot saved me from in the forest," Merlin admitted. Evaine wanted to ask more, but she caught sight of the many people still entering the courtyard.
"We must help people," she told the two men, and they joined her in helping the injured.
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"King Uther asks for your presence in the throne room, my lady," a guard said after knocking on Evaine's door. She nodded, before glancing curiously at Anna who hurried to straighten her lady's dress.
"What do you think it's for, Anna?" she asked her friend, the both of them taking the short walk from her chambers to the throne room. Her friend shrugged her shoulders, and they walked in to find Lancelot on his knee in front of Uther with the court members and knights in attendance as well. "Forgive me for being late, sire," she said, curtseying as Uther rose. He nodded, indicating for her to stand beside Morgana. "What's going on?" she asked, but was shushed my Anna as Uther walked towards Lancelot with his sword drawn. Evaine held her breath, releasing it as Uther gently touched the sword on his shoulder.
"Arise, Sir Lancelot, knight of Camelot," Uther commanded, sheathing his sword as Lancelot arose, those in attendance clapping.
"Who is this man? He seems to have come out of nowhere," Morgana commented, and she smiled as Lancelot glanced at Evaine.
"I know. He's been a bit of a surprise to all of us," she answered. "I trust I shall see you tonight at the celebrations, Morgana?" she added, and left with Anna once her friend confirmed.
"You're in a hurry to get ready, aren't you?" Anna asked, watching her friend consider each dress in her possession before she agreed on a dark red one.
"I have no idea what you mean, Anna," she mumbled, causing her friend to laugh. Anna helped her friend get ready, and they were soon walking to the celebrations together, once again arm-in-arm.
"Evaine, you look wonderful," Morgana greeted as they joined the festivities.
"Thank you, you look beautiful as well," Evaine replied, smirking as she noticed the unusually risqué dress her friend was wearing. The four women continued to speak, Morgana and Evaine glancing to where Lancelot and Arthur were sat.
"Here's trouble," Arthur said, noticing Morgana and Evaine talking with one another, Gwen and Anna joining Merlin where he stood. "Tell me, do you think her beautiful?" Arthur asked Lancelot, his eyes remaining on Morgana. Lancelot gazed at Evaine, who glanced over her shoulder and smiled at the knight.
"Yes, sire, I do," Lancelot answered, Evaine's gaze softening before turning back to what Morgana was saying.
"Yeah, I suppose she is," Arthur muttered, Evaine blocking his view of Morgana for a moment, and his mind wandered. The prince banged his fist on the table, drawing the attention and silence of everyone. "Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a toast to our new recruit, our new knight of Camelot, Sir Lancelot," Arthur toasted, Lancelot standing as the room cheered, the loudest being from Evaine. "You know the lady Evaine?" Arthur asked, noticing the two glances at one another.
"Yes, only for a few days. She has been most kind to me," he answered, and Arthur smiled as Evaine helped a young servant balance a tray of fruit.
"Yes, she's that way with everyone it seems," the prince commented, the knights pulling his attention away from grey-eyed woman. Evaine watched the young servant walk away, the tray he carried much more balanced, as Lancelot came and stood behind her.
"My ladies," he announced, drawing the attention of Morgana and Evaine, bowing to the two before turning to Evaine. "May I have this dance?" Evaine's eyes widened but she smiled, taking his offered hand.
"Of course, Sir Lancelot," she said, Morgana shooting her friend an encouraging smile as Lancelot and his lady walked to where the other dancers stood waiting for the music to begin. "Do you know how to dance?" she whispered as she curtseyed to him. He smiled, taking a step forward and twirling her, causing her to muffle a laugh as the other couples shot the two a strange look.
"I hope that answers your question," he said, her laugh becoming louder and infectious to him over the course of the night.
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"What do you mean Lancelot has been arrested?" Evaine asked, standing as Anna hung her head low, giving her the news.
"It is as I said, Evaine. They have found his credentials to have been faked. He is in the dungeons as we speak, waiting for Uther to pass judgement," Anna told her, and Evaine paced as her mind tried to conjure up an idea on how to free him. Anna turned in surprise when Arthur knocked and entered. With one shared look with the prince, Anna left the room. Evaine continued to pace, glancing carelessly at Arthur.
"Evaine, I'm sorry. I tried speaking to my father, but there is nothing I can do. Lancelot lied," Arthur told her, and she stopped, walking to face him.
"If you can turn away a man with a noble heart and such loyalty to you and this kingdom on the basis that he broke a stupid old rule, then you are not the man I believed you to be. Camelot is built on men like Lancelot, not lords or kings. If you wish to be a good king you take counsel from any man," she told him, harshly wiping a tear away as Arthur watched her with a frown and full of guilt. She turned away from him, walking to the window.
"Evaine, I-" he was interrupted by the warning bells, and he raced to the window to see people running in fear from the winged monster.
"Go, they need you," she told him, her eyes full of worry as she looked at him. He nodded, stealing a glance outside before running to face the creature with his knights. Evaine stayed in her chambers, sitting by the fire after the creature had been kept at bay by Arthur, refusing to see anyone. She had even sent Anna away. A knock sounded on the door, and Evaine did not even turn as it was opened. "I don't wish to see anyone right now," she called faintly, hearing the door close and assuming the person had left.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, my lady," a voice called, and she turned to see Lancelot approaching. She stood, meeting him half-way.
"Lancelot, what are you doing here?" Evaine asked, smiling when he gripped her hands.
"I have no time to explain. I need weapons, armour, the best you've got," he told her, and she shook her head in confusion.
"Why? What is it you are planning?" she asked.
"Arthur stands in mortal peril. I must do what I can to protect him. It's my duty, knight or not," Lancelot said, and Evaine's heart swelled with pride.
"You really believe that, don't you?" Evaine asked softly.
"Yes, my lady," he replied.
"Lancelot, I don't believe I have ever met your like before," she commented, and he looked down at their joined hands before looking at her once more.
"Evaine, if I should not return-" Lancelot began, but stopped when Evaine's grip tightened on his hands.
"Don't go, Lancelot, please," Evaine asked, her hope rising when he considered it for a moment before shaking his head.
"But go I must," Lancelot said firmly, and she nodded. She let go of his hands and opened a trunk at the end of her bed, unsheathing her sword and handing it to him.
"It has never failed me," she told him, smiling as he took it gently from her. He nodded, grabbing the rest of the armour from the trunk and turning to the door. "Lancelot," she called, and he stopped. She rushed to him, embracing him before kissing him gently on the cheek. "Be safe," she whispered. He nodded, savouring the moment before he left. Evaine stood for a minute before she opened the door, running to Gaius' chambers.
"Merlin, Lancelot's riding out to kill the griffin," Evaine told him, the young man jumping from his feet at her words.
"He's what?" Merlin asked, and she nodded, out of breath before he ran outside to the stables.
"Merlin!" Gaius called as the boy ran out, leaving the two behind.
"I'm going to wait in my chambers, Gaius. Please send word the moment you hear anything," she told him, leaving before he could say anything.
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Evaine walked down the palace steps the next morning, smiling softly as she saw Lancelot adjusting his saddle, his back turned to her.
"Leaving without saying goodbye?" she asked, and Lancelot turned, smiling guiltily as she stopped before his horse, stroking its snout. "I am so glad to see you're alive," she said after a pause between the two.
"I have to leave," he told her, and she nodded, looking up from his horse.
"I know. Anna told me what transpired between you and the king after you slayed the phoenix," she said. "I wish I was there to have seen it." Lancelot shared the smile of the lady, before reaching for something at his side.
"Your sword," he said, holding it out to her. Evaine touched the edge slightly, remembering the day Dival had it made for her.
"Keep it, so you may use it to protect and defend the innocent, just as you wished to do," she said, and Lancelot began to protest before she held up her hand, a teasing smile on her face. He nodded, tying it around his waist. "Do not forget me, sir Lancelot. I shall not forget you," she whispered, the two sharing a knowing look.
"I am sure fate will bring us back together again," Lancelot replied quietly, and she nodded, a stray tear falling. He looked around to see only the two of them before lowering his lips to hers in whisper-touch, the kiss lasting for only a moment. They broke apart, her backing towards the steps as he mounted his horse, the two sharing one look before he rode off. Evaine stood watching him until he was in sight no more, smiling softly and turning away as her name was called by Anna inside.
