Hello hello, here is a new chapter for all you lovely people. Hope you enjoy!
o}O{o
Birdsong frolicked throughout the forest, drifting through the trees and upward to the sunny blue sky. It was a warm and pleasant day, enjoyed by the two boys walking through the woods. Mordred and Merlin were hunting for mushrooms on Gaius' orders, and Mordred had made Merlin hold the basket. It took five months of them living in Camelot for the physician to let the boys into a deeper part of the forest on their own. Deeper, meaning that the city was barely out of their eyesight, where the trails were still well kept and the trees young. But the druids that had wanted Merlin seemingly disappeared and nothing bad had happened since King Bayard had arrived in Camelot more than two months ago.
"Look, Mordred!" Merlin called. He waddled to a nearby tree and set the basket down, pointing to a patch of stubby brown mushrooms.
"Well done, Merlin," Mordred proclaimed and went to pick the fungi. He grinned at Merlin when the boy sighed and made to pick up the basket again. "Don't worry, I can get it." The older boy nudged Merlin's head before grabbing the basket, receiving a brilliant grin from Merlin. He rested the basket on his hip and turned to look around for more mushrooms. "I don't think we don't need-"
A sharp screeching interrupted him, tearing through the forest and scaring away the singing birds. Mordred whipped around and what he saw made him drop the basket. A beast like nothing he had seen before was charging for them, it looked like an eagle but had four powerful legs and was shrieking with its sharp beak. Mordred knew it was nothing that he could fight against.
"Merlin!" Mordred yelled to the stunned boy, seizing his hand and running away. Merlin screamed as Mordred dragged him behind, hardly able to keep his footing. The beast was gaining, its loud footfalls crashing closer, squashing the mushrooms that had fallen under its talons. Mordred looked back and tried to run faster at seeing it advance on them but Merlin tripped and his hand fell from Mordred's. The child tumbled into the fallen leaves and Mordred nearly lost his balance. He stumbled back around and cried out in horror, realizing that they would not be able to outrun it. Protect Merlin, was all he could think and he charged back as the monster reared up on its hind legs. "No!" he shouted and dove to cover Merlin's body with his own. Mordred crouched over the child and slammed his eyes shut but instead of being torn apart by talons the size of daggers, he heard a battle cry over the screeching monster. Next the sound of a swinging sword rang in his ears and his first thought was that it was Arthur to save them. But when he looked up he found that it was a dark haired man who was trying to fight off the creature. His strikes seemed to only aggravate the monster but the dark haired man kept attacking furiously.
Mordred leaped to his feet, scared out of his wits but taking charge of Merlin. "Come on, Merlin, run!" he yelled and hauled the child onto his feet. Merlin's frightened eyes were fixed on their saviour but he was quickly wrenched away. Mordred ran as fast as he could down the path but Merlin could not keep up.
"Mordred!" he cried, his arm hurting from being pulled along.
The older boy slowed enough for Merlin to catch up but then gathered him into his arms. Merlin held on tight as Mordred sprinted further and down the path. His feet pounded down an incline and he glanced back as Merlin cried out. The man who had saved them was running after them, his sword broken and discarded, and being chased by the creature. His stronger legs meant that he caught up with the burdened eleven year old and Mordred felt the man's hand close around his arm, urging him faster. He helped Mordred over a fallen tree and forced them down, hiding away from the monster who shrieked angrily. It flew over their hiding place and into the sky, its wings beating strongly.
Merlin was trembling and crouched into Mordred's chest. The older boy had his thin arms clamped around him and panted heavily. "You saved us," Mordred gasped when the monster disappeared into the sky and turned to the man beside him.
He had olive toned skin and long dark hair swept away from his handsome face. He too was breathing heavily but noticeably less than Mordred who did not have the physique of a warrior unlike their rescuer. That and the sword he had wielded told Mordred that the man was no farmer.
"Are you two alright?" he asked faintly.
Merlin leaned back from Mordred and both boys surveyed each other. Merlin nodded the same time as Mordred answered yes. The younger boy kept a tight hold of Mordred as he regarded their rescuer. "I'm Merlin," he chirped.
The man breathed out a laugh at Merlin's smile. "Lancelot," he replied in kind. His head lolled against the log behind them and Mordred squinted at him in concern. A bloodstain on Lancelot's pale blue tunic drew his eyes and the young sorcerer gaped at the wound. The dark haired man slumped and fell unconscious.
"Oh no," Mordred breathed.
"Mordred?" Merlin asked worriedly as he was pushed gently away. Mordred knelt over the man and looked around frantically at the skies. Merlin attempted to peer around the older boy but was blocked.
"No!" Mordred exclaimed and grabbed Merlin's shoulders.
"What?" Merlin demanded, still trying to see.
"No magic," Mordred hissed and bit his lip, looking away and trying to think.
"I'm not," Merlin affirmed and tried to free himself but to no avail.
"No. You might not mean to, Merlin," Mordred said firmly.
Merlin fell still then, realizing the truth of Mordred's words. It was just last week after all that he had accidentally done magic in his sleep. Apparently he had levitated the whole of Gaius' chambers for several hours and neither Gaius nor Mordred had been able to wake him. All he knew was that he had felt horrible for a whole two days afterward. So Merlin bit his lip as Mordred looked back at Lancelot.
"It might come back," Mordred thought aloud, "we have to go." But he did not move, glancing back to the unconscious man. He then scanned the skies and looked worriedly at Merlin. The next moment he stood and pulled Merlin up too.
"But Lancelot!" Merlin protested, trying to look back at the man before glancing at the sky fearfully.
"Come on," Mordred said and urged him away, "the faster we get back to Camelot, the faster we can send help." He seized Merlin's hand and this time the child was ready to run with him. This time Mordred could not stop him from looking back, but Merlin could only see the tree he was behind. He had to focus on keeping his balance as they sprinted down the path leading to the city. Both boys were worried that they would not make it on time to help Lancelot but soon Camelot came into view.
o}O{o
"When will he be okay, Gaius?"
Merlin was seated at Gaius' work table, well away from the physician as the old man tended to Lancelot's wound. The dark haired man was sleeping fitfully, his skin coated in sweat and hot from fever. Merlin wanted to see if he could help but Gaius and Mordred had adamantly refused so he was stuck on the opposite end of the room with only his toys for company.
Gaius offered the boy a smile. "He should be fine come morning," he replied.
Mordred exited the backroom from getting one of the beds ready for Lancelot and strode over, looking to Gaius for the answer he had not heard.
"The wound itself is superficial," Gaius told the older boy in response to his questioning gaze, "his fever will pass by morning."
"Good," Mordred said. "Does the prince know about the creature yet?"
Gaius shook his head. "He is out of the city I am afraid."
"Where did he go?" Merlin jumped in. Mordred too looked at Gaius curiously.
The physician grimaced. "There was a disturbance in a nearby village. He and the king went to investigate."
Mordred curled his lip upon mention of Uther but said nothing, knowing that the physician would not appreciate it. But upon seeing Gaius' eyes narrow, he quickly defended himself. "I didn't say anything. Do you think it was the monster?"
Gaius eyed the boy dryly. "I fear that it's a possibility," he sighed quietly through his nose and finished cleaning Lancelot's wound. After he bandaged it and pulled down the man's shirt, Merlin took it as a sign to stroll over.
"He looks sick," Merlin complained upon stopping beside Mordred.
"He will be fine, Merlin," Mordred was quick to tell him.
Merlin quirked his lips to the side before he pouted. But then he looked up at Gaius when the physician rose out of his chair. "He is right. Remember no magic. Mordred, keep an eye on him."
The five year old crossed his arms huffily at Gaius but Mordred nodded. "Where are you going?"
"To the apothecary," Gaius answered. "I'll be back shortly."
Mordred and Merlin called a goodbye though Merlin's was quiet and surly. "Someone's in a bad mood," Mordred commented snidely when the physician had left. By the time Gaius arrived back with a packet of medicine, both his and Merlin's moods had apparently subsided. The rest of the day, they helped the physician tend to Lancelot and the next morning, the dark haired man was healed.
He was shown to the backroom by Mordred and was immediately drawn to the window. He was a tall man but still needed to step on the crate Mordred had moved below it to see. The town lay sprawled below, towers and rooftops weaving together to make Camelot. Mordred was sitting on the bed with Merlin so he could only see the grey sky past the shutters. Cool and damp air drifted in, causing Merlin to don his navy cloak for the first time in weeks.
Lancelot spoke distractedly out the window. "Ever since I was a child I've dreamed of coming here," he said dreamily, "it's my life's ambition to join the knights of Camelot." Mordred perked up in interest but when Lancelot glanced back at him, he misinterpreted it. "I know what you're thinking, I...I expect too much." He then stepped down and spoke to the stone walls, "After all, who am I? They have their pick of the best and bravest in the land."
"You want to become a knight?" Mordred repeated excitedly. His turquoise eyes were gleaming as if entranced.
Lancelot smiled at him and gave a quiet but hopeful laugh. Mordred leaned away from Merlin and stood up. "You can," he rushed out, his words melding together, "you have the skill. You could even stand against Prince Arthur!" His tone revealed that he thought this the highest honour.
Merlin looked curiously at the older boy, silently wondering why Mordred was getting so excited. The dark haired man scoffed self depreciatingly. "I hardly think so," he admitted modestly.
Mordred shook his head, an idea firmly ensconced inside. He rushed to the door and placed his hand on the frame, looking back at Lancelot with a wicked light in his eyes. "Stay here. I'm going to talk to him!" The boy disappeared out the door and charged down the stairs.
"You know Arthur?" Lancelot called after him.
"Wait for me, Mordred!" Merlin yelled and bounded after the older boy. He too hurried out of the room and left Lancelot alone. The dark haired man glanced from the door to the window before marching after them, keen to not miss this opportunity.
o}O{o
A small crowd gathered on the edges to one of the training fields outside Camelot. The sky was silver with a screen of clouds blocking the sun from view and the sound of drums replaced the birdsong. As Arthur strode to the center of the small field, he scanned the faces that had come to watch him test the newest applicant to the Knights of Camelot. The prince did not feel that the squire was ready but was willing to try especially in the face of the recent attack on Greenswood.
His sky blue eyes stopped by his tent and behind his sword rack to view his servant. Mordred grinned at him, a rare sight, and looked predictably excited for the coming match. Merlin stood beside him and waved exuberantly at the prince.
Arthur smirked and inclined his head, watchful of their audience. When Arthur stopped in the center of the grassy field, he then regarded the man standing beside Mordred before sending the boy a questioning gaze. Mordred's grin only grew which made Arthur think the boy was up to something. He'd uncover what later, hoping that Morgana hadn't roped him into another scheme of hers.
The newest applicant strode forward from the other side of the grounds and Arthur banished a smirk that wanted to form. It was always enjoyable showing up grown men in front of Mordred as the boy was a splendid audience.
"Right, you jumped up dung beetle! This is it," he called to the dark skinned squire. "The final test. Pass this and you're a knight of Camelot." The man had stopped walking and Arthur strode by him, adjusting his gauntlets and speaking carelessly, "Fail, and you're no one. You face the most feared of all foes, the ultimate killing machine..."
Arthur turned around and casted a split second glance to his servants. Mordred's grin was gone but the excitement in his eyes was unmistakable, and Merlin seemed to be more interested in the couple giggling behind them. "You face me," he said and put his arms at his sides. "You're challenge- to last one minute free combat." Arthur noted the two swords the man had drawn and failed to be impressed. "Grummond, Second son of Wessex," he declared and pulled out his sword, motioning to the servant behind him to turn the hourglass. "Your time starts now."
Grummond started spinning his swords and almost immediately Arthur heard Mordred utter a laugh that could only be described as scathing. He'd have to tell the boy to mind his attitude later but Arthur was in complete agreement. This would not last long. His disappointment at not having a challenge was only trumped by the knowledge that the knights would not be gaining any new recruits.
Arthur motionlessly watched the dark skinned man advance on him, still twirling his swords. Grummond approached and gave his blade another pointless spin before raising his arm back and yelling out. Arthur dodged to the side as Grummond drove his sword down and elbowed the man in the stomach. He doubled over and Arthur took the chance to send a knee into the squire's face. He was sent backward and landed gracelessly on the ground. Applause rang out and Arthur acknowledged it tolerantly. He walked to the stunned squire and relieved him of his flag.
"Take him away," Arthur ordered and looked to where Mordred would be. He found the boy already striding toward him with his head turned to Merlin, bidding him to go back to their chambers with the dark haired man. The prince scrutinized him and could not decide if Mordred was trusting him with Merlin or the other way around. They departed looking varying shades of sullen, Merlin not hiding it very well.
When Mordred arrived in front of Arthur, he smirked cheekily. "Could I do better than that?" he asked.
Arthur scoffed, thinking that he should not have been surprised at the comment. "Certainly not," he said and held out his arm so Mordred could start getting him out of his armour.
The boy looked mortally offended and looked at Arthur a way one should never look at a prince. "But you said that I was good with the forms," Mordred protested.
Arthur rolled his eyes and did not indulge him. Knowing the boy for a few months, Arthur was aware that he had a penchant for sulking. In response to being rebuffed, Mordred huffed and shut his mouth, becoming prickly like he did.
It did not last nearly as long as Arthur thought it would. They were making their way through the lower town on their way to the castle and Mordred could not resist commenting on Grummond and the way Arthur beat him. "He didn't last two seconds, I was counting!" Mordred suddenly informed him, hurrying along and peering over the armour stacked in his arms. He was carrying more than he should have, but was keen to build up his strength. The exercises that Arthur set him were already helping- while it still looked like he could fly away in a light breeze, his arms at least were less skinny than they had been.
Arthur harrumphed. "Grummund's the third to fail this month. How am I meant to defend Camelot with rubbish like that?"
Mordeds gaze turned falsely innocent in response to Arthur's question and when the prince glanced back at the boy he noticed.
"What have I told you about getting ideas?" Arthur warned, rolling his eyes.
The corners of Mordred's lips turned downwards but he was undeterred. "I know someone," Morded announced and hurried along after the prince. "He's very skilled, Sire."
"That man at the training grounds today?" Arthur wondered. Mordred nodded. "And is he a noble?"
Arthur turned in time to see Mordred's brow set stubbornly. "Mordred-" he began exasperatedly.
"He saved me and Merlin!" the boy proclaimed, "he's maybe just as good as you are, Sire."
Arthur ignored the latter part of Mordred's statement. "Saved you from what exactly?"
"A monster! It was huge- oof!"
Arthur had stopped, causing Mordred to run into him. They were between two stalls, passersbys being forced to avoid them. In response to Arthur's intense gaze, Mordred continued. "It looked like an eagle, but I swear it had the body of a lion. It tried to eat me and Merlin but Lancelot saved us."
A deep frown formed on Arthur's face, causing Mordred's to brighten. "You believe me?"
"Yes," Arthur answered, "Are you and Merlin alright?"
Mordred nodded and appeared embarrassed when Arthur looked him over for injuries. "We're fine. Lancelot was the one to be injured."
The prince thought for a moment after breathing an imperceptible sigh of relief. "I will speak to this Lancelot," he decided but at Mordred's grin he was quick to interject, "only to hear of this monster, he will not be able to become a knight."
"Thank you sire, I won't forget this!" The boy made to pass Arthur to head to the physician's chambers but Arthur's hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"Mordred. Did you even hear what I said?"
"Oh, you are coming right now?" Morded asked instead of answering.
Arthur sighed and let the matter drop for now, starting to head down the road again. "Don't think I don't know what you are doing."
Mordred sped up so Arthur could not see his face but the prince noticed the tips of his ears turn pink.
"Mordred!" Arthur called after his servant exasperatedly.
o}O{o
When Merlin and Lancelot had returned, the dark haired man decided to pace around the chambers after Gaius refused his offer to help with cutting up herbs. Merlin had stalked the man's steps, a sight particularly amusing to the physician. Lancelot had not noticed his shadow, too absorbed in his own thoughts.
Merlin soon wandered to Gaius and pulled on his robe, wanting the old man to come closer. The physician smiled and bent down to Merlin's level allowing the child to whisper into his ear. "I want Lancelot to play with me," Merlin said, his voice not nearly as quiet as he thought it was.
Having heard, Lancelot turned away from the window and regarded Merlin in surprise. Gaius laughed and whispered back. "Why don't you ask him?"
Merlin hesitated and leaned backward in thought before glancing timidly at the dark haired man, but turned away upon meeting his gaze. "Can you do it?" Merlin wondered, looking at Gaius with his big ocean blue eyes.
Before Gaius could submit to his role as messenger, the door opened and Mordred strode though, immediately catching the attention of Lancelot.
"Well? Did you speak to him?" he rushed out eagerly, jogging to the door.
Mordred smirked and held the door open wider, and in walked the prince of Camelot. Lancelot actually took a stunned step back, rendered speechless.
"Arthur!" Merlin called happily and skipped around Lancelot to greet the prince.
Arthur smiled down at Merlin, resting a hand on the boy's head as he leaned against the prince's legs. Lancelot was the recipient of a cursory sweep of Arthur's eyes.
"I hear I have you to thank for saving my servants' lives," he noted.
Lancelot's eyebrows rose in genuine surprise. "Oh there is no need to thank me, Sire. It's what any man would have done."
Arthur seemed pleased by the answer but looked the man over again. "Mordred told me that you were injured."
"Yes but I'm healing well thanks to Gaius," Lancelot answered uncertainly, thrown off by the small talk.
"He's strong," Mordred pointed out, earning an unappreciated look from the prince.
Arthur sighed and regarded Lancelot seriously. "Mordred here also told me that you want to become a knight."
"It is my life's ambition," Lancelot admitted.
Arthur fought to not allow his shoulders to slump. He didn't even know why he inwardly cringed at the revelation.
"He unfortunately failed to tell you the first code of Camelot," Arthur began but was interrupted by the eleven year old.
"But-"
"-Mordred," Gaius intervened sharply. The boy scowled but looked down, glancing at Arthur fleetingly.
Lanceot's smile fell as Arthur said, "Only those of noble blood can serve as knights."
The dark haired man blinked. "...Oh," he uttered and failed at hiding his disappointment.
Arthur glared at Mordred who was looking miserable- the guilt in his eyes unmistakable. "My servant has dreams of grandeur and thinks that if you become a knight so can he."
Lancelot glanced at Mordred who abandoned an attempt to look down at his feet. "I'm sorry," he muttered, forgetting to deny Arthur's statement. The dark haired man offered him a small smile, letting him know it was alright. Mordred looked down again while Arthur sighed. Merlin left the prince's side to go and take Mordred's hand.
The prince did not look like he knew what to do so he decided to escape. "You seem like a good man, Lancelot, I hope you stay in Camelot at least until you are healed."
Lanceot forced a smile and nodded as Arthur headed to the door. But when he opened it he turned back with his fingers still wrapped around the handle. "If Mordred praises your swordplay you must be skilled. If circumstances were different, I'm sure Camelot would benefit from a warrior like you."
Everyone in the room gaped at the praise except Merlin who pouted when the door closed behind Arthur. But soon Lancelot's shoulders slumped and he looked down dejectedly.
"I'm sorry, Lancelot. Truly I am," Gaius offered.
The dark haired man nodded in appreciation before heading slowly to the back room. Gaius, Merlin, and Mordred were left in the main chambers, all looking unhappy. Merlin let go of Mordred's hand in order to follow Lancelot but the older boy held him back. "Stay here," Mordred sighed and walked to their room.
Merlin looked to Gaius who nodded in agreement with Mordred, causing the boy to frown but stay where he was. Mordred glanced back at Gaius before opening the door slowly, and entering apprehensively. Lancelot was standing facing the wall but staring at his clasped hands. He turned when Mordred entered and allowed the boy to speak.
"I apologize for not telling you," Mordred said sincerely.
Lancelot sighed. "That's alright. It hardly matters anyway."
Mordred did not feel any better especially when Lancelot sighed and sat on the bed farthest from the window. Wane sunlight crept through it, the sun having travelled to the other side of the castle. Mordred watched Lancelot for a moment before quietly wondering, "Why do you want to become a knight anyway?"
Lancelot looked up at him before a shadow darkened his eyes. "When I was a boy, around your age, my village was attacked by raiders from the northern plains." Mordred listened attentively, his hands clenching into fists at the man's next words, "They were slaughtered where they stood, my father, my mother. Everyone... I alone escaped." He then got up and started pacing.
"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 fought for, wasted."
He turned to face Mordred and immediately banished the haunted look from his eyes. "I'm sorry, I should not have told you that."
Mordred realized that he had been staring and was quick to shake his head. "No, it's alright. It's just… the same thing happened to Merlin's village. He's only started talking again recently."
Lancelot looked around at the door with a pained expression. "I'm sorry to hear that," he said softly before turning back and scrutinizing Morded. "Merlin's village? I thought that you two were brothers."
Mordred blinked but then shook his head. "No. Not by blood anyway." Lancelot nodded in understanding but then faltered when Mordred's gaze became deadly serious. "You can't give up. One day both of us will become knights. I know it."
"You really believe that?" Lancelot smirked half-heartedly.
Mordred nodded. "Yes. When Prince Arthur is king, things will change."
A sincere smile grew on Lancelot's face. "You have a lot of faith in him." It was Mordred's turn to smile. "What about you?" The dark haired man went to sit on the other bed and leaned forward. "Why do you wish to become a knight?"
Mordred thought for a moment, staring at the floor as he replied. "The knights… they protect people. They protect people who can't protect themselves." He faced Lancelot with his turquoise eyes burning. "When I become a knight, I'll be able to do that too. Defend anyone from any injustice."
When he looked out the window, there was something in his eyes that froze them solid.
o}O{o
It was well into the night but Mordred could not sleep. He listened to Merlin's breathing as the boy slept peacefully curled up beside him. He had tried to fall asleep when it did not appear as if Merlin would accidentally do magic but Mordred remained awake well after that revelation. The shutters were opened slightly, allowing some moonlight to spill through. A light pool of sliver fell inside, bleaching the room of colour and after a long while of staring at the shadows, Mordred sat up. He reached for the linen doll that had somehow ended up at the foot of the bed and placed it into Merlin's arms. The child responded and hugged the cloth dog closer to his small frame. It had been a gift from the Lady Morgana.
Mordred gracefully slid out of bed, quiet as the shadows so he would not wake Merlin or Lancelot. He knew Merlin would not stir so he watched the dark haired man as he went to get his practice sword in the corner of the room. The prince had given it to him when he found out that Mordred was using a branch, it was twice the weight of a real sword but was getting easier to use the longer he practiced with it. Mordred picked up his boots and snuck out the door, intending to put them on when he was in the hall.
His bare feet were quickly chilled by the stone floor but allowed him to remain soundless as he crept across the chambers. Gaius had set up various traps throughout the room, a bucket here, a mop there, all to alert him if Merlin ever tried to sneak out. They did their job for Merlin but Mordred avoided them easily and was out the physician's chambers and on his way to the top floor of the castle without Gaius even snorting in his sleep.
There were no torches lit when he arrived so he took a cautious look around before stretching his arm out. "Forbearnan," he whispered. The empty brackets down the hall came alive with flames and he smiled pleased. When he had first started coming to practice, he had only been able to light one at a time. It was a wide hall, well chosen by the prince and gave Mordred enough room to run through the drills Arthur set him. He started with the first series of movements Arthur taught him, becoming faster as he got into it. Mordred remembered to keep his center of balance as he flowed through the forms and put more force into his strikes half way down the hall. "One, two, three, four," he chanted with each movement, "one, two, three, four."
As he brought the sword down from over his head, making the flames in the nearby bracket flutter, he stopped abruptly. He groaned when he realized that his hands should have been reversed on the grip. Muttering under his breath and turning around to start again, he did a double take. Lancelot was leaning against the pillar at the other end of the hall, watching him with a smile on his face.
"Not bad," he mentioned.
"How long were you watching me?" Mordred demanded.
The dark haired man shrugged and Mordred was uncertain as to whether he glanced at the lit torches. "Long enough to know you need a lighter sword," Lancelot said, making Mordred shoulders ease their tension.
"I'm building up my strength," Mordred said as he began to walk to Lancelot.
"Then you should wait until you have. You'll become used to dealing sloppy strikes."
"They weren't sloppy," Mordred complained.
Lancelot smiled and waited for the young boy to stop before him. "You need more muscle in order to control the blade. May I?" He held his hand out for the wooden sword and Mordred was pleased to give it to him.
The dark eyed man hefted it noticeably much easier than Mordred had. He inspected it, knowing a fine craft when he saw it. "Where did you get it?"
Mordred gave a small smile. "Prince Arthur gave it to me."
That certainly surprised the dark haired man. "The prince?"
"He's been training me. If I was a noble then I'd be his squire," Mordred informed him, practically bursting with pride.
Lancelot laughed quietly. "Well that explains things." He gave the wooden sword back to the boy and tilted his head. "Let me see a swing."
Mordred grinned and stepped away, facing Lancelot like he would the prince. Mordred did as asked and straightened when Lancelot nodded.
"You should use your hips to power your strike. Go on try it," Lancelot advised.
The young sorcerer did as asked and with a little coaching from Lancelot the wooden blade was whistling through the air even sharper than before. After a few more bits of advice, Mordred looked eagerly at the man. "Did you want to duel?" he questioned with a smile.
"There is only one sword," Lancelot pointed out.
Mordred's smile turned mischievous and he set the practice sword down before running down the hall. Lancelot watched the boy as he flung back a slightly moth eaten tapestry and revealed two broom handles. He returned with them and threw one to Lancelot who deftly caught it despite his surprise.
Mordred settled into a ready stance and smirked. "Are you ready?"
Lancelot grinned and gave the broom handle a test spin, before striking out at Mordred and meeting his block with a loud clack.
o}O{o
Soo how did everyone like the little change I made? I hope you are enjoying this first installment :)
And guess what! I just got a tumblr account :) Lol I'm a bit late to the party but the link is in my profile. I hope you swing by!
I post a bunch of different stuff but there WILL be spoilers for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D so consider yourself warned.
See you soon with the next chapter!