Thanks to Paralelsky for beta-ing and to all you guys for reviewing! You're the best :D
Hope you like the chapter, it's on the longer side.
o}O{o
Two more days of searching led to no results until Gaius had a stroke of genius. He suddenly shot up from his seat at the table, casting the tome he was holding aside. Merlin, Mordred, and Lancelot all glanced up from their own books to stare at Gaius shuffling to his work desk. Upon it lay a short tower of books which the physician gently laid waste to. At the bottom was an old looking volume with a dusty blue cover. Mordred shared a look with Merlin and then Lancelot as Gaius started muttering to himself. While Lancelot returned an eye to the pages he was holding, Mordred and Merlin were happy to watch Gaius. Mordred especially had not been pleased when the physician had enlisted their help. Ever since the monster attacked Willowdale, the prince had been spending every spare moment training the knights and had no time to train Mordred, who had wanted to practice his forms.
Merlin could not take the silence any longer and turned his attention fully on Gaius. "What's wrong, Gaius?" he asked. When he received no response, he asked again.
"Merlin," Mordred scolded quietly. "Let him work."
The young child stuck his tongue out at Mordred so the eleven year old pulled a face of his own. Lancelot snickered at them the same time Gaius made a triumphant noise. "What is it?" Mordred wondered at once, which earned a grouchy glare from Merlin.
"I've been looking for the creature in the wrong place," Gaius announced and hurried back towards the table. "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 placed the open book in front of Lancelot, forcing the two boys on either side of him to lean in. "That's it," Lancelot said.
"A griffin," Mordred read. Before he could read the description of the creature, the silence in the cluttered chambers was shattered by the metallic peals of the warning bells. They were clanging rapidly, the guard ringing them evidently in a panicked state.
Gaius, already standing, was the first to race to the window, quickly followed by Lancelot, Mordred and Merlin. They crowded around it, Merlin trying and failing to see. He tried to climb Mordred's cloak but was warded off by the boy who was peeking past Lancelot's shoulder. His pale eyes widened at the scene playing out in the courtyard. People were screaming, running in different directions trying to escape the monster flying in from overhead. The griffin swooped down, its raspy screech piercing loudly even to their hearing. Lancelot recovered from his shock first- he moved past Mordred and dashed to the entrance, bursting through the door and to the courtyard.
Mordred was next to move. "He forgot his sword," the young sorcerer cried and hurried to their room. Merlin was held back by Gaius as Mordred retrieved the blade and ran back out the room. "Stay here, Merlin!" Mordred had the presence of mind to call back before he tore out of sight.
He did not even look back to see if his order was obeyed, so intent was he on getting Lancelot's new sword to him. Mordred pushed his legs as fast as they would go and made it to the courtyard as the knights were clustering behind Arthur. Lancelot was at the mouth of the open hall, and Mordred hurried to him, not daring to call out.
The olive skinned man jumped when he felt Mordred's presence beside him but did not take the proffered sword because in that moment the griffin landed in the square, and he pushed Mordred back. The monster screeched, and Mordred's stomach fluttered in fear when Arthur started to slowly bear down on it. He bit his lip while his eyes flew to Arthur.
The bright sun beaming into the courtyard paled the white stone, serving to make the crimson of the knight's tabards stand out vividly. Lancelot tensed in front of him just as Arthur hauled up his spear and yelled, "Charge!" The prince advanced on the monstrous creature, the knights circling around it and keeping Arthur in the center.
"On me!" Arthur shouted as the griffin snapped out at the knights. Upon Arthur's order, they regrouped from their collective hesitation. A mixture of both pride and fear filled Mordred as Arthur did not back away but advanced. He jabbed the heavy spear in his hand at the griffin, his strikes strong and precise but being dodged. The griffin retaliated, its sharp beak stabbing toward Arthur and the knights. They avoided the strikes and backed off for a moment. Mordred and Lancelot watched as the prince tossed up his spear and caught it again, reaffirming his hold. Arthur sprang forward and sent a volley of thrusts at the Griffin. The third hit found home but the spear shattered, blade and wood splintering. It took Arthur off guard, enabling the griffin to spring forward. The prince was able to dodge but he lost his balance and fell backwards on the ground.
"No!" Lancelot cried out, seizing the torch from the bracket in front of him and charging into the courtyard. Mordred was left frozen to watch Lancelot shout at the creature, shoving his way through the knights and stepping over the prince. The griffin reared, taken aback by the sudden heat of the flames. Lancelot seized his chance, rushing the griffin and waving the torch wildly. Mordred laughed in triumph when the winged beast squawked in frustration before taking flight and retreating toward the clouds.
Lancelot let his arm fall and turned to the downed prince breathing heavily. He held his hand out for Arthur to take and helped the blonde man on his feet. They stared at each other as the knights converged on their prince, and even from a distance Mordred could see Arthur look at Lancelot in a new light.
o}O{o
In the council chambers, Mordred waited with Gaius for King Uther and Prince Arthur to arrive. The boy's pale eyes flitted constantly from the windows to the doors, wary that the griffin would strike again despite Gaius' assurances. "Stop fidgeting, Mordred," Gaius bid.
"I'm not," Mordred denied, ceasing the tapping of his foot upon the stone. He sighed at the lack of something to do but then the doors started to open, and Mordred stiffened his back. King Uther's voice came into the council chambers before he did, causing the young warlock to narrow his eyes. Uther was followed by Prince Arthur and a long haired knight by the name of Sir Ridley.
"You said your knights were the best in the land," Uther declared to Arthur, ruffling his son's blonde hair. "You proved that today."
Mordred shifted where he stood, eyeing the king like he was a strange specimen. He was so used to seeing a monstrous like Uther in his nightmares that it was a mild shock to see the man in the flesh. But despite the king's good humour at the moment, Mordred still felt something like fear unsettle him upon looking into his eyes.
The prince did not appear to be proud of the praise. He answered, "All I know is it's still out there." They stopped walking when Uther turned to his son and regarded him with zeal.
"Let's not wait for it," he said resolutely, "the kingdom has been menaced by this creature for too long. We finish this now."
Gaius took his chance to speak, and cut in politely. "Sire, if I may."
Uther turned to Gaius and Mordred could not help but hide a flinch. He noticed that Arthur's eyes flicked to him for a split second.
"Gaius?" Uther pressed patiently.
"I've been researching this creature, Sire," Gaius stated, "I believe it to be a griffin."
The king's interest was piqued. "A griffin? What's in a name?"
Gaius hesitated, and Mordred glanced at him uncertainly before looking at Uther to gauge his reaction. "The griffin is a creature of magic," the physician told Uther.
The king immediately rolled his eyes, the patience that he had possessed for a short while after his son's victory gone at the mention of magic. "I don't have time for this, physician," he growled.
"It is born of magic, Sire, and it can only be killed by magic," Gaius said.
Mordred had to look at his boots to refrain from glaring at the king when he replied obstinately, "You are mistaken. It's a creature of flesh and blood like any other. Arthur proved that today."
"I'm not so sure, Father," Arthur announced. "I think there may be some truth in what he says."
The king did not look happy. "What truth?"
"The griffin was unharmed, Sire. Our weapons seemed useless against it," Arthur replied and shared a glance with the knight at his side.
"Useless?" Uther scoffed, "I think not. No, it's tasted our steel once, the next time will be its last. When will your knights be ready to ride again?"
The prince was resigned in the face of Uther's overconfidence. So Arthur answered, "An hour. Maybe two."
Mordred could not hide the panic on his face at the response. It caught Arthur's eye, but he looked away calmly.
"Good. We finish this tonight," Uther said to him.
Mordred ground his teeth together so hard his jaw hurt. There would be no we. Just Arthur risking his life against a foe he could not possibly win against. The prince appeared to be nonchalant as he followed his father back out of the council chambers. When they were gone, Gaius started to make his way toward the exit as well. Mordred hurried after him and was going to demand a course of action, but the look on the old man's face stopped him. Gaius' grey eyes were far away in thought, and his wrinkled brow furrowed heavily. The young boy knew that he would receive no answer, even if he should ask so he kept a tense silence all the way back to the physician's chambers.
Once the door was shut behind them, he could not contain himself. "What do we do?" Mordred all but shouted.
Gaius turned an anxious stare towards him, but his reply was preceded by Lancelot. The dark haired man had been waiting for them and immediately questioned them from his vacated seat at the table. "What happened?" he asked them.
Merlin too waited for an answer. The child put down his wooden horse and got out of the seat beside Lancelot's. Mordred replied unhappily, "The king wants Prince Arthur to go after the griffin." When Merlin stood before Mordred, he mimicked the older boy's expression.
"Is this true?" Lancelot asked of Gaius.
"Yes," the physician replied gravely, "if Arthur rides against it, he'll die."
Merlin gasped and cried, "What?"
Mordred was quick to offer Merlin his hand, but the boy sidled beside him and clutched his arm instead. Lancelot made no reply, but sudden resolve made his features hard. He nodded and strode past them and out the door. The boys were confused, and Mordred made to follow him but Gaius quickly called him before he could take a step.
Thwarted, Mordred turned to Gaius at once. "How can the king be so stupid?"
"Mordred!" Gaius snapped but his reprimand had no effect, and his eldest ward was still waiting for an answer. The physician took a restless stride forward. "Where magic is concerned, our King is blind to reason. And yet," Gaius said, "...magic is our only hope."
Mordred felt his eyes widen and fear grip his heart with an iron fist. A protest died on his lips though. If Arthur was to live, Mordred would have to do everything he could. The prince had done so much for him and Merlin and despite fearing that Arthur would have them killed if he found out about their magic, Mordred felt that Arthur was almost like an older brother.
"But- But," Mordred spluttered, trying to imagine himself fight the griffin. "I can't!" His turquoise eyes were shining with unshed tears. "Gaius, I can't fight it, it's too strong! I don't-"
"Mordred!" Gaius looked at him in shock. "You will do absolutely nothing!" the physician declared. Mordred blinked in surprise, taken aback at Gaius' vehemence.
"What about me?" Merlin asked in a small voice.
"No," both Mordred and Gaius said at once.
The eleven year old met Gaius' gaze and breathed out at a loss. "But Prince Arthur will die if I don't do something," Mordred stated, unable to help thinking of the beast he had no idea how to stop. "There must-"
"Mordred!" Gaius interrupted and strode to them; his robes swishing around his feet. They looked up at him, and Gaius put a hand on each of their shoulders. "Mordred, Merlin, you two are the only things I care about in all this world. I would give my life for each of you without a thought. But none of us can save Arthur. There is one though."
Mordred blinked in wonder at Gaius' admission, feeling warmth swell in his chest. But Merlin took less time to recover. Indeed, he immediately asked, "Who?"
The physician offered a smile and brushed the fearful tears that had been gathering on Merlin's eye lash away. "I will try and contact Selwyn. He's our only hope."
Gaius left them and headed to the back room where the druid's elm leaves were with the intent to burn one of them. Merlin left Mordred's side as the physician passed and attached himself to him. The older boy looked at the back of Gaius' silver head and thought that he could maybe bring himself to unpack the leather bag hiding in the dresser, in case he and Merlin ever needed to run. But as he heard an elm leaf crackle in flames, Mordred was reminded of a pyre.
o}O{o
His food had no taste, but he knew it wasn't the cooks' fault. Arthur stared down at the roasted pheasant and golden potatoes, knowing he should get on with eating so he could suit up to fight the griffin. But he gave the food up as a lost cause and rose out of his chair. Intending to retrieve his sword, the prince stopped on his way when there came an urgent knocking upon his door. "Enter," Arthur called out with resignation. He was expecting it to be Mordred, so he was surprised when Lancelot walked through the threshold.
"Sire," the dark haired man greeted.
"Lancelot," Arthur welcomed, "what brings you here?" He had a fair notion, but he figured he would urge the conversation along.
Lancelot fixed Arthur with a determined stare. "Allow me to ride with you, Sire."
The prince almost smiled. He had grown to like the man in the days he had been here. "I cannot. It is a knight's duty." Lancelot's frown became prominent at Arthur's words, and the building fire in his dark eyes was understood by Arthur. The prince then grit out, "But you fight like a knight. And I need… Camelot needs…"
"Please, Sire," Lancelot pressed, "it is no normal beast."
The prince looked away at his sword hanging on the rack. "There are those that believe this creature, this...griffin, is a creature of magic, that only magic can destroy it," he admitted.
"Do you believe this?" Lancelot questioned him with a frown.
Arthur met his eyes resignedly. "It doesn't matter what I believe. The use of magic is not permitted. The knights must prevail with steel and sinew alone."
Looming silence settled heavily onto their shoulders, both knowing what the outcome of the mission would be. Lancelot took a determined stride forward. "Let me ride with you, Arthur," he repeated. "Let me serve with honour." The dark eyed man extended his hand for Arthur to take and the prince nodded, gripping his forearm decisively.
o}O{o
The light of the day was fleeing Camelot, the sun having sunk below the horizon. Mordred peered anxiously into the fading golden sky and growled in frustration. "Where is Selwyn?" he whirled and asked loudly.
Gaius did not stop his pacing and threw him an aggravated glare. "Give him time," the physician advised.
"There is no time!" Mordred cried.
"What- what if he doesn't come?" Merlin ventured quietly. He was curled up in the window alcove with his knees drawn up to his chest. His wooden knight, Sir Arthur was clutched tightly in his fingers.
Gaius was the recipient of two desperate stares and the only thing he could say was, "he will." And then he turned his back to them and paced down the chamber. Merlin grabbed the back of Mordred's cloak, pulling on it to gain his attention. When the older boy looked, Merlin stared worriedly at him. Mordred heard the unspoken questions but did not answer right away. He flicked his icy eyes out the window again before spinning on his heel and rushing toward their room.
He heard Merlin climb down from the window, but Mordred was too busy prying the spell book out from under the floorboard to pay him any mind. Merlin watched him silently as Mordred shoved the book onto the desk and opened it feverishly, trying to find anything that could help.
Mordred's desperation triggered his magic, and the pages gusted under his fingers, one edge slicing his thumb thinly. He ignored it though because the pages stopped suddenly. As Mordred scanned it, Merlin came to look but was almost bowled over when Mordred jogged to get his wooden practice sword.
"Sorry, Merlin," Mordred apologized as he came back. "Okay."
The ink letters were waiting for him, and Mordred took a deep breath to calm himself. "Bregdan an… anweld… Gef- Gelf- Gaius!" He waited with his eyes glued to the doorway until the physician climbed the steps.
Once the old man noticed the spell book he looked at Mordred with a stormy gaze. "I need to do something, Gaius," Mordred insisted. "But I can't say it." He bit his lip and waited.
"You are only a boy," Gaius said and gestured to him.
"Please, Gaius!" Mordred implored.
The physician offered a long-suffering sigh and stepped into the room, holding his hand out for the spell book. Merlin eyed Gaius distrustfully as Mordred gave it to him but relaxed when the old man did not try to hide it away like before.
"Bregdan anweald gafeluec," Gaius recited dryly. He raised his eyebrow. "A complex spell and beyond your power."
A scowl deepened on Mordred's face. "Bregdan anweald gaf..eluec," he repeated obstinately. "Bregdan anweald gafeluec." Mordred breathed in and turned his back on Gaius and Merlin, hoping to concentrate. The physician narrowed his eyes at the boy and instead of going back into the main chambers, stood guard at the bedroom door and watched Mordred try for success.
Merlin too, joined in much to Gaius' displeasure. The dark haired child mouthed the words, and even though he did not speak, Gaius could tell he had trouble trying to pronounce the spell. Mordred's frustration grew the more he tried and failed to execute the spell and Merlin had graduated to saying a mispronounced version of it a half hour later. The physician had taken a seat at the rickety desk in the room, offering help in a near constant stream. By the time Mordred had struck the dresser with the practice sword and nearly set it aflame, Gaius had closed the door to obstruct the displays of accidental magic to any who might walk in.
"Enough," he barked upon dousing the smoke. The dresser now had a black scorch mark marring its side, but the perpetrator looked unrepentant.
Mordred's eyes glittered in the flickering fire from the candles Gaius had set out. Night had arrived, in earnest- a clear night and by now Arthur would have already set out. The boy went to his bed and sunk down on it, combing his fingers through his dark hair. Merlin was by his side in an instant. Mordred looked at him when the child leant against his leg. Their attention was captured by Gaius when the old man spoke. "Selwyn will come," he reassured.
Merlin's brow furrowed and he opened his mouth to speak, but then he turned his eyes away from Gaius and to the door. In that moment, in the main chambers a familiar bang sounded- someone had rushed through the door.
"Gaius!" Gwen called out. The physician was quick to hurry down the steps and after getting over his disappointment, Mordred followed with Merlin in tow.
Morgana's maidservant spared a greeting and rushed out, "Gaius! Lancelot's riding out to kill the griffin with Arthur!"
Gaius looked unhappy but unsurprised. He strode to Gwen and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Then we will have to hope for the best." She bit her lip and allowed the physician to steer her to the window. Both gazed into the night worriedly, and Mordred saw the opportunity.
He turned to Merlin and put a finger to his lips. 'Stay here, Merlin," Mordred warned.
'Mordred!' Merlin called after him. Gaius and Gwen were unaware of the silent words exchanged and did not notice the eleven year old creep towards the open door. Mordred turned back smiled at him before leaving them behind. Once he was a good distance from the chambers he broke into a run, his destination of the stables firmly in mind.
o}O{o
Mordred spurred his horse on as fast as he dared. While he was no longer uncomfortable in the saddle after months of practice, he was no expert. Overhead the silver moon gleamed brightly, giving him just enough light to see the tracks if he squinted. The knights had made an easy trail to follow, their horses' hooves tearing up the ground as they galloped to face the griffin. Mordred knew that he could not do the spell, but he could not stand by while Lancelot did his job.
Unnerving silence filled the forest, not even sounds of battle reaching his hearing. He slowed his horse to a walk when the terrain became too unruly for him to see the tracks. Mordred swallowed nervously, considering if he should try to call out. Just as his lips started to move he heard a weak moan through the trees. His first instinct was to duck low- Mordred quickly gave the forest a quick scan before sliding off the horse and stealing toward the noise dragging the beast behind him.
The hairs at the back of his neck stood on end, and his palms became clammy but the fear that Arthur was hurt spurred him onward. Mordred passed through the trees until he reached a path leading toward the castle where clouds of mist were curling upward through the underbrush. His gasp cut the eerie silence as he saw unconscious knights scattered on the ground. Mordred scanned them and soon found the prince, laying slumped against a rock.
"Sire!" Mordred called in alarm, letting go of his horse's reigns and running to Arthur. He crouched in front of the prince grabbing his shoulders and shaking. "Sire? Prince Arthur!" Arthur didn't respond, and Mordred looked helplessly around. "Arthur?" he tried again.
Arthur may have stirred, but Mordred heard the snapping of a twig and spun around, losing his balance. "Lancelot!" he breathed in relief. The olive skinned man was making his way to them, clad in armour that had seen better days. Moonlight gleamed off the parts that were not stained with dirt, but Mordred could not see any blood. He looked like a knight, carrying the lance in his hand and walking like he'd worn armour all his life.
"What are you doing here?" Lancelot hissed.
"What happened to the griffin?" Mordred asked in response. When the man came closer, Mordred could see there was a bleeding cut above his eye. Before Lancelot could answer a flicker in the fog behind him caused Mordred's eye to fly to the motion.
The shadow of the griffin projected through the mist, and soon the monster came into view, snorting angrily. Mordred shook Arthur again fruitlessly while Lancelot ran to the horse that was shying away. He galloped it down the path, and Mordred was left to watch as the man readied his weapon. The griffin hissed at the threat, and Lancelot started for it, hefting the spear onto his shoulder.
Mordred wanted to stay by Arthur but knew that Lancelot would die if he didn't do something. So he got up from the ground and started to whisper the spell. Nothing was happening and soon Lancelot galloped by him.
"Bregdan anweald gafeluec!" he shouted desperately. Nothing happened, and Mordred clutched his hair before trying again. The griffin took to the air. "Bregdan anweald gafeluec!" He did not feel magic thrum in his veins, so he was shocked when the lance in the riding warrior's hand started to flame with blue fire. It streamed behind, and Mordred watched with his breath in his throat as Lancelot and the griffin met.
The beast flipped in the air and crashed to the ground with a bone jarring thud, sliding to a motionless standstill on the forest floor. Mordred had no time to feel any exultation because he was forcefully spun around and his shoulders shaken.
"You idiot boy!" the offender seethed.
"Selwyn!" Mordred greeted happily, looking upward into the druid's emerald eyes. And before Selwyn could reprimand him again, Mordred hugged him tightly. His shoulders fell, and he ruffled Mordred's hair affectionately.
The red haired man pushed him away and looked down the path to Lancelot, who was heading for them on the horse. Mordred grinned at Lancelot but then looked at Selwyn when he spoke. "I will speak with you later, Mordred," he warned, backing away. "The prince wakes."
Mordred met his eyes as Selwyn disappeared in a gust of wind, and he uttered a short sigh before turning to Arthur, unable to deny a smile seeing the prince squint his eyes open. "Sire!" Mordred greeted in relief and knelt down beside him.
Arthur's previously slow way to waking was sped up at the sound of his servant's voice and his eyes flew open. Mordred only had time to note that they were luckily clear before Arthur sprang up. "What the hell are you doing here?" he yelled.
"Well I-"
The prince cut him off when he noticed they were not alone. He hauled Mordred up and took a protective step forward but then relaxed upon noticing Lancelot sitting atop a horse. The griffin lay between them, and Arthur let out a breath of pleased disbelief.
"You did it. You killed it, Lancelot!" Arthur shouted triumphantly.
Lancelot smiled.
o}O{o
If it wasn't enough that Arthur and Lancelot had lectured him all the way back, Selwyn was waiting for them when they returned. Mordred led the way into the physician's chambers, the feeling of victory at the griffin's death gone in the knowledge that Lancelot would be leaving them. Gaius was waiting with the druid at the table, and Selwyn rose up when they entered the room. He first regarded Lancelot, who stood in front of the closed door.
"It was you who killed the griffin," Lancelot said in greeting. Mordred exchanged glances with Merlin, who was sitting beside Gaius and then the physician himself.
Selwyn nodded, a trace of suspicion settling in his narrowed eyes. "You're welcome," the druid stated simply.
A smile formed on Lancelot's lips. "I am in your debt," he declared and approached the taller man with his hand outstretched. "My name is Lancelot."
"Selwyn," he replied in kind and shook Lancelot's proffered hand.
"Ahem," Gaius cleared his throat and incurred Lancelot's attention. "And you have my thanks, Lancelot. For protecting my ward." The look he sent Mordred could have frozen fire- Mordred chose to look at his boots.
"Of course," Lancelot said like he hardly thought it was worth gratitude. "Though if he did not arrive when he did, I would have had no horse." His statement was rewarded with a smile.
"Still a foolhardy move though," Selwyn put in.
"I thought you weren't coming," Mordred defended.
"You thought wrong."
"What did take you so long?" Mordred wondered.
Selwyn merely arched his eyebrow. "For all you have grown, it does not appear you have changed much."
"I've grown?" Mordred asked eagerly.
"Half an inch perhaps," Selwyn smirked. Mordred was unable to keep a scowl for long before giving a grudging smile.
"Did I grown too?" Merlin asked, sliding out of his chair and scurrying to Selwyn. The red haired man spared him a smile that Mordred noted was unsurprised. Mordred was disappointed, he had missed seeing Selwyn's face when Merlin had spoken in front of him.
"Why, yes Merlin. I daresay you will be taller than I one day," Selwyn told Merlin after handing Mordred a proud look. Merlin laughed delightedly and grinned. The child leant around Selwyn to view Lancelot, still in his armour.
"Are you a knight now, Lancelot?" Merlin asked.
Lancelot's face fell, but he offered the boy a smile. "I am not, Merlin."
The child pouted, looking angry. "Why not? Selwyn said you were brave."
"The code bends for no man," Lancelot sighed with the air of a man repeating another. "Not this day anyway."
"Prince Arthur tried to convince the king to make Lancelot a knight," Mordred told them all with a grin but his smile soon faded. "But he didn't listen."
Gaius's eyes flicked to the man who should be a knight. "What will you do now, Lancelot? Camelot could use more good soldiers."
Lancelot sighed. "My presence here will cause conflict between Prince Arthur and his father. I cannot bear that burden so for now I will make my own way. Then maybe one day fate shall grant me another chance to prove myself a worthy knight of Camelot."
Gaius sighed. "Then I wish you all the best."
"You're leaving?" Merlin asked tearfully, catching on to what Lancelot was saying.
"We will see each other again, Merlin," Lancelot said.
"But I like you," Merlin pouted.
"You heard him, Merlin," Mordred assured him, "we will see him again." Merlin bit his lower lip, not looking at all comforted.
"Lancelot, you're staying for tonight, aren't you?" Gaius inquired.
"If it is not too much trouble," Lancelot smiled tiredly.
"You're welcome to stay as long as you like," Gaius said, "Mordred, why don't you rid him of his armour."
"Right," Mordred nodded and led the way to the back room. "You're allowed to keep the armour too, right? I'll polish it for you before you leave." When they climbed the short staircase, Mordred shut the door behind them to give Lancelot privacy as he changed. The boy helped the armour off of him and stowed the pile in the corner of the room.
When the boy turned, Lancelot spoke. "At first I thought it was you to kill the beast," he mentioned, digging in his pack for a spare shirt.
"Me?" Mordred asked innocuously.
"I heard you. Bredgan anweald." Lanceot said. Despite Lancelot's smile, Mordred's face drained of the already little colour it had. He took a step away from Lancelot, and the back of his legs hit the bed. "It's alright. I saw you light the torches in the top floor corridor you know."
"What?" Mordred breathed.
"When I followed you that night. Don't worry, your secret's safe with me."
Mordred was rendered speechless. He sat down on the bed behind him, taking weight off his legs. "You didn't say anything."
"You're a good lad," Lancelot said then used a clean part of his discarded shirt to wipe the dirt and blood off his face. By his air, Mordred could tell that the man did not think it a big deal but to Mordred, his secret was his life.
"You won't say anything?" Mordred whispered, needing to know.
Lancelot looked at him compassionately. "You have my word, Mordred."
The boy searched Lancelot's eyes and could not help but offer a tremulous smile.
o}O{o
It was with a heavy heart that Mordred watched Lancelot ride out the gates the next morning. He had only known Lancelot for a few days, but he trusted him like they'd known each other for years. The dark haired man could have been a confidante. He and Merlin remained on the battlements even after Gaius had gone inside, looking into the forest despondently.
"I'm sad," Merlin confided.
Mordred looked down at the child and grasped his hand. "So am I, Merlin. But we'll see him again one day."
"Will he be a knight then?"
"Yeah. Sir Lancelot, the bravest in the land," Mordred smiled, gazing up through the swaying trees.
He could practically hear Merlin think so the older boy looked down once more. "But Arthur's the bravest in the land," Merlin pointed out, making Mordred grin.
"Alright… the noblest then."
Merlin snickered quietly. "That sounds funny."
Mordred rolled his eyes in amusement. "Hey, what does that make me when I become a knight?"
Merlin pressed his lips together, trying to think. He gazed upward at Mordred and grinned. "The best."
This time Mordred laughed in earnest. He nudged Merlin and put his arm around the boy's narrow shoulders. "You got that right," he proclaimed. "One day…"
o}O{o
Bye Lancelot! Catch you later.
Thanks for reading everyone, and please leave a review if you liked it :)
See you all on the 15th with another update