Chapter 5: A Heroic Deed
Eliza beth awoke the next morning and immediately ran to her window. The sky was filled with dark ugly clouds. She ran out of her room and knocked on Lancelot's door. He opened the door immediately and his mouth spread into a wide smile.
"Well good morning, miss," he said.
"Not good morning. It's going to rain. What is a person supposed to do in this place when it rains?" she asked.
"We can go around the castle or down to the pub," he said.
"I don't want tog et a drink. I meant something exciting to do, a bit like yesterday," she explained.
Lancelot looked thoughtful and then grabbed her hand. He lead her down a series of stairs and through a dark wooden door. Inside was a wooden floor with swords and protective gear all over the walls. It was a practice room for swordsmen.
"Why are we here?" Elizabeth asked.
"Can you weald sword?" Lancelot asked, ignoring her question for the moment.
"Of course, but-"
"Well, this is a practice room. They have almost any type of sword imaginable. You said you wanted to do something exciting. How about a small sword fight. If you're feeling well enough that is," he said with a grin.
"Well enough? I'm fine," she said, grabbing a sword with a curved blade from the wall.
Lancelot took two identical swords from the wall and swung them in his hands. He gave her a charming grin. Elizabeth swung the blade once in her hand. They stepped forward and swung up. Lancelot's blade hit hers and his second blade held it locked in place.
"I knew the double blades were going to get me into trouble," she laughed. "The warriors from my home, they used to tell tales about one of Arthur's knights. They said he was deadly with his two blades. "
"I didn't know I was so famous," he joked.
Elizabeth slipped her blade out and swung back around to meet Lancelot's two blades. She pushed up against them, and ducked away. They swung up again and slashed to the side. Elizabeth blocked both of the blades again. She was accomplished with swords and she hadn't been up against anyone she couldn't beat. However, today, she didn't think she was going to be the victor. She swung the blade up in a graceful sweep and Lancelot blocked it. She danced away, with the blade out for defense.
"You're good, fair maiden," Lancelot said.
Elizabeth nodded and they crossed blades once more. Lancelot pulled one of his blades free of Elizabeth and held it at her neck, but what he didn't realize was as soon as he had lifted his blade, she had done the same. Both their blades were at each other's necks. Elizabeth laughed and lowered her blade.
"You win, Sir Lancelot," she said with a dramatic bow.
They put the blades back on the wall and walked out of the room.
"That was one of the best matches I've had in a while," he said.
"Yes. Me as well," Elizabeth replied.
They were in the main hall, when Arthur came up to them.
"There's a child missing from the village. The parents think he ran off into the forest. We're going to form a search. Hopefully we will have her back by nightfall," he said before turning to Elizabeth,"You're welcome to come as well."
And with that he strode off to the stables. Lancelot looked at Elizabeth.
"You think I'm going to stay behind?" she asked.
Lancelot shook his head with a grin and they headed off to the stables. He pointed to a chestnut mare.
"Her name is Aura. She used to belong to one of the guards. She should be a good mount for you," he said.
Elizabeth went into the stall and quickly brushed the mare off before putting an extra saddle on her. The mare's bridle was ornamented with gold pieces and it fit her delicate face perfectly. Elizabeth found a spare pair of riding pants and a tunic. She found an empty stall and quickly changed. She pulled her boots on and mounted her mare. The other knights were coming out and Arthur was standing waiting for all them on his gray charger. He spun the horse around and they galloped out through the gate and into the neighboring forest.
"Knights, we are going to go into groups. Bors and Gawain will come with me. Lancelot, Galahad, and Elizabeth will go in the opposite direction.," Arthur said.
They galloped off into the directions Arthur pointed out. Lancelot held up his hand and they slowed to a walk. Elizabeth jumped. The forest was dark and she saw the bushes move. She jumped of her mare and drew her blade. A Woad jumped out. He swung the blade close to her face and she swung back. She slashed him across the chest and ran to Lancelot.
"We're being tracked. They probably have the child. We'll need to travel into one of the villages that is closest. You have to turn here," she said indicating an overgrown path to their left.
She got back on the mare and they cantered down the path. They soon came to a village. A group of Woads blocked their path. Elizabeth stared at them in silence. Lancelot called out to them.
"We're looking for a small child that ran away. Have you seen a lost child?" he asked.
The Woads did not answer. They drew their swords and advanced on the knights. They got off their horses and drew their blades as well. There were maybe 20 Woads against the three of them. Elizabeth couldn't stand it anymore. These were not normal Woads. Her mother had told her several months ago these were the Rebel Woads who did not agree with Merlin having a peace with Arthur. She rushed forward with her sword high. She beheaded another Woad as she rushed forward and locked blades with another.
"COVER!" Lancelot yelled and him and Galahad rushed forward.
Together, the three of them annihilated most of the Woads. One was left. He stared at Elizabeth with mean eyes. He knew who she was. He could kill her now. He ran forward. Blade held high. Elizabeth was about to rush forward as well, but Lancelot jumped in and sliced his blade along the man's side. He fell to the ground. Elizabeth gave him a blazing look.
"I could have beaten him," she protested.
Lancelot shrugged and they headed into some of the huts. One hut in the far left had smoke coming from the roof. Elizabeth walked in cautiously. There was a fire blazing inside it. It was no longer contained and it would surely burn the hut to the ground. What interested her the most though, was a young child tied to the bed with a rag over his mouth. Quickly she pulled the rag off and untied him. He looked at her with wide eyes. There was a rush behind her as the fire spread.
"Elizabeth!" Lancelot yelled from outside the hut.
He was about to run in, but Galahad held him back and pointed. Elizabeth came out of the hut. Covered in soot and the boy's blanket had a small flame on it. Lancelot ran up to them and put the small flame out. Elizabeth coughed, trying to get the smoke out of her lungs. Galahad took the young boy and placed him on her horse. Elizabeth started to get up and Lancelot offered her his hand which she took. The trees around them began to shake.
"Hurry! Before more come," Galahad said.
They got on their horses and galloped down the path. The turned onto the main path and met Arthur, however, they didn't stop. Arthur, Bors, and Gawain followed and they rushed behind the safety of the wall. The villagers gathered around them anxiously. Galahad jumped off and helped the boy down. Arthur rushed up.
"What happened?" he asked the boy.
"Them Woads captured me. They said something about a trap. A lady rescued me," he said with a body shaking cough.
"Get him some medicine," Arthur said and turned his horse away.
The knights followed him to the stable, along with a very sooty Elizabeth.
"It was all a trap. To get us into the forest," Lancelot said throwing a dagger into the dirt in anger.
"They were rebel Woads who are not happy with Merlin's alliance with the knights," Elizabeth explained. "They will fight you until the end, Arthur. My mother told me several months ago."
Arthur looked up and sighed. This was not going to pass quickly. He started untacking his horse and the others did the same. Elizabeth headed back up to her room with Lancelot.
"You were brave today. I've never seen anyone so mad at their own people before," Lancelot commented.
"Those weren't my people. My people aren't killers who despise others that do good," she said, her voice tinted with anger.
Lancelot raised an eyebrow.
"Well, all I can say is that the parents of that boy should be happy you're here. Otherwise, there little boy might have been dead," Lancelot said.
Elizabeth's cheeks turned slightly pink.
"You did the same for me," she said with a smile.
She unlocked her room and looked back at Lancelot once. A maid rushed up.
"Mistress, come. Let's get you cleaned up," she said, ushering Elizabeth into the room.
Lancelot didn't realize he had been staring. He quickly shook his head and went into his own room.
