Lancelot
Merlin and Alexia wandered through the woods, picking mushrooms." You still didn't tell me why you did that? You knew your life was in danger." Merlin said in annoyance.
" You haven't answered this question since past few weeks." He continued.
" Why do you think Gaius need this?" Alexia asked, changing the topic.
Merlin gave her a glare.
" Because they are not available in market." Merlin said in annoyance.
This time Alexia gave him a look.
" I asked why he needs this, not..." Her words were cut with a screech.
They heard screeching again and turned to see a griffin running at them before turning and running away. Merlin tripped on something unseen and tried to crawl away before realizing it's too late. " Merlin!" Alexia yelled looking at her best friend, running towards him. Merlin closed his eyes and waited for a deadly blow. But a man yelled and charged in, attacking the griffin with a sword, while Merlin and Alexia watched from behind. On one of his strikes, the sword broke against the griffin's hide.
Dropping the sword, the man yelled "Run! Run!" as he grabbed Merlin and Alexia. They ran and hid behind a fallen tree, and the griffin took off, flying away. The trio breathed heavily and the man held his wounded side.
"It's gone. You saved our life. I'm Merlin." He said, sounding slightly awed.
" And I am Alexia." Alexia said.
The man introduced himself. "Lancelot."
Merlin and Lancelot shook hands before Lancelot groaned and passed out, and Merlin and Alexia looked on concerned.
In the Physician's chambers, Gaius checked out Lancelot's injuries. "The wound itself is superficial." Gaius assured Merlin and Alexia. "The fever will pass. He should be fine in the morning."
Uther and Arthur surveyed a burning village.
"What creature could've done this?" Uther wondered.
"We found no tracks in or out. What the villagers say must be true: it has wings and..." Arthur's voice trailed off.
"What?" Uther encouraged
"And it took no livestock, only people. Whatever it is, it has a taste for human flesh." Arthur informed him.
Uther looked worried. "Post centuries in all the outlying villages. Put the lookouts on full alert. If this thing should make for Camelot, we must be ready."
Lancelot looked out of the window in Merlin's room, taking in the spectacular view of Camelot. "Ever since I was a child I've dreamed of coming here. It's my life's ambition to join the knights of Camelot." Merlin smiled and threw a hand up. "I know what you're thinking," Lancelot assumed, "I...I expect too much. After all, who am I? They have their pick of the best and bravest in the land."
Merlin just smiled. "Lancelot."
"Yes?" He turned towards Merlin.
"They are going to love you." Merlin assured him.
"They are?" Lancelot questioned.
Merlin laughed. "I've seen you in action. You could shame the great Arthur himself."
"I hardly think so." Lancelot denied
"In fact, you know what I'm going to do?" Lancelot just gave him a blank stare. "I'm going to talk to him right now." Merlin got up and headed for the door.
"You know Arthur?" Lancelot asked, surprised.
"Oh yes." Merlin grinned.
Before he could leave Alexia entered.
" Lancelot." Alexia greeted.
" My Lady." He greeted back. Alexia smiled.
" I brought this paste for you. It will help the wound to heal." She said and went near him. Signalling towards his shirt, she asked to pull it up.
While applying paste, Alexia was thinking about the time when Lancelot passed the veil. This time, it won't happen. She will not let it happen.
Alexia vowed in her mind.
Merlin, Alexia and Lancelot watched as one of the men trying out for the knights, whom Arthur called "Grummond, Second son of Wessex" went through his test: facing Arthur in a fight and lasting for more than one minute in free combat. Even though the man fought with two swords, he didn't last two hits before Arthur took him down with a knee to the head.
Arthur looked slightly annoyed as he reached down to rip off the flag attached to the man's belt.
Merlin and Alexia followed Arthur through the lower town carrying his armor while Arthur complained about the fight. "Grummund's the third to fail this month. How am I meant to defend Camelot with rubbish like that?"
"Well, I think I might be able to help." Merlin interjected.
"You, Merlin?" Arthur scoffed. "You haven't the faintest idea what it takes to become a knight. Courage, fortitude, discipline. And Alexia is a girl, she can't be a knight." Arthur finished as he set his sword and belt on top of the pile of armor that Merlin is holding.
Alexia frowned at the last part, but before she could say anything Merlin broke out.
"No, no, no, of course I don't, but I do know someone who does." Merlin smiled.
"Yeah?" Arthur stopped and turned to look at him.
"He saved our life."
Arthur laughed. "That's blowing it for starters."
"No, no, no. He's really good. Honestly." Alexia interjected him.
"That's great, Merlin, Alexia. I'm sure he's terrific, but you forget the First Code of Camelot."
"The what?" Merlin asked, while Alexia cursed under her breath.
"The First Code." Arthur repeated. "Only those of noble blood can serve as knights. So, unless your friend is a nobleman."
"Oh, er, he-he is a nobleman." Merlin stuttered.
"Is he?" Arthur looked surprised.
"Absolutely." Merlin assured himself.
"Very well." Arthur agreed, smiling slightly. "Bring him to the training ground tomorrow. And make sure he brings his seal of nobility."
"Thanks, Arthur. You won't regret it." Merlin called after him.
When Merlin and Alexia entered the Physician's chambers, Lancelot immediately questioned him. "Well? Did you speak to him?"
"Yeah, we spoke to him."
"And?"
"And..." Merlin feigned disappointment.
"No." Lancelot shook his head, disappointed.
Alexia smacked Merlin's arm.
" Lancelot, Merlin is joking. He said he would like to meet you." Alexia divulged, grinning.
Lancelot looked ecstatic. "Yes! Thank you. Thank you!"
"Hey, really, it was no problem, really. It's nothing." Merlin coughed before asking, "You're not a nobleman, by any chance, are you?"
"A nobleman? No." Lancelot laughed, pointing at himself before laughing again. "Good lord, no. Why do you ask?"
"It's just that there's this..." Merlin starred.
Gaius cut in. "The First Code of Camelot states that only those of noble blood can serve as a knight. Uther created the knights to protect this kingdom from those who wished to destroy it. He knew he would have to trust each of his knights with his life. So he chose them from the families that had sworn allegiance to him."
"The nobility." Merlin added
"And thus the First Code of Camelot was born, and ever since that day, only the sons of noble families have served as knights." Gaius finished.
"But that is not fair." Merlin argued.
"Fair or unfair, that's the way it is. I'm sorry, Lancelot. Truly, I am." Gaius said, looking down at Lancelot, who had sunk into a chair. Lancelot put his head in his hands.
Alexia moved to him and placed her hand on his shoulder, giving him support.
"Why do you want to be a knight so much?" Merlin asked when the three of them were in his room alone.
Lancelot messed with the leather band around his wrist before he answered. "When I was a boy, my village was attacked by raiders from the northern plains. They were slaughtered where 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 fought for, wasted."
"I give you my word, whatever it takes, I will make this right." Merlin promised and went out.
" Don't worry Lancelot, if he promised, he will fulfill it." Alexia promised.
Merlin entered the dusty library and searched for a book, while Geoffrey of Monmouth watched him from his desk. Merlin took a book from the shelves, and noticed Geoffrey's attention.
"Homework." Merlin stated, rolling his eyes slightly when his back was to Geoffrey.
Merlin opened the book to check that it is the right one, and smiled when he saw it. He slammed it shut, releasing a cloud of dust, and promptly sneezed, to the annoyance of Geoffrey.
He then took it to a table and opened the book to a page of Northumbrian nobility before pulling out a piece of parchment, catching the attention of Geoffrey.
Holding his hand over the seal, Merlin chanted, "Icuis bisan raditani huhnan."
The image of the seal magically copied onto the parchment, except that it had Lancelot's name on it. Geoffrey wandered over as Merlin checked it against the book with a smile.
"Ahem." Geoffrey fake coughed.
Merlin closed the book nonchalantly and handed it to Geoffrey.
"It's a..." Merlin patted the cover, "real page turner."
Geoffrey frowned and looked at the title as Merlin walked away.
Merlin entered the physician's chambers and held up the parchment to Lancelot, who was pacing the room in stress, and Alexia was glaring daggers at him. He was too irritant sometimes.
"What's that?" Lancelot asked.
"This is your seal of nobility." Merlin answered, grinning madly.
"I don't understand."
Merlin unrolled the parchment and announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Lancelot, fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria."
Alexia beamed in happiness.
"No, Merlin. No." Lancelot said, shaking a finger at Merlin. Her smile dropped.
"Oh, right. So you don't want to be a knight, then." Merlin replied, rolling up the parchment and turning to walk away.
"Of course I do!" Lancelot said.
"Well...the rules don't allow it. Damn the rules! The rules are wrong!" Merlin said.
"But it's a lie. It's against everything the knights stand for." Lancelot argued.
"You have as much right to be a knight as any man. I know it." Merlin replied passionately.
"But the rules, Merlin." Lancelot reminded him.
"We're not breaking the rules. We're bending them, that's all." Merlin assured. him.
"You get your foot in the door. But after that you will be judged on your merit alone. And if you succeed - if they make you a knight - it'll be because you earned it, noble or not." Lancelot leaned against the table, giving Merlin a slight smile. "I can't change the way things are done around here, but you can...if you let me help you."
" Lancelot please!" Alexia pleaded. He glanced at the duo.
After few moments, Gwen was taking Lancelot's measurements for his new armor and knight outfit.
" This was very kind of you, uh.." Lancelot said.
" Gwen." Gwen told him.
" Short for Guinevere!" She completed.
" Ah! Then thank you Guinevere." He thanked her.
" Don't thank me. Thank Merlin and Alexia." She said.
Alexia shook her head and pointed at Merlin.
" Merlin would do anything for anyone." Alexia worded her thoughts.
Merlin just shrugged.
" Sorry can you raise your arms?" Gwen said taking his measurements.
He did as asked.
" Thank you. Sorry." Gwen mumbled.
" I think it's great Merlin and Alexia has got you this chance." Gwen started," We need men like you."
" You do?" Lancelot asked.
" Well not me personally, but you know, Camelot." She said quickly.
" Camelot needs knight. Not just Arthur and his kind, but ordinary people like you and me." Gwen told him.
" Well I am not a knight yet, my lady." Lancelot pointed.
" And I am not a lady." Gwen replied.
" Sorry, I.." Lancelot started.
" Ok we are done. I should have this ready in no time. It's nice to meet you Lancelot" Gwen said holding out her hand, while Alexia and Merlin got up from their stands.
Lancelot shook it and they exited.
Alexia, Merlin and Lancelot walked down the corridor adjacent to the courtyard.
"She seems lovely. Guinevere." Lancelot commented
"Oh, yeah. Yeah, she is. And the best seamstress in Camelot, I promise." Merlin replied. Lancelot nodded.
As they were moving a maid bumped into Lancelot, all her laundry falling on the floor.
" Lili!" Alexia exclaimed, while the maid quickly got up.
" I am sorry!" She said quickly looking at Lancelot.
Lancelot nodded and helped her with Merlin and Alexia, and returned her her laundry.
" I am so, so sorry." She apologized again.
" No problem Lili." Alexia dismissed the apology.
Lili smiled.
" Who is this new friend?" She asked motioning Lancelot.
" Ah, actually, he is Lancelot. And he is here for the trials of knight." Alexia told her. Lili's expression changed quicker than anybody has seen. She quickly bowed.
" I am sorry sire, I never knew you were nobility, I am so sorry." Lili said quickly.
Lancelot glanced at Alexia, who was suppressing a chuckle, and Merlin, who stood there with a smile.
" Lili! Lancelot is not like other nobles. He is quite kind hearted." Merlin told her.
Lili glanced at him and sighed.
" Thank heavens! I thought I was doomed!" She said with a giggle. Lancelot glanced at her.
She smiled at him and went on her track.
" She.." Lancelot started.
" She works in kitchen, and sometimes help with laundry. You don't know, but her cooking is awesome." Alexia said with a huge grin.
Lancelot nodded.
Alexia gave him a teasing smile.
" Well Lancelot, she sure was pretty." Alexia said.
Merlin smiled. Lancelot looked around then came with a retort.
" Not as much as you!" He said taking her hand.
Alexia giggled while Merlin frowned a bit.
" Well let's go!" Merlin said and they continued.
Arthur trained recruits as Merlin and Alexia fixed Lancelot's knight costume. Lili was standing in the balcony, looking at them. Alexia saw her and waved. She waved back.
Lancelot too saw her.
"One. Two. Three. Four. One. Two. Three. Four." Arthur called with the beat of a drum.
"Well...you certainly look the part." Merlin said as Lancelot messed with his armor.
"Doesn't he just?" Alexia said, looking proud of him.
"I don't feel it." Lancelot muttered.
"Okay, that'll do for today. Well done." Arthur called to the recruits, causing them to break up and wander off.
"Here's your chance. Go for it." Merlin encouraged.
Arthur put the sword in the sword rack as Lancelot approached him.
"Yes?" Arthur asked.
"Lancelot, 5th son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria." Lancelot stated, looking a little nervous.
"Lance...a lot? My servant mentioned you. Got your seal?"
Lancelot bowed as he presented the fake seal to Arthur. "Sire."
Arthur smacked him, and Lancelot fell down. Alexia and Lili gasped in the background.
"Sluggish reactions. In a battle field you'd be dead by now. Come back when you're ready." Arthur called over his shoulder as he walked off.
Lancelot immediately got up and placed his hand on his sword. "I'm ready now, Sire."
Arthur turned back around, smiling. "You are, are you?" Lancelot nodded. "Fine. You can start by cleaning out the stables."
Onlookers laughed as Arthur walked away. Lancelot looked uncertainly at Merlin who gave him two thumbs up.
In their chambers, Merlin helped Gaius prepare some of his medicines.
" Where is Alexia?" Gaius asked.
" She is with Arthur, doing his chores." Merlin replied.
"I'm sorry about Lancelot. I see you were upset." Gaius said.
"Oh. You know...that's life. You win some, you lose some." Merlin commented offhandedly.
"You're taking it very well, I have to say. Very mature." Gaius commented, giving his ward a sideways look.
"Thank you, Gaius." Merlin replied, sounding genuinely pleased.
Lancelot entered covered in...stuff that isn't dirt.
"How'd it go?" Merlin asked eagerly.
"Ugh." Lancelot groaned before going to Merlin's Chamber. Gaius gave Merlin a look.
"He found work at the stables." Merlin explained.
"I see." Gaius nodded. "And the truth before I lose my temper?"
"He's er...trying out for the knights." Merlin said sheepishly.
"The First Code of Camelot has never been broken for any man. What've you done, Merlin?" Gaius exclaimed.
"Okay, I bent the rules a little, but the rules are wrong. They're unfair."
"You bent the rules? Using magic?" Gaius guessed correctly.
Merlin sighed before answering, "It was nothing, honestly. It was more of a trick than actual magic."
"Your magic is not a toy, Merlin. It's not for you to use or abuse as you see fit." Gaius scolded
Merlin turned away. "I know. I know." He sighed.
"Then why'd you do it?"
Merlin turned to face Gaius, turning serious. "I owe Lancelot my life. I am paying for that debt the only way I can by giving him the opportunity he deserves. If you want to punish me for it, go ahead."
Arthur and a few guards approached Lancelot, who was in the lower town sharpening swords. Arthur grabbed a nearby broom and tossed it at Lancelot. Lancelot looked up suddenly and catched it.
"Not bad." Arthur said, walking around a pole.
Lancelot stood and bowed to Arthur. "Would you like me to sweep the guardhouse again, Sire?"
"It certainly needs sweeping. But first," Arthur said, picking up a broom and removing the bristles. "I'd like you to kill me."
"Sire?" Lancelot asked, not sure if he heard that right.
"Come on. Don't pretend you don't want to." Arthur said. "Hell, if I were you, I'd want to. Come on."
Lancelot removed the bristles on his broom, and both men took a swordsman's stance. A fight ensued
"Come on, Lancelot, you're not beating a carpet." Arthur taunted.
They continued fighting, as passerby's stopped to watch. Alexia being one of them. The fight ended as Arthur hit Lancelot in the gut.
"Congratulations, Lancelot." Arthur tossed the stick to Lancelot. "You just made basic training."
Warning bells suddenly tolled. Alexia looked towards the sound. Arthur and Lancelot exchanged glances before Arthur took off running toward the screams.
Scores of injured peasants made their way into the square. Merlin helped an injured woman to sit near Gaius. "You're safe now, I promise." Merlin murmured comfortingly.
Gaius tended another woman.
"How is she?" Merlin asked as he joins Gaius.
"Okay."
Lancelot and Alexia ran into the Square. "What happened to these people?" He asked.
"Their village was attacked by a winged monster." Gaius informed them.
Merlin, Alexia and Lancelot exchanged a look.
Uther and Arthur looked down at the Square.
"I'd hunt this thing down if I could, but I cannot track a creature through the air." Arthur muttered annoyed to his father.
"You don't have to track it. First Greenswood, then Willowdale. The creature's heading south, towards the mouth of the valley."
"To Camelot." Arthur infered.
"You must prepare your knights, Arthur." Uther said.
"Have faith, Father. We'll be ready." Arthur replied confidently.
Gaius flipped through a book of monsters. "The wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. The wings of an eagle and the body of a lion." He muttered as he searched.
Arthur spoke to the knights of Camelot. "The beast is heading for Camelot. It's fast and agile, but big enough to hit and hit hard. Starting today your training routines will concentrate on an attack strategy. We don't have much time. Dismissed."
Lancelot approached Arthur and bowed as the knights dispersed.
"Yes, Lancelot?" Arthur said, Lancelot walking at his side.
"Is there anything I can do, Sire?" Lancelot asked. "It's just...I know that in the event of battle, only a knight may serve."
"That's correct, Lancelot. And you are not yet a knight." Arthur stopped walking and turned to face him. "Which is why I'm bringing your test forward. You'll face me in the morning." Lancelot stared after him before taking a deep breath and smiling.
Arthur and Lancelot, dressed in full armor, faced each other on the training grounds. Merlin, Alexia and Lili watched from the sidelines.
"Well, here we are. Your final challenge. Succeed and you join the elite. Fail and your journey ends here. Lancelot, fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria..." Arthur nodded to the timekeeper. "Your time starts now."
Arthur and Lancelot put on their helmets and drew their swords, and the fight begam. At one point, Lancelot swung and missed Arthur.
After several more hits between them with the sword, Arthur punched Lancelot. Lancelot fell back, his helmet flying off. Arthur put his sword in the ground, removed his helmet and looked over Lancelot's apparently unconscious form.
"Shame." Arthur said, reaching down to remove Lancelot's flag.
Lancelot suddenly sat up, knocked Arthur off his feet and put him on the ground at sword point. Lili and Alexia gasped.
"Do you submit, Sire?" Lancelot asked.
Guards restrained Lancelot and forced him to his knees. Arthur got up, apparently angry, and grabbed his sword. "On your knees!" He hissed, holding his sword to Lancelot's chest.
Lancelot knelt in the throne room, a sword to his chest.
"Arise, Sir Lancelot, Knight of Camelot." Uther stated solemnly.
The knights applauded as Lancelot stood up.
"Who is this man? He seems to have come out of nowhere." Morgana murmured to Gwen.
"I know. It's been a bit of a surprise to all of us." Gwen replied knowingly.
"You do us a great honor, Sir Lancelot. The knighthood is the very foundation of Camelot." Uther said, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"The honor is all mine, Sire." Lancelot assured him.
"Your father would be very proud."
"Yes, Sire." Lancelot agreed.
"I have not seen Lord Eldred for many years. Longer than I'd imagined, it seems. Last time I saw him, he only had four sons." Uther stated.
The room seemed to grow quieter around them. "Well...here I am." Lancelot laughed nervously.
"Indeed you are. And I've kept you too long already. Enjoy the celebrations." Uther said, clapping him on the back as he walked away.
"Sire." Lancelot bowed.
Knights approached him and shook his hands. Uther opened Lancelot's seal and addressed a lady of the court.
"Take this seal to Geoffrey of Monmouth, the Court Genealogist." Uther ordered, looking over at Lancelot.
The knights walked out, Arthur's arm around Lancelot's shoulders.
"I want his opinion by morning." Uther said, looking solemn.
Arthur and Lancelot sat on table with their drinks in the middle of a celebration. Merlin and Alexia stood off to the side with Gaius. And for the first time Alexia was wearing a dress since the day she arrived in Camelot. And from her face, it was clear she wasn't liking it.
Merlin looked at her as he saw her shifting from feet to feet. He remembered when he saw Alexia in dress few hours earlier. He was shocked. She was looking amazing in her blue dress. For few moments he didn't identity her as he saw her. And he could see that many were looking towards her right now. Her long dark brown hair were complementing her dress along with her eyes. She was truly looking magnificent.
Finally Merlin looked away from her and then at his mentor.
"Look at him, Gaius. Does not Lancelot deserve this moment?" Merlin asked, looking slightly proud.
"I never said he didn't. But destiny and desserts are not the same thing. You played God, Merlin. You set him on a path of your choosing. Tonight you brought him triumph, but who knows what the future may hold." Gaius countered.
"Yeah, I don't know what it said on your invitation, but on mine it said celebration." Merlin laughed.
Gaius chuckled. "Point taken. Don't come back too late." Gaius said before walking out.
"All right." Alexia replied.
Geoffrey of Monmouth looked over court records in the library. Geoffrey found the page of Lord Eldred of Northumbria and looked up, displeased.
Arthur watched Morgana, who was standing with Alexia, Lili and Gwen, while he and Lancelot sat on a table, drinks in their hands. "Here's trouble. Tell me, do you think her...beautiful?" Arthur asked as he watched Morgana.
Lancelot's eyes followed Lili as she, along with Alexia and Gwen went to stand by Merlin. "Yes, Sire. I do."
"Yeah. I suppose she is." Arthur murmured
Morgana noticed Arthur's gaze and smiled.
"You know what? I think our Sir Lancelot might have eyes for you, Gwen." Merlin teased.
Lili looked at him.
Gwen laughed. "Don't be silly."
"What? So what if he did? Would that really be so bad?"
Gwen sighed. "He's not really my type."
"Oh, well, there's a surprise." Merlin teased. "Sometimes, Guinevere, I wonder if you'd know what your type was if he was standing right next to you."
Gwen looked wistfully at Merlin. "You're probably right."
Alexia choked her drink.
Merlin glanced at her, she just nodded.
He then grabbed another drink from a passing servant. "So, come on. Just for the sake of argument." Merlin motioned to the two men still sitting on the table. "If you had to, Arthur or Lancelot."
"But I don't have to and I never will." Gwen said in a sing-song voice.
"Oh, you are no fun, Gwen." Merlin teased, and they both laugh. Alexia cleared her throat.
" I think you need an eye test Merlin, our sir Lancelot actually has eyes on a certain kitchen girl." Alexia said eyeing Lili, who turned red. Merlin glanced at her, while Gwen laughed.
Arthur pounded on the table before standing to speak.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a toast to our new recruit, our new knight of Camelot, Sir Lancelot." Arthur grabbed him by the arm and forced him to stand.
The crowd applauded, while Lili smiled at him. Lancelot and Arthur toast.
Alexia smiled at them and Merlin moved towards the pair of men, leaving Gwen, Lili and Alexia. Suddenly a knight appeared from behind.
" Sir Edward!" Alexia greeted with respect.
Gwen did the same.
" Ah, you are the prince's servant. The boy who in actual turned to be a girl." He said with a smile.
Alexia nodded, unassured.
" Well I must say, you are quite pretty." He said with a smile.
" Thank you." Alexia thanked him.
" Would you like a dance?" He asked.
Alexia looked at Gwen, who gave an encouraging smile. Well it was more of a teasing.
" Off course." Alexia said and held his hand.
Unaware to her, Merlin, Lancelot and Arthur were watching her dancing with sir Edward.
For some reasons Merlin felt a bit sick. He gulped his glass quickly, picking another one.
" Never knew a knight would do this. Mostly they are too arrogant." Merlin mused.
" What do you mean Merlin? And moreover sir Edward has a kind heart. Maybe he is a bit pompous and arrogant. But he is kind and doesn't care for positions." Arthur said.
Merlin just scowled.
Next morning, Merlin and Lancelot come out of Merlin's room with obvious hangovers.
"Argh. Two yards of ale? Two miles, more like it." Lancelot muttered, and Merlin groaned in agreement.
"Good morning, gentlemen." Gaius said cheerfully, and held out two fizzing drinks. "Don't look at it, don't smell it, just down it in one."
Merlin and Lancelot grabbed the cups and shared looks before downing the contents.
"Argh." Lancelot groaned.
"Better? Good." Gaius smiled. "Can't have you nodding off first day on the job, Lancelot."
"That's Sir Lancelot, if you don't mind." Merlin interjected
They all laughed. Alexia entered the chambers. " Oh finally you both are awoke." She said.
" You don't even know how difficult it was for me to bring you two here." She shook her head in a disapproving manner.
" So how was the night yesterday?" Merlin asked.
Alexia gave him a look and sighed.
" You don't know, sir Edward totally made me crazy. Like how can someone talk so much. And that too just about himself. He is truly full of himself. I am truly thankful to Gwen and Lili as they saved me saying that you two were totally..." She trailed off.
For some reason Merlin felt warm.
Suddenly guards unexpectedly entered.
"What are you doing?" Merlin asked.
"King's orders." One of the guards stated before they grabbed Lancelot and escorted him out.
"Stop!" Merlin and Alexia called after them.
Lancelot was put on his knees before the court.
"Tell him what you told me." Uther said to Geoffrey, sounding disappointed.
"These credentials are faked." Arthur winced slightly in disappointment. "The seal itself is faultless, forgery of the highest possible standard, but a forgery it must be. There is no record of the fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria. Therefore he..."
"Lied." Uther finished solemnly. "Do you deny it?"
"No, Sire." Lancelot forced out.
"You've broken the First Code of Camelot. You've brought shame upon yourself and upon us. You are not worthy of the knighthood bestowed upon you. You never were. And you never will be." Lancelot looked up, upset, at that. "Get him out of my sight."
Guards quickly escorted Lancelot out.
"Sire." Arthur said when Lancelot was out of sight.
"Do you contest my judgment?" Uther asked, walking over to the side of the room and poured himself a glass of wine.
"His deception was inexcusable." Arthur admitted. "But he meant no harm, Sire, I'm sure of it. He only wished to serve."
"The First Code is a sacred bond of trust. It is what binds the knights together. How can you trust a man who's lied to you?" Uther asked over his shoulder.
Merlin and Alexia visited Lancelot's cell looking apologetic.
"I don't know what to say to you, Lancelot." Merlin said, leaning against the door to the cell.
"You're not to blame." Lancelot stated firmly.
"Yes, we are. We pushed you. We made you lie." Alexia argued.
"The choice was mine. My punishment is mine to bear, and mine to bear alone." Lancelot told them.
"I wish there was something I could do." Merlin said softly.
"There is. You can stop blaming yourself." Lancelot said, and Merlin gave him a small quirk of a smile.
" How can you be so kind to us, when we pushed you into this situation?" Alexia said in whispers.
" I think I told you what you should stop blaming yourself." Lancelot said with a shrug.
" But we are to blame!" Alexia argued.
" We have to do something." Merlin said.
"Merlin, Alexia?" Gaius asked when the pair entered the chambers.
"Whatever you do, don't say, 'I told you so.'" Merlin said tiredly, sitting in a chair.
"I have no wish to gloat, Merlin. What's done is done." Gaius motioned him over before putting a hand on the book he was looking at. "Here. Come and take a look at this. I realised my mistake. I've been looking for the creature in the wrong place, in the records of all known living things in the kingdom. And then I thought, but what about creatures only recorded in legend? In myth? Then I discovered this."
He said and Alexia and Merlin came to him.
Gaius removed his hand to reveal a picture of the griffin.
"That is it." Merlin breathed. "That's the monster."
Warning bells sounded, and Merlin and Alexia went to the window to see what waw happening. People ran wildly around the Square, screaming as the griffin swooped down overhead.
"On me! On me!" Arthur yelled to the knights.
Knights surrounded Arthur in a defensive pattern.
"Defend!" Arthur yelled, and the knights crouched down. The griffin attacked the group.
Lancelot heard the noises of the battle and checked the window before he rushed to the bars of his cell. "What's happening?" Lancelot yelled.
The knights got up and reformed attack pattern. The griffin landed in the Square.
"Charge! On me!" The knights surrounded the griffin, and Arthur tried to attack it with a spear.
When Arthur striked the griffin in the chest but the spear shattered.
Arthur's eyes widened and he fell backwards. A guard tossed him a torch. Arthur waved the torch at the griffin and it took off making annoyed hissing sounds. Arthur and the knights watched it fly off.
Arthur and Uther entered the council chambers with their entourage.
"You said your knights were the best in the land. You proved that today." Uther said, sounding proud of his son.
"All I know is it's still out there." Arthur replied.
"Let's not wait for it. The kingdom has been menaced by this creature for too long. We finish this now."
"Sire, if I may." Gaius interjected.
"Gaius?" Uther acknowledged.
"I've been researching this creature, Sire. I believe it to be a griffin." Gaius informed him.
"A griffin? What's in a name?" Uther asked.
"The griffin is a creature of magic." Gaius stated.
Uther's face hardened at the mention of magic. "I don't have time for this, physician."
"It is born of magic, Sire, and it can only be killed by magic." Gaius pressed.
Arthur looked thoughtful, but Uther continued to deny it. "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 argued. "I think there may be some truth in what he says."
"What truth?" Uther questioned.
"The griffin was unharmed, Sire. Our weapons seemed useless against it."
"Useless? I think not." Uther scoffed. "No, it's tasted our steel once, the next time will be its last. When will your knights be ready to ride again?"
"An hour. Maybe two." Arthur said.
"Good. We finish this tonight." Uther said definitively. Merlin and Gaius exchanged looks, while Arthur looked at them, concerned.
Merlin and Gaius entered the Physicians chambers, the former looking thoughtful.
"Is it true? The griffin can only be killed by magic?" Merlin asked his mentor.
"Yes, Merlin. I'm certain of it. If Arthur rides out against it, he'll die." Gaius said matter-of-factly.
"Then he must be stopped. Uther must see reason." Merlin muttered.
" What happened?" Alexia asked from behind, holding a book in her hand.
" Uther has commanded Arthur to attack the griffin tonight." Merlin told her.
Alexia looked at them in surprise.
" Does Uther has death wish for his son? The Griffin can only be killed with magic. How can he not see it?" Alexia groaned.
"Where magic is concerned, our King is blind to reason. And yet...magic is our only hope." Gaius finished, giving Merlin and Alexia a pointed look.
Merlin looked like he can't believe what his mentor is suggesting. "You're not suggesting..."
Gaius nodded in response. "It is your destiny, Merlin. The true purpose of your magic."
Merlin looked scared. "You saw it, Gaius. I can't go up against that thing." He said. softly.
"But if you do not, then Arthur will surely perish." Gaius replied
"No...this is madness." Merlin denied, starting to pace. "I don't have magic that powerful. There must be another way."
"This is the only way." Gaius countered.
"Do you even care what happens to me?" Merlin asked incredulously. "Oh, just do this, Merlin. Do that, Merlin. Go and kill the griffin, Merlin. I'll just sit here and warm my feet by the fire."
" Merlin!" Alexia exclaimed.
"Merlin!" Gaius scolded before his voice went soft. "Merlin, you are the only thing I care about in all this world. I would give my life for you without a thought. But for what? I cannot save Arthur. It is not my destiny. You know."
"I'm sorry." Merlin apologized softly after a minute.
" Ok so now it's fine. Gaius, I was looking in the book, when I found the spell. We can kill the Griffin!" She exclaimed happily placing the book on the table, pointing the spell.
" You were searching for the spell?" Merlin asked.
Alexia rolled her eyes.
" What else for do you think I would miss the meeting?" She asked.
Merlin shrugged.
Lancelot stood up as Arthur entered his cell. "I should've known. How could I have been so stupid?" Arthur said, his face set in anger. "You don't sound like a knight, you don't even look like a knight!"
"I'm sorry." Lancelot apologized with a small bow.
"I'm sorry, too. Because, Lancelot, you fight like a knight. And I need...Camelot needs..." Arthur's voice trailed off.
"The creature?" Lancelot guessed.
"We could not kill it. I've never faced its like."
"I faced it myself, Sire. Some days past. I struck if full square. I wondered how it endured." Lancelot told him.
"There are those that believe this creature, this...griffin, is a creature of magic, that only magic can destroy it." Arthur revealed
"Do you believe this?" Lancelot said, taking a step closer.
"It doesn't matter what I believe. The use of magic is not permitted. The knights must prevail with steel and sinew alone." Arthur said, gritting his teeth somewhat.
"Sire." Lancelot said, bowing slightly again.
"There's a horse waiting outside." Arthur told him.
Lancelot smiled and bowed his head. "Thank you. Thank you, Sire."
Arthur turned and gave him a serious look. "Lancelot, take it and never return to this place."
"No." Lancelot disagreed. "No, please, I...It's not my freedom I seek. I only wish to serve with honor."
"I know." Arthur replied.
"Then let me ride with you, Sire." Lancelot begged.
"I cannot. My father knows nothing of this. I release you myself, but I can do no more. Now go before I change my mind." Arthur stepped forward and didn't look as Lancelot walked out.
Merlin looked down at the spell. "I've never cast a spell of enchantment this powerful." He said softly.
"Nothing less will kill it. Here." Gaius handed Merlin a rusty dagger. " and that's why, you both will do it." He said. Alexia gave him a look, which Gaius obviously ignored. "Try. You have it within you. I know you do." Gaius assured them.
Merlin and Alexia looked at the book and held the dagger up. "Bregdan anweald gafeluec." They chanted softly.
Nothing happened. Merlin and Alexia looked at each other.
"Don't worry, we have plenty of time." Gaius reassured.
" Yes! Just about two hours!" Alexia said sarcastically.
Lancelot knocked on the Gwen's door and entered. Gwen looked up from her sewing.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, My Lady." Lancelot said.
Gwen stood up. "Lancelot, what are you doing here?" She asked.
"I have no time to explain. I need weapons, armor; and the best you've got." Lancelot requested
"But what's this all about?" Gwen asked, confused.
"Arthur stands in mortal peril. I must do what I can to protect him. It's my duty. Knight or not." Lancelot said, determined.
"You really believe that, don't you?" Gwen said with a half smile.
"Yes, My Lady." Lancelot replied.
"Lancelot, I don't believe I've ever met your like before." Gwen said solemnly, shaking her head.
Lancelot took a few steps forward. "Guinevere, if I should not return... Just remember, you are way to kind, and a very good friend. Say goodbye to merlin, Alexia and... Uh.. Lili."
" But.." Gwen started.
" I must go!" Lancelot said.
Gwen nodded.
Arthur marched down line of armored knights. "It's time." He said. He left, and the knights followed him out and ride out of Camelot.
Merlin and Alexia continued to try the spell on the dagger, but still failed.
"Don't worry. I know you're trying." Gaius said, trying to reassured them.
Merlin and Alexia sat down hard on the steps leading up to their room. "And I'm failing. And if Arthur dies because I'm not good enough..."
" Merlin! Blaming yourself won't help. Just practice!" Alexia said.
Meanwhile, Gwen was running in the castle when she bumped into someone. She raised her head to see Lili ther staring surprised at her.
" Gwen!" Lili said.
" Lili! Lance.. Lancelot is riding with Arthur!" She told him, panting hard. Lili's eyes widened.
" What?" She asked.
Gwen nodded.
" Alexia!" Lili muttered.
Gwen and Lili ran into the chambers of physician. "Merlin! Lancelot's riding out to kill the griffin!" Gwen exclaimed breathlessly.
"He's what?" Alexia and Merlin said, looking stunned.
Gwen shrugged her helplessness.
Lili glanced at Alexia, with her eyes wet.
Alexia gave her a reassuring nod.
" Alexia! Let's go!" Merlin said. Alexia nodded and they both ran out
Merlin ran up to Lancelot as Lancelot saddled a horse.
"We're coming with you." Merlin said, breathless from running.
"No, you're not." Lancelot argued.
Alexia scoffed. "Just try and stop us."
"Merlin, Alexia, you're not a soldier." Lancelot reminded them.
"You said it yourself, Lancelot, Arthur needs all the help he can get. Now let's go." Merlin said, his face and tone serious. Merlin and Alexia started to walk away, and Lancelot watched then for a moment before messing with the saddle.
" We can't walk all the way!" Lancelot said with a small smile.
Merlin smiled back, while Alexia just stared at them.
" I... I uh.. I don't know how to ride a horse." Alexia mumbled.
Merlin stared at her.
" Merlin can take care of it. You both can share a horse." Lancelot said.
Alexia nodded cheerfully.
Meanwhile, mounted knights approached the griffin in the woods. Arthur drew his sword at the sight of the creature.
"For Camelot!" Arthur yelled.
The knights drew their swords and yelled, "For Camelot!"
Merlin, Alexia and Lancelot ride along, listening to the sounds of dying men, swords clanging, and the screech/hissing griffin. Everything fell silent as they reached the fallen knights and dismount.
Merlin searched among the fallen knights for the prince. "Arthur." Merlin exclaimed once he saw him.
Merlin felts for Arthur's pulse.
"Well?" Lancelot asked.
"He's alive." Merlin said gratefully.
Alexia sighed.
The griffin hissed, the sound echoing around them. Lancelot went into attack position with a lance and shut his visor.
"Okay, Alexia, it's now or never." Merlin said.
Alexia nodded and clasped her hand with Merlin.
Lancelot reared his horse and began to charge. Merlin and Alexia chanted the spell.
" Bregdan anweald gafeluec! " They chanted.
Nothing happened.
They tried again, as Lancelot charged towards the griffin.
" Come on!" Alexia said frustrated.
"Bregdan anweald gafeluec" they said and their eyes flashed molten gold.
This time, blue flames erupted up the lance. Lancelot striked the griffin with the enchanted lance, and the griffin fell down dead. The magic glow disappeared as soon as the griffin was dead. Merlin and Alexia celebrated and hugged each other.
"Yes!" Merlin laughed.
Alexia shared his laugh.
When Arthur woke, Merlin and Alexia turned quiet and ran off back towards Camelot. Lancelot removed his helmet when Arthur looked towards him.
"Lancelot." Arthur muttered, stunned.
"Sire." Lancelot replied.
"You did it. You killed it, Lancelot!" Arthur yelled in jubilation.
Merlin and Alexia burst in to the physician's chambers, and Gaius met them with a smile.
"You did it?" Gaius exclaimed
"We did it." Merlin and Alexia replied with a big smile. Gaius, Merlin and Alexia shared a group hug in relief and happiness.
"Thank God!" Gaius exclaimed, patting them on the back.
Arthur entered the council chamber.
"You did it, my son. You did it." Uther congratulated him, clapping him on the shoulders.
Arthur shook his head before correcting him. "Not I, Father. It was Lancelot."
They both turned to look as Lancelot entered.
"What's he doing here?" Uther asked, frowning.
"Father, I can explain." Arthur spoke up.
"You! Wait outside." Uther ordered.
Lancelot bowed and exited and the guards closed the doors. "You had no right to...!"
The doors blocked out all sound. Merlin and Alexia rounded the corner to see Lancelot standing there.
"What are they doing?" Merlin asked.
"Deciding my fate." Lancelot shrugged.
Uther and Arthur argued in the council chambers.
"I confess it, Sire. I released him and I'll take the consequences. But surely Lancelot's actions change things?" Arthur yelled.
"His actions change nothing. He broke the code!" Uther said stubbornly.
"He laid down his life for me! He served with honor." Arthur argued.
"I see you feel strongly about this, Arthur. Under the circumstances? A pardon, perhaps." Uther offered.
"No, not good enough, Father. You must restore Lancelot to his rightful place, as a knight of Camelot." Arthur stated seriously.
"Never." Uther sneered. "The law is the law. The Code bends for no man."
"Then the code is wrong!" Arthur bellowed.
"They'll restore your knighthood, of course they will. You killed the griffin." Merlin said, pacing slightly in front of the doors to the council chambers. Alexia looked down with sadness. Lancelot was going, leaving Camelot.
"But I didn't kill the griffin." Lancelot said, walking a few steps away from the guards. Merlin and Alexia followed with a confused look.
Lancelot looked them straight in the eye. "You both did."
Merlin scoffed. "That's ridiculous." He laughed. Alexia looked worried.
"'Bregdan anweald..." Lancelot quoted. Merlin turned to looked at the guard before looking back at Lancelot, all signs of laughter gone. "...I heard you. I saw you."
Merlin shared a worried glance with Alexia and then they both gave Lancelot a worried look.
"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me." Lancelot assured him, and Merlin looked slightly relieved and Alexia smiled a bit. "But I cannot take the credit for what I did not do. There'll be no more lies, no more deceit."
"What are you going to do?" Alexia asked quickly.
"The only thing I can do." Lancelot said simply.
Lancelot burst through the doors to the council chambers, interrupting Arthur and Uther's discussion.
"What is this?" Uther asked.
Guards restrained Lancelot.
"Let me speak!" Lancelot demanded.
"Wait! I'll hear him." Uther nodded to the guards, who released Lancelot.
"Forgive me, Sire. I've come to bid you farewell."
Arthur looked confused. "What is this, Lancelot?"
"I lied to you both and now there is conflict between you. I cannot bear that burden, as you should not bear mine. I must start again, far from here. Then maybe one day fate shall grant me another chance to prove myself a worthy knight of Camelot."
"But...Lancelot, you've...already proved that to us." Arthur assured him.
"But I must prove it to myself. Your Highness." Lancelot replied. In the background, Uther looked thoughtful. Lancelot bowed to Uther.
"Prince Arthur." Lancelot bowed to Arthur and backed out of the room. Arthur looked crestfallen.
Lili ran to Lancelot.
" You are leaving?" She asked.
Lancelot nodded.
Lili looked at him, then at floor.
" Here, I have something for you." She said looking at him. Her eyes a bit wet.
She opened her palm to display a charm.
" This, was of my father. Before he died, he gave this to me." Lili said. Lancelot looked surprised.
" You.. it belongs to you. You must keep it." Lancelot said.
" I.. maybe this will remind you, that there is someone waiting for you. Back in Camelot." Lili said, looking at floor.
She took his hand and placed the charm in his hand.
Lancelot gave him a small smile.
She returned to castle.
From the battlements, Merlin, Alexia and Gaius also watched Lancelot riding off.
"Perhaps you were right, Gaius. Perhaps I should have never got involved." Merlin said, sounding sad that he had caused this.
"No Merlin, Alexia, I was wrong. Lancelot needed you both and you needed Lancelot. Your destinies were entwined."
"Will he ever return?" Merlin asked.
" Yes!" Alexia said determined.
Both Gaius and Merlin looked at her.
She looked at them in eyes.
"I know. It's his destiny." She said with a smile.
Merlin smiled at the quickly disappearing knight. "Till next time then, Sir Lancelot."
" Sir Lancelot!" Alexia repeated.