-1Chapter 6: In the Beginning
Everyone was sitting around the giant lobby, some on couches and seats, others cross legged on the floor. They all waited for Champion to tell them what was going on.
"Welcome to all champions of light." he bowed to them "I know that all of thee hath faced hardships, and most of thee have fought many battles and apocalypses, however I warn thee all, what we are to face, will make an apocalypse seem like a trip to the country." Every eye in the room shot wide open and listened carefully now. Worse than an apocalypse?
"To understand this fully." Champion began, "Thou must know the history involved."
Champion let that thought settle into their heads and began again.
"Great I'm out of school and I'm still getting history lessons." Xander grumbled as others shushed him, "Okay, geez."
"Twas the year of our lord 489 when it all began, a young nobleman with a vision made his appearance known in the realm of the Britons. His vision was to unite all of the warring territories into one kingdom. His name was Arthur Pendragon, he believed that strength and power should be used to help people. Arthur wanted to end the senseless wars that were killing off my people."
"Your people?" A young redheaded slayer named Samantha Vale asked
Champion nodded and continued, "Arthur soon had followers who believed in his cause, two were most important of all. A great wizard named Merlin and a powerful witch named Morgana Lafey. Many more nobles joined Arthur in his cause, whilst more chose to fight him, for they wanted to rule. For many years battles were fought over the lands, and slowly Arthur gained more support. Magical support as well, for he had gained in allies, the witches of Avalon, also known as the Charmed Ones and with their support, more joined in the battle for good. They, the Charmed Ones did present Arthur with the magical sword Excalibur. Here is where the first hint of treachery began. One of the Charmed ones was a young witch named Olivia Halliwell, she was a great seer. Through her sight of the future, did she see that Arthur would become a great and noble king, and bring peace to the Britons. This is when Morgana Lafey showed her true self. One night while Arthur's armies were encamped, Morgana made a powerful love potion and used it upon the unsuspecting Arthur. Arthur under the potions spell, did spend the night with Morgana. Upon the next morning, Merlin found them, immediately did he go to Arthur and revive him to his senses. Angered by Morgana's treachery, Arthur did banish her from the kingdom. However the damage had already been done. For Morgana already had a plan. Her plan was to give Arthur a child, so that once Arthur became king, he would have no choice but to marry her, thus making her queen and with ready made heir to the throne. Arthur would then be murdered by her, making her child the next king, but in fact Morgana would rule." Champion shook his head angrily and continued, "Morgana succeeded with part of her plan, for soon she was heavy with child, and she soon thereafter begat a son and named him Mordred. Arthur meanwhile continued his quest to become king, in 495 did he gain the support of the northerners, the lord of that area also did give Arthur the hand of his eldest daughter. Her name was Guenivere. Beautiful she was, with hair as dark as a night sky and eyes like the stars in the heavens. Arthur fell in love with her quickly and married her. Less than one year later, Arthur secured victory and was crowned as the first king of England and the Britons. His first order of business was to construct a castle, a great castle made from pure white stones. Three years of construction and the white kingdom of Camelot was born. From here did Arthur rule his kingdom justly. However soon, lawlessness plagued his kingdom. Arthur needed men of great courage and honor who would protect the kingdom and the people of the Britons. So Arthur sent out a call, to all the noble houses of the kingdom, asking for all able body men to come to Camelot. All of these good and noble men did pledge their allegiance to the great king and queen. You see, what made Arthur great was the knowledge that all men craved dignity and honor. He believed that all men were equal in the eyes of God almighty. In understanding this did he find a way for all men to be equal in his kingdom. He formed the knights of the round table."
The room was silent as they listened to the story that Champion weaved. Xander one to never to keep quiet, had to break the silence.
"I have always wondered why it was called the round table, why not square table, or triangle…" He whispered loudly to Anya, "And what did these guys even stand for?"
He was quickly shushed by everyone, even Anya
Champion stared sadly at Xander, "Has the world so fallen into darkness that no one remembers?" he asked the group "Has the world forgotten the words, the pledge of the knights of old?" he asked looking from face to face.
No one answered.
Pulling his sword Champion held it out, then downward the point touching the floor and began.
Raising his voice, Champion stared at the group, "Hear my words and never forget them."
"Table of the finest wood
Mankind has ever seen
Without head and without foot
A sign of eternity
All knights are equal here
And so is even the king
Our swords point to it's center
Giving us the power to win
Together we stand
Steel in our hands
Fighting forever
Forever we stand
Forever we fight
Side by side
Forever we stand
Forever we fight
Give us the wisdom almighty Lord
To make out wrong from right
Give us the will to choose the right
And the readiness to sacrifice
We become free in serving each other
We're Camelot's pounding heart
Round table of true brothers
Until death do us part!"
Champion sheathed his sword and continued, "Those are the words of brotherhood, from here the code of chivalry was born. A code of justice, to stop tyranny in all it's forms. To protect the weak from those who would seek to destroy them. Great men were made from this promise. Men whose names are remembered with reverence, Galahad, Lancelot, Gawain, Percivale, Lionel, Tristam, Gareth, Bedivere, Bleoberis Lucan, Palomides, Lamorak, Bors De Ganis, Safir, Pelleas, Kay, Ector de Maris, Dagonet, Tegyr Brunor le Nior and myself. For thirty years did peace reign true in the great kingdom. Until Morgana and her bastard son did return."
"You were a knight of the round table?" Xander asked chuckling he looked at Buffy, "No wonder he called you child."
Champions eyes narrowed, "I would tread lightly if I were thee." he warned
"Shut up Xander" Anya whispered harshly
"Please continue Champion." Giles threw a dirty look to Xander, who shrugged innocently.
"When Morgana and Mordred did return to the kingdom of Camelot, they bought with them an army of dark forces. Those who worshipped the dark lord." Champion's eyes took on a far away look, as if remembering the events, "All manner of dark creatures, vampires, demons, werewolves and all other sorts of foul creatures and foul men. Those creatures who hated Arthur and his knights, for all that they stood for. Creatures who had been banished or destroyed by the knights. War did they bring to the white kingdom, war, treachery and evil. It came to a head in a great battle, thousands died that day. Out numbered we were, twenty demons to one man, but still we all stood and faced the evil, no one ran. Although we were beaten, we won the day because we were able to cut the strength of Mordred's army, he had not the forces to secure his victory, but the cost was dear. All of my brothers died upon that fateful day, only I survived. Strong were we, noble, honorable until the end. Even the great king fell that day, but before he fell, Arthur took Excalibur held it high over his head and pierced a great boulder with it, and said, Only the next great king would be able to retrieve the sword of power.
Piper stared at Champion, he spoke with so much love of his king and fellow knights. How hard it must have been to watch them all die, to be the sole survivor of that battle.
"The book of shadows, says that you were crucified."
Champion nodded as he held up his hands, scars in his palms from where the nails had been driven.
"Found was I by Morgana and Mordred. They thought it amusing to crucify me and leave me for the vultures and crows. As I hung there, I watched as Mordred tried to pluck the sword Excalibur from the rock, but he could not. In his rage, he ordered that Camelot be destroyed, for it to be burned out of existence, as a warning against those who would be champions of light. Of what happens to those who would stand and fight for an ideal. However, they could not destroy it, for it was already gone. Merlin and the witches of Avalon had seen to that. With the great king, and the white kingdom gone. Darkness did come back to the kingdom of the Britons, and it came quickly. I saw it happen…" Champion admitted painfully, "I watched as I hung from the wooden cross, as thieves and plunderers did strip the bodies of my comrades. Stealing their horses, their armor, anything of value, except for their swords. For not even the most vile of these thieves dared take the swords of the fallen knights. I hovered between life and death for two days, until finally I was found by Merlin and the witches of Avalon. They healed me with their magic, closed my wounds and fixed my bones. It was while I was healing that they did tell me of the coming dangers, they warned however that it would not come for centuries. That I must survive, for I must lead the next great battle, told me did they who would stand by my side." Champion pointed to the gathered group "I was given thy names."
"What is coming?" Giles asked as Champion faltered
"Armageddon. The day of judgment. The great battle of light and dark. Gathering power are the dark forces, another army is gathering, once again under the banner of Mordred and Morgana." Seeing the groups faces, "Aye, they still live, through Morgana's magic's have they survived. Growing more evil and twisted through the centuries. Their evil machinations at work through the centuries as well. They are here now, and they are known to you all. Not by name, but by deed." Looking at Buffy, "Who does thou think helped make the Mayor Wilkins of Sunnydale into a demon, twas Morgana." Buffy gasped looking at Giles. Turning Champion stared at Angel, "Thou hast been the closest to them, and never did thou realize the truth. Who does thou think raised Darla from her grave, who came after thy son, who raised Holtz from his grave, who tried to separate thee from the powers by killing thy Seer, those foul creatures who thou, Princess Cordelia, and Master Doyle fought that night, the night that Master Doyle sacrificed himself for the salvation of others. They are a part of Mordred's army. All these acts, Morgana and Mordred, or as they are known now…"
Angel felt anger gripping his still heart, all the pain and suffering his family had been put through, the death of one of his best friends, all because of them.
"Wolfram and Hart." he growled
"Yes." Champion agreed, "The wolf and ram, were and are the symbols of Mordred's family crest. Soon now, another great battle will be fought. Many will join us, but we…" Champion motioned to the group, "Are the ones who shall face Mordred and Morgana themselves. If we fail, the world will be plunged into a darkness from which it will not recover."
"When will this battle be fought?" Piper asked as she gripped Leo's hand "Do you know when?"
Champion nodded, "The battle shall be fought on the birth of the new year, in six months. We gather now to prepare for that coming battle. With courage in our hearts, steel in our hands, and with faith in the good almighty Lord of heaven. We shall prevail."