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"Which way do you want to go Amara?" Uther asked as they reached a crossroads on their horses.

"Left?" Amara suggested. "We can see the river?"

"Left it is," Uther said loudly to the guards so they knew which way to go. "That was your mother's favorite path."

"I know," she smiled. "That's why it's my favorite too."

"You are so much like her."

"So I'm told."

"I'm not meaning in your appearance Amara," he smiled. "Although you look remarkably like her, your personality is the same. I see how you care about the people. She would always make trips to the lower town and hand out food."

"Gaius told me that when I was younger," Amara admitted. "That's why I started doing it, to feel closer to her. I just enjoy helping the people now."

"Don't ever change. Compassion is a gift. You and Arthur are blessed with it. It comes from your mother."

Amara laughed, "don't sell yourself short father."

"I'm wise enough where I can accept my own faults," he smiled. "I know I lack compassion most of the time. I'm glad my children don't."

"I enjoy this," Amara said as they rode. "Just spending time with you on rides. We so rarely get to do it anymore."

"I regret we haven't been able to spend as much time together lately. You and Arthur are both very dear to me. I was never able to spend as much time with the two of you as I would have liked, but I'm glad you have each other."

"Well Morgana's my sister as well," she smiled and Uther turned to look at her. "Well, I mean, not technically I know. But she's as good as my sister."

"Father!" Arthur's voice called out as his horse raced towards them. "I'm sorry to interrupt," he said to the two of them. "But I'm afraid I just had some troubling news in court."

"What is it?" Uther asked worriedly.

"We've had reports that a creature has destroyed a village. My knights and I have just been to inspect the remnants of the village. It's been completely destroyed."

"What could do such a thing?" Amara asked.

"We don't know," Arthur answered. "I thought it best to come and inform you straight away. There is a clearing up ahead that we can use to get a view of what's left of the town."

"Show me," Uther nodded.

As they reached a clearing with a view of the city Amara gasped. It looked as though it had all been burnt down. From what they could see it had been almost completely destroyed. "What creature could have done this?" Uther asked.

"We found no tracks in or out," Arthur answered. "What the villagers say must be true. It has wings and…"

"What?" Uther asked as he noticed Arthur's hesitation.

"And it took no livestock, only people. Whatever it is it has a taste for human flesh."

"Did they see what direction the creature flew in?" Amara asked.

Arthur shook his head, "they lost sight of it when it flew through the smoke."

"Post sentries at all the outlying villages. Put the lookouts on full alert," Uther ordered. "If this thing should make for Camelot we must be ready. And Amara…"

"I know," she interrupted. "If it has a taste for human flesh, trust me, I will not be riding until it is dead."

"We should return to Camelot," their father said as they turned their horses around and made for the palace.


"How'd Grimond go?" Amara asked as she passed Arthur in the hall after his training with the knights. "Did he pass?"

"Failed," Arthur said grouchily.

"Failed?" Amara groaned. "That's what, the third fail this month?"

"It is, and with this creature out there how can I defend Camelot, how can I defend the people if I keep getting these rubbish swordsmen wanting to be knights?"

"How long did he last at least?" Amara asked.

"All he had to do was last one minute and he didn't even last 10 seconds."

"10 seconds!" Amara laughed, "that's useless."

"Yeah, well Merlin says he knows someone who'd make a good knight," Arthur shrugged.

"Merlin?" Amara asked in disbelief. "Merlin knows a nobleman?"

"Saved his life apparently, but I'm not so sure about it."

"I actually think you should have some faith in Merlin."

"Really?" Arthur asked.

"Absolutely. He watches training every day. He's watched you beat these men. Merlin probably has a good idea of the skill it would require to become a knight. I'd keep an open mind," Amara suggested.

Arthur nodded, "you may make a good point. Come to training tomorrow, take a look," he said slapping her arm gently before walking off to the armory.


Amara sat in the seat Arthur had gotten Merlin to bring down to the training grounds as she watched the knights practice. "One. Two," Arthur called out as they practiced different combat positions. "Three. Four. One. Two. Three. Four. Ok, that'll do for today. Well done," he said dismissing the knights. Amara saw Merlin and Gwen preparing the new candidate across the field and gave him a small smile. Arthur came up to the swords rack where Amara was sitting and asked, "what do you think? Do you think he looks up to it?"

"I think he looks nervous. I wouldn't write him off though," she shrugged as she watched the man walk over to them. "Try and be nice," she whispered as she stood up next to her brother to greet the newcomer.

"Yes?" Arthur asked as he walked up to them.

"Lancelot, fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria," he introduced himself.

"Lance-a-lot?" Arthur asked sniggering at the name.

"I hear you saved Merlin's life?" Amara asked with a smile.

"I did Princess," he said bowing. Amara smiled at him, there was a gentleness in him that so few of the knights had.

"Yes," Arthur nodded. "My servant mentioned you. Got your seal?" he asked. Lancelot nodded and bowed down to hand it to him.

"Sire," he said as Arthur took it. As soon as Arthur had the seal in his hand, he whipped out his arm and slapped Lancelot across the face, sending him sprawling onto the ground. Watching this, Amara pursed her lips in irritation, she understood why they had brutal methods to test the suitability of a knight, but it was not enjoyable to watch.

"Sluggish reactions," Arthur analyzed. "On the battlefield, you'd be dead by now," he said turning to leave. "Come back when you're ready."

Amara stayed watching as Lancelot jumped to his feet and called back, "I'm ready now, sire."

Arthur froze and as Amara turned her head to watch him, she could tell he had a smile, but by the time he turned back, it was gone. "You are, are you?" he asked. "Fine, you can start by cleaning out the stables," he smirked as he walked over to the knights who were laughing.

Amara looked over to Gwen and saw the encouraging smile she was giving Lancelot and raised her eyebrows. Gwen liked the boy. Amara looked at Lancelot, who was still staring after her brother, and she gently nodded her head at him, "I hope to see you on the training grounds soon Lancelot," she said before turning and following after her brother.

"Did you see that?" Arthur asked as she reached him.

"He got back up," Amara smiled.

Arthur nodded, "he got back up, and quickly too. Merlin might have actually given me a half-decent knight. I'll give him another shot tomorrow," he smiled as they began making their way back to the palace. Most potential knights Arthur had tried to train lately didn't get back up, they just sat on the ground stunned. You have to be determined to be a knight.


"What was his name again?" Morgana asked as the two of them walked through the royal gardens.

"Lancelot," Amara said. "I think Gwen had eyes for him."

"Oh really?" Morgana giggled.

"He got straight back up."

"They never get up."

"I know!" Amara laughed. "He actually impressed Arthur. He's giving him another test tomorrow. Merlin was the one who recommended him."

"Merlin?" Morgana asked confused.

"Who would have known Arthur's servant knew nobles."

"Oh, these are pretty," Morgana said pointing to iris' in the garden for the gardener to cut for her.

"I'll have some of those as well please," Amara asked.

"Perhaps we should get a third bouquet for Lancelot to give Gwen," Morgana giggled.

Before Amara could reply, the warning bells began sounding and both girls looked around for a threat. "Your highness, my lady," the guards called as they surrounded them. "We must get you inside."

"What's happening?" Amara asked as they ran inside.

"I'm not sure your highness," a guard replied as they ushered them through the doors of the palace.

As they moved along the first floor Amara saw movement out of the corner of her eye and turned to look at the window and gasped. "Look," she cried making Morgana stop to have a look.

"Oh my goodness," Morgana breathed in shock. There were people pouring in the gates, all of them looked injured and terrified.

"There's been another attack," Amara realized.

"Another attack?" Morgana asked confused.

Amara answered her quietly, "Arthur and his knights got reports of a village being destroyed by some unknown creature. Father and I saw the village from a distance on our ride the other day, it was basically all on fire. The creature took no livestock though according to Arthur, only people."

"What kind of creature would do that?" Morgana asked, her eyes widening.

"I have no idea. I need to find my father, you should go comfort the people, I will join you shortly," she said and Morgana nodded as they split up. "Father!" Amara called as she found him staring out a window, looking to the air. "Father, was it the same creature?" she asked.

"I'm afraid so," he said.

"Where did it attack?"

"Willowdale," he answered.

Amara looked at her father up and noticed his tense posture and the realization dawned on her, "oh my goodness. Greensward, then Willowdale, it's headed south, isn't it? Towards Camelot."

"It is. Arthur's preparing the knights to attack when it does come," he said before laying a hand on her cheek, "it will not touch you."

"I'm not concerned about myself," she smiled. "There are still other villages on the way to Camelot that the creature may attack," she said sadly. "I need to go join Morgana. She is down with the people, comforting them."

"Go, tell the guards to provide them with food and water," he instructed, lowering his hand.

"Father," Amara curtsied before walking away.


"Where are you off to?" Amara asked as she saw Gwen hurrying out of the palace the next morning.

"I umm…. I," she panicked.

"Gwen," Amara laughed. "What is it?"

"Lancelot has his test this morning, to be a knight. I wanted to go support him," she said nervously.

Amara smiled, "Arthur has faith in him. He'll pass, don't worry. We need every knight we can get now." Gwen just smiled and stood there staring at Amara, not sure if she was allowed to leave. "Well, let's go," Amara laughed, taking Gwen's hand and running them to the training grounds.

"Hi," Gwen greeted Merlin as she moved to stand beside him.

"Hey," Merlin greeted. "My lady," he said to Amara.

"Hello," Amara smiled. "Are you nervous?" she smirked at the boy as they watched Lancelot make his way onto the field.

"Nah," he said shaking his hand. "Lancelot's better than half the knights," he smiled.

"I hope you're right," Amara replied seriously. Arthur caught her eye and laughed at seeing her there, he could barely get her to watch training more than once a week, and now here she was for the second time.

"Amara," Sir Leon greeted as he came to stand beside her.

"Leon," Amara smiled. "Have you watched him fight yet?"

Leon nodded, "I saw him fight with the prince yesterday. He held his own. I think he'll pass," he said and Amara smiled.

"I hope you're right."

"Well," Arthur called as he walked towards Lancelot. "Here we are, your final challenge. Succeed; and you join the elite. Fail, and your journey ends here. Lancelot, the fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria. Your time starts now," Arthur announced as they put on their helmets and drew their weapons and began to spar. They watched as Lancelot held his own for a while, getting in plenty of offensive and defensive hits. Amara kept glancing over at the sand timer, there wasn't a lot of time left. He just had to make it a little further. Just as the timer nearly ran out, Arthur managed to knock him off his feet with his elbow, making everyone groan in disappointment. Arthur looked over at Amara in disappointment and she just bit her lip. Arthur threw his sword into the ground and walked over to Lancelot, "shame," he muttered as he bent down to take Lancelot's sash when Lancelot quickly sprung up, took Arthur's legs out from under him, grabbed a sword, and held it to Arthur.

"Do you submit, sire?" Lancelot asked and everyone began smiling. Finally, Camelot would have a new knight.

Seeing a sword aimed at the prince, the guards sprang into action and pulled Lancelot back. "On your knees," Arthur growled. "You passed the test."


"Arise, Sir Lancelot," Uther said as he knighted Lancelot with a sword. "Knight of Camelot." Lancelot stood and everyone applauded.

"Is this the man you were telling me about yesterday?" Morgana asked Amara. "He seems to have come out of nowhere."

"The very same," Amara smiled.

Gwen nodded, "I know," she agreed. "he's been a bit of a surprise."

"To all of us," Morgana nodded.

"He's very handsome," Juliana noted which made Gwen blush as she looked down at the ground.

"I believe someone else may have their eye on him," Amara giggled.

"Me?" Gwen asked looking up. "Oh no," she laughed. "No, not me. He's a knight. It could never happen."

"You never know," Morgana smiled as she nudged her servant. "Matches of greater disparity have happened before."

"How fortunate that he doesn't seem a bit like his father," Amara sighed. "Lord Elred is…"

"Pompous?" Morgana suggested.

Amara laughed out loud, "what a perfect word. Lord Eldred is pompous itself. Sir Lancelot on the other hand seems quite humble. None of Lord Eldred's other sons are at all adept at handling a weapon, I'm glad one of them is making himself useful."

"Amara," Uther interrupted, ushering her over to him.

"Excuse me," Amara said to Gwen and Morgana before she and Juliana walked over to the king. "Father?"

"Do you mind if I borrow your servant momentarily?" he asked.

Amara nodded her head and stepped aside slightly so Juliana could timidly walk forward, "sire," she said nervously as she curtsied.

"Take this seal to Geoffrey of Monmouth, the court genealogist," Uther instructed handing her Lancelot's seal. "I want his opinion by morning." Juliana immediately took the scroll from the king, curtsied one last time, and then scurried out of the room.

"What is it?" Amara asked.

"Do you have any recollection of Lord Eldred having more than four sons?" he asked and Amara frowned before shaking her head. "Neither do I. I haven't seen Lord Eldred in many years, but not so many that he could have a son as old as Arthur and I wouldn't know about it."

"Do you think his seal fake?" she asked.

"If it is, it's a good one. I just want to be certain. The first code of Camelot is in place to ensure all knights come from noble families. We cannot make exceptions."

"I hope it's real," Amara sighed as she looked to the door the knights had recently left through. "We need more knights. Especially now."


Amara stood to the side of the feast with Juliana, "do you not wish to join the party?" Juliana asked.

"Not particularly," Amara responded as she sipped at her water.

"May I ask why?"

Amara took a breath before she looked at her servant, "I understand that we celebrate every time a new man is knighted. But people are dying out there. There are villages being attacked from the sky. It doesn't feel like the right time for a celebration. And besides, I'm just not in the mood tonight. I really just want to go to bed."

"Well I believe the invitation said this was a celebration," Juliana giggled before quickly stopping as she realized she might have upset Amara.

Amara smiled, "I know, you're right. Please, celebrate. I don't want to ruin your night."

"Oh no, I wouldn't leave you."

"It's fine. Gwen's over there with Merlin, they look like they're having fun. I'll go stand with Morgana. I insist," Amara said as she led Juliana to Gwen before she walked over to Morgana.

"You not having fun either?" Morgana asked.

"Not particularly. What's wrong with you?"

"I hardly slept last night," Morgana answered. "I'm tired."

"Nightmares again?" Amara asked concerned.

"Yes," Morgana said nodding. "What about you? What's your woe tonight?" she joked.

"Just want to go to bed."

"Are you getting a headache?"

"No," Amara shook her head. "I'm just not in a good mood tonight. I just want to be alone, and this hall is quite the opposite of that. I can probably sneak out in half an hour and not offend anyone."

"Are you upset about your talk with Uther earlier?" Morgana asked.

"A little. It was a fine conversation, he just raised some concerns about our new Sir Lancelot that I really hope aren't true."

"What concerns?" Morgana asked.

Before Amara could answer, Arthur banged on the table he was sitting at and stood up to make a speech. "Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a toast to our new recruit, our new knight of Camelot. Sir Lancelot," he said raising his goblet as everyone cheered.

"Arthur's made a speech, the attention will be on him and Lancelot now, do you think we can go?" Morgana asked.

Amara looked around the hall to make sure no one was looking at them, "yes," she nodded. "Should we tell them?" she asked looking over at Gwen and Juliana.

"May as well let them enjoy their night," Morgana shrugged as they watched the servants laugh with Merlin as they snuck out.


Arthur walked into Amara's chambers the next day and came and took a seat at the table. Amara didn't acknowledge him so he chastised, "Amara."

"Can I help you?" she snapped.

"A hello would be nice."

"Hello, happy?"

"Why are you snippy?" he asked.

"I'm not snippy."

"Yes, you are," he said rolling his eyes. "Do you have a headache?"

"A little bit," she shrugged.

"I can tell," he said standing up before walking over to her dresser and getting her medication from Gaius and bringing it back to her. "Drink it." Amara just rolled her eyes before she picked it up and drank it. "Are you stressed?" Arthur asked. She only got these headaches when she was stressed or tired. A regular thing being the princess of Camelot.

"A bit of both."

"I noticed you and Morgana snuck out early last night. What's bothering you?" he asked.

"This flying creature. We barely have enough knights to defend Camelot from it. That leaves all the outlying villages protected only by sentries. It's not fair."

"I'm afraid we now have one less knight," he said sourly as he took his seat again. Amara looked up at him sadly, their father must have been right. "You knew?" he asked.

Amara shrugged, "father asked my maidservant to take the seal to Geoffrey to determine its authenticity. I had a feeling father would be right. I don't recall Lord Eldred having 5 sons. I was really hoping he'd be wrong though."

Arthur ran one hand down his face as he slumped back in his chair. "Lancelot's a good fighter. We need him."

"I know," Amara nodded and she relaxed into her own chair. "But you know father will never change the rules. Maybe you can when you're king, but father will never change his mind. As far as the court is concerned Lancelot broke the first code of Camelot. He could have become a guard but he chose to lie his way to becoming a knight. To be a knight, one must be honest."

"I know," Arthur agreed. "But we need more knights."

"Could you relax the tests so more men can pass?" Amara suggested.

"Camelot knights are known as the best in Albion. If we relax the tests, we'll have more men, but we won't be the finest."

The siblings sat in silence for a few minutes, pondering their thoughts, when the warning bells began ringing, breaking the silence. Amara got up and ran to the window to see the people in the square fleeing. "It's the creature!" Amara yelled. Arthur stood up so quickly the chair he was sitting on skidded along the floor as he sprinted out of the room. Amara pressed her hands to her window as she watched Arthur run out into the square. Luckily he'd come straight from training and still had his armor on, as he and the other available knights came into formation. Amara gasped as the creature flew past her window. It was the most bizarre-looking thing, with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. This was no ordinary creature, this had to be magic.

The creature stayed still in the air a few moments as it sized up the knights as they took a defensive position. The creature then flew straight for them, knocking all the knights to the ground. They were sluggish to get up and only managed to get to their feet at the same time the creature landed on the ground. The knights managed to recover themselves and come into a v-formation before slowing edging forward towards the monster. After they got close enough, they began charging at it.

"My lady," Juliana asked as she ran into the room. "I heard the bells, what's happening."

"Come, quick," Amara called as she reached out and pulled Juliana to the window.

"Is that the creature?" she asked shocked.

"Yes," Amara replied shakily as she held onto the girl's arm as she watched Arthur attempt to attack the beast. He managed to get a hit on it with his spear, but before she could rejoice, she saw the hit had split the spear in two. It hadn't even left a mark on the beast. "Did you see that?"

"I did my lady. How is that possible?"

"I have no idea," Amara said as her eyes widened. Arthur couldn't defend himself. "Oh my god," she gasped in panic as she saw the creature knock Arthur to the ground. Before the creature could attack further, Arthur managed to get his hands on a torch thrown to him by the guards. The creature recoiled from the flames and flew away, allowing both girls to let out a sigh of relief.


"Arthur!" Amara called as she found him in the halls later that day. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," he nodded.

"What was that?"

"Gaius says it's called a griffin."

"A griffin?" she asked. "I've never heard of such a creature."

"It's born from magic," he told her and she stopped short.

"Magic?"

Arthur nodded, "father doesn't want to believe that. He believes our weapons can destroy it."

"But Arthur, it snapped your spear in half, I saw it. It wasn't harmed."

"I know," he sighed. "But we have to try or it will be back. We ride out in an hour," he said as he started walking again.

"Arthur no!" Amara gasped as she followed him. "Let me talk to father. Maybe I can convince him."

"It's about magic Amara," he groaned. "There's no point. He won't see reason when it comes to magic."

"But it risks your life!"

"I'm a knight. That's the job."

"I don't accept that," she argued. "How do you propose to kill it?"

"Gaius says it can only be killed by magic, father disagrees. My knights and I, we'll try to attack it with steel. That's the best I can do," he said walking off, leaving her standing there gobsmacked.


"You must rest my lady," Juliana encouraged.

"I cannot," Amara replied sadly. She'd been sitting by her window waiting. The knights had ridden out an hour ago. She couldn't sleep knowing the knights were out there, that her brother was out there. "Will you stay with me?" she asked.

"Of course my lady," Juliana said as she came and stood by her.

"Please," Amara smiled. "Take a seat," she said gesturing to the seat beside her.

Juliana hesitated before she took the seat, "thank you," she said with a smile. "He'll be ok. He's an amazing knight. "I have never seen his equal before."

"Is that him?" Amara asked as she sprung up from her seat.

Juliana got closer to look, "yes, that's him. Is that Lancelot?" she asked as she noticed another walking by his side.

"Help me get dressed please," Amara asked. "I have to go see what happened. Whatever dress is the quickest will do."


"Lancelot!" Amara called as she reached the great hall to see him and Merlin standing out front. "What happened?" she asked.

"He killed the griffin," Merlin smiled.

Amara raised her eyebrows, "you killed it?" she asked.

"I did your highness."

"How?"

"Sheer luck," he said nervously.

"That is amazing," she laughed. "The knights? What of the knights?"

"Most died," he answered sadly. "Arthur is alive."

Amara turned her head to the hall and heard yelling. Her father and Arthur must be fighting over Lancelot's fate. Amara looked at Merlin, who nodded and took some steps back so he was out of earshot. "I misjudged you, Lancelot," Amara admitted. "When I heard that you were not noble I was angry and disappointed, and I am ashamed of that. Being a knight means serving with honor. You chose to ride out tonight to help my brother even after you were treated so poorly by this court. That shows more honor than most of the knights combined," Amara admitted. "My father is strict with Camelot's codes. He will not change his mind and for that I am sorry. My brother is different, I assume he was the one who released you in the first place. Don't give up faith Lancelot. When my brother becomes king I urge to return. He is more progressive, more open-minded, he has a bond with the knights that my father never had. I know Arthur prides his knights on their honor and their skill, not their birth. When my brother is king, the rules may change, I promise that though of course," she said sadly.

"I appreciate your candor, your highness," Lancelot said with a small smile.

"You saved my brother tonight Lancelot. I'm certain of it. I want you to know that you will always have a friend in me. If you ever need help, I will happily oblige. The life of my brother is a debt that can never be repaid. Thank you," she smiled. "Sir Lancelot."

Lancelot smiled at her gently before he took her hand and kissed it, "your highness. I know what I must do. There is only one way here where I can retain my honor without offending the king," he smiled before he turned and burst through the doors of the great hall before the guards could stop him.

"What is this?" Uther asked.

"Let me speak," Lancelot pleaded as the guards tried to drag him out.

"Wait, I'll hear him," Uther said, allowing the guards to release Lancelot. Amara carefully stepped into the hall and walked around the side walls as discretely as she could and came to stand near her brother.

"Forgive me, sire," Lancelot said bowing. "I've come to bid you farewell."

"What is this Lancelot?" Arthur asked shaking his head.

"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," he said, flickering his eyes to Amara as she smiled at him.

Arthur stepped forward a few paces, "but, Lancelot, you've already proved that to us."

"But I must prove it to myself," Lancelot insisted. "Your highness," he bowed farewelling the king. "Prince Arthur, Princess Amara," he said smiling at the two before he backed out of the room.

Arthur stared after him sadly. He'd grown to be fond of him. Amara reached over and touched his arm before whispering, "remember this. You can change this when you are king. Lancelot deserves this, and he has the patience to wait." Amara pulled away and spoke louder, "I'm very glad to see you alive," she smiled. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to retire to my chambers, it's quite late," she said, curtsying to her brother and father before leaving the room.