AN: Sup guys!

WOW! 38 reviews! Thanks so much! Can we get to 45?

EDIT: I wanted to change something of Lancelot part one, then I just decided to put it all into one chapter!

DISCLAIMER: MERLIN IS NOT MINE.

Enjoy!

"I still don't understand why you wanted to come with me." Merlin said, as we continued to look for the mushrooms for Gaius.

I picked a couple from beside Merlin. "I told you, I was really bored, and I thought that it would helpful to you if I picked the mushrooms with you. Save you time."

I really was bored. I mean, there was only so much you can do in Camelot. I made sure to practice using a sword, because I might need to actually use one while I was here. I didn't want to just stand awkwardly in the center of a battle field scene fight.

Suddenly, Merlin and I heard a screech. We looked up, and a Griffin was charging at us. Next thing I knew, Merlin was grabbing my hand and we were running away from the Griffin, abandoning the mushrooms. Man, they were going to taste so good...

Merlin tripped, and accidentally brought me down with him. Damn it Merlin! My head crashed to the ground. A headache instantly began to form. But we didn't have the time to wonder about headaches. We flipped on our backs, and we backed away as best we could from the best. I was glad a Griffin wasn't actually the symbol for Gryffindor...

The Griffin was about to strike, and a strong man ran in front of us, swiping at the Griffin with his sword. My heart soared when I realized that it was Lancelot. I didn't even need to look at his face.

After realizing that it wouldn't work, Lancelot dropped his sword and ran to us. "Run! Run!" He yelled, grabbing my hand, pulling me up. I still gripped his hand tightly, afraid that if I let go, I'd slow down and the thing would eat me.

We kept running, and we were just about to jump over the log thing, when my superior skills caused me not to jump over all the way, tripping half way. Lancelot saw that I was going to fall, and tried to grab me and keep me upright. Unfortunately, gravity wasn't very fair, and we both ended up falling, me hard on my back, and Lancelot right on top of me.

After all the running we'd done, and we're trying to catch our breath, we both didn't realize the position we were actually in. "I'm Elizabeth." I breathed out, with a small laugh.

He nodded. "Lancelot." I guess he finally realizes how we were sitting, because he blushes a deep pink. He immediately got up off of me, and helped me sit upright. I blushed really deeply too. I mean, he was sitting on top of me. That was a little awkward.

He leaned against the wood log thing, and we all looked up to the Griffin. "It's gone." Merlin confirmed. He looked back to Lancelot. "You saved our lives." He stuck his hand out. "I'm Merlin."

Lancelot grabbed it and shook it. "Lancelot." Lancelot's face grew pale, and we both looked back to him. His hand slipped down, revealing a wound that was seeping with blood. Merlin and I looked to each other worriedly, and we made a move to get Lancelot up.

"We must get him to Gaius." Merlin said, flopping Lancelot's arm across his shoulders.

I nodded, and did the same thing. "Let's hope he'll be okay."

After Merlin and I got Lancelot back to Gaius (well, Merlin really. Hey, Lancelot was a very big man. And a very heavy one at that), we laid him on the bed, and Gaius quickly tended to his wounds.

"Will he be alright?" I asked Gaius worriedly.

Gaius nodded. "The wound itself is superficial. The fever will pass. He should be fine in the morning."

I sighed, then nodded. "Just as long as he'll be okay."

I looked down to Lancelot. I forgot how sweet he actually was. And how kind. And modest. And cute.

And stop it right there Malinor. Gwen already had dibs. Well, no harm in a little flirting, now was there?

I knew Lancelot was supposed to wake up this morning, so I went to check on him. I actually brought him something that was supposed to make him feel better. It either did that, or I just got totally conned. I walked inside Gaius's chambers, and saw Lancelot walking around perfectly fine.

"Well, someone looks much better." I commented.

Lancelot gasped then immediately went to bow, but I frantically stopped him. Looked like Merlin spilled the beans about who I was. "Don't. Really. Don't. I really don't care for gestures like that. And I don't really like it when people I know call me My Lady. So it's just Elizabeth. Or Lizzie. Or Liz." I stammered. Did I mention I stammered in front of really cute guys?

But Lancelot just smiled and bowed again. "Well, alright then, Lizzie." Gah, it's just so cute the way he said Lizzie!

I reached into my pocket, and pulled out the bracelet I bought for Lancelot. I walked closer to him. "This is for you." I held it up to him. "It was supposed to make you feel better. Well, I guess you are, so, I should, just return it." I said, about to put it away.

"No, no." Lancelot said, taking it from my hand. "I don't feel all that well yet. Thank you for thinking of me like that, My Lady."

I blushed and looked down to my toes. "Well, you did save my life. It was the least I could do."

Lancelot and I stared at each other for a bit, before I changed the subject. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I turned to face Merlin again. "So, what are we talking about?"

"Lancelot wants to join the Knights of Camelot." Merlin said.

My face lit up. "Really? That's great! Is this something you just recently have wanted to do?"

Lancelot shook his head though. "Ever since I was a child I've dreamed of coming here. It's my life's ambition to join the knights of Camelot." Okay, it was actually so sweet to look at Lancelot as he said this. It made his life look so cute! "I know what you're thinking, I...I expect too much. After all, who am I? They have their pick of the best and bravest in the land."

"Lancelot." Merlin said slowly.

"Yes?" he asked.

I gently touched his arm. "They are going to love you."

"They are?" He asked, quite surprised for some odd reason.

Merlin nodded. "We've seen you in action. You could shame the great Arthur himself."

Lancelot half heartedly chuckled. "I hardly think so."

"In fact, you know what I'm going to do?" Merlin stood up. "I'm going to talk to him right now."

"You know Arthur?" Lancelot exclaimed.

Merlin paused at the door, and nodded. "Oh yes." Then he left, leaving me and Lancelot alone. Together.

Oh dear Lord.

"So." I began. "I'm sure Merlin will try his best. He is a very good friend, and very loyal one. And I could try to convince Arthur too."

"You know Arthur as well?" He asked.

I nodded. "Yup. Grew up with him. He is a very kind, fair man. A bit of a prat from time to time. But he has a very good heart." I said. "I'm sure if I punched him in the head enough he'll consent."

Lancelot gave a slight chuckle. "Don't go to any trouble on my account."

I lightly punched his arm. "Are you kidding? You did save my life. I owe you one."

Lancelot opened his mouth to ask something, when a servant came inside. "My Lady? I was told you could be found here. It is time for your lessons."

Seriously? The only good thing about being here was that I didn't have school. Oh well. I gave Lancelot a sorry smile. "Duty calls. I'll see you later Lancelot." I said with a wave.

I caught up with Merlin after he talked to Arthur. We ran to his chambers, and Merlin told Lancelot that Arthur wanted to meet him. Lancelot got really excited, but his face visibly fell when Gaius told him that only the noblemen could be Knights of Camelot. Which I personally found unfair. That's like saying a woman couldn't become a doctor. Wait, I forgot. Women didn't really have rights here.

Later, Merlin, Lancelot, and I were all in Merlin's room. Merlin started lighting the candles, and asked Lancelot, "Why do you want to be a knight so much?"

Lancelot looked from the window to Merlin. "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." He said somberly. Was it possible that this was sadder than it was when I first watched it? "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." He said passionately. I smiled, but behind it was a lot of heartbreak. It was so sad to know that out of all the Knights of the Round Table, Lancelot was the one who wanted to be a Knight the most. But he was the one that was a Knight for the shortest period of time. I blinked back the tears that started forming in my eyes.

"And when I was ready, I set forth for Camelot." He continued. "And now, it seems, my journey ends. Everything I fought for, wasted." He finished sadly.

Merlin stood up and walked to Lancelot. "I give you my word, whatever it takes, I will make this right," he said fiercely, and he left without another word.

Why was he always leaving me alone with Lancelot?

Awkward silence crept its way around us. "Merlin will think of something. He always does." I reassured Lancelot. "He is a very determined person, who never breaks his word."

Lancelot smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Lizzie. But I don't think he will be able to keep his word this time."

I smiled encouragingly, but damn, he was even making me depressed!

Third person POV...

After Merlin had used magic to copy a seal of nobility (changing the writing on it to Lancelot's name, of course) he ran back to his chambers and gleefully went inside. He held up the piece of parchment.

Lancelot looked up from peeling an apple. "What's that?" he asked.

Merlin smiled and replied, "This is your seal of nobility."

He went back to peeling his apple. "I don't understand."

Merlin unrolled the scroll. "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Lancelot, fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria." He said with a big grin on his face.

Lancelot immediately started shaking his head. "No, Merlin. No."

Merlin threw his hands to the side. "Oh, right. So you don't want to be a knight, then." He moved to leave.

"Of course I do!" Lancelot protested.

"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 tried to convince him.

"But the rules, Merlin." Lancelot tried again.

"We're not breaking the rules. We're bending them, that's all." Merlin insisted. "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. I can't change the way things are done around here, but you can...if you let me help you." Merlin finished.

Lancelot tried one last time. "But the Lady Elizabeth. She'll know I'm not really a nobleman."

Merlin thought about it, and shook his head. "I know Lizzie. If I ask her not to, she won't tell. Besides, you did save her life too. She'll do anything for you."

Lancelot considered it, but the look on his face clearly showed Merlin that he had given in.

Lizzie's POV...

After Merlin managed to convince Lancelot to try out for the Knights, me and Merlin sat in Gwen's comfortable little home as she took Lancelot's measurements. Watching them be so awkward reminded me of why I loved them so much. Well, until Arthur came along. But a small part of me always wanted Gwen to end up with Lancelot.

Lancelot awkwardly cleared his throat. "Thi..., ahem, This is very kind of you, er..."

Gwen smiled. "Gwen." She supplied.

Lancelot smiled back. "Gwen." He repeated.

"Short for Guinevere." She explained.

"Ah. Then thank you, Guinevere." Lancelot told her.

Gwen chuckled. "Don't thank me. Thank Merlin and Lizzie. They would do anything for anyone, wouldn't you?" she said, looking back to us. We gave them smiles.

"Sorry, can you raise your arms?" She asked, and Lancelot complied. "Thank you. Sorry." She wrapped the tape around his chest, and they both blushed. "I think it's great that Merlin's got you this chance. We need men like you." She said, reaching up to his neck.

"You do?" Lancelot asked, surprised.

"Well, not me personally, but you know...Camelot." She stammered. "Camelot needs knights. Not just Arthur and his kind, but ordinary people like you and me."

"Well, I'm not a knight yet, My Lady." Lancelot cleared up.

"And I'm not a lady." Gwen said, giggling.

Merlin and I just exchanged a knowing look. It was very clear that they both liked each other.

"Sorry, my..." Lancelot began.

Gwen cut him off, though. "Okay, we're done. Erm...I should have these ready in no time. It's nice to meet you Lancelot."

Gwen stuck her hand out to him to shake, but Lancelot took it and kissed it, causing Gwen to blush a very deep red. Hey, he had the same effect on me.

Then, Merlin and Lancelot left. I stayed behind, and after the door shuts, squealed. "Someone clearly has an admirer."

My teasing didn't help her get rid of her blush. "Don't be silly, my Lady." Gwen said, starting to move around. I noticed that she distinctly kept her face away from mine. I laughed and shook my head. "Say what you will. But it's so obvious a blind man could see it." I said, using Merlin's words.

Gwen suddenly turned around, a shy smile on her face. "You really think so?"

I giggled and took her hands in mine. "I really do." I sighed and released her hands. "Now, we really need to work on how you act in front of men."

Third person POV...

Merlin and Lancelot walked along the Courtyard Corridor.

"She seems lovely. Guinevere." Lancelot began.

"Oh, yeah. Yeah, she is. And the best seamstress in Camelot, I promise." Merlin said.

"Are you two...you know?..." Lancelot gestured.

Merlin looked to his gestures, and laughed. "Oh no, we're just friends." He assured him.

"So it's Liz, then?" Lancelot asked.

Merlin laughed nervously. "No, no! What makes you say that?"

"Well, it's just, the way she talks about you." He explained. "Like she believes you can do anything, and everything."

Merlin considered it for a second. "Re-really?" he asked.

Lancelot smiled and nodded. "Really."

Lizzie's POV...

When it was time for Lancelot's try-out (that was really the only word I could think of), Gwen, Merlin and I all helped Lancelot with his armor. Gwen insisted that I didn't do anything, but I dismissed it, telling her that I didn't want to feel like I was doing nothing. The whole time, Merlin kept giving me these odd looks. Hmm. Maybe I'd ask him about it later...

"One. Two. Three. Four. One. Two. Three. Four." Arthur chanted, training his Knights.

"Well...you certainly look the part." Merlin said after we've finished.

"Doesn't he just?" Gwen asked, smiling proudly.

"I don't feel it." Lancelot said, loosening his collar a bit.

"Well, you do. So shut up." I told him, and I got him to smile. Score!

"Okay, that'll do for today. Well done." Arthur said, dismissing everyone.

"Here's your chance. Go for it." Merlin said to Lancelot, pushing him towards Arthur, who was putting his sword in a sword rack.

"Yes?" Arthur asked.

"Lancelot, 5th son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria." Lancelot introduced himself.

"Lance...a lot?" Arthur said slowly. "My servant mentioned you. Got your seal?"

Lancelot bowed as he presented the fake seal to Arthur. "Sire."

Arthur smacked him, causing Lancelot to fall down. I actually gasped out loud. "Sluggish reactions. In a battle field you'd be dead by now. Come back when you're ready."

Arthur began to walk off. Lancelot got up and placed his hand on his sword. "I'm ready now, Sire." he said.

Arthur stopped, and turned back around. "You are, are you? Fine. You can start by cleaning out the stables."

Everybody around us started to laugh. Lancelot looked uncertainly at Merlin who gave him two thumbs up. I slapped my hand on my forehead.

Merlin and I sat in his chambers later on. Gaius began to talk. "I'm sorry about Lancelot. I see you two were upset."

"Oh. You know...that's life." Merlin said.

"You win some, you lose some." I addded, stealing his line.

"You two are taking it very well, I have to say. Very mature." Gaius stated.

"Thank you, Gaius." Merlin said proudly, and I tried my best not to roll my eyes. Then, Lancelot entered, all covered in dirt and dung. "How'd it go?" I asked.

Lancelot stopped and shrugged. "Ugh." I laughed at the expression on his face.

Lancelot went to Merlin's bedroom. Gaius gabe Merlin and me a look. "He found work at the stables." Merlin said plainly.

Gaius nodded. "I see." he said in a clearly disbelieving voice. "And the truth before I lose my temper?"

"He's er...trying out for the knights." He explained.

Gaius looked furious. "The First Code of Camelot has never been broken for any man. What've you done, Merlin? Lizzie?"

"Okay, so he bent the rules a little. So what?" I said.

Merlin nodded with me. "And the rules are wrong. They're unfair."

"You bent the rules? Using magic?" Gaius asked, kinda angrily.

"It was nothing, honestly. It was more of a trick than actual magic." Merlin said, trying to save his skin.

"Your magic is not a toy, Merlin. It's not for you to use or abuse as you see fit."

Merlin hanged his head. "I know. I know."

"Then why'd you do it?" Gaius asked.

"We owe Lancelot our lives. We're just trying to pay for that debt the only way we can by giving him the opportunity he deserves. If you want to punish me for it, go ahead." Merlin said, leaving to his chambers.

When he was gone, I turned to Gaius. "He might not be the smartest sorcerer, but at least he's got his priorities straight." I said, thinking of how Morgana turned out in season 3.

Gaius nodded. "I know."

I shrugged. "Then I guess that's all we could really ask for."

I was talking with Morgana the next day, when we heard a commotion going on outside. We ran to the window, and saw a bunch of people in the Square. I looked to Morgana. "Something's wrong." I ran outside, where it was even more crowded than it actually looked. It took a while, but I finally found Merlin, who was with Gaius.

I reached them at the same time Lancelot did. "What happened to these people?" He asked.

"Their village was attacked by a winged monster." Gaius explained.

Merlin, Lancelot and I all exchanged a look. We all knew what that winged creature was. And what it was capable of.

Third person POV...

"The wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. The wings of an eagle and the body of a lion." Gaius muttered while flipping through a book. But it was no ordinary book. It was a book of monsters. After Gaius found the image, he was fairly certain what the creature must be.

Lizzie's POV...

Lancelot's challenge was pushed to the morning, as Camelot really needed all the help they could get. Gwen, Merlin and I all stood off to the side, waiting for Lancelot to begin. Gwen looked especially worried, so I grabbed her hand and squeezed it in reassurance. That helped her, but not by much.

"Well, here we are. Your final challenge. Succeed and you join the elite. Fail and your journey ends here." No pressure there, Arthur. "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 they began to fight. Sounds of metal hitting against metal echoed throughout the courtyard. Lancelot swung and missed Arthur. Gwen grabbed Merlin's shirt in her anxiety.

"Oh, sorry." She blushed, releasing it. I grabbed her hand so that she had something stable, and she squeezed it tight.

Arthur punched Lancelot, and he fell back, his helmet falling off of his head. Arthur put his sword into the ground, removed his helmet, and went to remove Lancelot's flag.

"Shame." He said, leaning down, only for Lancelot to spring up and knock Arthur off of his feet. He grabbed Arthur's sword and put the tip to his chest.

"Do you submit, Sire?" He asked.

The Guards came and restrained Lancelot. Arthur got up, apparently angry, and grabbed his sword. But I knew better. So it was really hard to look worried when I was actually so incredibly happy for Lancelot.

"On your knees!" Arthur barked.

The Guards forced Lancelot to his knees, and Arthur put the sword to Lancelot's chest...

Lancelot knelt in front of Uther, Uther's sword to his chest. Uther moved the sword from shoulder to shoulder. "Arise, Sir Lancelot, Knight of Camelot."

The whole court burst into applause. I looked over to Merlin, who was probably grinning the widest. Morgana leaned over to me. "Who is this man? He seems to have come out of nowhere."

"I know. It's been a bit of a surprise." I looked over and gave Gwen a pointed look. "To all of us." My look served its purpose, because Gwen blushed. Oh, I really was a terrible person, wasn't I?

Uther took Lancelot away to talk to him, and I hoped that he didn't say anything to suspect him. But by the way Uther was talking to one of the women, it looked like Uther was not one to be easily deceived, which really sucked. We might have to work a bit harder.

At Lancelot's celebration feast, music played and everybody mingled. I stuck with Morgana, like I usually did. I looked over to Merlin, who was talking with Gaius. Then I looked to Lancelot, who was easily talking with Arthur. I guess about important Knight stuff or something.

I kept myself busy by eating, which was what I usually did during parties back home. I was never the sociable type, but I guess with my role here I'd have to be. Morgana nudged me, and discreetly looked over in Arthur and Lancelot's direction. I carefully looked over to them, who were both looking in different directions. I guess this was the scene where Arthur talked about Morgana, and Lancelot talked about Gwen.

So men did gossip!

Arthur pounded on the table he and Lancelot were sitting on, and we all ceased talking, turning our attention to him. He stood up. "Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a toast to our new recruit," He grabbed Lancelot and stood him up. "Our new knight of Camelot, Sir Lancelot." Arthur raised his cup and everybody applauded. Lancelot and Arthur toasted, Lancelot looking happy as he could have possibly been. Let's just hope his smile stayed that way...

Third person POV...

Merlin and Lancelot staggered out of Merlin's room, both clearly suffering from hangovers.

"Argh. Two yards of ale? Two miles, more like it." Lancelot complained, putting his hand to his head.

"Good morning, gentlemen." Gaius said, holding two fizzing drinks out to the men. "Don't look at it, don't smell it, just down it in one."

They both looked at each other, but did so. "Argh." Lancelot groaned at the foul taste in his mouth.

"Better? Good. Can't have you nodding off first day on the job, Lancelot." Gaius pointed out.

"That's Sir Lancelot, if you don't mind." Merlin teased, and they all laughed. Suddenly, some Guards rushed in.

"What are you doing?" Merlin asked in disbelief.

"King's orders." One of them explained.

The guards grabbed Lancelot and roughly dragged him out. But in all fairness, Lancelot didn't really put up a fight.

"Stop!" Merlin said. He and Gaius looked to each other worriedly, both fearing the worst for their new friend.

TBC...

And that is the new and improved Lancelot part 1! Hoped you all liked it!

Liz's outfit will stay the same for this chapter as it was for the original, but her Celebration outfit will be on Polyvore! Check it out!

Let's try for 45 reviews guys! I stay up till 11 PM where I am for you guys, despite having school the next morning.

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