The strong will break with or without love, but with love they will have the courage to rebuild themselves.
~Unknown
Chapter Four: A Quest for a Man of Myth
Just now, Sirius Black was broke. To be fair, he was always rather broke, but he was never entirely out of money; until now that is. He had no horse, no money and his sword had been stolen from him the night before while he had been passed out against the wall in front of the tavern. He didn't feel right without it, like he'd accidentally walked into a room full of people and forgotten to put on pants.
There had once been a time when Sirius had access to more money than he knew what to do with; he was a Black after all, and the Blacks had quite the fortune to their name, but that had been a long time ago.
He was walking down a random road and he wasn't sure what direction it would take him in, but he was hoping against hope that he wouldn't run into anyone he knew, or anyone he didn't know, because he had no means to protect himself and all the people he knew were angry drunks and people he won money from or his family. And anyone he might run into that he didn't know was probably a thief. It was better if he just didn't run into anyone. At least until he had a sword in his hand again.
It was his own fault that he had no money. Instead of working last night to trick people out of their hard-earned gold, he spent the night with a maiden instead. She had been young and thin and beautiful and Sirius regretted it because he was pretty sure that she had been the one who had robbed him, and after she had kicked him out of her room to boot. His sword hadn't been anything special, but it had saved his life a countless number of times and he had been rather fond of it. Not fond enough to stick around town and try to remember where she lived, but still, he wished she hadn't taken it.
It was getting dark and, because he was defenseless, he thought it would be a good idea to get as far from the road as he could. So he walked to his right, weaving around trees and over rocks. He was just about to settle down in a nice little clearing for the night, when he saw a faint wisp of smoke coming from somewhere in front of him.
There was a large chance that it could be bandits, but on the off chance that it wasn't, Sirius thought he would go and check it out. If it was just some travelers, like himself, he would feel better sleeping closer to them.
When he got closer he heard voices, female voices, and he started to feel better. The odds that a group of women were going to attack and maim him were very slim. He continued to approach them quietly and with caution however, because the odds that a group of women were traveling through the woods alone, was also very slim.
He reached a large oak by the edge of their camp and crouched down to the bottom of the trunk to peek around.
"She should be back by now." One of the girls was saying as she paced back and forth by the fire. She had long brown hair that was loosely tied at the base of her neck with a piece of ribbon, but what Sirius found the most striking was that she was dressed as a man. She wore canvas pants, lace up boots, and a thick leather vest and most astonishingly, a sword. "She said to give her ten minutes, that was at least thirty minutes ago."
"You worry too much, Dory." Another girl said from the other side of their camp. This woman had shorter brown hair that was extremely curly. She was leaning back against a tree and had her eyes closed. She was also dressed like a man and carrying a sword.
"I don't think you worry enough, Mary. What if someone found her, or hurt her? What if she's lying somewhere bleeding to death?" The girl named Dory ranted. Sirius was inclined to side with Mary. "What if she's been captured? What will we do then?"
"Dory, she's going to be just fine. She always is, no?" Mary said, still looking completely relaxed. "If she's not back in ten more minutes, then we'll go out and find her." Dory huffed but didn't continue arguing. She sat down on a large boulder near the edge of the fire and started tapping her foot anxiously. This was when Sirius started to get the feeling that he knew this girl, or at least he had known her. "Honestly, you're going to drive me mad!" Mary complained.
"Mary, she's like a sister to me."
"I know that, Dory. She's my best friend as well, but I know that she can handle herself." Sirius was about ready to introduce himself now, wanting to ask the girl with long hair if she had frequented a tavern a bit farther north or somewhere near there because everything about her was familiar, if only she would turn towards him so he could have a look at her face. He thought it was odd that they were traveling alone, and letting their friends go off by themselves, but maybe if he offered his help they would let him sit by their fire for a while. It was getting rather chilly.
He stood up from behind the tree and brushed his trousers off. He hadn't taken one full step towards the girls when he felt something cold, hard and sharp press against his lower back.
"Take one more step and I'll run you through." A voice snarled in his ear. Both of the women sitting around the fire were on their feet in an instant, with swords drawn. He slowly lifted his hands to show that he was unarmed and turned to face his attacker. The man who had snuck up behind him was wearing a metal helmet and a fair bit of armor. He also had a blue vest over his chainmail with a large artful 'L' sewn onto the front.
"I was stupid to not check behind me." Sirius laughed. "Of course they're going to have someone with them. Woman never travel alone. Good evening, Lancelot." This wasn't his first run in with the infamous, almost legendary, self-proclaimed knight. This was, however, the first time Lancelot had held a sword to him.
"Do you think this is a joke?" He asked, bringing his sword up to Sirius's throat.
"No, but I do believe that this is a misunderstanding. I'm not here to hurt anyone. I've been robbed of all my money and sword, I saw the smoke and thought that I would ask if I could join the camp for the night."
"And you thought it was a good idea to spy on us from behind a tree why?" Mary asked, narrowing her eyes at him.
"I was just making sure that whoever was at the camp wasn't a bandit or a murderer."
"You expect us to believe that?" Dory asked, walking up and flanking Lancelot. Her face was pinched in distrust, and her dark blue eyes glared at him and yet he still couldn't place her.
"It is the truth." Sirius said, still inspecting Dory. "I did not come here to harm anyone. Like I said before, I don't even have a sword."
"Check him." Lancelot said, nodding towards Dory. She quickly stepped up to Sirius and reached her hands into his pockets.
"Careful, love. You don't even know my name." He grinned and she pinched his arm. "Ow."
"Be quiet." She snapped. "And I do know who you are. You're Sirius Black."
"Why didn't you start with that?" Lancelot said, dropping his sword and stepping back. Sirius didn't know if he was talking to Dory or to him. "Sirius Black, eh?" He asked, walking over to the fire. "I've heard stories about you. Are you as good with a sword as they say?"
"I could ask you the same thing." Sirius grinned, joining him at the fire.
"I suppose you could." He laughed. "It's nice to actually meet you this time." He held his hand out. "Sorry I didn't recognize you earlier. It's getting dark and I only had a glance at you the first time we met."
"S'fine." Sirius said, waving away his apology. "I only knew it was you because of your vest, seeing as how I've never seen your face," He looked at Lancelot pointedly, but he was looking at the fire, still wearing his helmet. "Come on, why are you still-"
"When did you meet him?" Mary interrupted quickly, now settled back into her previous position at the base of the tree. "At a tavern I presume?"
"You've heard about me too then?" Sirius laughed, looking away from Lancelot and towards Mary.
"Who hasn't?" Dory asked. "And are you really going to pretend that you don't know me?" Sirius was taken aback by that.
"Excuse me?" He asked, even though he was sure that he knew her from somewhere. Something about her made him want to argue. "I wasn't aware that I knew you." He said wryly.
"Honestly?" She asked, hands on her hips. "I'm Dorcas Meadowes. We met up in Lorekeep- We were neighbors growing up."
"Dorcas?" Sirius asked, honestly surprised. He hadn't been expecting her to be from that far back in his past. "You were fourteen and engaged that last time I saw you." Dorcas rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "What happened?"
"I called off the wedding."
"Obviously." Sirius nodded. "Why?"
She huffed. "Lord Rabastan just wasn't my cup of tea."
"Can't blame you for that." Sirius laughed. "He was always a nasty child. I can't imagine he grew up much, or changed at all. Does he still cry when someone says 'no' to him?"
Dory's lips twitched, giving her away, but she still pretended to be upset nonetheless. "I wouldn't know. I haven't seen him in years." Sirius sat down near the fire and held his hands out to warm them. He caught the look that Mary and Dory exchanged, but they didn't say anything, so he pretended as though he hadn't. He wasn't going to leave unless they asked him to.
"So how did a lady like you end up dressed like that and in the middle of the woods?"
"A lady like me?" Dory scoffed. "How did a man like you end up gambling for his supper?"
"I don't gamble. Gambling is about risk and chance. I win. I know the outcome before I make the bet."
"Well, maybe we should make a bet right now." Mary said, sitting up straight. "A real bet."
"Surprisingly, I'm not really a gambling man."
"And we're not really hospitable." She shrugged. "If you want to stay here for the night, you'll have to make a bet. A real bet." Sirius looked around the camp at the three people and sighed. They were going to have him fight Lancelot. He didn't know if he could beat Lancelot, he'd never seen him fight, but he'd heard stories. He was all everyone was talking about these days. The thought of an actual challenge excited him, but he really did need somewhere to stay tonight, and it was safer to be in a group. When he opened his mouth to agree to Mary's terms, he was struck with a thought.
"Shouldn't the three of you be more concerned with finding your friend than with making wagers?"
"Finding our friend?" Mary asked. "What are you talking about?"
"When I first got here, you two," He nodded towards Mary and Dory. "Were talking about how your friend was lost and if she didn't turn up in ten more minutes than you were going to go out and look for her. It's been well over ten minutes." They all looked at each other this time. Dory looked a bit panic-stricken.
"What were you eavesdropping on us for?" She snapped.
"I told you!" Sirius said. "I was making sure that you weren't a bunch of murderous thieves." He turned to Lancelot and held out his hand. "What do you say, you want to join me in looking for her? What's the maiden's name, anyhow?" Lancelot reached out and helped Sirius back to his feet.
"Her name is Hestia." He said. "But we don't need to go and find her."
"We don't?"
"No." He shook his head.
"Why not? Doe seemed pretty upset earlier."
"Don't call me that."
"Dory gets upset about everything." He said, looking at her through the small opening in his helmet. "As you've probably noticed. I just rode Hestia back to town. She wanted to stay in a real bed and then visit her mother tomorrow. We'll meet back up with her sometime next week. Maybe. She's being rather… fickle, as of late."
"Oh." Mary said. Then she rolled her eyes and leant back against the tree. "Thanks for telling us beforehand."
"And thank you for telling us that you were going to be late." Dory added. "Hestia had me worried enough without you just disappearing on us as well."
"Were you worried?" He asked, cocking his head to the side. "Did you think something bad happened to me?"
"Shut up." Dory said, rolling her eyes. Sirius had assumed that would be the reason that Lancelot had two woman traveling with him, he was just trying to work out why they were both okay with it. And there was a third woman as well. Sirius was going to have to ask Lancelot about that.
"No need for the flirting." He said. "So we don't have to go look for this Hestia bird? She's good and safe?"
"She's good and safe." Lancelot nodded.
"Are you going to take the helmet off?" Sirius asked, not able to not ask any longer. "I've worn one before, they're not comfortable."
"I'm not taking it off."
"Are you worried that I'll make fun of your face or tell people what you look like? And it's not like you wear it all the time, right?" He looked at Mary and Dory. "He doesn't wear it all the time."
"If there are people around, Lance wears the helmet. You might do well to think of the helmet as part of Lancelot." Mary said, crossing her legs. "Oh and by the way, nice use of our lost friend to get out of fighting him."
"I try my best." He sighed.
"I think it would be best if we all just went to bed." Lancelot said.
"So we're letting him stay?" Dory asked, jabbing a thumb in Sirius's direction.
"Dory, we help people. It's what we do. He needs help, so he can stay." Lancelot explained.
"I say we give him a sword and send him on his way." Mary said. Dory nodded.
"We can't afford to give him a sword." Lancelot said. "Now goodnight." He laid down on the ground and rolled onto his side. Sirius sat down and looked at him for a moment before sighing. For some reason, this man really didn't want anyone to see his face, but that shouldn't mean that he had to sleep in his helmet. Not simply because he was kind enough to help Sirius out. Sirius wasn't used to people being nice to him, but he knew that when they were, you were supposed to return the favor.
"Look," He said, picking up a rag off of one of the rocks near him. It looked like it had been used for cooking but it was fairly clean. "You shouldn't have to sleep in your helmet. You can take it off and I'll blindfold myself." Lancelot sat up and for a moment, nobody said anything.
"Is he supposed to trust you?" Dory scoffed.
"I'm just trying to show my gratitude." Sirius said, glaring at Dory. He didn't know what he had done to make her so angry, but her attitude was starting to get on his nerves. "I swear that I won't take the blindfold off until you give me permission. If you don't want anyone to know about your third eye-"
"I don't have a third eye."
"Or that your nose is upside down-"
"Wrong again."
"Then that's your right." There was yet another moment of silence.
"I believe you." Mary said from across the campfire. "It's weird, because I pegged you for an awful man who just lies and steals, but I believe you."
"I think that warrants a thank you." Sirius laughed. He then proceeded to tie the rag around his head, lay down and turn away from Lancelot and the others. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight." Lancelot said. Sirius then heard the clinking of metal and then the sound of someone cracking their neck and groaning in relief. He thought about it, for just a split second. Turning around and whipping off his blindfold, seeing why there was so much secrecy. But he didn't want to end up dead, or alone in the middle of the woods. So he stayed there, with his blindfold on.
oOoOo
James and Remus's relationship had taken a turn for the better ever since James had told Remus that he wanted him to treat him just like everyone else. Not only were they getting along better, but they were also receiving many strange looks from both servants and nobles while they walked down the corridors and streets together. They both laughed at each other's jokes and at each other's expense. And Remus didn't talk to James like he was next in line for the throne, but rather as if he were a very close friend.
"I told you that you would change your mind about the job." Lily said smugly one day while the two of them were doing laundry. "It's a good job and apparently James isn't as bad as you thought he was."
"You're doing it again." The king's manservant muttered. His name was Hank and he had joined Lily and Remus at the washtub for the day. "You're calling our Prince by his first name."
"He's not here." Lily said, rolling her eyes. "Anyway, what was I saying?"
"You were in the middle of a long overdue, 'I told you so.'" Remus laughed, acting extremely good-natured about the whole ordeal. He was glad that he had been wrong about the job. He would have hated being stuck as James' manservant if they hadn't learned to get along. And sure James was still a prat at times, but now that Remus knew that he was allowed to tell him off for it, he didn't mind as much. And sure James still got to tell Remus what to do, but now it was mostly in retaliation to Remus's teasing. Remus wasn't excessively prideful either, which also made the relationship work. Remus didn't mind that he had been wrong so much and at the moment, that was upsetting Lily.
"Right." Lily nodded. "I was right and you were wrong."
"You were right." Remus agreed.
"This isn't nearly as satisfying as it would be if you stopped agreeing with me."
"I know." He grinned. Lily splashed some water at him and Hank scoffed.
"Must the two of you behave as children?" He asked, wiping an imagined water droplet from his cheek.
"I ask Remus the same thing every day, Hank." James proclaimed, marching into the room and causing all the staff to turn towards him and bow or curtsy. Well, most of the staff. Remus turned towards James and crossed his arms over his chest. "You see how you're supposed to act around me, Remus?"
"Oh!" Remus said, putting his hand over his heart and acting surprised. "I can't believe I was doing it wrong all this time. What's it been, three months? And no one thought to tell me?" Lily giggled and James turned towards her.
"I'm sorry your highness." She said, trying to keep a straight face. "I didn't mean to laugh."
"Don't apologize, Lily." Remus said, splashing her with water now. She gasped when it got on her face.
"Remus!" James admonished. "Why would you throw water at her?" He sounded serious so Remus dropped his smile for a moment and looked at Lily, who was biting her bottom lip and trying not to laugh.
"She started it." Remus said with a half-hearted shrug. It was too much for Lily and she burst out laughing. James looked at her and smiled himself.
"Is that true?" He asked. "Are you giving Remus a hard time?"
"All the time, Sire." She said, still laughing. "Though he does his fair share of mocking as well."
"So it's not just me you like to tease then." James said, shoving Remus's shoulder.
"Sorry, does that make you jealous?"
"Alright, that's enough. I did come down here for a reason." James said, leaning back against the wall. "But now I can't remem- oh yes! You and I are going on a little trip." He gave Remus a look that made his stomach tighten.
"A little trip?" Remus asked, dropping the sudsy clothes he was holding. "You're not taking me hunting again are you? Because I really don't enjoy that."
"No no no." James laughed, shaking his head. "I'm not taking you hunting. Not again. No, we are going to ride out to the edge of the forest and check it out."
"That seems like a job that your knights could do. Very easily."
"It is." James agreed. "But… I want to look for something myself."
"Oh my goodness. This is about," He looked around the room and then took a few steps towards James to whisper, "him. Isn't it?"
"Of course it is." James whispered back. "The man is making us look like fools, Remus. He's stopped three attacks just this week and my knights aren't even seeing any of the bandits. I need to at least talk to him."
"Is everything alright?" Lily asked, still standing at the basin. "I mean, no one is in danger, are they?"
"No." James assured her, placing a hand on her arm. "Everything is fine."
"Thank you, Sire. I was just making sure because Lady Bellatrix is out riding today."
"Your concern is appreciated, but Lady Bellatrix is riding with half a dozen of our finest men. There is no need to worry about her." Lily nodded.
"Let's get going before you turn into an enormous prat." Remus said, grabbing the Princes' arm and dragging him towards the door.
"You're just going to let my clothes soak in the dirty water while we're gone?"
"Of course not." Remus smirked. "Hank will take care of them, won't you Hank?" Hank's jaw ground together, but he smiled at James.
"It would be my pleasure, your highness."
"Well, thank you." James smiled, not noticing that anything was amiss. "Let's get going, Remus. It was nice to see you, Lily."
She looked up, blushing and slightly confused. "You as well, Sire."
"You can call me, James." He said, running a hand through his hair.
"And now you're an enormous prat." Remus groaned. "Leave Lily alone and let's go."
"Right, sorry." James straightened himself up and walked out of the room Remus looked back at Lily who rolled her eyes.
"Sorry about him." Remus said. "But I have told you, yes?"
"You have told me." Lily agreed.
"Remus!" James exclaimed, either calling Remus or admonishing him for whatever he had 'told' Lily.
"I'm coming." Remus sighed and looked at Lily again. "I think I'm going to have to ride a horse." He said quietly. Lily tried not to laugh and gave him her best sympathetic look.
"If you survive, I'll sneak down to the kitchens and get you some cookies."
"That is almost a nice gesture. Except that you had to add the 'if you survive' into it." Remus shook his head and ran out the door after James to the sound of Lily's laughter.
oOoOo
Mary and Dorcas stood near the bank of a creek with a pile of laundry at their feet. Mary's short hair was pulled up by a rag that she had tied around her head to keep her bangs from falling into her eyes. Though she was slightly aggravated at the moment and kept messing with her hair, so it wasn't really doing much by way of its intended purpose.
"Don't know why the boys can't help us out here." Mary called over her shoulder, loudly enough for Sirius and Lancelot to hear her. Sirius smirked and said that it wasn't his laundry and Lance just waved her comment away.
"Did Hestia tell you anything last night?" Dory asked, not really caring one way or the other what the boys were currently doing. She had other things on her mind. After Sirius and Lance had fallen asleep last night, Dory had heard Mary get up and head off a ways, but hadn't acted quickly enough for follow her. And while she was fairly confident in her skills, she wasn't one to go meandering about in the middle of the night, in a forest that she knew very little about. "Did she mention anything else about-"
"How about we don't go muttering about things that shouldn't be overheard, Dory." Mary hissed, her already displeased disposition turning even more sour.
"I thought you trusted him?" Dory hissed back. "And I just wanted to know if you heard anything more about Emrus."
"And that's exactly what we don't need being overheard." Mary grabbed hold of Dory's arm and pulling her to the other side of the creek. She pulled Dory's face close to hers and whispered angrily, "Lance has got enough to worry about without adding our problems to the mix. I'm not even sure that we could continue to travel with-"
Dory pulled herself back and pushed her hair behind her ears. "I'm not thick, Mary. I know that we have to keep it a secret, if you haven't noticed, I'm rather good at keeping secrets. I grew up in one of the more noble families that Camelot has to offer, in a city full of nobles that all hated people like me. I know what it takes to survived."
"And yet you muttered Emrus' name in the presence of Sirius Black and-"
"Alright!" Dory cried, crossing her arms and stalking back over to the other side of the creek.
"Are you two alright over there?" Sirius called, drawing Lance's attention to the girls in the creek.
"Fine." Mary snapped. "Mind your own damn business."
"Mary?"
"That includes you, Lance."
"Dory, what did you do to Mary?"
"Nothing!" Dory picked up a petticoat and beat it against a rock. "Why- does everyone- always blame- me for- everything?" She punctuated each phrase with another whack of her dress against the rock.
"God, what is it with you two." Lance muttered. "You can't do anything without shouting at one another." Mary was about to open her mouth to spit out some nasty retort when Dory kicked her in the shin, causing her to lose her balance and tumble backwards into the creek. Sirius and Lance were quick to start laughing, but Mary screamed and started to lunge at Dory.
"Stop!" Dory cried, putting her hands up and covering her face. Sirius was settling in to watch and Lance was about to intervene when Mary suddenly relaxed, took a deep breath and shook her head.
"I'm sorry." She muttered, her teeth clenched together despite her sincere tone. "I don't know what I was thinking. I'm fine, it was an accident."
"Well that was anticlimactic." Sirius sighed, turning back to stoke the fire.
"Agreed." Lance said. "And also a bit strange. What were you two fighting over, anyway?"
"Didn't I just say that it was none of your damn business?"
"She did." Dory nodded, looking down at her feet, still scrubbing away at the petticoat. "I heard her say it." That ended the conversation and the group went back to their own individual tasks.
oOoOo
"And what exactly are we looking for?" Remus asked. They had been riding through the woods for about two hours now and they hadn't seen anything, and James wasn't talking much either. Luckily, the horse that Remus was on was behaving well so he didn't have to worry about it too much. Well, apart from the fact that he was currently sitting on top of a thousand pound animal that could kill him at any moment it chose too. Other than that though, he was golden.
"I'll let you know when I see it." James said for the tenth time or so. He was dressed in common clothes as a precautionary measure because he had insisted that Remus and him go alone. Bringing no knights at all. So, really, Remus was not golden. Not only did he have to worry about the horse crushing his bones into a thousand tiny pieces, but he also had to be worried about bandits attacking him at any moment and slitting his throat.
"If you brought one of your knights along, they could actually be helping you with this."
"But I brought you instead, and you're completely useless." James looked over at Remus. "And afraid of horses."
"I knew that's why you brought me." Remus hissed. He wanted to yell at James, but he didn't want to frighten the beast he was currently sitting upon. So he had to settle for angry hissing. "And I'm not afraid of horses. Though, if I were, it would be a completely understandable fear, seeing as how they are huge and large and heavy and could crack your skull with their hooves."
"It's just a horse. It's not going to hurt you and besides, the only way to get over your fear is to confront it."
"I just said that I'm not afraid of horses." Remus snapped. "I just don't like them."
"Sure." James nodded. "Now shut up and look for Lancelot."
"He's not just going to be wandering around the woods." Remus said. "He doesn't want to get caught."
"Actually, Remus, I think he is going to be just wandering around the woods. How else would he always be there to help people? He has to be watching the road. And that means that he is somewhere around here. So, look for him."
"Alright, alright. You make a fair point." Remus conceded. "I'll help you look for this mysterious man. But just out of curiosity, what are you going to do to him if we find him?"
"I just want to talk to him." James shrugged. "Maybe ask him to join the knights instead of making them look bad."
"Are you jealous of him?" Remus asked, the thought not just now coming to him. "Because he's doing something you can't?"
"That's not fair, Remus. If I sat out in the woods all day and waited for people to be attacked, I could save them. But I can't do that. I have things to do, I'm a prince."
"I was just asking." Remus said, hiding a smirk.
"Well, don't." James' face suddenly snapped towards the opposite direction. "What was that?"
"What wa-"
"Shut up!" He hissed. He jumped down from his horse, and Remus quickly followed in suit, not really caring why, just grateful for an excuse to get off the monstrous beast. James crouched slightly and started walking, very careful not to step on any branches or leaves, towards the road. Remus could hear a faint melodic sound coming from up the road. Soon the noise turned into a voice.
"Fifty-five bottles of beer on the wall, fifty-five bottles of beer. Take one down, swallow it all, fifty-four bottles of beer on the wall…" It was a man walking, almost skipping really, down the road while singing to himself. "Fifty-four bottles of beer on the wall, Fifty-four bottles of beer. Take one down, swallow it all, fifty-three bottles of beer on the wall."
"Aren't you supposed to pass it around?" James grinned. Remus didn't understand what he was talking about so he rolled his eyes.
"That's not Lancelot." He whispered.
"Who's there!" The man called, putting his fists up in front of him and jerking his head back and forth to look around him as quickly as possible. "Come on out and show your faces, cowards."
"There's no need for that." James said, standing up and walking out to the road. "I was looking for someone else." The man eyed James' sword warily and then his gaze shifted over to Remus. "My name is Harry," James said. Then he reached behind him and grabbed Remus's arm. "And this here is my brother Ted. We were looking for," He lowered his voice and looked around the forest. "Lancelot. He saved our mother the other day and we wanted to thank him personally."
"I'm not an idiot." The man said, jutting his jaw out and crossing his arms. "But as you can see, I've got nothing on me. You can't steal anything from a man who has nothing. That's what I always say."
"We're not thieves." Remus said. "We really are looking for Lancelot." James elbowed him in the side. He didn't know why though seeing as how James had told the man the same thing only two seconds ago.
"You are?" Sirius asked. "Well, I could use some money if you have any to spare. And judging by your sword, you do."
"Why would I pay you?" James asked.
"Because, I know where Lance is." He said smugly. "I actually just left his camp. Though I'm not really keen on going back anytime soon. Not that I've got a problem with Lance-"
"Really?" James said. "Prove it."
"Prove it? How?"
"Tell me what he looks like."
"I can't. He blindfolded me. Sort of. I actually offered to blindfold myself. But that was only because he was going to sleep in his helmet. He didn't want me to see his face."
"You're not lying are you? You're being serious?"
"I'm Sirius all the time." He chuckled. Remus looked at James who shrugged. "Now why don't you lads show me some money, and I'll show you where he is."
"We've got nothing to lose." James whispered to Remus. "I mean, if I need to, I could over power him later."
"He's unarmed, James. Why would you need to overpower him?"
"James? So, your names not Harry?" James glared at Remus and the man laughed. "Calm down there, I knew you were lying and it makes no difference to me. My name is Sirius Black, borderline criminal and disinherited noblemen. It's nice to meet you." He stuck his hand out. James laughed a bit and then shook his hand.
"Do you always introduce yourself like that?"
"No. That would be bad for business. But I don't have to hustle you two to get money. Do I James? And what's your real name?"
"I'm Remus." Remus said. "Are you sure you can take us to Lancelot?"
"What are you going to do if you find him?" Sirius asked. "Because he's a really nice man and I wouldn't want anything to happen to him just because I want a couple pieces of gold. The ladies he's traveling with on the other hand..."
"A couple pieces?" Remus asked, his eyes bugging out a bit. "Who do you think we are?" James coughed and nudged Remus in the gut again.
"It's fine, whatever he wants is fine."
"It's fine?" Remus asked. "Do you know how much I get paid a week? And you think it's fine?"
"Can we talk about this later?" James asked, giving Remus a pointed look.
"Yeah, whatever. Throw your gold wherever you fancy. I don't care."
"I think he cares a little bit." Sirius said.
"I just want to offer him a job. And talk to him." James said, moving the conversation back to Lancelot. "I'm not here to cause trouble with him, he's doing this kingdom a great favor and I appreciate it."
"You work for the king or something?" Sirius asked, scratching the back of his head. He didn't look entirely sold on what James was telling him, but Remus had a feeling that he was going to tell them what they wanted to know anyway. James must have sensed it as well, because he didn't try and offer any actual information when answering the man's question.
"Or something." James nodded. Sirius shifted from one foot to the other and looked them over once more.
"Well, come on then. I should make you pay upfront."
"How about I give you one gold coin now," James said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a coin. "And another one after you show me where Lancelot is?"
"Sounds fair to me." Sirius smirked, pocketing his coin. Then he spun around on his heel and motioned for them to follow him. "Though I am curious as to why a bloke would be carrying as much money as you seem to be. Especially when these parts of the woods are known to be a tad bit dangerous."
"They are not dangerous." James said firmly. "There has been a spike in robberies along this trail, but it's nothing that can't be fixed." Sirius looked at Remus, as though he would say or do something that would explain the intensity of James' statement, but Remus just looked at James.
"I want a raise." Remus muttered. "If you can afford to pay strange men two gold coins to show you where someone might be, then you can give me more than 12 silver pieces a week."
"I'm not giving you a raise." James said, shaking his hand.
"I'll spit in your food."
"I'll fire you."
"You will not." Remus said. "For some reason, you seem to like me."
"It baffles me as well."
After a few moments of walking, James remembered about the horses.
"We're not going back for them." Remus said. "We only have two anyway. And there are three of us."
"You could walk." James said. "You'd like that anyway, wouldn't you?"
"We're walking right now. We're fine. The horses will be fine."
"You don't even like being near horses?" James laughed. "What is wrong with you?"
"Nothing is wrong with me." Remus snapped. "I just don't like large animals that could trip and fall on top of me, simultaneously shattering every bone in my body and crushing my lungs."
"When he says it like that," Sirius said, having kept a straight face throughout the entire conversation. "I'm not too comfortable with horses either."
"See!" Remus pointed at Sirius. "By the way, I just got the joke about your name from earlier. 'being serious.'" Sirius laughed.
"Look at what you're doing." James said, ignoring the play on Sirius's name. "You're making your irrational fears rub off on other people."
"It's not irrational. Or a fear." Remus said. He turned to Sirius. "Are we almost there?"
"Luckily." Sirius said, raising his eyebrows. "It's just a bit off the road, here." He stepped off the road and started walking into the woods.
"Is this safe?" Remus whispered. "We're following someone we don't know into the woods. To find people that we don't know. What if he tries to murder us? What if he's taking us to a group of people who are-"
"Stop being scared of everything, Remus."
"I'm sorry that I enjoy living. And full use of my appendages." Sirius snickered.
"You too have been friends for too long." He observed.
"We're not friends." Remus said quickly. "And we've only known each other for three months. Actually a little less than that." James rolled his eyes.
"I think his statement is valid. Less than three months is too long to have been frie- sorry, acquaintances with you."
"There." Sirius said, pointing through some trees. "Their camp is right through there."
"I can see it." James nodded, walking in front of Sirius now in the direction he had pointed.
"He can't see it." Sirius whispered to Remus.
"He just- I mean... I know." He sighed. Sirius laughed again.
"Are you like his servant or something?"
"I am his servant, yes."
"Tough break."
"Yep."
"Lancelot?" James called. Now that he was far closer to the camp, he could see the fire pit and the small curls of smoke coming up from the coals. "I've come to talk to you, peaceably."
"Who talks like that?" Sirius asked.
"A prat." Remus replied.
"Who the bloody hell are you?" A girl jumped out from behind a tree, holding a sword pointed right at James' throat. "Start talki- You again?"
"Hello Dory. I've brought fans." Sirius said, stepping up next to James and pushing Dory's blade away.
"You brought people here?" She asked, looking completely outraged. "Is this how you say thank you?"
"Maybe you can give her my second gold coin." Sirius said, nodding at James.
"I don't want money! I want to know why you thought that was okay to sell us out!"
"What's going on up there?" Another voice called. "Is everything alright?"
"Don't come any closer! Mary." Dory said, looking slightly panicked.
"What?" A girl with thick brown hair sat up at the base of a tree looking a bit disoriented. "What's happening?"
"Are you just waking up?" Sirius asked this girl. "That's slightly impressive given that you slept on a tree all night."
"I was doing laundry earlier you prat. Why are you still here?" She snapped, pushing herself off the ground and reaching for a sword that was leaning against a log. She quickly fastened it around her waist and then stepped forward.
"You don't have to be mean. I thought you liked me."
"I don't mind you, but I don't like you."
"I'll take it." He shrugged. "Who's the third lady. And where is Lancelot."
"What third lady?" Mary asked, standing up and yawing.
"The girl that Dory called Mary when you were still asleep."
"I didn't call someone Mary, other than Mary." Dory said. "I told Lance not to come any closer and then I called Mary."
"I'm so confused." Remus said shaking his head.
"I am as well." James said. "Can someone explain to me what's going on? And is Lancelot here, because I'd like to speak with him if that's alright."
"Why?" Mary asked, placing her hands on the handle of her sword, which was still sheathed, unlike Dory's, and walking up so she was standing directly in front of James. "Because he's a man?"
"Mainly, yes." James replied. Remus huffed and let his head fall into his hand.
"He's a git, please excuse him."
"I didn't say anything wrong." James said, nudging Remus for the third time.
"You look familiar." Dory said, inspecting James. "Have we met?"
"It's possible. I meet a great number of people in my position."
"Your position?" Sirius laughed. "What, do you work nights at the tavern?" Remus snorted and James looked horrified.
"Are you implying what I think you are?" Dory asked, taking a step closer to Sirius. "I don't sleep with whores!" James was about to interject when his attention was diverted.
"What is going on here?" A man's voice called. Lancelot came walking into camp, wearing his helmet and a thick leather vest. "I was only gone for a few minutes."
"This isn't our fault,Lancelot." Mary said. "This wanker wants to talk to you and he might be a male prostitute."
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk about me like that." James said, running a hand through his hair. "It's an honor to finally make your acquaintance."
"Sure, sure. Who are you?"
"Terribly sorry, where are my manners?" James held out his hand. "I'm Prince James Potter of Camelot." As soon as the title left his mouth, Dory shut her eyes and Mary shook her head.
"I'm really sorry." Dory said at the same time Mary said, "I hope you don't expect me to apologize." Sirius let out a bark of laughter.
"Prince James?" Lancelot asked, his voice shooting up almost an entire octave. Then he coughed a bit and added, "What are you doing here? I mean- It's an honor to meet you, sir." He swept into a bow.
"I'm just going to be straightforward with you, if that's alright. I came out here hoping to find you so that I could ask if you would be interested in becoming a knight of Camelot. I've heard of the work you've been doing on your own, and I can only imagine what you could accomplish if you had a few of my men standing beside you."
"You're offering me a place among your knights?" He asked. "I'm honored, but I don't know what to say."
"I know what you should say." Mary said, tucking her hair behind her ear and crossing her arms over her chest.
"You don't have to decide right now." James said smoothly, giving Mary a small smile which was not returned. "But I would appreciate it if you accompanied me back to the castle and let me explain in greater detail what becoming a knight would mean. The benefits, salary and whatnot?" Lance was quiet for a moment, his hands on his hips and Mary and Dory both exchanged worried glances.
"You can't honestly be thinking about this?" Mary said. "You know that you can't-"
"I don't think I can argue with the prince." And the two men shook hands. Mary threw her head back took a deep breath through her nose.
"Are you sure about this?" Dory asked. "I mean… think this through."
"I hate agreeing with her, but she's right." Mary said. "Think about this. Really think about it."
"I don't know what to tell you girls. The Prince of Camelot just came down from the castle, found me in the middle of the woods and asked me to go back to become a knight. What am I supposed to do? Say no?"
"Yes." Dory said. "That is exactly what you're supposed to do."
"You're both welcomed to come along as well. And your other friend. Where ever she is."
"It's just the three of us." Mary said. "And sometimes Hestia. But she's-"
"Visiting her mum." Sirius said, giving all three of them a strange look. "Right?"
"Well, she lives with her mum, but yeah." Mary said, her fingers still dancing on the hilt of her sword. She looked uneasy.
"What's going on, Sirius?" James asked.
"I don't really know. Everyone is lying to me. They are lying about something." He pointed at the girls and Lancelot. "You lied to me about who you were. And I'm sure Remus has a secret he's not telling anyone."
"Don't bring me into this." Remus said, putting his hands up.
"Why do you think they're lying about something?" James asked.
"Even I know that they're hiding something." Remus said. "And I'm just your stupid servant."
"We're not hiding anything. Except Lancelot's face." Mary said. "That has to be understood, now. Under no circumstances is his helmet to be removed."
"Understood." James said quickly. "I understand, and I respect that. Though, my father will want some sort of explanation."
"And I will give him one." Lancelot said. "When and if he asks."
"He will ask." James said. "He's too distrusting not to."
"Well, I suggest we get moving before we're in danger of losing the sunlight." Lance said. "Is our camp packed up?" He looked at Mary.
"She was napping." Dory sighed. "But I packed up everything. We just need some horses."
"Do we though?" Remus asked, causing Sirius to pat him on the back in a would-be comforting manner if he hadn't also been laughing.
I know that some of you have been asking me to update faster, but this was 30 pages on MW, and 8,000 words. I have two jobs and I'm taking 14 credits which require me to read over 75k-100k words and write three papers a week. I'm also trying to read A Game of Thrones. You're getting this story as fast as I can possibly give it to you. But I can promise that you will get two updates every month for the foreseeable future.
Reviews are off the chain, so leave one if you will. :)