Chapter 17

"No, my lord! Why do you ask such a thing of me?"

Arthur had one hand on Lancelot's left shoulder, and was looking intently at him. Lancelot's head was down, however, unable to meet his gaze and in some distress, and he kept shaking his head at the prince's request.

"I wouldn't ask this of you, Lancelot, if I didn't know something of your heart, and I know that you're only hesitating for the sake of my feelings - but don't. I've spent long hours today facing the situation we're in, and I know there's no hope for me. I've grieved those things that will never be, but I've made my peace with my fate and I don't fear death. So now I must make what provision I can in the little time I have left for those I hold dear. I'll go easier to my death, Lancelot, if I know that she'll be taken care of in the way that I want for her. So swear to me that you'll do what I've asked."

Lancelot looked up at his prince, with something close to desperation on his face, and said pleadingly to him, "My lord…"

But Arthur continued to look steadily at him, "Swear it to me, Lancelot…," and Lancelot finally gave in and looked at the ground again as he said the words, "I swear."

Arthur took in a deep breath and let out it out slowly before continuing.

"And please explain to Merlin why I had to speak to you and wasn't able to speak to him."

A wry smile came to Arthur's face. "Believe it or not, it grieves me more than I can say not to be able to see him again, so you'll have to pass on the words that I wish to tell him."

Lancelot didn't look up. "My lord, Merlin was not with us when we were taken into custody. He suspected that there was something wrong and went to find a way of seeing what was going on in the hall."

"How is it that my servant always seems to be two steps ahead of me?" Arthur smiled again, and felt strangely comforted by the knowledge that Merlin had not been far from him in his ordeal. But when Lancelot didn't respond and still didn't look up, Arthur sensed that there was something his knight wasn't telling him. "What is it Lancelot? Don't keep anything from me. Tell me what you know."

When Lancelot finally looked up, there was a pained expression on his face. "I don't think I can give him your message, my lord. It seems that Merlin no longer lives."

And for the first time since he had entered the dungeon, Lancelot saw Arthur's calm exterior crumple, and his head went quickly down and he closed his eyes, trying to control his emotions, and Lancelot knew he had dealt Arthur a terrible blow. But Lancelot was not prepared for what happened next, because Arthur suddenly started to laugh, and shook his head as he did so.

"…..then I will shortly be able to tell him myself! What did I just say about him being two steps ahead of me? It seems that I cannot escape my servant, and that he'll be waiting for me when I arrive in the afterlife to continue plaguing me!"

And so, completely unexpectedly, they both found themselves laughing in the midst of the heartache, but the laughter was brief and the look of sadness soon returned to both their faces. And after another pause, they then returned to the seriousness of what had to be done.

"There are three final matters Lancelot. Firstly, you are to take my place as the Captain of the knights of Camelot."

Lancelot was stunned, and began "But Sir Leon….," but Arthur quickly interrupted him.

"I grew up in Camelot alongside Leon. I know him well, and I know he will gladly and willingly accept your leadership as the new Captain of the knights and serve alongside you. He is a first rate lieutenant, and that's what he excels at, and what he is happy doing. But Lancelot - I know of no one better to whom to entrust this duty than you. You'll make an excellent leader and a worthy successor." Arthur paused, and a smile came to his face. "And don't let Gwaine give you a hard time!"

Lancelot returned the smile, "Not even you were able to do that, Sire!" and they both laughed briefly before Arthur continued.

"I've already given you the words for my father, but please also tell him that it was one of my last requests that he doesn't seek revenge against Mercia for my death – our quarrel is with neither Bayard nor Mercia. Retaliation will only lead to senseless slaughter on both sides, and will only leave Camelot weakened. You must make sure that my father respects this request of mine. He'll think it's showing weakness, but I believe it's the right thing to do and the wise thing to do."

"Yes, Sire."

Arthur paused once more before he spoke again. "And to the final matter, Lancelot. It'll be your first duty as the new Captain of the knights. I require one more solemn oath from you and you must exact the same oath from each of my knights." Lancelot watched as Arthur looked down, took in a deep breath and let it out, and then finally raised his head and looked him steadily in the eye. And Arthur knew that if there was still even the tiniest hope for him, he was just about to extinguish it and seal his own fate with his words. "I know that you are all to witness my execution tomorrow. You must swear to me that you will not attempt in any way to rescue me."

Lancelot closed his eyes, and dropped his head again, shaking it slowly. "My lord, why do you keep asking such things of me that break my heart?" The fact that Lancelot knew why he was asking it didn't make the hearing of it any less painful.

Arthur continued, "If it were just the knights here with me in this situation, I might allow you to embark upon what I know you would see as the honourable thing to do, regardless of it being fool-hardy and hopeless, and we might all then die together as brothers. But I will not allow any course of action that will put Guinevere's life at risk or leave her unprotected. So I need you to swear the oath, and I need you to make sure that each of the knights will swear it too. Give me your solemn and sacred oath that you will do as I ask, and I will ask no more of you."

There was a long pause, and Lancelot's brow furrowed before he finally looked up again at Arthur. "I swear it, my lord."

"Very well. Then that is all. Thank you, my friend."

Lancelot went down on one knee before Arthur and bowed his head to him. "Your highness."

Arthur looked down at the figure kneeling before him, and was touched by the affection that his most noble knight had for him. He smiled. "Arise, Sir Lancelot."

And once Lancelot was on his feet again, the two men stood before each other, held each other's gaze for a moment, and then embraced like brothers. And when they finally stepped apart, Arthur smiled one final time at his friend before the knight turned to leave: "It has been an honour to know you Lancelot."

"No, my lord, the honour is all mine."