AN: Hey babes!

Happy Beltane! ;) I'm posting this on Beltane 2016 for future readers' reference. I was going to wait to post the Beltane chapter today but i literally couldn't wait.

Anyways, this chapter is the Lancelot episode, and contains a lot of dialog straight from the episode so don't sue me. Also, i know it's a bit out of order episode wise, so I'm sorry for any confusion. But, Lancelot and his relationship with Merlin is important for the future of this story.

So, there's some Merlin/Lancelot ahead, but also some development with Merlin/Arthur. Merthur is endgame, after all. I did say slow burn, didn't I? :)

xoxo

Chapter 6

A few bright springtime weeks had passed since Beltane and Arthur and I avoided each other like it was a sport. A sport we were particularly good at, actually. We had this schedule worked out where I brought in his breakfast and woke him up by calling his name as I shut the door behind me. Then, while he practiced with the knights I quickly cleaned up his room and gathered his laundry. I left his lunch on the table. While he ate his lunch in his chambers, I cleaned his clothes and polished his armor. Then, while he was tending to diplomatic matters with his father in the council room, I tended to the fire, cleaned up from lunch, and changed his sheets. The rest of the evening consisted of mucking out stables and bribing Gwen to serve dinner to Uther, Arthur, and Morgana. We had a good system of avoidance going.

I had been caught up on my chores with Arthur one afternoon, so Gaius had me searching for mushrooms in the forest. I wasn't too far out, the castle still in view behind me. I hummed a song I'd heard one of the cooks sing as I picked the mushrooms. It was warming up in Camelot as spring was in full bloom. The sun glittered down as the leaves swayed in a gentle breeze. I had found a daisy patch and threaded the stems of a few flowers into my usual braid. Spring in Ealdor was all about hard work planting and getting ready for summer crops. Spring in Camelot was vastly different. Spring in Camelot was happier and lighter. Children ran and danced in the marketplace, vendors sold bouquets of fragrant flowers, people were flirtatious and happy. I loved Camelot in spring, bringing flowers to Gaius' and Arthur's chambers every morning, playing with happy children in the market, and lounging in the sunshine.

I was calm and at peace until there was a terrible screeching sound and a creature came out of nowhere. I had let my guard down and didn't hear it approach. I stumbled back as it swooped passed me. I gasped when I saw it. It had the body of a lion and the wings and head of an eagle and it was probably going to eat me. I didn't have time to scream for help before it reared up to strike at me again. I tried to back up but tripped and fell.

This was it. I was going to die picking mushrooms for Gaius. Nothing heroic or brave. How disappointing. I closed my eyes, waiting for the final blow.

There was a shout and running footsteps. I opened my eyes to see a man, not in armor, fighting the beast with a sword. He was skilled with the weapon, I noticed, as he sliced through the air at the monster. I scrambled backwards, twigs breaking under my palm. He thrust the sword up to the chest of the beast and it should have gone in and killed it. But it didn't, it broke the sword in two.

The man turned and looked at me, eyes wide. "Run! Run!" He shouted and tried to help me up from the ground. I pushed myself up and ran with the man towards the castle. The creature was not ready to give up and attacked us again. The man sheltered me from the blow and I was unsure if he took it. We jumped behind a large fallen tree just as the creature flew off, giving up as we went out of sight.

My heart was pounding in my chest, my throat dry from breathing heavily, and sweat covered my forehead. I looked at the man to see he was in the same position and studying me, as well. He had long brown hair and deep brown eyes. He was quite handsome.

I looked up to see if I could locate the creature but he was gone. "It's gone," I said. "You saved my life. I'm Merlin." I held my hand out to shake his.

"Lancelot," the man said and kissed my hand just before passing out.

That was when I noticed the bleeding wound on his side. He needed to see Gaius and he was losing blood quickly. I cursed under my breath as I realized I would have to carry him to the castle. I lifted one of his arms over my shoulders and stood up, my knees shaking with the effort. There was no way I would be able to do this without magic. So I used a spell to make him feel lighter as I carried him, dragging his feet, back to the castle. Just before the guards would be able to see me, I took off the spell and struggled carrying him into the clearing before the gates. As planned, the guards saw me and rushed to my aid. I directed them to take him to Gaius' and rushed ahead to inform the physician.

Gaius was able to stitch up his wound and apply a salve to reduce the infection and pain. "The wound itself is superficial and the fever will pass. He should be fine in the morning," Gaius told me.

"He saved my life from a creature I've never seen before, Gaius," I said as I stitched up the tear in Lancelot's blue tunic. I had cleaned the blood from it and dried it by the fire while Gaius treated him.

"What did it look like?" Gaius asked as he cleaned up his tools.

"It had the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle," I explained with a shiver as I remembered looking up and seeing it attacking me.

Gaius looked thoughtful. "I'm sure you were just frightened, Merlin."

I shrugged. "Maybe. It did catch me by surprise," I admitted. I was quite certain of what I saw but there was the possibility of being mistaken.

The next morning, I awoke with the servants' bell and left my room to check on Lancelot. He was still asleep so I left to bring Arthur his breakfast.

When I came back that morning, Lancelot was awake. "Hello," I said as I entered Gaius' chambers.

"Hello… Merlin," Lancelot said with a smile.

"H-how are you feeling?" I asked as I set down the plate of bread and berries that I had brought for him on the table.

"Wonderful, thanks to Gaius," he said.

"Is Gaius here?" I asked, looking around.

"No, he's out making his rounds. But he said you'd be back soon," Lancelot said.

"Yes, I've brought breakfast. It's not much but-"

"No, it's wonderful. Thank you," Lancelot said gratefully and took a piece of bread.

"Well, thank you for saving my life," I said and we sat at the table.

"It sounds like you saved my life in return not moments later when I needed to be carried back," he laughed. "How did you manage?"

"Adrenaline and determination," I said with a laugh.

"You are welcome to stay in my room as long as you need," I offered when he was done eating.

"Are you sure I wont be putting you out?" Lancelot asked.

"Gaius has a spare cot I can use," I said.

"I couldn't take a bed away from a lady," Lancelot shook his head.

"No, please, I don't want you becoming more injured by sleeping on an old cot," I insisted.

"Fine, if you insist," Lancelot agreed.

"So what brings you to Camelot?" I asked him.

"Ever since I was a child I've dreamed of coming here. It's my life's ambition to join the knights of Camelot. 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," he said and stood to look out the window at the courtyard below.

"Lancelot," I laughed. "They're going to love you!"

"They are?" he asked with a charming, unsure smile.

"I've seen you in action. You could shame Arthur himself," I insisted with a smile in return.

"I hardly think so," Lancelot said, his smile faltering.

"I do think so. In fact, I'm going to go talk to Arthur right now!" I volunteered.

"You know Arthur?" he asked, his eyes wide.

"Oh, yes," I said and hurried out.

I brought Lancelot with me to meet Arthur at the training grounds. He was testing a new potential knight on the field. We watched as he taunted the men. Arthur's eyes found me leaning up against the fence post as he spoke. His speech faltered a moment when he noticed Lancelot close, next to me. Arthur continued the test with a little bit of excessive force, knocking the hopeful knight unconscious.

I helped Arthur carry his armor back to the castle today instead of another servant and he didn't mention the change in our dance of avoidance. He walked in front of me as he took off his own armor and handed it to me piece by piece.

"How do they expect me to protect Camelot with rubbish like Grummund?" Arthur asked me irritably.

"Well, I think I could help," I said hopefully.

He looked back at me with raised eyebrow. "Thanks, Merlin, but you're missing a few things required to be a knight."

"No, not me. I've met someone," I said, brushing off his tone.

"Oh?" he said inquisitively, not looking at me.

"Yeah, he saved my life," I said.

"Hmm," Arthur said feigning interest.

"No, he's really very good, I promise," I insisted.

Arthur scoffed and kicked at a stone in the path, sending it skittering under a vender's cart. "That he may be, but you're forgetting the First Code of Camelot where only those of noble blood can serve."

"Oh, but he is noble!" I lied instinctively before I could think it through.

"Very well. Bring him to the training ground. And make sure he brings his seal of nobility," Arthur said, his voice sounding disappointed.

I smiled and thanked him as we entered the armory.

Later that afternoon I met up with Lancelot at Gaius' chambers. I told him the news and he was overjoyed at the prospect of meeting Arthur and proving himself as a knight. But Gaius broke the bad news about needing to be a noble and Lancelot was devastated. He excused himself to my bedroom where he was staying. I allowed him some alone time as I finished up some chores for Arthur before going in.

"I'm sorry, Lancelot," I said quietly and lit the candles in their holders. "Why do you want to be a knight so much?"

"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. 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, and when I was ready, I set forth for Camelot. And now, it seems, my journey ends. Everything I fought for, wasted," he said and sat next to me on the bed.

"I promise that whatever it takes, I will make this right," I said and briefly squeezed his hand.

"You are too kind, Merlin. But don't bother. There's no use trying to break code," he said softly and placed his rough hand on mine.

We were silent, looking at each other for a few moments before a blush crept its way up my neck and to my cheeks. "Good night, Lancelot," I said before standing and rushing from the room.

The next morning, I worked to find a seal of a noble family I had never heard of and copied it with magic for Lancelot to use. He had to become a knight, he was meant to be one. And I was going to get him there if it was the only thing I did. I found Lancelot in Gaius' chambers and told him about the forged seal. He was hesitant but I was able to convince him that it was worth it in order to become a knight.

Later that morning we met with Gwen to get fitted for chainmail and armor. Lancelot also needed a new sword since his broke on the creature from the forest. Gwen took his measurements, flitting about, writing down numbers and gathering materials. The three of us joked and laughed, Lancelot flirting with both Gwen and I. He was getting a kick out of our blushes and giggles. His posture became more and more confident as we responded to his flirting. I helped Gwen by handing her the tools and materials she needed while I sat on the table, my skirts of my dress a little higher than was proper, and my feet swinging. Lancelot's eyes kept going to my legs and I felt emboldened and powerful. Gwen's yellow dress had a relatively low cut neckline and she kept finding reasons to bend down in front of him, giving him a better view of her breasts. We were being silly and flirtatious until Gwen pushed us out so that she could work without "handsome distractions." Lancelot kissed her hand and we left together.

We had our lunch together in the courtyard of the castle and watched the hustle and bustle of people. I pointed out people Lancelot would need to know as he sliced an apple and handed me pieces. Lancelot and I lounged on the steps to the side, out of the way. He was leaning towards me and I towards him so that he could better hear my whispered gossip about the people we saw. At one point Arthur came into the courtyard on horseback and stopped in front of the steps. He was greeted by the stable hand who helped him off his horse. I knew Arthur was going in for a working lunch with his father and the council, so I knew I had time to kill with Lancelot. Arthur looked at me and Lancelot and his face looked blank, if not angry. I wondered what chore I was missing that was making him angry. I was sure to find out later that afternoon.

The next day was the day that Lancelot was to begin his training with the knights, if Arthur approved of him. Gwen brought his chainmail and armor to us before practice and helped me put it on the shaking Lancelot. There was no flirting this time, he was too nervous. But just before he was to enter the field with Arthur, he kissed both of our hands "for good luck" and winked before jogging to the field.

Arthur was unfairly tough on him and hit him in the face and didn't give him a chance. Lancelot was made to muck out the stables, sweep the guardhouse, clean armor, sharpen swords and many other chores before he was given another chance. And not a moment too soon as there was another attack on a nearby village by the creature that I encountered in the woods. This attack was closer to Camelot, and Arthur and King Uther believed it was making it's way here. This urged Arthur to bring Lancelot's test to become a knight forward so that he could aid in the fight against the creature.

Gwen and I watched the test from the sidelines. Arthur announced the rules of the test before the sand timer was started. Gwen and I jumped up and down and cheered when Lancelot was doing well and gasped when he was knocked down, his helmet flying off. I gripped Gwen's fingers with mine as we watched Lancelot, unmoving on the test field. He had to remain conscious for the duration of the test and he was lying motionless on the ground. My heart fell to my stomach for him. He had worked so hard and for nothing. Just as Arthur was about to take Lancelot's flag, Lancelot opened his eyes and took Arthur down to the ground and held his sword to Arthur's chest. It looked as though he was being arrested, but then Arthur announced that he had succeeded and was to be knighted. Gwen and I cheered for Lancelot and he waved to us with a wink. Arthur saw this and clenched his jaw before turning away. Gwen and I were being loud and obnoxious and it was likely that Arthur was not used to people cheering for someone other than him. I rolled my eyes.

Lancelot was to be knighted and a feast to celebrate was to follow. I wore my red dress that I had worn to Beltane as it was my only nice dress. Gwen wore her red dress, too and we stood with Morgana who wore a revealing violet dress. She stood proudly, making direct eye contact with every man in the room. Gwen and I giggled at her boldness and she laughed and hushed us. We sipped at some wine after serving and clearing the food. Servants were allowed to linger for these types of celebrations as long as the work had been done. So Gwen and I helped ourselves to the wine and watched the people and gossiped. That was when I noticed Arthur and Lancelot sitting alone talking quietly and watching us.

"Don't look now but Arthur and Lancelot are both looking this way," I murmured to her, using my goblet to block my words.

"Surely they are looking at Morgana," Gwen whispered back, shyly. Morgana was sitting at the table near us, talking with a knight. It didn't seem as though their eyes were directed at her.

I nonchalantly spilled a few drops of wine on my chest and feigned a little gasp of surprise. Gwen quickly grabbed a napkin from the table we were standing in front of and she used it to dab at the few drops that had left a trail on my chest. I chanced a quick glance at Arthur and Lancelot.

"Nope, they are absolutely definitely looking at us," I whispered with a giggle. Both men were silently watching intently, leaning forward with their elbows on their knees and their goblets almost forgotten in their hands. Their eyes were intense and hooded.

Gwen blushed. "Merlin you set me up!"

"I did and you're welcome," I laughed and sipped my wine. "So if you had to choose, Lancelot or Arthur?" I asked, mirroring my somewhat drunken internal struggle. But she wasn't able to answer before Morgana came over to us.

"You two are minxes!" Morgana approached us laughing. "Teach me everything you know!"

The rest of the evening was spent with more wine, more giggling, more flirting, and some running around the dark castle. Morgana, Gwen, and I went to go for a walk to talk, but Arthur and Lancelot shouted that we were being boring old ladies who left parties early. So we laughed and raced from the hall and down the corridor, the men loudly and innocently chasing after us, their ale spilling as they ran. My magic shimmered with pleasure at the alcohol buzzing in my veins and loosening my muscles. I felt relaxed and light and playful. We ended up splitting up where the corridor met two others. I ran, laughing, to the left and hid in an alcove where there once was a statue before King Uther decided he was tired of it. I tried to catch my breath after all of the running and laughing as I leaned into the alcove. I heard quick footsteps in the darkened hallway and I peeked out and saw a flash of red fabric.

"Gwen! Here!" I whispered.

The person who squeezed into the alcove with me was decidedly not Gwen. It was Arthur. His breathing was quick from the running and laughing as well and it puffed down at my face. He smelled like ale.

"Arthur," I breathed.

"Not Gwen," he joked.

"We need to stop meeting like this," I joked in return as I realized we were pressed together in a tight space. I remembered the broom closet from months ago. I blushed.

"You've been avoiding me since Beltane," he stated, not joking.

"I have, and so have you," I countered.

"Let's be done with that. It's stupid. And I m- um, it's hard to give you more chores if I can never find you to tell you," he said half heartedly.

"I thought it better for us to be separated," I said apologetically.

"Why? Because of the fertility dance? Merlin, I'm quite certain it takes more than speaking to each other in the same room for the dance to prove effective," he said sarcastically.

"Yeah, it takes approximately a drunken meeting in a small, dark alcove," I shot back.

Arthur cleared his throat and laughed as he stepped out of the alcove. "Come on, Merlin. Let's go find the others."

"There you are," Lancelot said as we exited the alcove. He had a torch in his hand, likely taken from a wall. His eyes flashed between Arthur and me, a curious look on his face. I looked down at my hands in front of me. "What were you two doing hiding in the alcove?" Lancelot laughed, but it didn't sound like his real laugh.

Arthur stepped closer to me and put his hand on the small of my back. "Nothing, let's go find Gwen and Morgana."

I was confused at Arthur's actions. Was he trying to make Lancelot jealous? What was going on? I didn't want this weird, tense conversation to continue so I pushed past them both and hurried to find Gwen and Morgana.

Later that night, when we all forced ourselves to part and go home and to bed, Lancelot and I walked together to Gaius'. We walked arm in arm to give each other support in our drunken state. "That was fun!" I said, giggling at the fuzzy memory of the evening.

"It was," Lancelot agreed. "Is there something going on between you and Arthur?"

"What do you mean?" I asked in return.

"Like… romantic," Lancelot explained.

"No! Absolutely not! He's a royal prat!" I exclaimed.

"It just seemed like it when I found you two in the alcove," Lancelot explained with a shrug.

"I… I'm not sure what that was, honestly," I said thinking back to it.

We were back at Gaius' by then and went to bed happy, tired, and still drunk. The morning, however, was the opposite of happy and drunk. Gaius woke us not long after the servant's bell and shoved a potion at the two of us.

"Good morning, children" he said louder than necessary. My stomach churned and my head pounded. "Don't look at it and don't smell it. Just down it in one go."

Lancelot and I did as we were told just before the door burst open and two guards entered. They arrested Lancelot, dragging him away. My heart clenched in guilt as I realized what they were arresting him for. It was all my fault. I quickly followed them to the throne room where Uther and Arthur were standing, waiting.

Arthur looked at my face scrunched up in anger with tears falling while Lancelot was sentenced to be put in the dungeon. His jaw tightened before he argued with his father. Arthur insisted that Lancelot only wanted to serve, but Uther would not hear it. Arthur looked back at me, his expression unreadable. I stormed off, not wanting to speak to Arthur. This was entirely unfair! Lancelot deserved to be a knight! And now he was in a dungeon and it was all my fault. I needed to speak to him so I made my way down to the dungeons. I was granted permission by the guards to see him.

Lancelot looked up to see me approach and stood up and met me at the bars of his cell.

"I don't know what to say, Lancelot," I said quietly as tears welled up again.

"You are not to blame, Merlin," he said softly.

"But I am. I pushed you and I made you lie," I said a tear falling now.

"The choice was mine. My punishment is mine to bear, and mine to bear alone," he said and reached through the bars to swipe at my tear.

"I wish there was something I could do," I whispered and leaned into his hand on my cheek.

"You can stop blaming yourself," he said and pulled me forward to kiss my forehead.

I shook my head as a guard approached to tell me it was time to leave. I squeezed Lancelot's hand once before I left.

Since the creature from the forest had attacked again, and the reports of what it looked like matched what Lancelot and I described, Gaius had begun researching it. That afternoon he called me in to look at one of his books. He explained that he had been searching for the beast and believed he had found it in a book of magical creatures. It was a griffin, a magical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle.

Just then the warning bells tolled in the courtyard and we rushed to the window. The griffin was attacking in Camelot and Arthur and his knights were in formation as people went running to find shelter. Gaius and I watched with bated breath as it attacked and the knights tried to kill it. The griffin knocked Arthur to the ground and my heart leapt with fear. Gaius and I both gasped. A knight tossed a torch to Arthur, who used the flames to scare off the griffin. Gaius and I scrambled from the window to gather medical supplies to tend to the injured.

Later, during an emergency council hearing, Gaius tried to inform King Uther of the griffin's magical existence. The griffin could not be killed with weapons without magic, according to Gaius and his books. But the king would not listen to his advice and commanded Arthur and the knights to ride out again to kill the creature.

I followed Gaius back to his chambers. My heart was racing and my palms were sweaty from nerves. Arthur was going out to fight this griffin with weapons that were useless against it. He and his men were going to die fighting it.

"Arthur cannot fight the griffin. Uther must see reason," I said pacing the floor while Gaius stood by the fire pensively.

"Where magic is concerned, our King is blind to reason. And yet...magic is our only hope," Gaius said turning to me.

I stopped my pacing and dropped my arms. "You're not seriously suggesting…."

"It is your destiny, Merlin. The true purpose of your magic," Gaius explained.

"You've seen it! There's no way my magic is strong enough to fight it," I said hopelessly.

"But if you do not, then Arthur will surely perish," Gaius insisted.

"Do you even care what happens to me? Oh, just do this, Merlin. Do that, Merlin. Go and kill the griffin, Merlin. I'll just sit here and warm my feet by the fire," I ranted while pacing again.

"Merlin! Merlin, you are the only thing I care about in all this world. I would give my life for you without a thought. But for what? I cannot save Arthur. It is not my destiny. You know," Gaius scolded me and I stopped pacing.

"I'm sorry, Gaius," I said with a sigh.

"Arthur and his men ride out in two hours, so we have that much time to find a way to stop this creature," Gaius said, back to business.

We poured over the magic book that Gaius had given me, searching every page for a spell that would work. Gaius pointed at a spell about halfway through the book. "There. You must do this for Arthur."

"I've never cast a spell this powerful before," I said, unsure of myself.

"Nothing less will kill it," Gaius insisted and handed me an old, rusty dagger to practice on.

I chanted the spell over and over again with no success. "Bregdan anweald gafeluec!"

"Don't worry, we have time," Gaius said encouragingly.

"But I'm failing. And if Arthur dies because I'm not good enough..." I shook my head. It would kill me to know Arthur died because of me.

"He will not! Keep trying!"

"Bregdan anw-"

The door burst open and Lancelot hurried in.

"Lancelot!" I exclaimed. "What are you doing here?!"

"I don't have time to explain. I need my armor and sword," he said and hurried up to my room where his belongings still remained.

I followed him up the steps and into my room. "Are you going to help Arthur?" I asked.

"He stands in mortal peril. I must do what I can to protect him. It's my duty. Knight or not," Lancelot said as he pulled on his chainmail.

"Lancelot, I don't believe I've ever met your like before," I said with a laugh.

"Merlin, if I don't return…" Lancelot said and came to me, his hand cupping my cheek.

"Don't say that," I said and looked up into his caring eyes.

"This beast is strong and weapons haven't worked yet. But I have to go and try and protect Arthur and Camelot. I am likely not to return," Lancelot said, a desperation to his voice.

"This is not goodbye," I said quietly and put my hand over his on my cheek.

"Merlin," Lancelot sighed and rested his forehead against mine.

"Because I'm coming with you," I said with some determination.

He stepped back from me, considering me. "No, you're not."

"Just try and stop me," I said with raised eyebrows and grabbed the rusty dagger before heading back down the stairs.

We quickly saddled up horses and took off to where the knights had gone, following their track. As we got closer I could hear Arthur shouting orders and the horrifyingly bone chilling sound of men screaming as they were attacked by the griffin. Lancelot looked back at me before taking off towards the sound of the beast and men screaming. I followed close behind him as we came up to a clearing scattered with the bodies of the knights. My heart and stomach lurched as I looked around at the gory scene.

"Arthur," I said desperately as I looked around. I needed to find Arthur. It was so quiet in the clearing. A fog was rolling in the distance, making the scene look haunted. I jumped down off my horse and ran desperately from body to body, looking for Arthur. I must have been too late. I had failed him. I had failed our destiny.

There. Golden hair reflected moonlight a few yards away. I rushed to him, falling hard onto my knees. "Arthur!" I called, my voice scratched its way out of my throat thick with emotion. His head lolled to the side and exposed his neck. I felt for a pulse as Lancelot came up behind me. He placed a hand on my shoulder as I pulled Arthur's head onto my lap. My fingers on this throat, feeling for a sign of life.

Then, a faint pump of blood against my fingers. I let out an anguished cry of relief and bent my head down to his, pressing my forehead to Arthur's clammy one.

"Well?" Lancelot asked hesitantly.

"He's alive!" I sobbed in relief.

Just then, the griffon screeched and swooped down at us. Lancelot grabbed a lance from one of the fallen knights and got back on his horse. He pulled his helmet on and readied himself. His horse reared back before charging at the griffin.

It was now or never. The spell had to work. I stood for a better view of the fight.

I gathered every bit of my magic and chanted the spell to no avail. Lancelot was approaching the beast now and it was my last chance. I took a deep steadying breath and screamed the spell "Bregdan anweald gafeluec!" The lance glowed in Lancelot's hands, the blue light reflecting off of his armor, making him glow with it. He struck the griffin with the lance and it fell to the ground, dead.

"Yes!" I cheered, jumping up and down as Lancelot turned back towards me.

Arthur groaned as he awoke. I hesitated for a moment. I wanted to make sure Arthur was alright, but I didn't want him to see me there. I wanted Lancelot to get the credit for the defeat. So, I hurried back to Gaius' chambers to tell him the good news and to let him know where to find the injured and possibly dead knights.

"You did it?!" Gaius asked, his eyes alight with pride.

"I did it!" I exclaimed and Gaius hugged me tight.

We heard the clamoring of armor amongst the beat of running horse hooves and I looked out the window to see both Lancelot and Arthur arriving in the courtyard. "They're back, I need to know what Lancelot's fate is!" I said before hurrying out of Gaius' chambers and rushing to the council chamber.

I arrived just as Lancelot was being pushed from the room and the doors were slamming shut behind him. I could hear Uther and Arthur arguing through the door.

"What are they doing?" I asked as I approached Lancelot as he straightened his armor.

"Deciding my fate," he said nervously.

"They'll restore your knighthood, of course they will. You killed the griffin," I said confidently.

Lancelot walked away from the guards and I followed him. "I didn't kill the griffin," he said. "You did."

I laughed nervously and panic ran through my body. "That's ridiculous!"

"'Bregdan anweald'...I heard you. I saw you," he said quietly.

I didn't know what to say. I hadn't thought through what I would say to someone in Camelot who discovered my magic.

"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. But I cannot take the credit for what I did not do. There'll be no more lies, no more deceit," Lancelot said before rushing past the guards as back into the council chambers.

I stood outside the council chambers and listened to Lancelot apologize for his deceit and say that he was leaving Camelot to go far away. My heart fell at the thought of losing him. Arthur sounded sad to see him go, as well. For which I was glad to know. Perhaps when he becomes king, he will change the law.

Lancelot walked out of the council chambers and didn't look at me as he strode to leave the castle. I followed him, but looked in to see Arthur looking like he had just lost a friend. He watched me follow Lancelot out.

Lancelot was in my room gathering his few belongings when we got back. I was silent and sad as I watched him. Gaius allowed him to take some fruit and some cured meat for his journey so I quietly packed that up. When he was done packing he came down the stairs to where Gaius and I were. He looked at my sad face and my outstretched hand offering him a small pack of food and water.

"Don't look so sad, Merlin," he said with a small smile.

My lower lip trembled as I fought tears. I shook my head. "I should have never gotten involved. I messed everything up."

"No Merlin, I was wrong. Lancelot needed you and you needed Lancelot. Your destinies were entwined," Gaius said from in front of the fire.

I shook my head again. "Only if my destiny is to destroy everyone's lives."

"Merlin," Lancelot said, stepping close to me. He smelled of sweat, soap, and armor polish. "There's nothing you could do to destroy my life. My life is better, so much better, having met you. Knowing that you are here, safe in Camelot, will keep me happy until the next time we meet."

"That next time better be soon," I insisted with a sniff as tears fell.

"It will be, Merlin," he said softly and leaned down and gently kissed my lips wet with tears.

"Until next time, Sir Lancelot," I said when he pulled away.

"Until next time, my lady," he said with a wink before leaving me and Gaius.

The door shut behind him and I spun to Gaius. My eyes were wide and my mouth open in delighted shock. Gaius had raised eyebrows and an impressed look on his face.

"He kissed me!" I exclaimed.

"He kissed you," Gaius agreed.

"He likes me!"

"Don't tell Arthur!"

"Yeah, he would hate to see me happy," I said with a chuckle. "He would have to give me extra chores out of spite to wipe the smile off my face. He would be so… sour."

Gaius shook his head and rolled his eyes like I was an idiot.

But I didn't care to question him. I had just been kissed by a knight! Sort of….