A/N: Soooo... Here comes my favourite chapter so far. Favourite because one of my favourite knights is back, and because Lily won't let him remain the way he is in that episode. Thank God.

8. Lancelot du Lac

The news of Lily and Gwaine's engagement soon ran to all sides of the kingdom, reaching even the ears of Hunith, Merlin's mother, who sent a word of congratulations, post-scripting that she hoped that it hadn't been a false rumour.

Unlike what Arthur would have wished, Lily refused for a feast to be ordered for the occasion, instead asking for a quiet meal with her friends and nothing more.

So a quiet meal she had, surrounded by the King, Gwen, Merlin, Gaius, Percy, Elyan and no one else.

She had grinned like a mad-woman when she told Arthur that she didn't want Agravaine invited. He had been on the verge to ask, but kept his tongue. For his own good.

Even Kilgharrah was happy for her when she told him in person, rewarding her with a quick trip on his back, clutching one of the pikes on his neck and relishing in the wind in her face.

All in all, after Gwaine proposal, Lily's life was full of happiness.

And knowing Arthur would soon ask Gwen in marriage himself didn't make her smile falter either.

In fact, she should have known that being this happy...wouldn't last.

One evening, Lily was summoned by the King in his chambers.

The fact that she was called there instead of his office told her that it wasn't official business. At least, not the one she was used to.

So, free of all mail or sword, clothed in only her tunic and simple trousers, she knocked on the door and entered, finding Merlin tidying the remnants of Arthur's meal.

"You asked for me, Sire?"

"Ah, yes, Lily, come in, please." She walked towards his desk, behind which he was standing, curiously grave. "I wanted to ask you something, and I need it to remain secret until...well...until tomorrow morning."

She furrowed her brow. "I'm all ears."

He turned to face her and took a deep breath. "I intend on asking for Guinevere's hand tonight."

Lily's eyes widened, then a huge grin formed onto her lips and, without thinking whatsoever, she launched herself in the king's arms, hugging him while giggling like a two-year-old. "That's wonderful! Congratulations, Arthur!"

He cleared his throat, softly pushing her away. "Yes, well. That is if she says yes."

"Of course she'll say yes. She loves you."

He smiled faintly. "Anyway, I needed your help. It is customary in Camelot to host a kind of joust for the King's engagement."

"A joust?"

"Yes, well, not the normal, violent one. At least not for all the entertainment." Lily made a face, and he rolled his eyes. "The first part consists on riders trying to catch a rind of ribbons to offer the fiancée. The second part...well...usual."

"And I'm needed for...?"

"Organizing it, of course. I'm asking you to make sure none of the boys give anything away before I announce it in public tomorrow morning, but they have to be ready anyway."

"Which one will compete, then?"

"The best. Not the youngest, they could hurt themselves. So, Elyan, Percival, Gwaine, Gahon, maybe Bors and Dagonet."

"And me."

Arthur sent her a smirk. "Well...you are the Captain..."

"And it comes with the job." She sighed. "Well, I guess I don't have a choice. I'll prepare this tonight in the utmost secrecy, Sire, you have my word."

"Thank you, Lily."

She smiled, bowed the head and backed away. "Be sure to use a loooot of candles."

"Duly noted. Merlin?"

"Already on it!"

The following morning, all knights were gathered in the field usually used for mêlées and so on, all in full armour, including Lily...who hated it.

"I still think you're the prettiest girl around."

Lily huffed. "And if you call me 'girl' once more, I call off the wedding." But she smiled when Gwaine brought her to him by the waist and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Can you two be even more disgustingly cute?"

Lily chuckled and pushed Percival towards his horse. "Shut up, and go. It's your turn!"

The giant grinned widely, and went to climb onto the saddle.

A bright day ahead.

After Percy had caught his ring, however, something happened none had waited for.

Instead of Elyan, the next knight – or so they supposed – to enter the field passed right next to them, not even stopping to give a word of explanation.

The Captain growled under her breath. "If I catch this little show-off, he'll regret ever being born."

"I bet on Bors. This boy is a pain in the ass."

But it wasn't Bors. It wasn't any one of the knights supposed to joust that day.

For when the mysterious knight removed his helmet in front of the queen-to-be...

It was Lancelot.

"Lancelot?"

The gasp erupted all around Lily, echoed by Gwaine, then Elyan, then all the knights gathered around them.

Soon, the whole crowd around cheered, a sound of 'Sir Lancelot!' erupting on all sides.

But Lily knew that couldn't be.

Lancelot had gotten through a veil separating the world of the living from the world of the dead... There was no going back from that.

"It can't be..."

But it appeared it could.

Lancelot – or was it really? – directed his horse towards the knights, a kind smile soon forming on his lips, and dismounted, his dark eyes directed to Percival, who had always been the closest to him.

The giant's eyes were as wide as a plate when he took the smaller man into his arms and started chuckling. "My Lord! It is you!"

"Of course it's me! As I see, your brain hasn't grown since I left!"

Percy chuckled even more, followed by Elyan who shook hands with Lancelot.

Next was Gwaine, a look of awe on his face as he entangled his fingers from Lily's and went to greet his brother-in-arms.

And when she walked up to him, surprised giving way to awe then to gladness, Lily wasn't prepared for what was to follow.

A soft 'Lance' got out of her lips...and a glare was directed at her.

"Captain."

Then he passed her.

Her first thought was that he was tired, that somehow he wasn't well.

Her second thought was that this...wasn't Lancelot.

Her third thought was Merlin.

That evening, the knights, along with Arthur and Gwen, had dinner in honour of Lancelot's return.

But Lily couldn't shake off the feeling that it wasn't her friend sitting there...because he didn't act like her friend...

He acted as if he didn't know her at all...

And if the sickly grin on Agravaine's face was any indication...it wasn't a good sign...at all.

So that night, when Merlin woke Lily, for once in person – and he was lucky she was sleeping alone – with a very concerned look on his face, it didn't come as a surprise...at all.

"What is it, Merlie?"

"Something's wrong with Lancelot."

"What have you seen?"

"I've not so much seen as I've heard. I offered him my bed for the night, and apologized for not being able to save him...using magic."

"And?" She failed to see anything wrong thus far.

"He said, and I quote, 'If any of us had any magic, our life would be a lot easier'."

Lily's eyes widened. Then a soft gasp escaped her. "Lancelot would never forget you have magic."

"As well as Lancelot would never forget he was head-over-heels with you."

She made a face. "He was never head-over-heels with me, Merlin."

"You know what I meant. It was hard tearing you apart from each other sometimes. I was jealous, I admit."

She chuckled darkly. "And there was no need to be. But you're right. This Lancelot isn't ours."

"We have to be careful."

"And we'll be."

He nodded, then got up to get out.

Lily stopped him with her flick of her wrist, freezing him on the spot. "Uh, uh, Sir, you won't be getting anywhere." She outstretched her hand. "Tiendael kalithion oraith."

Her eyes shot golden, and a mattress appeared next to her bed.

Merlin looked at her, brow furrowed. "You can't be serious."

"Get your ass in that bed, and quick. And no discussion. I'm in no mood to curse your ass, greatest sorcerer or not."

The following morning, Lily took a deep breath, and walked to Merlin's bedroom to wait for Lancelot.

When he erupted from the room, his dark eyes widened, a certain emptiness in them that Lily didn't fail to notice, and then composed an air of surprise on his face.

"Can I help you?"

Deciding to play the part to the end, she smiled widely. "Yes. I wondered if you'd join the boys and I for a quick training before the joust this morning."

He looked puzzled. "Well, yes, of course I'll join you. I just have to do something first."

He went past her, and Lily followed, silently grunting at his back. "I'm coming."

"No. I have to go alone."

She chuckled, perfectly managing to sound genuine when all she wanted to do was cringe. "And what could you have to do that I can't know about, eh, Lance?"

The knight whirled around, glaring now, looking down at Lily in a way he had never done once in his entire life.

Frightening.

"Listen, Lily, I don't know what game you're playing, but I'd be grateful if you went back to your little games with the others and manipulate Gwaine into loving you as you once did. I'm in no mood."

And he exited Gaius' office, leaving her behind.

She gritted her teeth, the false smile fading on her lips.

"Yes, you're definitely not my Lancelot."

Later that day, Lily took place next to Gwen in the royal grade amongst the people.

Her friend looked surprised to see her join her – and Agravaine, but he didn't count. "Lily? What are you doing up here? I thought you'd be jousting!"

The Captain of the Knights huffed happily. "Luckily for me – and for my limbs – I've been relieved of the duty. Thanks to Lancelot. Him present, I wasn't needed anymore. And I'd rather be here with you. For once acting like a woman."

Gwen chuckled and put her hand on Lily's on her lap. "I'm glad you're here. I feel less alone."

Lily smiled back at her, her eye suddenly pulled by something gleaming at her friend's wrist. A silver bracelet. With a strange hue surrounding it. "Gwen... Where have you found this?"

Gwen looked down, then smiled. "Oh, that! It was Lancelot. He came by earlier to give this to me, telling me he was happy for me and Arthur..." She smiled wider. "I find it beautiful."

Lily frowned. "Yes...beautiful."

But she wasn't sure that was the right word to use...

A few minutes later, Lancelot entered the field, facing Gwaine.

Who fell from his horse first blow.

Lily rolled her eyes and looked over at Gwen, standing from her chair. "If you'll excuse me, I have to check on my useless fiancé."

She chuckled. "Don't be too harsh. Lancelot is a hard match."

Lily made a double-check, then nodded. "Yes, I guess he is..."

The following morning, though, as she was making her way to the field for the last part of the joust, Lily was quite literally assaulted by Merlin who pulled her aside in an empty corridor.

"Merlie! What the hell?"

He shushed her, looking deadly serious. "We were right. This is not Lancelot."

She tilted her head. "You have proof, this time? I mean...other that his behaviour?"

He nodded. "I've checked my books. He's been raised from the dead. He's a shade."

Lily looked down, suddenly glaring at her own feet. "Morgana."

"Yes, I think so too. How...how have you guessed?"

"She doesn't know you have magic. She had no means to know Lancelot and I were close. And more than anything else...she wants to ruin Arthur. And I know how."

"You know how?"

Lily locked eyes with her friend once more, looking pointedly at him.

Then he got it. "Gwen."

That night, as usual in Lily's life, hell was set loose.

Merlin told her he'd keep an eye on Lancelot, in case he tried anything on Gwen.

While she...remained by Arthur's side...trying to expose the matter to him.

What – or whom – she hadn't planned, was Agravaine.

Arthur's uncle refused to leave the room while she talked to the King in private. There was nothing, he thought, that could possibly be hidden from him.

So Lily, after a good old glaring, had to tell them both.

"Lancelot is not himself."

Arthur's eyes widened at once. "What? What do you mean? He's been perfectly normal to me!"

"To you, he'd be, Your Highness, but...to me..." she looked over at Agravaine, who, of course, wasn't supposed to know of her powers, even if he did.

Or so she thought. "It's alright, Lily... I have no secrets for my uncle, he knows about you."

She gritted her teeth while said uncle sent her a sickly grin only he could master. "Of course." She paused. "I mean, Sire, that ever since he came back, Lancelot has acted strangely around me. And I don't mean to sound...pretentious, but he and I have always been very close...and now...it's as if he doesn't know me."

"Be more clear, Lily. What's wrong with him?"

"I've checked, Sire. I had my doubts, and they have proven right. Lancelot, this Lancelot...is not ours. He's a shade, a shadow of himself brought back from the dead by a powerful hand."

"What are you saying? Lancelot is a...an undead?"

"Yes, Sire. And it pains me to say so."

"But...why has he been brought back, then, if your theory's right?"

She shrugged. "I can only guess it's to hurt you, Sire. Through someone you love. And that Lancelot once loved too."

Agravaine feigned surprise, Arthur sighed deeply. "Guinevere."

"I fear he has found a way to bewitch her. Yesterday morning, she was wearing a bracelet, and...it felt enchanted."

"Are you sure?"

"Certain."

Arthur nodded. "Then let's find out." He nodded to his uncle then walked towards the door, both companions tailing him towards the Great Hall.

When they reached the hall, Lily's fears had been proved more than right.

In the faint darkness, there stood two figures, kissing.

Lancelot...and Guinevere.

Arthur's first move was to draw out his sword in rage, but Lily was faster, outstretching her hand and knocking him out with a swift "Kielthai!"

She turned to Agravaine, taking advantage of the frozen state of the room. "Carry the King back to his chambers and wait for me there. Merlin will help you." The warlock, who had been hiding in the shadows, a faint bruise on his cheekbone, came to lift Arthur by the arm.

Lily drew out Fang and walked towards Lancelot. "I know I can't hurt you, but I will try my best. Yield."

To her surprise, he smirked and let down his own sword. "As the lady wishes."

And to that, with a mighty growl, Lily punched Lancelot in the face.

He didn't even bulge.

Her first actions were towards Gwen. Walking up to her, putting soothing hands on her shoulders. "Gwen... Go back to my room. And take out the bracelet. I'll be with you soon."

The maid was sobbing, but nodded, and hurried out of the room without a look behind.

Then Lily asked for two guards to bring Lancelot down to one cell, and told them that on no circumstance ever should he be visited by anyone but her. Even the King. Even Lord Agravaine.

And something, deep down, told her he'd even not try to escape.

His deed was done.

He'd be waiting for release...

Hurrying back to Arthur's chambers, Lily's mind was buzzing with unanswered questions, the most recurring of which needed one's specific help.

So, as she paced into empty corridors at night, she reached for someone she hadn't talked to in...three days.

"Kilgharrah?"

"Vivian."

"I need your help. It's important."

"Anything. You know you can ask me anything."

"Not now. I'll meet you in our clearing at dawn."

"Understood. But...in daylight?"

"I'll take the risk. Arthur knows about you, this shouldn't be a problem."

"As you wish."

Arthur was awake, and fuming, when she entered his chambers.

Merlin was facing the King, palms up, probably trying to prevent him from storming out to grill Lancelot's bacon.

So when she bolted in, his blue eyes, by then as cold as ice, locked to hers.

"You'd better have a good excuse for knocking me out cold, Lily!"

She snorted. "Really? Not five minutes before, I tell you that the man standing there is not really Lancelot and that your future wife is under an enchantment, and still, you go out there and draw your sword out like a complete idiot? Really, Arthur?"

He paused, the glare fading off his eyes, replaced by confusion, then, sadness. "You're right. This wasn't Gwen's fault." He looked back at her. "Where's she?"

"In my chambers. I'll go to her next. She needs a friend more than she needs you right now."

He nodded. "Of course. And...him?"

"Locked down in a cell. Now his deed is done, I suppose he'll wait for...," she swallowed uneasily, "for permission to kill himself."

"And what do we do?"

"You? Nothing. I'll try and do something. Although I still don't know what. I have to ask an old friend for help."

Arthur's eyes widened big. "You...you have...called...him?"

"Yes. He won't make any fuss, I promise."

"I trust you but...I thought...well...that I had seen the last of him when he...helped us...in Storybrooke."

Lily smiled. "Trust me, Kilgharrah is far from being done with Camelot." Then she turned to Merlin. "Ask Gaius for something to help Arthur sleep. I'll go take care of Gwen. Oh, and, last thing," her eyes locked to Agravaine, a frown still on his features as he wondered who the hell was Kilgharrah, "a word of this, any of you, and you'll pay...painfully so."

Gwen was sitting on Lily's bed when she arrived, sobbing in her hands, the bracelet thrown aside onto the tiles of the floor.

The Knight approached her friend, discarding her chainmail in the process, then went to sit by her and took one of her hands in hers, carefully, slowly.

"This wasn't your fault."

Gwen sobbed harder. "But it was, Lily! Bracelet or not, I did it! Me, not anyone else!"

Lily sighed. "Gwen... Lancelot is your first love. God knows what I'd do if Leon came back from the dead to taunt me..."

Gwen looked up, her brown eyes red with tears. "Really?"

Lily nodded. "Really. When you love someone for the first time, it stays embedded on your heart as if you'd been branded. None of the men we are now engaged to were our firsts. So, they'll always have to live with the memories of another. And even if that love has faded with time, it will always be there. Unmoving."

"So it is my fault."

"No, Gwen. The bracelet made you do this. If you hadn't been wearing it, your feelings for Lancelot would have been the same. Only, you'd have not moved on them. Am I wrong?"

Her friend didn't answer for a long time, then shook her head. "No, you're right. I wouldn't have."

"There. Then it's not your fault."

Lily smiled softly, then moved her arms around Gwen's form, and soon, the maid was sobbing in her shoulder, clutching her tight.

Needing a friend more than a lover...as predicted.

Lily spent the night nursing Gwen, thanking the heavens Gwaine had gone on a tavern trip with Percy and Elyan for the night.

So when dawn arose, she had been sitting around, thinking hard, thinking so hard she caught a headache.

And when she stood to go to Kilgharrah, her eyes fell to the woman sleeping in her bed. And she swore to herself that she would do her best so that she

wouldn't be more hurt. One way or another.

"Vivian."

She erupted into the clearing, her dragon lying onto the grass, his head resting over his paws. "Good morning, Kilgharrah."

"What is it you needed me for?"

"Lancelot has been brought back from the dead by Morgana."

The dragon raised his head. "The knight has become a shade?" Lily nodded. "That is grave news indeed!"

"I know, that's why I need you. Is there a way I can bring him back? I mean...his real him? As...a real human?"

Kilgharrah huffed sadly. "Bringing someone back from the dead isn't an easy task, Vivian. It shouldn't be done at all! The witch surely had the Price of a soul to do it, but you cannot...bring him back fully without paying the greatest price of all!"

Lily looked down. "A life for a life."

"Yes! And I know for sure you do not wish that on your conscience."

"But...hypothetically... If I wanted to do it, would there be a way?"

Kilgharrah remained silent for a few moments, then nodded, scales cracking on his neck. "Yes, there'd be a way." He paused. "The shade has to drink a potion that would have been priorly consumed by the person willing to give her life. Then you should utter an incantation...and death would spit him out. For good."

Lily looked up into the depths of her dragon's golden eyes. "Would you give me the knowledge, should I wish to use it?"

"Vivian..."

"I know it is a terrible price, but...I can't help but think...the world without Lancelot... The legends without Lancelot..."

"I know the knight's fate more than you do, young one." He paused. "I will give you the knowledge. But beware, Vivian...this is a price you'll live with all your life."

"I know. Thank you."

He nodded, then bowed low, breathing on her deeply, as he had done the first time they met.

And as the first time, Lily felt her nerves go back to life, as if a fire was raging in her veins.

She opened her eyes, and smiled. "I will use that for good, I swear."

"I have no doubt. Until next time, my Dragonlord."

"Until next time, my dragon."

She smiled widely as he took flight, the sight still bringing joy to her eyes.

A few hours later, in Merlin's bedroom, Lancelot was opening his eyes, groaning.

His first sight a sorcerer, looking down at him with worry.

"Lily?" He tried to sit up but groaned again, a hand going to his forehead. "What have you done to me? Has one of your spells gone wrong again?"

She chuckled. "Again? Oh, you're in for a treat!"

He chuckled back. "Good to see some things never change."

Then Lily launched herself at him, burying her face in his shoulder, hugging him as tight as she could. "It's so good to have you back...finally."

As for how she did it...well...perhaps another time.