My brother gets out of College on THIS Friday, not last... Oops! I'm officially done with Senior High. Finally! Now I can focus on my fics more. There's a reference to 'Escape from New York' for those of us who love older movies (80's). Ooh, and a LotR one too! Thanks for all the great reveiws, you guys are great! But seriously, IDOM!

Enjoy!

They ambled through the valley. Lance was amazed by the amount of life there was in Tarra, it almost seemed like more than there was two weeks ago when he had first passed through. Golden sun blazed across the emerald grass where insects flitted about. Deer rustled in the woods, bird chirped from the trees, and lizards flocked to the stones speckled throughout the fields. It was heaven.

About half-way to Tarra's castle, Lance glanced over at Merlin. Who he found was NOT him. It was a young man with rusty hair and steel eyes. The kid looked over at him and gave him a goofy grin that only Merlin could do. "I like my entrances to be lower-key. The glamour's name is Rhys, Quintus's cousin, by the way." Lance nodded thoughtfully and they continued their ride in silence.

Even the main city was beautiful and stench-free. Merchants stood out peddling vibrant fruits and large hunks of meat. The sent of roasted grains wafted through the cobblestone streets. Lance saw some kids kicking a ball of to the side and idly noticed that some of them were wearing cloaks, even though the summer months were fast approaching.

One of the little buggers ran into a stout woman carrying boxes stacked comically high. They started to fall, only to be stopped by another lady that was hauling her four-years-old son through the market. With magic of all things.

"Quick thinking, Linda. Hello Daegal; keeping out of trouble I hope," 'Rhys' said. Both mother and son smiled and waved as they passed on their way to the gleaming castle.

None of the citizens around them shrunk in fear or screamed for the woman to be burnt. In fact, they did the opposite: commending her skill and quick-thinking. Lance could believe his eyes.

"How do you keep all of this in the dark when you live right under the King's nose?" he asked bewildered.

Merlin shrugged. "For one, there's an enchantment put around my land that prevents anyone to speak of the magic harbored here once they cross the boundaries. Second, very few people truly hate ALL magic, only the darker kinds. I do not allow that kind of sorcery into my lands, so there is no reason for people to seek to eradicate the lighter practices."

When people saw that 'Rhys' had come to town, they gathered outside to say hello to the traveling man-boy. He grinned and waved right back. This went on until they reached the courtyard.

"What did you do to make these people love you so much?"

Merlin's eyes twinkled. "Wouldn't you like to know!" Lance's retort was cut short when a pretty, ginger woman walked up to the horse.

"Rhys, you're back! We've all missed you. Who's your handsome friend there?" Molly asked while blushing.

"My name is Lancelot, my Lady," he replied kindly. His tone made her blush further.

"I am not a Lady, Lancelot."

"Ah, but you are one to me."

Merlin cut in on their horrible excuse for flirting. "Molly, would you mind showing Lance around the castle? I have to go hunt down Sir Bowen about something."

"Of course, I'd love to give Lancelot the 'grand tour'."

Merlin smiled great-fully. "Thanks a lot. I'll come find you guys later," He called over his shoulder on his way to go knight-hunting.

Bowen had heard the ruckus outside, so he wasn't surprised to find 'Rhys' striding down the bustling halls, probably looking for him.

"Ah, Sir Bowen. Can we have a few words in private?" he asked, but it sound more like a demand.

"Of course." Bowen ushered Merlin back to his room and shut the door behind him. Dean was in his room already and was about to leave when Rhys motioned for his to stay.

"I thinks it's time your manservant knew how deep magic runs in Tarra," he stated. Bowen nodded thoughtfully. Dean looked on in surprise as Rhys started to melt away, leaving the young lord of Tarra in his place. He managed to say something really intelligible like "Whaaa?" The older males started laughing.

Bowen clapped Dean on the shoulder. "Right. Now what did you wish to speak about?"

"I have found a new captain of the guard. His name is Lancelot and he more than meets the requirements. But until he can be knighted, captain of the guard is the best I can do for him."

Lance was enjoying the company of Molly. She was a cheerful young woman who held 'Rhys' in very high regards. Her smile was a sweet and infectious smile and she had some very bright eyes. Even with the dark pain hidden in the back of her face, Lance decided he really liked Molly and want to get to know her better.

"Molly, would you like to have a meal with me sometime? I'd love to get to know you better."

Molly blushed at the kind man before her. "I would love nothing more, Lancelot."

"Please, it's Lance. If you keep calling me Lancelot, I'll start calling you Molinda," he said playfully. She giggled. They continued down the bright halls, and Molly no longer felt scared of the dark spaces when Lance was there. The rest of the day passed pleasantly. Molly told him the history of Tarra and Lance eagerly soaked up all the new information of the amazing place he was now going to live in. All too soon, Lance found himself walking the beautiful woman home.

He sighed and started meandering back towards the castle and a nice, soft bed. He sneaked trough the servant's halls as to not be caught and questioned by the guards.

"Having fun?" a chipper voice called from the shadows. Merlin melted out of the with a look of fake innocence on his face.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Lance stated.

"Oh come off it! I saw you two getting all sweet together today," Merlin raised his hand to keep Lance from interrupting. "And I'm happy for you two. You deserve a great woman and Molly deserves a great man. Now don't deny your feelings and go be with her. I know for a fact that she is working at her father's tavern at the moment."

Lance smiled great-fully at the raven before dashing off to the Prancing Pony tavern. The new captain didn't see Merlin's slightly smug, but amused smile as he went. He slipped through the streets as the sky began spitting rain down upon him. Lance slinked under the awning above the tavern before slipping inside. It was warm and damp and loud. There was a few darker-looking men, but in general, the Prancing Pony was a relatively clean place.

One of the little tikes from earlier that day walked up to him and yanked on his faded shirt. "Mister, are you gonna marry my sister?"

Molly walked over looking rather embarrassed. "Plitsky! Why did you ask him that?!" she hissed.

The little boy huffed. "Mol, how many times I gotta tell you? My name is Snake!"

Molly rolled her eyes and shooed 'Snake' away. Soon it was only Lance and Molly sitting at the table, smiling weakly at each other.

"Molly, I really, really like you and I want to get to know you better. I can't believe I'm doing this, but would you allow me to court you?"

Molly's weak smile grew into a bright grin. "I would love nothing more!"

The two young lovers spent the rest of the night regaling each other with stories of their youth. Lance told her his life's ambition, Molly told him the dark things that had happened to her when Sir Riane was still alive. Snake crawled back over to a table near them so he could glare at Lance for talking to his sister. Lance had to swallow his grin at the young boy's antics. The night rolled on, and Molly found herself falling for the kind man that had rode into town with Rhys. He made her feel safe and loved, and she never wanted to loose that feeling again.

They grew close in those scant few hours, closer than either had planned on becoming. Lance knew he found his other half, as did the young woman sitting across from him. They found what they were missing in the other and that made them whole.

Molly stifled a yawn and caused Lance to stop mid-way through a story of how he and his cousin used to play in the beautiful lake by his home in the summer.

"Molly, it's late. I think I should make my leave so you can get some sleep," he stated. Molly nodded sleepily at him.

"G'Night Lance," she said before loosing another yawn. He smiled and nodded as she stood and ambled the the door the back that led to her home.

"Good Night, my Lady," he whispered into the dim light. He stood up and shuffled his way back to the castle. He yawned once before collapsing into his bed. Sweet dreams of lakes and love and nothing-ness found him.

All too soon, the blaring light of a new day found him. He shuffled over in his bed and tried to fall back to sleep, but the darkness wouldn't come to him. Lance flipped off the covers and reached for his clothes. After stuffing himself into them, the half-asleep captain stumbled to the dining hall.

When Lance entered the room, he found Merlin pacing while another man told him to calm down. Merlin turned to look at him.

"Glad you could finally join us. This is Sir Bowen," Merlin gestured to the second man, "He'll be helping you settle into your new role."

"Wait, does that mean you won't be staying here?" Lance asked. Merlin smiled sadly.

"The Lady Morgana has come down with a mysterious illness and Uther wants me to be there. I'm sorry Lance, I truly am, but I have to go back. Stay safe and keep every one in check for me!" He said with a cheeky wink at the end. Bowen rolled his eyes and Lance nodded knowingly. Merlin seemed satisfied with their response. With one last nod, the teen-knight strode out of the room and headed to the stables.

Knowing the Prat and his family, Morgana's illness was probably not natural. Something deep within Merlin's heart told him he was right. What had that damn prince gotten him into now?!

Merlin snagged his horse from the stables after making sure his glamour was in place. Can't have every one knowing he was there, now can he. He jumped onto the creamy Bay and started the three-odd day journey back to Camelot. Morgana was a good friend, and one he would rather not lose.

Little did he know, a stranger had arrived in the capital. A scarred man with a long robe and curly brown hair. A man with a remedy to cure all ills...

Alternate Title: Where the Author Fixes the Future Love Triangle

There you have it folks! My little sister guilted me into writing a happy, fluffy chapie for Lance because she thinks he's awesome and I was a bit harsh on him last chapter...

Oooh! Foreshadowing! Did any one find ALL my foreshadowing? Please don't hate me if you did! I thought it would be a good twist...

Until next time, rock on my Faithful Readers!