Chapter 16-Lancelot

Okay, new chapter and it's been a little while I apologize. I was struggling to write this part for some reason. I have an idea of what I want to happen but writing it down seems a bit more difficult! Anyway remember the poll people. I don't own Merlin, but Elizabeth and Laudine are my characters. Read and enjoy…

It was quiet outside of Camelot, I had decided to take the day off from my royal duties to instead spend it with Merlin. We had planned to spend the whole day practicing magic but then Gaius had requested Merlin get some mushrooms, I said requested it was slightly more like ordering but it wasn't really my place to comment. Merlin had asked me to sit down after I had destroyed a couple of mushrooms while picking them up.

"Why did you decide to come out here with me, after all I'll plans got cancelled," Merlin called out from where he was picking mushrooms.

"Well because I wanted to spend time with you," I smiled back at him. Merlin shot me a disbelieving look, "Okay well, being around Arthur is still a bit awkward after the whole agreeing to marry him thing, plus every time we're in the same room as his father he will drop hints at us. Oh and finally Laudine won't look for me out here, but I did want to spend time with you!"

Merlin just shook his head at me before going back to picking mushrooms. There was a brief silence before there was a large screeching noise that echoed through the forest, from behind Merlin appeared a huge creature ploughing it ways through the trees. It seemed to have the beak of an eagle and wings but was running on four legs. I didn't bother looking at any more detail instead both Merlin and I took off as fast as we could.

The creature however was quick. It spread its wings catching me in the stomach and sending me towards a bush, which I smacked into. I watched helpless as Merlin fell and the creature moved forwards, rearing up as if to strike a deadly blow.

Just as it was about to drop there was another scream, this one was a lot more human. A young man who attacked the monster with a sword. The sword collided with the creature breaking into pieces, "Run! Run!" The man yelled.

I jumped up and sprinted over to Merlin grabbing his arm as the man reached us. We took off once again this time hiding behind a fallen tree, the creature took off into the skies above us.

"It's gone. You saved my life. I'm Merlin," Merlin said looking at the man beside him.

"Lancelot," The man said holding out his hand, as they shook Lancelot's head rolled backwards and he passed out.

I reached my hand over and moved his hand off his side where there was a wound, "We need Gaius now," Merlin nodded at me before trying to lift Lancelot up, apparently he was just as heavy as he looked, I held out my hand and muttered a spell under my breath, almost laughing as Merlin staggered backwards with Lancelot in his arms, "That should make him lighter, when we get to Camelot make sure you pretend he is just as heavy as before."

I took one arm to make sure that Merlin wasn't carrying all the weight before dragging Lancelot behind us back up to the gates of the castle, ignoring the stares we were getting off of people, "Get Gaius now," I ordered one of the guards.

He nodded his head and took off while the other stayed at his position, "My Lady, the King was looking for you."

I nodded my head before turning back to Merlin, "Will you be okay?"

"I'm fine," Merlin said, I quickly waved my hand as my back was turned to the guard reversing the spell I had put in place before taking off back into the castle and towards the council chambers to find Uther.

I entered the council chambers and bowed, "Elizabeth, I sent the guards looking for you."

"I went on a walk to clear my head," I said as an excuse, knowing it was best not to mention Merlin.

Uther turned his attention back to Arthur, "There have been some reports in the outer villages of an attack, we'll travel there now."

"Of course sire," Arthur replied as if on automatic pilot.

"Lady Elizabeth do you wish to occampany us?" Uther asked me.

I shook my head quickly, "There was an attack this morning not fair from Camelot, the young man who fought it is in with Gaius I will stay here and question him once he has awoke if you wish my lord?"

"That would be most helpful," Uther smiled at me before standing up and walking towards the door, "I will leave you two to talk."

Once he was out of the room the awkwardness seemed to set in again, "Well, if there is nothing you need Arthur I will be going," I said walking towards the door.

"Wait," Arthur called out to me just as my hand was touching the door handle, "How do you know about this man?" I shrugged, trying to get out of answering the question, but Arthur was persistent, "How?"

"I was there when it attacked. Without Lancelot I probably would have died," I answered truthfully.

"You were outside Camelot without guards or any protection," Arthur said angry.

"God you sound just like your father. I can look after myself Arthur," I shot back.

Arthur shook his head at me, "It was stupid."

"If you keep going on like this anyone would think you were worried about me Arthur," I snapped back.

"What makes you think I don't?" Arthur yelled back his anger getting the better of him. We fell back into silence for a few moments before Arthur spoke again, "I need to travel to the villages with my father," he stated before walking out of the room leaving me on my own.

It was the next day before I saw Arthur once again, his journey with his father hadn't taken as long as they had both expected they were back before the night, but I didn't really want to see him at that point. How was it that the only time we ever talked about our feeling was when we were yelling at each other over something. I stood and walked as Arthur trained with the knights who were supposed to be the new protectors of the kingdom, "Right, you jumped up dung beetle, this is it. The final test. Pass this and you're a knight of Camelot. Fail, and you're no one. You face the most feared of all foes, the ultimate killing machine. You face me. You're challenge to last one minute free combat. Grummond, Second son of Wessex," Arthur spoke. I saw Lancelot and Merlin standing over at the side lines and quietly made my way over to them. Arthur drew his sword and nodded at the servant with the hourglass, "Your time starts now."

Grummond was swinging his swords around like an idiot for a moment before he went in for an attack. It only took Arthur two swift blows to take him down. I applauded politely as Arthur removed Grummond's flag, "Take him away," he ordered.

"He should have waited for Arthur to attack," I muttered as I watched them drag Grummond off.

"What makes you say that my lady?" Lancelot asked from next to me.

"It's what I would have done," I replied simply with a shrug turning to face him.

"And obviously you are so good at sword fighting," A voice spoke from behind me. I turned to see Arthur standing there.

"Well I'm good enough to beat you my lord. We both know that," I replied back smartly.

Arthur just smirked at me not replying before taking off down the street, "Merlin!" He yelled as he walked. Merlin went sprinting after him.

"I should follow make sure he doesn't do anything stupid," I muttered as I took off.

"Which one?" Lancelot questioned from behind me.

"Both of them," I yelled back with a smirk before catching up with Merlin and Arthur.

"Grummund's the third to fail this month. How am I meant to defend Camelot with rubbish like that?" Arthur complained as he handed over his sword to Merlin.

"Well, I think I might be able to help," Merlin said back.

Arthur looked him up and down, "You, Merlin? You haven't the faintest idea what it takes to become a knight. Courage, fortitude, discipline."

"No, no, no, of course I don't," Merlin shook his head, "but I do know someone who does."

"Yeah?" Arthur questioned looking interested.

"He saved my life," Merlin said softly.

Arthur laughed, "That's blowing it for starters."

"How about if he saved mine Arthur? What does that mean?" I questioned walking on the opposite side of Arthur to Merlin.

"This is the Lancelot man you were talking about before?" Arthur questioned me, his voice sounding slightly off, "Is he a nobleman?"

"Why should that make a different?" Merlin questioned.

"It's the First Code in Camelot. Only those of noble blood can serve as knights," I explained quickly.

"So unless you're friend is a nobleman…" Arthur began.

"Oh, err, he, he is a nobleman," Merlin interrupted.

"Is he?" Arthur looked surprised.

"Absolutely," Merlin said manically nodding his head.

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

Merlin smiled back brightly, "Thanks Arthur. You won't regret it," he said before taking off carrying Arthur's armour with him.

"He will make a great knight of Camelot," I informed Arthur as Merlin ran off.

Arthur just nodded, "We will see."

I smiled at him before walking away, "By the way don't think I've forgotten I still need to beat you in a match."

I walked over to Gaius's chambers to see how Merlin was doing, "He said he would like to meet you," I heard Merlin say as I opened the door.

Lancelot smiled completely ecstatic, "Yes! Thank you. Thank you!"

"You're not a nobleman by any chance are you?" I asked from the doorway drawing attention to myself.

"A nobleman? No," Lancelot laughed, "Good lord, no. Why do you ask?"

"It's just that there's this..." Merlin stuttered out.

"The First Code of Camelot states that only those of noble blood can serve as a knight. Uther created the knights to protect this kingdom from those who wished to destroy it. He knew he would have to trust each of his knights with his life. So he chose them from the families that had sworn allegiance to him," I informed Lancelot sitting on the table next to where Gaius was working. He looked up at me as if he wanted to say something but didn't.

"The nobility," Merlin summarised.

"And thus the First Code of Camelot was born, and ever since that day, only the sons of noble families have served as knights. It is the most stupid law I had ever heard but sadly one which is upheld the most," I informed them, before adding, "Sorry."

"Why do you want to be a knight so much?" Merlin questioned.

Lancelot looked so upset, "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," He explained softly, "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."

"I give you my word, whatever it takes, I will make this right," Merlin vowed. He took off out of the chambers.

I quickly followed, "Merlin you're not about to do something incredibly stupid are you?"

Merlin shook his head, "When do I ever do something like that?"

I just rolled my eyes before taking off back to my chambers for the night.

I walked back into Gaius's chambers in the morning to see Merlin looking very pleased with himself, "What did you do Merlin?"

"I give you Lancelot, fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria," Merlin said bowing slightly at Lancelot.

"No, Merlin. No," Lancelot said shaking his head.

"Oh, right. So you don't want to be a knight, then," Merlin said turning around and walking away.

"Of course I do!" Lancelot yelled back.

"I have to agree with Merlin on this one. If the rules don't allow it then damn the rules! The rules are wrong," I stated, causing Merlin to look at me in shock, "What occasionally we do agree on stuff!"

"But it's a lie. It's against everything the knights stand for," Lancelot argued back weakly.

"You have as much right to be a knight as any man. I know it," Merlin shot back.

"But the rules, Merlin…" Lancelot began.

"Think of it this way, you are not breaking the rules just bending them," I said persuasively, "You get your foot in the door, but after that you will be judged on your merit alone, and when you succeed. Not if. It will be because you earned it Lancelot, noble or not."

"You are unlike any princess I have ever met," Lancelot smiled at me.

"I have been told that I am too wild for my role many times before," I smiled back at him before turning to Merlin, "We are going to need to visit Gwen and you can talk her into helping us."

"Why me?" Merlin asked.

"Because she will definitely say yes to you," I smirked back at him before turning to Lancelot, "Follow me."

We made our way to Gwen's house quickly. I knocked on her door before pushing Merlin in front of me, "What the…" he began but was broken off by the door opening, "Gwen."

"Merlin, if something wrong?" Gwen asked looking concerned.

"Nope, nothing. I was just wondering if you could fit Lancelot with armour?" Merlin asked, pushing Lancelot forward and into the house.

Gwen nodded before grabbing her tape measure and getting to work taking measurements, "Thi…" Lancelot tried to speak but seemed to be having difficulties, "This is very kind of you, er..."

"Gwen," Gwen smiled up from measuring Lancelot's leg.

"Gwen," Lancelot repeated as if in a trance.

I sat at the side with Merlin watching the interactions taking place, "Wow love at first sight," I muttered under my breath.

"A bit like you and Arthur," Merlin muttered back at me.

I shook my head, "That was hate at the beginning and disappointment that someone could be so stupid."

"He has changed for you, you know?" Merlin questioned keeping his voice down.

I laughed, "I don't think it's for me Merlin. I think we both played our parts."

Our conversation was cut off by Gwen's giggles, "Sorry, my…" Lancelot began to speak.

"Okay, we're done. Erm...I should have these ready in no time. It's nice to meet you Lancelot," Gwen said reaching out to shake his hand, Lancelot took her hand and kissed it. I smiled at the interaction.

We walked down the corridor by the courtyard, "She seems lovely. Guinevere," Lancelot said.

"Oh, yeah. Yeah, she is. And the best seamstress in Camelot, I promise," Merlin informed him.

"Are you two..." Lancelot began, moving his hand, "you know."

I couldn't help but laugh, "They are just friends as Merlin tells me constantly," I smirked at Merlin, noticing the blush that was forming, "I think if you keep doing stuff like that through Lancelot then Gwen will be your sweetheart."

"Are you someone's sweetheart?" Lancelot asked me.

Now it was my turn to blush and Merlin's to laugh, "She is destined to marry the Prince," Merlin informed him.

We walked just up to the training ground where Arthur was training new recruits in battle stances, "And the amount of time we argue I don't think you could call me his sweetheart."

Arthur voices echoed through the grounds. Laudine came running up to us, "Until you get your new chainmail I got Laudine to grab you some."

Laudine handed over the chainmail to Merlin who began to do this usual job of piecing it together. Arthur was coming to the end of his sets when Merlin finished, "Well...you certainly look the part."

"Doesn't he just?" I smiled.

Lancelot nervously adjusted his collar, "I don't feel it."

"Okay, that'll do for today. Well done," Arthur said as the recruits relaxed.

I straightened my back, before turning to Lancelot, "Let introduce you shall we?" I walked off towards Arthur who was putting a sword in the sword rack, not waiting for Lancelot to protest, "Prince Arthur, may I introduce Lancelot, 5th son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria."

"Lance...a lot?" Arthur questioned facing Lancelot who was behind me, "Got your seal?"

I moved out of the way as Lancelot bowed presenting his seal to Arthur, "Sire," Arthur smacked him causing Lancelot to fall down.

"Arthur!" I exclaimed.

"Sluggish reactions. In a battle field you'd be dead by now. Come back when you're ready," Arthur said before walking off.

I watched as Lancelot lifted himself back up, "I'm ready now, Sire."

Arthur turned back around, "You are, are you? Fine. You can start by cleaning out the stables," The onlookers began to laugh as Lancelot looked over at Merlin. I wasn't sure what Merlin did but it seemed to make Lancelot happier.

I shot a dirty look at Arthur, "If this is how you treat your recruits it's no wonder that so few actually get knighted."

"I'm sorry my Lady I didn't realise you were an expert," Arthur said sarcastically.

"I am not. I just thought you had become a better person than someone who bullies people. I guess I was wrong," I said before turning around and walking away.

I know they keep arguing but it's why I created her. She has to make Arthur be better, and everyone has to agree he was being a twat at that point! Anyway please review,

Until next time

Artistic blue eyes

xxx