Disclaimer: Lancelot and anyone related belongs to SEGA. Elizabeth and Lenore belong to me.
Chapter 6: Oh…manners…
"So I fold my napkin on my lap then and then I eat?"
"Correct. Now, what do you do before you eat?"
"Umm….I forgot."
"No worries. Before you eat you always say grace."
Elizabeth tilted her head sideways. "Daddy, what's grace?"
"Grace has many meanings but in the context it was used in it means prayer, remember?"
Lancelot smiled as his daughter who had an ah-ha moment. She shook her head and pointed a finger. "Oh yeah! We always thank the Lord for our meals before we eat. I remember now." With nods from the two hedgehogs, they continued to walk towards the king's throne.
It had been a couple of years now. Lancelot was now holding the hand of his six-year-old daughter. Throughout the past three years both father and daughter had gotten to learn more about each other. Of course, they had much more to learn but there were things they didn't know. For instance, Lancelot found out that she was more advanced for her age, at least, in intelligence. Elizabeth, during her daily studies, has been showing her teacher that she was well above the standards. She was only six and while six year olds were just learning to add she could add, subtract and she knew how to multiply one digit numbers by two. With swelling pride, Lancelot decided to keep her in school. She seemed to enjoy it anyways.
The only reason he ever thought about taking her out was that in this age, females weren't usually allowed to go to classes. Women were thought of as only good for cooking and cleaning; house chores. Of course, Lancelot absolutely hated the idea. Percival had proved to rise up from the regular standard and become one of the few, if not only, female knight in this age. And not only was he brought up by a single women, who he called his mother, he was married to one of the more fortunate women. So he was really surrounded by educated women his entire life. Lenora was one of the more blessed. She was lucky to have her parents to educate her. Because of this, Lenora always told him that they would have to find a way to get her in school or at least to hire a teacher and Lancelot was going to follow up with that.
Fortunately, for him though, King Arthur broke that horrible rule from the previous king. He too felt women should at least have a chance so, he allowed the option. This didn't change the opinions of most male's who strongly disapproved of the new law but, it soon faded over. They couldn't do much, the Bible did say obey the laws of the land.
Onto Elizabeth, she had learned something unusual about her father. She'd noticed he would close in; meaning he wasn't so open when around others. She'd observed countless times. Whenever her father talked or even stood around people who weren't her, her aunt and uncle he was so….restricted. Even with them, he was a little different! If she were alone with him, he was normal, totally normal. She couldn't understand why but all she knew was that his eyes would change when facing other's. They'd become, somewhat, colder. It was weird but she did not ask about it. She didn't think it was too important to busy her father.
"Are you ready to meet King Arthur?" Lancelot's deep voice snapped her back to the present.
"King Arthur?" Elizabeth repeated.
They walked through the doors and the young one tilted her head as she heard her father talk with a female rabbit she did not recognize.
"Oh Sir Lancelot! You are early. Dinner doesn't start until the sunsets and that's at least three hours away," the brown rabbit voiced.
The knight chuckled. "Good afternoon to you too Vanilla," he kissed her hand and chuckled once more as the maid grew flustered.
"Forgive me, where are my manners?" she bowed, "Good afternoon Lancelot. Let me take you to where King Arthur is. Please follow me."
Vanilla started to walk when Lancelot nodded. Elizabeth trailed along losing her father's hand. She kept close behind his leg confused. To this stranger, at least to her, he was so kind and open. His eyes weren't cold. He acted as he did around Percival and Gawain, which was unusual. Usually he was the coldest to the strangers. With so many questions, she almost didn't notice her father stop. She stopped in time before bumping into his leg. Elizabeth peered from behind to see what was going on. She gasped as Lancelot's hand pushed her forward. She suddenly came face to face with the stranger.
"Daddy!" she yelped startled.
Lancelot raised a brow in amusement, "Elizabeth, go on. Be polite." Elizabeth only stood, frozen. She hated it when her father did this. He always pushed her into frightening positions telling her to introduce herself. She caught a glance of his eyes that told her to go on. With a gulp Elizabeth began.
"H-hello. M-my name is E-Elizabeth Ann du Lac. W-Wh-wh-" she felt a warm hand rub her back and she took a deep breath letting the soothing hand of her father comfort her, "Wh-what's your name miss?"
Elizabeth blinked as the stranger's eyes flowed with warmth. The more she studied her eyes the more comfortable she felt. What was this feeling? It felt so surreal yet so…so…
"Of course you don't remember me. You were only an infant when I met you? Oh, and my name is Vanilla the Rabbit but, you may can call me Vanilla sweetie," Vanilla excitedly exclaimed.
So maybe that's why her father was so gentle around her. She'd met them before. "Nice to meet you ," she said shyly.
"Nice to meet you to honey," the rabbit stood from her kneeled position and faced Lancelot with bright shiny eyes. "Oh, Elizabeth and Cream would get along so well don't you think? They could have play dates and we could dress them they could even have matching outfits. Isn't this great!" Vanilla clapped excitedly. Without waiting for a reply from the wide eyed knight she turned away and continued on her walk to King Arthur.
Behind her Lancelot and Elizabeth look at each other and smiled hopelessly. Then Elizabeth turned serious. "Daddy, who's Cream?"
They continued walking. "Cream is Vanilla's daughter. She's four years old now." Elizabeth nodded and from there they were silent.
The room to which they went was huge not to mention beautiful. Lancelot almost forgot what this place looked like. He'd been away for so long he almost didn't recognize the room. But one thing's for sure. No matter how long he'd be away Lancelot could never forget the azure king himself.
He was too loud to forget.
"My good friend, Lancelot, you're back! I see you got my invitation. I haven't seen you in ages. How have you been?" King Arthur patted the ebony hedgehog's back, a bit too hard, and laughed. Lancelot winced at the patting but smiled, painfully. He bowed before saying, "I have been well your majesty-"
"Skip the formalities Lancelot. It's just us. We're family here, right?" Arthur exclaimed.
Lancelot just rolled his eyes and shrugged. "Anyway, how have you been old friend?"
"Same as always Lancelot. Nothing's new. Say, where's little Betsy?"
The noble knight scrunched his nose. "Who's Betsy?"
Arthur looked around. "You know, Betsy." When all he got from the ebony hedgehog was silence he rolled his eyes and said dumbly, "Your daughter, Elizabeth! Jeez, I knew you were old but I didn't know it had such an effect."
"You're lucky your king."
"I know," Arthur rubbed his nose cockily. "But really, where is she? I haven't gotten to properly meet her."
"Elizabeth?" Lancelot called out. He looked around. Where was she? Instantly panic began to set in the crimson streaked hedgehog. "Elizabeth, where are-" his eyes widened as he saw his daughter poke at the king's scabbard. "Elizabeth!" he exclaimed.
Said hedgie straightened up as her name was called. She gasped as the azure hedgehog swung around causing the scabbard to turn with him. Elizabeth lowered her ears in embarrassment. She was going to get it now.
A calmly as he could Lancelot walked towards the child and took her hand. He exhaled heavily. "Now, you know how I feel about you and swords," Lancelot seethed through his teeth. Elizabeth giggled nervously whispering a quick apology before setting her sights on an azure hedgehog she recognized. He smiled brightly at her.
"My, you've grown quite a lot since the last time I've seen you, Betsy."
Elizabeth blinked at the nickname before shrugging it off. However, she was able to hear the snarl from her father at the mention of the pet name. It must've bothered him but, she didn't care. Anything to take his mind off her disobedience was okay with her.
Her tiny ear twitched as she heard a deep sigh come from Lancelot. "Elizabeth, introduce yourself to the king. Remember to be polite," he added.
Oh, so this was the person he kept bothering her about. That's why she had to go through all the reminders of manners and etiquette on their way here. She was meeting the ruler of the land. Conjuring up all the reminders Elizabeth blew out and started bowing. She took the ends of her tiny lavender dress and said, "Hello my name is Elizabeth. Nice to meet you King…." She clenched her eyes and mentally kicked herself. She'd been so distracted on the scabbard she didn't pick up his name.
"Uhh…king-"
Lancelot sighed, "His name is Arth-"
"Call me Sonic. Just Sonic," the king said gently.
Elizabeth looked between her father, who rolled his eyes, and the king who goofily smiled. She could confirm one thing.
If the king could cut off her father without getting killed then he must be a pretty good friend.
Lancelot and Elizabeth sat at the dining table with King Arthur and many other knights she didn't know. Her aunt and uncle even came. Unfortunately she wasn't supposed to sit next to them since apparently she would get too excited but, her uncle found a way to let her sit next to them; on conditions of course. He had to sit next to her, at least and she wasn't to talk one word if anybody else was talking. Unwillingly they agreed. So, Lancelot sat next to Elizabeth who sat next to Percival who sat next to Gawain.
For a while, things were quite boring to the young girl seeing as she could not understand the words the knights said. There were words like; chivalry, courageous, accolade and baronage. And trust me, there were many more. But being the daughter of a knight there were some things she understood. For instance she recognized any word that associated with a swords and…er, swords.
"Doesn't the depth of the fuller make it easier for the person handling the sword to strike," said a purple weasel who stuck a piece of broccoli in his mouth.
"Yes but it could also affect the accuracy of the strike," replied a maroon seal. "If it is too light, too much force could steer it from its pinpoint."
After swallowing a piece of meat a heavy-built buffalo said, "I just prefer to have my swords crafted without a fuller. All it just does is lighten the sword. A light sword won't create much damage. The more heavy the more damage."
This time Percival jumped in, "Yes but, someone would have to be very precise on their target. You won't have any damage at all if you don't hit your opponent."
The buffalo nodded. "True," he agreed.
"Now that you guys have got me thinking about swords and whatnot, could someone explain to me what the hilt is? I mean, the last time I asked, someone told me it was everything on the sword except the blade. But isn't the blade what makes the sword?" Gawain asked taking a huge chunk out of his meat.
The purple weasel nodded towards the red echidna. "You're right about that. Someone also said that to me but it doesn't quite make sense."
"Maybe they're talking about the point but I'm not quite sure myself," Lancelot sipped his wine.
"We should ask what it is to the blacksmith. He's a good friend of mine. He's sure to know," King Arthur suggested.
Everyone agreed and went back to talking about their next topic; armor.
She couldn't believe her ears. Did they not know what a hilt was? That was ridiculous! They were full-grown knights and not one of them knew what a hilt was. Elizabeth sat there blinking blankly and gaping. Her father eyed her, silently telling her to close her mouth but she would have none of that. Elizabeth's eye color turned a light red. Lancelot cocked his head at the sudden change.
"Why are you upset?" he asked quietly.
She only narrowed her eyes and abruptly stood up on her chair so everyone could see her. She tapped her glass of water lightly drawing everyone's attention. For her ears only Lancelot lowly said, "Get down from that chair Elizabeth or so help me-"
"Don't worry daddy," she winked, "I got this." Elizabeth ignored the ruby orbs glaring at her tiny form. She cleared her throat and replaced her mood to one of which was serious.
"Hi I'm Elizabeth. I'm sorry for rudely disturbing your dinner but I have something I need to tell you."
"I'm giving you one last chance to get down before I drag you out of this place-"
"Go ahead kid," Gawain said. Lancelot sneered at him.
"The meaning of hilt is the handle of the sword or dagger. Whoever told you that crazy statement needs to be placed in the, crazy house, uncle, because that's just insane." Elizabeth smiled innocently at the shocked expressions and said politely, "Thank you. You may continue." She sat down and continued eating her portion as if nothing had happened.
It was too bad they were in front of people because Lancelot would've made sure the second she ended her speech she wouldn't be able to sit for an entire week. Oh, how he wanted to be home right now. The silence around the table was painfully loud to the ebony male. He bowed his head and looked grimly at his daughter who only smiled at him. Elizabeth could tell he was furious but, at the moment, she didn't care.
He didn't even know what a hilt was.
He could only blame himself.
Lancelot was just about ready to leave when he heard someone say, "How'd you know that?"
Elizabeth and Lancelot perked up and faced the king. He smiled with fascination. "How'd you know what a hilt was?"
"Yeah," the buffalo commented, "None of us knew yet you did. So, how?"
The young girl smiled at them. She then replied, "I like to study swords so I asked my teacher if he could teach me some things when possible. They're really interesting."
"That's one smart daughter you have there Lancelot," the weasel smiled
"That's my girl! I can tell right now she'll be a knight. Of course, she would follow after her magnificent uncle," Gawain bragged.
Percival rolled her eyes but chuckled. She then whispered, "I'm proud of you sweetie. You're very intelligent."
Elizabeth blushed. "Thank you auntie!" She turned to her father and brightly cheered, "Did you hear that daddy? They said I was smart. I told you I had this. I told you." She waited for some type of positive comment but she received none. Lancelot didn't even look at her. He just nodded his head and continued eating. She looked back at the other's and found them to continue their discussions.
This confused her greatly but she had gotten the basic message. She should've never said anything. She's upset him yet again. Elizabeth tried to catch the attention of her father by making small gestures but he wouldn't look at her. It was as if he was ignoring her. Maybe he was. She didn't understand but she understood enough to stay silent for the rest of the dinner.
What did she even do?
Throughout their walk home it was deadly silent. The two du Lac's walked hand in hand. The night crickets chirped loudly and the moon was shining brightly even at its crescent shaped form.
The fact that they were even walking confused Elizabeth. "Daddy why are we walking? Don't you usually run? I thought you didn't want me walking out at nig-"
"Hush Elizabeth."
His demanding voice silenced her. For a few seconds she actually feared him. His voice was so sharp, so curt; she could almost see it cut through the night air.
"Daddy, what's wrong? Are you mad?"
His ruby orbs glanced at her before he tightened his grip on her hand. "I'm furious," he snapped, lowly.
Elizabeth winced at his remark. She bowed her head and pushed on. "Why are you upset with me? I told everyone what a hilt was. I don't understand."
The purple tipped hedgehog sighed as she didn't get a response from her father. She bowed her head and walked on. Why was he so mad? She didn't put an attitude into her explanation. She just said straight on. It didn't make sense. She probably said something and she didn't realize it. Well, whatever it was she had to apologize for it, otherwise he might hate her forever!
"Daddy-" she began but stopped as Lancelot took a deep breath. He stopped and she did with him. Lancelot faced her and scowled.
He was really angry.
"You, not only embarrassed me, but disobeyed me when I practically begged you to stop what you were doing. I understand your love for words but you didn't need to interrupt the dinner. It was disrespectful."
This was the part that greatly confused Elizabeth. It wasn't like she meant to be rude. She might've been rude in her mind but unless her father was physic, he had no way of knowing that.
"I don't get that," she exclaimed, she immediately lowered her voice as Lancelot gave her a warning glare, "I mean, I didn't realize I was being bad. I don't think I was being bad at all. All I just did was tell what a word meant. I didn't mean to embarrass you."
"I don't care about that anymore. What I find infuriating is the fact that after I told you, multiple times, to stop what you were doing, you didn't. Elizabeth, you know how I feel about that," Lancelot said with his voice sharp as a sword.
Elizabeth cowered and kept her gaze on the grass beneath her feet. She apologized lowly feeling a rising feeling in her chest. She blinked multiple times to rid of the tears pricking the corners of her eyes. To avoid her father's glare she took his hand and walked onward, the knight taking the lead.
The six year old had just finished taking her bath and was now putting on her nightgown. She raised her arms as her ebony father pulled the lavender dress down, having the dress loosely lay on her small body. The ruby eyed male picked her up and headed for her bed.
Since they had gotten home Lancelot and Elizabeth hadn't spoken one word, except for hygiene purposes. It had been silent and eerie yet no one had the will to make conversation. There had definitely been a change between them that neither of them liked.
As Lancelot was about to set her down Elizabeth protested, "No."
He raised a brow in question. "Hmm? What is it?"
The girl looked to the floor with a tiny blush. "Umm can I sleep with you tonight daddy?"
Well this was odd. He'd assumed she was mad at him and when she was mad she usually didn't want anything to do with him. He really had no choice though. He was still a bit upset about everything that went down but he couldn't just leave the girl alone or ignore her. She was his gift, his miracle, his daughter and he wouldn't do that, no matter how irritating she got. Plus, she would be stranded without him.
Without a sound he nodded and took his leave with the child in his arms. Once they made it to the bed Lancelot set his daughter down first before climbing into it. Once he laid his head down he only then realized how exhausted he was. He let go a huge yawn, one that exposed his canines, and rolled over to his side. His eyelids half-covered his eyes. Through the minimal amount of vision he could see Elizabeth study him. He finally closed his eyes and asked tiredly, "What is it love?"
"Are you disappointed in me?"
He sighed. He, seriously, wasn't in the mood to talk about the events of the passing day. All he wanted to do was rest. Unfortunately he couldn't do that when he could practically feel her stares.
"Elizabeth, I'm not disappointed in you. You know that," his eyes were now half lidded.
"Yes you are. I made you angry," she whispered. He could hear her voice water with oncoming tears. Lancelot lazily stretched a hand out and laid his thumb on her cheeks. Just as expected he felt warm liquid land on it. He quickly wiped them away and whispered, "My dear, when I'm angry it doesn't necessarily mean I'm disappointed in you. And you don't have to worry anymore. I'm not mad at you now."
"Really?"
He chuckled at how fast her voice got chirpy. He nodded slightly. He might as well humor himself.
"In fact, I was quite surprised that you knew the definition of hilt when I, myself didn't. Do you know what that means?"
Elizabeth tilted her head. "No. What?"
In a flash, quicker than lightning, Lancelot pounced on the girl catching her by surprise. She screamed in shock before she started to howl with laughter. Lancelot tickled the young one until she felt as if her sides were about to split open.
"You must not be the real Elizabeth. She couldn't know the meaning of hilt. No matter how intelligent I know she is," the crimson marked knight chuckled, "She's only six. Tell me where my daughter is or be sentenced to an hour of torture."
"D-daddy!" she laughed, trying her best to squirm away from his fingers, "St-stop. I'm Elizabeth. I-I'm Elizabeth!" She repeatedly smacked his fingers, in vain.
Lancelot raised a brow in mock suspicion. "Are you sure you're not trying to fool me because the Lord wouldn't like that?" He smirked as her eyes popped open with fear.
He always liked this part.
"Oh no," she yelled bolting up, "What if I'm not me? What if I've been abducted by aliens or a chip was placed in my head erasing my past self?" She patted her body frantically searching for any sign of fabrication. She then looked up at her father worriedly. "Daddy, what if I'm not Elizabeth? I didn't mean to lie. Please tell God to forgive me! Oh, I'm sorry."
Her eyes only widened with disbelief as Lancelot laughed heartedly. "Why are you laughing? This is serious! What if I'm some evil sorcerer and I don't even know it," she squeaked.
He quieted down and placed a finger in the air. "I know a way to find out if you're my daughter or not. You'll just have to answer this one question."
"Yes?" she almost screamed.
"Do you love Jesus?"
Elizabeth stared at him as if he were crazy. Her eye twitched with irritation and she said, "Well of course I do daddy. Why would you-"
"Evil things do not like love," Lancelot calmly said. He sat up forgetting he was tired and crossed his legs. "If you really were an evil sorcerer you wouldn't have said what you just said. They despise the Lord with all their being. So, in conclusion, there is no possible way you could be a sorcerer."
"But what if I have a chip in my brain?" she pointed to her head. She suddenly felt a lump in her head as if something heavy was in it.
He took her head and inspected her ear. He twisted her head side to side and blew in the tiny hearing appendage earning a small giggle out of her. Lancelot then kissed it. "All gone," he said simply.
As quick as it had come, the heavy feeling magically disappeared. An icy cool feeling was replaced and Elizabeth smiled. "Thank you daddy," she lightly said.
She was so innocent. She would believe most of the things someone told her. It was humorous to say the least. He chuckled before lying down again. "Come on now," he stretched his arm out inviting her to his chest, "it's time to sleep. It's past your bed time."
With a nod she immediately snuggled into the white patch of fur. "Good night daddy. And I'm sorry about today. I promise not to-"
"Elizabeth," he kissed her head, "do not ponder on such things right now. You were forgiven a long time ago. Go to sleep."
"Goodnight."
"Sweet dreams."
Yep...I'm going to be honest. I wasn't entirely too proud of this chapter. I'm not making excuses or anything but...I blame it all on my laptop. It's been acting up lately and I had to wipe it clean. I backed it up and everything but the process took longer than expected. Anyway, tell me what you think! Feedback, feedback and more feedback!
Oh yeah, and before I forget (Oh boy, this is going to sound stupid but) what are flames? I always read in the author's note "No flames, they will be ignored" or something like that. Please explain.
Thank you. R&R
~God Bless You~