Chapter 5-Lancelot and Elizabeth

Hey guys, so this is the 5th chapter for this story. I'm sorry I'm not publishing as much as I planned to, life is getting in the way :) plus I have a new story which is another Merlin-Doctor crossover which I am working on when I have free time along with this and the Charmed story so it's a bit mad, but hopefully this is me getting back on track. I don't own Merlin, but Laudine, Elizabeth and Kay are all my characters. I have just reposted the do you want Morgana to be evil poll on my profile so please vote for that and I hope you enjoy...

It was later in the day when I was escorted into Hengist's fortress. The air around seemed so different to Camelot, more violent and bloody, for everything that Uther did wrong he certainly had a better attitude to his people than Hengist. Our first conversation with each other did not go well, at least not for me because I ended up in the dungeons but it was later on in the night that I was let out again. I sat quietly at the table ignoring the world around me, something I had been able to do since I was little. I only became aware again when I felt a large hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see Hengist was standing, "Silence! Our royal guest, Lady Morgana has grown bored! She needs entertaining."

The bandits howled with laughter as Hengist nodded at someone, and the gate of the cage opened. A gladiator came strutting out. Behind him followed a smaller looking man. It took me a moment before I realised who it was. I scowled my features making sure I didn't show any of the surprise I was feeling because standing in front of me about to fight a gladiator was Lancelot, I only just registered Hengist voice as Lancelot face my direction the surprise more evident on his face, "Only one of you will emerge from the cage alive. Do you accept the challenge?" Lancelot bowed at Hengist before the fighting began. It was nail biting, although the gladiator was physically stronger it was obvious he wasn't as well trained as Lancelot and not as quick on his feet. It wasn't long before Lancelot had him on the ground ready to make the kill. I tried my hardest not to react but it was difficult. Lancelot looked at me quickly before he pulled his sword away from the gladiator sparing his life.

He walked over to us and Hengist tossed him a sack of coins, "What's your name?" he asked.

"My name is Lancelot," He responded.

"You have proved yourself to be a skilful warrior. I believe you may even have impressed our royal guest, Lady Morgana," Hengist said, nodding his head towards me.

This time Lancelot did a slightly better job at hiding his surprise. He turned to me and bowed, "My Lady."

Hengist laughed, "Next time you fight, do not expect any mercy. Release the Wilddeoren," he ordered the cage door opened and a creature emerged from it eating the screaming gladiator. I turned my face away from it.

It was later when I was curled up in my prison cell that I saw Lancelot again. He came to the small window above my bed, "Elizabeth?" I heard him question softly.

I jumped up on the bed and looked out at him, "Lancelot," I smiled happy to see him.

He looked at me with a smile, "I could not believe my eyes when I saw it was you."

"I thought my mind was deceiving me," I said back softly.

"Why does Hengist think you are Lady Morgana?" Lancelot asked, confused.

"We were captured but Morgana managed to escape. He believes he is holding Morgana for ransom. I'm hoping she got word to Arthur, who should be coming for me. I just hope Hengist doesn't realise before that," I explained, "I told his henchman that I was a maidservant. If he believes that he will throw me to those beasts."

"I will not allow that to happen," Lancelot said with certainty, "Why don't you use your magic?"

"It's not as powerful as Merlin. I can't take out a whole castle," I explained, "Are you one of Hengist's men?"

"No," Lancelot said.

"What became of you after you left Camelot?" I questioned.

Lancelot looked down ashamed, "There are few opportunities for men like me. So I've been earning a living the only way that I know: with a sword in my hand. It seems it is my destiny to entertain men like Hengist."

"I don't believe that. You were always so full of hope," I said softly to him, reaching my fingers through the holes to gently touch him in a comforting move.

"I was wrong. The world is not like that," Lancelot said, sounding so bitter.

I shook my head, "I still see that hope in you. There is always hope."

"I have thought of all of you in Camelot often. Have you thought of me at all?" Lancelot asked.

"I didn't think we would ever meet again," I said quietly before I heard one of the doors being unlocked, "Someone's coming."

"No matter what it takes, I will find a way to get you out of here. I will," Lancelot swore before he disappeared.

I sat back down on my prison bed with my back straight. The cell door unlocked and Hengist entered. I stood up sharply and stared, "I've not yet received word from Uther that he intends to pay your ransom. I was informed that the King was extremely fond of his ward. Are you not surprised he is content to leave you here to die?" Hengist said coldly.

"How can I know the King's mind when I am locked in your stinking cell?" I snarled back, acting like the spoiled princesses I used to see in other Kingdoms.

"If I do not hear from Uther by dawn tomorrow, this stinking cell will be the last place you ever see," Hengist crackled before slamming the cell door shut. I slumped back down onto the prison bed resting my head back against the wall and staring up at the ceiling. My hopes of being rescued were slowly decreasing. I didn't even know if Morgana had managed to get a message to Uther about my disappearance yet.

"At least I won't have to do anymore wedding planning," I muttered to myself, gravely thinking about how much of a pain it had been to plan in the first place.

A voice from above pulled me out of my thoughts, "Elizabeth?"

I got up quickly smiling brightly at Lancelot, "Lancelot."

"I was terrified I might find your cell empty," Lancelot confessed in a whisper.

I shrugged, "There's been no word from Uther. I think Hengist grows suspicious."

"You must keep up the pretence. I will not allow you to die here," Lancelot said firmly.

"What about you?" I questioned.

"I have little to live for," Lancelot said softly.

"Do not say that," I said, my voice taking on more emotions than I thought it could.

"It's the truth. For all my words, for all that I believe. I have come to nothing," Lancelot said mournfully.

"You are one of the bravest and truest men I have ever known," I said in earnest, "And you are loved, by all of Camelot."

"I didn't know that you felt like that," Lancelot said, seeming choked up.

I touched his fingers with my own, "You will be a knight of Camelot Lancelot. I promised you once and I will keep that promise. You will live for that, and all those who care for you."

"Then I will live," Lancelot smiled back at me, "Be ready, I will come for you before nightfall."

It was later in the evening when I was taken to the cage where Hengist was waiting, "Morgana. Morgana! I keep asking myself, "Why does Uther not pay the ransom? He's a rich man, why would he leave his beloved ward to suffer a slow and terrible death?""

"I don't know, please, please…" I begged as I backed up into the corner of the cage. Hengist followed me, grabbing my hands.

"It must be very upsetting to know that Uther has abandoned you. It seems like no one in the world cares for you," Hengist said, getting in close to my face.

I turned my head away, "I don't know why he doesn't pay. Please, I don't know."

"Take her to her cell. Bring Kendrick to me. Perhaps he can tell me why Lady Morgana is wearing an engagement ring," Hengist snapped before I was dragged back into my cell and thrown in. I let out a cry and curled up under the cloak feeling any hope I once had disappeared.

I didn't know how much time had passed but I saw my door open again. I shrunk backwards, afraid of who would be coming to get me this time. I relaxed when I saw it was Lancelot, "You came?" I questioned softly.

Lancelot smiled back at me, "Of course My Lady. We don't have a moment to lose," we quickly made our way through some tunnels before we reached a crossroad in them, "Follow the tunnel. It will take you out beyond the castle walls. I will buy you as much time as I can."

"I am not leaving you," I said certainly.

"You must," Lancelot dismissed.

I shook my head, "No, I will not leave you here to die!"

"I would die for you 100 times over. Live for me, or everything that I am has been for nothing," Lancelot said to me with passion in his voice I had never heard before.

I didn't think about the consequences. I don't know exactly what was running through my head at that moment, all I knew was that he was risking his life so that I could live. That he had saved me, and before I could think about the aftermath I pulled Lancelot towards me and kissed him on the lips feeling his lips respond almost instantly to mine. I pulled away after a moment staring him straight in the eyes, "You will survive for Camelot."

Lancelot didn't answer, instead turning back to the tunnel we had just travelled from, "Run. Don't stop running until you are well away from here," I hesitated for a moment, "Run. Run."

I nodded before taking off down the tunnel, pausing when I heard a yell but I kept moving. It was when I reached the end of the tunnel that they were there waiting for me, "You didn't think you would get away from me that easily!" Hengist smirked at me.

Sorry for the cliffhanger but it kind of worked well. So remember do the poll and review to let me know what you think, I promise it wouldn't be long before the next chapter gets published,

Until next time

Artistic-Blue-Eyes

xxx