Hello my Merlin fans, I am back! I am sorry that I did not update. I have been very busy for the past month. My job, studying for my exam, and my biggest news… I RECEIVED THE LEAD ROLE IN MY COMMUNITY THEATER PLAY! I am so excited for it! Again the next chapter will take some time because of life and my next update is my Phantom story. Please be patient with me.

Again I want to thank my friend OtherCharacterNut for proofreading and giving me great ideas for this chapter. I could not do it without you!

Also, please check out my Twitter page, my YouTube channel, and my Polyvore page to see posters and what clothes Sam is wearing in each chapter. Anyways, do not forget to favorite, follow, review, and enjoy this chapter.

Also, I do not own anything except my OC Sam.

SAM'S POV

"Oh Samantha, I do not need your services anymore. Sam, my Father is King and says Merlin is better as my servant! You are a girl, so go get a job that girls are good for, like cooking and cleaning! Oh look at me, I am a good little Prince. Obeying King Daddy like a good little Prince Puppy!" I couldn't help myself from grumbling as I grabbed the mushrooms in the woods. How could I? Baby Blonde Boy basically just fired me this morning! And for what? Nothing! Sorry I saved your life and almost died! Do I get a proper thank you? No! I get, what do they call it? Sacked. I shook my head and continued searching for the ingredients living on the forest floor. Gaius had sent Merlin to the market place because he knew I needed to be away from people. Clear my head. Not that I was feeling better yet. "Why does Arthur make me so mad? I hate him! When I get my hands on that no good, spoiled, rotten-"

Suddenly, a loud screech echoed far in front of me. My hand froze over the last mushroom as I slowly lifted my eyes. Impossible, and yet my gasp knew it wasn't. A griffin! A real griffin, like Buckbeak from the Harry Potter movies, was staring right at me. But this was Camelot and I remembered reading in one of Gaius' books that wild griffins were not only magical, but dangerous creatures. I slowly rose to my feet hoping it was friendly. I received my answer when the griffin screeched again and charged right at me. "Ok, not a friendly griffin! Definitely an angry griffin!" I screamed.

I dropped the basket containing the wild mushrooms and ran for my life. I could hear the griffin's hoofs galloping closer and closer. I looked back to see that it was almost on top of me! This was a mistake I will never make again. An unseen root hooked onto my ankle and I slammed into the solid ground. I could feel the air leave my lungs at the impact and my scraped palms and knees bled like my left eyebrow. I didn't stop. I couldn't stop. I wiped the blood from my eyes and rolled over to crawl backwards only to see the griffin rear back with its claws out, ready to strike. I focused my eyes, praying for my magic, but I was too weak. I was dead.

"Get away from her!"

I turned my head to see a man running to stand in front of me. He bravely swung his sword at the griffin, but when it finally connected to the creature's flesh, it snapped like a wooden sword against stone. The griffin was unharmed and even angrier! We were gonna be torn apart!

The man dropped his broken sword and screamed, "Run! Run!" He grabbed my hand and the moment my feet were under me, we ran as fast as we could, but the griffin was faster. I will never complain about working out ever again! I kept up the pace, ignoring the fire in my muscles and pushing the branches from my face. I let the man's hand grip mine tighter letting him help me gain speed. I looked behind us to see the griffin getting closer. It wasn't enough.

"We need to run faster!" I screamed.

Miraculously, we made it around a corner to see a fallen tree. We jumped over it and instantly pressed our backs to it to hide. I held my breath when the griffin's hooves galloped closer. We waited for the griffin to find us, but after a few, long and agonizing moments, the creature gave up and left us behind.

"It's gone," I sighed out a relieved breath and looked over to my savior. His dark hair was in his face, but I swear I've seen him before. No matter, what mattered most was that I could tell he was in pain and he needed to tell him how grateful I was. "You saved me. Thank you. Thank you so much. I'm Samantha, but my friends call me Sam."

He moved to look at me and slightly smiled. I could see him now and my eyes widened when I saw his deep brown ones. I softly shook his hand as he replied, "Lancelot."

I couldn't believe it. He's Lancelot...THE Lancelot! How could I have forgotten him for even a moment? Well, we were just running for our lives. I'll give myself a pass on this one, even if I couldn't stop smiling like a fangirl. Finally! A real knight who could treat me like a real friend!

"I'm sorry, did you say Lancelot?" I excitedly asked as he nodded his head. Before I could say anything else, his eyes rolled in the back of his head and fell right into my lap. Honorable and heavy. "Ok, Lancelot is here and he's hurt…" I looked down at my raw hands. "And I'm hurt...how am I going to get him back to Gaius?"

3rd POV

"What is taking your sister so long? It does not take more than an hour to collect those mushrooms."

Merlin looked up from his book when he heard Gaius voice his worry. "I'm sure Sam is all right. She's probably still upset about this morning." Merlin paused for a moment before asking, "Why did Arthur sack her and not me? I thought the prophecy stated that both of us need to help and protect Arthur. How can Sam help him or me if she's no longer a maidservant?"

Gaius sighed before removing his glasses. "I cannot say. Arthur did not seem to want to lose her as his maid, but clearly he felt compelled to do so. Perhaps, after the poison, he does not want to risk her any more harm. Besides, Sam looked pleased when she found out her new position as a gardener. She does love to visit the roses."

"I just hope she won't get into any more trouble," said Merlin.

Both Gaius and Merlin jumped when the door violently banged. Merlin's mouth dropped when he saw his little sister drag herself in with an unconscious man at her side. She was gripping the man's waist so tightly her fingers were white and the arm draped over her shoulder was severely weighing her down. But what shocked Merlin most was that Sam's new dress was stained with dirt...and splattered with blood. His eyes fell to the strips of cloth from her dress that were wrapped around both of her hands, but only the knot tying them off at the top were clean of her blood.

"Well don't just stand there and stare at me! Help! He weighs a ton and I don't want to accidently drop him again," Sam grunted as she tried to hold onto Lancelot's shifting body. Gaius and Merlin instantly ran to her and helped carry Lancelot to the empty cot.

"Sam, are you all right? Your dress-"

"I'm fine, Merlin, really. I had to rip my dress to try to stop my hands from bleeding so I could carry him back here. I'm just lucky my magic was able to help me get us back." Sam looked down at her dress and groaned. "Gwen just made this for me… She is going to kill me when she sees it is ruined."

After a much-needed bath and a clean, new dress, Sam walked by the window to feel the late afternoon sun warm her drying skin. She took a breath as she continued on to sit with Gaius as he examined Lancelot.

"He saved my life, Gaius," she whispered meekly as she took the hand that lead her to safety. "He will be all right, won't he?"

Gaius took a moment to mix the herbal medicine and replied, "The wound itself is superficial and the fever will pass. He should be fine in the morning. You should get some sleep, Samantha. You had a long day today."

SAM'S POV

My eyes slowly opened when I felt the morning rays hit my face and heard the rooster crowing. I looked over to see that Merlin had already left to wake Arthur. It was strange being alone in the morning. I had gotten so used to the routine as Arthur's maidservant, but I no longer work for him. Directly, anyway. I groaned as I slowly got up and grabbed my new uniform to wear. It was similar to my old one, only I was given a small leather bodice to go over what I'm sure used to be a white shirt and a slightly stained green skirt that actually wrapped around a pair of brown pants. After I dressed, I walked out to see my new friend, Lancelot, rising from his cot.

"Well good morning Sleeping Beauty. How are you feeling?" When he heard my voice, he turned his head and smiled at me. I couldn't help my eyes trailing him up and down. He was real! And I had to admit...a lot cuter awake.

"I'm feeling better, thank you." His smile slowly vanished as he looked around the room. "Where am I?"

"You're in Camelot. The Physician's Chambers to be precise. I brought you here after you fainted. Gaius tended to your wound while you were unconscious," I answered as kindly as possible.

Lancelot looked at me in shock. "Did you carry me here?"

I pretended to be offended and placed a hand over my heart. "Hey, I am a lot stronger than I look." At my playful smile, we both started to laugh. "And I was happy to save your life in return. Were you on your way to Camelot?"

Lancelot walked over to one of the open windows to see the market place beginning to come alive. "Ever since I was a child I've dreamed of coming here. It's my life's ambition to join the Knights of Camelot. I know what you're thinking, I... I expect too much. After all, who am I? They have their pick of the best and bravest in the land."

"Lancelot," I confidently said as I walked over to the window.

He glanced at me, a bit confused at my boldness. "Yes?"

Smiling again, I placed my hand on his shoulder and promised, "Trust me, they are going to love you."

"They are?"

"Lance, you saved me from that creature. You are amazing and I bet you can even beat Arthur."

Lancelot scoffed at my statement. "I hardly think so."

I sighed at his doubtfulness. How can I make him understand that he will be one of the greatest knights in history? An idea instantly popped into my head. "In fact, you know what I'm going to do? Merlin and I are going to talk to him right now. I bet Merlin is with him as we speak."

I immediately jumped down and rushed to the door. I needed to tell Merlin that Lancelot has to be a knight so the episode can continue as it was supposed to. Plus, Lance did save me from the griffin. I owe him big time!

"You know Arthur?" I heard Lance's voice ask in what I guess would be awe.

I rolled my eyes at his name as I stopped in front of the door. I looked over my shoulder and said, "Sadly, I do know him."

It wasn't hard to find Merlin once we reached the training grounds. He was standing near Arthur's weapons looking excited to see the show. He smiled when he saw me walking up to him and called out, "Glad you'd showed up. I thought you would miss it because of your new position."

"I still have an hour before my shift starts," I panted in reply as my heartbeat slowed from running. "Besides, I wanted to show Lancelot around since he's interested in knighthood."

Merlin looked at Lancelot intrigued with shock and asked, "You want to be a knight?"

Lance instantly stared at his shoes like they were more interesting. "You think it foolish?"

I glared at my brother and nudged him between his ribs. Merlin groaned at my elbow, but realized his mistake and was quick to remedy it. "No, of course not! I think it's a wonderful idea. Especially since Sam told me you saved her yesterday. She tends to get into a lot of trouble."

I crossed my arms over my chest and grumbled, "Trouble finds me and I handle it. I'm not some damsel in distress, thank you very much."

Lance laughed and replied, "Well I am glad I was there to help. It only took one look to know Sam is worth saving."

For a moment, I thought I was going to blush. His words were by far the sweetest thing that anyone has ever said to me. Lancelot was a true knight indeed! I smiled and I gave him a side hug with a flattered squeeze. However, I was distracted by Arthur's voice calling everyone to attention. I looked over to see one of the noblemen swinging two swords like baseball bats and cringed when I remembered his fate.

"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."

I rolled my eyes at the statement. Can anyone say, 'Cocky much?' However, even I had to admit that he was Prince Arthur and he had such a reputation for a reason. Still, I wish I could prove him wrong and make him look like a fool again.

"Bet you 5 pounds that Arthur wins in less than 30 seconds," I whispered to Merlin.

Smirking, he whispered, "I'll take that bet."

"Your challenge is to last one-minute free combat. Grummond, Second son of Wessex." Arthur drew his sword and nodded his head to one of the servants. He turned the training hourglass upside down to let the sand fall. Arthur looked back at his challenger with determination. "Your time starts now."

Grummond swung his swords like a mad man and took a step closer to Arthur. I stared at the Prince to see him calculating each of Grummond's moves. The nobleman yelled as he went to attack Arthur, proving luck and skill was not on his side. Arthur took him down with two swift blows, leaving Grummond on the ground and motionless. I groaned when I knew he was unconscious.

I turned to the servant, James, who was waiting by the hourglass. "How long did that take?"

James looked at me and answered, "18 seconds."

Lancelot chuckled as Merlin slammed his head into the palm of his hand. "I should've known not to make a bet with you. You somehow always win!"

"Very true, but you're still gonna pay me," I said with a wink.

As the crowd continued to applaud for Arthur, he walked over to the fallen nobleman and removed his flag that was attached to his waist. "Take him away."

My eyes popped open in fear when I saw Mrs. Grover, my new supervisor near the castle gates glaring at me. "Damn it, I'm late!" I began hustling backwards so I could say to Merlin, "I need you to convince Arthur to let Lancelot have a shot as a knight."

As turned around to run, I heard Merlin call out, "How am I supposed to do that?"

Without looking back I yelled, "Figure it out and I'll let that be payment for the bet!"

3rd POV

After another hour or so, Merlin and Arthur were walking through the market place after the knights' training. It was almost strange not having Sam with them, but then again the job and destiny didn't change. Merlin was trying his best not to drop any of Arthur's armor as he walked next to the prince.

"Grummond's the third to fail this month. How am I meant to defend Camelot with rubbish like that?" complained Arthur. He was growing more annoyed and frustrated as the day went on. Merlin remembered he promised Sam about recommending Lancelot to be a knight, so he took a chance.

"Well, I think I might be able to help."

Arthur started to laugh like Merlin was saying the funniest joke the Prince had ever heard. "You, Merlin? You haven't the faintest idea what it takes to become a knight." Merlin groaned when Arthur slammed his sword into Merlin's waiting arms. "Courage, fortitude, discipline."

Merlin immediately rushed forward when he realized Arthur thought Merlin was talking about himself, not Lancelot. "No, no, no, of course I don't, but I do know someone who does."

"Yeah?"

"He saved my sister's life."

Merlin grunted when he was suddenly stopped by Arthur instantly grabbing his arm. His right hand immediately caught one of the pieces of armor that slipped from the pile in his arms, but what caused Merlin to fumble was the intense look Arthur was giving him. A look that matched the death grip the Prince was keeping on his arm.

"Sam? What do you mean he saved her life?" Arthur asked concerned.

"Yesterday while she was picking mushroom for Gaius, she was attacked by a creature. My friend saved her from being hurt or worse," Merlin explained.

Arthur gripped both of Merlin's arms and asked quickly, "Is she all right?"

"Yes, she is fine…" Merlin raised one of his eyebrows and asked curiously, "You don't have to worry about Sam's well-being anymore...remember? You sacked her as your maidservant."

Arthur scoffed, releasing Merlin's arms and walking on like the statement did not bother him in the slightest. "I - as you so eloquently put it - sacked her because of her well-being, Merlin. I may no longer care, but she still remains your sister. Now, are you sure your friend is decent enough to be a knight?"

Merlin shook his head at Arthur's rebuttal. Sometimes, he did not understand Arthur at all. "Yes, he's really good. Honestly."

Arthur, however, was still not convinced. Who is a friend of Merlin's who could possibly be a great knight? Certainly not a peasant. "That's great, Merlin. I'm sure he's terrific, but you forget the First Code of Camelot."

Now Merlin was really confused. Code? What code? "The what?" asked the young wizard.

"The First Code. Only those of noble blood can serve as knights. So, unless your friend is a nobleman-"

"Oh, er, he-he is a nobleman," Merlin responded quickly, interrupting Arthur.

Now this shocked the Prince. Merlin… his servant… knows a nobleman? "Is he?"

Merlin nodded his head and nervously smiled. "Absolutely."

Arthur sighed and gave in. 'Well, if anything, it would be a good laugh… and I could see this savior of Samantha.' Arthur thought. "Very well. Bring him to the training ground tomorrow. And make sure he brings his seal of nobility."

As Arthur continued his walk, Merlin grinned and called out, "Thanks, Arthur. I'll tell him and Sam the news. You won't regret it." Arthur paused for a moment when he heard Sam's name, but scoffed before he walked away. However, Merlin's smile dropped when he whispered to himself, "Lancelot might a nobleman…right?"

SAM'S POV

"I'm back," I said as I entered the Physician's Chambers. I was trying so hard not to show it, but I was exhausted.

Lancelot looked up from his lunch when he heard me and rushed over to ask, "Did Merlin speak to Prince Arthur?"

"I believe so. We'll find out when he returns for his break." I walked to the water bucket to wash my hands when I heard Lancelot softly chuckling. "What? What's so funny?"

"Forgive me, there's um… You've got…" He slowly raised his hand to my hair as though I would slap him away like some high born lady afraid of hard-working hands and gently pulled untangled something from my hair. He offered me the twig between his fingers and I quickly grabbed it with an awkward smile. It must have gotten caught as my sweaty hair brushed all around the ivy I was cutting from the walls by the vegetable garden. What else would I find hiding in my hair? It's bad enough I'm covered in dirt and grass stains...and did I mention the sweat?

"Oh… Thank you for getting that," I said as I tossed it to the corner.

As I went back to wash my hands, the door opened and Merlin came rushing in. By the way he was panting, he had to have run all the way from the market place. Lancelot walked up to Merlin and asked quickly, "Well? Did you speak to him?"

"Yeah, I spoke to him."

Lancelot smiled and asked eagerly, "And?"

Merlin sadly looked down at his feet to show disappointment. "And..."

Lancelot's smile slowly faded as he sighed in despair. "Merlin, just tell poor Lance the truth already!" I thought to him.

Merlin winked at me and finished his sentence excitedly, "He said he would like to meet you."

I smiled as I waited for Lancelot's reaction. He looked as though he wanted to cheer, but he contained himself like an unwavering knight would. However, just enough excitement seeped out of him because I screamed in surprise when I was swept into his arms and spun around in a thankful hug. I laughed at the Soon-To-Be-Knight's enthusiasm.

"Apologies, Samantha!" Lance said with a small bow as he placed me down. "And thank you. Thank you both!"

"You're welcome and congratulations!" I giggled in reply.

Merlin smiled for his new friend. However, I could see that he suddenly remembered something. "Hey, really, it was no problem, really. It's nothing. You're not a nobleman, by any chance, are you?"

I knew I was forgetting something! The stupid code!

Lancelot laughed, wrongfully thinking that Merlin was joking. "A nobleman? No. Good lord, no. Why do you ask?"

Merlin looked at me and thought, "Sam, you tell him he can't be a knight because he's not a nobleman."

I glared at Merlin for even suggesting it. There was no way I was going to be the one to crush Lancelot's dream. "I'm not going to tell him! Arthur told you so you tell Lance," I thought back.

Merlin sighed and shuffled toward Lancelot. "Well…" I gasped when Merlin grabbed my arm and threw me in front of him. "Sam has something to tell you."

"Merlin!" I hissed as Lancelot stared at me expectantly. "I, uh, You see Lance… I can call you Lance right… You see there's this..."

Gaius seemed pained by my faltering explanation, so he decided to spare me the despair to follow. "The First Code of Camelot states that only those of noble blood can serve as a knight." I crossed my arms and bit my lip as Gaius continued to deliver the sad news to a surprised Lancelot. "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."

"The nobility," Merlin meekly added.

"Stupid nobility," I grumbled as I avoided Lancelot's gaze. It was moments like these that I wished I was back in the 21st century so I didn't have to experience the kind of injustice placed on good men like Lancelot. The code was wrong, just like Uther. It took all I had not to reach out to Lance as he sat down on the wooden stool and ran his hand through his black hair.

"And thus the First Code of Camelot was born, and ever since that day, only the sons of noble families have served as knights," Gaius concluded with a heavy sigh.

Ok, I couldn't stand idly by anymore. I threw out my arms in anger and declared, "Not only is that unfair, it's flat out immoral! Lancelot has every right to a chance to be a knight. He deserves it! No offense to the Knights of Camelot, but he can ride circles around them and he is braver than anyone I know." All three pairs of eyes started at me as though I just cast a spell to turn the very King himself into a bullfrog...in front of the whole kingdom. I blinked at Gaius' shock and Merlin's gaping mouth and nearly blushed at Lancelot's awe of my words. Until finally I snapped, "What? It's true

"Fair or unfair, that's the way it is." At Gaius' reply to my outburst, Lancelot's hope faded into discouragement. I could see all that he lost, his entire life's purpose, dwindle into the darkness of his eyes when Gaius sighed and he placed his hand on Lancelot's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Lancelot. Truly, I am."

As the court physician returned to his work table, Merlin suddenly said, "Maybe I could ask Arthur to give you a chance anyway. I bet he-"

"No, there is no need. Both you and your sister have done so much for me already," Lancelot insisted, but all I could see was the broken smile on his face.

"But Lance-"

"It's all right Samantha… You've done everything you could and I am forever grateful that you tried," he said as he kissed my hand.

I wanted to say more, to come up with a plan for Merlin and I to get him to the training grounds. I knew it was possible, that it was meant to happen, but watching Lancelot return to our chambers stalled my movements. It was different knowing him, empathizing with him, then it was when he was just a character I enjoyed watching on TV. Now he was real and he was my friend. I would make this right for him. I would do what needed to be done to ensure Lancelot becomes the most famous Knight of Camelot.

And there you have it, another chapter done. Again, the next chapter will take some time so please have patience with me. The next update will be my Red Rose Nightmare story and then I will be back with My Magical Wish. Do not forget to favorite, follow, review, and until then…

Grapejuice101