Amelia's POV

When Arthur tells Amelia that he intends to propose to Gwen, she jumps up and down in glee and happily offers to help with literally anything. This includes watching an anxious Arthur pace in his Chambers.

Arthur sits down looking stressed, he rubs his head. "I think I'm coming down with something."

Amelia raises an eyebrow. "If it's indecision, I hope it's not catching."

"I feel slightly sick." Arthur gasps.

Amelia sighs, crouching down by Arthur's chair, rubbing his knee. "You're making a big commitment, you pledging to spend the rest of your life with Gwen. Even if it's what you want, you're going to feel anxious."

Arthur scrunches up his face. "I'm not anxious."

"Then what's with the sweaty palms?"

Arthur rolls his eyes. "Fine that's what it is. That's exactly what it is." He stands causing Amelia to drop her hand and stand herself. "Oh, my goodness I've made a bad decision."

Amelia's eyes widen. "Er, wait hold on, I didn't say that. I think it's only natural to get anxious in these situations."

This doesn't seem to reassure Arthur, so Amelia opens his wardrobe. She holds up a long red coat. "Princess Elena."

Arthur waves his hand dismissively. "Too girly."

Amelia holds up a darker, shorter jacket. "Princess of Westernburgh."

"Too short."

Amelia holds up a long brown coat. "Queen Guinevere?"

Arthur pauses, a dreamy look on his face.

Amelia grins. "See, there you go. You are doing the right thing. So, when is the big moment? When are you going to ask her?"

"This afternoon. No time like the present." Arthur declares as he slips on the jacket Amelia offers him. "You'll be there should I need you."

"'Course."

—

Amelia doesn't like that it meant helping with setting up a potential fire hazard in Gwen's house.

Merlin finishes the last candle while Amelia stands, observing the danger zone.

"Maybe we should have suggested something else…" She murmurs.

Merlin rolls his eyes. "You have been saying that for the past 20 minutes!" He complains. "It'll be fine."

Amelia opens her mouth but is interrupted by Anne entering. "They're coming!"

The three of them quickly leave, hiding by a window so they can watch and hear what's happening. They watch as Arthur leads Gwen into her house blindfolded by a bit of cloth. Arthur removes Gwen's blindfold to reveal her home covered with candles. He takes her hand and leads her to a chair. She sits down excitedly, and he kneels down in front of her.

"Guinevere, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"

Arthur waits for her answer. Gwen bolts forward and hugs him. Amelia sniggers quietly at Arthur's confused face.

"Is that a yes?"

Gwen pulls back. "Oh, sorry! Yes. Yes. Yes." She gasps happily.

Merlin, Amelia and Anne all share a smile as Arthur places the ring on Gwen's finger.

—

Amelia sits on one side of Gwen in the royal box in the Tournament Grounds with Agravaine on the other side as Arthur rides a practice joust before the actual Jousting Tournament. He catches the decorated ring and the crowd cheers. Arthur rides to the box and Gwen steps down to take the ring off of his lance with a smile. He smiles back before Arthur rides off the field.

Amelia leans over to Gwen. "You've got to hand it to Arthur. Of all the things he could've gotten you as an engagement present, flowers, a song, but no, he's given you two days of sweaty men knocking the sense out of each other."

Gwen laughs but Agravaine remains stone cold. "It's tradition, Amelia. Uther had a tourney before his wedding to Ygraine, your aunt." He speaks.

Amelia glances at him dismissively before turning back to Gwen. "See, it's not even an original gesture."

Gwen laughs. Despite Argraine's presence, Amelia has been enjoying herself as she laughs and jokes with Gwen, enjoying each other's company. It reminds Amelia of her and Morgana causing her smile to dip slightly.

They're interrupted by Percival, who, after successfully catching the ring, brings it over for Gwen to take from his lance.

"Thank you very much." Gwen says, beaming.

Percival grins back, flashing a wink to Amelia, who fondly rolls her eyes, before riding off.

Gwen takes her seat once more. "Are you sure you are okay with delaying your wedding for mine and Arthur's?" She asks, worriedly.

Amelia quickly shakes her head. "Of course not! The King's wedding is an important event, I don't mind waiting."

Suddenly the trumpets announce another rider, an unknown.

"Who's that?" Amelia asks, not expecting a response.

The rider runs the practice joust and catches the ring. The crowd cheers and Gwen and Amelia politely applaud the stranger. Gwen steps down and takes the decorated ring with a furrowed brow. The Knight pulls off his helmet to reveal Lancelot. Amelia is stunned. How can this be Lancelot?

—

Arthur sits at the head of the table with Gwen on his right with Anne next to her and Amelia on his left with Percival next to her then Agravaine. The other Knights are spread out around the table with Lancelot at the opposite end of the table to Arthur while Merlin serves them. Lancelot tells his tale of how he survived stepping through the veil.

"I fear I remember very little after the moment I stepped through the veil." He reveals as he picks at his food. "My story will not be as illuminating as I would like."

"We're just pleased to see you." Arthur assures him. "Well... pleased and amazed."

"I owe everything to the Madhavi people." Lancelot starts. "When they found me, I was near death. Luckily for me, their customs dictate that they must give food and shelter to the needy." He sighs deeply. "And I was certainly that."

Amelia watches Lancelot warily. There's something not quite right about him, about this situation but she can't put her finger on it.

"Where did they find you?" Leon wonders.

"On one of the silk road passes, high in the Feorre Mountains." Lancelot answers.

"Cenred's Kingdom." Elyan deduces.

"I travelled with them for many weeks, deep into the deserts of the south." Lancelot continues. "Then, slowly my strength returned. When I was able, I earned my passage the only way I know how. By the sword."

Lancelot smirks as the Knights chuckle, but for some reason, there is something about that smirk that doesn't seem like Lancelot's normal smile. Amelia frowns as she continues to pay attention to his tale.

"Then I slowly made my way north."

"You made your way home." Arthur corrects, and Lancelot nods solemnly. Arthur reaches over and grabs Gwen's hand. Amelia sees from the corner of her eye Agravaine's displeased face.

"We can't thank you enough for what you sacrificed on the Isle of the Blessed." Arthur tells him. "It will be remembered always."

Lancelot sighs again. "It is, indeed, good to see you once again. So much has changed." He glances at Amelia and Percival. The Knight grins and takes her hand but Amelia is filled with too much unease to do any more than a small smile.

Lancelot suddenly stands, grabbing his goblet as he does so. "I would like to propose a toast." He raises the goblet. "To the people I hold most dear. To Camelot."

They all raise their goblets in response as they chanted, "To Camelot!"

Amelia watches as Lancelot smiles and drinks, still feeling unsettled.

—

Anne's POV

Later that night, Merlin escorts Lancelot to Gaius Chambers so that he can use Merlin's old room for now while Anne goes back to their Chambers. She is just crawling into bed when the door opens and Merlin strolls in, a look of worry plastered on his face and a large book in his hands.

Anne winces as she settles into bed, throwing the blankets over her. "I recognise that look. I have nightmares about that look."

Merlin shuts the door tightly behind him, locking it for good measure before he walks over to her. "I want to believe that everything is fine," he starts as he sits down on his side of the bed, "and that we really have Lancelot back."

"Why wouldn't it be Lancelot?" Anne questions. "It looks like him. Maybe we need to stop being such pessimists and just be grateful that something good has happened."

"That's just the thing, Anne." Merlin persists. "I don't think it's a good thing. Something's wrong."

"What happened?"

"When he was telling his story, I sensed it." Merlin continues. "The way he greeted me, that made me suspicious. But what happened just now, that's made me sure." He pauses, and Anne stares at him anxiously. "He remembered Amelia has magic but forgot you and I have magic. Lancelot would never do that."

Anne hesitates. "That... that is strange." She finally agrees. "Maybe it's just a side effect of coming back from the veil?" She knows she is entering what people call denial but she can't just accept this.

"Then why does he remember Amelia? I think it's something else." Merlin argues, and he holds up the book that he has been carrying. There is a large skeleton on the cover, and Anne has learnt enough Latin at this point to understand what the title means.

"Necromancy?" Anne blurts out, sitting up more. "You think someone's raised Lancelot from the dead?"

"I saw him die, remember?" Merlin reminds her. "And now he's back, and not acting like himself. Would necromancy be that far of a stretch?"

"But who would do such a thing? Who would only know Amelia has magic but not us? Who'd ring back Lancelot specifically and send him back to us?" Anne wonders and just as the words leave her mouth, Anne sharply looks up at Merlin.

"Morgana." They say at the same time.

—

Amelia's POV

Amelia should've known. She should've known that Lancelot's sudden arrival is the work of her sister, but the question now is why?

Anne had come, telling her what she and Merlin had worked out but now they need to prove it. Merlin and Anne begin their research while Amelia has to attend the Tournament to keep up appearances. Arthur and Lancelot both win their jousts.

Jousting draws to an end for the day and Amelia finds herself standing on the side of the grounds with Gwen as they watch Lancelot win the penultimate joust.

"Never thought I'd be witnessing this." Amelia comments as Arthur rides forward to go against his opponent in the last joist of the day. She narrows her eyes as she watches Lancelot dismount and go into one of the tents.

Gwen lets out a slight laugh that sounds shaky to Amelia's ears. "I know. I had said my goodbyes, grieved, accepted he was gone. It is very strange indeed."

Arthur wins and walks over to them. "I suppose it's too much to ask where Merlin is?" He kisses Gwen's cheek and the two of them walk towards his tent. "The Tavern? The bath perhaps?"

Amelia rolls her eyes. "I'm not his keeper Arthur. Go find him yourself." She calls to him over her shoulder.

—

After Merlin talks to Gaius, they decide to put their theory to the test. Amelia finds herself with Anne and Merlin painting spirals on Gaius' Chamber floor as it details in the book early the next morning.

Once they finish, Merlin spreads his hands over the paint. "Onluc þa soþan treow!"

The paint glows red for a moment, then fades. Amelia hears movement in Merlin's old Chambers. She gets up to peek through a crack and sees that Lancelot is finishing getting dressed. She turns to the other two in panic, gesturing silently. They hurriedly get up and Merlin dashes to Gaius's bed and wakes him with a shake.

"It's time." He whispers.

Amelia, Anne, Merlin and Gaius slip into the cupboard and peer through the gaps. Lancelot emerges from Merlin's old Chamber and walks over the circle. Amelia watches in horror as the circle glows red and a skeleton washes over Lancelot's features. The door closes and they step out of the closet.

"I really didn't want it to be true." Amelia remarks.

"I know. We all wanted him back." Gaius says.

"More than anything." Anne affirms.

"This man's a shadow of his former self. A shadow with ill intent." Gaius says.

"Do you think he means to harm Arthur?" Merlin questions.

"That's usually the reason something bad is happening." Amelia remarks.

"Whatever his reason for being here, it can't be good." Gaius declares.

—

Despite the revelation that Lancelot isn't really Lancelot, Amelia has to keep up the pretence that there's nothing wrong or the Shade Lancelot and Agravaine, as he's Morgana's little helper, will realise and act.

Amelia looks up to see Gwen as she joins her in the royal box at the Tournament Grounds. "Ah, there you are. I was wondering where you got to."

Gwen sits next to her. "I was just delayed." She replies quickly.

Amelia notices that Gwen seems flustered. "Are you well?"

Gwen smiles but Amelia can see it's not one of Gwen's true smiles. "Of course."

Agravaine then joins them, and Amelia can't ask anymore.

The Tournament continues and Amelia watches it with a frown on her face, watching with conflicting emotions as Gwen has seemingly gone from being thrilled Arthur is winning to being more pleased Lancelot is winning, even as Arthur bests Leon in a small joust.

These concerns are overcome when Amelia realises that Arthur's win means he'll be in the final with Lancelot. Amelia watches in concern as both men greet the crowd before turning towards one another, slipping on their helmets. She glances to where Merlin and Gaius stand on the opposite side and shared a brief nod with Merlin. Amelia relaxes now knowing that Merlin is ready but she herself will make sure she's back up just in case.

The flag goes up and they joust. Both riders hit their opponent, but Amelia can see the way Arthur is hit by the lance that he's become seriously injured. Amelia and Gwen simultaneously stand up, concerned, as Arthur drops his lance and leans forward on his horse in pain. This doesn't stop him as he rides around again, taking his next lance from the servant anyway for another run.

Amelia chews her lip anxiously; she knows Arthur will not withdraw and it's the perfect opportunity for Lancelot to do the final blow.

Arthur can barely hold the lance, but he starts to joust anyway. Lancelot is unharmed, likely because he's already dead as Amelia had seen him be knocked back violently when Arthur hit him. Amelia watches in concern as Arthur struggles to lift his lance into attack position. As they come within range, Amelia tenses ready to do something but suddenly Lancelot yields his lance and the crowd cheers. Amelia looks at the two next to her and Agravaine and Guinevere are equally surprised though Amelia doubts it's genuine on her uncle's end.

Arthur drops his lance and stumbles off his horse holding his side, doubled over with pain. Lancelot dismounts and they walk to the centre of the field and meet in front of the royal box.

Lancelot kneels. "My liege."

"Arise, Sir Lancelot. It's not necessary." Arthur reassures him and Lancelot stands. "I always thought you the noblest of my Knights. You just proved me right. Thank you for your courtesy." Lancelot does a slight bow. "Won't be forgotten."

Arthur faces the box and the crowd cheers. Arthur bows his head to them, but Amelia is only able to give him a small, tight smile. Lancelot and Arthur regard each other.

Lancelot nods. "Your Highness."

Arthur nods back and leaves the field.

Amelia knows she should be pleased that Lancelot didn't kill Arthur but, if he's not here to kill Arthur, what's he here for?

—

Amelia hears from Anne that Merlin will be spying on Shade Lancelot tonight to find out what he's up to as he might not be here to kill Arthur after all. Amelia decides not to comment about that time Merlin spied on Morgana as he feared a vision of his coming true then it happened anyway because of his spying.

Amelia waits in her Chambers but finds she can't wait any longer and goes searching for Merlin. She soon realises that no neither the Shade nor Merlin are near Gaius' Chambers. Amelia eventually finds Merlin lying unconscious on the floor of the Phoenix Corridor.

"Merlin!" She runs over to him. She checks his head and is relieved to see no serious wound but a bump under his skin that'll bruise. She frantically shakes him and eventually groans awake.

"What—" Merlin suddenly straightens and scrambles onto his feet, and Amelia follows him. "I need to find Lancelot!"

"Merlin, you've hurt your head, you need to rest." Amelia argues, concerned for her friend.

Merlin shakes his head, but this causes him to sway and look unsteady on his feet from the movement. "I can't. I heard Lancelot talking to Agravaine. He's meeting Gwen."

"And knowing Morgana and Agravaine, it can't be good." Amelia realises. They rush to the Council Chambers.

—

Amelia and Merlin burst into the Council Chambers from one of the side doors, and Amelia already knows they're too late. Arthur stands at the door with Agravaine behind him, staring in shock as Gwen and Lancelot kiss.

Arthur's shock then suddenly turns to anger, and he draws his sword and charges at them, letting out a scream full of rage and hurt, "AAAAARRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Lancelot steps away from Gwen and draws his sword, meeting Arthur's ferocious attacks. The King elbows Lancelot in the face, making him drop his sword. Despite his opponent being defenceless, Arthur attacks him anyway but hits the column. Lancelot shoves Arthur against another column, making Arthur drop his sword.

Amelia finds herself frozen, unable to move as she watches the scene in front of her.

"Please!" Gwen sobs from the side but the two men ignore her as Arthur shoves Lancelot, who slides in reach of his sword and grabs it. He rises to attack Arthur.

Amelia panics but she's relieved when she hears Merlin mutter "Ecg misse" from beside her.

The sword drops out of Lancelot's hand. Arthur grabs his sword and yells as he charges the defenceless Lancelot Shade.

It's Gwen who puts a stop to the fight before either one kills the other by throwing herself in between the two men. She's tearful as she stretches out her arms to the two of them.

"No! Please! Please! Please. Stop. Please, please. This has to stop! Please. Please. Stop. This has to stop."

Amelia's heart breaks as Arthur looks at her, the betrayal written plainly on his face. Amelia realises her cheeks are wet, she hadn't realised she'd begun crying.

—

The Court waits in silence in the Council Chambers. Gwen stands between two Guards, surrounded by the entire Council, including the Knights, looking pale and her face streaked with tears. Agravaine is standing by the throne, and Amelia sitting mournfully in her chair by the throne. Agravaine nods and the two Guards force Gwen to her knees as Arthur enters. Arthur walks resolutely to the throne; Amelia is unable to read his expression. Arthur stops, his back to the Council.

Arthur speaks softly, "You will leave, please." Agravaine nods to the two Guards and they depart.

"All of you." Arthur adds but no one moves. "Now." He repeats more firmly and the Knights and Council leave. Amelia watches as Gwen looks at her brother; he glares at her disappointedly as he leaves. Amelia and Agravaine don't move.

"You, too, Uncle, Amelia." Arthur adds to the two of them.

They both look at Arthur's back in surprise but it's Agravaine that speaks, "Sire—"

"Now."

Agravaine bows. He offers his hand to Amelia, but she glares at him before standing up and striding out of the room, glancing mournfully at Gwen as Agravaine follows her out of the room. Once outside, Amelia lingers outside the door, uncomfortable with leaving the two alone.

She doesn't hear much until Arthur suddenly screams, "WHAT WERE YOU DOING?!"

Amelia freezes in fear for Gwen. She looks at the Guards stationed at the door and knows they won't be letting her in, so she quickly moves through the corridors until she reaches one of the side doors that sits at the back of the Council Chambers. She opens it to find Arthur standing about a meter in front of Gwen, who's sobbing and looking like she's in emotional agony, Arthur doesn't look any better, but Amelia is thankful to see there's no physical harm.

"I don't want to see you dead, Guinevere." Arthur says quietly. Amelia sags in relief at that.

But, Arthur continues, "But I don't want to see you."

Gwen looks distraught by his answer. Amelia feels her heart drop to her stomach.

"I cannot look on you every day. You will leave Camelot at first light—"

"Arthur—" Gwen sobs.

"You return upon pain of death."

Gwen sniffles. "No."

Amelia can't stay quiet anymore. "How could you?!" She screams at a shocked Arthur. "How can you just banish Gwen?!" She stalks over to him so that she is standing right in front of him. "She has no one else! Camelot is her home! What happened to the man who promised her that her home was hers for life?!"

"Did you not see what she did?!" Arthur screeches back at her. Gwen winces, letting out another sob.

"I don't care what she's done! Do you know what you've put her through over the years? Yet she's forgiven you every single time! Do you realise how misogynistic you're being right now?!"

Arthur glares at her but he doesn't say anything, glancing over her shoulder and yells, "Guards!" Some enter. "Take Guinevere to her home please and make sure she packs."

If she wasn't so angry, Amelia would feel sorry for him as his voice breaks as he speaks his orders. Instead, Amelia glares at him as the Guards take Gwen from the room.

Arthur turns and sits on his throne, meeting Amelia's glare with a steely gaze. "I have to do this, Amelia. She's lucky I didn't sentence her to death."

"A death sentence?" Amelia repeats in shock. "You would've sentenced her to death?"

Arthur hesitates, then says, "Agravaine said that in my father's time—"

"Of course!" Amelia scoffs. "Agravaine said so, so that makes it okay."

"Don't start, Amelia." Arthur warns.

Amelia scoffs. Her start?!

"I don't care. I'm going to tell Gwen she is no longer banished." Amelia declares.

"You will not." Arthur orders, a warning look in his eye.

Amelia matches it. "Just watch me." She challenges. Amelia spins on her heel and makes for the doors.

"Guards!" Arthur calls out. Other Guards must've replaced the ones before as new Guards enter the Council Chambers, tilting their weapons so that they were forming an 'x' in front of the door, blocking Amelia's path.

Amelia comes to a sudden stop. Her teeth and hands clench as she tries to control her barely manageable anger. She slowly turns around to face Arthur, who now stands in front of the throne. Standing there with a stony expression on his face, Amelia almost forgets for a moment that she is not staring at Uther but at his son.

"Arthur Pendragon, if you know what is good for you, you will call off the Guards." Amelia says in a voice shaking with anger.

"You will not go to Guinevere." Arthur declares as he steps away from the throne. "That is an order from your King."

"Do not dare order me Arthur Pendragon." Amelia warns him. "I'm going to Gwen, I don't care what you say."

"Seize her." Arthur says reluctantly.

Amelia suddenly finds herself being grabbed by the arms. The Guards' grip remains tight despite Amelia struggling against them.

"Escort the Lady Amelia to her Chambers and do not let her out until Guinevere has left Camelot." Arthur instructs.

With a chorus of "Yes, Your Majesty" from the Guards, Amelia feels herself being pushed forward and out of the door.

"Let me go!" Amelia cries as she tries to dig her heels into the ground. This doesn't slow down the Guards as they keep pulling her forward. Amelia twists to look over her shoulder the best she can yelling, "At least let me say goodbye to her, Arthur! You are banishing her; I will never see her again! Please! Please!" She keeps calling. As she continues to be dragged away from the Council Chambers, Amelia's heart grows heavy with each step as she realises that Arthur isn't going to call off the Guards. He isn't going to let Amelia say goodbye.

—

The Guards open the door and gently shove Amelia inside. She stumbles to catch her step, and they shut the door tightly behind her. Amelia stares behind her at the door that is now being guarded. Her eyes well up and she begins to sob, collapsing to the floor. She cries for Gwen, for the hurt caused by her and Arthur's argument.

After a short while, Amelia hears the door open, but she doesn't lift her head to see who it is. She feels a hand on her shoulder, and Amelia turns around to see Anne, who's crouching by her awkwardly due to her stomach. Amelia continues to sob, burying her head in Anne's shoulder and crying her eyes out.

"I didn't even get to say goodbye." Amelia cries.

"This is what Morgana wanted all along." Anne says as she rubs Amelia's back. "She couldn't suffer the thought of seeing Gwen on 'her' throne." She sighs. "Merlin suggested telling Arthur that Lancelot was actually a Shade, but Gaius said that it wouldn't matter to him. All he would see is Gwen's betrayal."

Amelia sniffles as she continues to cry. "I'm not going to forgive him, Anne." She tells her as she clutches onto Anne.

Amelia feels her nod. "I know. I know."

Amelia knows Anne doesn't understand how she really means those words.

—

Amelia and Percival help Anne and Merlin to decorate the boat made of twigs with flowers. Lancelot lies in the middle of the boat. The Shade had been found in his Cell dead from suicide. He has likely gone beyond his usefulness now, so Morgana had given the last instruction.

Once they finish, Merlin stands over him and places a hand on his forehead. "Grið fæstne mid þisse tintregian sawle!" He incants. Merlin's eyes glow and Lancelot breathes sharply in as he wakes.

The three of them look at him in shock as Lancelot turns his head to look at them. Amelia's stomach drops as she prepares to become faced with the Shade Lancelot again. Yet, as she looks upon his face, Amelia realises it's different and more like it used to be, seeing that spark in his eyes once more confirms it. This is the real Lancelot.

"Thank you." Lancelot whispers. Amelia's eyes fill with tears as she hears him speak in his gentle tone.

Lancelot smiles and closes his eyes, his smile relaxing, his breathing drawing to a close. His chest stills and Amelia knows he is gone. Their Lancelot has finally achieved his peaceful death.

Through their tears, Percival and Amelia push the boat into the lake. Once it is far enough, Merlin sets it on fire with a flash of his eyes, and Lancelot's body burst into flames as it continues to drift into the lake.

Percival wraps his arm around Amelia, pressing her to his side and kissing her forehead. Amelia feels Anne grip her hand from where she stands with Merlin's arms around her. They watch their friend float away with tears streaming down their faces.

—

A/N: 😭😭😭😭