Queen of Camelot ~~~ON HIATUS~~~

Chapter Seventeen (V)

Merlin hated chores they were long, tired some and all around boring and yet gathering herbs was one chore he didn't complain about. When Gaius would ask why Merlin would lie telling him how he didn't want to be asked to do anything worse. He actually enjoyed for the main thrill have being away from the world leaving his responsibilities behind even for a short amount of time.

Merlin joyfully pulled the herb out the ground taking his time. It was a nice peaceful morning especially since Arthur was off on a little adventure with his father.

And ear piercing screech cut through the peace destroying Merlin's only free time. His head jerked up coming eye to eye with a eagle headed beast.

Merlin skipped the screaming jumping to his feet and heading for the hill and fast as his clumsy legs could take him.

Said clumsy legs decided to give out on him as he jumped over the roots of a tree and fell to the ground ready to die by the unknown creature.

A loud cry disrupts Merlin's death as a man leaps over Merlin and routes the roots bring his sword down on the beast. The beast roared as the mans sword was left shattered.

"Run! Run!" The man cries pulling Merlin to his feet and dragging Merlin along as they raced through the forest. The man glances behind them before pulling Merlin behind a hidden tree that had a nice dip on the other side. The young man hissed pressing his hand to a wounded side.

Merlin glanced at the wound then slowly lifted his head over the fallen tree searching for the creature. "It's gone. You saved my life. I'm Merlin." Merlin smiled holding out his hand.

The young man smiles back offering his own hand replying, "Lancelot." Merlin grinned shaking his hand.

--

Uther and Artura looked down upon a destroyed village. Artura's heart sunk at the sight of it all. "What creature could have done this?" Uther wondered equally shaken by the sight.

Artura glanced at the village with a heavy heart. "We found no tracks in or out. What the villagers say must be true: it has wings and..." She didn't want to hear the next part nor did she want to say it.

"What?" Uther demanded. They were alone and he still acted more like a king then her father.

Artura gulped her eyes lingering on the village no matter how much she wished to look away. "And it took no livestock, only people. Whatever it is, it has a taste for human flesh." Her stomach turned at the words thinking of the poor souls.

The king had a haunted look on his face matching her own. "Post sentries in all the outlying villages. Put the lookouts on full alert. If this thing should make for Camelot, we must be ready." Uther said.

Artura nodded grateful that he wanted guards to protect the other villages even if they were really only there to inform him about any more attacks. Uther began to ride away.

"Wait, father." Artura called praying this would go in her favor.

Uther stopped turning towards his daughter. "Yes," he asked calmly.

Her confidence was slowly running away. "I...er..um was wondering if I could maybe be given a day to look at the lists of suitors," She announced nervously.

While her father if agreed would give her a list of pausible suitors she was really asking go a day to be Alice and after the dress fesco and her ignoring her fathers words to save Merlin she wasn't sure if he would let her.

Her father seemed to ponder the question a little bit as he began to trot along. "We have some new recruits coming, don't put your feeling in front of your duty."