Queen of Camelot ~~~ON HIATUS~~~

Chapter Eighteen (V)

Artura stood in front of the new recruits holding herself high. "One. Two. Three. Four. One. Two. Three. Four." She said as the knight practiced the different positions they had been learning.

She glanced to the side wondering when the mam would be done. Gwen gave the man a nodded the three looking to her waiting for his time.

"Okay, that'll do for today. Well done." She dismissed. The recruits bowed heading over to get some water and take shelter from the blazing sun.
She headed over to the rack of swords looking over the swords. The man finally made his way over to her trying to appear confident.

"Yes?" Artura asked turning towards him. He took a step back his face flashing with uncertainty.

He took a deep breath looking her in the eye. "Lancelot, 5th son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria." He said proudly.

Artura raised an eyebrow. She had meet him at Gaius's but the name still wasn't any less wierd then it was then. "Lance...a lot? My servant mentioned you. Got your seal?"

Lancelot nodded bowing as he held out his seal his eyes still trained on her. "Sire."

Artura reached for the seal before thinking better she swiftly swung a sword form the rack tripping the young man. Lancelot cleanly falls down surprised and dazed.

Artura clicked her tongue shaking her head disappointed. "Sluggish reactions. In a battle field you'd be dead by now. Come back when you're ready." Merlin had spoken so highly of him she honestly expected more.

Lancelot jumped to his feet hand on the hilt of his sword clearing his throat. "I'm ready now, Sire." As Artura began to walk away.

She halts turning back around not hiding how unimpressed she was. "You are, are you? Fine. You can start by cleaning out the stables." She sighed knowing she was being a little unfair. The knights around her chuckled causing a grin to spread across her face. Lancelot seemed uncertain glancing back at the idiot Merlin.

--

Gaius enter his room finding Merlin sitting on his bench deep in thought. Gaius sighed knowing this had to be due to Lancelot not being allowed to become a knight. "I'm sorry about Lancelot. I see you were upset." Gaius said parting the young boy on the back in hopes to cheer him up a little.

Merlin looked over towards his father figure offering a large smile as he shrugged. "Oh. You know...that's life. You win some, you lose some."

Gaius's eyebrow raised higher upon his face surprise shining through. "You're taking it very well, I have to say. Very mature." He commented watching Merlin closely.

Merlin's grin widened, "Thank you, Gaius."

Suddenly the door opens up drawing their eyes towards it. Lancelot stumbles in reeking of the stables and covered head to toe in what they both hoped was just dirt.

Merlin quickly got on his feet walking towards his friend trying to stop himself from snickering. "How'd it go?"

Lancelot glanced at the boy groaning, "Ugh." Without another word he stumbles out of the room and into Merlin's.

Merlin felt that it went pretty well and Lancelot would become a knight sooner than they all thought. He turned back around coming face-to-face with Gaius. "He found work at the stables." Merlin lied quickly forcing a smile.

Gaius smiles back nodding. "I see. And the truth before I lose my temper?" His voice quickly getting louder as his face hardened.

"He's er...trying out for the knights." Merlin said giving Gaius a nervous smile.