Queen of Camelot ~~~ON HIATUS~~~

Chapter Twenty (V)

Merlin felt lighter than air calling out in happiness. Not only had he preformed the spell, but he had saved both of his friends lives. An obnoxious groan come from near his feet. Arthur clings to his head stirring out of unconsciousness. Merlin glances at Lancelot knowing he needed this victory if he wanted any chance of being redeemed as a knight. 

Not spotting Merlin, but Lancelot as he takes off his helmet looking over to his prince. "Lancelot." Arthur calls out weakly.

Lancelot takes a quick sweep of the field a friend missing, but another awake and in need of assistance. "Sire."

"You did it. You killed it, Lancelot!"

--

Artura enter the council room alive and well. 

"You did it, my son. You did it." Uther praised a smile wide on his face. Artura smiled back as they pulled each other in a hug.

As she pulled away she frowned. It wasn't her work that had killed the beast, although being praised by her father sure was nice. "Not I, Father. It was Lancelot." As if it was rehearsed Lancelot enter the room in all his glory. 

Uther's nostrils flared at the sight of him. "What's he doing here?"

"Father, I can explain." Artura steps in front of Uther defending her friend and brother in arms. 

Uther must have been in a decent mood as he only demanded that Lancelot exit the room. Lancelot nods obediently exiting the room. Once the doors were fully closed Uther turned to her pissed. "You had no right to...!"

"No, right!" Artura shouted back frustrated. He was constantly controlling her. "He saved my life!"

Uther looked her up and down. "How did he get out?" Artura fell silent, nothing good could come from this. "HOW DID HE GET OUT!" 

Artura flinched uneasy. She looked around searching for help, but they were the only out in there. Sighing she spoke, "I confess it, Sire. I released him and I'll take the consequences. But surely Lancelot's actions change things?!" She did her best.

Uther shook his head dramatically sitting upon his throne. "His actions change nothing. He broke the code!"

He was right he broke the code he wasn't nobility and he lied. "He laid down his life for me! He served with honour."

"I see you feel strongly about this, Arthur. Under the circumstances? A pardon, perhaps." Uther raised his eyebrow as if hinting at something beyond just seeing a good warrior.

Artura licked her lips knowing her face was reddening at the hide suggestion. "That's not what I meant, Father. Besides, a pardon isn't good enough. You must restore Lancelot to his rightful place, as a knight of Camelot." He saved her life, he had a good soul, and he was brave..handsome. All attributes of the perfect knight to serve her beloved country. 

"Never. The law is the law. The Code bends for no man." Uther reminded the her.

Artura knew he was right they had faced many who wished to serve the family but all because where they had been born they were never given the option. She hadn't seen the flaw before, sure it promised loyalty, but it stopped so many good men from serving. Lancelot was more noble then many knights she did know. "Then the code is wrong!" It was a shocking realization to how messed up the system was in his house. 

Uther looked offended, and he should for he came up with the codes, it  was to ensure safety and loyalty. "The codes are what are keeping us from destruction."

Artura shook her head. "The codes are stopping us from allowing loyal hard working men to fight. Lancelot is far more noble then some knights I have met."

"Don't let you feeling cloud your judgement. This is why I wished for a son, he wouldn't let such dumb things get in his way of seeing what is just and true."

"Just and true! What would be just would to allow any to become a knight." Artura pointed out desperately.

Uther arose once more. "But there is no sense of loyalty, you can think that they are loyal but they are selfish." 

"You hide behind those codes to save yourself, but nobility of just as likely to betray as a commoner." Artura argued. Nobility didn't save them from betrayal. Uther sighed maybe her words were finally piercing him. Artura might be able to get the knight she wanted. "We can test it out with Lancelot, and if he shows a hint of betrayal I will not fight your actions."

"I am your king you will do as I say no matter you think." Uther reminds her. Artura was about to argue back but the doors burst open a determined Lancelot walking in. She cursed under her breath he wasn't helping her. 

Uther eyed the boy. "What is this?" The guards that were suppose to stop him from entering rushed in grabbing his arms.

Lancelot ripped his arms out of their grips his head held high. "Let me speak!" He begged.

Uther glanced from Artura to Lancelot nodding. "Wait! I'll hear him." Uther told the knight who were about to take action. They nodded taking a step back but ready to step in if needed.

Lancelot nodded in thanks. "Forgive me, Sire. I've come to bid you farewell."

Artura's heart drop, she was close he couldn't leave. "What is this, Lancelot?"

Lancelot sent her an apologetically glance. "I lied to you both and now there is conflict between you. I cannot bear that burden, as you should not bear mine. I must start again, far from here. Then maybe one day fate shall grant me another chance to prove myself a worthy knight of Camelot."

Artura hated to admit that her hurt fluttered at his offer. "But...Lancelot, you've...already proved that to us." She was right there wasn't a way she would've gotten where she had been before he interrupted if her father didn't see that he had proven himself even a little bit.

Lancelot shook his head. "But I must prove it to myself. Your Highness." Lancelot bows before exiting the room. Artura reaches out to stop him but it's no use he made up his mind. He was already a near and dear friend, and if he knew who she really was, one day it could be more, but she pushed the latter thoughts away. Getting a commoner to be a knight was hard but being able to marry someone on that level was impossible. 

--

Merlin and Gaius watched as Lancelot ride off into the sunset. Merlin was reflecting all that had happened since Lancelot had come. "Perhaps you were right, Gaius. Perhaps I should have never got involved." He said thoughtfully. Lancelot might still be around and not banished.

Gaius shook his head laying a hand on his shoulder. "No Merlin, I was wrong. Lancelot needed you and you needed Lancelot. Your destinies were entwined."

"Will he ever return?"

Gaius shrugged. "That I cannot say."

Merlin nodded. He looked back at Lancelot who had paused on the hill not to far away looking back, promising his return. "Till next time then, Sir Lancelot." Merlin promised and Lancelot agreed this wouldn't be the last time.

--

A.N: HEY GUYS! Sorry it took me so long to do this whole episode. I wanted to finish before I head off to school. I hope you liked it. I skipped a lot of part mostly because I didn't want to write them and they shouldn't be to far off from the original. Stay safe and those going to school, have fun enjoy, but be smart. Don't take people for granted, there is someone out their who would be completely torn if you weren't here. I would be devastated, I may not know you or anything but you've gotten this far and that mean more that the whole world to me. I love Merlin, it such a fun story. Look Forward for there is much good to come!!

Issue # 20: I feel I struggle with writing flawed character if that makes sense because I hate when characters make dumb decisions. I also struggle with writing arguments. Have I been doing okay should I go back and fix up the characters? What advise do you all got for me?

"Don't stop Believing!!!"

Until next time!!!!