Rising in the Dance of Flames [Editing]

Lancelot

In the field, Merlin picked mushrooms, placing them in a basket. All was quiet until he heard a bird's screech abruptly. Merlin stood up to take a few steps back, seeing a birdlike creature running towards him.

Merlin began to run away from it but looked back, making his trip. He falls to the ground into the fallen leaves of the trees, crawling out from the creature. It hovered over him, and all he could do was stare at it, closing his eyes tightly, waiting. 

The bird cawed, about to strike, when a man jumped in front of Merlin, letting out a battle cry. The man swung his sword at the creature, making it back away, and Merlin opened his eyes. Merlin lifted himself to see that man battling the beast. When the man hit the beast, the sword broke into pieces like nothing. 

"Run. Run." The man told Merlin, running away from the creature. He grabbed Merlin by his arms, dragging him from the beast that made its way towards them. They dodged its attack, continuing to flee.

They ran side by side with the creature behind. They saw a fallen tree, jumping over it to hide from the beast. The creature flew into the air, cawing and away from the two men. Merlin and the man sat down, panting from the run and adrenaline. 

"It's gone," Merlin whispered. He looked at the man beside him, "You saved my life. I'm Merlin." He introduced himself, reaching his hand out for a handshake, which was returned.

"Lancelot." The man replied, laying his head back, confusing Merlin. Merlin gazed down at the man's stomach to see him injured and sweating. Merlin quickly got up on his feet, placing Lancelot's arm over him, lifting him from the ground, and carrying him to Camelot.

Lora was walking through the halls until she saw Merlin carrying a man with struggle. Lora jogged up to him, "M-Merlin, w-w-what happened?" Lora asked, taking Lancelot's other side, helping Merlin carry him to Gaius' chambers.

"A creature in the forest attacked us. He saved my life." Merlin told her. They rushed through the door, causing Gaius to turn away from his work. Merlin and Lora laid Lancelot on the bed.

"What happened?" Gaius asked.

"I was attacked in the forest, and this man saved me but was injured in the process in the stomach," Merlin repeated. Gaius started preparing a medicine, "Lora, can you lift his shirt so I can see the wound?" Gaius asked, which Lora nodded immediately to the request. Lora got his shirt loose and lifted it above his stomach, showing the puncture wound. Gaius sat down next to him while Lora stepped away to give Gaius space.

"Hmm. The wound itself is superficial. The fever will pass. He should be fine by the morning." Gaius informed them. Merlin let out a breath of relief while Lora grabbed a damped towel for Gaius to clean the sweat off. 

"I-I should be heading home now," Lora told them with a wave, giving a glance at Lancelot, walking towards the door. 

"Um, I'll walk you home," Merlin said, catching up with her to the door. 

Lora shook her head, "N-no, you should stay here with Lancelot."

Defeated, Merlin nodded, thinking that it was for the best, "Okay, just be safe." Merlin told her. Lora nodded shyly, exiting the room. Merlin sighed, looking back at the injured Lancelot.

°°°

"Ever since I was a child, I've dreamed of coming here. It's my life's ambition to join the Knights of Camelot." Lancelot told Merlin, staring at the sunrise through the window, arms crossed. Merlin sat in the chair, listening to him talking with such passion. "I know what you're thinking. I expect too much.  After all, who am I? They have their pick of the best and bravest in the land."