Arthur's Sons (Book 1)

Lancelot (Part 1)

It was a beautiful day out in the woods, Rowan and Arty were exploring while collecting mushrooms for Gaius and had just found a rather large patch when there was an ear-splitting shriek from behind them. They turned in unison to find a great winged beast staring them down like they were its next meal, it let out another mighty squawk before charging them. Both boys turned and sprinted in the opposite direction running like death was on their heels, dodging through trees to slow the creature down when Arty suddenly caught his foot in a stubborn root and sprawled on the lush grass. Rowan called out to him, Arty turned to climb to his feet when the beasts forefeet landed either side of his head trapping him.

Before either boy could move or call out, a roar came from their left and a man in a grey shirt raced forward with a sword bellowing at the beast. He struck the creature full square with the precision of a knight but the blade shattered on the creatures feathered hide. He quickly grabbed the boy trapped under the beast lifting him over his shoulder and sprinting away as the beast roared after them. Rowan watched as the man dived behind a log taking his brother with him and turned to fix his eyes on the beast. He sent out a blast of power that sent the creature reeling and shrieking into the sky before hurrying to the log.

" It's gone. You saved my life. I'm Arthur though most people call me Arty." The stranger looked down at the young boys hand a took it gently while holding his side.

" Lancelot." He responded weakly before passing out just as Rowan leapt over the fallen log to join them.

" Took you long enough brother." Arty remarked which earned him a playful glare.

" Who is he?"

" Lancelot. He's wounded we need to get him to Gaius." Arty informed his brother who nodded.

" And how exactly are we going to do that without magic, cause I'm pretty sure you and I neither have the height of strength to lift him." Arty frowned and studied the full-grown man a moment before a plan formed.

" You go find some decent branches that won't snap under his weight and I saw a pond over yonder with some sturdy reeds we can use to make a stretcher we can pull." Arty finished grinning at his idea.

" That doesn't change the fact that this guy is heavy we can't drag him back to the castle." Rowan deadpanned.

" Ah, but that's where we can cheat and use a spell to make the guy as light as a feather." Rowan looked appraisingly at his brother and nodded.

" Looks like I'm not the only one who inherited mothers smarts." Arty scoffed and stomped off to the pond causing Rowan to giggle and begin hunting for two decent sticks. About half an hour later the stretcher was complete (with the help of a little magic) and they were dragging an almost weightless man back toward Camelot. The looks on the guards faces were priceless as they dragged the guy through the town and up into the citadel where their father who had spotted them and came over.

" What are you two doing?" The Prince raised his brows at his two son's who were dragging a full-grown man through the courtyard. Both boys stopped panting like they'd run a mile in full armour and gave their father a respectful bow.

" There was a creature in the woods that attacked us, this man saved our lives but was injured so we brought him back in order for him to be treated." Arty responded between pants and Rowan simply nodded along. Arthur studied both boys for a moment before ordering some guards to pick the man up and take him to the court physician. Just as the guard went to pick him up Arthur saw his son's eyes flash silver for barley a second and he struggled to suppress a flinch. Once the guards had lifted the man Arthur asked his children to tell him of the beast they saw, they regaled the tale on the walk and Arthur was surprised by the description of the creature. Before they could get to the chambers Arthur was called away by the king leaving his two son's to finish the journey, as the entered Gaius was treating the man on the patient's bed and Merlyn was pacing.