Return to Camelot

The night was dark and the sky was full of clouds. A lone knight walked on the empty field in front of the gates of Camelot, he stops right in front of them.

'Arthur!' he shouted at the top of his lungs, seeing no answer came he repeated the call even louder 'Arthur Pendragon!'

'Bloody hell, what is the meaning of this?' the guard peered through the hole of the gate, his eyes opened wide seeing who was standing outside 'Sir Lancelot? Is that you Sir?'

'Yes, it is me. I need to speak to the king if you would let me in my good man.'

'It is late in the night Sir and we have orders not to let anyone in. I'm terribly sorry but...'

'I am not just anyone, kindly do let me in or I'll have the king have your head for not allowing his long lost brother to come inside and forcing him to sleep in the grass like an animal.'

'I was just about to say just that Sir.' the man's voice wavered a bit due to the threat 'We cannot have a former member of the knights of the round staying in the cold night without a roof. Obviously, how dumb of me.'

The man departed and ordered the opening of the gates, slowly they parted. The guard stood right in front of the opening holding a torch. Lancelot wore a black armour and on his right hand he held a sword with a black handle adorned with rubies, his black hair moved in the wind.

'Please Sir, do put away your weapon. There is no need for it in the beautiful city of Camelot. We are on the same side after all.'

Disdainfully Lancelot looked at the man, his eyes were cold 'You are quite right, I am sorry.' he sheathed his sword 'It was a long travel and an even longer night.'

'Your horse, Sir? Where might it be? I'll have it tended right away in the stables.'

'I brought no horse, I came on foot.'

'If you don't mind me asking, from where Sir? There's nothing but forest for miles!'

'I do mind you asking, don't be insolent. Now get off the way and let me pass.'

'I'm terribly sorry for asking, please Sir do come in.'


Lancelot walked the empty streets as he had done so many times in the past, memories of glory as he stood next to his king proudly, memories of the times he lived in the streets as a child seeing the knights parade on their horses, memories of a child king giving him his hand and saying 'Do not be afraid, come with us.' as the guards tried to arrest him for stealing food and he fought them back.

The king's shadow, always at the king's side, ever watchful, 'Sir Lancelot of the Lake'. The beggar child without a name raised to knighthood by the ever so gallant and rightful King Arthur. My dear brother, he used to call me... what a pathetic joke.

He reached the gates to the castle and once again he called 'Arthur! Arthur Pendragon!' All around the houses started lighting up as the shouts awoke the people that lived in that plaza. Again and again, Lancelot called, ever louder, until the castle gates opened and from them walked Arthur.

'What is the meaning of all this shouting? Have you gone mad...' His voice faltered when he realized who he was addressing 'Lance? Is that you brother?'

'How dare you call me that? Surely you jest.' Lancelot said laughing.

'What do you mean? Is everything okay? I haven't seen you in years...' the king started walking towards the knight as if to embrace him. However, the knight drew his sword and pointed it at the king's neck, the king's guards rushed to their weapons but he signalled them to stop 'What is the meaning of this?'

'Morgaine... or rather, Gwenhwyfar since I believe you prefer to call her that. She's here isn't she?'

'How would you know that?'

'Answer my question! Is she here?'

'She is, yes. She's asleep in her tower last time I checked. She came here after she fled from you, the stories she told me... I couldn't believe them, but I can see it now that she was speaking the truth. How much have you fallen, Lance? What is that sword you wield?'

'Silence! I will not be addressed as a child and reprimanded by you! Grab Excalibur and your armour and meet me outside the gates of Camelot, I will not spill blood on these streets.' saying this he turned his back on the king and walked the way he came.

'Lance!' the king called 'Lancelot!' but the knight never replied and kept walking away.


Lancelot stood in silence on the grounds in front of the walls of Camelot with his sword drawn, people had gathered on the gates after the commotion inside but never tried to address him. They murmured loudly amongst them but suddenly stopped and parted ways, Arthur stepped from amidst the crowd and walked towards him. He wore his bright plate armour, Excalibur rested on his hip and he stopped a few steps from Lancelot.

'Draw your sword, I will not attack an unarmed man.' Lancelot spoke coldly.

'Do not do this Lance, whatever your motives may be I'm sure I can explain and all will be well.'

'I saw it! I saw you two... how could you?!' his eyes flared with rage.

'How could you know that? You haven't been to Camelot in such a long time.'

'He showed it to me. I was lost in the woods and came upon the lake where it is said Avalon lies hidden. From the mists, a young man came and showed me everything. He also gave me the sword I wield and that you so brightly noticed before, Arondight it's called.'

'Arondight? The twin sword of Excalibur? Please, Lance, you have to throw that sword back into the lake, you have no idea of what it is you wield! Whoever gave you that sword has tricked you and meant you only harm, please send it back.'

'He told me all about this sword and its creation, so I know quite well what it is. I also noticed you never denied my accusations dear brother.' the last words were spoken in mockery.

'For they are true. She was crying her heart out one night and I tried to comfort her as a friend. However one thing led to one another and it happened... only once it happened and it was over as soon as she called out your name.' Arthur's expression suddenly changed to rage 'It was a mistake but can you truly blame me? She was my wife before you two fell in love, or have you forgotten it? And what right do you have to call me out on it?! You were the one that went behind my back and fucked my wife in the first place!' as by instinct the king drew his sword in his rage.

'I now see your true colours oh great, brave and honest king of Camelot. Arthur Pendragon the righteous... So it was just your little revenge was it?' he raised his sword 'I'm done talking.'

Lancelot lunged at the king who met the blow and parried it, as the swords clashed they seemed to let out an eerie glow. They fought each other fiercely and none could get an advantage for they had grown fighting each other for training. But on and on they went, ever more brightly the swords seemed to glow and the darker the skies would get, rain started pouring heavily upon the world and lightning crashing to the ground all around them. The villagers fled to their homes trying to flee the thunderstorm, but the Knights kept fighting each other.

'ENOUGH!' a woman's voice echoed above the thunder and the sound of the swords clashing, Lancelot and Arthur immediately stared in its direction and as soon as they stopped fighting the storm ceased. Morgaine stood on the window of her tower 'I shall not have you two fighting over me any longer, I am no prize to be won. You are brothers, even if not by blood! I will not have you stain those swords with each other's blood. So now I make the choice I should have made long ago.' and saying this, she jumped.

Both men started running towards the tower, they found her lifeless body on the castle grounds amidst a pool of blood. They both started weeping and fell to their knees while their swords banged hard on the floor with a loud clang. Lancelot grabbed her head and pushed it against his chest stroking her blood drenched hair.