CHAPTER TWELVE
LANCELOT ( ii. )

There is no reality where Gaius supports Calliope's decision to piss off King Uther.

In fact, as Gaius stands in front of her, his arms crossed and his face pinched in disapproval, Calliope can predict every single word he is about to say to her. She mentally prepares herself for Gaius to delve into a speech about how unwise the duels are, but this is something he cannot talk her out of.

Is it stupid? Possibly. But will it lead to her winning and proving Uther wrong? Definitely.

Calliope is aware that there is a chance Uther will refuse to hold up his end of the bargain, but the mere satisfaction of defeating his best warriors before his eyes, well, that's just too satisfying to pass up.

Uncrossing his arms, Gaius draws in a breath with Lancelot in the back to listen to every word he uses to try and stop Calliope from fighting in the duels.

"I think you know what I'm going to say," he says. "I just wish you would have discussed this with me before going to Uther."

Calliope will admit her actions were rash, "I knew you would try to stop me."

"Of course I would! This is probably the stupidest thing you've ever done!"

Calliope scoffs, "I'm sure that's not true."

"Calliope, I have no doubt you'll win the duels. That's not my concern," Gaius points a finger at her. "You know exactly why these duels are a bad idea. What happened to laying low? Finding peace? Starting over? Was that all a lie?"

She takes a step in his direction, "No, I'm just sick and tired of being treated like I'm incapable and weak! No one takes me seriously here!"

Gaius shakes his head, "Knocking out a few knights won't change that. Do you honestly think Uther is going to hold up his end of the deal? He's a King. He can do whatever he wants, including throwing you in jail for insulting him, and I doubt I could get you out again."

"You can't change my mind," Calliope breathes lowly. "I'm doing this."

With a flustered and disappointed glimmer crossing his expression, Gaius gives in, remembering that Calliope is stubborn and has to learn these things the hard way.

"Very well, but don't be shocked when your victory isn't as glorious as you expect."

The sound of the door opening and closing as Gaius leaves his chambers echoes in Calliope's mind. She hates it when there's a rift between the two of them. He's her only family now, but she just has this determined feeling in her heart that she has to do this. She understands why Gaius thinks her idea is foolish, after all, drawing attention to herself is never wise.

"I think you're being brave."

Lancelot's voice surprises her as she turns her head in his direction. He stands on the other side of the room, his dark eyes watching her with curiosity. Calliope quirks an eyebrow, glancing over him as he leans against the wall.

"You do?"

Lancelot nods, "Sure. I understand where you're coming from. You want to prove yourself to people who underestimate you and think you aren't worthy because of something out of your control like being a woman or being low born."

The blonde takes a step in his direction, "So you don't think women are helpless and incapable of fighting?"

"Well, I think anyone taught how to hold a sword properly can fight. The only thing that really matters is what's in your heart."

"I agree," Moving her eyes away from his, Calliope takes a seat at the table. "In this world, having a dick seems to be the only respected quality in a person."

With a small laugh, Lancelot walks to the table, taking a seat across from her, "Haven't you ever heard that a lady is supposed to talk properly? It's bad manners to curse."

"Fuck manners," Calliope replies with a grin. "I say what I want."

"I can tell. You know, I'm surprised you aren't in a jail cell. I hear you give the Prince quite a lot of grief."

"Someone has to," Calliope says, earning a chuckle from Lancelot.

"You are..." Lancelot's gaze dances with her own. "Unlike anyone I've ever met."

 "How's that?"

"You don't let your fear hold you back," he says. "When someone tells you to back down, you just plant your feet stronger and tell them to get out of your way. It's... very admirable."

She quirks her head to the side, "You think I'm admirable?"

"Are you surprised by that?"

Calliope nods, "Yes. No one's ever thought that about me before."

Quick footsteps outside the door draw Calliope's gaze away from Lancelot as the door is thrown open in an excited frenzy. In walks Merlin holding a folded piece of paper in his right hand with a cheeky smile lining his cheeks. Calliope immediately knows he's been up to something mischievous. She rises to her feet, her eyes flickering to the paper with question. Does she even want to know?

Lancelot stands, his eyes follow the same path as Calliope's. He motions to the piece of paper.

"What's that?"

"This is your seal of nobility," Calliope shouldn't be surprised. Merlin is almost as determined as her and equally as talented as she is at getting into trouble. Yes, Gaius has to deal with a lot between the two of them.

Lancelot furrows his eyebrows, "I don't understand."

"Ladies and gentlemen," Merlin announces, unfolding the piece of paper. "I give you Lancelot, fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria."

"No, Merlin, no," Lancelot shakes his finger at him.

"Yeah, Lord Eldred only has four sons," Calliope points out.

Merlin sighs, "Oh, so you don't want to be a knight then?"

As Merlin turns to leave, Lancelot throws his arms up in frustration, "Of course I do!"

"But what? The rules don't allow it? Damn the rules. The rules are wrong!"

"But it's a lie. It's against everything the knights stand for."

Merlin's face is full of conviction as he refuses to give up, "You have as much right to be a knight as any man. I know it."

"But the rules, Merlin."

"We're not breaking the rules. We're bending them, that's all. You get your foot in the door, but after that, you will be judged on your merit alone," Merlin grins. "And if you succeed —if they make you a knight— it'll be because you have earned it, noble or not."

Calliope pats Merlin on the back, "Sounds like a good plan to me. Plus, I'm always up for watching Arthur get knocked on his ass."

Merlin nods as his eyes return to Lancelot, "I can't change the way things are done around here, but you can if you'll let me help you."

Lancelot inhales a sharp breath of contemplation. His eyes move to Calliope, "I guess, as Cal would say, fuck the rules."

Calliope smirks, "Fuck the rules."

♛ ♛ ♛

Standing on the training grounds a few days later as Lancelot shifts uncomfortably in his hand-made armor from Gwen doesn't evoke much confidence in Calliope for grand results. Lancelot appears to have a strong build and a good head on his shoulders, but he seems nervous and unsure of how to act, which could end up biting him in the ass.

Merlin watches nervously as Lancelot internally builds up his courage. Arthur leads a training session, his voice booming in the air. Calliope's eyes narrow as she sees him, remembering how he doesn't think she can win her duels despite the fact that she saved his life a few weeks ago. What an ungrateful ass. It's like he wants her to change her mind and go ahead and kill him

Calliope flashes her gaze to Lancelot, "Talk plainly with confidence. Look him in the eyes and don't back down."

Lancelot offers her a nod before he begins walking towards Arthur when the training session has finished.

"Cal," Calliope turns her head to Gwen, noticing her gaze stays locked with Lancelot. "Do you think Lancelot is... handsome?" 

Calliope looks him up and down from across the training grounds, "I mean... He's definitely nice to look at," her eyes return to Gwen, and she catches the obvious affection present in her eyes. "Wait, did something happen between you two?

A blush creeps on her cheeks, "Well, he kept staring at me while I was sizing him for his armor."

"Oh my God. You totally like him!"

Gwen nudges her arm, "Keep your voice down."

"Alright, alright. It'll be our little secret."

As her gaze returns to Lancelot, Calliope watches him as he stops in front of Arthur. The Prince glances over him as Lancelot offers him a respectful bow.

"Yes?"

"Lancelot, fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria."

Arthur sizes him up more intently as he looks over his armor, "Lance-a-lot?" he asks. "My servant mentioned you. Got your seal?"

Lancelot offers him the piece of paper with another bow, "Sire."

However, as Arthur reaches for the paper, he swiftly slaps Lancelot right across the face with the back of his hand, startling Lancelot and knocking him on the grass. Calliope cringes as Lancelot stares up at him, but she's not surprised that Arthur is being this harsh.

"Sluggish reactions. On the battlefield, you'd be dead by now," Arthur turns around. "Come back when you're ready."

Lancelot rises to his feet, his hand falling to the sheath around his waist, "I'm ready now, Sire."

Arthur halts, "You are, are you?" Lancelot nods, his eyes laced with determination. "Fine. You can start by cleaning out the stables."

The knights behind Arthur bark in laughter as Arthur joins them, but as Lancelot turns back to Merlin, the young sorcerer gives him two big thumbs up with a giant grin on his face. Calliope shrugs, knowing the outcome wasn't the worst it could have been.

Mucking out the stables is not a fun business. The two week period Calliope was forced into each filthy horse stall in exchange for getting out of jail was probably worse than the time she caught a terrible sickness and almost died in agonizing pain. She could smell the horse manure even after she had taken a bath. Calliope shudders just thinking of it.

As Lancelot walks away from the training field with Gwen on his right and Merlin on his left, Calliope notices Arthur stepping towards her. His forehead is caked in sweat despite the small chill in the air. He has obviously been at the training grounds for a while. Calliope still feels a rise of anger in her gut at the sight of him and the influence his sexist father has had on him. 

"So, what's your opinion of this Lancelot fellow?"

"Like you care about my opinion," she says with a chilly tone. "Besides, I've never seen him fight, so I'm not sure. All I know is that he's extremely more tolerable than you are."

Arthur raises his eyebrows, "I see you're still angry with me."

"Wow, your perception skills are astounding."

"Now, you're just being rude."

Calliope steps closer to him with fire behind her blue eyes that stare into his with no mercy. "You seem to have forgotten how I saved your life three weeks ago. I guess I just should have let that monster eat you like a piece of cake."

"And I'm extremely grateful that you didn't do that," Arthur leans closer to her. "Calliope, I know you can handle yourself, and I know you can fight—"

"Then why don't you think I can win the duels?" He sighs, unsure of what to say to avoid making her even angrier, "Arthur, I'm not asking much. I'm not asking for you to disobey your father. I'm just asking you to believe in me." And she's not sure why she even cares so much—why it makes her chest twinge at the thought that he doesn't support her or believe in her abilities. She just wants an answer.

"I do believe in you, Calliope," Arthur's ocean eyes dance with hers. "I just... worry about you."

Calliope's breath hitches at his confession, "Why?"

Why does he care so much about what happens to her? Why does she care what happens to him?

"Because..." He trails off; maybe he doesn't even know himself. Maybe he's just as stumped as she, unsure why something seems to be connecting them—some unknown force of light they can't escape. "Because I just want to protect the people I care about."

The realization that Arthur basically just admitted that he cares about Calliope dawns on her as her eyes soften—all the malice fading as if it were never there at all. His gaze gives away that he wants to say more; that he's struggling to hold onto the hundreds of more words he wants to leave his lips, but the echo of his knights calling for him causes Calliope to break his gaze and step back.

Her eyes flicker to the grass for a moment as she gathers what she wants to say to him. She breathes in before meeting his stare, "I appreciate your concern, Arthur, but I'm doing this. So, you can either stand by your father and doubt me, or you can be there to support me. It's your choice."

With that, Calliope storms away from him, leaving Arthur in a frenzy of questions like always. She feels his eyes on her back until she steps through the gates of the courtyard and releases a breath she didn't realize she was holding—it's a loud exhale that causes her to grip her chest.

Calliope feels like she has done more than enough for Arthur to respect her fighting skills. The fact that he holds back because of his father is beyond frustrating. She knows that deep down, he wants to support her, but he also wants his father's respect and approval.

But Arthur has the potential to be a great King. Calliope has begun to notice his true self under all his arrogance and masks he puts on for others. He may pretend even more than she does.

Calliope is starting to believe that maybe they have more in common than she ever realized.

♛ ♛ ♛

News flies through Camelot of Arthur's acceptance of Lancelot into basic training after the winged beast had attacked another village and was drawing closer to the city each day. As Calliope strolls beside Merlin, who's beaming with accomplishment, she's glad someone seems happy and unburdened. She does her best to stay in the moment and not think about the fact that today marks one month since Sepharin first tasked her with assassinating Arthur. Two more, and someone has to pay the consequences. Would it be Arthur, or would it be someone else? Would it be her?

Calliope feels war waging in her heart and mind every time she sees the Prince. Her growing feelings are difficult to keep at bay. Even if she isn't ready to figure them out, she can at least admit she and Arthur have an understanding and a connection that goes deeper than words.

As Calliope turns the corner towards the palace kitchens with Merlin right beside her, she can already smell the aroma of freshly cooked bread and vegetables floating through the walls. Merlin steps into the busy kitchens first; a maid carrying a full plate of food almost runs into him as she weaves her tray above his head.

"No, you two out!" One of the head chefs yells.

Calliope rolls her eyes, "Come on, Hilda. It's Friday. You always bake extra bread on Fridays."

The chef, Hilda, looks at Calliope with a sigh as she pulls a fresh loaf out of the oven, "One slice each and nothing more, you hear?"

"Thank you, Hilda," Merlin says with a smile as he grabs a knife to cut himself and Calliope a piece of the loaf.

Calliope's mouth waters as Merlin hands her a soft slice, "We'll see you next Friday!" She calls over her shoulder as they hurry out of the kitchen.

"I don't know what Hilda does to this bread, but it's magical."

Calliope lightly shoves him as she takes another bite, "Maybe she's a wizard like you."

"A bread wizard?"

Calliope shrugs, "Anything is possible."

"Calliope! Merlin!"

Calliope and Merlin stop as their names echo in the corridor. She sees Lancelot running up to them breathlessly with sweat caking his forehead.

"What is it?" Merlin asks.

Lancelot inhales a breath as he stops right in front of them, "I have to face Arthur tomorrow in single combat."

"Already? You've only been in training three days," Calliope states in unbelief.

He nods, "I know, but he wants as many knights as he can get to help fight the beast when it comes to Camelot."

Calliope glances between Merlin and Lancelot, "Well, do you think you can beat him?"

Lancelot, humble as always, throws his hands up in doubt, "I don't know, but my chances of achieving my dream depend on it."

Merlin places a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "We believe in you, Lancelot."

Nervousness catches in Lancelot's expression, but even though Calliope has never seen him fight, she knows he has a good heart.

She has respect for him. Both of them are trying to prove something; trying to prove so many people wrong and start a path of change for the old traditions in Camelot and across all the Five Kingdoms. Their victories may be small, but they mean something. They lead the way for others to chase their dreams and follow their hearts.

No matter how many people stand in front of Calliope and tell her that she's making a mistake or that she can't fight, she'll never stop trying to show them how wrong they are. Even if she has to knock them on their backs; even if it takes them staring up at her from the dirt, she will show them that she is no different and no less than they are.

Their crowns are just declarations of power—their castles just towering buildings made of stone, hollow and void of anything that really matters. Castles can be destroyed; crowns can be taken.

But strength... Strength is something no one can take from Calliope. She doesn't need castles or crowns or silk robes or titles to feel secure. She only needs herself.

♛ ♛ ♛

"Well, here we are. Your final challenge."

Calliope stands anxiously between Merlin and Gwen as a crowd has gathered to watch Lancelot face Arthur in single combat. The afternoon sun peaks in the cloudy sky as a crisp wind of autumn whispers through the tense air. Calliope scans over Lancelot; he's standing tall and strong in his armor, but he isn't very good at hiding his nerves.

"Succeed, and you join the elite. Fail, and your journey ends here," Arthur turns to Lancelot, his helmet in his hands. "Lancelot, fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria," he turns his gaze over his shoulder as the hourglass is flipped and tiny grains of sand begin to cascade to the other end of it. "Your time starts now."

Putting on his helmet, Arthur pulls out his sword in preparation for the fight. Calliope feels Gwen grab her arm in anticipation as Lancelot does the same. They face one other, their blades still for a few moments before Lancelot takes his first quick swing.

The sound of sword clashing sword carries in the air as Arthur doesn't hold back. Each blow is forceful and precise, but Lancelot manages to block each one. He has trouble getting his own swings in, letting Arthur dominate the fight and keep the upper hand. Calliope clenches her fist. He needs to strengthen his stance. He's letting his nerves do all the fighting.

But then, Lancelot seems to snap out his nerves as his sword collides with Arthur's helmet causing the Prince to stumble back. Arthur is the one on the defensive as Lancelot gets in a few strong swings.

Just as Calliope thinks Lancelot has the upper hand in the fight for once, Arthur brings up his arm, hitting him right in his head with a powerful swing that knocks off his helmet. Lancelot falls to his back on the grass, his eyes closed.

Arthur takes off his helmet, implanting his sword in the grass as he stands over Lancelot, "Shame."

As Arthur leans down to rip the piece of cloth dangling from his side --another symbol of failure to add to the wooden stand on the other side of the training field-- Lancelot's eyes snap open. He sweeps Arthur's legs out from under him, knocking him onto the hard ground. Lancelot picks up his sword, pointing it at Arthur's neck.

"Do you submit, Sire?"

Calliope grins, "Now that's the way to win a fight."

As Arthur stares up at Lancelot with disbelief, two guards march up to him and take his arms. Arthur rises to his feet as the guards keep their hold on Lancelot.

He grabs the handle of his sword, "On your knees!"

Calliope's breath hitches, unsure what Arthur is about to do as the guards force Lancelot to his knees. Arthur points his sword at his chest. The entire crowd gathered to see the fight is completely silent.

"Congratulations, Lancelot. You've passed the final test."

"Yes!" Merlin shouts as Gwen claps with a proud expression on her face.

The guards release him as Arthur offers him a hand. Lancelot stands, unbelief crossing his eyes, "Your knighting ceremony will take place tonight."

As Lancelot turns to his supporters --Calliope, Merlin, and Gwen-- he offers them a wide smile. Arthur pats him on the shoulder before walking away, and Lancelot immediately runs to his friends.

"You did it, Lancelot!" Merlin exclaims.

Gwen's face lights up in a smile, "I always knew you could do it."

Calliope nudges his side, "Hey, that leg sweep was genius. Arthur never saw that one coming."

Lancelot laughs, looking between the three of them, "Well, I have you three to thank for believing in me and helping me do this."

Merlin swings an arm around his shoulders, "It's the least I could do. You did save my life after all."

Calliope motions for her friends to follow her, "Come on, let's go get ready to celebrate the new Knight of Camelot."

hey lovely readers! i hope you all enjoyed this chapter. sorry for a longer wait than usual, but I had a busy week. anyway I just want to let you know that I have big plans for this story and the series in general. I'm hoping to get season one done before I go back to school in mid-January. i really want to share calliope's full story with you all, and i want you guys to get to know her character better.

when i do go back to school, i don't know how often I'll get to update, which is why I'm working hard over winter break to get out as many chapters as possible for you guys :)

thanks for reading and remember to vote and leave your thoughts in the comments <3