Chapter 22

Hadrian after oncr again talking with Nimueh about Uther and Arthur.Hadrian returned to Camelot,only to find Lacelot has joined the Knights of Camelot.

Lancelot was a selfless and honourable man with a very strong sense of morality.

Morgana told Hadrian everything"Lacelot,he seems to be the fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria."

Hadrian frowned and muttered"That's odd,if I remember correctly Lord Eldred he'd only had four sons."

Morgana now forwned and said"He was brpught by Merlin, I am sure he has a hand in whole thing....This is going to be huge issue,since

First Code of Camelot, it has decreed that only men of noble blood were allowed to serve as knights."

Hadrian nodded and added"If this is discovred,Lancelot will be in prison for life.Merlin, while he means well is only causing more and more trouble."

Morgana nodded agreeing with Hadrian and said"Tommorrow is the final challege."

Arthur and Lancelot are dressed in full armour

Arthur: Well, here we are. Your final challenge. Succeed and you join the elite. Fail and your journey ends here. Lancelot, fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria...

Arthur nods to the timekeeper and said"Your time starts now."

Arthur and Lancelot put on their helmets. They fight. Lancelot swings and misses Arthu. Gwen grabs Merlin's shirt in her anxiety, but then she quickly apologized"Oh, sorry."

Arthur punches Lancelot. Lancelot falls back, his helmet askew. Arthur puts his sword in the ground, removes his helmet and goes to remove Lancelot's flag

Arthur: Shame.

Lancelot gets up, knocks Arthur off his feet and puts him at sword point

Lancelot: Do you submit, Sire?

Guards restrain Lancelot. Arthur gets up, apparently angry, and grabs his sword

Arthur: On your knees!

Guards force Lancelot to his knees. Arthur puts the sword to Lancelot's chest

Hadrian did a bit of digging and found out Lancelot was not the son of Eldred and while talented.He was not the one who killed the Griffin.It was Merlin,who did it.

Also,Merlin created seal of Nobility for him.But it didn't work like Merlin thought and Lacelot's deception was found.Lacelot was imprisoned even though,Arthur tried to reason with his father.But nothing worked.

Gaius called Hadrian for help,since he couldn't identify the the moster Merlin encountered.

For Hadrian it was easy and taking out a image of Griffin and looking at both Gaius and Merlin explained"Griffins are creatures of magic with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. As creatures born of magic, they can only be killed by magic. Any mortal weapon that strikes them - even steel - will shatter on impact."

Gaius nodded and added"I realised my mistake. I've been looking for the creature in the wrong place, in the records of all known living things in the kingdom. And then I thought, but what about creatures only recorded in legend? In myth? Then I found it."

Merlin with confirmation said"That's the monster."

But just then warning bells sound.Hadrian,Merlin and Gaius go to the window. They see people run wildly around the Square, screaming as the griffin swoops down overhead.

Arthur and his knights surround Arthur in a defence pattern,while ordering"Defence!"

The knights crouch down. The griffin attacks. While in the jail cell,Lancelot rushes to the bars of his cell questioning "What's happening?!"

[he knights get up and reform attack pattern.The with swoop griffin lands in the Square, once again Arthur orders his knights"Charge! On me!"

Arthur strikes the griffin in the chest with a spear. The spear breaks. Arthur is surprised and falls backwards. A guard tosses him a torch. Arthur waves the torch at the griffin and it takes off making hissing sounds.

Hadrian,who watched everything said"The Griffin would be back."

Merlin and Gaius nodded,both of them knew it was a huge possibility.

In the Council Chamber,Uther see's Arthur and their entourage enter.

Uther with proud look said"You said your knights were the best in the land. You proved that today."

Arthur frowned and replied"All I know is it's still out there."

Uther nodded and said"Let's not wait for it. The kingdom has been menaced by this creature for too long. We finish this now."

Gaius cut in" Sire, if I may."

Uther with slight irritation asked"Gaius?"

Gaius explained I've been researching this creature, Sire. I believe it to be a griffin.x

Uther was confused and said"A griffin? What's in a name?"

Gaius nodded and continued"The griffin is a creature of magic."

Uther waved it off and replied"I don't have time for this, physician."

Gaius tried to once again warn Uther"It is born of magic, Sire, and it can only be killed by magic."

Uther scoffed and said"You are mistaken. It's a creature of flesh and blood like any other. Arthur proved that today."

Arthur knew the truth and supported Gaius"I'm not so sure, Father. I think there may be some truth in what he says."

Uther asked"What truth?"

Arthur explained"The griffin was unharmed, Sire. Our weapons seemed useless against it."

Uther still in disbelief replied"Useless? I think not. No, it's tasted our steel once, the next time will be its last. When will your knights be ready to ride again?"

Arthur sighed seeing his father was't going to hear anything else replied"One hour. Maybe two.

Uther hummed and said"Good. We finish this tonight."