The Youngest Damsel in Distress{{Lancelot}}

[ella]

A young girl looking no older then seven, peeked into a small tent, sitting in the middle of a clearing. "I have finished all my chores. May I go play?" The child asked, in her most polite voice. "Oh course Emma. Make sure your back here by dark. " The older women spoke, without turning to look at the young girl named Emma. "Thank you so much! I promise I will be back! You won't miss me, I swear to the creator you wont." Emma said with a soft child like sequel. "Don't swear to the creator child, you never know might happen. Now remember to stay away from the woods. There are dangerous things that live in there." The women spoke, before dismissing the child. Emma thanked the women a thousand times over, before she backed from the tent.

With a consent sigh, Emma held out her arm, and let her mind wonder to a safe place. A quite place, a place of peace. She let herself reach her power, reach out and touch it. Her body was relaxed, in a state of almost sleep, and her mind at peace, her eyes had closed, she was not in the world right now. She was lost in her mind's eye. In that moment, the moment when she touched her gift, she spoke a single word. Spoke it so softly, that her own ears had trouble hearing the command. "Onbregdan" Her mind let a image of a butterfly, caress her safe place, the place in her mind no one could touch her in. Her mind began to let it's self bring on reality, let itself feel, let itself be once more. And by the time her eyes had opened, but a second later, and she could see a few butterfly's flying her way.

Emma smiled her sweet charming smile, as the butterfly's floated towards her, landing softly on her out stretched arms. When the landed, she giggled, a heart felt giggle, that would warm any mans heart. "Good afternoon friends!" Emma spoke, as she began to skip towards the edge of the small village of tents. She skipped to the edge of the forest, away from anything that can be broken. "Did you want to play hide and go seek?" Emma asked her little butterfly friends, who walked along her arm. "You do? that's great. I'll go hide. So you all can find me. But no cheating! Keep your eyes closed until I'm fully hidden!" Emma giggled to herself, and she shook her arm slightly, letting the butterfly's fly from her arm, and off over the sea of tents. Emma shook he head slightly, before wondering off into the forest. She knew she was not to go into the forest. But the forest had the very best hiding spaces. She would not wonder far into the forest, just until the tress got a little thicker, to better hide herself.

As she walked around the forest, making sure to stay pretty close to the field, she began to search for the most perfect tree to hind in, or the perfect buss to hide under. She came across a large wayward pine. a good hiding spot indeed. The branches were very large, and reached the forest floor. Though back by the tree trunk there was space enough for the girl to sit. The branch covered pretty much the whole tree, she would be well hidden her butterfly friends would have a hard time finding her.

But she would wait to see if they could find her. If not she would simply call them to her again, and they would come. They always did. They always did anything she asked. They were her only friends after all, the only things she could talk to, play with laugh around. She was safe with her butterfly's. The time clicked passed, and though it has been an hour, it has seemed like a minute to Emma, who was lost in her child thoughts. Running through her day, telling herself what she had learned, going over what was said to her current surrogate mother. One who loved her, yet was too busy with her studies to help Emma in anyway. At least she was loved.

A small storm cloud was moving in, making it darker then it should have been at this time of day. It was the late afternoon, and normally she would have another hour to play, but today was different. It got slightly colder, and Emma knew it was time to leave. Even in the thick of the tree, she could still feel the change in weather. Emma also had a bad feeling about being here, alone. Though she was within ear shot of the plan, she lived on. Still she was in the forest. Still it was a danger. If the tress had not been here, she would still be able to see the tent she slept in. She was not far. Not far at all.

Emma though to call her friends back to her, to see if they had any advice to offer her, but she did not thing that was the best idea. For if she were to call her friends back, she would be lost to this world for a second, and in that second anything could happen. She had to be smart about this. A horrible feeling was running over her, what was she going to do? She knew she had to get back, but she knew doing so would be hard. But she had to try. So she crawled out from under the branches, pushing her way out, trying to move as swiftly yet silently as possible. When she was almost free, she made sure to check to make sure nothing was around. Everything was calm, now was her chance. So Emma squeezed her way through the last branch, and stood up, she let her arms run down the length of her dress, in order to clear herself off a bit. She did not want to return home with wrinkles and dirt all over her.

She stood there but a second longer then she should of. For she got this horrible feeling that someone... no something was watching her. Emma's eye's filled with fear, as she looked up in front of her. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and she swore people could heart her heart from a mile away. Emma could feel the warm, almost hot breath of a creature breathing over her. Emma did not dare move. Maybe it did not see her, maybe it was all fake. Maybe? Her palms began to sweat, as she closed her eyes tight, wishing for the thing to leave, to just walk away. If she stood still, maybe it would thing she was dead. Even know her heart was pounding in her ribs, she feared it might leave her chest. Emma had to swallow hard, to keep her airway free, so she could at least breath. Though her lungs did not seem to want to draw a breath, frighten to move. Her stomach was in her throat, lucky it was close to dinner time, or whatever she ate would have found itself at her feet on the forest floor.

Emma wanted to turn to see what it was, but she did not dare move. Her mouth had gone suddenly dry, for she wanted to scream but knew nothing would happen if she tried. No sound would leave her still as stone body. She was trapped, no one would be here to help her. She herd the creature behind her take a step closer. The leaves under it's feet cracked as it did so. The hot sticky breath blew harder on hair, making it move slightly. Emma could hear small grunts coming from the creature behind her. Emma was about to become dinner to this creature. Whatever it was, Emma just hoped it would be all over soon, she hoped she would not feel a thing.

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Lancelot Du Lac, once and briefly, a Knight of Camelot, found himself once more traveling through the edge of the Forest of Balor. He had visited the market in Camelot a couple of times since he had formally left, but fortunately, he had not been seen by any that would recognize him easily. He was often sent as a courier for various nobles of Wessex through the length and breadth of Britain, and as such, he passed by the Forest of Balor frequently. The only thing that he had insisted on was that he not be asked to go to Camelot, ever. It would just be simply too awkward, he thought. He did wonder how his former acquaintances were faring there, but he had managed to avoid the temptation of going. The nobles in Wessex had found his request to be curious, but had honored his wishes anyway.

Over time, Lancelot had become quite familiar with the Forest of Balor and the strange creatures that occupied the place. His first introduction to the wooded place had not been that favorable, however. He had run across a young lad who was running away from something, while carrying a large basket. It had only been at the last moment that he had seen that the lad had been running away from what he had learned later was a charging Gryffon. He had had no idea what it was, mainly since it appeared to be a combination of several different types of animals. He would learn later, as well, that it was a creature of enchantment ..... of magic. All that he had known at the time was that, as a knight, or a knight-to-be, he needed to protect the boy. The boy had suddenly stumbled and fallen, and Lancelot had barely reached him before the creature did.

As he walked slowly along the forest path, in the present, next to his faithful steed, Sher-Fore, Lancelot's mind re-played the events in the past once more. He recalled with a smile, how he had foolishly taken on the creature with only a single sword, and when he had finally made contact with the creature's hide his sword ha shattered. At least, he thought, he had had the good sense to pull the young lad to his feet and throw him forward to begin running away from the creature. However, at that moment Lancelot went stationary, now weapon-less, which had left him vulnerable to attack by the Gryffon, and hit had scratched him in the lower abdomen before he could start to run away himself. If he had known the true nature of that magical creature then Lancelot wondered if he would have intervened to save the life of the one he learned was called Merlin.. Fortunately, though, they had found a log to hide behind and the Gryffon had flown off to find easier prey to acquire.

The rest of the memory was pretty hazy to Lancelot, especially given the poison that was in the talon of the Gryffon. He barely remembered introducing himself to Merlin, and then everything went black, and the next thing he remember was waking up in the Camelot Court Physician's office, and his first adventures with Merlin began. It all reminded him how much he really did miss Merlin, and the others, in Camelot. his memories, though, were interrupted by the sound of some giggling. Now ..... that dis not make much sense he thought ..... here in the Balor Wood!

Within moments after he had heard the giggling Lancelot could swear that he had heard the sounds of the voice of a little girl, just ahead. Now that did not make any more sense than the giggling head he thought to himself. Who, after all, who knew anything about the Balor Forest, would bring little children here. This was not a place that was safe for adults, Lancelot thought, let alone for children. Lancelot began to walk forward, holding the reins on his horse, trying to pick up the pace as he moved toward the sound of the voices as quickly as he could. By the sound of the voice, and the giggling that had preceded it, it almost sounded like they were playing some kind of game. This was a place to be watchful, Lancelot thought to himself, not one for fun and games, he considered to himself.

Suddenly Lancelot noticed that the light of day was dimming somewhat. He looked up through the trees and noted that the sun was beginning to be blotted out by some clouds and the clouds seemed to be quite dark, almost looking like billowing storm clouds, and they were growing and growing rapidly. Lancelot, considering where he was, and the magical stories associated with the Balor, wondered if they were natural clouds, or if they had been conjured up by some enchantment from the the Forest. In any case, he wondered what the significance of them was, and that it would be a good idea to pick up his pace even further.

Lancelot could now sense not only the darkness, but an unnatural chill that had settled over the Forest and he surged ahead along the pathway, now able to see some distance along it, as it had become a straightaway, and saw some tents off in a clearing to the right. At some distance ahead he could see the small form of a girl as they apparently were beginning to move down the path, apparently toward the clump of tents to Lancelot's right. he looked up above the tree-line and he could see a dim form gliding across the tree-tops, apparently following the child as she moved out of brush toward the tents. However, he quickly realized that she was not moving fast enough, especially given the speed of the gliding form. Lancelot urged Sher-Fore on, almost immediately, and the knight mounted the black stallion as the horse began to accelerate into a mid-gallop.

Lancelot and his horse ate up the distance between themselves and the girl rapidly. In the rapidly receding daylight Lancelot knew that the black color of his horse would make him near-invisible as he approached, both to the girl and whatever it was that was stalking her. Lancelot had heard the many stories of the magical creatures that stalked this forest. He could tell that it wasn't a Gryffon, but was likely to be a Cockatrice given the serpent-like nature of its body. He knew that even on his fleet horse he might only arrive a moment before it arrived at the girl. He also knew to look directly into its eyes was to invite death by being turned to stone, so he hoped to drive it off temporarily with a well-placed strike of his sword, as he pulled a piece of mirror from his coat. The question was ..... could he arrive in time and do what had to be done. As Sher-Fore bore down on the girl, he yelled, with his sword raised with his right hand, "Duck ..... and don't look at it ..... close your eyes!"

[ella]

All Emma could think was not to be hurt. She thought about getting down on her knees and begging the creature not to hurt her. But that would do her no good, creatures did not talk. Her butterfly friends talk, but that was it. Dog's did not talk nor did birds, only her butterfly's. Emma just stood there so stiff with fright, she wondered if she was ever going to be able to move again. Everything just stopped working, and the world went into a slow motion kind of dear. She could count her heart beats, and feel the soft blowing wind from the creature on her neck, she could hear a distance sound of a horse and the ring of steal. Emma did not pay attention to such things, her fear was taking over, telling her to run, but nothing moved.

At long last a male's voice broke through her silence, her fear, her self. Emma was able to move again, she looked but could see only a shadow of something. A man on a horse she assumed, but she was unsure. He yelled something to her To close her eyes and duck? Emma did as she was told, all to willing to take direction. She flung herself to the ground in front of where she was standing curling herself into a little ball, her eyes closed so tight it hurt, though the tears still found their way through her clenched eyelids. She let herself cry as she herd the battle taking place. She could hear the horses grunts and it's feet on the ground, she could hear the steal whipping across the air, and the sound of a man or beast, or maybe both.

Whatever was going on she was just frighted, and wished it were to end. Her body shook with fright, her arms ridged with fear, freezing her in her little ball, her back exposed, her face hidden in her knees. Her hands were white from gripping her legs so hard, and she did not think she could feel her legs any-longer. This was not a very good night. She wished her friends could come back and help her understand what was going on. But then they might have been hurt too. At least her friends were safe, at least.

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As soon as Lancelot had seen the creature begin his descent toward what looked like the little girl he had accelerated his black Arabian stallion towards an intersection .... he hoped he could intercept the beast before it could intercept the girl and end her life. One of the advantages that Lancelot had, in combat, was his ability to completely concentrate on the conflict that he was engaging in, completing blocking out everything else. This was a special case, however, he knew. He had to concentrate on the creature, planning his attack, while not looking directly at it, especially its eyes. He had heard several times that the penalty for looking directly into its eyes was a a stony death. It was not an easy attack to plan, but if the girl was to escape with her life, he only would have one chance.

As Sher-Fore barreled down the straight path towards the girl, he saw that his warning had, at least, partial success with the girl. She did seem to duck, even to curl up defensively, but she did not seem to have the ability to run from the danger that rapidly approached and spread over her from above. At least her partial reaction to Lancelot's word of warnings had caused an apparent reaction, which thankfully meant that she had listened to his words, at least for now. However, with her curling herself into a protective ball it was no longer clear that she was listening. It was clear that she was looking to escape any way that she could. Finally, even though it was clear that she could not bring herself to run, she was able to fling her self at the ground, just out of the creature's reach.

As she flung herself on the ground, and the creature failed in its first lunge at her, Lancelot arrived with one sword extended, making a sharp cutting sound through the air as it flayed the snout of the serpent-like creature as he brought it down from the right. He immediately brought the same sword up from his left arcing diagonally across the creature's throat fro the left, as he had positioned Sher-Fore over the girl' stretched-out body on the ground. The creature reacted by raring back its head, so that Lancelot could look on the creature without fearing its eyes.

He riposted with another slash from the right with his right-hand and as the creature writhed in pain he reached into a coat pocket with his left hand and extracted the small glass mirror, aiming it at where he expected the creatures eyes to re-focus when its head bent forward again. He heard it shriek in pain as it saw the image of its own eyes in the mirror, and they turned to stone. He then dropped the mirror and unsheathed his other long-sword, crossing both his swords across the neck of the Cockatrice, cutting its neck off. Within moments its body fell to the ground with a loud thump, stone-dead. Fortunately, both Lancelot and his horse came through it entirely unscathed, but now his attention turned to the young lass. "Are you all right," he asked, wondering if she was ever going to open her eyes.

[ella]

Emma just herd the houses hooves on the soft forest floor, and the breath of the beast that she's yet to see. The batter aged on, and she was still, whatever position she landed in, was how she would stay. Her eyes were still tightly closed, her hands flung over her eyes to keep them that way, holding them shut. So even if she wished to open her eyes, she'd see nothing but darkness, and the inside of her hands. She would take no chance. She was not sure if what she herd was real or not. Did someone really tell her to duck? Or was that in her mind. Was there another creature out there more harmful then this? Was the battle between two beast, fighting over their meal? fighting over her? Had the voice been in her head? All Emma knew was she was not going to move, not an inch, nor was she going to open her eyes until she was sure she was safe. Her breath almost stopped, as she listed to the cries from the beast. One of them had died. But which beast was it? Was the second beast truly a beast? Or was it a friend? Emma was unsure. So she just began to sing to herself in her head, to drown out the fight, trying to scream over it, only no sound left her lips. Her battle was in her head.

She could hear the finial battle come to a quick end, she could feel the sword chopping off the head of a creature. The second thing must have been a man. No beast would carry a sword. Emma knew that much. Only humans did that..right? The food steps were close, stopping but inches from where she flung herself to the ground. Her breath was getting louder, her body shaking a little more, she was terrified to do anything. She could not even move, she just continued her song, trying to keep her sane.

Once again a male voice broke through her attempts. Was she alright? Well did she look alright? Oh course physically she was fine, fit as a fiddle, but mentally she was drained, she was tired, over run with fear, and just wanting to die. It might have saved everyone the trouble if she had just been eaten by that horrid thing, whatever it may have been. Still Emma made no move, at least he knew she was breathing, that much was clear. Her breath was so rapid, you would need 30 people to help count her breaths. With the extra oxygen she was beginning to make herself kind of dizzy. If she did not slow her breathing she would pass out from too much oxygen. But hey that was one way to calm her down. She'd only be out for a few moments, but that would be long enough.

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From the moment that he had first seen the creature, Lancelot had merely reacted on instinct ..... and not on thought. It had just been the instinct, reflexes, and honor of a knight that had responded. He was just not a Knight of Camelot. However, he had trained himself these many years to act unselfishly as would be expected of a Knight. And that was just what he had done, charging his horse in the direction of the girl, hoping against hope that he could reach her before the diving creature could. His magnificent black Arabian stallion, Sher-Fore had not failed him, delivering him at just the spot he needed to be. Lancelot knew that the actual struggle had taken just a few seconds, really, but the journey by horseback and the ensuing battle had seemed to take longer. However long they had seemed, however, he had not done much thinking to get through them. It wasn't until now, with his trusty swords bringing the creature's life to an end did the weight of what had just happened press down on him. His nerves of steel began to visibly shake, as his submerged fears came to the surface and he wondered how the girl below him was doing,

At first he was definitely worried that horse had been injured in some way. It seemed to take forever for her to move, and he wondered if that lack of movement signified anything major. He decided that he would not wait forever to see if the lass would response, first, after wiping off his blades with a handy piece of linen,he re-sheathed then and jumped off his horse. Failing to get a response yet from the girl he set about Sher-Fore, making sure that his loyal companion had not suffered any major damage.

After seeing his horse appeared to be fine, and he spoke a few words to try and make sure that the black stallion was fine, he turned his attention to the lass. But still she did not seem to want to speak to him, and he continued to be concerned about her. Of course the most common malady with this creature was the effect of its eyes to turn its quarry to stone. It was obvious that that had not occurred here, and he saw no rapidly expanding pool of blood, so he assumed there were no obvious external injuries, but what about internal .... he was not knowledgeable enough to figure that one out, but she did seem to be fairly well he thought. But .... was she ever going to answer him? The one thing that he could see was that she was breathing quite rapidly and she seemed to be quite unsteady. "Milady, do you require some assistance that a loyal knight would be willing to provide you. All you have to do is ask." He hoped she wasn't just starting to lose her sense of orientation and balance.

[ella]

Emma's face twisted into a frown, her eyes still so filed with fear. Even know the battle was over and done with, she was safe, she was alright, but still, the fear was still there. This man, had saved her life, and she was aware of that, but it was as if her mind was lagging behind. Her mind was still 30 seconds behind, still in the mist of battle. She could still fell the creature behind her, though it was clearly dead. Her mind refused to believe what her eyes saw. Emma wanted to believe it, but she was sure she was a goner. How he had gotten to her so quickly she was unsure, but she own this man her life. Her mind was still going over the battle, taking in what she had herd, but no so much seen. Her eyes saw the creature in a dead heep off a ways, but it was there, she knew it was. Her mind slowly began to catch up. She really should have died. She would have been lunch if it were not for him. But how did one thank someone who saved their life? She had nothing to give, but a doll. She had no real family or a real place to stay So she could not offer him a meal or a bed. She slept with whomever let her in that night. She was passed from family to family, though she stuck with one nice teacher lady, still she was not always permitted to sleep in the same tent.

Her mind raced to catch up, as her breathing kept a steady but fast pace. Her eyes began to fill with tears, the corner of her lips pulled further down. Emma just watched the young man, as he checked his horse. Emma began to blink more, trying to keep any tears from falling from her eyes. She needed to be strong. She had to be. She needed to get herself together and answer the man. He would think she was mute if she sat here and said nothing. But her voice still could not work, her breathing still to out of control to speak. She was helpless, lost to her emotions.

He turned to her and spoke once again. Emma struggled to keep eye contact for more then a second. She simply shook her head, trying to speak, but nothing but a small sob left her lips. She was not ready to speak yet. But she would be soon. At least she hoped he understood she was not hurt. Hopefully he knew she was okay, shaken up and frighten but virtually unharmed. The small sob that left her lips set off a chain reaction, the tears began to flow freely, leaving a clear line down her cheeks. Her quick breaths turned into silent sobs. Her hands flew to her face to cover her eyes as she cried into them. Why she cried so hard she was not sure. Her mind was too crowded with fear. Her rational self completely lost for now. She'd just need a little time to recover from this shocking experience. Her mind still replaying the last few minutes of her life. The last few minutes she though would have been her last, if it were not for this young man. How he saved her life. That's all she could think about, oh and how stupid he must think she was. She may be a child but she always though of herself as smart..until now.

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Lancelot was still not sure at all about how this young girl was doing. She still had not said a word, and Lancelot did not know if she was suffering from shock and trauma from the incident, or if it was something more basic. It was even possible, he surmised, that she was a deaf mute. However, since she had apparently reacted to his scream to duck, he assumed that she could, at least, her quite well. It was possible that the creature had hurt her in some way, but there was no obvious physical damage that he could see, so he assumed that she was in some kind of emotional shock, which was, of course, something easy to understand.

Since she did not seem to be able to initiate much conversation, Lancelot figured that that was going to be pretty much up to him. After all, until he could encourage her to say much, he would be unable to find out who she was and where she belonged. After several moments, Lancelot came around the other side of his horse, finished re-sheathing his blades, and cleaned his hands of the blood from the battle, and began to address her. 'Milady, I apologize for the circumstances of our meeting, but proper knightly protocol requires that I introduce myself. I would like to think that you feel properly obliged to do the same for me."

He waited several moments to see if those words would be enough to encourage her to say something, anything, but all that he seemed to get, unfortunately, was a wide-eyed stare, one that mostly seem to communicate a feeling of fear. "Milady, you have nothing to fear from me. I am sworn to defend the kingdom of Wessex as a knight, although a nomadic one, and I was once, for a short time, as the a Knight of Camelot. My name is Lancelot .... Lancelot Du Lac. I am not looked on or recognized as a noble in these parts, though my family undoubtedly has noble roots in other lands."

"As you can see I have some experience fighting enchanted beasts. I am glad that I could be in a position to come to your aid while I had a chance to. I am here to serve. May I humbly ask what your name is and where you hail from," he asked. He saw that as he talked that she seemed to gain more comfort from his presence. At least it appeared that her breathing was becoming more regular and the look of fear in her eyes had slowly beginning to recede. Perhaps she was getting over the shock of encountering the creature, he thought.

As he watched her she gave all of the appearance of one who was trying to speak. She even shook her head, as if she she could not believe that she was unable to utter a single word. He was unsure if it was because she was frustrated, or if there was something else that was bothering her, but he heard what sounded like a sob, followed by a tears, which was followed by more sobs and finally a torrent of tears. Before he knew it her whole body was shaking, seemingly convulsed by tears. he had not very much experience with females, of any age,but especially one this young, but he instinctively embraced her, hoping that that was the comfort that she needed. He hoped that she would not be offended or frightened by his actions. They were just a normal human reflexive action,plus an extension of the protection and comfort that as a knight he felt he should offer.

[ella]

Emma just sniffled. She understood his words, and knew that she needed to speak, but something stopped her. Yes he saved her life, but would he still feel the same way after telling him who she was? She had magic, though she did not use it, she still had it. Would he kill her then? Would her regret saving her? Could she just thank him and run off to cry? Would he come with her? So many questions and no correct answers to those question. What could she do? She she waited, and listen to what he had to say, her eyes still held her fear. A girl at her age could not get over something so traumatizing so quickly. She needed a few minutes to recover. Well she needed a few good hugs, and a few pats on the back. But she had not had a good hug since her parents died, so she could other ways to cope. To cry. And that's just what she did.

She cried. Before she could let out more then a few sobs, she could feel arms around her. She did not care who they belonged to, she just let herself fall into them. She let herself cry upon his shoulder, just let it all out. She just cried, letting her tears fall freely, she cried. It only took a few minutes, before she was able to gain control of her emotions. Her breathing began to slow, and the tear came to a stop. She would be okay after all. It took yet another minute or two, for her to regain control over her body. Once she was back in her self, once she was okay again, she let herself pull away from the young man who saved her life. Embarrassed she turned away from him, still sniffling a little. He must think she was a fool, a weak child. Yes she was a child, but weak she was not. She was just caught off guard. "My name's Emma-Fay Sir." She spoke, thou her voice was barely over a whisper, her cheeks glowing red. "I owe you my life." She spoke, she would have bowed to him, but her head was already hanging low. "I apologies for my break down. " She added, her voice still uneven and shaky. Clearly she would cry more later. But she had to hold it back for now. She had to be strong, he already though she a fool. She did not want to give him any more ideas.

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Lancelot was unsure exactly what her reaction would be. He could tell that she was not much more than a child. So he knew that she would not be able to resist whatever action he took very successfully. He waited for her to push back, to try and push him away, but he never felt that type of resistance. In fact, she showed all the signs of accepting it, if not seeking this treatment out. He could feel her lean into his shoulder and cry and sob as much as she had so far. He thought that she probably had questions for him, and he hoped she would have good answers for him. At any rate, he thought, she was probably interested now only in recovering from what she had just experienced. For now she was just interested in feeling safe and comforted he expected, and he hoped that he was giving her the support that she was asking for.

For awhile Lancelot wondered whether she was going to stop crying. In time, though, he heard her cries trail off into a sniffle. He did not have much experience with young children, but he assumed that it was not all that different from adults, that when a person went through a life-threatening experience that they just had to let out all of the pent-up emotions. So he figured the best course was merely to have her let everything out , and in time she would cry herself out. Just as he expected, in a few short moments it was all over. Lancelot wondered if she was going to be able to speak now. He hoped so. He was really anxious to find out who she was and what she was doing here, and where she really belonged. As it turned out, he didn't have long to wait. She backed away and turned away from him, as he seemed to pick up a little blush on her face. "Emma-Fay ...... why that is a beautiful name. As a knight, I would come to your defense a 100 times, milady," he said, bowing slightly. "It was my honor to defend and protect you. You owe me nothing ... it is all my duty ..... and a duty that was gladly done. There is nothing to apologize for child," and he took one finger gently under her chin so that he could look into her young eyes and fully gauge what she was telling him.

[ella]

Emma sniffled a little, her blush dipped when he called her name pretty. She had already fantasy her name, always though it to be beautiful. So it made her blush all the more when she herd the words out loud. "Thank you sir." She whispered under her breath. But ended up shaking her head at the rest of his comments. It did not seem fair to her. He was to risk his life for a no body like herself, for an orphan, a burden. Why would he expect nothing in return? He just put his life in danger, for what? Nothing. For the thrill? she could not see that being okay. He needed payment of some kind. To save her life for nothing, was not fair, not alright. He was in as much if not more danger then she. If he truly was as important as he looked, then he surly would be missed if he were hurt. If she never showed her face at her village again, nothing but cheers would go up. No one would miss her, she only ate all the food, she was of no real use. Emma had no trade... at least not yet. Emma wished to learn to heal, but she was much too young to study under anyone. Anyway she had magic, so she surly would be killed if she went into the city looking for work. No matter how little magic she used, she still had it, it was in her blood.

She tired to resist the pull on her chin, but she was forced to look at him. "But it's not fair." Emma spoke, once she had his attention, or rather once he had hers. "You risk everything for me. I would not be missed." Emma tried to explain. "I have no family, no one would care had I died." She continued, her voice getting stronger with each word. Her true cocky self beginning to shine one more. "But one with your...." She paused to think for a moment. "Status.." She settled on. "would surly be missed if you were to get hurt." She finished. Hoping he understood what she had been wanting to say. He would be missed, he was important person. Shoot even if he had no friend, no family(which Emma could not think as true) But if he did, the only thing that would miss him was his horse. But she too would find a family. Emma's butterfly's would not miss her, they only came to her when she called. If they were to miss her, they would come see her with out being called. But to see them they had to be called. Had to be. So no she would not be missed as much as he. So to risk his life to save hers was foolish.

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Lancelot understood that most people, and especially young women, did appreciate having compliments being thrown their way. That was just human nature, he considered. He smiled broadly when she thanked him. "You are quite welcome, milady. Is there any further assistance that I could provide you? This knight only desires to serve. Much of the time that service is rendered to those of the noble class, but it also requires that I render assistance to whosoever is in need of it."

Although his words focused on what service that he could provide to the youngster, in his mind there were several different threads of questions that occurred to him. She could not be out here alone, all by herself, could she? And if she wasn't alone, who were her people and where were they? He knew that there were many youngsters who had spirits and souls which were much older than their bodies were in years. He wondered how much she was truly aware of the dangers that existed out in this forest. He considered whether she had merely been surprised by the creature, and whether she had any knowledge of the world of enchantment and magic. In any case, he was glad to be of service, but these questions did eat at him a bit.

Lancelot hoped that she would begin to communicate, and address his un-stated questions. He was surprised, though, with the statement that she suddenly made. "It's not fair? And why would you state such a thing. Is it not for me to determine what is fair and not fair, when it comes to myself? As a knight, it is the course that I have chosen for myself. It is not for me, or even you, to determine whether you will be missed or not. There is only what is and what is not, and it is for me to protect and preserve what I can, especially among that that I am given responsibility over. Since I ran across your path, and you were in danger, it was my responsibility to protect you .... not to think about it .... only to do or to do not .... that was the only question."

He listened to her for a few moments more, before responding once more. "I have no family either, so nobody to leave behind or to worry over my grave, if there is one. I worry not over who I leave behind, since there is no one to worry over me." He chuckled over her next comment. "Status ..... status? I have no status, at least none that would cause others to worry over my absence. Perhaps with a passage of months or years there might be a few that wonder what had become of me, but nothing more than that, I assure you. I doubt whether the name of Lancelot is known widely now, and even less likely in the distant future," he said out loud with some certainty to his voice. He knew that only the work that he did was important. He himself, was not important, or at least not as important as this young girl who had all of her life stretching out before her.

[ella]

Emma just blinked. There was nothing more he could do for her. Nothing. She was but a child, an orphan. He was a protector of all noble class. So why would he wast his time on her? She was not sure. Yes he wanted to help, but to risk his life for a nobody like her? There's just no way. Emma just shook her head a little. There's just nothing she could do to thank him. Nothing. Emma was just not believing all this. Yes he picked this... profession... yes this is what he wanted to do. But it was not fair. He would go on and save a million people, she would be nothing more then an orphan. If he had been hurt all the people he would go on to save would die. So her life for a hundred? That made no sense to her. He would save others, but to put himself at risk to save her.. it was just not fair. He could have died, and if he had, all the lives he would go onto save, would die along with him. It was a foolish move in her mind, but she saw she could not argue her point. He would not listen to her. No one did. But she was but a child, she expected not to be listen to.

He had no family? No, he was a knight. He had a family, maybe not a biological one, but a family none the less. He had a place to go, friends, people who needed him, wanted him around. She was just a burden, who ate everyone's food, and helped little. So who was she to be saved? Emma just sighted. She did not believe him. He looked well put together, he had a horse. He was noble. She could see that much. He was important even if he did not wish to think of it. He was. she knew he was. She just had nothing to say. What could she say to that? She did not know him, maybe he was just acting like a big shot? Maybe he too was a nobody like her? Who was she to judge. Who was she to care if he would be missed. He saved her life, and that was that. She was indented to him, weather or not he wished to accept it. Maybe she could travel with him, and care for his horse? Maybe. Just maybe. She'd think of something.

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Lancelot watched her blink. He wondered what she was thinking. It was just one more thing to add to the questions of what was she doing out here alone and in this particular stretch of the Balor Forest in the first place. She knew that he was a knight and probably thought that he was a noble, even though, unknown to her, that he would never be regarded as such in Britain. As long as King Uther reigned in Camelot, it might not be safe for him to return to the city, let alone be accepted as a knight, not just from Camelot, but from one of the other kingdoms. perhaps she was feeling uncomfortable about him saving her life and how she should repay him for that service. She was probably not in a position for her to compensate him to any degree. he had tried to convey to her that it was all part of the Knight's code, and that it was not her responsibility to pay him. Her being thankful was all that was required now. His real question, now though, was what to do with here. She certainly couldn't come with him. She would have to tell him where her people were or he would have to take her to Camelot. There were no other options.

He had told her as little of his backstory as he felt that he could get away with. There was no need for her, or anyone, to have that level of detail about his personal life. She sighed loudly, but he did not know how much it was aimed at him. It was obvious that something was weighing down on her, and he did wonder what it was. It was possible, he thought, that she had not simply wander away from the campfires of wherever her home was. He knew it would not be outrageous to find a youngster who was daydreaming and had wandered away, becoming lost in the woods. However, he did not get that sense from her. What is possible that she was on the run from somebody, and that was how she had found herself in the denseness of the Balor Forest. "Milady, is there something that you have not told me yet. Is there somebody chasing you, and is that what would explain your rapid movement through the forest, where you nearly met an untimely end at the hands of that creature? Is there something that you wish to ask of me. Is there a further service that I can perform for thee. All you need to do is ask, and I will do my best to return you home, or protect you from any who would hunt you down. All you need to do is ask," he said, giving her a slight bow, awaiting her answer.

[ella]

Emma just did not know what to do. So she just shook her head. What could she do? nothing. She did not know what to say, or what to do, so standing there was a pretty good option to her. But he was asking her to give him something to do. Or so that's how she saw it. She had no real home, she was just bounced from one person to the next, to the next. And here she finds herself in the woods, not missed by the people who try to care for her, but don't want her. They only take care of her as a favor to her dead parents. But times are hard, and an extra mouth to feed made things harder. Emma knew that, she was a smart girl she could see it. When their little tummy's rumbled from hunger, she knew what her caretakers thoughts were. With out Emma, her kids would have full belly's. For everyone got less so Emma could eat some. Emma just shrugged again. She was not that sure where she was, but she knew she was close to where she should be... maybe? The again in her fear, she had lost the direction she was going, so getting back might be kind of hard... maybe? But what could she do? No really? She was but a child, not sure what he was really asking her. Yes he wanted to know if he could help her, but she was not about to ask him to go find her parents.

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