Archive of Our Own ^beta

Lancelot felt like all of the air in the room had disappeared as they stood in a circle, with nothing to show for the hell they had endured to get to this point. 

“I…” Merlina spoke first, breaking their shared silence as they all continued to stare at the same spot. The spot Sonic had stood, the spot where Arthur should be standing at this very moment. Merlina had been so confident about this, that after months of gathering ingredients, building up mana, speaking with other wizards of far away kingdoms, that she would be successful with this spell. 

Sonic would be sent home, back where he belonged and Arthur would be pulled from wherever he was and brought back, where he belonged. Now, Camelot had neither.

Lancelot had neither. 

Why had he allowed this to happen? Why had he so much faith that this would work? It had to be Sonic’s doing. His easy smile and his endless faith that Merlina would right her wrongs was contagious across his roundtable. One by one he convinced them that it was worth the effort to assist the wizard and that things would be set right. 

“What happened?” Percival asked as Lancelot clenched his fists, feeling like they had all been taken for fools.

“We are now without a King,” he replied, finally pulling his eyes away from the spot where Sonic had stood. He forced himself to remain calm on the outside, but inwardly he was a mess.

All of his emotions were in turmoil, mind unable to accept the fact that he was without once more. It was different from the pain he felt when he lost Arthur the first time, when he felt so distanced from him, when Arthur had pushed him away, and Lancelot couldn’t understand why. At least at the time, he could still see Arthur, even if it was an illusion Merlina had produced. 

Now, however, both were gone. Had Sonic even made it back to his realm? Lancelot couldn’t take it if both were lost forever, neither where they should be. He turned to the wizard, the question on the tip of his tongue as she righted herself, getting over the shock of failure. She quickly stepped forward, kneeling at the spot in the center of the rune. Her fingers ran over the stone and markings, whispering to herself as the rune lit once more, though far weaker than before. Lancelot watched her closely, hand now resting on the weapon at his side. 

“Sonic is okay. He has returned home,” she said, getting a sigh of relief from the knights. So Sonic was safe and back home. He was with his friends that he claimed all resembled the faces of Camelot, with the ‘Shadow’ character he had talked endlessly about. Lancelot pushed down his envy, and sorrow. Now was not the time to feel sorry for himself. Arthur was still lost to them and he had to be found. 

“And what of King Arthur?” Gawain asked, looking as distraught as Lancelot felt. It was hard to hide their concern, and partly unnecessary when it was just the four of them in the room together. Still, Lancelot didn’t want to let down his guard too much, lest he do something reckless. 

“I feel him,” Merlina said as she closed her eyes, running her fingers along the rune on the stone ground. Lancelot’s eyes went to her at once, bracing himself for whatever came next. Would he have to lose Sonic and Arthur both at the same moment?  “He’s stuck, but he's there. I can reach him with more time.” 

He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he had been holding. Both were safe. Lancelot was without, but at least they were safe. 

“And you’re sure of this?” Percival asked, crossing her arms across her chest. It had been decided that incase Arthur did not return, or was unable to lead when he did return, that Percival was to fill in his stead. Lancelot appreciated her steadiness and her ability to take charge when he struggled to even form a coherent thought. 

“Yes. Sending Sonic back was more tiring than I originally thought,” she mumbled, then stood, putting both hands on her staff as she looked at the three of them. “I assure you, I will return King Arthur.” 

–

Lancelot had doubts, how could he not? Merlina was the cause of all of his distress, all of the ache that felt like it was constricting him. If she had not let her revenge blind her, then all would be well. Lancelot would be at King Arthur’s side and would have never known of Sonic, that there was another counterpart of Arthur without the weight of the crown to hold him back. 

He sighed, taking a seat on the grassy hill. Percival had sent him out of the castle, demanding he take a week for himself. He had been following her to each meeting, aiding her in taking over temporary leadership, and doing his best to appear as if he was fine.  He wasn’t a fool, well, maybe he was, but he knew why she sent him away. He was in a haze, going through the routines of daily life without much thought. If he took a moment to ponder their predicament, he’d be useless. Like he was now. 

As he had done everyday since his ‘break’, he came out to this spot and watched the world move past him. “Breathe,” he told himself, taking off his helmet to allow fresh air to touch his face. He set it down on the grass beside him and leaned forward, staring at the endless fields in front of him. The sounds of nature around him were the only noises that reached his ears, making him feel unsettled.

Lonely.

He couldn’t recall the last time he had been alone for a period of time like this, when he hadn’t been in his personal chambers. Sonic had been quite attached to him despite Lancelot's confusion, so the knight had grown used to, even grew fond of, the endless chatter that Sonic provided. He had many stories to share and was determined that Lancelot was who he wanted to share them with.

His company had been different from Arthur’s. With Arthur, things were more…proper, in public at least, and Lancelot was constantly reminded that they were of two different social statuses. A line was drawn between them, and Lancelot had never dared to cross it, even when it had felt like Arthur wanted him too. Still, there was comfort there, friendliness, loyalty and trust both ways. They could sense what the other was thinking; Arthur knew when Lancelot was growing frustrated by the way his ears would twitch and Lancelot could tell when Arthur needed a break with how slowly he would blink during a meeting. 

Time with Sonic had been comforting, once Lancelot had gotten over the fact that Sonic was not of this realm. Sonic was far more casual, always touching and dropping formalities as if they had been friends for ages. They were not King and Knight, but friends. Sonic happily crossed the line each time, giving Lancelot his brightest smiles, his most mischievous winks, his oddly charming humor that even Lancelot wasn’t immune to, late into the night. 

Lancelot had missed his opportunity with Arthur, ignoring how Arthur had given him signs of his true feelings, all because he had been frightened. He didn’t want to make that mistake again when he was given the opportunity with Sonic, though he should have exercised far more caution. Lancelot had grown too comfortable, had allowed Sonic to grow too close and dear to him, despite knowing that he was not of this realm. This was not his home and no amount of smiles or brushes of hands or sweet kisses in the garden could change that. 

Lancelot had hoped, foolishly, that it could. That finally he could have this comfort, someone to return to each night and wake up to each morning. But Sonic was not his to hold. 

It felt almost like he had been cursed. What else could explain his misfortune in love? That both of his great loves, identical in looks and laughter, would be swept away in a current of magic? That he would be punished for caution and then punished once more for throwing it to the wind? 

He had never been one to outwardly display it, but he had great desires of closeness, of a relationship that could bring him peace and happiness in a way that his role of a knight never could. He loved his position and was ashamed of how quickly he would give it all up for a chance at what he truly wanted. 

It was true, though. He would give up his title, his skills in combat, if it meant he would have that great love he dreamt of. Someone who enjoyed spending their time with him, who would sit next to him at every meal, who would stroll the gardens with him, who would be there. 

He would do whatever it would take to undo this curse, this prophecy that had been given to him. 

“Is this a hopeless cause?” He asked the sky, staring up at the clouds that grayed above him. Without a blue blur always on the edge of his vision, Lancelot’s world had grayed.

The pain of losing Sonic had softened, though he missed him, it brought him closure to know that he was safe with his friends, back in the world he loved so dearly. They had gotten to part on good, if not tearful, terms. Sonic had made him promise to be honest with Arthur, and in return Lancelot made him promise to be honest with Shadow. If Lancelot couldn’t have him, at least some version of him out there should have the chance to be loved by someone so wonderful. 

He sighed, rubbing his muzzle. At this point, he felt like Merlina would never undo the spell she had casted. Arthur would never return to him, to Camelot. He wanted to fulfil his promise, his oath, to Sonic, but how could he if Arthur was missing? If Lancelot was plagued by this curse? 

“Lancelot,” Gawain’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts. He turned to see the echidna out of breath. Had something happened? Were they under attack? “Merlina is ready.”

Lancelot gasped before he snapped to his senses, quickly putting his helmet back on before he stood, following Gawain to her tower. The entire walk he prayed again and again that this would work, that he wouldn’t be left alone once more. 

He wasn’t sure if he could take it once more. He prided himself on being steadfast, unflappable, and he knew it was pathetic to beg to the gods, but he did. He would do it again and again for Arthur’s safe return, for another chance. 

It had been so long since he had been to the wizard’s tower that the smell of hundreds of dried herbs and flowers had his nose twitching when they entered. He looked around before following Gawain through an open door, finding Merlina and Percival in the room. The wizard was kneeling, drawing a rune on the stone flooring with blue chalk. 

The rune was far more intricate than the one she had used before and it was torturous to have to watch her slowly lay it out before them. Lancelot was not an impatient man, but in this moment, he was. He felt like he was on his last leg, that he might crumble if this turned out to be a failure once more. He hated the desperation that lurched in his stomach, that coursed through his veins, that overtook his senses and rendered him useless. 

“Please, everyone, close your eyes and focus,” Merlina stood, dusting her dress off before she took her spot, holding out her staff. 

What would he do if this was a failure once more? If Arthur was forever lost and Sonic was out of reach? He wanted to believe that he would get back up and continue on with his life, fulfill his duty to Percival and ensure she was protected and loved by all, that Camelot thrived through the many changing hands of power, and if he pushed himself hard enough, his belief would become a reality.  

He would, however, crumble on the inside, dry himself out like a quill without ink, cry himself to sleep like an infant, but his duty would be done. Camelot would not fall, even if he did. 

‘Please, please, please,  return him to me.’

Merlina’s chants grew louder, forcing Lancelot out of his thoughts and onto the task at hand. His own chanting, pleas to the gods, filled his mind. His eyes closed tightly, jaw clenching as they felt the magic rushing around the room. It pushed and pulled, but he stood strong until he was knocked in the stomach. 

His knees hit the ground before he could realize it, wind knocked out of him forcefully. His helmet hit the ground. The sound caused the room to go silent, Merlina’s chanting coming to an abrupt halt. Lancelot stared at the stone beneath him, too afraid to find out his fate. His ears twitched at the sound of armor moving towards him, most likely Percival coming to see if he was okay. 

He needed to stand, but all he could manage was to kneel. Had they truly failed their king once more? 

“Kneeling already, Lancelot? I believe a hug might be more appropriate for the situation at hand.” 

Lancelot’s head snapped up at the voice, meeting Arthur’s green eyes and outreached hand. He stared, unsure if this was reality or if he had finally gone mad. Seemingly tired of waiting, Arthur took his hand and pulled him up and into his chest. Normally this display of affection was unheard of, but after everything they had been through, after Sonic’s encouragement of affection to everyone around the castle, Lancelot didn’t care. He pressed his face to Arthur’s shoulder and allowed himself to be held. 

“The gods have finally heard my prayers to return me to your side,” he said quietly, just loud enough for Lancelot to hear. He held back tears, those could be shared later, in private, and wrapped his arms around Arthur as tightly as he could, thanking the gods for putting an end to his curse.