Return-Path: Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 23:46:32 -0700 Reply-To: Proietto@worldnet.att.net Sender: Forever Knight TV show stories From: Anthony Proietto Subject: A Legend Retold (1/1) To: FKFIC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU Ok guys, (deep breath)...this is it. My first work of fan-fic. I'm probably royally messing up a couple of timelines and legends....hence the title (heh,heh). All kidding aside, if I REALLY messed something up, please tell me. Many many thanks go to Jill who beta read this (and didn't tell me to burn it!), and who reminded me to start thinking about a sequel. Any ideas Jill? None of these characters are mine...and trust me, I ain't gonna make any profit :-) Permission to archive granted to Mel on the fan-fic web site/archive. And if by some ifinitesimal chance anyone else wants to, just drop me a line. A Legend Retold by Cousin Michelle (c) 1998 ------------------------- ***England (6th century)*** With dawn approaching, he needed shelter for the day. He *would* find a suitable place... the alternative was unacceptable. As Lucien reached the top of the hill, could faintly hear a human heart beating somewhere in the forest. He headed towards the sound. At the very least, he thought wryly, I ll have a last meal. He pushed his way through a dense bush. On the other side was a young boy practicing his swordplay with a stick he had apparently found in the woods. Off to left, was the remains of a campfire, and next to it, a cloak, left where the boy had apparently slept the previous night. Hearing the vampire s approach, the boy froze. Turning his head, he looked Lucien directly in the eyes, Are you friend or foe? he asked. Taken aback by the youngster s directness, Lucien hesitated. After a moment s thought, Friend, he decided. The boy relaxed and grinned in response. As he realized Lucien wasn t going to offer any more information, the smile was replaced by a more serious expression. He cocked his head to one side, Are you lost? he asked. Lucien raised an eyebrow, What makes you think I am lost? You re nervous, but you re trying to hide it. And besides, there s nothing for miles beyond our village. The vampire regarded the boy for a moment, but not for long. He sensed his time running out. As a matter of fact, I am lost. Do you know of a place near here where I could stay for the day? There s a cave near here, but... the boy said. But maybe...you d prefer going to my village? It s kind of far, but it d be much more confortable and... And what? N...nothing. To the cave then. The boy nodded, and gestured for Lucien to follow. So like Divia, Lucien thought as he walked, intelligent, independent...and yet so different. I don t sense a trace of evil within him. A pained expression flickered across his face. The few centuries that had passed had not lessened the anguish and sorrow. Not a day went by that he didn t think of his daughter. He remembered when Selene had told him that she was carrying his child...he had rejoiced and prayed to the gods to grant him a son. He remembered the anger he had felt when the mid-wife announced that Selene had given birth to a girl; the anger that had evaporated, like fog when the sun appears, when his daughter had been placed in his arms. He remembered the awe and unconditional love he had felt for the tiny being he had held. My daughter...my...Divia, he had whispered. Here we are, the boy announced, breaking into Lucien s thoughts. The vampire made a dash into the cave just as the sun appeared on the horizon. Luckily, the cave faced north, and was deep enough to provide enough cover without the use of a cloak. Is this alright? the boy asked. It will have to do. Do you need anything? A blanket, clothes...food? Lucien looked at the boy with a thoughtful expression on his face, Now that you mention it, I haven t...eaten in a while. Oh. Unnerved by the vampire s gaze, the boy quickly changed the subject. Uh, what were you thinking about? I...I mean, as we were walking. You were really quiet...and I... he started stammering as Lucien s expression grew more intense. The vampire relaxed, realizing the boy had not meant any harm. Lucien crossed his arms. The past, he replied. Oh. And what were you thinking of, when I interrupted your...practice? Having recovered some of his courage, the boy mimicked Lucien s posture, and answered in the some tone of voice, The future. Amused, Lucien asked, Oh, really? And what, pray tell, does the future hold? I will be a knight...the greatest knight that ever lived. Maybe, someday, I will be king... and my kingdom will be the most beautiful, and the richest kingdom in the land. What shall you call this great kingdom of yours, Your Majesty? The boy grinned. Camelot, he said. fin Send all comments, constructive critisisms, and Lacroix to: