Chapter 6: Lancelot

A couple days had now passed since Rachel was rescued from the Nightmare Castle and she had mostly recovered, but was taking it easy at King Lauhin's insistence. She had been put through a lot and her body had to rest to recover. She agreed, just happy to be feeling better after the ordeal. She now sat in a plush chair beside King Lauhin with her daughter Summer in her lap. "Mommy, are you feeling alright?" The little five-year-old asked.

She smiled. "Yes, sweetheart. I'm feeling better," she said. "My body just has to recoup a bit more, but other than that, I'm alright."

"Which is a relief," Jocu said, coming closer and hugging both the mother and daughter.

Sasha also hugged her sister, as did Rachel other two children, Courtney and Forrest, and Sasha's children, Megan and Sage. "If it hadn't been for that Knightmare Knight, I don't know what would have happened," Sasha said.

"The outcome wouldn't have been good," said a familiar voice as said knight walked in, smiling at Rachel. "How are you feeling, Miss Rachel?"

"Much better, thank you," she said. "And thank you for helping save me."

"My pleasure," he said with a bow, making them all smile. Even King Lauhin was smiling.

Courtney then looked at their friend. "Why are you called the Knightmare Knight?" She asked.

He chuckled. "I help keep nightmares away from those who have been worn down by the Nitians," he said as his cape moved on it's own. "Noir helps me with my task."

"Noir?" Sasha asked curiously.

"My cape," the knight explained. "He too is sentient."

Megan looked thoughtful. "But...Knightmare Knight is what you are," she said.

"Yes," he said.

Sage saw what his little sister was driving at. "Well, we were wondering if you'd object to...a new name," he said hesitantly.

Rachel and Sasha smiled as the kids had already discussed the issue with them and Forrest spoke up. "You're our friend and we wanted to officially welcome you as our uncle for saving Mom," he said.

The knight was surprised. "As an uncle?" He inquired.

"Yeah," Courtney said. "Any friend of the family pretty much becomes family for us."

"Especially when they help Mommy or the others in our family," Summer said.

"You saved me and Mommy and then you saved Auntie Rachel," Megan said. "You're our uncle."

He smiled. "I'm honored you children think of me as such," he said before looking at Rachel and Sasha. "You are in agreement with the children?"

Both nodded. "You've proven yourself to be our friend," Sasha said. "And you're a hero to us."

"The kids came up with a good name for you," Rachel said, smiling. "I think you'll like it."

"Oh?" He asked. "What name is that?"

The kids all grinned before the younger ones looked at Sage, as he was the oldest. He smiled and looked back at the knight. "Lancelot," he said.

"He's a character from one of our favorite stories," Courtney said.

"He's brave and fights for the king," Forrest said.

"And he's noble too, like you," Summer said.

Megan looked hopeful. "What do you think?" She asked.

"Lancelot," he said thoughtfully. "Hmm. I believe I know the story you children speak of."

Seeing the kids look hopeful, he chuckled. "I like it," he said with a nod.

"As do I," King Lauhin said and raised his scepter. The knight bowed before him. "From now on, you shall be known as Lancelot, the Knightmare Knight, one of our most trusted allies."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Lancelot said and stood up. "And thank you, children."

Summer was first to react and ran to Lancelot, glomping him. Forrest and Megan quickly followed before Courtney and Sage got pulled into the hug too as the knight hugged the five children, making Rachel and Sasha smile.

Just then, Rook and Whampire came running in. "Rachel!" Rook called out.

She stood up. "Rook," she replied as he ran up to her and lifted her up into his arms, not caring who was watching as he held her close, giving her a quick, but loving, kiss.

"My love, are you alright?" He asked worriedly.

Rachel smiled. "I'm fine, Hon," she said softly. "Our family got me out of there."

He looked relieved. "When Sir Daniel told me what happened...," he trailed off and hugged her harder. "It was like the time that Rayona tried to replace you."

"Shh," she soothed, rubbing his back. "It's okay, Rook. You're never going to lose me, hon. That's a promise."

He rested his head on her shoulder, trying to calm his breathing. He had been so worried he had lost her, but she was alright and relief filled him, though he didn't want to let her go for a bit, something she understood and let him hold her. King Lauhin placed a hand on Rook's shoulder. "She's alright, Rook," he said comfortingly.

His reassurance helped the Revonnahgander, who gave him a grateful look. Whampire smiled too before he went up to Sasha. "My angel, are you alright?" He asked.

She nodded. "Sir Daniel and Jocu got the Nitian that was pretending to be Rachel and then Jocu got us here and they went out to get Rachel," she said. "We're all safe."

"Thank goodness," he said, hugging her before feeling Megan and Sage hugging him. "Hello, my little ones."

Rook felt his three children hug him and he hugged them in return, glad they were alright too. Rachel turned to Lancelot, smiling. "Welcome to the family, Lancelot," she said warmly.

"Thank you, my sister," he said with a bow.

King Lauhin nodded. "Another victory over the Nitians," he said and then chuckled. "To think they thought you worked for them, Lancelot."

"They were sadly mistaken," Lancelot said. "I served you and your family, Your Majesty."

He then turned to see the five children responsible for his new name behind him and he smiled. "Though while I mostly help people sleep after nightmares plague them, I am a Tickle Knight as well."

"Eek!" Megan and Summer mock-squealed, beginning to run, Forrest following them. Courtney and Sage laughed before seeing Lancelot had his gaze on them too and they quickly ran, following the younger children as Lancelot and the Black Tickle Knights playfully gave chase.

The adults laughed in amusement and Rachel and Sasha shook their heads, but couldn't stop smiling. Sasha then hugged her older sister, who silently returned the hug as King Lauhin nodded, also smiling.

The story the kids are referring to is "A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court" by Mark Twain.

A bit more about Lancelot: He helps people who are plagued with nightmares and helps them sleep better. His cape is named Noir, which is French for black, and is sentient, and has the power to ease people to sleep and if Noir wraps around someone, that part of him becomes a blanket for that person, a blanket that keeps nightmares away. He can also extend his length, which helps in battle.

And that concludes The Knightmare Knight. Thank you all who reviewed, faved, followed, and read this story. :)

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