Sir Lancelot Du Lac, Knight of the Lake

Forgive the shudder in my writing, for when last I wrote, I believed those words would be my last.

Yet here I stand once more, breathing, alive by some miracle when I should not be. As the sun rose on the horizon that morning, and my lungs filled with air, I found that my heart still beats.

And that miracle, I now understand, was you.

You, my liege, had wielded the power of legends. The Chaos Emeralds you spoke of, those tales of unimaginable power, and you, humble and noble as you are, had drawn upon their force to return me to this world.

You had returned me to this world.

How could I begin to thank you? How could I ever thank you for such a gift? To have been granted something so rare, so extraordinary, feels like a blessing beyond my worth.

I am sorry for burdening you with the grief of my absence.

Nevertheless, in that place between life and death, I saw a world beyond the one we know, a land untouched by battle. There was peace there, Sonic, peace I had long forgotten in the chaos of this life. Though even in a serene realm such as that, it dimmed without your light present.

Sire, I am grateful to be alive, for it means I may once again cherish your presence.

Forever indebted to you,

Though you may never find this letter, I write in hope that someday you might.

I fear my quest is coming to an end, Sire, for it has been a long and agonising few months.

We have battled valiantly with the forces that dare threaten to take away the land you ruled, we fought and lost many amidst the rains of arrows. The army that remained, and I, led them far up to the mountains and away from your people.

The treacherous conditions of nature's towers have aided us, yet it may mark the end of my journey. Forgive my handwriting, the icy chill of the wind draws cruel.

I laugh, with what breaths of mine likely remain, and smile with my dampened eyes at the notion of the wind of yours ever hurting me.

An impossible task, I thought.

Your honestly always was an admirable quality of yours, and so I must be honest with you.

I fear I am succumbing to the injuries I collected in this battle of honour, Sonic.

What few brave men remain, lay, and I pray peacefully, in a mournful trail leading up to the cliff of where I reside now. If I could draw or paint like the artists you were so fond of, I would show you the magnificent view I have from this ledge of mine.

It embodies everything I loved about you.

Have no fear, I believe I will be comfortable here, rested against the gentle moss and smooth stones.

I face the world eastward, an almost reminder of all the times we had that I cherish in the kingdom below, and a chance for the rising sun to warm me one last time, as I go on my way to the other side.

Perhaps I'll see you there, Sire.

Though that may be the selfish side of me speaking, I have and always will pray that you are still home with the family you spoke so longingly of.

The world needs you far more than it needs me, Sonic.

I have fulfilled my duty as a Knight, I hope it was enough to have made you proud. My eyes are growing tired and I feel my breath falter beneath the toll of battle. I'm afraid this is all I may write.

I will lay here, facing the rising sun, and place down my paper and quill.

I shall savour each crisp breath of thin air, and rest in the comfort of your presence.

From my body, flowers shall grow.

I am them, and that is eternity.

We shall meet again, Sonic, amidst a celestial tapestry of the stars.

Yours lovingly,

Oh, how I wish to speak with you, just one more time.

Though I acknowledge that these letters may never grace your sight again, I trust you would find comfort in this solace that grows within me as I pen the emotions weighing upon my heart.

This realm of ink and paper lets me safely release these feelings, allowing them to flutter and soar like wondrous butterflies.

It grants me that of closure, knowing that these words serve as a testament to the love and memories we once shared, tenderly preserved within these pages.

I am forever changed by the mark you left on my soul.

In this continued act of writing, I find myself ever more connected to the essence of your being, as though you were gently guiding my pen with the touch of a noble hand.

I cherish the memories we created, holding them close as if they threaten to slip away with the passage of time.

Slowly, I'm learning to draw strength from these memories we shared.

Despite the void you left seeming insurmountable, it is an endearing reminder that life can be as cruel as it is beautiful.

This loss is a shadow that clings to my every step, a constant reminder of the emptiness that haunts our once vibrant world, an ache that refuses to fade with time.

Still, even in the depths of my loss, your essence remains an ethereal beacon, guiding my path as I journey through this world without you.

Oh, Sonic, how I long for the sound of your laughter, the warmth of your embrace, and the unwavering courage that defined you.

In your absence, I find myself adrift in a restless sea of grief.

On these long nights, I whisper your name, praying that somehow, you can hear me across the realms that separate us.

I cling to the belief that love transcends time and space, and one day, our souls shall reunite in the embrace of eternity.

But for now, I'll allow the weight of losing you to envelop me for a while longer.

Forever missing you,

As these letters sit idly on your desk, collecting dust and sorrow, it reminds me of the days we have survived without your gracious lead, Sire.

While writing has been a source of solace for me, as of late it feels as though the act of putting pen to paper has only added to the weight these words I write hold in my heart.

I feel each entry reflects a piece of my soul, Sonic, parts of me that I have poured out longingly onto these pages.

As I ponder them now, I cannot help but feel a sense of melancholy arising.

However, I believe you would find such pride in me following my heart.

I find myself thinking about your whereabouts often, wondering what you are doing or who you may be with, and how blessed they are to be in your presence.

Oh, how I miss the sound of your laughter, the warmth of your embrace, your smile that would light up my world, the way your touch would ignite a spark within me, and the way your gentle voice would soothe my aching soul.

I trust they treat you well, for I know you are strong enough to never settle for less than you deserve, even amidst your admirable humbleness and modesty.

I wish, I beg the Gods could tell you that I'll always cherish the memories of our love, how much I miss you, and how overjoyed I am that you have returned to your home.

I will always find comfort in your happiness, my love.

Lovingly,

I have never held you closer in my heart than now.

I have watched the rise and fall of the sun every passing day, knowing you would be too in the place you reside.

It has been a journey accepting that we are together no more, my love.

Though it has always sat heavily in my heart, I will forever hold your happiness far above my own, you longed to return home with all the adventures that awaited you.

As you wished, Sire.

Whilst I know we will someday be together again, my yearning in your absence only cements the true depth of my love.

As I pray each night, through cries of longing and sorrow, I pray to let you know that I love you and have never stopped loving you since the day we lost you.

That I lost you, Sonic.

When I reminisce on you and our rich conversations, I feel that warmness inside. Warmth that grows from my chest to my fingertips from your touch, your laughter and foolish grins

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and my fondness has no bounds.

I cannot hide my smiles, Sire, even when we are apart.

Though, many have asked to know what happened to reveal this fond and loving side of myself.

I tell them, without hesitation, that it was you.

And I wish to keep your spirit alive amongst these castle walls, but I fear I am not strong enough to carry on.

This pain of longing to see you once again brings tears of shining grief to my eyes more and more through every passing night.

However, until I can see you and hold you again, you will remain omnipresent in my dreams.

ㅤ

Forever mourning,

In these endless days of missing you, I cannot entertain the idea of another in your place.

No greater good had ever blessed our Kingdom than you, Sonic. With your powerful spirit not only brought strength and hope to your people, but a sense of pride for those who ever spoke of you, gratitude and determination from those you saved, joy spoken in your memory and sadness in your loss.

Though this longing has become a road I can walk forever, to see you once more would be worth the wait.

I found myself angry, Sire, betrayed by the Universe and Gods alike, those who brought us together only to dare take us apart.

Yet, I feel I am making my peace with it.

As much as there is the slight comfort of safety in learning how to rely on myself without you, I miss your presence without measure.

Still, I have become as close to independent as one could be for a soul such as myself to reach, my dear. This is what I needed to achieve, to slowly learn and accept in order to heal.

I must learn to fight alone, Sire.

For now, I will continue to live and thrive each day, to continue the legacy you left behind with patience.

If I must wait for your arrival, then eternity isn't so long after all.

‎

Yours always,

The kingdom has caught word of your intention to depart, as have I.

I apologise that our time has been cut short, and that I was never able to give what your world gave you. Yet, I will never regret the love we found together.

I have not loved many people in my time.

The day I met you, a mere knave in the woods, I would never have known I would find more than an opponent. Instead, something far more valuable.

A noble king, a lover.

My liege, you are wise, brave and far strong enough to carry on without my presence.

As deeply as it pains to never again feel your warmth beside me.

For my final letter, I only ask that you remember our world.

Remember us through endless stories of our grand adventures, of heroic battles against forces of evil, tales of all magic and knighthood alike.

Keep running, Sire.

Run to wherever your heart may take you, to where your free spirit longs to be. As no matter where I reside, perhaps even lifetimes apart, I shall forever remember you.

It will never be goodbye with you, my love, only farewell.

Perhaps someday, somewhere in another life, we'll meet again.

Farewell, Sonic, Knight of the wind.

Yours always,

Sir Lancelot Du Lac

The words of a true King far conquer any battle we may face, you are a wise keeper of peace, one who is fair and shows equal love to all.

You are brave on the inside, willing to see your flaws and work to be a better, kinder, King. You are brave on the outside, leading from the front regardless of personal cost to save your Kingdom.

That is a true King.

Though you may believe you must present flawless to your people, a polished version to inspire confidence, you need not with me.

This weighted fear of not being enough, of failing your duty, your purpose as King being unfulfilled remains a heavy apprehension to carry alone.

As your guard, Knight and lover alike, I can assure you that you are enough. You never needed the power nor the wealth greedy hearts develop to lead gracefully, you asked for nothing of the sort.

That's the example that helped our nation on the path to healing.

My dear, you are forever enough for me. And as such, you never need ask for my love.

It is always yours, Sire.

Yours dearly,

My winding quest is coming to an end, yet I fear I may not return until the moon lays to rest tomorrow.

This journey has brought me many hardships, but has given me the gift of time to appreciate how dearly I long to have you beside me.

I miss your voice, sire.

I listen to you talk, bathing in the warmth of your voice, soaking in your excitement through every word.

I miss your loving gaze.

I stare unknowingly into a deep pool of emerald green, lost in the beautiful shine that is your eyes, fearing if I venture too far, I may never return.

I miss you, sire.

How the light danced on the cobalt sheen of your quills, how your smile was ever contagious, how the hope and strength you manifested every day left your people in awe.

I long to reunite with the Kingdom, as I long to be with you.

Love,

For I apologise greatly, but I write to you during this moon-lit hour asking for forgiveness.

As your Knight, I have never thought nor spoken uncertainly of your position as our King. I have watched your efforts and dedication to your Kingdom with much admiration.

You are a great Knight, and an even greater King.

Although my heart will forever belong to the Kingdom and it's people, it still remains longing for the fallen King you took place of.

Though the lives you lived are different, I still feel his spirited presence with you. From the shine in your eyes to the sound of your laughter, I hear his voice echo behind you. I smile with the bittersweet notion it brings, and how much I long to see him again.

My dear Arthur, for one more time I ask; How many lives will I have to lead until I find my way back to you?

My heart feels lost, looking for a goodbye I never got to say.

Sir Sonic, you never thank the ground until you know how it feels to fall, or just how much you need the sun until it doesn't rise at all.

I ask for your forgiveness, forgiveness for taking you for granted during our first encounter.

It takes a great spirit to come through so very much and become the person that you are. I admire you greatly, Sire.

Yours lovingly,

For I am not one to pry, my position as one of your trusted knights requires you to be a priority of mine. 

I could not help but notice the dullness of the castle walls, and the emptiness they brought, crawl in without your spirited presence to bring back the colour and life.

Your colour and life.

From the very ground you tread, to the innocent people you risk yourself to save time and time again, you always leave a wondrous trail of hope behind you. 

Though your world may seem as dull and empty as these castle walls right now, I can assure you one thing;

I will always be by your side, my dear. 

The hope you bring has never gone unrecognised, unwelcomed or unloved. Your selflessness and honour is, once more, nothing short of pure magic.

There is always hope. One rooted firmly in passion, and sheer will to run toward a better tomorrow, before the sun lays to rest on today.

Paint the castle walls with your passion.

I pray the Earth will bless you once again to find comfort in our world, and that you may return to yours in due time. 

Sincerely

Love,

Sir Lancelot Du Lac.

-A gift for the wonderful @silvermun from the @vee-skies and myself (@sonics-left-shoe), we hope it brings a smile to your face ❤️

From the moment the stars brought your wondrous soul to our kingdom, I was struck with a comfort in your presence.

A comfort in familiarity.

The more I draw closer to you, the more I begin to remember who I have lost. How every smile, every whisper and taunt brings me to an impossible conclusion that I have known you before.

In another time, a different place, some other existence - I have loved you before.

You are not our fallen King, no matter how much it pains to ponder in that thought, you are someone who shares the same beautiful heart.

You are Sir Sonic, honourable Knight of the wind.

Sincerely,

I pray this letter finds you well on this blessed summer evening. The warm rays of the afternoon sun against the various vibrant flora is nothing short of beautiful.

Even more so with your company on our outings.

I closed my eyes and could feel that the Earth and its essence were as much within you as they were within me, as if you too were born one with nature's gift.

Sire, you are nothing short of remarkable.

As I continue to be drawn to you in this highly discourteous manner, I cannot help but indulge in the joy of this fondness.

May these feelings push us to glory.

Sincerely,

I would like to compliment you on our recent sparring sessions. You are becoming a fine knight, and an even finer King.

Though our lives are very different, I assure I think no less of you. I chose loyalty to you freely, out of faith in your righteous heart, out of respect and admiration for your strength and wisdom, and for the compassion you show to others.

Like the knights I idolized as a child, I create my own chivalry to guide me.

Your efforts are appreciated and admired by the people you swore to protect.

We can do this together, sire.

Sincerely,

For my duties may require great patience as a knight, I have no hurry to escape the task of protecting you.

To see the sorrow in your eyes lift as you sway to an overheard tune, to see the excitement in your smile when your presence is needed, to feel the sheer love and life coursing through your heart, each makes my duty evermore rewarding.

Whilst my place as a knight demands time away from you, I will long for precious moments like these where I may see you again.

Fear not, my liege, I will always come back to my place by your side.

For now, I will treasure the moments I can watch, if only to simply see you smile.

Sincerely,

I did not receive the honour of your company today. Whilst I am aware of my status, and I know I am not worthy of your time or kindness, I still yearn for you when we are apart.

Forgive me when I am found distracted, I am counting the mere moments until we can meet again.

While I hear words of those who wish to tear you down, to question your ability as a King, trust that my voice will be beckoned upon them.

I have faith that ruling the way you are is much stronger, and makes you much more capable than any of those who dare to question you.

I wish for your freedom from gruelling meetings, Sonic.

Sincerely,

Sonic,

Although I am merely a Knight, you insist on requesting my company on your royal duties.

However, we are always late on our travels. You insist on stopping to see every creature, every moss-ridden stone, you insist on guiding a family of ducks safely across busy village pathways.

Your heart knows no bounds.

You ache for exhilaration, for justice, for freedom, to be as a falcon diving perilously close to the Earth - only to rise again.

Your fearlessness is terrifying, yet admirable all at once. I do not wish to clip your wonderous wings of freedom, Sire.

Instead, I offer to soar alongside you.

Sincerely,