Summary: First fanfic, centered around Percival and the relationships between the Knights of the Round Table. I don't own anything!
Swords clanked and clashed on the training field, the steel glinting in the sunlight. Arthur's knights were at the peak of their training, and the recent ambush on the western part of Camelot's lands from Mercia proved that they could only get better.
Percival and Gwaine were paired up, which they both enjoyed. Gwaine was spry and light on his feet, but his muscle was no match for Percival's bulging biceps and hulking shoulders. Gwaine sidestepped and dodged Percival's sword, then somersaulted on his shoulder, coming up behind Percival. When training, the orders were to disarm only, and Gwaine could think of one logical way to do that. He used the hilt and hit Percival right in his shoulder muscle – unexpectedly, Percival went down faster than he could blink, with no idea of what had just happened.
"Arthur!" came Gwaine's cry, jolting Arthur's attention from Leon's sword. Leon and Arthur immediately plunged their swords into the ground and took off in the direction of Gwaine's voice – a tone like that could only mean one thing.
Percival laid on the ground on his side with Gwaine hunched over him, a look of worry and helplessness etched on his face. "I don't know what went wrong, I just hit him on the shoulder" he said in his familiar lilt. "It's alright, Gwaine, I'm sure Gaius will sort him out," Leon reassured as Arthur turned Percival on his back and started lightly slapping his cheek, hoping he would regain consciousness.
Arthur noticed four young knights that had stopped training as soon as the scene unfolded before them, calling for them to come nearer. "Quickly boys, let's get Percival here in to Gaius. Pick up a limb and move as quick as you can." Each boy grabbed an arm or a leg, and Arthur supported his head as Leon and Gwaine followed, looking exceptionally morose.
The trip from the training field to the old physician's chambers seemed to be twice as long as normal, and Gwaine was especially sensitive to how the young knights' footfalls seemed to wobble as they spread mud and grass along their path. Merlin appeared seemingly out of nowhere about midway through their trek, automatically taking into account Gwaine's expression and Percival's continued unconsciousness.
Finally, they were at the old oak door, which Merlin jumped ahead and opened, taking special care to move Gaius's familiar potions and pestles to form a space for Percival to lie. Gaius greeted his party with a stoic "What happened?" as soon as they crossed the threshold. The young knights laid Percival on the table with as much gentleness as 18-year old boys have, while Gwaine took the time to explain how the training accident happened. Arthur dismissed the young knights with a quick nod, and they immediately retreated, Leon following behind.
As soon as the five men left the room, Arthur sprang into action – "Can you fix him, Gaius? What is it?" Gaius had his large magnifying glass out and was examining Percival's forehead by candlelight. "I'm not sure yet, Sire, but you'd better leave me to it" was his gruff answer. Merlin hovered close by, bringing poultices and more candles closer to Percival's still frame. Gwaine had already sat down in the chair in the corner, bracing himself for a long, guilt-filled night of waiting. After all, it was his doing that brought them all here, and brought the glimmer of worry into Arthur's eyes.
Arthur finally stood up and noticed Gwaine in the corner. He gave a quick nod and said, "See you tomorrow, Merlin", and then, with a hand gently on his shoulder, quietly told Gwaine, "Give me an update when you have it. I'm sure he's going to be fine."