Percival entered the clearing, cautiously on the lookout for Morgana or any of her cronies. That was when he spotted Gwaine's lifeless form, still in chainmail, hauberk and voiders, tied by the wrists to thick overhead branches like a wild animal. Percival growled in disgust at such treatment, his blood running cold. He rushed up to him, not wanting to believe the scene before him. Percival crouched down and held Gwaine's face in his enormous hands, a single tear running down his cheek. He shook uncontrollably, the sight of his fellow knight's tortured form bringing forth barely contained grief. Being the big muscle-man of the group, this was the first time Percival had cried in at least a decade. But Gwaine had been like the brother he never had, more than a comrade, more than a best friend. He put Gwaine's forehead to his, letting loose a pained sob and a torrent of tears. Leaves and twigs crunched under his heavy boots as he rocked gently back and forth.
That was when he felt something twitch in his hands. He opened his eyes to be met with another pair, chocolate-brown and filled with pain and happiness. A smile spread across Percival's face. He might just burst into fresh sobs, from the pure ecstasy now coursing through him.
"Gwaine!" he gasped, "You're.. I-I thought..."
"Scared you a bit, did I?" Gwaine said, barely above a whisper. Percival didn't reply, only pulled Gwaine into a tight embrace, forgetting the thick ropes around his wrists.
"Hey, you couldn't untie these, could you?" Gwaine asked. Percival nodded and set to work, with surprisingly nimble fingers for a man of his size.
"Hey, weren't you tied up as well? How'd you get out?" Gwaine asked, still weak from the intense pain.
"Gave them a bit of a tug, came apart easy," Percival said, still ecstatic that he hadn't lost his friend. He finished untying the rope with a flourish. He helped Gwaine to stand, who was rubbing between his shoulderblades where he had been bitten.
"That Nethair is a nasty piece of work," Gwaine said. He remembered what Elyan had told him after his experience with the hell-serpent. 'Nasty piece of work' didn't seem to cover it. 'Source of great agony and terror' seemed more appropriate.
"Whatever. Let's just get you home."