Anime: Inuyasha X BBC Merlin
Pairing: Kagome X Percival (Loyalty with hints of Romance)
"Halt!"
The party of knights slowed to a stop, Kagome's fingers curled tightly into the fabric of Merlin's tunic, azure peering out behind the servants shoulder to watch the King as he reigned in his horse. The trail they had been following had opened into sizeable clearing, just ahead laid the splitting of their roads.
"We shall make camp here. Going further will only leave us in dangerous roads overnight." The auricomous motioned to the clearing, and slowly, the knights dismounted their steads. Taking that as her queue, Kagome swung herself down dexterously, flicking back the cloak she had been given and stately made her way along the edges of the glade, pausing here and there to collect useful kindling to begin the building of a fire. Years in the feudal era taught her how to survive, and just because she had been locked away, awaiting a foolish prophesy, did not mean she had forgotten how to persevere.
The hairs on the back of her next stood on end, alerting her to a pair of curious eyes following her every move, Kagome paused and slanted her gaze to the source of the prickling sensation.
"May I assist you, your highness?" she queried, Arthur raised his hands in mock defeat.
"I was merely appraising your movements, after all, you were just imprisoned and left to die." The King's true question was not lost on her, she let out a long suffering sigh and continued her current distraction.
"I was imprisoned by the hands of my Lord Brother." Her voice was soft, though she spoke with enough clarity for the men to hear her. Once she was content with the kindling she had collected, she moved to the centre of the dell, kneeling at the circle of stones and carefully beginning to set up the wood properly, pulling grass to help start the flames.
"Punishment for a foolish decision made in the grief of losing my husband."
"You were married? What did you do for your Lord Brother to bestow such a cruel punishment?" Arthur had moved closer, taking a seat in the grass. He had finally gotten the girl speaking, and felt if he interrupted to give orders that she may not continue her story. This however did not stop the knights from beginning their duties nonetheless.
"I was. Sesshomaru-sama... My Lord Brother... shares not the same blood as me, but shares in a bond, in a vow given by my husband. When I discovered my Inuyasha had been lost in battle, I was furious and disheartened. During his attempts to console me, I spoke of an incident best left alone, and when scolded I lashed out. He deemed me dangerous, and had me locked up in the cell."
"Seems harsh.." Merlin pipped in, coming to kneel beside the woman, watching as she easily struck stones and gained sparks. She was smart, and had a fire snapping within moments. Arthur looked between the two with a sort of secretive smile that had the servant scowling.
"You are most welcome to remain in Camelot, M'Lady." He gave pause before speaking again. "You refer to your brother as a Lord. What lands do you come from?"
"Westhaven."
Behind them Percival froze, the logs in his grasp almost falling. This fumble was not lost on the King whose brow rose.
"You know of this land then, Percival?"
The lumbering knight acknowledged his kinds words.
"Westhaven. My homeland, is a dangerous sort. Filled to the brim with magic users and creatures that would ne'er dare take step upon the soil of Camelot. Secretive lot, they have a law, one strictly abided by all. Those of magical descent may not take leave to lands that have banished the practises. They have no Kings there, but follow their Lord, our Lady Kagome's vow brother, without question or hinderance." He paused, searching the woman's face for a moment before continuing on with his tale.
"Years ago, the kingdom was invaded, among the generals to take the lead was Lord Inuyasha, as close to a Prince as Westhaven will ever get. His life was forfeit to save that of his men, a valiant sacrifice that brought the invasion to a swift end. Alas, the news being brought to Kagome was something of a disaster. For her own protection, Lord Sesshomaru locked her away, to give her time to grieve without being a danger to herself. He waited a full moon cycle before sending for her release. Only she was no longer there, her cell was empty. A great being of magic claimed that she had been sent to a far land, and that only one of great potential would be able to find her."
'He mentions not the truth in its entirety' That melodias sound filled Merlin's mind again, and he chanced a glance to the woman, she was watching the fire intently, as if it had secrets to offer up. 'That the story is well over three thousand years old. My brother will still be searching, he never has given up on pack.'
Merlin cocked a brow, focusing on his answer. 'How is that possible?'
'You, of all here should be able to accept that magic can extend life. There are many forms of magic in our world Merlin.' Her focus was torn when Percival appeared before her, bowing, apologies on his lips.
"This has never been of your own fault, Ser Percival. My brother gave no choice, he left me to be guarded by those in the dungeons. It has been so long, and yet still you hold true to a duty placed upon you." Her voice had a lilting in its tones, ones that were unparalleled.
Arthur was lost in his confusion and the perplextion only grew when Percival nodded. "It's why I travelled to Camelot, I offered my services to King Arthur for he seemed the sort of great potential."
Her smile was soft, and she nodded. "Of course, you succeeded and for that you must not force yourself to keep to a long past promise. Should you wish to shed the binds of being my protector, you must follow the desires of your heart."
"It may have been a long time ago, but my oath has and always will remain. I once promised to protect you, and I will not fail again." Hand over his heart, the Knight of the realm bowed deep to the woman, until her fingers brushed his cheek, forcing him to rise.
"You have made new vows, my Knight." Truth whispered, yet it still bit like a whip.
Percival turned towards Arthur, as if coming back unto himself, vows made in Westhaven were far more intense than those made in camelot. Magic had a stronger pull that the mere words of honor.
The King's searching gaze lay heavy upon the occupancy of the glade, however as his long silence came to an end, the corner of his lips quirked upwards. "Loyalty is hard to come by Percival. You have proven to be true to the heart of a Camelot Knight. If I ever expected you to be loyal to me, how could I ever ask you to break the loyalty to the Queen you first served."
Arthur clapped the Knight on the shoulder before leaning back, grinning. The others released collective breaths, returning to their duties. Kagome smiled, her hand reaching out to rest on Percival's opposing shoulder, comfort coming off of her in waves.
Silent steps crept between the tree's, avoiding the forgotten roots and branches. A borrowed bow was clasped in her hands, arrows hanging from their quiver at her side, feathers shimmying as the slow breeze pushed through each space. Her prey grazed, not a care in the world, three of its brothers hung from her belt limply, each with a bloody eye where she had ended their lives. She drew back the bowstring, a wordless prayer being offered up as she released the arrow, watching the rabbit slump over.
Fingers curled around the ears, yanking her catch up and adding it to the three at her hip. Azure raised, inspecting the ever lowering sun before spinning on her heels and making her way to the nearest river. Camelot was a strange land to her, she remembered reading about the adventures of Arthur and Merlin, but was unsure which stories she could trust. For now, her trek brought her to a small river, smooth rocks stained red, she was not the only one to clean her catch here, and doubted she would be the last. Crouching down, she got to work, skinning the rabbits without much thought as to what she was doing, the meat she wrapped in a leather bind, tucking it into the satchel Percival had given her, the bones she cleaned in the river, along with the fur, wrapping the bones she left them at the base of a tree, murmuring a small prayer for the lost souls under her breath. The furs she smoothed out and draped over her arm, she could trade these once she got to camelot, she needed the right wood to carve her own bow. That she could hunt for herself, but she needed some ingredients that just might not be available laying around the palace or surrounding woods.
With everything done, she made her way back towards the camp, pausing here and there to pick some herbs and berries. Travelling had taught her a great many lessons, more had been taught once everything had been said and done. When Westhaven had become its own lands, and Sesshomaru had taken up the leadership, many things had changed, and yet many had stayed the same. Arriving at the edges of camp, cerulean eyes watched the troupe with interest. A travelling pot had been pulled from somewhere, and awaited her return by the fire. The men had obviously found another source of water, for they had replenished their skins and were lounging around the flames, talking of their quests and planning the morrow's trip.
It was her knight who first noticed her return, his eyes steady and curious, though he spoke not and made no move to her, not until she stepped out of the brush and into plain sight. Seeing what she carried, he rushed to her side, alleviating her of the furs, he disappeared to the horses to store them. She smiled, watching him go, before moving over to the pot, happy to see some water already poured into its depth. Taking the squared rabbit meat, she let each bit drop into the water, moving it over the fire with a little help. She added the herbs and berries she found to the broth, only relaxing when Percival returned to her side.
Shamelessly, she tucked herself into his side, ignoring the raised brows of the other knights. Percival did not seem to mind, instead he leaned closer, taking in her scent for a moment, his nose brushing her hair. She grinned up at him, her eyes assuring him that she was back in his care. For all the pain she remembered from losing her husband, she did remember the good times she had with Percival, the comfort he provided.
She now had that comfort back, and could return the feelings he had so valiantly tried to hide.
Word Count: 1888
Prompt: I understand how you feel
