It had been two months of travelling. They hadn't seen a thing, hadn't been able to find any hint of any fae. It was if they had disappeared completely. Yet occasionally both Eleesia and Lancelot would sense them. However, they hid, they did it well, somewhat wiser after the paladins massacre. Eleesia sensed there was more to the story, and often wondered if magic was employed. She also wondered if they deliberately hid from them, or if it was just hiding completely from everyone. She hoped beyond hope it was the later. She was tiring of travelling, and it wasn't helped that the last two weeks, she had felt ill, her breasts feeling heavy and painful. Lancelot had noticed differences in Eleesia, had seemed more caring and protective of her. she had been taught from her kind different symptoms and remedies. She had a sneaking suspicion this was a joint cause of her and Lancelot. She only hoped they could find their kind before the paladins found them. If she were correct, she wouldn't be much use in fighting soon enough. She watched the scenery pass, her mind occupied by her worries.
Lancelot himself was more aware of their surroundings. And of his wife. He had noticed differences about her, and although she hadn't confided in him about her symptoms, had noticed her sneaking out of camp early in the mornings. He had followed her worried, had seen her empty the contents of her stomach. He dared not go to her, worried she would take his presences the wrong way. He trusted her, but worried for her. she had also seemed to have developed an aversion to cooking meat and often made excuses for her absence when he prepared their meals. Even squirrel had noticed, although he kept his comments to himself, instead watching Eleesia closely. Lancelot was no fool. Although he had been raised in the faith, through the church, he also knew a lot of other things. It wasn't hard when in the presences of others. He had also felt the difference in sensing her, and her scent had changed subtly. He hoped beyond hope, his suspicions were correct. It would be a gift he didn't ever think he would ever receive. And yet he knew now more than ever, he needed to protect her.
Although Eleesia was safe with their people, he knew without a doubt, she was in terrible danger should the church ever learned of this. and so, he kept guard, protecting the two most important people in his life. The horses ambled on, and he tried numerous times to extend his senses. They were currently going through paths within the mountains, but he could not detect any hints of their people. It wasn't for lack of trying. He had his own suspicions, there was magic at play here, serious magic. He did not believe it was magic that the fey had access to. Otherwise he himself would not have been able to track and kill so many of his own kind. No this was something else. If confused him, irritated, and frustrated him. He understood it could be because he was present. He had tried to have Eleesia and squirrel go on ahead of him, hoping they would be able to connect with others. But they both refused to leave him. He was grateful truly, but he feared he couldn't fight the entirety of the church on his own. Although it wouldn't stop him trying if he had to.
This morning, Eleesia had looked worse then normal. He looked to her, his eyes cataloguing her, gauging her health. Her face was pale, her hair limp. One arm was wrapped around her waist, the other clenching the reins of her horse tightly. Her jaw looked stiff, no doubt clenching her teeth. Her body was stiff, and she overall seemed lacklustre in composition. Lancelot gritted his teeth, his gaze once again moving to face the path ahead of them. He spotted a clearing ahead, and making a swift decision, nudged his horse to Eleesia's side to free her horses reins from her hand. She glanced briefly to him, before relinquishing them, then slumped slightly in the saddle, like she no longer had the energy to maintain awareness. Lancelot then knew he had made the right decision. He guided the horses to the clearing, dismounting, and helping both squirrel and Eleesia off the horses. He led Eleesia over to lean against some boulders, requesting squirrel get the water skin, checking her pallor and passing his hand lovingly and comfortingly down the scar on the side of her face. Her eyes met his and her quiet voice reached him.
'i'm ok'. She sounded miserable. Lancelot fed her some water when squirrel returned. He watched her closely.
'rest my love' he implored her. Eleesia relaxed some, her eyes closing in gratitude. Lancelot watched her for a moment before leaving the skin beside her and getting to his feet. He walked towards the path they had followed, before stopping, his hands clenched. Turning her looked towards Eleesia, watching her steady breaths as she lay listlessly propped against the boulder. His eyes found squirrel who watched on warily, recognising Lancelot's mood. Lancelot dropped his gaze to the ground and starting pacing back towards the two, stopping before he reached them, turning to pace towards the path. He kept pacing, his hands clenching tightly all the while, his teeth gritted, glancing occasionally at Eleesia all the while. He felt unsure, weak, and useless. He wasn't sure what to do. As these thoughts scrolled through his mind, his anger sparked, raging higher and higher. Suddenly he turned, sensing fey. He moved towards it quickly, following it up the path they were headed towards. Then suddenly it disappeared. In a sudden fit of anger, Lancelot spun a complete circle before screaming seemingly into the air before him.
'stop hiding! Can't you see she's ill? She needs help yet you hide like cowards! I am no longer any threat to you! She holds me accountable. Can't you see, i'm hers to command. I serve only her! help her!' his voice teetered off into the breeze, his breaths heaving in his chest. when no acknowledgement of his words happened, he turned, growling, returning to Eleesia's side. Squirrel sat with her, watching Lancelot intently. Lancelot briefly glanced at squirrel, slightly shaking his head. Squirrel sighed sadly and turned to Eleesia as Lancelot knelt at her other side. Lancelot gently picked up Eleesia's limp hand, resting his forehead gently against the side of her face. Closing his eyes, his voice rasped out.
'I'm sorry… I failed you' his voice broke and all the anger drained from his body. They stayed quiet and still like that, the breeze, and quiet mountains a silent witness to Lancelot's spiralling sadness. Suddenly a flurry of movement happened. Squirrel started, Lancelot flew to his feet, freeing is sword from its sheath to hold it aloft threateningly in front of him. However, what his sight met was…unexpected. Infront of him stood fey, his senses running wild from them. There was a manner of weapons pointed at him, but still he stood, his sword up. No one moved, in case that movement was interpreted wrong. A fey man stepped forwards slowly, his eyes catching Lancelot's.
'put your sword down slowly grey monk. We mean her and the boy no harm…. you however we don't trust. Submit to being restrained.' Lancelot heard the warning, and yet he didn't move. He wasn't sure if these fey could be trusted. His senses were untrustworthy at that time, firing rapidly in a dizzying confusion after so long of absence of fey. His eyes sharpened as several bows pointed at seemed to be drawn back further. His body was strung tight, muscles bunched ready to act.
'did you not hear me monk?' questioned the fey man threateningly. Lancelot's eyes drifted towards him, his gaze assessing.
'I heard' he replied, making no move to comply. A movement towards the back of the group followed by a female voice sounded. He watched as a fey woman came towards him, followed by a rather tall bald man behind him. He sensed them both, he also sensed the power in them. He knew the magic concealing the fey came from one of them. The woman stopped next to the other fey man, her empty hand, held out to him as if to stop him.
'please lower your sword. We have come to help her' her voice sounded almost desperate, her eyes jumping between him and the two he sort to protect. He considered the woman in front of him, his eyes as sharp as an eagle.
'only you can pass. See to her, but I wont lower my sword' her eyes met his, and she seemed to consider his words seriously. The taller man behind him reached towards her, his hand alighting on her shoulder. however, his eyes bore into Lancelot, the threat in them clear.
'touch her and ill kill you. She goes untouched'. Lancelot looked at the man, then one single simple nod from him graced the mans request with acknowledgment. The man pulled back on the woman's shoulder and she turned to look to him.
'Nimue, be careful.' A small grateful smile graced her lips.
'he wont hurt me father' she said in reply. He looked at her exasperated.
'he protects them, I have no doubt he would kill if he feels they are threatened' Nimue again looked at merlin with a small smile.
'I know' she replied. With that she gently pulled from his grasp, turning to watch Lancelot closely as she moved towards Eleesia slowly. He allowed her past, his eyes not once finding her, instead staying on the perceived threat in front of him. She went to Eleesia's side, her hand resting against the woman's face. Eleesia's eyes opened, falling on Nimue. A gratefully relieved smile faintly lit her lips.
'finally,' she said. Nimue smiled at Eleesia, before concentrating on the connection of their skin. Nimue called to the hidden to aid her in administering to Eleesia. A few moments of stillness, then a smile slowly crept onto Nimue's face as the hidden helped her to see Eleesia's ailment. When her eyes captured Eleesia's again, they were filled with unshed tears of joy.
'you are with child' her voice was loud enough to carry, at least to Lancelot. His turned at her words, dropping his sword and rushing to the women's side. Nimue looked to him, smiling, and quickly moving aside so that Lancelot could get closer to Eleesia. His hands framed the face of his wife, hers coming to curl around his wrists.
'my beloved wife, the gift you have given me' he sealed his words with a deep kiss. All the while, Nimue turned to squirrel who rushed into her arms, both tearful at being reunited. they returned to the others, Nimue motioning them to lower the weapons. Although they did, they still held them at the ready, in case they were needed. None of the trusted this traitor…. this killer. Merlin wrapped an arm around Nimue's shoulder, half hugging her while Nimue hugged squirrel to her. they watched as Lancelot let down his guard enough to show them, he did indeed feel. As if he felt them, he moved, his body turning towards them, half covering Eleesia. His eyes focused on Nimue as she began to speak.
'she weak, is in need of medicine and other substance. I suspect she hasn't been able to eat?' Lancelot stayed silent. It was all the confirmation Nimue needed.
'we can help her. but you will be our prisoner. I promise she will come to no harm.' Lancelot considered Nimue. He turned to Eleesia for a moment, looking deeply into her gaze. She nodded at Lancelot lightly, a comforting smile of her face. He took her hand in his, raising it to his lips, his eyes intent on hers. He returned her nod barely, before he turned back to Nimue. He stood, watching as the weapons rose to target him again. He carefully, slowly walked towards the group. Halfway to them, he stopped dropping to his knees and holding his arms straight out in front of him together confidently. No one moved for a moment, assessing the seriousness of Lancelot's actions. His husky voice broke the moment.
'for her and her only do I concede.' Nimue nodded, and merlin came forth to tie Lancelot's wrists together. Afterwards he helped him to his feet, turning as others approached. Among them was Arthur. When Arthur reached them, he looked into Lancelot's gaze, his face expressionless. Then he swung with his right fist, catching Lancelot in the side of his chin hard. Lancelot moved with the blow, then straightened after, making faces as he stretched his jaw to determine the damage and ease out the pain.
'I've been waiting a long time for that. and its no where near what you deserve'. Eleesia who had been helped up by Nimue and pim spoke as they sidled up to them.
'an animal cant be blamed for what its environment has taught it. Why should Lancelot be blamed for what they did to him? How does that make us any better?' her words met with silence, as several pairs of eyes turned her way.
'do not speak of what you no not. You don't have all the facts' Eleesia warned Arthur gravely. Lancelot looked at Nimue and spoke.
'get her out of here please.' Nimue nodded at Lancelot. Eleesia was weak. They needed to leave. The group banded together getting ready to depart, Lancelot willingly being led behind them by merlin as several fey still kept arms targeted at him. He knew this was only the start.