First Official Visit
By Montez
Disclaimer: see chapter one
Chapter 7
It was getting too dark for Leon to see, he had no idea how far he had run, praying none of the bandits were trying to follow. Looking through the shadowed darkness he could just make out a hollowed space where a large tree had fallen, its massive roots creating a sheltered area just big enough for himself and the Prince.
Gently laying his charge on the ground, wishing he had his cloak, so the younger boy was not directly on the cool earth, rubbing his hands over his face looking around. He took a few steps away trying to gather whatever small branches he could, he needed to get a fire lite, to help him check Arthur for injuries. Thirty minutes later found a small fire providing a little warmth and just enough light that the young knight could see the massive bruise that had taken over the right half of Arthur's face. Gently turning the Prince's head Leon noticed dried blood matted in the blond's hair. Turning him on his side Leon saw the gash on the back of the boy's neck, just at his hair line. Thankfully it wasn't deep but is spanned the width of his neck. The older boy's hands starting to shake as he tried to wipe some of the dried blood away, but with no water it was impossible.
Leaning back into their small shelter Leon pulled his charge up against him, wrapping his arms around the smaller boy in an attempt to keep him warm. His left hand coming to rub down his own face, noticing it was still shaking. Letting out a long sigh the reality of what had just happened a few hours ago slammed into him and he felt a sob make its way out, covering his mouth as if to stop the betrayal his emotions were creating. He was a knight, he shouldn't show his emotions, his fear, but at this moment he could not help it. It was his first major encounter; his training had kicked in during the confrontation and his assigned task had kept his focus on trying to get Arthur to safety even as the boy struggled to get to his father. His heart nearly stopped when he saw the blow the Prince had taken, his stillness terrifying, he had never realized that a blade had touched the boy. Then watching as his King fell, was he even still alive? were any of the knights? So many had gone down, whether with minor or mortal injuries he did not know.
Looking down at the unconscious Prince in his arms, he felt a tear break free. For all the training they had done together, with all the Prince seemed to take in and learn on this journey, Leon now only realized he was still just a small boy and at this moment so fragile looking. Pulling the boy closer to his side, he laid his own head on Arthurs for a moment and whispered, "I'll get you home, I promise," a deep breath released as sudden exhaustion overwhelmed him, "or die trying." The older boy's eyes slipping shut as the forest noises filled the night.
The attack happened a day and a half day from the citadel, Sir Richard left his fellow knights and King just hours after the ambush and rode full speed throughout the night. The sun had just risen, the castle coming to life with the morning routines when the exhausted Knight stormed into the courtyard. Several Knights and Sir Cador rushed out to meet him as he dismounted.
"What happened?" Sir Cador asked, realizing no one was with the newly arrived knight and that the horse had been pushed to its very limit.
"We were ambushed Sir, at least forty mercenaries attacked…" the knight was trying to catch his breath, the events and the mad overnight dash to the castle was catching up with him.
"What of the King?" Cador demanded.
"He was injured, unconscious when I departed. He had sustained a severe blow to the head and wound to his side, Sir Aaron was most concerned about the King being unable to be woken. They were finding a place for the night and should have set off by now." Sir Richard shifted as Sir Cador turned toward the knights behind him.
"Sir George, take as many men as you need, ride out immediately with supplies. Send someone to Gaius so he can prepare for the King's arrival." Turning back to Sir Richard, "How is the Prince? Was he protected during the attack?" Cador noticed a look cross the knight's face, the man glancing at his feet, "Sir Richard, what of the Prince and Sir Leon?"
"Sir Leon tried desperately to get the Prince to the trees, the boy broke away from him and ran toward his father when he saw the King knocked to his knee. The Prince tried so hard to get to the King, Sir Leon was fighting to get to his charge…" Sir Richard felt the weight of what he needed to say settle into his very soul.
"Sir Richard?" Cador's voice took on a desperate tone.
"Sir, the Prince fell," the young knight saw the blood drain from his commander's face, "from what I saw he took a hard blow from one of the bandits. I heard the King shouting, trying to get to his son. Sir Leon reached Arthur's side first and the last I saw he had the boy over his shoulder and was making his way to the trees. We don't know what happened after that. Once the fighting was over, we searched the surrounding area. The Prince's horse had fallen, and Leon's was found a short distance away, but we were unable to locate neither Sir Leon nor Prince Arthur. I'm sorry Sir Cador, that is all I know." Exhaustion finally caught up with Sir Richard, his knees buckling. Sir Cador catching the younger knight as several more swarmed in to carry their comrade to Gaius.
Sir Cador took a moment to look around and absorb what he had been told; several knights had fallen, their King was gravely injured, their young Prince was also injured and missing along with his own son. He had issued orders to those around him, his knights were preparing to ride out any moment and preparations were being made to address the King's injuries. Search parties needed to be dispatched to search for the Prince and Leon. He silently prayed they were both safe, he knew his son would not leave his charges side until he was returned safely home. Cador could only hope that it happened sooner rather than later.
Morning dawned, the sound of small animals nearby jerked Leon to awareness. Looking around the previous day's events came crashing back to the young knight, quickly he looked down at the boy at his side. Giving him a gentle shake, "Arthur?" the Prince didn't respond, worrying Leon. He needed to get the Prince help, but he was unsure exactly where they were. They needed to find some water soon then hopefully Leon could get his bearings and begin their journey home.
By mid-day Leon had been walking for several hours, this time carrying Arthur in his arms. The day was overcast making trying to find direction by using the sun difficult. Eventually he heard running water in the distance, placing Arthur near a tree with some bushes around him, the knight moved a little further toward the sound, wanting to make sure the area was clear. He jumped slightly at the sound of cows in the distance, glancing back toward his charge trying to decide if he should try to seek help if there was a village nearby. Looking at himself, he knew he looked a mess from not only the fight, but from spending the night without much cover and trekking through the forest with an injured Prince. Another thing he realized is that even though he had lost his cloak, he was still wearing his chainmail and light armor, Arthur was also wearing a chainmail shirt. Making a split-second decision Leon made his way back to the Prince and eased the boy out of his chainmail before discarding his own as well as leaving his sword under the bushes. Not wanting to draw anymore attention to themselves than they already would wondering into a strange village.
Carrying Arthur along the riverbank, Leon was trying to work out a plausible story of how they came to be wondering the forest. After almost an hour Leon jumped when a small boy broke through the underbrush carrying a bucket nearly as big as he was. Both boys stopped, staring at each other before the dark-haired child dropped the bucket and rushed back the way he came. Leon decided to make his way where he saw the child run, maybe the village was nearby as the boy seemed too little to be out in the forest by himself.
After a few minutes of walking Leon could hear the high-pitched voice of a child and the quiet tone of a woman growing closer. "I really did see someone near the river mother, he was carrying somebody, I think they were hurt, we have to help them, come on…" the child pleaded.
"What have I told you about going to the river by yourself, it's not safe. Are you sure of what…" the woman emerged onto the well-worn path to the water and stopped when she saw an older boy carrying a younger one.
"See told ya!" the child smiled as he raced to the approaching boys, his mother close behind.
"What happened?" she asked nervously, noting the unconscious boy being carried by the older one.
"We were attacked by bandits last afternoon, please we just need a place to rest, and I need to make sure my brother is alright, one of the men hit him and he hasn't woken since. We won't cause you any trouble, I'm just worried about him and while running through the forest I seemed to have lost my way." Leon tried desperately to not sound threatening, to sound like a scared older brother which really wasn't far from the truth, he was terrified for the health of his charge.
Leon watched the woman approach cautiously, her features softening as she got closer, taking in the pale features of the injured boy and noting the exhaustion and fear in the face of the older one. "Of course, we don't have much, but I will not turn injured boys away, please come, my home is just a little way. I know a little about healing, I'll try to help" looking down at her own son she motioned for him to head home, "hurry now, make up the pallet on the floor and make sure we have some water and cloth."
"Yes mother" the little boy turned and raced up the path.
"My name's Leon, this is my brother Arthur." Leon had debated on making up names, but he knew Arthur was not an uncommon name, plus when the Prince finally woke up it wouldn't be too confusing.
The woman placed her hand on Leon's shoulder, the other gently brushing the hair from Arthur's forehead, giving them both a warm smile, "My names Hunith and that was my son Merlin."