Sir Percival was beginning to worry; when Barametheor, his betrothed's Essitir rabbit came running from the mountain he feared the worst. The animal's flanks were littered with grazes while his deep chestnut fur was matted with blood, both of his own and the creatures in whom he had attacked. It was his incessant nudging and frantic ankle biting that had caused his heart to plummet within his chest that caused Percival to grab his hooded coat and had a collar lined with mink fur, as he prepared to face the traitorous mountain pass.
As he and his men had continued through the rocky walls, the knight could see the sun moving across the sky, his body tiring as they continued to search for his lover. However, as the sun began to set on their second day he felt his horse suddenly slipping and sliding against the icy floor as the mountain became almost uninhabitable. How had Ayleth navigated her route? How had she managed to walk this far on her weak knee? And how in maker's name had she managed to get her platoon of Knights up to the top of the mountain?
But it was when Percival turned his attention towards Sir Galahad did he see the seriousness of their situation. The young knight's cheeks were stained pink as the biting temperature and blizzard snow attacked at their figures, his breath visibly shining in the moonlight as he barked orders to their company to keep fires going as they tried to defend themselves against the cold. He wondered if this was how Galahad felt when hiding out from Faucons men by the ridge of Alscetic, he had after all struggled with similar conditions once before.
But Percival had the heart wrenching decision as to whether he kept going on foot or turn back to return with the mountain equipment Merlin was eager to test; but then that would only cause more problems for his men. He knew the latter was not a possibility for Ayleth did not have that much time and her father would execute him on the spot. He could only speculate on her health for had she the strength she would have been down the mountain days ago demanding they retreat and rethink their strategy; never once stopping to give herself the time to recuperate and heal from her wounds. She was as stubborn as her mother in that respect.
So something must have seriously wounded her. They had heard of the stories coming from Isgard, of how a darkness was overwhelming the towns and the mountains. It seemed something was growing in power within the cliffs and Ayleth had been ordered by the Knights of the Round Table to check out the situation. It seemed that despite her personal connections to the King and her intriguing ways of facing politics and battle strategies she left many of the knights wary of her for her assertiveness. Unfortunately it was this trait that would make her a very unpredictable queen but a wise one nonetheless. But Percival knew that she was dreading the day she was queen for she feared that her life would take a drastic turn and she would not be as free to do the things she did now and she sure as hell wouldn't be able to move around as freely as she was able considering she would be queen and trying to rid their home from an unforeseen threat.
Nevertheless, these dark creatures were threating Camelot and Avalon. Hundreds of reports were streaming into court whether to Camelot or to other districts of travellers ambushed by winged figures, or darkness completely engulfing small unmapped towns as beasts swept through villages and killed whoever and whatever they could. Ayleth had dreamt of this oncoming darkness for she had said that if felt very similar to the curse that swum through her veins; Percival could not help but see the fear that twinkled behind her impassive expression as she said something was coming. It was the same fear that he had seen within his King's features when King Arthur had called a meeting to discuss this coming threat.
But nothing compared to the fear he felt now as he searched for her.
He was forcing his way through the snowy cliff tops with Sir Galahad, each of them abandoning their mounts and the rest of their troops as they continued up the steep incline of the mountain. Barametheor had his nose continuously to the snow in hopes of finding his masters trail but when he grunted and stomped his hocks Percival realised that the reliable rabbit was coming up empty. Percival was struggling to keep his emotions in check as he ran his fingers through his thick mob of brown hair, feeling the snowflakes tumbling from his longish locks as he continued to scan the mountain range for any sign of Ayleth.
"My lord, how much longer do you think we should search?" Galahad asked, adjusting the hold he had on the hilt of his sword as he pulled his scarf much closer to the base of his neck, his green eyes shining with worrying concern as the pair of them came to a brief stop to try and regain their bearings and rekindle the flames of their burning brands. "The terrain is becoming perilous and we have not identified any ruins of the ancient Cathedral."
"We cannot be sure whether Ayleth headed to the temple of our faith." Percival voiced, his leather overcoat flapping against his knees in the snowy wind as his body began to cool "But it is a good starting point."
"It has been two days, if she is still alive she will need healing magic. Our healing remedies will do very little in aiding her healing." Galahad countered, "I do not want to sound pessimistic but how can my lady survive these conditions?"
"She has lived through much and survived worse Galahad, both physically and emotionally. She'll find a way to survive." Percival said before he flung his head towards Barametheor who slammed his hock violently to the ground before bounding away, the snow flinging away from his paws as he took off with such speed Percival and Galahad were unable to keep him in sights for long. "Barametheor!" Percival screamed, running after the rabbit as quickly as he could, the snow was up to the middle of his shins. "What is it boy?" He bellowed once again as he rounded the large mountainside.
What he saw made his heart drop within his chest. Ayleth was lying on her front, a small layer of snow lying on her back as if she hadn't moved for hours; a small halo of red snow was overwhelming her form as he simply lay there unmoving. Percival ran to her, collapsing at her left side as he reached for her shoulder with shaking hands. The air he was unconsciously holding whooshed from his lungs when he noticed the familiar rising and falling of her chest before he tried to rouse her from her sleeping.
"Ayleth?" Percival said as he tried sitting Ayleth's frail form into a seated position, the young Knight noticing the fluttering of her eyes. It was only then that Percival realized what had happened to her. The full front of Ayleth's royal's armour was bloodied and mutilated. Wet and clotted blood absorbed nearly every square inch of her tattered armour. In between the rips of fabric, Percival could see the openings of flesh. Three large gashes ran from the side to just above the navel while fresh blood seeped into the wounds. Percival noticed that the peculiar looking cuts were not neat; rather the flesh appeared to have been shredded to ribbons.
Having fought against a variety of magical and dark monstrosities, Percival knew something of painful and grotesque injuries. He'd seen it all, from lacerations to amputations, scabs to scars and fractures to sprains. But for him to see it happen to someone so close to him, well, it just wasn't comprehensible. The horrible wounds were proof of the suffrage. He could only imaging what it was like to be badly injured, running through the dark night with nothing but a cloak for warmth, bleeding profusely and desperately trying to keep from falling unconscious, all the while avoiding these dark creatures and navigating the mountain pass.
Sir Galahad took a step closer to try and assess Ayleth's injuries, a frown of dismay evident on his features as he shrugged off his pack to try and bind Ayleth's abdomen. Percival simply lifted his hand, careful not to press too hard on the large wound that transected the side of her features, hoping to wake this beautiful woman whose eyes were painfully sliding open and closed.
"Are you real?" She whispered and for the first time, she noticed just how much Percival had changed over the years she had known him. He had only grown in beauty. His majestic cheekbones had become more refined as the curves of his face moved to form his imperial nose. The scar that littered his cheek was a new addition to his skin but made him ruggedly more attractive.
"I'm real, I'm right here my dove." Percival implored, trying to wipe the blood away from Ayleth's cheek.
"You wouldn't have called me that if you weren't." Ayleth expressed with a weak smile, unknowingly heaving herself into a seated position as Percival held onto the top of her arm and the back of her shoulder to keep her from swaying, providing Ayleth with the comfort and support she needed when she collapsed her forehead to his shoulder. She spoke in deep hard breaths, disoriented and sick while her face had gone a shade paler. Although the throbbing pain from her head injury pounded, she still managed a weak smile as she felt Barametheor nudging against her. "Protect this with your life." She whispered as her trembling hand stuck out of the opening in the front of her cloak and presented her betrothed with the small leather pouch that had been strapped to her wrist. "It has the potential to save all of Avalon." She managed to say before she collapsed further into her lover's arms.
"Stay with me my dear Ayleth." Percival urged before he placed his hands under Ayleth's knees and around her shoulders as he cradled her body close to his chest and bolted his way back down the mountain.
0-0-0
Her healing was a difficult one. The healer's words echoed around Arthur's mind as he stood by the long rectangular window that looked down onto the courtyard of Camelot Castle. The King had his daughter back in the comfort and safety of his home, but nothing could shield him from all the worries and pressure that had beset upon him since Percival returned with Ayleth who was frightfully injured. Percival had been extremely exhausted from the strenuous and hurried journey from the mountains and back to Camelot, but he hadn't found sleep. All sorts of dark thoughts had been fluttering through his mind as his heart worried for Ayleth, the same thoughts that plagued the best of his knights. Besides, however much Ayleth loved the armchair that was angled towards the hearth Arthur feared he would not find comfort within the cushions.
Her wounds are beyond my skill to heal for there is darkness within her. The mages gruff voice repeated in his head. From where he stood in the dark, Arthur could see that dawn was starting to break. The sky had begun to brighten and perhaps, if he listened carefully, he could hear the soft chirpings of birds perched somewhere nearby quiet happily welcoming the new day.
Ayleth's healing had continued well into the early hours of the morning and still she had not awakened. But waiting for Ayleth to wake up was a feeling far worse compared to every time they went into battle or Ayleth competed in the physical knight tournaments. Right now he hoped Ayleth still had his strength. She has shown it on many occasion, now she needed it more than ever while he struggled to comfort his distraught wide and a man who was completely in love with his daughter whom had refused to take a break unless ordered too. Now he was on his own.
As it was this was the second time in less than five years that Ayleth found herself in this sort of predicament and Arthur knew that if she wasn't being hunted by a half crazed lunatic she wouldn't carry the scars she did now. But that was her life now and considering Arthur and his Knights had been able to keep her as protected as possible who was Arthur to complain; after all, he still had his daughter.
But, it was the high winds rattling the glass on the windows that pulled him from his thoughts. If he stayed as still as possible he could even hear the wind howling and whistling wildly outside. The King just headed towards the crackling hearth and collapsed into the cushions of the armchair, his eyes fluttering towards the deathly still form of his daughter that was overwhelmed with blankets to try and bring up her core temperature.
Anger, grief, helpless and guilt started to fill Arthur as he sat. He had allowed the Camelot mage to call for Merlin considering he had urged his king to ask for the help of a sorcerer who was far familiar with Ayleth and her medical background than he was. Apparently he needed aid in Ayleth's healing, stating that Merlin was far more practised in healing magic. Deep down, Arthur knew that his mage wanted Merlin's help because he was a better mage and he had healed Ayleth multiple times during her life.
Arthur just watched the mage tending to his daughter as he prepared a dressing and applied it carefully to the gashes, the King waited for Ayleth to respond to the pain but she did not move. The process was sickening to watch; he was overcome by an extreme sadness which made him realise that his eyes were truly open for the first time. At times Ayleth could be passive and clumsy but she was loyal and always set about doing the right thing disregarding social boundaries or standings; hell if she set her mind to doing something she was going to do it and no one would be able to change her mind. But the smile washed onto his features when he came to realise that Ayleth was a most forgiving person who always stood by her friends regardless, even if they had hurt her.
0-0-0
She was cold. Her body betraying her as she shivered and trembled underneath the thick duvet and blankets that were covering her figure. Unconsciously she could hear the merry song of a songbird singing outside the window and as she slowly fluttered her eyes open she shrieked away from the differences in light that was struggling to penetrate the thick material of her ocean blue curtains. But her confusion only grew; how did she happen to be in her bedroom at Camelot Castle? Why was she in her bedroom and where the hell was her father or Percival to give her the answers she wanted?
Ayleth shifted underneath her blankets with the sole intentions of getting into a more comfortable position. However, she stopped short once a painful stinging sensation seemed to overwhelm her entire form. She faltered in her movements, her mind dizzying as her stomach seemed to churn as she tried to push past the pain that was threatening to overwhelm her. The young woman clung onto her abdomen, her arms pressing onto the bandages as she struggled to comprehend the enormity of her injuries. Every part of her ached, her body screaming out in protest as she collapsed onto the headboard of her bed, hanging at the edge of the mattress as she tried to push past the agony of her body.
But the biting chill of her body caused her to tremble; she was freezing and her only method in keeping her warm was to grasp at the blanket and painfully heave them around her shoulders. Just at the same time as her mind focused in on the red rose that was lying on the bottom of the dresser that had been forced open. Emotion engulfed her heart and her eyes threatened to fill with water as she clung onto her weak frame. Why had someone felt the need to go through her personal belongings? Items so private that she rarely disturbed them herself.
Nevertheless, Ayleth shook herself from her thought when the door to her bedroom began to move. Her betrothed emerged into the freezing room with her Essitir rabbit excitedly jumping around his feet. The young princess couldn't stop the affectionate smile from washing onto her pale features as Barametheor came bounding towards his master and lovingly placed a couple of wet kisses to the skin he could reach.
"I convince myself that it's safe to take Barametheor out for a short walk and you decide to wake up." Percival said with a smile as he came to her side, Ayleth feeling the mattress dipping at his weight as she received all the comfort she wanted when she felt his extremely warm hand pressing to her cheek before he leant over and rested his lips to her clammy forehead. "We were all beginning to worry that you would never wake, is been days my dove."
"That was not my intention." Ayleth replied weakly as she painful heaved herself into a more comfortable position, still refusing to relent her hold on her stomach as she grimace in tormenting agony.
"Sir Galahad was particularly worried." Percival stated with a smile "He was the one who accompanied me onto the mountain. We were both fearful of losing you Ayleth; you had lost so much blood…" He started to say, his voice trailing off as if his mind was plagued with the images of how she had looked on the mountain side. It was in that moment that she was able to really take him in. His was unshaven with dark purples shining under his eyes as if he had been unable to sleep. His tunic was crinkled with specks of rust colouration; a mark that was all too familiar to the princess considering many of her tunics had to be thrown after too many blood stains adjourned the fabric. However, this time it was her blood that covered her lovers clothing. She had no doubt that he had not taken her unconscious state well.
"With rest, I'll be as good as new." Ayleth said with a weak smile as she sort out Percival's hand, unable to read his clouded expression as if he were hiding something from her. The young princess grimaced as she moved too quickly again, waving away Percival's help as she leant against the headboard more comfortably. "What is it that you are not telling me?"
"There is nothing." Percival replied far too quickly and with a smile that did not reach his eyes. In all the years she had known him she had become well attuned to his expressions, especially for when he was lying, and right now he was keeping something from her.
"Percival, you're eyes do not shine when you utter a lie, now please, tell me." Ayleth urged as she continued to hold on to his hand.
"I think it may be wise if you're father or Merlin tells you of what has been going on. For I fear I cannot detail to you the whole story." Percival whispered, as he looked down towards their clasped hands, consciously aware of how clammy her skin felt when she laced her fingers with his own.
"I did not think I had been so badly affected." Ayleth uttered sadly as her eyes penetrated Percival's emotional eyes "For I feel very much the same as I did five years ago."
"My dear Ayleth this time you were fighting monstrous creatures of darkness instead of the Army of Merrywood." He answered with a weak smile
"And a dragon." Ayleth interrupted with a smile "Don't forget the dragon."
"Yes my dove, and the dragon." Percival smiled "Besides, I doubt the days of lying in the freezing snow helped your injuries." Percival finished, a smile etched to his lips as he squeezed her hand out of comfort.
"Yes, I fear you could be right." Ayleth chuckled, answering Percival's smile with one of her own, clutching onto her side as her laughter caused her stomach to throb. "Don't make me laugh." She giggled, a wince overwhelming her features as her lips continued to smile.
"I am sorry my dear." Percival retorted as he swept her blonde hair from her features and curled it around her ear.
"Never be sorry for making me laugh." She continued but before Percival could reply a gentle knock echoed around her chambers from the door and the couple moved their attention from their giggle towards the entering forms of Merlin and Arthur, Ayleth's father.
"Why Princess, let me be the first person to say how wonderful it is to see you awake after your ordeal." Merlin expressed, his dark hair falling on his forehead as the dark colouration bought out the vibrant ice blue of his eyes.
"Which I have no doubt is thanks to you." Ayleth replied gently as she smiled towards the skinny and lanky form of her tutor.
"Had Sir Percival bought you back a few days later I fear it may have been too late." Merlin stated, his thin lips moving into a thin line as his high cheekbones and large ears paled at the very thought of losing her.
"But he didn't, he bought her back in as best shape as he could." The King replied, his far larger form towering over his companion as Arthur clapped his large paw to the sorcerers shoulder before flashing a smile towards his knight before sweeping across the room and towards his daughter.
"Father!" Ayleth uttered lovingly, comforted by his presence as the arm that was not curled around her middle reached out for her family and lovingly wrapped her free hand around his shoulders as the King perched to her side, the pair feeling the mattress dipping under his weight as the King pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before leaning back to get a proper look at his daughter who was fluttering her eyes between him, Percival and Merlin.
"How are you fairing my dear? "
"Like I have fallen on my blade and then dragged by a horse." Ayleth whined as she pulled her arm closer around her middle again in hopes of alleviating the pain somewhat.
"Are you still in discomfort? I can draft a healing salve to try and alleviate the pain." Merlin suggested as his expression clouded with worry as he took a cautious step forward, coming to stand at Percival's side who moved his features towards Merlin, his king and then towards her.
"I would appreciate that, thank you." Ayleth voiced with a gratified smile.
"Do you have the strength of a visit from you're mother? She has been nursing you at Merlin's side and will be relieved to see you awake." Her father said and smiled when he watched Ayleth nodding her head with a smile.
"Yes please." Ayleth smiled "I'm sure we need to get the 'be more careful' talk again." Ayleth smiled a smile that only grew when she observed the small chuckle falling from her father's lips and the gentle smile resting on Percival and Merlin's lips. "But before then, I believe you have something to discuss with me. For Percival did not have the knowledge too."
"Rest a little more my child, then we will talk."
"I will not be coddled father! Tell me what is going on?"
"And I say you will have none of it, you do not have the strength."
"I have strength enough for this." Ayleth defended "There is a darkness swarming across our lands and if we do not do something we will succumb to the power of Faucon's army, and you're quarrelling with me in regards to my health. You and I both know that I care little for what happens to me."
"She has a good point." Percival expressed as he pulled the pair of them from their conversation "She will find out otherwise." He finished and inwardly smiled when he watched his king resigning the fact that Ayleth was far too much like her mother, and unfortunately for him stubbornness seemed to be something they shared.
"Merlin struggled to heal you Ayleth." Arthur started "For a reason we do not yet understand that though your wounds are healing your strength is still failing. Merlin fears that an unseen dark magic maybe hindering your recovery."
"I do not understand."
"You have a curse swimming through your veins Princess, a curse I cannot identify." Merlin interrupted, his potions boiling and simmering behind him as the incantations and unique crafting ingredients came together to create a salve she was hoping would attend to her pain.
"I am already cursed Merlin." Ayleth uttered "For I doubt others can shift into a beast."
"I am aware of your 'condition' Ayleth." Merlin expressed as he shared a knowing side long glance with his king "But with that curse we have gained an incredible backlog of information and are able to address even the minor of complications; but with this new predicament I am unsure as to how I am able to remedy a cure."
"So what are you saying?"
"I am afraid that if a cure cannot be located and the curse grows stronger you will die. Are only hope is to identify the creature and the cause of this curse or to locate and destroy the source. Only then will your full strength return to you."
"We already know who has spoken this curse. Faucon and Morgana are determined to watch Camelot fall and with my death my father's line will end."
"Do not speak that way my Ayleth, you cannot give up now." Percival spoke, his features a vision of different emotions as his thoughts and feelings overwhelmed him.
"I have no intention of giving up, but I am not about to sit ideally by and watch my life slip away. There is no honour in dying without fighting for what is right and you cannot deny me this wish."
"Ayleth, you are one of the strongest fighters in the kingdom, but there may be a time in your coming future when your strength fails, and when it does you will need to rest. You cannot run yourself into the ground, especially now when we are going to need as much time as we can to try and solve this situation." Her father implored "We will of course allow you to act as normal, but you have to promise us that on days when you do not feel yourself, when you feel the darkness overwhelming and calling you that you will allow us to care for you and rest." Arthur finished, a good and decent point made with a tone of voice any father would use to allow their child to know that there was no use in arguing with him for his decision was final.
"If that is your only wish, then I will agree to it."
"I also have another request." Her father stated, grasping hold of her hand and asking Percival to come and sit next to Ayleth so she could comfortably lean against her chest. "For all we know you could have years to fight this curse but you may only have weeks. So this is my final request. I wish to see the pair of you wed, before you become too weak to go through with the ceremony. With this I hope to see our line secured because even through Percival is from a different family he will be marrying into the Pendragon line. Once you are married you are able to try for an heir."
"You really have been thinking this through. You don't think this is all a little hasty?"
"I have had a great deal of time to think of this while you were sleeping. But I believe that once you are physically well again we can make the preparations; and your mother is very well apt at organizing a ceremony this important in very little time." Her father said with a smile.
"But we will leave you two too discuss this, for a marriage exists between two people, not two people and the bride's father." Merlin warned, handing over a tonic to Ayleth while shooting a pointed look towards the King who held up his hands in surrender before bidding them farewell. "Drink, it will make you feel better." Merlin finished as he cocked his head towards the blue liquid before excusing himself and followed after his king.
Ayleth simply gazed towards the tonic in her hand and gave it a quick suspicious sniff before plucking up the courage to down the liquid. She shivered as her mind recognised the bitter after taste but when she heard Percival chuckling and felt his chest vibrating her elbow swiftly met with his stomach. He simply continued to laugh before he too sobered as he understood the enormity of the conversation he had with Ayleth's father.
"We don't have to rush into anything my love, we can decline my father's offer." Ayleth expressed as she clung onto her stomach again as she shifted further into her lovers arms, relaxing into the burning of her stomach when she felt Percival's lips on her hair.
"He is asking for the right reasons, for we have no idea how long you have with us."
"I would prefer it if you could all talk like I am not to die, for I am not yet weak and we still have time to try and stop this curse."
"I know Ayleth, but you're father wants to see you happy."
"And with child very soon after the marriage it seems."
"Yes, that is the only part that concerns me."
"I am relieved to know that you too have your doubts in bringing our child into our messed up world when all of these dark occurrences are taking place."
"I would feel far more at ease with the idea if Faucon was no longer a problem."
"And I." Ayleth voiced as she looked up at Percival who took her hand in reply.
"But I see no problems in marrying you sooner my sweet." He smiled
"Nor I."
"Then it is decided, you my dear will be my wife within the month."