CAUGHT UP! [ARTHUR, GWAINE]

[kory]

The morning was early and fresh. The dew hadn't quite disappeared from the leaves. There was a fine mist that gathered in and around the trees. As the sun began to get a little brighter the mist faded some more. Kory walked the faint path she could see. Checking where she had planted the seeds. It hadn't been touched. There wasn't any signs of life just yet, but given time. It would be soon blooming of sparkles maybe a little unknown to this area. It was a rather sturdy plant. Kory was sure this environment would suit it well. The forest of Camelot was such an amazing place. From what she had seen of it so far. Day by day, Kory was learning. She was beginning to feel knowledge between the locals. The whispers of her presence had started. Though the full knowledge of who she was, had barely hit anyones lips save some lucky few.

There hadn't been much change to her outfit. Still of dark leather. Some faint design in a purple thread. The skirt wrapped around with a cord. The boots. Her mid cut of top. The look unlike of most women even people in general. The stares and words had not shook her. Her skin was tough as ever. She wasn't about to change all her ways, for it would mean a part of herself could get lost. Upon her shoulder she carried a net. She had come across a mother with 8 children to feed. The father had passed away in battle some month prior and had little feed. Kory had spent some of her own coin gave them some bread, but it wasn't enough. She purchased a net from an elderly man. Kory figured it be more handy this way and she could re use the net again and again.

What exactly she was trying to catch? Kory wasn't overly sure about. Deer? Rabbit? Kory hadn't much idea of what else. She highly doubted something like the beast she had recently slain would be something wished for. Maybe something a little smaller or at least little easier to catch. That was a kind of beast that would be able to break through the net, If Kory wasn't quick on her toes. Kory had hunted in the past. Knew how to track, but tracking took a lot of time. A net was a little easier and this forest was large, full of creatures that were more harmful. Best let nature come to her, she figured.

Kory made her way a little off the natural path, maybe just a couple of feet so not to accidentally catch a person. Kory set up the net upon a little bare ground. Placed some bits of food in the middle and covered the net it leaves and bits of bark. Though not over the top so it wasn't too clear and the net was a dusty brown so it was blending in well. Kory then hooked the legs in place and would take to the sky from any subtle movement. It was a rather large net. Kory hadn't really asked what the man had planned for it, but she figured it was best unanswered. As she did the last knot and the last flick of leaves. Kory melted in a shrub and bushes. Making note her hair and features were hopefully not detected. The shrub area was by a tree so she could dart up it if needed or hide behind. Use it how ever she needed to use it.

Kory could hear the chirps of birds. The sounds of frogs and even some crickets. A shuffle of a rabbit, but it darted the wrong direction. She swore she saw a deer, but it was just a shadow of a branch. There she waited. How long Kory would have to wait, she couldn't know. Kory would wait it out. She had promised food and she would bring it one way of the other. Kory wasn't about to see the family starve not while she could do something about it. She was maybe not princess nor heir in the lands of the pendragons, but she still had a right to help. To aid. To protect. To serve such people.

---

Music: Caught up by Usher

[thegwaine]

Gwaine was regretting spending the night in an inn already. It was mid morning and he was walking though the forest with Arthur, but it was anything but a pleasant walk in his eyes. It was part of his Knightly duties he supposed. They were patrolling, clearly for suspicious beings and suchlike. Gwaine had heard from Lancelot of the odd creatures who sometimes lurked in the woods near Camelot. Of course it was the Knight’s duty to protect the citizens of Camelot in any way they could. It was what Gwaine had signed up for, it was what he had practically spent his childhood dreaming of. However, he was wishing he had not started the morning with a headache.

The sunlight made his head hurt even more. It was like the sun had it in for him, what had he ever done to it? Stupid sunlight. He ran a hand over his face, this wasn’t the worst hangover he’d ever had, but it was still rather annoying. It was taking all his energy to stay focussed on the matter in hand, and he had a hip flask of water which was keeping him going some far. He took another swig from it before replacing it at his hip and looked round to his companion; Arthur.

He managed a grin at him, taking a few steps forward as if to get a wider view of the forest than his companion. “So far so good.” He offered to Arthur, cocking a character grin and running another hand through his hair, just to give it that ruffled feel. He was still getting used to his knight’s cloak and such. It felt odd to be donning the Pendragon colours when he had told himself for so long that he would never fight, nor die for anyone of royal blood. “Wouldn’t you say?”

[Arthur Pendragon]

It was a rather beautiful day; perfect for patrolling. Especially since majority of it was being done on foot. Due to the heavily wooded area they were walking through, they had to tie their horses up some distance back and were not traveling through the woods. Their eyes and ears open for any potential dangers and posing threats lurking about. Arthur knew that the new knights -- his brothers -- were still adjusting to their role of knights. It was a massive adjustment for them; to be in one place for so long, to have such luxuries provided to them. And while Arthur knew there was tension and uneasiness over his decision to have knighted men of non-noble blood -- thus breaking the customs and traditions of the land -- he did not regret it. He was proud and honored to fight alongside them. He also wished to spend as much time with them to give them a better understanding of what their duties entailed, as well as familiarizing them with the lands of Camelot.

Arthur wished to take this duty upon himself, and Leon also aided him helping the new knights feel comfortable and well trained in their roles. For Leon knew them well . . . more so than the other knights of Camelot. So now, he was with Gwaine, patrolling the land. But Arthur was no idiot; he knew Gwaine was hungover. While he knew -- or at least hoped -- that the man's senses and reflexes were still sharp, he also was well aware of how short Gwaine's attention span was; that of a baby lamb. So such a state mixed in with alcohol, or the aftermath of it, was not at all a good combination. He briefly looked at at Gwaine when he spoke about everything being good so far, before turning his forward once again. "You should really spend less time in the tavern. You hardly look sober," Arthur said as a mocking exaggeration. Gwaine looked well enough to make his never ceasing jokes . . . which was actually quite refreshing at times. Arthur just enjoyed giving him a hard time.

Arthur would have probably went on in his merciless teasing of the man, when he suddenly, abruptly stopped walking. Something was not right. He could feel it. There was someone else out there. Having grown up to learn the ways of hunting, and tracking, he often trusted his instincts and right now, they were telling him that someone was out there luring about. It could be an innocent traveler, but as the lead of the army it was Arthur's job to approach every situation with caution. Especially since Morgana and Morgause were still out there somewhere. He swiftly pulled out his sword. Clad in his chainmail, armor and cape, he was prepared for combat, should it comet o that. "Wait," he said in a low voice, but filled with warning. Arthur remained completely still, even making sure not to breathe too loudly to get a better idea of where this stranger was by following the rustling of the leaves. Though it was quiet . . . too quiet . . . eerily quiet. He took a step forward, unknowing that he was about to step right into -- or onto -- a trap.

[kory]

The breeze was gentle, it left enough space for every sound and echo reach Kory's ears. Yet, still many sounds were just distant echoes, nothing more. The whirl of leaves curled around her feet. Her body was first bent to the knees, ready at the strike. or well, to release the trap, once what ever took leap into it. But the moments were ticking by. Kory found her body sitting, resting against the tree close by behind the shrubs, now. Her hand toyed at the ends of her long red hair. Almost counting each strand and then realising she just counted them about too many times. Curling a good amount of hair around her finger, pulling it gently. Feeling the tension somewhat calming, then she let it go. This was that moment it was just a matter of waiting, it wasn't the most maybe the best use of her time, but it gave her a little room to breathe.

How long was it been since Kory had room to breath? With that her breathe escaped deeply. Then deeply in again. Her mind running around what might just jump into her net, but then wondering if anything at all. No! Kory shook her head. She had promised and one way of the other, she planned on keeping it. When Kory sets out to do something, there is no room for much error, it would be done, no matter the toils or hardship. It would be done. It must be done. Then a shiver ran down her arms, but the sunlight was rather warm. Perhaps it was the hint of doubt she just didn't like and she had come to realise just how long it had been. Since. Since she was freed. There was still that hint of guilt, but still no regrets. There was something nice in the fact that she could just be. Just have moments where she could just sit by a tree, helping a family out with not much care anything would come of her. At least for now. There was just something comforting about this. Her life had changed. In ways the life she had was destroyed, one side could say for the worst. But looking at it from where she was sitting now, it was anything but wrong. Whether it was always meant to lead her here, Kory will never know and she wasn't sure she really even wanted to know. It probably was for the best just to go with what ever life was throwing at her now.

It in a way started with the lending a hand. Helping someone in need, but she knew down to her core. From the faint whispers from a far and the whispers just by her ears. That there was more to help. Was this her calling? Her true calling? Either way or not, Kory was accepting it. This deeper purpose. It wasn't all about her anymore and what she needed. There were others to consider. A world of lives meant to be lived. Kory let out a soft laughter thinking her deep thoughts probably weren't going to help her in the staying focused state in order to catch, what may just fall into her net. Her green eyes peaked towards the shrubs, but through the cracks appeared clean. No sounds. Her sight seeking to the sky above. Through the cracks in the branches. Feeling the sunlight just peak through and watching as the beam moves to land upon her skin. Bringing a warm smile to her lips. It was a nice day. A very fine day in deed. Closing her eyes and leaving all senses open. 'Ah', she mumbled. It even smelt beautiful. Kory's smiled brightened then as if a break in the glass, came the crunch. The whispers. The sounds of movements.

Her eyes fled open. First taking sight of the sky then almost straight to the shrubs. Through the cracks. There came images to these sounds. It was hard if not impossible to tell. Though the thumping of her racing heart and the quickness of the flow of her blood. Was giving her all the signs that she could be soon bringing something decent to the family, to devour. Her expressions were a little to focused to smile, but the hint of it was still there. Her hands pushed herself to her knees, crawled just the little ways to peak through. Before her eyes came the scrapping of metal. Which confused her. Kory was left wondering if such a beast would be armed. She shook her head, maybe she was just hearing things. Although she had already witnessed the so called, Strange, that happens in and around Camelot. It was perhaps another reason why, Kory had stayed. It in some ways was most fitting, although she gathered, she was maybe just a little to strange. Even for Camelot.

She heard the faint whisper again, it almost spoke of a word. Before Kory could really take this to heed, the movements had already been made. The steps just in the right place. With that her eyes through the openings through the shrubs, heard the pulling of the net. The leaves that hid it fall to the ground as the net caused struggle as it lifted to the skies. Kory made a slight cheer inside, thinking it was successful. Although the faint metal and the whispers had thrown her off, but it was rather not the point, she gathered. The trap had been set, it had be sprung upon and hopefully achieved its purpose. Wow. Was an understatement. Maybe her idea of the net was far better than she had thought. It sure bet just wondering through the forest and having to attack such things. This was, well. It was just cutting the corners in a way, but it seemed rather well done.

Kory as if a fire rising through the ash, came to her feet behind the shrubs. Seeing the leaves scattered the sight of the net above. Not too high so not to be completely out of reach, but high enough. There was faint movements. As Kory stepped through the shrubs. The small fine branches scrapping her carves as she motioned through, but it was very minor pain and her skin was thicker for it. The area was much finely lit than where she had sat. With the sunlight streaking down to where her so called, master plan had been set. There was no vast crowd, but she was hardly seeking for any credit. It wasn't the point. The extra time she could give someone to live was enough, a faint hope in the dark. As she motioned into the area. She drew out her swords from her back. It started with just her right one, but as she caught sight of metal upon the ground it gave instinct to pull out her second sword out. Her senses were picking up every trace. Something was just not right about this. Perhaps, she should of paid more attention to the sounds she had heard. With her form just below. Dressed in leather. Her hair like fire burning down and along her golden skin. Her green orbs following until it reached the net. For now, she was sure it was no beast above her head. Then whom was it?

---

Music: Caught up by Usher

[thegwaine]

Usually such a glorious day in Camelot would be something to rejoice in, or at least be happy about. At present Gwaine was still cursing the sun for deciding to shine when he had a hangover to recover from. He cupped one of his hands over his eyes and looked about the forest. It was a lot easier to see and react to his surroundings without the sun blaring into his eyes. He lowered his hands and looked about him, luckily it was just a slight headache which he was afflicted with this morning. His reflexes were still sharp enough if anything did happen. He wasn’t stupid enough to come out on patrol with Arthur practically dying from the after effects of drink.

“Looks can be deceiving.” He winked at Arthur, he was sober, well ish. He was more sober than he had been this morning when he had been getting ready to come out on patrol so that had to count for something really. He took another swig of his hip flask, looking about at his surroundings and wondering if anything interesting was going to happen this morning. He would rather not be flung head first into a battle against a creature or something similar at this hour of the morning, but it would certainly be more interesting than getting jumpy over ever branch which snapped beyond their view.

He sighed out softly, his thoughts quickly diverting to wonder what they would be doing later on in the day. He knew that Leon and Lucan had challenged him to some sword practice later in the day. Well Gwaine, with a clear head, could certainly give either a run for their money. Therefore he hoped if that was how he were to spend his afternoon he could at least face the sunlight before then. As Arthur spoke he looked round at the Prince and blinked, his thoughts quickly returning to the present. They were walking side by side, so as Arthur edged forwards, Gwaine did too. His hand was at the hilt of his sword, ready in case anything did happen.

At that moment, Gwaine almost felt weightless for a moment, he was flung off balance and as was Arthur beside him. He tried to move but could do little than to flex his arms and legs slightly. Whatever had happened seemed to stop for a moment and Gwaine closed his eyes, this really wasn’t helping his hangover one jot. He opened his eyes again, trying to get a grasp of the situation. They were in... a net? He looked at Arthur and ran a hand over his face and sighed out, “This isn’t helping my hangover.” He pointed out rather annoyed in a way. At least when neither were squirming in the net it kept relatively still. “What the...?” He then asked, looking round at the net, they were quite a way up from the ground; how had this even happened, and who on earth was laying traps like this in the forest?

[Arthur Pendragon]

One second, Arthur had been walking, doing a casual patrol . . . next thing, he was caught in a net that immediately captured him and Gwaine. Practically swallowing them up as they dangled in the air. To say that Arthur was irritated, was an understatement. It was for reasons like these that they needed to patrol, yet . . . it was not helping things when they were the ones being held captive. Arthur managed to refrain from rolling his eyes at Gwaine's remark about this not helping his hangover. Arthur knew he should have been more cautious. He should have been paying better attention to his surroundings. A classic lesson in what could happen if one was not careful and keenly aware of what was around them. Damn it. There was no way to get out even! Arthur tried to reach for his sword, but it was a fruitless attempt. His arm was placed at a far too awkward angle and the hilt of his weapon was just out of his reach. Bloody perfect.

Arthur looked down to see someone approaching them. They were completely unfamiliar to him. And was not quite the kind of person he expected to see. Perhaps a group of bandits, meant to trap the prince and a knight of Camelot. Or maybe a hunter, who had done this entirely by accident. But no. Instead, it was a young woman. One who looked completely foreign to Camelot. Arthur knew his people, and this woman did not look like she was from around here. There was something very different about it; something that Arthur could not place. Her unfamiliarity made her ethnic original completely unknown to him. But what did grasp his attention more than anything else, was the fact that she was holding two blades in her hand. That immediately caught his attention and made him go back to considering the possibility that she knew who he was and possibly doing this for . . . whatever reasons. Ransom. Revenge [she would not be the first]. Yet at the same time, something in her -- from what little Arthur could see -- seemed just as confused as they had been trapped in this net.

"Let us down immediately," Arthur said. His voice was not loud, but it held a strong authority to it. Being a prince he was used to speaking with demand, and this was no exception. He refused to to remain in such a vulnerable position for very long. Plus, it was not as if it was entirely comfortable being entangled in a net with Gwaine. They were far too close together for his liking. Ah right, and the fact that anything could happen right now and he was defenseless. If she refused, he would just have to find more creative measures of escape, but he hoped that if this was indeed an accident, she would be quick to let them down. And he would not be forced to reveal his true identity. Their uniforms gave him away as knights, but he feared the greater risk it would pose if he revealed that he was prince and sole heir to the throne of Camelot.

[kory]

The net had descended into the air with a nice whim. It had for the most part done it's purpose. Well, so Kory hoped it had. It at least worked whether it caught what she had in mind or not. It had worked. Although as her eyes traced the sun that peaked through the trees above, it had been a descent amount of time, but really would Kory expect it any less. She lightly shrugged it wasn't important now. What was? What wiggled above her head? Or in this case it seemed whom. As her eyes looked up above she couldn't quite tell, but as the voices came Kory realised her mistake. To whom ever it was above her, she had not intended to catch any humans. Rather a different kind of species. Of course. Kory's eyes that had read curiosity was now reading concern. Oh no. Kory rang through her mind. No, this was not how she had planned. Her heart fluttered gently for she hadn't meant to cause harm. She was hoping they were badly hurt from the net, but by what she heard she figured not so much hurt. Well, Kory softly laughed for maybe a different hurt for one of them.

Kory's face lightly softened as one of them spoke and it then caused her to wonder who they were. She found it oddly lighthearted that one would find amusement out of this, so she was getting the idea they were at least rather harmless. Though as she looked more carefully she could see the glimpse of red and metal. Ah. It rang to her head. They were knights. They had to be. She felt like hitting her head for her mistake even more now. Kory just stood for a good couple of minutes as she took the sight in. Could see a rather fair headed man gaze down upon her. Kory grazed her eyes over him more in thought as he seemed with such authority. Such power and strength. Yet as Kory gazed at the communication between the two, the man seemed well? Just intriguing to Kory. Then Kory escaped a light breath of laughter for she was quite intrigued by them both. As the man gazed down they aimed at her swords, which Kory held out, now she lowered them. Geez, Kory rang through her mind what the knights were thinking this was. What an impression to make in Camelot? To trap two possibly quite renowned knights of Camelot. Kory was hoping this would be able to be settled rightly, that they would understand the mistake. She was rather all was trying to help another in need. Not simply in the sport of catching rather fetching men. Although Kory wondered if this be the go. Was this really the time to joke? For this could mean a sword or more at her throat if they did not take heed to her apology.

Oh, was Kory standing a little too long? Were the two knights above getting a little too close for comfort. Though who is Kory to judge what lingers between two men in a net. Although by the feels and the looks of the fair haired knight, she gathered it wasn't a pleasant thing for him. Kory's eyes then rang up and broke her stance. As he spoke with quite command. Kory nodded faintly. As she regained where she was exactly and that she needed to get these two down. There was something in the way he said that with such authority. He must be one of the head knights. The one the rest look up to and tremble. Kory flinched her sword in her hand. As her head looked to the side. There was little ways of letting them down so easily. There was only one real way and that was to simply cut the cord. Kory dreaded a bit with this fall, but it was better than just leaving them in the net. Surely it wasn't that high that it would really cause a lot of damager.... Although with all that armour could be quite heavy. Kory quite hesitating, it needed to be done and sorted. Kory then nodded more with effort as Kory motioned away a bit to where the cord was hooked to the tree. Kory struck her sword at the cord. Splitting the cord in half.

Kory then slipped her swords back upon her back. The last thing she wanted to do is come at these two with swords in hand, that wouldn't help their thoughts as to why she had netted them. Sure she could convince them it was simply a mistake.

"Are you alright? I'm so truly sorry. Please forgive me for my mistake. Are you hurt?"

Kory motioned back to where she had stood underneath as she spoke for once they were back on solid ground. She expressed her deepest apology as her eyes searched the ground for them both with a gentle shake of her head. Kory face then softened as she asked if they were ok. It was the least she wished would happen out of this. As Kory then motioned down towards them as her hand reached out to the one of the men. Not wishing to all of a sudden scare him to death. Just show she was sincere. As her eyes looked to him and to the other knight. As her hand motioned to touch, her eyes continued to check they were alright. She knew she was maybe the last person they expected to be setting a trap and there was all the reasons they should assume she was out to get them. Kory just was as gentle as she was tough. It set her a part from a lot of male warriors. She was still quite a woman, just well. Not one so easily defined. With that she then wondered just whom she had caught. Such interesting characters for Knights. Surely from the glimpse she just saw, they were interesting men as well. Who were these men? Who were these knights?

---

Music: Caught up by Usher

[thegwaine]

Gwaine wasn't particularly a fan of heights, but especially not when he was in such close proximity to Arthur. After shifting about a bit, he decided that no matter what he did there was no way he was going to be able to be comfortable while he was still stuck in this net with Arthur. It was nothing personal to the Prince of course, but it wasn't the best position to be in. It was certainly something Gwaine never wanted to relive again, though it could feature in a few of his future jests with the Prince.

There of course was the immediate rush of adrenalin which ripped through Gwaine as he tried to look down to the ground. Had they fallen trap to some bandits, or something more sinister or worrying. Gwaine knew that on his own his meant very little, but the Prince and heir to the throne of Camelot was in the net as well, which raised the value of the catch somewhat. All of these thoughts racing through Gwaine's head was not helping his hangover. Jesu, would this headache ever end?

Although he was straining to see whoever was approaching them, he heard Arthur call out to them to release them and he just nodded in agreement. He was going to shout out something equally as threatening but he managed a, "What he said, let us down!" He just wanted to be back on the ground. Heights and a hangover, could Gwaine's day get any better? He looked across to Arthur and let out a small 'heh' and then gave a cocky grin, "Well this is cosy isn't it?"

It was a shock that whoever it was was complying with Arthur's words in the first place, but the next shock came when Gwaine realised that he and Arthur were hurtling downwards towards the ground. The quickest reaction he had was to shift his sword so that it did not impale in the ground or stab him in the fall. Neither situation would result in a fabulous outcome for him or Arthur. Gwaine let out a sharp groan as he finally hit the floor; Jesu that had hurt. His armour had dragged him to the ground faster than he assumed the average man would fall, which made the impact harder; fabulous.

He was quite sure nothing was broken. His pride and most of his back was bruised but no, there was no serious harm done. He looked across to Arthur straight away as he stretched out his arms, confirming neither were broken, "I can think of better ways to travel." He then turned his attentions to the person standing quite close to him. Her appearance struck him with some surprise, she had a foreign look about her; even with Gwaine's travelling he had not come across someone like her before. But of course she was but a woman, and all women were there to be charmed. He took her hand casually and hauled himself up off the ground, "I am much better now thank you." He said, finishing it off with a rather charming smile, "Tell me," He looked back up to where he and Arthur had been swinging a few moments previous, "Is capturing men a hobby of yours?"