When All is Lost (Percival/Maeve)

[shonz]

The sun was setting in the west, and Percival was almost home after traveling to the nearby town. His mother was down with the nasty case of flu as was most of the village, and Percival had volunteered to ride out to purchase medicines from a healer in the next town. It was a long ways off, and the travel had taken two days back and forth. Percival didn't dawdle of course. As soon as the healer had finished bottling up the herbs Percival needed, the young man made haste back to his little village of Yelling, just outside the borders of Escetia.

What Percival didn't expect was the sight that greeted him upon emerging through the last line of trees from the forest. The village that he had left just a couple of days ago was nothing but a burned down leftover. He remembered falling off of his horse, and stumbling to the ground at the unbelievable sight of ruins before him. He ran hard and fast towards one distinct cottage in the far end of the small village.Tears starting to burn at the corner of his eyes. When Percival finally arrived at the spot, the very place where his own home used to be, the tears flowed down like a broken dam.

"No! No! Please!" Percival had shouted as he ran into the burned down cottage. There was no sign of life there. There was not even a feel of the heat that burned the house down. While some posts and a portion of the roof still stood, there was nothing but embers and cinders all around him. "Mother! Father!" he shouted as he ran back out.

Gone are the dozen cottages that used to stand around him. Gone are the browns and greens of the thatched roofs and crops from small gardens. And most remarkably, gone are the sounds of talking and laughter that are characteristic of his small and poor but happy village. But where is everybody? He asked again as he walked around the razed village. "Benedict! Millicent!" he called out to his brother and sister. He hoped that everyone had evacuated before the fire consumed the houses, but it was much too quiet for his comfort.

Ahead of him was a portion of the stone wall that protected their village, and Percival felt a heavy pounding in his chest as he walked towards it. A rather foul smell emanated from behind the wall, and Percival stopped, dreading what was behind it. After gathering all the courage he could muster, Percival walked around the wall, and true enough, he saw a pile of bodies all black and scorching. Bodies of all shapes and sizes were piled on top of the other haphazardly. Faces all burned beyond recognition. A flag bearing the colors of Escetia, of King Cenred, flew over the bodies.

Instantly, he felt his breath shorten at the horrible sight before him. His chest tightened as he took in the heartless and merciless murder of his village. His head about to explode. If only he had been here, if only he hadn't left, he could have helped, he could have saved his village. Percival cried out as he turned to the wall and kicked it with all his might. The old and dilapidated wall easily crumbled under his strength, and Percival, having no control of his own strong and fast momentum, lost his balance, tumbled over with it and onto the ground. Feeling all lost and alone, he just laid there, tears streaming down the sides of his face waiting for the night to take him as well.



Tags: Maeve
Timeline: A month before Percival joined Lancelot in "The Coming of Arthur"
Time of day: Twilight
Location: A small village outside the borders of Escetia
Notes: I was afraid this might turn out to be a very dramatic thread. Haha! We'll lighten it up.

[Maeve]

Maeve had not traveled alone for quite some time. But alas, she was wandering the woods without the company of anyone else. Not even her horse Mirshann. She had a rather unpleasant encounter a couple of days ago, with men who bore the seal of Escetia. Maeve had traveled this vast land enough to recognize the seal. She had managed to escape their wrath however, but not before getting separated from her dear Mirshann. Haldir had remained in Mabon, for there had been many wounded faeries there and he was busy tending to them. She had assured him that she would be fine... and of all times for her to encounter such dangers... it had to be now. She would not give up hope. She would keep walking forward, keep searching for someone or something. And she was not entirely oblivious to what or whom she was looking for. Many years ago she had come across a village where she had met someone who aided her. A very kind man, and she had thanked him by offering a charm of magic and blessed his son in a way that would give his son strength and protect him. Such things only worked if the person was open to believe in their aura... not to mention the fact that it was from Mabon, the realm of faeries and thus was naturally enchanted compared to this world.

She hated to be a bother once more, but this village was the closest place she could think to go to. To ask for refuge and aid. He and his wife had been so very kind to her and she hoped to one day properly thank them. She was clad in her long purple robe, the hood covering her hair. The gown created a tail as she walked, flowing behind her, and the material was that of Mabon, originating from there. She had a dress underneath but the lonliness in her travels had made her feel so much more cold. She knew she was not far now... but she suddenly froze. She stopped walking before the village came into clear view... for she felt something. Something so very overwhelming that it caused tears to form in her eyes. Maeve was already a rather emotional woman, so this threatened to push her over the edge. She could feel pain... so much pain... so much destruction... so much devastation so much.... death. She quickly moved forward and let out a small gasp when her lays rested on the horrific image before her. The village was gone. It was burned away... destroyed! This could not be! What of the people? What of.... Maeve continued to feel the pain and she felt as if she was going to fall to her knees from the overwhelming agony that threatened to consume her.

Her eyes darted to the now collapsed stone wall, and she knew... she sensed that behind it, there would only be more horror. She went towards it... each step done in fear of what was on the other side. When she saw it, this time, the tears fell from her eyes. It was not only the pain that she felt of what everyone had suffered in this village, but the horrible image of a stack of bodies piled up... burned away. Maeve cried. She did not know all the people, but she mourned for them. The sadness of so many lives lost was... there were no words to describe how dreadful this was! How purely devastating! Aa' i' ento palurin shi shaeraes ten' sen ar' kal sen. She whispered under her breath. It was a short prayer for the people. For those who lost their lives. The tears gently poured down her cheeks, wishing she could do more. Wishing that she could have been here earlier. There were friends within this village, families! How could one be so cruel?! It caused Maeve such sadness to know that there were people in this world who would harm innocents. Who would kill and murder and then just.... burn them like this.

Maeve walked backwards, away from the pile of bodies, her eyes so filled with sadness... so heartbroken at this. And the only thing that pulled her out of these saddened thoughts, was the fact that she felt... she sensed more pain. But this time, it was not what was left of the people before they died... but rather, the pained emotions of someone who was still alive. Her eyes glanced around, wondering and praying that there was a survivor. For the loss they suffered would be unimaginable, but if there was one life that could be saved from this... then one was better than none. It did not take her long to find who it was. A man, lying on the ground. Maeve quickly went up to help, falling to her knees right next to him. Was he alive?! Yes! He most certainly was! Was he conscious?! This Maeve did not know. She saw the tears from his eyes and she quickly reacted. She pulled the cloak off of her and draped it on the young man, serving as a blanket. For when one was so upset, their body grew colder, or shivered due to the intensity of their emotions. She looked at him, and felt something for him. Something that only took a few moments to recognize. It was a familiarity though she'd never met him before. But she felt... as if she knew him. She felt a connection.

Had she concentrated harder, perhaps she would have picked up on it right away. That the connection was due to his father, due to the fact that she had blessed his son who now lay before him. But for the moment, her primary concern was his health. Can you hear me? She asked in the softest of voices. If he was not awake, she considered entering his unconscious mind in the form of a dream. But wished to avoid the usage of her powers if she could. Instead, she would see if she could wake him up a more natural way. She used all her strength to keep herself calm, though it was horrible to think of what the people had been through, and what this poor man had been through for she did not doubt the pain emanating from him... was due to the brutal destruction of his home... and his family. Her tears continued to gently stream down her cheeks. She was not sobbing, but her eyes held sadness. Sadness for him... for her friends who were here... for everyone who passed on from this world.

{ EEEK! Sorry about the length!!!! Only the last two paragraphs or relevant! Heheh!! I promise not all my posts will be this terribly long!! }

[shonz]

The world might as well take his life away right here, right now, Percival thought as he lay there in the middle of the village, devoid of any more hope and determination. There was no sense to living anymore. He may not have seen the bodies of his own family yet, but he knew, he knew deep in his bleeding heart that they were there, in that cruel pile behind the wall, as charred and as unrecognizable as the others. His family was everything to him. His family was his world, the only people his life revolved around in. They may be poor, but they were happy as long as they had each other. Without them, Percival didn't see reason to life to live anymore. What other purpose was there? How could the world be so cruel as to leave him in so much pain as this? Had he not been a good son and brother?

He shut his eyes closed as he tried to take the painful stabbing through his chest over and over. The pain was real, and it burned through him like the fire that burned through the village. Lying there, he could only imagine how Cenred's men had done it. They'd lain siege to the small and defenseless village, and then ruthlessly slaughtered every man, woman, and child there like animals. He desperately hoped they had not raped any of the women, but he wouldn't put it past them if they did. When everybody was killed, he could see them piling the bodies up behind the wall just for something to plant their flag into. And then they razed the village down. They probably laughed and jeered as they watched the flames licking up each and every cottage in that small place, each and every body in that pile. Percival had heard about Cenred amassing this great army to take over the Kingdom of Camelot. With an army that big, it was easy for word to spread like wild fire from village to village, town to town. Percival knew that after Camelot, it would not be far for Cenred to take over all of Albion.

But his family...his father, his mother, his younger brother and sister. His friends. They were all gone now. Victims of one man's selfish desire for power. He wished he had been one of them. He wished he was not alive to see all this. It was all too painful to take in. Percival shivered as he felt another surge of cold and sharp pain stab through his chest. Physically he may be strong, but emotionally he was in shambles just like that. He could feel his consciousness rushing away and then back, never really living him, just hovering there waiting for him to grab hold. But he was too weak to do anything right now, too weak to fight for even his own life. Night was fast approaching, and he knew it would get colder still. He'd welcome the cold. He'd want it to take him. Heck, he'd even welcome Cenred's army if they come back and he'd gladly put himself in their path to die. He'd willingly welcome death now.

But then all of a sudden, he felt a rush of warmth cover him from out of nowhere. He could feel heat running up from the toes on his feet up to his legs, warming his empty stomach, his chest, his arms and fingers...until they reached his face. Covering him like a thick blanket, protecting him. It was not as scorching hot as fire but it was warm as the hearth of a home. He felt someone pulling him back to life just when he was about to let go. And it tugged at him rather strongly, like a big massive rope pulling him back to the surface.

"Can you hear me?"

It was the softest voice he had ever heard in his life. It was softer than the night wind, softer than his mother's lullabye, softer than his little sister's laughter. It was warm and reassuring like the strong and steady arms of his father. It felt like family. Percival groaned as he tried to hold on to the voice. He wanted more of it. He wanted to hold on to it. Somehow, the cold was forgotten. "Don't go..." he moaned as he tried to reach out to the voice. Slowly, he tried to open his eyes. There was nothing but darkness there as the sun had already totally hidden behind the mountains. But the warmth stayed, and he wanted to bask in it. He focused his mind, and he started seeing a silhouette of a woman kneeling there by his side. It was dark, but he could start to see the outlines of her beautiful face. He wasn't quite sure who she was, and yet she felt very familiar, like he had known her all his life.

"Mother?" He knew he was hallucinating. His mother was aging, but this woman was young and beautiful with a certain radiance emanating from her. Who is she?

[Maeve]

Maeve could have sworn her her heart melted when she heard his voice, or rather the request that he made with such a plea. He was broken... she could feel that much. And she could see it with her own eyes. The way he just lay here now, the way he was in the darkest depths of despair. Maeve wanted to reach out to him as far as her hand could extend. Her eyes filled with even more tears, hearing a phrase spoken with so much desperation; as if he was looking for hope... which meant he had not lost it all. No! She would not let him give up on anything. His family was gone, and Maeve could not begin to imagine the loss in this. She knew what it was like to lose loved ones, for every faery that died, she felt the pain of their loss. But his home and family was destroyed, and one person's pain could not be compared to another. She vowed here and now to help him. To never leave him in this state. And should danger come to them, then she would still yet remain with the poor young man.

Maeve was not too reserved in terms of personal space, and so when he asked her not to leave him, she reached out her hand and placed it on his forehead, gently stroking it. I am not going anywhere, she assured him in the same soft voice. He did not know her, nor she him... but he was not like other people. Maeve had found that in this realm, there was such a lack of trust among the people. In Mabon, people had were not so skeptical of others. But here, it seemed as if no one believed in a good deed without having ulterior motives. But this man needed help, and whether his words were meant this way or not, Maeve was interpreting them as him reaching out to her; seeking help, seeking comfort. He opened his eyes to look at her, and she wondered if he was truly seeing. His next word revealed his disoriented state... that he was not entirely lucid. She hurt for him; hurt for the losses he had suffered. The loss of a mother, a father, and whomever else he had here that were now being burned in a pile of discard.

Maeve did not have the heart to tell him the harsh reality; that she could not give him the comfort that only a mother could give their child. That she was but a stranger to him, yet she could not ignore the bond she had with him; something that compelled her believe she knew him beyond this first encounter. Where they had not even truly met. She kept her hand on his forehead, a touch of comfort... of alleviation of his pain and suffering. Although while she may be naive, she was not naive enough to believe that one touch could heal all. She could do so with physical injuries, but wounds of the heart ran deeper, stronger, and more painful. My dear you are not alone, she said, not having the heart to tell him she was not his mother, but knew that she could not encourage the illusion. My name is Maeve. And I wish to help you. Come out of the darkness that you have found yourself in. She was not asking him to move past all the hurt he felt, for nothing could heal that... time could only make it more easier to bare. She was gently requesting, softly urging him to return to full consciousness, if he was capable. And if he was incapable, then she would kneel by his side and wait until he was able.

[shonz]

“I am not going anywhere”

Percival’s face lit up into a slow smile when the soft and sweet voice told him reassuringly that she wasn’t leaving him. There was an equally gentle and tender touch that settled on his forehead, and one that made Percival feel all relaxed. Whether he was dreaming or not, he didn’t care. All he cared about was right now, he was feeling all calm and restful. It was a total departure from what he had felt earlier when he saw his village all burned down and the charred bodies piled on top of the other. Sure, he could still keenly feel the pain, but somehow he wasn’t feeling all lost and alone anymore. It made a big and significant difference.

Her next words and the lingering touch on his forehead continued to soothe him like never before, and Percival basked in the warmth it radiated all over him. He welcomed it all, opened himself up to it. It was hard not to. The call of the cold and dark was far and faint now, and slowly Percival was starting to feel a little less unsettled.

”My name is Maeve. And I wish to help you. Come out of the darkness that you have found yourself in.”

Maeve. He repeated inside his head, committing the unfamiliar name to memory. His vision started to clear out as the need to see his mysterious rescuer grew ever stronger. Whoever she was, he owed him his life. She had come at his most lowest, at a time when he was in shock with no sane thoughts whatsoever as to what to do. She had come at the right time.

Slowly, the silhouette started to come into focus. He first noticed the long dark hair that framed her sweet little face. Her sad eyes, her nose, her determinedly set lips came next. “Maeve,” he uttered. Percival pushed himself up little by little, waiting for a searing pain to slice the back of his head or anywhere in his body, but it never came. He heaved a deep breath until he was finally sitting up where he had been lying down before. Turning to the woman kneeling beside him, he curiously studied her face. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t remember ever seeing her before, and yet she still seemed unmistakably familiar to him. “Have we met before?” he asked weakly.

[Maeve]

Maeve did not miss the small smile that formed on his lips. It was a wonderful sight to see! That in all the sadness this young man faced, that he was able to find the emotions within his heart to smile. It only showed that his strength was not only the obviously physical strength that his appearance made him have... but also, an emotional strength; an inner strength. And this was what Maeve would use to help him... for she was doing nothing, but reminding him of the courage he had. A smile formed on her own lips when he repeated her name so perfectly. As if he was searching his mind, feeling the same connection she did... or if he was merely saying it to remember it. Either way, she was thankful for the effort he made when he was in such a saddened state. He wasn't pushing her away... and it was so much easier to be in the company of such a person who was willing to be helped. Or willing for the company at the very least.

She watched him sit up, hardly moving away from him, but only withdrew her hand from his forehead, allowing it to be at her side once more. She left the cloak on him, though it was no longer covering the upper half of his body with his now upright seated position. She looked at him carefully, as if studying him for any injury she may have otherwise missed upon first glance. His eyes were finally open and they looked more focused... he looked more coherent. And that was when he questioned her familiarity. Maeve was silent at first... silent because she knew she somehow knew him. She looked into his eyes, really looking... seeing and sensing so many emotions there. But it was the kindness and gentleness in his eyes that finally answered her questions about him. She recognized that for she'd seen it before in another man: his father. Her smile grew a bit for she now knew who he was... this man was his son.

She had not seen him since... since he had just been born! And now, he was grown up! He had become so handsome and true! So strong and kind! Maeve felt more tears fill her eyes but this time, it was not the sadness of what they had both found here... but rather, the happiness in being reunited with someone she had met so many years ago. He may not remember it for he'd just been born, but she had never forgotten him. And now, being in his presence... it was so very incredible. She only wished that the circumstances could have been better, but there was always a light in the darkness. A very long time ago, she answered simply, in a quiet voice. It would be far too difficult to explain right now who she truly was. After all, she doubted that she would overwhelm him with more information right now. She wanted to first take care of him. We should distance ourselves from this sight. Unless, you would like to say words of farewell? Words of prayer for those departed?

She was both asking and offering. She could easily say words of prayer, probably best in English and not her own language, or just stand by his side while he said goodbye to his family and friends; either aloud or spoken within his heart She knew that sometimes one felt they had to say goodbye to those who have passed... as she often did. But she also wanted to get him away from this sight and smell for it would do him no good. Take your time, she added, not wanting to rush him. This was not a time where one should feel pressured to do anything. Whatever you wish to do now, know that I am with you. If he just wanted to sit here, if he wanted to move about, if he wanted to bid his family farewell... either way, Maeve did not intend to leave him. Especially now when she had made the connection of who he was. The great man that he had become!

[shonz]

The tears that suddenly appeared in her eyes jolted Percival to his senses. His inner instincts and the teachings of his parents about taking care of the women, especially those in distress, suddenly kicked in. He had suddenly forgotten about his own predicament as he poised to see if she herself was all right. Somehow, tears trigger that protectiveness in Percival even though he himself was in pain. Think of others before yourself. Use your strength to protect those in need. Be the man. These were his father's words to him. And they are forever etched in his mind and heart, especially now that the old man is gone.

"A very long time ago." Percival's brows creased in confusion. Did she mean that they had met when they were still kids? She looked young, probably as young as he was. How could she still remember that meeting when he couldn't? Percival was about to ask her that when she spoke again in that same soothing voice.

"We should distance ourselves from this sight. Unless, you would like to say words of farewell? Words of prayer for those departed?"

She was right. They needed to leave and be away from all this monstrosity. He looked back at the pile of bodies now clearly visible with the wall all torn down. He knew King Cenred didn't have many men, so he had hired mercenaries to do his killing. This was the work of ruthless and lawless mercenaries. And Percival could feel his blood boil once again.

"Whatever you wish to do now, know that I am with you."

She had a way of making him feel at ease, of calming him down with just her words. She wasn't even touching him anymore, and yet Percival could still feel the warmth radiating throughout his body. As he moved his legs, he felt the soft cloak draped over them, and knew instantly that was what was making him feel safe and restful. "I am Percival. I used to live here. I was away...when I came back...this...I...I don't know how to thank you for...being here...with me..." It was the most that he could say to her. He looked her in the eyes to show her how sincerely grateful he was, and he felt mesmerized. There was something there, something beautiful and otherworldly. It's like she wasn't part of this world, and yet she very much is. Percival couldn't quite put his finger on it.

After a few moments, he snapped out of his thoughts, and gradually stood himself up. He draped the cloak back over her shoulders and smiled. As much as he wanted to leave with her now, somehow Percival couldn't get himself to walk away. Not yet. He can't just leave the bodies all piled up unceremoniously and disrespectfully like that. He looked back at the pile of bodies and then at Maeve. He reached a hand out to help her up. "I need to bury them," he told her simply.

[Maeve]

Maeve could not take her eyes off of him for she was entranced by how grown up he was. To see a man when they were just a baby, transition to this... made her wish she could have come more frequently to visit during his upbringing. But clearly, his parents had done a wonderfully fine job of raising him. For despite the sadness she felt from him, she could also feel something far stronger... a genuine kindness that she did not feel from a great many of this realm. And it only made her proud of the man he had become. Even if it had only been moments since they were reunited. When he began to speak, she reached out, taking his hand in hers. She was not sure how reserved he was in terms of a stranger's touch, but she felt the need to grant him comfort, and take the comfort he was providing her. Her eyes locked with his, the sadness slightly softening though she still felt it in her heart.

How could she not smile at him when he spoke such wonderfully kind words! Percival, she repeated, or more so an introduction to her words. You need not thank me for my presence, for I find it nothing less of a privilege to be in yours. She should be thanking him really! For not telling her to leave him. Something she had grown used in this world outside her home. All you can do for me is to promise that you will never give up hope in anything or anyone. That you stay true to your heart which I know is great. She had been afraid to see him just lying on the ground of the village, afraid that the darkness would consume him and he would enter it without the hope of returning. She was aware that she would eventually have to explain why it was that she knew so much about him, for it was said with far more than mere assumption. It was said with certainty. When he began to stand, she released his hand. It was only then that she noticed just how large he was.

She turned her head up to now allow her eyes to rest on his face. Being in his company could make any woman, or man even, feel well protected; feel safe and secure. Maeve was no exception to this for such instantaneous feelings, mixed in with the trust she had for him... made her feel more relaxed in his company than she had been in a long time. Perhaps the only other of this realm that she felt so secure with was Alistair, and she had met him on more than one occasion as he had become a brother to her. Her smile extended when he draped the cloak around her shoulders. He was so large and strong, yet so gentle in his touch. She took the offer of his hand and with his aid, raised herself to her feet. The gentleness of his touch only growing more tender. Just looking at him now, her neck not so raised up, she cast her eyes to the ground and lowered herself in a cutesy. It was an action that was typical of a greeting between any two people, regardless of status, for the concept of rankings was not so emphasized in Mabon. And Percival, certainly deserved all the respect she could give him.

She raised herself once more, her eyes meeting his as he spoke his next words: words of a burial. Her smile became less but it was still there. Not so much in happiness for the circumstances were too upsetting. But it was better than allowing herself to wallow in the grief that she felt for him. Then we shall bury them, she told him. She purposely said the words we rather than just allowing himself to speak in singular form. She had promised to stay with him, and she would not stand idly by. She planned to be of assistance, in any way that she could. She took his hand in hers once more, and took a step forward, as if to either lead him or walk alongside him towards the pile of bodies. Come then. Let us lay their bodies to rest and pray for the spirits they have become. For in the life after, they are sure to receive all the peace and solace that this world could not offer them in their last moments. She believed that there was a world after this; one filled with all the happiness that others could not find in this mortal realm.

[shonz]

"All you can do for me is to promise that you will never give up hope in anything or anyone. That you stay true to your heart which I know is great."

These words that were coming out of her mouth, they couldn't help but make Percival shiver in a good way. She spoke as if she knew so much about him, and while that may be a comfort at least, it was also kind of unnerving. How could she know him so well to talk to him like that? She sounded like his mother, like she had given a part of herself to him, and Percival was aching to know how that happened. He wanted to ask her the questions running inside his head, but he knew he couldn't. Not yet. Not until all that needed to be done here in the village is accomplished. He didn't know why but he felt like his time with Maeve was limited despite her assurances that she wasn't going anywhere. He felt that she could leave him any second, that she could vanish out of thin air if she wanted to. Percival hoped desperately she would not.

When she curtsied for him, Percival stepped back in surprise. When he finally caught himself, he leaned forward into a low bow knowing at the back of his head that that was what you do to greet a lady or any woman for that matter. Why she was curtsying to him though, he wanted to know. More questions to ask her later.

She spoke like some priestess when he told her he wanted to bury the bodies. She talked about spirits and the life after as if she knew about them full well. Percival knew he should be feeling a little nervous at those seemingly foreboding words, but he couldn't find it in him to be. He was still feeling warm and safe all over, and he knew she was the cause of it. How she was doing it was another one big question he needed answering to.

"I'll be right back." Percival turned and walked towards their partially burned down cottage. He disappeared for a few minutes and emerged with a spade in one hand and a burning lamp in the other. He gave Maeve the lamp on his way to the pile of bodies. It was dark all around them, but Percival knew he needed to do this now and not wait for tomorrow. Perhaps it was best to just dig a grave wide enough for all of them. He knew he could easily just burn the pile again until nothing but ashes remain from the bodies, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He wanted to have something, even just a grave, to come back to, to stand in remembrance of his family and the good people of the village of Yelling.

A few yards from the pile, Percival started digging.

[Maeve]

Maeve watched him walk away, curious as to where he was going, but also knew that it was not far nor for long. He returned with a lamp and a spade, passing her one of the tools. She took the lamp, walking with him towards the burnt pile of bodies. The smell was horrendous, but it was not that that caused further tears in Maeve's eyes. It was what she saw. So many people... fathers, mothers, sons, daughters... so many lives lost, and for no reason whatsoever. Maeve looked at the body, whispering a few words of prayer for those who had departed from this world in the most gruesome of ways. Would this never stop? Would violence constantly be so rampant in a world that should be promoting peace? Was it not so much harder to fight rather than just work towards more harmonious relations? Some called Maeve naive for believing such things, but she liked to think that the world was not such a dark place.

That there was always hope for a more peaceful and prosperous future. One that would not be filled with bloodshed and tears. She turned to Percival, watching him dig the graves for these now deceased villagers. Many of the bodies were burned to a crisp, but there were some that were still in shape enough to be buried. Deciding to be more helpful, Maeve set the lamp down near Percival so that he would have enough light to see. She then walked towards the large pile of bodies, gently wiping the teardrops from her tear stained cheeks. She was obviously not as strong as him but wished to be of some assistance. And hopefully, would not be more of a nuisance. There was a body on the bottom, one that was not too covered and would be easy to pull out. She took the arm of it and pulled it from the rubble. It had come out easily enough and when she managed to get it out, gasped at what she saw.

It was burned; practically blackened from the fire. But the size and stature of it made it clear that it was a child. Oh my! A poor child! Maeve shook her head with horror and silently wept for these people. She did not choke out sobs, but it was a quiet crying, only evident with her tears and slightly reddened eyes. Who could have done such a thing, she asked rhetorically, unsure if Percival held the answer. She then turned to look at Percival, finding the need to express stronger condolences. I am so sorry, she said, her heart continuing to break for the man who lost all that he had here. I am so very sorry dear Percival! It was all she could say to him, with as much sincerity as she could. No one deserved this fate... how could others be so cruel as to determine who should die in this way?

[shonz]

Percival worked tirelessly and with focused determination in digging the grave for his family, for his friends, for the very people he grew up and around with. He knew each and every one of them. Even with their charred bodies and completely unrecognizable faces, Percival knew in his heart and mind that these were his people. He could feel tears fall from his eyes every once in a while and would raise his arm over it wipe them away with his sleeves. This needed to be done. If not him, who else would do it for them? These were good people, peaceful people. He knew he would do everything he can to avenge their deaths.

"Who could have done such a thing."

He stopped and looked up to see Maeve sobbing over a blackened arm, an arm so small it could only have been that of a child, a very small and defenseless child. "Cenred's men. Mercenaries. Evil men who did it for money, for power," he replied, his jaws clenching in anger at the thought of children being mercilessly killed. Then he looked at Maeve again, at her slender figure hunching near the pile of bodies looking completely out of place. She in her cloak looking rather ethereal amidst the dark and bloody scene before her. When she turned to express her condolences yet again but this time with an even more heartbreaking tone in her voice, Percival felt his heart break with hers.

He immediately dropped the spade, and walked to where she was. Kneeling in front of her, Percival held the side of her shoulders in his large but comforting hands. "You don't have to do this. I can manage," he told her rather firmly. She had already done so much for him. He didn't know what it was that brought her here, but she need not experience the same pain that he was going through. Somehow, Percival cannot allow that. Wanting to end this suffering for both of them as soon as possible, Percival gave her shoulder a gentle and reassuring squeeze before returning to his spot, and continued digging as laboriously and as quickly as he could. Surprisingly, the pain inside him wasn't making him weak or useless. In fact, it spurred him to finish his task as soon as he could.

As soon as the deep and wide enough grave was ready, Percival started moving the bodies from the pile to the hole. Some bodies had immediately disintegrated into ashes as soon as he touched them, but some where still whole enough to be carried to their appropriate resting place. He took his shirt off, tore it into half, and tried to put as many burned body parts as it could hold. Back and forth, Percival moved the bodies to the grave, placing them carefully and respectfully beside each other. It was almost midnight before they had cleared the pile, and Percival started to cover the grave back with dirt. He was thankful that Maeve had been there with him. Despite what he told her earlier, he knew he couldn't have gone through the entire ordeal alone.

[Maeve]

Maeve heard him say that the men who were responsible were Cenred's men. The same men who Maeve had encountered days before. She could not understand it. How someone who should be taking care of their people, instead, cause their destruction and initiate their sufferings. Was this the kind of king Escetia had? Maeve wished she could talk to him... try to speak about how it would be so much more beneficial to be peaceful and care for the people! Why was that so difficult to understand? But clearly it was. In this realm, people used violence as a means to gain power, rather than build their allies only to maintain peaceful relations. It saddened Maeve so much! She could not imagine Mabon being this way! It was so much more peaceful! Less... dark. Maeve however did not believe in evil men, only cruel actions. No one was evil... yet it was so difficult to defend this reasoning when she saw what was before her.

And she would not say anything to further upset Percival. For she understood just how difficult to was to recognize that there was good, in those capable of stealing so many lives. It was entirely understandable that people called others evil... for these heinous acts could not be justified. Even if Maeve tried to believe that there was hope in everyone; that no one was too far gone. When he walked towards her, and knelt at her feet... Maeve only continued to see the abundant strength within him. She should be consoling him! And she felt so terrible that he was now the one consoling her. She gave a soft smile, gently putting her hands over his that were on her shoulders. He had such a strong but unimaginably comforting touch. No one should have to do this alone. Even if she lacked the physical strength, and apparently the emotional strength too, to do this... she would still be with him. She would not leave him in his grief.

And so, unable to help in the physical aspect, Maeve held the lamp up for him to provide him with better light as he dug. She began to sing... songs from her home, but translated into English. They may be unfamiliar to him, but the soft melody was meant to just help relax his mind, to soothe him during such a difficult task. She continued to sing as he dug, and then began to put the bodies in the grave. Tears continued to fall from her eyes, but her voice did not crack. She watched him helplessly... wishing she could do more for him than just stand here and witness this heartbreaking scene. She took off her cloak, and without pausing in between song, offered it to him. Another fabric to shroud the bodies in. It was something she could live without... for everyone could live without the vanities of this world. Besides, he was now without a shirt, and Maeve would have blushed out of modesty over seeing it... but the circumstances were too filled with agony.

When he covered the grave once again, she approached him, putting her hand on his back, for she could not reach up to his shoulder. She finally stopped softly singing as the task was drawing to a close. They are at peace now, she told him, knowing it was not much but it was all she could say. For as previously understood, time would be the only factor that would make the wounds less overwhelming. Yet, they would always be there. Know that they will always be with you, for you will always carry them in your heart. People could take away lives, but they could not take away the love nor memory that people held for one another. Would you like a moment to be alone with them? She asked, not wanting to intrude if he wished a few moments of solitude to bid his family farewell.

[shonz]

The soft melody of Maeve's voice wafted through the night air and warmed Percival to the bones. Even the wind seemed to sing with her, their gentle breeze caressing the trees and the grasses with their softest of touch, creating a calm and comforting music. The animals of the forest also lent their tune and harmony, and it felt like all of nature was mourning with him. Of all the nights when Percival should have felt more alone and helpless than anybody else in the world, he wasn't.

"Know that they will always be with you, for you will always carry them in your heart."

Maeva couldn't have said it more perfectly. He knew his family would always be with him, and he knew they would never leave him alone now. Not ever. Whatever it was that he was going to do now, wherever it was that he was going, he knew he will always have someone with him. Maeve's presence only strengthened that feeling, that assurance, knowing from here on out, things will go nowhere but up for Percival. All he needed to do was keep it in stride, and not let misery and agony take the better of him. If he kept his parents' teachings to heart, he knew everything will be alright.

"Would you like a moment to be alone with them?"

Percival turned to look at Maeve standing there beside him, and gave her a grateful smile as he shook his head. She had selflessly suffered with him through his ordeal, and he knew she must be just as tired and spent as he was. He placed a hand at the small of her back to lead her away from the burial site, and back towards their partially burned cottage. "Thank you for all that you've done for me tonight. I don't know how to repay you, but right now I know you need to rest," he said as he walked beside her. The ride to the next village for a more comfortable bed would still take hours, and Percival knew it was best to wait for morning here than travel through the night by themselves all weary.

"Part of the house is still standing. I'll clean and fix things up inside so you can have a comfortable place to sleep," he told her before disappearing with the lamp into the cottage. There wasn't anything useful to salvage inside the wreckage save for some thick woolen blankets that had miraculously withstood the fire and were only partially burned. Percival cleared a part of the ground underneath the roof of any stones and debris before spreading the blankets over it and dusting them off. He inspected the walls and the posts supporting the roof, and found that they should be strong enough not to collapse during the night. As soon as he was done cleaning up the area, he stepped out to call Maeve. "It's not much," he said with a rather shy smile as he showed her the makeshift sleeping space, not really sure if she'd be comfortable sleeping on the ground. "I'll stand guard outside. You sleep well, Maeve," he said as he grabbed an extra piece of the blanket and draped it over his shoulders.

[Maeve]

Maeve wished to protest. You owe me nothing dear Percival, she assured him. She did not want to think that he would ever owe her a single thing, simply by being here with him. She never quite understood the concept of reciprocity in this realm. But what she did know that everything she felt in the aura surrounding him was filled with strength, honor, and so many other things that made her feel entirely comfortable in his presence. And make her want to stay in his company. I wish the circumstances of our encounter could have been more pleasant. But know that I am just happy to be in your company. For reasons that remained undisclosed right now, so they could only be taken as a stranger, feeling lucky to have met him when he was in need of some support... after having just lost everything dear to him.

She walked alongside him towards his house, or what was left of it. As he said he would fix it, she gave a small nod and soft smile, waiting outside, not wanting to make herself over welcome. He was so very sweet! To go through all this for only her comfort. What an immensely kind man! It caused the soft smile to remain on her lips despite the darkness of recent events. There was nothing about him that could make a person feel unsafe. When he granted her entrance, she went inside, looking around, and knowing that it had once been a quaintly beautiful home. She had seen it when it was still standing, and felt so much love and warmth from it the moment she had stepped inside. Nothing had changed, for even though it was burned, the legacy of such love and strong familial bonds remained in the air. Maeve could feel it, and it gave such a tremendously warm comfort. I can see it was once a beautiful home, she told him.

She then turned to look at him, still smiling when he said that he would stand guard, and to sleep well. She reached out to put her hand on his arm, in efforts to stop him from leaving quite yet. In fact, in efforts to stop him from leaving alone. You should not be alone on a night such as this, she told him softly. Come, we will both stand guard outside and find comfort in sleep whenever it decides to claim either of us. She was not going to let him stay alone in his thoughts and pain. She was here to help him, not sleep while he was hurting. She picked up one of the blankets and went back outside, just outside the door. She spread it out on the ground, so that it provided a thin padding to sit on between them and the floor. She sat down and offered her hand to him, to come join her. Please sit with me, she urged softly and warmly.

[shonz]

To Percival, Maeve seem to be a gift from the gods. At a time when everything for him was at its lowest, she had come, from out of nowhere, asking nothing, giving everything. To a man who practically had nothing but his family to begin with, Maeve’s undemanding presence meant everything to him. It’s like a part of his family was still with him. Like they never really left at all. It felt like that with Maeve. And Percival could only wonder who she really was. Was she a distant relative perhaps?

Watching Maeve take in the remains of his partly burned down house gave Percival chills. No, it wasn’t a bad sort of chill. She looked at home there, not out of place in her seemingly ethereal aura and beauty. It felt like she belonged, like she had been here before and had made her mark on their home. It only confused Percival even more, and it made him want to know her more. Even as she spoke, she spoke with familiarity. Like she knew exactly what she was talking about. But try as he may, Percival couldn’t remember ever meeting her before even though she seemed someone he had known for ages. “It was. It may be small, but it was filled with so much love and happiness,” he replied, looking more at her than anywhere else. He was definitely intrigued, his curiosity now aroused more than ever.

The touch on his arm, even though it was meant to stop him from leaving, was the gentlest he had ever felt. Her unselfish offer of company was more than Percival could ever ask, and he seemed unable to deny her even if part of him was telling him to let her rest. So he nodded as he followed her back outside, and watched in slight disbelief as she spread out a blanket for them to sit on. When she sat and asked him to join her, Percival felt compelled to obey. It wasn’t like he would have declined the offer anyway. It was a good kind of compelling if there ever was one, soft and warm. It was what he needed at a time like this.

He sat beside her, and spread the blanket over his shoulder to also cover hers. Without much thought, his arms instinctively wrapped around her shoulders as he pulled her close. It was a chilly night, and they needed each other’s warmth. For a good few heartbeats, he held her there. Loving the warmth she exuded and basking in it. He didn’t know if it was healthy or not, but she was certainly making grief a lot more bearable for him, a lot more faster to go through. “Who are you, Maeve?” he finally asked as he looked down at her. He couldn’t control his curiosity any more. “It seemed like I’ve known you all my life, and yet I couldn’t remember ever meeting you before.”

[Maeve]

His words were strongly true. For she could feel such love and happiness from it, despite the grim conditions that had brought it down. One could erase the physicality of it, but not the memories that were built in it. Not the emotions that lingered... ones that she felt strongly. As she had all those years ago she'd come to pay a visit to his family. When he was but a new born child. Once they were seated outside she felt his arm come around her to pull her to him, and she just as naturally felt the same instinctiveness to react appropriately. As he leaned her body toward him, resting her head on his shoulder and feeling the instant heat and comfort from him. She closed her eyes for a moment, softly taking a deep breath as she silently prayed for those who were no longer with them. Until he asked her a question. It was an entirely valid question, one that he was completely entitled in asking her. Though, she knew not how to answer.

Because... it was a bit difficult to explain. What she did know was that he deserved answers. Because it was clear from his emotions and the way he had looked at her... that he felt a strange connection and familiarity. And she could not lie or deprive him from the truth. Not after everything he'd already suffered. I knew your father, she began to answer softly, though kept her head against his shoulder, rather than look at him as she spoke. She hoped he would not take it as rudeness. But her comfort in this moment seemed to outweigh the possibility of appearing rude in not looking at him while talking. Instead, he devised a compromise, lifting her eyes upward, so that her gaze could go to him, without having to move or turn her head. I came across these lands many years ago. Your father helped me in ways that no amount of words can express my gratitude for. She would start with that, as her mind worked to put together words so the grander revelation could be expressed properly.

[shonz]

For a moment there, with the long silence stretching out between them, Percival feared that she might evade answering his question. He feared that she might consider it rude to ask her who she was after all the help and company that she had just offered him. There is no harm in asking, is there? No matter what he tried to tell himself, to just let it go, it was just too much of a coincidence her presence here at a most grievous time like this for him. It was as if she was destined to come, not earlier, not later, but right at this most opportuned moment, when he needed someone to comfort him.

"I knew your father."

He looked at her when she spoke very softly, her head still resting against his shoulder. Percival instantly felt a tugging at his chest. Of course, Maeve would have to be a dear friend of his father or mother. He held his breath, knowing there was still more to come from her. What connection does she have with his family, Percival kept asking himself.

"I came across these lands many years ago. Your father helped me in ways that no amount of words can express my gratitude for."

That was it. She was repaying his father's kindness with a kindness of her own. But then, she said she had been here "many years" ago. How far ago was that? If Percival didn't remember meeting her, it must have been when he was still a baby? Looking at her now though, at the way she looked, she couldn't be anywhere older than him. This perplexed Percival no end. "Were you a young girl then?" he asked before he could stop himself. He paused, looking quite bewildered out towards the darkness as he tried to make sense of it all. "But you're probably just as old as I am, maybe even younger. How can that be possible?"