Safe and Sound

[Arthur Pendragon]

Relief did not even begin to describe what Arthur was feeling right now. He had been so afraid for the knights and Guinevère, terrified even, that the worst had happened to them. The determined search had indeed paid off for he made it just in time to keep the Lamia from killing Merlin and Guinevère, and they had made it in time to even heal Elyan, Leon, Percival and Gwaine. They were all going to be fine, thank god. Arthur had already briefly greeted Percival as he was the first to awake. They would need to rest for they had at least half a day's journey ahead of them, and Arthur didn't want to push any of them. They were in Longestead, and safe for the time being. No more lamia's or other bizarre creatures threatened this area, not any more. The outcome had been most ideal: the creature was dead and everyone made it out alive. Arthur could not have asked for anything better.

He was sitting outside with a small bowl of food. It brought to mind years ago, how Guinevère had scolded him for being ungrateful and judgmental of the simple food that villagers had. How much he had learned from then. For now, he felt nothing but enjoyment in it. It may be simple and not what he was used to, but none the less, it was good. It was something that would fill him. Maybe he was just in a good mood right now. Yes. That most likely contributed to the good taste of this. He was pulled from his thoughts when he saw Percival emerge from the small house he and the others were resting in. Arthur immediately rose to his feet, taking a few steps toward him. "Percival," he greeted, relief still on his face as he smiled at his friend. "How are you feeling?" He questioned, wondering if he remembered any of what had happened . . . for Arthur had received a rather detailed account of it from Guinevère and Merlin.

_{Setting: Longstead
Time of Day: Afternoon
Timeline: Near the end of Lamia, shortly after Percival wakes up
Tag: Sir Percival}

[Deleted]

Stirring, Percival blinked his eyes a few times, trying to adjust to the sunlit room. Slowly, he sat himself upright, on the edge of the bed, and looked around. His body felt stiff and his mind felt fuzzy, other than that he did not feel any damage to his body. A glance around told him the others were still sleeping. He rose to his feet, and reached for his sword that was nearby. Percival secured it to his waist, then slowly and quietly made his way to the door, so as not to wake the others. Walking outside, he closed the door behind him. He took a minute, standing outside the house, as he tried to get his bearings about him.

Looking out he spotted the King walking toward him, and he closed the gap some between them, taking a few large steps of his own. Percival offered Arthur his arm. ''Arthur,''' he said his tone warm, as he smiled and nodded his thanks. Arthur had not needed to go looking for them, but he had, anyway. He was the king, but he was also their friend, at least Percival thought so. "I am good, Sire,'' he said and then paused for a moment, as he tried to fill in the holes in his memory. He remembered leaving Camelot and coming to Longstead. And he remembered leaving Longstead to return to Camelot. They had run into some others, and he remembered fighting... and a girl. But then it was like his mind went blank after that. What had happened between then and now? It confused him, worried him that he could not recall. 'What happened?” he asked looking at Arthur in confusion. I remember being in the woods with the other knights, and then...” he trailed off, not finishing his sentence.

[Arthur Pendragon]

As Percival extended his arm, Arthur took his, putting his hand around Percival's forearm in a friendly greeting. The knight continued to speak and Arthur felt relieved to hear that he was doing well. While Gaius had assured him that they would all make a full recovery, it was better to see first hand that they were. And Percival was already up and moving around which was an excellent sign. He then asked what happened and Arthur looked at him, noticing the genuine confusion on his face. So they had no memory of it then? Arthur couldn't help but smile in response, wondering if he should tease the men mercilessly or maintain a professional demeanor. Perhaps a bit of both? Maybe slightly more for the first. Arthur picked up another bowl of food and passed it to Percival, unsure if he was feeling hungry or not but felt it best to at least offer.

"You truly do not remember any of what happened?" Arthur asked, just wanting to make sure . . . wanting to know just how much he would need to piece together from him. And even then, it would all be through what Guinevère and Merlin had told him. Arthur knew that if he was with them, then he would have fallen under the same spell. Though it made Arthur wonder why Merlin did not fall prey to the lamia. Was it because he was more feminine then the others? A small tease that had crossed his mind before, but even Gaius did not know why he had been exempt from her enchantment. Just another curious mystery when it came to sorcery and dark magic. "From what I hear, you and the others have been through quite an ordeal," he added, a hint of teasing in his voice.

[Deleted]

After Arthur returned his greeting, his arm dropped to his side. Percival could not help but feel some apprehension when he saw Arthur smile at his words. There was nothing amusing about it. At least he thought... or hoped so. What had they done that would amuse Arthur so? Or more importantly, what had he done? The possibilities were probably endless. He snapped out of his thoughts, and accepted the bowl Arthur offered with a nod of gratitude. He was hungry.

He stopped and thought about the question for a moment. Trying to remember what had all occurred, but after stopping their horses and fighting his mind was quite hazy. ”No,” he replied looking at Arthur, wondering if he should be worried. As the king talked, he ate a bite of his food, and then paused. An ordeal? That did not sound very good. But, Percy also picked up on the teasing tone in Arthur's voice, and that eased his worry. What ever they had done, the king was not mad, which was good. Percy did not want to lose his knighthood over something he did while under the influence of an enchantment. Not that he really thought Arthur would do something like that. No, by the teasing in the king's voice, it made him think whatever he or they had done was more on the embarrassing side than anything. So, what had Gwaine done now? And would he ever live it down? At least when they pulled pranks together, he could usually remember it. Well, unless they went to the tavern. “What foolish thing did we do?” he asked amusement in his voice as he raised an eyebrow at Arthur in question.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Ah so he truly did not recall any of it. Arthur wasn't sure if that was for the best or not. On the one hand, he knew the frustration of not being able to remember anything and trying to fill those holes in ones memory. On the other hand, now he had the opportunity to tell him what happened. And that could indeed be fun. Besides, they all deserved a bit of a break after everything that happened. And why not add some humor to help lighten the mood. "Quite an appropriate phrasing of the question," Arthur told him as Percival questioned which foolish thing they did. Yes. Foolish indeed. "Well for starters, the four of you were fighting over the same woman." Did they remember her at all? Were they aware that the woman was actually the lamia?

When he, Gaius, Agravaine and the others arrived, the townspeople did not seem to know of the lamia which led Arthur to believe that Merlin, Gwen and the knights had not discovered the true creature at work. He had explained to Guinevère what had happened, but seeing as how the knights had just woken up -- well mainly Percival -- perhaps they didn't know after all. "Lamia, I believe her name was." Though of course when Arthur saw her, she was a massive creature, not an innocent looking girl. "Does that name sound at all familiar?" He further inquired, a small smirk still playing on his face.

[Deleted]

Percival put a few spoonfuls of the food into his mouth It was no feast, but that did not bother him in the slightest. In a way it, reminded him of the breakfast he often had growing up in the small village of Escetia. He was hungry, and it was still somewhat warm, he was in no position to complain. "Quite an appropriate phrasing of the question," As he ate more, he looked at his king, his eyebrow raised in question, not wanting to talk with his mouth full, and be rude. "Well for starters, the four of you were fighting over the same woman." He coughed some as some of the food went down the wrong pipe as he heard those words come out of Arthur's mouth. After a bit, he felt like he could breath again, and was no longer coughing. But, he set down the rest of his uneaten food, no longer hungry. Or rather, he feared he might chock more with whatever else he would be told. The words sank in. They had fought over the same woman. Elyan, Gwaine, Leon and himself. Never had he thought that would happen. They were his brothers.

”I remember her...well sort of, he said slowly, looking at Arthur. I remember seeing her after we saved her,” he said not saying he remembered how protective he had felt about her. But that's where his memory became foggy. It must be an enchantment, he thought, what else could do that? His head did not hurt as though he had struck it on something to cause his forgetfulness. ”I didn't know her name, or remember if she told us... me,” he said embarrassment coming over him that he let this happen to himself. What Arthur must think of him, not as a friend, but as a king. To have a knight be so foolish over a girl, enchanted or not. ” She was not in need of our protection, was she, Sire?” He had a feeling he knew the answer, even as the question left his lips. Catching the smirk on his king's face, he had a feeling Arthur was enjoying this far too much, that he would not live it down for as long as he lived. At least one of them was getting some amusement out of this, it certainly was not Percival at the moment.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur listened as Percival recalled certain events. Arthur's short description seemed to trigger the memory as the knight spoke of sort of remembering her. But his following uncertainty as to whether they knew her name, or whether she had needed their protection, revealed that not all was remembered. Which of course was understandable, considering he'd been under the creature's curse. "It was more like, you were in need of protection," Arthur said with a bit of a teasing smile. Had things not ended as well as they did, Arthur would never jest or tease about such things. It was only because everyone had made it out alive that it was easier to tease and mock the knights.

"Her name I believe she told you was Lamia." At least that was what Guinevère had told him. And Arthur had in turn explained that it was the name of the creature, and that it had only taken a human form but . . . well, Merlin, Guinevère and himself had all seen the non human form of the creature. " The name of the creature was Lamia," he further explained. "And It was, not exactly a young woman, but merely taking the form of one to lure men to her. And she was indeed successful with the lot of you." Except for Merlin which he still didn't understand. What had made him immune to her spell? While it was curious and Gaius had no explanation either, he supposed it was not of too much importance.