Percival and Gwaine took their usual seats at the round table. The Council Chamber was so quiet Percival heard his own shallow breathing. Even the most serious of meetings rarely started out this somber. And more that the silence was the thick presence of worry in the air. Council members sat erect, and even Gwaine did not crack jokes. With no need to call for quiet, Arthur started right in. “Men, we leave for Abertawe not at first light, but at dusk. If we ride hard, we can meet Odin’s army at the shore and be in position by sunrise. Rest for now, say your goodbyes and prepare to ride out near sunset. ”
Arthur briefly explained his battle plans, then dismissed everyone. Percival wanted to get to Fleur and Rion right away. He had faced battle before many times, but he’d had no one to return to. This fight against Odin seemed scarier than most, because if he fell, for once, there would be a family to miss him. However, a family to return to also bolstered Percival’s resolve. It would make him fight harder because he had something to fight for – the people he loved. Percival made it a few feet away from the room when Fleur and Rion rushed up to greet him. “We heard. ”
Rion flung his arms around Percival. You have to leave. Can I come with you? ” Percival took a knee. “Son, if all goes well, I’ll return in little more than a day. I need you here to take care of Fleur. And Banon. She’ll be ready to live with us soon. ” “And if it doesn’t go well? ” “I have fought in countless battles, and even during the worst of confrontations, l’ve made it home. I will this time, too. ” Rion gazed up at him with a pleading look. “Can you promise that? ” Percival wished he could, but Rion deserved the truth. If, gods forbid, Percival perished in battle, and had promised Rion he would return home, Rion would never anyone ever again.
Though painful, honesty was best. “Rion, any man or woman could die at any time. You know that. But I promise I will fight to the last breath to make it home to you. ” “And mum? ” asked Rion. “I want Fleur to be my mum now, even if you’re not married yet. I’m ready. ” Fleur knelt beside Percival and faced Rion. “Then our job is to make sure your father goes off to battle with our love filling his heart. Can we do that, son? ” “Yes,” said Rion, trying to smile although his eyes filled with tears. “We can do that. Maybe we should play with Banon down in the kennel.
Banon loves him, too. ” “She’s a part of our family, too,” said Percival, “and a few hours of puppy love is just what I need. ” Percival took Rion and Fleur by the hand, and they headed for the kennel, where they spent time with the ebullient pup. By the time Percival returned from Abertawe in a few days, Banon would be weaned and ready to live with them. And a few days after that would be Percival and Fleur’s we Percival would return to his son betrothed if he had to crawl home with his head hanging by a thread. He had so much to live for.
Chapter 26 – Facing Odin Ah, nothing like a soothing nighttime ride to the beach,” said Gwaine during Camelot’s army’s ride south. “If we weren’t facing death, perhaps it would be pleasant. Hey, if we’re victorious, I plan to swim in the sea. Naked. ” “Hmmm… A sword to the gut or seeing Gwaine’s bare arse… I might prefer the sword,” said Leon, who rode in formation in front of Percival and Gwaine. “I knew it! Our First Knight has a sense of humor after all,” said Gwaine. Percival just smiled. This was where Gwaine excelled, bolstering spirits and solidifying camaraderie before confrontations.
Percival had been a knight for over five years, so he could manage his nerves. But the younger men all but shook in their saddles, and Gwaine made it a point to ride around and involve them in bawdy jokes and backslapping. Percival hated the fact that many knights saw Gwaine as a joke and not for the man he was – a fierce warrior, the most loyal of friends and subjects, and someone who cared deeply. When the young and inexperienced fell in battle, Gwaine was the first to offer prayers over their bodies and shed a tear. Much like the ladies of the brothel, Gwaine never judged, never considered himself above others.
If he drew you into his innercircle, he held you there, close to his heart and protected. Without a thought, he had accepted Fleur as a friend and Rion as a nephew. Gwaine was the finest man Percival had ever known. Imperfect, to be sure, but the best friend and brother a person might ask for. “Look at that face! ” Gwaine tossed his head back and laughed as his horse cantered through the dark beside Percival. “What are you thinking about? Wait, don’t tell me. You looked sort of serious, then relaxed. You must be thinking about your woman. Or sex. Maybe both. ”
Percival pressed his lips together and tried not to laugh. If I was, I wouldn’t tell you. ” After riding on in silence for a time, Gwaine leaned in and muttered, “These new knights, the young ones, are terrified. We have to show strength. Protect them. ” “Worry about yourself, too, Gwaine. ” “I… I will. ” XXXX Arthur’s army had made it to Abertawe before sunup, faster than expected, but not fast enough. Odin’s men were already pouring off their ships, crossing the beach, and rushing onto the open, sandy field, which was dotted with tall seagrass. The sand was too soft to fight on horseback, so Camelot’s knights dismounted; they would have to fight on foot.
Meanwhile, Merlin set up a makeshift infirmary under tree cover where he would manage the wounded. Arthur hardly had time to shout orders before the first barrage of flaming arrows hit. Gwaine, helping one of the younger knights get his shield up just in time, narrowly escaped a direct hit to the face. Another round of flaming arrows sliced through the knight, and this time, Percival shielded a new knight who had panicked and forgotten all his training. The fire burned through Percival’s trousers and seared the back of his thigh.
That would leave a permanent mark, but in the heat of battle, wounds seemed to hurt less. “They outnumber us two-to-one,” said Gwaine, while Odin’s archers no doubt prepared to fire again. “But you know what I say about those odds, don’t you? ” “That you love them? ” Even in the low light, Percival caught Gwaine’s wink. “I do. ” Before another round of arrows hit and they were forced back further, Arthur ran to the front of the army. “Fight your way to the water and do not stop until you reach it. We can do this, men. You are warriors of greatest army in the known lands, and Tam proud to call you my brothers.
For the love of Camelot, charge! ” With wild battle whoops, Percival and King Arthur’s men charged onto the sandy field. For Percival, the most terrifying moments of fighting were the first. The instant before sword met sword, his heart thundered and the gorge rose in his throat. If one could survive that first strike, he could survive many more. Digging deep into his heart and conjuring up the strength Rion and Fleur had given him, Percival fought like he never had. He swung his sword like it weighed nothing, and cut his way through foes as if they were dandelions.
For his family, the people of Camelot, and his knight-brothers, Percival would make his way to the water. A grayish-pink dawn trickled across the sky as the battle raged on. Odin’s men seemed to be everywhere. When two fell, three appeared in their places. During a pause in the fighting, Percival glanced around. Too many of Camelot’s knights lay injured or dead, their blood leaking out onto the sand, coloring it a cruel rust-red. The tang of burned flesh met his nose. Then another scent grew stronger, fear, that unmistakable, pungent smell of sweat mixed with vomit.