You Never Break Your Promises (Merlin Fan Fic)(Book Two)

Chapter 8 - After A Good Days Hunt.

It was quiet in the forest of Balor, the birds sung their songs, along to the melody of the streams and rivers passing through the woods. Everything was at peace. 

Swerving through the trees the King and knights as well as Lady Nyx walked slowly and carefully over the forest floor not daring to make a sound. in their hands they enlarge cross bows , already with arrows set to fire. 

Arthur held his hand up to stop them. He pointed half the group to go round what the King had seen. The feast of them even slower that before moved in on their target. 

Not knowing what was surround it, what the hunting group had eyes on, continued to eat from the forest grass and the leaves around it. 

Arthur ordered everyone to get low so he could take a shot. 

He held the cross bow up to his face, with his elbows bent and one knee to the ground. 

He pointed the arrow at the target standing innocently, surrounded by armored men. 

Taking his time to get the shot perfect, Arthur released the arrow from the crossbow. Then he watched as it flew into his targets chest. The target fell to the ground.

"Good shot, Sire," Leon congratulated Arthur.

"The deer comes with us," Arthur shouted out to the knights. 

The deer struggled as it was slowly dying. Nyx turned to the deer and crouched down beside the creature. She rested its head on her lap, as Leon passed her a small blade. 

The deer relaxed as she brushed her hand over the seeds neck. Without the deer knowing, she pushed the blade into the dying creature, putting it out of its misery. 

Gwaine and Elyan lifted it from the ground and onto the back of Nyx's horse.

"Why do I have to have the dead beast on my horse?" Nyx asked precipitously. 

"You are not going on that horse anyway," Gwaine reciprocated.

"Well I am not walking back to Camelot," Nyx said to him, with death glares. 

"Don't worry, you can ride with me," Leon replied. 

Nyx turned and looked up at her tall husband sitting on his horse lowering his hand to help her on. She sat behind him and wrapped her hands around his waist ready to make way back to Camelot.

******

The city was in darkness, the sun had set and fires were the only light left, apart from the full moon that shone down on the city. 

One of the large windows letting light filter out into the sky was open with two sets of feet pendulously over the ledge.

Scrutinizing out, Percival lay back in one of his chamber chairs. Incumbent, Adela prevailed over her husband's body with her eyes closed and hands tucked in to her chest. Percival his armed around her, to insure that she didn't fall in her nonbelligerent sleep. He was vigilant to see his friends return from the hunting trip.

Getting tired himself, he reached behind him and grabbed a cover to keep Adela and himself warm. Pulling it over his wife he smiled at her and kissed her head, wrapping his arms around her once again.

As Percival closed his eyes he heard the hunters returned to the city with their prize. He watched Gwaine and Elyan jumped off their horses and slid the deer off the horse, before carrying the heavy creature down to the kitchens.

Arthur was greeted by his queen, as he stopped his horse right in front of her.

He got off the horse landing on the hard cobblestone ground, and walking up to his queen. Arthur kissed Gwen and gave her a hug.

"I won't be long, I just want to go see Adela," Arthur said to her.

"Are you hungry, I can get the kitchen to prepare some food," Gwen asked.

"Yeah, that would be lovely, see you soon," Arthur kissed her cheek before heading up the stairs.

Leon in that time had managed to get off him horse, and then pulled Nyx onto his shoulder and carried her, no amused as to what was happening up to their chamber, to get something to eat, before they went to sleep.

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*knock knock*

"Come in," Percival called across the room, unable to move.

"Percival?" Arthur called over.

"In here, could use a hand, sire," he replied. Arthur wandered over past the pillars in the middle of the room to see his knight sitting on a chair with his legs up on the window frame, his daughter curled up asleep on top. "How was the hunt?"

"Although it was a success, it was overshadowed by the events earlier," Arthur began leaning against the wall, "how is she?"

"Gaius has said she's broke her leg, she won't be able to do anything for the time being," Percival replied holding Adela close.

"Well she can help take charge of the court duties, she will need to learn for when she becomes queen," Arthur suggested, "I would also like you to sit in on them, as your now a big part of this family. You will after all, rule along side Adelaide,"

Percival widened his eyes at the thought, and nodded earnestly to Arthur, "Arthur would you help me move her to the bed please?"

Arthur pushed himself off the wall and over to his daughter wrapping his arms around her. Gently picking her up he edged over to the bed placing her on the mattress. He brushed the curls off her face, leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"I'm grateful that she has you," Arthur began, watching over his daughter. Percival rose from chair and stretched his arms out, turning around towards Arthur.

"Arthur, I promised you that I would never let anything happen to Adela. I intend to keep that promise," Percival replied putting his hand on Arthur's shoulder. Arthur turned to smile at his knight.

Arthur took one last look down at his daughter before slowly departing out of the room.

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