The Rising Angel - The Weeping Monk

The Joining

Elaine has begun to question whether her ideas are good or bad. She knows it could put everyone she loves in danger but she has to try. She needs to rescue the targeted Fey children. Nimue is most likely on her way towards the hideout but at least she knows she'll be safe. Besides, Elaine has Gawain to help her in case there are more paladins than she can handle. Together they would fight off the ones tracking down the Fey seeking refuge. It is possible that even Lance could figure out where they all are, since he could potentially interpret the symbols from when he was a child. It's all about whether he finally picks a side, his memories are almost restored, though the trauma and torture he endured pushed them away. Lancelot knew he had to choose - fight by Elaine's side or against her.

Elaine continues riding through the Woods with Gawain trailing slightly ahead on lookout for any movement. They each hear rustling in the bushes up ahead and Elaine focuses her hearing on approaching footsteps and heavy breathing. Someone is running from something. He sounds so young Elaine thinks to herself.

Gawain gestures to Elaine to take cover. Elaine dismounts Raven and hides him in the bushes while she prepares to catch the young Fey. She needs him to know where the hideout is.

She waits patiently until the young Fey runs closer to them, hearing echoing hoof beats following him. Paladins. She thought. The Fey is about to run passed them and Elaine moves fast, quickly grabbing him and covering his mouth to prevent him from screaming in fright. The boy looks up at Elaine and sighs with relief, recognizing her from the village. A red paladin dismounts his horse and slowly approaches near their hiding spot. Elaine concentrates and cloaks the fey around her, sighing in relief when she notices a clear-like shield surrounding them. The paladin continues his hunt for the fey boy in the woods, grumbling to himself in frustration and slight fear of the punishment from father Carden when he finds out.
"Stupid Feys. 'Don't let that boy go!' As if I let him! 'You're an embarrassment to the red paladins, Herald!' Bunch of pansies didn't chase after him through these wood now did they? Wish a Fey gave them a big ass kicking, staying right at the forest entrance... Ugh, The stupid Monk will tell him I've failed and I'll lose a body part for it" he grumbled.

Hearing the name of her past love, Elaine's protectiveness over the Fey boy grew. She saw firsthand the ruthlessness he exhibited but she knew it was a mask to hide away the pain. Elaine knew she had to get through to him but she didn't know how. He was slowly becoming more of himself as his memories returned but she knew he needed a bigger trigger. Something to remind him of his past completely. Who was a major part of his childhood? Who was constantly there to remind him, encourage him and convince him? Elaine. Elaine is oblivious to the obvious answers though. Gawain isn't. He knows they have to meet again, face-to-face and it's possible they'll get the chance later. Elaine looks to Gawain and nods, signaling she's going to attack. Gawain, noticing the feral look in her eyes, covers the Fey boy's eyes in his arms despite them being slightly covered by the trees.

The Red Paladin, Herald, paused his grumbling as he looks around the forest to see if he can spot the Fey boy. He doesn't see anything suspicious and begins walking closer to where Elaine is hidden with her daggers and goes out into the open. Herald pauses when he sees her, slightly captivated by her beauty and stunned to see someone alone in the forest. As Herald's hands grow with nerves, Elaine crouches down and throws a dagger at his side, effectively stopping his search.