#Nimue x lancelot

[darklinaforever]

These shows that I still hope to have a sequel to one day :

For information, there are currently real discussions about a possible return of Julie and the Phantoms (but on Disney + this time). The creators of the show Dark Crystal are still not giving up the possibility of giving a conclusion in one way or another to their show. Then there's the hope that Willow will one day return since it's more on indefinite hiatus than canceled. As for Cursed, we are supposed to one day have the sequel in book form. Conclusion : I'm waiting. May hope be with me, with you, with all of us.

[talesofthehollow]

So it's been some time since we had an update, but I thought it would be nice to take a moment to thank @allgirlsareprincesses for A Song of Ash & Sky. Looking back at my moodboards, I'm forever grateful to your words that inspired them.

Merry Xmas & Happy Holidays, everyone! ❤❤❤

[97b0n3s]

♡ The shadow ♡ (inspired by the painting by edmund leighton)

[ohdeariemeno]

Day three: Black Knight

Reference: This painting called A Huguenot.

[dg-darkfantasy]

Arthurian

@shadamytober Day 13

As I said in the last prompt, all Shadamy is great Shadamy, so here is the mandatory Lancelot X Nimue 💙

'But Divi, it's almost the same pose you drew last year!' Yeah, Divi knows this, Lancelot and Nimue are hard enough to draw (too much detail!!) to try to draw them in any other way than side view yet

[buffyfan145]

Also I'm still loving this whole relationship between Derfel and Nimue in "The Winter King"!!! :D It's probably since it's so similar to so many of my ships that have so many obstacles keeping them apart and then like a lot of the LOTR ships too and knowing Tolkien loved the Arthur legends too and wrote his own version it just makes sense to me. So I'm even more curious how it'll be when Guinevere gets here and later Lancelot and who I'll be shipping her with as I really like this version of Arthur.

[throped]

The Weeping Queen // Weeping Monk x OC // Chapter 3

This place isn’t so bad. I’ve made friends but also some twats who love to annoy different people. Nimue is going to wield the Sword of Power; I just know it. But other than that stuff, I know everything from how to shoot someone directly in the eye to all the knowledge one could possibly hold. Although I’m a human, every adult in the village accepted me, I was given to them by The Hidden. Apparently I was a gift. I’m a lot older now, 21. I still reminisce about my old world, Earth. I hope that all of this will pay off. The hours and hours I struggled to grasp the knowledge and the hours and hours I sat with the healer because I couldn’t mount a horse back then. Now that I mentioned it, Lenore gave me a horse, he was swift and not to mention a gorgeous grey with black hooves. He is wonderful. I still remember the first day I met him, I was 14, it was exactly a year after I had arrived. I had been walking near around my hut when Nimue arrived, pulling on the horse’s reins as she tried to pull the horse towards me.

“This is a horse mother asked me to give you. She said you deserved it after all the work you’ve been doing,” Nimue spoke as she heaved harder to try and pull him towards me. But to Nimue’s disdain, the horse just wouldn’t move. I just laughed at Nimue’s angered face as she kept on trying to pull on the reins. I carefully made my way to the horse as to not startle him. I told Nimue to give me the reins and to my surprise, the horse licked my left pocket of my long black coat. I got confused until I reached inside and found a little baby carrot in it. I chuckled and handed it to the horse who gobbled it up in mere seconds. Then I pulled on the reins once more and he moved to my desired place. He would listen to all of my commands. I ended up naming the him Raven. He was intelligent for sure, and I was stunned when he always found his way back to me after running around in the woods.        

***

Squirrel came running into the gate as I and Nimue stood talking about her wanting to escape this village. I knew that they didn’t treat her right. Everyone called her a witch when she was just like them but had her share of scars. “Look what I have!” Squirrel jumped. “Where’d you get that from Squirrel, you’re not meant to be stealing!” I scolded him. I shook my head and motioned him to try it if he wanted, I couldn’t care less, as long as he didn’t get hurt. He took a sip and made an awfully good acting face, “little too much,” Squirrel said. I laughed it off as some person came walking and called Nimue a witch. “Piss off you old hag!” Squirrel shouted back. He sure had the guts. I muttered a small, ‘I need to go find Raven,” and smiled.

“There you are, boy,” you called out to Raven, he neighed in response, or just naturally? I don’t know. Well, I sat there feeding him his favourite apples, green apples. He loved green apples and that caused me to like them too. They are sour but they taste amazing. Just as I was about to get another piece to eat myself, Nimue came out of no where with Pym following her behind. “I was chosen by the Hidden,” Nimue mumbled, “and I’m leaving for good, I’m going to board the ship that sails in Gramaire, I never wanted to be chosen anyway,” she added. I suddenly stood up, “Nimue wait-.”

“No Dae, you cannot stop me, I’m going either way,” she said. Pym and I looked at each other. “It’s not that you idiot, we’re coming with you,” I stated. Nimue smiled and quickly packed her things. She’s always wanted to leave this place. I knew that the boat in Gramaire had already left a week ago and wasn’t going to come back for another 6 months but I knew I couldn’t convince Nimue since she would say I’m lying to keep her here. The least I can do is be there when she’s disappointed that the boat has left already.

We set out on our horses. Well, Nimue didn’t have a horse, so she borrowed one from the stables and Pym sat along with her. I took Raven of course, couldn’t leave that horse behind even for a second. As we galloped through the path, Pym kept asking Nimue questions on how we’ll survive. “Do we even have money?” Pym asked. “I have 20 silver, Pym. That’ll be enough to last us a week if we’re lucky,” Nimue replied. I sat on Raven for hours and hours and I probably fell asleep at one point, but I knew Raven wouldn’t drop me. When we finally reached Gramaire, I tied Raven to a stand nearby as well as the other horse Pym and Nimue picked up and ran up to Pym and Nimue who were already at the dock. Nimue asked a guy near us, “Do you know when the ship is mean to arrive?”

“It already left. The next one is going to come six months later,” he said. I knew it. She was sad. “Well, guess I’ll get to keep you for six more months,” Pym tried to lighten the mood. Nimue sighed and motioned for us to follow her back to the horses. I felt bad for Nimue, everyone insulted her and called her a witch when she wasn’t. Just because she’s more connected to this world doesn’t mean you shame her! It’s unfair. I cant even imagine the pain Nimue has to go through.

As we were walking back, Nimue suddenly stopped for a second and looked towards this man preforming a song. He appeared to look towards Nimue too and I was certain Pym saw it too. I didn’t have time for distractions though. I had sword fighting with some of the locals in a day, so I had to go back to prepare. I thought Nimue would just come back after hearing about the boat, but I was wrong. Seems like she’s found someone she’s interested in, so I’ll let her be. She deserves this. While Nimue was staring at the performer, I took a step towards Pym as my cloak followed behind me. “Pym, I trust you to take care of Nimue, it turns out that since we’re not leaving, I have sword fighting in the span of 14 hours. And I need you to make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid,” I said, concerned whether I’d make it or not. “You’re leaving?” Pym asked. “Yes, I see that Nimue has found someone that she may like, I can see it in her eyes. But I have to attend, or the sword fight will be an automatic defeat if I don’t go. And you know that I’ve never lost a sword fight, Pym,” I said. “Okay, I’ll be here for Nimue. But Dae, seriously, travel safe, red paladins could be anywhere,” Pym said. “You think those dimwits can kill me? I’m here to kill them, Pym,” I stated with full confidence. “I know, I know, but just, be safe. Alright?” She said. “Yes, yes Pym, I’ll be fine,” I replied. I waved her a goodbye and wandered off to Raven.

“Hello Raven, Pym and Nimue aren’t coming so it’s just me and you back,” I smiled as if he knew what I was saying. I placed the saddle more securely on Raven’s back and mounted him. I then rode out of Gramaire’s gates and into the woods. It was cloudy and gloomy today, but I could see traces of the sun trying to shine through the clouds. “I hope Nimue and Pym are safe,” I spoke under my breath. I kept riding on the trail until I found myself at the entrance of the woods, I’ve been here for 8 years so I surely know my way around this place. It was part of my studying in the 8 years I’ve stayed here.

I then realised that Red Paladins were attacking other Fey villages and killing them. I hated the red Paladins, I promised myself that if I’d ever see one, they would be dead before they even knew what hit them. But of course, I feel bad for them too, they think we’re monsters. Wait no, they think the Fey are monsters. “You’re a human Dae, you can and never will be Fey,” I said to myself, sighing. I just need to find a way out of this fantasy world, but I fear it will be too late if I stay here too long. I fear that I will make attachments to others just like I’ve done with Nimue and Pym. I kept on riding into the woods until I saw a little clearing where Raven and I rested for the night. I set up a small fire, as to not catch much attention from Paladins because I know that they may be somewhere near here. My fight with locals is going to be fine and honestly, I didn’t need to practise but I was exhausted today. I really didn’t have a proper reason to leave Nimue and Pym in Gramaire, but I couldn’t help feeling like I needed to sleep. Just as my thoughts dimed down a little, my back resting on Raven gave up and I finally fell asleep.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I post everyday now! I'm not sure if people are gonna read this but who cares, I'm still gonna post.

[dragonofthedepths]

Thank Chaos for Nimue 24.1.23

Sonic gameverse, Sonic and the Black Knight. Sonic x Gawain x Percival x Lancelot. Soulmate AU.

“Are you sure you’re not willing to consider staying for your soulmates?”

Sonic blinked at Nimue. “Wait, what?”

The Lady of the Lake frowned at him. “The knights. They are your soulmates you know. Their souls glowed in response to your power.”

Sonic stared at her. “That’s not how soulmates work!”

“Ah. I see. Give me a moment please.”

Nimue turned and waved her hand over a small bowl of water.

“Please return for a moment, soulmate recognition works differently in Sonic’s universe.”

Barely two minutes later the Knights of the Round sprinted back into the clearing Nimue had been using to send Sonic home, tripping over eachother in their haste.

Day (603/100) in my #∞daysofwriting @the-wip-project 24th of Jan

[lancedoncrimsonwings]

Rewatching Cursed (again) and damn I forgot how much Merlin whump there is I mean

Dude straight up ain't having a good time at ALL

I actually started watching Cursed purely for Gustaf Skarsgård because Floki, then realised Dan Sharman was in it and promptly died. Obviously The Weeping Monk became my obsession but we still fuckin love Merlin too.

And all the whump in general is just *chefs kiss*. We get a little bit of lady whump too, which I also love (just never see much of it), particularly Nimue.

Amusingly enough, I came in as a Nimlot (Lancelot/The Weeping Monk x Nimue) shipper, and I still DO like that ship, even actively still read Nimlot fics, buuuttt when I got to THAT torture tent conversation?

Then Lancewain became and solidly remains my fave.

Ok now to get back to my regular scheduled The Weeping Monk and Gawain

[forthegothicheroine]

I'm autistic, so my personal interpretation of Morgan le Fay is that she's a changeling fighting on behalf of her kind, like the Magneto to Nimue's Professor X (Nimue being another changeling in my view). Her reconciliation with Arthur could be the result of a peace agreement between Camelot and the local Fair Folk. Apparently in one story Arthur found out Guin was cheating when he paid a friendly visit to Morgan, which I picture as analogous to Nixon visiting Mao.

Hah, I like that! It is strange how often she's called Morgan le Fay or Fairymorgan, isn't it? I've never read an account where she's actually a changeling, but it would make sense!

I think Arthur visiting Morgan and finding out about the affair is in the Vulgate, when she's reformed and living a pious life. She shows him paintings that Lancelot did when he was at her castle which depicted the affair...which, geeze, Lancelot, what the fuck.

[darklinaforever]

The potential of these two. A light and dark ship that would probably have ended well if the series had continued. (Especially since they looked a lot like Reylo) Does anyone have any fanfiction of these two to recommend ?

[talesofthehollow]

Yup, we’re still kicking! Well, I’m nothing if not consistent, so here is my moodboard following the story thus far in A Song of Ash & Sky (as w/ last year and year before that). As always, thank you to @allgirlsareprincesses for keeping the Nimulot flame going w/ your riveting words! ❤

Volume 3 was a challenge, I confess... 💦 I got lost in the woods with this one, but sometimes you need that to find your way! 🤔 Notice how the latest slew of chapter heads display an interesting trend... 👀

Merry Xmas & Happy Holidays, everyone! ❤❤❤

[thrillofhope]

First Lines

Rules: share the first lines of ten of your most recent fanfics and tag ten people. If you have written less than ten, don’t be shy and share anyway ❤️

I was tagged by @iamstartraveller776 and @myrsinemezzo

Galadriel rushes into the restaurant, cheeks pink from the cold and the lingering rage of finding out her boyfriend—ex-boyfriend—is married. [On the Twelfth Night, or, Epiphany: How Galadriel Seduced a Priest and Discovered the True Meaning of Christmas; Galadriel x Halbrand; Rings of Power]

Halbrand steps away from the grill, the heat of the kitchen causing sweat to form at his hairline. [Half of My Heart; Galadriel x Halbrand; Rings of Power]

He creeps from the void, drawn to the land made in his likeness. [The Lesser of Two Evils; Galadriel x Sauron; Rings of Power]

“There is no such future,” she denies vehemently. [The Music of the Night; Galadriel x Sauron; Rings of Power]

She had come to convince him. [To Follow the Light; Galadriel x Sauron; Rings of Power]

The door opens. [No Light, No Light; Galadriel x Halbrand; Rings of Power]

“Let me find her, Father,” the Weeping Monk volunteers, thrilled at the challenge, at the opportunity it would present. [In Pursuit; Nimue x the Weeping Monk/Lancelot; Cursed]

They had been traveling for what felt like days. [Accursed Salvation; Nimue x the Weeping Monk/Lancelot; Cursed]

“Perhaps here you can find some peace, Galadriel.” [No One's Here to Sleep {coming soon}; Galadriel x Sauron; Rings of Power]

Finrod Felagund was two thousand three hundred and eighty one years old on the day his body was found split open and strewn before the apothecary’s doorstep. [When the Day Met the Night {coming soon-ish}; Galadriel x Halbrand; Rings of Power]

If you see this and you write fic, drop your first lines!

[dg-darkfantasy]

Storybook / The Lake

Shadamytober Day 8 and Day 25

@shadamytober

This one was... a lot harder than I expected it to be. I also wanted to do other things with this one but for reasons of time… oh well.

Sir Lancelot and Lady Nimue, because we don't have enough of them, in my opinion.

[jplupine]

In the Wolf's Den: Chapter 9

Pairing: The Weeping Monk x Devin [Nonbinary Fey OC] Word Count: ~3.6k WARNINGS: 18+ Minors/Ageless get blocked, Exophilia, Feral Behavior, Alcohol Consumption, Spanking

Summary: Devin is a flirty drunk, and a familiar face from the past arrives.

You can also read it on AO3!

Masterlist | Chapter 9:

  I could feel people staring as I was piling up a plate with food for Lancelot. He only stood there uncomfortably, but his stomach had growled, and he wouldn't go anywhere near the food himself. Squirrel even pitched in a piece of bread, setting it gently on the side of Lancelot's plate while having a cheek stuffed with his own bread.

  "We didn't have you come all this way to starve." I stated while adding some meat to his plate.

  "I...." He looked at a loss for words.

  "It's not poisoned, either. See?" I took a piece from his plate to eat to prove it.

  "Yeah, and we didn't train yesterday, so we have to make up for it after our stomachs have settled." Squirrel grabbed Lancelot's sleeve to drag him away to eat somewhere else. I chuckled at the man's expression before getting my own food.

  I then went to seek out Arthur and found him by a fire with some raiders. Sitting down on a log right beside him, I used my lap as a table for my plate.

  "Hello, Devin."

  "Hello, Arthur. When do you plan for us to discuss matters more?" I questioned before taking a bite from my bread. Arthur was quiet for a second before gesturing to the Vikings to get them to leave.

  "We can do so now."

  "Then I have to ask, why not speak with Lancelot directly?"

  "Because I don't trust him nor what he has to say." Arthur answered honestly.

  "He's willing to stay in a country teeming with Red Paladins who want his head just to ensure Squirrel finds a safe place to be. Does that tell you nothing?"

  "It tells me something. I'm still figuring out what."

  "He truly is different, Arthur. And I don't say that to just get him off my hands. Do you know of the Moon Wing elder, Yeva?"

  "I do." The man had a tone while making a face, telling me he'd actually met with her rather than simply hearing stories.

  "She agreed."

  "To what?"

  "To having Lancelot fight for the Fey. When I took my letter to her, you see, she found out I harbored the Ash Man. She demanded to see my memories of him before she would decide to send that letter or not."

  "....And she sent the letter."

  "Which is why we're here now. You have Squirrel's word, mine, and now Yeva's all saying the same thing. Lancelot has lost his dogged loyalty to the church. He still prays, of course, but he prays to his Lord and no one else."

  "Is this after knowing his precious Father Carden is dead?" Arthur popped off, and I paused.

  "Father Carden is dead?"

  "You didn't know?"

  "Not at all. He certainly doesn't, either." I glanced over my shoulder in Lancelot's direction. He was with Squirrel still as they were sharing a plate.

  "It happened the same night Lancelot killed those Trinity Guards. Nimue cut his head off. ....I'll let you be the one to tell him."

  "Good. That news is....going to come with complicated feelings." Looking at Arthur, I saw how his brows furrowed at me. "Father Carden may have been scum, but he was still a major pillar in Lancelot's life, good or bad." I explained.

  "What is it between you two?"

  "Pardon?"

  "Your concern for him, his concern for you. Don't think I missed the way he watches others as if he is your guard. And now that it's light out, I'm quite certain you even wear his cloak." The man glanced down at the cloak on me.

  "Well, who's cloak do you think he's wearing? His markings and a grey cloak would give him away no matter what else he wore. And as for the concern....it's complex. We've become friends, confidants. I've been teaching him about the Fey because the church certainly didn't."

  "And how has that gone?" Arthur quirked up a brow before taking a bite of meat.

  "He has a child-like curiosity. He wants to learn, wants to know. The church has taught him barely anything beyond their scripture and combat."

  "So he looks to you as a teacher?"

  "In a manner of speaking. Lancelot has done many a terrible thing, but terrible things have also been done to him."

  "That's not an excuse."

  "I wasn't using it as such. Certainly, you must know how one's circumstances can affect their actions. You carry yourself in a very particular way, man-blood." I didn't outright say it, but he knew what I meant.

  "It's not the same."

  "Why not? Can you guarantee you wouldn't murder if you were raised to do so?" His jaw clenched as he dropped his gaze. "That's my point. I do not excuse his actions, but I recognize what led him to it. And now he's looking for a way to redeem himself." Arthur said nothing, and I looked out into the woods while leaning my hands on the log I sat on. "Have you seen his back?"

  "What pertinence does that have?"

  "Surely you've heard of the monks' practice to self-discipline."

  "I have."

  "They had him doing it as well. He had fresh marks when I found him with Squirrel, couldn't have been more than a few days old. I had to look at those scars every time I applied a new poultice to his wounds. There are just so many of them, layered on top of each other to the point he has lost feeling in many areas of his back. Now, tell me, Arthur." Turning to look at the man, I locked eyes with him while having a serious expression. "What could drive a man to do such a thing to himself?"

  "You already know the answer."

  "Of course I do. But I'm trying to get across to you the type of man Lancelot is. He was used as a tool, but that doesn't mean he is one."

  "....The cross. Did the paladins do that to him as well?"

  "Yes. The brand is old, so I can't tell you when they did it. He covers it with his hair now, though."

  "Wolf!" A woman's voice bellowed, and I turned to see a Viking woman walking toward me. She had metal jewelry on her nose and small hoops braided into her dark hair. She had a grin before standing in front of me with her hands on her hips. "We haven't been introduced. I am The Red Spear."

  "Devin." I nodded.

  "I hear you enjoy our mead."

  "Quite."

  "Then let us drink. I have much to ask you."

  "Such as?"

  "Can you use that ax of yours worth a damn?" She chuckled. Looking at Lancelot and Squirrel training, I watched them for a few seconds before turning my attention back to the woman.

  "I can. What else do you wish to ask me?"

  "Your kind- Do they truly howl?" She asked while walking away, and I followed her.

  "We do. The calls often get mistaken for wolves." I replied as she led the way towards mead.

  "And, by the gods, I found stolen fruit and a wineskin in his pockets!" Waving my hand, I was leaning on a wooden table as Guinevere sat across from me. A few drinks in, and The Red Spear had given me her true name and told me why she had joined the side of the Fey. She was a strong woman with no qualms of speaking her mind either, which I found rather pleasant. "That boy is only 12 and managed to steal from Wolf Folk! I could hardly believe it if not for seeing it myself. No Wolf Folk would let a Sky Folk that young get ahold of our wine."

  "Strong, is it?" Guinevere laughed.

  "Knock ya on your ass if you ain't prepared."

  "And what did you do?" She questioned while pouring mead into my cup to fill it back up.

  "Let him keep the fruit, had the wine to myself. Popped him upside the head, too."

  "Why were you banished from your village in the first place? You don't seem like a criminal to me."

  "I broke the vow to be joined- you call it married- and he's the leader's son. Didn't help that I got caught fucking someone else."

  "You were unfaithful?" Her brows furrowed.

  "Oh, no. Odhran-" I took a drink of mead before continuing. "Odhran and I were not together. The vow was made by our parents when we were children. We were friends at most. Though, I knew he had grown to love me."

  "But you did not love him." Guinevere had a knowing look.

  "Exactly. I had fallen for Liam- a rat bastard." I slurred while waving a finger. "My heart was a fool, you see. Swayed by pretty words and gestures. Worst of all, Odhran was the one to find us together- on the night he planned to propose, no less. Fuckin' awful."

  "You sound regretful."

  "I am. At least Odhran had truly felt for me. Liam....Liam just wanted to screw the future leader's mate. Has a litter now, he does."

  "And what of you now? Anyone suit your fancy?"

  "Living in a cave in the middle of the bloody woods is a loveless life."

  "Pity."

  "What of you?" I took a drink, and Guinevere waved her hand while rolling her eyes.

  "So, about that Weeping Monk-"

  "Lancelot." I corrected.

  "Lancelot. I thought he hated Fey, yet he follows you around like a dog. The only times he's not trailing after you is when he's with the boy."

  "That's actually new. Being in this camp, knowing he's hated- It puts him on edge."

  "It's more than that. He looks to you for guidance."

  "Oh, that." I scoffed before downing more mead. "Considers me his shepherd." She made a face, and I waved my cup. "Believe me, the humor is not lost on me that a wolf is seen as a shepherd."

  "And why would he consider you in such a way?"

  "Because I'm honest with him. I show kindness and teach him things the church did not. Did you know they believe even thoughts can be sins?" My expression twisted, and I shook my head. "Fuckin' madness."

  "So he trusts you?" Guinevere asked while refilling my cup.

  "Yes."

  "How are you so certain? Even in your eyes, I see no doubt." She casually leaned against the table, and I shook my head wildly, shaking out my scruff as my ears flopped. I knew I was drunk, but being drunk, I didn't think much of my current state of mind nor did I think twice about my next words.

  "He's cried in my arms like a bloody child. He can look so cold, his eyes seeing right through you, but then....he was just sobbing. Clinging to me until his knuckles were white. Have you ever seen a grown man in such a state?" I muttered while staring at my cup. "You don't do that with someone you don't trust. You don't show them just how broken you are."

  "This....truly happened?"

  "You think I would make up such a thing?"

  "It's hard to believe."

  "True, nonetheless." Bringing my cup to my lips, I paused. "I hate the Weeping Monk with a passion, but I would gladly burn the church to the ground for what they've done to Lancelot. He's yet another Fey victim to those twisted paladins."

  "How can you hate the Weeping Monk but care for Lancelot when they are one and the same?"

  "Because they aren't. When Lancelot talks with Squirrel, trains with him. When he helps with the chores. When he smiles.... There is no Weeping Monk there." Guinevere seemed to study me with the way she looked at me.

  "You truly believe he's changed."

  "I do."

  "He's still a monk of the church." She stated, and I couldn't help but laugh.

  "Oh, in name only. He is a very bad monk."

  "How do you mean?" Guinevere looked confused, and I opened my mouth to respond, however, the flap on the tent opened.

  "Lancelot! Come, have a drink." I hit a cup against the table while grinning.

  "You're drunk."

  "I know! We were just talkin' about you. C'mere, I don't think Guinevere would mind hearing shit from the horse's mouth." I said, and the Ash Man looked at the woman across from me for a few seconds before looking back at me. "See, she said you were a monk, and I said you were a very bad monk."

  Those blue eyes of his widened, and he was quickly at my side. He grabbed my arm, pulling me up from my seat while taking away my cup.

  "Hey! I was drinkin' that."

  "Yes, and I think you've had enough." Lancelot set my cup on the table.

  "What do you mean he's a bad monk?" Guinevere questioned, and I was going to answer until Lancelot spoke over me.

  "I'm Fey. Now, let's go, Devin. You already missed training, and now your head is going to be aching in the morning." The man sighed while pulling me away from the table.

  "But I was having a nice chat with Guinevere. And you being Fey isn't why you're a bad monk. Well, not entirely- They really don't like Fey among the clergy, do they?" I stumbled on unsteady legs, and Lancelot's jaw clenched. He let go of my arm to grab me around my waist and hoist me up onto his shoulder.

  "Why in Heaven's name would you get too drunk to walk?"

  "Have you tasted their mead?" I questioned as Lancelot's boots crunched over snow. "The north has the best mead!" Pushing on his back to lift my head, I looked back at Guinevere and noticed she was watching us leave with a flat expression. "Where are we going?"

  "To the tent. You need to rest."

  "But I'm not tired. Oh, you smell so nice." My tail began to wag while Lancelot kept me on his shoulder as if I were a sack of potatoes. "Did you know Guinevere is The Red Spear? She's nicer than I thought."

  "She intentionally got you drunk."

  "What? No. Why?"

  "That woman barely smelt of alcohol, and her cup was near full. She kept pouring you drinks, didn't she?"

  "Yeah. To be nice."

  "To get you drunk."

  "Why in the world would she do that?"

  "To get information." Lancelot replied before going quiet for a few seconds. "Did you tell her about....your heat?" His voice was quiet.

  "Shhh! Not supposed to talk about that!" I patted his back, and I felt his muscles relax a little. But then he stopped in his tracks and tensed up again.

  "What is happening here?" I heard Arthur's voice question.

  "Devin got drunk."

  "Bite me! I'm allowed to." I snapped, but my tail was still wagging. "Has anyone ever told you how nice your ass is, Ash Man?" Lancelot tensed up even more, and Arthur awkwardly chuckled.

  "How much did you drink exactly? So we know when to cut you off next time."

  "I drank as much as Guinevere gave me. You may not be very plump, but you've certainly still got a handful."

  "....Excuse me?"

  "Not you, man-blood!" I said while stretching out my toes. I could see my own breath from the cold, and out of curiosity, I reached down to grab Lancelot's ass. The Ash Man jolted as I squeezed my hand. "Oh, it really is firm."

  "Devin, stop it." Lancelot had a warning tone, and I simply pat his rear while my tail wagged faster.

  "Pat, pat, pat, pat." I lightly hit both of his butt cheeks one at a time. Suddenly being pulled over his shoulder, I got dizzy from how the world spun. I stumbled, and firm hands grabbed my shoulders to steady me. "Now you are handsome for a human." I pointed at Arthur now that I could see him.

  "Uh, thank you."

  "And you should give Lancelot some slack. He's actually quite fragile."

  "Devin."

  "What? I'm standing up for you. 'S what friends do."

  "I do think we should hold conversations for when you're sober."

  "Then hold 'em." I waved my hand. Arthur looked from me to Lancelot.

  "Good luck." That was all he said before walking around us. However, I swung my hand, and Arthur nearly jumped off of the ground when I smacked his ass. He looked at me with wide eyes, and I grinned.

  "Makin' sure you don't feel left out."

  "I am so sorry. I'm taking them right to bed." Lancelot sounded mortified.

  "G-Good idea." Arthur covered his butt with his hands while walking away to make sure I didn't smack him again.

  "I cannot believe you just did that." Lancelot hissed near my ear.

  "Can't believe I touched him or touched you? Or both?" I waved a finger as the man pushed me forward to walk through the snow.

  "Both. I pray no one else crosses our path." Lancelot sighed through his nose.

  Waking up, I felt like someone was drumming on my skull. Slowly pushing myself to sit up on my pallet, I saw a little puddle of drool where my face had been. Groaning, I held my throbbing head while trying to remember just how much I'd drank last night.

  How did I even get back to the tent?

  Looking around, I saw that I was alone. There was light peeking through the flaps of the tent, telling me it was the next day. I gradually stood as my nose scrunched up.

  I squinted against the sunlight when I stepped outside. The snow coating the trees made it seem even brighter, and my pounding head pounded harder.

  "Good, you're awake." I looked over to see Lancelot with some food and a cup. "We need to talk before you go out into camp."

  "You sound serious. What did I miss?"

  "What's the last thing you remember about last night?" He questioned while following me back into the tent.

  "Talking with Guinevere over mead. Thank you." I took the cup Lancelot held out to me and downed some of the water inside. "Ugh, I feel like shit." I sat on my pallet, and the Ash Man gave me the food as well.

  "Do you remember anything else?"

  "After the conversation about some Fey that claimed to be a healer turning out to be a shit healer that left Guinevere with a ghastly scar, it's all hazy." I took another drink of water. "I know you're asking because something happened. Just tell me."

  "You, um.... Well, for one, you spanked Arthur." Lancelot stated, and I nearly choked.

  "No!"

  "Yes." He confirmed, and my ears turned back.

  "Oh, gods...."

  "You also repeatedly....touched....my rear."

  "You're joking! You have to be."

  "Would I joke about such a thing?" He asked, and I looked up at him. Lancelot was blushing and unable to look at me. "And you did so in front of Arthur."

  "Oh, gods." My face fell into my hands. "Please tell me it doesn't get worse than that."

  "I'm not sure. As far as I know, it does not. You were telling Guinevere I was a, uh, 'very bad monk' by the time I found you and took your cup away. You didn't elaborate."

  "How could I have gotten that drunk?! I don't usually...." I groaned while hunching over and wanting to never have to leave the tent again.

  "It wasn't intentional. Guinevere kept giving you mead to loosen your lips. Based on what I heard, she wanted to know about me."

  "Why didn't she just ask instead of getting me drunk, then? It's not like I haven't been talking to Arthur about you this whole bloody time."

  "That's....not the kind of information she was looking for. Guinevere was looking for secrets. Lies."

  "Gods, I hope I didn't tell her anything."

  "Their behavior towards me hasn't changed, so I can only assume you didn't." He then scoffed. "When I tried to ask you if you told her about certain things, you shushed me. So I doubt you told Guinevere."

  "I wish I had only shushed you. I really am incredibly sorry about the touching. Oh, no, how am I supposed to talk to Arthur now?"

  "He knows you were drunk. I doubt he'll hold it against you."

  "But still...."

  "Finish eating first, then worry about your embarrassment."

  "Hey!" Squirrel popped his head into the tent. "Did you guys know about the refugees coming today?"

  "No."

  "They're being led by a Wolf Man. He knows you, Devin. Said he recognized your scent on me."

  "What?"

  "He said he's from your village. I didn't want to believe it, but he knew your name without me having to say it."

  "My village?" My heart sank. A Wolf from my village here with refugees- Did that mean my home had been attacked? I scrambled out of the tent, kicking up snow as Squirrel quickly moved out of the way.

  My heart was pounding in my chest with worry and fear as my eyes looked over the faces in the camp. Fauns. Tusks. Sky Folk. Snake Clan. Where were the Wolves?

  "Devin?" My eyes landed on a bigger wolf with black fur, his eyes wide and green like foliage. He didn't exactly look the same as years before, but I could still recognize him. "By the gods, Devin!" He ran at me, engulfing me in a hug as I just stood frozen in place.

  My thoughts were slow to catch up, taking their precious time to process. Why was he here? What happened? Why was he hugging me? Why was he happy to see me?

  "....Odhran?"