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Percival And Fleur's Funeral: A Short Story

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It was not every day that a knight wed, and with Percival and Fleur’s wedding just over a fortnight away, excitement flowed through the castle. Although the guest list for the garden wedding stood at a mere fifty – most knights’ weddings had hundreds of attendees – there was much talk about how people would watch the ceremony from windows above.

Further, Percival and Fleur had come to terms with the fact that there was no stopping people from attending the wedding feast afterward – they had been kidding themselves thinking they might control how many people turned up in the Dining Hall. Thus, they planned for two-hundred-fifty attendees, and hoped for the best.

It was after supper time, and Percival, Fleur, and Rion took an evening walk …show more content…

“I’ve had such a tickle in my throat all day,” she said. “Nothing seems to help.”

“Me, too,” said Rion.

Percival glanced from his betrothed to his son. “Oh? Perhaps it’s the spring flowers. They make some people cough and sneeze.”

Fleur nodded, coughing. “Might be.”

Percival wrapped one arm around Fleur and with his free hand, took Rion by the shoulder. “Still, I don’t like the sound of your cough. Let’s see Gaius.”

He encouraged Fleur and Rion to move faster. However, by the time they made it to the third stair landing inside the castle, Fleur’s complexion turned a shade of gray-green. Rion also appeared wan.

“I don’t… I don’t think I can make it,” said Fleur, swooning against Percival’s chest.

He bent down and pressed his lips to the top of her head. Gods, even her scalp was burning up. Trying to repress his panic, Percival called over Rion, who lagged behind. And sure enough, Rion’s skin was hot to the touch, too.

With a rattling cough, Fleur passed out in Percival’s arms, and he lost all composure.

“Someone! Help!” he bellowed, easing her to the …show more content…

Leon lifted Fleur from Percival’s arms and carried her away. Percival wanted to shout at him to stop, but the terror-vice stealing his breath would not allow him to speak. Fleur and Rion needed him, yet there he sat on the flagstone floor, trembling and useless.

“Come on, big man.” Someone lifted Percival under the arms. “Let’s take care of your son and woman.”

Percival, mute stumbled along and allowed Gwaine to guide him. Rion was still able to walk, for which Percival was grateful. However, when they reached the bedchamber, Rion sagged against the wall, and Percival forced himself into action. His son needed him. His betrothed needed him. Later, in a quiet moment, he would fall apart.

Percival lifted Rion and settled him into bed right next to Fleur.

Gaius elbowed Percival out of the way and started to examine his patients. “All of you, I need fresh water, linen, and my medicine bag from the infirmary. And please get the tincture bottles marked ‘feverfoil’ and ‘horseradish.’ I’ll also need fresh mint and a pot of lard.” He glanced over his shoulder at Percival. “That means you, too. I need a few moments alone with your family.”

“What about Merlin?” Percival blurted out without thinking. “Where’s he? He can

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