Queen of the Forest

Ceri, not your ordinary hunter. You need something? Be prepared to pay for it.

[kay-antor]

thehuntressofcamelot‌:

“Then I’ll be there,” Ceri nodded, giving Kay a small smile. She would be back before the ball ended and she didn’t actually mind it all that much. “You go be serious and important and I’ll make sure there is no disturbance in the forest.” She moved in to kiss him one last time.

“Alright then.” Kay smiled, and leaned in to meet her kiss. It was with great relucantance, and only because he knew he would see her in a few hours, that he pulled away and started back down to the castle.

[thehuntressofcamelot]

kay-antor‌:

“I’d like to see you later, if you want to come,” Kay said with a little shrug. Truthfully, these days he alway wanted to see her, whenever she could spare him time. And that scared him a little.

“Then I’ll be there,” Ceri nodded, giving Kay a small smile. She would be back before the ball ended and she didn’t actually mind it all that much. “You go be serious and important and I’ll make sure there is no disturbance in the forest.” She moved in to kiss him one last time.

[thehuntressofcamelot]

kay-antor‌:

“Not angry. Just bored,” Kay said with a shrug. He understood why Ceri might not want to spend the rest of her night at the ball, and was just glad to have been able to have a little time with her. “Oh, yes, very important and official. With a very smug, imperious look.”

Ceri smiled apologetically. “Thanks. I need to check on some things and get out of this dress. Should I meet you in your chambers later or do you want to get rest alone after the ball?” If she was going back to the castle later that night, at least she’d have an excuse to sneak in and watch Kay while working.

[thehuntressofcamelot]

kay-antor‌:

“Eventually, yes,” Kay had to admit with a sigh that made it clear he would far rather have stayed up here with her than return. Brushing a loose strand of hair back behind her ear, he leaned in to sweep another light kiss over her lips. “I’ll go back in a few minutes.”

“Will you be angry if I won’t?” she asked. If she was to be honest, getting out of the ballroom reminded her how much she preferred the fresh air and close to no people around, it was hard to imagine having to go back. “You have to be very important anyway, I’m sure.”

[thehuntressofcamelot]

kay-antor‌:

“I am generosity personified, it’s true,” Kay acknowledged with a solemn nod, before his lips twitched into a smile. He tightened his arms around her slightly, pulling her back against him and leaning in to kiss her. It was strange, but in a wonderful way, that just being in the same place together could make them him feel so much closer to her. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“I’m glad I’m here too,” she sighed. At that moment, she couldn’t even imagine going back to the forest. She would, eventually, of course, but she was so content there and then it was easy to imagine it would never end. “Won’t you be missed at the ball?” Ceri wished they could stay there at least for the rest of the night but knew it was improbable.

[thehuntressofcamelot]

Dear Ceri, Your voice is my favorite sound. Sincerely, Your secret admirer.

Ceri stared at the note for a moment before looking around, trying to see who left it for her. “Is this some kind of a joke?”

[thehuntressofcamelot]

kay-antor‌:

“Well, I’m just full of surprises,” Kay said with a grin, dropping a light kiss at the junction of her neck and shoulder. He had always liked this place - felt it gave him a sense of perspective - but being her with her made it different something. More special, more intimate, just … more. “Well, it already is my spot. But I could be persuaded to share.”

Ceri wasn’t used to this feeling. Usually, she’d have her spots, places where she would go if she wanted to be alone. But this was different, this place was now theirs and for her, it meant a sense of certainty, that even if he wasn’t available for whatever reason, she could come here and feel as if he was near. She was also sure that at some point in the future, they will find each other there when necessary. “How gracious of you, sir seneschal,” she said mockingly, nudging against him with her head gently. “I am so very honoured you decided to noble-minded.”

[thehuntressofcamelot]

kay-antor‌:

Kay watched her taking it in with a smile, happy - and a little relieved - that she did clearly like the view. It was one of his favourite places; looking down over the city always improved his temper when things went wrong made him feel proud, reminding him of everything that Arthur had achieved and all they had fought for. Coming up behind Ceri, he slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her back into an embrace. “I’m glad you like it.”

She leaned back to rest her head against him as he held her close. “I have to admit, I had my doubts but you surprised me,” Ceri chuckled. “And here I was, thinking I knew this place like the back of my hand.” The truth was she didn’t really look for a viewpoint specifically as she was more practical. But being here with Kay was somehow different than just simply watching the city. “I do like it, I think this should be our spot,” she pointed out.

[thehuntressofcamelot]

kay-antor‌:

“Taking all the knights up there my back’s turned, are you?” Kay grinned, secure enough in whatever it was they had not to take her teasing seriously. As he finished speaking they finally crested the hill, coming to a clear surrounded by a semi-circular grove of trees. Stopping in the middle, Kay turned Ceri around gestured out, where the castle and the village were stretched out before them, spotted with flickering firelight, and the glitter of stars overhead.

Ceri has seen the city from probably all the possible angles, or so she thought. She’d seen it from the forest and from the hills by the forest, she thought it wouldn't surprise her. And yet, somehow, this place made her eyes widen, just slightly, and her breathing slow down. Of course, it could’ve been affected by the company she was in, too. “Well,” she said, biting on her lower lip as she overlooked the view before them. “That is something.”

[thehuntressofcamelot]

dindranechwaer‌:

“Oh, that would be good. It would be easier to carry them down as well if I didn’t have to hold on to a ladder at the same time,” Dindrane mused, suddenly rather this disappointed that this was all a fantasy and that she could really go and herself wings from a market stall. “The ball’s going to seem terribly boring now when we actually get there.”

“It is,” Ceri shrugged. “So we just need to make sure we have enough wine for us to be able to get through it.” And that would mean a lot. “Come on, let’s get these rags turned into dresses.”

[thehuntressofcamelot]

dindranechwaer‌:

Dindrane didn’t think anyone had ever found her particularly graceful before and beamed at the compliment. “I wonder what it would be like to fly …” she mused, looking up at the sky as though wondering what the view would be like from up high, then turned back to Ceri. “But you need wings too, so you can fly away with me.”

“You could carry me,” Ceri suggested. “Mine would probably be large and clumsy, like bat wings. Or an owl, maybe. So I would destroy half of the ballroom. Better if you carry me out of there.” She laughed. “You could use your wings to reach the books on the highest shelves, too.”

[thehuntressofcamelot]

kay-antor‌:

“Because …. I hadn’t thought about it?” Kay offered with a vague kind of shrug. Between his duties and her hunting he was usually just concerned with what time they could snatch here and there. Which wasn’t exactly romantic, but then he was hardly the most romantic of people. “A bit further. Just up this hill.”

“And how do you know I don’t already know about the place? Maybe I take other people there myself,” she teased, clearly making it up. She wasn’t the type to just take people to places and even if she was, there wasn’t really anyone to take to a secret hideaway anyway. Moving up the hill, she glanced around to make sure she still knew where they were.

[thehuntressofcamelot]

dindranechwaer‌:

“Wings?” Dindrane considered with a smile, half-glancing over her shoulder as though wings might have sprouted from her shoulder blades just by the suggestion. “What sort of wings? Like butterfly wings, or bird wings?”

“Butterfly wings could work. Or maybe like fairy wings, you know? Beautiful and graceful... like yourself,” she pointed out. “That woul really suit you. And you could fly away if the ball became too boring.”

[thehuntressofcamelot]

dindranechwaer‌:

“That could work,” Dindrane agreed, nodding enthusiastically. She knew these sorts of events could be overwhelming, so as far as she was concerned the most important thing was that Ceri felt comfortable. Chuckling at the image, she said, “We should get wigs and full face masks to be absolutely sure no one will know who we are, not even Lucan and Kay.”

“You know, I love that. Do we have time to do it?” Ceri knew it wouldn’t be appropriate to hide in plain sight, especially at her first ball. “Well, maybe next time. I think wings would suit you,” she smiled.

[thehuntressofcamelot]

kay-antor‌:

“To one of my favourite places,” Kay said with a smile. It was a bit of walk up to where he wanted to go, a clearing that overlooked the entire city and the forest sweeping out from it, but he hoped that Ceri would appreciate the view and the quiet when they got there.

She was curious but at least they were outside and she didn’t mind the walk. “How come I’m only hearing about this now?” she chuckled, getting more and more interested in this little trip of theirs. “How far still?”

[thehuntressofcamelot]

dindranechwaer‌:

“That’s alright, we can leave it down. Whatever you’re comfortable with,” Dindrane said, smiling. She had thought Ceri might prefer her hair out of the way, but if she wanted it down that would look just as nice. “Hmm, I’ll probably leave it down … but maybe take some bits from the front and pin them back.”

“I don’t want anything fancy and heavy on my head,” Ceri said resolutely. Half down and half braided could work, what do you think?” She probably never spent as much time thinking about her hairstyle in her life.”We could actually put on a lot of masks and the craziest hairdos so nobody would recognise us.” She knew it wouldn’t be possible, but thinking about it would certainly be fun.

[thehuntressofcamelot]

kay-antor‌:

He could feel the different as soon as they stepped outside, the way she relaxed and was almost instantly more at ease. He smiled, holding her hand and stroking the backs of her fingers with his thumb. “It is,” he agreed, as a warm breeze brushed over them, ruffling his hair. He thought for a minute, then turned and started leading her up towards the hills at the edge of the city. “Come on, I want to show you somewhere.”

Ceri tilted her head curiously as Kay started leading her away from the commotion. “Where are we going?” she chuckled, though she didn’t really care. Wherever Kay wanted to take her, she’d go, as long as he was with her.