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Chapter Text

On that day, much happened.

A man died.

A betrayal was made at the round table.

A woman lost her husband, and her daughter lost her father.

•••••••

3 Days later

King Arthur knew that telling Sir Lionels family would made him feel terrible. He knew that before he and the other knights set out to inform the family of the fate that had befallen Sir Lionel.

He was right.

Seeing the faces of the two, brought a feeling of helplessness to him that he hadn't felt since he'd pulled the Excalibur from its stone. The lost look in Lionels daughters eyes in its self made him feel lost himself.

That night, after he and the other knights bid the family farewell. King Arthur knew what he needed to do. He needed to make sure his plans and hopes for Camelot where followed through. If not, the lost of Sir Lionel would be for nothing.

•••••••

One day before the 10 year anniversary

"We've made much progress Melin. But I fear perhaps it is not enough."

The old wizard stood at his kings side. Humming in thought. "If I may my king. Perhaps it's time. Camelot deserves a Queen to look too at the Kings side, an perhaps a heir to the throne."

Arthur froze for a moment, just staring at the wood of the table before him. He wasn't getting any younger was he. "Well my old friend, it seems you maybe right." Arthur chuckled. "Not that I'm surprised. However, I wouldn't know in the slightest where to fine a queen worthy of Camelot."

"My lord," The wizard placed a hand upon the kings shoulder. "I have found a spell. I believe it will solve this issue for you. Bringing a woman worthy to hold Camelot's crown to us."

“Very well Merlin. I have much faith in you."

"I will began making the preparations immediately. Tomorrow I will perform it, any your knight will be able to met their future Queen my lord."

Arthur watched the old wizard walk to the door. "Merlin." The man turned back to his king. "When you perform this spell. I would like for you to do it a the round table. That way my men will be able to met her at once."

"Very well my lord." With a bow, Merlin left the king to get his rest.

And as King Arthur stood from his table, retreating to his bed. Thoughts of his future Queen and bride filled it head. He'd show her the lands. Love her like no other could.

How wrong he was. She could never be his.

Chapter Text

The song filled the land. The knights had returned.

Eventually they made their way to their seats. Once they sat, King Arthur addressed them. "Excalibur has given us the strength to stand together against all injustices. Camelot has prospered beyond our greatest dreams. And tonight I will get the Queen Camelot finally deserves with Merlins assistance." The knights cheered. "Merlin, if you may."

The candles flickered while Merlin chanted. His eyes glowing. And soon a soft blue light filled the room as the details on the round table glow.

None of the men any wiser to the green eyes watching with curiosity from above.

The blue glow grew brighter, no man there could see the woman in it until the lights faded to nothing and she dropped in the center of the table. Sure her clothing was strange, but she was surely from a different land. An so they cheered for their king.

She looked startled to say the least. But could anyone blame her. One second she's walking home from karaoke at the local bar, next she's here in... where ever here is. Surrounded by men cheering in ... armor? What kinda reenactment crap had she stumbled in on?! How did-? When did-? Ok breath girl. You got this.

"Malady, are you alright?" A man in a green clock asked.

And suddenly she felt on edge with the old man watching her closely. Those flight or fight instincts kicked in, making her jump to her feet. "Where the fuck am I?!" Her voice echoed through the room, silencing the chatter.

The men around her seemed troubled at her outburst. Perhaps even nervous.

A voice spoke up behind her, and she whipped around to face its owner. He seemed... regal. And was in all honestly, considered handsome to her mind. That is until he spoke. "I am King Arthur of Camelot. You are to be my wife and Queen of Camelot."

Her lip twitched. Before she could speak. Glass shattered, wood fell and the candles in the room blew out. Something had knocked her down, face first onto the wood underneath her.

She was going to speak up. Or rather bash in whoever had knocked her down. But the thought vanished when she looked at the men's faces. Some looked terrified, others looked as on edge as she was moments ago.

Whispers surrounded her. She looked to Arthur. He stood stoic, face not faltering as he look to her whispering, "Be still malady, we will save you my dear."

Save her? What from? Heart all bout beating out of her chest, she carefully rolled over on to her back. And above her was the most beautiful creature she'd ever seen. The angle was odd.

Staring up at the creature from between it legs. As it stood over her, she admired it from below. The large bat like ears. Huge wings. Giant claws and talons at either of her sides. She couldn't help when, against better judgment, she reached a hand up onto its chest. Nails lightly scratching through the thick fur.

She stopped when she noticed the green eyes gleaming down at her. It's large beak mear inches from her own face.She stared into those eyes as long as the creature stared back. When wooden creak sounded out, it snapped its attention to Arthur and she did as well.

She watched the man slowly reach behind himself.

When the creature wrapped a claw around the woman, lifting her from the table; he stopped. Fearing the worst Arthur slammed his hands to the table in hopes of drawing the Griffins attention from his future bride.

The second the king did however, the creature snapped out. She didn't stop the Yelp that came out at the lurching action. Snatching whatever was behind Arthur it began to fly up.

It was disorienting. The screams. The flashing of colors. She watched as the creature used its wings bursting through the roof even more. Men where shooting flames arrows at it as it flew by. Gracefully avoid them with ease.

At all started and ended so fast, she hadn't realized she'd been holding her breath. With the eminent threat of accidentally being shot with a arrow out of the way. She was tempted to relax now as it flew over a field.

That is till it started to lower its self to the ground at the edge of a forest. It landed on three legs still holding her from the ground. It sat on its hind legs, before lowering her to the ground.

While she may have been mystified by the creature she was not an idiot. She scooted backward on the ground a little watching it as it tilted it head. With a claw, it grabbed what appeared to be a sword from its mouth and placing it on the ground at its feet. She glanced to sword, pondering her rate of survival against the creature. When a claw slammed down on it. Her eyes went to its own. Finding it watching her rather intently.

She slowly stood, not breaking eye contact with it. Again, against any better judgment, she reached out towards it. When it jilted forward towards her, she clenched her eyes, ready to die. But instead of feeling claws rake her skin, or it's beak ripping into her skin, her hand felt soft. Peaking, she let out sigh, her shoulders dropped as the tension left her.

It stood before her, eyes closed as it rubbed the top of its head with her hand. A smile graced her lips as she reached up with her other hand to scratch and rub around its ears. The creature purred under her touch. "Such a handsome big guy."

It's eyes blinked open, now having a almost reptilian like pupils. She most certainly hadn't expected a response. "Why thank you malady."

And she froze. It tilted its head watching her. "You... can speak?"

It leaned forward again, this time rubbing its head against her chest. "Yes malady."

God could the day get any weirder. She'd just relaxed enough to return to petting it's head and neck when it stood up straight. "We must go my master is waiting malady."

"Listen I have absolutely no clue what's going on. I'm kinda freaking out a little bit. I don't know where I am? How I got here?" It looked distressed watching her slowly break down. "Hell your a talking... I-I ... what are you?" The question came out soft, and weak.

It reached out, rubbing her cheek with its own. "I am a griffin malady."

A griffin. A actual griffin was in front of her. This was one hell of a fever dream.

"Please." The griffin lowered its self to the ground, lowering a wing. "We most go malady."

She rubbed her face, stepping forward and hefting herself up onto the griffins back. It wiggled it shoulders helping to shift her into a more comfortable spot. "Alright but call me by my name. I'm Crystal."

The griffins wings gave a hard flap, lifting them into the air, hovering over the ground. After a moment of assumingely picking up the sword. They ascended, and flew over the forest.

Everything seemed so... peaceful up there in the clouds. So quiet. It was literally a breath of fresh air. God she almost wished this weird dream would never end. No college. No work. No problem. Oh it'd be the life! She sighed, while running her fingers through the griffins fur on his neck. This time she wasn't startled when he purred under her hands.

She tilted her head back, looking to the stars shining. It was so beautiful. Crystal never got to see the stars living in the city. All the emission and lights made it impossible to see them. Yet here, in this weird medieval dream, it felt all to real. And ... wow. A shooting star!

Wait. No. That's not...

She didn't get a chance to warn the griffin. The silver spec cam down screeching upon them. What ever it was, it sliced the side of the griffins neck before circling around. It looked like some sort of bird. This time aimed for the underside of his throat. Crystal threw herself forward blocking the birds talons from striking the griffin again. Instead she felt the talons slice through her leather jacket with ease.

Perhaps it was that he was caught off guard by the attack, or maybe the she shift in balance. But when he reared back, Crystal fell.

She screamed, as the griffin look down to her falling towards her inevitable death. And it seemed like everything in that moment slowed down to much. Like it was all in slow motion. She watched her hair whipping around her face. Her legs kicking as if that would save her life somehow. And the griffin as he literally dived for her. Wings tucked in, pupils nonexistent.

The closer he got, the harder she cried. She knew he wouldn't save her in time. Yet at the last second, he grabbed her boat in his beak. Before the griffin could takeoff, something grabbed the back of her jacket.

The griffin screamed. Grabbing her with a claw, and releasing her boot, he use his other to grab what looked like a vine. She watched with tear filled eyes as the griffin bit into the vine trying to tear it apart. When he did, another shot out gripping a wing, and another one grabbed his hind leg. Crystal screamed when the griffin tossed her into the air and onto his back while he tugged on the vines to free themselves.

She didn't watch. For the first time in a very long time, Crystal was scared. She laid there on the griffins back, arms wrapped around his neck the best she could manage. With handfuls of fur to hold her down. Guess it gave 'Hold on for your life' a new meaning. She laid there, face buried in between the griffins shoulder blades. Listening to the screeching of the griffin as he fought off the vines.

Eventually he managed to yank free of the vines. Roaring as he flew as fast as possible away from the terrifying plants.

She didn't relax. She didn't lift her head, or release her grip on his fur. She did however drift asleep. The once more peaceful flight lulling her to close her eyes and slow the beating of her rapid heart rate.

Chapter Text

Air rushed over her softly. And Crystal let out a groan before snuggling into her pillow. When was the last time she slept so well? She couldn't remember. God, she didn't wanna go to classes.

Eventually she decided to say to hell with it. Snuggling further into the bed she decided when she fully woke, she'd email her professors an tell them she was sick or something.

She just started to drift back asleep when she heard people taking. "My faithful pet." Ugh it was probably the new neighbors. "How was the flight? Panic sweeps across the land."

"Precisely." She felt like heard that voice before...

"My plan is perfect." Whatever man was talking, he sure as hell had a nice voice. Maybe she'd have to introduce herself later.

"Precisely." Yes she'd definitely heard it before. She had but where?

"Without the sword, Arthur is vulnerable." Arthur? Wait... No.

"Precisely." The griffin.

Jesus she wasn't dreaming, was she? This was real. She was in some weird medieval world after all.

"Now Excalibur...is mine."

Crystal felt the grumbling coming from the griffin under her. And he shifted on his claws, "Here's where we enter a gray area."

"Excuse me?" Ok. He was mad. That was clear as day from the tone in his voice. "You lost Excalibur?" Oh. The griffin must have dropped it because of the bird. "How?"

"I was attacked by a falcon."

"What? My magnificent beast outmatched by a puny, little pigeon?" Yep he was pissed alright.

"It wasn't a pigeon." Her heart ached at the tone of the poor griffins voice. He sounded so dejected and upset. "It was a falcon...with silver wings."

"Silver wings? Oh, scary."  Ok, now the guy was just being a douche. The guy began to yell just as she began to sit up to stick up for the poor griffin. When the griffin was yanked down by an ear. "You stupid animal!" Crystal slid down a bit from the force the man had. She looked up ready to scowled him for hurting the poor thing, instead sat there looking over the man.

He was gigantic. Massive shoulders. Silky looking red hair. His was... something else to behold. Her breath caught in her throat.

"Where is.." He stopped speaking, flipping a few strains of hair behind his head as his green eyes locked with her own. A large hand that she hadn't notice before cupped her cheek and her heart fluttered. He was so warm. "An whom might you be?" The tone much softer now.

"Master I can-" The mans lip twitched glare at the griffin. His started to lift the hand from her cheek.

She cut the poor thing off. Gripping the man hand and holding it to her cheek. "My name is Crystal."

He stared at her hand atop of his own before returning to her eyes. His thumb rubbed her cheek bone. "And how did you happen to end up atop my beast."

Now that was a question. The intense unreadable look from the man and him stroking her cheek didn't help.

Breath girl, he is just a man.

Yet she felt how her eyelashes batted under his attention. "I ... I" She couldn't get anything out, too lost in the green emeralds of his eyes. She hadn't noticed the arm warping around waist until he pulled her chest to his. While managing to pull her off of his own griffin.

The second her feet touched the ground, Crystal was certain that she would have fallen if wasn't for the fact he held her by the hip with a single hand. He was even more massive at ground level. She had the urge to run her hands over his seemingly expansive chest.

The hand on her cheek slid down to her chin, tilting her head back to his eye. The smirk on his face said it all. He knew she'd been admiring him. And her cheeks felt warm. "Im sorry. I-I" She took a deep breath. "He saved me."

The mans brow raised. "Oh? How so?" Eyes flicking to the creature for a moment. They came back at her when she placed a hand on his chest armor. Tracing the little details with a finger.

She'd suffer the embarrassment of it if it meant he'd leave the poor thing alone. "I was... on my way home. When I was taken by a..." She huffed, looking off into the distance. This was gonna sound so ridiculous. "...light. When it faded, I was surrounded by men. They cheered. And the one called Arthur," Her lip twitched at the memory. "He said I was going to be his bride. Become Queen. They took me from my home, and planned to force me into marriage." Crystal looked back to the rugged man, to gage his thoughts. His brows scrunched up, lips set in a line. They looked so... soft. Concentrate! "Before I could make a run for it, he came in through the roof. Grabbed me, and the sword an flew off."

The mention of the sword had his head snapping to the griffin. Agitated, he started up again. "Where is my-"

Nope. Not on her watch. Crystals hand reached out, cupping his cheek this time. "We where attacked by  the falcon. I fell, your griffin saved me yet again. I... I think in the process your sword fell into the forest."

His pupils dilated looking over her shoulder. "The Forbidden Forest."

"Precisely, Master." The griffin really need to learn when to stay quiet.

She felt his lip twitch from the hand on his cheek. Before he could say anything to the creature, she decided to play his own game. And swiped her thumb across his cheek.

Whatever he'd planned on saying died in his thoughts. Pulling way from her he paced around,  hands waving in disbelief. "Excalibur is the one thing...that can keep me from my conquest of Camelot!" He sighed rubbing his temple.

In the distance a horse galloped down a path. He froze, and looked behind him. "No, not the girl!" Now angry again he turn around to what looked like metal men. "You, you, and you...Fancy-Feet, get after her and bring her back!" Turning back to the griffin he gripped its ear tugging it close. "And you! You are going to lead me...to Excalibur."

Crystal stood, her ground as he approached her. When he took her hand in his own placing a kiss on top off it. It was not what she'd been expecting. "Stay here with my beast. I shall return after gathering some men." And like that, he turned on his heel to leave.

"Wait!" He stopped, looking over his shoulder. She left her cheeks go red hot. "I um... never caught you name."

A faint smile grace his lips. "Ruber. I am called Ruber." An then, he left.

She watched him leave. An when he was out of sight, and ear shot, Crystal let out a deep ragged breath. No man had any right to be that ruggedly handsome.

Walking over to the griffin, she sat down on the rock beside it. "Is he always that intense?"

The griffin sat on it heels, tilted his head slightly. "That is the calmest I've seen my master in some time." Huh.

She looked to the sky stargazing when she heard the griffin stretch. Watching the giant creature bend its back like a common house cat almost made her chuckle. She did laugh when he laid down beside her and placed his head in her lap like a dog.

He nuzzled the side of his face into her stomach when she began petting his head.

An they sat there peacefully for quite some time simply enjoying each other's company. Then a. Thought hit Crystal like a freight train. "Hey... um griffin?"

He's eyes remained shut as she rubbed behind a ear, but he hummed in acknowledgment. "Do you have a proper name? I feel bad simple calling you griffin."

It was the truth. She did feel bad. She herself hated when people called her by woman, lady or as of recently malady. She could only imagine how it was to deal with it 24/7.

"No." He purred under her hand, "My master has not named me." It was silent for a moment before she watched his larger green eye open to look at her from her lap. "What do you wish to call me?"

Wait what? "You'd let me name you? That's...are you sure? Wouldn't Ruber be aggravated?"

He rubbed his cheek against her thighs. "I think not, my master has yet to name me. I doubt he care."

This felt ... important. And in a way it was. The griffin would be named this for his life. What if he hated it? What if Ruber hated it? God was this what it was like to name a child?! Why did anyone even have children?!

Perhaps he sensed her growing discomfort, because he pressed his neck harder into legs and purred. The vibrations brought her out of her head as fast as she'd gone in. The answer she need came.

"You saved me over the sword, didn't you?" Crystal watched the griffin pupils shrink. "You did that even though you knew Ruber would be angry ... didn't you?" She'd stopped petting him just to stare down at him.

The griffin said nothing. Huffing he stood. Circling around her before laying down, with her press to his side. And that was the only answer she needed.

"We have legends where I come from. You remind me of one." His sulking stopped for a moment to give her his full attention. "One where a man willingly sacrificed himself for a friend."

She crawled closer to the griffins face. Laying down she rested her head on his leg. "His name was Damon. It stands for loyalty and unselfishness." The griffins head tilted as she petted its neck. "I think it would be a great name for you as well."

He said nothing. Instead his beak preened her hair, before lying his head down on the ground.

When his eyes shut, Crystal leaned over pressing a kiss to the side of his beak. "Good night Damon."

He purred. A wing extended, covering her like a blanket before he said, "Rest lady Crystal."

And so she did.

Chapter Text

Sleep didn't last long. Or well, nap anyway.

Crystal started to wake when something cold ran across her jaw. She mumbled curling closer to Damon. The feeling returned seconds later but when she tried to sake whatever it was away, something sharp cut near her neck.

If that had woken here up, Damon jumping up screaming in his griffin glory would have. Once again she was pinned under the large creature, this time however he had blocked her from what ever threat was near.

He raised a claw, swiping at it. Snarling and growing the whole time. When Crystal finally managed to get a glimpse through, she seen more of the metal men from the night before.

They looked... determined to get closer no matter the claws swiping at them. She realized what they where after when one of the caught her looking. The vial thing licked its metal lips wiggle what would be it eyebrows.

The more they tried to get closer, the angrier Damon seemed to get. A large one somehow managed to grab ahold Damon's beak, and all hell broke loose. He shook the man off when another lunged at him. Damon hadn't even noticed when one gripped Crystals leg and yanked her out from under him. Nor did he hear her scream through the sound of his claws on their metal.

The man dragged her, kicking and screaming down a flight of stairs leading to a house of some sort. He tried to pin her against the rock wall made by the stairs. Crystal fought every second of the metal mans advances. But when she head butted him, he grabbed her face an slammed her head against the rocks. Now dazed and confused, she did the thing she probably should have done first. "RUBER!"

This must have caught the man off guard because she managed to slip out of his grasp. She all but stumbled to a near by pile of various weapons. She heard the clanking metal behind her as she grabbed the first thing her hand touched. And the second a metal hand ghosted a touch over her shoulder, she turned and swung.

Crystal wanted to cry when the mace only smashed the mans face to the side. He growled ripping the mace from her hands, and in return swung the spiked weapon at her. She blocked her face with her arms, even though she knew mentally the hit would be fatal.

But the blow never came.

Peeking between her arms, she seen her favorite color. Red. The back of red armor, and red hair hanging from above it. Ruber.

He stood in front of her, blocking the blow. And even more shockingly. The maces pointed end was halted  in mid air by Rubers own hand.

Crystal throat felt dry watching the muscles in Rubers arm flex as ripped the mace from the mans hand, tossed it in the air, caught the handle, and smashed the man off the the side into the house.

Her literal knight in shining armor turned around to face her with a face clearly full of agitation and... something else. He was reaching for her when a screeching howl rang out near by. It knocked Crystal out of her mind, reminding her of the situation at hand.

She grabbed his wrist tugging him towards the stairs. "Ruber you have to do something! They're going to hurt him!" Crystal had just taken the first step up the stairs when he tugged her back.

He took ahold of her jaw, forcing her to look him in the face. "What is going on?!" It was a firm demand, yet not harsh. But tears filled her eyes as a pain filled screech filled the air.

"I don't know! Ruber do something! Their going to kill the griffin!" Metal clashed with metal nearby.

Ruber however wasted no time rushing up the stairs with Crystal close on his tail. Furious as he was, Ruber wasted no time jumping in. He threw his men off the creature. Berating them all the while. "Insignificant fools! What do you think your doing?!"

Crystal rushed to Damon. He'd collapsed the second the two had arrived at the top of the stairs. There where various cuts along his legs and claws. So it seamed that there wasn't any serious damage. Still she fell to her knees clutching his head to her chest. Petting and kissing him repeatedly while he panted.

From the sounds behind her, Ruber was still handling his man. "If I'm not answered, I will rip you all apart and use the scraps to make a new army. One that WILL answer to me!"

"We wanted the woman my lord."

There was stomping, the sound of metal on rock. "She is not yours to have!" Malicious anger filled his voice as he all but roared at the men. "DO I MAKE MY SELF CLEAR?!"

A chorus of, "Yes my lord." Was said at once.

"YOUR POSTS." Silence. "NOW!!!"

Crystal ran a hand along the length of one of Damon's ears. "Are your ok big guy? I may not be as strong as you but I'll gladly go dent their heads in. Just say the word." She placed her forehead against his own, kissing the top of his beak.

Damon purred, eyelids fluttering. "Mhmmm I shall heal. They are minor cuts. Nothing to worry over." He pulled away, just to shove head against her stomach.

She was just about to laugh when he jumped to all fours, his eyes became the tiniest of slits. All the while whining in front of her. "Your hurt..."

Brows knitted in confusion, Crystal had just opened her mouth to tell the poor griffin she was completely fine, when she was picked up by the armpits like a child.

"Show me at once!" She blinked a few times as Ruber  stared her down. She hadn't even heard him get close. One second he's a rampaging beast, the next he's as quiet as a mouse.

"Im not- I don't feel like-"

Damon took a large breath. "I smell your blood."

Well shit. Maybe when the asshat grabbed her she scraped a knee or something. Clearly they weren't going to let it go until she proved she was alright. Rolling her eyes, Crystal began taking off her leather jacket when "Holy mother of fucking god!" Tears sprang to her eyes as her arm felt like it was ripping apart. Damon whined louder. "Ok maybe something is wrong." Taking a deep breath and mentally readying herself for the pure torture she was about to endure.

She slide the sleeve of the very clearly unharmed arm out. "Fuck." Deeeep breaths girl. You got this. "This is gonna hurt like hell."

"Allow me." She glanced up at him as he took her hand in his own, placing a kiss atop of it.

Slowly and as carefully as a man of his stature, perhaps even more that that, Ruber carefully pulled the sleeve off inch by inch.

Teeth clenched, Crystal balled her other hand at her side. Until the mighty griffin nudged the fist with his chest. Then her fingers slipped into his thick fur, while he rested his head on her shoulder, purring, and nuzzling her check.

Her eyes squeezed shut the further Ruber got the sleeve down. The farther he got the more the white hot pain seemed to grow.

The feeling of the cool breeze on whatever injury and the sound of her jacket being tossed aside was probably the only reason Crystal opened her eyes.

She didn't want to look. And the face Ruber made confirm that. Teeth bared, and brows twitching he stormed off.

Finally gathering some courage, Crystal looked down. Six lines ran across her forearm. Crusted red dried up blood covered her arm. The lines themselves seeped blood. The blood ran down slowly dripping to the grown.

Damon growled beside her. "When I get ahold of that falcon- I'll!" The falcon? Oh Jesus she'd almost forgotten. It'd sliced her the night before. "I hadn't realized you'd been harmed. Please. Forgive me."

God. "Damon sweetheart! Stop. You didn't know. Hell I didn't know. Don't blame your self sweety." She pulled him close kissing his cheek.

She turned to face the stairs hearing someone running up them. Involuntarily shaking at the idea of dealing with the metal men again. Damon however reassured her. "Tis just my master."

Sure enough, red hair, a scowling face, with a faint body appeared. He walked over, quite fast in her opinion. He placed some sort of cloth into the hand of her non-injured arm. Crystal didn't get to question him.

Again he picked her up like a child, setting her on the griffins back.

"You," he hissed grabbing Damon's ear. "Take her to the river near the forest so she may clean her wounds. I would come to tend them myself if it where not for these bumbling idiots." Ruber ran a hand down his face. His eyes seemed to grow dark as he glared at Damon. "You shall watch over her with your life." The hand still holding Damon's ear tightened, an Damon lightly whimpered. "Or else."

Crystal had just grabbed Ruber's hand to stop him from tearing poor Damon's ear off when he turned to her. He turned the tables on her. Pulling her hand to his lips, he pressed a kiss to her knuckles. "I shall see you soon my dear. We will met up near the forests edge." Looking to Damon, Ruber gave a nod.

And like that, Crystal was left baffled by the man yet again as Damon took to the sky.

Chapter Text

Crystal stayed silent the whole flight. Which in its self only lasted a few minutes.

When Damon landed he practically slid her down his neck an onto her feet. God she wasn't used to people treating her like she was made of porcelain.

Her mind drifted to all the fist fights she'd been in. The men who hadn't held their tongue so she'd put them in their place. The girls who seemed to think they could push her around cause they where prettier. Yet between the Damon and Rubers seemingly constant watchful eyes, she felt... flustered. It was sweet, but not necessary. Granted yes she was hurt, but he'll back home people would rarely hold a door for someone in a wheelchair or with crutches. It... wasn't something she was used too.

The woman hadn't even noticed the griffin sit in front of her, looking back an forth between her and the river besides them until he spoke. "Crystal." She blinked looked to him watching the griffin raise a brow. "Your wounds, you must clean them."

Mmm ya. She supposed so. "Sorry." Walking closer to the water she sat down on a large rock. "Was... thinking." Damon said nothing, sitting on the ground beside her.

The wounds did really need to be cleaned huh. Looking over the gouges, Crystal realized they'd slowed the bleeding, most had stopped completely. She sighed not looking forward to cleaning them, it'd hurt, it'd bleed. She knew it. But she also knew she didn't have the medical advances here versus if she'd been in her rightful time period. Chances are they get infected, she'd probably die.

Her other hand mindlessly rolled the fabric around it still held. Fuck, what even was it? Ruber hadn't said, and she didn't exactly get the chance to ask. Maybe she was procrastinating, but she shook the cloth out.

...it's a shirt. Wait what? Why the hell?

"Your garment, is torn." Christ could he read minds or something?! "My master must have got a new one for you."

"Ah." Hoping off the rock, Crystal pulled her T-shirt over her head. Sure enough, the back was shredded. How, who knew. But it was dusted that was for sure. "Damn it. I liked that one." Damon cocked his head to the side watching her. "Hey, it my back scratched up too?" She turned, holding her hair up to show the griffin.

Damon hummed. "Faintly, but shouldn't be of any concern. I do not see any blood."

"Well that's good at least." She ripped the tattered shirt to shreds. Scowling Crystal debated the best way to go about this. Submerge her arm fully in water or try cleaning it with the shreds like a washcloth. "I really don't want to get my pants soaked."

Damon stood stretching, waking out into the water. "So take them off."

Well... ya that would... It was bad enough she was out in the open in a bra. She couldn't just rip her jeans off too!

"There are no human around the area. And if one would disgrace your honor, I would gladly tear them apart." That was... oddly charming. Crystal was going to question how he knew what she was thinking but unsurprisingly, he beat her to it. "You make a face when you worry. Humans are predictable."

Fair enough. She slid her boots off, tucking her socks into the boots as she took them off. Then unbutton and pulled her jeans off. Tossing them next to the new shirt, before walking out into water scraps of cloth in hand.

It was cool, thankfully not cold. She watched Damon wave his claws through the water. Probably cleaning his own cuts. But he froze. Eyes dilated.

She snorted when he lunged forward snatching a rather large fish out of the water. God he really was a big cat. He pranced out of the water, his catch hanging from his beak.

Well... technically he had lion in him so meh it made sense she guessed. Back on task.

Dunking her arm into the water, Crystal hissed. Cool as it water still hurt like a bitch feeling the water run over the wounds. Slowly she ran the cloth over the areas around the cuts. Once that was done, she began her personal torture. One cut at a time she cleaned out the dried crusted blood. Holy hell. Fuck Crystal wanted to wring that falcons neck herself.

Standing up fully, she stretched cracking her back. Damon watched as she tossed the scrap cloth to the riverside. "M'ere big guy, tell me what ya think."

He walked over, inspecting the cuts while he grumbled. "They are... worrisome. But clean." Turning and walking back to his kill.

She followed him out of the water shrugging. "They'll scar, but that's ok." Grabbing a spear rag, she dried her legs off and tugged her jeans back on. She sat on the rock and carefully pulled the shirt over her head. Slowly pulling her wounded arm through the sleeve and then the other.

It was cute. Honestly. Wasn't something she'd pick out for herself, but really, it was cute. The white shirt definitely reminded her of something out of Pirates of the Caribbean. Off the shoulder, flowy, and long sleeve. Granted she rolled the cuffs up to her elbows simply because she didn't want it to get covered in blood if she started bleeding again.

Pair that with her lightly torn light blue jeans, an damn. It was definitely a different look for her. Socks and boots on again she turned to Damon. But he was already facing her. Beak covered in blood. "You look lovely." Crystal just blinked at him. "Is... is there something on my beak?"

"Uh ya. Just... one second." She walked over to the river dipping the last few scraps of shirt into the water. Coming back to him, she held the underside of his beak. Tilting him too and fro as she washed him like a mother would a child. The rags where tossed over her shoulder. "There ya go big guy. Handsome as ever."

She kissed the top of his beak and he purred. "You are too kind to me Lady Crystal."

"Na, your just a complete sweetheart and gentlemen." She scratched behind his ears.

In the distance they could hear angered yell. Ruber. No doubts about it. God the man seemed to have two settings. Intense, and enraged. "Well, I guess that's our queue to get going."

The griffin snorted, lowering himself to the ground. "My master is... easily angered. So perhaps your right."

Carefully as she could, she climbed up onto his back while chuckling. "I noticed big guy."

He hummed, walking through the river to the other side. Crystal supposed it was almost like riding a horse. Granted she'd never rode a horse, but the light bouncing feeling she got from riding him seemed similar to how people described horse riding. Not that she was complaining.

The forest didn't seem far and if Damon had flown, they'd probably be stuck waiting. Besides, his trotting through the tall grass and flowers was just as peaceful as flying.

Head thrown back, she breathed in the fresh air. Yet a familiar scent had her eye wide. "Are those hyacinths?!"

Damon froze. "... I believe so."

Reaching down she felt the small petals against the tips of her fingers. Her cheeks flushed, embarrassed from her random out burst. "Sorry, uh ... their one of my favorites. Haven't seen any in a long time honestly."

He said nothing, and continued walking. However, it was obviously a slower pace than before. The griffin truly was a complete sweetheart. The smile on Crystals face didn't fade even when the flowers did.

From on his back she could see a good area around. In the distance was a path, assuming to the lil farm like place they had been at. The field had died down, grass lowering. There was a log near the forest be still out in the open. "How bout we wait over there? By that log."

Damon walked over, an with out warning, sat down. Crystal slid down his back, landing on her butt behind him. Luckily he'd tucked his tail under him. If he hadn't she'd probably have crushed it with her ass. Clever boy. Clever boy.

She reached out, giving a light hearted tug on his fur. He yelped as she giggled, dodging his attempts to grab her.

But Crystal was only human and Damon was a magnificent creature. She tired fast. Flopping onto her back, she stared up at him. He tilted his head and snorted in her face making her laugh.

In the blink of an eye, he rolled her over onto her stomach, picked her up and sat her down in the grass by the log. Damon did a cat like stretch and yawn before laying beside her and dozing off while he sunbathed.

Cute. He was way to huge to be that cute in her opinion. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted something white.

A daisy. Huh. Out of impulse and childhood memories, she pulled the flower from the plant.

One by one, plucking the small petals off. Chanting that age old garbage in her head all the while.

He loves me.

He loves me not.

He loves me.

He loves me not.

He loves me.

He loves me not.

He loves me.

He loves me not.

He loves me.

He loves me not.

He loves me.

He loves me not.

He loves me.

He loves me not.

... well shit. That's a first. She didn't bother to pull the last petal off. Just tossed what was left over her shoulder.

He loves me.

Chapter Text

Not even a second after she'd tossed it way, Crystal heard light metal clanking. Standing up she brushed the petals off her lap. "Damon, I think their close. If it's not them then we've got a problem on our hands. Well... my hands, your claws I guess."

Damon snorted, stretching his wings out fully. Jesus, he had a giant wing span. She watched him lazily stand up grumbling underneath his breath about how he'd just gotten comfortable.

Poor thing. He did deserve to have a good rest, considering all the crap Damon had done in the like almost 48 hours she's known the large griffin. Endless flying, escaping Camelot, fighting plants, fighting Ruber's men shameless assault.

Sighing, she reached over stroking Damon's beak. Before she could tell him she was sorry for having to wake him, a not so far away voice rang out. His ears where practically flat against his head, as a yell at the soldiers about stragglers being left behind rang out.

An there over the dip of a small hill,only a short distance away, she could see the top of a soldiers head. "Sit down. Look... like your guarding. Ready to attack." Not saying a word, Damon did just that. Raising a brow at her once she sat on top of the log beside him. "You look nervous, if you over play your job a lilbit, Ruber won't know… an I won't tell." Crystal winked, petting down the part of his spine she could reach.

Purring the griffin sat up straighter, turning his head to an fro 'watching' for any danger. She almost chuckled, but seeing Ruber reach the top of the hill, and began walking down it killed the thought.

Who knew a man that huge could gracefully waltz down a hill like that. Strutting like he owned the damn place. The sun shining lightly on his armored shoulders.

God. Crystal bit the inside of her lip admiring those ridiculous broad and glorious shoulders, those thick as hell muscles on the sides of his neck, chiseled jaw, the devilish smirk on his lips... wait what?!

His eyes made her face feel like it was burning even more with the embarrassment she felt. Her mind raced, but Crystal couldn't find any words to leave her mouth when the redhead stopped in front of her and knelt.
A hand cupped her face, while another took ahold of her wrist.

Letting a breath out she hadn't known she'd been holding, Crystal watched Ruber break eye contact to look over her arm while he turned her wrist ever so lightly. He scowled, and his jaw tensed. "I suppose it could have been worse." The hand on her cheek moved to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "We'll have to keep an eye out for that one healing plant, ugh I can never remember what it's called I'm afraid."

There is a swift movement, and before she can blink, the man that was before her seconds ago is now curling a metal man towards the woods. Noting mentally, as it slams into a tree, that she definitely believes it to be the one that grabbed her originally that morning.

Sympathy be damned, who knows what they’d done had Ruber and Damon not been there.

She made a silent prayer that they’d all rust and rot in the most uncomfortable places as time went on.

“Seems I’ve truly taken your breath away.” Shit. Crystal realizes from that grin, she’d disassociated completely while admiring him for the seemingly millionth time. “Though perhaps the effects are mutual?” he says it so calmly and with a her in his tone that makes her shiver and cheeks flare.

Which, of course, does not go unnoticed by the large man or the griffin. Though thankfully, for her sake, it’s taken differently.

Hands grip her waist and pull her to a standing position. Damon has his whole face pressed to her back. He Huff sucking in deep mouthfuls of air, “ I smell no new blood master.”

Ruber hums, “Poor thing,” he turns her slotting her to his side and wrapping an arm around her, “She’s just not used to all the excitement.” A understatement of the year, though she had no plans on complaining. The hand on her hip toying with the fabric of her pants was comforting in an odd way. Meanwhile, they begin walking towards the woods. Damon of course is following close behind.

“Well my dear, I sent some men out earlier after a girl. Unfortunately, they are imbeciles and have yet to return.” Crystal nods, not really knowing how to feel about his men going after a ‘girl’ considering that morning’s events. He grabs one of her hands raising it to his lips. “Which means I will have to tend to that on top of finding Excalibur not though, dear I will personally see to your safety.” An then he kisses her hand.

They continue walking eventually, ending up in a good sized clearing, with some rather ornate looking rocks in the center. Breaking away from Rubers grasp Crystal sits on one while the men look around the clearing.

Damon paces a little looking about the area, for the sword most likely, before Rubers patiences begins to wear thin.

“You wretched, mythological moron!” Again he snapped yanking on the poor griffin’s ear. Crystal is already up rushing to Damon’s aid as Ruber adds, “Where did you drop the sword?”

Damon pulls away just as she got to the two. He then pulls out a piece of glass, a monocle, from seemingly nowhere and placing it on an eye looking to the sky. “It all looks so different from down here. Some sort of bird called rings out loud and Ruber grips Damon by the fur on his throat, yanking him close and snatching the glass from his eye, throwing it aside.

“HEY!” Crystal lunges for Rubers arm in a what would be fruitless endeavor to stop him. But suddenly there’s yelling and clinging growing closer.

Instantly, the world moves for her as she ends up on the ground underneath Damon. Who after a moment, huffs. “It’s just the chicken.”

Sure enough a second later a … chicken (she’ll take Damon’s word) tumble down a nearby bank and into some water.

Ruber and the metal-axe-chicken… thing are talking, but Crystal can’t be bothered with it at the moment. She’s too busy, scratching the underside of the griffin’s throat. Careful of course, to avoid the area Ruber just had ahold of. The large beast purred down at her, a hind leg thudding, and eyes drooping like he was experiencing an ultimate bliss the world had to offer.

Still in the blissful trance, the large griffin leans his head down to nuzzle Crystal’s chest. She giggles at the purring beast before wrapping her arms around his neck.

A bit away Ruber yells something, and the metal men start marching off. She’s got her head tilted backwards on the ground watching them start off deeper into the woods when she notices Ruber.

He’s standing there. Watching. His face lightly flushed.

Then it occurs to her, just how she looks. Back arched, head tilted back, pinned underneath a griffin, whose face is currently buried in her chest, not to mention from the angle he currently was he most likely had a decent view down her shirt.

Another revelation occurs to Crystal. Damon is not nuzzling her or purring anymore. Rather he’s just… there hovering above her. Watching Ruber.

Wait.

No.

He’s growling .

It’s faint, barely noticeable. She herself can hardly hear it, but she can feel the noise underneath her hands clear as day.

It reminds her of a dog watching daring something dangerous to come near its owner, but before she can shush him, a clawed hand tosses her up. With a omft, she notes she’s no longer on the ground rather on Damon’s back. Straddling him like a horse once again.

She doesn’t get the chance to comment before he’s moving. Practically strutting past his master. Who is no longer flushed in the face, just watching and observing.

Crystal can hardly contain herself as they pass him, tossing a “You coming big guy?”, over her shoulder. She can’t see the smirk, but can definitely hear it in his tone.

“Oh you won’t get be getting rid of me anytime soon darling.”