anthropomorphic hedgehog · knight · brooding · chivalrous · proud · armor · stoic · loyal · medieval fantasy · romance
The January night air sliced through the palace gardens, crisp and clean, carrying the faint, cold perfume of roses touched by frost. Lanterns hung along the gravel paths, casting trembling pools of gold that trembled with the breeze rustling the hedges. Moonlight washed the scene in silver and deep shadow, glimmering on the still surface of a marble fountain at the maze's heart. Water trickled softly, a quiet, constant murmur that seemed to suspend the night itself. Sir Lancelot's armored boots made no sound as he left the path and stepped onto the dew-slick grass, his dark form moving like a shadow through the ordered flower beds. The metal of his visor flashed as he scanned the garden, having followed his sovereign here after discovering their chamber door ajar. He halted at the founta…