Waking Up From A Knightmare

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur could not believe all that had happened in a matter of days! It all started with peace talks, and the development of a peace treaty . . . but oh how quickly things backfired. From someone putting him under a spell, to him delivering chicken to a woman's chambers in the middle of the night, to Gwen believing he was trying to woo her, to King Olaf challenging him to a duel to the death . . . to Gwen saving his life. Arthur -- even if he had not been in his right mind -- would not have been able to forgive himself if he had ruined the peace treaties that the five kingdoms had worked so hard to establish. He felt bad for Vivian, though hoped she would never return. His heart was still set on another, even if she could not accept that they were a possibility for a future . . . even if he shared those same doubts.

People were talking about the recent past events. Some thought it was funny, some thought Arthur was out of his mind, but at least no one died, and at least Olaf had left with peace in his heart. Now, he just had to deal with the aftermath of people talking about how he sneaked into Lady Vivian's chambers in the middle of the night and that they were caught in an intimate moment . . . by both their fathers! It was humiliating really, especially since Arthur didn't actually have any affection for that woman what so ever.

It was early in the morning and Arthur was out on the training arena. He was dressed in half his armor and already had his sword out. He did not get much sleep last night; he had far too much on his mind. Mostly, Guinevère. After their conversation, Arthur had a great deal to think about . . . and he wished that things had ended on a happier note. It was still taking over every thought, and so he would release his aggressions in practicing his swordsmanship. It was all he could do right now, since sleep did not find him easily.


_{Setting: Training arena
Time of Day: Early Morning, around 6:00 am
Timeline: Shortly after Sweet Dreams, when all the royal families left
Tag: Sir Cole Barrera}

[cole]

It seemed that the whole castle was still buzzing about what happened during the peace treaties...With Arthur and Lady Vivian. Cole could not help but shutter. That woman was a complete nightmare. Well, the whole situation seemed to be a nightmare. The fact that there had been an unaccounted factor (though he didn't know what) was involved didn't upset him as it should have but he wasn't here for the entire event; he had returned in the middle of all the mayhem. It was just a matter of days that it all happened. Cole was shocked when he had heard that Arthur had been caught with the she-devil princess. He knew for a fact that Arthur upon her arrival complained about her insulting Gwen. But all in all, he could honestly say that he would not have fared as well as Arthur did in the end, and that was a fact. But they had been caught by both of their fathers...Now that is a major blow to the pride for Arthur now that whatever spell the she-devil had cast was lifted. He really did not like that woman!, she was spoiled and obnoxious and a whole lot of other things that Cole ,as a knight, should not be thinking but that is just how much he disliked the woman...Despite how beautiful she was she was ugly on the inside. Cole took a deep breathe to calm down as he walked onto the training grounds, it was still early and there were a few others on the field but not many. He paused, speak of the devil and he shall appear. There was Arthur training...again.

He had been doing that a lot. Just training till he was exhausted. Beating up his men, so to speak, and relieving some pent up frustrations. Of course he joked about getting a lady friend to help with those frustrations and Arthur didn't take it so well but afterwords he would just laugh it off. They were friends, at least in his mind they were; while around others though Cole reigned in some of the good natured fun he'd have with his Prince. No need to have people all out of sorts for nothing.

Cole walked up silently behind Arthur. His steps not making a sound, Yes this was probably not the smartest thing that he could do but he needed to cheer up his friend. Getting as close as he could , Cole then tackled Arthur before jumping up and flipping over him with a smile. "Good Morning M'lord." Cole laughed as he looked down at the younger man. "Its a bit surprising to see you up and dressed this early in the Morning...Especially without Merlin griping about you."

[Arthur Pendragon]

A trained hunter and combatant since birth . . . and women consumed his thoughts today. It was why he had not heard his friend silently approach him, and his greeting was . . . well, Arthur was now on his back, making a face. He groaned looking up at Cole. Arthur was not upset. Perhaps if anyone else would have done this, he would have been enraged -- especially considering his mood -- but he got along with his knights rather well, and Cole was one of them. He pushed himself up and glared at Cole, though the emotions behind the glare were lacking. "Its not normal to always be this . . . perky in the morning," he said, making a face at the knight's constant enthusiasm.

"Why torment Merlin this early when clearly I have you to bother," he said with a bit of a smirk, though he tried to force the annoyed expression on his face. He took a few steps past Cole, casually giving him a shove with his shoulder. He did not walk far, just far enough to pick up his sword which he had instinctively let go of when he was tackled. It could have let to a serious injury. Once Arthur picked up the sword, he looked back at Cole. "What are you doing up this early, and furthermore, one the training ground? Not that I'm complaining, since you could certainly use some discipline," Arthur told him, jokingly.

[cole]

Cole gave Arthur a deep throaty laugh. Arthur was still not a morning person despite him being out and about. "Well Sire its a good thing that I'm not ...Perky?" Cole smirked. "Though, you would be 'perky' as me if you would just loosen up a bit and get a Lady friend." ]Cole always brought this up and he meant no ill will towards Arthur. It was just something he always joked about; mostly because since he's been in Camelot he refused to court any woman for a specific reason, and not even Arthur knew that reason.

Cole and Arthur basically grew up together and they had an..odd friendship of sorts. They were almost complete opposites Arthur was more withdrawn and serious with occasional bursts of humor. Cole was out going and had occasional bouts of seriousness. Cole felt the light shove on his shoulder and turned. Watched as Arthur picked up the sword he released.
"Well for one Merlin, is your servant and a source of entertainment. Though you do go a bit hard on him at times. As for the second well it seems that I am the one bothering you." Cole pointed to where Arthur's had been previously laying. "Exhibit one." Cole stated with fake a (fake) serious voice.

Cole rested most of his weight on his right foot and shifted slightly to his left. The charismatic smile never leaving his face. "It is a training ground Sire. Why else would I be up this early? For my health? Certainly not for that and certainly not for a lesson on 'discipline'." He replied jokingly. "I've been meaning to see how everyone fared since I was gone. who knows what trouble has happened within the ranks. Especially since that (she-devil) Lady Vivian was here." He frowned when he said the Lady's name, he hated the bad taste it left on his tongue.

[Arthur Pendragon]

A lady friend. That was the last thing Arthur needed right now. Mainly because . . . he had one. He already had the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. The one he could see as a future Queen, fair and just. It brought up emotions of commitment that he had never had in the past before. He felt as if his days of flirtatiousness were over . . . one problem. He could not tell a single soul right now. It was a horrible weight to carry, to have to keep something so wonderful, so hidden. But after his last conversation with Gwen, neither of them had immediate plans to reveal their relationship to the world. It was not uncommon for Cole to joke about this; Arthur would just never take it the way he used to. But still, it was not something difficult to lie about. "So I assume that means you have a woman in your life, if that is what in fact makes you perky." He turned the conversation around, knowing that jokes about him and a certain someone would come soon enough.

Arthur wasn't about to deny that he did indeed go hard on Merlin. But Arthur definitely considered his servant to be one of his closest friends who he literally trusted with his life. He would always conceal this deep bond with him, by giving him a hard time. It was more fun that way. "Trust me Cole, if you had a servant as ridiculous as him, then you would do the exact same thing. Perhaps we should find you one so that you can see how it feels."

And there was it. Vivian. Her name was bound to come up, and it did so very soon. Arthur made a face. He hated thinking about what he had said to her . . . what he had done with her. How insane he sounded when he was with her and proposed to get married. It was the second time he had been enchanted by magic and he certainly hoped it would be the last. "Yes," Arthur began to say. He spun turned his wrist, spinning the sword, trying to shrug off any awkwardness he had in discussing Lady Vivian. "Well she's gone now. Nothing else to worry about." Except the fact that he had nearly jeopardized an entire peace treaty between 5 kingdoms! "Remind me where you went when all this was going on?" He asked, now questioning his fellow knight's whereabouts out of curiousity . . . and to change the subject, no matter how abrupt and obvious it was.

[cole]

Cole hated it when Arthur turned things around on him but laughed anyways. Maybe this would be the time to tell Arhtur about the woman he loves...Just maybe. Why yes Arthur I do. She's just not with me. She's not even in Camelot. Cole stated with enough serious to show Arthur that he was only joking, but he couldnt help but feel a bit down that he,for one reason or another, could not tell his friend that what he had just said was true...And hopefully Arthur wasnt paying as close of attention to the tone of his voice to notice the change in it that indicated that he wasnt lying and that what he said was if fact a truth.. No one knew that he was in love. In love with a nomad to be exact, not even she knew (that in its self was a sad thought). He didnt draw his sword and just watched Arthur with a smile.

There it was! The fondness that enters Arthur's voice when he talks of his friends. Its barely noticeable and those who dont know him wouldnt pick up on it. But Cole knew the tone. Having used it himself quite a bit when he was younger. Now Sire, why would I need a servant to boss around when I get to watch you have fun tormenting him. Cole was joking somewhat he didnt need a servant he had two capable hands that served him well. But he did admit that a servant to helpmake dinner would be nice but he wouldnt say that aloud. arthur might actually send him a servant!

Cole didnt say anything else bout the she-devil. But laughed at Arthur when he had asked where he went he was wondering when he would ask that. In truth he had actually went searching for the girl he loves. He didnt tell Arthur that, no he would never live it down. It wouldnt be hard to say that he had went on an errand for Gaius a few towns over. Cause that was what he originally set out to do, he just took a little detour. He drew his sword and twisted his wrist loosening up the muscles before he answered
Well M'Lord I went on an errand for Gaius. He had a book on hold a few towns over and asked me to retrieve it seeing as he was so busy here. Said he needed it for some new remedies or something to that effect. Cole smiled and tapped the toe of his boot to the ground. For them this sort of banter and talk was normal and he was a bit nerous as to what Arthur would say to him actually loveing someone. In the past he would say that he would never fall in love and that he would flirt with them but never touch. Not because he didnt want a family it was just that he had no time to create one. Let alone protect them and raise any son or daughter that may come into being. He was a knight and a knight's duty was to his king and the kings family. But even then that was just a cover to keep people from asking him when he was going to have a wife or if he was interested. This will be the first time he's spoken of it...ever.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur did not make a big deal about the fact that the young knight had found companionship with a woman . . . well, sort of companionship. He was however curious as to who it was. "And who would this lucky lady be?" He asked, slightly sarcastic when using the word lucky, as he mocked his fellow knight. Arthur was just very relieved that the focus was off of him and the entire situation with Vivian. It was a better way for him to relax when there was someone else to divert his attention to . . . in this case, Sir Cole Barrera. Arthur gave a brief smile at the knight's question. "Because watching it is not half as much fun as actually doing it," he told him. While Arthur tended to bully people less now . . . he knew that it entertained those who were of a higher class than the victim being bullied.

And then there was . . . that. Arthur paused and looked at Cole, his expression filled with skepticism as he slightly raised an eyebrow. "Really, Gaius sent you on an errand?" Arthur didn't believe him. Usually Gaius would just send Merlin, and Arthur was usually lenient towards the servant when Gaius needed him to do something . . . of course, it just meant he would torture Merlin even more when he got back, but that was besides the point. "Come now Cole, don't lie to me, Tell me truthfully where you were." Now Arthur was intrigued as to the reason Cole would lie about his whereabouts.

[cole]

Cole laughed lightly at Arthur's question and gave a small shrug. "A woman I met on my first travels." Cole stated nonchalantly. "The first time we met she flipped me over her shoulder." Cole couldn't help but let a small laughed when Arthur said it was basically better to experience it than to watch. He would admit that he didn't really feel the need to to that but watching what transpires between both Arthur and Merlin was very entertaining to say the least.

Cole knew that Arthur had seen through his almost complete lie. And that forsaken eyebrow of his rose with the question. That was one thing that Cole could get annoyed about but not enough to say something. But he nodded. Gaius did ask him to retrieve a book for him but that was only because he had offered to get it.Cole gave Arthur a deadpanned look, he really thought that he lied (though he sort of did just not completely). But a smile graced his features as he twist his blade easily in his hand.
"I wasn't lying sire. I did go on an errand for Gaius but I offered to go. Merlin was to busy doing something or another for you at the time...Something to do with flowers and a note," He shrugged casually. "I had nothing better to do at the time and it wasn't like the royals really needed a knight or my status at a peace treaty." He let the flat side of the blade flip over the back of his hand before grabbing the handle and repeating the action a few more times.

Sometimes Cole hated that he was an open book to most that knew how to read him. Arthur was one of those few people and Arthur was one of those few people that he really trusted. One thing though was that he did think that Arthur could tell that he wasnt joking about the woman. Hopefully he didnt ask to many questions about what ahppened on his little 'errand' tha he went on and what he was doing exactly.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur smirked when Cole vaguely told him the story of a woman flipping him over. "That does not surprise me the least bit," he said teasingly. "Anyone could flip you right over. Thats not much of a challenge." Arthur was not sure who this woman was, not did he pry too much in finding out. Whatever information Cole offered, Arthur would listen, but the Prince was not the kind of man who begged for details. And since Cole was not admitting to have not really been on a mission for Gaius, it made it clear he did not want to discuss the mystery woman. This did not bother Arthur; especially since all it meant was that the attention was diverted from what had happened with King Olaf.

The flowers and note. He could not help but continue to think of Guinevère, and knew he needed to change the subject before he became too lost in thought. "It is wonderful that everything worked out in the end; that the peace treaty was established. The King is making plans of having a large festival to celebrate the treaties." Arthur knew there would be a lot of preparations involved in that. But it would be a good distraction, for a good cause. "Perhaps you can invite whoever this woman is, to the ball." Arthur was assuming it was a woman of nobility. It was not common for most to seek the romantic attention of someone of a lower class. Which is why it was so difficult for him and Guinevère to be together; something that would always torment the young Prince till the day it changed.

[cole]

Cole let out a chuckle at the teasing. "Oh yes sire it is that easy for a tiny woman around five feet to flip a man of my height over her shoulder." Cole stated with a bit of sarcasm but had a smile on his lips showing that he didnt take offence to the statement. That day was one that he still remember clearly. He remember just walking up to the woman and just placing a hand on her shoulder and she flipped him. He was so shocked that he had laid their for several moments just looking up into equally startled icy eyes. "Seriously sire, she's a tiny little thing, but has a loud mouth but a kind nature."

Cole looked at Arthur and nodded. He was right. Despite the odd things that happened things did turn out for the better. He was somewhat excited for the festivites that were coming up he was tempted to enter the sword events but he hadnt decided yet. But he let out a small laugh when Arthur said that he could invite her to the ball. Wouldnt he be in such a shock to find out that she was a nomad. Cole was feeling mischievious and decided that he wanted to see his friends reaction to what he would say. "I would invite her if I knew where she was. Honestly, the woman is a nomad and is never in the same place for too long unless she finds something to entertain her." He smiled and continued to flip his sword lazily not noticing that he had cut himslef slightly.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"Well why not?" Arthur said, continuing the mocking of his friend. "It really wouldn't be that difficult. I'm sure a child could do it." He knew of course, that in order to qualify as a knight, you had to have a certain body build that came inevitably from all the training with weapons and to get in shape. It was one of the many disciplines a knight had to have . . . it was after all, why Cole was out here in the first place: training and practicing. "If she has a loud mouth, then surely you two are a perfect match. The two of you would just never stop talking . . . I would hate to be around to hear a conversation between you and her," Arthur said, completely kiddingly. He would not mind meeting her at some point of course. Any friend of a knight of Camelot, was a friend of his -- so far.

"If you are this serious about the woman then you should search for her." If Arthur had the opportunity to be with Gwen, he would take it in a heart beat. "Coincidences are not too rare. You may happen to cross paths with her, you never know. But you certainly won't find out without devoting some time towards it." Of course Arthur was not telling him to neglect his duties. But the knights did have free time; they were not on duty every moment of every day, so he thought he would encourage his friend a bit.

[cole]

§

Cole let out another throaty laugh at Arthur's teasing. "Oh yes sire. A child, like the stable boy Neav, could flip me over." Cole enjoyed the times when his friend was able to relax even a little bit and joke with people. These times were rare seeing as he was the prince and didnt have a whole lot of time to truly unwind from one thing or another at least that was how Cole saw it.

Cole smiled at Arthur when he said that he wouldnt like to hear a conversation between the two of them and while he was only kidding he probably wouldnt want to hear it. She was a very opinionated woman and often spoke before she thought. "Well I'm not to sure of that. But I'm not sure how well you two would get along. She is...different than the women that are around court and or even the common people." Cole stated the last part with a little bit of hesitation. With Arthur he was never sure who he would be-friend or who he would rather fight and get rid of. And Cole knew that if Arthur approached with the arrogant attitude that he had sometimes there would be an ongoing war between the two. And the only good thing is that Arthur would never attack a woman unless he absolutely had too. But should they get to deep within an arguments he woulndt doubt be shocked to find the two locked in combat ( he had no doubt that his Prince would win he was nigh defeatable should they lock swords or other weapons). But when Arthur said that he should take the chance to go and find her he let out a soft laugh. What Arthur didnt know is that whenever he went away that, that was what he had been doing. "Yes I could do that. I have been doing that, actually. I've been doing it for many years and havent found her. Maybe I am just looking to hard. For now though i will just take the time to help with the preparations for the festival and help out where ever else that I am needed." Cole looked at Arthur with a smirk. "Like wiping the ground with you, my Prince" Cole stated with a jokingtone.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur grinned at the thought. "I wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised if that happened." He was kidding of course, part of the joy of having a friend with a good sense of humor. It was nice to laugh at a time like this as well. Things were stressful and confusing for the Prince at this time, and to put off some steam and just relax, or at least try to, was already making him feel slightly better. "Perhaps one day we will find out," he suggested, upon the question of how the two of them would get along. Arthur would try to keep an open mind with her, if she was in fact opinionated however it all depended on how much and in what way she vocalized those opinions. There were some things that Arthur would just not tolerate. So long as she gave respect where it was due, Arthur was going to lean towards the possibility that they would get along fine.

"I will most definitely have to meet her one day then, to see what is so different about her that makes you ignore all of the other women at court." Arthur knew that it was not difficult to ignore them; not when you had that one person in your life that you could not see yourself with anyone but. Fortunately for Cole, he could move under the radar a bit better than Arthur. He was the Prince of Camelot; the future king. He would eventually be in the direct spotlight when it came to choosing a Queen, as he could only avoid it for so long. So much for trying to de-stress for all the stresses flooded back into his mind. Of course, he was able to conceal this. It was a great deal easier when the topic of conversation was directed towards someone else. Arthur laughed at his challenging talk. "I think finding her will be far more likely than 'wiping the floor with me'," he said in a confident tone, using the exact same words that Cole had.

[cole]

Cole gave a hearty laugh. Now this was the friend he remembered, at this moment he wasnt the prince he was just Arthur. "Now sire its not that hard to beat you." He stated. "You're just very lucky." Cole knew that his friend could wipe the floor with him if he truly wanted to but it was nice to goad him into things. At least this time its not overly dangerous as to where last time (obviously when they were younger) he did so they landed themselves into a heap of trouble. Thus both of their fathers punishing them.

"Hmmm, I doubt that finding her would be easier. Do you remember that old retired knight Lord Astras?" Cole asked as he tapped his sword against Arthur's several times, a silent sign he wanted to do a little sparring. "He's the one who used to chase us with his sword when ever we passed by his home and his wife would ask us what we were up to that time?" Cole smiled they were fond memories. They had only met the lord a few times and Cole, at the time, didnt recognize the old man who was training the girl of his dreams. The knight used to live there in Camelot but moved on after his retirement. There was only so much an old man could do other than train others. But besides the girl he never passed on his knowledge to others, something about they shouldnt have it easy because of their born into station they had to learn it on their own the hard way just like he did. knowledge was not free it always had a price. Cole was hoping that he had at least remembered who he was talking about. Otherwise this would be hard to explain. "You know the man who always refused to teach us saying that we hadnt earned the right and that he would never pass on his knowledge until it was the right time and/or person?" Cole went on to further state his question.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur chuckled at Cole's mocking. It was all in good fun. Had anyone else had the audacity to challenge the Prince, he may have taken it personally. But this man was a fellow knight and friend. Arthur could not help but laugh yet again when Cole began to recall childhood memories. It was not hard to remember. Arthur had spent his childhood training, educating himself of different subjects and the politics of the land so that he would be a knowledgeable king, and learning combat with various weapons. There were very few memories which involved having fun and being a child. Embracing that innocent and immaturity. Very few incidents like that indeed, which is why Arthur remembered the incidents Cole was reminiscing about rather vividly.

"I remember him well," Arthur said, chuckling once again at the thought. "I'm surprised he said no to me. Showed that he was a stubborn man, and strong willed." Not many people deprived Arthur of anything during his childhood. It was obvious he had been spoiled and pampered, as would any prince and sole heir of the kingdom. "What of him?" Arthur asked, wondering why Cole had brought him up. "I wonder what ever happened to that old man. He was such a joy to irritate."

At the time, when he had been a boy, Arthur was annoyed by the man's refusal. He had not had any part in training Arthur however. He was one of the few experienced knights that the Prince did not get trained by. "Do you think we would be able to get away with it, if we tried again?" Arthur asked jokingly, smirking at the thought of that. An old man, chasing around two grown men. Though it would never happen, it was most definitely an entertaining thought.

[cole]

Cole laughed at what Arthur said. Yes it was odd that the old man had denied Arthur training since no one denied the prince anything. "Ha-ha if we did try he would more than likely beat us." Cole stated but grew quiet and somber. He looked up at the sky, it was cloudy again, not that it was that uncommon in Camelot. "Arthur the reason that I brought him up is because he took a student and passed away shortly after their training was done. And shortly after his death his wife passed on in a rogue raid." He looked Arthur in the eye. "That student took on his name;" Cole a small smirk slid easily onto his face like it was meant to be there.

"You'll just love this." He began again after pausing. "That student is the woman I fell in love with." Cole kept the smirk on his face and couldnt help but mentally laugh. It always seemed like everything had to have an ironic side to it. He wondered if she would ever travel to camelot. After thinking about her for several moments he decided that he was going to just tackle his friend and partake in some friendly wrestling. It was something that they used to when they were growing up.

[sorry this is short my muse for cole is taking a nap]

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur continued to listen to his friend talk about the old man, knowing that this story had to be going somewhere further than just reminiscing about their childhood. There was a point to this, and he knew that Cole was getting to it. And there it was. Arthur looked at him curiously before his expression broke out into another smirk and he just chuckled, shaking his head simultaneously. "You sure know how to complicate a situation Cole," he said, giving a light nudge. "So she is technically a woman of nobility after all." If she was the daughter of a retired knight, then she certainly had noble blood in her.

And that was when Arthur felt a pang of jealousy. Not in an angry way but more in a wishful way. A way which made him wish that somehow, Guinevère had nobility in her, though at the same time, he did not wish her to be any different than she currently was. The class difference meant nothing to him, but it meant a great deal to others. If it had been an issue for him personally, he would not have said all the things he had to her, or even shared passionate moments with her. If there were just no restrictions on who a nobleman could marry -- though he understood why there were -- then life would be much simpler, and happiness would be easily achieved. But that was not the way things were right now. For now, he would have to endure the pain of an unknown future between them and steal any moment he could alone with her.

Arthur kept all of these emotions to himself, as the smirk still played on his lips. He could not let something like this slip . . . not even to such a close friend as Cole. It was too risky, for her. And he would do nothing to jeopardize Gwen's life, position or reputation.

[cole]

"Well I guess she does," Cole shrugged. "But from what i remember she was adopted into the family since Mrs. Astras couldnt bear any children." He chuckled, not many got the chance to be a noble by adoption. It was mostly unheard of but it did happen on occasion. Who knows about the girl. He looked at the smirking Arthur. He wondered if Arthur would see that when he was king he could marry any woman he wanted...Including the woman he was pining after. It honestly wasnt hard to see what was going on but Cole kept his mouth closed something others didnt think to be possible with hoe much he actually talked.

Deciding that this was too much talking Cole moved forward and tackled his friend to the ground forgetting his sword on the ground in favor of holding Arthur in a head lock just loose enough to not cut off his air supply. "Now my friend why dont we talk about more important things like how you are going to arrange an entire festival and not botch things up?" Cole teased Arthur in many ways this was one of them. They had tried to throw a birthday party for someone, Cole couldnt quite remember who, and well they ended up setting the kitchen on fire with a rag. They were boys how were they supposed to know that you dont put a cloth next to a hearth? It wasnt like they told them not to before.

[Arthur Pendragon]

To be adopted into a family of nobility was truly a blessing. While Morgana had already been a noblewoman, she was brought into the royal family of Camelot and that had greatly changed her upbringing. Who knows where she would have ended up otherwise, and Arthur did not like thinking on it. It did not matter whether there was a blood relation in some instances; what mattered was the manner in which they were raised, and who raised them. Just because there was no blood shared between him and Morgana, did not mean she was any less of a sister to him. So in Arthur's opinion, the girl Cole loved was indeed a noblewoman, if she was raised as one. Arthur knew that many would disagree, but he had to be more open minded. He was after all in love with a woman who was in title a noblewoman.

Arthur had been so caught up in his own thoughts of a certain woman, that the tackle caught him completely off guard and he fell to the ground. Feeling his head under Cole's arm, and hearing his question at the same time, Arthur decided the sequence of events that he would react to. "The only way anything would get botch up," After he said the first part of the statement, he took a firm grasp on Cole's arm and flipped him onto his backside. "Is if you had any part in the planning." He quickly stood up so that he was looking down at the knight. "Then again, your mere presence at it may ruin things. Maybe you should stay home, practice the strength of your headlocks. I will even offer you a target dummy to practice . . . once I find Merlin that is," he said, mocking his servant once again.