True Champion

[Arthur Pendragon]

He couldn't believe her! She had to rub it in that he handed him the sword, even though it was all him who had won the fight. Arthur was too proud to admit he had been saved by a girl . . . especially Morgana since she would never let him forget it. They had come to the celebration together, but did not last very long as they had already started arguing and now parted their separate ways. He had immediately gone to Merlin to rant, and she had gone to Guinevère. He still couldn't believe she had to say that she saved him! Arthur did not need saving! He had won the battle . . . . yes, deep down he knew if he did not have that sword, he could, maybe, perhaps, possibly have been dead.

He saw Morgana standing on the side, and decided that he had better say something, otherwise, they were just going to throw dirty looks at each other for the whole night, and the celebration had only just started. He approached her. "Having fun?" His voice was a little sarcastic, and slightly bitter. "I can't imagine you would be, since your not in my company." Yes, he was going to be a little cocky and arrogant with her. After all, they teased each other enough to be used to it . . . and practically expected it from one another.


_{Setting: Grand Hall in Camelot Castle
Time of Day: Evening time
Timeline: After their little argument at the end of Valiant
Tag: Morgana}

[coconut]

The nerve that boy had! Arthur knew damn well that she had saved him! If it weren't for her, he'd be dead! Morgana couldn't get over this. Arthur just had to deny her helping him to make himself look good. Had he no shame? Any real man would man up and he wouldn't be afraid to admit that he was saved by a girl! Aruthur could at least have the decency.

With Gwen off to talk with Merlin, Morgana was left alone. She turned around only to find the Prince, himself, heading towards her. Morgana frowned. "Why would I wish to be in the company of a man who cares too much about his pride?" Her tone was bitter and unimprressed.

(not as bad as I thought it'd be... not my best though and short)

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur made a face at her comment. He did not expect her to say something kind to him, as he had not even done so in the first place. This would not be their first argument, nor their last. It was a constant back and forth thing . . . and Arthur only provoked it. They had grown up with each other, practically like siblings. Though some of the flirtations they threw back and forth would suggest otherwise. Never the less, Arthur continued to tease her, finding only enjoyment in it, except when she returned the favor.

He let out a passive chuckle, giving her a brief sarcastic smile. "Well you would know all about pride wouldn't you. I'm not the one bragging about something that hardly happened. I don't feel the need to exaggerate circumstances . . . unlike some people." He was not about to admit anything; he did not even try to say thank you right now.

[coconut]

To think he'd be the least bit greatful that she saved his life. She was almost staring to wish she hadn't again. Arthur was much to 'macho' to care how he won, the point was that he did and that he got all the glory that came along with it. A total royal pain. But of course, he had to keep arguing with her about it. Morgana could never be right.

Morgana took a step closer to him. "Perhaps next time I won't help you, then we'll see what 'hardly happens'." He'd die, obviously. And Morgana knew damn well that she wouldn't be able to stop herself from saving him if ever she could but she sure would wish so right now.

[Arthur Pendragon]

When she took a step closer to him, he looked around before focusing his entire gaze on her. So . . . this was how it was going to be tonight -- like most other nights. He kept his voice low, not wanting to draw attention to the two of them or make a scene in front of guests. Of course, the Prince should have thought of that before he approach Morgana. Sadly, he did not think hat ahead. Instead, he could not resist the urge for some 'friendly' arguing . . . though it was becoming less and less friendly by each passing moment.

"The exact same thing will happen . . . I'll still win, and you'll still take the credit for my victory." Okay, so its not like she actually did that all the time. But when she did, he was never prepared to admit it. "Come on Morgana. We all know I would have figured something out even without you passing the sword. I would have improvised with something." He wondered if anyone else was talking about how she 'saved' him. It made him the slightest bit paranoid, but not enough to go around and question it.

[coconut]

Morgana's face hardened a little as she searched quickly around his face to see what was going on with him. Her eyebrows pulled together a little more. "What would happen is you'd be dead, Arthur!" She was greatly concerned about that, honestly. No matter how much of an arrogant, self-centered idiot Arthur could be, Morgana still cared for him. Sadly enough.

Her eyebrows raised, one higher than the other slightly and she placed a hand on her waist. "So you admit it, then?" He finally admitted it. Finally. His cockiness wasn't going to hold up too much longer now, was it? He had said it. He couldn't deny what he just told her.

[Arthur Pendragon]

He would not! . . . Or maybe he would. He wondered what he would have done had he not been given that sword, but had to convince himself that he would have thought of something. The sword did make things a lot easier though, especially since Valiant had the upperhand of both a weapon and a magic shield. Oh . . . damn. He had just admitting something, but he would not be quick enough to give all the credit. He would have to choose his words carefully; think of how to phrase things. He paused a moment before answering, mentally organizing his thoughts.

"I admit . . . " He began to say, drawing out the words a little bit, something he did when he was slightly hesitant to finish the sentence. "That you may have helped, just a little bit by passing me the sword. But to say that you saved my life, that I would have been dead otherwise . . . thats pushing it a bit. I would have found another way to beat him. The sword just made it faster." Arthur still had the confidence to believe he would have won . . . even if deep, deep down he knew that that fight could have very well been his last.

[coconut]

Morgana's eyes squinted. Sure he admitted to somehting but he was still being a total prick about it and he wasn't going to let her have the satisfaction of being right. She slowly shook her head a little, giving a sarcastic laugh. "You are truely unbelievable, Arthur Pendragon." And not in a good sense.

Why Arthur had to be like this, Morgana wasn't sure. All she knew was that it was a reoccuring thing for them to argue. Usually their arguing was more like teasing unless it was about something like the present subject.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur grinned at her words. While he did bicker he knew the limitations of their arguing and which subjects were more serious than others. This one, was more of the lighter subjects . . . sort of. As light as the subject of death could be. If she displayed more anger or looked more upset, then Arthur would have known to stop. But she was slowly giving up on him, which did not surprise him. After all, he was the more juvenile one out of both of them, since if he just admitted that she had helped him far more than he is saying, then they would not be having this conversation.

"I know you mean that in the best way possible," he said, smiling smugly at her, not about to let go of his cocky attitude. "Now, I am willing to forgive you and give you another chance of the honor to let me be you escort to this celebration." As that was the original plan. Of course, they barley lasted the entrance and then went their separate ways . . . but that distance hadn't lasted long either. He even once again offered his arm for her to take. Whether she actually would or not, was the real question.

[coconut]

She gave a sarcastif huff of laughter. He was going to forgive her? Arrogant Prince. He just had to be like that, of course. Arthur never seeked forgiveness from anyone else, they had to seek his forgiveness. He could do no wrong. He was the King's son after all.

Looking at his arm as he offered her it once again, she reluctantly took it as she sighed. "Unbelievable." She shook her head again. There was no use continuing this argument any further now, especially not during these festivities.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur grinned proudly when she took it. Now he had the company of the most beautiful woman here. He knew that most thought so; Lady Morgana was indeed a great beauty in court and most men could not help but give a second glance at her. Of course that was not the only reason he was glad to be by her side, but it certainly did not hurt. "Unbelievably . . . dashing, or handsome or charming, you mean?" He asked, 'finishing' her sentence for her as he continued to smile confidently, walking through the crowd. He took a drink from a tray that servants were walking around with and gave one too Morgana before taking one himself.

"By the way, I must say how beautiful you are looking tonight my Lady." This was how he would ease his way back on her good side . . . through flattery. He was after all a flirt by nature; why restrain himself when in the company of a ravishing woman such as Morgana.

[coconut]

Morgana smirked slightly at the grin that drew itself upon Arthur's face when she took his arm. But a few seconds ago they were just arguing and yet you would never know, now. It was a good thing. Lightly holding up her dress to walk, Morgana walked through the crowd with Arthur. She laughed lightheartedly as Arthur added words to hers. Letting down the hem of her dress she took the cup Arthur offered her. "Unbelievably arrogant." She said before sipping her drink with a smirk.

Morgana, of course, couldn't help but smile at Arthur's complement. "Thank you. Might I say you do look quite handsome, yourself, my Lord." She grinned in a slightly funny way. Arthur did look quite dashing for these festivities. Why shouldn't he? These were festivities to celebrate his winnings.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arrogant. That would not be the first time she called him that, nor would it be the last. Of course, he did not take such insults to heart; he was not that sensitive . . . thank god. He did however make a big deal about compliments, especially ones coming from her. "Why thank you," he said, with a bit of an egotistical tone. He enjoyed spending time with her, arguing or not, she was one of his closest friends and that would always remain.

"I suppose we will be the envy of both men and women at this dinner party then," he commented. Only this time, instead of just commenting on his own qualities -- the good ones of course -- he commented on theirs both. Deep down, he really was not this pompous. It was mostly a farce; one that he greatly exaggerated.

[coconut]

"I suppose we will." She laughed before taking an other sip from her drink. The Prince and champion along with the King's Ward, said to be the prettiest of the land, they were most likely the envy of all already. However Morgana didn't like to think of herself like that, she had far more respect for herself than that. She didn't delute herself and look up her nose at everyone thinking she was better than them all.

Morgana looked around the hall, there were so many people, women and men alike, all dressed in great gowns and clothes. Then of course there were servant that did not live quite the same glamorous life. Looking back up at Arthur, she smiled a little deviously. "Tell me, Arthur. Out of all the ladies present," She took a quick sip again. "Which one catchs your eye?" As long time friends, she enjoyed teasing him.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur smirked at her question. "You mean besides you?" he teased a bit flirtatiously. Arthur wondered if his father anticipated Morgana to be the future Queen of Camelot. It was not something that had openly discussed before, and quite honestly, Arthur was not sure he felt that way about Morgana. He would always love her as a friend, but to say that he loved her as a future Queen, as a woman he would eventually marry . . . that was going a bit too far. Who knows that the future holds. For now, he did not see them to be that romantically committed.

His eyes scanned the room, searching for a particularly attractive woman. "What about her, Lady Annabelle," he suggested, motioning towards one of the woman who was surrounded by a couple of knights, sharing the same attraction for her no doubt. He wanted to see if Morgana would be jealous at all for the woman catching his attention. It was all in good fun of course, as they often teased each other of being jealous when another man or woman were in either of their lives . . . which was not at all a common occurrence. "She does look rather exquisite, doesn't she?" He added, just emphasizing the woman's beauty, as he locked his eyes on her, gazing at her.

[coconut]

Morgana gave him a grin at his first comment and watched him as he gazed around the room, often following his gaze to see whom he was regarding. Arthur could have pick if any woman there and she was sure that he was aware of this fact. The Prince could have any girl. As to which one he did chose, that intreeged her a lot. Even knowing Arthur for ages, she had never understood how most of his decisions worked inside his oddly complex and full of himself mind. Then he came up with his answer.

"Annabelle?" Morgana followed his gesture though she already knew the Lady in question. Morgana gave a short laugh. "You can't be serious, Arthur. Annabelle? Have you ever met her?" Morgana looked back at him only to see he was still looking at Annabelle. "Exquisite, all you please, but she has the personality of a common mule." She laughed lightly. She was almost trying to convince him otherwise on his choice, but would never admit that she was for it might be seen as jelousy. And she wasn't jealous. Especially not of Lady Annabelle.

[Arthur Pendragon]

He found himself smiling at her assessment of the woman. He kept his eyes on Lady Annabelle, not actually planning to go to her and spend time with her . . . but he was indeed trying to make Morgana jealous. Maybe it would work. Maybe they would get in another argument and he would go seek comfort in the company of the other Lady. "I haven't had the pleasure of meeting her yet but maybe that will change tonight," he hoped, smiling boyishly.

He was now going to go back to that criticism that Morgana made towards Annabelle. "The personality of a mule?" Arthur repeated as he made a face at the comparison. "She can't possibly be that bad. Someone who looks that radiant can not be compared to a mule in any way." He kept looking at Annabelle, before turning to Morgana so that he could see her reaction and expression to his next question. "You wouldn't be jealous now would you?" He couldn't help but smirk at the question.

[coconut]

"Hm. Have fun with that." Morgana muttered as she sipped her drink again and looked around the room. Lady Annabelle was the most uninteresting person Morgana had ever had the displeasure of meeting and perhaps the least proper. Her looks were her only interesting feature, for men, of course. Looking back at Arthur, Morgana made a face. "Looks don't determine a person's personality, Arhtur." She watched him as he kept looking at Annabelle.

Her eyebrow raised. "Jealous?! Hardly! Especially not of Annabelle." Was she jealous? "Besides, why would I be jealous if I'm not even interested in you?" She sipped her drink to stop any kind of face she might be making.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur was enjoying her reaction to his 'interest' in Lady Annabelle. "Maybe not," he said when Morgana reminded him that looks were not everything. While he knew that deep down, he still was a testosterone ridden man. "But I certainly wouldn't mind looking at her while I . . . get to know her," he said, amused by the idea. Maybe he would formally meet her before the evening was through. He would of course find more incentive in this if Morgana and him got in another argument that would force them to go their separate ways in the room.

He chuckled at Morgana's immediate denial of being jealous. "Why act so defensively then?" He asked, still smiling far too widely now. Oh, really. Not interested in him? Right. Arthur had to explore this a bit. "Well then be kind enough as to enlighten me to who you are currently interested in." Who could she possibly be infatuated with in this room?! Arthur did not like that idea, but for now, he would bite his tongue.

[coconut]

"You are such a pig, Arthur." She muttered at his comment about meeting Annabelle. Of course, use a girl for her looks and the view. How insulting. That really showed character in Arthur. And this sort of comment coming from the future king of Camelot, how nice.

"I'm not being defensive, you're being air-headed!" Damn, that sounded defensive. Terrific. Morgana knew how much Arthur liked to be right, she hated it. Morgana smirked and raised her eyebrow before taking a quick look around the room until she fell upon one man. She looked at him as she spoke to Arthur. "Sir Owain." She said simply, sipping her drink once more. "Nothing like a handsome knight in shining armour, don't you think?" Morgana said before looking back at Arthur to see his reaction.