True Champion

[Arthur Pendragon]

Had she not called him a pig . . .or an air head . . . then Arthur would have gloated more. Still, he was smiling, acting all smug, all arrogant, all pompous. He knew it, and he continued to do it. He would have continued to tease her, had she not answered his question. He had not actually expected her too, though he knew full well that he should not be surprised. If he was going to tease her about a woman, she was going to return the favor and tease him about a man. Arthur stopped himself from taking a drink from his goblet because he surely would have spit it out had he heard her comment when the liquid was in his mouth.

"Sir Owain?" He repeated in a tone of disdain, with an expression of disgust. "Really Morgana? I thought that surely you had higher standards than that." Arthur had nothing personal against Owain. He was a good knight. A very young one, and one of the newest men to join Camelot's army. But for the time being, he put aside his friendship with the man, as jealousy hit him -- though he would never admit it. "He severely lacks maturity; he acts as a small child would." Arthur was indeed jealous. If he wasn't, then he would not be making up things about Owain that weren't the slightest bit true.

[coconut]

Owain was a young knight, yes, but he did arrouse a certain interest in some girls, including Morgana. Now, she wasn't all that into Owain, perhaps she'd have to get to know him better before that could happen, but he did seem to have great potential as a knight in the way he carried himself.

The Lady couldn't help but smile at the sight of Arthur's expression. "My standards are none of your business, Arthur." She was still smiling, having too much fun with this. She looked back at Owain as Arthur went on. "Maturity is not important. I'm sure I could change that if I had the chance. Prehaps later during the celebrations I just might go have a chat with him." She took a quick look back at Arthur as she spoke, before looking back at Owain whom had been looking her way as well. Morgana smiled at him and gave him a small wave with her fingers. It was sure to make Arthur jealous, she knew it. She laughed looking back at Arthur. "You're not jealous now, are you?" She raised her eyebrow. "I never thought a prince could be jealous of his own men." She just liked pushing his buttons.

[Arthur Pendragon]

There were few who were able to know what to say to elicit the desired reaction from the Prince. Morgana was one of those very few people. He continued to make a face, before finally taking a sip at the drink and looking at Owain, noticing at the corner of his eye that Morgana was waving to him. He knew that if his knight warned him, he would stay away from her . . . or well, Arthur would do what he could to make sure that happened. But he was not that threatened right now. He just looked at Owain before looking back at Morgana.

"You're right, they aren't any of my business . . . but I at least thought you had some. Clearly, I was wrong." This is how Arthur dealt with the small pang of jealousy. "Do whatever you want," he began to say in a slightly bitter, sarcastic tone. "I'm not jealous," he immediately argued. "I don't see anything to be jealous of," he added, arrogantly. "If you want to go converse with him, be my guest. I just think it would be highly rude of you to have a perfect escort, the best that any woman could dream of, only to leave him for a less suitable man." He was just making up excuse really.

[coconut]

"If I didn't have standards I would have picked some random servant without thinking twice about it. I have high enough standards to pick a noble knight." Morgana hissed back, unexpectedly before looking back at Owain. "And what a knight!" She cooed to just stick it in Arthur's craw.

"If you're not jealous, why do you keep bringing the word up?" All Arthur was babbling about was how he 'wasn't' jealous. He obviously was. Morgana found this very amusing. "A little full of ourselves, now, aren't we?" The perfect escort, mind you any girl wished she were being escorted by Arthur, but he didn't have to be so stuck up about it.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"I'm surprised that you haven't actually," he snapped back regarding her defense about having morals. "I half expected you to pick out Merlin from the crowd." Merlin. His idiotic servant who had helped him twice already and who had only been his servant for a few days. He was so peculiar. "You don't know a thing about him. He is not as noble as you claim." Arthur had no evidence to support this. He just wanted her to stop focusing her attention on him. "He is a new knight and therefore, has a great deal to learn about how to act like one. It doesn't surprise me that you picked the most inexperienced one. Shows what a great judge of character you are," he said sarcastically.

"Its confidence Morgana. Besides, ask any woman here and they will tell you that you are extremely lucky to be in my company tonight. Maybe we should start by asking Lady Annabelle," he suggested, trying once again to get a better reaction out of her.

[coconut]

Morgana glared at Arthur. "I'd rather choose Merlin over you!" She bashed. However she knew how much Merlin ment to Gwen, thus she would never seek Merlin's attention in that way. Morgana had more morals than that. She was not going to steel Merlin when Gwen clearly liked him. What kind of friend would she be? "Yes and the fact that he's still new makes him all the more desierable. Do you want to know why? Because he isn't so full of himself, always bragging about how he's the best of them all." Morgana hissed as she took a step closer to Arthur as she did earlier to add emphasis and tone her voice down a little.

Morgana took a step back again while she laughed. "Confidence?" Wow. Arthur was really a work of art. Morgana made a face at the mention of Annabelle. "I prey you ask any man in this room and they will tell you how lucky you are to have me to escort. Any of them would gladly take your place and, right now, I am pretty sure that's what Owain is thinking." Fight fire with fire.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Merlin?! REALLY?! "You can't actually be serious!" He exclaimed, letting out a highly amused chuckle. He listened to the reason why, making his laughter slowly decline at the thought of Morgana and Merlin. "I can't help it if you can't handle the truth Morgana . . . because that's all it is. Me being very honest about myself." There weren't many who could get away with arguing or criticizing him without him thinking of throwing them in the dungeon or the stocks . . . Morgana was, yet again, one of those few people. He knew he could say whatever he pleased to her. As offended as they became over one another's comments, neither of them had gotten into a serious fight . . . which is why he knew he could get away with saying quite a bit, and continued to push those limits.

"Well now look who is being the overly confident one," he argued when she started to talk of herself. "I highly doubt that Morgana. Why would they want to take my place, and listen to you all night long." It was more of a rhetorical question really. "Me on the other hand, women find charming and a pleasure to listen to. Find me one woman, other than yourself of course, who thinks otherwise."

[coconut]

So much for not arguing for the rest of the night. "What? Do you think that no one here is good enough for me?" Her eyes were squinting. No one she could possibly pick would be good enough. Arthur would keep bashing anyone she picked.

"Oh I don't know. But if they're anything like you they're probably just going to enjoy looking at me instead." Just like he would Annabelle. This was getting to be a bit much. "Oh aren't you just full of yourself." Morgana gave her drink to the nearest servant and turned back to Arthur.

(bad and short!)

[Arthur Pendragon]

No one here good enough for her. Arthur's mind wandered to who she would end up marrying. While he could not say it was him, nor could he say it wouldn't be, he wondered if it wasn't him . . . if that man would ever been good enough for her. Probably not. He knew that Uther would think this as well. It was one of the reasons that most many people did not pursue the Lady Morgana. Because the king, as well as Arthur, were rather protective of her. "Maybe its more like the other way around," he teased, suggesting that she was not good enough for anyone. It was quite a lie, a way to counter how he truly felt about it. It was a good defense mechanism to not have to discuss his emotions, as he was already bad enough at vocalizing them.

"Really? Because I think I'm enjoying looking at Lady Annabelle far more. And she doesn't talk as much, which is certainly something you should learn from her." Arthur continued to casually look at the woman, not really having a strong interest in her. He was just over playing his desire to meet her. "Actually, there's probably a nice long list of things you can learn from her."

[coconut]

Not good enough for anyone in this room? Deep down Morgana knew Arthur was only trying to bug her, he always did, but he always to be a prick about everything! Morgana raised and eyebrow and crossed her arms across her chest, the look in her eyes practically murderous. "I am not good enough for anyone, now? That makes even Merlin too good for me?" Had he really thought this through. Arthur seemed to like tormenting his new servant, and didn't seem to really be growing close with. For him to admit that Merlin was too good for her wasn't going to be an easy lie. "Tell me, Arthur, if I'm unfit for all the men in this very hall, why do you seek my company?" Morgana presed. "If I am so inadiquate, you should feel insulted to escort me." She's like to see how he'd get himself out of that one.

Lady Annabelle was a buzz kill, a complete bore and had the manners of a stump. Why would she want to learn something from her? "And you could learn something from a horn-back toad!"

(short and bad)

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur had to force himself to suppress a burst of laughter at her expression. This was too funny! Her apparent irritation at his words only encouraged him to continue. "My Lady, I am doing you a favour by escorting you. I am doing it to help . . . I am not that cruel. To help a damsel in distress is not only reserved for those in immediate danger; you could be considered one too under these circumstances." 'These circumstances' being that he was saying she was well, not good enough. He would make it up to her later. This was however his immature side having far too much fun to stop now. "By being seen with me will help your reputation a great deal, trust me." Arthur smile, a big smile, perhaps one that would annoy someone who was . . . well, not sharing his amusement.

And then there was the subject of Lady Annabelle. This time, he could not hold back at least a small laugh. "There is no such thing as a toad who is so beautiful, exquisite, and ravishingly stunning." Yes she was all those things, but he was only emphasizing it to of course, annoy her.

[coconut]

Morgana glared at Arthur. He had to be the absolute worse! His 'teasing' was getting a little bit out of hand now. So he was doing her a favour? For all she cared she could walk around all night during the festivities alone, at least then she'd have less of a headache. "I'd be doing myself a favour by walking away from you right now. As you've proved, I'm better off spending the evening by myself."

Morgana laughed sarcasticly. "My reputation?" Her reputation was fine, for God's sake she was the King's ward, she had a great reputation, she didn't have much choice. "First you're worried about my standards and now my reputation? Someone cares a little much?" She smirked, crossing her arms across her chest again. It was a bit of a trick question. Morgana knew Arthur cared for her enough, but she could twist it against him wether he says yes or no.

"No, Arthur. Go find a frog a learn from it. Maybe it'll show you the prettiest frog of the pond."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur wondered if she actually would walk away again. They had both went their own directions just moments after entering together, he would not be surprised if it happened again and then they reunited once more as the evening progressed. "You wouldn't leave me. I'm too much fun! You'd have far more of an enjoyable time spending the evening with me rather than yourself or . . . Sir Owain," Arthur remarked, dragging out the name a little and trying not to make a face at the thought.

Arthur of course cared, but he didn't want Morgana to know that. It would ruin all the fun he's having right now. "I know I shouldn't, but what can I say. I'm a compassionate man. I make it a point to care for others, even you." Arthur of course deeply cared for her; they had practically grown up together. It was why he could say things like this so easily and passively, because they did not have an ounce of truth to them. "Come now Morgana. Look at her . . . how can you even use the word frog in the same sentence when talking about her?"

[coconut]

Morgana had had enough with Arthur for one night. He was pushing it again and he went too far, again. It was enough. "We'll see just how fun you are when you don't have someone here for you to make fun of and insult!" She spat — not literally — at him before picking up the front of her dress and storming off. Arthur was insufferable! After a few steps, she stopped and turned around. "Really shows how much you care, Arthur." And she turned around to storm off again. WHERE WAS GWEN!? She needed her NOW!

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur was getting to her . . . and he LOVED that! He laughed at her reaction, unable to restrain himself. "You would be horribly bored without me Morgana, we all know that." Was she actually going to deprive herself of his company? She was walking away now, and Arthur let her for a few moments, while he continued to laugh. At least they were not the center of attention right now. He had a feeling Uther would not be too impressed with his son's juvenile tendencies. Arthur casually took a couple of steps towards her, maintaining the close distance they once had before she walked away from him.

"Obviously I do care, otherwise I would be off with someone who actually appreciates a good thing when they see one." Meaning him. When she began to leave again, he gently took her arm, still chuckling. "Calm down Morgana. Come, lets get something to eat. There was some good appetizers floating around here." Having food in his mouth would minimize his teasing. "Ladies's first," he said, slightly lowering himself into a bow as he extended his hand.

[coconut]

Morgana gave a short laugh when Arthur followed her, telling her that he cared enough not to be off with another girl right now. This was comical. But what was truely comical was how obnoxious he still was. Arthur was far from a good thing, at least that's the way Morgana saw it right now. He was just infuriating. Arthur took her arm and stopped her. Sighing, she turned around to face him.

"You honestly expect me to just forget all of this and go eat with you?"

(BAD!)

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur could not help but grin at her, especially at her disbelief in his suggestion to eat with him. "But of course," he said expectingly, as if any other alternative was unthinkable. What encouraged him to push his limits so often with her, was the thought that it was all in good humor. That she would always be there as a friend, as one of his closest friends, and remain to be someone that he absolutely trusted. Now because of this, he had to give her a hard time. It was his way of showing how close he was to someone.

"I am trying to think of only you. If you were to eat with someone else, such as Sir Owain, I fear that he would make you lose your appetite. You wouldn't have to worry about such a thing i, when dining with me of course." He flashed a charming smile, hoping she would accept his twisted 'truth'.

[coconut]

Morgana turned completely back towards him to face him properly once more. Her face wore a look of annoyance and unimpression as she listened to his reasoning. Lose her appetite? Who ubsurd. She wasn't that hungry to start out with, but still. How could the noble Owain makes her want to puke? His reasons were very obviously made up. Morgana crossed her arms and gave a little smirk. "Is that so?" She raised a brow. "If not Owian than perhaps another knight?" Her smirk grew a little. She was getting back him in a way. Teasing him back, now. His responce would be interesting, she predicted.

"Perhaps your colleage, Leon?" Her smirk was genuin now. "Unless you have a problem with that?" She would love to see him get out of this one. How could he talk badly about a kinght who was practically his right-hand man?

[Arthur Pendragon]

Did Arthur have a problem with Sir Leon? Not at all. But he would act as if he did, just for the sake of finding himself better company for Morgana than him. "Sir Leon, really? Morgana I would have thought that you'd have higher standards than that too. But apparently you do not if you choose to be in his company." Sir Leon was a good, no great knight indeed. And when Arthur was king, he planned to make Leon the second in command. He was a good friend, and noble knight but right now, Arthur was just feeling a few pangs of jealously over Morgana's interest in him.

"I have no problem with that though. If you would like to go with him, then go," he said a bit bitterly but kept his tone to suggest this, to a minimum. He wondered if she would actually take advantage of his encouragement for her to go, or if she would stay. He was about to find out, and waited anxiously to see.

[coconut]

Her taste in men was perfectly fine and none of his business though she did not actually feel very much for Leon and a little less for Owain. "Come now, Arthur. You can't blame a Lady for wanting to spend the festivities with a strong, confidant, loyal, handsome and brave knight?" She pressed in a tease, removing a stray hair that had landed on Arthur's shoulder to make him seem lesser than what she had just said.

"Perhaps I will." Morgana could hardly believe he was going to let her go. But she was willing to see how far this would stretch. She turned slightlyto the side and slowly made her way over to Sir Leon.