Crumbs off the Masters' Table (Alex, Gwen, Merlin)

[Brynn Reade]

Brynn sighed deeply and arched her back to stretch her sore, aching muscles. Truly,she was not used to a long evening and night spent in the kitchen to create a wonderful feast and caring for a flawless course of events. Herding geese was an easy task compared to that!
But now the frantic activity had died down considerably and calm settled slowly on the steamy room. The last dish had just been served and now there was a little time of idleness until the big washing up began. Now was the opportunity for the servants to celebrate their own little part in the five days festivities, mostly consisting of the sparse leftovers from the tables upstairs. Still, it was a lot better than the usual servant food and Brynn’s mouth watered already in anticipation.

She looked over at her mother who just got up from a chair, wiping her floury hands against her apron. Meghan Reade looked dead tired, but still smiled warmly at her daughter. “I think I’m gonna take Gyrth and El to bed and then retire as well. It’s been a long day!”
Brynn arched her brows in surprise. “You won’t stay up for the gathering? But, the food…”
Meghan smiled again and shook her head. “I will take two little pies for the little ones so they don’t throw tantrums, but I saw enough of that food for today. Anyway, such a gathering is for you young folk, so have fun, Goosey!”

Brynn hugged her mother, bading her goodnight, and silently vowed to herself she would take some food aside for her parents to eat in the morning, especially for her father who was on watch tonight, to make sure the nobles could enjoy their banquet in peace.
Now she only had to wait for a few other young servants to join, namely Gwen, Lady Morgana’s maidservant and Merlin, Arthur’s manservant who had both promised to drop by as soon as their mistress and master dismissed them for the night.
Anyone else of course was free to join and Brynn was actually curious who would. It had been a while since she last had been able to have a proper chat with most of the servants. That was one of the down sides of being a goosemaiden: You spent the better part of the day alone in the meadows.

Tag: Alex, Gwen, Merlin
Timeline: Day 1 of the festivities
Time of day: Late evening

[Alexander]

Alex was in a wonderful mood. Not that he wasn't normally in a good mood anyway. However, with all of his work done he was free to enjoy the night. He stacked the last of the plates left to him and let himself lean against a counter for a moment. He let his arms stretch above his head as he worked out the cramps he had from working for so long. With that done he stood and leisurely sauntered over to the main area of the kitchens. As he walked he looked around and reminded himself to take some of the leftovers home for his family. He also made special note to get something sweet for his little sister Lita to enjoy. A second note was made to hide said sweet from his mother... and his step-father.

He saw that there was already somebody in the kitchens who looked to be waiting for something or someone, and so he moved toward her with a grin already on his face. With slight disreguard for personal space he stopped almost directly in front of her.

"You look like you are going to enjoy your night off. Mind if I join you for a while?" He asked as he propped himself up on the nearest table edge. With a lightly raised eyebrow and his sleeves still rolled up from work, he looked every bit the mischevious kitchen boy. Not that he wanted to bother or frighten the girl. It was just in his nature to be friendly. Not too mention he tended to talk a mile a minute. Even now thoughts ran through his mind like mice chasing each other in the corners of the room. With Alex it was never if he would speak, but a matter of when and would he ever stop.

"I'm Alex by the way. Surprised we've never been introduced since I've worked here over two years now. Funny how things like that work out." He said. With a stop in his long flow of speech, he gave her a minute in order to answer him and introduce herself. It was always good to be polite, at least that's what his mother tried to drill into him. Plus, his step-father was always telling him that it was good sometimes to listen as oppose to simply go on and on until stopped. Alex was working on it. He had even managed not to annoy the head chef all night with his prattle. A definite improvement overall.

[Brynn Reade]

Brynn busied herself with arranging the leftovers on the table in a half way ordered manner, so that it looked a bit like a grotesque copy of an actual banquet table. Or as if somehow mice had found their way up on the table. There stood a half-eaten cake, here was a haunch with the best parts already gone but still well enough to fill many hungry stomaches. Brynn smiled at her work and was about to turn around when a voice directly behind her made her jump and almost squeal in surprise.
“Goodness gracious, would you not sneak up on me like that – whoever you are!” she exclaimed, but sounded more confused than angry. As a highly claustrophobic girl she was very keen about personal space and the young man grinning down at her had violated that particular space considerably. Brynn needed a moment to recover first, and out of habit she spend that moment flipping her red braid back over her shoulder.

Only then she replied. “Oh no, I wouldn’t mind at all. Now it’s our turn to celebrate, and you are welcome to join in. If you drop your sneaky act of course!” she finished with a little wink, mocking her own skittishness.
Brynn took a moment to examine the boy that had just decided to keep her company. His face was familiar, she had seen him down here often but they never got around to talk. Hadn’t she overheard someone calling his name as well? Starting with A… well, obviously not Arthur… Anthony? No…

Just then, he gave his name himself and suddenly Brynn remembered. Oh yes, her mother had talked about Alex sometimes, calling him a good worker, just that he “usually talks everyone’s ear of, I tell you, Goosey. He’s like a rushing waterfall, the words never stop!”
Brynn smiled at this vivid memory of her mother’s voice and also directed this smile to Alex.
“Yes, one might think in a place such as Camelot the servants would know each other well. I’m Brynn. And it might be partly my fault we never met, because I usually spend my days outside and only come into the kitchen in the evening. I’m the goosemaiden”, she added, in case her words made no sense for him.

Reaching blindly behind her she pilfered a grape from a plate and tossed it into her mouth, grinning. “I know I should wait until a few more people join, but that grape had it coming!”

[Alexander]

[After this should we wait for the others to join and establish a posting order?]

Alex was amused to find how much he had startled the girl. He also felt a bit sheepish for it as well. However, she seemed to be ok, since she joked about it. Already Alex took a liking to her. She was nearly as friendly as he was, and didn't seem too overly bothered by his chatter.
"Brynn, it is indeed a pleasure. I can see why we aren't familiar to one another seeing as I am hardly ever outside the kitchens when working. However, it seems a shame to keep a girl so pretty outside and away from all of us in here. Then again, perhaps that's the point." He teased and returned her wink. Although, now that he knew who she was he was pretty sure he had seen her before. He had probably just been to busy to introduce himself. Well that had been easily remedied.

"Yes, that grape was a most unsavory figure. Most likely was bossing all the other grapes around. You had to eat it for it's own good, and for the good of all the grapes in Camelot." Alex said with a wide gesture. He spoke in an elevated tone that was highly exaggerated and ended his sentence with a small chuckle. He found that humor was a good way to make friends and so never missed a chance to make others laugh. What use is a good mood if it can't be shared?

Alex leaned back again and ran a hand through his hair subconsciously. It was a habit of his he had never quite learned how to drop. It came as naturally as breathing... and talking in his case.
Alex picked up another grape from the same plate as the previous and ate it. He grinned toward Brynn and raised an eyebrow. In response to his own action he simply said,
"That one was an accomplice."

[Brynn Reade]

Brynn couldn’t help but blush the tiniest bit as Alex called her pretty. She was not used to such kind of praise, and until now she had hardly been in the company of boys her age. Of course, she had exchanged a few words with Merlin already, and chat-up calls from stablelads were a daily occurrence, but this was… slightly different, more actual.
Another warning of her mother’s echoed in her mind. ‘And beware his loose tongue should you ever come across him. Don’t take anything he says at face value… from what I see he is quite a flirt, be careful, Goosey!’
The girl decided to brush that warning off for now. Oh yes, she would be careful not to take him all too seriously, but hadn’t her mother herself said she should enjoy herself tonight?

So she chuckled and shook her head. “Yes, I think that’s quite the point. Beauty is spoilt by everyday life, so I rather keep out of sight to stay a novelty!” she quipped. “Besides, fresh air is healthier than steam and smoke. I knew why I choose my occupation.”
Not that she had had any say in that particular matter. But it was true, Brynn couldn’t think of anything better than spending nearly all day outside with her geese. Just that it could be a bit lonely at times, but she often had her siblings for company.

Alex was a very funny guy, easy company to be around, and Brynn found she enjoyed this light banter already. That someone could still be so hilarious after a long and arduous day was more than refreshing, it was a blessing. Brynn’s parents were usually very tired when she came back from the meadows, and even if the tone was affectionate, joking around such as this was very rare in the Reade family.
Trying her hardest to stay serious, Brynn nodded and then cocked her head as if she was listening to something. “You are right… I think now it picks a fight with the porridge I had for breakfast. Tries to establish a new order… what a troublesome beast!”

Then she couldn’t bear it any longer, and tipping her head back she started to laugh, a merry hearty sound that echoed through the kitchen and made a few people look their way.
“Oh my, this is so silly”, she giggled after she had halfway regained her composure. “But we might have to get back to that bunch of grapes later with a few others that join. You know what they say… trouble seldom comes alone!”
Just like on cue Brynn suddenly heard footsteps on the stairs that connected the big hallway with the kitchens and the girl turned her head to look who it might be.

[sounds good to me, I'm curious who will win the race ^^]

[Guinevère]

Guinevère did not know there was going to be party below. As a handmaiden to the king's beloved ward she did not often get to mingle with the rest of the staff. In the early years, she had not minded, Morgana had fast become one of her best friends. They had loved to spend every free moment together, and gossip over which knight Morgana was playing attention to at the moment. Gwen had truly found her job was more like getting paid to help out a friend rather then word.

Now days things were not quite the same. Morgana was holding a few secrets, and Gwen knew it. While they were still like sisters, Gwen was finding she had a bit more free time then before. During one bout of free time (and in her desperate need to escape the once Queen of Camelot) she had helped out a young man in the kitchens. Finding his friendship both warm and welcome she was currently seeking him out now.

With the guest up above enjoying them selves, Morgana did not have need of Gwen; for a few hours. She walked silently into the room just as a girl she did not know was telling the very man she was seeking out that trouble seldom comes alone. "So what has Alexander talked you into doing?" She asked, folding her hands before her and looking amused. "For I have heard that he is full of trouble." She was teasing him, for she knew that he was not the evil sort of trouble. More the playful type. "And I have the most reliable source."

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[Alexander]

Alex laughed along with Brynn. He shook his head and waved his finger in mock disapproval. "Staying away outside may give you fresh air, but it deprives the rest of us of your wonderful company. Very selfish Brynn. I had thought better of you." He teased and crossed his arms. He could not contain his laughter for too long, because he was soon chuckling again. His fake seriousness fell away from his features and was replaced by a grin.

With another wink, Alex gestured toward the bowl of grapes. He reached over and tilted an empty bowl so that the grapes were covered and contained.
"I think that might solve the problem for now." He said again trying to keep a straight face. If there was one thing to be said about Alex, it would be that he was both a terrible liar and a terrible card player. He could not find it in him to completely mask his amusement, and once again fell into laughter.

When Alex heard Gwen he turned halfway towards her and pointed at himself. He even looked a bit sheepish.
"Who? Me? Trouble? I am grievously wounded by your words Gwen. And this source you speak of must be full of fallacy. I was just talking to the fair Brynn. My intentions are completely honorable in every way." He replied. He took Gwen's hand with a small flourish and kissed it lightly before letting it go again. Then he shuffled his feet in a false contrite manner. He even managed to look slightly hurt when his grin faded a bit more.
"And it was really all the malicious grape's fault."

[Brynn Reade]

Brynn chuckled once again and had the odd urge to nudge the young man beside her playfully, but she refrained from it, finding it… inapropriat as of yet. They hadn’t exchanged more than a few words after all, even if Alex made it easy for Brynn to forget that they hadn’t known each other for months or maybe even years. Talking to him came as natural as breathing.
“Oh, then please forgive me, oh great master of dishes for disappointing you!” she apologized and did a mock curtsy. “I solemnly swear to try and be around more!”
Now that she might have a reason to stay, the idea was not a bad one in her eyes. Brynn had had very little friends whatsoever, people of her age with whom you did exchange more than just a few casual words, but until now she had not missed anything. Maybe because she hadn’t known what there might to be missed…

Her eyes sparkling with mirth, Brynn watched Alex hiding the grapes and she nodded in acknowledgement. “Yes, we shall keep them all in custody until their fate is decided by a mighty court of law, consisting of ourselves and a few other trusted friends. They shall come to see their fair judgement!”
She had to join in his laughter again, there was simply no way around it. Such a contagious sound it was, filling the kitchen with a friendly and homely athmosphere. In this moment, Brynn would have not traded any noble’s feast for this simple joy.

Brynn knew Gwen from sight, but had never spoken a word to her directly. There was still a bit of awe and shyness involved, as Gwen was a lady’s maid, of a higher standard than the other servants. That hadn’t stopped her though from forming some sort of friendship to Alex as it seemed, as the two of them seemed quite familiar with each other.
The goosemaiden nodded as Gwens remark and laughed at Alex’s fake-indignant response.“Yes, as he so lovely put it, I am Brynn, the goosemaiden. You are Gwen, Lady Morgana’s maid, right? If you know Alex better than me, I might come back to you on a few things concerning his ‘troublesomeness’.” She winked at Alex to show she didn’t mean it that way.

“As it is, he is right for once, we were just passing judgment on a band of troubleshooting grapes. We might need another juryman, though, care to join us?”
She sounded it in the most serious of voices, but her eyes showed that she was holding back laughter with all her might.

[Guinevère]

Gwen was not sure what was so troublesome about grapes, and she wondered if she was coming upon an inside joke between them but it did not stop her from giving a soft laugh, and taking a few steps closer so she was with the circle and not on the edges. When Alex kissed her hand, she felt her self blush but more from being the center of attention, rather then from his actions. "Yes, I am Gwen. It is a please to officially meet you Brynn. I should warn you, Alex is known for his troublesome ways." She teased him, knowing he was truly anything but. "And my source come from a meeting when I bought my bread this morning . . ." She trailed off leaving him (them) to wonder if she met his mother or just a passerby.

As for being out of the loop of the joke between them, while Gwen might not understand she knew how to play along. She reached over to move the bowl and then pick up a grape, "One less to worry about." She joined them, while slipping it past her lips.

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[pie]

Merlin would have much rather have been released earlier, but it took him quite the longest of times to finish his chores for Arthur. When he did, though, he was dismissed, and Merlin obediently left before he could change his mind, closing the Prince's chamber doors behind him and rushing down towards the kitchen. He was already later than he had wanted to be, he had expected to go down there much earlier than this, but... Oh well.

He ignored incredulous looks directed at him as he near-ran there. The people that had come to the castle seemed to be having fun, a good sign in his opinion. He hoped there were people below in the kitchens still... And so, quickly, without even slowing his pace, he stumbled into the kitchens and nearly ran into a counter. That was when he stopped. Now, realizing the exhaustion he had just created by running all that way that fast, Merlin bent over, resting his hands on his knees, and struggling for breath.

"How's... it... going?" he gasped between breaths, looking up and grinning at the three people in the room.

[ Crap post is crap. ]

[Alexander]

"Alas, it is my fate to be in the company of two beautiful women and yet still my mother haunts my every move." Alex lamented with a short chuckle. He could only imagine the stories his mother could tell about him. It was never comforting to know that one person could have so many embarrassing little details about you. Even if it was your mother... Especially if it was your mother.

"Thank you Gwen for joining us on our great crusade against all of grape kind. They must be stopped, even if it brings us into grave peril." Alex said as he took another grape. He pretended to look at it closely and then ate it. Then he grinned at Brynn and reached behind her ear to appear to grab a grape from thin air.
"See, even now they plot against us!" He exclaimed while offering said grape to Brynn with a flourish. He was quite glad to entertain the ladies all night. He was always glad to be around friends who didn't mind his silly and over the top ways. In fact, he tended to like to be a bit of a show off at times. Alex was vain and a flirt, but at least he was harmless.

Alex heard a commotion from one end of the kitchen and turned to face the direction it was in. He spotted a servant bent over who appeared as if he had just been running for his life. Alex recognized the face as one he had seen before, but they had never met personally. However, everyone knew Merlin by name and face. He was quite well known since he was the Prince's personal manservant. Alex smiled and stared at Merlin before responding.
"It's going quite well... Grape?"

[Brynn Reade]

Brynn smiled at Gwen, glad she didn’t seem to feel left out. In fact, she seemed to adapt quite swiftly and well to the situation, joining in the joke at once. “Thanks for your help, it is widely appreciated. Together we might stand a chance against their evil schemes and endless cunning!” she quipped, turning around to the table, fishing for a jug. “Maybe we should drink to our alliance!” She held the jug to her face, sniffing inside and her eyes grew wide with surprise. “It’s mead! Goodness gracious how long since I last drank mead! This is going to be a feast indeed!”

Brynn chuckled as Alex showed the trick of cojuring a grape from behind her ear, and she took it with a deep curtsy and savoured the rich fruity taste on her lips. “Your generosity is without compare, Mylord, and truly, if you ever grow tired of washing dishes, you should apply as a jester. But first we need to come up with a plan against the fruit domination.” She examined the bowl who was emptied more and more by the second. “But I daresay we’re on a good way already!”

How on earth could she have felt anxious about this night? The gathering had turned into a nice and blithesome feast without any further ado, without her having to do anything. Was it really that easy whenever people came together or was she just lucky to have Alex and Gwen as a company? How would she know? But this first experience made Brynn realise just what she might have missed the previous years of staying only with her family.
Her face showed a bright and slightly amused smile when Merlin joined the scene in his typical fashion. At least someone she knew a bit better, and she really had developed some kind of soft spot for Prince Arthur’s manservant. He just had a golden heart.

“Welcome Merlin!” she greeted him and offered him a cup of mead she had just been pouring. “How are things upstairs? And yes, take a grape and join forces with us… someone will explain to you!” she finished, snitching another fruit.

[Guinevère]

Gwen gave a charmed laugh when Alex pulled a grape from Brynn's ear. She had seen slight of hand tricks before but never so up close. Mostly she'd done it from behind Morgana. It gave her a good view but she had never been apart of the group. "Do not fear, Alex, she told me nothing that would completely shame you." She liked seeing families so completely happy and perfect in ways. She liked that they were happy.

She turned to see Merlin dashing in, and out of breath. "Merlin? Are you alright?" She asked, letting Merlin have her full attention for a moment until she was sure he was truly just out of breath and not running from something. "You should sit." She encouraged, and moved over so he could have room around the table.

Gwen took the offer of explaining to Merlin about the grapes. "Apparently the grapes are evil, and we must eat them before they take over the kingdom." She did not managed to keep a laugh from her tone when she explained it however; "You know you love to save the kingdom Merlin." She held up a grape to him, so he could have it. Merlin did love to save the kingdom; no one knew it but he had saved Uther from the troll. Gwen knew it, and she was thankful.

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[pie]

Merlin, still bent over, nodded to Gwen's words when she spoke. "Hi... everyone. And y-yes, I'm fine... at least... I will be... in a moment," he informed. But he didn't protest when told he should sit down. Yes, perhaps he should, before he lost his bearing and toppled over. So, stumbling over, he would sit down at the table. Which, he had to add to himself, felt much better at the moment than standing.

He was, to say the least, confused when offered a grape. Sure, he could understand being offered food when there was food there... But... Join forces with them? Was something going on that he wasn't aware of? His face showed his obvious confusion, and he started to open his mouth to ask what they meant when Gwen explained it and held up a grape.

A grin crossed his face, and he couldn't help but laugh as he took the grape. "What reason doth these villainous grapes have to take over the Kingdom?" he asked, playing along. "If by passing judgement on them means saving Camelot, then I am all for it!" And with that, he plopped the grape into his mouth.

[Alexander]

"Ah, my mother said the same thing to me once. However, if I were a jester I doubt I would get to spend so much time with you lovely ladies." Alex said in response to Brynn's comment. He was quite used to his mother teasing him on the subject. She had also once suggested he become a wordsmith. Alex had simply replied that being a wordsmith as an occupation would take all the spontaneity out of it. That, he had told her, would be a terribly quick way for him to lose interest in it entirely. This way, Alex could speak in all the ornate language he wanted, but never bore of it.

When Gwen explained the grape conspiracy, Alex nodded gravely. He took another grape from the bowl and held it up as if for inspection. He turned it over in his fingers and tossed it up in the air before eating it.
"The grapes truly seem to have ill intent toward all of Camelot. I can only fear that they wish to create a new order with which to establish grape authority over all fruit. For the love of our country we can not let this stand." He said gallantly. His hand gestures were as broad as the grin that broke out over his face and ruined what mock seriousness he had tried to uphold. Alex could never stay serious for long anyway.

"With all of us acting together, I believe that all of Camelot will be safe from future grape uprisings. However, we must also be careful that other fruits don't get the same idea." He said as he picked up an apple and rolled it up an arm before catching it. Alex was always one who enjoyed having some constant motion about him. Stillness bothered him, and so he felt the need to fill it with something. Fruit tossing happened to be an adequate way to do this. He absentmindedly played with the apple as he observed Merlin. It was merely curiosity that drove the interest. Wasn't often that one ran into the prince's own manservant. Alex found himself wondering what the fellow was like. Although, if Gwen liked him then he was sure they would get along.

[Brynn Reade]

Brynn enjoyed this gathering already, four people was a perfect number to no one being left out and still all having something to say. The grapes were growing fewer and fewer as the young servants started to eat them one by one, stilling joking about their evil minds and the possible plans they could have to take over Camelot.
She laughed at Alex’ charming comment and exchanged a glance with Gwen, rolling her eyes. She might know him better, was he always that flirty? Not that she would complain, but it was a bit hard to get used to. Brynn was used to the straightforwardness of her mother, the earnest but loving silence of her father who never spoke one word too many, and the cute honesty of both her siblings. Alex however could say so much and yet mean so little, she just couldn’t estimate him yet. Would she ever be able to?

Pouring another two cups for Alex and Gwen, she raised her own and laughed as she repeated Alex’ words. “Well then, ‘for the love of Camelot!’ as our knights like to say! May our lovely kingdom be safe from fruit uprising as long as we are able to eat!” She saluted the three of them with her cup and took a deep gulp of the sweet, prickling drink. She needed to be careful with that, she did want to keep a clear head after all!
Not that Brynn actually had ever been drunk, but she had been brought up amongst soldiers, and sometimes had had to retrieve her father from the “Rising Sun” late at night. She knew what mead made people capable of – not something she wanted to experience first hand and with her new found friends at that!

When Alex did that little stunt with the apple, Brynn couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow in surprise and appreciation. It was maybe a bit show-offish, but still good!
Leaning closer towards Gwen, she whispered: “Yep. A jester, don’t you think? Is he always like that? I mean, you two seem to know each other!”
Aloud she commented: “Right so! We should not even let them get ideas! And what about the meat? I heard rumors about meat being extremely vicious in scheming! Drum stick anyone?” she indicated to a few leftover chicken thigs with a little flourish.
“Oh, and Merlin!” she continued, looking at him with a smile. “Please don’t think me nosy, but I’d like to know where you come from. You didn’t grow up in Camelot, right?”

[Guinevère]

Gwen was glad when Merlin joined right in with them, for he needed some good fun. Merlin worked to hard, and it seemed Arthur enjoyed working him hard. Gwen never would understand that relationship but neither man seemed to truly want to change things so she often just sat back and watched them interact. It was boggling as well as charming to watch them bicker but then try to give their life for each other. She felt safer when they went out together, knowing the one would make sure the bring the other home. Safe and sound.

Brynn asked her something privately while Alex showed up. Gwen laughed and gave the girl a wink. "Yes, I think he was born with this much energy and it never wore off!" She teased her friend even if she was whispering to Brynn where Alex and Merlin could not hear.

Alex did seem to have an energy about him that Gwen could not explain. When comparing her two best friends, Merlin had a wit that always seemed to make him the right person to have on your side at the right moment. Merlin had the biggest heart she'd ever seen anyone have, and he was always hopeful. Alex on the other hand, while always hopeful; seemed to know just what to say and do to bring out smiles in everyone around him. Gwen picked up one of the grapes, while Brynn asked Merlin about where he was from and she tossed it softly at Alex to see if he could catch it the way he just had a moment ago in the air.

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