Nitty Gritty Dirty Details

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur was not in the best of moods. Well, perhaps that was a bit of an understatement. He was hurt more than he cared to express; more than he thought he could ever have been. As a Prince, he was not used to rejection, and yet, he was not angry at Guinevère. How could he be? He loved her, and coming to terms with that, admitting that, was difficult enough for him to do. He knew it was unfair to her and he was fully aware of the barriers between them. He could not ask her to wait, or even ask for her heart . . . but that did not make it any easier to see her with another man. To see the tears she cried over his sudden abrupt absence. It was difficult to witness, and it was why he had lied about his reason for going. Though deep down, she must have known the truth.

Arthur was filled with a horrible mix of emotions, and he had to train the men today. Dressed in his armor, he walked on to the field, not smiling, not greeting anyone, just with a completely emotionless, serious expression plastered on his face. His father had been angry enough that he ran after Guinevère, but thankfully, Morgana helped ease his rage. Still. It was bad enough that he found out Guinevère cared for another man but in addition, he was greeted as soon as soon as he got back by an angry king. AND on top of everything else, Merlin knew Arthur's feelings for Gwen, and knowing the big mouth his idiot servant had, he would not let it go.

Well. How absolutely lovely the past few days have been.

But what better way to get out ones aggressions than on the field with his knights. Arthur continued to walk in silence, making his way over to where the swords were lined up, picking up a random one not even caring which sword it was. He turned to face the knights, seeing that they were scattered throughout the field. One of them needed to come up to him so that he could start sparring. Otherwise, one of the target dummies would be his victim . . . at least it was better than nothing.


_{Setting: In the training field
Time of Day: Morning
Timeline: After Arthur returns to Camelot in Lancelot and Guinevère
Tag: Sir Kolby}

[Sir Kolby]

Well, well, well! Look who'd made it back from being Morgana's little errand boy! Kolby smiled and walked slowly over, but was wise enough to stop a few feet from the prince. "Sire, you made it back! And all in one piece! It's amazing how you can take on over twenty meant and return unscathed but can't make it past one assassin!" Kolby teased good heartedly but also a bit mockingly. He could see the prince was angry. Kolby could have a temper too, and knew that when he was angry that someone mouthing off was not the best course of action. However, Kolby also did not often think before speaking.

He knew (everyone knew) that Morgana's party had been attacked and the maid was taken. Kolby had felt insulted and angry that someone would attack his brothers in arms! Hell, he might have joined the prince in going out there to strike back! Might. Still, the king's ward had a royal fit and off Arthur went to bring her maid back home. "I hope you at lest got a kiss for your efforts."

[Arthur Pendragon]

A kiss? A kiss?! No! He did not get a kiss! He did not even get a hug! Now of course he knew Kolby was referring to Morgana, but that was not the woman Arthur was thinking about. He was thinking of the woman he had rescued . . . not because of Morgana, but because of his feelings for her. And here was Kolby, mouthing off as usual, only this time, Arthur was not in the mood to hear it. Sadly, that would probably only provoke and encourage the knight to keep going. Arthur glared at him. It was not an overly intense one that showed he was genuinely angry, but it was not as mocking as it usually was when they were engaged in a teasing conversation.

If nothing else though, Arthur decided who he would be 'training' with. He pointed his sword at Kolby, the tip of it directed at his neck. "Go get your helmet. I would hate to injure the brain thats responsible for coming up with such clever remarks," he said with bitter sarcasm. Perhaps he would have humored him more, and enjoy this light hearted conversation . . . had Arthur not discovered the relationship between Lancelot and Guinevère. She was safe though, that was all that should matter. But . . . he could not just ignore what he saw, for his mind would always question what would have happened if Lancelot returned to Camelot with them, or if she left Camelot with him. The emotions were building up inside of him, and Kolby would be his outlet.

[Sir Kolby]

Kolby gave a amused chuckle before reaching up to pull over the hood of the chainmail so he might put on his helmet. He paused to pull off his glove with his teeth--"One moment, I have to tuck in my hair!"--and truck in his hair before picking up his helmet. Kolby was not an idiot, even if his words might sound like he could be in this moment. He could see the prince was upset and trying to keep the mood light. He was hoping the ridicules comment would bring some sort of amusement to the prince so he would not get an angry beating.

Putting on his helmet, he drew his sword from it's sheath on his hip. "So, I am going to take it there was no kiss for your efforts!" He told the prince as he stood there waiting for the prince to make ready. "Well, Sire, I hope she was worth it." He joked, knowing that Arthur would think Morgana was. "Maybe she can kiss your wounds when we are done. I hear you do not do so well when fighting just one man." Kolby was amused that the prince would rescue a servant because a lady batted her eyes at him. Morgana wasn't THAT pretty, the prince must have feelings for her!

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur gave him a look of disbelief when he took the time to 'tuck in his hair'. Of course it was a legitimate reason to pause, but in the impatient mood Arthur was in . . . he seemed to be taking far too long with it. And with the comments that Arthur had to hear in the meantime . . . well, they certainly weren't helping calm him down. In fact, they were having the exact opposite effect. He felt himself get worked up when hearing them. Somewhere inside of him, he knew that Kolby was mostly joking about Morgana -- not having been referring to Guinevère when speaking of intimate embraces -- and that he was not intentionally trying to enrage the prince . . . but he could not help it. He had hit a sore spot and stung a wound that had not even begun to heal yet.

She was worth it. Yes. Of course she was worth it. Even if it meant he had rescued her, only so that she could be with another man . . . she was worth it. She always would be. He would do the same thing even if he had prior knowledge of her love for another. Still. Hearing about it, and suggestive comments being made -- ones that Arthur knew could never happen no matter how much he wanted them to -- it just made everything so much worse. Oh if only Kolby truly understood the impact of what he was saying, but he did not seem to have a clue. Unfortunately, the Prince was not known for controlling his intense anger, and so he said nothing after all these comments. Instead, he took his sword and swung to strike Kolby in a far more aggressive manner than he was used to; with more strength and more force than usual; something that surpassed an ordinary training move. And perhaps, with a bit too much anger in his blow.

[Sir Kolby]

Plan A was not working! Kolby had managed to get his sword up to block the blow but the impact had only pushed both swords into his helmet. So much for not damaging his brains! Kolby pushed the sword back brought the hilt of his into the shoulder. It only got the hit in because the force of Arthur's blow had almost spun his own sword around.

Pulling back to raise his sword in attack form, Kolby looked down the blade at the prince. He began to move slowly to the right for it was moronic to stand still. "Maybe you should dawn your helmet, Sire, I would hate to have her weep over your bruised face." He was joking, for he knew better then to injure the prince. (Even if he could). "If she get that emotional over a maid, imagine how she will cry when I have bested you!" He teased.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur did not even think of his helmet. He had been too caught up in his emotions, and trying to control them -- although he was obviously failing in doing so -- and then finding a way to silence Kolby, which really, was the greatest challenge at all. Even during his forceful attack, the man still kept talking. Talking about things that Arthur did not want to hear. Making teasing remarks about something that Arthur did not find the least bit humorous. He was still not planning to put his helmet on. He did not think he could control himself to do such a simple act as stop long enough to put on the protective gear.

"If you fought as well as you spoke, maybe you would find more distance between your head and your sword," he said in the same bitter voice. He was mocking him yes, but he was also just irritated. So decided to make a direct reference to what had just happened when Arthur had struck him. Granted, Kolby may not have expected such a forceful attack, but still. Arthur was not going to apologize for it. Instead, he lunged towards him again, trying to strike another blow, equally as hard and equally as aggressive.

[Sir Kolby]

This time, Kolby was a bit more ready for the prince. He was able to block the blow without any injury to his person, even if the blow was still as hard. Something was off here. This was more then bitterness over not getting rewarded after fetching someone's maid back home. Kolby did not counter the attack, but moved back out of range afterwords. He stared at the prince for a moment, trying to decide how best to move forward.

Morgana and Arthur were close, and he doubted she would fail to thank him properly. Maybe there was something else going on here? Had his father 'spoken' to him about his actions? The king surely would be upset over his son risking his life for a maid! "Come now, Sire, everyone has their on skills. My is my words and yours is saving servant girls!" He jested, before moving in for his own attack. Arthur might attack with strong angry blows but let's see how he handled blocking! Kolby swung his sword up from the ground and aimed at the prince's chest. While the blow might not be as strong from this angle, it was also much harder to block.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Saving servant girls. Arthur did not want to hear about this right now! He knew Kolby did not understand why he would be so upset by his words, but that did not help calm the Prince's nerves and frustration. He had come to the training ground to help calm himself down and it seemed that his emotions were only escalating. This was not good; not good at all. Arthur blocked the attack, but just barley. It was not good to fight in a state of anger for it made you irrational and clouded your judgment; it made you less strategic in your moves and gave your opponent the upper hand.

Before Kolby tried to attack again, Arthur took one step back, only to narrow his eyes as his fellow knight. He turned his wrist, turning the sword in a half circular motion, trying to compose himself so that he would not lose his focus. Saving servant girls. The phrase just burned in his mind. He no longer liked referring to her as a servant; as a nobody. She was a somebody to him. Someone far more important than he dared to admit. It would be impossible to focus if Kolby continued to speak along these lines of conversation. Arthur moved in for another attack, not even caring where he was aiming anymore. All he knew was that he was swinging fast and planning to strike as hard as his strength would allow him.

[Sir Kolby]

Yes, something was a bit more then off here. Kolby watched the prince as he did the fancy spin with his sword. Show off. He shook his head slowly, at the young buck's idea of fancy. While Kolby did not know what was annoying the prince he did know that his words were not helping. Which was good for him, for he liked to win every now and then. "I think something might be bothering you, Sire." He said as if he was just clueing in on Arthur's change in mood.

He raised his sword to block he attack which had not really came close to him. instead of taking advantage of the blind rage, Kolby stepped back. "You know, if this how you return after playing hero, I am going to start thinking she wasn't worth it. Do you want me to tell her you want a kiss for your troubles?" He knew he was encouraging Arthur's anger but at this point he knew that if he did not burn it out then every knight on the field today would be his whipping boy. It wasn't even fun anymore with how Angry the prince was.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Ya Think?! Were these the kind of 'perceptive' men Arthur was going to lead into battle one day if need be?! Good gosh. Unfortunately, despite the fact that Kolby recognized and acknowledged Arthur's dismal mood, it did not cease his remarks. He kept going and going, and he needed to know when to stop because on the subject of Guinevère, Arthur found no humor. Right now, he found only the pang of rejection. Arthur just glared at him, and since the Prince was not wearing his helmet, it was a very easy expression to read. Though his next words called for something more than just an exchange of angry looks. This was a far too sensitive subject and yet, he did not know what to say to alter the focus of it.

He may have just hit his limit though.

This time, Arthur did not swing in rage, he spoken in it. "You will not say a thing!" Not to Guinevère, not to Morgana, not now! That comment could be interpreted in many ways, but right now, all he could think of was just how much he had wanted to hold Guinevère in his arms when she was safe . . . only to see that his efforts had enabled another man to do so. Another man had beat him. He had been the first one she devoted her heart to, and Arthur feared it would always be this way, even as time pressed on, and even in his absence.

So when Kolby had spoke of getting a kiss from her, it had hit a nerve . . . only because Arthur had not gotten one, and even more so when Kolby even dared suggest that it may not be worth it. Though it was made in humor . . . it was not funny to Arthur. This rescue mission ended up in more hurt emotions and tension. He would of course never regret his decision to save her, but at the same time, he could not move past just how unexpectedly the events had unfolded.

[Sir Kolby]

Now the prince was not even attacking in a blind rage! He was just yelling at him! Really now, how was Kolby supposed to win if the prince started to talk him down. No fun at all! He was trying to figure out why the prince was so annoyed (so he could use it to win) and trying to figure out how to win once he got the prince fighting again. While this appeared to be a successful mission to appease Morgana, something must have gone wrong enough to bring out this reaction in the young hot head.

"Maybe I will steal the kiss in your stead!" Kolby offered, knowing he damn well would not. The king would have something besides his head on a plate if he tried and Kolby was rather fond of his 'something else'. He would like to keep it around for a bit longer. "From the maid too, bet she was grateful!" Kolby would not be kissing a maid anytime too but he was just talking to talk by this point.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Kolby's words continued to upset the Prince. He knew that the knight was not aware of just how personally Arthur took his words. He knew the man had a mouth, but this was one instance that Arthur would not find any humor in them. No sort of mocking when it came to Guinevère would be tolerated -- even though he knew that it was not the intention behind Kolby's words. Never the less, Arthur approached him, his sword by his side, not lunging towards him but rather standing directly in front of him, rather close, as if to -- for lack of a better phrasing -- get in his face a bit. While they were the same height, Arthur made his authority known in his demeanor and the way he spoke the next few words.

"You will not talk about her in such a way," he said extremely sternly, not yelling, but no less serious. In fact, it was perhaps more strictly spoken than when he previously raised his voice. Arthur had once told Kolby not to have any crude thoughts about Morgana, when he had believed the Prince and her to be off somewhere together. Now, Arthur was focusing more on his words against Guinevère -- though he also did not like the thought of Kolby speaking about kissing Morgana. She was like his own sister after all, and so the protectiveness he felt for her did not fade. It was just not the actual root of his annoyance and anger right now. "You will not speak of her, or her maid, is that understood." It was no longer a request, but a command. An order.