A Rekindled Friendship

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur rather enjoyed feasts. Well, not the boring part where his father --- or anyone -- gave a little speech and there were dozens of toasts made before he could have a sip of his wine. But more so, the socializing aspect. And that was what the evening had come down to now. A grand dinner had been served and all the nobles that were able to attend, were present in the grand hall as they engaged in casual conversations with one another. The occasion for the feast was something worth celebrating as well. It was to celebrate his father's victory against whoever that mysterious knight had been. Arthur felt proud of his father -- and tried to ignore the fact that he had Gaius drug him and lock him in his chambers. The cause for celebration also incorporated an extension of Arthur's crowning ceremony, as it had been so rudely interrupted by said knight.

Arthur very much enjoyed the spotlight, as being a prince he was used to it, and he took his role as crowned prince so very seriously. So tonight, he wore his crown proudly as he was dressed in his formal attire which included well polished chainmail -- thanks to Merlin -- and a large vibrant red cape that bore the Pendragon symbol. And as previously determined, this was his favorite part of the evening so he would get started by mingling amongst the crowd. He recognized most faces, perhaps not as far as remembering everyone's names but knew the faces. As he led the knights, he knew the men very well . . . it was some of the noblewomen that he had yet to engage in conversations with. And it was the lady folk that Arthur enjoyed conversing with the most. Who wouldn't? They all looked so radiant! It was any man's dream come true!

As he was in a circle of three others, talking and joking around, his eyes reflexively looked around the crowd and laid to rest on a particular individual. A woman of course, but she was not just any woman. Arthur had not spoken to her for many years -- as they had known each other since childhood. The only reason he did recognize who she was, was because her father recently passed away and she was acknowledged at the funeral. The prince excused himself from the small crowd he was with and made his way over to the young woman. His eyes did not miss her beauty, as it was very, very evident. He gave her a bit of a smile as he approached her and when he was in suitable range, began to speak. "My Lady Aliena," he greeted, slightly lowering his head in a bit of a bow; a respectful gesture.


_{Setting: The Castle of Camelot
Time of Day: Evening
Timeline: After Excalibur, a couple days later
Tag: Lady Aliena le Veel}

[Aliena Le Veel]

To pass from a sitation to another was not a easy thing.
And that was exactly the same thing for Aliena.
The most of her life spent in Convent was a poor, strict and simple life, very different from the one she was used to.
Moreover that sort of... Hell, changed her in the deep. Not because of the type of life itself, but much for the things happened there.
Sometimes, in the night, she still had nightmares made of mean people, screams and stakes... She woke up sweat and breathing hardly, looking around and relizing it was just another nightmare and that now was allright.

Yes: now it was allright because she was finally at home again. Camelot.
However, she had lost the most of the memories of her childhood and now she was and felt a different person.
Her family divided since her father's death and with freedom, Aliena gained also in a new game of the life.
A dangerous and fascinating game, she thought.
She wasn't able to regret of her father's death, in the truth.
She didn't cry at the funeral. She never felt him as a father.
So now she was happy to live her life with her own strenghts.

And this feast was a good opportunity to start.
She entered the hall and started looking and walking around.
She was wearing a long red dress, tight and straight since her feet.
She combed her hair in a long light dark plait and wore some bracelets and her special gemstone...
She didnt want to show up too much that night, it was just her first after all...

Aliena didn't recognise the most of the people there.
maybe also becuase she didn't have memory of her childhood and so neither of her friends.
So she took a chalice of wine on the table, anjoying the music and the dances, just talking sometimes with some knights she met at her father's funeral.

Suddenly she heard a voice behind her and turned back.
She remained speechless when she relized that the man in front of her was the Prince Arthur, the little Arthur...
He was changed so much from the last time...

My Prince... she said smiling excited and at the same time still... confused.
Then she bowed deeply and when she stood up she wasn't still able to recognise him.
"Do we know eachothers, my Lord?"she asked trying to do not laugh amazed.[/left][/color]

[Arthur Pendragon]

While Arthur's arrogance did not permit him to go along with the assumption that someone did not truly know who he was . . . he did however wonder if she remembered the time they had spent together when they were children. Of course, it was not easy to remember name, and every memory. But he remembered enough about her to know that they had been friends. He gave a bit of a chuckle when she questioned who he was, knowing it was made in good jest. Or at least, hoped it was. He had not gotten the opportunity to speak to her privately at her father's funeral, to personally express his condolences. Though at the same time, he did not want to bring down the mood of this feast, so decided to encourage conversations with more of a light air to them. Either way, it was nice to talk to her again. She was obviously very different from when he had last spoken to her. Back then they were children, now they were both mature adults.

And she was a stunning one indeed. Her strikingly contrasting features gave her a unique beauty; her dark hair in comparison to her light fair skin. And he did not miss her intensely blue colored eyes. Yes. She had indeed grown far more beautiful than he could have imagined. And it was much easier to recognize -- and acknowledge this -- when the atmosphere surrounding them was not one of sadness, mourning, and devastation. Speaking of acknowledging this . . . "You looking positively ravishing tonight," he told her, taking her hand and lightly kissing the top of it. A gesture of respect, as this charming act went along with his words which were spoken in a flirtatious tone, meant to compliment her. Of course, it was not difficult to do so when it was nothing but the truth. "Well if you have forgotten me, then I would be all too glad to remind you of who I am," he said smiling, still trying to charm her. What man could resist such an urge among such attractive women.

[Aliena Le Veel]

"He's ever the same..." she thought looking at him. She was happy to see that some things were not changed and being there made her rememeber things completely forgotten.She left Camelot suddenly, she didn't have time to wish goodbye and she lost her friend's and her's growth.
Of course that she recognised him! If it wasn't for the crown, at least for the charcater.
She remembered Arthur very well: not because he was the Prince, instead because of his temper, once a common point of both of them.
If her mind didn't failed, as Aliena Arthur seemsed to prefer the putdoor's activities instead of studying indoor.

However, she had to admit and if she would have meet him in an unformal situation probably she wouldn't have recognise him.
He was surely taller, burlier and regal. Not the child that she remembered.
He become a charming man. She had do admit also that.
Unfortunatelly, for the way he was looking at her, his mind didn't seem to be changed very much...
Arthur! I mean, Prince Arthur. she bit her lip and smiled happy How couldn't I remind you? Weren't you the child that cryed each time I won a horse ride? she laughed and looked at him, refraining from hugging him How much time... Isn't it? You are a real prince now. Congratulations...

[Arthur Pendragon]

While Arthur preferred formalities and titles to be used from some people, he did not mind remaining on a first name basis with her. She was a friend after all, one that seemed comfortable enough to joke around with him which, he had to admit, he found incredibly refreshing. It was always nice to break the ice, work through any discomfort, and the most effective was to do this was through humor. He made a bit face when she mentioned how she had won a few horse rides. Arthur was a man of pride, and he never liked to admit that he had been defeated. But he had, for she was a very good horse back rider, and he had made the mistake of massively underestimating her skills. But of course, if they were teasing each other, then he was not going to so readily admit that he lost. He was a sore loser . . . sore losers never like to give the victor credit.

"I'm not sure what child you are referring to," he said with an innocent smile, only pretending to be completely oblivious for he knew precisely what she was talking about. "What I do remember was a rather gallant young man who was willing to let you win," he added with a bit of a smug grin. He was of course only kidding; returning the favor of joking around . . . which, as he previously acknowledged, he enjoyed immensely. When she proceeded to congratulate him, he just kept smiling. "Why thank you My Lady. I wish I could have seen you at the initial ceremony, but we will just have to make up for lost time, now." Which he have every intention to do. So far, he was enjoying their conversation and he hoped with it, came the full rekindling of their friendship. It was off to a great start!

[Aliena Le Veel]

She was happy to see that nothing was changed since the last time.
She remembered the prince Arthur as a vivacious child, but also terribly touchy. And she... well, she ever liked to provoke him, as she did just some moments ago.
If her father was there, probably he would have reproach Aliena because of her arrogance, a characteristic of her being that she never lost.
But after all, he wasn't a stranger, someone never met before.
They were friends or at least they were one time, but why should things be changed in the meanwhile?
Oh yes... just because they were adults now, someone would have said.
Arthur was the heir of Uther, the next King of Camelot. His fate was written yet, but she?
She lost her parents, almost, but she didn't see it as a bad thing.
She avoided an unhappy wedding, she didn't have a husband that would have take decisions at her place.
She was basically free to do what she wanted, she just had to conserve a secret and it was the hardest thing to do.
However if she wanted to talk with Arthur as with a old friend and he wanted it too, wich was the problem?
Sometimes it was hard to escape just for a moment from the life of each day, sometimes it was neither possible.
But this night it would have been it. Because she was at home, and she just met one of the friend she missed more in France.
If usually she was cold with others, she couldn't be this with him, she would have enjoyed her homecoming.

So she listened to his excuses and nodded ironically.
"Oh yes yes... so your tears where all scene... I see. You enlightened me!" she laughed kidding of him.
She brought the chalice she had in her hand to her lips and drank a sip of wine without removing her eyes from him.
He was ever been taller than her but now he overtopped her.
However... he's face was the one she ever remembered, the eyes and the expression the same of his memory.
She wondered if she was changed during the last years...
"How did you recignise me? I thought to be completely different from the child I was"

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur innocently smiled when she spoke of his fake tears. In many ways, she reminded him of Morgana. The way she teased him, and the ease in which they conversed. Of course, it was a bit different with Morgana as they had lived under the same roof for quite some time, yet it was remarkable -- in the best way possible -- how so much time had passed by and yet, it seemed like she had never left. "But of course. I happen to be an excellent actor," he said, giving her a bit of a wink as he revealed this 'hidden talent' of his . . . which was really not true. He never found the need to act in anything, though it was fun to suggest such a thing when it suited him. In this case, when she had won a few races, and he did not want to admit to it.

"Not at all, you look exactly the same," he teased, knowing she was expecting a serious answer. He was slightly hesitant to give it as it would bring up the subject of her father; and as he had previously established, he did not want to ruin the mood for her during this event. "Actually, to be completely honest, I only recognized you because I saw your role in your father's funeral." She had been specifically mentioned, and others had approached her personally to express their condolences. His tone became a bit more serous when he spoke of such subject matter, hoping that by mentioning it, he did not ruin this evening for her. And if he had, then he would just have to spend the remainder of it making it up to her.

[Aliena Le Veel]

She was sure he would have said it or, at least, this would have been the sensest solution.
She didn't felt sedness when he mentioned her father's funeral, no... just a sort of unconcern.
He wasn't exactly as a father... not with her, moreover she was sure that he grudged against her because she was a female and not the so desired strong son.
When she was a child she tryed to please him, but in the end she understood it was completely unusefull and stopped it.
Then she went to that damn convent and when she came back he arranged to her a wedding.
She finally thought he just wanted to get rid of her.
So she didn't feel the love between a father and a daughter.
It wasn't her case.

She went to the funeral just formally and to make her brother Cedric pleased since he couldn't be there and her mother would have been on her own.
It was a big cerimony: full of knights, nobles and some people of Camelot and abviously of the Royal Family.
However, she had to act her part. She didn't even like to act, but when necessary she did it without displeased and also quite well.
When the funeral finished, she just wanted to go away and think to something else, but she she was avoided to do it because of all the condolences she received by the presents.

So, when Arthur mentioned the funeral she remained emotionless, still smiling and without feeling something.
On the contrary she giggled while answering "Oh... here we are... I knew it! Yes, it's been a big loss but I think we shall not thing to such things now, neither in future. The past is past, right?" She looked a moment around and then turned to him. She was hesitant to touch him as in the past times. There were so many people that someone would have surely think something wrong. "And you changed too. Except by the eyes and the expression. You are a real knight now, or better a Prince." she laughed and made a little piroutte to make him see her "Do you think I changed in better? she asked curiously.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Her reaction greatly surprised him. He had not expected her to remain smile, or furthermore, laugh! It was not a bad thing; on the contrary actually. It showed that she had a good attitude. That she was trying to make the best of the situation. It was rather remarkable to see actually, for usually in the loss of a parent, there would be tears shed and an inevitable mood drop. But she was different, and she was proving to be a refreshing change from the general norm of noblewoman. Women were women, and Arthur constantly loved the company of them . . . but yes, she was different. It only made him rather glad of his decision to approach her int in the first place, for had he not, he would have missed this wonderful opportunity to get to know her.

He was not going to bring back the focus of their conversation to her father, for her words showed that she was moving on to the next subject. She was keeping everything in an uplifting tone, and he would not bring it down. His smile reformed on his lips when she began to speak of his physical appearance. On the subject matter, he hoped the transition of his mood would not be disrespectful, though she had seemed to easily move on in topics. He would encourage it, as he stated before, he wished not to ruin this evening for her. He would forever regret it. He moved a bit closer to her, not in a suggestive or intrusive way, but more, maintaining a distance that was a comfortable range for friends.

Besides, it added to the effect of his next words. "And what is it about my eyes?" He asked flirtatiously, with the best, charming smile he could create. He was of course just trying to get her to further compliment him; a bit of teasing, a bit of fun flirtations. Though her next questioned had the potential for a wide range of answers. He could respond to it in many different ways, and trying to think of the most suitable one. The one that would be the most complimentary and flattering towards her. "You most certainly did," he stated, as if it was fact rather than opinion. "You have grown far more beautiful than I could have ever envisioned." He hoped she would take that as he meant it; that there was something very alluring about her; that she in all her beauty was quite captivating. "Even though mere words can not truly do you justice," he added charismatically.

[Aliena Le Veel]

Probably, she thought, being Prince had his bad and good parts. Surely, for a young as he was, to fulfil all the expectations of being a prince entailed wasn't a easy thing.
However, there were surely also many advantages, as he showed her right in that moment.
As the ladies, probably... Wich lady wouldn't be enchanted by a simple coax of Arthur Pendragon?
He seemsed too much sure of his actions, he knew perfectly the effect he had on them.
And surely, if Aliena wouldn't had the life and the character she actually had, her too would have fell in his cobweb.
However, she had to admit that he was charming, maybe a little braggart but also pleasant and funny somehow.
Now she had the confirm that in the deep he was the same Arthur she knew. Just taller and more beautiful.
Yes, because neither she was able to avoid to think it. However, she would have never told him it.

When he asked of his eyes, she catched that note of flirt, that wish to be praised and so she would have please him, because she liked the game and she liked to win.
She started looking at him thoughtfully, walking slowly around him with a hand on his shoulder. When she returned in front of him she looked intently in his eyes and answered with a little flirtatious smile on her lips "Your eyes... my Prince, are ever been so bright.. so rare that it would be impossible to do not note them. she remained silent and then she held his hands and dragged him to the dance floor giggling I hope you can dance....
Well, maybe or rather surely she exaggerated.
He was ever the Prince of Camelot and playing with him so clearly would have gave bread to the rumormonger.
But inspite of it, she relized she didn't care of it.
She just hoped it was the same for him...

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur could not help but smile at her words. He was flattered, of course he was! He had not expected her to go on about his flirtatious remark, and the fact that she had, giving him a further compliment . . . well, he was rather appreciative of it. And how could he not let it go to his head, just a little. To receive such a compliment from any woman as beautiful as her, made it truly impossible to not feel honored. "Why my Lady, you flatter me to no end," he said still smiling, though his words were spoken with the utmost sincerity. When she took his hand and began to lead him to the dancing area, he felt rather excited. One, because he would be able to spend more time with her. Two, he would have an excuse to simply look at her in all her beauty.

"I see you have forgotten yet something else of our childhood," he teased when she asked if he remembered how to dance. He knew she was just making fun of him and as before, he enjoyed it immensely for it created a very quick, very comfortable environment between them. "Though if you can dance as beautifully as you look, then I may be put to shame," he stated, still attempting to woo her through his words that he hoped came off as charming as he intended them to be. With that, he began to take his position, holding one of her hands in his.