A Night To Remember...Hopefully ~Isabel~

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Lancelot had been on a journey all in his own, there was no spectacular significant reason for it he had just been asked to do something and with great pride he took it on. He had completed it successfully and was now on his way back home. Home to Camelot, he had his armor on but his colors were put away, only because he had been across borders and did not wish to cause problem for himself or for Arthur. Lancelot sat upon his horse as it trotted along the streets though they would have to find shelter soon for it was getting dark and it was never wise to be out at night. Too many thieves, bandits, and all around bad people... Not to mention the creatures that lurked around the corners waiting for unsuspecting victims, not that Lance was one of the, for he could handle himself well in a battle or two he just preferred to keep himself out of harms way if it at all possible.

Thinking hard he remembered where he was at and that he was close to a land called Cantia surly they would have a place for shelter, a place to welcome a knight. With a smile on his face he gripped the reins of the horse and took off, clicking his heels into it's sides to make him go faster. The man was a little dirty but a good scrub would fix that easily, not that he truly cared at this stage because he was on his way home after a long journey and when he got there would he clean himself up. Pushing that a side he continued on his way. First he stopped at the Inn but they were full he accepted and kindly left, it was no big deal it would not be the first time he slept out side.

Looking around for a large tree he would be able to rest under for the night. It did not take long and with a smile he jumped off of his horse tied him up and placed his stuff against the tree. Stretching a little he took a seat shifting slightly to get comfortable Lancelot began to relax. The tree he was under was actually on someone property though he did not know so he made himself at home and with a sigh of relief he let all his worries just leave him for the time being. Lance wanted his mind clear and focused just encase someone decided his stuff was going to be their stuff he would be able to hear them and than hopefully stop them with ease!

Tag: Isabel de Massard
Note:Will make it pretty later! Sorry it is not a very good opener, they are not my specialty but it will get better promise!

[Isabel de Massard]

POV of Isabel's servant Jane, Isabel will be in the next post

Jane had not been in the employment of Lady Isabel for long. No one had. After the rest of the Massard family had died all the servants had lost their jobs and been replaced by people like Jane. She was new to the life of a servant and was therefore determined to do everything properly. Who knows, within a year or so she may be a handmaid and attending Lady Isabel personally, instead of spending her days buried underneath laundry.

It was rather late and she'd have to be awake early so she probably should not be wandering about the grounds but she'd spent all day inside and needed some fresh air. No one ever came to the house or its ground so she was not expecting any danger. In fact, the only thing she should be concerned about was being tired in the morning. It was a risk that she was willing to take.

As it was so late she couldn't really see where she was going, luckily the Massard estate was rather large so she was still within its grounds. She should probably be heading back now but everything was so quiet and so still unlike the hustle and bustle in the house and it was just so nice to have some time alone to gather her thoughts instead of running around after other people.

And then she saw the man on the ground. He looked asleep, although in the dark she couldn't really tell properly, but he didn't look dangerous or maybe that was just Jane's naivety. She bit her lip and began to approach him slowly so as not to startle him. He looked like he needed the rest and probably hadn't thought much about where to find it. "Hello? Are you alright? What are you doing out here alone?"

Notes: There was nothing wrong with your post! I always find starting a thread the hardest post

[Deleted]

As Lance laid up against the tree resting his heavy head he let off a sigh of relief than out of the silence and darkness came a girl who spoke to him. His eyes opened and he looked over at her, laughing a little he stood up to present himself better "Oh Hello, I am alright and yourself?" He smiled at her as he dusted himself off a little as he looked at her. She had also asked him why he was out here alone, it was a good question he was sure a lot of people would wonder the same thing because it was odd for someone to be sleeping outside where as most people had homes. "Well you see, I am here traveling and I went to the Inn but they were full. It isn't the first time I had to be outside, it is perfectly nice out."

Lance began to say and then he had realized something, he might have been on someone's land. He looked around and chuckled softly "I'm sorry am I on your land?" Despite the comfort of the tree he did not want to bother anyone by being on their land but he also did not want to have to continue his travel in the middle of the night, he was tired of riding on the horse and frankly his butt was cramping from the saddle so a lot of the rest of his travels would be on foot and that just did not sound very good at the moment. Lancelot was not lazy but sometimes it was nice to do nothing.

"My name is Lancelot, may I have ask what your name is My Lady?" Lance was very generous and he gave respect to everyone despite their status. He was feeling a little weird because he thought he was on her land and well some people didn't see sleeping out side the same way he did and being a Knight some people would think that this was no place for a Knight but Lance thought otherwise, being outside in the open was a wondrous thing so it never bothered him though he would not complain for a comfortable bed and warm blankets it just all really depended on where he was and what was available.

Tag: Isabel de Massard
Note:They are extremely hard haha, in the very first post you have to set EVERYTHING the time of day, weather, location, possibly a little foreshadowing... Crazy stuff haha.

[Isabel de Massard]

Right, it's still POV from Jane, but as soon as Lance is inside, Isabel will discover him

Jane should probably be more weary about talking to a complete stranger, and especially one that was a man, and especially when she was alone in the middle of the night, but she was a young girl who had the fortune to have never found herself in danger, and so it simply did not occur to her. Indeed, she was far too busy being a little in awe of him to think about whether he was dangerous or not. She wasn't used to talk to a man by herself (or at least not a man who wasn't an aged servant and telling her that she hadn't made Lady Isabel's bed properly that morning) and found herself trying not to look quite so awkward and embarrassed. "I am well, thank you, my lord." He probably wasn't a lord by the looks of him and the fact that he was sleeping outside, but she had had enough chastising for not addressing people properly so she wasn't taking any chances.

She found herself smiling at his next words, not many people seemed to appreciate being outside the way she did. "Yes it is," she replied in agreement, her confidence growing somewhat. "I was just out for a walk." The man's question brought a look of surprise onto his face. He thought this was her land? It may be dark, but she was dressed in the clothes fitting her station and hardly carried herself like a lady. "Oh, oh no! You are on the Massard estate, I am only a servant here."

Lancelot, she repeated the name in her head, deciding it was quite a fitting name for him and sounded so much more extravagant than her own. "My name is Jane, but I am no lady." She replied, down casting her eyes and slightly embarrassed about the whole situation. She didn't know what she was supposed to do on finding a strange man in the middle of the night, but she could assume it wasn't standing here being awkward. "You cannot stay out here." She said as firmly as she could, "You must come inside and I will find you somewhere to rest for the night."

[Deleted]

Lancelot smiled at her, she was rather beautiful and very kind. He listened to her as she spoke her name and than said she is no lady and Lance could not help but chuckle a little to himself. "Well Miss Jane, you are a Lady in my eyes. A beautiful one at that." A little flirting never killed anyone and it was true any woman to cross his path was and will be a Miss or a Lady whether it did not suit their status or it did. Lance was just that kind of man who thought all woman were noble and seeing as he comes from the same status as she... Well sort of, there was more to the story than he would prefer to talk about. But he did not see any harm in calling her Lady or Miss though he would stop if she requested it, simply saying she was not one did not mean she wanted him to stop it just told him that she did not believe she was one, two total different things in his mind.

"The Massard Estate." He repeated very softly, mostly to himself but he had a tendency to talk to himself out loud. He did not think much of it and he did get some odd stares but by now he was perfectly use to it. She than told him that he must come inside and she would get him a spot to rest. She was rather stern about it, or at least she tried to be, he just found it a little odd but he did not refuse if she really wanted him to stay than he would. Lancelot was a Knight of honor so there was no danger to any of it he just hoped the real owner of the estate would not fire or worse, kill her for this. Lance would do anything and everything to protect the young woman. "If you insist, than I will come with you."

Lance than turned around and gathered all his things including his horse who stood grazing on the lush grass. "Will anyone mind you are bringing a stray man home?" Lancelot partially teased her though he was serious at the same time, Lance was a kind man and did not want to see anyone hurt any way because of him "Is there a place to keep my horse?" Lance didn't need to be leaving his horse out side where it could be stolen much easier and if it decided to rain the horse would be safe under a roof. After Lancelot gathered all his stuff he looked over at Jane waiting to follow her inside, though he hoped everything would be ok!

Tag: Isabel de Massard
Note:Will make it pretty later!

[Isabel de Massard]

Jane couldn't help but blush at the man's words. She wasn't to someone speaking to her like that and was quite unsure as to how she should respond. Propriety was telling her that she should correct him only she was rather enjoying this man calling her beautiful. Her mother had always warned her to be wary of men who said such things, but this one seemed so nice and surely if he was going to do anything untowards he would have done so by now.

She was glad he agreed to come with her, if he'd refused and stayed outside all night she wouldn't have stopped worrying and ended up getting no sleep at all. It wasn't right that someone should be forced to sleep outside when there was a warm bed to be offered. "I do indeed," she said with a smile, feeling more confident and a little triumphant.

Hmm...how to answer his question. Someone probably would mind - if they found out. As long as Jane found somewhere for him to stay without being seen then everything would be alright, or at least as long as her mistress didn't find out. The Lady Isabel hardly ever had guests so she probably wouldn't appreciate this man. "They won't mind," she began, and then smirked at him, "As long as they don't find you, or your horse, but you can leave it in the stables."

[Deleted]

Lance looked at her as she spoke about how no one would mind as long as he was not seen. There was a catch but he would still not refuse to not go with her, she seemed as if she really wanted him to come with her and he did not want to worry the poor working girl he was sure she had a lot on her plate already so it was just best if he kept his mouth shut and followed behind her. Grabbing the reins of his horse he pulled him along staying close to Jane as to not get lost. "Well if I am not to be seen than how if I may ask stay in the house?" He asked as he walked beside her, his horses nose nudging the back of Lance's head and it made Lancelot chuckle a little to himself.

It did not take that long to get his horse to the stable. He made sure the horse had a warm spot that had food ready for him to eat when he needed. His horse was everything to him so he got the best as a pet. After tucking in the horse he headed for the door not really sure how this would all pan out seeing as Lance was a Knight of Camelot and he was far away from home in fact trying to get home but with wanting to stop for a night landed him following a young working woman into a large estate that didn't belong to her but he didn't say no... Was that part of the code? He couldn't tell, of course Lance has not been a Knight for long so he was entitled to make a few mistakes yes? He shrugged a little to himself and looked over at Jane

"How long have you worked here?" Lance asked as they made it up to the door of the estate. He did not push his way in, in fact he staid behind Jane waiting for her next move he was still unsure as to what he really should be doing. But alas Lancelot would follow her and just kind of up for the best.

Tag: Isabel de Massard
Note:Just kind of moved the thread a little forward hope it is ok. If not just let me know

[Isabel de Massard]

Hmm, he did raise a very good point but Jane was sure there must be somewhere he wouldn't be seen. The house was rather large and as it was late most people would already be asleep. It was more a question of making sure he left early enough the next morning rather than finding somewhere. She was an optimistic girl, and could hardly go back on her offer now, so she was quite determined to find somewhere. "Everyone will already be asleep so as long as you leave early tomorrow morning no one will know you are here."

She led him towards the stable and watched him with curiosity as he tied up his horse. Although she felt a little awkward now that there was a silence between them she didn't try to strike up another conversation. Instead she just remained watching him and waiting for him to finish so she could take him inside. Luckily, he took the initiative to speak and so saved them for an even longer silence. "Oh not long," she replied, "None of us, it was all very odd, the Lady Isabel replaced all her old servants a few months ago." It did not occur to her that she was telling him too much, he probably didn't care that much anyway and was only making conversation, but perhaps some of the older servants would be more guarded before telling such things to strangers.

Now that he was finished with his horse she walked over to the door, opened it and waited for him to go inside. "There is a store room over here," she told him, "It might not be the most comfortable place to sleep but it will be better than nothing. "I will go and fetch you some blankets. The room is just here," she pointed and then with a smile went off to find him some propper bedding.

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Lancelot listened as she told him that all the servants were new to the estate. He found that a little odd, why would one go and just fire all the other but it was the lady's choice he just couldn't help but see how odd that was. "Do you enjoy your job?" Lancelot was always curious as to what it was like to be a maid seeing as he never really had anything until he became a Knight, well he had fighting which he did for a living for a while but he gave that life up to fulfill his dream which he loves so it does not matter. Thinking about it he remembered that his armor and everything Knightly was packed away, something he would have to put on in the morning for the rest of his ride back to Camelot now that he was past enemy territory.

He walked in as she opened the door and pointed him to a room, and he nodded. Lancelot had a feeling this was going to be an interesting stay. Lancelot thanked her as he walked into the room she pointed out to him. Looking around it was not that large but there was enough room for this tall man to sleep in. Lance laid his stuff in the corner away from the door he didn't need anyone getting into any of his stuff. Making sure to close the door he took a seat on the floor leaning his head on the wall and waited for his new little friend to arrive with his bedding. She was very kind to him not a lot of women would offer a strange man a home because of all the bandits and thugs who knows if it would be a trick or not so he was a little surprised but very grateful that was for sure. He did like it out side but a home to sleep in was all the better in his mind. With a small sigh Lance put his hands behind his head and rested, waited.

Tag: Isabel de Massard
Note:Just kind of moved the thread a little forward hope it is ok. If not just let me know

[Isabel de Massard]

Isabel de Massard could not sleep. She'd been lying in bed for at least half an hour and quite frankly this was ridiculous. Her room was too hot, too stuffy and she just couldn't get comfortable. With a sigh she sat up and ran a hand through her hair. Well, she was going to get any sleep soon so there was no point trying. Deciding she wanted a drink she pulled herself out of bed and started making her way towards the kitchens. It was during this journey that she happened upon a rather strange sight. Ahead of her a young girl was carrying what looked like blankets. What on earth was she doing?

"Where are you going with those blankets in the middle of the night?"

Jane, clearly startled at her mistress' sudden appearance dropped the pile of bedding. "Oh! My lady I was just...erm...I was worried they were not clean properly."

Isabel arched an eyebrow. "And so you thought the middle of the night was the best time to remedy this? Don't lie to me - where were you going?"

"Well, I...you see, I was walking and there was a man and he needed some place to rest so I thought...so I thought..."

"So you thought you would let him sleep here?" Needless to say, Isabel was not impressed. "Well where is he then?" She couldn't go around letting any old person into her house - he could be a peasant, well, if he was sleeping outside he probably was a peasant. She would have to go and tell him to leave immediately.

"In the store room."

The lady of the house considered this a moment before gesturing towards the blankets that still lay on the floor. "Give me those, I shall take them to our guest personally." Jane did as she was told. "Now go to bed and be grateful you still have one." With a curtsey Jane disappeared and Isabel was left alone in the hall. This was an utterly ridiculous situation to find herself in. All she had wanted was a drink. She cautiously made her way over to the door of the store room, after all, he could be a mad man for all she knew, and slowly opened it. There was no noise so she opened it further and looked inside. Sure enough a young man was lying inside and looked as though he was already asleep. He didn't look particularly dangerous either. "Can I help you?" Isabel said loudly and dropped the blankets on top of him in an attempt to wake him up.

[Deleted]

Blankets were dropped upon the Knight and he jumped up luckily he was not fully gripping his sword or he would have had that at the woman's neck. She asked him what he was doing with what seemed like a sneer but that could have just been him and his mind. Lancelot fixed himself, kicking his stuff back a little so he had leg room, this only opened his bag a little to show a little piece of a bright red cape. There was not insignia showing just the color. He cleared his throat "Well my lady, this lovely women found me under what I am guessing one of your trees and insisted I come inside and sleep here." Lancelot was guessing this was Lady De Massard just by the way she talked and stood. A lot of servants would not act that way except maybe some of the older ones who have had more experience but from what he was told there were none of those in this house.

"I am taking a guess to say you are Lady de Massard." Lancelot said with a gentle bow. He may not be of noble blood but he was a Knight and he did show respect it was just who he was and he let it be known. Hopefully they would be able to clear things up easily and the young Jane would not be fired, if so Lancelot would have to fix her up with another job because he would feel really bad. Maybe things would go smoothly, he just had to choose his words carefully and not talk that much, just listen. He also needed to introduce himself... Fully introduce himself, meaning title and everything seeing as she was a Lady of noble blood and it was only fair.

With another bow Lancelot spoke up once more "My name is Sir Lancelot, Knight of Camelot." His voice was calm and kind. He did not mean any harm and would leave willingly if it was something she wished. Or if she wished for him to help with something he would. At the moment he was at her dispose not that he minded it was kind of his job except he was normally at the Dispose of his Prince, Prince Arthur and the King of course but seeing as he was not home he had to do what he must to get by to get back to his home.

Tag: Isabel de Massard
Note:None

[Isabel de Massard]

Isabel was not happy to find some random man in her home but he didn't look dangerous so at least that was something. She was still staring at him, trying to work out what sort of a man he was. He didn't look particularly surprised, or even worried that he had been discovered. "Oh did she?" Isabel would have to find out who that was. She couldn't allow her servants to go around letting whoever they pleased into her home. For all that servant knew he could be a murderer or a thief.

She inclined her head at his words - just because this was not an ordinary meeting did not mean she was going to ignore the important of good manners. "You guess correctly." Before she had time to ask his name he had already given it. A knight, he said, of Camelot? How interested. He didn't look like a knight but the way he spoke made her believe his words to be true. "A knight?" He tone was warmer this time, and there was a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "Of Camelot? In that case you mus excuse my rudeness." She bent down and picked up the towels, holding them against her chest. "You must know the prince then? Prince Arthur?"

[Deleted]

Lance noticed a difference in her tone once he showed who he truly was. It interested him really but he smiled at her none the less. "It is a pleasure to meet you." Lancelot was a gentlemen and it showed the way he was acting in front of her, the bows. Talking to her like she was royalty. She was a woman and he would give her the respect she deserved. She than asked if he knew the Prince and he laughed a little. Not in a rude manner it just slipped out "Yes ma'am I personally know him, I train with him every morning. Why? If I may ask" Lancelot was close with Arthur all the Knights were close with each other that was their job they were expected to lay their lives on the line for one another so they had to get to know everyone they were the best friends one could have, they were family. Everything. At least to Lance that is how they were seeing as he had no family and the Knights made up for that.

"I am sorry for intruding in your lovely home" He said as he gathered his stuff and was getting ready to leave. He would not mind sleeping out side. "If I may say something. Do not punish the servant too hard, it was an act of kindness something not found much anymore." He did not want to see Jane hurt through her actions. She was kind a little naive but still something too tough on her may hurt her too much and as a Knight he would not like to see her hurt he would want to help her. Plus it was slightly his fault that he followed her in though he should not have but he did.

Tag: Isabel de Massard
Note:Wow sorry sucky post, I will make a better one next time

[Isabel de Massard]

There was nothing wrong with your post!

Isabel was rather warming to the young man now that he was a knight, or rather now that she was aware of the fact. He had the potential to be rather useful to her, so she wasn't going to waste this meeting. A smile formed on her lips when he asked about Arthur. "I had the pleasure of making his acquaintance." She replied. Of course she wasn't going to tell him the full details of her visit in Camelot - she'd leave that one to the prince, but even then Lancelot wouldn't hear the full story - no one was going to, which was why Isabel head was still attached to her neck.

She watched him gather his things - was he leaving? She had to stop him, a knight of Camelot was always a useful ally to have, especially if he was as close to Arthur as he implied. "Oh think nothing of it. I was just surprised is all. Please, I do not wish to leave you out in the cold." She paused, he seemed to be an honourable sort of ma - why else would he say such a thing about her servant? It was likely that he would still leave, despite her protestations. "But you cannot stay here - not a knight of Camelot! I will have a guest room prepared for you. It is the least I can do for a friend of Prince Arthur's."

[Deleted]

Lance was ready to leave but than he was being stopped, he found it interesting at her changes when she found out he was a Knight, but if she really wanted him to stay he would. It was her house after all and how could he deny a beautiful woman what she wanted. This seemed to repeat itself. First the maid Jane finds him and insists he come in out of the cold and now the Lady of the house is insisting he stay in her guest room out of the cold. These people were so generous it almost impressed Lancelot. He smiled at her softly "If you insist my Lady" Lancelot had this sort of charm to him though he did not always realize he was using it. It was just a natural thing really.

"You are very generous to lend a room to me." He was being honest it was, it was also generous to do so to a perfect stranger though he said nothing when Jane pulled him in about it so he would not start now with Lady Isabel. With all his stuff gathered into his hands he did not put it down only because he was staying, but not in this room. Isabel wanted him in the guest room and he would do so plus it was a free bed with blankets and pillows instead of the ground. Not that it bothered him but a lot of people would prefer to sleep in a bed if they had the chance rather than outside.

Tag: Isabel de Massard
Note:Will make it pretty later!

[Isabel de Massard]

Isabel smiled warmly at Lancelot, satisfied now that he was going to stay. She would have to play her cards right and hopefully make him more than acquaintance. It would never hurt to have an ally in Camelot's court, especially after her last visit there. Perhaps next time her sights wouldn't be set quite so high, or at least, if they were the same height but a slightly different angle. She would not be attempting to win Arthur's affections again, but well, she wouldn't turn down the oppurtunity to make herself known to a few visiting princes...

She hadn't realised her mind had wandered so much until Lancelot spoke again and it took a few moments to recall what she had said to prompt such an answer. Ah yes. He was staying. She was still smiling, eager to make a good impression on him. A true gentleman would sing her praises when he returned to Camelot. That was the plan, anyway. Ah, a plan. It felt good to have one of those again. Recently Isabel had just been drifting through life, attending dinners and buying dresses, but now she was thinking again, planning again and everything was going to go smoothly. She was sure of it. "Think nothing of it," she replied, opened the door and stepped out into the corridor. "Follow me."