Brotherly Bonding [Percival]

[lucan]

Lucan was glad that the day was over. After having Sir Elyan clobber him many times in training and the patrols of the city and outside of Camelot, he was ready to wind down and relax. The atmosphere to Camelot had changed since Arthur had taken the helm, whilst the King was ill. For a start everyone was rebuilding their lives and then there was the new Knights who had helped to take back Camelot from Morgana.
Lucan had grown to know some of them, but not as well as he’d like to. There was always things to do and despite spending many days with one another – there was no time for mothers meetings. The banter on the training field tended to stay there so Luc had found. Then again he tended to throw himself into his duties rather than join anyone else for a drink should they offer.

He had embraced Arthur’s decision to knight the unknown fighters. Camelot needed the best and if Arthur’s judgement was anything to go by – then they were the best that Camelot had to offer. Lucan was only too happy to have more men like them fighting for what they believed in.

Tonight Luc had decided to have a few drinks alone to think things through. He did quite a lot of thinking these days and most of the choices he made involved Camila somewhere along the line. He felt guilty for not seeing her as much as he should and there would have to be a lot of making up on his part to do. He sipped his drink thoughtfully and glanced around the inn, not many drinkers in this evening and Luc was grateful for that –at least he wouldn’t be disturbed. Now back to pondering – yes, pondering was good.

Tagged:Percival
Timeline: Beginning of S4
Setting: The Rising Sun[/color]

[shonz]

After a rather tiring day at the training grounds, Percival was glad to have the next day to be a rest day. Which means he need not wake up early for another round of training. Which also means he can drink the night away and relieve the stresses of the day without worry of waking up early with a hungover. He was no regular at the tavern like Gwaine was, but Percival was not one to deny himself a cold and refreshing ale when the situation calls for it. He is a man with simple worldly pleasures after all.

He stepped into The Rising Sun and surveyed the night crowd. It was small, and Percival was glad it was. A few greeted him with a nod and he nodded back at them. Others greeted him with a smile, and he smiled back as well.

As he made his way towards the bar to get his drink, he noticed a familiar face drinking by his lonesome self on one corner. Sir Lucan. He hadn't seen him drinking here before, and he wondered if it would be alright to share a pint or two with a fellow knight. While he had battled most of the knights during training, he had never shared a patrol with Sir Lucan. And Percival would want to know more about his fellow knights, especially those who were actually noble by birth. Maybe he could learn a thing or two from them. Sir Lucan had been nice enough to them new ones, so Percival thought it wouldn't hurt to hang out with him tonight. He hoped the other knight wouldn't mind.

"Nice evening for a drink," Percival started as he stopped by Sir Lucan's table after getting his own drinks. "Mind if I join you?"

[lucan]

Lucan was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he hadn’t noticed one of his brother knights standing in front of him. He quickly shook himself mentally and then looked up. Percival? He was the tall bloke that seemed to have the upper hand in many duels during training. Lucan had not come up against him himself but knew that he would at some point. In fact, he wasn’t really acquainted personally with the newest Knights as everything had been a blur for him.

“Percival isn’t it?” he asked, “By all means, sit down” he gestured to the chair opposite.

By the looks of the Knight, Lucan hadn’t put Percival down as a tavern lover – then again Lucan didn’t hang out here himself. Tonight was just a one off and some time to collect his thoughts. “You’ll have to excuse me for not noticing you earlier, when I start thinking I tend to enter Lucan Land rather than keep myself in the real world” he smiled and took a sip of his drink.

This seemed to be quite a good opportunity to get to know the new Knight, even if he’d come here to drink alone, some company would be nice. Yvain was on duty still and wouldn’t be joining him this evening. Gwaine? Well Lucan had no idea; he was most likely lying under a table unconscious at another tavern.

“You’ve certainly got some skill when it comes to knocking people out” Luc smirked, “Remind me never to come up against you in a joust”.
Lucan had already received his fair share of injuries during jousting tournaments and whatnot. Even the south wall had almost defeated him back when the dragon had attacked Camelot. A few broken ribs here and there and he was as good as new. It would take more than a wall to bring Lucan down. He still had scars from where Morgana’s immortal minions had decided to beat him down in the dungeons. One ran nicely down his right side.

Lucan took another sip from his drink and waited for Percival’s reply.

[shonz]

His fellow knight seemed to be deep in his thoughts, whatever it was that he was thinking about. Percival didn't think Lucan might have heard him. But he did, fortunately, and Percival gladly took the proferred seat, setting his mug of ale on the table.

Percival wasn't exactly the type to initiate conversations like this, the shy guy that he is. But seeing as their the only knights in the tavern, it would be awkward and in bad taste not to talk to each other. And besides, Percival wanted to connect. He was new to Camelot, and he needed as much friends and acquaintances as he could get. He needed them to feel at home.

"Nah, that's okay. We all have those moments," Percival replied, shrugging off Lucan's apology. It was no big deal really. Even during training, Percival's thoughts tend to wander off when he wasn't up on the arena. His own thoughts would usually travel to months and years old memories of his family. When he, his father, his mother, his younger siblings Benedict and Millicent were all living together, happily in their small village by the borders of Escetia.

"I just happen to be big and strong. I'm sure you're just as formidable," Percival returned the compliment as he sipped his drink. He had seen Lucan fight during training, and the man was nimble on his feet. He couldn't guess how old Lucan was exactly. "How long have you been a knight of Camelot?" he asked, genuinely curious about the lives of these noble-born knights.

[lucan]

Yes, big enough to take down a whole castle wall perhaps! Percival was right though, each Knight of Camelot had their own qualities and his just happened to be big and strong. Yvain was quick enough to dive out of the firing line whenever the time was right and Lucan? Well Luc wasn’t sure what qualities he actually possessed as Knight apart from being able to wield many sharp pointy weapons and others.

He sat back and contemplated what Percival had said; yes it had only felt like a day since being a Knight when really it had been waaaaaaaaaaaaaay longer than that. These years had been the best of his life, even more so recently with changes not just to Camelot but personally. It saddened Luc to think that one day he would have to give it all up, but if it was what was meant to be then he had no other choice.

“Almost nine years, I joined when I was eighteen so not that long” he smirked, “My father taught me how to use a sword and encouraged me in every way possible, so I guess I have him to thank for all that I’ve learnt.”

Not knowing much of the knight that sat before him, Lucan was determined to make a friend of him before the night was out. Ale brought out the best in people sometimes, so I would be nice to have someone to talk to other than Yvain for once.

“What about you? Were you of nobility before you met Arthur?” he asked.

[shonz]

From what Percival had seen the other knights do during their numerous trainings with Arthur, this band of loyal men were indeed a league of their own. When he found out during random talks with some of the knights that part of their test was a duel with Arthur, he thought that had to be something exciting and interesting. Percival had seen Arthur fight when they stormed the castle to rescue King Uther during Morgana's reign, and the prince was quite a fighting machine indeed. Not only was he skilled with his weapons, he was brave and bold. Arthur had chosen men who can keep up with him and his standards. He had chosen well, and it only made Percival more honored to be a part of it.

Listening to Sir Lucan talk about his time as a knight, he couldn't help but be awed. Nine long years compared to his one measly turn. Percival couldn't help the envy when Lucan told him how his father taught him how to use a sword. "Your father, was he a knight too in his days?" That would have been totally amazing would it if Luc had come from a long line of knights, Percival thought with the glee of a seven-year-old kid.

When Lucan posed the question back to him, Percival heaved a small sigh. "No, not really," he replied rather shyly. He hoped the other knight wouldn't judge him for that. "My father was a carpenter, and we live in this small village along the borders of Escetia. I have been helping him with odd jobs here and there." He was proud of his upbringing, and wished his family was still alive to see what he had become now.

"I have always wanted to be a knight, but I know the rules and traditions...Arthur took a gamble when he gave me and the others that honor," he told Lucan before taking a sip of his drink. He wondered what Sir Lucan thinks about Arthur bending the laws of knighthood for him and his brothers.

[lucan]

The conversation turned to Lucan’s father. The knight shifted awkwardly in his chair, his father had always been so intent on giving Lucan an opportunity that had long passed him that he wasn’t even bothered when Lucan chose Camelot over miserable marriage to Maria Howard. Corneous Aubert was a man of very few words anyway, and apart from the od letter that Lucan had sent (just to give him a heads up that he was still alive after Morgana’s ‘reign’) the pair hardly had time to play the father/son bonding role. Lucan was pretty sure that Griff hadn’t written to their father either since staying in Camelot.

“He had the chance” Lucan explained, “did the training and everything…then circumstances changed before he could even have the chance to be knighted, so he didn’t really have much of a choice in the matter.” That much, Corneous had told him, “I think that’s why he drummed it into me from a young age – then again, I don’t exactly know how much time I have left as a Knight myself, hopefully a few more years at the least.”

By the way his father sounded the last he’d heard about him, he wasn’t doing too well. Lucan had already had nearly nine long years in Camelot. To bow out after ten or more would be an achievement. “Then I’d have to bow out, as much as I don’t want to, I don’t have a choice in the matter either” he gave a small smirk, “after all – this life I’d have to take on has been with me since the day I was born.” Yes. The heir to everything. The next Duke. Lucan shuddered at the thought. Had Griff had turned out any more different then Lucan would’ve gladly handed him everything as would’ve stayed on as Knight of Camelot, but with things as they were – he wasn’t prepared to do as his brother had now stated he wasn’t interested in the slightest of doing just that. Once again, it would be Lucan left to man the helm – Elaine wouldn’t be too happy about that.

He saw the look change on Percival’s face as he asked about his family. “you do not have to worry about being judged Perce, no one has the right to – besides, it’s not about where you come from, it’s about what you’ve got in here” he pointed towards his chest where his heart was. Percival explained about his family and how they were carpenters. A good profession to go into. “So…you’re good with wood then” Lucan chuckled, “Are your family still living in Escetia?”

“and a bloody good one he took too” Lucan replied after Percival explained about Arthur’s gamble on knighting him and the others, “Despite what the code says, I think that everything is about to change from now on – so what if you bend a few rules here or there? If you’ve got it, don’t waste it” Lucan told him, “Arthur knighted you guys because you proved worthy of everything that the code and the Knights of Camelot stand for – we trust him and he trusts us. So what if you’re not of nobility, you are nobles of heart and that alone is enough for any of us” Lucan smiled hoping that Percival would see that he truly didn’t care that he was not a noble born.

[shonz]

"Where are you going?" Percival couldn't help the surprised and worried note in his voice when Lucan told him he might not have much time left as a knight. Was he sick? Was he leaving Camelot? Percival couldn't help but be worried at the thought of losing a brother in arms. He had barely even knew him and yet he was already talking about leaving. Somehow, that made him rather sad. But before he could get ahead of himself, he'd best know exactly what Lucan was talking about.

"You're very lucky to have a father who had such dreams and aspirations for you. Why do you have to bow out from knighthood exactly?" he asked more clearly and calmly this time. From what his fellow knight was saying, Percival could surmise that Lucan had more pressing responsibilities at home, away from Camelot. Was he heir or something? Percival could feel himself getting awed at the thought of a fellow knight inheriting a a vast piece of land or a title that has been passed down from generation to generation. Aside from his knighthood, Percival had practically nothing to his name. There was a time in his childhood that he envied children of nobility for having been born into money and not worry about not having any food on their table everyday. Growing up, he had learned to accept his situation and work hard to help alleviate his family. "For you, what is it like growing up? Do you have a lot of servants like Arthur? How is your family?" he asked, hoping Luc wouldn't mind him asking. Percival was genuinely curious.

When Lucan immediately assured him that he need not worry about being judged, Percival gave him a grateful smile. That meant a lot to him to hear it from Sir Lucan, a noble knight, not just in name but in his actions as well. Nodding at his question concerning wood, Percival added, "All kinds of wood and all kinds of stone. I'm quite the handyman," he told Luc with a hint of pride. Then he heaved another sigh. "My family is gone. Almost one year now, when Cenred and his mercenary army attack the villages on their way to takeover Camelot. They burned down my village and killed everybody. I was away on an errand in another town. I should have been there, I should have at least help defend my family..." Percival took a long swig from his ale, and then flag the barmaid for another one. The memory of the death of his family still causes him so much pain.

Percival reached a hand out to pat Lucan's shoulder. "You are kind, Luc. The knighthood meant a lot to me. I practically have nothing to hold on to, and Arthur somehow gave me a new reason to continue living, to keep fighting for a better future with him, and with you, my brothers now." It was refreshing to hear such words clearly and confidently expressed by a fellow knight, and one of nobility at that. Arthur had indeed chosen his men well. With knights like Lucan, Camelot is surely shaping up for a brighter future ahead.

[lucan]

Lucan smiled weakly. Percival sounded so concerned for him that it was quite strange to have someone act like that. Lucan himself had been concerned at the whole prospect at first, but had come to terms with it over the years that he had been in Camelot. “Home” he simply replied.

Percival seemed to ask the question again more clearly this time. Lucan shook his head, “My father’s dreams are far different from mine, believe me” Lucan explained, “and I have to because I’m to inherit my father’s estate as well as the oh so wonderful rank of ‘Duke’.” He sighed, “not exactly the most thrilling thought but as I’m the eldest of two I don’t really have much say in the matter”. Well he did, but his father chose to ignore that.
His friend’s curiosity was beginning to show. Lucan chuckled at this. “Growing up for me was quite a blur to be honest. My mother died when I was four and my father re married, then along came my brother Griff and that was it really. I spent most of my time alone from the age of five and onwards, in fact, I guess I’ve always been a bit of a loner. Most of my days were spent hacking away at a tree with a wooden sword or being shown the ropes of how to handle what I would inherit when I grew up. “He paused, “It may sound like me and my family are close, but we’re not. I’ve not seen my father for about nine years and I’ve only just got back in contact with my brother.” He carried on explaining, “As for the servants, there were a few – not as many as Arthur of course” he grinned and took another sip of his drink.

"What kind of things can you make then?" he asked, interested in the fact that this Knight had a hidden talent.
He listened to Percival’s story and felt quite saddened at the fact that he had family left whereas this Knight had no one. He cursed under his breath when Percival mentioned that the village had been burned down by Cenred and his men on the way to Camelot. That bloody battle had cost them a lot. Only now could Lucan see the extent of just how far the tyrant King had gone. “Ah yes, King Cenred…” he nodded, “a battle I’d rather forget to be honest”. He looked to the other Knight, “I’m sorry about your family – I know saying this won’t bring them back but I’m sure they’d be proud of you for standing up for what you believed in, but with the numbers of Cenred’s army, had you have been there – the outcome would’ve been just the same” Lucan said this quite bitterly. Cenred had caused enough trouble and even now the knight still managed to be angry about it.

“Arthur knows potential when he sees it” Lucan told him, feeling warm at Percival’s words, “We stick together here in Camelot, and if it means we have to go down, then we’ll go down fighting all the way” Lucan then smirked, “anyway, we need a tall one to help take everyone else out.”

[shonz]

“Home.”

To Percival, that spoke volumes. Lucan actually need not explain anymore because Percival already knew what it meant to leave the life you currently have for home. For someone like him who had lost the place he had called home for most of his life, Percival had now adhered to the old adage, ‘home is where the heart is.’ Right now, for him, home was Camelot, and he hoped it will continue to be for a long time. It wasn’t the case, however, for Lucan.

Percival didn’t hide the look of awe in his face when his brother in arms told him that he was to inherit his father’s estate and assume the rank of a Duke. While Lucan may not exactly sound thrilled about, somehow Percival was happy for him. He hoped his fellow knight would get eventually warm up to it. It far better than having nothing to his name, nothing at all. Like him.

“I’m sorry about your mother,” Percival sincerely sympathized with Lucan. In all of his story, that part at least he could certainly understand. He knew only too well what it felt like to lose someone. Percival may not have huge estates or a title to his name, but he was glad to have grown up in a close knit family, with both a father and mother to raise him and his brother in the proper ways of the world. “I understand how that must have felt. I was blessed to have two younger siblings who I adore so much…but yeah…” his voice trailed, feeling the sadness now of being all alone in this world again, with no family to call his own.

"What kind of things can you make then?"

Percival gave Lucan his trademark wide grin as he tried enumerated his ‘talents’ as much as he could. “I can make the usual furniture, cabinets, tables, chairs, cupboards. I also helped my father build houses and taverns and the like,” he spoke proudly. It had been a while since he’d stopped and built something though. More than a year now actually since his father died in the raid. Percival had since focused on improving his fighting skills, his skills with the sword and other weapons now that he’s a Knight of Camelot. "What about you? What do you do when you're not training?" he asked curious again about his friend's past time.

Lucan’s words warmed him up, and it meant a lot to him coming from Lucan. “Thank you. I guess this is destiny’s way of revealing whatever plans it has for me. Cruel as it may be to have my family killed for me to find the way to knighthood, I guess I have to accept it. I will continue to make them proud…as you will do to your family when you go home and become Duke,” he replied with a smile. He will surely miss Lucan when that time comes, but Percival knew it was all for the better.

He took another swig from his drink, and smiled at the man on the opposite side of the table. He let out a chuckle at his friend’s lighthearted comment. “We all certainly will go out fighting till the end. And I will gladly be your strong man anytime you need me,” he said raising his glass to Lucan into a toast. “To Camelot and to King Arthur!”

[lucan]

“I’m sorry about your mother,”

Lucan shrugged at this, “It’s alright – I barely remember her if I’m honest. I was only small at the time”. There were only snippets of Amice that Lucan could remember. His earliest memory, and the only one, was when she watching him with his little wooden sword that his father had given him. She’d disapproved that at such a young age, Lucan should be taught how to drive it through a dummy. Of course his father had disagreed. That was it. The only recollection. It didn’t make Lucan sad – why should it? To him his mother now was just a memory.

Lucan looked at Percival and smiled as the Knight listed the amount of things he could make. “Well – if there ever is a battle, you could always whip up a table and whack it around some bloke’s head” he grinned at the thought. “I must say though, that’s pretty impressive – to have a skill like that is always handy, in a way I’m quite jealous that I was never taught anything like that”. This was true. The only skills he knew was his Knightly ones and the duties of a Duke. Compared to Percival, he basically knew nothing. That was what it felt like anyway. Percival had built houses, whereas Lucan was slowly building bridges with his family. And pretty rickety ones at that.

What did he do when he wasn’t in training? Lucan pondered on this a little. “Usually go for a walk, somewhere quiet where I can just think – sometimes I like to just get a bit of training in here and there…” he trailed off, “and sometimes I like to go and see Camila”. Ah Camila. Just the thought of her made him want to melt into a puddle. Lucan knew he was blushing slightly and quickly looked down at the table with a small smile on his face. He quickly cleared his throat in a bid to change the subject, “ahem…anyway – what about you?”.

“Thank you. I guess this is destiny’s way of revealing whatever plans it has for me. Cruel as it may be to have my family killed for me to find the way to knighthood; I guess I have to accept it. I will continue to make them proud…as you will do to your family when you go home and become Duke,”

Lucan shook his head at this, “things happen for a reason – and I suppose this is your reward for what you have been through, as for me? I won’t make them proud – my family are not exactly the type of people to tell me how proud they are – my father has never said it anyway” he admitted, “I’m hoping my father decides to stick it out for a few more years before he even thinks about letting me take over”. And Lucan wasn’t saying that just because he didn’t want his father to die. “I can’t see myself in that role – I can’t even see myself as a husband let alone anything else!” he snorted, knowing that his first duty when he took the role would be to marry. “Fancy swapping places?” he looked up at Percival and smirked.

Lucan raised his cup “To King Arthur!” he toasted, hearing the clink of the cups before he took a sip. He sat back and looked at Percival. “A little bird told me that you’ve caught the eye of some of the ladies at court” he grinned.

[shonz]

Percival only smiled at his fellow knight’s response towards his mother. In a way, that was fortunate of him to have little memory of her. He was spared the overwhelming feel of the gaping hole in his heart that Percival continues to feel at his mother’s death. It had barely even been a year. The wound was still fairly fresh.

“…in a way I’m quite jealous that I was never taught anything like that.”

“Am I hearing you, right? You envy me because I know how to make tables? You must be getting really drunk, my friend,” Percival laughed as he took another swig from his drink. He surmised Lucan to be teasing or merely pulling his tail for the sake of conversation. How could the soon-to-be Duke envy a carpenter’s son for his ability to make tables and chairs. Lucan was certainly drunk. Percival wondered how many tankards of ale had Lucan consumed before he had joined him.

A huge smile appeared on Percival’s face when Luke mentioned a certain Camila. Percival was not that familiar with the nobles of Camelot yet to know exactly who he was referring to, but it wasn’t hard to deduce that the lady was someone dear to Lucan judging from the blush and the dreamy look on his face. Percival knew all too well what that meant. He completely ignored Lucan’s question towards him, and decided to want to know more about his friend’s lady love. “Who is Camila?” he asked as casually as he could.

“Fancy swapping places?”

Percival had always thought the succession among nobles to be easy and seamless. He had not expected that it could get rather complicated from the way Luca described it. “Does Camila come with it?” Percival teased, hoping to lighten up the moment. Alcohol was doing it’s job in loosening up his tongue. ”Seriously though, as much as I would love to relieve you of any burden, your shoes don’t exactly look comfortable right now,” Percival added with a matching smirk of his own. He wouldn’t know how what to do anyway. “Well, let’s just hope things turn out the way you wish them to. You’re a good man, Lucan. It’ll all work out for the best in the end.”

“A little bird told me that you’ve caught the eye of some of the ladies at court.”

The toast had been a good one. Percival had wanted to follow that up with another one for both of them, but Lucan beat him to it with a remark so out-of-there, it caught him by surprise that he unceremoniously coughed out the ale that he had just downed after toasting. He chuckled at Lucan’s comment. “I wish,” he replied timidly, and hid the blush that was crawling up his cheeks by taking another drink. This time, it was a long one that almost emptied his tankard. Honestly, how does one reply to something like that? Percival was not used to it.

[lucan]

“Am I hearing you, right? You envy me because I know how to make tables? You must be getting really drunk, my friend,”

Lucan shook his head at this. “I’m being honest, I’m not mocking you or anything – it’s just, when you grow up only knowing how to do two certain things you tend to not notice anything else that you be of interest. To know how to do a variety of things like that makes me look pathetic” he admitted, “and should Arthur ever choose to host a ‘let’s make a table’ stand-off then I think you’d win hands down”

Camila. Ah yes he thought that Percival might ask due to his blushing. Lucan mentally kicked himself but answered all the same. “She’s…well…” he stammered slightly, wondering how to put it, “She’s my Camila” he shrugged. That was it. She was his – and he was hers. “She’s the daughter of one of the courtiers – Sir Aaron and Lady Eloise”. He looked down at the table top again, a little embarrassed by the whole thing. “…and i…well – I love her” he admitted, turning a light shade of pink.

He laughed as Percival joked about the swapping. Shaking his head lightly he looked back to his friend – “I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to leave her out of the bargain...” he smirked. “and I’ll have you know that these shoes are VERY comfortable” he laughed. It felt nice to actually find someone who he could have a good old laugh with – not that he couldn’t do that with the others, but sometimes when you were around the same group of people for a long time, you knew them inside out.

Lucan gave Percival a goofy look as the knight chocked on his drink at the mention of female attention. “No wishing Perce – you’re living it” he remarked, “and I think you’ll find you have a fair few, so I’d start picking those hymns” shooting a grin at Percival, he then gestured to the barmaid for some more drinks.
“Anyway, Sir Yvain needs someone to contend with – I swear if his head gets any bigger then he won’t be able to fit through the door.” His friend certainly liked the female attention of the court, but with the new Knights now making their mark, their attentions were turning elsewhere, and the new additions were certainly turning heads.

[shonz]

No, Percival didn’t really see it as a slight in his direction. He knew Lucan had no intention of mocking him, and he only shrugged off his friend’s explanation with a chuckle. Lucan was short-changing himself. He may not know how to make tables, but he was well educated in the matters of court and all those stuff nobles do. Something that Percival clearly lacked. “But if Arthur choose to hold a ‘let’s act properly like nobles would’ stand-off I’d be quite the laughing stock,” he replied, not really wanting Lucan to feel any less of himself. He was a good man, no need to think like that. “As son of a duke, you know a lot of things that I don’t. All is fair in the world, Lucan.”

A knowing smile appeared on his lips as Lucan tried by failed to explain in the simplest of things who Camila was. ”She’s my Camile...and I...well—I love her.” That right there says it all. Percival need no longer pry more to know exactly who the lady was. It was fortunate of Lucan to find someone who he cares for and who cares for him in return. Percival just didn’t understand why Lucan would be embarrassed about it. “Don’t blush now. Nothing wrong with admitting you are in love,” Percival said as he reached out and patted the other man’s shoulder. At least, Lucan had someone to call his own. Percival practically had no one. "I bet she is beautiful as she is wonderful."

Percival made a show of looking under the table to Lucan’s boots. With brows furrowed and nose scrunched, he playfully examined them as if trying to guess it’s size. “No, they’re not. They’re a couple of sizes smaller than mine,” Percival joked. “Although, they are shiny! Who shines your boots?” Percival added with a chuckle. He couldn’t help but wonder though how easy a noble’s life must be. He was just starting to experience it now being a Knight of Camelot, but it would probably have been interesting growing up to it.

Shaking his head, Percival though Lucan must have had it all wrong. He just didn’t see himself attracting that kind of attention from the noble ladies, peasant stock that he was. He knew they made quite a stir when Arthur officially introduced them as his knights, but it wouldn’t certainly reach to that point Lucan was referring to, would it? He only laughed at the mention of Sir Yvain. “You must be talking about Sir Gwaine. That man knows how to charm his way into the hearts of the ladies. I only know how to charm my way into the heart of any wood or metal for building,” he replied with a shy smile.

[lucan]

“But if Arthur choose to hold a ‘let’s act properly like nobles would’ stand-off I’d be quite the laughing stock,” Lucan smirked at this, "You're better than you think - besides, it's not all about putting on an act - it's about who we are". He looked at Percival over the rim of his cup knowingly. “As son of a duke, you know a lot of things that I don’t. All is fair in the world, Lucan.” Lucan almost choked on his drink, "have you been taking all this wiseness from Merlin?" he asked.

Lucan could've almost passed out now they were on the mention of Camila. Percival could obviously see the effect she had on him as now he was telling him not to blush! This only made Lucan turn even more of a darker shade of red than before. "I...I'm not..." by admitting he wasn't in love would just be stupid. Everyone could see how besotted he was by her. "Ok I am" he sighed, "Truth is that I fell for her the first time I laid eyes on her." and that was something that he had never admitted before. Not even to Cam. Beautiful? well that was an understatement in Lucan's view. "She's amazing" he told his friend, "and she's what keeps me going - I really have no idea how I survived before she came along." Only by Yvain helping to fend off any female that came within a 10 mile radius of him, and then there was the passing out. Camila made Lucan feel brand new - and he liked it.

"Hmmmmm" Lucan now looked under the table at their boots, "Well you do have excetionally large feet" he mused, laughing as Percvial asked who shone his boots. "The boot fairy". Lucan gestured for the barmaid to bring a couple of more drinks their way. He was enjoying this. "Anyway enough about boots, what I want to know is how you're getting on, adjusting to this new life." he asked and pushed Percival's drink his way as the barmaid placed them down.

He shook his head at Percival's modest reply, even if it was a very good one. "Gwaine could charm his way into a nunnery" he snorted, "I'm not even going to count the amount of women who were rallying around him the other evening." He looked to Percival, "thankfully, and for your own sanity if i may add, I can kind of see that you're a watcher, and I don't mean that in an offensive way" he added. Percival did seem quite a shy character in some perspective, and Lucan had not really seen that side of him. "Anyway i'll shut up now." he smirked, not wanting to make his new friend uncomfortable anymore.

[shonz]

Lucan was much too kind that Percival couldn't help but feel touched by his words. Receiving sincere and genuine praises from his fellow knights who are also of the noble stock is something that Percival wasn't used to, having lived a life away in a remote village. But he knew Lucan meant it, and that made it such a big deal for Percival.

"Have you been taking all this wiseness from Merlin?" Percival couldn't help the laughter from bubbling up from within him. Indeed, Merlin can be quite the philosopher sometimes. He must have gotten it from spending time with Gaius. "I might have," he replied. His late father and mother had taught him all these things. Despite their lack of wealth, they had brought Percival up in a kind, caring and content household. While he dreamed of wanting to become knight or living in a castle, he never did desire them that much to do anything, good or bad, to gain them. He had dreams, but he was also content and happy with the life he lived. Of course, that is until Cenred and Morgana took them all away from him. "Most of them I learned growing up."

The look on Lucan's face when he finally admitted to his feelings for Camila was priceless. Percival knew that look all too well. While he hadn't exactly experienced it himself, he had seen that look on his friends back in the village, and of course, in Arthur who was very much smitten about Gwen. Percival smiled when Lucan admitted that it had practically been love at first sight. How sweet was that to find love or for love to find you that way? "How long have you been together? Do I hear wedding bells ringing?" Percival couldn't help but be curious and at the same time, feel happy for Lucan. He really does care for the Lady Camila.

"...what I want to know is how you're getting on, adjusting to this new life."

Percival had not initially thought to spend a long time in the tavern, but Lucan's company was certainly making him not care about the time anymore. He was definitely enjoying this. He took the drink that Lucan pushed his way and made a gesture of a toast towards him. "I'm still not used to it, to be honest. There's so much of everything--food, clothing, fine accommodations! It certainly takes some getting used to," he replied quite candidly. Percival was used to his old life, a poor but simple life. This was certainly more than he could ever ask for after having lost everything. "Have you always lived like this, Lucan? I mean was there ever a time in your life when you have to fend for yourself and make do with what little you have?"

He couldn't help the snort that came out of him when Lucan all but validated his words about Sir Gwaine. The man really is quite the casanova. He knew Gwaine enjoyed all the attention he is getting from women now. Still Percival nodded his head when Lucan told him he was more a watcher. "I don't really see myself competing with Gwaine in that area. Jousting, yes. Arm wrestling, yes. A bit of swordfighting, maybe. But women, no. Don't get me wrong, I admire and adore women like every other guy out there. It's just all these beautiful noble ladies can be intimidatng," Percival admitted to Lucan. Literally gushing now, he blamed the ale for loosening him up...a little too much for his liking though. Still, he wanted to ask Lucan this. "You, guys, have a way with words when it comes to the ladies. I'm afraid I will just make a fool of myself when I try to start a conversation with them. How do you do it?"