Man to Man (Arthur)

[lucan]

Ok. He didn't know how this was all going to turn out, but he knew that he would have to tell the Prince at some point, and now seemed like the right time - even if Lucan didn't know whether it was or not. He'd spent around 10 minutes staring at Arthur's chamber door, wondering whether he should knock or not. There were also moments where he'd gone to walk away, but had then changed his mind. Breathing would be a good start right now.

It had been hard enough actually breaking the news to Griff that he was getting married. His brother had taken it surprisingly well despite his own situation with Caitrin. Lucan had felt bad about that, then again he hadn't a clue as to whether Griff was returning to Camelot when he had proposed to Camila. His father had been over the moon, as expected, then again Lucan was expecting nothing more from the man. Even if he hadn't seen him years, he still knew that he should inform him, and since then his father had become quite a regular pen pal. In all truth, Lucan knew it was because there were matters of the estate to sort, as well as him suddenly becoming interested in his sons life because the word 'marriage' had suddenly come up. He knew it wouldn't last for long though.

Lucan knocked slowly on Arthur's door. Perhaps he wasn't even in there. Part of him didn't know what to say. He didn't even know why he was so cautious about telling Arthur. As well as being the Prince, he was his friend. He waited for a reply as to whether or not he could enter, the thoughts still buzzing in his head.

Tagged: Arthur Pendragon
Timeline: S3 - S4 Gap
Setting: Arthur's Chambers
Notes: Thread name sucks - couldn't think of anything else though!! lol

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur was sitting at his desk with a massive stack of paperwork that demanded his attention. Each page required his utmost focus . . . but that concentration was not easy to maintain. He would read a few lines and then his mind would occupy itself with other thoughts while his eyes moved over the words, yet not absorbing them. His mind would shift to his father. Who was growing worse and worse as each day passed. Gaius had told him that his heart was broken. That he had entered such a deep depression that it was going to take time for him to heal -- if ever. Such things worried Arthur beyond belief. Seeing his father the way he was truly caused Arthur's heart to ache. The king was a strong man with such a great presence . . . and now, he was broken; his heart wounded beyond repair. Apart from this, Morgana's betrayal was another cause for heartache. While Arthur kept strong on the surface, inside, he was devastated. To learn that she was his sister, only to have her betray them all. And for what? He desire for the throne? A throne that she had never seemed to care about before? What had he done to make her hate him, and everyone else so much?

After all the things they had said to each other, the fact that they had grown up together . . . the fact that he had considered her a sister of his heart long before she was a sister of blood . . . and yet all these things may as well not have existed. For she did not seem to acknowledge them. But only fixate on how Uther had lied to them both, deny her as his daughter -- though he loved her as one in the way he raised her -- and then suddenly have such a greed for the throne. It sickened Arthur, and broke his heart all the same. His mind would then travel to another woman, the most important woman in his life: Guinevère. With his father's weak condition, and the public kiss in the courtyard, it was clear that he and Guinevère were not as adamant about hiding their relationship. Though it was not something they were going to announce to the world. It was still a delicate matter, but there was less fear in them being together. She spent her time taking care of his father -- which meant more to him than he could ever say -- for he knew it took an incredible person, with a strong heart, to do what she was doing. He loved her all the more for it. Not trusting anyone more than her.Thoughts of marriage would also enter his mind, knowing that they still had to wait . . . yet the day seemed less like a far and undetermined distant one, and more of a likely possibility in the near future. Perhaps not too near.

It depended on his father, and of course, Arthur had no desire to see his father dead. Even though he was broken, he was still alive. And that counted for something. But the thought of her being potentially pregnant was not too far from his thoughts either . . . for fear of losing each other had caused rather intimate actions between them, and he was still waiting to see if she came to him with news of carrying his child. Even in addition to all this, Arthur's mind would wander to his new knights. The most honorable men he ever knew. Leon, who Arthur considered one of his closest friends . . . and then of course his new brothers: Gwaine, Percival, Lancelot and Elyan -- who was not only a brother of his heart, but one who would legally be his brother as well . . . one day. He had broken a grand tradition in Camelot by knighting these men, but in no way regretted it. He cared not for the tensions that existed between them and others, for these men had saved Camelot and risked a great deal. It would be only one of the traditions Arthur would break, for he planned to marry Guinevère, thus breaking another massive tradition. But this was his family now. As well as his uncle Agravaine who had recently come to help Arthur. Which meant a great deal to Arthur, for he valued his council, advice and guidance. Then thoughts of his people weighted his heart with the burden of guilt.

So many had died, and he felt the painful loss of each and every one of them. He knew he failed them as a sovereign for not doing more to save them . . . yet all he could do now was grieve for those who had lost their husbands or wives, mothers or fathers, brothers or sisters, sons or daughters . . . so many lives were lost. And Arthur knew it was his fault. All these things, would be what forced him to take three times as long to read a document. He was still a prince but his father was unfit to rule, taking the responsibilities onto himself. He had to get through this stack of paper work though! He had no choice! Hearing a knock on his door caused him to lift his gaze to it. He hoped -- prayed -- that it was Guinevère. To give him a break from all this work. "Come," he said in a loud enough voice for whoever was on the other end to hear. When he saw who entered, he felt the disappointed of any man who wished to see their loved one, but also concern for if Lucan was here . . . it could mean that there was a problem. Yet he did not seem to be in any sort of haste which suggested it was not an emergency. Such as an attack on the city. That was all the kingdom needed right now! "Sir Lucan," he greeted, setting down the paper he had in his hand.

[lucan]

Lucan entered Arthur's chambers after much hesitation. Seeing just how waylaid with things that the Prince was, he immediatly regretted wasting his time with something such as this. Arthur looked tired, which was not exactly a normal expression that he saw on his friend's face. Then again he was practically running the Kingdom whilst the King was ill. Then there had been the whole Morgana showdown and so it came as no surprise that Arthur just appeared as though he wanted to get on with things.

Of course now he'd given him the impression that something was wrong. Lucan hadn't intended to worry him - then again should anything awful have happened then Lucan would've rushed in and notified him immediatly, instead of hovering outside the door for five minutes like the pansy of a man that he was!

"Im sorry to distrub you sire...I can come back later if you are too busy?" his eyes met the amount of papers that were stacked on the table. "Or perhaps next week?" he raised his brows with a small smirk. Anything to lighten the mood and make him feel a bit better.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"Im sorry to disturb you sire...I can come back later if you are too busy?" Arthur looked at him as he apologized for the intrusion. If it was enough to bring him all the way to his chambers, then surely it was no trivial matter. It was just not something of dire urgency; an emergency that called for immediate attention. For this, Arthur was glad. Though that did not mean he still wasn't on the edge every moment of every day, just waiting for Morgana to strike at Camelot once again. "Or perhaps next week?" Arthur gave a slight smirk as he turned his gaze to the stack of papers piled high on his desk. "You could come back next year Lucan, and my time would still not be my own." Because he seldom had a free moment during all the day. Especially now, having to take his father's role as acting king. His time would be even more pressed.

Spare moments throughout the day was not something he had the liberty of. And when he did find himself blessed with them, he often spent them in the company of Guinevère. Arthur slightly leaned back in his seat, as he motioned with his hand for Lucan to have a seat at the table himself. "Now, what is it that has brought you here?" He asked, looking at the knight curiously so that he would know he had the prince's undivided attention. Besides, it would be good to have a break from all this work. Engage in casual conversation -- something else that would be limited drastically with all the council meetings that he knew would be in his near future. But it was not in the young prince's nature to complain about such things. So instead, he focused solely on what had brought Lucan to his chambers at this hour.

[lucan]

He chuckled at Arthur's words. By the amount of papers, it certainly looked as though it would indeed take a year for Arthur to get through them. "There is a thing called a 'break' though sire, you should take one before you keel over from a papercut." he smirked. Arthur knew that he was joking but he seriously did need a break. Lucan had barely seen him lately and he looked a little pre-occupied.

Lucan took the seat that Arthur was now offering and made himself comfortable, even though at this time he felt so much more fidigty. He guessed that this was because he was nervous about what Arthur would say to all of this."Now, what is it that has brought you here?"

"Well..." he began and shifted slightly, "I...er...Well..." How the hell had he even proposed?! If he couldn't tell Arthur that he was getting married then the wedding would certainly be pathetic. "Im getting married." he shrugged, as though it was no big deal. "I thought it would be wise to tell you, after all you'd certainly raise questions if I turn up at court one day with my wife." He chuckled slightly, imagining the look on Arthur's face if he actually did that.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur watched Lucan as he sat down, growing more curious as to why he was stuttering his words. What made him so uneasy? Was this bad news? Something that he was having trouble saying? "I'm getting married." Oh. OH. Well, that was good news . . . wasn't it? Arthur had been expecting something dark and glum from Lucan's demeanor, yet it was good news. Yet he said it with, such casualness that Arthur wondered if this was something he actually wanted. Most men he knew that were getting married were more boisterous, and demanded a toast in their honor -- all in good fun. While Arthur appreciated that Lucan had come to him privately to offer this news, he was still slightly confused. Was it an arranged marriage? No. That wouldn't make sense for his parents were not here. He must have courted her himself. So it was a wife of his own choosing. Arthur gave a bit of a smile.

"Congratulations," he said in as casual a tone as Lucan had offered the information, though sincere in its sentiment. If Lucan did not wish to make it a big deal, then Arthur certainly was not going to go against his wishes and make it one. "I would have understood if you did not wish to tell me," Arthur added, knowing that some men were private in such things. But . . . then again, it would not have been kept secret. The gossip would have spread throughout court, just as it always did whenever nobles were to be wed. He would have heard about it some way or another. "Do you have a date set?" Arthur asked, feeling it was a better question then inquiring as to why Lucan was not more . . . enthusiastic about this joyous arrangement. But again, Arthur would respect his silent implied wishes and keep everything casual and nonchalant.