A Royal Visit [Arthur]

[Eleanor Brooke]

The courtyard below the window bustled with activity as Camelot’s citizens went on with their everyday lives. Knights strode back and forth across the cobbled square, some with their scarlet cloaks draped over their arms, while others were clad in chainmail. A group of well dressed noblewomen had gathered at the foot of the stone steps leading to the castle, chattering about something or other. A handful of peasants and servants scurried to and fro, trying to cram their workload into the daylight hours.

In short, Eleanor though she would never get tired of looking at the scene.

The nineteen year old grinned as she leaned against the stone window ledge, looking down at the hustle and bustle. She had never visited the castle before, having been raised at her family’s manor. It was thrilling to see so many new people and places. She had thought that the only places she would see would be her home and that of her husband, but it appeared that she was mistaken.

A clang behind her had the young noblewoman reluctantly stepping away from the opened window.

She half turned to see George, one of the castle’s servants, polishing a brass candelabra.

He had been so silent up until this point that she had forgotten that he was still in the room.

“Will you be needing anything, my lady?” he droned, rubbing the brass for the umpteenth time.

The brunette shook her head before latching the window closed.

“That will be all, George,” she said, glad that she had remembered the young man’s name. Her second day in Camelot- her first as lady-in-waiting- and she wished to keep track of as many names as possible. Already she felt her memory fading of the various names of the nobility that she had been introduced to earlier.

The servant bowed before leaving her alone in the royal bedchamber.

She reluctantly took up her vacated seat by the empty fireplace, where her embroidery remained forgotten. She had been waiting for the queen to return before starting up again, but by the time Guinevère had returned Ella doubted she would have made much progress.

It was thrilling to be a lady-in-waiting. Or at least, that was what Eleanor thought, despite being only one for a day. She was not a servant; her bloodline prevented that. But instead she was a companion to the queen, someone to sew with, talk to. She would help Gwen with small tasks such as perhaps dressing and fetching small objects, but that was the extent of manual labor that she would be faced with. It was a position of honor that she would not treat lightly. After all, the queen had yet to take on any other ladies. Guinevère was, to her delight, a very warm and friendly person. She had heard mixed reviews about King Arthur’s new queen, but had fount that Gwen had proven the dissenters wrong. Despite her low birth, she carried herself as well and if not better than some of the noblewomen that Eleanor had met.

Footsteps pausing at the entrance to the chamber caught Eleanor’s attention.

“Back again, George?” she asked, a smile coming to her lips.

The young man was far too serious!

“I didn’t touch any of the brass-”

She had turned in her chair to address George, but found that it wasn’t the young man at all.

Instead, a blonde haired man stood at the entrance of the room.

The king!

She hastily stood, the embroidery falling from her lap to the floor. She hesitated, not knowing if she should curtsey or pick up the cloth. After faltering she quickly sunk into a curtsey, not daring to straighten.

“Your Majesty.”

Her blood pounded in her ears as she waited for him to speak.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur had a morning as busy as any. It started with an early meeting with council, and then a training session with his men. The morning had now faded to the afternoon and Arthur found himself already needing a break from the busy events of the day. What better break than to spend time with his beloved wife. Whether it be having a private lunch with her, or going for a walk in the gardens or . . . just spending time in their chambers . . . doing . . . other things . . . either way, Arthur found himself missing her every moment he couldn't see her. After being without her for so long, it was even more difficult now to separate himself from her. However on his way to their chambers, he paused in the doorway, seeing no sight of her. Only of another woman. Her, lady in waiting. Though she did not seem to notice him right away as she called him by another name.

George. George?! Really?! Of all the people to be mistaken for. He just remained silent as he stood in the thresh hold, waiting for her to look at him and see that it was not in fact George. When she did, he had to suppress a smile at her surprise. "What gave me away?" He asked jokingly, teasing her thoughts that it was George . . . knowing he didn't look anything like the man. He then stepped further into the room rather than just stand in the door way. "I will try not to be insulted by your mistake," he said with a strong teasing tone in his voice. Ever since befriending Merlin, and falling in love with Guinevère . . . Arthur's attitudes toward servants had altered. But this woman was no servant per say. She was of nobility, deserving of respect. Not that servant's weren't.

She curtsied and kept her gaze to the ground as she greeted him. It was at that moment that Arthur realized he couldn't remember her name! Guinevère had told him -- granted, she told him a lot of things, all of which he couldn't quite remember. And he feared that this woman's name had gotten lost in all the other chatter that Guinevère provided him with. He thought it was such an adorable trait in her, how much she spoke. But it was times like these that he wished he'd taken notes. "I was looking for the Queen. Would you happen to know where she is?" Arthur asked, his tone not overly demanding, but rather casual instead. Not only was this woman a noble, but she was Guinevère's companion and friend. For that, Arthur was not going to treat her with anything less than courtesy and respect.

[Eleanor Brooke]

Carefully, Eleanor straightened. She kept her gaze on the floor, trying to come up with an answer to smooth over her mistake. How had she managed this? To insult the king on her second day in Camelot? She inhaled carefully, before speaking. “It was a mistake, Your Highness,” she began, chancing a look up at him. He was undoubtedly handsome; the reports were true. Now seeing him, she thought that both he and Guinevère were quite the pair. Not that she was going to tell him that. She was in enough of a pickle already!

The teasing in his voice calmed her enough for her to fully raise her eyes.

“I should have realized that it wasn’t George, Your Grace,” she commented, her hands moving to rest from their death grip on her skirts, from her curtsey.

“You don’t carry the aroma of brass wax that George does.”

Instantly, she felt her face grow warm.

What was she doing?

Hastily she answered his question, hoping that the attempt at a jest would be ignored.

“Her Majesty went to speak with her brother, Your Highness.”

She didn’t know when Guinevère would be back, but she hoped that Arthur would not tell her of her embarrassing mistake.

[Arthur Pendragon]

She seemed so genuinely apologetic, when Arthur knew there was no fault; no harm done. Though he supposed it had to do with his rank, and the clear nervousness she felt in his presence. It was understandable of course, as this was their first meeting. Though if she was to be Guinevère's lady in waiting, they would be seeing a lot more of each other. Now if he could only remember her name! He wondered how long he could get away with it, before he just blurted out the question. When she said that he didn't carry the aroma of brass wax that the dull servant did, Arthur slightly raised an eyebrow. Though her comment seemed to make her own cheeks redden. "I should certainly hope not," he answered. "I don't think anyone would want to smell like, brass wax." If that was what George did indeed smell like.

So he did! Now that Arthur thought about it . . . that was an excellent way to place the scent. Huh. Look at that. He learned something new within a few seconds of being in her presence. She then revealed that Guinevère was with Elyan, and Arthur debated on whether he should just the lady in waiting to her duties, or if he should stay and chat. It was important for him to be on good terms with Guinevère's friend, so perhaps he should stay after all. And encourage some conversation. "I see," he said firstly, glancing around the room. He didn't feel awkward -- well, maybe a little -- but even so, he made no immediate attempt to leave. "So if I am correct, this is your first time in court then?" He asked, just to make sure.

He didn't remember her from any previous years. Now that he trusted his memory anyway. Noblewomen tended to blur together, especially when he was in his youth and he tended to seek the attention of such noblewomen. He was rather thankful that this particular woman was not one that he had crossed such, flirtatious paths with in the past. She was undoubtedly beautiful and in that mentality he once had, nothing would have stopped him from wanting to charm her. Now, he could think of no other woman apart from his wife. "I hope you have had the pleasure of meeting company apart from those such as George," he added, both as a joke and with truth. George didn't make for the most exciting company. He was quite dull. And hopefully, the woman was not driven to near madness by George's mundane presence.

[Eleanor Brooke]

Ella felt her cheeks color as he mentioned no one wanting to smell of the wax. Of course no one did….why had she made that joke? She had expected him to leave now knowing where his wife was. Yet, instead, he continued to speak with her. She wondered if perhaps he was toying with her, or if he truly wished to speak with her. She wasn’t sure about the last one….he must have more important things to do than chat with a nineteen year old.

“It is my first time here, Your Highness,” she explained, feeling her shoulders relax a little as she thought of the spectacle that was the royal court. From the little she had seen of it she already knew that she adored it. There was so much to see, so many people to talk to. She couldn’t wait to get to know more of it. Already she wished to see a jousting tournament, or an archery contest. Her chest tightened at the second thought. She hadn’t taken up her bow in a week, and already she missed it.

“It’s fascinating, truly.”

Maybe he didn’t want her to expand on it?

Despite her worry, a grin split her lips.

“I’ve only made a few acquaintances. My brother introduced me to a few of his fellow knights, and….” Who else?

“Oh! I’ve also been introduced to your manservant. It is Merlin, right?”

She thought that was the young man’s name, but she didn’t want to appear as if she was correct in the chance that she had gotten it wrong.

[Arthur Pendragon]

When she confirmed that it was her first time, Arthur gave a slight nod. So chances were, he most certainly had not met her before. He probably knew of her brother then -- as he must be a knight. He knew he must know the family, just not her specifically. Which did make him feel a bit bad, only because it had been previously mentioned by his wife. "Remind me of who your brother is," he said, with a hint of apology in his voice for being unable to recall. Once he learned, he would make a point to not forget again. She then spoke of how she had been introduced to his man servant. "That would be him," Arthur confirmed when she checked his name. "I'm afraid he's not much better company than George," Arthur added with clear friendly mocking toward his servant. Arthur would of course never have a genuinely cruel or negative word to say against Merlin. He was his brother in heart and he valued him as more than a servant. He was practically family.

"I am glad to hear that you find court fascinating though," he continued, using her choice of words. "It requires adjustment, but I am certain the Queen will be able to ease this transition for you." Guinevère had lived most her life in court as Morgana's handmaiden. Though her transition from servant to queen was a bit more difficult for her. He knew that it was a lot to ask of her . . . as she now carried the burdens and pressures of being queen. If he could spare her of such stresses, then he would. But he also knew that she would be nothing less than a benefit to this kingdom; for she loved the people and as he had once told his 'uncle' . . . he did not want an idle queen. He wanted one that would aid Camelot and be a strong leader . . . and he could think of no one better suited for the role that the queen the kingdom was now blessed with.

[Eleanor Brooke]

Eleanor wasn't insulted in the slightest that he did not remember either of her brothers' names. After all, he must have hundreds of knights and nobles. She was having trouble with the names of the people she had met the previous day; she couldn't imagine how many he had to be familiar with. She smiled, thinking of the two young men. "Both of my brothers are knights, Your Grace,", she answered. "Sirs Thomas and Michael Brooke." She knew that both men held their titles close to their hearts. It was an honor to be given the title of 'Knight of Camelot'. "My brother Michael is currently in residence in the castle." Thomas was cooling his heels at his wife's family estate, inherited from her recently deceased father.

She smiled as he mentioned his manservant. "He seemed pleasant," she replied, thinking back to their brief meeting. She didn't know much about him, but what she saw was far better than George. Her grin widened as he spoke of the queen. She only knew the woman for a little while, but she saw the potential for a lasting friendship. Already she felt loyalty blooming in regards to the queen. She had never had a female figure in her life besides her mother and old nurse. She hardly felt any friendship to either of her brothers' wives. Thomas' rarely left her estate, and Michael's disapproved of everything that Eleanor did.

"She is very kind, Your Grace. I'm quite happy to be lady to her." She truly meant it.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"Both of my brothers are knights, Your Grace." Oh excellent! That would certainly make it easier to determine who they were. For Arthur was familiar with the knights. He trained with them almost every day and rode into battle of them when it was necessary. His brothers in arms. When she revealed the names of her brothers, instant recognition hit the king's mind. "I know them well," he told her, finally making the connection. Though . . . it did not help him remember her name. Only their family name of Brooke. But his mind was drawing a blank as to what her first name are. "Both are very skilled and honorable men." As were all the knights of Camelot, but he could easily say such compliments about specific ones.

"Forgive me but I can not seem to recall your own name My Lady." And there it was. It may embarrass him and he may kick himself when he revealed it -- aware that he had known it all along. But he would not be able to focus on the conversation at had if she did not fill desperation to remember her name. It was on the tip of his tongue! "He seemed pleasant." Well at least it sounded like she had a positive experience with Merlin, as oppose to him being his foolish self that he often was. That was certainly a perk. The subject of Guinevère was one spoken of with less ridicule. He smiled when he heard Eleanor's words of praise toward his wife. He was so proud of the now queen of Camelot. Filled with so much pride and honor to be able to call himself her husband.

Arthur wanted only the best for Guinevère, and hearing Eleanor speak with such kind words directed to her . . . was reassuring him that the noble was the perfect Lady in Waiting, for her words were filled with an undeniable sincerity. "You are adjusting to your duties well then?" He asked, wondering how her position as lady in waiting was going. For his wife's sake of course. He knew this was all new to Guinevère; the luxuries of being a royal, growing accustomed to people waiting on her . . . he wanted to know if there was anything he could do to help either of them. As Eleanor's position was one of great importance in relation to the queen. Plus, Arthur had grown up with this lifestyle. He was used to it, even took it for granted often.

[Eleanor Brooke]

Eleanor felt herself smiling as he spoke of her brothers. She had seen them progress from wooden training swords to real steel, and felt immensely proud of them. Becoming a knight of Camelot was no easy task. "I'm pleased to hear that you approve of them," she commented, knowing that both men would have loved to hear the praise. "My parents are quite proud of them." Not one son, but two had been knighted. And both had made rather good marriages, which had made them even more valuable to their parents. She knew that she was the next to be married, but didn't expect a betrothal for at least another year. She had just arrived at court, and din't expect her parents to move that quickly.

She couldn't help but giggle as he admitted to forgetting her name. Her smile softened, trying to show him that she had laughed out of amusement and not teasing. "I've only just arrived, Your Grace, and I would have been surprised if you had remembered it." He had more responbility than she could dream of, and she hadn't expected him to remember his wife's lady-in-waiting's name. "Lady Eleanor Brooke," she said, dipping into a curtsy as if this was their first meeting and not the embarrassing encounter of moments before. She straightened, eyes shining with amusement.

As he mentioned his wife her smile grew. "I am, my lord," she answered. "Her Grace has been most helpful." She wasn't exactly sure that she would call what she did as 'duties', as they mostly consisted of sitting with the queen and chatting. Or reading aloud or fetching an object. She wondered how long before another woman was introduced. She had heard that the previous queen had around twenty women at a time; her court had been something of a finishing school for young women.