Just for this moment

[isadora]

Isadora yawned as she blew out the candles in her study before leaving for the night, having spent most of the afternoon poring over records from ten years ago. She hadn't realized how late it was until she couldn't focus on the words any longer, and she decided that she wasn't going to be able to get any more work done even if she tried. Torches every few feet cast ghastly shadows throughout the corridors, and Isadora quickly made her way to her room at the other end of the hallway, glad when she closed the door behind herself with a satisfying click.

The candles in her room were still lit, so she didn't have to worry about shadows jumping out at her once she was inside. Even so, she made her way to the window and checked to make sure that it was locked, a habit she'd picked up recently...since it had become apparent that walls weren't enough deterrent to keep a determined thief out. It wasn't like she was expecting anyone she wanted in her room to use them any longer....

Once she was satisfied with the windows, she started pulling the pins out of her hair tiredly, letting it fall loose around her shoulders. She yawned again, resisting the urge to just fall into bed as she was; it would wrinkle her dress if she slept in it, she reminded herself tiredly, heading across the room to get her nightgown out of the wardrobe. She stopped when she heard the sound of metal scraping on metal, turning towards the door as the clasp opened again, not even wondering who was paying her a visit at this hour. There was only one person who would enter her room without bothering to knock.

Tag; Alistair

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[Alistair]

Alistair was a quick learner; and that was the only reason this charade was working. He and showed up in Gwent and done as she told him; joining the ranks of her men and then working on trying to move up the ranks quickly. It was not going as fast as he would have thought. One always heard about this knight or threat knight and how he moved up the ranks quickly; but Alistair seemed to have more ageist him then for him.

He wasn't social, and the knights keep telling they their bond was what kept them alive on a field of battle. He knew that was wrong; skill keep you alive and waiting on the man next to you to save you would be what killed you both. However he was a strong fighter; and he style of more tailored to ending it quick rather then showing off his skill with strong moves. This allowed him to establish his self; so even if he wasn't winning points for favorites they knew who he was. Another mark ageist him was the damn heavy and noisy armor they wore and wore all the damn time; it was the bloody armor that was going to get him killed.

The armor or the girl. Alistair moved down the halls until he got to her door and didn't even bother to check behind him to make sure no one was looking. He'd hear all about their visitor once he arrived back from rounds--which were another thing he hated--and he'd sought her out with out, with in the same moment. He'd only taken enough time to yank his armor off and leaving it on the floor of the room that was assigned to him--one that he never used unless he had to.

Opening the door without knocking he pushed it closed and pushed the locked overly forceful into it's place. He didn't bother hinting at what he was mad over; she wasn't an idiot and she would know.

[isadora]

Isadora sighed as he all but slammed the door closed, he was mad. Of course he was mad, this was exactly the kind of thing that tended to get him worked into a frenzy. She hadn't thought to summon him when she'd learned who the visiting knight was, or before she'd left the watchful eye of the other knights, because it wasn't necessary. She knew Gwaine, she knew he wasn't there to hurt her, so it hadn't even occurred to her until later that this would drive Alistair insane when he found out, and by that time, it had been too late to do anything about it.

She bit her lip, looking somewhat guilty as she looked at him. She knew that he hated when she did things like this...but she wasn't going to apologize. She'd done nothing wrong. He was just ridiculously overprotective. She wondered if she should pretend she didn't notice he was mad...just act like everything was fine? That would probably only make him angrier...after all, he was obviously here to confront her about it. So she decided not to beat around the bush. "Does it make any difference that I'm fine? That nothing bad happened? Just so I know."

Teasing him wasn't a good idea, she told herself, and yet the words came out anyways, because he was being ridiculous and she didn't want to deal with a temper tantrum. Why did they always wind up fighting? Never mind how much they enjoyed making up later, Isadora hated fighting with him. And yet it was an occupation that took up most of what little time they had together. It was so damn frustrating.

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[Alistair]

It did mean something. It meant that he was only angry; rather then bring a new level of a war to the gates of Camelot. If they thought he was annoying before; they had yet to see him truly displeased. Had this knight of Camelot done her harm or dishonor--(dishonor was something he'd only recently come to accept as something important; since he was now a 'knight of honor')--he'd had ridden after him and used that knight's body as the first signal to Camelot that he was coming for them.

He might have a allot of quarrels with the kingdom; but he had promised to put them aside in his mind and do what was best for his Princess, rather then his people. He would put his faith in her; and by serving her would be helping his people. That was the plan! The plan would have been damned had she gotten her self killed today!

Alistair didn't say a word to her; often in his more angrier moments resorting back to his silent wordlessness. He didn't fold his arms, nor give her knowing looks. Alistair's hands remained very sill and by his side; and he just watched her waiting for her to keep speaking. From his stillness it was easy to see that he was angry with today's events.

[isadora]

And now he was doing the silent thing. Isadora didn't think she'd prefer it if he yelled, but she was sure that it would be no more maddening than his damn silence. He just stood there, and if he were with anyone else, they might not even notice anything off about him. But she knew better. She knew that he was seething, and she knew that he was a lot angrier than she'd thought he would be. She was forever underestimating his responses, it seemed. She sighed, well, at least if he was quiet she could explain...not that she expected him to care about her explanations.

"He's an old friend...I've known him since I was little." She started to explain, not certain that this was the kind of explanation that would help him to see straight, but it was the truth. "I haven't seen him in years, he only came here to see my father. I couldn't just have him sent away." He would argue that yes, yes she could have; or better yet, that she should have sent for Alistair to protect her from the big bad knight. Because that wouldn't be suspicious at all.

Without some kind of reaction, Isadora wasn't sure what else she could say, so she waited, mimicking his silent routine until he said something in return, or at least did something. Just staring at her meaningfully didn't exactly give her a lot of insight into what she should do, and while she knew that it was because this was how he'd always responded to his emotions in the past, it didn't make it any less frustrating. "Say something." She finally demanded, unwilling to put up with this any longer.

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[Alistair]

An old friend who just happened to be a knight of Camelot. Alistair wasn't completely caught up with the rules of noble culture but he knew that princesses didn't make friends with random people from other kingdoms. Besides, she had been with the nuns for a long time; so she would have had to have meet him early in her childhood. He found him self wondering just how that worked out; when her mother was ill and they didn't travel.

"Say something." She was demanding, but he wasn't sure that he could say anything. He knew if he tired he could but he wasn't sure what words to use to express what he wanted her to know. After years of being alone, sometimes words still failed him; and he'd learned that in their time together that should he say something wrong then she'd be the mad one and he'd be the one trying to find more words to talk him way out of it.

He watched her; carefully before speaking. When he did; his words were slow and careful. "You should not meet alone with anyone. Camelot has many foes and you could become a pawn. You've been that many times in the past. It's a risk you should not take. I should be there. I can't protect you if I am not there!"

[isadora]

Isadora waited for him to find the words he wanted, and when he finally did, she noticed the measured, careful way he spoke, and tried to take that into account for her response. He was trying not to make her mad...and failing miserably. He honestly didn't want her to be alone...with anyone? Anyone but him, of course. Did he have any idea how ridiculous that sounded? Yes, she had been used before --she didn't point out that he had been one of the culprits of that particular crime-- but that didn't mean she had the luxury of hiding away unless he was there.

"I trust Gwaine." She answered, she didn't believe Gwaine would do anything to hurt her, and she didn't believe that knights from Camelot would come here to hurt her. That wouldn't be honorable; if Uther declared war on her, then knights might march into the castle to attack, but not before. Uther might be a tyrant, but he had very high ideals concerning the honor of his kingdom and of his men. "Besides, I was in the castle the whole time." Even if a knight hadn't been lurking behind them the whole time, stalking Gwaine's every move (as Alistair doubtless would have done) if he had tried anything, Isadora had confidence in her guard's abilities to react.

"I can't call you every time I need to meet with someone. It's not practical, and besides, it would draw attention to...us." Because their relationship was far from common knowledge just yet. He had started to court her publicly --although she was certain he hated every minute of it-- but she had made sure the details were not the subject of any gossip. They could have moved this along much more quickly...if Isadora weren't so terrified of telling her father. He knew who Alistair really was, and was the one person who could actually see through their facade and put an end to it, and possibly Alistair's life, too.

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[Alistair]

She didn't have to call him every time she meet with someone; and he hadn't meant to make it sound that way! He just wanted her NOT around knights who MIGHT want revenge on her--OR HIM though her! He wasn't exactly on the popular list with Camelot, and he wouldn't put it past them to kill one more innocent!

He did not trust them; not the king--especially the king--nor the prince. They could not even control their own damn kingdom right now; and they needed to stay the hell out of hers! He knew he wasn't being rational but she was no good to him dead! He needed her alive. He'd lost everyone else thanks to Camelot's 'knights' and he wasn't about to fail her like he had with others.

"I don't trust them right now." He admitted; thought he knew that he would have seen if anything would were happen to her. The more time that pasted between him and his stay in Maeve's realm the more his 'dreams' were coming back to him. Slowly, but strongly they were creeping up on him. Still; he was not about to put his faith in his dreams. " and besides, it would draw attention to...us." "It's a risk I am willing to take." He returned; not about to risk her safety when weighed against that.

[isadora]

Isadora raised an eyebrow at him when he pointed out that he didn't trust them...right now? Who was he trying kid? "Is there a time you do trust them?" She had to ask; was this ever going to end? Would there be a day when Alistair would be all right with Isadora being around a Knight from Camelot? Because if she managed to work out things between the two kingdoms, there would be times when she'd have to be alone with people neither of them could really trust, and he would just have to deal with it.

"Regardless, I trust Gwaine." She knew that he served Camelot now, and that he might not refuse a direct order to kill her, but she didn't believe that he would enter the castle under false pretenses to slay a defenseless woman in her own throne room. It wouldn't be honorable. "These aren't bandits in the woods, Alistair. There are codes of honor that no knight would break; aren't you supposed to know all this already?" She knew that he'd started learning the knight's code, although she wasn't certain how well that was going; the knight's code didn't exactly follow the way he'd lived his life for the last two decades.

"I'll call for you if I have to meet with someone who I don't trust." She agreed, it was the most he was going to get. "You should talk to Gwaine if you think he's such a bad guy. He's staying until tomorrow, so you'll have time." He was staying in the guest quarters tonight, so if Alistair really wanted to have a chat with him, he could pay him a visit in the morning.

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[Alistair]

No; there wasn't a time he fully trusted them, but more to the point he didn't trust anyone where she was concerned. So her code of honor point only got her so far! He was slowly leaning to believe in this code, as the others lives and died by it. It however was a weakness. If you lived and died by rules and expected others to play by them; when they didn't you were weak. He would honor them; but he wasn't going to be blinded by them.

"I took you from their castle when I was dressed as a knight. It's easier then you think, Princess, to find an idiot and steal his clothing. What if they'd been someone else. Pretending to be a friend when they are not."

When she told him he could talk to this Gwaine; he looked toward the door and thought about leaving that moment to find him but what was done was done. His point was not that one man did not hurt her but that the unknown could! She was his only family, there was no one else for him and he was not going to let that bastard king take her too.

[isadora]

Isadora rolled her eyes; he was right about his ability to kidnap her. "This is different. It's not like he walked up and told me he knew me; I recognized him. I don't walk around with strangers...anymore." Gwaine hadn't even tried to remind her that he'd known her until after she'd realized it for herself. She'd learned her lesson when she'd been kidnapped by a certain druid; but it wasn't like the guards would let anyone in to see her unless they checked them out first. He'd only made it into the castle because of the turmoil of the tournament; and she was sure that if Caerleon ever held a similar event, Alistair wouldn't let her out of his sight. So they wouldn't have to worry about that.

She saw the look in his eyes when she mentioned speaking to Gwaine; oh no, he was not going to wake the man up in the middle of the night to interrogate him. She really needed to work on Alistair's manners, but she had a feeling that if she tried to give him a lecture on etiquette right now he'd just go off and wake Gwaine just to spite her. So instead she closed the distance between them and put her arms around his neck. "So did you come here just to glare at me, or are you going to stay?" She asked, a smiled playing on the corners of her lips.

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[Alistair]

Alistair watched her roll her eyes but said nothing; she might be the heir to a kingdom and she might have the power to order men's lives around but on this he would not budge. She could ask anything of him; and he would give it to her but not when it came to risking her. He did not trust a man wearing the Camelot seal; and he wished she'd realize a bit more the risk in them. The king was a mad broken little man! If he somehow found out about Alistair being here; he could do anything. Camelot had learned long ago he had few true weaknesses. His people was a small one; but she was his main one. He had to protect her; and he would not fail. There was no plan B.

He something happened to her; and Camelot was responsible then he did not like to think of his actions; and he she'd not approve. He'd bring the kingdom to it's knees and he would not play by the ruled he'd played by before. He knew how to get in the castle; and he could find his way around. He'd burn it to the ground, and make sure as many nobles and knights were in there as he could. Especially the bastard of a king.

When her arms came around him; the violent thoughts stopped. She had a way of bring him peace; of making the hate seem a distant memory. It was why he could stop his fighting; and come here to be with her. The corner of his mouth twitched when she asked if he was going to stay; but he did not smile. Of course he was going to stay; where else did he have to go? This didn't mean he was done with this topic; just that he was willing to be distracted from it for now. His hands came to rest on her back; as he held her to him and spoke in a slightly lighter tone then his earlier anger ones. "I came for both." To glare at her and to stay.

[isadora]

Isadora's smile grew when she felt his arms go around her, so he wasn't that angry, then. She had to stand up on her toes to give him a soft kiss, he was so damn tall, and she laughed when he announced that he had come for both. Of course he had; he wasn't going to go to the trouble of sneaking up to her room just to be angry with her. "Does that mean you're done glaring, then?" She asked, she didn't think he'd let this go; he never let anything go, he was so stubborn, but she wasn't going to give up either, so they were at an impasse. It was easier to just not fight about it.

She wondered if she should tell him about her suspicions of late...it had been pestering her all day, but she hadn't wanted to tell him because she had a feeling it would make the whole thing worse; and make him even more protective of her. Yes, if he learned that she even thought she was pregnant, he wouldn't let her out of his sight, and while he didn't care about what that would mean to the people at court, she did. She didn't want to ruin her reign before it even began.

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[Alistair]

When she rose to her toes; Alistair tightened his hold so she was forced to stay on them while he supported most her weight. He liked that she was short and smaller then him; made him feel like he had to keep her safe more but he didn't mind so much. Especially when she kissed him. Maybe even more so when she was kissing him. He knew he wasn't the best thing in the world for her; but he knew she didn't care and that was enough.

"For the moment." He told her in a low deep tone; while knowing he wasn't angry anymore. He wasn't backing down; but he wasn't angry with her. He never stayed angry long with her; even when she had tricked him and run off to almost get her self killed. He knew that when she was queen she would have to do things he did not like; but that was why he was doing this knight thing. So he could be near her and protect her. He didn't care about her kingdom and he damn well didn't want to rule it; but he wasn't going to let her take risk just so she could prove to her people she was able to rule them. She was no good to them dead; and he was better off with her around as well.

[isadora]

Isadora dropped back down onto her heels when he admitted he was done glaring...but only for now. She pulled out of his hold, instead taking his hands as she stepped back, away from him, extending their hands between them. "Not good enough. I don't want you glaring at me later, so you have to get it all out of your system now." Her voice was light, playful, teasing. She dropped his hands and clasped her hands behind her back, still backing up slowly. "So come on, Sir big-tough-Druid. Give me your best shot." She was smiling, trying to get him to lighten up. She was the only one who could ever make him smile, after all.

She knew his argument about keeping her safe; she even understood it. But she didn't believe everything was quite as bad as he seemed to think it was; she wasn't quite at the point where she suspected every old lady of hiding a dagger in her skirts to stab her to death with. She still went down to the markets every now and then, but Alistair usually came with her now. She didn't mind that, she actually liked spending time with him, especially when they didn't have to hide in corners or behind closed doors. They couldn't hold hands or kiss in public, of course, but eventually they should be able to.

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[Alistair]

He knew what she was aiming for; he just wasn't sure if he could give it to her the way other men could. He wasn't going to give them a chance to give her the type of man she should have; so he knew that even if he felt out of place at times he had to at least try. Things like small talk; playing; and some of their more then annoying customs were things he had to embrace when he joined her here.

With these thoughts in mind he watched her take a few steps back and almost pretend to be waiting or to be bracing her self for his glare. Alistair folded his arms over his chest while watching her. She wanted it out of his system then he would be honest; "Camelot is not safe right now even for it's citizens. I will not have them bring it to your door--Again." He reached out with one of his larger hands and rested it on the back of her neck; pulling her closer while lowering his head. Resting his forehead ageist her's he looked into her eyes to she knew he was not glaring. "I. Will. Not. Risk. Loosing. You."

[isadora]

She nodded once to his comment about how dangerous it was in Camelot just now, she wasn't going to argue with that. Then he pulled her closer and she wrapped her arms around his neck again. "Which is why I haven't been to Camelot in over a year. But I'm safe here." She assured him, then leaned up to kiss him softly. "And if I ever feel like I'm in danger, I know you're here to protect me." She smiled, she knew that Alistair was never further away than a quick message, and while she didn't feel threatened by Gwaine, if she did, she would call him.

But now she knew she had to bring up something he wasn't going to like so much, and her smile faded as she took a deep breath. "And we're not going to Camelot anytime in the near future. Just Mercia." She forced a hopeful smile, trying to downplay the fact that they were leaving the safety of Gwent in order to go to Mercia where they would be discussing the peace treaties in lieu of the recent events in Camelot. "Although Prince Arthur will be there...with some of his knights." She was planning on holding off on telling Alistair that she thought she was pregnant until after they were home again, since she knew he'd get even more protective than usual if he knew about that. Not letting her out of his sight was cute for a while...until it became reminiscent of her days as a victim of kidnapping.

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[Alistair]

]

Alistair did not bother to tell her that he could not protect her if he did not know she was in danger; so next time she felt like holding court with the knights he did not know and trust then he wanted to be there guarding her. What if someone had pretended to be someone she knew in order to get closer to her? She had been targeted by many before since she was an easy mark. He hated the knowledge that she was but until Gwent had a heir to take over after her (because he sure as hell wasn't going to do it) then she was a single female leader. It made the kingdom look weak to other kingdoms who thought they could expand their lands. These politics were something he was still learning about; but he was coming to learn more and everything made him uneasy.

Like her next words. "Mercia?" He asked slowly; not liking that anymore then Camelot. While Camelot was dangerous because idiots where in charge, Mercia was dangerous because no one was fully in charge. They held a tight rein in their main cities but their roads were filled with people like him. And Vaughn. Her extended words made him back up from her; and walk over to the window; needed to skyline and the stars to think clearer. He was doing his best not to say anything until he knew how to say what. If he was better with words he could have thought of a way to tell her No Way In Hell with out offending her.

[isadora]

Well, she hadn't thought he'd be pleased to learn they were headed to Mercia, so at least she wasn't surprised by his reaction. But again with the quiet? She knew he was upset because he untangled her arms from around his neck and walked away, contemplating something. She didn't think he was angry, though...not as much as before, at least. This time she had at least had the decency to consult him before she put herself in danger, so that had to win her some points, right? She gave a sigh, her eyes following him as he went to the window.

She waited a moment before she followed him, leaning her back against the wall next to the window so she could see him a little better. She didn't want to get in his way, but she hated talking to his back. "No, you can't talk me out of it, it's too important. All our allies will be meeting to decide how to deal with the aftereffects of what happened in Camelot. I have to go." She knew he wouldn't be enthusiastic about it, but he had to accept it. Otherwise he would have to stay behind, and she didn't want that; for all that his overprotective impulses irritated her, sometimes she was glad for them.

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[Alistair]

How to deal with the aftermath of the chaos that just exploded in Camelot? Alistair wanted to tell her to let the kingdom burn; since the bastard of a king's sins were finally coming to kick him in his own ass. "Camelot has some major enemies right now." He knew she was aware of that but felt it was something he should point out again for the shake of the up coming debate. He didn't want her near Camelot and it's magical counter parts.

He turned so he could face her but did not leave the window. "Mercia is a dangerous place even when every king for five kingdoms isn't bring his plate to them. This meeting could end just like the other ones. A sword fight and a kidnapping." And they'd be lucky if he wasn't the one in both. The knew his face in Camelot; and knew who he was by blood. This could be what destroyed everything she was trying to do.