An Honorable Bride

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur was nervous, to say the least. Today he was meeting his future bride and . . . he had no idea what she was like, both in terms of physical appearance and in terms of personality. He just knew that this would be the best way to solidify peace between Nemeth and Camelot and since his reign as king began, he had been trying to establish peace with as many kingdoms as possible. Marriage, was a union that could not be broken. Years ago, he had never thought that he would marry for politics. Now, he knew it was the best thing to do. That he had been selfish before, and needed to think of the good of the kingdom. There was no hope for him to fall in love with anyone else . . . and him remaining a bachelor for the rest of his life would harm the future of Camelot. It would not produce heirs, nor the stability the future would have with allies.

So he would marry another woman. Because he was a king and it was what needed to be done. He had lined up the men and nobles on the stairs of the courtyard to meet their most honored guest. Arthur found himself holding his breath, appearing to be entirely composed when in actuality, he was nervous from his head to toe. So many things could go wrong. They may not get along; they could be a horribly suited match. And then what? How did he tell her father the king that he could not marry his daughter after all and send her back? No. This had to work. Because . . . there was no other choice. Standing next to his uncle, the men rode in, positioning themselves conveniently in front of the princess. Even when they stopped, Arthur could not see her. He obviously couldn't tell them to shove aside and let him see his bride to be. Though the anxiousness he felt in seeing them was overwhelming.

How he managed to stay perfectly still and formal, was a shock even to himself. When they brought themselves to a halt, Arthur spoke to formally welcome them. "Knights of Nemeth; Camelot welcomes you, and extends the hand of friendship." Finally, the men separated and revealed the princess. Though a veil still concealed her face. As a knight walked alongside her horse to bring him closer to her, Arthur began to walk forward to greet her. He stayed a respectable distance away, and took a deep breath, hoping that the nervousness was not apparent. This was it. The moment that he had been waiting for ever since it was decided how the two kingdoms would reach peaceful terms. This woman would be his bride, his wife, the future queen of Camelot. Now . . . he just had to see what she looked like.

_{Setting: Camelot city
Time of Day: Morning
Timeline: During The Hunter's Heart
Tag: Princess Mithian of Nemeth}

[Mithian]

Twenty three years of being by her father's side and she was still being used as a pawn. She knew this would have happened one day, that she would be a bride that was given to a prince or king to bind the kingdoms tighter together--but she had thought it would be announced, that she would meet him and her father would ask her for her consent. That her father would escort her there, and walk her down the isle.

Instead she was placed on a horse, with a veil down and was sent to ride into the kingdom on her own. Once they announced the date of her wedding her brothers would join her, but not her father. Yet that day would only be a week away, or two at the most. So very soon. What did she know of this man? How did she greet someone and make them like her with this sort of pressure on her shoulders?

Ever since entering the kingdom she had been looking about, trying to learn about it and what all was built on the kingdom. So much was known about the last king but the new king had been there less then a year. They could speak of his reputation as a knight and they spoke impressed. What if he was scared? What if he was a hard man?

Riding into the citadel she looked around, and took note of the greeting. Though she wore a veil, she could see the young unscared king at the bottom of the steps. This was the man she would spend the rest of her life with? He did not look old or tarnished by war. Yet she knew that while looks meant a great deal, they would tell her nothing of the man he was. Reaching up hesitantly she moved her veil back to veil her face, and waited for her someone to aid her in getting down.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur waited . . . and waited . . . and waited. And after what felt like an eternity, finally, she lifted the veil from her face. And what he saw caused him to freeze. His mouth involuntarily hung slightly open as he just gaped at her. She was the most exquisitely beautiful princess he had ever seen in his entire life. He wasn't sure what he had been expecting but, he had not been expecting to see someone so beautiful. With no offense intended to her family . . . perhaps it was just his uncertainty of betrothing himself to someone he had never met before. Whatever the case, she was ravishing! There was something so unique about her; possessing features that were almost porcelain with her fair skin and large brown eyes. In the past few years, he had never looked at another woman in such a way, because he had been committed. But now, he couldn't help but stare at Mithian.

Unable to find any words to say or . . . oh dear! He should be moving toward her. Managing to snap out of it and closing his mouth, he approached her as she was lifted off the horse by one of her knights. Standing now directly in front of her, she was even more beautiful than she was from afar. Only this time, he managed to actually find words to speak. Instead of just staring at her like a lovesick puppy. That wasn't very proper or kingly of him at all. "Princess Mithian, you are most welcome," he said with a bit of a smile, sincerity strong in his voice. He would have said the same words had she not looked at breathtaking as she did . . . but this time, he could say it with comfort and ease. If she was to be his future wife . . . physical attraction -- on his part at least -- was not going to be a problem.

[Mithian]

She was helped down from her horse, and Mithian took a moment to find her footing on the ground after riding for so long. She should have used a covered carriage but had wanted to make an entrance into the city rather then ride in and just hide away from the sights of what would be her home now. The king spoke and she took sight of him up close for the first time. No, there was no scars or unsightly markings on him. He was younger then she expected as well, looking just slightly elder then her rather then years older. It could not be easy to be a king so young.

Thank you your highness, She told him so all could hear rather then only a few, I've heard much about you. And you're more handsome in person that reports suggested. Mithian said it to both ease the awkwardness everyone must be feeling at her arrival and to hopefully bring about some slight chuckled from him and his men. Men liked to be told they were handsome did they not? This day would be awkward enough as it was with out the need to use formal greetings and bows. If this was to be her life now, then she would make sure that everyone did not feel awkward around her.

[Arthur Pendragon]

There was a strong sincerity and enthusiasm in her voice and Arthur found himself even more drawn to her for such reasons. Her formality, her respect, her -- "I've heard much about you. And you're more handsome in person that reports suggested." Oh. Well . . . that was kind of her to say. Wait, what reports? There were reports that suggested he was handsome? No no, that wasn't the important part of what she was saying. Focus Arthur focus!. She seemed genuine in her compliment and Arthur was rather flattered by it. Yet, by his flattery, he was also slightly flustered. Why? He had no idea. Years ago, he used to be so confident and under such a compliment, he would offer a cocky smile and return words of flirtation. But his reaction now perhaps showed how much he had matured since then. Or, how out of practice he was. He had never looked at another women in the past few years.

And to now, be suddenly called handsome by a woman who would be his wife . . . he didn't know what to say. He could tell her how ravishing she was; how he had never seen such beauty before. Something . . . anything!But like a fool, he just looked at her with slight awkwardness. This wasn't very suave of him at all! Why could he not think of the words to say? Surely he wasn't that out of practice with his flirtation . . . but apparently, he was. He opened his mouth to speak . . . "Erm . . . " . . . And he wished he had kept his mouth shut. Because that was the only sound that came out. He couldn't even thank her for the compliment! Physical attraction was important of course. So he should be returning the favor of telling her she was beautiful. But that horribly bizarre word was what came out in its stead. And thankfully, she did not leave him frazzled for too long before she spoke again.

[Mithian]

Mithian watched as he seemed to become unsure how to handle her words. She made a note in her mind to not publicly say such things to him again for they seemed to embarrass him rather then bring enjoyment . At least before his men. She would keep such words away for their manly ears so that he would not feel the need to say anything about keeping things privet between them. Mithian had been taught to learn which men liked public flattery and which mean rather you say things where others could not over hear.

As she seemed to have embarrassed him, it was only fair that she correct the matter. "Are we to stay in this chill all day?" She asked trying not to sound bossy but wanted to have the authority of a woman of power. She hoped that it would remind him that she had been traveling and needed time to rest and warm herself before they spoke at length and dined for supper. Even if he joined her while she grew warm before a fire, it would at least get her indoors.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Her next question -- which almost seemed teasing -- made Arthur snap out of whatever trance he had been put in; both by her words and her beauty. "Forgive me," he said, pausing before he then went to her side. Taking her hand in his he raised it up and faced the crowd of nobles and knights that stood on the courtyard stairs. "Tomorrow, there will be a great feast. To welcome our, worthy friend." After his words, a burst of applause broke out and Arthur continued to stand there for a few moments before the applause died down and everyone returned to their duties. A group of servants hurried toward the horses to tend to them and show the knights where their guest quarters were.

Arthur would of course be personally escorting Mithian to hers. He turned to face her once more and with her hand still in his, he slightly lowered the upper half of his body as his lips met the back of her hand in a respectful and courteous embrace. He looked at her for a moment before releasing his hold on her hand, turning forward and motioning for her to walk alongside him. "I shall show you to your guest chambers. You must be tired after your long journey." For Nemeth was a fair distance away, and Arthur was rather thankful that she had arrived safely.

[Mithian]

She had to fight a overly bold smile when he kissed her hand, knowing that it would not be proper to draw the attention of his men again. The offer of walking to her to her chambers was more then welcome and she hoped to find it warm in the halls and her chambers. "That is most welcome!" Waiting until they had walked pasted his men and into his castle before Mithian decided it was safe to speak on other things, she decided to try a new sort of complement. "I was rather impressed with the lands I saw on my ride here. Your kingdom is very beautiful. You must be completely proud of her." She hoped it would start their conversation toward more personal things.

She had learned how to start the perfect conversations but found herself nervous in his presence at the moment and not quite about to think of how to start and turn the words to help them step pasted the idea of strangers to marry, Surely once they had gotten past the first awkward conversation then everything else would become natural and be more at ease. With luck the topic of his kingdom would help them begin their lives together from this point on. After all this would be her home, and she did not wish for things to be like this forever. He was handsome and seemed gentle. She'd heard he was kind. Mithian wanted to learn more about him.