I'll Make A Knight Out Of You

[Maeve]

Maeve could sense the distress in having to adapt to this new role. And it was entirely understandable. For it was not difficult for a man from one dramatically different culture, to conform into this one. She knew Alistair would never ignore his roots, as he was even still speaking to her in his language... but it must not be easy for him. Having to hide who he really was among all these people. She understood that only to some extent, for once she was outside Mabon, she had to pretend to be a traveler; unable to reveal her true self. And it was rather saddening... for she knew she was not the only one who had to conceal their true identity out of fear of being punished or hunted for it. It was such an unfortunate thing, and hopefully the day would come when everyone, practitioners of magic included, could roam the earth, unafraid of others discovering the gifts they possessed and their capabilities as sorcerers.

She gently put her hand on Alistair's arm in a comforting manner. I can not even begin to imagine how difficult this must be for you, she began with a soft smile. You are a passionate and determined man Alistair. And you have proven that once you set your mind to purpose, you can achieve your goal. Though she did not doubt Isadora was there to support him through this difficulty in adjusting to his new role... she wanted to be there for him too. Even if it was just by offering a few words that could bring comfort and solace to him. You wished to fight for your people, for their rights, and you became a great warrior. Maeve did not particularly like violence but it was a common occurrence in this realm. You wished to protect and be with the woman you love and now you are a now a knight, able to be by her side.

Not in the sense of openly being with her, but more so how close he was able to remain with her. You have a great heart. And are destined for great things my toror'. Never be disheartened or discouraged. She did not doubt all the good he could and would do for his people, for everyone really, when in this position of authority. He would have such a strong empathy for them... able to relate to their hardships. Despite the negativity she had felt from him, due to his past deeds, she still believed in his greatness. That he would help others in grand ways when he was king. She obviously believed in the love between him and Isadora to be of utmost sincerity and genuine feelings... but to think of what he could do for the entire kingdom... it made Maeve so very optimistic. And she wanted to remind him of that good that he would do, rather than just the difficulties he was currently faced with.

[Alistair]

She was talking of another man. He was not this man she spoke of so highly. He could never be. The way Alistair saw his life was he had done what he had to do; and not well. He started a war he could not finish. Fought for people but failed to be able to help them very long. Abandoned his princess until she got kidnapped again; and to hear Vaughn tell it: betrayed his blood for a woman.

He knew this was where he wanted to be; but he sometimes wondered if this was where he was doing the most good. He knew that with time she could do more for his people then he could; but the idle hours between seemed like a price. He was too jaded; and Maeve was too innocent. Neither of them did well in this world. "I live a lie that I can only barely tell." He wasn't a knight. He spoke their language but could not read nor write it. He didn't know their rules and he didn't want to follow them. "This bridge will break and I fear the currents." He knew she would understand.

[Maeve]

Maeve did not let the hopeful smile slip from her lips. She could only imagine the difficult lifestyle he was living, for it was not an honest one. Yet Maeve did not judge him for it. She still thought it wonderful that he was able to be with someone that he cared so deeply for. She put her hands on his arms a gesture meant for comfort and reassurance. he was too tall for her hands to rest comfortably on his shoulders. You are doing a wonderful thing Alistair. And you are able to help so many people. It must be worth it. To be with the woman you love, and stand up for others, this all must be worth it. She wished to remind him of all that he was gaining, even through the difficulty of what he was faced with.

Maeve did not know what it would be like to be in his position, but she knew enough to know that it was not easy. Tell me, what can I do to help? She wanted to do something, anything! Whatever she could to make this easier for her brother. He had her support already, and she hoped he knew that. But if there was anything more specific she could aid him with, to put his mind at ease and alleviate the difficulties he was faced with on a daily basis... she would do it, within a heart beat.

[Alistair]

Alistair thought her heart was too big; and until he met her; he had not thought there could be anything wrong with that. After he'd met her he could see the wrongs. She was too open and too trusting; and even when he admitted to fearing this could crash down she did not try to distance her self from the danger. She embraced it; and wanted to help. How did she become so unjaded and stay that way for so long?

"There is nothing you can do;" He told her knowing she could not follow him around and correct his every move. People would start to think she was his lover and he did not want that. For her reputation or for Isadora's pride. "I must learn to be someone I am not; and how to walk in a new world." Still; an idea came to him with his words; "A world not unlike yours in some ways." Maybe there was something she could do? "With rules that are many."

[Maeve]

Nothing? Surely there was something! She wished to help in whatever way she could. There must be something she could offer her assistance for. As he continued to speak, it sounded as if he was leading to something. Talking of how he must learn to live in a world with new rules. Ones unfamiliar in his past. As she had not failed to notice, it cannot be easy for him to do as much. To be expected to be someone new, someone...who fit in a world where others were raised in from birth. Such an adaptation must indeed be difficult, she acknowledged, looking at him carefully, first with slight concern before a smile broken on her lips, brightening her face. Oh Alistair, there is something I can do isn't there? Even if she did not know what he would ask of her.

She liked to think she knew him well enough to know that something was on his mind. You are a difficult man to read, but not impossible, she said with the softest of teasing, meant in the most affectionate way. His difficulty in being read was not a bad thing at all! It was part of what made him who he was... and she did not see it as a negative trait. Please, tell me what is on your mind. For she would do anything he asked! She regarded him as her brother, and she would treat him as such.

[Alistair]

Alistair wasn't hard to read if you knew well what you were looking for. Most however; did not bother looking below the surface. When he was angry; he grew still and did not move. When he was troubled; he was restless in his actions. When he was pleased; he was more relaxed and the guard that he kept up dropped slightly--an event that had only happened easily around one person so far in the last many years of his life.

"Your world and her world are not the same but they have the same rules. Speak at this time; lie in your every word and motion. Display 'manners' before passion." Stupid rules that he disagreed with. Ones that were mean to choke the life out of man. "You can show em your rules; to learn her rules." How to speak easier; when to speak how to do things so bloody simple they should not have a rule behind them to tell a man how he ought to do them!

[Maeve]

Maeve listened attentively as he explained what she could do to aid him. It did not overly surprise her to hear such things... and she would of course teach him all that she could from her own experience, as well as what she had years of knowledge by witnessing it. I can of course do this, she said, first and foremost wanting him to be assured that she would offer her help. Are there certain daily rituals that you are particularly confused about? She asked. Whether it was meeting another noble for the first time, or sitting at a feast. Whether it was knowing how to speak to others lower or higher, or how he trained as a knight.

She wanted to do all that she could to assist him in this way, and knew it would make things easier for both him and the princess Isadora. In fact, she felt rather happy that Alistair was asking this of her... that he trusted her enough to admit that he needed help. If there was one thing she learned, it was the pride of a man and how it was so vast and great... that she had seen it be the death of them at times.