Caught Bread Handed (Percival)

[Brynn Reade]

It was one of those rare times in the day when the kitchen seemed well-nigh deserted. Breakfast for the royal family and their noble guests had been prepared and served, and the preparation for lunch and dinner had been done as far as they could be done. Now every serving maid and every cook knew what to do with those few precious moments where they were not working. They left the kitchens like rats left a sinking ship and either lay down for a little, after having been up before dawn and day, or spent some time with their respective families.Some even had more than just this task in the kitchens and now finally found time to do their other work.
Brynn normally would have been out in the meadows long before that time, but today she had been asked to step in for Idris in changing the sheets in a noblewoman’s bedchamber. That unusual task for her had turned out to be quite the interesting experience, as the lady in question had been present and very interested in an almost informal conversation. So the task had taken longer than expected and Brynn knew her geese were already itching to get out.


But before she would free them from their stall, she first wanted to grab a little crumb of bread to eat. But when entering the kitchen fully, she saw she was not the only one here after all. The big frame of a man was just about to do something that really wasn’t very nice. Should she interfere? Brynn knew it could get her in trouble, as most people didn’t like to be caught in the act, stealing food, but then she could not just retreat and do nothing.
In the end, she decided on a subtle approach. Not calling the man out on it directly, but giving him time and opportunity to vindicate himself.
She cleared her throat.

---

Tag: Perce
Timeline: three months after the s4 finale (hope that's okay ^^)
Time of Day: Midmorning

[shonz]

Percival had an early day. Before the sun had gone up, he was woken up to respond to an emergency in the outskirts of the village. A few bandits had come a little too close for comfort and were preying on the townspeople. The knights had to go out and teach them a lesson themselves. As soon as that was over and done with, Percival went back to bed. Since it was practically a rest day for him, he had decided to skip breakfast and woke up with the sun now shining high and bright through the windows in his room. And of course, he woke up to a loud and grumbling stomach. Since it was not like him to go order a servant around to get him food, he decided it was best to go down to the kitchens himself. Perhaps, they've still got some leftovers from breakfast.

Unfortunately for him though, not only was the kitchen devoid of life, there doesn't seem to be any sign of food anywhere. At least, at first glance. Standing there, all that big towering figure of his, in the middle of the kitchen, Percival tried to think where the cooks could have possibly stored the food. Surely, they could be here somewhere. And so he went on his quest. He pried lids open from cans and canisters, lifted covers off pots and pans, opened cabinets and cupboards. It didn't take him long to find a good loaf of bread and even some apple cider. Maybe there's cheese or ham somewhere or something to complete the meal. Before he could proceed though, he heard someone clearing their throat from behind him. Percival jumped with surprise at the unexpected sound and sent the bottle of cider tucked under his arm smashing to the floor. "Uh-oh..." he said as he stared at the pool of liquid by his feet. Then he turned to look at the source of the sound and saw a small slip of a girl, one of the servants. "Uhhh...I didn't mean that...I was...uhhh...hungry...and I...uhhh---I'll clean it up." he fumbled, his cheeks burning red at having been caught practically stealing food. Then he went looking around for something to wipe the cider off the floor.

[Brynn Reade]

Brynn’s rather tentative clearing of the throat had quite the surprisingly strong effect, which proved the goosemaiden right: the man in front of her had all the signs of someone being caught red-handed, and he also had already collected quite a good meal: a whole loaf of bread and a bottle of cider. Brynn guessed the cider was even from the cook’s personal secret store. Maybe she could ask the man later where he had found it, that would be quite the useful information she could trade to Alex for example. Alex would die for cider.
This cider however would not be drunken by anyone but the kitchen cats, as it had plummeted to the ground and made for a very interesting floor decoration. Served him just right, Brynn thought, as she suppressed a sigh. It was not like anyone had to starve in Camelot.

But as soon as the man turned around to reveal his face, Brynn’s thoughts and demeanor changed entirely. The big figure had seemed familiar before, but only the face provided the missing link. “Sir Percival!” the goosemaiden exclaimed, rather aghast. She had heard stories about the young knights often enough stealing food from the kitchen, sometimes even under the nose oft he working servants and cooks, but usually that happened under Gwaine’s leadership, as he was by far the biggest rascal of them all.
As Sir Percival spoke about cleaning the mess up he had created, Brynn shook her head and quickly grabbed for one oft he towels drying over the huge water bucket in which the dishes were washed – Alex’ former work. “Let me do that, Sir Percival”, she offered and scurried towards him, crouching down to wipe up the spilled cider at his feet and clear away the shards. He might have been a commoner once, but now he was a Knight of Camelot and as such above her. It was not his task to clean up messes.

[shonz]

The look of surprise on her face somehow made Percival feel a bit forgiven from his not-so-little kitchen transgression. But of course, it didn't made him feel any less guilty. Percival doesn't believe that just because he's a knight of Camelot, he is already entitled to taking advantage of its delights this way. Percival was not raised like that, and he still truthfully felt guilty for what he was doing. Of course, it was compounded by the fact that he was caught.

When she rushed over to help and started wiping up the mess he created from the fallen cider bottle, Percival knew he couldn't just stand and watch. So he placed the loaf of bread on a nearby table and grabbed one of the other towels. He crouched down low beside her and also started wiping up the liquid. "I missed breakfast this morning. No one was around so I just thought I'd help myself," he said explaining himself. Then his stomach grumbled loudly, loud enough for the girl to hear. "Sorry, I'm really starving," he added with a sheepish grin.

While the whole scene was really embarrassing, Percival thought he might as well make the most out of it. He can't go around and continue on the rest of the day with an empty stomach now, can he? "Ummm...do you think there might be some cheese or eggs around?" he asked with another one of those embarrassed grins. He hoped the girl wouldn't rat him out to the cook. They are already infamous for stealing food from the kitchen, no thanks to Gwaine. Percival did make a mental note to replace that bottle of cider he had just broken.

[Brynn Reade]

Sir Percival couldn’t have surprised Brynn more with his unexpected reaction, and she quickly looked up from her task to look at him with a slightly amazed expression, before she picked up the remaining shards, wrapping them in the wet cloth to do away later. Someone probably should tell the cook, before he put the blame on anyone of the innocent kitchen servants. He was usually a very amiable man but as soon as his secret stack of cider was in peril, he changed. Everyone knew how to best steer out of his way when that happened, and Brynn didn’t want to take the responsibilities for bad air in the kitchens. They all had enough work to do without it.

She had to smile though at the rather audible grumbling his stomach gave, which proved that he at least had a true reason for his theft. Not that a Knight of Camelot needed any reason though. They could do so many things without having to justify their actions, but that was not an entirely wrong thing in Brynn’s eyes. They kept Camelot safe and free from threats and war, so they surely could demand a little extra on the side… and even more so if he had in fact missed breakfast.
”I recall an incident in the early morning”, she remarked without thinking. “My father was raised before dawn, I heard him.” Then it occurred to her that she probably should not talk about such things in front of a knight, so she simply said: “Well, you could have simply ordered someone to bring you food.No need to go down here yourself.”

Really, in his awkwardness, the big man almost could be called cute. This was the exact face her little brother sometimes used when he was caught doing something he shouldn’t have, like running and waving around with his wooden sword to chase off bad sorcerors and other foes, nearly falling over working servants. This grin made it easier for Brynn to ease up around Sir Percival, though she still stayed respectfully reserved. Without another word, she stood up and went to a certain cupboard on the wall where she knew cheese was kept. She took a piece of it and then went next to the hearth, where in a basket full of straw, fresh eggs were kept,some still warm and presented it all to him with a little curtsy.

[shonz]

The smile she gave him and his rumbling stomach was enough to tell Percival that this wasn't going to turn out as bad as he thought it would be. The thought made him rather jolly even with an empty stomach. Then she spoke about her father being called early that day. "Is your father one of the guards? What is your name, by the way?" he asked as he finished wiping off the remaining liquid from the floor and setting the towel back aside. He knew the guards who had accompanied him earlier that day, and he wanted to know which one of them was her father. "The night patrol received reports about bandits just outside the walls of Camelot. We had to make sure they are taken cared of or else they would have preyed on the villagers," he said volunteering the information when it sounded like she was feeling flustered about talking about her father. Percival actually like listening to these stories. Since this was his home now, he wanted to know more about the people in Camelot -- from the nobles to the castle servants to the other villagers.

“Well, you could have simply ordered someone to bring you food. No need to go down here yourself.” Percival gave her a smile as he sat on the table and broke a piece from the bread before stuffing it into his mouth. A lot of people really do expect the knights to go around ordering the servants around, and while he knew that was what the others do, Percival still hadn't completely wrapped his head around it, being a commoner himself. "I really don't mind coming down here. I just didn't realize there wouldn't be anybody around at this time of the day."

Percival's eyes followed her as she went to a certain cupboard and brought out some cheese. Then she went on to another corner and Percival wondered what she was fishing out from there. A huge and grateful smile appeared on his face when he saw what she had for him. Cheese and fresh eggs! What a delight! "Wonderful! Thank you!" He took the cheese and eggs from her hand, and placed them on the table, and then stood and walked towards a nearby stove before turning back to the girl. "Would you like to have breakfast with me? I feel like cooking for two," he said with a wide grin as he grabbed a pan and started a fire. Ahh...cooking! Percival wasn't exactly the best cook in the world, but he did know how to throw things together to make for some edible eats. And there's nothing hard about frying some eggs, is there? Since the kitchen was deserted anyway, he might as well take full advantage of it now.

[Brynn Reade]

Was it just her imagination or were the nobles she ran across today really so out of the norm she was used to? This was the second time in just a short time she was asked about her family. Most of the time, servants were there to be seen, not heard, ready to answer to every call they were given. Brynn herself might be a little out of that system due to her work outside the castle, but she knew she had been born to this kind of responsibility. Who she was didn’t matter so much, just what she was. There was nothing wrong with that in Brynn’s eyes. Everyone had their place in life and their own responsibilities.
“My name is Brynn Reade, Sir“, she replied with a tentative smile. “And yes, my father is one of the guards. John Reade is his name.” She only nodded to his explanation, grateful for it, but not feeling it her right to comment on anything like that. She would probably ask her father later, or she wouldn’t.

Sir Percival’s explanataion just underlined what Brynn had thought earlier. It must be with him like it was with Gwaine, who Brynn thought a dear friend. Their rise in ‘power’ had not affected their natural ways, and it was quite refreshing, even though it was a little hard to get used to.
“It’s what they call the ‚golden hour‘“, she explained with a little chuckle. “The precious time between breakfast and lunch when there is nigh to no work to be done in the kitchen. Though that usually doesn’t apply to me.“

The surprise returned immediately when Sir Percival now announced he wanted to cook and asked her if she wanted breakfast as well. A light raising of her brows was the only sign of how bemused and aghast Brynn really was, but then she was never one to openly voice her feelings, especially not in front of strangers. If he really wanted to do this, she would not stop him, though slowly she realized again what she wanted to be doing right now. Her geese! If she didn’t look after them soon, they would probably tear their stall or each other to shreds. They were not used to be cooped up for so long after the day had started.
“That’s very kind of you to offer Sir“, she replied, slightly shifting on her feet. “But I don’t think I have the time fort hat.“

[shonz]

"Hi Brynn! I'm Percival, pleasure to meet you," he replied with a smile and held his hand out to her. He knew Brynn knew who he was when she exclaimed his name upon catching him pilfering the kitchen goods earlier, but Percival thought it was polite to introduce himself properly. "Oh yeah, it was John who knocked on my door at dawn today. Thought I was dreaming," he told her with a grin, pleased that she and her father were both loyal servants of Camelot. It was good to know that the castle was providing good and able jobs to different members of families in Camelot.

Percival was thoroughly fascinated by what Brynn referred to was the 'golden hour' in the kitchens. What did he expect really? That everybody was working every second of everyday? Percival should know that they all needed rest or some free time. Judging by the time of the day, it wouldn't be too long now until the kitchen would be abuzz with activity again in time for lunch. "I'll make sure to remember that next time I find the urge to raid the kitchen stocks. Gwaine would probably love that information as well," he remarked more to himself than to Brynn.

The frown on his face came on automatically when she refused his offer for breakfast. She probably had somewhere else to go to, and he had already taken up most of her time. But maybe he can still delay her for a bit. She needed that 'golden hour' rest as well as the others. "What do you do around here?" he asked as he placed some oil he had found nearby into the pan. He curious now to know what her duties are in the castle seeing as the golden hour doesn't apply to her. He also hadn't seen her around the castle much, so she's probably not a handmaiden attending to any of the noble guests in the castle.

[Brynn Reade]

It still felt a little odd to take a knight’s hand and shake it in an almost amiable greeting, like they were equals, but then Brynn reminded herself that her friendship with Gwaine had also started this way and was now the most natural thing in the world for her. Gwaine had not ceased to be a knight in her eyes, but the status difference that created had simply vanished, and now they were almost like brother and sister. It would be too much to assume this would happen here any time soon, but then… anything could happen. If Brynn had learned anything by living in Camelot all her life, then that. So she took his hand after just a short moment of hesitation, and then shook it. “A pleasure to meet you, too!”Brynn couldn’t suppress a smile at hearing that Sir Percival seemed to know her father so well. She didn’t know that! But then John Reade never talked much about his worl – or in general.”So Camelot is safe once more?” she asked with a little grin.

Oh dear… had she now given away a kitchen secret? Brynn bit her lip and inwardly rolled her eyes at herself. Now that would be the day, if from now on the kitchen would be raided by the rascals of the knights, because this became common knowledge. The servants would have to look after the food and in consequence for some of them the golden hour would be history. Great!
”No, Gwaine would probably say: ‘What’s the fun in that if no one’s there.” She mused, giving away how well she actually knew him. She was not sure if Percival would know about that.

Hoping that she had not irritated him now with her refusal, Brynn hastened to explain. “I’m the goosemaiden of Camelot, Sir. I look after the geese and lead them out to the meadows below the city walls, where they are most of the day. I am already very late, as they normally get out right after breakfast, and they can be a little moody when things don’tgo their way.”

[shonz]

"Camelot is safe once more. For now, at least. Camelot always manages to attract its fair share of troubles every now and then," Percival replied, teasingly at the end. Not that that was wholly a bad thing, it actually made things pretty exciting for him. Although he did wish it wouldn't reach another level of takeover from Morgana. He can take bandits and rouge nomads every now and then, but Morgana and her brand of dark magic does not only affect him or the king, it affects all of Camelot. The people didn't deserve that kind of cruelty and suffering. "Let's hope it stays that way for a while," he added matching the little grin on her face with his own.

Percival couldn't help but laugh at the way Brynn talked about Gwaine. So it seems she's good friend with his brother knight. Gwaine was truly the ladies' man indeed. There is never a corner in Camelot where Gwaine doesn't have a girl friend. "Gwaine does like a challenge. I'll keep it a secret from him then and just enjoy golden hour for myself," he remarked with a chuckle and a wink.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to delay you from your duties. Wouldn't want you to get in trouble with your geese now because of me," he profusely apologized. While Percival would have preferred some company while partaking his breakfast, he wouldn't want it to be at Brynn's expense. "Well, I guess I'll see you around then? I can't thank you enough for your help," he said with as much a smile as he could muster. He would have to let her go for now. Although, he did take a mental note of where she was taking the geese out--the meadows below the city walls. It shouldn't be hard to find later. Percival just knew there has to be a way for him to thank Brynn for her help today.

[Brynn Reade]

Brynn could only agree to that. Camelot seemed like a real trouble magnet sometimes, but then it was maybe just because every evil sorceror in the book thought it funny to vent his spleen on Camelot and its people, because Uther had banned magic. Didn’t they see that openly showing the bad side of magic would never make the king change his mind? Not that she thought it could be done anyway. Camelot would never allow magic back in the people’s lives…maybe not even with Arthur now being their king.”Tell me about it, I’ve grown up here”, she sighed. “There might have been calmer times once, and I still blame Merlin for it all”, she answered with a light chuckle. “Ever since he came here, Camelot became even more crazy, he must be such a trouble magnet it even extends on us!”
She nodded contently, even though she was not sure if Percival would really stay true to his word. Not that she doubted his honesty, but such an information was very valuable, once given. Well, only if she witnessed the knight slowly sneaking down here, one by one, she would know it had been wrong to tell Percival about the Golden Hour. And then there would be still enough time to worry about how to keep the knights away from the food anyway. Brynn doubted an appeal would help. Especially the young knights just seemed to be always hungry.

Sir Percival seemed genuinely crestfallen and for a moment Brynn really felt bad for leaving him like that, telling him she should be somewhere else. That it was true didn’t change the fact she rather wished she had not declined his kind offer. But then, it was not befitting for a goosemaiden sharing her breakfast with a Knight, however kind he might be. Brynn wasn’t even sure she would have accepted the same offer coming from Gwaine, just because they were more like friends. Just because commoners had been knighted, it didn’t mean you could throw every rule in the book overboard!
”There is no need to apologize, Mylord”, she assured the knight with a smile. “If I hadn’t these beasts to look after, I would have accepted your offer gladly. Don’t think it does have anything to do with you.” Well, truth be told it had, but Brynn was far too polite to admit that. With one last curtsy, she turned around to climb the steps that led from the kitchen towards the entrance hall and then towards the courtyards were her geese waited near the stables. “And also no need for thanks. Enjoy your breakfast. Sir Percival!”

---

Sorry she’s so uncooperative ^^ how about we skip forward and he just seeks her out in the meadows? Would that be something Perce does?

[shonz]

Percival gave her a quizzical look when she mentioned Merlin to be the source of all the craziness lately. He hadn't been around that much to deduce that, but for someone like Brynn who, as she told him, had grown up in Camelot, the difference must be very obvious. But then of course, he didn't miss her chuckle, and was now wondering if she was really serious about blaming Merlin. "Yes, Merlin can be quite the troublemaker if you ask the King."

He was still trying to get used to the way the people of Camelot were acting around him, both nobles and servants alike. He wasn't quite sure how to interact with them. Yes, even after a year or so now as a knight. Back when he was still living the commoner life, it had been breezy dealing with his friends and neighbors, commoners alike. And he knew where he stood with the nobles. Now, however, was a totally different thing. He may be a noble knight now, but his upbringing was anything but. "I will, and don't worry about it. You have your duties to attend to, I perfectly understand," he replied just before she curtsied and turned to leave him.

Percival fried a few more eggs into the pan, and found himself some food containers to put them in. He put out the fire and dunked the greasy pan into the wash basin. Rummaging around the cupboards and cabinets, he spied another bottle of cider which he eagerly grabbed and placed on the table with the rest of his breakfast fare. He found a big pouch hanging by the corner and stuffed all the food inside it before walking out of the kitchen and making his way towards the courtyards. As expected, Brynn was already nowhere to be seen, and must already be out in the meadows with her geese. A breakfast al fresco shouldn't be so bad, Percival told himself, as he took a slice of the bread and started eating it as he walked on his way out of the castle walls and towards the meadows.


----

ooc: Ey, it's all good to me. No worries.

[Brynn Reade]

For Brynn it was easier to talk about Merlin, as she still saw him on the same level that she was. He might be Arthur’s personal manservant, but he still was a servant, and he was her friend. That made him so much easier to refer to than any other acquaintance she and Sir Percival had in common, even Gwaine. With Gwaine the problem was that every female companion of his was considered one of his flirt interest, simply because he was such a womanizer. Brynn however was just a friend, almost like an adopted sister, but she wondered what Percival would think of her now.
”Well then again, Merlin is as loyal and good-natured a person as you find one!” Brynn felt the need to come to her friend’s defense. “I’m sure without him our king would be a lot worse off, despite his clumsiness sometimes. They’ve grown on each other in the last four years, that’s really visible.”

That had been quite the peculiar day so far indeed. Maybe she should get away from her routine more often, if that was what came out of it. Brynn had just made the acquaintance of two really nice people in a row she otherwise would not have even dared to talk to. She could only wonder what more this day held in store for her. Her geese were as impatient as she had expected them to be, and she had to fight a short turf war with Martin before he finally agreed to forgive her. At least they had not started a fight amongst each other yet in all their boredom, that was something indeed.

A little time passed where Brynn sat on her usual hayball, watching her geese idly, and calling them back whenever they tottered away too far. She hardly ever needed her whip out here, they were far more occupied with eating and exploring than teaming up amongst each other.
Then suddenly, Brynn saw a figure walking towards her across the meadows, and the nearer said figure came, the clearer it became it was none other than Sir Percival. Surprised as can be, Brynn rose from her seat to greet him while he was approaching.

[shonz]

Compared to Brynn, Percival had only known Merlin for over a year. Aside from being a loyal servant, Merlin was always ready to help out not just in assisting Arthur or cooking their meals whenever they were out there, but also in joining the knights in their battles and skirmishes. It was obviously not part of his job as Arthur's manservant, but he goes out there and risks his life anyway. Percival admired that bravery in Merlin very much.

Now feeling the cool morning wind against his face, Percival took great pleasure in making his way towards the meadows. He hadn't been out here after a while now with training and more training usually hogging his time. But he was determined to make the most out of his free time now lazing, just doing nothing.

Not far away, he finally heard the excited cackle of geese and his face broke into a huge grin when he saw Brynn sitting nearby. He hoped she wouldn't take offense in him coming out here. The last thing he wanted was to make her uncomfortable. "Hey, Brynn. I hope you don't mind me dropping by. The kitchen was starting to get rather stifling," he said with a sheepish grin. "But if you'd rather be alone with your geese, I can continue walking." He didn't really want to impose on her.

[Brynn Reade]

There might have been times when Brynn would really have preferred to be out here on her own, or at least only in the company of her little siblings, but these times were truly past her now. Many things had happened during the last few years that had turned her into a much more social person. Alex for one had shown her the bright and sometimes a little exhausting world of being in the midst of every celebration, but there were also many other people that had made her appreciate the perks of friendship. Idris for one, her stubborn friend who had accompanied her on the crazy adventure that had led them out of the castle when Morgana had taken over a second time. And then there was Gwaine, her honorary elder brother. Without him, Camelot surely would be a much duller place!

So now, when Percival approached, Brynn shoved all unease into a far corner of her mind, and she greeted the knight with a friendly smile. “No, I really don’t mind at all!” she assured him and patted the hayball next to her feet. “Do you want to take a seat? I trust you did not get caught with your late breakfast? Was it good?”
The idea of a knight cooking still wouldn’t quite get into her head, but then she supposed when they were out hunting or on a quest, someone had to cook for them as well. Or was that Merlin’s job usually? She would have to ask him at some point.

[shonz]

Percival could really use some company. His brother knights are probably out doing patrol or other knightly duties, and he could want to inconvenience them. He just hoped right now he wasn't being an inconvenience to Brynn herself. So when she said that she didn't mind him staying at all, he gave her one of his wide pleasant smiles and settled himself onto the hayball next to her. He placed the goodies he had practically nicked from the kitchen and spread them out before them.

"I trust you did not get caught with your late breakfast? Was it good?”

"I made sure not to leave any proof that we were even there," he said as he was took another bite from the bread in his hand. He was now pulling out the rest of his stash from the large pouch when he just stopped and smacked his forehead with his palm. "I forgot to wash the pan I was using!" he exclaimed looking worried and amused at the same time. Then to Brynn he asked, "You wouldn't tell, would you?" Not that he would get in major trouble if Brynn would. Percival just didn't want to earn more of the ire of the kitchen cooks after all the shenanigans he had done to them...most of them through Gwaine's machinations.

Then she saw the rather amused and confused look on her face. Percival couldn't really read it, so he thought it was best to ask. "What's on your mind, Brynn? Here, have some bread," he asked and then offered her the other half of the loaf with a wide smile.

[Brynn Reade]

There was just something about Percival that was wonderfully endearing. He might look all brawn and sometimes grim because he didn’t make so many words, but after speaking just a little with him, Brynn was convinced that there was quite the child in a giant’s body. He might not be as recklessly childish as Gwaine, but he had this simpleness and natural self-assuredness of a child for sure. And he could be quite comical as well.
Brynn’s lips escaped an amused chuckle as he seemed truly worried about not having tidied up after himself. Even if he was found out, nothing was going to happen, but the goosemaiden found it quite funny to play along a little with the possibilities of repercussions for the Knight of Camelot.

“Nah, of course I wouldn’t tell!” she assured him with a laugh. “Though you might have to watch out for a secure alibi or something. I have mine”, she pointed to her geese. Then again, she was always making quite a fuss when leaving Camelot for the meadows, because of her noisy lot, and surely people would be able to tell she had left later than usually, if ever asked. Oh well, she would think of something should the need ever arise. “But then, I doubt anyone will get us in trouble for a not washed pan. Such things happen.”

"What's on your mind, Brynn? Here, have some bread,"
Brynn was a little taken off guard by this question, and actually blushed. Somehow she felt guilty for thinking what she had, even though it had not meant any offense. She took the piece of bread with a mumbled “Thank you” and used the moment of respite she gained by tearing a piece off and chewing it, to think of what best to say. She could not lie of course, but how to put it?
“I was… just thinking about who cooks when you knights are out on your quests. Do you take turns or is it mostly Merlin?”

[shonz]

Percival heaved a rather exaggerated sigh when Brynn told him she wouldn't tell. He knew that Brynn knew that he wouldn't really get in trouble if he was found out, but still it was fun to at least find an ally in that aspect. "I don't think anyone but you saw me enter the kitchens, so I could always say that I was asleep? Is that good enough? Any other suggestions?" he said, as if he was really trying to think of how to worm his way out of the situation he got himself in. It was clearly a lame and weak alibi, but somehow thinking things up with Brynn was fun.

He noticed the blush that crept up her face at his question. He had smiled when she thanked him for the bread, but the silence that followed suddenly made him want to apologize for putting her on the spot. Percival hadn't meant to, he was just trying to make conversation. Perhaps, it wasn't such a good idea. He was never good at starting conversations before. With anybody. What made him think it could work with Brynn?

“I was… just thinking about who cooks when you knights are out on your quests. Do you take turns or is it mostly Merlin?”

He was about to open his mouth to apologize when she finally spoke, and it took awhile for Percival to process what it was she was talking about. Then realizing her mind was still on the cooking, he smiled at her. "Merlin. He cooks, washes the dishes, feeds the horses...he's quite a handy man to be around. Very helpful," he replied. He didn't mean to sound like they were treating Merlin like a slave. While there are times when they tease Merlin about his servant duties, it was really mostly Arthur who does all the ordering around. "I have to to admit that there are times when I thought Merlin might just give up and leave us, but the lad hardly ever complains," he added realizing just how loyal Merlin is to Arthur.

[Brynn Reade]

Being asleep in the middle of day? Hm, maybe that wasn’t such a good suggestion after all, but then Brynn remembered what the knights and some of the guards, including her father, had set out to do before dawn. Her father of course could not catch up on sleep after that, he had went on to his duties as usual, but if the knight’s presence was not requested elsewhere, like in training for example, they had much more liberty to do as they pleased. Therefore Brynn gave a curt nod and a smile.”That sounds like as good a suggestion as any, Sir. No one would blame you for having a longer lie-in, after this morning’s rousing.” And anyway, being called a sleepy head was so much better than being called a trickster and a thief, wasn’t it? But of course Brynn only thought that, she would never say such a presumptious thing.

Very helpful… yes that was what servants ought to be. Seen working, but never heard speaking, best seeing the task done before it was even demanded – but then that depended on the master. Some thought it presumptious if the servants read their mind. Brynn had lived in such an environment all her life, and had never wanted anything more. There were good masters and there were bad masters, and the best masters often enough were kings, because they had so many servants they couldn’t watch over everyone. If you did your duty and never sticked out, you could lead a wonderful quiet and peaceful life – apart from when other people tried to take over of course, or when magical creatures attacked the city. Then the servants and the other common people were always the first to suffer.


“Well, maybe he sees something in our king, something special we all don’t see yet, and that is what keeps him at his side?” It was nothing but idle speculation, but something Brynn had thought about very often. Merlin was never one to complain, but it was no secret how he could be bossed around by Arthur whenever the prince or now king had a bad day. “And then Merlin is just a good soul through and through, I hardly could see him being angry at someone for long.”

[shonz]

”That sounds like as good a suggestion as any, Sir."

"Please, call me Percival. After what I did this morning, I don't think I still deserved being called a 'Sir'," he said sheepishly. But seriously, he'd rather Brynn call him by his name. After all these months, one would think Percival would already get used to being addressed as such, but it still surprises him. There are still times when he doesn't turn around when being called "Sir" because he doesn't realize it was actually him they were calling. One would have to call him "Sir Percival" or "Percival" before he realizes it. "Anyway, I think we've found my alibi," he added with a wink.

Percival knew that there are times that they do take Merlin for granted. But he truly appreciates the man's real bravery and courage in the face of danger. Merlin doesn't have the same rigorous training as the knights do, but he picks up a sword and fights the bad guys anyway. And Brynn was right. The man hardly ever complains at all. Save for the few witty and funny retorts every now and then, Merlin was truly loyal and dedicated. Truly a remarkable servant. "Perhaps. I barely knew Arthur other than from what the stories say about him, but when I first met him, he treated me as a old friend. And I knew I had to stay and fight beside him," he mused, remembering that fateful day when Lancelot brought him to Camelot after he volunteered to fight against Morgana's immortal army. Since then, Percival had never looked back, never regretted his decision. "What about you? What made you decide to serve him?"