At Your Service [Vortigern]

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In all honesty, Sir Iwan hadn't been surprised when he'd been told that it was up to him to look after Prince Vortigern during his stay. He was probably one of the only knights who could be trusted to do it properly, in Iwan's opinion anyway. He'd already drawn up a list of things that needed to be doing - mainly things the servants should have already seen to anyway but he wanted to make sure everything was perfect. There was absolutely no point in doing something if you weren't going to do it perfectly. What would Prince Vortigern think if he arrived in Camelot and things weren't ready? It would be embarrassing.

He made his way out into the courtyard, practically jumping on every passing servant to make sure the final preperations were being carried out. It wasn't certain what time Vortigern would be arriving but it was some time today and Iwan had a reputation for punctuality to maintain. He could quite happily stand in the courtyard all day, rather than having to run down seconds before the prince arrived. It was all in the presentation, he thought as he found somewhere suitable to stand. They wanted to make Camelot look like the majestic kingdom it was, not like its people didn't know how to treat visiting royalty.

Finding a nice spot in the sun, Iwan pulled out his list, checking that everything had been done. Hmm. He should have brought some writing implements with him. It was just irritating not being able to cross out each item. It made him look like he hadn't acheived anything. With a sigh, he folded it up and put it away. Everything had been done, despite the fact that nothing had been crossed off, so all he had to do now was wait.


Tagged: Vortigern
Timeline: Series four, shortly before Arthur's coronation

[Vortigern]

-------Back to Camelot. This was not Vortigern's first visit, and he doubted it would be his last. He was here for the coronation proceedings, of Arthur Pendragon. Vortigern's last visit had been during the festivities after the peace treaty was signed, for Gildas wanted him to get in on the happy times. It made Vortigern want to vomit. He wanted a war! Wars were profitable, allowed a kingdom to expand, and gave them wealth and power! Peace... just made you a pansy; being another kingdom's play thing. Only called upon if there was a war, and they all could fight together. Yet one could not make a move without another. And what spoils were they given? Hardly even anything. No. Vortigern did not want peace and that was where he and his father often held strong disagreement. Sorelia would be a very different kingdom when Vortigen was king. But for now, he had to respect his father. And do as told. And make nice with all these little diplomats. Including Arthur Pendragon... apparently. Finally arriving, he slowed his horse to a halt in the courtyard.

-------Well, this was hardly the red carpet treatment. While he knew that everyone was busy preparing for the ceremony... and still mourning for the previous king's death... it was still not a legitimate excuse as to why there was no where here to greet his arrival. He was a prince! Not a common noble. Not an entertainer. He was prince and heir of Sorelia. And this was how he was treated? How utterly pathetic. It was already setting Vortigern in a rather sour mood. Not that such a mood was rare for the prince. He dismounted his horse as a servant scurried close to get it. Vortigern shot him a warning glare... just because he was the only one around that Vortigern could make such faces at. Or well, perhaps not. For he saw a man approaching him. Vortigern looked him over. He looked to be too fine attire to be a servant. He looked at least the rank of a noble. Still. Not good enough. Vortigern was royalty and expected to be greeted by royalty. "Who are you?" Who cared. "Where is Arthur Pendragon?" That was the more relevant question.

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It didn't seem like too long a wait before Prince Vortigern arrived, although knowing Iwan he could have been stood outside for several hours, far too preoccupied with going over all the arrangements to notice such a passing of time. But the prince was here now, that was the important thing. The man didn't look too happy but then from what Iwan remembered of him from his last visit this shouldn't be too surprising. He was going to kept on his toes, that much was clear enough. That didn't matter now. His job was to make sure the prince had everything he needed during his stay, not to pass judgement. With this in mind he approached the man with what he hoped was a welcoming smile.

"Your Highness," he dropped into a low bow. When he was stood straight again he introduced himself. "I am Sir Iwan d'Auber, I am afraid Prince Arthur is currently detained." He paused for a moment before adding, "I am to make sure you have everything you need during your stay." Iwan was quite optimistic about Vortigern's stay, he hadn't had much to do with the man when he had last been in Camelot and although he had heard several things about his character he had decided to reserve his judgement for when they finally met. It would be nice to be doing something different, something without the other knights commenting.

Two servants had already appeared - one to take the prince's belongings to his chambers and another to take his horse to the stables. Iwan watched them carefully for a moment, making sure they were doing everything properly before turning his attention back to Vortigern. "Is there anything you require now, Your Highness? Or would you prefer to be taken to your chambers?"

[Vortigern]

-------Vortigern stared at the man as he bowed. Well, that is a good start. At least he knew how to greet royalty. A scarce quality in people these days. But his words were hardly reassuring. Detained? As if that was a suitable reason. Vortigern was Prince of Sorelia! He had come all this way as a guest for the events. The least the prince, soon to be king, could do was come out to greet him. Not very hospitable at all. Instead, he sent a replacement. This, Iwan person. Vortigern's eyes looked over him with evident disdain. He highly doubted the man would make sure that Vortigern had everything he needed. Apart from being disrespectful, people were also incompetent. And would be deemed so until proven otherwise. Besides, Vortigern had very high standards. Ones that even his own servants could hardly ever meet.

-------"I require being greeted with the proper respect from the man who invited me." There. Blunt. To the point. The man had asked a question and Vortigern had given an all to straight forward answer. What did it matter if it was rude. Arthur was rude for not coming out to greet him. "What makes you so able to take his place?" Now he was questioning what qualified him for such a job. "Are your qualities as a knight that insufficient, that the soon to be king sends you out to do such things?" Better than a servant. Then again, Vortigern still was offended. Be it servant, or noble, he expected nothing less than a royal to be here as he rode through the castle gates.

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Well this was all running smoothly...Vortigern's attitude was in danger of ruining Iwan's interary, although the man's status meant that Iwan was not at liberty to say anything, or even consider saying anything. Questioning royalty was not a privallege Iwan could boast. Instead he held his tongue and reminded himself that he wasn't going this for Vortigern, he was doing it for Arthur, and therefore sort of for Camelot. "I am afraid that is impossible at present sire." Iwan replied. He had a feeling it was not going to be a well met answer, but it was the best he could offer. Arthur was busy, it was as simple as that.

Vortigern's question was not something Iwan was expecting to hear, nor was it something he particularly wanted to answer. He was used to royals with a little more...grace than this man. Surely the fact that he was there in the first place was in his favour? He wasn't going to say this, however, there were times and places for sarcasm and this certainly wasn't an example. This was a time to be respectful and perform his duties to the best of his abilities, inlcuding having to put up with a man like Vortigern. And here was him actually looking forward to this, how naive he had been. "I am afraid I cannot answer that, not knowing why I was specifically chosen. However, as a knight of Camelot I am able to provide everything your highness needs and will do so to the best of my ability."

His opinion of the prince was not improving any. Arthur would never speak to a servant in this manner, let alone a knight. Iwan may not have as high a status as Vortigern, but he still warranted some respect. It was not his fault Arthur was unavailable, he thought rather childishly. Iwan already did not much care for the man, and if he wasn't a prince or a guest of Camelot, the young knight would have taken no pains to pretend otherwise.