Chance Meetings

[mordred]

Set: About an hour after Mordred's knighting in "Arthur's Bane"

Between: Mordred and Nora.

Sitting at the banquet table, Mordred still felt a little as though he were dreaming. All of this - from leaving Morgana's bitterness, to saving Arthur, to being Knighted.... it all still felt a little dreamlike. He more than half expected to awaken and find himself back at the druid camp, or worse, in Morgana's hovel. The druid glanced over at where the King sat, before shaking his head and taking a sip of his goblet, savouring the pure water.

At an attempt to make conversation, the newly knighted Mordred turned to the lady sitting on his left, and gave her a charming smile. "Are you enjoying the feast, my Lady?" he asked politely, otherwise unsure of how to gain her attention, and not wanting to stick out as the sore thumb in Arthur's court by not conversing with others - even if they were strangers.

[Lady Elenora]

Once again, Nora found herself in Camelot. Nowadays she had more time on her hands to visit the castle, especially when it came to celebrating special occasions. Like a new knight, and tonight they were celebrating Sir Mordred becoming Camelot's newest addition to the Knights of Camelot. And even though, it was a joyous occasion, there were moments when she would think back to her father, wishing that he was here. But, she didn't want to dwell much on it for it was a happy time.

Luckily, someone brought her out of her moment of sadness. She turned to her right to see that it was the new knight asking her how she was enjoying the feast. Giving him a warm smile, she replied, "I'm having an excellent time, Sir Mordred." Before grabbing her goblet for another slip of wine. It was at this point that she realized that he did not know her name.

"I'm Lady Elenora, by the way. But most people call me Nora. It is a pleasure to meet you." She told him, giving him a pleasing smile. Or trying her best to. While Nora had improved her skills in conversing with the opposite sex, there were still times she got nervous.

"How are you enjoying the feast, Sir Knight? She asked him in return

[mordred]

Mordred had never felt more relieved than at the sight of the smile the lady had given him. As a newcomer to this kingdom, he was uncertain of protocal in these situations, thus every movement he made, every greeting, felt strange. He pushed the thought aside, with a warm smile of his own. "I am glad, my Lady." He was about to ask her name when she spared him, and introduced herself.

"The pleasure is mine, Lady Elenora," said the knight with a soft smile, inclining his head in respect to her. After all, she was a noble woman, and far higher in ranking than he was. At her question, he smiled a little. "I am indeed, my Lady," he assured softly. "I confess I am a little lost here though, I am not used to being among so many people..." He paused, wondering if his words would reflect badly on the King somehow. "That is to say..." he floundered, not sure how to continue.

[Lady Elenora]

Sir Mordred smiled warmly back to Nora, but she did not miss the note of nervous in his expression. For she knew it all to well, having been somewhat nervous when out in society. Mainly when it came to the opposite sex, but now she had became more confident and that was due to spending more time with others. For they say practice makes perfect.

He told her her it was a pleasure to meet her and Nora grinned back at the young gentleman, especially when he gave her a little nod of his head. She listened intently while he told her that he was having a good time, but a little lost when being amongest so many people which Nora could understand. Though, then he paused and started to backtrack and Nora had an idea why.

"You need not explain it to me, my dear. I have some experience in feeling a little lost at social engagements." Nora tried to reassure the young man.

[mordred]

At the lady's confession to knowing what he felt, the newly appointed Knight gave a slightly relieved smile. "You must forgive my manner, my Lady. I'm afraid I still am very.... new to ettiquete here. Or indeed at interactment with nobles such as yourself, or any others." He gave her a soft smile, in the hopes that he wouldn't be insulting her.

"May I ask how you know King Arthur?" he asked softly, pausing at his own words. "I don't mean to sound as though I'm prying," he added hurridely

[Lady Elenora]

Nora smiled warmly as Sir Mordred explained that he was new to the etiquette especially when speaking to nobles like her self. "Well, I ensure you Sir Mordred, that it won't take long to learn. Just remember to be yourself and the rest will come to you." She hoped that would give him something to hold on to so he wouldn't be nervous anymore.

He then asked her how she knew the King, before back-tracking to apologize for prying into her life. "It's fine," She assured him, "My father was one of the knights that trained him while he was learning to become a knight. And sometimes when I was little I would watch them practice and that's how I got to know King Arthur." She explained before asking him a question of her own, "How is being a knight going?" She hoped talking about this subject might make him feel a little more comfortable, seeing as it was a title he had earned.

[mordred]

The young Knight smiled at the Lady's advice, inclining his head. "You seem to know far more of these ways than I, my Lady, and I thank you for your advice; I will try to keep to it."

Mordred listened in interest as the Lady explained her connection to Arthur, nodding, with a slight smile. "It seems strange to think of the King as anything but the great King he is now," he admitted softly, glancing over at the blonde, before returning his gaze to Nora. "In all truthfulness, my Lady, it is something I am still getting used to." He paused. "I am grateful to his majesty for his kindness and am honoured by his decison to Knight me, but I do wonder if he has seen something within me that perhaps is not there..." he trailed off, shaking his head. "Forgive me, for I speak out of turn."

[Lady Elenora]

The young man inclined his head in thanks before saying, "You seem to know far more of these ways than I, my Lady, and I thank you for your advice; I will try to keep to it." This was only because Nora was born a noble, but obviously Nora decided to word it better than that -- she was not some kind of snob, "Only because I've had years of practice, Young Mordred," Nora hoped that he didn't take offense to calling him that. She could not help it though, there was something about him that made him seem so very young and yet so very mature. She could tell that Mordred was very interested to hear about her connection to their king. "It seems strange to think of the King as anything but the great King he is now," he admitted to her softly, before he glanced his way to King Arthur, which Nora did as well. "Yes, it is indeed. But I can think of no better King that him." Nora held the King in high esteem for he was always loyal to his people. And loyalty was a trait that Nora greatly admired in people.

Nora listened with a sympathetic ear as Mordred explained his doubts in the King knighting him, though he was grateful for his kindness and honor in knighting him, but wondered if he saw something in him that was not there. "Oh Sir Mordred, let me tell you something. The King does not just knight anyone. He knights men who he feels have the loyalty, honor and inner nobility in their duty in protecting Camelot and all its people. Regardless of their station..." Nora ended her speech as she realized that there was still a factor of nobility that still did agree with the King knighting commoners.

Once again, he apologized and Nora tapped him on the arm, "You don't need to apologize. It's understandable for you to be feeling uncertain about His Majesty's decision, but you need to have faith in him. He does not take this decisions lightly."

[mordred]

It was very hard for Mordred not to raise an eyebrow at being called 'young' by this woman, but he managed it... instead choosing to smile at her as he took a sip of his water. "I hope one day to undertand the court in such manners, my Lady." he stated softly. His smile only widened at her compliments to Arthur, and the druid nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly. "He is worthy of the title in every manner. A true King; in heart, body, and soul."

Mordred was unable to stop smiling as the Lady continued to speak about Arthur's qualities; qualities that others had spoken of, also. "I have heard such is true, my Lady. I confess to finding myself mystified but grateful and honoured by the grace he has shown me in Knighting me thus." He paused at her last words, studying her a little closer. "Do you not agree with commoners being Knighted, my Lady Nora?" He asked, keeping his voice light to let her know he was not angry, just curious.

"I will always have faith in the King, of that you need not fear." he assured her, inclining his head briefly.