Offline
May 2, 2024 18:22:28 GMT -5
Tag me @Deleted
|
Deleted
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2010 0:15:26 GMT -5
In a way, Lancelot himself was surprised, by the words that had just come out of his moth. It was as if another person had spoken them. They were, however, his words, his thoughts,and his emotions. He had kept similar ones bottled up for too long, always sweeping them under the rug in favor of what was best for Arthur, the King, and the kingdom. This, though, had just been too much. He couldn't do it anymore. He was a fool to think that Arthur would do the right thing and listen to reason. He obviously had too much of his father in him.
He had watched Arthur's face and body react with each impact of his words,as if he was being hit by the arrow fired from a crossbow each time. Why were these Pendragons such an arrogant lot? Why did they take every criticism as a personal insult. He could see that Arthur was shaking with anger. "You really should take something for that nervous condition you've got, ARTHUR," he said, making pains not to say his title. He had seen Gwen pick up Arthur's gauntlet.
Sir Lancelot Du Lac walked over to Gwen, and held out his hand. "He was not giving that to you, Gwen. It was meant for me." Turning to Arthur, he said, "The Gauntlet and the challenge it represents are most gratefully accepted. Pick the time and place, oh great ARTHUR, so that we can make an end of this, unless of course, you need to run home to DADDY, and ask him for his permission to play with your swords. Rest assured that the game we will be playing will be for a permanent result. I formally pick it up, and whatever happens, may God have mercy on your soul, you miserable excuse for a family of nobles that you are.," Lancelot said with eyes flashing.
|
|
Offline
Jan 2, 2022 18:42:54 GMT -5
Tag me @gwen
|
|
Post by Guinevère on Jul 26, 2010 0:27:41 GMT -5
"Lancelot!!" She said as he keep going, she was shocked over his words. Words she had to assume he meant only to enrage the prince. Not only was he stressing the lack of formality but seemed to be flinging insults that way. "Stop!!" She begged. Guinevère stood and quickly ran around the table to stand beside Arthur so that Lancelot could not take the glove from her. "This has gone far enough! You are in my home, and my guests! I am asking you, not to do this here!! PLEASE!!" She begged again.
She looked over at Lancelot for a moment, her eyes begging him. What had made him say such things? Just a moment ago he was being calm and trying to help her now it seemed he'd had enough. She wished with all her might that she could undo these last few seconds.
Then she turned to Arthur, her eyes still pleading. Looking up at at him, she spoke softer, "Please Arthur," she said, braking the formalities in this moment, knowing that his pride was hurt and there was but few ways to sooth it. "I am begging you, not to do this. Please."
|
|
Royal
"For the love of Camelot!"
Personal Text
Complicated
Relationship Status
Knight | Prince | King
Occupation
|
euphoria
Offline
Mar 27, 2023 19:09:32 GMT -5
Tag me @arthur
|
|
Post by Arthur Pendragon on Jul 26, 2010 0:48:09 GMT -5
Arthur had only half expected Lance to stop talking . . . but he kept going and going, and saying more to provoke the prince. He had noticed that Gwen picked up the gauntlet, but it seemed not to matter to Lancelot because he verbally accepted the challenge. Arthur had to admit that in this moment, it was looking rather tempting to kill this man who had dared speak to him about his father this way. Mocked him. Ridiculed him. Arthur had thrown men in the dungeon and challenged them for much less. As Lancelot kept provoking him, Arthur angrily drew his sword. He knew that Lance did not have one on him, but never the less, the Prince pulled his out, and held it in a defensive position, as if he was ready to fight. He gripped it so hard that his knuckles began to turn a shade of white. The second he had pulled it out, he took a few steps towards Lancelot, fully intended to pierce him with it, but he froze.
Amongst all his building anger, he heard a soft, desperate voice. He did not look at Gwen, but he acknowledged her words. She was asking him . . . begging him not to do this. And that was when a thought hit him: Guinevère would never forgive him if he were to kill Lancelot. Even if Gwen and Arthur could never be, he could not live with the thought that he had forever hurt the woman he loved. Still, while this thought only prevented Arthur from lunging towards Lancelot, it did not make him put his sword back in its holder. He stood in the same position, not saying a word, but his expression was full of rage, as if he were going to do something drastic, while he desperately tried to control himself . . . it was getting much too difficult with that man standing so close, speaking so much, acting so arrogantly.
|
|
Offline
May 2, 2024 18:22:28 GMT -5
Tag me @Deleted
|
Deleted
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2010 8:58:14 GMT -5
Lancelot heard Gwen's pleadings, even though he pretended not to. He did not see any reason to put this off any further. he had tried his best to maintain the friendship that he had thought was there. However, he could only do and try so much. Although he knew that at one time that Arthur had not agreed with the King about him that time and the issue of Gwen had seemed to change all of what had gone before. There was a wall now, partly of class, and partly of other issues that was like a gulf between them. It was easy to see, no matter how much she tried, and how much Lancelot had tried, unless Arthur wanted it .. believed in it ... it would not happen. He saw that when Gwen's pleadings fell on his deaf ears, she moved to Arthur's.
Before she had moved to pleading with the Prince, Lancelot had seen him draw his sword and had seen the wild look of rage in his eyes. He knew that Arthur could not stand to be insulted in any way, and that he would react emotionally to it. It was a weakness. It provided a way to manipulate the young Prince. If he was to survive as a King, Lancelot knew that Arthur would have to control that temper. Today, though, Lancelot was relying on it to bring everything out. Would Arthur run him through, he wondered, a defenseless man. Ordinarily he would have said no. But his rage did not make this an ordinary moment. Lancelot did wonder if Arthur's feelings for her, though hidden, would have an influence. Lancelot hoped it did not, even though it could all lead to the end of his life.
Even though Lancelot could see him advance with his sword drawn, and he could see how tightly he was holding it, as if he was strangling the hilt, he stood his ground. He gave every indication that he would strike, but then, the words that Gwen was pleading with him with, seemed to stop him in his tracks. It was as if Lancelot could see the gears working in his mind, weighing things, and deciding that she was right. But Lancelot was not willing that it end in this sort of a weak-kneed compromise. He was determined to force a real decision. Lancelot saw that he had stopped, but he had not put the sword away, yet. So, he spoke one more time.
"My dear Arthur, given everything else, and your obvious shortcomings, that at least you were a man of honor. I thought that when you challenged a man, and he accepted, that you would follow through with the duty and honor that was expected. I expected that you would act as a knight at the very least, if you could not act with the honor of a Prince. I wonder what Uther will say when he hears that you backed down from your own challenge. I expect you will make him quite proud, eh?"
|
|
Offline
Jan 2, 2022 18:42:54 GMT -5
Tag me @gwen
|
|
Post by Guinevère on Jul 26, 2010 13:01:36 GMT -5
Guinevère looked over at Lancelot. Who was this man saying these words? What happened to the honor bound man she had been speaking to earlier? Was this her fault? Because she had not bee able to let him go? "This is my father's home, Lancelot, and I am am begging you not to dishonor him like this. Speaking these words in his home! Words he would not wish to hear from any man to any man."
Looking up at Arthur she reached her hand over and placed it over his on his sword, "Please," She begged him, "The memories of happy times between my father and I, and . . . and my guest are what I live on when here alone. I am begging you, Arthur, not to taint them." When she refereed to her guest she was meaning the man in the room with her, and the times they spend together before things got complicated. A live that would work for both men.
|
|
Royal
"For the love of Camelot!"
Personal Text
Complicated
Relationship Status
Knight | Prince | King
Occupation
|
euphoria
Offline
Mar 27, 2023 19:09:32 GMT -5
Tag me @arthur
|
|
Post by Arthur Pendragon on Jul 26, 2010 13:20:23 GMT -5
He was insulting Arthur's honor . . . again. How could he? Especially when he was doing it for Guinevère. Clearly, that was something Lancelot did not understand. Until now, Arthur had accepted the possibility of Gwen and Lancelot being together; that he would care for her, that he was an honorable man who would bring her happiness . . . but now, his opinion of him had drastically changed. He did not want Guinevère to be with him. If she could not be with Arthur himself, then another man . . . just not Lancelot. A man so willing to criticize someone. So willing to provoke them. So willing to ignore the pleas of the woman he loved. He was so angry, he was boiling over, and Lancelot just kept talking . . . ignoring the formalities Arthur had tried to enforce.
And that was when Gwen spoke about her father. A subject that he would never disrespect or dishonor, and while he still felt the immense anger inside of him, rationality also entered his mind. Only to a certain extent . . . for Guinevère. Maybe Lancelot could mouth off like this, but hearing her pleas for peace in a place where she grew up, where her father raised her, where his memory lingered . . . Arthur would respect that. Despite what Lancelot said, Arthur still had his honor. He slowly lowered his sword, putting it back in its sheath. This did not mean he was any less angry with Lancelot. It just meant he was not going to attack him . . . here, in her house. Even if he did not respond to her, her words deeply affected him.
"Pick up your sword. Bite your tongue. And come outside." Arthur knew that he probably . . . eventually . . . not go far enough to kill Lancelot, just for Gwen's sake. But right now, the way he was running his mouth, Arthur was finding it horribly difficult to just walk away from him.
|
|
Offline
May 2, 2024 18:22:28 GMT -5
Tag me @Deleted
|
Deleted
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2010 18:20:57 GMT -5
Lancelot suddenly noticed that Gwen was looking at him quite strangely. Of course things were quite tense between him and Arthur, but what was that to her. This was between the two of them. He knew that she was always trying to keep peace between them, but why was that necessary. He had been friends with Arthur once, why was that so hard now. He understood, finally, that they were friends, as long as the relationship was on the level of knights, fellow fighters. It could probably not exist if Lancelot could nor be a Knight of Camelot. What was she saying now? “Dishonor? How did standing up for oneself and the people be an act of dishonor, exactly? You mean that to question the Pendragons in any way is an act of disloyalty that can not be abided, by you? I understand now.”
Gwen now moved to Arthur, and she began trying to persuade him as well. What was she trying to do, make, he, Lancelot guilty about what she was saying in her father’s house, and on the other hand, make Arthur guilty about doing something before he’s even done it. “If you are so concerned with dishonor we will take it outside, so that what we do will not taint your happy memories …… Arthur?” It was at it must be, Lancelot reasoned. He just hoped that he might survive, and that they would hate him. That was the only way that they could be together. Lancelot believed that he was the better swordsman, and as a result, he could survive the battle that was to come. He would rather Arthur win. The question was whether Arthur could win without killing Lancelot …. That he didn’t know. However, if Lancelot defeated Arthur and injured him, she would never forgive him, and the break would be complete, and that was what Lancelot was after. True, he did think that the policy that the Pendragons were taking as idiotic, but he had only used it as a tool to bring out Arthur’s emotion and rage. He would have to learn to control them.
Lancelot had just come to realize that slipping away would not be enough. She would have always have looked for him to return, and this way, she never would. Lancelot could go his own way, and they would be better off for being together, and the kingdom would be better off as well. Lancelot could go off and fight in his battles and wars and jousts without the fear of leaving someone alone and behind. This was the way it must be … the only way. "Pick up your sword. Bite your tongue. And come outside." It had worked! He would face him once more. Lancelot did not know what the outcome would be specifically ….. either one of them might win …. Lancelot might win or die, but he knew that Arthur would live. He hoped he would be the victor, but Arthur was skilled and now a very angry expert with a blade, which could be very dangerous. “It is good to see that your sense of honor and duty and noble class has not yet deserted you …. Arthur. As you wish …. I will wait for you, just outside,” he said, as he left through the doorway, not once daring to look at her.
|
|
Offline
Jan 2, 2022 18:42:54 GMT -5
Tag me @gwen
|
|
Post by Guinevère on Jul 26, 2010 22:22:32 GMT -5
Everything had gotten so far out of hand. Guinevère didn't know where she had went wrong. She had been trying not to show a favoritism between the two and be friend to them both as she could not be more. Watching them fight, she felt tears on her cheeks. No. No. no. no NO. NO. NO. NOQ!!!
When Lancelot went out she called to him, "Lancelot!! Please!!" She begged but he left. Out their waiting for Arthur. She watched the door close and wanted to follow him and beg him not to do this. She knew it would only make it worse.
Turning to Arthur she looked up at him, crying rather openly now. "Please don't do this. You have nothing to prove. Walk me back tot he castle now. Please. Arthur I am begging you, please!! "
|
|
Royal
"For the love of Camelot!"
Personal Text
Complicated
Relationship Status
Knight | Prince | King
Occupation
|
euphoria
Offline
Mar 27, 2023 19:09:32 GMT -5
Tag me @arthur
|
|
Post by Arthur Pendragon on Jul 27, 2010 9:41:53 GMT -5
Even while Lancelot was going outside, Gwen still called after him. That just annoyed Arthur even more. In his mind, a man like that did not deserve it. Arthur knew what he deserved, and that was why he had thrown down his gauntlet. When she turned to him, Arthur wasn't looking at her, but rather, at the ground. He could see tears forming in her eyes, and while he hated seeing her so upset, he could not just ignore everything that Lancelot had said. He finally looked at Guinevère, making sure not to yell his next words, but they were spoken with a serious tone.
"Did you not hear what he said Guinevère?" He knew she did, so it was more of a rhetorical question. "I once helped that man escape from the dungeon, and now he speaks to me, insulting my honor, insulting my father's honor, criticizing all he have done for the kingdom. How can a man like that . . . how can you love a man like that?" He didn't understand. He was angry, but he was making sure not to direct his anger at her, for it would be towards the wrong person. Still, his tone was more angry that it had ever been when talking to her.
|
|
Offline
Jan 2, 2022 18:42:54 GMT -5
Tag me @gwen
|
|
Post by Guinevère on Jul 27, 2010 11:27:08 GMT -5
At Arthur's words she looked down at the group as well. Between the unwelcome excitement and the crying her breathing was deeper and her shoulders shook. How to explain this to Arthur with out hurting him more? "I did this, not him." She forced her eyes up to his but they fell again quickly.
"He only says things because I hurt him." Surely that was why, "Maybe I should have let him go? I am only hurting you both, bring you both lower . . . . . . When I was kidnapped in Morgana's stead, you came for me. When you saw he was there, you were glad; It was I who ruined that. You were once friends, Arthur. You should remember that." Guinevère was taking the blame for she knew that was the biggest thing between the men and the unspoken one. Let them say it was other things but they all knew it was her. Her fault, her love, her.
|
|
Royal
"For the love of Camelot!"
Personal Text
Complicated
Relationship Status
Knight | Prince | King
Occupation
|
euphoria
Offline
Mar 27, 2023 19:09:32 GMT -5
Tag me @arthur
|
|
Post by Arthur Pendragon on Jul 27, 2010 11:37:02 GMT -5
How could she take blame for this? It just made him more angry. "You did not control the words that came out of his mouth." Even if Arthur was not thrilled by the prospect of the two of them being together, she could not be blamed for his . . . offensive words. "I knew, that I would have to accept whatever future you two wanted together." He wanted to convince her that it was not her fault; that he did not blame her for this. He blamed one man: Lancelot. And perhaps that was the anger inside of him; anger at what he had said to him . . . what he had dared say.
"I still had no hatred or anger towards him. I would not have interfered." But now, things had changed. "You had nothing to do with the words that he spoke. The insults that he so casually and smugly spoke." He just could not understand . . . why, why he deserved Guinevère after speaking like that. "Whatever friendship we once had is gone, and you are not to blame for it." It was difficult to remember a friendship with someone who willingly criticized your honor and family. He wanted her to know that; that this was not her fault at all. That she should carry not guilt over it.
|
|
Offline
Jan 2, 2022 18:42:54 GMT -5
Tag me @gwen
|
|
Post by Guinevère on Jul 27, 2010 11:50:41 GMT -5
She still could not look up at him. "It is my fault. Before then, he was so honorable and full of life. He knew what he wanted and knew his path in life. He was kind and went out of his way, -leaving- Camelot to not cause trouble. That is who he was before I hurt him." She told him.
"Sometimes . . . . . " Sometimes she thought she should be the one to leave. With out her here, they could be friends and try to move past this block she placed between them. Once day Arthur would be king and maybe they would have moved past this enough that Lancelot could be his knight. She still saw them how they were once, stilling at a table drinking together. it seemed like they would be friends, trusted allies.
|
|
Royal
"For the love of Camelot!"
Personal Text
Complicated
Relationship Status
Knight | Prince | King
Occupation
|
euphoria
Offline
Mar 27, 2023 19:09:32 GMT -5
Tag me @arthur
|
|
Post by Arthur Pendragon on Jul 27, 2010 12:13:44 GMT -5
Arthur still was not convinced, nor would he ever be. "If he truly was as honorable, and kind as you say, then he would not have lashed out. He would have respected her decision, and remained civil. But clearly, Lancelot was not the man Guinevère made it out to be. Or if he was, then Arthur was definitely missing something. "If he really was as you described, he would have remained consistent." Arthur had been hurt by the relationship between Guinevère and Lance; that did not mean lashed out against him. He just remained quiet about it, but never did he insult his honor, or attack his family.
"Instead, he chose to take the lower road. To target things . . . that no friend or honorable knight ever would. And I can not just turn around and ignore them." Arthur did not know what he was going to do. The thought of actually killing Lancelot was getting more and more distant from his mind, but in the heat of the moment, that was all he wanted to do . . . even if rationality was starting to kick in; especially when he saw Gwen cry, and clearly so upset about it. "And it was not because you hurt him. He had no reason to; other than he wanted to provoke me, and it worked."
|
|
Offline
Jan 2, 2022 18:42:54 GMT -5
Tag me @gwen
|
|
Post by Guinevère on Jul 27, 2010 12:24:55 GMT -5
"A earlier when he was offering to help, and you grew angry and gave him a set down right in front of me, what was that?" She asked him softly in a voice that did not judge. "You had been riding together before you passed me in the court yard. did you fight? Did you grow angry at each other? Or did this only happen after I entered?" She knew the answer.
"I do not want to see either of you hurt, nor dead. After the nightmare we have been living for the past week I do not think my heart can handle more. Please, Arthur. Walk away from this. Walk me back to the castle. Leave with me. You have nothing to prove, I know the truth and you know the truth and that should be all that matters."
|
|
Royal
"For the love of Camelot!"
Personal Text
Complicated
Relationship Status
Knight | Prince | King
Occupation
|
euphoria
Offline
Mar 27, 2023 19:09:32 GMT -5
Tag me @arthur
|
|
Post by Arthur Pendragon on Jul 27, 2010 12:33:23 GMT -5
Really? Was she still trying to justify Lancelot? Arthur, not that he had calmed down at all, grew more enraged. He raised his voice, not quite yelling, but it revealed that he was not calm; that he was furious; that he was not about to let this go. "Because in the woods he had not dishonored my father's name! Or criticized everything we try to do for this kingdom! I may not have been thrilled with his decision to stay, but never did I call him the things he called me or mocked him in any way!" Miserable excuse for a royal family. Dishonorable Prince. Replying the words in his head was not a good idea right now. He continued to snap. While he lowered his voice, it was still firm.
"If he is so honorable, then go to him and tell him to walk way from this. If deep down, he is such a good man, then go talk some sense into him, instead of trying to do so with me." Arthur was bitter towards him, but now, there was a list of why. "Even if I have nothing to prove to you, I have everything to prove to myself. I have challenged a man for saying less."
|
|
Offline
Jan 2, 2022 18:42:54 GMT -5
Tag me @gwen
|
|
Post by Guinevère on Jul 27, 2010 12:48:29 GMT -5
As he raised his voice she took a step back, and, when he spoke of challenging a man for less she thought back to one of their earlier conversations. And even the one with Lancelot were they had spoken of the exact same thing. If they (Arthur and her self) grew bold and did one day revile to the world their love there would be comments made. She was a SERVANT and he was a prince of the realm. Comments, harsh ones would be made. She had told Lancelot so and he had told it would not matter.
When someone would grow bold and say words against her, what then? Would he challenge every person to a duel of honor? Would be fight to the death with them all? Kill them all or even one day be killed over words that would mean nothing. She turned away from him, tears coming fresh now. .
|
|
Royal
"For the love of Camelot!"
Personal Text
Complicated
Relationship Status
Knight | Prince | King
Occupation
|
euphoria
Offline
Mar 27, 2023 19:09:32 GMT -5
Tag me @arthur
|
|
Post by Arthur Pendragon on Jul 27, 2010 13:03:14 GMT -5
Arthur hated being part of the reason she was in such emotional turmoil. It made him want to kill Lancelot even more. But . . .the Prince too had to take responsibility for his actions, even if in the end it only meant that Guinevère and Lancelot would be together. He forced his voice to sound more calm and composed than it had since this entire thing started. He took a few steps towards her, even though her back was towards him. "I'm sorry," he said, sincerely apologetic.
"What would you have me do Guinevère; walk away from this? Allow him to speak in such ways about my father, about the Pendragon name, about Camelot?" Lancelot knew, anyone had to know, that those were subjects you did not insult to the Prince. And yet, he had done so anyway, and continued to do so. "Turn a blind eye and allow him to mock the honor of this kingdom?" He wasn't trying to upset her any more. He was just trying to deal with the situation accordingly.
|
|
Offline
Jan 2, 2022 18:42:54 GMT -5
Tag me @gwen
|
|
Post by Guinevère on Jul 27, 2010 13:12:38 GMT -5
"Yes!" she begged, "If you truly can not move past his words then ask him to leave." Which would hurt her, but she would at lest know he was alive out there somewhere. Maybe even able to move on. Past the hurt she was making him live in. "Your the Prince of Camelot, you know more them him or I of the wonders of this place. Do not let one man's words cause trouble."
"You speak of hope, when you speak of us. You say one day that maybe things will be different. Is this the world you would ask me to live in? You know the nobles will have something to say ageist a servant and a prince. They will question your honor and even suggest I have placed a spell over you to make you see me in such a way. Will you challenge them all? Will you fight everyday?" She asked, "No one but you and I know of his words. There is no reason to fight him tonight. Walk away, Arthur. Walk away with me."
|
|
Royal
"For the love of Camelot!"
Personal Text
Complicated
Relationship Status
Knight | Prince | King
Occupation
|
euphoria
Offline
Mar 27, 2023 19:09:32 GMT -5
Tag me @arthur
|
|
Post by Arthur Pendragon on Jul 27, 2010 13:33:41 GMT -5
Arthur would wait for that time to come before he considered his actions. "That is something that should be considered when the time comes." He did not know how he would deal with that, but right now, he was dealing with the arrogant knight who was far too bold for Arthur's liking. "With Lancelot here, is there actually hope for us?" He had wished he asked the question at a better time, but he could not help but at least ask. If Lancelot had not let after they rescued her from Hengist, perhaps Guinevère and Lancelot would have been married already.
That was not the reason he wanted to kill Lancelot. It was not about eliminating the competition. It was about honor, pride, qualities typical of any knight, and ones that Arthur now believed that Lancelot completely lacked.
|
|
Offline
Jan 2, 2022 18:42:54 GMT -5
Tag me @gwen
|
|
Post by Guinevère on Jul 27, 2010 13:46:52 GMT -5
No. There would be no hope, because Guinevère doubted she could openly be with one man, knowing it would crush the other. She could not hurt someone in such a way, knowing what she was doing. However in this moment, she could not tell him that. She just keep her back to him for a long before, fighting back tears before turning to him and hiding her face in his . . . . hadr armor.
Not finding comfort there she looked up at him, "There is more between us then Lancelot, Arthur. Your father, rank, the world. It's not a question I can answer." She raised a hand to lay against his cheek, "Do not lay the the fate of us at his feet. Do not let they be why you can not walk away. This duel will solve nothing. I do not think less of you for his words. I would think more of you for your actions. Do not be the young prince who can not control his temper, the one day king who will not let others control his actions. Lancelot wants to fight you. Maybe he needs to fight you. Be stronger then your emotions."
"If I can hold a conversation with your father, then there is hope. And I have. I spoke with your father, and he said kind words. If I can do that, surely you can do this." She told him.
|
|