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Post by Arthur Pendragon on Jul 27, 2010 15:14:36 GMT -5
When he was in such a state of mind, he took her answer as a 'no'. There was no hope. Her words were not reassuring because in his mind, all he could hear was Lancelot's insults . . . and it made the young Prince furious indeed. He did not say anything in return to her. He did not even comment on when she spoke about having a conversation with his father. His curiousity -- at this moment -- was not great enough for him to respond to that. He looked down, trying to control his actions, but Lancelot was outside, waiting for him to come out and fight. Fight . . . to the death.
He raised his gaze from the ground to her, and slightly lowered his head, giving her a short, soft kiss. "I'm sorry," he whispered before walking away from her. From the moment he stepped away from her, to the second he was outside and saw Lancelot there, he fully intended to fight the knight. He had his sword out, ready for the challenge. His mind was set; he was going to do this. He was going to fight for his honor, and to defend his father's honor. He was not going to back down. He did not even say anything to Lancelot; he planned to just raise his sword and initiate the first blow.
When he was inches away from him, something suddenly and abruptly changed inside of him. He was not sure what it was; or what suddenly gave him enough control over himself, but whatever it was . . . was enough to prevent him from starting this fight. He did not pause or freeze in his actions. What he was doing, fully looked like he was about to strike the knight with his sword, but up to the last second, Arthur raised his fist instead, and used a tremendous amount of strength to hit it against Lancelot's jaw. He then took a few steps back, his sword lowered by his side. In fact, he went a step further and put it back in its sheath. An indication that this fight was not going to happen. He would regret it, he already was, but doing the right thing was not always the easiest or most favorable at the time. In the long run, he knew that this was the better route; but it was also a very difficult one in the moment. He was still fuming though, still furious at the man, just not to the point of killing him. Arthur then felt the need to say something, and so he spoke.
"You are extremely lucky, that an undeserving man such as yourself has the affections of someone like Guinevère." His voice was not loud, but it held a great deal of anger. It was his way of telling Lancelot, that this was not happening . . . for Gwen's sake. Arthur, no matter how enraged, could never intentionally hurt Gwen like this. If she chose Lancelot, then she would be happy with him, and Arthur would never want to do anything to compromise her happiness. Arthur silently cursed himself, wishing he could be more selfish and while at times, he was, this was not one of those instances.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2010 16:19:50 GMT -5
Lancelot, in truth, Sir Lancelot, Du Lac, took up a spot some 25 feet from Gwen's door. It was not a good sign that Arthur did not immediately come out from Gwen's. If was still as furious as he appeared to be, on the inside, he would have followed very closely on Lancelot's heels to do battle. In fact, Lance's first worry was that he would not have the proper time to get into position before Arthur came out the door and stormed through his position. Lancelot took this opportunity to check his chain mail, his armor, and his shield as well as his two long-swords. He had, after all, left Gwen's in quite a rush.
All of his equipment appeared to be in order, he thought to himself. his chain mail was aligned properly, and his shield where where it was supposed to be. He rarely used, his shield in battle, other than to protect himself from a hail of incoming arrows from above. He wore his circular shield as the Spartans had, over his back. Likewise, his two long-swords were drawn from sheaths that went down his back. From the front all one would see would be the the hilts of the two swords sticking up above his shoulders. He did not believe in defense. A soldiers duty in war was not to defend, bit to always be on the attack .... the offense.
He had 6 shorter blades stuck inn his belt. These would be used for close-in fighting, if it was necessary. All was ready, and yet, Arthur did not appear. This was not good. This meant that they were talking, and if they were talking, it meant she was trying to convince Arthur not to fight. She might not dissuade him, but he would likely be cooled off from his earlier state, at the best. And at the worst, he wouldn't want to fight at all. Lancelot smiled grimly to himself, if this were going to work he would have to provoke and antagonize him yet again, which he had discovered some time ago, was not the most difficult thing to do.
Suddenly,though, he heard the door open a crack, and he heard him say something in a low tone to her, something Lancelot could not understand, and he strode out. At first, Lancelot was quite relieved, even though, out of the corner of his eye, he picked up the interest that some guards were having in the two of them as Arthur strode toward him. The last few feet, though, Arthur's gate seemed to change, although Lancelot did not think much on it. He thought, as Arthur slowed up it would be a good time to allude to him what he was doing ....... "Arthur..... there's something I want to te..," and then, SLAMMMM, and Lancelot was greeted with one of the hardest sucker punches he had ever taken, and was sitting on his butt on the ground, shaking his head, and rubbing his jaw. He wasn't knocked out, but he was madder than he had been in sometime ..... really mad and not acting.
Lancelot saw Arthur take a step back and drop his sword to his side. So, Gwen's little speech had worked after all, or at least mostly, seeing the red tinge of anger still on Prince Arthur's face, even as Arthur spoke. "You are extremely lucky, that an undeserving man such as yourself has the affections of someone like Guinevère." Lancelot's eyes blazed with fury. it was obvious that Arthur thought that there would be no fight here, but Lancelot was determined to correct that error in judgment.
"So you've changed your mind yet again, have you. Oh, I'm undeserving am I. You who challenge me by throwing down the gauntlet, but are dishonorable enough to back down from your own challenge. I wonder where you learned such behavior, or is it something that is just passed on from father to son. And do not think when I pass through the adjoining kingdoms and return to Wessex that I will not inform them of the undependability of the Pendragons is it. If you will not defend your honor, understand Crown Prince, that you will not leave this spot without defending your life. It is not the first time that you have called my character into question. I have taken it before, but I will not do so again. En Guarde." and Sir Lancelot drew both longs words. "No man, not even a Prince, will be forgiven a sucker punch to prevent action on the field of honor," and Lancelot move slowly forward, angling his path so that there would be no easy escape for the prince, other than combat itself.
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Post by Arthur Pendragon on Jul 28, 2010 10:19:25 GMT -5
Arthur was not looking for Lancelot's forgiveness, nor did he care about the man. But he did not want to kill him. He didn't want to kill him for Gwen, and in the Prince's mind . . . that was not dishonorable. It was honoring the woman he loved. It did not matter her rank or status in society; all that mattered was that he loved her, and would do anything to protect her, even if it meant recanting an action such as presenting a challenge. It also helped that no one else witnessed this, and would therefore, not judge him for doing so. That was perhaps why Arthur grew angrier -- if that was even possible at this point -- when Lancelot threatened to bad mouth the Pendragon name when he returned to Wessex.
Still, he would not fight.
Arthur drew his sword, only in self defense. "I will not fight you Lancelot." He said it plainly, simply, stubbornly. "Do not waste your breath on threats. It is useless." Arthur wished he had punched Lancelot's jaw harder so that it prevented him from mouthing off. Arthur took a step back, and put the tip of his sword on the ground, so that the blade was facing downwards, as he held the handle of it his weapon. Being the 'better man' was not easy, especially for the tempered Prince. Still, he had to. He had to lot let Lancelot's words provoke him, even though it was getting increasingly difficult.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2010 11:40:24 GMT -5
It was obvious that whatever she had said that she had convinced him that it was more honorable to not fight than to dishonor himself by withdrawing the challenge. He could attack Arthur.... perhaps injure or even kill him. However, that was not his aim. Perhaps he had succeeded, though, in changing both of their views of him. Perhaps they could now both put him in the ash bin of their memories. Lancelot took his two drawn swords and re-sheathed them.
He did still have his own code of honor, even if Arthur or Gwen could not understand it. Lancelot crossed the way, and stood in his path, so that he could not easily ignore him. "Very well, Crown Prince. You and your father may not recognize it, but I am noble, at least noblesse oblige of Gaul. That is where the Du Lac in my name comes from. At any rate, as a noble, now of Wessex, I release you from your challenge. You may not understand this either, but it will explain some of me to you. When my family and village were wiped out, when I was a young teen, I had nothing left, except the understanding that I never wanted to be vulnerable again."
"I was apprenticed as a carpenter, but my master, thoughtful as he was, arranged some beginner lessons in sword-craft from none other than Lady Morgana's father himself. When I left my apprenticeship I went to serve knights, eventually becoming one myself. However, I always had the dream of serving the famous Knights of Camelot, and serving beside the great Arthur. I did, for a few short hours, and then again, out in the countryside, looking for the Lady Morgana. I always put you up on this pedestal of honor. Today, my eyes were opened, as for the first time."
"After we first met I was more than willing to bring peace between you and your father, since I was the cause of it. I went back out into the world, and I found how brutal and without honor it is. When I found Gwen that cell, and helped her escape, I found again what goodness and honor can bring. Since you are the Crown Prince, and never wrong, I must agree with your assessment of me as a vile and dishonorable man, and as such, not deserving of one such as Gwen. To that I heartfully agree. There is no place in this world for me but back out in that brutal space."
"I expect that I will be taken back with open arms by the Earl and those in Wessex. There is always a need for someone with my skills, who will not allow conscience or honor to interfere. You lost it that today, Crown Prince, but I think you can reacquire it with no problem. I had hoped that her goodness could bring out the goodness and natural compassion that is yours, and that alone, will make you a better ruler than your father. It is better to be loved and respected than hated and respected, because once the fear is gone you will not be long of this world."
"And yes Gwen, I will lead from the front, as I always wont to, for I have nothing in this world that I can't live without. That is the strength of men and knights like me, our fearlessness." He then walked up directly into Arthur's face. "From the beginning I considered you as someone I wanted to be my friend and that I considered to be my friend. As you decided already that I was no friend of yours, you are no longer a friend of mine. So be it. You consider your nobility and princely duties to come before all things. I pray that is not the case with your feelings for Gwen."
"Do not expect to see me in this place again, unless Wessex is your ally, and I will ride with you, and defend you as I would a brother. But, if Wessex is your enemy, I will seek you out from the front of the battle. With that, my Prince, I take my leave of you," nodding respectfully, "Guinevère," nodding the same. He strode off toward the stables, aiming to take his leave to the northwest from there, and thensoon to be Sir Lancelot of Huntingdon, once again.
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Post by Guinevère on Jul 28, 2010 14:02:18 GMT -5
She felt him place a tender kiss on her before him letting her go, I'm sorry, he said before leaving her. Guinevère did not move for a few moments before she started crying again. She did not follow him, she could not watch the two men in her life fight. she could not stand to know which would fall and which one would be the . . . . the victor of the match.
She could hear some of the conversation but not all. Her head swung to look at the door as if she could see though it. Her heart speed up and she felt hope!! Arthur had heard her! He was not going to fight Lancelot?! She heard Lancelot speak, and gave his parting speech and she wanted to beg him forgiveness for she knew this was her fault. She had done this. However she though it would only make things worse. She stood there in her home, not leaving it. She wanted to but, knew it would not help matters.
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Royal
"For the love of Camelot!"
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Mar 27, 2023 19:09:32 GMT -5
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Post by Arthur Pendragon on Jul 28, 2010 14:12:34 GMT -5
Arthur did not respond to a single thing Lancelot said . . . but that did not mean that he had not heard him. He heard him; loud and clear. And his entire speech lacked any sort of remorse for his words, but instead, it just made the Prince more angry. He stared at the man he had once regarded his friend; the man he had once been grateful to for killing the Griffin; the man that he hoped would join Camelot's army and defend the kingdom. But no more. Arthur felt nothing for him but anger, for Lancelot had deeply offended the Prince, and his apology at this point, would mean nothing.
Arthur watched him leave, saying nothing to stop it, or rebuttal anything to defend himself. Arthur was more a man of action; Lancelot was a man of words. He had to admit, that he was however glad that Lancelot was moving out of his sight. He was not sure how much more he would be able to control his emotions. He had come so close to killing the man; a man who's murder would gravely hurt one woman: Guinevère. Perhaps Lancelot regarded his reluctance to fight as a weakness; perhaps he saw it as an act of cowardice . . . but Arthur saw it as honoring the one woman that he would unconditionally love, and if Lancelot did not understand that, then he did not know what love was.
Arthur let out a heavy breath, crouching down so that his head was slightly below the handle of his sword which was still facing up, while the tip of the weapon was placed against the ground. He closed his eyes, leaning his head against the flat side of the blade. Somewhere inside him, he knew he would find relief for this, but right now . . . he was still so furious that this man, dared to say such things. He remained in this position for a few moments, not sure what his next move would be. Escort Guinevère home? Yell something at Lance? No. Right now, he would just take a moment of peace and collect his thoughts, control his emotions, and restrain his actions.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2010 14:58:32 GMT -5
It was a long speech for him, Lancelot thought. They were words that needed to be said. If Arthur were a normal man he thought that those words would inflame him to fight,something Lancelot thought quite unlikely now, or some of the more conciliatory words would cause the Prince to rethink some of the things he had said and done. But Lancelot thought, as he stood there, that this was Uther's son, and he never made mistakes, or at least admitted to them. He thought he would try and give at least a bit of friendly advice, even though it was likely to go in one ear and out the other, which is what apparently happened.
Arthur just stood there like a stature, neither saying a word in defense, or against anything he said, or agreeing with it, for that matter. He was apparently determined neither to strike the first blow, or give a reason for Lancelot to. If nothing else, apparently, Gwen was teaching him restraint. Lancelot shrugged moving slowly past Arthur on his way to the stables, doubting whether he would say anything, and he didn't. Is this where all friendships ended, he wondered. Fortunately he had not had to face Gwen here at the last, even though he was sure she was listening.
Apparently all friendships with the Pendragons did. Just before he entered the stables he turned with a last comment, "Whatever else, Prince Arthur, do not blame yourself, or Gwen. Remember it was all my doing ..... the failure was mine." He went off into the stable, mounted on Sher-Fore, and tore out of the stables, heading at least at the first, for the Forest of Balor.
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