The Age of Innocence

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

Odd, how things had taken such an unexpected turn in Arthur's life. His upbringing had been simple, but happy. He had a loving mother, one who kept him sheltered from the darkness of the world. But, in her absence -- her death -- Arthur had been in need for work, and the memories of his mother too painful to remain in the place they called home. He wished to feel close to her, to hear stories of those who knew her. And what better place to do that than to go where she was born: Camelot city. She had once been a servant in the royal household and Arthur was fortunate to find himself in a similar position. With his background, and the family history, he was granted one of the highest honours -- as it only took a short time to reach there.

He was servant to the king. Truth be told, Arthur did not know a great deal of Uther Pendragon. The man seemed detached, cold but he was strong. For anyone to rule a kingdom the way he did, one had to be incredibly strong. And then there was his ward, that Arthur had yet to meet. He had barley met all the other servants in the castle! It was enormous and full of life. The city was truly a drastic change from the village he had grown up in which was both good and bad, as it did make him miss home. Currently, he was taking advantage on an empty training field. He couldn't resist picking up one of the practice swords, doing a quick look around to ensure no one was watching -- so that he was not to get into trouble.

And soon enough, he fell into a rhythm. He entered a dance with the sword, skilfully manoeuvring it. How incredibly it would be to be a knight. To serve the crown with honour. Arthur knew it was an impossibility, but that did not mean he could never pick up a sword. That he could not train, as informally as he was. He felt as so much ease with such a way . . . as if he was one with it. As if somehow, this was his true calling. But alas, such foolish notions were ones he knew he had to set to rest. He was a servant. Nothing more than that.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère lifted her dress slightly and hurried past the citadel's wall while looking behind her with a smile. No one was behind her, no one seemed to notice her, and with that she turned back and hurried toward the grass and away from the stone walls. Finally! Freedom! The glorious feeling of just being alone for a while! She was excited to be able to get out and see the town some, on her own!

Not that she had any true complaints! Camelot was beautiful! She'd love the stay here so far, even if she missed her home. Her home, a neighboring kingdom, had recently found war with King Lot. Her kingdom had been taken over, and for the last year she'd stayed in Camelot with her father's friend--King Uther--while her father fought for their kingdom back. While she was glad to be here and away for the horrors of war, she felt stifled by Uther's rules. He clearly wished her to wed one of his nobles, since he had no son, and to join the kingdom he was aiding her father in winning back.

Meanwhile, Guinevère wanted something more then an arranged marriage. Her father had been welcoming of adventures, and less formal. She wanted a chance to have fun and enjoy being away from her father, and in a kingdom where everyone wasn't looking toward her to be a ruler one day.

Which is what she was doing when she came upon the knight training in the field. She slowed her step and a let her dress fall from her fingers. Standing there watching him she noticed the way he move, and his handsome face. Smiling she walked forward--though stayed well out of range. "You're very good," she said, assuming that he was more then knowing for sure.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

Arthur was so engrossed in his own self training, that he had not noticed a pair of eyes on him . . . that is, until he heard her voice. He froze, spinning around to see a woman. Not just any woman. Perhaps the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his entire life. He belatedly realized he was just staring, and he held no doubt in the way that she was dressed, that she was at the very least . . . a noble. He immediately dropped his gaze and lowered his head out of respect. "Thank you," he said quietly, knowing he should not be acting or speaking without respect. That he was a servant and . . . well, he should not even be keeping his eyes on her the way he had.

"I . . . " Someone had been watching him. That was when he realized the impact of her words. She thought him to be good. Very good! He was unused to such a compliment coming from one of a higher rank and he felt his heart swell with honour. Especially coming from a beautiful woman . . . what man could not enjoy the flattery?! "Did not realize anyone was watching," he said with a slight smile, feeling a bit sheepish. Would she report him to the king? Was he going to lose his job for using this area designated for knights? He felt his heart quicken in his chest, as if awaiting judgement . . . and yet, all he could think of was that a breathtaking woman thought he was good.

[Guinevère]

He turned to stare at her, and she smiled. His glaze lingered, and while not inappropriate in nature, it felt different. She liked it. Something about the knight that trained alone, and without armor. He thought more of skill then impressing others. Besides, he was handsome and she wished she'd met him at a feast. Seeing his footwork made her want to dance and flirt with him. "I was . . . " she looked back the way she came before looking back at him with a slightly proud smile, "I wasn't supposed to be. I was just exploring."

She also assumed he knew who she was, so she didn't introduce herself. "I thought I'd met all of King Uther's knights." She told him, walking closer now that he wasn't swinging his sword. Here was a chance for an adventure, of sorts. She looked at the sword, something she'd rarely had the chance to hold and then at his face, a look on her face that suggested she was a little pleased with what she was about to ask of him. "Will you teach me?" How to hold the sword.

It would both give her something fun to do, as well as give her a reason to keep talking to this knight. Who's name she was eager to learn.

Arthur Pendragon

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

She was exploring. This made Arthur unable to keep the smile from his lips upon hearing that. How . . . endearing! That she wished to explore and it landed her here. Was she from a neighbouring kingdom? Or was her estate far from the city? He found himself eager to ask, eager to learn more about her . . . and yet somehow, reminded himself, that she was a noble. And, he had no right to wish to get to know her. She then told him that she thought to have met all his knights, and he parted his lips to tell her that he was not one . . . yet it was her next question that immediately silenced him. His eyes slightly widening once more as he looked at her, but more out of . . . pleasant surprise than anything else.

She wanted to learn how to hold a sword?! How different she was from the nobles he had encountered thus far! Or at least the ones he saw from a distance! He knew on the one hand, he shouldn't. Despite her request, he should tell her the truth for she believed him to be a knight. He should tell her that he was not. That he was a servant. That . . . "Of course, My Lady," he blurted out. The inner conflict strong, yet intrigue gave way to his morals. He was lying . . . and he knew it wasn't right. "Are you right handed or left handed my Lady?" He asked her. "For it will effect which hand you grasp it with, and how you position your feet when taking your stance." This was so, so wrong. Yet . . . perhaps he could escape for just a moment from the reality of his life, and pretend, that showing a beautiful woman how to hold a sword, was just another day as a knight.