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Post by Brynn Reade on Feb 28, 2011 19:06:14 GMT -5
Alright, the first step was taken. Brynn always found this to be the hardest part, as she normally wasn’t so outgoing. But now the first greetings had been exchanged and all that mattered now was if they could find a topic to settle on. Yes, Brynn was very analytic when it came to such things as sparking up conversations. Only with Alex it had been different from the start, but that might be due to the fact that her dear Alex found it easy to converse with anyone and always had the right thing to say so she could answer. But once she had started to warm up to someone Brynn had to keep her bold nature at bay as well. Then she could say things she might regret later, but she hoped that would not be the case here and now.
Brynn smiled at the girl, wondering quickly about how hoarse her voice sounded, just like she was about to catch a cold. Hmm, then maybe she shouldn’t be sitting there in the crisp morning air, barefoot and all. But that was how it were with gypsies, right? They usually were too poor to afford shoes, or they were used to not caring for them. Brynn herself didn’t mind running around barefoot from May until sometimes even October, but now was not such a time.
With her next comment though, the girl named Mia had the goosemaiden enraptured.
“Dancing!” she exclaimed with gleaming eyes, inching a bit closer on her ball of straw. “I can’t tell you how much I love dancing! There’s nothing like it, when a good dancer holds you close and takes you up in a spin, only flying can possibly top that…”
She stopped, realizing the false track her thoughts had been taking, suddenly a little awkward. “But I guess… you dance alone, don’t you?” she hestitantly asked, looking at the faded patterns on the girl’s face that made her look even more exotic. Of course she knew the common consent about gypsy dancers. They were called scandalous and frivolous by the women, marvelous and enchanting by the men. Brynn had heared tales she was not supposed to hear by her father’s fellow soldiers, who told about women so lissome their movement looked like flowing water, able to move their limbs in such contorted maneuvers that it couldn’t be healthy… Was Mia able to do such things as well? It made Brynn rather curious. “Anyway, dancing is pure freedom for me! I love to dance around a fire!” she concluded, while a sudden gust of wind played with her hair, and her hair only, a silent answer to the excitement she had been feeling.
She followed Mia’s gaze and for a moment watched her feathery charges fondly. She knew each of them by name and more, this was more than just a duty for her. But how could Mia know? It was only natural she would ask!
“It depends on the weather”, she explained. “Mostly not all day, but when the sun is shining from sunrise to sundown, on rainy or cloudy days a little less. Usually they make it known when they want to go home and I oblige. But I do not only watch them, I tend to them, look that they don’t hurt each other… like now”, she finished with a sigh as two geese suddenly started a fight, beginning to gaggle stridently. Quickly Brynn rose from her comfortable seat and entered the little stall, calling: “Lucrece, Snowdrop – keep apart!”
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Post by Brynn Reade on Feb 28, 2011 14:32:56 GMT -5
A girl exited the caravan, looking like she had been pulled from sleep rather forcefully, eyelids heavy and a bit of a disoriented air about her. Brynn cocked her head. She had not expected to see someone roughly about her age coming out of there. Of course, gypsies often enough were families, but in her wild imagination, only the old women telling fortunes and the men playing up for people to dance had stuck in her mind.
What would happen now? Would the girl protest against the rude disturbance, actually having the nerves to tell Brynn to either silence her geese or go? Or would she ask for money?
Then she chided herself for her prejudices, trying to meet the foreign girl with an impartial mind. Yes, she was domestic, doing a proper job, and this girl was not, but that didn’t mean she was bad news in general. Her mother had told her to always be open to any kindness hidden in any creature, regardless how misplaced that trust might be in the end. Being nice wasn’t lost if you wasted it on the wrong person, not like money would be.
So Brynn decided to remain reserved, yet not unfriendly, if she could help it. What would Alex do in her place? He probably would have long since called out with some witty greeting, breaking the ice instantly. But she was not like that. It was not in her nature to be the one reaching out. She might accept a hand that was offered, but she would wait first, considering.
To the first comment she didn’t reply yet, taking the time to examine the girl without openly staring. She was pretty, there was no denying it, even if – or maybe because – her long brown hair was down. Her features showed this kind of alien, mysterious beauty you would expect from a gypsy. They just had that sort of air around them, compared to her Brynn felt abnormally plain.
Nodding to her next statement, she replied: “I take it you are not?” and held her gaze for a few challenging seconds, but then she just had to smile. “Sorry for the rude awaking. But these little troubleshooters are not likely to shut up. I learned to tune it out.”
Deciding she could as well go on with it, she added: “I’m Brynn, Brynn Reade, official goosemaiden of Camelot. And who are you?”
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Post by Brynn Reade on Feb 27, 2011 12:01:49 GMT -5
Early mornings such as these were the best, Brynn thought as she made her way to the meadow where she usually spent the day with her geese. Whip casually in one hand, she steered the chattering herd through the narrow streets, occasionally nodding friendly when someone she knew by sight passed her by. The sun shone down from a bright blue sky, not one cloud inside, and slowly the rays found their way through the narrow lines of stone and wooden houses, making the white frost attached to the walls glisten like diamonds. Not even a noble lady could claim such a treasure, such stunning beauty in Brynn’s eyes.
Like every morning she passed the bakery of her friend Alex’ stepfather, taking a moment to scoop up little Lita in a warm embrace, Alex adorable little sister. Her breath forming little white clouds in front of her mouth, she exchanged a few kind words with Alex’ mother, then guided the geese on, through the outer gate, waving at some of the guards. Some of them had already rocked her on their knees, with Brynn’s father being one of them: a Camelot guard.
Right as she entered the clearing that sloped down gently until meadow turned into wood, she saw that something was not quite as usual. On the edge of the wood, there was a caravan, something Brynn hadn’t seen often in her life. Its wooden walls were richly painted and two mules were grazing nearby. And wasn’t there another, a bit further away? Furrowing her brows, the goosemaiden ushered her geese forward and into their stall where they would stay for most of the day. Then she sat down on a ball of straw, and observed the caravans from under lowered eyelids. Would someone show? There had to be people inside. Gypsies most likely. As a girl growing up in the city and more so in a citadel, Brynn had practically imbibed a certain mistrust against the travelling folk from an early age. They came when there was a feast in town, and when they left it could well be something was missing. She might have to have a close eye on her geese today until they had moved on…
Her geese did not care about what might be going on on their favourite meadow, and they also didn’t care about being quiet to not disturb the probably still sleeping travellers. Brynn had learned from an early age to tune their endless cackling out, but she was not surprised when after a while the door of the closer caravan opened. Subconsciously she squared her shoulders, curious and anxious who it might be.
~.~
Tag: Mia
Time of Day: Early Morning
Setting: Somewhen in the two years gap
Word Count: 443
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Post by Brynn Reade on Feb 11, 2011 19:43:10 GMT -5
All time to come… that sounded nice. It made her feel safe and secure – as safe and secure as you could be given the circumstances. As if there really was some time to come yet, that the world would not end tonight. You never knew – it could. But whatever the outcome, Alex would stay with her, she knew that now, and it made her feel like she just discovered Camelot’s most precious treasure, and was allowed to keep it! This she would not trade for anything in the world, even though right now no one knew what tomorrow would bring.
“I couldn’t see why not!”, she replied, squeezing his hand tight. The room felt so much more comfortable and … home-like with him sitting on her bed beside her. Almost as if he belonged there.
Again he said it, and Brynn couldn’t help but believe him. When Alex said something like that in his own way of conviction, no one could ever disagree with him, it just was true – that’s at least what Brynn had thought from the start. The world needed more people like him, but at the same time she was not willing to share, at least not for now. It might be selfish, but as things were she had to look out for number one.
“Then it is set”, she nodded and tipped his nose in an attempt to lighten the gravity of the situation. “You simply stay here for all eternity, I like the thought”, she teased, but there was some truth hidden behind her jesting tone. “It might get boring for you after a while, but see, that’s what you get for falling for an oh-so-clinging goosemaiden.”
She really hoped he would tell her the moment he felt ruled by her, or overwhelmed. Alex still had a free spirit and Brynn would hate to ever quench it.
When Alex responded to the kiss, he managed what nothing else could have done earlier. She completely forgot about the gates, forgot about the foreign army about to take over the citadel, yes, she even forgot about her father being out there. No thought at all did matter anymore, she was reduced to mere feeling, and yet it didn’t feel like being ‘reduced’ to something. This was what she needed right now, like a remedy against the fear.
But it also beared its risk, like every remedy. The danger made Brynn reckless and she was as willing to cross a line they had never toed before as she ever could be. Alex lips on her own lips, her jaw, her neck, it made her feel so… alive! And she wanted life, she could not think of anything she wanted more right now.
With a low moan she entangled her fingers into his already messy hair, while her other hand moved over his back, bringing him even closer, if that was physically possible.
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Post by Brynn Reade on Feb 4, 2011 12:24:01 GMT -5
Barely Brynn could lift her heavy and numb arms to once again stroke a strand of hair from the forehead of the little girl lying in front of her. Her eyelids felt like they were held down by massive fists on her eyes, it took the greatest efforts imaginable to keep them open. She was panting as heavy as Prince Arthur did, like they both just had done a race for miles with a large millstone round their necks. Had Elinor ever felt this heavy? She was used to carry her sister around since the day she had been born! Of course, now that she was eight, she insisted on a little more 'dignity' and mostly refused to be taken up in someone's arms – apart from her father's of course – so it had been a while since Brynn last had beared her sister's full weight. But that was not the cause of it, it was this cursed spell! Truly, sometimes the goosemaiden could understand most people's fear and hatred of magic, if it was used for such troublesome things!
At least her bold statement had not vexed the prince, in fact, he seemed to be pleased, he even smiled despite the circumstances. That was something! Someone else might have added something to confirm this statement further, showing just how very loyal she was, but in such aspects Brynn was like her father. She said it once and she meant it, but she would not fuss about her sense of loyalty. For her it was self-explanatory
It was also self-evident Arthur should do his very best to keep the balance of power as it was, he could not afford to do any less. What would become of Camelot without him as a king to look forward to? Despite all the arrogance he might show from afar, this incident had changed Brynn's views on him for the better. He would be a good king – if he lived through all the danger awaiting him
„You better keep this promise“, she said and got up from the bed with great effort, looking like an old woman with back ache. „Or I'll hold you personally responsible – what's left of you anyway...“ she trailed off, realising with a jolt of unease that sent her bolt awake for a second, just how dangerous it was to not pay attention to one's mouth. She couldn't speak to him like that! He was still royalty, and she nothing but a servant!
„Forgive me, your Highnes... can I blame it on not being able to think straight? It won't happen again... as long as I still know what I'm doing that is…”
Arthur's question took her off guard. One part of it was easy to answer, the other needed more consideration than she felt up to at the moment. What should she do? What could she possibly do? Prince Arthur had saved her life, helped her getting here unscathed, not to mention had taken it upon him to carry a kitchen maid to her quarters so she’d be safe… how could she possibly demand more of him?
“My brother Gyrth is still where I took Elinor from”, she reminded the prince and then shrugged with a weary sigh. “And my father’s down in the courtyard with his fellow soldiers. But that’s too dangerous, we can’t get there unseen… and I can’t risk your life any more than I have already. It’s you and your father they want! I’ll just have to hope for the best!”
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Post by Brynn Reade on Jan 28, 2011 15:30:49 GMT -5
Alex was right, oh yes he was. She shouldn’t linger on ‘what if’s and also not on any ‘if only’s. What’s done was done, what hadn’t happened, hadn’t happened, and no one could change anything about that. You had to be realistic about these things, even more so when your life was at stake. But Alex’ presence alone was made to make her feel better, feel almost safe. He had done so much for her again, far more than she ever could repay him!
“Thank you!” Though her voice was still hoarse it was filled with all the gratitude she could muster. “For making me feel better… for being there… for being you!”
A single tear started to run down her face, born out of the sheer relief of being alive. As the shock was wearing down more and more, it all came crashing down on her, and it was hard to grasp and live through.
On one hand Brynn was glad Alex seemed to share her newfound hate for their current Queen. She would call it current, as she still believed Prince Arthur was out there having some sort of plan to return and get his foster sister off the throne. And then it was too unsettling to even think about this whole nightmare going on for who knew how long. She could not dare to believe it, it would drive her crazy!
“Then there is two of us… we might not be a great influence, but something MUST be done! You cannot rule a kingdom without its people… however much they would like to think that!”
On the other hand though, they both were clearly talking high treason now. If someone overheard there would be hell to pay. She might just have escaped a random death to be put to it personally. One never knew with such a mad ruler!
Just when she wanted to shush Alex, reminding him of the danger they both were in, she heard a gasp coming from the door. It felt like being hit by an arrow all over again, just into her guts this time! Someone had overheard them! Now they both would be executed for High Treason! Oh sweet stars, give me strength to face who is gonna betray us…
Slowly, hestitantly, Brynn tilted her head towards the door, squinting her eyes to get a better view on the person – and instantly relaxed.
“…Gwen…!” her name was a sheer sigh of relief. But then she tensed again… after all she knew Gwen was still Morgana’s maid. Did that mean she was on her side?!
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Post by Brynn Reade on Jan 22, 2011 23:51:37 GMT -5
Any moment now, any moment Merlin would turn on his heels and run back to Camelot. He was Prince Arthur’s personal manservant, he would tell him first. Then the prince would go to his father, King Uther Pendragon and he would summon her immediatley. Everyone would find out the truth and then… should she run? Hide for the rest of her life? The few minutes Merlin would need to run through the city up into the castle might suffice to slip into the woods… But where to go? And what would happen to her family? Oh sweet heavens, what if the king decided that where one sorceror was there had to be more? The thought of what he might to do her mother and even more to her little siblings made Brynn cringe inside. They would never be able to convince the king that Brynn was the oddity, apparently the black sheep of the family. They would obtain compensation for her escape…
She had to stop Merlin, had to explain it to him somehow! As long as she kept talking, he would have to listen. He had to!!
“Merlin, please… it’s not what it seems! I didn’t incant a spell or anything, the wind does this on his own accord. He likes me, I guess, however weird that sounds, but please, please believe me I didn’t do it on purpose. I don’t want to cause any harm – to anyone!” The words came out in a rush, she barely took time to take quick and shallow breaths, fearing every pause in her barrage could be Merlin’s cue of leaving. “I don’t know how to explain that, but by some weird twist of fate, the wind follows my pleas – I never used it against anyone though, I just found out recently that it is something special, something not everyone can do…” she trailed off, not knowing what else to say.
So convinced she was of Merlin practically waiting for his chance to turn her in, she didn’t even get what he said and instinctively took a step back as he moved forward. Did he want to seize her now, so she couldn’t run away? But then… something made her repeat the words he had just exclaimed inside her mind, and she started, staring at him.
“You… you liked it?” Could it really be Merlin had seen the beauty behind it all, not just the magic that had caused it? How was that possible? She wouldn’t even trust Alex yet to be so very open-minded!
“Yes…”, she answered slowly, not quite able to wrap her head around this. “Yes, you are my friend… but…I probably just violated the first and foremost law of Camelot! How can you stand by and watch? And…” she pressed her hands against her temples, “how come I’m not running yet…”
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Post by Brynn Reade on Jan 21, 2011 21:50:49 GMT -5
It was such an odd sight, seeing her mother being carried by none other than Crown Prince Arthur himself. What would Meghan think of it? How many women could claim that, after all! But then again, Brynn’s mother was a down-to-earth type and she was past the giggling years. Most likely she would just shrugg it off and resume to her many daily tasks – given she even believed her daughter after she woke up. That wasn’t so sure at all, as Brynn didn’t even want to believe it herself. Yes of course, every servant dreamt of actually being noticed by royalty or nobles one day, and not to be scolded, but praised, but living it like this? In this very moment Brynn would have traded every single minute of this encounter for an ordinary day. Still… she had seen a different side of the prince by now, a side that cared for his people. Why else would he stoop down to help her?
But actually thinking about such things got more difficult by the second as she still had to put one foot infront of the other and at the same time carry the sleeping Elinor. Two things she could handle still at the same time, but not three, and as carrying and walking were the most important right now, she simply dismissed her pondering and concentrated on finding her way around all the people lying on the ground. She trusted Arthur to keep an eye out for unwelcome company, he was the warrior after all, Brynn was only a peaceful goosemaiden.
After what seemed like ten miles they finally reached the right door and Brynn leaned against it heavily, pushing it backwards with all the strength she had left – which was not much. She even had to stay in the open door for a few seconds, panting heavily and blinking rapidly. Her arms and legs felt like made of stone.
It was good the prince started talking again, as it kept Brynn’s mind of her fatigue as she more clumsily than gently laid her little sister down on the side of the double bed where her father usually slept.
“Well, if you think we ‘people’ would just trade one master for the other, then you’re mistaken!” It would have come across more defiantly hadn’t she been so extremely tired. “They might spare us because they need someone to pamper their posteriors, but they will realise the meaning of loyalty.” She shrugged, realising she probably sounded just like her father. “We are citizens of Camelot, and Camelot is to be ruled by the Pendragons. End of story.”
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Post by Brynn Reade on Jan 13, 2011 12:16:37 GMT -5
Brynn nodded in agreement when Alex claimed either Leon or Arthur would be the winner. It really was most likely! Both were good, but Brynn believed the prince to be just a little bit better, even if she rather had the experienced and level-headed Sir Leon as the winner than the prince. It was not like Brynn did dislike him in any way, she had never met him after all. It was just a fact that he seemed to like the thought he was the best in everything, and so she found a victory to the elder knight more deserved.
A thousand spins for your cheers… oh great god, what had made Alex say that?! Was it really what her heart read into it, or was she jumping to premature conclusions because she wanted it to be true? That Alex was feeling the same for her as she felt for him? This confusing emotion she couldn’t quite define but that went hand in hand with jealousy and with a certain kind of dreamy loopiness. When she thought she saw his cheeks flush, she blushed herself, looking anywhere but at his face. Oh God, he regrets it! He didn’t mean it at all! Or did he…?
No, she couldn’t say anything on that matter… just let it pass!
Brynn rather distracted herself with listening to Alex’ story, and she soon lost herself in the way he so aptly told it, she was actually hanging on his lips! He told it like it had been an exciting adventure, and he the hero of it, but without trying to steal the spotlight. It was perfect fairytale material, and Brynn could see it all before her inner eye.
“And so he lived happily ever after because dish tossing was his life!” she ended the tale for him with a little chuckle, her eyes gleaming. She this was true, as her mother had commented on it on a few occasions. So caught up had she become the awkward incident of just a moment before was all but forgotten. But then she caught Gwen looking at Alex possibly the way she herself had and the jealousy returned.
She almost had to force her next words out.
“And I agree with Gwen, you shouldn’t hide your achievements from the world. Oh yes, I don’t know you for quite as long, but I already see it in you: If you only want you can get everything you desire!”
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Post by Brynn Reade on Jan 5, 2011 20:44:40 GMT -5
Sir Kolby actually WAS the first one to compete, against a knight Brynn only had seen from afar once. He was no match for the seasoned fighter and so the goosemaiden didn’t pay as much attention to the happenings inside the arena, but more to what was going on beside her.
“A finale between Prince Arthur and Sir Leon sounds very likely to me and would be very exciting to see”, she remarked with a wide smile. “Let’s hope the lots do not send them fighting against each other in an earlier round, now that would be a shame!”
Gwen beat her to the punch concerning the cheering comment, and Brynn felt a sting of jealousy again. Wouldn’t just repeat the very same lime be plainly stupid? Who said Alex even needed her cheers? Maybe he had been only polite taking her in on the comment, and all he was waiting for was Gwen’s answer? And she would not beg for his attention, oh no, she was far above that! And yet… wasn’t she simply overreacting again?
The different positions teared at her heart and her mind, making it impossible for Brynn to enjoy the moment. Oh no, she hadn’t imagined this day to be like this, and she somehow wished she would have never agreed on coming. But could she give up so easily? Nothing was said and done yet, it was all in her mind!
“Well, if you do one of your famous spins again, I will feel inclined to cheer as well!” she told Alex, playing out the only card she could think of: reminding him of their dance last night, when he had not only sent her body, but also her head spinning. But where was her guarantee he had felt the same way?
Instead of saying anything more that could make her look like a fool, she nodded encouragingly for Alex to tell this story. What kind of favor had the prince done him? That surely sounded like a good story, and knowing Alex and his talent of speech he would milk it to the last drop. She might be unsure about their relationship but she still loved nothing more than listening to him.
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Post by Brynn Reade on Jan 2, 2011 22:10:00 GMT -5
As soon as they had entered the kitchen Arthur was all but forgotten. For Brynn there was only one concern now, getting her family to a safe place. Like in trance she moved through the vast room to check on each of them she could make out from the bodies lying around everywhere. Her mother Meghan had been sitting at a table peeling carrots, now her head was resting on her left arm, the right holding the kitchen knife was dangerously close to her cheek. Without a second thought Brynn gently took the knife from her mother’s hand and placed it on the table, the edge turned away so if she twitched in her sleep she would not hurt herself. Resting her hand on Meghan’s shoulder for a moment, she muttered.
“Sleep on, mom, you deserve it. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything!”
Her eyes scanned the surroundings and settled on a corner where two children lay on a little heap of straw, both redheads. They seemed to have fallen asleep in mid combat over what Brynn realised was Gyrth’s wooden sword and Elinor’s smashed flower wreath. Kneeling down beside them, the elder girl pushed a sweaty strand of hair from the girl’s face, smiling in wonder what might have been the source of this little fight. Usually her little siblings got on very well.
Then she heard Prince Arthur speaking in her back and turned her head around for a split second. Moving them to her chambers? That was a very kind suggestion, one she wouldn’t have expected of this man, judging from the way they had argued with each other just minutes ago. But he was right, time was wasting! Kneeling so close to the ground and crouched low made her think of how cozy it would be to just to lie down for a mere minute… just a minute…
With great effort she forced herself to snap out of it, pinching her forearm hard.
“Thank you for this offer, your Highness!” she said, stiffling a yawn, then bending over to take sleeping Elinor into her arms and then stand up unsteadily. “But I think my parent’s room might be better, it’s bigger!”
Adjusting the weight of the six year old girl, she quickly pressed her lips on her damp red hair then lead the way into a narrow corridor that would bring them to the servant’s quarters. Brynn wondered if the Prince had ever been down here. It didn’t seem likely, he had no business in the servant’s quarters.
More people were lying in the narrow passageway and it got more and more difficult not to step on anyone in the dim light.
“Crazy… this is just crazy… just like the distortion of a fairytale”, she muttered. “Only that I hope this enchantment doesn’t last a hundred years.”
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Post by Brynn Reade on Jan 2, 2011 21:07:03 GMT -5
Truer words than those of Alex’ mouth this very instant had probably never been spoken. Although it had not been because she trusted Alex that she had fallen in love with him, but now she knew she could lay her world in his hands and it would stay intact and be well guarded. And if that was possible it made her love him even more. He had become her safe haven in a world that was so very unstable all of a sudden. Even Camelot, the mighty stronghold of her life was about to fall, but Alex would always be there.
“Some might be right!” she agreed and returned the smile, taking in the features of the man she loved like she was seeing him for the very first time. Who knew what the dawning day would bring, she wanted to savour this moment, treasure it in her heart for all eternity.
“I don’t believe you ever could do anything to spurn my trust in you!”
His promise was enough to make her heart melt, though she also couldn’t quite erase the worry in her heart. He might do something reckless and get hurt in his eagerness to make her happy. Brynn knew she would never be able to forgive herself if something happened to Alex because of her. No, this was not an option! And if she had to cling to him for dear life and forsake every ounce of pride she had left, begging him on her knees to stay safe with her!
“Even you can’t do everything, love, and I never would ask you to” she said with a sigh. “Right now you couldn’t do anything better than what you’re doing right now: Be here for me!”
Brynn was sure though Alex knew exactly what would make her most happy and the knowledge stood between them, unsaid but almost tangible.
As a response to his almost bashful remark, Brynn chuckled and lifted his hands to her lips, kissing the rough skin of his fingers. “Oh, I am anything but strong! I cried as well, and I still might! Shedding tears for someone you love should never be something you’re ashamed of, Alex. It shows your golden heart more than anything!”
She moved in to kiss him, fully on the lips this time, but very gently at first. But when she, too, heard the mighty crash outside her kiss turned almost desperate, her hands gripping his forearms tight, as if she wanted to make sure he was there and would stay here, as if by shutting out everything else with all might the fact she knew to be true would come undone:
Camelot’s gates had fallen.
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Post by Brynn Reade on Jan 1, 2011 20:01:00 GMT -5
As soon as the bolt had been succesfully removed the pain died down to a bearable degree. It still hurt like nothing Brynn had ever experienced, but instead of this white hot stinging ache, it now was rather a dull throbbing in sync with her heartbeat that gladly now was steady again. Also, the blood had stopped pouring out like a fountain and now only leaked a little like a permeable kettle.
That new development however left space in Brynn’s mind for other things apart from dealing with pain, and suddenly awkwardness rated very high on that particular scale. For one, she had just cursed like the most uncivilised mercenary in front of the man she loved, and that was surely not meant to make his heartrate speed up in admiration and love.
And then… Alex had been all about treating her wound, but now when he placed her hand over the bandage she realised with sudden clarity that a good deal of her upper boddy was bare or at least showing more skin than she ever had around him. Not that she did mind, but this was so not how she would have expected it to be, the worst circumstances imaginable.
If Alex sensed anything about her unease Brynn couldn’t tell and so she kept silent and just focused on the difficult task of pressing the bandage to her wound without hurting herself too much but also not too slacky.
“Thanks to YOU!” she spoke softly, her breath still a bit ragged as every intake hurt. “If you hadn’t pushed me out of the way…”
No, she didn’t want to ponder over this possibility. Being so close to death could leave you with quite the queasy feeling. Fact was she had survived and that was all she wanted to focus on right now. She just needed to lay low for a little bit and make sure there were no soldiers with loaded crossbows anywhere near her the next time she had to attend a gathering in the courtyard. Or she would simply not attend it at all. The risk was great, but it was low in comparison of dying.
“I don’t even know what came over me, why I couldn’t move”, she mused with an almost apologetic tone.
To Alex attempt of a joke she gave a weak smile and a nod, extremely glad he had not lost his sense of humour entirely during this fateful hour. Some things needed to stay in place else the world would tumble down and Brynn believed the day when Alex was not able to muster a joke, this day would be the last on earth.
“Oh, but wasn’t it quite entertaining, we were let in on the noble action after all other than just be humble spectators”, she replied, chuckling and panting, before her expression turned serious and almost harried.
“This can’t end well, Alex, this whole turn of events. There was a time when I thought King Uther was a tyrant, but this… there must be something we can do!”
(OOC: Shall we ask Gwen to join now? xD)
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Post by Brynn Reade on Dec 30, 2010 12:41:35 GMT -5
Alright, this would not be easy.
Brynn chewed on her lower lip as she pondered on what to say, how to word what was brewing inside her. Scratch 'not easy', this would be the most awkward and stupid thing she had ever done! But she also knew it needed to be done, else the whole matter would eat her up inside, this cursed insecurity, the hunches and the interpretation of every little move she had to witness. Already she felt almost poisoned by a feeling she hadn't known to be capable of: jealousy. If it even was that...
But how could she possibly express something she could not even word in her mind? And how could she formulate her concern without sounding ridiculous or overly possessive? Should she even tell Gwen what she THOUGHT she felt inside? That she believed she had fallen for Alex even though they had only met two days ago? Spent one night in friendly company and then another dancing? Could that even be a reasonable foundation of love?
Then, Gwen herself. Brynn had come to know her as a kind and caring person, someone everyone just had to like if he wasn't a total jerk and thought himself high about servants or such, and yet the possible friendship they could have was already tainted by these images in her mind, making Gwen a rival for Alex affection, a probably winning rival. And yet it was nothing but a figment of her imagination... maybe...
For the sake of clarity, she had to know! That's why she had held back the maidservant after the tournament after all.
„Gwen...“ she started and swallowed. Oh great, now she had just ruined the possible casualty of this conversation, instead of getting to know what she needed by the by, she now sounded like she was making some sort of confession. Though, that might not even be so very far fetched.
„How did you and Alex get to know each other? Have you been friends for long?“
Alright, so this was probably not the most unobtrusive way to get to the point, but it was the best Brynn could think of. Sometimes she wished she was a word smith like Alex. He surely would know what to say!
~.~
Tag: Gwen
Timeline: Day three of the festivities after the tournament
Time of day: Afternoon?
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Post by Brynn Reade on Dec 27, 2010 17:09:09 GMT -5
A cheer errupted from the audience as the first knights entered the arena, and Brynn, carried away with excitement, cheered along, a bright smile spreading over her face. There they were, the heroes of Camelot, and now she could finally watch them fight without a bad conscience. Brynn was pretty sure she knew their skills and prospects in the following contest better than most around here due to her secret weakness – but of course that would be her sweet little secret.
She smiled at Gwen’s remark, nodding in approval. “Sir Leon is a good soul like that! And I am glad he did so, else we would have never got to know you, right Alex?”
A little thing, only an inkling caught Brynn’s attention though as she was not sure what to make of it. Gwen had given a reasonable explanation why she would cheer for Sir Leon, but she had not given one why she would cheer for Prince Arthur… Was that because everyone would cheer for him anyway, because that needed no explanation? Well, what other reason could there be? Her imagination was really running wild here! There was nothing she could think of that would give an explanation, right? Everyone cheered for Prince Arthur as he was the champion of Camelot and most likely would be again, so it was only natural Gwen would too, and that was the end of it!
She turned her head just in time to catch the little affectionate gesture Gwen was giving Alex and there it was again: that hot sting of jealousy searing away her guts! Brynn was not sure if she actually had that much control over her facial expression in this very moment, and she felt like slapping Gwen’s hand away. How dare she! The goosemaiden, usually a very kind and loving person, now realised how it felt to strongly dislike someone, for whatever ridiculous reason. Gwen was nice, a caring person, but all that was lost to Brynn this very moment, and it confused her, this new feeling of hate. Was it even justified?
“Oh yes, Alex, do tell!” she encouraged him, for two reasons. One was to distract herself from the storm raging inside her, and another was a little more selfish: Getting them to realise she was still there.
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Post by Brynn Reade on Dec 26, 2010 20:01:49 GMT -5
Brynn was highly tempted to just stick her tongue out at Arthur, for this immature remark he really didn’t deserve anything else. "Well then good luck to the sorcerer," that sounded so very aloof, as if he thought himself the only one ever able to fight a sorceror – and yet he was running as well! But oddly enough, this time she wasn’t so much angry as only annoyed. The goosemaiden never had had an elder brother to compare the feeling she had right now to that of a younger sister. Only when her cousin Godric came over for one of his rare visits did she remember to feel in such a way, but the connection was a hard one to make. How could she ever possibly think Prince Arthur evoking similar feelings in her like a relative would? The sheer thought was ridiculous!
“Well, what’s the saying: small but powerful!” she retaliated and raised her chin. “Sometimes brains are more needed that fighting skills, you know?”
Not too congested or narrow... well THAT surely would discount her chamber. Of course due to her phobia it wasn't exactly an alchove, but still... What was Prince Arthur thinking, that every servant possessed a room as big as his own? Well, Brynn had only heard of it, of course she’d never been there, but she could imagine her tiny room would fit into it thrice and possibly more! Though she was highly fortunate to even call a room all her own. As soon as Elinor would have grown old enough, the two would have to share, but for now Brynn enjoyed her little freedom of space. However, it was by no means fit for a king.
“If it was only for that, I wouldn’t mind!” she claimed and shrugged. “I mean, there’s not much they could break or steal anyway. But the protection thing might be an issue, I agree. But maybe we can come up with something once we’re there.”
Odd, how it had somehow suddenly turned from an ‘I’ and ‘you’ into a ‘we’, at least on her side. But some things just worked out like that, Brynn supposed.
Prince Arthur’s question surprised her not just a little, even more as it seemed to be born out of some kind of genuine interest. Well, she had heard before that the Crown Prince took a closer interest into the affairs of his subjects than his father did, but this?
Descending the last few steps and moving into the corridor that lead directly towards the kitchen door, Brynn pondered on what to say.
“I would be heading into the very same direction, looking after my mother and my siblings. I know there is not much I can do, but I rather stay where I can watch over them.”
The kitchen door creaked in ist hinged as Brynn pushed against one of the large wings and peeked inside, then turning back to Arthur, whispering: “My father is out in the courtyard as he is a guard, I passed him by on my way inside, fast asleep like the others. But the rest of my family...” she turned again to take another look inside, and then sighed. “Is here for all I can tell, thank goodness!”
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Post by Brynn Reade on Dec 23, 2010 19:18:49 GMT -5
As her first and utmost worry about her mother and siblings happening upon her in that state proved to be moot, Brynn relaxed a bit more. The kitchen was empty, thanks be to God! She didn’t know how bad the chaos outside still was and how many apart from herself had been hit by bolts. As far as she knew the kitchen could turn into a sick bay the very next instant, just as it had been a year ago with the Dragon’s attack. So many things had happened since but the pictures of this horrible night still were branded into Brynn’s brain, although she had all but forgotten about them during the last months. Funny how such things worked, a similar situation bringing forth old memories.
But then another thought crept up on Brynn and it was enough to almost let her lose consciousness again. So far so good, the impact of the crossbow bolt had hurt like hell, but the previous incident with Alex touching her shoulder had given her but an inkling of the pain she might have to go through once Alex started to pull the bolt out. Pull it out… oh sweet love, no! But Brynn knew enough about battle wounds to realize the bolt needed to get out of the wound as soon as possible.
Nodding feebly to Alex’ reassuring talk, she forced an “I k-know!” out between gritted teeth, to say at least something. Oh yes, she knew Alex would always be there and he had probably just saved her life by knocking her out of the way. Just that right now this didn’t prove to ne of much comfort. The dead felt no pain…
Closing her eyes for a split second, Brynn tried to gather all willpower and strength she had left to prepare for what was to come. Her damp hand found Alex’, slippery with her own blood and she pressed it tight, rearing up in agony as the pain doubled, the bolt making its way out of her flesh. Thankfully it wasn’t barbed, or the shaft might have torn the flesh of her shoulder to shreds. Still, it hurt so much Brynn couldn’t surpress another outcry, and she was so delirious she didn’t even notice a heavy gust of wind bursting open the kitchen door, letting it fly against the stone wall with a loud bang. She only felt a soothing breeze against the skin of her face, as if someone was caressing her.
“Oh, rot in the lowest parts of hell, Morgana LeFay!”, she panted, drawing quick and shallow breaths. “May… may your wretched soul suffer for all etenity!”
Brynn had never understood the soldier’s need to curse whenever they were in pain, but just now she found it to be quite relieving.
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Post by Brynn Reade on Dec 21, 2010 22:31:00 GMT -5
Rain was not good for the geese. Not good at all. That’s why Brynn had returned earlier to the castle than usually at this time of year. Usually she always awaited sundown before she rounded them up and lead them home towards their shed.
Being home early had its merits for sure. She could pass the time playing with her little siblings or helping her mother preparing the evening meal for the nobles and royals of Camelot. She could even take a small detour and visit her father wherever he was standing guard right now. Of course she couldn’t keep him from doing his job for too long, some of the more picky nobles actually found it irritating if guards proved they had a mouth to speak and where not just silent shadows in the corridors.
After brief consideration Brynn decided though she would not bother John Reade today at all. Early as it was she would not miss the end of his shift this time, and over a little bred and fruit which the Reade family called their evening meal, there would be ample time to talk. The kitchens then!
While she walked the familiar paths through the vast castle, absentmindly wringing out her hair from the heavy rain she had been in on her way back, her thoughts strayed to the little troubles of her life. Would Gyrth finally manage to drive his mother crazy today with his neverending shadowfights? If the weather proved to be better tommorrow she would maybe need to take him with her again, to take a little weigth of her mother’s already overburdened shoulders. And little Elinor… would she feel better now than she had in the morning, when a light fever had kept her from accompanying her big sister to the meadows? Her mother Meghan had assured Brynn it was nothing serious, just a little cold, but still, Brynn rather saw her little sister up to no good than lying down in bed.
When she opened the main door to the kitchen she found it surprisingly empty. Only one cook was working up the necessary preparations for the following hours. Brynn raised an eyebrow in surprise. Had she miscalculated, was it really THAT early or was everyone just having a lazy afternoon. Hmm… scratch lazy, her mother probably was looking after El while at the same time trying to keep Gyrth from harassing his little sister all that much. She should go and help her!
Just then the figure of a young girl caught her attention, seeming a bit lost in the grand kitchens. Placing a friendly smile on her face and readjusting her wet cap, Brynn approached the girl. “Hey there! Can I help you with something?” |
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Post by Brynn Reade on Dec 19, 2010 21:14:10 GMT -5
A small chuckle, only lasting for a second, rewarded Alex for his confident remark. Brynn was pretty sure Alex could not be silent for more than five minutes, but that was something she loved about him. She was quiet enough for both of them, and they both seemed to have a good influence on each other when together. Brynn was inclined to speak more, actually voicing what was only in her head normally, and Alex might want to let a chance for a comeback pass once in a while. Of course she could not compare, but her mother had told Brynn once that ever since Alex and her had fallen in love, she found the young man to be more serene than she had come to know him.
Whether this was true or not Brynn didn’t care, she didn’t want Alex to be any different.
“So?” she mocked him. “Oh well, I’m inclined to trust you this once, without putting this notion to the test.”
It was still hard to grasp. That Alex had defied battle and danger to sneak into the castle, all the long way from the lower town to be with her. Brynn couldn’t even fathom that amount of love she felt directed towards her, and hadn’t been the situation as such, she would have broke out into a song of sheer glee. How could she possibly ever repay Alex or even find words or any kind of expression to show how deeply grateful she was? She didn’t deserve any of this, and yet here she was holding it in her hands like the most rare and precious treasure.“Just a minute ago I would have swore this to be an impossible goal to achieve”, she confessed with a sigh. “But you always do the impossible, Alex. One could really envy you for that, didn’t it help me so much!”
When Alex spoke, reassuring her in that grave kind of way, she didn’t feel annoyed like she had been so sure she would. Coming from his mouth, she believed the unbelievable words, they were not shallow phrases to her. Anyone could call anyone the bravest man he knew, but Brynn felt deep down inside her that Alex wasn’t just saying this to comfort her. For the girl herself, John Reade was the bravest man on earth, ranking even before Prince Arthur and any other knight she knew. Her father served with devotion and acted like a knight even though he could never be one. He couldn’t hide behind a false sense of nobility, and that made him even more chivalrous in Brynn’s eyes. He would drain his dearest veins for this city and the people living in it.
Suddenly she felt something bedewing her temple, like a rain drop from above, but this was impossible, right? She shifted in Alex’ arms and found some spare tears running down his cheeks, which took her completely by surprise. The cheery Alex, crying?!
Her heart brimmed over with love for this amazingly caring man, and for a moment all she could do was watch the tears, mesmerized by them. Then she slowly moved both hands to frame his face and brought his head down to her level, gently placing her lips on a single tear.
“Don’t cry, love! Please, don’t cry!”
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Post by Brynn Reade on Dec 17, 2010 19:55:13 GMT -5
An unknown sorceror, now that was a first… Brynn actually had lost count how many times Camelot had been attacked by some nameless power creating havoc and causing trouble wherever they struck. And that would never end as long as King Uther banished magic from Camelot. Not that she wanted to wave the flag of sorcery, far be it from her, but she still couldn’t agree wholeheartedly with it being a profoundly bad thing. Take her connection to the wind – that was far from being a natural thing as she had learned during the recent years, but was it bad hence? She had never used it to harm anyone after all – well, discounting that minor incident where she had made the wind steal Gyrth’s hat, but she had vowed to never do it again. Still, should she been found out even the suspicion of sorcery could get her enchained or killed, and possibly her family with her. That was what Brynn feared most, not her own wellbeing, but imagining her little siblings being dragged to the stake – oh dear God, never to think about that!
“Well then, good hunting!” was all Brynn said, and her voice was only very little tainted with sarcasm. Not that she not would think him able of capturing a sorceror… rumors just had it that they tended to just vanish frequently from the dungeons once they were thought safely arrested and waiting for their trial. Brynn’s father could tell one or two very weird stories about such things. If they all made it out of this nightmare, she highly doubted there would be a culprit still hanging around just to get himself arrested.
“Whoever it is, I might have a bone to pick with him or her when this is over!” Of course the sheer thought of Brynn talking to a sorceror and expecting to get away with her life was more than ridiculous, but she just had to state it, no matter what Prince Arthur thought of it.
The thought of the mighty King Uther dressed up as a servant would have sent Brynn smiling or even laughing in any other circumstances. For example with Alex… that was the kind of joke he would crack, not wanting to be disrespectful, just funny in his own kind of way…
Now though she only lifted an eyebrow in mild surprise and nodded.
“Let’s go then! Quite a few settings would work. Like somewhere in the main kitchen to make them think he’s working there, or in the storage rooms.” After brief consideration she added. “I would even offer my own room, we could put him on the bed and make it look like he was taking a nap… just a suggestion though, Sire!”
She followed Prince Arthur without a word down the passageway which she knew led to a spiral staircase down to the base kitchen area. She would have liked to take the lead as it might be easier that way, but it was one: impossible to squeeze past and get ahead of the Prince without dying from a sudden heartattack and two: however much she disliked it, Brynn was taking a great risk, being so completely without weapons.
As she realised though her thoughts were drifting again, she hastened to come up with some words to speak. “I...” she yawned so intensely she could hear her jaw creak. “I can’t believe I’m doing this, actually!”
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