InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "The safe word is purple."

Arthur Pendragon (a_royal_prat) wrote in colligo_threads,
@ 2009-07-02 19:23:00

Entry tags:

arthur pendragon, guinevere

Who: Arthur and Guinevere
What: A little bit of rescuing
When: Early evening after this conversation
Where: The library
Rating: low
Status: in progress

Of all the things Arthur had trouble believing about this place, Guinevere and Merlin's presence was the least startling. He stood inside his empty apartment, unable to shake the outraged feeling of having to live in closed quarters with another person he didn't know. Sleeping in cramped spaces with his knights, or god-forbid, Merlin was one thing.

This-oh,this situation was demeaning. Not to mention the person in question was female, and a loud one at that.

Arthur sheathed his sword, fixing the strap around his waist as he cinched it above his shirt. There were some things, no amount of time in this strange place would change. His need to be armed was one of them. The other was his willingness to stay.

The outer face of the library was every bit as foreboding as it had been when he'd been summarily tossed out of it. But the lamps along the road illuminated the path leading to it, inviting everyone in. It was ridiculous.

Guinevere stood out amidst the washed out stones of the building. Her dress the brightest spot of color on the curb.

(Post a new comment)

futurequeen
2009-07-03 12:11 am UTC (link)

Gwen couldn't help but feel she was being stared at at times, but she was used to that. She often stood out, even if she did't want to, it just happened. Looking around as she waited, she felt a mixture of curiousity and fear. Everything was so different, she really didn't like it. She was too used to her comforts and home, and this sort of thing did not remind her of home at all.

That was until she saw Arthur. He was still in the same clothing she was used to seeing him in, and she suddenly didn't feel so stupid. Then again, people weren't staring as much, and there were less on the street. It was getting late, and they all seemed to be heading back to wherever they came from. When Arthur got closer, she bowed her head in respect, before looking back up at him. She had to admit, she was glad to see him.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

a_royal_prat
2009-07-03 12:20 am UTC (link)

"You look scared." Arthur's fingers tightened on the hilt of his sword as he came to stand beside Gwen. His greeting could have been kinder, but her expression stirred a not so deeply buried urge to smash someone's face in. Someone other than her.

He checked her over, quickly assuring himself that she was fine and unharmed other than a few bruises where the guards of the library had grabbed her.

Whoever trained them forgot a few lessons on proper behavior and decorum. It was irritating to see and be unable to change it.

"Did something happen?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

futurequeen
2009-07-03 12:26 am UTC (link)

She bit her lip gently at his greeting, glancing around for a moment, before looking back at him. She felt slightly safer now, somehow she knew that whatever this place threw at her, Arthur was one of the best fighters.

"Overwhelmed, not scared." Okay so she was lying, but part of her wanted to stay strong and not seem weak in front of him.

Her arms were hurting, from where she had been grabbed and thrown out, her knee in pain too, possibly bleeding. She hadn't had the chance to check yet, not wanting to do so in public.

"No. Just a little sore and shocked from those guards."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

a_royal_prat
2009-07-03 12:39 am UTC (link)

"They're ill trained." There were rules to be followed and codes to uphold. Women, unless mad or otherwise making attempts on your life, were not to be touched with harsh hands. The other was respect those of a higher station than you. Whoever trained them ought to be run through.

Arthur offered her his arm in a loose gesture of apology for such an abrupt greeting. She wasn't the only one overwhelmed by this place.

"I'll walk you to your new quarters." Because he damn well wasn't about to let her go off alone. "Things are strange here. I'm sure you'll be fine."

He grimaced, wondering if Merlin had seen her arrival, or if he was hiding.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

futurequeen
2009-07-03 12:53 am UTC (link)

Gwen had to agree with that, though she had been treated in a similar manner by the guards at Camelot at times. Not that she would mention that to Arthur of course. She looked at his arm, wondering for a moment why he was acting so kind but then put it down to simply them being away from home. She knew she would want to stay as close to anyone from her home if they were brought here. After a moment, she took his offering, being careful not too look too eager or anything like that about it. After all, this was purely to keep her safe.

"Thank you. And I very much hope so."

She let him lead her, but after a short time she found her leg beginning to sting more and more, the pain from the impact when she was thrown out starting to get worse as she walked. It slowed her a little, but she was determined to be brave and not show that she was hurt.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

a_royal_prat
2009-07-03 09:51 pm UTC (link)

Arthur arched a brow as he waited for Gwen to take his arm like a good girl. Really, she had been hanging around with Morgana far too much. Just because she was Morgana's maid servant did not mean Gwen had to pick up on some of Morgana's more irritating habits.

He led her down the street, careful not to step in front of the metal death traps and lead them both to an early grave. Arthur let his feet guide them through the busy city, self-aware of his body amidst the crowds. Guinevere began to lag behind ever-so-slightly, and Arthur paused, wondering if he would have to snap at her to make her move faster, when he realized she was limping.

"For God's sake," he grumbled, dropping into a crouch. Gently, he prodded her knee, grunting when the fabric stained red. Arthur straightened and brushed his hair from his eyes.

There was nothing for it. Without compromising her modesty, and without leaving them vulnerable in the waning light, the options were severely limited. "Come on then."

He'd have to carry him. Thank God Morgana wasn't here. She'd shriek out his eardrum about Gwen being fine on her own.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

futurequeen
2009-07-03 10:10 pm UTC (link)

Gwen bit her lip when it became obvious he was getting annoyed with her. It was the last thing she wanted to do, she had seen him angry before in the past and she really did not like it. At first he thought it might be due to the two of them trying to get through the crowd. She saw so many strange things as she walked and for a moment she forgot about the pain. That was until she saw him crouch and a sharp pain ran through her leg as he prodded at her knee.

"It's nothing." She said very quickly, not wanting him to worry or anything like that. After all she saw herself as more independant than some girls, so she rathered the thought of carrying on herself.

She watched him as he stood up, keeping her eyes on him. He seemed even more annoyed now, so she dropped her gaze instantly, feeling slightly ashamed of herself.

"Is it much further then?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

a_royal_prat
2009-07-03 10:42 pm UTC (link)

"I wouldn't know," Arthur began, grasping her arms as he spoke. "I don't have the number of your residence."

Despite her protests, he knew she was very much not all right. Arthur didn't want to waste more time than necessary. Not out here in this odd place. Everyone lacked basic manners. The whole place made him bristle irritably. But Gwen did not deserve his unintentional ire.

He released her for only a few moments, before snatching her up, off her feet, as if she weighed little more than a child's doll.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

futurequeen
2009-07-03 10:54 pm UTC (link)

She let him grab her, noting that of course she hadn't told him where she was told where she would be living now. Arthur knew this place a little better than she did, so hopefully he would know exactly where she had to go.

"I was told 104C, if you know where that is?"

Next thing she knew, she was being swept off her feet, Arthur picking her up with ease. She struggled for a moment, looking at him in slight annoyance, especially since he hadn't exactly gave her a warning. It would have been nice to be told what he was planning on doing.

"Arthur!" she shrieked a little, before realising he wasn't exactly going to let her go. Sighing, she settled in his arms, avoiding his eyes.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

a_royal_prat
2009-07-07 04:32 am UTC (link)

"Strangely, yes." It was strange, too coincidental in fact. Arthur staggered under Guinevere's struggles, but didn't let her back to her feet. There were some things he would not abide by. Seeing people unnecessarily hurt was one of them.

Merlin was a special case, but only because he deserved the abuse. He waited her out until she gave in and went still in his arms.

"Better?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

futurequeen
2009-07-07 10:32 pm UTC (link)

Gwen wasn't exactly happy about being held, wanting to walk on her own, but she knew Arthur would not give up. It was a part of who he was, the way he acted. He always done what he thought was right, not caring about the other persons opinion. Though, she had to admit, a part of her was slightly happy at being treated like this. Normally people didn't take notice of her, but to have the Prince taking care of her, it was quite something.

"I...Yes. Thank you," she responded politely, her eyes staying ahead of her and far away from his gaze.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

a_royal_prat
2009-07-08 04:11 am UTC (link)

Arthur doggedly bumped his way through the cityscape, brushing past people with an air of confidence the likes of which he hardly felt since arriving here. This wasn't his home. This wasn't his land and these people--They were rude and ridiculously disrespectful. It didn't sting so much as nettle at him in such a way that he found himself feeling constantly stretched tight, waiting for a reason to explode.

If he'd found Merlin first, he would likely have blown up in his face. Gwen's quiet demeanor was almost refreshing in a way. Her calmness in the face of the bizarreness of this place was more than commendable. In its own way, Arthur felt himself unexplainably happier for it.

"Do you suppose it's coincidence that we're here?" he asked, wondering if Gwen had any more insight. Her opinion was always well thought out, something he was willing to lean upon now.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

futurequeen
2009-07-08 09:29 pm UTC (link)

Gwen found herself molding into his hold as much as she could, trying to make it less difficult for them to walk past the various people. Her eyes went wide as she saw all the things she had never seen before, beginning to feel overwhelmed again. With the presence of Arthur, she seemed to have forgotten the surroundings, focusing on him to calm her worries. Something constant, from where she knew. He may be an idiot at times, but at the moment she didn't care. He was keeping her from breaking down.

"As in, both of us? I mean, it is strange that we are here as well as Merlin. Though I don't see what could be so important about me that whoever brought me here needs me. I mean, with you it's obvious. You're a knight and royalty, you're worth a lot more to anyone. And well, Merlin is someone you need close by, always have close by. But...I don't think it's much of a coincidence."

(Reply to this) (Parent)