Meeting, Royals

[kadeligh mary sewell]

Kadeligh rolled her eyes as she was stopped by her escort when she got to Camelot. He said something about 'checking if it was safe' and left her alone with the other guard. Honestly, she was a big girl, and she doubted that someone was going to jump out and attack her when she had two guards beside her. He'd always been a bit over the top, and although she appreciated his help and concern, it really wasn't necissary to go this far.

After a few minutes, he returned and Kadelightapped her horse to continue on with it's walk. She'd come to Camelot on 'official buisness', or so her father said. Sure, she was here to see the King and ask him to spare some food for her small village, but she also hoped to make a few social visits as well. After all, it had been fourteen years since she has last come here, and she was eager to see those she'd known from her childhood. She was eager to see how Arthur, Morgana, Uther and Gauis had grown, and not just them but all the friends she'd had known in Camelot. Her father had tried to stop her from coming, especialy withought him, but she'd finally convinced him to let her go.

Handing her horse over to her guards, she instructed them to put them in one of the stables. Watching as one of them left, she looked to the other one and sighed. Her father had only let her come because they were escorting her. It truely was infuriating, she was twenty-two, she was capable of looking after herself. Yet because of what she was, her father often worried about her. She did appreciate it, but it was rather annoying at times. Especially due to the fact that she probably wouldn't get any privacy whilst in Camelot.

As she walked towards the castle, she spotted the training grounds were her brother would most likely be. Looking around, she was disheartned to see that he wasn't there. She hadn't seen Bedevere in such a long time, and she missed him deeply. But she tried to calm her worries, he was probably at home relaxing or off on some knight buisness. Smiling with pride, she picked up her pace and entered the castle.

Making her way towards the throne room, Kadeligh began to wonder how everyone looked. They certainly would have changed alot, after all, she had. The last time she'd been here was when she was eight years old. Years had passed since then and she'd grown into an exceptional young woman, she was no longer the big nosed little girl she had once been. She was more confident, more beautiful, more mature. Of course, her nose was still somewhat large in her opinion, but she tried not to complain, the Lord didn't bless people with perfect bodies, she just had to learn to accept that. But Kadeligh wondered if she'd even recognise her friends, if she'd changed a lot over the years, then there was no doubt that they would have done the same. She would not be insulted if they didn't recognise her, nor did she hope they would be insulted if she failed to recognise them.

Finally reaching the throne room, she dismissed her guard, informing him that she would not be needing him till after the meeting. After a few warnings about being careful, he bowed and left, probably to go to the Inn that they had passed and get a drink. Smiling to herself, she turned to the guards at the door and curtsyed. "I'm Lady Kadeligh Sewell, I am here on the behalf of my father; Lord Nathaniel and I wish to seek audience with his majesty." She maintained politness and etiquete, just as she'd been brought up to do so. It wouldn't be wise to be rude when requesting help from Uther, it would only make him less eager to help. One of the guards nodded and entered, most likely to see if she was allowed in. As the door closed behind him, Kadeligh bit her lip and awaited a reply

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Now it wasn't strictly necessary, or even protocol for the Arthurs Knights to be assembled under him during times of peace within Camelot. However, in his mind, when an Army wasn't excercised they became complaicent and then when they were called upon to defend the country they weren't exactly in prime condition. That was why Arthur called that they were to take a tour of the city and the surrounding villages within the realm atleast once a week, just to make sure that everything was in order and to make sure that the Knights stayed well practised and well oiled. It had been the case, at least recently, that more and more threats were being placed upon Camelot and though most of them were solved easily, albeit mysteriously, Arthur would not fall into the same trap as his father had ocne down, and had to work very hard to restore peace to Camelot.

Today was one of those days, though the tour of Camelot was just coming to an end and the Knights, spearheaded by Arthur trotted across the bridge that connected the castle with the town of Camelot. He smiled at a few of the people that said his name and recognised him. In his mind a good King was one that was in touch with the people they had rule over, and though his father did care deeply for Camelot he was never quite public with those feelings whereas Arthur was, and when he came to take the throne he wanted to make sure he still had that quality behind him. Slowing his horse down to a walk he turned to face the Knights. ”Alright, we'll head out same time next week, remember to keep your eyes out for anything” they nodded and then Arthur dismissed them.

Swinging his leg over Arthur dismounted his horse, looking for Merlin who was supposed to be here to meet him and return his stead back to the stables, but instead one of the other stable boys approached and took the reigns. Arthur frowned ”Whenever you find Merlin tell him the tack needs cleaning..and properly this time, I don't like sitting on brick” the stable boy nodded, bowed and led the horse away. As he turned he came face to face with one of the men from the castle ”Your highness, there is a lady waiting in the throne room” he informed, bowign his head. Arthur frowned ”Who is she and why are you telling me?”. Usually appointments were dealt with by the King, but with him being away from the city on other buisiness it had fallen to Arthur to act as the King, though he was the King in waiting so it was good practice. However, he wasn't aware that anyone would be visiting them whilst Uther was away.

”She seeks council with the King but as he is not here it falls to you your Highness” he explained and Arthur nodded. ”Alright, did you have a name for her?” he asked as they walked up the steps into the castle. ”Lady Sewell your Highness”. Arthur frowned and bit his lip as they walked, that name seemed familiar to him. It took a few more paces before it clicked, her brother was part of the Knighthood, not the immediate assembly but there to be called upon if need be. He had been at his Knigthood but had missed the ceremony when his sister was made a Lady, indeed he hadn't seen her in a good few years.

The servant walked ahead of him to the throne room, opening the doors and allowing Kadleigh in before he announced Arthurs arrival, you know, in case she hadn't seen him walking up the corridor. He loved being a prince, really he did, but it did get a little tedious when he had to be announced into every room he went into. Following him in Arthurs eyes set on the girl and he inclined his head slightly. ”M'lady, it had been to long” he said, taking her hand curteously before letting them go. ”My father is away on other buisiness at the moment so you'll have to settle with me” he smiled at sat down on the throne at the head of the room, indicating for a chair to be brought next to him incase Kadeligh wanted to sit down. ”So what can we help you with m'lady”

[kadeligh mary sewell]

Kadeligh waited patiently, she was rather surprised when the guard came out and passed her, but she soon realised that he had probably gone to find Uther. Blushing, she looked down at the floor, there was really no need to go this far, she could always come back another day. If Uther happened to be busy then that was fair enough, he was a king after all, and she was only a noblewoman, his duties came first. Besides, what reason did he have to drop everything just to see the daughter of an old friend? Kadeligh looked up at the other guard, wondering if it was best to excuse herself, but if Uther did come and she was no longer there, then he would have dropped everything for no reason, and it would then be harder to seek audience with him.

As she waited, wondering what to do her thoughts went back to years ago when she first remembered coming here. She had been such a shy creature back then. She'd entered the castle, clinging to her father and her brother. They had entered the throne room, just as she was about to and she had watched as Uther had greeted her father. She'd still clung to her father, fearful of the man towering over her, his face had been so stern, so... cold. And yet, when he had turned to her, he had spoken so softly and all fear within her had gone. She remembered something about her father asking Uther how he was dealing with the grief, and it was only years later that she realised that her and Arthur had something in common. Neither of them had mothers.

Finally, she heard footsteps and her head turned in the direction they were coming from. She soon spotted the guard again, but where was Uther? Instead, a blonde haired boy followed suit. Biting her lip, she began to try and work out what was going on. Was this boy a part of the royal court? Whoever he may be, it seemed he had been asked to deal with her, which meant that either Uther was away, or he was busy. It was understandable, she hadn't made an appointment, mainly because she'd had no idea when she would arrive, but she was still glad that she was being seen to. She needed to help solve the problem of hunger in her village, and any help was enough.

As the guard opened the throne room doors and announced who she was going to meet with, Kadeligh's jaw almost hit the ground in both shock and surprise. This was Arthur? No way, it just couldn't be. The Arthur she remembered was so different. She felt her cheeks go warm and she knew she was blushing, Arthur had grown up so much, more then she had imagined, and his charm and looks had grown too. He was certainly handsome and Kadeligh found herself embarrassed to have no realised who he was.

As he took her hand, Kadeligh composed herself and smiled in return. "Indeed it has m'lord." It felt strange to be using such formality with Arthur, but he was browned prince now, the heir to the throne of Camelot. She couldn't ignore her etiquete simply because of the fact that she knew him when they'd been little. As Arthur explained Uther's absence, she nodded and wondered if that meant she'd have to come back another time. It would be fine if that were the case, she had no problem withwaiting, it would give her time to rest and recover from the journey.

She couldn't help but feel proud as Arthur sat on the throne, it looked as if it were made for him, he just looked so perfect as he sat there. How many years would it be until the crown was passed on to him? From what her brother had told her, he was shaping out to be a worthy heir, and Kadeligh hoped he wouldn't have to wait for too long. As a chair was brought for her she curtsyed in thanks and sat down. It seemed that Arthur would be the one she'd have to win over to get help. This was certainly unexpected. "Well m'lord, there are many villagers where I come from who are starving, my father is doing all he can, but he is old and finding it hard. If he weren't too tired he would have come himself." Pausing, Kadeligh looked down at the ground, this was awkward, she hadn't expected to be addressing Arthur at all. "We were wondering if we could aquaire some help, it would be a shame to see the villagers die, and my father cannot do this alone."

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Even as Arthur neared the throne room he was struggling to put a precise face to the name. It had been years, literally, since he had seen Kadeligh, the last time he had seen her was when then were much younger and running about the castle pretending to be the king and queen and shouting at everyone. Of course it had all been in good fun but he was finding it hard to imagine Kadleigh as the women she had undoubtedly become from the girl he once knew. She was probably thinking the same of him, or she would be when she saw him as she still thought Uther was coming to meet her. He had changed a lot, especially without his mother, though there were women in the castle that had brought him up, he was very much his fathers son. He had been brought up in his shadow, moulded into the model of being a king and he knew he was very different now to the care-free child he had been. He just wondered if Kadeligh was expecting the same Arthur she had once known.

Though, just because they hadn't seen each other in a while didn't mean he was going to treat her any differently, they had been good friends when they were younger, they shared the same bereavment of loosing their mothers when they were babies and though that wasn't a binding factor it was certainly a common ground. He would treat her with the formality and respect a Lady deserved, inside the throne room at least, but outside of it, well, he was more than keen to catch up with her, many of the people he befriended came and went on errands about the rest of the country so now that one had returned he would like to spend time talking with her. Not to mention he was curious as to why she was here, he hadn't heard any announcements of her arrival from his father or anyone sent ahead of her. This wasn't unusualy but as they were already friends he would have guessed a little notice might have been given.

He always found it weird treating friends with formality, with Merlin, though they did behave like friends verbally, sometimes even physically, Arthur was careful not to forget, especially in the presence of his father that Merlin was ultimately his man servant and that he had to treat him like so. He was a Prince, and he knew that, but treating Kadleigh with such a formality, as protocol called for inside the Court just felt strange and he didn't like it. Usually he wouldn't bother but he had to put on the right front, that he had grown up and to show Kadeligh he was mature enough and grown into his role enough to address any problems he suspected she had brought with her. Though he wanted part of her visit to be social, he was pretty much certain that she came with news, or a question, or a request of Uther, that was usually the case. He half wondered if something bad had happened to her father as he was usually the one that came to Camelot to seek assistance.

Arthur rest his arm on the arm rest as she spoke, listening carefully to her words and smiling as he realised he had been right in his predictions to vaguely why she had visited. Though he was glad she was here, it was important for a King to look after his people, and though principle men like Kadeligh's father were responsible for their own individual towns that they were in, Uther was overly responsible for them all. Arthur cared for the people of Camelot and the surrounding villages and he was sure that his father wouldn't reject them of any help, it just wasn't what a king did, though the last time Uther had rejected help Arthur had stepped in and used his own means and resources to help the people, so if he did refuse to help Arthur would be sure to sort it out himself.

”Of course, it is understandable” he said after she had finished talking, looking to her kindly. ”You're father is much the same age as mine so I can imagine he might be struggling. Luckily we had a very plentifull crop this year so I'm pretty sure we can offer some assistance with both food and crop to put in your own fields. I can't speak for my father but when he returns I can inform him of the situation and I'm sure he'll agree with me that we can help, it would be foolish not too after all your father has done for mine over the years” he said, remembering the assistance that Kadeligh's father had given in wiping out the old religion. ”But come now, you must be hungry from your journey, can I get some food brought to you, I will have your things taken to one of our rooms, we need to catch up” he said looking to one of the servants in the room who nodded and went off to make the arrangements. ”It's good to see you again” he added smiling at her.

[kadeligh mary sewell]

It was strange to think that the man before her was the boy she used to play kings and queens with. The thought of it was embarassing, how naive she'd been back then, and how simple. Of course, back then it had been harmless fun, but the thought of the content was rather...distrurbing in a sense. The two could hardly do it now, not because they were adults, but because it would be completly different. She couldn't pretend to be the queen, it wasn't her right, and she was certain that she and Arthur wouldn't be a good match. The memory caused Kadeligh to smile, they had caused so much trouble, especially when Arthur had tried to be a knight. She felt sorry for the poor maids who had looked after them, They must have been worn out after watching them, or rather, running after them. Arthur would have no doubt changed, she had changed a lot, and decpite not having a mother around or a motherly figure, she'd grown up into an excemptional young woman. People had often worried about her, it was hard for a young woman to grow up properly without a mother, but she'd managed it, and she was proud of herself.

As she thought about her mother, she felt her throat tighten and she coughed, forcing the tears back. Though it was years since her mother had died, she still missed her. Though she'd barely been three years of age when she died and had little memories of her mother, she still found the pain hard, and at times it was unbearable. The only way she coped was using the magic her mother wished her to learn, though she knew it was forbidden and hated going behind Uther's back, whenever she used it, she felt at peace and she felt closer to her mother. It was risky, but she saw no other way, and it pained her to know that she was betraying her friends.

Pushing those thoughts aside, she tried to concentrate on the reason she was here. It wouldn't be good to negociate with Arthur if her mind continued to wonder, it would be impolite and rude, and she didn't wish to be rude to a friend. She almost wished her father had been well enough to come, he could have dealt with this and she would have been free to see her friends. But she had to remind herself to be patient, she was here firstly on buisness. She could have all the fun and social time she wished after the meeting was finished and after Arthur himself finished his duties. She wouldn't allow herself to selfishly stand in the way of what he had to do, simply because she wished to discover what he'd been doing since the two had last been together.

Watching him as he sat on his soon to be throne, she couldn't help but notice how mature he was, he'd grown up so much, it was almost alarming. She'd always thought he'd be a bit immature, as was the nature of most men, even her brother was immature. And yet it seemed Arthur had grown beyond his years, it was a shame, but it was probably all a part of being royalty, you could hardly act immature when you were to become a king. It truely was a shame, and Kadeligh hoped he hadn;t grown up too much, she didn't want to deal with a grumpy old man.

Listining carefully to Arthur's response, she couldn't help but smile with pride, she was glad to know that Arthur was willing to help. And although she shouldn't make assumptions, she felt certain that Uther would be only too glad to help. The two were friends after all, and she could hardly imagine Uther turning away from his friends. He owed a lot to her father, he had helped with the purge after all. The thought did frighten her, ut she tried not to think about it. She was certain her father wouldn't reveal her, her brother didn't agree, but Kadeligh couldn't imagine her father betraying her like that. "Thank you m'lord, I am sure my father will be pleased to know that you are willing to help us." Looking down at the floor she wondered how her father would react. "Our crops weren't so good this year, so I'm pleased to know that you will allow some of your crops to feed the villagers."

It seemed that the matter was now closed, more quicker then Kadeligh had assumed. But she was glad, it seemed that her family ties to the Pendragon family had allowed her father to get help. She didn't need to do or say anymore. Her task had been complete, her mind was at peace. As Arthur offered her food, Kadeligh blushed once again and nodded. "That would be most kind m'lord." Watching as the servant left she sighed and looked around the room before resting her eyes once again on Arthur. "It's good to see you too, I must admit, I have missed you."