Shade 3: Charmer
Arthur was so shocked and impressed by Reevena's skill with a sword that once the jousting weekend was over, he invited her to stay in the castle; hoping that she could teach his knights 'a thing or two'.
Reevena and Arthur sat opposite eachother at the breakfast table; The queen had excused herself from the table with morning sickness.
"I was thinking, you could join us in the training session today Reevena?"
"That would be excellent, thankyou Arthur"
"No, your welcome. It'll be nice to have such a good influence on my knights for once"
Reevena smiled and took a sip from her goblet.
*****
After the training session, Leon,Gwaine and Percival walked back into the palace battered and bruised.
"Percival!" Arthur shouted trotting up to him "I need to speak to you... Come and find me in 10 minutes"
"Ofcourse sire" Percival nodded.
*****
Percival strode down the corridor, fresh and in clean clothes. He stood outside the door and drew a deep breath before stepping into the throne room,
"Percival!" Arthur stood and hurried over to him
"My lord" Percival said bowing
"Percival, you have always served me well; But i now call upon you for a bigger favour than just being a loyal and noble knight"
Percival looked down at Arthur puzzled,
Arthur's tone hardened "I need you to marry Lady Reevena"
"What!" Percival choked "I...I...Sire!"
"I know Percival... It's a lot to ask but, with everything thats going on I need her on our side..."
Percival interupted "But she is on our side, why do i have to marry her?"
"It's barely acceptable to knight people who are not of noble blood, nevermind her being a girl... At least if she's married to a knight of Camelot, there is some grounds on which i can knight her" Arthur explained
"But, why do you want her knighted so badly?" Percival questioned
"You've seen her with a sword percival. And with everything going on, we need her!"
Percival sighed "I'm sorry sire, i won't do it."
"This is an order Percival! Im sorry, you don't have a choice..."
Percival's expression softened as he gave in to the king's demand. Arthur's smile was full of empathy and as he dismissed percival from the room he sat back down on his throne. He put his balled fist under his chin and let out a long weary breath.
*****
Percival stomped down the hallway like a child. He turned the corner and nearly knocked Gwaine from his feet,
"Percival, What are you doing?"
"Im sorry Gwaine, my mind was wandering" Percival said, helping Gwaine to stand upright
"What's wrong"
"The king had just asked me to do something for him, im not sure i can..."
"He didn't ask you to teach him poetry did he?" Gwaine joked
Percival wasn't impressed by Gwaine's efforts to make him laugh. He pushed past him and began heading to his chambers
"Hey!" Gwaine called after him "Im sorry... What did he ask you to do?"
"He wants me to marry Lady Reevena"
"What? Really?" Gwaine chuckled "Why is that a bad thing?"
"Gwaine!" Percival erupted
"No, but seriously... Arthur just offered you a massive wedding ceremony to a stunning women, who also happens to be the biggest BAMF you could ever meet!" Gwaine continued "And all for free! But, you Percival... say no!?"
Percival giggled and looked down at Gwaine (towering over everyone all the time was begining to make his neck hurt) "Your charm is endless Gwaine.... Really!"
Gwaine grinned and carried on walking down the hallway. Percival watched him walk away before retreating to his chambers.
*****
Reevena thundered across the palace courtyard and leapt onto her horse.
"Lady Reevena wait!" Arthur called after her
She tossed him a sour look before galloping through the gates and out of sight. Arthur stopped and regained his breath before admitting defeat. She was gone.
It turned out that being forced into marrying a knight that she hardly knew by the king of a kingdom she had never visited before now, had rather annoyed Reevena (wierdo, asif you'd turn down the chance to marry Percival; Sort yourself out woman!). It seemed that Camelot had just made itself a powerful enemy - also leaving Percival single (YES!)
