A Handful [Aurich]

[Guinevere Thomas]

Guinevere wasn't sure her arms had ever been as laden before as they were now. The fruit stall owner in the markets had given her this huge basket to take to the kitchens filled with various foods, stating his child was sick and thus he wouldnt be able to deliver it himself.

Gwen had offered and insisted despite his refusal. He needed to look after his son and she had to go to the castle anyway to deliver the bunch of flowers she herself had picked earlier to the Lady Morgana.

Then she remembered she needed to pick up one of Lady Morgana's dresses. So, she got that as well. Now she was juggling the basket, the parcel of mended clothing, and the flowers, on which she had a tenuous grip at best.

She just knew, one misstep as she made her way through the castle courtyard and she'd lose at least one thing. Gwen prayed today was not going to be a clumsy day...


Tag: Aurich of Caerleon
Setting: Camelot Castle Courtyard

[Prince Aurich Caerleon]

Aurich stood in the middle of the castle courtyard, staring at the intimidatingly large walls of the castle itself. Caerleon's castle was much smaller, and Camelot was thought to be the epitome of fortresses. Its large walls had survived many invasions before, and the only one known to have breached it, was Uther, before he became King.

"Wow." Aurich said, exasperated, a slight breeze ruffling the cape on his shoulders. He felt the fading sun wash across his face, and smiled. Without looking, he turned, and walked right into a beautiful girl, arms full of fruit. Aurich watched in slow motion as the girl fell to the ground, and Aurich panicked. "Sypian!" Gwen fell ridiculously slow, and Aurich grabbed her wrist, and pulled her back up. He couldn't save the fruit, but quickly used a quick motion from his free hand to grab the flowers. He was panting and his hand remained on her wrist. He looked into her eyes, before clearing his throat, and stepped back and bowed. "Milady" Aurich said, looking at his feet. He rose and smiled at her. He searched his pockets for some sovereigns, and grabbed a handful and handed them to her. "For the fruit, milady. I do apologize." Aurich said, and placed them in her hand. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Prince Aurich of Caerleon. Well, former prince. I don't know what my father has decided of me, seeing as I left without telling him where I was going. I can't imagine he'd be too happy with me. Its not as though he'd really approve of his only son going to another kingdom, no matter how good the relationship was. Oh, look at me, i'm babbling." Aurich said, blushing.

He laughed nervously and then looked closely at her. "I know you! You're the Lady Morganna, yes? It is an honour to meet you!" Aurich grabbed Guinevere's hand, and kissed it. "Why were you carrying all those things? Don't you have a maidservant to do that?"

[Guinevere Thomas]

Guinevere didnt know how it happened, okay well, she did but not at the precise time it happened, but one moment she was walking along, intent on her destination, and the next she was being spared a hard and unexpected landing on the ground by someone holding her wrist. All she could do for a few moments was just blink stupidly as she tried to recover her bearings. The fruit was gone from her arms, as was the rest of her stock, and the man holding her promptly released her and bowed. If she had been steady and not still catching her mind up to the present, Gwen would have bowed in return.

She did snap back to her senses however when he placed some coins in her hand. Right! But before she could say anything, he spoke again, introducing herself. While she was trying to get her mouth to do what her head was telling her, Prince Aurich laughed nervously and looked at her. And once again, though provervially rather than literally this time, he knocked her off her feet. He thought she was Morgana? Apparently so since he took her hand and kissed it.

Well, what normal young woman wouldnt blush at having a Prince kiss their hand? Certainly Gwen was normal, she knew, as she felt heat rise in her cheeks. But she couldnt stop the small chuckle that rose from within her at his mistake. An honor though it was, Gwen couldn't even pretend to be a lady if she wanted to.

"I apologise," she said, her other hand coming up to cover her mouth and the remnants of the laugh. She didnt want to offend him by laughing! "But I am not the Lady Morgana," she clarified, standing there for a few moments before realising she hadn't adressed him properly. "Your highness," Gwen added, curtsying as was much more befitting her station. "I am her maidservant, Guinevere."

[Prince Aurich Caerleon]

Aurich blushed too, as Guinevere chuckled, before dropping her hand. Though he wasn't wearing his Caerleon tabard, he knew some people recognized him. Though she was beautiful, it was hard to explain why she had kissed a Low's hand. In a bout of frustration, he slammed his fist into his face, then winced in pain as he realized what he had done.

"Bollocks! That bloody hurt!"Aurich stifled a chuckle, and noticed Guinevere was doing the same. He brought together his composure, and ran a hand through his hair. He looked at Gwen for awhile, until he realized it wasn't really looking if you didn't blink. Not so much.

"Do you know where I could find the Merlin? I mean, I don't have to go right now, I was going to go to the tavern for dinner, but then I thought it wouldn't do for a Prince to eat in a tavern, but where else am I going to stay? Would Uther house me, I wonder?" Aurich asked, trying to segue into another topic.

His cool and collected demeanor crumbled, and he was all a tatter, as a breeze caused Gwen's hair to expose part of her neckline, revealing soft, smooth skin that he assumed spanned her whole body. His cheeks were on fire, he knew, and his eyes glazed over, and he felt his mouth go dry. 'Is this some sort of magic?' Aurich wondered, but dismissed it, hoping he'd be able to notice something like that if it was happening, but wasn't entirely sure.

[Guinevere Thomas]

Guinevere's smile morphed into a look of pure worry when Aurich stuck himself. Oh she hoped he hadnt done that because of her! She didnt want anyone hurting themselves because of her at all. When he seemed to recover without a problem, if not a few colorful words at his actions, Gwen relaxed slightly. For a prince, he seemed very unsure of himself in her presence. A moment passed in which Guinevere feared she'd done something wrong. Had she done something which made him like this? She wasn't sure, and he was looking at her. Well, he wasnt blinking. Did she have something on her face? Worried she did, Gwen brushed a piece of hair behind her ear and busied herself for the moment picking up Morgana's parcel. The dress was unharmed thankfully.

As she rose, Aurich appeared to break himself from that small stupor and spoke. Ah, something she could help him with.

"Merlin is the manservant of Prince Arthur," she explained, her smile returning. "If you wish to see him, he will either be with the prince, at the guild, or helping Gaius, the court physician." Gwen frowned as he spoke of Uther. He was a prince, and Uther never seemed the type to turn other royalty away, whether he was happy about it or not.

"The King would most likely give you a place to stay," the servant mused. "You are royalty after all," she added, not noticing he was blushing as she had been before.

[Prince Aurich Caerleon]

Aurich looked at the dress, and then gave Guinevere a large smile. "Is the dress okay? I'd feel absolutely horrid if I ruined the Lady Morganna's dress. Mostly scared, but horrid." Aurich looked a bit down, and shuffled his feet, scuffing them against the flagstones. He reached up and unbuckled his cloak, and folded it into a small square. He placed it in the dark leather bag he had slung over his shoulder, and then nodded. "I'm sorry, I don't want to delay you any further, but would you mind showing me around? Only, I don't know where to find... er, Gaius." Aurich lied, and sighed.

He hadn't really spent much time around women, and the only men he spent time around were the knights and soldiers of his army. His social skills were nowhere near prince-like standards, he knew that, but he couldn't understand why he'd lie to someone he just met. When he was younger, he had gotten a lashing for playing with Low, and he didn't understand why. He avoided the girl like the plague, and his father never explained.

Coming back into reality, Aurich nodded again, and looked towards the castle. He knew perfectly well where Gaius was, but he wanted to spend some time with Guinevere. Though, his bag was rather heavy. He weighed his options, then placed it on the ground, and dropped down himself. "Care to sit?" Aurich pulled his cloak out of his bag, and placed it on the ground for Guinevere to sit on. "So, tell me about your life. What is Merlin like? His reputation has reached the ears of the court of Caerleon. Do you have any family?"

[Guinevere Thomas]

Gwen nodded. "It seems fine," she replied with a smile. Morgana wouldn't have minded, she knew it was an accident after all, but it would seem like a bad thing to most in the situation if it had been damaged somehow. As he stood there, she bent and gathered up the few stray pieces of fruit that had escaped the basket when she'd dropped it. Thankfully it was only a few, so the rest could still be delivered. She could donate the few spoilt ones to the stocks. That brought to mind an image of Merlin. He was somewhat still a regular to that little pasttime. She had just finished when Aurich asked if she could show him around.

For a moment she felt a fool. Of course he wouldnt know where Gaius, or really anything was for that matter. He had only just arrived in Camelot. "Of course. Forgive me your highness for my forgetfulness," Guinevere apologised. She was surprised when, right in front of everyone and in the middle of the courtyard, the prince sat himself down on the stones. This was.... strange. Especially when he laid out his cloak for her. True, Gwen had only ever really been around Prince Arthur, and not very openly at that, but she didnt think princes sat on the ground. Or sat with servants.

Glancing around, Gwen considered what to do. She didnt by any means wish to offend him by refusing, but she also didnt want to seem out of line by taking it upon herself to sit with a prince like they were equals. Finally, she knelt on the cloak and held onto the basket. "I thank you your highness, but it is probably best if I help you find Gaius now," she replied softly rather than answer his question. She would without hesitation, but in a more familiar and comfortable setting she would prefer.

[Prince Aurich Caerleon]

Aurich stood, feeling foolish. What was he thinking? He cleared his throat, and nodded, motioning for Gwen to direct him. He followed close behind her, trying to commit their path to memory. "Guinevere, do maidservants always hum while they walk?" Aurich asked, after listening to Guinevere hum one of Dame Helen's songs. "Forgive me, I was merely trying to make conversation." Aurich said, frowning.

He had to admit, he was a little bit hurt when Guinevere rejected his offer to sit, but reasoned that it was for the best. He noticed a blonde man walking arrogantly with a gaggle of knights behind him. He leaned in to Guinevere and whispered into her ear. "That's Prince Arthur, isn't it? He's beautiful." Aurich said, blushing as he did so. Aurich stopped and watched as a tall and gangly man, though his face betrayed him as a boy, followed behind him, arms laden with mail and clothes. "Looks like we didn't have to go far to find Merlin and Arthur." Aurich said, laughing. Merlin tripped, throwing his armful in the air, a metal gauntlet hitting Arthur in the back of the head. Arthur turned on his heel and glared at Merlin, who was currently picking up the stuff he dropped. Arthur was raging at Merlin, and the knights were laughing heartily. Merlin looked hurt, and Aurich felt a pang of energy as Merlin's emotions boiled. Merlin settled after some time, and they walked away, Aurich smiling at Gwen. "I'm going to try and catch up with them. It was nice to meet you, Guinevere."

---

If you want to post back, thats fine, but I don't know where we should meet next. In the council room?

[Guinevere Thomas]

Gwen did feel bad for rejecting his offer to sit, but if she had, she would never have been able to focus. She'd have been worried that somebody would see her taking leave of her station and punish her. And she didnt want Aurich to get into trouble on her behalf.

She blushed when she realised he had heard her humming to herself. "Ah sorry about that," she apologised. "I just.. I hum when I'm working and I didnt realise you could hear me."

When the prince's attention was diverted by none other than Arthur, and he made his comment, Gwen's blush deepened. Yes, she supposed Arthur was attractive, but having grown up around the prince, she thought his personality could use some work. Still, she kept that to herself. No need to be disrespectful. "Not far at all," she replied to his comment about looking for Merlin and Arthur. Aurich was then bidding her farewell and she nodded.

"It was nice to meet you too, your highness," she replied with a small curtsy as he left her. Watching him go for a moment, Gwen sighed and turned to go the other way. She did need to finish her delivery after all.

[We can skip ahead now if you'd like. Just make a post and they shall meet again! ]

[Prince Aurich Caerleon]

Are you still wishing to continue this, Gwen?