Lancelot Passing Through (Katlyn)

[Katlyn Isabel Blake]

"Well..." Katlyn began, smiling and cocking her head to one side cheekily. "I'm sure i could think of something...."

Loweing her feet back down to the river bed, Katlyn began shaking her head like a dog would shake its fur after swimming. It was effective- although not exactly "safe" if you were an onlooker...luckily Lancelot seemed far enough away that the droplets would hit him.

Once her hair was suitably "dry", Katlyn swam back to the river bank and placed her hands on the edge ready to hoist herself out.
"This is the part where you can look away sir!" She grinned with a wink, sometimes she was far too bold for her own good and she was probably lucky Lancelot was reasonably well tempered.

The next part was the worst part.

Katlyn hated being wet. Not just disliked, but hated. And that was why she had brought the old dress. Using it as a crude towel, she rubbed herself down quickly, aware that Lancelot might not be as chivalrous as he should be and as quick as she could, pulled her work dress back over her head.
That was better.

Her hair still dripped down her back, despite her vague attempt to dry it, but it would do.

[Lancelot Du Lac]

She certainly did have an attitude, he thought to himself, but she did have a fine smile. . I would be surprised if you did not, especially since, I might have to ride off and leave if you can't come up with something."

He watched, from a distance, as she seemed to change the position of her body. He knew the streams in this area of the country to know that they weren't that deep this time of year. As a result, he knew that she could stand up, and have her shoulders and head stick up out of the water. Fortunately, the currents weren't to strong either, and he watched as she began to shake the water from her relatively long hair. His distance was great enough, though, that he was sure that he wouldn't get too drenched.

The shaking process was over pretty quickly and he saw her, rather gracefully, swim over to the closest riverbank, and begin to pull herself out. She peered at him pretty cheekily, advising him what gentlemen were supposed to do in this situation, and he quickly complied, ... as you wish ..... of course." smile on her face as she pulled herself out, but it did not take much of an imagination to see it in his mind. He quickly clucked to his horse, and turned Sher-Fore almost 180 degrees, so that he did not see anything that he was not supposed to.

As his knightly duties and responsibilities demanded, Sir Lancelot Du Lac waited for her to tell him that it was permitted for him to turn he and his horse to face her once more. He knew that he could turn at any point, and pretend that it was a mistake, to maintain his honor. However, he decided to adhere to the spirit as well as the letter of the principal, and waited patiently.

[Katlyn Isabel Blake]

Katlyn appreciated Lancelot's manners, and squeezing her hair tightly between the palms of her hands, she jogged gently over to where he stood with his beautiful horse.

"He's beautiful you know?" She said quietly, letting her hair drop down her back again and circumventing the horse. He stood a good two hands higher than the horses she was used to looking after on her fathers farm, and his coat was far shinier- almost glossy. She had always loved horses and the farm hands had taught her to ride at a very early age, something that she was always pleased about. She often wished her father would let her ride the work horses still, but he always claimed she was too big and they couldn't be spared, and unfortunately they didnt come cheap. Laying one hand on Sher-Fore's neck, she placed her other on his face, and looked deep into the stallions eyes.

"Hello boy." Katlyn smiled tickling his chin and laughing, she could have happily spent all day with only his company, but suddenly, as if she had almost forgotten for a moment that Lancelot was standing beside her, she dropped her hands to her sides and spun to face him- her usual cheeky grin spread across her face.

"So how about a ride?"

[Lancelot Du Lac]

This girl sure seemed to be on-again off-again, Lancelot thought to himself. She certainly appeared to be a free spirit, he considered, as she squeezed the water out of her hair as she made her way over to him and his horse, Sher-Fore. She also seemed to know just the buttons to push on a knight, he thought.

Finally, she had said something to bring at least a small smile to his face. "Yes, there is no denying that. I thought he was the most striking animal that I had ever seen, even when he was just a colt." He was six years old now, but Lance had been acquainted with him since he was born. He had been serving the Earl of Huntingdon for some time as a page, being instructed in the ways of knighthood, and had, in fact, been one of the Earl's best pupils. He had pleased his master so much that when he had completed his training and become one of his knights he had presented the yearling to him as a gift. It had been the only horse that he had ever truly owned, and he had taken care of it as if he was a member of his own family.

He watched her now, looking deep into the stallion's eyes and introduce herself, and Lancelot knew that the horse would appreciate that kind of communication. "He is a boy, but remember, his name is Sher-Fore, and he likes to be called it, and he probably will appreciate it coming from a soft and lovely voice,rather than the gruff voice of a knight." Suddenly, though, after seeming to ignore him, she whirled and asked her question, with a big grin on her face.

"I don't see why not," and he quickly mounted him and motioned her to climb on. "Now ..... hold onto my waist, and make sure you hold on tight. Don't worry ..... I won't break. Where do you want to go? It would be good if it was somewhere that I can open him up to a full gallop, so you can see and feel what he can do in the open field."

[Katlyn Isabel Blake]

Katlyn appreciated the fact that Lancelot treated her horse like a person rather than just an animal. It was exactly how she viewed the handsome creatures and it always annoyed her rather when the farmhands told her off for talking to them like they could respond. She also liked how the knight told her about what he liked and disliked- sharing his horse with her in a way. She wished she could be a knight with her own noble steed and they could ride over the hills and down by the river whenever she fancied.

She was lost in fairytales as she clambered up behind Lancelot, a little reluctant to hold on to him, not because she was shy but because she felt she could ride well enough not to fall off. She continued to daydream right up until she heard the words: "Where do you want to go?"

Where did she want to go?

Thoughts of forests and open countryside raced through her mind each one appealing in its own way, but deciding was just too difficult. This was a once in a lifetime chance and she probably would never get another, she had to make the right choice.

"How about the Kingsway?" she asked, a glint in her eye. "Its open enough for you to pull Sher-Fore into a gallop and everyone will be able to see us."

[Lancelot Du Lac]

This girl seemed to be in a much different disposition now that she was on Sher-Fore, and that Lancelot was willing to do and go wherever she wanted and whatever speed she wanted. It didn't hurt that she was quite pleasant to turn around and look at either, he thought to himself. Though, even with a pretty girl, an unpleasant disposition was difficult to deal with. He had to admit, himself, that a being on the back of his stallion gave him a feeling of freedom like no other. She seemed to appreciate him a bit more, being up there on the back of Sher-Fore, which was a pleasant experience too.

He was waiting on hearing what she wanted to do, where she wanted to go, and how far she wanted to get there, but he heard nothing. So he turned around and saw a strange look of satisfaction on her face and wondered exactly what she was thinking on, assuming that it wasn't him.

Finally, though, she did respond. "The Kingsway? As the princess commands," and he wheeled his stalling around in a big arcing circle across the fields toward that well-worn thoroughfare. He began to build up the speed of momentum in just the last few yards of field, jumping over the wide ditch and accelerating down the main path. He never used spurs or a whip to encourage the stallion. Sher-Fore simply knew ... and besides .... this Arabian never needed much encouragement to to open it up all the way. What else were straight open stretches of road for anyway outside of speed?

[Katlyn Isabel Blake]

Katlyn was simply glowing as she clung onto Sir Lancelot's waist and the three of them (including Sher-fore of course) raced over field after field, heading towards the Kingsway. It was quite a way from Katlyn's little farm and usually when travelling to Camelot she travelled on a merchants cart, by road, which was dull in comparison to this.
She screamed out in joy as the maginificent horse leaped across the final ditch and landed on the loose gravel of the kingsway singalling there arrival in Camelot.

The speed that they were travelling at was intoxicating and she never wanted to dismount. Even more than ever before, Katlyn Blake wanted to be a noble, who had a horse like this at her disposal whenever she wished to go for a ride and with whom she could share a bond just like Lancelot and Sher-fore did.

Suddenly, the realisation of where they were hit her. True, no one was likely to recognise "Lady Katlyn" here on the road, but if Lancelot had any intention of going through the city gates which now loomed in front of them...Well there was no way she could avoide being seen then.

[Lancelot Du Lac]

Lancelot, of course, could feel her hands tightening around his waist, but he did not sense that it was out of fear. The sense that he got was one of a building thrill. The ground that they were traveling over, the agricultural fields, was definitely un-even and it was all he could do to keep his horse in check, knowing that one mis-step could end in at least a broken leg for the horse.

Lancelot was wondering what kind of experience that she had riding a horse like this, as they finally approached the last rail fence he heard the cry of anticipation release from her throat as the coiled spring that was Sher-Fore released his pent up energy on the Kingsway.

Although the stallion had a fair starting speed out of the gate, his true ability was his ability to use his momentum to accelerate. It had been a long time since he had had the opportunity and the encouragement to let all of his potential speed out, so he wasn't going to stand around and not take advantage of it.

It was clear by the way she was hanging on that she was enjoying the sensation of speed, the feeling of the air running by her face, and the rapid rolling motion of the horse, as he ate up huge stretches of the roadway between where they had been and Camelot itself. As they neared the gates of the castle, by nature the horse began to slow, finally moving at a slow trot, but fast enough still to attract some attention. "So ... how was that .... and where do you want to go from here?"

[Katlyn Isabel Blake]

"That was incredible!" Katlyn cried out, dropping her arms from Lancelot's waist and brushing back the hairs which still damp, had become stuck to her face as they rode.
"The wind in your face, the thrill of the speed! How do you ever bring yourself to get off of Sher-fore?"
Katlyn babbled on, describing the sensation of the ride and how much she wished she could have her own horse, whom she could ride wheneevr she so wished. She didnt notice Lancelot's question for some time, but when she finally did, she was a little stuck for words.

She definitely couldn't go forwards, that much was certain. When she had created her 'secret identity', she had had to give up going anywhere near the castle as farm-girl Katlyn. She sometimes had to visit the market, but usually did so with a headscarf or some other disguise on. Today though she was openly visible, and going through the huge gates which symbolized Pendragon soil, was a definite no.

"Perhaps it is time to go home?" She said dejectedly. She wished she could stay up here on Sher-fore forever, but alas, at some point she really did need to go home and apologise to her father for legging it this afternoon. It seemed only logical that that time was now.

[Lancelot Du Lac]

Lancelot could tell quite easily by her overall body language and the way that she gripped him around the waist that she had had an increase in excitement. It was all just confirmed by her sudden outburst. "What do you mean," Lancelot said with a slight smile, pretending that he did not know what she was talking about.

"Well, ordinarily I just slow him to a trot like this. However, much of the time we are in battle and our minds are focused elsewhere."

He chuckled quietly to himself as she went on and on, and they got closer to the gates of Camelot. He remembered how excited he was the first few times he had ridden the black stallion, or even earlier, when he had ridden his first horses as a lad.

Finally, though, she seemed to get over the rapture of speed that she had just experienced, and he sensed, he thought, a desire not to go into Camelot. It didn't quite make sense to him. He thought that a girl from the country would look forward to a visit to Camelot, if for nothing else, to relieve the monotony of the country.

By the time she gave her answer, Lancelot was not surprised. "Are you sure ..... well ... very well. Your wish is my command. Do you want us to take our time, or do you want as rapid a trip back as we took to get here. Its up to you." He then had a sudden thought. "I didn't get you in trouble by taking you on this trip did I. Do you need an alibi," he asked.

[Katlyn Isabel Blake]

(OOC: Sorry for the million-year reply, I had a bit of a hectic year at school and have only just remembered this place. I'm back now!!! Sorry!)

"Oh no, no, it's not you at all!" Katlyn sighed, "I just realised I have to be getting back to the farm to finish my chores. If I'm not back in time then my father will just forbid me to leave again..." She shook her head. "But that doesnt mean we have to hurry!"

As much as she had enjoyed the exhilirating and adrenaline fueled ride to the city, Katlyn was rather hoping the journey back could be a little more relaxed and she could learn more about Lancelot's life. She was convinced he had many stories that could be told and she wanted to know every one. In detail.

He was an intriguing man and she wondered how it was possible for someone to say so little and yet be so interesting at the same time. Katlyn spoke too much, she had been told that on many occasions and knew it only too well, but she had always been convinced that that was one of her most endeering qualities. Perhaps though, it just gave away too much of her personality in one go...
She made a mental note to speak less in future.

With a grin she placed her arms back around Lancelot's waist.

"Shall we?"

[Lancelot Du Lac]

(OOC: No prob ..... I had been away for some time too ,,, until a couple of weeks ago!)

Lancelot nodded slightly in response to her statement, Still, there was something in her sigh that told him there was more to it than just that. "It is a knight's place to serve and not to endanger, so I'm glad of that. Do you wish me to speak to him for you? Well, then, I am sure that are some country lanes off of the Kingsway that we can take a more leisurely gallop on, eh?"

Lancelot clucked at Sher-Fore to begin to pick up speed, found a lane to divert onto back in the general direction of the farm, they had been at, and trotted away. As they began their ride back, Lancelot thought to himself that there was something different about this girl. She seemed to carry herself almost as a sassy noble might. But how could a country girl do such a thing. He thought his mind was playing tricks on him.

She did seem to have many sides to her personality, at the very least. He wondered if she was just going to want him to let her off after having some more fun riding or if she would want to see him and Sher-Fore again. That was the first question now, wasn't it? Was she more interested in him or the horse, and how could a knight ask such a question while not being rude, he wondered.

He did feel her arms entwine his waist, though, and that was an indication that she had at least a small interest in him. So he smiled as he looked down at her statements and replied, "As you command!" They raced to the end of the lane, where Lancelot slowed him to a walk as they began to cross open ground, reaching the stream, and then slowly walking along its edge as they moved slowly toward her family's farm. "See many nobles or knights out this way?," he tentatively tried to start a conversation, as he dismounted, walking on the stream-side of the horse. This allowed her to ride alone atop his fine horse of battle.

[Katlyn Isabel Blake]

"Nobles or knights this way?" Katlyn scoffed, "Hardly!"
The idea of anyone of any importance venturing this far into the countryside was alien to the farm-girl, who had grown up knowing that the rich remained in the city where the excitement was. There was nothing out this way save for farms and the odd tavern- but even those were empty compared to the ones in the city and Katlyn was convinced that they held no interest for any nobles.

"Were you hoping to see someone a bit more interesting?" She asked with a hint of annoyance. In Katlyn's mind, the question meant that Lancelot must be getting bored of her and so he wanted better company- no part of her even considered that he might merely be making conversation.

Now that Lancelot had dismounted, Katlyn moved forwards and gripped the reigns tighter, wrapping the leather bands several times around her wrists. She was starting to get annoyed now and contemplated urging Sher-Fore into a gallop and leaving Sir Lancelot far behind.
But she knew that that was absurd...at least for the moment...

[Lancelot Du Lac]

The way she responded, it was almost as if she was somewhat offended by the question. Was it outside the realm of possibility that some might have passed through at one time or another. He thought that it was a reasonable possibility. Did she have something against the noble class, or was it a particular noble or knight that had rubbed her the wrong way, or perhaps harassed her or maybe a close acquaintance. it was a riddle, he thought. as to why she felt this way.

Perhaps this feeling about nobles or a particular one was the real reason why she did not want to go through the gates at Camelot. He could hear the tone in her voice as she questioned whether he was looking for someone .... someone more interesting than her, "Nay," he responded. "How could, even a knight, hope to find someone more interesting than you," said Lancelot as he tried to looked deeply into her eyes.

He was just walking slowly besides his horse, as it walked quite slowly ahead. He could see how she was wrapping the reins more tightly around her wrists and he could also feel the tenseness in the air. Any other person might be worried that she would ride off with his horse. However, Lancelot knew his Sher-Fore quite well, and that he would only ride off with Lancelot. He would not respond to another's commands unless Lancelot directed him to. It would be a good test, though, to see what she would do when give the freedom of making her own choices. He wondered though, exactly what she was going to do and what she was thinking at this