Let the Crown Prince's 25th Birthday Banquet Begin! *Action Sequence* 15th November 1005

[not_a_clotpole]

The great Banquet Hall of Camelot has been decked out for this special occasion, banners of Pendragon red with the golden dragon in the centre.

The various nobles and knights of Camelot are dressed in their best tonight and the tables are laden with delicious food and dozens of candles flickering in golden candelabras. The servants (and Merlin) are in the background.

The King, the Crown Prince and the Lady Morgana are at the head table and the King rises to deliver a speech.

It's one of King Uther's better days, because magic isn't even mentioned once! Not even in reference to Morgana's disappearance and Arthur's finding her after all that time.

And so the party shall start! The wine will flow and the guests might get a bit rowdy after a while...

Feel free to approach the birthday boy!

Comments

[magicalskeptic.livejournal.com]

Of course, Morgana is dressed beautifully for the event. Not that she would ever be less than impeccably dressed, but still, here she is, seating to the left of the King, applauding at the right time.

[not_a_clotpole]

Soon enough the wine is flowing and people are moving about to talk to others.

And Arthur will be one of those - having dispensed of his circlet (God he hates that thing).

"Enjoying the revellery?"

[magicalskeptic.livejournal.com]

"Very much so." She smiles and lifts a goblet. "Happy birthday, Arthur."

"Have you received many gifts yet, today?"

[not_a_clotpole]

"Why thank you," He toasts her with his goblet which he's carrying around - it's good wine this year.

"Well, Merlin's wearing his hat, so there's one." Gestures to the poor hapless Merlin.

[magicalskeptic.livejournal.com]

Merlin in his hat makes Morgana laugh, genuinely laugh her don't-you-dare-call-it-a-giggle laugh.

"Are you ever going to tell him, one day, as the Prince's servant, he is not required to wear that, should you wish otherwise?"

[not_a_clotpole]

Arthur laughs himself and then looks shifty.

"Now why would I do that? Most feasts aren't as fun as this...and what would we do for entertainment otherwise?"

[magicalskeptic.livejournal.com]

"I am certain there are better forms of entertainment than turning the servants into unwitting jesters." Morgana looks at Merlin, and there is the smallest of grimaces, and the briefest look of malice.

"Though Merlin can often do that on his own."

[not_a_clotpole]

Fortunately (or unfortunately? Who knows) Arthur is admiring Guinevere - who's pouring someone drink and doesn't notice Morgana's look.

He turns back. "But I'm waiting with baited breath for your gift."

[magicalskeptic.livejournal.com]

"Unfortunately, I could not bring it with me, into the hall." Morgana smiles, as she no only knows what it is, but also that it is far more symbolic than Arthur will realize.

[not_a_clotpole]

Arthur looks at her in utter confusion...trying to figure out what it could be.

"It's not...you're not going to make me climb all the way to the top of the west tower for it are you?"

Because it's still pouring down out there and he doesn't want to go there.

[magicalskeptic.livejournal.com]

"Arthur, we were children the last time I tricked you into such a thing." It could have happened, and to be frank, probably did, at some point.

"No, and it is a shame about the weather, as it will make it more difficult to see your gift."

[not_a_clotpole]

It did! Birthday's always make Arthur reminiscent.

And now he's thoroughly curious!

"C'mon, what is it? You can't give me those sorts of clues and leave me hanging. I'm the Crown Prince."

[magicalskeptic.livejournal.com]

"I could, should you think the guest of honour can disappear from the party for a moment."

[not_a_clotpole]

Arthur takes a look around, everyone's pretty much distracted, Father is talking to some of his advisors, laughing uproariously.

"As hard as it is to believe...I don't think they'll miss me for a short while."

[magicalskeptic.livejournal.com]

Morgana looks enthused, genuinely enthused.

"We will go to the main entrance. There is enough cover to stay out of the rain."

[not_a_clotpole]

Arthur still can't figure out of that's good news, or bad news...but hey he'll give Morgana the benefit of the doubt and will lead the way through the side door of the Hall.

They're at the Main Entrance in no time.

[magicalskeptic.livejournal.com]

Gently, Morgana touches him on the elbow, to look in the right direction. She waves at a groom, who has been waiting under a shelter, to bring out a very, very well conformed chestnut stallion.

"There is your present." The enthusiasm is still there, as she's not finished.

"Ask me where he is from."

[not_a_clotpole]

Arthur blinks...blinks again and then finally rubs his eyes in disbelief.

A horse? Morgana got him a horse?! Where'd she get a horse? How'd she get a horse?

"You're...you're not joking with me are you? Where did you-?"

[magicalskeptic.livejournal.com]

"He is still young. It will be a while before he is schooled enough to be a proper knight's horse, but you still have you mount."

Morgana looks at him, and then back at the horse.

"Do you remember when I received Malory as a gift a few years ago? I have kept an eye on her bloodline since. This is her younger brother. They share a dam."

The enthusiasm isn't gone, but Morgana is quieter.

"You would not know it though, to look at them."

[not_a_clotpole]

Now if Arthur wasn't a prince he'd be jumping up and down like a giddy young maiden.

But! Not only is he a prince, but a knight so...what he's doing is something...er...different...it doesn't have a name yet.

"You're- you-" The new horse is magnificant! Even as young as it is, Arthur can see he has promise. "Morgana, you shouldn't have."

[magicalskeptic.livejournal.com]

"Of course I should have. It made sense to have them both here. It will be interesting to see which will make for the superior horse, do you not think so?"

She smiles at him again. "I take you like him."

[not_a_clotpole]

"Like him...he's...amazing." Seriously, when he's grown the rest of the knights are going to be jealous as Hell.

He grins - it's on the tip of his tongue to say of course his new horse will be the better one...but it seems inappropriate to get into a fight right now. Plus, he wouldn't want her to change her mind.

Instead he takes one of her hands between his and squeezes it. "Morgana, this is the best gift I've ever been given."

[magicalskeptic.livejournal.com]

She looks at his hands when he takes hers. It is rare, but for a moment, Morgana is lost for words. Arthur's usually not quite so demonstrative.

When Morgana looks back at him, she has difficulty holding her smile. Morgana's facade has always been brilliant, so for it to fail now is disconcerting.

No, Morgana is better than that, and just as quickly, her full smile's returned.

"Thank you, Arthur. I am glad you appreciate him. I put a great deal of thought into what you would receive."

That sounded a great deal too serious, so Morgana selects the obvious to lighten things up. "You shall have to tell Uther. He would be pleased we are getting along so well."

[not_a_clotpole]

He isn't, although that can't be entirely blamed on the wine...Guinevere makes him feel a lot more...open these days.

But he's immediately embarrassed and drops her hands, clearing his throat nervously.

"I see you did...much more versatile than the dagger I gave you it has to be said."

He laughs. "Father will think we've both come down with something!"

[magicalskeptic.livejournal.com]

At least Arthur can be relied on to provide a joke, though not always so perfectly timed, to remind the pair of them to act more like them as opposed to two mature adults who could be perfectly capable of getting along with one another.

Had not pesky fate gotten in the way, so she stays silent on the matter of the dagger.

She holds her hands in front of her, as much to feel normal, as to keep him from taking them again. "I can imagine he would send for Gaius immediately."