Strangeris

[pendraeg]

Who: Uther and Mordred.
What: Uther finds a stranger skulking about the castle.
When: A few days after the twins are born.
Where: The castle.
Rating: R for related.
Status: Semi-private and incomplete.

Comments

[druidprince]

The children had been born. Even if Morgana had not been clear enough of mind to call to him, he knew when she was in distress, could feel when she felt so strongly about anything. Where at first he'd sensed her pain, it had been with such love, that it had to be the birth of the twins. He had stayed away to start. As much as he would have liked to be at her side, introducing himself to Uther there might not have been wise. A father and king would no doubt be very protective against strangers in that moment. So he waited.

Now he made his way quietly through the halls. He'd brought sweets and pastries this time rather then flowers; chocolates, and honey glazed rolls, and little fruit tarts. All wrapped in little pink boxes. Not his own idea, the woman he was currently staying with (he'd finally decided Morgana had been right, and any home of his building would not be warm enough to remain through the snow. Plus it seemed he would have to earn money here, so the woman employed and housed him, but that was another story. )

Mordred looked a bit more common place now, leather pants and traveling cloak finally replaced occasionally with more modern clothes. A long black coat, jeans, a dark green top. Of course, it looked a little odd still with the sword attached to his belt, but he rarely went any where without it.

He stood outside the door, prepared to call to Morgana, if she were awake. If not, the whispering of his thoughts wouldn't disturb her sleep, and he could simply leave the gifts at her door. Before he managed it, he heard Uther coming towards him, drawing his sword, and stopped to face the king.

Stepping away from the door, Mordred faced the direction Uther was nearing from, standing passively with the pink wrapped boxes still in hand. Really, with those how could he look at all threatening? "I only came to bring her gifts. I mean no harm." He called quietly.

[pendraeg]

The incongruous image of the intruder, a unknown man broken into his own castle, pink beribboned boxes in hand, gave Uther pause. The stranger was armed, though he had not drawn his sword, and the boxes alone were not enough to reassure or placate him.

"Who are you?" he asked. There was only one her in his castle. Well, two, but only one to whom he could refer. "What are you to her? Why should you bring gifts?"

[druidprince]

"My name is Mordred." He answered, not surprised by the questions. In fact, despite the sword aimed at him, he was in a surprisingly good mood. This had to be Uther. Which was wonderful, he hadn't met the king yet, and even if it wasn't the best introduction Mordred was still excited to meet the man who might have been his grand-father.

"I'm just a friend." Family, really, but that would be too much too soon. Some how he didn't think Uther would take to him if he suddenly claimed to be his grandson. "I heard about the children being born, and wanted to congratulate her -- You too, of course. I've just brought a few sweets."

[pendraeg]

A friend? Uther supposed that Morgana did go into the town at times, or had, before her confinement, and must have made friends there. Though he had never considered that such friends would be young men, young men who would come sneaking into the castle in the night, bearing frilly packages.

"They'll have to be tasted first," he said, half in jest.

[druidprince]

"Of course. I can try them first, if you wish." Mordred offered easily, not bothered by his suspicion, and a little encouraged by the fact that the suggestion sounded almost amused. Uther wasn't angry, which was a good thing. He opened the boxes, trying two things for Uther to see, proof that none of it was poisoned or anything.

"I apologize if it is too late to be visiting. If she was asleep I would have just left the boxes for her, and come back some other time. It's a pleasure to finally meet you though, sir." Mordred was polite as ever, it was only right after all -- being behaved around one's grandfather.

[pendraeg]

Uther nodded, satisfied enough for now. "She is indeed asleep. But perhaps a drink, before you go."

The purpose of such a drink would be twofold--to further observe this stranger, and to provide actual hospitality. Uther did not know why, but he felt he should know this young man better. There was something familiar about him: not as though Uther had met him before, but as though the lad came from something with which he was familiar, a world like his perhaps. In spite of the modern clothes, Uther thought perhaps he too had been transplanted from the distant past.

And he was quite properly behaved, if one overlooked the nocturnal visit.