[Introduction] Good Friday Spell

[weristdas_graal]

He came without warning of his own, and yet some dwellers in the Mansion might have detected some odd phenomena that sunlit morning: Some might sense the fluttering of the wings of a dove, others might have seen a flash in the clear spring sky that might have been lightning, but heard no thunder. Some might have seen the image of a chalice borne by

Comments

[sissy_queen]

Certainly, this young Queen would be familiar to the knight - she's on her way out to a walk, and will pause when she sees him.

And look.

And hesitate.

It's been so long since she saw a knight of the Round Table. Will he shun her?

She got on quite well with the last Peredur, and I'm tempted to assimilate Parsifal to Peredur in this case... with your permission, of course. &hearts

[weristdas_graal]

He looks at her, puzzled at first, clearly trying to place her face, then his eyes clear and a smile of recognition brightens his face. "My Lady Guenevere... Has His Highness moved his court to this place?" he asks.

Hee, I like the idea of them getting along splendidly, so go for it!

[sissy_queen]

She smiles, relieved, and inclines her head, closes the distance. "Sir Percival," she says, "it is good to see a friendly face once more."

She's very glad - and would ask if he has returned, but the question stops her from it.

"-- My lord is not here," she says, softly. "But all the same, be welcome."

Heee, I haven't played her across a knight in forever. This is great!

[weristdas_graal]

"What is this place then and how came you here, my Lady?" he asks, looking around, puzzled. "I saw the lake and a wounded man in white walking beside it and thought perhaps the Castle of the Grail lay nearby."

[sissy_queen]

She's quite young - we might assume that the queen Parsifal knew was older than the fresh girl in front of him (though she is very recognizable) - and so her answer is perhaps a touch surprising.

"The Grail, Sir? Nay, there is no such thing here - no such holy item, or if there is, I've not been told of it."

[weristdas_graal]

He looks a bit dismayed, even concerned. "I sensed great power in this place, my Lady," he says. "Have the Hallows been withdrawn or is it some other power?"

[sissy_queen]

She gives him a small little smile. "I do not know what power it is, Sir Percival - only that it is what has kept me here for over two years, now." She hesitates, then asks, "What news of Camelot, pray tell?"

[weristdas_graal]

"It has been many months -- perhaps years since I dwelt at Camelot," he replies. "I had set forth in quest of the Grail, when it's shadow was seen passing through the halls of Camelot. I found the castle of the Grail and was welcomed by the knights who guard it with their life, and yet my artless foolishness put me in disgrace with them." He says this with a child-like shame, like a young boy humbly admitting some petty wrong.

[sissy_queen]

Aaaw, he's really adorable. "You shan't concern yourself with it, Sir Percy - certainly upon your return, you will find grace again as well. But alas, that is the true worry - I fear your quest may end here, sir knight - for I've not found a way to leave."

Then again, it's been a while since she actually tried to leave.

[weristdas_graal]

"How then shall I return the Spear to its rightful shrine?" he asks, with a note of something close to fear. This seems to fade quickly and he passes a hand over his eyes. "Perhaps this is some part of the curse, that God is allowing me to be tried this way, till He sees fit to let us find a way back. Till that time, I will need some place for this hallow to repose."

[sissy_queen]

His resilience is admirable, oh, Percy, what brave knight you are.

Guinevere certainly thinks so, and nods. "Perhaps I might help you, then. There once was a holy man, here, who wished to build a place of worship. The chapel is not finished, but perhaps you might find help to bring this work to completion..."

It's really fascinating... since said chapel was actually being built by Philip of Kingsbridge... and the other Percy. XD

[weristdas_graal]

His face brightens and he grins with delight. "A prayer has been answered the moment I thought to offer it!" he cries, with a note of relief. "I would see this work and begin to restore it and it will be an honor to complete this work, but I can hold myself till after Easter."

[sissy_queen]

She grins wide, then. "Truly, Sir, you are a godsend - and I am more than glad to see you anon. But come now - would you like to bathe, and break your fast, perhaps?"

[weristdas_graal]

He nods, gratefully. "I am sore and sweating from the road, but I would hold my fast for a little while longer. T'is Good Friday, after all," he replies.

[sissy_queen]

Oops. Guinevere not gone to mass in a long, long time (and we won't mention what happened last time she was in a church - not that she remembers it, but.)

"Aye, it's well," she replies, nodding, though she hadn't realized the date and is embarrassed. "Come now - if you would bathe and hold your vigil, I must point you that way."

He'll probably need help to remove his armor, she realizes. And as there are no squires, the queen herself will probably assist him. (In all innocence, of course.)

[weristdas_graal]

"Lead the way, your ladyship," he says, bowing to her, and if he noticed her embarrassment, he does not call attention to it. He has no objection to her assistance in removing his armor, but inwardly his senses hesitate, given what has happened when lovely women have approached him before...