(Untitled)

[never_atone]

"What I enjoy about cooking," Archie was saying, leaned forward and elbows resting on the counter of the kitchen, a wooden spoon bandied about in one hand, "is that it's an ever-changing challenge. Every dish is different and can require a different approach." His stature and state of dress -- sloppy by his standards, with shirt untucked, sleeves

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[withoutasea]

A terrible hunger, scared up by riding hard, and Jenny came into the kitchen with her hair twisted back from her face, sticking to her skin in sticky curls. She walked into the kitchen, desperate, and made a beeline for the counter. She smiled brightly, a flush burning in her cheek.

"Tell me there's coffee and I will bless you," she said.

[never_atone]

Briony smiled as she moved to fetch the woman a mug and fill it with hot, fresh coffee. "No blessings necessary," she said. "It's only coffee, but you're very sweet to say so."

[withoutasea]

Jenny held out both hands for the cup, receiving it with a grateful smile.

"Only coffee, and yet I bless you anyway," said Jenny, inhaling the scent of it. "At home, it was one of the few prerogatives that I had, where and when I placed my favour.'

[never_atone]

"Where was home?" Briony asked, had to ask when it was phrased so delicately. "If I may know."

[withoutasea]

"Fair Camelot," said Jenny, blowing on the coffee before she sipped it. "Seat of King Arthur and home of the Round Table. Though I was born in Gwent, which was a greener place by far."

[never_atone]

If Briony had once thought, first stepping foot on the enchanted shores of this island, that she had stepped bodily into a fairytale, there was no surer sign that she had been correct than this meeting.

Her eyes went wide in awe. "Are-- Queen Guenevere?"

[withoutasea]

"They called me that."

A smile tugged at the corner of Jenny's lips and she pushed her dark hair back from her face one handed. In her Queenly days, it had been carefully combed, wired in gold. Now she wore in twisted with salt, and she thought she liked it better.

"Here, I'm Jenny, just Jenny, pretty, simple Jenny, for better or for worse."

[never_atone]

Rarely was Briony knocked speechless. She could and would hold her tongue for hours on end, but when she wished to speak some words were always available. But not now, standing before a legend in every sense. She did the next best thing and, lowering her head, bobbed down in a shallow curtsy.

[withoutasea]

"Oh, oh no," said Jenny, reaching out for her with her free hand, touching her shoulder gently and shaking her head.

"None of that, not now, not here. Just pretty Jenny forever."

[never_atone]

"I'm sorry," she murmured, immediately feeling foolish. She couldn't say why, as bowing had seemed as fitting a few seconds ago as it felt ridiculous now. "I'm sorry, that was silly of me. I've just... never been before royalty before."

[withoutasea]

"And I am royalty no longer," said Jenny, looking very happy about it. She set down her coffee and held out both of her hands.

"Come," she said. "We shall be friends."

[never_atone]

How else could Briony respond when the true queen of her native land offered her hand in friendship? Ever modest, Briony took the lady's hands with a meek smile. "We shall," she confirmed, though not altogether sure. "I'm Briony."

[withoutasea]

"A beautiful name," said Jenny, erhs mile utterly genuine and bright as the sun as she squeezed both of Briony's hands. "Far prettier than plain Jenny."