Introductory: Sir Galahad (Arthurian stories)

[mildmajesty]

Knights are nothing new at the Mansion, and even though the resident knights are more likely to drive their horses behind a plow than to ride them into battle, and may more often be found dueling recalcitrant weeds than evil knights, they are knights just the same, and so it is hardly an unusual or very remarkable thing to see a medieval knight on

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[fingersofleaf]

Approximately a minute later he may hear a distinct, familiar cry of joy as Peredur lets his basket of apples tumble away without much seeming to care, and tears into a limping run that lets him collide with Galahad in a giant, hopeless hug of DOOM.

[mildmajesty]

A hug which surprises a rare cry out of Galahad. "Peredur--!" He allows himself to be hugged more than hugging back, and, when capable of it, pulls back to blink at the other knight. "How is't thou art here? I had thought us long parted."

[fingersofleaf]

"I missed you! I missed you!" Percy is ridiculously breathless. "How are you? Are you okay? You came back! You came back for us!"

[mildmajesty]

"Us?" Galahad looks over Peredur's shoulder, gazing at the long lawn and woods just beyond. "I see no other. Who is with thee, Sir Bors?" He will be enquiring into that 'back' in due time.

[illgotten]

Mordred stops short at the base of the porch steps. "Oh, this day just gets better," acidly.

[mildmajesty]

"Sir Mordred," Galahad replies, not half so calmly as he might wish; indeed, he's almost flat-out perturbed. "How dost thou?"

[illgotten]

"You remember. I'm so flattered." He almost flings away from the railing, and if he scares the horse, he scares the horse. "I've been better, frankly. What are you doing here in limbo with the rest of us?"

[mildmajesty]

Fortunately, the horse, which has put up with all kinds of miracles and mystics lately, isn't easily spooked (though Mordred's face would spook braver creatures). Galahad answers coolly. "I knew not thou wast here; I lost my way and sought shelter, not expecting such shelter to include any I knew."

[keepyourlamps]

Heliabel sees him from her current position in a large oak tree, and cries out in delight, waving madly. "Galahad! Galahad! Oh, Galahad, hold there! I'll be with thee - !"

[mildmajesty]

He looks up, holding his horse's reins in one hand, and, upon seeing her, slowly smiles; not speaking, but waiting, waiting for her to come to him.

[keepyourlamps]

Heli doesn't bother climbing down. She just jumps, landing in a neat crouch that lets her translate her momentum into a laughing, breathless run across the lawn.

She slows after those first few steps - no need to startle the horse, and Galahad's not going anywhere. And so she goes, and catches his free hand in hers. "I have missed thee."

[mildmajesty]

The smile spreads over his face, lighting up his eyes and making his face seem more animated, more alive, than his usual mask of careful gravity. He lifts her hand to his lips and kisses it lightly.

[knightly_affair]

Well, this shouldn't be awkward at all, really -- because last Lancelot knew, his son was dead after having found the Grail. He's outside, though, wandering a bit restlessly, and stops when he sees Galahad, looking mildly bemused. "Galahad."

Typist: I figured it was best to reset Lance -- not that he really had much interaction with the old Galahad, but. Better safe than sorry? :D

[mildmajesty]

Galahad's head snaps up, a sharper movement than is his wont, to look to his father like a startled bird.

"Sir!"

[knightly_affair]

Lancelot sketches a brief bow and smiles, a little strainedly. "You look well," he says, after an awkward moment.

[mildmajesty]

"I thank thee, sir," says Galahad in a quiet voice, lowering his head respectfully. "Thou art well thyself, I trust."

[witchof_endor]

Clearly, then, one of the first non-Arthurian people Galahad meets must be a vampire and a witch, who's surveying the young man with something approaching amusement.

"You look like I did, last night," she says, by way of greeting.

[mildmajesty]

Upon seeing an unknown lady before him, Galahad drops immediately into a bow; respectful, but not quite reverential. "How is that, my lady, pray?"

[witchof_endor]

Merrick quirks an eyebrow at him and dips into a graceful curtsey, her eyes dancing. "Oh, I don't know. Perhaps it's because you're not where you expected to be?"

[mildmajesty]

"In truth, my lady, I expected nothing. I came upon this place by chance and by God's will, but rode for no place particular."