Birthday Fic for Mizu
Today is the wonderful mizufae birthday. She put up a lovely collection of prompts awhile back, and one of them took my fancy. In her honor, have some
Her Highness Elena, daughter of His Majesty King Godwin of Powys
In light of the treaty between our peoples, I wished to assure you that all is well here in Camelot and send along a gift for you, upon the attaining of your majority. I wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
Arthur Pendragon
Crown Prince of Camelot
Acting Regent to the Throne
Prince Arthur Pendragon,
I was terribly worried during the recent troubles. Morgana always did seem a bit off to me, to be honest. We are all very glad here that Camelot is once more secure.
Your gift is quite lovely, and I will wear it to one of the many feasts Father insists on holding this year. Nothing, apparently, is too much for my coming of age. I try to tell him it doesn't change anything, but he insists.
Sincerely,
Lady Elena
Her Highness Elena, daughter of His Majesty King Godwin of Powys
I am gratified to hear that Camelot's gift meets with your approval. All is well, I take it, in Powys? I am sure King Godwin only wishes the best for you, and the feasts will allow your people to share their joy in your success.
Sincerely,
Arthur Pendragon
Crown Prince of Camelot
Acting Regent to the Throne
Prince Arthur,
Really, Arthur, you managed to address me by name well enough when I visited Camelot last. I realise we are no longer about to be wed, but surely it is not too much to ask that you treat me with some degree of informality? I get more than enough of "Your Highness" and "Princess Elena" from the courtiers. Don't you ever grow tired of it?
Then again, you did strike me as more formal than I. You seemed positively horrified that I could get out of a carriage without being handed down! Being female has never stopped me doing a thing I like. Except, it seems, getting out of all these feasts.
Sincerely,
Lady Elena
Princess Elena,
Camelot has not been feasting overmuch. Instead, our hunts go to fill the larders of those affected by recent events. Even then, I am not often on the hunt; I must spend my time in Council while Father recovers.
Do you hunt? I remember you as quite the horsewoman. Normally, I wouldn't think to ask, but you have surprised me with your unusual interest before. Is the game good in Powys? Do you outride your courtiers?
There, you see; if it is informality you want, I can deliver.
Sincerely,
Crown Prince Arthur Pendragon
Prince Arthur,
Council always sounds dreadfully boring to me. I know I must learn it, as I am to be Queen one day, but I am not very good at sitting still. I do hunt, as it happens, mostly grouse. I can hunt with hawks, as ladies do, but I am also a better shot than half the lordlings that come to impress me with their great skills. I can and do outride them, too.
Powys provides enough for us all. We are not rich in extravagances, not salt or fine threads, but our land is abundant. Farms flourish and there is always plenty of game. Our craftsmen do fine things with pottery as well.
Oh dear. I can practically see the stubborn set of your jaw as you wrote that last. It's sweet of you to try to unbend for my sake. Where is that manservant of yours? He always made you laugh. Perhaps you should read out your letters to him, and he can tell you whether you've managed or not.
Sincerely,
Lady Elena
Princess Elena,
You want me to read my letters to Merlin?!? I'll never hear the end of it. Just to prove it, I read out your last letter to him. He laughed himself stupid, and I was forced to punish him.
For all that you have forced me to embarrass myself, I am genuinely pleased to hear that there are no troubles in Powys. Our people deserve peace. Camelot is not so fortunate, in either land or game. We regularly deal with large groups of bandits on our borders, and the crops are often lost or stolen during raids. Our salt mines are good, so we are able to trade for what we need. We have many skilled blacksmiths that produce the finest weapons in the land.
Those lordlings you mock only want your attention, you know. Of course, you shouldn't settle. You are far too remarkable.
Sincerely,
Prince Arthur
Prince Arthur,
Merlin is a dear. You should listen to him more often.
As soon as I tell you how peaceful everything is here, I am forced to recant my words. Some of our outlying towns have sent representatives here, to tell of a terrible monster. Thus far, it seems to have stuck to taking their sheep, but reports tell us it has terrible teeth and claws and is several times the size of a man. I fear we are ill-prepared. Our warriors are more used to fending off irate farmers than anything like this. Magic is not outlawed here, as it is in Camelot, but our sorcerers too tend to pretty tricks rather than war magics.
Sincerely,
Lady Elena
Elena,
I am sending this letter with all haste. My knights should arrive in Powys in no more than three hard days' travel. Sir Lancelot has previously fought off a griffon, and Sir Gwaine has battled wyverns. In addition, they are two of my most trusted knights; you may depend on them.
Sincerely,
Arthur
Arthur,
I cannot thank you enough. The beast attacked a family, and my men were preparing to go out despite having no real plan when your knights arrived. I know they saved the lives of guards I have known since my birth. They both willingly recounted their experiences, along with a wealth of other tales, and took down the beast very handily. I notice, though, that you didn't mention Merlin at all. Both Sir Lancelot and Sir Gwaine tell me he was present, then and in other perilous situations, and credit his quick thinking and luck with their survival.
I am sure you want your knights back, but here I must beg a favor. This recent mess has left us shaken and all too aware of how under-trained some are. I have asked, and Sir Gwaine has agreed, pending your permission, to stay on a little while and help train up the most promising of my men. Please, Arthur, this would mean a lot to me.
Sincerely,
Elena
Dear Elena,
I suppose, under the circumstances, I can spare Sir Gwaine for a fortnight or two. Please return him by harvest time, though. On his behalf, excuse any rudeness. He simply can't help himself sometimes.
As it turns out, I didn't need to read my letters. Merlin can read, and is perfectly capable of going through my personal correspondences on his own. I have now given up and just hand him letters as they come. Merlin's not quick; he's an idiot except when he's not.
I notice none of your lordlings offered to go and hunt down this monster of yours. Bad form, that.
Sincerely,
Arthur
Dear Arthur,
Sir Gwaine has made excellent progress. You needn't worry about his manners, either; I find him to be charming and amusing by turns. I can see how his humor might grate on you, though.
Good. Everyone needs someone close to him to tell him the truth, kings and queens most especially. Your constant denouncement of Merlin's skills isn't fooling anyone, you realise. It only makes you look an arse. I'm telling you that as your friend, Arthur, so don't get huffy with me.
Sir Gwaine seems to have frightened off all my lordlings, an excellent secondary effect of his presence, I feel.
Sincerely,
Elena
Dearest Arthur,
I am so sorry about your father. I know he loved you, and would be proud of you. I am doubly sorry for the awkward timing of this, but the announcement had already gone out to my court by the time your news reached us.
Elena
To His Majesty
King Arthur Pendragon of Camelot
On behalf of my daughter, the Princess Elena, Heir to the Throne of Powys, I, King Godwin, do extend a most heartfelt invitation to be present at the marriage rites of
Princess Elena
To
Sir Gwaine, Royal Knight of Camelot
On the first of September, Noon
In the Great Hall of Powys Castle
(At the bottom of the invitation, in small, cramped handwriting is this note: I do hope there aren't any bad feelings over this, my boy. Ellie is marrying for love, just like you urged.)
Elena,
I laughed for the first time in weeks today. Really? Gwaine? He's such a scoundrel! I suppose I should have guessed he was your type. To a long and happy marriage, then. I can't come now, obviously; Camelot needs me here. I promise to send an appropriate gift.
Arthur
Arthur,
Thank you for the horses. We got more use out of them, not to mention the lovely saddles, harnesses, and riding crops, than out of any of our other gifts. Gwaine couldn't stop laughing. Someday, one of you will tell me why he insists on referring to you as "Princess."
I hope you find the happiness that I have.
Elena
Lady Elena,
Don't worry. I'm keeping Arthur happy.
Merlin
I don't think I quite got a ditzy Elena, mizu, but I hope you like it nonetheless!
Her Highness Elena, daughter of His Majesty King Godwin of Powys
In light of the treaty between our peoples, I wished to assure you that all is well here in Camelot and send along a gift for you, upon the attaining of your majority. I wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
Arthur Pendragon
Crown Prince of Camelot
Acting Regent to the Throne
Prince Arthur Pendragon,
I was terribly worried during the recent troubles. Morgana always did seem a bit off to me, to be honest. We are all very glad here that Camelot is once more secure.
Your gift is quite lovely, and I will wear it to one of the many feasts Father insists on holding this year. Nothing, apparently, is too much for my coming of age. I try to tell him it doesn't change anything, but he insists.
Sincerely,
Lady Elena
Her Highness Elena, daughter of His Majesty King Godwin of Powys
I am gratified to hear that Camelot's gift meets with your approval. All is well, I take it, in Powys? I am sure King Godwin only wishes the best for you, and the feasts will allow your people to share their joy in your success.
Sincerely,
Arthur Pendragon
Crown Prince of Camelot
Acting Regent to the Throne
Prince Arthur,
Really, Arthur, you managed to address me by name well enough when I visited Camelot last. I realise we are no longer about to be wed, but surely it is not too much to ask that you treat me with some degree of informality? I get more than enough of "Your Highness" and "Princess Elena" from the courtiers. Don't you ever grow tired of it?
Then again, you did strike me as more formal than I. You seemed positively horrified that I could get out of a carriage without being handed down! Being female has never stopped me doing a thing I like. Except, it seems, getting out of all these feasts.
Sincerely,
Lady Elena
Princess Elena,
Camelot has not been feasting overmuch. Instead, our hunts go to fill the larders of those affected by recent events. Even then, I am not often on the hunt; I must spend my time in Council while Father recovers.
Do you hunt? I remember you as quite the horsewoman. Normally, I wouldn't think to ask, but you have surprised me with your unusual interest before. Is the game good in Powys? Do you outride your courtiers?
There, you see; if it is informality you want, I can deliver.
Sincerely,
Crown Prince Arthur Pendragon
Prince Arthur,
Council always sounds dreadfully boring to me. I know I must learn it, as I am to be Queen one day, but I am not very good at sitting still. I do hunt, as it happens, mostly grouse. I can hunt with hawks, as ladies do, but I am also a better shot than half the lordlings that come to impress me with their great skills. I can and do outride them, too.
Powys provides enough for us all. We are not rich in extravagances, not salt or fine threads, but our land is abundant. Farms flourish and there is always plenty of game. Our craftsmen do fine things with pottery as well.
Oh dear. I can practically see the stubborn set of your jaw as you wrote that last. It's sweet of you to try to unbend for my sake. Where is that manservant of yours? He always made you laugh. Perhaps you should read out your letters to him, and he can tell you whether you've managed or not.
Sincerely,
Lady Elena
Princess Elena,
You want me to read my letters to Merlin?!? I'll never hear the end of it. Just to prove it, I read out your last letter to him. He laughed himself stupid, and I was forced to punish him.
For all that you have forced me to embarrass myself, I am genuinely pleased to hear that there are no troubles in Powys. Our people deserve peace. Camelot is not so fortunate, in either land or game. We regularly deal with large groups of bandits on our borders, and the crops are often lost or stolen during raids. Our salt mines are good, so we are able to trade for what we need. We have many skilled blacksmiths that produce the finest weapons in the land.
Those lordlings you mock only want your attention, you know. Of course, you shouldn't settle. You are far too remarkable.
Sincerely,
Prince Arthur
Prince Arthur,
Merlin is a dear. You should listen to him more often.
As soon as I tell you how peaceful everything is here, I am forced to recant my words. Some of our outlying towns have sent representatives here, to tell of a terrible monster. Thus far, it seems to have stuck to taking their sheep, but reports tell us it has terrible teeth and claws and is several times the size of a man. I fear we are ill-prepared. Our warriors are more used to fending off irate farmers than anything like this. Magic is not outlawed here, as it is in Camelot, but our sorcerers too tend to pretty tricks rather than war magics.
Sincerely,
Lady Elena
Elena,
I am sending this letter with all haste. My knights should arrive in Powys in no more than three hard days' travel. Sir Lancelot has previously fought off a griffon, and Sir Gwaine has battled wyverns. In addition, they are two of my most trusted knights; you may depend on them.
Sincerely,
Arthur
Arthur,
I cannot thank you enough. The beast attacked a family, and my men were preparing to go out despite having no real plan when your knights arrived. I know they saved the lives of guards I have known since my birth. They both willingly recounted their experiences, along with a wealth of other tales, and took down the beast very handily. I notice, though, that you didn't mention Merlin at all. Both Sir Lancelot and Sir Gwaine tell me he was present, then and in other perilous situations, and credit his quick thinking and luck with their survival.
I am sure you want your knights back, but here I must beg a favor. This recent mess has left us shaken and all too aware of how under-trained some are. I have asked, and Sir Gwaine has agreed, pending your permission, to stay on a little while and help train up the most promising of my men. Please, Arthur, this would mean a lot to me.
Sincerely,
Elena
Dear Elena,
I suppose, under the circumstances, I can spare Sir Gwaine for a fortnight or two. Please return him by harvest time, though. On his behalf, excuse any rudeness. He simply can't help himself sometimes.
As it turns out, I didn't need to read my letters. Merlin can read, and is perfectly capable of going through my personal correspondences on his own. I have now given up and just hand him letters as they come. Merlin's not quick; he's an idiot except when he's not.
I notice none of your lordlings offered to go and hunt down this monster of yours. Bad form, that.
Sincerely,
Arthur
Dear Arthur,
Sir Gwaine has made excellent progress. You needn't worry about his manners, either; I find him to be charming and amusing by turns. I can see how his humor might grate on you, though.
Good. Everyone needs someone close to him to tell him the truth, kings and queens most especially. Your constant denouncement of Merlin's skills isn't fooling anyone, you realise. It only makes you look an arse. I'm telling you that as your friend, Arthur, so don't get huffy with me.
Sir Gwaine seems to have frightened off all my lordlings, an excellent secondary effect of his presence, I feel.
Sincerely,
Elena
Dearest Arthur,
I am so sorry about your father. I know he loved you, and would be proud of you. I am doubly sorry for the awkward timing of this, but the announcement had already gone out to my court by the time your news reached us.
Elena
To His Majesty
King Arthur Pendragon of Camelot
On behalf of my daughter, the Princess Elena, Heir to the Throne of Powys, I, King Godwin, do extend a most heartfelt invitation to be present at the marriage rites of
Princess Elena
To
Sir Gwaine, Royal Knight of Camelot
On the first of September, Noon
In the Great Hall of Powys Castle
(At the bottom of the invitation, in small, cramped handwriting is this note: I do hope there aren't any bad feelings over this, my boy. Ellie is marrying for love, just like you urged.)
Elena,
I laughed for the first time in weeks today. Really? Gwaine? He's such a scoundrel! I suppose I should have guessed he was your type. To a long and happy marriage, then. I can't come now, obviously; Camelot needs me here. I promise to send an appropriate gift.
Arthur
Arthur,
Thank you for the horses. We got more use out of them, not to mention the lovely saddles, harnesses, and riding crops, than out of any of our other gifts. Gwaine couldn't stop laughing. Someday, one of you will tell me why he insists on referring to you as "Princess."
I hope you find the happiness that I have.
Elena
Lady Elena,
Don't worry. I'm keeping Arthur happy.
Merlin
I don't think I quite got a ditzy Elena, mizu, but I hope you like it nonetheless!