The domain beneath the lake is not often described in the Arthurian legends. The mistress of this underwater kingdom, Vivienne, the Lady of the Lake, is a powerful water fay. The lake only serves as a barrier between medieval Britian and Vivienne's palace. Those who are welcome can take a step into the water and almost instantly find themselves in the lake realm, which is much like dry land. Those who are not welcome will meet their death by drowning.
Vivienne has an eye for potential heroes. The mythical sword, Excalibur, lies in her charge to grant to a noble king. Even more precious to her, though, was a baby boy she espied one day being craddled by his mother, Helaine.
"Oh, Galahad," Helaine wept. She was sitting at the edge of the lake. Vivienne peered at the young mother from the eyes of a fish near the surface of the water. The poor girl--she was so young! Vivienne looked into her past--she was a queen, and her husband, King Ban of Benoic, had died in battle only days before. But Vivienne wasn't so interested in the girl. She considered the infant prince for a moment. She could feel quite a lot of charisma in him, but she was terribly bored by princes. But when she peered into his future, she saw that he was going to be no prince--there was blood in his future. He was going to be a knight. But his future was still unformed as yet. Fate had time to grab him.
She looked at the mother again--her sanity was unraveling. The baby was hungry and she wasn't feeding him. She didn't even look at the baby. Her head was in her hands and she was growing more and more hysterical. "Galahad, please stop crying! Please!"
Helaine set the baby on the grass and moved away from him, covering her ears. But it was her own wild sobs that provided most of the noise. The baby only whimpered, his limbs reaching out for his mother.
"No, don't you dare leave that baby," Vivienne muttered as Helaine stood and walked away from her son. "He has the makings of greatness--he can't be left to die!"
Vivienne was so enraged that she rose out of the water, waded to shore and grabbed the infant in her arms. Then she just as quickly disappeared back into the lake. Helaine was oblivious until she heard that his tiny cries had ceased. She turned around. "Galahad?" But Vivienne didn't stay to hear Helaine's wild shrieks when she realized that her only son had disappeared.
The dwellers of the lake realm were very interested in the mortal baby Vivienne brought into her chamber that day. There had been other humans that would occassionally be brought in for amusement, but never an infant. Vivienne fed him from her own breast, for she had recently given birth to a baby boy named Mabuz. But this new baby quickly became her favorite. After Mabuz was weaned, she gave him to her attendants to take care of. She kept the mortal baby for herself.
While she was feeding him, she reflected on what to name him. Galahad was not suitable at all for him. But what of his middle name, Lancelot? She liked it so much, she decided to keep it. His full name would be Lancelot du Lac. But she kept his true identity and ancestry a secret, even to Lancelot himself. She didn't even let him know his given name, but only referred to him as her ward or her son.
(Link to OOC thread: under-the-lake-king-arthur-ooc-t5942.html)
Under the Lake (King Arthur) IC
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Under the Lake (King Arthur) IC ( )
by daughterofdon on Wed May 14, 2008 10:09 pm
Last edited by daughterofdon on Thu May 15, 2008 9:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Under the Lake (King Arthur) IC ( )
by daughterofdon on Wed May 14, 2008 10:55 pm
Lancelot sat in the open court of Vivienne's castle. The sun was setting, creating a very striking array of colors in the sky. He usually wasn't moved much by sunsets--mostly because by the end of the day, he was too tired from his training to notice. But this particular sunset made him stop in his tracks and stare for several minutes.
Under the lake, one would think the entire realm would be flooded with water. On the contrary, it was mostly air. Of course, there were the water-filled grottos where the mermaids lived, and on days when Vivienne so permitted, the mermaids could swim around in the air as if it were indeed water. Actually, the mermaids rather resented Vivienne for taking over their lake, but that's another story.
What Lancelot saw above him was identical to the sky above mainland Britain except for one quality: the thin layer of water that was present very high in the atmosphere. The sunlight filtered through this barrier was mottled and softened. And unlike the stationary sunsets above water, Lancelot's blazing sunset was moving with the wave currents.
"Oh, my son, look at the way you're sitting, admiring a marvelous sunset. You're so thoughtful," Vivienne came up behind him and pat his back.
"I wasn't thinking anything," he said with a yawn.
Her tone suddenly became severe. "Apparently you weren't thinking anything during your lessons today, either. Your instructors told me that you were making every mistake possible, as if you had forgotten all they had taught you so far. You were doing so well, darling, how could you do this to me?" As her anger grew, her voice came out in hisses and she shook her fist at him.
"Please, mother. I'm trying my best," he waved her away.
"No, I know what's the matter with you. You don't want to join Arthur's table. That's it," she realized.
"I like living here under the lake. Why must I swear my allegiance to this man I don't know?" he questioned her.
She narrowed her eyes at him. At a time like this, her oracular abilities were quite useful. "Well, I won't force you to meet King Arthur. I won't force you to do anything." She kneeled before him and took his head in her hands and looked him in the eyes. "But I want you to train to your best ability, my son. I want you to do it for me. Do you love me?"
"Yes, of course," he assured her. "Don't I tell you every day?"
"Yes, but if you really love me, you will grant me my wish. Remember, I want you to be strong so you can defeat Sir Iweret in battle. He wants my realm, son. He's ready to take it, and the only thing holding him back is fear of you."
Lancelot nodded. Vivienne always spoke of Sir Iweret, but Lancelot hardly believed that such a powerful man would be afraid of him.
"Good. Goodnight, son. Now, give me a kiss," she said. He kissed her, and she retired to her chambers. Lancelot was disappointed when he looked up and saw that the sunset had completely disappeared.
Under the lake, one would think the entire realm would be flooded with water. On the contrary, it was mostly air. Of course, there were the water-filled grottos where the mermaids lived, and on days when Vivienne so permitted, the mermaids could swim around in the air as if it were indeed water. Actually, the mermaids rather resented Vivienne for taking over their lake, but that's another story.
What Lancelot saw above him was identical to the sky above mainland Britain except for one quality: the thin layer of water that was present very high in the atmosphere. The sunlight filtered through this barrier was mottled and softened. And unlike the stationary sunsets above water, Lancelot's blazing sunset was moving with the wave currents.
"Oh, my son, look at the way you're sitting, admiring a marvelous sunset. You're so thoughtful," Vivienne came up behind him and pat his back.
"I wasn't thinking anything," he said with a yawn.
Her tone suddenly became severe. "Apparently you weren't thinking anything during your lessons today, either. Your instructors told me that you were making every mistake possible, as if you had forgotten all they had taught you so far. You were doing so well, darling, how could you do this to me?" As her anger grew, her voice came out in hisses and she shook her fist at him.
"Please, mother. I'm trying my best," he waved her away.
"No, I know what's the matter with you. You don't want to join Arthur's table. That's it," she realized.
"I like living here under the lake. Why must I swear my allegiance to this man I don't know?" he questioned her.
She narrowed her eyes at him. At a time like this, her oracular abilities were quite useful. "Well, I won't force you to meet King Arthur. I won't force you to do anything." She kneeled before him and took his head in her hands and looked him in the eyes. "But I want you to train to your best ability, my son. I want you to do it for me. Do you love me?"
"Yes, of course," he assured her. "Don't I tell you every day?"
"Yes, but if you really love me, you will grant me my wish. Remember, I want you to be strong so you can defeat Sir Iweret in battle. He wants my realm, son. He's ready to take it, and the only thing holding him back is fear of you."
Lancelot nodded. Vivienne always spoke of Sir Iweret, but Lancelot hardly believed that such a powerful man would be afraid of him.
"Good. Goodnight, son. Now, give me a kiss," she said. He kissed her, and she retired to her chambers. Lancelot was disappointed when he looked up and saw that the sunset had completely disappeared.
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Re: Under the Lake (King Arthur) IC ( )
by Skallagrim on Wed May 14, 2008 11:41 pm
Sir Quinn Balfour, sat astride his chocolate colored charger, the white and blue caparison fluttered with the wind. The knights chain armor under the cream colored tunic, trimmed with blue and yellow, reflected the suns glorious light.
The long spear held lightly as the blue-silver eyes, hidden beneath the great helm gazed over the vast landscape that lay spread below the knight. The sloping hill rising up as a rocky crag, reaching for the heavens, the dull brown-gray rocks struggled mightily against the greens and oranges of plant life that crept along the hill, as if an eternal war was being fought between the contrasting colors.
The shadow falling from the hills that rose opposite the one which Quinn was upon, draped itself across the incredibly clear water that reflected the hills and their colors. A smile crossed the lips of the knight, a soft sigh escaped him as from the brush rose a hawk, searching for prey.
The subtle breeze that swirled and carried along the hills washed over the knight and steed, billowing up the caparison and ruffling the tunic. The simple moment of absolute silence, as if the otherworld and this merged for an instant, a timeless instant that would haunt the dreams of the knight the rest of his days. The majesty of the land that is Briton is eternal, and Quinn whispered a prayer to the Christian God and the Celtic Danu that he had been blessed to witness it.
Urging the charger forward, Quinn began his slow descent into the valley; he was questing as was required by all knights. He was seeking to find favor for the next gathering of arms, that he would not be the singular knight to have no favor of a lady in combat. A wry smiled flashed across his lips, he simply wasn’t handsome enough for a lady of the court to choose, but surely there would be a lady who needed the services of a knight and in return would grant him her favor to carry into the lists.
The long spear held lightly as the blue-silver eyes, hidden beneath the great helm gazed over the vast landscape that lay spread below the knight. The sloping hill rising up as a rocky crag, reaching for the heavens, the dull brown-gray rocks struggled mightily against the greens and oranges of plant life that crept along the hill, as if an eternal war was being fought between the contrasting colors.
The shadow falling from the hills that rose opposite the one which Quinn was upon, draped itself across the incredibly clear water that reflected the hills and their colors. A smile crossed the lips of the knight, a soft sigh escaped him as from the brush rose a hawk, searching for prey.
The subtle breeze that swirled and carried along the hills washed over the knight and steed, billowing up the caparison and ruffling the tunic. The simple moment of absolute silence, as if the otherworld and this merged for an instant, a timeless instant that would haunt the dreams of the knight the rest of his days. The majesty of the land that is Briton is eternal, and Quinn whispered a prayer to the Christian God and the Celtic Danu that he had been blessed to witness it.
Urging the charger forward, Quinn began his slow descent into the valley; he was questing as was required by all knights. He was seeking to find favor for the next gathering of arms, that he would not be the singular knight to have no favor of a lady in combat. A wry smiled flashed across his lips, he simply wasn’t handsome enough for a lady of the court to choose, but surely there would be a lady who needed the services of a knight and in return would grant him her favor to carry into the lists.
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Re: Under the Lake (King Arthur) IC ( )
by Jadeling Hawkins on Thu May 15, 2008 7:13 pm
In the far corner of the valley stood a field. And sprinkled about in that field was a collection of haystacks, most freshly piled, and each stacked at a moderate height. And next to one of these haystacks slaved a wiry lad, dark blond hair held back by sweat and a leather band. His sleeves were rolled up to the elbows, revealing the terse form of strained muscles in the forearms. He worked with a pitchfork, heaving load after load of hay into a new stack as exertion in liquid form rolled down his brow.
Of course, 'he' was in fact Alanna. And Alanna had made a bargain with the owner of the field concerning the amount of work she did and the food and shelter she would receive in return. Nothing but a humble stable, bread and water...but perfect for a landless, knightless squire as Alanna, or 'Alan,' as 'he' was called, found herself to be.
The sun had worked its way beneath the horizon, but its rays still lingered in the sky. And Alanna was glad for the brief reprieve, after toiling beneath the mighty orb all the day long. It was good and honest work, and as most good and honest work tended to be...it was tiring. With a final toss of hay, Alanna slung the pitchfork over her weary shoulders and paused to catch her breath. Now was the time she would wait for the field's owner to come and fetch her, so as to examine the quality of her efforts. She was secretly pleased with how much she had done, and much more pleased with the amount of work that the farmer and his family would then not have to do. Stretching and popping the muscles in her back, she allowed herself a quiet grunt as she awaited the sound of hooves from the farmer's mule, bringing him back from a trip into the nearby town for supplies.
Of course, 'he' was in fact Alanna. And Alanna had made a bargain with the owner of the field concerning the amount of work she did and the food and shelter she would receive in return. Nothing but a humble stable, bread and water...but perfect for a landless, knightless squire as Alanna, or 'Alan,' as 'he' was called, found herself to be.
The sun had worked its way beneath the horizon, but its rays still lingered in the sky. And Alanna was glad for the brief reprieve, after toiling beneath the mighty orb all the day long. It was good and honest work, and as most good and honest work tended to be...it was tiring. With a final toss of hay, Alanna slung the pitchfork over her weary shoulders and paused to catch her breath. Now was the time she would wait for the field's owner to come and fetch her, so as to examine the quality of her efforts. She was secretly pleased with how much she had done, and much more pleased with the amount of work that the farmer and his family would then not have to do. Stretching and popping the muscles in her back, she allowed herself a quiet grunt as she awaited the sound of hooves from the farmer's mule, bringing him back from a trip into the nearby town for supplies.
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Re: Under the Lake (King Arthur) IC ( )
by daughterofdon on Thu May 15, 2008 8:50 pm
A few large bubbles interrupted the stillness of the lake. Then, all of the sudden, two white horses and their riders broke through the surface of the water. The Lady of the Lake was atop one of them, and on the other rode Lancelot. The water rolled clean off them, leaving them dry when they emerged.
Amazingly, the horses stood on the lake's surface as if it were but a shallow puddle. Then the horses began to trot on the water, their hooves creating little splashes. When they began to gallop, they left great wakes behind them, but were still buoyed by the lady's magic.
Lancelot sped ahead of Vivienne, as fast as his stead would go. He laughed with enjoyment. "I'm getting the hang of this, mother! I'm not sinking anymore!"
"Very good. You are learning to trust my magic, Lan--" she bit her tongue. She almost said his name! Very rarely did she slip like that. But she understood why; she was distracted when she spotted a lone knight entering the valley on a charger with a white and blue caparison.
Amazingly, the horses stood on the lake's surface as if it were but a shallow puddle. Then the horses began to trot on the water, their hooves creating little splashes. When they began to gallop, they left great wakes behind them, but were still buoyed by the lady's magic.
Lancelot sped ahead of Vivienne, as fast as his stead would go. He laughed with enjoyment. "I'm getting the hang of this, mother! I'm not sinking anymore!"
"Very good. You are learning to trust my magic, Lan--" she bit her tongue. She almost said his name! Very rarely did she slip like that. But she understood why; she was distracted when she spotted a lone knight entering the valley on a charger with a white and blue caparison.
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Re: Under the Lake (King Arthur) IC ( )
by Skallagrim on Fri May 16, 2008 8:38 am
Quinn felt a strange sensation, as if the world had paused a moment. Halting the charger, he cast about; odd feelings were not to be ignored, especially for questing knights.
The silver-blue eyes flared as Quinn looked about him, and then slowly his gaze drifted towards the magnificent lake. A startled gasp escaped his lips, for on the lake rode two horses and riders, his voice a whisper, “In nomine pater noster…” Quickly crossing himself, the knight also touched the coiled bow of weaved oak that rested on his reins of his horse, “I am a mortal, loved and cared for by the triple-goddess and the great horned god. Through the great mother, all things are born; to all things in their season return to her bosom. Through this her sacred cauldron I enter the otherworld, the summer country, until through my actions I can return.”
Quinn was born and bred on the highlands of Scotland, where the Christian God still had to content with the old ways; as such he followed both teachings. This clearly reminded him that the world was still linked, and tied to the otherworld of the Sidhe.
A shiver ran along his spine, a feeling of excitement and trepidation, here before him were beings from the otherworld, Quinn watched in amazement a moment longer before he continued his path towards the lake.
Surely this event, this fortuitous event was a herald of a great quest, perhaps he would have songs sung about him. Sir Quinn never a boastful knight smiled beneath his great helm, perhaps he was destined for this, as heroes of old were. Perhaps.
The silver-blue eyes flared as Quinn looked about him, and then slowly his gaze drifted towards the magnificent lake. A startled gasp escaped his lips, for on the lake rode two horses and riders, his voice a whisper, “In nomine pater noster…” Quickly crossing himself, the knight also touched the coiled bow of weaved oak that rested on his reins of his horse, “I am a mortal, loved and cared for by the triple-goddess and the great horned god. Through the great mother, all things are born; to all things in their season return to her bosom. Through this her sacred cauldron I enter the otherworld, the summer country, until through my actions I can return.”
Quinn was born and bred on the highlands of Scotland, where the Christian God still had to content with the old ways; as such he followed both teachings. This clearly reminded him that the world was still linked, and tied to the otherworld of the Sidhe.
A shiver ran along his spine, a feeling of excitement and trepidation, here before him were beings from the otherworld, Quinn watched in amazement a moment longer before he continued his path towards the lake.
Surely this event, this fortuitous event was a herald of a great quest, perhaps he would have songs sung about him. Sir Quinn never a boastful knight smiled beneath his great helm, perhaps he was destined for this, as heroes of old were. Perhaps.
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Re: Under the Lake (King Arthur) IC ( )
by daughterofdon on Fri May 16, 2008 9:47 am
Lancelot turned his horse around and returned to the lady. He had been out of earshot when she almost revealed his name, but he was curious to see what she was staring at. He followed her gaze to the knight.
"Go put on your mail and helm," she instructed Lancelot. "I will see if I can get this knight to joust with you on the lake. That will be quite a challenge, won't it? You've never jousted on the lake before."
Lancelot was not keen on the idea. "He won't come here. He's a Christian knight. I saw him cross himself. He will have nothing to do with an enchanted lake."
Vivienne turned and glared at him. She bristled whenever he mentioned anything about Christianity. She had once made the mistake of allowing a hermit monk to teach Lancelot about the Bible. But it was only because she had a vision of Guinevere being baptized and knew that Lancelot would have to be familiar with Christian ways to be accepted at Camelot. Even if it were for the better of Lancelot's education, she was very angry when she overheard the monk telling him that she was a witch and that witchcraft was the work of the devil. She threw the monk out and forbid Lancelot from learning any more of the intolerant religion. But what she didn't know was that Lancelot had kept the monk's Bible and still read it when he was by himself and away from any water that would allow her to spy on him.
"Go put on your mail and helm," she instructed Lancelot. "I will see if I can get this knight to joust with you on the lake. That will be quite a challenge, won't it? You've never jousted on the lake before."
Lancelot was not keen on the idea. "He won't come here. He's a Christian knight. I saw him cross himself. He will have nothing to do with an enchanted lake."
Vivienne turned and glared at him. She bristled whenever he mentioned anything about Christianity. She had once made the mistake of allowing a hermit monk to teach Lancelot about the Bible. But it was only because she had a vision of Guinevere being baptized and knew that Lancelot would have to be familiar with Christian ways to be accepted at Camelot. Even if it were for the better of Lancelot's education, she was very angry when she overheard the monk telling him that she was a witch and that witchcraft was the work of the devil. She threw the monk out and forbid Lancelot from learning any more of the intolerant religion. But what she didn't know was that Lancelot had kept the monk's Bible and still read it when he was by himself and away from any water that would allow her to spy on him.
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Re: Under the Lake (King Arthur) IC ( )
by Jadeling Hawkins on Fri May 16, 2008 10:13 am
Alanna paused, her body now cool and relatively relaxed, if sore. She could have sworn, just a moment ago, that she had heard hooves...but not the cloppy hooves of a mule. No, these sounded far more like those of a steed...multiple steeds, in fact, but all in different direction. So she cast about, seeking the source of the sound...and her jaw dropped in a manner hardly befitting that of a squire with knightly intentions. There was a knight coming down the mount, a deeply impressive sight...but detracting even from this noble figure was that of two others, riding about on the lake. Alanna stared at these two, slowly crossing herself and whispering a plea for safekeeping. It seemed as though they either hadn't noticed her or didn't care, which was understandable with the distance between them...and Alanna was more than happy with that situation.
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Re: Under the Lake (King Arthur) IC ( )
by daughterofdon on Fri May 16, 2008 11:56 am
Despite Alanna's wishes, Lancelot had acute vision and he did notice her, way off in the distance.
"Look, mother. There is a better opponent for me. He looks to be a knight in training, just as I am. This knight," he referred to Sir Quinn, "is too experienced for me to fight. I would make a fool of myself."
"That is no fighting lad. Not even a squire," Vivienne argued as she squinted her eyes at Alanna. "He's just a peasant. Look at his clothes."
"No. Look at the broad sword on his belt," Lancelot challenged.
"I can't even see that far away," Vivenne muttered, straining her eyes. "And there's no water near him, either. And don't you dare ask me to creep into the sweat on his forehead. I will not do it!"
"Then I will have to get his attention," Lancelot decided and rode to the edge of the lake and waved widely at Alanna.
"Lance-!" Vivienne began, then she covered her mouth. How could she make the same mistake twice in the same fifteen minutes? Lancelot turned to her. "Lance? I left it in the armory. But don't worry about it now. I don't want this squire to run off. I really should practice more with my broad sword. He would be a perfect match."
"Listen, son! You should be waving at this approaching knight, not some farmer resting in the haystacks!" she raised her voice at him, flustered.
"Look, mother. There is a better opponent for me. He looks to be a knight in training, just as I am. This knight," he referred to Sir Quinn, "is too experienced for me to fight. I would make a fool of myself."
"That is no fighting lad. Not even a squire," Vivienne argued as she squinted her eyes at Alanna. "He's just a peasant. Look at his clothes."
"No. Look at the broad sword on his belt," Lancelot challenged.
"I can't even see that far away," Vivenne muttered, straining her eyes. "And there's no water near him, either. And don't you dare ask me to creep into the sweat on his forehead. I will not do it!"
"Then I will have to get his attention," Lancelot decided and rode to the edge of the lake and waved widely at Alanna.
"Lance-!" Vivienne began, then she covered her mouth. How could she make the same mistake twice in the same fifteen minutes? Lancelot turned to her. "Lance? I left it in the armory. But don't worry about it now. I don't want this squire to run off. I really should practice more with my broad sword. He would be a perfect match."
"Listen, son! You should be waving at this approaching knight, not some farmer resting in the haystacks!" she raised her voice at him, flustered.
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Re: Under the Lake (King Arthur) IC ( )
by Skallagrim on Fri May 16, 2008 12:26 pm
Sir Quinn finally reached the edge of the lake; the slight ripples across the clear, reflective surface indicated the soft breeze that flowed through the valley. The sliver-blue eyes stared at the duo as they talked, one, the boy had turned and was facing across the way, towards the distant shore.
Quinn frowned as to what they saw, but then he was elated he had come this close to the creatures of the otherworld, creatures of beauty and grace. Moving the charger along shore, Quinn listened to the clack of the hooves along the smooth rounded rocks that comprised the ring that the lake resided in.
Raising his baritone voice Quinn called out, “Hail! Hail!” Slowly he continued to circle the lake, hoping the creatures would face him, he was eager for a quest. Perhaps they would require a knight to assist them; perhaps he would be tasked with recovering one of the thirteen sacred items of Briton.
Stopping at the closest point to them with out actually entering the water, Quinn sat patiently, the gentle breeze washing over him, every movement he made; every breath was that of a chivalric knight. The shadows intersected and flowed around him, the reflection of his image in the lake, the backdrop of the hills. The cascade of brilliant colors, from the greens and the oranges reaching up along the hill behind the knight to the gray and browns of the peaks atop those hills, Quinn looked like the mythic knights of legend.
Simply waiting Quinn strained to see what they appeared to be discussing, something of utmost import on the far shore.
Quinn frowned as to what they saw, but then he was elated he had come this close to the creatures of the otherworld, creatures of beauty and grace. Moving the charger along shore, Quinn listened to the clack of the hooves along the smooth rounded rocks that comprised the ring that the lake resided in.
Raising his baritone voice Quinn called out, “Hail! Hail!” Slowly he continued to circle the lake, hoping the creatures would face him, he was eager for a quest. Perhaps they would require a knight to assist them; perhaps he would be tasked with recovering one of the thirteen sacred items of Briton.
Stopping at the closest point to them with out actually entering the water, Quinn sat patiently, the gentle breeze washing over him, every movement he made; every breath was that of a chivalric knight. The shadows intersected and flowed around him, the reflection of his image in the lake, the backdrop of the hills. The cascade of brilliant colors, from the greens and the oranges reaching up along the hill behind the knight to the gray and browns of the peaks atop those hills, Quinn looked like the mythic knights of legend.
Simply waiting Quinn strained to see what they appeared to be discussing, something of utmost import on the far shore.
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Re: Under the Lake (King Arthur) IC ( )
by Jadeling Hawkins on Fri May 16, 2008 3:36 pm
Alanna, if frozen before, became petrified. They had noticed her, and one of them even seemed to be seeking her attention. She looked to the knight - and quite the knight he appeared to be, the very picture of nobility and honor - and was mildly surprised to see that he was showing no fear of those on the lake. Indeed, he in turn was seeking their attention. And while she had not yet attained the honor of considering herself on par with this knight, she quickly decided that following his lead would be the best route in the long run. So, steeling herself against whatever horrors or mayhem might await (and sending out a mental apology to the farmer for abandoning his fields), Alanna lifted one arm in greeting to the...was it a man? Yes, a young man...that was waving at her. Then, her back straight and her shoulders as relaxed as she could make them, she headed towards the shore.
Once she stood at the water's edge, she bowed...as low and humble as she could possible make herself...and rose with her hand resting on the hilt of her broad sword. She bowed once more, this time to the knight that was much nearer to her than the two beings on the water's surface, and called respectfully, "Hail, Sir Knight."
Once she stood at the water's edge, she bowed...as low and humble as she could possible make herself...and rose with her hand resting on the hilt of her broad sword. She bowed once more, this time to the knight that was much nearer to her than the two beings on the water's surface, and called respectfully, "Hail, Sir Knight."
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Re: Under the Lake (King Arthur) IC ( )
by ArtFreakAngel on Fri May 16, 2008 8:26 pm
Mabuz sat in chambers, muttering to himself. Was it his fault the boy had scoffed at his heritage? The boy had been asking for it, and he had just gotten what he deserved. Telling the boy he would die in battle was a just punishment. His wards, his mother's ladies, were always so uptight. "How dare they punish me! Don't they realize who my mother is?"
Then again, he hadn't spoken to his mother in over a year. He never saw her, except at special events. Even then, when he tried to speak to her she would give him monosyllabic answers, "Yes, oh, really." It was dreadful!
He plopped down on the bed, the under-water atmosphere making it a longer journey, and contemplated. The same questions went through his head, the ones that haunted his dreams. Why had his mother rejected him? What made Lancelot better then him?
He could feel his anger growing inside of him. Why did he deserve to be treated this way, to be tossed aside as if his life wasn't valuable enough? He eyes began to water, but he quickly wiped them dry. His sadness turned to rage. He hated Lancelot and everything that belonged to him. One day, he would have his revenge. Lancelot would get was coming to him.
Mabuz had heard the news, Lancelot was taking his training for granted. He had everything in the world, yet he cared for none of it. "How dare he sit at my place! It should be sitting beside my mother, not that.....usurper of the throne."
Then again, he hadn't spoken to his mother in over a year. He never saw her, except at special events. Even then, when he tried to speak to her she would give him monosyllabic answers, "Yes, oh, really." It was dreadful!
He plopped down on the bed, the under-water atmosphere making it a longer journey, and contemplated. The same questions went through his head, the ones that haunted his dreams. Why had his mother rejected him? What made Lancelot better then him?
He could feel his anger growing inside of him. Why did he deserve to be treated this way, to be tossed aside as if his life wasn't valuable enough? He eyes began to water, but he quickly wiped them dry. His sadness turned to rage. He hated Lancelot and everything that belonged to him. One day, he would have his revenge. Lancelot would get was coming to him.
Mabuz had heard the news, Lancelot was taking his training for granted. He had everything in the world, yet he cared for none of it. "How dare he sit at my place! It should be sitting beside my mother, not that.....usurper of the throne."
I'm collecting moving avatars. If you have one, send it to me in a private message.
If the music moves you, the people care about you, and the place is like home, savor the moment!
Time stands still for no one! What are you standing around for, there's chocolate to be eaten.
If the music moves you, the people care about you, and the place is like home, savor the moment!
Time stands still for no one! What are you standing around for, there's chocolate to be eaten.
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Re: Under the Lake (King Arthur) IC ( )
by daughterofdon on Sat May 17, 2008 7:50 am
Vivienne suppressed her frustration with Lancelot and smiled her most charmingly at Quinn. She guided her horse to the edge of the lake, but didn't cross the rock barriers. Up close, she could see that he was not a very handsome knight, but he appeared strong and well-decorated.
"I greet you, good knight," she said to him. "I am Vivienne, the Lady of the Lake. This is my ward," she used her power over the lake to pull Lancelot's horse through the water until he was right adjacent to her. "I am training him to become a knight like yourself."
Now that Lancelot saw that Alanna was approaching, he turned his attention to the knight before him. He felt suddenly overwhelmed by the knight's presence. Years of experience were manifested in the way he sat in his saddle and the lines of his face and the wisdom in his light blue eyes. Lancelot had thought himself competent in his abilities, but now he felt like a weak child compared to this mature knight. He dismounted sloppily from his horse and felt himself step into the water. He fell through to his head, and began thrashing as he felt himself sinking deeper and deeper.
"What's wrong with you?" Vivienne screamed, horrified. She grabbed one of his outstretched arms and pulled him up, out of the water. He coughed up all the water he had swallowed. For the first time, he had broken through the surface of the lake and he found his clothes were soaked and the water still clinged to him, leaving him wet. He let out a despairing moan as he held onto Vivienne's foot, his lower body still submerged in the cold lake. He had completely humiliated himself in front of this knight.
"I'm sorry, good knight," Vivienne apologized, turning back to Quinn. "This is not my ward's usual behavior. Perhaps he is unwell..."
But Lancelot knew what had happened to him. His confidence had completely left him, and thus he could not be held up by the lake's magic, and fell in, like any uninvited mortal would. For the key to walking and riding on the lake was to believe oneself to have the extraordinary ability to do so. He didn't believe in any of his abilities now that he saw an actual accomplished knight. The one thing he was grateful for was that the water streaming down his face concealed his tears.
"I greet you, good knight," she said to him. "I am Vivienne, the Lady of the Lake. This is my ward," she used her power over the lake to pull Lancelot's horse through the water until he was right adjacent to her. "I am training him to become a knight like yourself."
Now that Lancelot saw that Alanna was approaching, he turned his attention to the knight before him. He felt suddenly overwhelmed by the knight's presence. Years of experience were manifested in the way he sat in his saddle and the lines of his face and the wisdom in his light blue eyes. Lancelot had thought himself competent in his abilities, but now he felt like a weak child compared to this mature knight. He dismounted sloppily from his horse and felt himself step into the water. He fell through to his head, and began thrashing as he felt himself sinking deeper and deeper.
"What's wrong with you?" Vivienne screamed, horrified. She grabbed one of his outstretched arms and pulled him up, out of the water. He coughed up all the water he had swallowed. For the first time, he had broken through the surface of the lake and he found his clothes were soaked and the water still clinged to him, leaving him wet. He let out a despairing moan as he held onto Vivienne's foot, his lower body still submerged in the cold lake. He had completely humiliated himself in front of this knight.
"I'm sorry, good knight," Vivienne apologized, turning back to Quinn. "This is not my ward's usual behavior. Perhaps he is unwell..."
But Lancelot knew what had happened to him. His confidence had completely left him, and thus he could not be held up by the lake's magic, and fell in, like any uninvited mortal would. For the key to walking and riding on the lake was to believe oneself to have the extraordinary ability to do so. He didn't believe in any of his abilities now that he saw an actual accomplished knight. The one thing he was grateful for was that the water streaming down his face concealed his tears.
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Re: Under the Lake (King Arthur) IC ( )
by Skallagrim on Sat May 17, 2008 10:04 am
Quinn smiled; his eyes flashed a moment as they approached, “Well met Lady…” He was immediately struck by the ethereal beauty of the woman, as he looked at her, his eyes noticed movement on the shore and found a ragged looking lad with a broad sword, not the weapon Quinn preferred, but one many squires used as the blade would offered more than a challenge to a serf pressed into battle.
Turning his attention on the young lad that trotted up, he was amazed at the grace and beauty of the water horses. Just as he were about to speak the young man slid off the kelpie and continued to descend, into the water where he began flailing about. Quinn sat quiet, still resolute as the boy floundered, when the woman reached for him and assisted him.
Sir Quinn exhaled softly, the crunch, crunch of feet treading on the rocky shore alerted him to the nearing presence of the squire. With a curt nod of his head he acknowledged the squire, a small compact lad, tanned and with sinewy muscles, not an over burly lad.
“I am Sir Quinn Balfour, knight errant and I bid you welcome young lad.”
Turning his attention on the young lad that trotted up, he was amazed at the grace and beauty of the water horses. Just as he were about to speak the young man slid off the kelpie and continued to descend, into the water where he began flailing about. Quinn sat quiet, still resolute as the boy floundered, when the woman reached for him and assisted him.
Sir Quinn exhaled softly, the crunch, crunch of feet treading on the rocky shore alerted him to the nearing presence of the squire. With a curt nod of his head he acknowledged the squire, a small compact lad, tanned and with sinewy muscles, not an over burly lad.
“I am Sir Quinn Balfour, knight errant and I bid you welcome young lad.”
-
Skallagrim - Global Moderator
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Re: Under the Lake (King Arthur) IC ( )
by Jadeling Hawkins on Sat May 17, 2008 10:34 am
Alanna nearly tripped over herself in bowing once more to the knight, her heart racing. It was rare that she saw up close with a fully fledged knight, with most of them being off questing. It was even rarer that she had the opportunity to speak to one. And then there were the two being on the water's surface...well, one of them fell below the surface for a moment...and Alanna found herself pitying the poor lad. He looked to be perhaps younger than herself, but then, one really couldn't judge by appearances. But the sight of him clinging to the foot of the beauteous woman (a queen, surely) did not do much for his stature. Still, Alanna herself was looking far less than noble at the moment, of this she was aware.
"I thank you, Sir Knight. I am deeply humbled by your presence. And you, dearest Lady." Such flowery speech was not Alanna's forte, but she had been instructed during her brief tutoring as a page that such things were appropriate during meetings with creatures of such dignity as these she had been fortunate enough to encounter. And though she managed not to stare at the misfortune of the young man in the water, she did feel it necessary to add a humble, "And you, Sir."
"I thank you, Sir Knight. I am deeply humbled by your presence. And you, dearest Lady." Such flowery speech was not Alanna's forte, but she had been instructed during her brief tutoring as a page that such things were appropriate during meetings with creatures of such dignity as these she had been fortunate enough to encounter. And though she managed not to stare at the misfortune of the young man in the water, she did feel it necessary to add a humble, "And you, Sir."
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Jadeling Hawkins - Global Moderator
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Re: Under the Lake (King Arthur) IC ( )
by ArtFreakAngel on Sat May 17, 2008 11:08 am
Mabuz awoke and stepped onto the floor of his chamber. The ground was cold to his bare feet feet. He shuddered for a moment, before his body became accustomed. He walked sleeplily toward his small wardrobe that the wards had had built. He reached up, stopped briefly by an unsuppressed yawn, and pulled out his gray tunic.
When he had left his room, on of his wards spotted him. Mabuz dropped to the floor, praying that he hadn't been seen.
"Mabuz, what are you doing on the floor?" Mabuz hadn't noticed the other ward walking down the hall. He slowly ascended to his feet. "Umm, I thought I dropped something. I found it though." The woman gave him a funny look, and then she kept walking down the hall.
Mabuz made his way up the hallway, and into the kitchens. He was supposed to eat in the kitchens. It was another of the blasted rules is wards had set. He opened the door, muttering to himself. One of the cooks noticed him and gave him a smile. "Oh,hello Mabuz, how are doing this morning? I figured you'd be down here to get some breakfast soon. It's on the table over there." Mabuz walked to the table he the cook had mentioned, and sat down on the wooden bench. I took a bite of the food, and then gobbled up the rest of it.
He left the dirty plate on the table, and left the kitchen. He spotted the main ward, and asked her, "Ma'am, where is Lancelot today?" The woman gave him a suspicious look, "If you must know, I heard and the Vivenne went up to the surface." Mabuz wrinkled his face, and then walked outside.
Ouside, he heard a strange voice. It was dark, but it was promising. "Mabuz, come to me. I know how you've been mistreated. I can make it all better." Mabuz followed the voice, but to where, he did not know.
When he had left his room, on of his wards spotted him. Mabuz dropped to the floor, praying that he hadn't been seen.
"Mabuz, what are you doing on the floor?" Mabuz hadn't noticed the other ward walking down the hall. He slowly ascended to his feet. "Umm, I thought I dropped something. I found it though." The woman gave him a funny look, and then she kept walking down the hall.
Mabuz made his way up the hallway, and into the kitchens. He was supposed to eat in the kitchens. It was another of the blasted rules is wards had set. He opened the door, muttering to himself. One of the cooks noticed him and gave him a smile. "Oh,hello Mabuz, how are doing this morning? I figured you'd be down here to get some breakfast soon. It's on the table over there." Mabuz walked to the table he the cook had mentioned, and sat down on the wooden bench. I took a bite of the food, and then gobbled up the rest of it.
He left the dirty plate on the table, and left the kitchen. He spotted the main ward, and asked her, "Ma'am, where is Lancelot today?" The woman gave him a suspicious look, "If you must know, I heard and the Vivenne went up to the surface." Mabuz wrinkled his face, and then walked outside.
Ouside, he heard a strange voice. It was dark, but it was promising. "Mabuz, come to me. I know how you've been mistreated. I can make it all better." Mabuz followed the voice, but to where, he did not know.
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Re: Under the Lake (King Arthur) IC ( )
by daughterofdon on Sat May 17, 2008 10:00 pm
When Lancelot received the acknowledgment of the squire, he felt a little stronger, and was able to release Vivienne's foot and stand up in the water without falling in again. He waded to his horse and remounted and surpressed his childish tears. He wasn't going to say anything, but Vivienne gave him an encouraging glance.
"Pardon me for my fumble. I welcome you, Sir Quinn, and you, Sir." He nodded gratefully to Alanna.
Vivienne spread her arms before Sir Quinn and Alanna. "I invite you both to tour my realm beneath the lake. Will you accept? It is no trap. There is plenty of air to breathe. Is that not so, my son?" She turned to Lancelot.
"Oh, yes. It is perfectly fit for mortals," Lancelot agreed.
"All you have to do is cross the stone border and then trust that you will be held up on the lake's surface. Sir Quinn, I am uncertain if your horse will be willing to walk on the water if he is untrained for such a purpose. But, if you have a strong emotional bond with him, he might trust you enough to do it," Vivienne said.
"It is sometimes helpful if you close your eyes and imagine you are walking on solid ground," Lancelot chimed in. "Might you blindfold your horse?"
"Yes. And then, you will continue on to the middle of the lake, where the water is most shallow. There will be a hill under the lake. When you feel your feet make contact wit
"Pardon me for my fumble. I welcome you, Sir Quinn, and you, Sir." He nodded gratefully to Alanna.
Vivienne spread her arms before Sir Quinn and Alanna. "I invite you both to tour my realm beneath the lake. Will you accept? It is no trap. There is plenty of air to breathe. Is that not so, my son?" She turned to Lancelot.
"Oh, yes. It is perfectly fit for mortals," Lancelot agreed.
"All you have to do is cross the stone border and then trust that you will be held up on the lake's surface. Sir Quinn, I am uncertain if your horse will be willing to walk on the water if he is untrained for such a purpose. But, if you have a strong emotional bond with him, he might trust you enough to do it," Vivienne said.
"It is sometimes helpful if you close your eyes and imagine you are walking on solid ground," Lancelot chimed in. "Might you blindfold your horse?"
"Yes. And then, you will continue on to the middle of the lake, where the water is most shallow. There will be a hill under the lake. When you feel your feet make contact wit