A Quest Completed, and a Prize

[vicioussweetie]

There are many things to be sought in life. Some universal, such as love and the fulfillment of necessities; some more individual, such as one person's desire to consume the perfect hamburger or another's compelling need to memorize every word in the dictionary. One of Ali's quests, for the better part of the last year, has been to find Jareth's

Comments

[labyrinthking]

Jareth returns from his business smelling ever-so-faintly of Bog, but those wisps are thankfully quick to disperse. Returning to his suite to find Ali's brand of disarray, however, leaves him rather shocked. "What... has..." He's very nearly speechless. "...Why?"

[vicioussweetie]

Ali smiles, pleased that he's learning to skip straight to the important questions. It shows promise. "Do I need a better reason than, 'Because I can.'?"

[labyrinthking]

"Have you a better one, my love? I had thought your own wardrobe ample enough."

[vicioussweetie]

"Apparently, I have two. The first being that I seem to be the only one in this relationship who understands the complex but delightful dynamics of women borrowing their gentlemen-friend's clothes." And here Ali thought he liked it when she wore his things. So disappointing.

[allaroundarthur]

There are tales of Camelot, which describe it as a place of peace, a place of beauty, a place of tolerance, scholarship, and brotherly love. It is said to be a place where the shadow of tyranny has never fallen, a beacon to dispel that shadow.

The truth of Camelot cleaves fairly close to the tales. The road down which Ali and Jareth ride sees fairly brisk traffic of peasants, merchants, clergy, even the occasional retinue of a minor noble, all traveling without apparent concern for robbers or bandits along the way.

Camelot's walls stand tall, plastered and whitewashed to shine in even the faintest evening light; in the light of midday, the great stone edifice is almost too bright to look upon. Even within the walls, the streets are paved and clean, the city seeming to enjoy a level of hygiene not normally seen outside a Renaissance faire.

[vicioussweetie]

Aside from a brief regret that she could never get away with sunglasses at the moment, Ali is appropriately awed by the sight of Camelot. With a hand lifted to shield herself from the glare, she studies the towers and parapets until spots dance in her vision; forced to look away, she blinks her vision clear before turning a smile on Jareth. "Glorious, isn't it?"

[labyrinthking]

"Oh, yes," he agrees, "quite. Everything the tales have said. Bright days, indeed." After a thoughtful glance around, he adds, "shall we go straight to the palace, or play at tourist?"

[vicioussweetie]

"I think we'd probably better go straight to the castle. We can always play tourist once we've unpacked." And once she's seen to certain special arrangements. "Besides, if we try lugging the cart all over, we'll just get in people's way."

[allaroundarthur]

The days in Camelot pass slowly for the knights, who are anxious to be out doing things, having adventures and proving their valor. At Arthur's urging, though, they have yet to depart, and have been contenting themselves by making sport in their idle time. Many are the contests of skill and strength they devise, and many are those who come to while away a few hours in watching these impromptu tourneys, and to cheer one or another of the champions.

[vicioussweetie]

Ali is often among the ladies in attendance, in the hours when the castle is too active for her to try and secretly discern things to come. As much as she enjoys watching strapping young men try to beat each other bloody in the name of sport, she's careful both to avoid any appearances of favoritism or boredom. But in truth, by the third day, she's rather wishing it would rain.

Ah, well; at least she gets to people-watch, and that is always an acceptable pastime in her opinion. Still, she can't quite keep from drumming her fingers on the arm of her chair...

[allaroundarthur]

Sir Kay, taking a break from the contests to eat, has taken it upon himself to sit near her. "Are you enjoying the contests, my lady?"

[vicioussweetie]

Recalled from whatever daydream she was visiting, Ali forces her hands into her lap and answers Kay with a smile. "Of course, my lord. There can be no doubt of the great physical prowess of Camelot's legendary knights."

[allaroundarthur]

Within the week, Guinevere's charity work has already begun to make a significant impact on the lives of those in Camelot proper, and she has begun to make plans to tour the countryside to see how best to spread her efforts beyond the city. For now, though, spirits within Camelot are high, and as the morning court convenes, king and queen both seem to have an air of energy and good cheer.

[vicioussweetie]

Ali's watching court from one of the balconies that overlooks the chamber, leaning against a pillar so she can watch the scene below without being obvious about that fact. The change in mood in court and in the city beyond is seductive, and having been lulled into a potentially false sense of security, Ali's luxuriating in the warmth and power on which she is so rarely sated. Much more, and there'll be side effects noticeable to more than those with an eye for magic--she knows she should stop--but it feels so good...

[mords_horde]

Speaking of magic, a new arrival to the court steps forth, the herald curiously failing to announce him. Bald, he wears an odd mix of a scholar's robes and jewelery, and brings with him a strangely-shaped staff. There is a sharp, scrutinizing weight to his gaze as he casts it over the court, and he makes no obeisance before Arthur's throne.

Drawing himself up, he speaks without raising his voice, although he manages to somehow be clearly heard by all present. There is an odd weight to his words, as though they were Right, and should be Obeyed. "I greet you, king, and present you with an offer you would be wise to accept. I am going to take your kingdom, and you are going to give it to me."

[vicioussweetie]

That certainly breaks her out of her reverie. A half step back should keep her from being noticed before the opportune moment, and she can still see Arthur and Merlin. Something seems very wrong, but she isn't sure what's happening yet and will wait to see what they do.

[vicioussweetie]

Another day--and one they're all grateful to see dawning. Ali watches the sun rise from one of the castle's towers, where she's been waiting for Merlin to finish the magics he's working and have time to talk. She's even brought him breakfast, since none of the servants are quite brave enough to approach him while he's working.

[allaroundarthur]

When at last Merlin is finished with his workings, Ali receives a smile of thanks. "Thank you. With any luck, that will keep him busy for a time."

[vicioussweetie]

"Let's hope. We should take every chance to plan our strategy before he's had time to recover, because once he has I have every reason to believe he'll be spying on us. And I'm sure we both have many questions for each other."

[allaroundarthur]

"Indeed," Merlin agrees. "You seem to know him well; what do we face?"