Arthur stood high on the stool while the tailor measured his length and width for this robe to be worn at the function. He was accorded a visit by Utter Pendragon and to the wishes of the druid he was to be dressed smartly.
“You are no more a Centurion. Discard your chest plate and those ugly skirting.” The druid had fumed over his taste of dressing. “You mist dress well to meet Pendragon.”
“Must I do that? The man had rode to my tent with his armor that was coated with dirt and mud.” Arthur had argued back but the druid was adamant on the dressing.
“You are to be his guest and among his other guests are other Lords and Ladies. They will be well dressed in their finest so that they will not be seen as lowly knave of Pendragon. You must be the same or shame will fall on the mention of the name Camelot.” The druid slapped at the man who was taking measurement of Arthur with a length of wood.
“Wood? How silly can you ever be? Why are you measuring him for his casket?” Merlin snapped out. He took out a yarn of strings and told the tailor to use that. He then stepped back and examined the half-dressed figure stranding on the stool. Arthur looked back at the druid and then remarked.
“Do you think if I was to wear a peacock feather here I may looked more….:” Arthur was repelled by the druids with harsh words.
“You don that peacock feather and it will be the end of all of us. We are not queer.” The druid saw the other tailor assistance glaring at him. “Pardon me but I am outward with my expression. I think that you need to be more masculine in the looks.”
“Infernal in taste!” The druid jumped on the other assistant who was carrying in bales of cloth. “How dare you dress him in those dainty looking shades? Where is the master?”
The master popped his head from the rear of Arthur with tacks clenched between his teeth. The druid saw him and dragged him over to the assistant bearing the cloth.
“Do your choice with more taste. I am not dressing him in those gaudy shades.” The druid pulled up the cloth that held the crimson shades. “You will have him taken for a bride to the beast with that. Where are your more manly colors?”
The druid glared at the tailor. He then took a whiff of the other’s lapels by the shoulders.
“Lilac smell? My gracious man, no wonder you stood behind his and behave thyself with those tacks. I find any in him and I will grant you a hammering up yours with the blunt end of the spear.” The druid cursed at the master and the later took offence. The master then took up his tacks off his teeth and marched off with the assistants in tow.
“Merlin, that was the third tailor we shown the discourtesy of Camelot.” Arthur stepped off the stool and proceeded to don his tunic. “I will not stand for this anymore.”
“What the naked feature or the fact that these tailors are …unusual in their taste of shades.” The druid was upset too. He then moved to look at the bales of left behind cloth. They were fine silks but more suited to the gentler souls. With a sigh, Merlin then told Arthur he was to dress as he wishes but no Roman garments.
“The locals disliked the Romans for abandoning them.” Merlin explained. With that, Arthur took to work out his garment for the function. In the end, he decided to dress in a simple tunic with the sandals and the belt that hung his acquired sword. He decided to crown himself with the laurel of leaves like Caesar.
“Ah, the simple vassal of mine.” Pendragon greeted from across the huge hall of the former grand castle. Arthur was embarrassed when he saw his dressing was way too simple compared to the layers of cloths that the others had donned on themselves. It was a multitude of shades and some were garish in the taste but outstanding in the looks. Utter Pendragon was himself cladded in three layers of coatings with the finest stitching of the golden threads. His feet was covered with the fine cloth wrapped sandals and in his right hand he held the scepter with the multi stones on the top. His head cover was the crown with the colored jewel stones.
“My lords and ladies, may I present my latest vassal Arthur of Camelot.” Pendragon called out to the others. “He guards the coast line of the sea for me.”
Arthur saw the others were staring at him. He thought it was his name that had spread like fire across the coast but then he noticed the frowns on the expression. It was then he sensed that they were judging him from his dressing. More to it he was alone and without a lady in hand. He walked towards Pendragon and was to speak when the later turned to look at another guest.
“King Pellinor, I am very glad that you made it.” Pendragon ignored Arthur then. The one named King Pellinor was an elderly figure with an imposing midriff that stood out like a rounded bend on the coastal path. King Pellinor have also a crown on his head but he bowed to Pendragon.
“It would seem that you held a finer function than mine.” King Pellinor mocked the other. “I see among here are strong allies.”
“Nothing ado without the hard work. I am ever pleased with my allies and that includes you.” Pendragon then dragged the other to another corner to discuss things of stately matters. Arthur feeling left out then proceeded to the long banquet table for his food. He was to pick the pieces when a voice interrupted him.
“Should you not serve a lady first, my Lord?” Arthur turned on being called on and faced a young lady standing there. She was dressed in a green gown with the string of leaves that lined the bosom to the hem of her dress. She had on a bonnet with the protruding cone above it.
“Lady Elaine, the daughter of Utter Pendragon.” The lady introduced herself which was unlike most others.
“Arthur of Camelot.” The knight then offered a plate to the lady. She took it gracefully and picked her own food. They soon retired to a nearby table and held their conversation there. It surround the splendor of the sea to the coasts and the awful taste of the dressing there.
“I would have sworn not to wear this but my mother insistence tires me. I felt it made looked like a tree with creepy vines of leaves.” Elaine let off a giggle there soon after Arthur said he was more comfortable with his chest plate and skirting. “I wonder why everyone wanted to coach us in their dressing choice.”
“I have no idea. For years, I have donned the same and gotten used to it.” Arthur was amused at the lady and her outspoken manner. She then raised an unusual question.
“Tell me of the exploits of yours. I am sure you have fought in many battles.” Lady Elaine asked of Arthur. The later was taken aback by the question and was to reply when another voice was heard.
“If I may intrude, my lady. The name is Lancelot.” The figure stood from behind Arthur. Lancelot was dressed in a tight maroon tunic with matching tights and a low cut coat slung over his shoulder. The later then took a seat with Arthur.
“Exploits are the tales of knights.” Lancelot smiled at the lady. He then turned to look at Arthur. “I came on the request of Merlin. He feared that you may come to….uncomfortable discussions and I was to assist. Percival and Gawain are here too but the function has led them to their own corners.”
Arthur had ridden there with them but they were to stay outside while he attended the function. He was advised to bring them but as an escort or in the case of any betrayal. Obviously, they have overreached with the plan and avail themselves to the function. Arthur excused himself to let the young lady be entertained by the knight while he seek better company.
“My sister must have bored you or you are not of her liking.” Another voice woke Arthur to the surrounding. He turned to look at another lady standing before him. She was dressed like Elaine except her gown was red and instead of vines and leaves she had on was the flowers. She was indeed a beauty although much younger than him.
“Lady Morgause; one of the three daughters of Utter Pendragon.” The younger lady introduced herself. “I heard of you Arthur of Camelot. Your fame have …how may I place it; infuriated the others.”
“Truly Pendragon have beautiful daughters and more to it, outspoken and brave.” Arthur remarked back. He then saw down with the younger daughter of Pendragon to indulge in more talks.
All of these did not miss the observation of Pendragon who later spoke to his lover.
“You may be right. The fox have burrowed into my cave and may one day take over it.” Pendragon motioned to Elaine and Morgause. “I wonder what had happened to my youngest.”
“Morgan is at the yard with the alchemy students of Lord Haywath. She indulged more in those than the dances and gossips.” Lady Igraine sighed. “I feared for her now. She had learned too much with the druid when she was younger.”
“The druid? He is around. He serves Arthur now. He hid himself without his beard but I know the face well. One day he will lose his head on the chop block.”
“Hold your tongue, my Lord.The druid is alike the demon. He can hear you and will curse you.” Lady Igraine cautioned the other. “Go back to your function. King Pellinor is making his rounds to secure alliance.”
With that, Pendragon took his lover’s advice to secure any break in his own allies and thwart those who are hovering at the edge. It was not all battles of the strength but of the wits and in some corners of intimate gestures. Lancelot had taken his choice for a series of dance while Arthur was still figuring out why he liked the younger one more.
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