When he last parted your company you were going to speak with his father who was by all accounts, in quite the mood. Ywaine had the bruised face to prove it. And of course he didn't have the heart to return the blow. Whatever was said since that fateful exchange things have been a bit quieter. Of course, Ywaine really wouldn't know, he decided to accompany Morgaine to the stables and took it left Drustan to face his own fate.
     Of course while it's been quieter, it's been that kind of uncomfortable quiet, like when someone just farted at a formal dinner, or when Uther would stare at Ygraine across Gorlois' table. Uncomfortable or not, Ywaine's welcomed it. That quiet even extends to the horses. Ywaine is with his favored courser, grooming him as a pair of pages work on loading his arms and equipment upon a draft horse.
      Looking over to the boys, Ywaine smiles. They are sons of a Vassal knight who keeps a Manor in Rheged. "That's good enough lads. Run along now and have some fun. It's to beautiful a day for you to waste it packing my horse." They are of course, more than happy to drop what htey are doing and run off to play.

     If there's one thing Drustan's known for apart from his salacious appetite, talent with a lance (all sorts), love of a woman and for mead, it's his charm. Charm. Charm. Charm. A silver-tongue of a wretch with the voice of a bard. Known to work wonders on married ladies, maidens of all sorts and perturbed kings.
     Whatever Drustan said behind closed doors -- and no one but he and Uriens know of it -- things seem to have calmed down considerably. Dare we say it: things are starting to return to ...normal.
     That could be in part to the departure of Cornwall back to its own court...
     A voice is heard up the way. A male voice, Drustan's own, its honey-earthy sound resonating. Impossible to miss. And the slow, plodding sound of Comet's hooves, a gentle swaying walk to his master's rhythm. And, unmistakable, the giggle of a young girl.

"Proud Margret stood at her father's doorway
As straight as the willow wand
And by there came a gardener bold
with a red rose in his hand
His hand
With a red rose in his hand..."
     When they come in view, they are a spectacle of spring. A very young woman of the court, no more than six-and-ten, dressed in a long yellow gown, barefooted with flowers in her blonde hair, her fair skin in a state of constant blushing. And behind her, a man twice her age, one of Arthur's best knights, and one of his oldest friends, the honeyed tongue himself, Drustan Cunomorus, singing in her ear. If he has not already had her -- and is returning from such now -- that he most assuredly will have her by the time the sun dips below the horizon...

     A brow raises slowly as the young knight hears the hoovebeats and the silvered voice singing. Slowly he turns to regard the pair upon that proudest of stallions, Comet. Donnar can be heard to whinney, perhaps a competative challenge vollyed. Both are proud horses.. much like their riders.
     "Doesn't that song end with the Gardener losing the girl, his horse and his home?" Ahhh depressing endings, always will man be fascinated with tragedy? Ywaine scratches his courses neck foundly calming his horse, "Good afternoon Drustan..." He says bowing his his head, "And to you as well, good lady."
     He doesn't know her name or at least he can't recall it. In fact Ywaine doubts her name really matters at this point. "I don't believe I've had the pleasure yet. Sir Ywaine, son of Uriens at your service." His introduction is a bit formal but polite. He tries always to be courteous, much like Gawaine, the cousin who's approval he's always seeking it seems.

     There is no such trumpeting from Comet. The white stallion, an offshoot of some Roman general's Spanish steed, moves slowly, gracefully, his head lifting and his ears pricking forward at the call. He comes to a stop within a few feet of the other, grunting his greetings...
     "No, actually," and he looks to the very young maid and to his friend in turn, speaking to them both, ".. the gardener boasts he can make her clothes out of the flowers of her father's garden, if she would, in turn, part with Her Flower," and the maiden who is just about sitting in his lap goes crimson, puts her hands to her mouth and giggles behind the veil of slender fingers. Scandal! "She, of course, rebukes him, as these things tend to go. But eventually she submits, loosens her petals..."
     "Sirrah!" the girl gasps, chiding as she goes a shade deeper red.
     Drustan smiles, a hand lifting, surrendering the reins to the young woman, and he rakes flower petals from his hair, sending the white and yellow scattering. "Averil of Dorset, you have the pleasure of meeting Ywaine of Gorre and Rheged, a fine man, one of Arthur's favorites," he whispers in her ear, causing her to squirm a little -- he's enjoying that. "And one of mine." With a wink to her, and to you, Drustan turns his attention to you fully.
     You can see that his arms around her slender waist, one still holding one of the reins. His other, now merely rests lightly upon her hip. "Averil's new in court, I am giving her the proper introductions." And how. That causes her to bite her lower lip and blush again. While she may still have her virginity -- he's had at least half of her. She has the first blossoming of sensual knowledge about her. "The apples are all in bloom now, and the cherries. It's a sight by the river, to be sure..."

     Those eerie black eyes look from Drustan and then Averil. If they were down by the river, Ywaine imagines they've weren't particularly paying attention to the apple blossoms. Still Ywaine is glad to see Drustan doing better. Of course he doesn't mention this because it would only send him reeling back into melancoly as he remembers why he was so upset before.
     "Well Dorset has certainly sent one of it's most beautiful blossoms to grace the garden's here at Camelot..." Well the poor girl is already blushing might as well add to it. "I hope you enjoy your stay here, It is lovely court really. There is much to see and do and to learn here. Courtly intrigues and juicey gossip abound." You know such things like Drustan getting in drunken brawls in the middle of a stormy night.
     "You have a wonderful guide. Everyone knows Sir Drustan." For good or ill, and just like noses, everyone has at least one opinion of the man.

     "Such diplomacy," comes the smooth intonation, bemused and amused. "Taking lessons from Cei?" Kay. Drustan breaks into a grin, closed-lipped but broad. The young girl curls her toes and turns her head, looking past a veil of blonde hair. Poor thing, she adores him. She is in for a world of hurt...
     Well, what goes around comes around...
     Drustan scoots back, Comet prancing in place a moment, "But for now I fear the tour must end, swete," he says to the young maid. "I will see you after dinner," likely at the appointed rendeszvous places. The wretch.
     She goes wide-eyed and blushes fiercely, Ywaine hearing of their tryst. He knows now! "Sir Drustan," she whispers, "I will do my best. If I can't get away..."
     "Yes, yes... tomorrow beneath the tree. You and me," he chuckles. A hand comes out, to balance her, his foot for a stirrup. He watches her as she gingerly slips down. On her own two feet, she curtseys to Ywaine and bows her blonde head, flowers dangling from her curls. "A pleasure to meet you, lord..." And with a last look to Drustan and a sigh, she smiles and walks toward the palace.
     "I'm going to hell, you realize," comes Drustan's droll remark as he watches her. She glances back several times. Once, he even gives his fingers a little wiggle in wave to her. "She tastes like brand new sunlight, spun from the Goddess' own loom. Sweet and unspoiled." Until I have her, and then she'll be ruined for life. Situating himself back on Comet, reins back in his hands, held loosely, Drustan looks to you, eyebrow lifting. "Plans for the late afternoon, evening? I was thinking of going to Galahad's... I hear he's having another fete..." Party.

     "Oh most certainly.. if the Christian's hell exists I'm sure you'll have a seat there right next to Myrrdin's father." The infamous devil that some of the more.. ludiciours tales say spawned him. He looks and watches the girl leave. "She's young, she'll get over it I'm sure." Please don't think him a bastard, but Ywaine, like most everyone, had his heart broken by his first young love. He figures it's something everyone needs to learn once in their life.
     "Actually I don't have any particular plans.. I am just seething over something I over heard in the garden today." he shakes his head and waves a hand, it's nothing work talking about now, "So Galahad is having another grand event. I'm not sure... you and Galahad in the same room imbibing alcohol strikes me as very very dangerous for some reason." Gee.. can't imagine why.

     Gossip in the gardens? Drustan gives Comet his head, allowing the stallion to nose the earth for treats. Gloved hands lay the reins criss-crossed before him. "I think we should all stay out of the gardens. Nothing good ever comes of them." Somehow, even when he thinks of her, he keeps himself upright. "So... what's the gossip..."
     As for the girl...
     There is only a crooked grin, a smoldering look. Her heart may get over it, mayhaps her soul, but her body will always remember. Dark blue eyes glint toward the path she once walked. Some trail of flowers that remain, lying where they had fallen, trailing behind her.
     Drustan breaks his lustful reverie for a broad grin. "Aye well, Galahad is of my temperament and of my kind. Two peas in a pod. Though, I'm old enough to know better, aye?" He smirks. As if that'd be enough to stop me.

     "Sometimes I think the only thing that Galahad imbibes is his scriptures..." There's a shake of his head. He doesn't speak anymore of the girl you will be deflowering. She'll cry and bemoan of a broken heart, but she'll brag about loosing her innocence tot he mighty Drustan until the day she dies when other's are not watching.
     "As for the gossip, I suppose it really is nothing of note. Some of the maids are being terribly to Olwen again and it really bother's me that they are so cold to her." After all she is sweet girl. "I even heard the queen say to here 'Of course she's infatuated with Ywaine, looking as she does she'll never bring home some great christian knight.' I am sure she only thought she was playfully teasing her made, but Olwen was quite upset."
     He shakes his head, "I could really care less any pithy remarks that get hurled at me, but hearing that poor girl sniffle as she tried to keep from crying beneath their teasing and abuse really made me somewhat angry."

     Dark brows knit together and he frowns. "She's a lovely lass. But... the strong ever pick on the weak, aye? Mayhaps she but needs a little confidence." Drustan presses his lower lip between his forefinger and thumb. "She does fancy you for certes. You ...could show them what-for. She's a sweet honey-blossom of a girl really. Maybe we should make her our new favorite."
     And not Jenny...
     Wouldn't that rankle the court...
     Drustan lowers his hand to Comet's mane at the withers. "Averil could be your go-between," he suddenly grins. "Carrying favors and clandestine messages..." He chuckles at the thought. "She's from a good family, that Olwen. She will make someone..." it'll be Gareth in the end, "... a lovely bride..."

     The young knight smiles at that, "I like that idea... Though I'll do you one better." Uh oh.. that smiles just turned into a crooked grin. Damnit Drustan.. between you and Gawaine you're gonna turn this boy into a devious bastard (of course being Uriens son, such was always preordained).
     "Come the next tourney I think, perhaps I'll ride up to her after announce myself at the presentation of arms and then I'll ride up to her and ask her for her favor, for the whole court to see." That grin just got a little more crooked didn't it? "Then I think I will perhaps challenge each of the queen's knights so that my lady will be the fairest and most honored that day..." He rubs his bearded chin.. on yes this has potential, Jenny will just love this.
     Of course, this ensures him a good tongue lashing form the wickedly barbed tongue that is the Cei's.. but well Ywaine's always been a favorite target of his.

     Drustan nearly has to wipe away a tear of pride...
     "A man after m'own heart," he croons. And with a wink sits back in his saddle, hands on Comet's rump. "You wipe the floor with the queen's champions, but leave Lance to me..."
     Oh yes... leave the Frank to Cornish prince. He doesn't hate him -- quite to the contrary, he actually likes the sanctimonious git -- but he still likes to fight him, always with the hope of beating him. "Course," he sits up, "Gawaine might want to fight me over him. For my part, I'll dangle Averil's flowers from my helm and maybe a kerchief or two from another pair. If God will not let me have my rose, then I must fill my garden... with the rest of his flowers." For the love of one woman, he will sleep with a thousand.
     It still smarts...
     Drustan smiles lopsided and swings off Comet. A whistle and a page comes running. "Here, my boyo... lead him in, cool him off, and give him an apple for a-that. Spoil him rotten!" he quips. "He deserves it." Rubbing his hands together. "Tonight, I am going to have sweet pie and cool mead. I'll see you on the morrow, hmm? Let me know when you go see Olwen." Drustan laughs, eyes sparkling. "Maybe I'll carry your first heart-sick message to her... personally."

     "I appreciate the offer.. but Drustan I am never.. and I truly mean this... never, going to be writing anyone any love sick poetry." You know... he's really got to stop that.. he's only making it worse on himself with the ironic forshadowing. "Be well Drustan.. I'll see you soon I wager."

     There's that grin. You've all said you've missed it. Well, there it is. "Not tonight, brother... but...tomorrow morning. I'll be up at dawn..."
     As usual...
     He may be a wretch, but he's no lay-about...

Posted by rowan at October 01, 2003 07:45 PM