The Once and Future [Attn: Arthur]

[Briar Rose]

Aaaaaahhhh-ah-aaaahhhhh-aaa-aaahhhhh...

Briar Rose's singing only got better with each passing year. She did not even need to sing lyrics; her melodious singing was lush and gorgeous even without saying anything in particular.

On this day, the maiden picked berries. A mundane and tedious routine to many, but Briar Rose didn't mind. After all, she loved to sing to her heart's content, and to please the animals of the forest.

By chance, from where she picked berries was not terribly far away from Merlin the wizard's cottage. And with her distinctive voice, the wind carried her tune to large distances.

[Arthur]

*Lessons had just ended for young Arthur, and he was heading home from Merlin's house for the day, when he hears the melodic tones that had came from the not so far away young woman. He knew he had to get home, or he'd catch flack from Ector for sure, but the voice still made him curious...not many people came out to this part of the woods, let alone anyone who actually sang, save for the stray wandering minstrel on very rare occasions, but most usually avoided the path because of the rumored wolves, and because of the large amount of thorny bushes in the area. Letting his curiosity get the best of him, he made a mental note ithat he'd work double the night for his foster father if questioned, and cautiously followed to wherever the young lady was singing. When he found her, he carefully climbs a tree nearby to listen, not wanting to interrupt her singing.*

[Briar Rose]

Briar Rose was of course unaware of the presence of the young boy. Without this knowledge, she sang without a care in the world. She also continued picking berries. A squirrel helped by picking up a stem with numerous berries, and holding it out for her to take. This did not interrupt her singing, but she smiled, nodded, and patted the squirrel on the head in gratitude.

Now Briar Rose sang with actual lyrics. The song she chose was uplifting, subtly about love and being loved. She took a break from picking berries to sing the song. In the song's climax, she spun gracefully, her skirt forming a bell shape as she twirled, and ended by hugging herself. She sustained the last note with a the finesse of a professional singer. When she finished, she smiled and closed her eyes.

[Arthur]

*Arthur listens in while the young woman sings, unaware the thin tip of the branch was beginning to sag under his weight. As soon as the maiden sat down and closed her eyes, the treebranch snapped with a loud "pop", sending the boy tumbling down a short ways.*

Whoa, what...WHOA!

*He landed with a loud thud, ending up on his stomach. Shaking his head, Arthur glances up to where he'd fallen from, only to have the bit of branch hanging from the break fall on his head. He rubs the top of his skull afterward...it didn't injure him, but it did still hurt.*

Ow...well, so much for that. O-oh!

*Realizing he likely got the attention of the young woman, he sheepishly winces, and glances up at where the maiden sat.*

Uhh...S-sorry ma'am! I...I didn't mean to intrude!

[Briar Rose]

The maiden's tranquil thoughts were stopped jarringly when she heard the shout of a young boy. Briar Rose gasped and opened her eyes just in time to see the boy fall on his stomach, and she gasped again when the branch struck the top of his head. The teenager ignored the boy's apology because she was far more concerned about his health.

Without thinking, the beautiful and older girl raced to the boy and knelt before him, and she promptly examined his head, inviting her fingers to the sides of his head.

"Oh, you poor thing! Are you hurt? How's your head? Please tell me the truth!"

She continued to examine the top of his head, but she periodically wasted a second to look to the boy's face.

[Arthur]

*Arthur looks down at the branch that had fallen on his head, then looks up just as the young woman rushes to him. The boy blinks, surprised at how much the young woman was worried about him. After all, they hadn't met before.*

U-uh, I'm fine, really... I'm really sorry for interrupting your singing, ma'am...I didn't mean to!

[Briar Rose]

Briar Rose was convinced that the boy didn't suffer any serious damage. She sighed in relief and looked to the boy with a relieved yet worried face, as though she were his mother. "Thank heavens. But you should be more careful." She looked up the tree from which the boy fell, and reminisced about the time when her friend, San, saved her from a large piece of dead wood. She smiled as she thought of the unusual maid.

Briar Rose's eyes returend to the boy, and she offered him a shy, gentle smile. She secretly desired a dream prince, but she was definitely older than this boy. What a tease! "What were you doing on the tree?" She awkwardly added immediately after, "If you don't mind!"

[Arthur]

*Arthur rubs the back of his head, sheepishly, embarrassed he'd caused such a scene, especially in front of this young woman. Rather than try to cover it up, he came forward and confessed what he was up to.*

Uh...I was listening to your singing, and you looked like you were enjoying yourself, so I tried not to interrupt you...I didn't mean to bother you. I'm really sorry!

[Briar Rose]

Briar Rose's eyes and lips warmed daintily as the cute, awkward boy spoke. She shook her head and found herself hard pressed to talk straight.

"Oh, no! You didn't bother me at all. I love to sing, and... well, I--" Her cheeks tinted pink, and she looked down to the ground, shielding her meek visage. It was difficult to stifle a giggle in front of the boy. She squirmed from where she sat on the forest floor as she hastily considered asking for his opinion. She gave in, and softly asked, "Do--did you--like my song?"