Helpless, but not Hopeless (open)

[Phoebus]

He laughed at her question, figuring he had nothing to lose here. This was a dream, she wasn't real - normally of course he'd never talk about this sort of thing to an actual, real, flesh and blood lady, but since this one was an invention of his subconscious he figured there was nothing stopping him. "Oh come on, you know. We get closer, sparks fly, we stare into each others eyes and as we lean in to kiss - that's when I'll wake up. Always the way." Laughing again at her offer, he removed his glove and held out his hand to her. "Go for it, pinch away. I won't feel it, because I'm definitely dreaming, and we'll carry on till we find that unicorn."

He raised an eyebrow at her. So people could die in dreams? Not that that bothered him, if he died he'd wake up and things would go back to normal. Either way, he wasn't too worried. If he was going to die in his dream though, he hoped it would at least be an exciting death. He wouldn't trip on a tree root and break his neck or something pathetic like that. Dream-Phoebus would die with adventure and honour!

He turned and looked into the undergrowth, hearing the rustling as well, and rolled his eyes with a smile and a shake of the head. "Here we go then, time for dream-Phoebus to impress dream-Lady Elaine of Astolat." He helped her to a tree she could lean on, bowing to her before backing away and unsheathing his sword, swinging it around his head and body in a showy way, a smirk playing about his lips. "So, this is the part of the dream where some terrifying nightmarish monster appears, I will fight it with very little effort - because obviously, in my dreams I'm the best swordsman in the world - defeat the beast, sweep you into my arms and carry you off into the sunset. Sound about right?"

He turned as a large wolf pounced from the undergrowth, swinging his sword with little effort and knocking the animal from it's trajectory and onto the floor. "Oh look, a wolf! You were right, my lady, what a massive coincidence that is!" The wolf snarled and made for Phoebus again, but with a roll of his eyes he knocked it aside, grazing it's hind quarters with the tip of his sword. "I'm a bit disappointed my subconscious couldn't come up with anything more exciting than a wolf, though, I thought I had a much better imagination than this."

The wolf pounced a third time, and Phoebus was a little too slow with his swing - after all, when you're so certain you're fighting a dream-wolf in your own subconscious, it's fair enough if you're a little too relaxed about the whole thing. The wolf launched itself at Phoebus, knocking him backwards and landing on his chest, scratching a deep cut into the exposed skin at Phoebus' neck. "Ah... that actually hurt..." Phoebus grunted with the weight of the animal on top of him, his sword between the creature's teeth as it pressed forward to try and maul him. With a great effort, he managed to throw the animal off him and to the side, jumping to his feet somewhat acrobatically, before thrusting his sword deep into the beast's throat. With a guttural groan, the animal died.

Phoebus turned to Elaine with a shocked expression, bringing his hand up to his bleeding neck and looking at the red liquid on his gloves. "Ok..." He said slowly, leaning on a tree while he caught his breath. "This is starting to feel a little more real with every moment..."

[Elaine of Astolat]

This was very quickly going from bad to worse. Elaine was not quite sure how to react to this. His behavior was certainly untoward, but if he thought he was dreaming them that was some excuse. However, he might also simply be mad. She wasn't quite sure how to react. However, there would absolutely be nothing close to what Phoebus was imagining. Instead of giving a verbal response she simply reached out and punched his hand. Hard. Perhaps he would see that she wasn't any kind of dream.

“Good Lord preserve us,” Elaine muttered as she was moved out of the way. “I do believe that we have missed the sunset and I do not permit you to carry me anywhere.” Even if this was only a dream for him it was a bit presumptuous to pick up a lady and carry her away.

Elaine watched, tensed, as a large wolf leapt out of the bushes. She had never seen a wild in person before now. It was so large and it's teeth so sharp. If Phoebus was not careful he would become lunch and she next. She edged carefully closer. “Please be careful,” she called. And then, the wolf was on top of Phoebus. Elaine gave a wordless cry, trying to move forward faster. She could beat the thing over the head if necessary. But before that was necessary Phoebus had control of the situation again. And then the wolf was dead.

Elaine pressed a hand to her chest. Her heart was pounding out of control. She noticed that Phoebus was bleeding and she limped in his direction. “Let me look at that scratch. And don't touch it. There's no need to get dirt in the wound.”

[Phoebus]

He stood still as she made her way over too him, feeling slightly dazed. His neck hurt, he felt out of breath and his muscles ached from his wrestle with the wolf. Could this actually be real? He had been so certain it was a dream, but he'd never felt pain in a dream before - not real pain, like this. And the blood... that looked really real.

He turned his head as she reached him, allowing her access to his wound. He was trying to process everything, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. If he wasn't dreaming, perhaps he was going mad. Maybe the wolf had been an enemy soldier, and in his delirium he had just seen a wolf. Yes, that was it, it had to be it.

"Alright, so I'm not dreaming. I'm just going mad. I've caught a camp fever and I'm hallucinating. Right?" He looked at Elaine, hoping for confirmation. "I just need to find the medic, get leeched and I'll be right as rain."

Although that still didn't explain her...

[Elaine of Astolat]

Elaine examined the wound carefully. It looked as if it were just a scratch which was good. Anything worse could have killed him. Anything deeper would have been much bloodier. She pulled out her handkerchief and pressed it to the scratch, holding it there to stop the blood. “You're very lucky that you were not hurt worse than you are,” she said quietly and evenly. “Very lucky indeed.”

She glanced up at Phoebus. He looked so very confused. Elaine wished that she could sort it out for him. Unfortunately she couldn't unless he decided the accept the fact that this was magic in the next few moments. “You could be mad, but I'm fairly certain you aren't,” she told him firmly. “I still think that you are discounting magic and it's part in whatever is happening here.”

[Phoebus]

Ok, so maybe she was right. Maybe it was time to accept the weird reality he'd been flung into and stop trying to explain it away with logic such as dream and hallucinations. Maybe this really was magic.

Oh good Lord in heaven above, this was real magic.

He reached up to hold Elaine's handkerchief in place, his hand resting on hers, as he turned and looked her in the eye. Wow, she was really beautiful. He'd noticed it before, but then he'd been distracted by the whole dream/hallucination/being attacked by a wolf thing, and he hadn't really paid much attention. But now, as he began to accept his reality and take in his surroundings and companion properly, it hit him like a frying pan across the head. She was incredibly beautiful. And she was Elaine of Astolat.

"My apologies, my lady. I believe you may be right. It's taking some getting used to." He said quietly, his hand still over hers. "We should get you to safety before the rest of the pack turn up." 

Time to play the chivalrous hero again, Phoebus.

[Elaine of Astolat]

Elaine was not prepared for the hand pressing over hers, nor the look the Sergeant gave her. For a moment there was only this moment where they looked at each other. Had her heart not belonged to another she might easily have been buckling at the knees. As it was her heart fluttered in her chest and she had to look away. She felt her cheeks burn slightly, flushing without meaning to. This was not what she wanted to happen. She was quite in love with Lancelot after all. What in the world was wrong with her?

"You have nothing to apologize for." Her voice was soft but sincere. "I am sure this is quite overwhelming for you." She extracted her hand from under his, making sure to keep her handkerchief where it was. "Keep this there. You're still bleeding." She squared her shoulders. "I think its better to get you to safety before the rest of the pack shows up. That scratch should be tended to."

[Phoebus]

He suppressed a small smile as he saw her blush, unable to stop himself thinking that the flush in her cheeks made her even more beautiful. As she looked away he continued to watch her, finding himself quite taken with her - but unsure if that was just the unbelievable events of the last hour. After all, discovering magic was indeed very real, assuming you were dreaming or hallucinating and then wrestling a wolf was definitely enough to turn your head.

He didn't think that was it though.

"Overwhelming is one word for it, my lady." He muttered, looking away as she removed her hand, surprised to feel a little disappointed. He held the handkerchief in place as she instructed, straightening up and taking a deep breath, returning to soldier mode once more as he offered her his arm, smiling at her concern.

"Well it seems we shall have to take care of each other for the time being then. Let us continue." He began to lead her from the woods once more. "So, Astolat. I'd love to hear all about where you come from, my lady. I'm starting to expect it's somewhat different to my home."

[Elaine of Astolat]

Elaine needed to refocus. Sergeant Phoebus was handsome and charming and an exceedingly capable knight, but she only had eyes for Lancelot. Lancelot was, after all, the champion of France. Their greatest warrior. And he was a good and kind man. The fact that she hadn't seen him in many years did not matter in the slightest. He was still a great warrior. The flame he had lit within her had not gone out. So yes, Phoebus was attractive and capable, but she was simply not in love with him. And she would not love him.

Elaine nodded, taking his arm once again. "I think that's only fair," she commented. Now that they were both injured, albeit she moreso than he, they would have to look after one another. She would need help to wrap her ankle and he would have to have the scratch looked at before it became infected or worse. "Oh, Astolat is beautiful, though of course I am biased in thinking so. My father's estate has plenty of farmers and there are plenty who work in the chateau as well. It is fairly normal for a country estate. Is there something you wish to know specifically?" she asked. There was only so much she could say on the place without making it sound as if she were bragging about Astolat. And it was hard to know what to say. She had no idea what he might already know about such places. She knew the ins and outs of life at Astolat very well, but that was hardly good conversation.

[Phoebus]

He listened to her talk of her home with a smile. At her question he considered his response, before deciding to be honest with her.

"As a child, I grew up reading the stories of King Arthur and his knights. Arthur and his battle to unite all the kingdoms, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Morgana and Mordred, Lancelot and Guinevere." He smiled at the memories of his favourite stories. "And, of course, Lady Elaine of Astolat." He gave her a sidelong glance. "I played at knights with my brothers - I became a soldier because of those stories. And now, apparently I am meeting the star of one of those stories - I'm sure you can imagine that I'm thoroughly intrigued." He grinned at her. "I want to know everything you can tell me."

He turned to look at her, and gave her his most charming smile. "You intrigue me, my lady."

[Elaine of Astolat]

It seemed so strange that someone, years in the future for Elaine, had written stories on the knights of her time. They had taken the stories that she heard and written them down. They were part of history. As well they should of course. King Arthur was a legend and had done something legendary. Sir Lancelot's whole career was legendary. She only wondered where she fit into this set of history. She was an old maid who had all but taken her mother's position. She was the last of a country estate. She was nothing special.

"Sargeant, I cannot imagine how I am part of these stories, as you say. Astolat is not terribly important on a grand scale. Nor am I for that matter. I cannot imagine what it is that you have read, but I am sure that Elaine of Astolat is nothing like myself."

She gave Phoebus a soft smile. "I suppose I can tell you that used to pretend to be a knight too. My brothers were very kind in indulging me in this habit." It was a very silly thing to divulge, but Phoebus had shared about his childhood. She did not see why she shouldn't share her own. "They still indulge me, though I'm quite a bit rusty with a sword now. My brothers are rarely home these days. They are quite successful knights."

[Phoebus]

He grinned at her as she denied her own importance. "Ah my lady, I'd tell you how wrong you are, but I don't want to spoil the ending." He said with a glint in his eye. "I mean, I can tell that you're not at the end of your story yet - so no spoilers." His smile faltered slightly as he remembered the end of her story. A frown crossed his face, but he quickly rearranged his features into a smile.

He knew her ending, and having met her, he wished he didn't. But then, the stories never mentioned magical gateways, or disappearing royalty, or him for that matter. So perhaps the stories were wrong. Or maybe he could change her ending. He felt an odd feeling of hope in his chest as he looked sidelong at her, and made the decision there and then that he was going to change her story. He was going to make sure she got a happy ending.

He smiled as she told him about her childhood. "Well, we can't have the Lady Elaine rusty at swordplay. If you'd humour me, my lady, perhaps I could spar with you a little. Get you back up to standard so you can surprise your brothers next time they're home. Once we figure out where we are and what's going on, of course." He smiled at her, hoping she'd agree, despite the impropriety of the suggestion. Apart from anything else, it would be an excuse to spend more time with her. And he really wanted to spend more time with her.

[Elaine of Astolat]

Elaine was not quite sure how she feels about having her fate written down somewhere so that others knew it but she did not. That hardly seemed fair. It was, after all, a story. Surely she could change the ending if she wished. “That hardly seems fair. You know if I get a happy ending or not and I must remain in the dark.”

Sergeant Phoebus, it seemed, was full of surprises. She was rather amused by his offer to humor him. Not because it would be humoring him, but rather indulging her in something rather unladylike. It was a very sweet suggestion and she truly appreciated it. It was very kind. And yet, it would be practical. They had just been attacked by a wolf after all. “I should like that,” she said with a small smile. “It might end up being useful if we are to stay here long. However, let us continue this thought when we have managed to find civilization.”

[Phoebus]

He raised an eyebrow at her, with a small smile. "Would you really want to know what kind of ending yours was?" He asked thoughtfully. "If it's happy, you risk being unsatisfied when it comes, always wondering if this is really it or if there's more to come. And if it's unhappy..." He shrugged slightly. "You spend your days waiting for it, waiting for the darkness. You wouldn't enjoy all the other moments leading up that day." He smiled at her again, his eyes sparkling. "And I think you'll have lots of moments worth enjoying, regardless of what type of ending you have."

As she agreed to his offer, he couldn't stop a huge, goofy grin spreading across his face. "Excellent!" His voice was a tad too loud. "I mean, that's great, it would do you good to be able to defend yourself, my lady..." He continued to grin as they walked, unable to wipe it from his face. No matter what happened now, she'd agreed to spend more time with him.

"Looks like we might be reaching the edge of the forest, my lady." He commented as he looked ahead, where he could see the trees starting to thin. "Would you like me to go ahead and scout it out, in case there's any danger."

[Elaine of Astolat]

That was a valid question. Would she be upset if she did not get her happy ending? Would she be relieved if she did not get her sad ending? She could not be sure, in truth. Hope could one know the unknown? “But, this is not a prophecy,” she pointed out. “It is a story, so it is possible that my ending is entirely made up. If it was written after my death then perhaps someone embellished the story to better suit their literary needs. So if I knew what happens to the story version of Elaine de Blank, I could still choose how my real story ends.”

Phoebus was clearly excited over the prospect of sparring with her. The corners of her lips twitched upwards in a smile. “Yes,” she agreed. “I have always thought a lady should be capable of protecting herself if she must, though it is rather unladylike. I think its from growing up with two older brothers.” Of course her mother had given her an exceptional education, encouraged by her father to learn to read and write more than most women. She imagined that her mother had purposely let her follow her brothers around. They were still very close siblings even now.

Elaine looked up. She was relieved to be so very nearly out of these woods. They were not out of danger necessarily, but it was a relief nonetheless. “No. I should not like to be left unattended. Should anything dangerous come upon me while I am alone, I would not be able to ward it off.” It wouldn't be advisable to be left alone after they had just been attacked by a wolf.

[Phoebus]

He smiled at her explanation, conceding that she did have a point. "I'm still not going to tell you though." He grinned mischievously at her. "You're just going to have to wait and see. Maybe one day I'll be able to tell you if things went the way I expected, or if you managed to defy all expectations." He really hoped she would.

"We'll have to get you armed, my lady, so you can protect yourself in the future. Either that or you'll need a full time bodyguard. Depending on where we are, perhaps I can apply for the job." He flashed her another charming smile, once again struck by her beauty as he glanced at her. She was really something.

He nodded at her decision to stay with him. "Sensible choice, my lady. I don't think I could live with myself if anything happened to you." He continued to walk, realising where he'd left that sentence and how it sounded. "While you were under my care."

Really smooth, Phoebus, well done. He hoped she didn't see him cringe.