Deciding that being well-behaved on the four day long coach ride to the remote duchy was more than anyone could have asked for, Arthur slipped away as soon as his nursemaid briefly turned her back to him. He was determined to have some fun before being forced into the stiff clothing he was expected to wear for the banquet.
The young prince had been strolling around the grounds for a while without finding anything of interest when he came across a beautiful flower meadow.
There was a girl sitting amidst a mass of daisies, weaving them into chains. A ring of the delicate flowers was already perched atop her black flowing mane as though it were a crown.
Wondering why on earth one would prefer flowers to actual jewlery, Arthur quickly walked over to her."What are you doing?"
"I'm making daisy chains,"she replied without even looking up."I would have thought one could see that."
If her elaborate robe hadn't already revealed her to be the member of a wealthy family, her confident tone of voice would have made it perfectly clear that she was no commoner.
"Well, yes, I can see what you're doing. I want to know why,"clarified the boy, annoyed that she was mocking him.
"Then maybe that's what you should have asked,"retorted she. Now she finally looked up at him."They're pretty."
"You're pretty,"Arthur blurted out, biting his tongue immediatley afterwards to keep himself from saying more stupid things.
The girl smiled at him brightly."Thank you."
She gestured for him to sit down and Arthur obliged, still gaping at her in wonder. He had never seen anyone who looked so much like the porcelain dolls one of his distant relatives collected.
"I can teach you how to make them,"she offered, indicating the half finished chain on her lap. Arthur shook his head."No, that's alright."
She looked horribly disapointed at his reaction, so he hastily added"But you can make one for me, if you'd like to."
The smile instantly returned to her face and she nodded, going back to weaving daisies together.
Arthur watched her for a while, then he broke the silence."Will you be at the feast tonight?"
"Yes, I have to come. My father is hosting it,"she said. The prince looked at her in surprise."You're Morgana? I'm supposed to meet you tonight."
"So you're Arthur?"asked the girl. She continued without waiting for an answer."Well, this was a lot nicer than being formally introduced. That's always rather dull."
With that she got up and carefully placed the daisy crown on his head."I ought to go now. I suppose they'll be looking for me already. I'll see you at the feast."