The Pink Princess and the Blue Knight II: The Greatest Battle
So, I had so much fun writing The Pink Princess and the Blue Knight, I decided to write a sequel. Again, I twisted some things for my own convenience (Marin is Mariner Bay, Silverhill is Silver Hills, Rhian is Ryan Mitchell, Newe Teche is New Tech City, etc)
Cast of Characters
Princess Sydney: Princess of Marin, daughter of King Carter and Queen Dana. She and Sir Sky, her fiancé, defeated the Troobian threat.
Sir Sky: Head of the Knights of the House of Grayson. The people of Marin regard him as a beloved hero.
Sir Jack: Once Sir Sky's squire, he is now second in command of the knights. He also has developed an attraction to the recently arrived Lady Allison.
Lady Elizabeth: Princess Sydney's lady-in-waiting and best friend. She helped Sydney and Sky to conquer Emperor Gruumm and she courts Bridge.
Court Jester Bridge: An entertainer, Bridge is a close friend of Sky and Syd's.
Lord Wesley: Sir Sky's father. He is King Carter's closest friend along with being the king's advisor. A retired knight, Lord Wesley and Mirloc are old rivals.
Lady Jennifer: Sir Sky's mother. She is the Queen's closest friend and lady-in-waiting.
King Carter: Ruler of Marin. Doting father of Princess Sydney. A man who demands justice in Marin, the King is admired by his people.
Queen Dana: Ruler of Marin. Doting mother of Princess Sydney. A kindhearted woman, the Queen is much loved by Marin.
Duke Rhian: The queen's brother and self proclaimed sage. Rhian is fond of giving Sydney, his niece, words of wisdom.
Lady Allison: Another lady-in-waiting, Allison has taken a liking to Jack.
Mirloc: When Wesley defeated Mirloc in battle, he was sent away, as was custom. Now, he has returned to overtake Lord Wesley's son in battle and therefore claim Sky's love as his own, as he attempted to do with Lady Jennifer.
"I do love the sunset," gushed Princess Sydney to her fiancé.
He nodded and reached for her hand. "Yes, darling, I am aware. You tell me this nearly every time we gather to watch it."
The princess laughed. "But it is true," she protested in earnest. "On that journey to Troobia two years ago, I mentioned this and you said it was as if I could read your mind. I suppose now that we are to be married you have been robbed of every romantic sort of thought you once had?"
"Alas, my mother says the same thing to my father," replied Sir Sky. "I jest, my love. I adore hearing your opinions, Sydney, rest assured."
Sydney smiled and leaned in closer to her fiancé, shuddering slightly in the chilly air. The end of winter was fast approaching, which Sydney liked. For the big event she was anticipating was set to take place on the first of April…her wedding date.
Yes, after nearly two years of being courted by Sir Sky, he had finally proposed, and Sydney joyfully accepted. Her royal parents approved, and Lord Wesley and Lady Jennifer could not be more thrilled at the upcoming nuptials. The princess was of the opinion that their lives together could not be brighter.
"'Lo!" called the recently knighted Jack. With him approached the recently arrived Lady Allison of Newe Teche, who had come to the capital of Marin in hopes that she might be cured of her tomboyish nature. Sydney rather liked Allison's way of thinking and had no intention of attempting to make a proper lady of her.
"Lovely day isn't it?" questioned Lady Allison. She stretched her arms over her head and yawned. "Jack and I have just finished riding throughout the grounds," she continued.
Sydney grinned at the pair of them. "The land is particularly beautiful this time of year. I believe winter is my favorite season. There is nothing like sipping hot cider in the chilly air. Do you agree, Allison?"
"Quite, Princess," the other blonde concurred. "And if you do not mind, Highness, I prefer Ally."
"Ally, then," said Syd. "There is to be no mentions of my being a princess, alright? I am Syd, just Syd."
Sky, meanwhile, was trying to read the look on his former squire's face. Jack's expression was a cross between infatuation and confusion. Sir Sky had to fight a grin upon reading this on his friend's face. Jack had claimed numerous times that he'd rather have a perilous quest in Marin's forests than be in love. The winds of change approached.
The girls were chattering away now, oblivious to the two knights that accompanied them. Sky shot Jack a look that said he had better get used to this sort of behavior.
"How come the plans for the wedding?" Ally asked, sending a meaningful glance at Jack that he did not notice.
Sydney squeezed Sir Sky's hand once, her usual bright smile playing on her lips. "We have just finished the final details," announced the princess. "I cannot believe our wedding is less than two weeks away. Can you, Sky?"
He shook his head 'no' and brushed a few curls out of Sydney's face. "I have to wait that long?"
"Sky! That is most inappropriate! What will Lady Allison's parents think when she tells them of their future king?" Despite her statement, there was laughter sparkling in Sydney's eyes.
Allison laughed too. "I shall keep that a secret," she promised.
Sydney and Sky struggled through the next two weeks as the wedding date loomed nearer. By the time the first of April finally arrived, the inhabitants of the castle were nearly insane due to Sydney's demands that her wedding be absolutely perfect. These demands were enforced by a single glare from the king to whoever had botched whatever ridiculous detail his daughter had asked for.
Sydney's mother, Dana, her future mother-in-law, Lady Jennifer, Lady Elizabeth and Lady Allison were all in the bridal room as the princess prepared.
"Oh, daughter, you look lovely," said the queen. "I cannot believe my little darling is all grown up, Jennifer," she murmured to Sky's mother. "And getting married at that."
"She will be just fine, Dana," soothed the Lady. "Now, everyone but the princess, out. We must go meet our ushers and get ourselves seated."
Sydney shot her godmother a grateful glance. She clutched her mother and the three ladies to her briefly, and all pecked her on the cheek, as was customary. The others filed out one by one, met by their ushers for the wedding. The Jester Bridge and Sir Jack poked their heads in and commented on how pretty she looked, and only the fear of wrinkling her white silk dress kept Sydney from throwing her arms around them.
And then, when the strand of pearls was clasped around her neck, the wedding march started. Her father appeared, and his eyes were suspiciously watery. "Father," she said. "It is going to be alright."
He gave a nod and took her arm. The church was filled with Marin's higher ranking citizens, all of whom were familiar faces, and there, at the end of the long aisle, was Sir Sky.
The pastor read through the service in his old feeble voice, but all Sydney could see was her groom. The clergyman had just arrived at their vows when the huge oaken doors to the church swung open, hitting against the wall with a booming thud.
In the front pew, Syd saw the lines around Lord Wesley, Lady Jennifer, and her parents' mouths tighten at the unwelcome visitor.
"Out!" boomed King Carter. "Everyone, leave. It is for your own safety." The nobles of Marin did not need telling twice. Those outside the royal family and all its extended members filed out, petrified.
"Mirloc," said Wesley with a snarl on his face. "What are you doing here?"
"Wesley, Wesley," began the creature called Mirloc. "I am merely here to take from your son what you took from me twenty-five years ago: the only woman I ever loved."
"Who didn't love you!" retorted Lady Jennifer, standing. "I loved Wesley, and I still do."
Mirloc merely shrugged his shoulders. "Your son is a knight and he must live by the rules. I believe you know which ones I mean. He and I will duel, and when I win, I get his bride, the lovely princess."
"You speak of me as if I am some prize!" Syd cried. "Sky, defeat him at once so that we might get on with this wedding."
"Sydney, my darling," Sky said slowly. "It is part of the code. I must fight him."