It's just been 3 months… Life is… quiet. Nothing much has changed. Old prejudices have sprung up again; and although the treaty binds, people do have a right to what they think. Pointing fingers are aplenty these days. Zexens are thought of as ignorant people in the Grasslands; I must agree that is a measure true... The council has been re-elected – that's about all the change that took place here…
-Chris Lightfellow 'Silver Maiden'-
Thoughts came aplenty to Chris these days. Although there was always lots of work to be done, she never felt very inclined to do them. She stood now in her room at Brass Castle, staring out her window to the streets below. She curiously watched people pass by, a mother and her excitable son, a young couple strolling lazily – their hands linked, and on more than one occasion the young man's free hand stole upwards to touch his partners cheek. Chris smiled, there really must be more to the world than governing and fighting for a nation you belong to but don't exactly feel part of.
A timid knock on the door caused her turn quickly around, banishing the dreamy expression and putting on a sterner one. Louis poked his head inside the room, looking around, he caught Lady Chris' inquiring gaze upon him.
"Lady Chris? Salome wants to know if you'll be attending dinner?" As he said it, he watched her eyes and saw the slight tightening around them. He wondered if he had irritated her, but knew that he did not when she smiled down fondly at him.
Dinner? She hadn't attended those for a while. She was tired of the repetitive scene… though she went once in a while for a reason she didn't quite understand.
Another gala? These state dinners are so full of pomp… but he will…
"I'll attend, Louis. Will I see you tonight?" To Chris, Louis was like the younger brother she never had. She was puzzled to she him shaking his head quickly.
"But, my lady! I'm just your support!" Louis said. Chris waved the argument away, "You'll be there, Louis. You can even take the seat to my right, if you'd like to." She loved the way his brown eyes would light up when he was delighted. He was still like a child in so many ways, she hoped reality would not strip his innocence.
"Oh, Lady Chris! I'd be so glad to attend with you." He said it in a rush, his face becoming a shade crimson. Chris laughed, "Don't be late," she said before turning around and becoming engrossed in the street life below. She heard the soft patter of Louis' boots going out of her room before beginning to think of a someone who she often wished would touch her face like that, to smile to her that lazy smile…
"You've got a three goddesses up your sleeve!" Borus shouted, his temper coming easily and his face grew crimson with the rage that was his trademark. Percival took a long drag of ale before his face split into the largest grin Leo thought could fit on a face.
"So do you." He said simply, dodging the backhand Borus had carelessly thrown. Leo laughed heartily, then said. "Both of you should give me your winnings… for honours sake," he added solemnly. Both Percival and Borus looked him incredulously and simultaneously pointed at each other, "But it was him!" they said in unison. Standing near the window in the lounge, Salome shook his head and smiled. Life was good…
Louis had just come in the midst, not understanding what was going on. He cleared his throat for effect, feeling small for his thirteen years of age before these men. Borus had just drawn a card, a deepening line across his brows had Louis guessing that it was not a good one.
"Lady Chris will be attending tonight," he said quietly. All heads turned toward him. That had gotten their attention easily enough, he felt like letting loose a silly giggle. They all began to whoop and grin, setting new bets and wages almost all including Lady Chris. First dance, escort… the bets just came rolling. Louis grinned boyishly, but he would be the one sitting next to her tonight.
* * *
I look up to
Everything you are
In my eyes you do no wrong
I've loved you for so long
And after is said and done
You're still you
'You're Still You' – Josh Groban
The dusk settled on Brass castle, letting loose a wave of shadows in between rustling leaves and setting the stones aglow. A young man stood on the outskirts of the castle. He still wore his armour, not feeling the weight of it as his mind filled with thoughts. The wind lightly played with his hair, the blond hair and the young man stood there a while, thinking about love.
He thought of the last few months, the confusion, worry and work that they all had to contribute to make the treaty last. The speeches to the public, assurances. In the past few months, he remembered Chris... the Chris that was so valiant and passionate. The burden placed upon her with the power of the true rune... and she never spoke of it, but those closest to her suspected. She had been through so much, the truth of her father had hardened her – the laughter that used to ring like silver bells was rarely heard. At times, he wished that he could ease the burden she carried, and to spoil and love her, as she had never been. He brushed a lock that had covered his eyes, he had tried... those long months, he had done everything he thought possible... up to the point he thought that he might actually be bothering her.
The Six Knights of Zexen... we are, and will always aid in times of need, even if our needs come last, he murmured softly to himself, reminding himself of the vow he had taken so long ago – and yet, he was just barely past twenty. He was carelessly chewing on a piece of wild mint, prolonging his preparation for the reception.
Then there was Percival, his best friend, childhood rival... They were so closely matched in everything, they even mastered their own personal combo attack, in addition to the on Chris led. Whereas, Borus was a passionate man, Percival was associated with speed; speed with the sword, speed with wit. Borus knew that Percival admired Chris, all the knights secretly did; but he did have a strong suspicion that it was almost as strong as his own feelings.
Borus sighed. Here he was, one of the Six Knights of Zexen... who couldn't even win a lady's heart. Wasn't it how it went in fairy tales? Except that in fairy tales, the love interest never outranked the knight.
* * *
The great hall was teeming with life, the number of guests dining had swelled upon hearing that the Lady Chris would attend. Thomas of Orange castle had been waiting two days for an audience with her as had a number of important personage from different places.
In another quiet, wing of the castle; Chris was sitting in front of her vanity. The large mirror reflected back a lovely young woman in a simple, yet stylish gown with a short train compared to the latest fashion craze for long ones. The pale violet set off her eyes, as for the first time, she unbound her hair. Letting it slip like ghostly silk over her shoulders, the gleaming silver locks framed her face nicely, lending her a more comely appearance than the stern beauty that wearing her hair up lent her.
The gloves she wore were white, and short – only up to her wrists: another fashion break, not that Chris cared... let the society ladies do their talking, it wasn't them who fought and defended Zexen, to her they had as much honour as the flea infested thieves of Zexen. She was absently running her big bristled brush through the long length of hair, when she started at the sound of a soft knock at the door. Louis' soft footsteps flew to open it.
"Sir Borus! Are you here to escort Lady Chris?" Louis asked. Chris stood up straight at the mention of the name. What was he doing here?
Borus looked distracted as he spoke, fiddling with his starched collar and medals. "I'd like to speak with the Lady Chris..." His voice losing some of its confident edge as he said her name. Back in the room, Chris sat abruptly down. Putting on an air of nonchalance and going back to brushing her hair, she waited for Louis to announce him. Her escort? Of all the years she had known Borus, he had never asked anything from her, couldn't he read what was sheltered, hidden deep in her heart?
Borus didn't wait for Louis to get Chris' consent, he needed to speak with her before anyone else did, to spend a little time alone with her before she was surrounded by important people. He marched, his boots thumping on the wooden boarded floors. He had to before his fears led him out of the room altogether. When he came in, she turned to him with surprise, her eyes wide upon his. He drank in the image of her, his face softened and he swallowed with difficulty.
Chris softly placed the brush back on the dressing table, still sitting on the chair, she turned fully around. Lightly holding a necklace that she had wanted to wear in her hands. The corners of her mouth tilted upwards and she turned a fond smile toward him, guarding her eyes, lest they let anything show. Borus knelt on one knee on the floor beside her, he guessed from the way her eyes became nervous that she thought he was going to ask her something inappropriate and unbecoming. A boyish grin spread over his face, and in a rare show of bravado, he took one of her hands from her lap and held them softy between his own. The hands he held began to tremble...
Does she? What is it that I see in her eyes?
"Chris... I just wanted," Chris gave him an amused look before tightening her hold on his hand, Borus looked up to her in surprise and felt his heart in his throat when he saw he smiling softly at him. He turned her palm upward, and kissed it softly; not breaking his eye contact with her. "To see you, one last time... before the rest of the world did." He squeezed her hand, blushing furiously before exiting the room in a hurry, not giving Chris a chance to say anything in return.
"What did he mean 'one last time?'" Chris murmured to herself, before resigning herself to brushing her hair, taking more care to do it properly than before.