This is a little side-story to "for your love and honor". Written from a different point of view and higher rating. Will probably make no sense if you haven't read the original story. Also the story contains elements of "Jedi Kay-Kenobi's" A Knights Journey, which I used with her permission. Once again, I do not own the story.. also still not a native English speaker... so be kind ... Hope you enjoy it...
Isabelle could not remember exactly when she knew she had fallen in love with him.
She laid awake in her four-poster bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about that perfect afternoon they had shared together.
Perhaps she had already fallen for him at that moment, a long time ago, when father had forbidden her to go to the woods to look at the new tadpoles in the river. She had been studying the frogspawn for weeks and was devastated she was denied that special moment of hatching. Elmont cheered her up by showing her the tadpoles he had 'just found' in the castle fountain. The traces of pondweed on his legs, gave away he had put it there himself.
Or was it that first moment he seemed to accept her as a growing woman. She had pleaded him to teach her how to fight, even though the King denied it. And he had agreed. But only after a long plead on how being able to protect herself would keep her safe. Isabelle had promised not to tell her father, making those few moments of training their little secret. How she had loved them. The feeling of being equal on the training fields, and the feeling of being closer than protocol allowed them to be.
Maybe her love had sparked on that special moment on her 15th birthday. Elmont had given her the most perfect gift: a chestnut brown miniature Knight. He must have spend hours carving wood in his spare time. By the fine lining and perfect finish she could tell he put a lot of effort in making it. To know he had made it specially for her, filled her with happiness.
And how she always loved the feeling of safety with him. Like that time when those thieves had attempted to dishonor Isabelle in full view of the public when she snuck out the castle on her own. Or just recently when Elmont felt the need to protect her from that farm boy in the tavern. The strong skillful knight in the moment of trouble, and his subtle caring for her afterwards. A gentle arm around her shoulders or a soft stroke on her back to comfort her. Always resuming protocol before anyone would notice.
Or was it on one of those many times Isabelle had run away from the castle, knowing Elmont would give her a few moments to herself by deliberately steering his men in opposite direction. He never said anything to her about that. But she knew he did it on purpose... she had always known.
The truth was, he had just always been there for her. With him she felt taken seriously, she felt the freedom to be just Isabelle; not the "princess of Cloister"... with him she felt loved... and she loved him back.
In the back of her mind. Isabelle knew that her role as a princess would force her into a convenient marriage someday. Though she always hoped her father would choose differently for her. As a child he had joked about the special bond between her and her guardian. Especially when she was disobedient to his whishes. Teasing her mother by saying she was too much of a free spirit to be married away, but always could be used as a present for Elmont. "If Elmont can train all those men, he might know a few tricks to keep our daughter straight" he would chuckle. Leaving her mother furious. And leaving Isabelle with dreams of a simple life without the royal laws. Dreams of living in a small cottage outside castle walls and dreams of a loving husband with goatee.
After her mother died, no jokes were made again.
Then father had told her she would marry Roderick breaking her hopes of ever finding true love.
until today...
Isabelle smiled at the memory of the afternoon. The words he had stammered to her uttering his affection. She blushed as she remembered her own boldness when she had kissed him.
"We will find a way"... he had said. But how? What way...? She looked around her bedroom as is she could find her answer there. And to her own surprise... she did...!
"Wow, that was exciting... are there more pass ways like this in the castle? Maybe I should do some more exploring inside the castle instead of outdoors." She brushed away the cobwebs from her shoulder. The secret pass way... what an ideal way for a secret love affair. Her lips curled at that guilty private thought.
Elmont looked hardly surprised to find her there in the middle of the night. He simply started a conversation about other pass ways, explaining why his was attached to her private chambers. "you're father thinks of your protection more important than his own. He wants what's best for you... Isabelle,".
"Well, he is right!" she smiled. "He is right to think that you are what's best for me." Isabelle leaned closer to him. Tilting her head slightly. He knew what she had been thinking when he pulled her in for a long kiss. Pressing his body close to hers.
Only separated by the fabric of his own tunic and her thin nightwear as she tangled her fingers through his hair.
"I knew it would be like this..." she thought. Not realizing she had said that out loud
"Shouldn't you be in bed Isabelle?... It's very late" He said in a low tempting voice
"Shouldn't you?" she cast back at him kissing his lips once again. She felt his mouth open slightly. Isabelle dared pushing her tongue a little forward. She loved the taste of him. When he broke the kiss, she felt a little disappointed. But then he pulled her even closer as he started kissing her neck trailing downwards. Her skin warming to his touch, His facial hair tickling her shoulder which made her giggle
"that tickles.."
Elmont looked up "sorry..." he said, scratching his beard as if her skin had tickled him back.
"I'm not sorry"... she smiled, meaning what she said.
To her surprise he pulled back from her. "Isabelle,...we..you know we... we can't..." Elmont stammered "...I...I must .. protect..you... you're honor..."
What?! No... he couldn't be serious could he. If this was the only chance she had to be loved, then she would take it. She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes.
"Protect my honor?! I'm forced to marry in two days to a man I don't care about. Today I found out that the man I've loved since a was a little girl loves me back... and now you worry about my honor. ?!"... Please don't turn me down...please...
"Force of habit..." he muttered looking at the ground
That made her laugh. Of course, my Elmont.. always needing to do the right thing.
"Elmont,.. don't you understand. All I want is to be loved... and as long as my honor is mine to give away.. than it is yours to have" she could feel her cheeks reddening. Then she whispered "why do you think I'm here.."
His jaw dropped when she said that. Isabelle hoped it hadn't shocked him too much. After all, this wouldn't be the first time for him. Admittedly she had felt a little jealous when he told her about his 'old love'. But she knew Elmont to always be respectful to a lady. If even he could find a way to put his heart over his mind than maybe... just maybe..
"Isabelle...are you quite sure?"...
"I'm always sure with you..". She kissed him again. Hoping she was convincing enough. She didn't want to think about the next day. All she wanted was to be here with him just for this one night.. to be loved.
He took her in his arms and held her. She buried her face in his chest feeling safe. He caressed her hair. "Isabelle..."
As a reply she placed a soft kiss in his neck. Her hands circling his back. Feeling his body through the soft fabric of his tunic, instead of the coldness of his usual harness.
In one quick movement he lifted her up from her feet carrying her to his bed. She shrieked with laughter. No matter what the next day would bring. Tonight they would just have each other to enjoy.
Softly he placed her down on the blankets. He pulled at the silk ribbon that held her night-gown in place. Her robe fell loose reveling her night-dress. Light blue, like the robe. With embroidered roses and lace along the edges. "Beautiful.. "he whispered "just beautiful". Isabelle blushed feeling already quite naked with the look he gave her.
He kissed her. A long and hungry kiss while holding her face with both his hands. She opened her mouth to let their tongues meet again. Elmont moved his hands, caressing her chest. Tracing the lace line of her night gown with his fingertips. Isabelle felt her breath quickening.
She loved his touches, but couldn't help but feel nervous. In preparation for her for upcoming marriage she had been told what a it would be like. To love a man for the first time could be an unpleasant feeling even painful if not done in a tender and careful way. It had been troubling her mind. They way lord Roderick spoke to her, ordering her.. she did not trust him to regard anyone else but himself. Elmont would be different, he loved her, cared for her.. and when he told her that today, Isabelle decided her honor belonged to him.
As if he could sense her anxiety, Elmont broke the kiss to look at her
"Don't be scared love... it's only me. I'll stop whenever you want me to..."
"I know.. ." she sighed..."I'm just a little nervous". she smiled apologetically at him'
He smiled back at her. "Well, then let me tell you a secret..."he whispered in her ear "so ..am ..I"
Isabelle giggled He is nervous? The captain of the Kings guards? He's killed men in battle but he's nervous around me"
He placed tender kisses on her shoulder. If he was nervous, he actions certainly didn't show it. Slowly he pushing the straps of her nightgown. Pulling the fabric down.
She moved with him to help him remove her nightgown until she was fully naked. Strangely enough, knowing he was as nervous as well made her feel better.
He moved his kisses down. Pressing his warm lips between her breasts and down to her bellybutton. Then upwards again. Stroking his hands along her hips. His mouth touched her breasts. Isabelle gasped when she felt his tongue touch her nipples. Dividing his attention to both. Isabelle run her hands through his hair, pressing him closer while his hot breath warmed her body.
The rough fabric of his tunic rubbing against her soft skin. "Elmont? ..can I see you?"
"Whatever your majesty wants" he grinned at her... as he took off his clothes. Isabelle looked at him, marveling his perfectly trained body. His desire for her was obvious. She placed a hand on his chest, curling her fingers through the soft hair on his chest. Isabelle noticed a scar on the side of his body, two inches long. She stroked it... "what happened?" his eyebrow twitched.. "just a battle wound, love ... I can't remember when that happened". She knew he was lying, but this wasn't the time to talk. She bent towards him to kissing the scar. "for me?.." "for you" he answered as he lowered his body onto hers.
Feeling skin to skin the first time... was like electricity shooting through her. She could feel hem pressing against her thigh, hot and aroused as his tongue found hers once more.
Isabelle felt free enough to explore his body. Feeling his strong shoulders, chest, belly, thighs... She moved her hand between his legs. Feeling his hardness. Loving the way that it was her, making him feel this way. "Dear God, Isabelle..." He moaned as she stroked her hand along his shaft. She smiled at him nuzzling her face in his neck... hearing his fast breathing in her ear.
Suddenly he removed her hand. "Stop... please"... he breathed heavily...
"Is it.. is it not right?" Isabelle asked nervously... "No darling, ... it's perfect. But .. what kind of gentlemen would I be if I didn't pleasure you first... "
Isabelle had no idea what he meant by that, but she could feel his deep husky voice resonating in her stomach.
She found out quickly.. when Elmont moved his attention to her legs. Kissing her knees on both sides. Then she felt his hands caressing her inner thighs..moving upwards between her legs. Isabelle pushed herself a little upwards, resting on her elbows, to see what he was doing 'down there', but collapsed back on the pillows when his hand reached her core.
"Shhhh" he whispered.."just enjoy it". .. His fingers circling her special spot causing her tension to built.
Never in her life had she experienced a feeling quite like this. His touches on her were light, but effective. She could feel her blood rushing through her veins. "Elmont.."she cried pleading for her release.
He replied by flickering his fingers a little faster to her center. Carefully he pushed a finger between her folds. Just enough to make her explode.
Slowly her breathing returned to a slower pace... she opened her eyes again and was greeted with a soft kiss. "Hello again." he greeted her with a mischievous smile.
Elmont had curled up next to her, Isabelle could feel him pressing against her. He kissed her again, more passionately this time. Making it known to her their night wasn't over yet.
Gently he rolled on top of her settling himself between her legs. He looked at her questioningly. "Isabelle.. are you sure you want this? ... I need your permission, love..."... All of this and he wants my permission?
She nodded... trusting him to treat her right.
Elmont started kissing her neck as he pushed himself inside her very slowly. Isabelle moaned as she felt him enter. He stopped his movements "are you all right? ..", "Yes,.."she hissed.. clutching his back and pulling him closer.
He pressed on, until his full length was inside her. The sharp pain, took her by surprise. "I'm sorry" .. he whispered in her ear "breathe darling... it'll be better soon"...
Isabelle exhaled the breath she'd been holding. With her air, the pain disappeared and she could savor the feeling of him being this close. She pressed her hips upwards 'telling' him it was all right to move. And so he did.
With his slow and deep thrusts she felt a pressure building up again once more. He groaned her name in her ear. She could feel droplets of sweat forming on his body as well as hers, as Elmont picked up the pace of their love making.
Isabelle wanted this feeling of him inside her to last as long as possible. All too soon her tension build up to another climax. A few moments later she screamed his name clenching her muscles. Elmont came with her, releasing himself inside her with one last thrust.
Traces of sunlight touched his face the next morning. Isabelle watched Elmont as he slept peacefully one leg covering hers to hold her close.
She looked around in the room. Dressed in the same manner as most rooms in the castle. The same tapestries, large curtains. Hardly anything in his chambers seemed to be belong to him. Only his armor, neatly hung up on a large hanger and his clothes, thrown on the floor during last night's activities.
Nothing personal, except one thing: a tiny wooden figurine on the bed stand next to his head.
Isabelle reached out over his body to grab hold of it. The little figurine was just like the one he had made her for her birthday years ago, except it wasn't a miniature knight. It was feminine. A beautiful woman carved as perfectly as her own knight, with long hair and a crown on her head;... a princess.
Gently she put the statue back in his place. She moved her leg from under his. Trying not to wake him as she slipped out of the bed and quietly dressed herself.
"Thank you" she whispered to the sleeping man. Softly she leaned over to press a little kiss on his cheek, before returning to her own room.