Flame Holiday 2018 - Once Upon a Time
Chapter 2
In a Land Far Away
Wedinborough, was a beautiful stretch of land. It actually brought to life the picturesque description of rolling hills.
Sitting on top of his faithful steed, Sir Alex of Moxley, let his gaze wander lovingly over the spreading emerald carpet, that met up in the distance with the azure skies. The handsome knight leaned over, rubbing a gentle hand over the buckskin charger-"
"Like Buck! Daddy's hoaws is that colow, huh, Poppy."
"Hadley, stop interrupting. Be quiet!" Cooper loved his little sister, but his tolerance was gone after the third day of being cooped up together.
"Don't hafta!" The little redhead pouted and snuggled in closer to her sister.
"Okay now, both of you! Do you want Poppy to read the story, or not?" Two solemn faces slowly nodded and the elderly man continued.
The handsome knight leaned over, rubbing a gentle hand over the buckskin charger. "Someday, Bayeux, this will be ours. Perhaps it is fate, that has blessed me with such good fortune as a swordsman, but King Darius has promised to grant us this barony as a reward. Have I not served him faithfully, these past ten years?" The giant horse neighed and pawed at the ground. Alex laughed and added. "Thou are correct; WE have served him."
They were indeed a striking pair. Sir Alex D'Crossix, was a head taller than any man in Devonshire; and Bayeux, several hands taller than his peers. Both were blessed with a muscular form and handsome features.
"Like Daddy."
"Hadley, shut up!"
"Cooper, don't yell at your sister." Calleigh pulled the girl in closer and whispered softly. "Hush, baby girl"
However, the magnificent landscape could not divert his attention from two things: The first, being the storm clouds brewing into an angry gray mass, bubbling on the horizon; and the second, was the oncoming horseman.
"Come Bayeux; let us ride to meet Elyian." The knight kicked the steed's shanks, heading toward the vassal-"
"Why did they have a boat in the middle of the land?" Cooper asked.
"No, you're thinking of, vessel." Poppy corrected. "I said, vassal."
"What's the difference?"
"A vassal, is someone that owes allegiance to the knight. Like a sidekick."
"Oh, you mean like Newly is to my daddy."
Doc caught the smile that lit up Calleigh's face. Both she and Cooper were especially pleased with this description.
Poppy adjusted his glasses, searching for the spot he left off. "Let's see..."
…As the two came closer, Sir Alex pointed to the angry, black clouds. "Hasten thee, to the Pewter Inn, for a brew and to wait out yonder storm." Elyian nodded, and with a thirsty grin, raced ahead of his friend.
0O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O0
A pair of white Belgians pulled the ivory and gold carriage up to the Pewter Inn. The coachman, a small man, immaculately dressed in a burgundy uniform, quickly jumped to the ground and opened a parasol for the Lady-in-waiting.
The slender blonde nodded to Boras and took the blue, satin umbrella. Gwyneth then held out her free hand, to steady the regal woman who next emerged from the coach.
Boras, quickly ran ahead, to open the door to the inn. He stood at attention, as the two damsels rushed inside.
"Milady, 'tis only a loose shoe on one of thou Belgians. They will be ready, erelong, to resume our travels."
"Very well, Boras." the Lady responded. He bowed in respect, as he backed away. Lady Isabella shivered, as a drop of rain rolled down the curve of her cheek and along her neck. "'Tis cool in here."
"Yes, Milady. Do you wish for me to gather your cloak?"
The Count's daughter gently touched her companion's arm. "Do not worry so, Gwyneth. I am fine. I do have a thirst, though. If thou would be so kind as to fetch for me, a small portion of ale?"
"They talked funny."
"Hadley!"
An indignant scowl was the little girl's silent response. With that, Poppy continued.
Elyian set the stein in front of his master. "Did thou see the crest on the carriage the ladies were in?" Alex shook his head and wiped foam from his lips. Elyian continued. "It bears the sign of Count Hogarth-of-Lanshire. I believe that is his daughter, Lady Isabella."
The news did not appear to impress the knight, as he simply raised the flagon for another drink. "And how does this news pertain to me?"
The younger man shrugged, now slightly embarrassed over making an issue of her presence. "She has a reputation of possessing great beauty."
Alex laughed, a deep, hearty laugh. "Really!? Has thou seen the Count of Lanshire, Elyian? He is pig of a man and quite homely."
"Perhaps her mother-"
Alex threw up his hands. "Let us be kind and not wander down that road. I met the late Countess. It saddens me to say, it would take even more magic than Gimley possesses, for their offspring to possess any beauty, whatsoever!"
Lady Isabella pulled back the lace and satin veil, revealing not only her lovely face, but a long, thick mane of fiery-red hair. From across the room, a sudden gasp echoed in the small cobblestone inn. All heads turned, following the stunned outburst that led directly to Sir Alex.
"I love this part of the story!" This time it was Calleigh that broke into the reading. "I still remember the first time I read it, Poppy. It was just like when momma and daddy met at Delmonico's." She started to reach for a drink, when she paused, remembering yet another similarity. "Oh, oh; and… it was raining then, too!"
Doc smiled, as he remembered the first time Calleigh had read the story. Obviously, it still held the magic for her. He arched his brows in a questioning gesture and held up the book. With an enthusiastic nod, Calleigh gave him the go ahead, as she reached for another cookie.
Elyian smirked behind his pewter mug. "What was thou speaking of… M'lady's need of Gimley's magic?"
Alex was immune to the teasing, as he was still enthralled by the red-haired beauty. She had heard his gasp and was instantly drawn to the giant in the corner. Once their eyes met, neither saw fit to look away.
The dashing swordsman arose from his chair and made way across the small inn. He knelt down on one knee, making him eye level…and they were such beautiful eyes—brilliant blue, like a set of polished sapphires.
"I am your humble servant and at your service, Milady." Alex bowed his head, as a sign of respect. "Whatever thou heart doth desire, call it by name and it will be yours."
Isabella was lost in the young man's deep, hypnotic voice. "Thou art too kind, but… I have no needs. My coachman is tending to one of our horses and then we will continue our travel."
"Does thou have protection for thy journey?"
Isabella hid her smile behind a pale, slender hand. "I thank thee for thy offer, but my Lady-in-waiting and I are well protected." The man continued to stare until she was forced to speak again. "Does thou have a bother, Sir?"
"I do." He reached out taking her hand in his. It was such a small delicate thing; he was forced to look away from her eyes for a moment. "I doth believe my heart has been stricken and I will never recover. Thou art the most beauteous creature to have graced these lands."
Doc and Calleigh shared a glance and a thought. Obviously, this was a fairy tale, since it had taken Matt ten years to profess his love, while Alex was proclaiming it to the world immediately. With a smug grin and a swipe of his mustache, the storyteller continued.
…The Lady of Lanshire, stared mesmerized within his deep blue eyes. "I am saddened for thou pain. Alas, I do not even know thy name."
"Sir Alex D'Crossix of Moxley. I am the Captain of the King's Bodyguards. What has brought such a beauty to us?"
Suddenly, his question brought Isabella back to the ugly truth of her travels. Her smile faded, as did the light in her eyes. "I have been promised to the Count of Bristol. My father has sent me to be married."
"Oh no! She has to marry daddy!" Before he could stop them, the words came rushing out.
Calleigh cast a smug glance toward her little brother. "I thought you didn't want to listen to a kissy story."
"Well… you didn't say it was about… them!" Cooper huffed. "Besides, it's got knights and stuff."
"Do you two want to stop arguing so I can finish reading?" All agreed and Doc continued.
"Milady." Gwyneth stared at the man still down on one knee. "Boras saeth the rain hath stopped and thou should go on with thy journey."
Alex rose to his feet and offered her his hand. Again, the small fragile hand caused him to look down. "I will forever hold this moment in my heart. The Gods are unkind to taunt me with such beauty, only to take it away."
Lady Isabella did not want to ever let go of the huge, protective hand that held hers. It made her feel so safe. Despite Gwyneth's urging, the lovely redhead turned back from the door. Stepping quickly before her courage abandon her, she ran to the brave knight, kissed his cheek and then ran toward the carriage.
TBC
