The Knight and The Fair Maiden

Chapter 2: Their Time Together

Mara looked back again as her and Dayle walked away from the arena. She watched as he walked away from the arena. He walked a distance from the others, but he was still with them. Dayle jumped up and down excitedly and smiled.

"Oh man that was so great!" she exclaimed and then turned to look at Mara "He was so into you!" she said and then walked into a near by shop. "He was all, Oh yes it was truly inspiring." she grasped her hands in a dramatic way and fluttered her eyelashes "Oh he loves you!"

Mara blushed and pushed Dayle to the side "We just met!" she said and then laughed "Besides why would a man like him be interested in a fair maiden. If I were him I would be going after Princesses!"

Dayle only laughed "You just don't give yourself enough credit do you?" she smiled "Well you may not have seen it but I sure did. We are going to go and watch the joust tomorrow ok?"

Mara nodded and smiled "Do you think I should stand in the same spot?" she asked unsure.

"Yes. He will probably be looking for you there" she said.

Mara nodded. As they continued to walk around the enormous variety of shows and shops they never spotted him. She began to lose hope that she was ever going to see him again. Dayle suggested walking over by the arena so they headed that way. Mara walked around near the arena. Still nothing.

She sighed and frowned "I'm pretty sure he is resting or something.." she said as she fiddled with her hankerchief at her side.

Dayle was just about to say that she was wrong when Sir Sancho and Sir Joseph came around the corner. She only turned and smirked at Mara "Speak of the devil" she said in amusing tone.

Mara blushed instantly, but did not hesitate to approach him. "Hello Sir Joseph" she said with a curtsy.

He smiled and stopped walking with Sir Sancho. Sancho didn't look impressed and continued on walking. "Hello, we meet again." he said with a smile. "What did you say your name was?" he asked as he took her hand in his.

"My name is Mara" she said and her cheeks turned a rosy red. He bent down and gently kissed her hand. This caused her cheeks to turn an ever darker red.

"My Fair Maiden Mara. Such a beautiful name" he said softly and then let go of her hand. "I trust that I will be seeing you tomorrow at the joust?" he asked and then added "I will be spilling Sir William's blood for you." he smirked.

Mara nodded "My friend and I will be attending again. You'll be able to find us in the same spot we were."

He smiled "Very well, I will be looking for you then My Fair Maiden." he said in a kind tone.

She smiled and nodded "and I will be cheering for you." she said before turning away. Stopping she turned on her heels and look at him again "I will see you tomorrow then"

He nodded and smiled "Yes, unless we see each other again." he said with a hint of hope in his voice"

Mara smiled and waved good-bye before returning to Dayle's side. Joseph stood and smiled as he watched her leave once again. He then left himself so he could catch up with his friend. When he finally caught up with Sancho he still didn't look impressed. Joseph knew that Sancho didn't care much for Mara, but he wasn't going to let that stop him.

Many people began to return to their homes. The sky was beginning to turn dark and shops and shows were closing. Mara and Dayle made their way to her house. Dayle didn't stay long and she soon left for her own home. It was starting to get really late and she didn't want anyone to worry about her. As she made her way home she spotted Joseph up ahead. She was curious why he was still out there so she approached him. He looked relieved when she walked up to him. He looked anxious almost.

"Why are you out so late?" she asked curiously. She hoped he wasn't up to anything bad. He had flowers in his hand so she doubted he was.

"I'm so glad I ran into you. You know where Fair Maiden Mara lives right?" he asked.

Dayle nodded "yes, but right before I left she said she was going to go to bed. I doubt she is still awake."

Joseph smiled "That's fine. Can you please tell me?" he asked impatiently.

"Uh.. I guess." she said and then pointed down the street. "Walk down to the corner down there, take a left and it is the fourth house on the right of the street. If she is awake there will be a light on in the upper right window." she said and then added "good luck" before heading home.

Joseph rushed his way down the street and around the corner. The light was off. Now he needed to find a way to get up there. It wasn't too high up he just needed a slight boost. He found a stack of wooden boxes next to her home and he stacked them on one another. Then he stepped up and climbed his way into her window. He knew it was not the best idea to be doing this, but he had to see her. There was a chance that he could die tomorrow and he needed to spend time with her. He was now inside her room and he could see the dim outline of her laying in her bed. He picked up a dim-lit candle from a table and walked towards her. She looked so peaceful and so perfect. The way he hand gently folded under her head and her wavy brown hair spread across her pillow. She was beautiful. He reached out and gently touched her shoulder. She stirred, but she did not wake from her slumber. He touched her again. This time her eyes slowly began to open.

She sat up and rubbed at her sleepy eyes "W-who's there?" she asked sleepily.

Joseph smiled and gently tucked a free strand of her hair behind her ear. "I came to see you, My fair maiden." he said softly.

The expression on her face turned to confusion and she stared up at him. Her eyes then widened slightly in fear "J-joseph? You can't be here! If my dad finds out he'll have you arrested!" She exclaimed quietly.

He just simply put his finger to her lips and shushed her. "It'll be ok. I wanted to see you again before the show." he explained. He then handed her the flowers "and these are for you" he said softly

She took the flowers in her hand and smiled "they're beautiful.." she said and sniffed at them before laying them down on the table next to her bed. "Thank you Joseph." she said with pink cheeks.

"Only the most beautiful flowers for a beautiful girl" he said lovingly.

She blushed even more now and continued to smile. He was so sweet. Wasn't he supposed to be the villian? If others saw this side of him maybe he wouldn't be so disliked by the others. She wanted to just fall into his arms, but was it to soon? Before she could decide, he pulled her into his arms and gently kissed to top of her head. They had only met that morning, but it seemed like they had years together. He was so familiar to her. It was strange, but she wasn't about to protest. Mara buried her face into the soft fabric of his shirt and closed her eyes. He gently stroked her hair and continued to embrace her.

"I want you to know this incase I die tomorrow.." he began to say, but couldn't finish. Mara cut him off before he finished what he was saying. She looked up at him with sad eyes "Don't say stuff like that! You'll be fine! I know it!" she protested.

He frowned and looked down at her hand. He grabbed it in his own and gently stroked it. "My fair maiden.. A knight always has the chance of dying when he enters into the arena. I've taken the risk many times and seen friends not come out. Sir William is strong and I can't say that he won't beat me." he said softly. He then looked up at her. Tears were beginning to fall from her eyes in small droplets. He lifted his hand to her face and wiped them away with his finger. "Don't be sad.. There is no reason to cry. Even if I do leave this world tomorrow, I will not leave you."

Mara shook her head "P-please don't do it Joseph.." she said and then laughed a little "It's funny really, we're talking like we're married and have been together for many years, but we only met this morning."

He smiled and stroked her cheek "Once I beat Sir William, come back to Moldova with me." his smile grew a little and he added "we can be married there."

A smile crept onto her face and she looked back up at him "Do you really mean it?" she asked.

He nodded and smiled "I wouldn't say such a thing if I didn't mean it." he said and then stood up. Then he offered his hand out to her.

She took his hand in hers and smiled. They walked hand in hand to the window and they smiled at one another. The moon was shining brightly tonight and it lite where they were standing. Slowly they began to lean closer towards one another until they were just inches apart. Mara felt his warm breath on her face and she could see all the details of his face, every line, curve and freckle. He was beautiful to her.

He smiled at her "I must go before Sancho realizes I'm gone." he said and then leaned down towards her lips.

Their lips came together. They fit against one another like a puzzle piece. His lips were warm and soft yet their was a sense of strength to them. Her soft lips pressed back against his. When they pulled away she gasped slightly. She had never kissed anyone other than her parents before this night. This was not a typical good-night kiss your mother gives though. This was a passionate and loving kiss that a husband and a wife would share. Her breath wash taken away from it. He slowly pulled away from her and smiled down at her. Her rosy cheeks almost glowed in the dim light and her eyes sparkled.

"I will see you in the morning before the joust." he said softly and then leaned down to kiss her forehead "Sleep well, my fair maiden." he said and then put his foot up on the windowsill.

"Good-bye Sir Joseph." she said softly. He smiled and left out a soft chuckle "No need for the Sir. Just Joseph." She smiled "Well then just call me Mara then." she said. He then nodded and smiled "Fair enough. Mara it is then." he said and then blew a kiss "Good-night, Mara." He said and then jumped down from the windowsill.

Mara waved good-bye to him from her window. She watched his as he rushed his way down the street and toward the arena. Touching her hand to her lips, she smiled. "He kissed me." she said to herself "He Kissed me!" she excaimed.

A knock came on her bedroom door and a mans voice came, her dad. "Mara? Who are you talking to?" he asked. He sounded groggy as if he had been woken up. Mara blushed a little and turned toward the door "No one father! I was just reenacting a play Dayle and I saw today." she lied. "Well keep it down ok?" her father said before making his way back down the stairs and to his room.

Mara made her way back to her bed and she smiled "Oh what a glorious day this has been." she said before laying down in her bed. She grabbed the flowers from her bed side table and smelt them again "What a glorious day it has been.." she repeated. Then she grabbed her blankets and pulled them over herself. She rested her head against her overstuffed pillow and slowly closed her eyes and drifted off back to sleep.

When Joseph got back to where he was staying Sancho was standing in the door way. "Gone to see your lady friend I'm guessing?" Sancho asked. He sounded very annoyed.

"I went out for a walk. Sorry should I tell you first?" he asked sarcastically.

Sancho frowned "You don't know what you're getting yourself into Joseph."

Joseph was getting a little irritated now "I know what I am doing and it doesn't concern you."

Sancho sighed and turned away from him "I just don't want to see you hurt is all. You remember what happened to me when I fell for a girl from another country.."

"She turned on you, yes I know. " he then sighed before adding "Trust me, Mara isn't like that."

"Just remember you only met her this morning, so you don't really know." Sancho said before retiring back to his room.

Joseph sighed and leaned up against the wall outside. She seemed to sweet to be a back stabber, but also he had seen women turn in the blink of an eye before. He ran a hand through his brown hair and smiled. He thought of the way she looked at him, that sparkle in her eye.

"She loves me." he said softly with a smile. Then he turned and retired to his own room.