Princess Carol was in love. Her father thought it was crazy, but ever since she'd danced with the blue-eyed man at the ball, she'd yearned to find him again. All she had to go on was the memory of him and one shiny black shoe left behind when he'd suddenly bolted from the palace at midnight. King Alexander was skeptical, but willing to do anything for his daughter so he sent out the herald to every house that had a young eligible man dwelling there to try on the shoe. Of course, the distinctive eyes she remembered often rendered the shoe test needless if the man in question had the wrong color. Surely, with the rarity of that shade of blue, they'd be able to find him eventually.
The Princess herself was also gifted with unusual eye color in that one iris was green and the other blue. The more superstitious people claimed it was a sign of a curse, but nobody dared say it to her face and risk the king's wrath. James on the other hand had told her he thought they were unique and beautiful.
She'd never forget how gently he'd led her through the dance, completely sure of himself in a way she found most refreshing. He'd been respectful, but not over-awed by her, which was an all too common occurrence with young suitors. They just couldn't get past her title and see her as a woman. James, on the other hand, was charming, genuine, and somewhat satirical in his observances of the sea of pompous lords and ladies in attendance.
"For being a "nobody" as you claim, you certainly dance like a nobleman," she'd commented.
James had smiled at her. "Fortunes often change, your highness. I did receive a thorough education before mine were reversed."
"It certainly shows. Many of the lords and nobles around here could learn a thing or two from you."
"You're very kind, your highness." James had gone a bit red with the compliment. "I admit I am but a jay in borrowed plumage."
But what fine plumage it was, she thought admiring the dark blue coat with red and gold trim, fit for any fine lord.
Two months since then, she was still hoping for a miracle, even though the herald always came back shaking his head.
Then an afternoon after she'd returned from her ride, there was news for her.
"Your highness, I have news of a man with three sons, one of whom is named James, living near the foundry!"
"Really? Do you know if he has blue eyes?" She asked, with a hint of hope.
"If the rumors are true, he does, your highness."
"Excellent. I will speak to my father and prepare to accompany you. Tell Scotty to prepare the carriage. We're going to investigate this matter."
"Yes, m'lady," he bowed and departed.
Carol had some difficulty in persuading the King that she needed to go herself, as he was understandably nervous about it.
"I must warn you, daughter," he said, "they may be a rough lot down there. Smithing is a hard business and some of the folks who reside their are rather questionable characters."
"That's why both my bodyguards are going with me. Mr. Sulu and Mr. Riley are quite capable of handling any sort of threat. I'll dress quite plainly to deflect the attention from myself as well. James is well worth the risk."
King Alexander thought there was no disguise that could possibly detract from the princess's beauty, but with the addition of one of his own most trusted knights, Sir Malcolm, he at last gave his permission.
Carol rejoiced and quickly hastened to dress in her simplest grey gown and black cloak, removing all accessories that would draw attention to pickpockets.
"I'm ready, Hikaru, Kevin," she called to her bodyguards and they were off.
The journey was quite scenic and took them through parts of the kingdom Carol rarely ventured to. At last, they stopped by a tall stone house beside the smithery from which smoke was billowing. She wondered if James worked in there or not. He'd worn gloves at the ball so she hadn't been able to tell his occupation from his hands. She clutched the shoe tightly and hoped this would finally be the place she'd find its owner.
A large man emerged from the house and gaped at the royal carriage, pudgy face pale with surprise. He certainly didn't look like he did much work, judging by the size and expense of his waistcoat, Carol thought.
"What can I do for you, my lords?" He said to Sir Malcolm and the herald who'd alighted from the carriage.
"We are seeking a young man who is the owner of this shoe," Malcolm produced the shoe she'd handed him. "He left this at the ball and her highness wishes to return it. We were told you have three sons about the right age."
"Only two of them went to the ball. T'other's a no-account who minds the foundry." The man said.
Carol was repulsed by his smarmy smile and attitude towards one of his sons, but kept quiet.
"Will you have the goodness to call your sons out here?" Requested the herald regally. "The princess seeks to find the proper owner of this shoe and reward him for his gentlemanly behavior at the ball."
The prospect of a reward caused the man's eyes to brighten, further cementing the impression Carol had that he was excessively fond of money.
"Lads!" He bellowed in the doorway, "Git out here and mind Yer manners! We've got royal visitors!"
Presently, two young men who looked very much like their father came striding out, blinking in the sunlight. Neither of them looked like they got out much and Carol remembered them as terribly awkward dancers.
"This here's William and this is Gavin, my sons. Fine lads, the both of them," the man said proudly.
Carol shook her head when Malcolm looked to her for confirmation or denial. "Neither of them are even close. Too short, wrong eyes, too rotund around the middle," she whispered to Sulu.
Nevertheless, she told Malcolm to let the sons try on the shoe. Even if their feet were the exact same size as James's they wouldn't be able to get the shoe on as it was enchanted to only be worn by the original wearer. She'd had it examined by the chief wizard Archer when her fingers had tingled a bit the first time she'd picked it up.
William tried first and could barely get his toes in.
Then Gavin tried and no matter how he wiggled and contorted, he couldn't fit either.
"I'm sorry, sir, it appears these two are not a match. What about your third son? What is his name?"
The man (who'd introduced himself as Frank, scowled.
"James. He wasn't supposed to have been there! His place is in the shop. If he went and sneaked out, I'll tan his hide!"
"You will do no such thing," Carol said frostily as she emerged from the carriage.
"Now, I order you to tell me where James is. He is the one I am seeking."
Frank shook in his shoes at the princess's appearance and pointed in the direction of the small smithery building.
"He's in there, your highness," the man squeaked nervously. William and Gavin stared rudely and she fixed them with an icy gaze until they hung their heads in shame.
"Sir Malcolm, why don't you venture to the shop and fetch James here? I might startle him too much if I went."
"Yes, m'lady," and the knight was off, soon returning with the disheveled smith in tow. One glimpse at him and Carol recognized her dream man. James was dirty, sweaty, and bearded, but nothing could hide those unearthly eyes. His shirtsleeves were pushed up revealing strong arm muscles he'd obviously developed from his work.
She pulled down her hood, revealing herself to him and James turned red.
"I beg pardon for appearing in such an unseemly condition, your highness." He said, bowing low in a manner far more courtly than his richly dressed brothers.
"Do not fret about it, James. I have been scouring the kingdom for you and I have finally met you again."
The air practically crackled between them as they looked at each other, Carol with hopeful pleading and Jim with cautious happiness.
"I do believe this is yours, James," the herald said, holding out the shoe.
He looked at it and then back at her as if unsure what to do.
"Go on, then, James, try it on!" Carol urged. "I know it was designed to only fit one person and if it fits you, well, that's further proof that I've found the man who ran off with my heart."
James gave a timid smile and took the shoe.
"Yes, your highness, but I must caution you, my feet are in no better condition than the rest of me. You may want to look away to avoid becoming ill at the sight."
There was that humor again. Carol outright laughed.
"Oh, James. I strongly doubt your dirty feet could repulse me. I find your condition preferable to many others."
So James sat down on an overturned bucket and took off a large boot and well-darned sock. His bare foot slipped right into the shoe and there were sounds of stifled cursing from his step brothers.
Carol beamed. "I knew it! It only belongs to you!"
Jim looked up at her. "You know I've had dreams about that dance?" He said quietly. "It was a taste of heaven for me. I never thought I'd ever see you again, but I had those memories to hold onto and that was enough to brighten my life."
"I couldn't forget you, James," Carol said, coming close enough to pick up one of his big, strong hands. "I'd like to know about your true situation, because I get the feeling this isn't a happy life here."
She glanced at Frank, who was being herded back to the house with his sons.
"I don't mind the work," James admitted, "but they don't pull their weight and Frank's got control of the estate, so if I'd try to leave, I'd be homeless and penniless."
"He threatened to "tan your hide". Does he physically abuse you, James?" She asked, very concerned with his safety if she left him under Frank's thumb?"
"No. He's all bluster," James said shortly. "If I could afford a lawyer, I'd easily get my rightful inheritance, but savings is going slower than I'd like."
This finished Carol's decision.
"You are under no obligation to these people, James if they aren't paying you your fair share for the work you do. Come home with me and I can help you find a real job and a lawyer."
"That is most generous of you, your highness, and I am sorely tempted. But would the king welcome a stray?"
"You are no stray and you know it," she scolded gently. "You deserve to earn a fair wage and I'd be able to see you, without worrying about your safety."
She gave him an imploring look and he was helpless to resist, an expression of relief and admiration on his face.
"I am but putty in your hands, princess." He said, with that beautiful smile she remembered that made her heart skip a beat. Carol couldn't help herself. She picked up his soot smeared hand and kissed it.
So James Tiberius Kirk was brought to the palace and introduced to important people. When he told them whose son he was, Carol's suspicions that he was of noble birth were confirmed: Jim was the only surviving heir of a Duke, one George Kirk, to be exact, who happened to have been a national hero. The king wasted little time in getting Jim his inheritance and title back, and was quite won by the character and conduct of the young Kirk. James did pursue his interest in metalwork and was proven to have significant talent in that area, both in the swords he forged and the more delicate crafts, such as a beautiful broach he made for Carol as an engagement present when they were officially betrothed the following year.
"It's beautiful, my love!" She gasped, awestruck at the intricate silver oval containing a large aquamarine gemstone.
"I'm glad you are pleased with it, my princess," Jim said (he preferred the nickname now that he didn't have to be secretive anymore). "I have never done anything like it before, but quite enjoyed both the challenge and the prospect of making your eyes light up."
"Darling, you make my eyes light up every time you walk in the room," Carol told him lovingly, gazing into those often mischievous, but currently tender blue eyes. She couldn't wait to marry him. As if Jim read her thoughts he grinned again and pulled her close for a kiss.