A/N: This chapter is dedicated to Brioninn and Mshrmit for their suggestions of SCA names for Booth. Hope they like how I made use of them.
Warning: Use of some minor post-BtB spoilers included.
Chapter 10
By following Brennan's directions, they soon approached the location of that evening's event, Grendall's Tavern. It was being held at an old log building built more than 75 years ago by a men's service club as a retreat and meeting hall in one of the city's natural park areas. It was full of old rustic charm with a covered deck around three sides of the building full of old Adirondack chairs, tables and wicker furniture now covered with protective tarps ready for winter. The old hall fit perfectly in it's natural setting on a wooded hill, an island of wilderness, overlooking and surrounded by the now sprawling city beyond.
When they arrived, they were immediately greeted by Angela and Hodgins who were among several others just arriving. Knowing this was a surprise for Booth, Brennan quickly explained that Angela had been in her office when she had gotten the call from Alexa. When Angela found out what was being planned, she asked to come along. She had recently broken up with Roxie but Hodgins had agreed to go with her as just a friend and was a good sport about wearing a costume.
Angela and Hodgins had chosen their costumes for that evening from a huge collection at his family estate. Apparently, his family had a long history of lavish entertaining. Several generations up to his parents had held masquerade balls every year as fund raisers for their favorite charities. He had decided it probably wasn't appropriate to mention that besides his wealth, he had also inherited a minor baronetcy with the death of his parents. He had actually been "to see the Queen" a few times already during his life, but mentioning that here seemed strangely out of place. The SCA was a place where everyone could be what they wanted to be regardless of their own realities.
He just realized that he had never told Angela about the title when they had been engaged. It had just never come up. It was now mostly a title in name only as there was really no land connected to it. What used to be a family manor had been put into a trust and had a current life as a community college with annual endowments and scholarships from the family fortune. His family had been resident in the United States since the mid-1800's and the title was actually connected to a great uncle on his mother's side of the family.
Angela had chosen a simple bar wench style peasant outfit with white cotton chemise with the drawstring neckline set low across her shoulders, black leather laced vest and dark brown gathered skirt. Hodgins was fearlessly resplendent in a red, gold and green tartan kilt that he swore he had a right to wear as it had belonged to an ancestor. Of more dubious authenticity was a rhinoceros codpiece instead of the expected sporran. A matching tartan baldric draped over one shoulder and pinned to the opposite waist with a traditional Scottish silver pebble brooch partially covered a large white shirt similar to Booth's.
He got many positive comments from others who seemed to appreciate his sense of humour. He was soon introduced to a gentleman who wore a Henry VIII style Tudor costume with a "cod"piece in the shape of a fish. It seemed that the enjoyment of puns was a common affliction among SCA participants.
Angela and Hodgins had decided against choosing different names and simply used their given names for the evening. With Brennan answering to Countess Amelia, it was confusing enough.
"My lady Amelia, you look gorgeous as ever and my lord Booth, you are lucky I've decided to take a break from relationships for a while. Otherwise, I'd be buckling your swash without mercy," Angela gushed and flirted on their way into the hall's main great room that contained the usual men's club/lodge style furnishings with overstuffed leather chairs, walls lined with filled bookshelves, mounted animal heads, old framed pictures and a display case of old trophies. The best feature of the room besides the exposed logs and beams was a massive stonework fireplace that had a roaring fire laid in it.
The room was dimly lit as modern lights were left off, except for a wash of light that filtered in from the busy kitchen and bar area. It took a few moments for most people to adjust to the light given off by an eclectic mix of candles, floor and table candelabras and lanterns. Several colorful banners had been hung around the room to create the illusion of a medieval hall. One large banner with a wavy blue and white line design surrounded by a gold laurel wreath hung directly behind the head table that Booth remembered was the Atlantia kingdom banner. The last time he had seen it was behind the thrones in the royal pavilion at that summer's war event. The individual banners of their Majesties were placed on either side to indicate their presence at tonight's event.
The foursome joined the other new arrivals as they all claimed places at the large U of tables. Between introducing themselves and greeting others, Angela and Brennan set up their place settings from the contents of the picnic baskets they had brought with them. Booth and Hodgins took care of purchasing their first round of drinks from the busy bar that had been set up to accept fake coins that people bought at the troll table near the door with their feast admission.
The tables soon became filled with a mix of goblets and drinking horns, wood trenchers, bowls, daggers and spoons. Several people also had their own salt cellars, pepper grinders and nutmeg graters. Forks were considered just barely acceptable as they had been adopted at the very end of the SCA time frame of about 1650 CE. Those that wished to include this utensil often compromised by using two pronged meat forks instead. A lot of feast food was meant to be eaten with either a large spoon or just fingers and daggers with which to spear things. Often, bowls of warm scented water were made available for people to dip their fingers in after a particularly messy dish, like ribs or roast chicken. Heated water was ladled from a large vat into their own clean bowls or, if needed, borrowed ones from the kitchen. If one of the serving volunteers was available later on, they would wander the tables with an empty pot for the used water to be discarded.
When most people had settled themselves, Sir Bruce de Corville, the autocrat and the evening's Herald, welcomed everyone and introduced those seated at the head table. He began, of course, with their Majesties King Ragnar and Queen Alexa, members of their retinue, the local group's seneschal (club president) and his lady and proceeded down the line in order of peerage.
Since their Majesties were present, it was expected that there would be some form of Court planned that evening and it was announced that it would follow the main portion of the meal before the serving of the dessert course. He concluded with an invitation to a man in a monk's cowl and robe he called Father Sebastian who sat at the back of the room to offer grace. The room fell silent as a short grace in Latin was slowly chanted in a deep voice to the hushed crowd. With his required service fulfilled, the man seemed to fade back into the room's gloom and soon many forgot even seeing him.
Earlier, when everyone had settled themselves at their places and were busy talking to their table mates, someone came around with rolled scrolls tied with ribbon that when opened, revealed the menu for the evening. There were several courses or removes that each consisted of enough food for a single meal on its own. The one exception was the final dessert course.
The first course consisted of raw vegetables, boiled eggs, sliced apples, bowls of walnuts and hazelnuts, and cheeses with small bread rolls followed by a spiced leek and mushroom soup and smoked salmon. All of the various dishes were served in buffet style for everyone except the head table who had their own personal servers. After a short interval that featured the entertainment of a trio of chamber musicians, the next remove consisted of pork ribs, herbed roast chicken, roasted "New World" potatoes and grilled mixed squashes. Other entertainment between the courses included a reading from the Beowulf saga, a quartet of madrigal singers and a harpist.
The secret to getting through all the food at an event like this was to eat small portions as there was sure to be something else to sample later on. Bread trenchers prepared from day old bread loaves cut in half and left to dry were also available for those who wished to eat in the most authentic manner. The dry bread soaked up any meat juices and sauces that were often eaten at the end of the meal. Historically, these would have been given to the poor who would wait outside the hall to receive the collected used trenchers as alms from the lord's head table.
After the third remove of venison stew, tourtiere and honey glazed rosemary mint turnips and carrots had been served and knowing that one more remove was on the way, Booth felt both uncomfortably full from all the food and a little nervous about his upcoming presentation at Court. He knew from experience that he only felt nervous if he was unprepared. Right, time to be briefed on his duties.
"My lady Amelia, you promised to tell me what I had to do at Court," he reminded her.
"There's really nothing to worry about, Booth. When our names are called during Court, we will approach their Majesties together from the open end of the tables. Before we approach, you will bow, I will curtsey and then we will walk up the aisle. It is customary to bow/curtsey again before kneeling on a pillow on the floor in front of them. They will give a little speech and do the presentation. If they want you to do something, they will tell you. When you are finished, it is customary to stand, bow to the King and kiss or bow over the hand of the Queen, walk three or four steps backwards and basically do everythng in reverse. We aren't first on the agenda so you will be able to see what the others do and you won't be the only one who is being summoned to your first Court," she explained.
"I was told that there was going to be dancing after the meal is cleared away. I expect to see both of you men showing off your dancing skills. You know, it is considered a point of chivalry and good manners for all fierce fighting men to show off their softer sides for the ladies," remarked Angela who looked with an almost serious stern expression at both Booth and Hodgins who exchanged a resigned but good natured grin.
"Yes, absolutely. Don't worry, my lords. The dance steps aren't that difficult and again, you certainly won't be the only ones who are new to them," added "Amelia" reassuringly.
As the evening's meal drew to a close, several people cleared their space on the table and several medieval board games, like Mancala, Nine Men's Morris, Tablero, Chess and others appeared. The last remove of the main meal consisted of tossed salad, cod casserole and biscuits but most people were full to bursting.
People began visiting around the room or refreshed their drinks at the bar. If the kitchen's sinks were available, some would choose to rinse off or wash their dishes. Most would simply pack them away for washing later at home. The custom of showing reverence for the Crown was also observed as everyone bowed or curtsied each time they crossed the space at the open end of the tables whether their Majesties were seated at the head table or not.
"My Lords and Ladies, pray attend. Court will commence in ten minutes. Anyone having business before the Court, please approach me immediately, thank you," announced Sir Bruce, when he stood and got everyone's attention from his place at one end of the head table.
At this time, those seated at the head table moved to mingle throughout the room while the tables were moved to allow sufficient space for their Majesties and their retinue to be able to conduct court without having to reach over tables. Throne chairs were moved foreward and a few pillows were placed in front of them.
Sir Bruce opened court a few minutes later calling for everyone to rise as the royal procession returned to their places at the end of the aisle between the two lines of banquet tables.
"The Court of King Ragnar and Queen Elexa will now commence." When Sir Bruce received the cue from the King, the populace was given leave to be seated.
"My Queen and I welcome all of you to this celebration of thanksgiving and We promise a short but hopefully entertaining session of Court this evening," King Ragnar began with the populace dutifully laughing at his 'promise'. "We wish tonight to show our gratitude to several good gentles deserving of Our recognition for the contribution of their gifts in service to Our kingdom."
Sir Bruce began the process of calling each person's name for each to approach their Majesties to receive their award. As each returned to their seats a cheer was lead by Sir Bruce before continuing on to the next order of business. The first few awards were for people receiving some of the higher chivalric and peerage awards while the majority of those called came forward to receive their AoA (Award of Arms) that elevated them to the title of Lord or Lady. AoA recipients also gained the right to register their own names and heraldic arms such as those reproduced on the banners decorating the hall that evening. This was generally the first level of advancement for an individual within the SCA society.
One distinction of SCA society is that there was, in theory, no nepotism as everyone earned their own awards. If the King and Queen had children, they were not automatically elevated to Prince or Princess or any such status because of who their parents were. Peerage entitlements were reserved for those that fulfilled specific rules.
After about a dozen awards with a couple of presentations and gifts for the Crown, the agenda came to the last order of business before the Court.
"We will conclude this evening with a very special award that has been brought to Our attention," spoke Queen Alexa as she and the King had alternated the giving of awards.
"As many of you may be aware, the fate of a long lost soul was revealed this past summer. We now know what happened that fateful day many years ago when Sir Stephen of Midlands, a frequent visitor and friend to Our kingdom, a gifted teacher of children and courteous and chivalrous peer of the realm disappeared from Our midst, never to return alive. The person found responsible for his demise has received his justice and his fate within the Known World will be dealt with in good time. In honor of Sir Stephen, the Crown wishes to call upon two guests here this evening to receive a special award of valour for their efforts in resolving this old tragic mystery."
"Countess Dame Amelia Rosenmere of Midlands and my lord Booth are invited to approach the court," announced Sir Bruce.
Booth and "Amelia" stood and moved to enter the aisle towards the thrones. On impulse, Booth stopped and offered his hand held in the air to "Amelia". She placed her hand lightly on his and gave him an appreciative smile. The touch of his hand sent a warmth through her felt down to her toes but, instead of being an unwelcome distraction, the connection steadied her as they gave their initial reverence together before they approached the King and Queen, bowed/curtsied again, brought their hands to their sides and kneeled on the pillows before them.
"The honorable efforts of these two people during their investigation of this foul deed was at no small danger to themselves. My lord Booth was assaulted and grievously wounded by the perpetrator of this crime but they were not deterred and the truth has been revealed. We feel this act deserves our recognition and each of these good gentles is being awarded the Shark's Tooth for their acts of valor for our Kingdom."
The Queen was handed two shark's tooth pendant necklaces by a nearby lady-in-waiting. She handed one to the King and together they placed the necklaces around the necks of Booth and "Amelia". The King held his hand to forestall the populace from their customary cheer for the recipients.
"As a legacy of our Reign, we have also created a new Champion of the Kingdom award in Sir Stephen's memory. From time to time from this day forth, it will be granted to any deserving individual as decided by the King of the day."
"It was brought to our attention that this gentleman, a visitor in our midst, has no title. We feel he is most deserving of our esteem and will be our first recipient. From this day forward, this most honorable, chivalrous and good gentleman will for all time be known as the Lord Alisdaire, the People's Protector," announced King Ragnar who then handed a beautifully illuminated scroll to a stunned Booth who stammered out his thanks.
Booth glanced at a happily smiling "Amelia" and with the whispered permission to stand from their Majesties, Booth shook the King's hand and kissed the Queen's hand while "Amelia" reciprocated with her thanks and received a hug from the Queen and a kiss on her hand from the King.
"Three cheers for the recipients of the Shark's Tooth and the Lord Alisdaire," called Sir Bruce. The surrounding tables erupted in enthusiastic cheers of "Huzzah" and "Hooray" as they had with all of the previous recipients.
Booth and "Amelia" retreated as the others had and returned to their seats to receive congratulations from Angela, Hodgins and others on their way by.
"As this concludes the court's business for this evening, Their Majesties give leave for all to enjoy the rest of tonight's activities. I have been informed by the kitchen that the dessert course will be laid out for all to sample throughout the evening. As soon as the tables are cleared and pushed back, dancing will commence with the musical accompaniment of our guest musicians," announced Sir Bruce soon after a couple of additional items of business had been taken care of. One of those last items had been the calling forth of the feastocrat, the cooks and servers for the crowd to give a very appreciative cheer for a job well done.
"So, what do you think about your award and your new title?" Amelia asked Booth as they followed the example of their neighbors and cleared away their dishes so the table could be moved out of the way.
"Well, it was definitely a surprise. I really don't know what to say," Booth responded looking as if he was thinking about something but didn't know how to ask politely without giving offense.
"Really, I had nothing to do with your new title," "Amelia" responded seeming to read his mind.
"Hey, Booth...I mean,...Lord Alisdaire, now you have a real title to go with that souvenir certificate you showed us when you got back from England," Angela piped up as she folded a tablecloth and used lightly soiled napkins to serve double duty as cushions for fragile items being packed into their basket.
"I'm not sure I deserve such an honor. We were just doing our jobs. I'm not even an actual member of this group," replied Booth, suddenly feeling that he hadn't really done all that much to warrant the esteem this group had bestowed upon him. It seemed that all of the other people who received awards during court must have done far more than they had. He simply got in the way of an arrow and pretty much followed Bones around. She even interrogated their suspect, albeit for logical reasons.
"Believe me, Booth. Member or not, you do," she said with a surprising amount of emotion as she grabbed a pile of their dishes to rinse in the kitchen before packing them away in the basket for cleaning later.
"Come on, Lord Alisdaire. This calls for celebratory libations," Hodgins said as he clapped Booth on the shoulder and headed to the bar to buy him a drink.
...tbc...