The next morning came very early. Oliver was roused out of bed for a sunrise ride to inspect the guard. He then had to test his horse on the arena grounds. He was then taken to the little chapel his mother liked at the furthest corner of the property for prayer and meditation with the Priest. The Archbishop would be in attendance but his motives were still suspect and he would only be an observer. Oliver then went back to the castle to bathe and change. He had gone round and round with his tailor about what he was going to wear. The robes were horrid and again antiquated. He settled for the colors of court, green and black. He had a black and green preacher collar shirt; black at the torso and green sleeves. He wore cream colored, fitted riding pants, black polished knee high riding boots plus the polished silver spurs his father had given him. He wore a polished knee length chain mail tunic. The belt at his waist was thick leather and he had the sword of grandfather sheathed at his left hip and the dirk of the Queen line on his right hip. He had his black leather gloves tucked into his belt. He sighed, he felt ridiculous, but his father would be proud. Arthur and Victor came to escort him to the main chapel for the service with his knights.
"Wow, you really do clean up?" Victor teased.
"Shut it. I mean it" he laughed.
"Oh is that a royal decree?" Arthur teased. Oliver just shook his head as he and his friends went to the chapel.
--
"What do you think Lois?" Chloe asked as she came out from behind the changing curtain. Lois just gasped. Chloe was wearing an exquisite satin dress of court colors. The material had a faint pattern of Celtic design, very subtle but impressive. The bodice was emerald green and the sleeves were black long and flowing. She wore a broach of the Queen crest that accented her breasts. The gown had a cape attached at the back of the neck of the dress giving it a train. The skirt was full and flowing; it started as green from the bottom of the bodice then progressively turned to black at the bottom of the skirt. Chloe had wanted her hair down, she knew Oliver loved it that way. But Lois had convinced her to at least put the sides back. So she used two silver barrettes to accomplish that feat. The two cousins had made an event of getting ready. So by the time Chloe was ready to go, the ceremony was just 30 min. away. Chloe and Lois made it to the courtyard and Chloe was given a spot to wait since she was a part of the ceremony she needed to be close. Lois was escorted to a special section to sit.
The crowd was huge. A stage had been created at the hill above the tournament arena. A throne had been left, the only seat on the stage. There was an ornate green and black carpet covering the stage. The Kings' own newly chosen guard of twelve rode in formation of two by two, the crowd grew silent.
Oliver got rid of the trumpets, 'he and his quiet grace' Chloe thought. As the first riders made their way to the stage they peeled out of formation to form a single file line of riders. They then split again to form the aisle to which he would ride up. In moments the beats of horse hooves could be heard. Everyone turned to see a truly magnificent sight. Bolt up right on his black stallion who was in his parade saddle and blankets was the Future King and regal he was. His horse was cantering up the aisle. Chloe, Arthur, and Victor were next in the aisle, escorted by the General who was also in polished armor. The General spaced them about 10 paces apart; Victor at the end, then Arthur, then Chloe, and then the General at the front.
The Prince didn't dismount his horse. The priest came and gave his blessing of the stage. He then dismounted and stood on the stage. The Prince never turned to face the crowd; the priest was reciting the ancient verses in Latin. He then led the people in prayer. He then told the Prince to turn and face the crowd. The crown had been brought to Victor by another soldier. It was seated on a black pillow. Silver in color with emeralds around the upper rim it was very tastefully done. Chloe smiled to herself. Oliver was worried that it was going to be a huge crown. He had had his jewelers redesign it. Alex's had been incredibly gaudy.
His eyes were down in prayer and then he looked up to see the crown and caught the gaze of Chloe, she was lovely. He smiled though it didn't show on his face. Chloe looked like heaven in the colors of court. He watched as his friends did the relay getting the crown to the front all the while the Priest was praying. He very slightly nodded to Chloe as she passed the crown to the General. He was then directed to kneel.
"Do you Oliver Jonas Queen, Crown Prince of Metropolis honor your vow to rule justly and fairly, to protect the peoples from domestic and foreign invaders, to put the needs of others above the needs of your own?"
"Yes." he answered. The General then placed the crown atop his head and recited a blessing in Latin.
"Ladies and Gentleman, His Royal Highness, King Oliver." The priest spoke. The crowd cheered wildly. Vic and Arthur joined Chloe at the front of the aisle. Oliver stood and they all dropped to kneel. He surveyed the crowd and smiled.
"Ladies and gentlemen, rise, you're my friends. I thank you for joining me this day. I have vowed before you and God to be a fair and just King. I want to give you my personal oath; the days of misery that you had living under Alexander's rule are over. We together have a brighter future. Many things are changing and as I see it's only for the better. So today we celebrate." he smiled. His horse was brought back up the aisle. He mounted and the crowd cheered. "Today, upon the tournament grounds there will be two new Knights added to our ranks, please come and join the celebration and the trials by combat." He maneuvered his horse around Chloe and the guys and rode down the aisle back to the castle….
He paced his horse around the courtyard while he waited for his guard to arrive at the stable. He then had to wait for the Knights to swap out parade gear for jousting gear.
"Good show, your majesty." Chloe spoke from the courtyard entrance. He slowed his horse and walked him to where she was standing. He smiled and shook his head. She bowed her head then smiled up at him
"So how are you feeling?" she asked. "Royal? Righteous?"
"Pompous." he whispered.
"No, not at all. Remember you were born for this, it suits you."
"Riiight. So how are you? You look beautiful by the way."
"See you keep telling me that and I'll expect it from you everyday."
"You give me everyday, and you can here it as often as you like." He gave her a wicked grin. She blushed. "How about this, would you like to ride over to the arena with me?"
Her eyes got really wide and she blushed furiously.
"I.. um….It's not protocol."
"Chloe, I know you were at the hill, I'm the King remember, I make the rules."
"But what will people think?"
"I think the only people that matters are you two right there." Victor spoke coming up behind her. He was in full armor as was Arthur. "Chloe, you have been denying yourself your own happiness. Life is way to short for you to not take what you want from it and hold onto it with everything you have. I speak from experience; a life half lived is no life at all."
The Knights were in formation and Oliver had his horse next to Chloe. He held his arm out to her to give her leverage to mount up and sit in front of him on his saddle. "Its now or never, we have to get going, come on Flower, live a little." He smiled. She sighed, thought for a second, and then grabbed onto his arm. He pulled her up and she sat side saddle in front of him. He wrapped his arms around her pulling her close to his chest. She adjusted her position a little and then sighed.
"Hello." he whispered in her ear.
"Hi yourself, Milord." she teased.
"Keep it up, Flower," he teased back. "You ready?" he asked she nodded. "Good, I do have one more thing to do before we go." he spoke. She just looked confused. He pulled off one of his leather gloves and on his index finger sitting just below the tip was a silver ring with a simple and elegant diamond with small emeralds around it. Chloe gasped and looked at him wide eyed. "Give me everyday lass, and ye will never go a minute without knowing how I feel about ye. Ye will hear as often as I can tell ye, how beautiful ye are. Give me everyday and I promise to give you all the joy and happiness you deserve. You challenge me to be better than what I am. You never let me take myself seriously, you are my match in every way. I see you Chloe; I see your spirit and want to be there when you fulfill all your dreams. I will hold your heart like the precious treasure that it is. I will catch you when you fall, and kiss all your hurts away. I love you and want you always at my side…Marry me Chloe." He whispered. Tears were sliding down her cheeks. She looked into his eyes and knew without question that he was the one for her. She sniffed and nodded as he put the ring on her left ring finger.
All his Knights cheered. He kissed her warmly. He put his glove back on and gathered his reigns and then nudged his horse forward as his first 6 Knights moved in formation. They were in the middle and then he had 6 Knights follow them. An easy pace was set as they made their way back to the arena.
"Wow," she whispered watching the people respond to their king. He just smiled as she just snuggled closer to him. "This is amazing." She added grinning from ear to ear.
"I couldn't agree with you more." He spoke against her temple. She just looked up at him and the magnitude of the day caught her, especially when she saw the light play with jewels on his crown. She shivered a little. He glanced down at her silently questioning if she were ok as they neared the arena. The crowd cheered the Knights and then dropped to knees for him as they entered the arena.
They made a complete circle before they stopped in front of the Royal box. A Paige came and took his reins. He dismounted and then she slid into his arms as he helped her off of his horse. He took her hand in his, laced their fingers together as they walked up into the box and turned to face the crowd.
"Knight Marshall!" he shouted and the Generals second in command rode up in front of the box. "Allow the two to be knighted onto the combat field." He commanded. The Knight Marshall nodded and rode his horse to the entrance of the arena and then led Victor and Arthur, both on war horses, onto the field. They didn't make a run around the length of the arena. They rode up to the box and dismounted. Ollie gave Chloe's hand a squeeze and let go. He stepped out of the box and into the soft dirt.
"Victor of Cyb'Org, you have proven your loyalty, courage, and honor, please kneel." Victor complied and put his head down. "You Arthur from the land of distant waters have also proven your loyalty, courage and honor, please kneel." Arthur complied and put his head down. Ollie pulled his sword out and raised it to his eye level. "This sword is a part of my family's heritage. It has brought many a Knight into the fold. It is with great honor that I continue that tradition. You have proven yourselves to be loyal friends and trusted advisors." He moved to step in front of Victor he touched the tip of the blade gently to each shoulder. "I dub thee Sir Victor a Knight of Metropolis from the Land of Cyb'Org. As such you will be a Knight Marshall and of my council." He moved to stand in front of Arthur. "I dub thee Sir Arthur a Knight of Metropolis from the land of distant waters. As such you will be a Knight Marshall and of my council." He smiled and looked up at the crowd. "Welcome them friends!" he spoke to the crowd and they cheered wildly. He spoke low to them, "Arise my friends and welcome, you may now take your ride of the arena and stand as Knight Marshall's during the trials by combat." They nodded, rose, remounted their horses, and rode the arena to the cheers of the crowds.
"Ladies and gentleman the trials were requested by the General to see justice brought to the former Captain and his men. Tonight you are all welcome to the ball." He nodded and returned to the box. He took Chloe's hands in his gloved ones and kissed the tops of them gently before sitting and then she sat. A slight blush was on her cheeks. He held her hand in his, fingers entwined.
"You surprise me." She spoke giving him a side long glance.
"Really and how do I do that?"
"I keep thinking about how you said that you were everything Lex said you were, and that you were, no' a good man" she mimicked his brogue, "everything that you've done since we met disproves that. You are a better man than YOU give yourself credit for." She smiled. He was stunned he didn't know how to respond to that. She smiled at the victory as they sat in companionable silence and enjoyed the jousting tournament.