Wow, this is a long one...hope you enjoy it!
After this chapter there will be five more and then the story of the Black Knight and his Christine will at last be put to rest.
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63
Fate in the Hands of a Lady
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Erik did not realize how late they had slept until the sound of knocking came upon their chamber door, waking them both with a start. The past several days had been hell on them both, neither one finding much rest. So when they had finally succumbed to sleep, holding each other through the night, it was deep and relaxing. Yet now they were wide awake and trying to figure out where that disturbing noise was coming from.
"My lord!" Anne's voice was heard outside the closed door. "Sir Erik, the King is waiting for you in the dining hall. Will you be joining him or do I need to make some excuse for you?" There were a few moments of silence before she pounded again. "Are you even listening to me?!"
"Yes Anne, I would have to be deaf not to hear every word you are saying!" Erik grumbled loudly, rolling his eyes at the insistence of the woman who had practically raised him.
"Then I suggest you make haste since the King is not one to be kept waiting," she warned. "I will see that the children are dressed and then fed in the kitchen this morning," she told him, before departing and heading off down the hall.
"The King…" Christine whispered, her eyes once more filling with concern.
"Do not fret, little one. We have the document with the royal seal upon it to prove that you are of noble blood. He will have to see reason," Erik said as he flung back the covers and stood up. "Now we must hurry, I will delay no further in speaking with the King and clearing up this matter."
It did not take long for them to dress, each one offering assistance to the other, and while Erik found he would rather be helping Christine slip out of her clothes, there was some appeal to helping her into them as well. He was very pleased to once again see her in something other than her servant's dress, since she had worn her bed clothes up to his room the night before, she had nothing available to put on other than one of the fancy dresses that still remained in the wardrobe. He chose one in deep red for her to wear that day, the color he thought matching the station she now possessed. Perhaps seeing her clothed as a Lady would convince the King that she truly was one.
It did not take long before they were heading down the corridor towards the dining hall, the leather pouch and tapestry safely in their possession. When they reached the room, Erik pushed open the large door and stepped inside, pulling Christine behind him. He took note that the King was sitting alone at the table, and Lady Cordelia was nowhere in sight.
"Ah there you are, Sir Erik," the King began, looking up as he entered. However when he saw Christine standing beside him, he gave Erik a questioning look.
"Your Majesty, there has been a major discovery that I wish to bring to your attention," Erik began, not hesitating in his resolve to clear things up. "Last night we discovered some documents that prove that Christine is indeed descended from nobility and I thus request that you reinstate our marriage."
The King looked quite perplexed by this and rising from his chair he walked over to Erik, who had removed both the royal decree, as well as Lord Winterbourne's final letter, from the pouch and was now holding them out to him. Without a word the King took the documents, examining them closely several times with a furrowed brow before he turned his attention back to Erik and Christine.
"And you claim that your servant here is descended from this Josephine Rosier?" he asked, giving Christine a skeptical look. "You have proof of this?"
"Christine has been in possession the very tapestry that my great-uncle, Lord Leonard, had given to Josephine, passed down to her through her ancestors." As proof, Erik unfurled the tapestry and held it up to the king, allowing him to get a very clear look at it and the rose and sword symbol mentioned in the letter. "She also knew of the love affair between Lord Leonard and Josephine Rosier, this story as well having been told to her by her father and then related to myself and my children several times before these documents were ever discovered. I thus have no doubt in my mind that she is indeed the great-granddaughter of the woman named within these papers. There is also some convincing speculation that her great-grandfather was none other than Lord Winterbourne himself, thereby cementing her claim to nobility even more."
This news made the King's brow furrow further as he turned away from them, rereading the papers one more time as if now unsure what to make of it all. Finally he looked back at Erik, his eyes still uncertain.
"I will need time to think on this…alone," he informed them, unwilling to release the letters he still clutched in his hands.
"Of course, Your Majesty," Erik nodded. "You may use my study if you wish, it is right through here." He then stepped towards another exit to the dining area and escorted the King down the short hall and into the room he kept as his private study. Once he had shut the door behind him, Erik returned to Christine, taking her in his arms as he felt her shaking. "Do not worry, little one. The King is a fair man, he will see that there is no reason to withhold his consent to our union. I know he will grant us this dispensation.
"What if he doesn't? What if he does not believe it is true?" Christine asked, holding him even closer in worry. "I do not think I could stand to lose you a second time." She then looked down and placed her hand over her stomach as a tear slid down her cheek. "And I am terrified to imagine our child being born without a father. I want this child to be raised by both of us, not grow up like my grandmother, never knowing who her sire was."
"That will never happen," Erik assured her. "Even if we were not allowed to be wed, this child will know every day that I love him and will provide for him and his mother. You are mine, little one, and I will never let you leave my side… never."
Christine leaned her head against his chest and felt a smile grace her lips. Erik had referred to their child as 'he'. Of course there was no way of knowing this for certain, yet just the idea that he saw their baby as an individual, as a boy, made her heart swell with love.
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Inside Erik's study the King sat in silence, his eyes never leaving the decree set before him. He had read the letter written by Lord Leonard several times and even he could not deny that Sir Erik had a valid claim. Granted even if both of Christine's great-grandparents had been of noble blood, he could deny it all due to the fact that down through the years it had been mixed with generations of peasants blood as well. He could easily do this…yet should he?
He had noted that Sir Erik had changed since his marriage to the little servant girl. He had lost that bitterness in his attitude as well as his menacing scowl. And while these attributes had served him well in battle, making Erik the most feared knight of the realm, it had done just as much harm in his personal life as well. When the Black Knight had requested that the King assist him in finding a wife, both times it had been near impossible to locate a lord willing to join his daughter to a man with such a fierce reputation. Had it not been for the fact that both Lord Continey and Baron de Coleville were so desperate for money, he would never have found him a match. And yet neither one of those situations worked out to Sir Erik's advantage, leaving the King quite embarrassed by the failure.
However, here was his chance to make it right…to offer him not only a woman who was of nobility, but amazingly who also loved the Black Knight, and that he loved in return. This left only one problem…the Lady Cordelia. This concerned him greatly, since he knew it would displease the Queen should he return with her, unwed and rejected. And he shuddered to think what his life would be like should his wife be displeased with him. But still, he had to do what he felt was right in his heart, so taking a deep breath he walked to the door and summoned a nearby servant, requesting that he ask Lady Cordelia to join him in the study.
A few minutes later there was a gentle knock on the door and when granted admittance, a quizzical Lady Cordelia entered.
"You sent for me, Your Majesty?" she asked, giving a curtsey before sitting in the chair he directed her to.
"Yes, my dear," the King said with a heavy sigh. "It has been brought to my attention that the girl that Sir Erik took as his wife is indeed descended from nobility, granted this title by none other than my own grandfather, King Ambros II." The King braced himself for the tears or possible screams that might come from her learning such news, but instead a wide smile spread across the lady's face.
"That is wonderful news," she said, clasping her hands together.
"It is?" the King asked, quite surprised by her response. "I am not sure you quite grasp what this means. If the girl in question is of noble blood, then they can remarry…leaving you without a husband."
"I understand this, my lord," she assured him. "And while I do grieve to lose such a illustrious husband as the Black Knight, neither do I wish to be wed to a man who would spend his life pining over another. I desire a husband who loves me, if such a thing is to be had."
"Aye, I do fear that Sir Erik's heart has been given to the servant girl already, and taking it back would indeed be a losing battle." The King nodded. "Yet what am I to tell the Queen?"
"Her Highness will understand once I have explained it to her," Cordelia smiled, understanding how much the King disliked it when the Queen was angry with him. For such a brave and powerful man, he did tend to bow to her wishes more than he cared to admit. "She would not wish for me to marry a man whom I did not love. And while I think I could grow to love Sir Erik, I do not wish to live in the shadow of the Lady Christine. And if it is true that she is a Lady…then I say let them marry and do not concern yourself with me."
"You do yourself credit, Lady Cordelia," the King said, giving her a smile of admiration. "I will see to it that you are given the choice of all the eligible Lords of my kingdom, and I swear that I will see you happily wed before the year is out."
"I thank you for your efforts, my liege," Cordelia told him, her face turning a bit pink by his offer.
"Then I suppose the only thing left is to give the news to the happy couple," the King laughed, once more calling for the servant.
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Erik was still holding Christine, rubbing her back with one hand while running his fingers through her hair with the other. He was trying to stay calm himself, but as the minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity, his hope was beginning to ebb away. What if the King denied them? What if this was to be the last time he held her in his arms without her trying to run from him out of her overactive sense of propriety. Would he then be forced to wed the Lady Cordelia today as planned…and bed her? No! Fate would not be so cruel as to give them the solution only to have it ripped away. Christine was his, and he would fight to keep her.
His thoughts were interrupted by the entrance of a servant, announcing that the King wished to see them both in Erik's study. He looked down at Christine's worried eyes and kissed her on the forehead, forcing a smile on his face to give her strength. Hand in hand they walked down the hall, much like condemned prisoners going to the gallows, pausing for a moment to take a breath before knocking on the door.
"Enter," the King's voice was heard to say. But before he could open the door, Christine grabbed hold of his sleeve and stopped him.
"Kiss me, Erik," she begged, grabbing his tunic as she pulled him to her. "Kiss me one last time, just in case."
"This will not be the last time," he swore to her, but when his lips met hers, he made sure to memorize every second, ever touch, every sensation…just in case. He would have liked to have made the moment last longer, but they dared not hesitate too long, lest the King grow impatient. So breaking the embrace, he smiled down at her once more and led her inside.
The King was sitting in Erik's chair, behind his desk while Lady Cordelia had positioned herself at the cushioned window seat, her golden hair shining in the morning sun. Erik did his best to decipher the mood of the room, trying to decide if his petition had been granted or ground into the dust under the boot of disappointment. But both the King and Cordelia were unreadable, their eyes and face betraying nothing to the anxious couple.
"So, Sir Erik," the King began, resting his elbows on the arms of the chair and bringing his tented fingers up to his chin in thought. "If I were to acknowledge your findings as legitimate, what would you then do?"
"I would remarry Christine, taking her as my legal bride and cherish her to the end of my days," he told the King without hesitation, praying that this came to pass.
"And what of the Lady Cordelia?" he prompted, wishing to hear his response.
"I…I would pray that she can find it within her to forgive me for this unfortunate situation, and understand that I am bound to honor the desires of my heart." Erik then turned to Lady Cordelia and gave a low bow of apology, and while she did offer him a small smile she did not meet his eyes for more than a moment.
"And you, Christine," the King continued. "What would you do if you were recognized as a lady of nobility?"
"I too would wish to be married to Sir Erik," she told him, trying to keep her voice from cracking with fear. "I would be a good wife to him and raise our children to be honest and trustworthy servants of the realm."
"I see," the King mused, still not showing any indication as to what his decision might be. The room was deathly quiet, the only sound seeming to be the beating of the two lover's hearts as they waited to hear their fate. At last the King leaned forward and rose to his feet. "In that case, I find it pleasing in my eyes to grant you both this petition. I will uphold the royal decree set forth by my grandfather, King Ambros II, and hereby recognize this woman as Lady Christine, future wife of the Black Knight and mistress of Winterbourne."
At first Christine could not believe what she had heard and she stood there with her mouth open and eyes filled with shock. It was not until she felt Erik scoop her up and spin her around in his arms, her feet no longer touching the floor, that it began to sink in what had just been said. Her eyes began to well up with tears once more, but this time they were happy tears, ones that she couldn't stop even if she tried. He soon put her down and gave a low bow at the waist, showing his gratitude to the King.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Erik said, his relief and excitement practically overwhelming him.
"Do not thank me alone, for had Lady Cordelia not insisted that you two be allowed to be together, I might have chosen otherwise," the King informed them.
Erik was quick to respond to this news and stepped forward and went down on one knee before Lady Cordelia, taking her hand in his and kissing it reverently.
"You have my undying gratitude for your kindness, my lady," he told her, watching as she blushed at his actions. "For granting me my heart's desire, my sword and arm will forever be at your service."
"I am simply happy to see the two of you reunited and able to legally become husband and wife just as you wished," she told him. "You are a good man, Sir Erik, you deserve better than to endure a marriage to a woman you do not love." She then turned her eyes to Christine and gave her a smile as well. "And for all that you have been through, it pleases me to know that you are indeed from nobility and that you can now claim the heart of the man who loves you and raise your child together. That is truly a blessing."
Christine knew Lady Cordelia's secret pain and was so touched by what she said that all she could do was mouth the words 'thank you', doing her best to hold back the tears.
"So now that this is all settled, what say we go about getting you two married…again," the King laughed, breaking everyone out of their spell of happiness. "I had sent word to the priest of Valmour to arrive around midafternoon to perform a wedding ceremony. I suppose there is no sense in him coming all this way only to have wasted a trip…is there?"
"Nay, my lord," Erik agreed. "For if it pleases this Lady, I shall wed her this very moment."
"It does appear that you show very little patience when it comes to marriage, Sir Erik," the King laughed, referring to his quick wedding with Elizabeth and then the taking of Christine on the spot at the de Colville home.
"Aye, yet this time it is because I know exactly what I want, and wish for no more time to pass without having this woman joined to me forever." Erik then returned to Christine's side, tipping her chin up with his finger as he kissed her tenderly. "For this dear maid has battled not only her own demons, but mine as well and released me from my bonds of loneliness and rage. She has truly rescued this knight and opened the key to his heart."
Most of the symbolism was lost on the King and Cordelia, but they both could see the love shining in the eyes of the couple before them, and that was enough to convince them that they had decided correctly.
"I realize that a wedding was not expected for you this day, Christine, but may I inquire if you have a dress for the occasion?" Cordelia asked, hating to interrupt the tender moment.
"I…I do not," she answered, looking up at Erik in worry. "Yet I do not care how I am dressed, only that Sir Erik wishes to marry me."
"Of this I have no doubt," Lady Cordelia laughed walking over to her and taking her hand, pulling Christine away from Erik as she held her hands out to her side, examining her figure thoughtfully. "However, I believe that the dress that I brought will fit you very nicely, we might have to hem it a bit so that you do not trip down the aisle, but other than that, it will do in a pinch."
"You would do that for me?" Christine gasped.
"Of course I would, after all you saved me from a bucket of pig slop, it is the least I can do to repay the favor," she laughed, pulling Christine now towards the door. "Sir Erik, if you would be so kind as to send a seamstress to my room and perhaps some lunch as well since I think we have all sufficiently missed breakfast. I believe this might take a while and we can't have the bride fainting from hunger, now can we? Then busy yourself with man things until the preacher arrives and then notify us at once, but other than that…this is the last time you will see your bride before the wedding." And with only a smile and a brief wave from Christine, the ladies disappeared.
"There go two very special Ladies," the King said, once he and Erik were alone.
"I agree with you whole heartedly, my liege," Erik nodded.
"Well Sir Erik, while it had been my initial decree, for law and custom, that you abandon this girl for a more proper wife, I must admit that I am quite pleased that things worked out as they did. I can see the fine qualities you beheld in her and now understand why you chose her in the first place…even if you were showing disrespect and disobedience in doing so." The King gave Erik a rather scolding look, to remind him not to do such things again.
"Again, I offer my apologies for my misconduct in the matter," Erik said, bowing his head respectfully.
"Well, if you did not buck against authority every once in a while, I suppose you would not be my most favored knight, now would you," the King laughed, slapping him on the back. "The Lady Cordelia and I will stay for the wedding but after that we should take our leave, I received word this morning that there are pressing matters I need to attend to back at court."
"Will you not stay one more night and then leave fresh in the morning?" Erik urged, not wishing to make the King feel unwelcome.
"Nay, this matter will not wait, and I am determined to begin the search for a proper husband for Lady Cordelia. I am afraid my Queen will not sit still for long knowing I have failed in her instructions," the King gave a visible shudder and he looked up at Erik with a sheepish grin. "I may be the King of this land, but even I must answer to my wife."
This caused both men to laugh and after a few more minutes of friendly talk, the King dismissed Erik and headed back into the dining hall where he was promised an early lunch would soon be provided.
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Once he was free, Erik headed to the kitchen to find the children, eager to tell them the happy news. They of course were beside themselves with joy, the girls jumping up and down and squealing with glee while the boys did their best to act grown up and offered their father their hands in congratulations. But when Erik asked Jacob to be one of the two men to stand up with him at his wedding, the boy could not contain himself and wrapped his arms around his father in a giant hug.
Meg and Antoinette were also present in the kitchen when Erik told the children and both were bubbling forth with happiness. Meg immediately raced up the stairs to assist Christine with her alterations, stopping only long enough to grab her sewing supplies. It was then that Erik caught Antoinette's gaze, the smile on her face betraying more than pleasure.
"I take it that you finally decided to heed your father's advice and rediscover your past, my lord," she said.
"And exactly what do you know of all this, madam?" Erik questioned, crossing his arms and looking at her through narrowed eyes.
"Nothing, I assure you," she insisted, spreading her hands out before her in innocence, yet her eyes still sparkled with a hidden mirth.
"The same way you knew nothing when you instructed me to return home quickly when we met on the road? Or how you knew nothing when you warned me to not follow my men after the pirates took Christine and Helena, but instead to listen to my heart ?" Erik pressed. "And now you claim not to know that the answer to our problems had been found in my families' journals?"
"Is that how you solved this whole mystery?" she asked, once more feigning complete ignorance. "Well then, isn't it fortunate that you decided to read it, my lord, thus winning back the treasure of your heart."
If Erik had not already suspected that the old woman knew more than she was letting on, with the mention of the word treasure, he certainly did now. And yet he knew that no matter how hard he pressed, Antoinette would not give up any of her secrets. Which was fine, let her remain a mystery, just as long as she continued on at Winterbourne and was there to offer such advice again in times of great need.
"Very well, madam," Erik nodded, a smile returning to his lips. "I will allow you to keep your secrets. For in truth I am in far too good a mood at present to verbally spar with the likes of you. Besides, I am sure I would lose."
"Perhaps, my lord, perhaps," she laughed and with that she turned and set about fixing a fine lunch for the King and a platter to be send up to Lady Cordelia's room.
Anne soon appeared and after hearing the happy news she raised her hands and shouted a few 'praise the Lords' before throwing propriety to the wind and hugging Erik in a fit of joy. She then enlisted the help of the children to assist in finding decorations for the main hall, wishing for it to look festive for the wedding later that day. Anne promised to have them dressed in their best and present for the upcoming nuptials as she quickly departed, five happy children in tow.
Erik had one more person he wished to talk to and after realizing that he was now standing in the middle of the kitchen, with scullery maids and Antoinette buzzing around him and acting as if he were quite in the way, he turned and headed off to find Bernard.
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Sir Erik's steward had just entered the castle when Erik walked into the main hall as well.
"My lord, the new stallion is saddled and ready, just as you requested for…" he began, but Erik's look of pure joy stopped him cold. This was odd, he had not seen his master smile in quite a few days now. Had the idea of a forced marriage finally addled his brain?
"Bernard!" Erik bellowed, walking forward with a large smile on his masked face, causing the wary man to step back, somehow fearing that he was about to be embraced…again. "Have you heard the good news?"
"I…I am not sure, my lord," Bernard said, holding his hands up in a sign of defense. "Tell me what the good news is and I will then inform you if I have heard it."
"I am getting married today," Erik told him, side stepping his defense, yet only slapping him on the back in a manly gesture.
"Yes, my lord, this is familiar news to me," Bernard answered, still perplexed. Had Sir Erik been drinking?
"Ah, but do you know who my bride shall be this day?" Erik pressed, eager to see his steward's reaction when told.
"Uh…the Lady Cordelia?" Yet Bernard was beginning to doubt his information.
"A Lady yes, but not Cordelia," Erik corrected him, leaning in a bit as he said his next words. "In just a short time I will be marrying instead the Lady Christine," Erik informed him, then stood there with his arms crossed and waited for the news to sink in, watching as confusion, shock and then delight all played across his friends face.
"The…Lady Christine?" Bernard repeated, happy beyond words but still confused. "How…when…?"
"It has been discovered that Christine is descended from nobility and my marriage to her has been blessed by the King himself." Erik proudly told him. "Today I shall marry the woman I love, Bernard. The woman I LOVE!"
This time it was Bernard who launched forward and embraced Erik, causing him to laugh out loud at his uncharacteristic display of joy. When he realized what he was doing he stepped back, straighten his tunic and slapped Erik on the back, still unable to wipe the smile off his face.
"Congratulation, my lord!" Bernard told him. "There could not be better news than this. I wish you all the happiness, though I know you two already possess such a thing."
"It would please me if you would stand up for me at my wedding, Bernard," Erik told him, eager to hear his answer.
"I…I would be honored, my lord," Bernard said in awe as he took Erik's hand and pumped it up and down in a hearty handshake. "Truly honored."
"Fine, then it is settled." Erik then got a perplexed look on his face. "Now what were you saying about my horse being saddled and ready…did you think I would try and escape and need a fast horse to facilitate my flight?"
"Nay, my lord," Bernard laughed. "Last evening you mentioned you might wish to try and break in the new war horse today, to burn off some energy and frustration due to the plans of the day. I had the stable hand saddle him in preparation for the training. Yet now with your happy news, perhaps you do not wish to engage in this activity?"
Erik now did recall asking Bernard to orchestrate this. He had thought it might be a good distraction for him, something to take his mind off the horror of the day, but now it just might be the diversion he needed to help keep his mind off the things he wished to do to his blushing bride that night. He could feel his muscles tighten and his blood begin to heat at the mere thought of having Christine in his arms, and in his bed, once more.
"No, Bernard, I think it would be a very useful endeavor. It will take my mind off of things as well as allow me to see just how much work will be needed to ready the stallion for battle." Erik swung his arm around his friends shoulder and steered him towards he stables. "I think a good work out is just what I need."
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Meg did not even bother to knock as she burst into Lady Cordelia's room, launching herself into Christine's arms when she turned to look at her.
"OH Christine!" Meg squealed, laughing and crying all at once. "I can't believe it…you are truly a Lady!"
"I am still trying to get used to the idea myself," Christine laughed, hugging her friend back just as tightly. Meg suddenly ended the hug and stepped back, looking slightly embarrassed as she smoothed down her skirt and looked at her friend with new eyes.
"Now that you are truly nobility I should remember my place and not treat you with such familiarity," she told her shyly, making a curtsey as she lowered her eyes.
"Meg!" Christine all but cried, grabbing her friend by the arms and pulling her back towards her. "I will have no such thing and do not let me ever catch you thinking such ridiculous thoughts again!" she chastised. "You have been and always will be my very best friend in this world, so much so that I would like you to stand with me at my wedding. I did not get the opportunity to ask you to do it the first time, but now I would love it if you would agree to do so."
"You…you mean it?" Meg was once again almost speechless. "Oh Christine, I would be thrilled to do so. Yes! Thank you!"
"No, thank you for everything you have done for me," Christine said, her eyes tearing up now as she hugged her tightly. "I do not know where I would be now without you, my dearest friend." Soon they were both crying and laughing as they continued their embrace.
"If you two continue to carry on this way you will not only get your dress wet with your tears but you will miss your own wedding," Lady Cordelia laughed, wiping her own eyes at the touching display.
Meg and Christine parted, their faces turning pink at the realization they had forgotten all about Lady Cordelia even being in the room during their personal moment. That was when Meg noticed what Christine was wearing, and while it was obviously a bit long for her, she deemed it that most beautiful dress she had ever seen. Quickly picking up the sewing basket she set to work pinning up the hem. The three girls enjoyed each other's conversation and company as they worked to get Christine ready.
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"Be careful, my lord!" Bernard yelled, cupping his hands around his mouth and shouting his encouragement as Erik approached the prancing beast. The large black had been saddled, much to its displeasure, and tied to the fence just outside the stables awaiting Erik's attention. The young stable hand, Peter, stood a few feet away, keeping a close eye on it, not willing to let it escape a second time. His arm was wrapped in a splint but he did not seem to let it slow him down. He eyed Erik warily as he approached, still unsure if what Bernard had told him was true, that his master had forgiven him and did not hold him accountable for the mishap earlier. But when Erik gave Peter a nod and a smile as he untied the rope, the young man breathed a sigh of relief.
Erik could feel the power of the stallion in front of him and it only fueled the energy he himself was experiencing. Today was shaping up to be one of the best days of his life and he was finding it difficult to stand still. Having a training session with his new horse was just what he needed to burn some of it off. He reached up with the hand not holding the rope and spoke in a calm voice, hoping to quiet the frantic charger. He succeeded in getting it to stop prancing, rubbing his hand against its powerful neck and shoulders, all the while using soothing words.
After a few minutes Erik led him into the practice arena and eased his way to the side of the horse, still stroking it as he went until he was in mounting position. He then gave Bernard, who continued to stand quite a distance away, a sly smile as he placed his foot in the stirrup. In one swift motion he was quickly astride the horse, his hands fisting in a tight grip on the reigns as the horse suddenly bolted, rearing up on two legs in an effort to dislodge the unwanted burden from his back. Erik only grinned wider and held on, gripping the animal with his thighs and balancing himself by sitting forward, refusing to be thrown off.
The group of soldiers and stable hands who had gathered for the show cheered their master on, calling out words of encouragement and shouts of praise. The horse continued to protest and pranced around showing his displeasure in every way possible in hopes of Erik dismounting, but he had no intention of getting off until he was good and ready. After a bit the stallion seemed to understand this and began to calm down, walking a little bit forward while shaking his head and main. A cheer went up through the crowd, applauding the Black Knight's victory over the animal so quickly.
Apparently this gave Erik an over inflated ego and he relaxed his grip, even daring to remove one hand to wave at the men. Well the horse could feel his lack of attention and took quick advantage of it, once more rearing up without warning and this time successfully throwing Erik from the saddle. The surprised lord landed unceremoniously on his backside, hitting the ground with a thump and a large exhale of breath. A collective gasp went up among the once cheering crowd and there were some who whispered thoughts of the horse's immediate demise. Yet when Erik raised his head and stared at the stallion that was now running around in the arena continuing to buck, the look he on his face was not one of anger, but instead pure delight.
"So that is how you want to play, is it?" Erik asked, jumping to his feet and brushing himself off, never taking his eyes off the angry steed. "Well prepare for a battle then, for you have just met your match!" Several of the men had advanced on the horse by now and had subdued him enough that Erik was able to rush forward and leap up into the saddle once more, his face still holding his excited grin. This time there was no kind words or moments offered to get used to the idea, and while he was not cruel in any way, Erik was most certainly determined.
As the horse flew into a bucking and kicking furry, Erik held on tightly, letting the animal wear itself out as he simply hung on, willing to ride out the storm. Storm…yes that would be a very good name for this dark animal, he thought to himself as he let all his pent up frustrations release, enjoying the battle being played out between him and the horse.
More men, and quite a few women, had now gathered and it seemed like everyone was enjoying the spectacle that the Black Knight was providing, so much that Bernard wondered if he should have sold tickets. The shouts and clapping that accompanied the wide eyed looks showed the steward just how much the Lord of Winterbourne was respected and admired. The whole fiasco with the King disavowing Christine as Sir Erik's wife had deeply troubled everyone at the castle, yet through it all they never lost faith in their master. It was a fine testament to his fair treatment to all who served under him. Yes, Bernard was proud to be counted as the Black Knight's steward and friend.
Erik gave the horse his head and allowed him to take out his aggression, all the while remaining firmly planted on his back. He waited until the large black's strength began to wane, bringing him once more down to a seemingly docile stance, walking here and there at Erik's gentle urging. After a few more minutes of this, allowing him to cool down, Erik urged him into a canter, circling the arena as he and the horse came to an understanding. Erik was thrilled with how well things had progressed and he could already imagine what a fine mount he would prove to be with further training. He would need to be conditioned to withstand the shouts of war, the clash of the sword and not be afraid of running headlong into battle. But with a firm hand and a gentle word, he was sure he would become one of the best mounts he had ever had.
The time passed quickly and soon a couple of hours had gone by and Erik showed no signs of tiring. The horse had apparently got his second wind and now that he was more willing to carry the knight, the large stallion seemed to be enjoying himself as well. Shaking his main and showing off his powerful legs as he raced around the training area like he owned it. Many of the spectators had left after a while but there was still a large group who enjoyed watching the master work and train the horse, marveling at his patience and precision with such a unpredictable animal. Bernard was just thinking how much he was enjoying all this when a shrill voice was heard over the crowd, causing everyone to turn and look to see who had spoken.
"And just what do you think you are doing?" Anne yelled as she came stomping over to the arena, her skirts fisted in her hands and raised slightly so that she would not trip in her tirade to get to Sir Erik. "You are to be married in not but a few short hours and here I find you risking your neck by playing around with your new, and might I add, untamed horse! What would her ladyship have to say about this?"
Erik had always respected Anne, she being the one person in the world who had seen him through the good and bad times of his life since childhood, but even he did not appreciate her incessant need to order him around like a scolded boy.
"I would hope that my bride would have better sense than to reprimand her lord within the confines of his own castle," he told the old woman, stopping the horse and leaning forward on his arm against the pommel of the saddle. "I am quite capable of making my own decisions, madam, and I will remind you once more of your place." While Erik's words were perhaps a tad harsh, the tone he said them with betrayed his lack of true irritation, after all she was the closest thing he had ever come to a mother's love.
"My place is to see that you remain in one piece and do not greet your bride with a broken leg!" Anne continued, not backing down. "Now, get off that fool horse and go get washed up and changed for your wedding or so help me I will drag you off by your ear and dunk you in the horse trough myself!" And before Erik, or anyone else could blink, she turned on her heal and stormed back inside the castle mumbling to herself as she went.
Many of the onlookers were shocked to hear her speak to the master in such a way, and while they all knew their long standing relationship, they wondered just how Sir Erik would deal with such a scolding. They were not left in doubt for long as suddenly the Black Knight let lose a loud and booming laugh.
"Well, Bernard," Erik began, looking over at his steward with an amused smirk. "I suppose I best obey or risk her wrath…not to mention a dunking."
Bernard physically pulled back, shocked to see Sir Erik giving in to the old woman's words and not flying into a terrible rage over the slight. Yet he could tell that the Lord of Winterbourne was in too good of a mood to allow anything to dampen his spirits this day. The fact that he was getting Christine back would keep a smile on his face for a month…or even longer!
Erik then dismounted, patting the stallion on the neck as he handed him off to Peter, instructing him to make sure he was brushed and rubbed down thoroughly and given an extra helping of grain as a reward. He then walked over to where Bernard stood, leaning against the fence as Erik removed his gloves and tucked them in his belt around his tunic.
"I believe I will go clean up," he told Bernard, suddenly realizing just how dirty and smelly he was after the strenuous work out with the horse. "Keep an eye out for the priest and send him to the main hall when he arrives." He then gave his friend a stern look. "Now don't you be late, and I fully expect to see your wife and sons present as well."
"Ah yes, Ophelia," Bernard said, realizing he had not had the opportunity to tell her the good news yet. Hmmm, perhaps he could have a little fun with this, he thought to himself. "Aye, my lord," Bernard laughed, turning to go. "I will indeed enjoy delivering this news personally!"
.
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Everyone grab your tissues and dress up in your best medieval garb...because we are going to a wedding! And this time the tears will not be due to the fact we do not approve of the bride, but instead because the bride is Christine!
Hmmmm, wonder what Bernard has up his sleeve. He better be careful, Ophelia is not one to mess with!
Wedding bells will be a ringing on Friday!