Prince Henry was strolling through the manicured gardens of the palace. He had spent the morning listening to his advisors speak about defence policies. He was not a military man and was not really interested. His father was delegating more responsibilities and Henry felt the weight of a whole country on his shoulders. Many a time he wished he was just a simple nobleman who managed a small piece of land instead of a whole Kingdom. He had escaped the palace to find time alone.
He had been married for 3 months and done his duty. His parents pleased that his wife was expecting an heir to the throne. Henry praying it would be a boy and they could live separately. If she wanted to visit her family in Spain, he would gladly allow it. Henry didn't particularly enjoy his wife's company as she was prone to cry and he didn't have the capacity to console her. His father reminding him royal marriages were arrangements to keep countries safe.
Henry often thinking about this when feasting his eyes on the portrait of Danielle. He wondered what she was doing and was jealous of her adventures. She always made life better and wished he had not judged her, but it was in the past.
King Francis calling his son into the throne room to inform him of a task his wished his son to complete. He was tired of watching him mope around and needed him to be useful. Now that Henry had his wife pregnant the King was happy to let his son travel. He wanted to extend the influence of France and wanted to secure an alliance through another marriage.
"Henry! I require you to travel to the Kingdom of 'Rosinia'. The King is open to your cousin Luísa marrying his nephew. You will travel with your cousin and only return once she has married" directed the King. Henry feeling a gift had been given to him went off to prepare for the journey. When he informed his wife of his travels it was met with an excitement which should not the case for a couple who had only recently married.
While this was not the case for Robert and Danielle…
Since their conversation around the fire Robert had been courting Danielle. Over the month their connection grew stronger, and everyone could see they had fallen in love. Leonardo was pleased to see this development and relieved Danielle would have someone who would love her. He found Robert a better match for the spirited Danielle. He had watched her gain more confidence and Robert had the ability to encourage her fire. Leonardo was going to be sorry when they finally parted company as she was a great help in his research. Until that was the case, he would take advantage of her abilities.
Finally, one early morning when they went hunting together Robert stopped and took hold of Danielle's hands. He looked into her eyes and knew it was the right time to ask her to marry him.
"Yes" was her answer and he responded by gathering her close to him. She had tilted her face up and he leaned down to kiss her lips. It was the sweetest experience and he wanted to spend the rest of the day in this moment. When they resurfaced Danielle rested her head against his beating heart.
"I am not a lady Robert" she warned him.
"Mmm" he kissed her again
"I still want to be in the security team" she pointed her finger at his chest
"You are enough for me" Robert looking at her in adoration. She always had her hair in braids tied with thin leather straps he had made for her. She also wore a leather vest which made her look like a warrior. He admired her fighting abilities and trusted her with his life. They would always be together, and he would never travel without his Danielle.
"Good… you are the best man I have ever known" she watched as he smiled while observing her face. He had never smiled as much in his life and attributed it to his lovely Danielle.
They returned to share their news which was met with much celebration. They still had another month left for their trip and Robert didn't want to wait. He knew that there was a large Abby in the area and would inquire with the head father. It was a large settlement and they decided to stay longer to replenish their supplies and purchase items for the wedding.
They were greeted warmly by the monks who invited them to stay for a number of weeks. Leonardo was shown to a large space so he could continue his research while Danielle would share a room with Susan until her marriage. Robert requesting a larger bed chamber and the senior father agreed to marry the pair the next day. The father waving the usual waiting time as Robert had served the Rosinia Kingdom in battle. The monk had a brother who had served with Robert and he wanted to honour this great warrior by marrying him.
Robert and Alexander visiting the local blacksmith to have a ring made. Robert wanted a crafted ring with a particular design. While Alexander visited other market stalls, Robert watched the ring being created and paid the man well for his service. Danielle and Susan were taken to the clothing stalls by Bruce and Abel. They looked at all the clothing and found a dress that would be suitable for the wedding ceremony. She had not worn such a dress in months and was excited to see Robert's reaction. He did tell he preferred her warrior wear but wanted her to feel like bride.
Robert laughing when Alexander gave him a tent as a wedding gift. It would ensure they would have privacy while they travelled.
The next day arrived and the couple were married in the abbey's chapel. The father performing the scared words marrying Robert and Danielle. The monks putting on a small feast to celebrate the marriage and the couple left everyone to finally have time alone. Robert leading Danielle by the hand to their bedchamber. He locked the door and gently held her in his arms. He could feel her shaking and told her how much he loved her. They undressed each other and intimately celebrated their love for one another.
"I love you" Robert later spoke while she rested her head on his chest and he stroked her back with his hand.
"I love you. You make me what to be better and you treat me as an equal. I wanted to marry you because I knew it was right not because I needed to escape" she answered back and turned her head for him to kiss her.
"I never thought I would marry but you changed my mind… my warrior wife" he smiled at her beaming face.
"Really?"
"When I saw you, I knew I wanted to marry you" He leaned down again to kiss her.
"I was a little slower, but I caught up" commented Danielle and responded to his kiss. He never held her back and showed her how to do things she had only ever dreamed about. They had great dreams once they settled in 'Rosinia' and if he had to travel, she would go with him. Danielle had realised her destiny had merged with his and it made her excited for the future.
The newly married couple emerging the next day to the cheers of their friends and they were not surprised Danielle was back in her normal outfit. Robert in fact had requested this as he thought she looked beautiful.
"My lady" Bruce, Alexander and Abel addressing her and had not seen their friend so happy. The couple being forced to separate as they had different tasks to complete before they continued on their journey.
They needed their weapons sharpened and repaired. While they were there Robert commissioned a crossbow and sword to be made for his wife. Leonardo wished to stay for a number of weeks and there would be enough time for the weapons to be made. Bruce observing that it certainly was an unusual wedding gift, but Danielle was not the normal woman. Bruce himself hoping he would find a woman who would make him just as happy as his friend Robert.
Their attention was taken by a group of knights riding into the market square bearing the Rosinia coat of arms. Robert who wore the arms of the Rosinia Royal family was greeted by the knights first.
"Sir Robert! we have been sent to find your party as the King expected you last month" a knight called Edward addressing Robert. Robert explained they had taken longer due to Leonardo's needs.
"We are glad to have found! Your Uncle has found someone for you to marry" Sir Edward informing Robert.
"My Uncle is going to be disappointed as I am already married" firmly spoke Robert.
"Married… the man who claimed he would remain single his whole life" laughed Edward and stopped when he realised Robert was serious about being married.
"What about my cousin the Crown Prince?" Robert asked. His cousin was unmarried and needed to marry.
"The King wants him to marry a princess and you were the next available gentleman but clearly not anymore" drily spoke Edward. He asked if they could accompany their party back to the Kingdom and relieved Robert could inform the King himself.
"These are for your wife?" the knights gasped in surprise when they discovered Robert was ordering weapons for his wife. After giving his final instructions he turned to still find them watching him.
"Yes… my wife is a strong and very capable woman" proudly spoke Robert but there was a note of warning in his voice. She was not something to be played with and he would kill any man who attempt to harm her.
The men leaving the marketplace and rode towards the Abbey. Robert spotting his wife who had taken out her crossbow but only putting it away when she recognised her husband. The other knights eyeing her curiously as she confidently gave her crossbow to Robert before being lifted onto his horse. Danielle and Susan had been gathering nuts to give to the monks for cooking purposes. Bruce picking up the little princess to be carried on his horse. Danielle enjoying having her husband arms around her as he rode his horse.
"How are you, my love?" softly spoke Robert in Danielle's ear. She told him she had been practising and wanted to see if she had improved in her sword fighting. Since Robert had been courting Danielle, he was only allowed to spar with her. He laughed out loud and promised they would after lunch.
It was what the knights witnessed when they entered the weapons room at the Abby. They watched in awe as Robert and his wife engaged in a sword fight. Danielle had improved in her strength and he was having to concentrate as she could move more easily compared to his larger frame. They stopped when he could see she was tiring and gathered her in his arms to tell her how much he loved her.
"My lady… I have never seen such skill" Edward spoke. The couple looking up unaware they had had an audience. Robert keeping his arm around his wife as the men approached.
"Thank your Sir Edward… my father taught me, but it is my husband and the other knights who improved my technique" Danielle moving closer to her husband who gave Sir Edward a warning stare. The man was a known womaniser, and his wife was off limits. They left the knights to their own practise and starting walking towards their bed chamber.
"I don't like Sir Edward" quietly spoke Danielle. She was thankful she could defend herself but liked it more her husband could overpower anyone. When she made that comment he picked her up in his arms and carried her the rest of the way. They were not seen until dinner and Danielle only had eyes for her husband.