Chapter Seven
Words Spoken, Dreams Realized
The stage was set, all the careful preparations were about to come to fruition, and Darien Chiba was nervous. The breeze was steadily growing warmer as the temperatures rose making the suit of armor feel like an oven. The knights waited across from the noble court as the Master of Ceremonies made a speech about the joust. How sixteen knights would battle for the right to be called champion. But the midnight eyes never strayed from Serena hidden beneath the black helm.
It hadn't taken much convincing with the other knights, since the young man hadn't asked any favors since joining the festival. Now as long as all went well, Darien shook his head thinking to himself, 'She looks so beautiful…like a true princess' but the opening ceremony was over and the joust was about to begin. Serena watched intently as a pair of heralds each wearing a different knight's colors stood before the dais. They each introduced their knights speaking of his virtues or his achievements, but neither of the knights was the one in black.
Cathy bent to be heard, "These are just the preliminaries, we won't do much until the semi finals when there are only four knights left. Just watch and keep an eye out for a knight you like."
But Cathy knew full well which knight Serena had her eye on, for she had been watching him intently since they arrived in the stadium. Now the two knights rode toward each other foot long lances aimed at each other. This was just a point match, first to score three broken lances wins the match. But later they would be until the death or surrender. Many in the stands were eyeing the women and more than one made a special observance towards Serena.
Finally, just when Serena was going to ask, a herald unlike any of the others stepped forward. His tunic and trousers where straight black and he had the crescent moon embroidered on his tunic over his heart. But it was his manner which made him different. He bowed gracefully, yet simply and smiled as if to old friends. As he spoke his voice glittered like wind chimes in the spring.
"Good Ladies most fair, I regret that my speech is but short, for what I am to say shall be straight forth and true," the young man slowly stepped along the wooden partition that would separate the two knights, "I'll nae bore you with words of my liege's greatness, nor dazzle you with fairy tales of acts he has not done. I shall tell rather of a quest he has undertaken, to seek a woman of unsurpassed beauty, grace, and purity of heart that he would walk nae run, blindfolded into the abyss."
"He first saw said maiden in a dream, on the eve he was to be knighted in truth. After that dream he knew he would nae be able to rest until he found her in life. I pray he does so good people, for until he finds her he has given up his lands, his titles and even his name to go from land to land just to find her. But I look upon these four maidens and I see renewed hope for my liege yet, perhaps his lady lies before my eyes…" the black clothed herald paused a slight half smile on his face as the four noblewomen listened raptly, "I truly hope it does good ladies, for a life without love is most hollow indeed, and so without gilding the lily, and with no more ado, I give you my liege…the knight of the rose, the seeker of a dream, and follower of love most true!!"
Serena smiled and applauded the herald who bowed once more before walking over to Darien who glanced at him and spoke amidst the applause, "Laying it on a bit thick eh Greg??"
Gregory laughed brushing long black hair from his eyes, "But my lord I only get this once to do it, and I spoke no word untrue."
The young man smiled a bit as Darien led his horse to the starting position one hundred yards distant of his opponent. The black lance held vertical as the flag was held by a nervous staff bearer. Nonetheless the entire arena was silent for the final match of the preliminaries. Silver armor gleamed as the sun hit it and the flag dropped.
Moondreamer began galloping with the first touch of heels to flanks and Darien lowered his lance and aiming. The opponent's horse wasn't nearly as fast as the black stallion so the black lance struck true while he was able to let the opposing lance glance off his left shoulder. The ebony lance shattered and sent the silver knight from his horse forcefully earning Darien three points and the victory.
The crowd applauded loudly as the stallion reared up and then settled with a gentle touch from his rider. The pair rode past the booth where Serena sat and for a moment the two eyes met. Serena felt a blush in her cheeks as the unknown knight continued on, there was something strangely familiar about all this, but she couldn't remember what it was. Cathy smiled slightly at her friend and then Serena seeing the blonde woman's reaction, this was going to be better than ever before at the festival.
In the stands Serena's four friends watched the joust as they murmured amongst themselves in unbridled curiosity. They knew now why Darien had wanted to know which dress Serena liked, but they were still unsure as to where the man himself was. They had expected him soon after the knights came out but even then he never showed. Now they sat in varying stages of anxiety or irritation.
"Where is he??" Lita muttered in vexation, "If he stood her up I swear I'll ring his neck until he looks like….like….something bad!!"
Rei shook her head, "Relax I am sure there is a logical explanation for all of this…" but silently the young priestess thought, 'there had better be Darien…'
The next couple of matches went by and again the knight in black was up. The girls all agreed he was the coolest of the knights and they hoped he won this round which would put him into the semi final round. But Mina watched the knight's herald closely, finding him extremely handsome. The two knights charged each scoring one point and a moment later they charged again, this time the knight in black sent his opponent head over heels with his hit, much to the delight of the audience.
While her friends were watching this however, Ami was glancing around thoughtfully and beginning to come to a conclusion that made her smile. Richard stood amongst the semi-finalist, all of whom had their visors up save the one riding Moondreamer. Lita glanced at her friend curiously wondering why she was smiling.
"Because I think I know what Darien is up to…" she smiled secretly and Lita raised a brow slightly. But the young genius refused to say anything further as the knights stood before the ladies. The knight with the crescent moon on his shield stepped his stallion towards the booth and tipped his lance before the Lady Serenity.
The crowd watched in silence as Serena's sapphire eyes widened fearfully, but Cathy whispered, "He is stating he is going to win this tournament for you, usually the lady will give him a token…a handkerchief or something of that nature."
Serena hesitated a moment then smiled and took a ribbon from her hair, leaving it cascading down her back, and slowly tied it around the gauntleted wrist of the knight. He bowed in the saddle and she responded with a slow curtsy that made even Darien surprised before he rode on. The other knights followed his course choosing a different lady, with Richard bringing up the rear and tipping his lance to Cathy.
Despite her lack of a ribbon now, Serena's hair was still held back by the tiara and she smiled gently watching excitedly. Her friends whispered amongst themselves about what they had seen, but Ami didn't seem at all concerned. Her only curiosity was if Serena knew or not that the knight was Darien. The last rounds were to be fought until one knight surrenders or is knocked unconscious.
Richard and his opponent road towards each other lances breaking into shards but the two wheeled before the dust of their passing had settled and drew their swords. The silver knight slashed at Cathy's husband, but he ducked dexterously before leaping to take the knight from his saddle to the ground. Sword met shield as the two continued their fierce combat until finally the silver knight knelt in defeat.
Serena looked at Cathy who's face had paled visibly, "It's alright Catherine…" and Serena touched the older woman's hand gently, "he's alright…"
She knew the fear the older woman must have felt when the man slashed at her husband, Serena recalled something…a dim recollection of feeling the same fear for another, but she didn't know where it was from. Cathy smiled gratefully to her new friend and squeezed her hand once before looking at the arena where the last match before the finals began.
Darien's horse stepped lightly in place as he looked at the only person before Richard. Excitement for what would come filled him and he spurred Moondreamer forward lance lowering slowly. Serena impulsively bit her lower lip as the knights closed the distance between each other. The deafening crash of lance against armor filled the air as the knights turned but before Darien could move again the other knight held up a gauntleted fist.
"I concede good knight," his voice was loud despite his visor, "I wish thee well on thy quest for you have proven that thou art indeed the better."
Darien hadn't expected that, but he didn't mind, a little more energy for the finals, he reined his horse in as the Master of Ceremonies stood and began speaking, "Lords and Ladies all, the final match shall be the unknown knight, and our own Sir Richard! We shall commence in ten minutes!"
People began milling about and Gregory guided Moondreamer to the stables letting him and Darien rest for a few moments, and Darien removed his helmet with a gasp. The stables were closed to the public during this time, which was good for the young man and he laced fingers through his sweat dampened hair. Not much time remaining until it was all over. Richard smiled as he entered the solitude of the stables.
"How ya feeling buddy?" he grinned a bit.
"I am as scared as I have ever been Rich…look my hand is shaking…" Darien held up his shaking hand and laughed nervously.
"Relax buddy, you've done these a hundred times…"
But Darien interrupted his friend, "It's not the joust it's…Serena."
Gregory smiled as he looked over the stallion's saddle while brushing him free of sweat to avoid chills, "Hey come on Darien, she'll say yes, trust me, I can see it in her eyes."
Darien nodded hoping this worked right as he waited and Moondreamer laid his head on his rider's shoulder as if offering support.
Serena and the other ladies sat under the dais, preferring the shaded area to the heat and the three women smiled at their new friend making silent vows to see she returned next year. For her part, Serena was tying a new ribbon to her fallen locks and her sapphire eyes were filled with anxiety. Still no sign of Darien, perhaps he hadn't known she was here, maybe he had been stuck in the crowd.
As she finished with her braid she looked at Cathy, "What's left….the finals I know…"
The older woman nodded smiling, "Then the woman the winner named, you or I, will be named princess of the festival and we shall crown the winner with a wreath, then we'll go to the ball, your friends are welcome to come as well of course."
"Princess of the festival…wow…well we'll see, why do you think he chose me?"
Cathy shrugged playing innocent, "Because he likes you??"
"But I don't know who he is….do you know?"
"No…sometimes it's a new guy and we've had a lot of changes to the staff," she smiled, "just relax and all will be well."
Trumpets blared before the young woman could ask more and her eyes turned to the main area where the knights were slowly lining up. And for the final time the heralds stepped forward bowing gracefully to the ladies and the crowd. Richard's herald spoke first, a handsome young man with blonde hair wearing a blue tunic with a gold slash in a diagonal line down his chest.
"My ladies, good people all, tis my honor and joy that I stand here, just before the final match where my liege shall seek victory this day. He has fought all his life, gained honor in victories in the summer festivals two years running. The Knight of the Festival, Lord of the Western Realm, Protector of the freed lands! I give you my liege Sir Richard Lansford!"
The crowd applauded as the young herald stepped aside for Darien's introduction, with a fluid bow the young man smiled, "Good Ladies, friends all it is once more an honor to stand before you now, for my liege stands on the brink of realizing that dream which has filled his soul for his life. One tip of the lance, one chance moment is all that stands between him…and victory."
"Oh good people long have I yearned for this day, for he has confided in me that the lady from his dream, the one his heart has sought for years, is in this very stadium…" Gregory smiled secretively, "But until he is victorious she shall remain a dream…one that he will continue to follow until his heart rest with hers."
"Love is a rare gift, one few can ever find, and it is something my lord will gladly fight for, indeed something all who find it should fight for…" he smiled slowly stepping along the fence between the two mounted riders, "So treasure this gift, and remember all you this day, for it is the day when love is found and fought for, and it is a sight I shall never forget…"
Silence followed these words, "And so…with no more introduction and no further ado…I present my liege, The Seeker of a Dream, Defender of hope and Crusader for love…The unknown knight of the rose!"
The audience reaction was deafening as Gregory bowed slowly and left to Darien's mounted form and the two exchanged a few words. But Serena was lost in confused thoughts as she watched the two warriors ready themselves. If she was understanding what had been said this knight of the rose had found the woman he was in love with. But who could that be?
Scanning the crowd the young woman sighed still unable to spy her love amidst the crowded stands. Turning those brilliant sapphires back towards the knights she watched as the flag dropped down and the stallions charged towards each other. This wasn't going to end with a broken lance she knew, the two knights had selected to continue until one surrenders. The two clashed and Richard was forced from his horse.
The knight in black wheeled as Richard drew his sword slowly and stood on the ground, the black knight jumped out of his saddle and drew his own blade slowly. Silence rang as the armored fighters slowly stood staring at each other, slowly they saluted each other then took their stances shields balanced on their left arms. Finally Richard moved first surging forward faster than Serena had believed was possible. But the knight in black met the charge leaping back and slashed his sword which was met by his opponent's shield.
Richard grunted leaping back and dodging the swinging blade, despite the heavy blade Darien moved quickly. But the younger of the two missed and Richard shoved Darien, they had refined the fight and only a few more salvos remained before it was over. Beneath his helm Darien felt perspiration roll down his neck as he darted sideways once more.
Finally the two met in the middle of the field and Richard smiled slightly slashing at his long time friend. Darien parried the blow and shoved all his weight into his friend sending him to the ground. The crowd cheered as the black knight's foot landed on Richard's blade and the sword point found his throat. All was tense as the audience waited for Richard's choice. Finally he nodded his surrender and Darien removed his blade.
"He won…" Serena's voice was full of wonder and amazement, for she still had no idea who he was. Her eyes turned helplessly to Cathy as the crowd applauded and the knight rode Moondreamer towards the dais where she sat. "What do I do now Cathy?"
"It's a snap Serena, all you have to do is go down and meet the knight, first he will place a crown of red roses on your head, then you will do the same for him, naming him champion and you the princess of the festival," Cathy could barely contain herself as she watched the younger girl's eyes widen in nervousness.
With all the grace of a princesses of old she stood and slowly descended the staircase of the dais to meet the knight and the master of ceremonies. Darien dismounted and strode towards the two, the master of ceremonies standing with two wreaths in hand. Silently the two looked at each other, Serena standing tall and beautiful, while the still unknown knight kept his helmet and visor on. The master of ceremonies handed the knight the wreath as he spoke loudly.
"Good people this valiant warrior, who has this day fought for his right to be named champion has chosen the Lady Serenity to be named the Princess of the Festival," with those words the black knight slowly placed the wreath of roses atop her head gently. Serena felt the breeze and with it the scent of roses and cinnamon once more reminding her that Darien was somewhere near. Her heart was light as she blushed and curtsied once more while the crowd applauded gladly.
Then the master of ceremonies handed her the second wreath speaking only after the applause had silenced, "And now Princess, would you crown your champion…" the man turned slowly and spoke to Darien, "Sir Knight, please kneel and remove thy helmet."
The young woman felt her heart beating frantically in anticipation, she was almost trembling with curiosity to find out who this man was. The knight slowly knelt on the soft grass and gauntleted hands reached up undoing the clasp of his helmet. Serena's friends joined the rest of the crowd in leaning on the edge of their seats, the silence in the arena was almost deafening. Serena's eyes widened in surprised joy as she met the midnight hued eyes of the man she loved with all her heart.
Sweat dampened hair matted his head as Darien smiled gently to her, bowing his head so she could place the wreath on his head. Then he took her hand gently and brought it to his lips gently, the light kiss nevertheless sent a small shockwave through Serena's body. The audience once more applauded as Darien stood and offered his arm to Serena, who took it gladly. He escorted her to where the other knights were gathered and they led the procession. Although they never turned their bodies their eyes were constantly glancing at each other and soon they were out of sight of the audience.
Darien smiled gently drawing her away from the others of the performance troupe and looked into those brilliant sapphire orbs. For her part, Serena felt as if in a dream, oddly though her hand had not left Darien's since he had taken it. Silently he watched her his expression one of relieved joy that he had finished his goal, and of anxiety mixed with love.
Finally Serena broke the silence, "Darien I…I don't understand…."
But the young man shook his head slowly, "It's just that….Serena I…" Darien glanced around then sighed hesitantly, but he glanced into her eyes and saw only love in them, "Serena, I wanted to do this for you…because I wanted you to know how I felt about you…"
Realization dawned on Serena, "You mean you went through all this…for me?"
He smiled and nodded slowly, "Serena…I realized something that night at the park, that I would have been empty if I never saw you again. But I didn't realize until later what I was really feeling was…was…"
Gently Serena looked into his eyes, calm and gentle as her name, nothing in her eyes betrayed the hammering of her heart as he slowly spoke, "I realized that I love you Serena Tsukino…and if you'll have me I can promise I'll never let you be hurt again."
Those sapphire eyes began to glitter as the young woman finally heard the words, spoken in broad daylight, that she had wanted to hear for so long. Wordlessly Serena embraced him, her head finding his shoulder as she began to cry softly. Not the wailing cries she had once cried, nor the pitiful ones he had heard that night long ago. No these tears he welcomed for they were tears from a heart so overjoyed it was painful. Darien knew those tears, for he now shed them too and welcomed it.
But Serena managed to speak through her joy and her whisper was as gentle as a breeze but held the sincerity of an oath, "I love you too Darien Chiba…always…"
With those words Darien felt that he had never known true joy before, only imitations, for nothing could rival this moment for the joy he felt now. But before they could say or do anything more they heard a collective "aww" from nearby and turned seeing six sets of eyes watching them.
After the crowning the four girls had followed quickly and were soon joined by Cathy and Richard. Once they found their friends they had eavesdropped shamelessly beside a tent. But Darien and Serena merely smiled to one another as her dearest friends came out smiling. She hugged each one now understanding all they had done for her. And her newest friends Cathy and Richard received hugs as well.
Finally Serena returned to Darien who held her close and smiled, "Thanks guys…I truly have the greatest friends in the world, and now the greatest boyfriend as well," he smiled at her and her cheeks pinked slightly, as her friends smiled warmly and silently congratulated themselves for their outstanding work.
"Now I am going to grab a shower," Darien grinned a bit, "And change for the ball tonight…you will come princess won't you?"
She nodded slowly and smiled gently, "It would be my pleasure noble knight, if you would be my escort."
The young man chuckled as the four friends sighed seeing hearts in their eyes again. It was agreed the Darien and Richard would shower and change, while the girls could go enjoy the remainder of the festival at their leisure. They would meet back at his tent an hour later for the ball. Before she left though, the young man gently caressed the silken cheek and drew her into a soft kiss. It was only a second, but to Serena it seemed to last an eternity, and it was then that Serena realized that dreams can come true if you only have faith in the truth of love.
With that Serena found a renewed bounce in her steps as she carried the true love in her heart. And the anticipation of the coming dance this evening to keep her hoping for this eve to come soon.