GuestFromFrance: Long time, no see! I hope you are happy at your new job.


After thirty minutes of admiring weapons and finally purchasing a shield that met Tony's high expectations, he and Pepper were walking towards the food stalls once again.

Pepper's eyes were on the clothing stalls, that they passed by and he smiled at her look of longing. "Alright Pepper, let us look at the clothing items, I've denied you long enough."

She smiled gleefully and said, "Why don't you go ahead and get us some food? I will start my browsing."

This suited him and he went ahead, leaving her at the clothing stalls. Tony visited two food stalls, one with roasted chestnuts and the other with venison quiches and shanks. As he waited for the food, he glanced back at the clothing stalls. Pepper was busy pointing out items, haggling with the shopkeeper and inspecting the wares. He studied her slender form in blue, hair tied back neatly but shining in the summer sun and her rosy cheeks.

Tony felt relaxed and extremely contented as he looked at her, happily engrossed in her shopping. He chuckled as she began to argue passionately with the shopkeeper.

Your lady drives a hard bargain... drawled the Dragon.

Yes, she does, she is one smart negotiator.

The Dragon huffed and said slowly, You did the right thing, Anthony, you have light in your life now, leave the drink in the shadows... I am ...I am proud of you.

Tony widened his eyes. Dragon... from where is this coming?

I must admit, I knew you loved Virginia but the way you have transformed around her, is truly amazing. Your tenderness, your caring nature, the way you defend her but yet give her a chance, to learn, to try... and today, you put her first. I was always skeptical of love and its ability to inspire people but seeing you... in her light, you have learned how to love. It has made you a better man, Anthony...

Tony remained silent for a few moments, shocked by the Dragon's admiration and the mighty being chuckled loudly. I seem to have stunned you speechless... yet another achievement...

You always want to have the last word, don't you?

Their food was finally done and he picked up two plates and walked towards Pepper, who seemed to have decided on something and was paying for it. She heard him and hurriedly tucked the parcel into her bag. He was curious at her secrecy and asked, "Now what is that? What did you buy, Pepper?"

She blinked at him and gave a slow, mysterious smile. "That's for me to know and for you to find out, Tony..."

He shook his head at her and they sat down on the soft grass and began to tuck in, eating with gusto.

"Is it just me or is the food here, very tasty?" Pepper asked.

Tony began to mutter around a mouthful of chewed up food in his mouth. "It is good... because they do not let just anyone come here to cook. The stall owners have to pay for a place in the fair. Since the price is reasonable and the business is good, there is a lot of competition. A committee decides which cooks are the best to represent their region from the many participants."

Pepper was nodding at him and then asked, "So are there any game stalls here? Games we could play. Games where I could defeat you again, my lord."

He quirked an eyebrow at her smug smile. "After my horse, do you have eyes on my Keep as well, my lady?"

She threw her head back and laughed loudly. "Oh Tony... that was hilarious. No my lord, rest assured, no more spoils, I just want to compete with you, that's all."

He thought for a moment. "What about archery?"

Pepper nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, that sounds good. Are you done eating?"

He stood up, wiped his hands on his kerchief and helped her stand. They threw away the plates and walked towards the square area at the edge of the fairgrounds, hand in hand.

Tony was relieved that there were just a few youths lined up, waiting for a turn with the bow and arrow. They stood at the end of the line and he whispered to Pepper, "Two types of competition are being offered here. Single means you have to hit a certain number of targets within a certain duration and you win a prize if you do. Dual means you get to compete with another person. Whoever hits the most targets, wins. Which competition are you interested in, Pepper?"

She replied, "Dual, you versus me." Pepper had that steely glint in her eyes, which he knew, meant she was thinking of a strategy to defeat him.

To add to my woes, she is actually better than me at archery.

He thought it prudent to mention the terms of the competition again. "Just so I am clear... no spoils go to the victor, correct?

Pepper had schooled her expression into one of extreme nonchalance but it did not fool Tony. She's thinking of something...

Then she smiled at him innocently. "Welll... what's the harm in one more small wager?"

"My lady! You already get Balthazar to ride for some time! What more do you want?"

There was no one behind them, so she tugged him down and bit his ear softly, whispering into it darkly, "Yes, for sometime I get Balthazar... but I feel his rider is the true prize... and I intend to claim him as my own... What do you think of that?"

He gulped and then whispered back, "What does claiming entail?"

She whispered against his ear, "You lie perfectly still and let me ravish you, my lord... completely and utterly. Your beautiful body will surrender to my control..."

Every sensually uttered syllable of Pepper's made the blood pool in his stomach and he felt very warm. The images of Pepper 'ravishing' him as she put it so nicely, flooded his mind and he blinked to clear his head.

Tony's mouth said "Yes" before his brain could react and Pepper shook his hand happily. "Thank you, Tony, we are in accord."

"Hold on, hold on... what about me, what if I win?"

She smiled at him. "Alright Tony, what do you want?"

"If I win, you come with me to the nearby city of Dale and you let me commission you, an entire season of clothing". She widened her eyes and he continued quickly, "I know a gifted seamstress over there, one who is a master with the needle and thread... "

"Tony..."

"Pepper, you deserve to wear the best... I have never brought any woman any clothing except..." he flushed here, thinking of the skimpy undergarments he had paid for his paramours, that were hidden all over the Keep.

It seemed Pepper knew what he was talking about because her mouth tightened and she said coolly, "Yes, Tony I am aware of the 'items' of clothing you bought, I've seen them."

He carried on, "I've brought trinkets and undergarments but this wouldn't be the same. Please Pepper..."

She smiled at him and said, "Alright Tony. It would be fun to be commissioned a whole season of clothes! I could specify fabrics, materials, styles etc. Janice is nice but some of her styles are ... old fashioned." She shrugged and said, "But wait! This is only if you win, Tony. Only then."

"Deal. Now we have an accord." They shook and it was finally their turn.

Pepper was standing in front of Tony and she stretched her hand towards the gatekeeper with the fare.

He stared rudely and opened his mouth to say something, that Tony knew he wasn't going to like at all. So he gave the man his most threatening scowl and the gatekeeper quietly took the offered money.


The two competitors entered the area. There were six targets, arranged in ascending amount of distance, with the first target, 7 meters away from where they were standing. A thin rope marked the cut off line, which they weren't allowed to cross.

They decided to take turns in shooting at each target. The Lady would go first.

She took her position, checked for wind direction and lined up her shot. Then she fired. The arrow hit the inner ring of the target.

The Iron Knight was next and with less indecision, he fired straight and true, to hit a bulls-eye. He waggled his eyebrows at the Lady, who smiled at him serenely.

Target 1:

Lady: 5

Knight: 10

At the next target, the Knight went first, being the high scorer. He fired and hit the inner ring.

The Lady went next and waited for the wind to die down. The Knight smirked at her but she ignored him and her patience paid off. She hit the bulls-eye dead on.

Target 2 + 1:

Lady: 10 + 5

Knight: 5 + 10

At the next target, the Knight hit the inner ring while the Lady hit the outermost ring.

Target 3 + 2 + 1:

Lady: 0+ 10 + 5

Knight: 5 + 5 + 10

The Knight was leading, so he had first chance at Target 4. This time he hit the outermost ring. The Lady scored a bulls-eye.

Target 4 + 3 + 2 + 1:

Lady: 10+ 0+ 10 + 5

Knight: 0+ 5 + 5 + 10

The Lady was leading by five points but at Target 5, she faltered and hit the outermost ring. The Knight struck the inner ring.

Target 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1:

Lady: 10+ 0+ 10 + 5

Knight: 5+ 5 + 5 + 10

The score was tied and both competitors knew this was it. Whoever hit the last target's bulls-eye, would win the game and the wager. The Knight nodded at the Lady, smiling deeply. He was very confident he would hit the bulls-eye and win. She just smiled back at him sweetly.

He lined up his shot, pulled back his bow, concentrating on the target. And then he made a tactical error. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced sideways at his opponent, standing to his left. The Lady slowly touched her tongue to her upper lip and pushed it gently. She was looking at him from under her long lashes, raking his body from head to toe. He exhaled sharply and let his arrow loose, without aiming. It flew wildly and fell short of striking the target. The Knight slapped his forehead hard.

He stared at the Lady, who serenely took his place, gently moving him aside. In one smooth motion, she lined up the shot and perfectly hit the target in the bulls-eye.

The Knight looked up at the sky, shaking his head with disbelief. As the Lady passed him victoriously, head held high, he whispered darkly, "That was not fair, you know the effect you have on me...Lady Potts."

In a very sultry voice, the Lady whispered back, "All is fair in love and war... Lord Stark." Then she giggled and he couldn't help but laugh at himself.


Tony and Pepper were leisurely strolling around the Fair, taking in the sights when they happened upon a flat grassy plain, where a number of men and women were gathered.

Tony tensed up, horrified at what was going to happen on the plain and cursing himself for not realizing it. Pepper was busy looking around herself. Just then a yeoman announced loudly, "Join the dance, sirs and madames! Come one, come all and take a place in the line!"

Tony grimaced, trying to look for a way out of the plain. He hated dancing. But then he felt Pepper tighten her grip on his arm and she exclaimed excitedly, "Tony! We are just in time for the dance! How marvelous!"

She asked a nearby couple, "Excuse me, do you know which dance is going to start?"

The lady simperingly said, "The Pavane! Isn't it grand!? The latest courtly dance!"

Tony rolled his eyes at the mentioned dance. A pretentious, posing ceremony used by the royalty to show off their clothes. Huh! And these simple folk want to imitate them blindly!

Then he watched Pepper straighten her clothes and touch her hair, making sure she looked alright. She looked at him, eyes shining, smiling so happily at him. "How do I look, Tony? Do I look fine? I want to look my best up there..."

"You look beautiful, Pepper." he said softly, her puppy-like enthusiasm touching him deeply.

She tugged on his hand and pointed towards the middle of the plain, where a small line of people had started to form. "We should go there, Tony, we need to get a good posi-".

Pepper stopped talking mid-way, suddenly turning quiet. "I forgot, you do not like to dance... we can go away then..." She turned to go but not before Tony say the look of disappointment in her eyes, which she was trying to hide. He mentally kicked himself for being insensitive.

Don't be an ass! The lady wants to dance, suck it up and dance!

He quickly caught her hand in his and bowed deeply over it. "My lady, would you do me the honor of being my partner for this dance?" he murmured against her hand. He looked at her and Pepper bit her lip and said slowly, "Tony, you do not need to dance. It is alright, it is just a silly ceremony-"

"I do not need to, my lady, I want to... please accept my invitation."

She nodded, her eyes soft and blue, meeting his with happiness. He led her to the line and they took their places, as the fifth couple.

The musicians sitting in a corner, started to tap their instruments, gently hinting at the crowd to step back from the plain and give the dancers room. The ladies and men, who would be dancing, were separated into two different groups, standing apart, but in line with each other.

The band started to play, a slow flute and drum rhythm and the first couple began to walk towards each other, taking a step with each beat of the drum. The woman crossed to the man's side and he crossed to hers, slowly. She turned slightly and he took her hand.

Then they slowly stepped forward, towards the crowd this time and the next couple did the same, the first couple step-by-step moving in front of them. Tony was watching the dancers carefully because he was not familiar with this dance.

When it was his turn, he took care to step with the music, keeping a careful eye not to walk into Pepper, who crossed him gracefully and took his hand daintily.

The swan and the bear, that is what we are... she is gliding across the grass beautifully, while I amble into place, body stiff and tense...

As she held his hand and they walked forward, one step at a time with the music, Pepper smiled at him reassuringly and squeezed his hand tightly. He nodded, determined not to mess up and took a deep breath as they walked in a straight line, the last of the couples.

The flute began to pick up the pace, now a soulful melody and the couples started to step backwards now, one foot at a time. Tony didn't realize this in time and would have walked into the man in front of him, if it had not been for Pepper's firm halting hand, that pulled him back slightly.

He began to walk backwards, one step at a time. Finally, they had to turn and face each other, not letting go of their joined hands.

Tony remembered what came next and was prepared when the music of the violin joined the symphony of the flute and drum. This was the cue for the men to get down on one knee. He did so in a controlled movement, trying to be as dignified as the others.

As Pepper circled him, he did not let go of her hand nor break eye contact. One side of her mouth quirked and he knew she was smiling at him controlling his urge to fidget. Then it was his turn to circle her and he looked into her blue blue eyes, smiling at him as he did so.

Why didn't I notice before, how romantic this dance is... the hand holding, the circling... I guess, with the right woman, I don't feel like a ponce doing this dance.

The next step was to stand facing the crowd, hands lifted and joined and then she curtsied and he dipped his knees. He was rather surprised that it was the end of the dance as the crowd began to clap and cheer wildly when the music stopped.

As the couples walked away and the crowd began to mingle, Tony stood where he was and held Pepper's hand, unwilling to let her go. She was also looking at him, lips curved in a gentle smile.

"Pepper, you move like a dream..." he whispered. "So beautifully light and graceful... It is an honor to dance with you, my lady..."

She smiled softly, eyes shimmering and moved close to him. Then he kept absolutely still as she wrapped her arms around his neck, laid her head on his shoulder and softened against him, sighing deeply. "Tony...Tony... it is such a pleasure to dance with you, my lord..."

He wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her closer and they both began to sway slowly. The band was playing a vibrant, moving tune and couples around them, twirled and swirled. But the Iron Knight and the Lady just remained in each other's arms, lost to the world around them, swaying slowly in the summer sun.


So I am very bad at describing formal dances. To see an actual reenactment o the dance (and grasp what the heck I am talking about) please see this Youtube video:

watch?v=BXZrT4fMgFk