This week's special: Fluff!
In archery we have something like the way of the superior man. When the archer misses the center of the target, he turns around and seeks for the cause of his failure in himself - Confucius
Tony watched with bated breath as the archers were led to their positions. He of course, was busy looking for one archer in particular, tall and red-haired with a black shortbow.
Winter had officially started in Lorinthia. It had snowed lightly at night and there was a thin blanket of snow on the ground. The weather was cold but not cold enough to be unbearable.
So the annual Town Hall gathering of the Village had been approved to go ahead. And for the first time in three years, ever since Lord Stark had returned to his ancestral Keep, his lordship had decided to grace the occasion with his presence.
He had always rebuffed the invitations sent to him and the villagers expected no different this time around but surprisingly Lord Stark had accepted. Then the townspeople realized the reason behind his change of heart and were glad for it. Not only would Lord Stark be attending, he had magnanimously decided to sponsor a tournament to be held before the gathering.
Tony had wanted to hold a jousting tournament but Pepper had threatened him with dire consequences, so he had quickly suggested archery instead. The Village elders were agreeable but in a very surprising and controversial move, he had insisted on two competitions, one for men and one for women as well.
Comments and grumbles were muttered galore about this new age thinking, that didn't sit too well amongst the elders. But they were too scared of his Lordship, to actually argue back and so the women of the Village would finally get a chance to compete on a stage.
Of course Pepper was participating and much to Tony's horror, so was Magdalene. She and Pepper had been very sporting with each other about the whole competition. But he was still scared that Magdalene would be a sore loser and take it out on them later, with horrible cooking.
Pepper had practiced a lot and Tony was very sure she would win. The tournament had started an hour back and finally the men's competition was over. He had been impatiently waiting for the women's round to begin.
Where is Pepper? I am so excited... wait! There she is!
He forgot himself and waved excitedly at her.
His lady, in his opinion, the best contender of them all, was standing at the third position, checking her bow and arrow.
Pepper looked up and waved back at him, smiling softly. Tony heard some snickering behind him and turned with a murderous glare, that silenced the would be scoffers. They bolted away with alacrity and he turned back to gaze at Pepper.
Happy came to stand beside him and whispered, "All is ready, Tone. The headman is aware and willing of your plan. Don't worry."
Without taking his eyes off Pepper, Tony whispered, "She looks so pretty... with her new coat and bow." He sighed.
Happy whistled softly. "You are really in love with Pepper."
He stared at Happy with shock. "Of course I am. I am not marrying her for convenience! If I could marry her tomorrow, I would! But..." he scowled darkly.
Deciding to get married had been easy. But since he was a nobleman and she a lady, they couldn't simply get married. They had to formally announce their intentions and they had to perform the customary monetary exchange between bride and groom. Tony had insisted he did not believe in that archaic tradition but Pepper had told him they should do the exchange with a nominal amount, just to avoid lectures from the Village elders.
Then their engagement would be announced in all the surrounding churches, so that if anyone had any objections or news of either party, they had ample time to come forward. Plus, he and Pepper had to be formally engaged for some period of time, before they got married.
Tony frankly wanted to elope and be done with it. All this waiting made him uneasy. Then his thoughts softened.
"Happy, Pepper wants to plan the wedding properly, venue, food, attire, everything...I can't deny her that... I want her to be happy."
Happy raised his eye brows at him. "Even if she insists you wear a bright blue tunic with gold piping to the wedding?"
Tony swallowed hard at the thought of wearing a such a ridiculous outfit. Then he nodded his head firmly.
"If that's what Pepper wants... that's what she will get."
Happy shrugged. "The things we men will do for the fairer sex."
Tony wanted to object but he was distracted by the specifications of the outfit. "How did you have such a peculiar color in mind? Hereald..." he smiled widely, "Did Stephanie make you wear such an outfit for your wedding?"
Happy grimaced. "NO!" Then he said slowly, "My tunic was mauve."
Tony clapped his hands over his mouth, trying to control his laughter at the mental image of Happy in such a costume.
"Alright Stark! That's enough laughing at my expense. So you have picked a date?"
He shrugged. "Not a date but we have a season."
"Good enough. And..." Happy hesitated here, "what about Stane?"
The name made Tony tense and he felt his Fire roar in response. "What about him? He is always going to be a threat but... it is something we have to live with. I know one day or the other, we have to face him..." Then Pepper caught his eye. She winked at him mischievously.
He felt a gentle warmth flow through him and he smiled back at her. "You know what, Happy?" he turned to Hereald who had been observing this exchange. "I think we are going to be okay."
Happy grinned back at him. "I think so too, boss."
Then trumpets were heard and the crowd stopped murmuring to pay attention. The Headman announced loudly, "Ladies and gentlefolk, the Women's archery tournament is about to begin! Please maintain silence as the participants take their places."
Tony watched as the targets were brought forward, 5 leagues away from the archers. Pepper stretched herself and then raised her bow, taking aim.
"Round 1, hit the target within the outermost black circle. On the count of three, fire away."
Tony was relaxed as Pepper pulled her bow back and lined up her shot, closing her eyes.
This is an easy target for Pepper, she has hit more difficult targets during our training sessions.
"One, Two, Three, Fire!"
At the end of the count, a volley of arrows were released and with a crescendo of loud thunks, they hit the targets. Tony smiled smugly as he saw Pepper had hit the target dead center.
Happy whooped loudly, startling some spectators. "Bulls-eye!"
The Headman announced, "Those who have failed to hit the target or failed to hit within the circle, please leave the arena."
Out of 15 participants, only five remained. Magdalene was one of remaining participants and she nodded firmly at Pepper, who smiled back at her.
Tony rubbed his hands with glee. "Come on Pep, only two more rounds."
The Headman announced loudly, "Round two shall consist of two turns. Each archer must stand at the line and hit the first target dead center and the second target's innermost ring. With each turn, the distance between the archer and the target shall be increased. Failure to hit the target according to the required detail, shall result in elimination. The First turn shall commence on my count."
The crowd was excited now and Tony smiled as he heard some spectators, one of them being the Maid from Boron, excitedly cheer on Pepper.
The targets were moved a league back and once again, Pepper raised her bow.
"One, Two, Three, Fire!"
Again the arrows were released. Pepper's arrow hit the target dead center. The crowd cheered and now four participants remained.
The targets were moved back another league and now Tony began to mutter under his breath. "Seven leagues now, come on Pepper, you can do this!"
She was so still and focused, her gaze on the target, unblinking, unwavering. As the count was sounded, Pepper released the bow smoothly.
He watched, his heart racing as the arrow sailed through the air and hit the innermost ring.
Happy exclaimed and the crowd cheered.
Pepper turned to wave and she waved at Tony as well. He raised his hands and waved back, shouting, "Come on Pepper! You can do this! Bring home the prize!"
Tony saw Magdalene lean around Pepper and narrow her eyes at him, her mouth set in her typical sardonic smirk and he hurriedly shouted, "Best of luck to you too, Maggie!"
She stuck her tongue out at him and he shrugged in confusion. "God help me, the woman frightens me at times."
Happy muttered, "I am more scared of her, now that I know she can use a bow and arrow well. Did you know of this secret skill of Maggie's?"
He shook his head in the negative. "Hush now, Happy, the last round is upon us!"
The Headman announced, "In the third and final round, whomsoever hits the bulls-eye or closest to the bulls-eye, shall win!"
Tony held his breath as the Headman counted down and the arrows flew one last time. Then he jumped on the spot because Pepper hit the target in the innermost circle again. All four participants had hit the target but Pepper's was the closest to the bulls-eye, so she won.
He whooped loudly and ran towards the fence of the arena. Pepper was red in the face, blushing hard as the crowd applauded and cheered wildly. She waved back at them shyly.
Tony stood at the fence and she came over to him and caught his hands tightly. "Tony, I did it! I won!"
He said proudly, "Of course you did, Pep! You blew the competition away! I knew you would win!"
She tightened her grip on his hands, eyes sparkling blue at him. Then Pepper leaned closer and whispered, "I won because I have the best teacher an archer could ask for."
He shook his head. "I did not teach you how to shoot. You are naturally talented. You are even better than me."
Then the Headman''s booming voice was heard "Congratulations to Lady Virginia for winning the Ladies leg of the Tournament. Winners, please proceed to the podium to collect your prizes."
Pepper and the winner in the men's competition, Aland, the moneylender, walked towards the podium as the roar of the crowd increased.
Tony started to feel hot under the collar as the blond man took Pepper's hand and they climbed the podium together.
He heard the Dragon gleefully chortling in his head and muttered shortly, "Pray tell Dragon, why are you so amused?"
The Dragon hissed mirthfully, Isn't this the same handsome blond man who danced with Pepper under the May tree last year? And you were doing the same as you are now... fuming with jealously from afar...
Tony growled under his breath and the Dragon said soothingly, Now, now Anthony... I am just teasing you... remember that a lot has changed since then, Pepper is your fiance now.
As if she knew Tony was feeling jealous, Pepper looked straight at him and winked at him naughtily. He couldn't help but grin at her playfulness and the Dragon whispered smugly, And it appears she is as hopelessly in love with you as you are with her. So I was right all along...
"What do you mean, Dragon?"
Anthony, I always told you that Pepper is a wonderful girl and you shouldn't let her go. You are meant for each other... I am so happy, the both of you realized my rightness in this and decided to get together.
Tony opened his mouth to argue with the Dragon, when he noticed the Headman gesturing at him to approach the podium.
"Oh god, I know what he wants me to do... oh no..."
The Headman said loudly, "I call upon Lord Stark to present the prizes to the winners!"
Tony shook his head rapidly in the negative but the crowd went wild and started to cheer even louder. He distinctly heard the words "Iron Knight!" and "Lord Stark!" being shouted joyously as he approached the podium.
He climbed the steps to the crowd chanting his name and raised his hand in greeting. They whooped and roared with such enthusiasm that Tony felt quite humbled by all the attention he was receiving. He bowed deeply to the crowd.
The Dragon murmured, You see... they feared you and yet in barely a year, you are their knight, their champion... people remember not what you say or do but how you make them feel and... you have done good by the Village. I am indeed proud of how far you have come, Anthony.
He nodded as he waved. I owe it all to you and Pepper, Dragon... if not for your Fire and Pepper teaching me to be more open, the villagers would still fear me.
The Dragon snorted loudly and Tony smiled, knowing it was embarrassed by his praise.
Tony straightened, turned to the winners, nodded graciously at Aland with a stiff face and then bowed at Pepper, who dimpled prettily and curtsied.
He was handed a wreath and a small pouch of ten silver coins by a small girl, who smiled cutely at him. Tony patted her head and presented the items to Aland.
Then he was handed another wreath and another pouch, this time for Pepper. She stepped forward and he quietly handed her the pouch but couldn't resist placing the wreath on her hair, tilting it jauntily.
Then amidst the cheers, someone started booing loudly and a couple of others joined whoever it was.
Tony turned towards the crowd and yelled firmly, "If you have something to say, stop hiding amongst the crowd! Step forward and say your piece!"
He narrowed his eyes as three or four young men stepped forward. He had seen them around the village. The tallest of the lot, a wild-eyed dark-haired young man, said sullenly, "I do not know why, Lord Stark, you think it fitting to award a wench the same prize as a man on the same stage. How can you compare her skill to Aland's?"
Another one chimed in rudely, "Your thinking may work in the towns and the cities but we know the place of a woman is not on the archery field or any arena for that matter!"
They started to boo and the dark-haired one said loudly, "You should keep a firm hand and a good eye on your wench, Lord Stark, lest she gets ideas above her station in life!"
Tony saw red. He put his hand on his dagger at his waist and tensed his muscles to lunge at the youth because he knew the fellow was going to spit insultingly on the ground. I am going to show him just what I think of his statement!
Then he felt Pepper place her hand softly on his sword arm, placed on his dagger. He glanced at her sideways. She was looking up at him, her cerulean blue eyes gazing deeply into his, trying to tell him something silently. He realized what she was wordlessly saying.
She wants me... to leave this be... This boy wants me to react, he wants to get attention for his opinion. If I react, I become a feudal lord imposing his will on his subjects. I become, once again, an object of fear to the villagers.
Pepper said quietly, "Lord Stark, let me handle this please. I know if I need you," she tightened her fingers on his arm, "You are here for me." she whispered with a half smile.
He swallowed hard, knowing he had to have faith in Pepper to fight her own battles at times. Tony lowered his hand from his dagger and stepped back slightly as Pepper moved forward. He straightened himself to his full height, still at her side and glared murderously at the group of youths.
One wrong move or word, punk... and I let you have it...
The crowd was divided now, some were siding with the youths and yelling angrily at the other side, mostly ladies and quite some men, who were arguing in Pepper's favor. Happy whistled loudly and piercingly, to stop the yelling. "Hey, everyone! Quiet down! Lady Virginia wants to say something!"
They finally quietened down and she cleared her throat. "Ladies and gentlemen, our young friend is partially right." There was a loud gasp from Pepper's friends sitting together in the stands.
Pepper raised her hands and with a gentle smile, said loudly but firmly, "Hear me out, please! I agree that comparing Aland's skill and mine is not fair. Simply because Aland," she nodded at the blond man who nodded back with a wide smile, "has been practicing for years and is an expert. Whereas I am a novice and have acquired my skill only because of excellent tutelage from his lordship."
The crowd cheered at his name and Tony muttered, "Pepper... you know that's not true."
She whispered, "I know no such thing, Lord Stark, so shush."
She continued loudly, "I will freely admit that I cannot match Aland's skill and do not considered myself his equal in that regard. As to the matter of women not competing," she smiled down at the youth calmly, "Young man, the women weren't competing against the men, they simply were competing with each other. Why does that scare you so much?"
He protested hotly, "I am not scared of any woman. It is not their place to pick up a bow and arrow."
Pepper shook her head gently. "The women aren't going to leave the village and become soldiers if they practice archery." The crowd laughed loudly at that.
"Neither are they going to turn on the men, if that is your true concern."
Again loud laughter was heard and Tony grinned.
She has managed to put him in his place by pointing out a few truths. She's a smart girl, my Pepper.
The youth had gone bright red now and his companion chimed in, "Today it is their own competition, tomorrow the women will want to compete with us."
Pepper smiled widely and countered, "Are you so insecure of your own abilities that you are scared of a little competition? That too from, as you put it, someone is not your equal in skill and can never be."
The crowd started to hoot at the boys and their apparent leader opened his mouth to argue further but no words came out. He was stumped for an argument.
Then Tony had an epiphany. He said loudly, "I see no harm in competing against a woman because, as Lady Virginia says, I am confident in my abilities and will do my best. Perhaps my lady," he turned to Pepper, "we should test our skills against each other?"
Pepper raised her eyebrows incredulously at this. He smiled widely at her shock but she recovered quickly to smirk at him.
"Very well, my lord."
The crowd, contrary to his expectations, roared its approval.
They stepped off the podium and walked to the center of the large area in which the tournament was being held.
Tony announced, "I think we have seen enough of stationary targets. Lady Virginia and I are going to compete at clay shooting. Now we need someone to throw the target along a circular path. Any volunteers?"
Lots of hands went up but he chose the normally shy village baker who was waving very enthusiastically with his hand.
The target needed to be thrown from a height, so the baker and the Headman walked back to the podium.
Tony was handed a bow and three arrows and he tested the bow. Pepper took her bow, which was slung off her back.
He grinned at her mischievously and she was looking at him with one eyebrow raised. Then they spoke at the same time.
"My lady, care to have a friendly wager?"
"My lord, let's place a bet on the outcome!"
She giggled and he said softly, "Great minds think alike. The wager is on. What are the stakes? I must confess, I can't think of anything at the moment."
Pepper said firmly, "The loser does whatever the winner wants him to do."
"Agreed." They shook on it.
Then something in what she said, struck Tony.
He turned to Pepper and said, "Him? Whatever the winner wants him to do?"
He narrowed his eyes at her. "Are you so confident you are going to win, Virginia Pepper Potts?"
Pepper pushed her hair back, bit her lip to hide her smile and looked at Tony with a very familiar gleam in her blue eyes. He recognized that gleam.
The one she gets when she becomes the Goddess and... he suddenly remembered what Pepper liked to do to him in those situations and felt his blood pool in his stomach.
Tony cleared his throat and Pepper said quietly, "Yes, Anthony Stark, I aim, I win and I conquer, so..." she leaned closer and whispered throatily in his ear, "prepare yourself to be conquered, my Lord. You have no idea what I have in store for you this time."
He widened his eyes comically at her and she laughed.
Then they saw the Headman signal that the baker was ready. He announced, "Three turns for this challenge. Winner who hits the target the most, at the end of three turns, wins."
Tony gestured at Pepper. "Ladies first."
She looked to the sky, placed an arrow in her bow and raised the bow. The target was fired and Pepper hit it cleanly, knocking it to the ground.
The crowd clapped riotously and then Tony concentrated as it was his turn.
He saw the target, predicted its trajectory but fired late and just nudged it. He grimaced as the crowd made noises of disappointment.
The Headman monotoned, "End of the First Turn, 1 - nothing to Lady Virginia."
The crowd cheered and he heard someone say faintly, "You can do it, Tone!"
Then the second turn was signaled and Pepper had the first try. This time she missed and the crowd gasped.
Tony grinned at her, aimed and fired and hit his target.
The Headman monotoned, "End of the Second Turn, 1 - 1 each. Final round is the tie breaker."
Tony said softly, "Good luck, Pepper."
She smiled and repeated the same to him.
Tony was going first this time and he focused and hit the target head on.
The crowd cheered wildly but shushed almost immediately because it was Pepper's turn.
There was a stillness in the air as she lined up her shot. The target soared through the air and Tony watched with happiness as Pepper hit it dead center.
The crowd jumped to its feet, cheering and he stepped quickly towards Pepper and clasped her by the arms. "Well met! Well met indeed!"
He could see Pepper was relieved as well and the Headman intoned, "End of the Third Turn, 2 all around. Match ends in a tie!"
Tony waved at the excited crowd and raised Pepper's hand high as well. People came forward to congratulate them and Tony was so busy listening to some townsfolk, that he didn't notice Pepper slip away.
When he did he looked around and Happy who had come over, said, "She has gone to change. For the gathering? And the dance? You do remember the dance right?"
Tony suddenly remembered that the Town Hall gathering and dance would be taking place in half an hour. And that he needed to change as well.
"Happy, you have my clothes right? Then let's go, I need to look my best. All part of my plan."
