Disclaimer: I do not own Glee and am making no money from this.
Give Me a Knight in Battered Armor
Princess Rachel smiled at Sir Finn as on bended knee he read poetry from a book at the foot of her throne. The sun reflected sharply from his shining armor. He was the latest in a long line of men who had come for her hand. He was certainly handsome and charming enough in a bumbling sort of way but she couldn't help thinking there was something missing.
The throne room doors burst open. A different sort of knight walked into the throne room. Sir Finn quickly stood to face him with his hand on his sword but that stalled the stranger's stride not at all. Princess Rachel who had stood up at the loud noise slowly sat back down as she took in the sight of this newcomer. His armor looked as if it had once been painted black but numerous scratches revealed the dull metal underneath. His armor, while well-fitting, seemed to have been mended several times and in need of it again if the numerous dents were any indication. Were those punctures on his right spaulder? On top of all this he appeared to have arrived after being drug behind his horse for he was entirely filthy.
He stopped at the foot of the throne and Rachel noted with some amusement how Sir Finn had backed away from the new knight as if his presence would tarnish his own armor. He removed his helmet revealing a handsome face. He pushed back his chainmail cowl to reveal a strip of hair that matched the spikes on his helm. He looked her in the eye, a bold move before kneeling. "I am Sir Noah. I come for the Princess Rachel's hand in marriage."
King Hiram waved his hand giving Sir Noah permission to present his suit while glancing at his husband and fellow king, Leroy. Sir Noah must have seen his hand though he did not remove his eyes from the princess. King Leroy was somewhat amused by the staring contest between the two.
"I bring gifts for my princess. But I would not present them before you, Your Highness for fear of upsetting you. I have heard you do not like to harm animals."
"You have heard correctly Sir Noah. I accept no gifts of innocent beasts slain for my honor." Rachel's stomach curdled at the thought. Many suitors had been turned away for this.
"But when a beast is no longer innocent it must be put down Highness. In your honor I have slain the Boar of Mansfield. Its body now feeds the widows and orphans its rampage of terror had left behind."
Rachel nodded in understanding, "Your gift is accepted Sir Noah."
Sir Noah smirked and his eyes lit with a devilish light. He reached into a pouch at his side and removed two wicked looking tusks. These he walked forward up the stairs to lay at her feet. Her stomach turned at the dried blood on the bony hooks but was grateful that it would kill no more. The knight slowly backed away.
Regaining her stare he continued, "I have more. Bandits had been terrorizing the Eastern Pass. Though they were seven men strong I have bested them in your name. Their bounties I have donated to your orphanage." He bought forward seven warrants signed by the local magistrate. These again he walked forward to lay at her feet.
He stepped back smiling at the soft look in her eyes. "Finally a prize I can give to you without fear of it giving worry to my princess." He reached into his pouch to pull free a soft white cloth. As he unwrapped it Princess Rachel gasped for in Sir Noah's hand lay a rare star sapphire on a thin gold chain. It was well known that Rachel loved stars. Her fathers looked on in approval for despite their efforts even they had never been able to acquire such a rare gem for their daughter. Sir Noah mounted the stairs once more this time though he knelt at the princess' feet and laid his heavy gauntlet in her lap.
Sir Finn bristled at this forward behavior but the princess did not call Sir Noah out; merely reached a soft, trembling hand out to touch the thin golden chain. She looked in amazement at the sapphire which indeed as the light hit it revealed a beautiful six point star. "It's so beautiful. How did you come across it?" She looked up into his eyes, this close she could see they were hazel and gorgeous. Her breath caught so intense was his gaze.
"I got it for a song."
She looked at him bemused and he grinned. "As I was searching for the bandits I came upon a dragon. Almost instantly my sword was drawn and his teeth bared but he made no move. Then I noticed that he had just finished eating. A minstrel from the looks of it because there was a guitar laying on the ground. I asked him what had happened and he said that the arrogant…man had played a song he did not like. I offered him a different tune since if we fought it would just end in injury for us both. So I sang him a song about the loveliest woman in the land. The woman I had trekked so far for. I sang him a song of love, my love for you Princess." Rachel stared into Noah's eyes and saw his sincerity there. "And in return he gave me this. To give to my lady love."
"Sir Noah…" Rachel laid a soft hand against Noah's dirty cheek. He tilted his head to press against her palm.
"Sir Noah." King Hiram boomed for the rest of the room to hear.
"Yes Your Majesty." Noah replied softly not moving from his spot against the Princess' knees.
"You have presented your gifts and your suit." Hiram began.
"And tales of your acts of courage, strength, cunning, and skill have preceded you." Leroy continued.
"With that we approve your suit. We approve your courtship of our daughter the Princess Rachel." Hiram ended.
"Knowing that the final decision lays with her." Leroy finished up. He gave Sir Finn, who was fuming at the foot of the stairs a pitying glance because from his angle Rachel had already made her choice.
Rachel took her hand from Noah's face and closed her eyes. She saw Sir Finn's gleaming armor and boyish charm. She saw Sir Noah's travel-worn form and scars. Finally she opened her eyes. Noah's head was bowed although he had not moved from his position. "Sir Finn, my knight in shiny armor." She smiled sweetly at him and then at Noah who practically had his head in her lap. "Sir Noah, my knight in battered armor." She placed her hand under his chin and raised it to look into those eyes again. "I have been waiting on a hero; someone who could fight the monsters but knew when not to; someone who could love not only me but also my people. I believe I have found that hero this day." She picked up the thin gold chain and slipped it over her head; the star shone brightly from where it hung between her breasts. She stood and Noah stood with her. When she tilted her head and stood on her toes Noah met her lips halfway.