Author's note: This is an updated version of chapter 2. As I started writing chapter 3 I realized it would make a better ending for the second chapter. After all, I have yet to introduce Marion to two very important people at the castle.
All characters belong to Martin Baynton, except Marion who is my own.
Slowly the blacksmith with his wheelbarrow of metal and the girl in a tattered robe made their way to Kippernia castle. They had walked in relative silence: she, too nervous and frightened, he, still in shock at the unexpected arrival of this girl. As their destination came into sight he broke the silence.
"Here she is." he said with a wave of his hand. She stopped and stared in awe.
"I have never seen something so huge and majestic, not even in my imagination." As they made their way through the gates there was no one in sight. Jane was on patrol with dragon. Jester was in the gardens working on his latest ballad. Sir Ivan was taking a nap in the stables while Sir Theodore met with King Caradoc to discuss matters of state.
"This is my workshop" said Smithy as he rolled the wheelbarrow off to the side. He then pulled out a stool, a cloth, and a wooden water bucket. She followed him into the area and removed her shabby robe revealing a homespun dress and a large, brown handkerchief covering her head. Why that is just the way my mother and sisters would dress to go out to work the farm thought Smithy with a twinge of homesickness. It had been nearly a year and a half since he had last visited them.
The girl washed the mud off her arms and then scrubbed her face. A bit of reddish golden hair slipped out of its covering, but she hurriedly pushed it back into place. After shaking the dust out of her skirt she looked around the blacksmith shop.
"This is a nice little workshop. You must be kept quite busy."
"Thank you. I try to keep it tidy no matter how busy I get." Silence over took them and neither seemed to be able to meet the other's eyes. The girl had found something intensely interesting in a bit of scrap metal and the boy stood polishing an invisible spot on one of his tools.
"umm…Thank you …for …well …for everything today. You have been so kind to me. If I had to face this huge castle alone, I probably would have just turned right around and gone back home. Thank you… umm…sir."
"You can call me Smithy."
"Thank you… Smithy." Their eyes met and a shy smile caught at the corners of her mouth. Just then a cheerful whistling accompanied by a quiet jingling was heard.
"Why Smithy, what a pretty find you have made! We should send you to town more often if you can bring back such lovely cargo." He flashed a winning smile at the girl who blushed and giggled quietly.
"I am Jester, milady, and entirely at your service." he said with a flourish and a deep bow.
"I am called Marion. I have come from beyond the causeway with a message for the king."
"For the king, you say. Well then, allow me to take you to him at once."
"Oh that would be lovely. Thank you Jester." Turning to Smithy she said quietly, "I will be back for my cloak."
"You are always welcome, lady Marion." He whispered back with a wink.
"This way Marion." called Jester from the gate to the garden. "I want to introduce you to everyone else." At the sound of his voice up popped the head of a young man from the rows of vegetables while another head emerged from a nearby doorway.
"Who do you want us to meet?" called Pepper. As always she had flour smudged on her cheek and was stirring a bowl of something yummy.
"Pepper, Rake, this is Marion." introduced Jester. "She has just arrived with a message for the king."
"Ohh! Do you think you'll be able to stay for a while? I would just love to have another girl around." Pepper smiled hopefully over at Marion.
"I….I do not know yet," Marion replied hesitantly, "but I do hope to stay."
"Well, we best be off. We need to catch the King while he is still in the throne room. So long Pepper. So long Rake." With that, Jester hurried off into the castle. Marion barely had time to wave before rushing off after him.
Soon they stood before the large doors of the throne room. Jester knocked firmly and they soon were given permission to enter. Within, the room looked every bit the way Marion had imagined with its large stone fireplace and beautiful tapestry. At the front of the hall were two large wooden thrones on which were seated King Caradoc and his queen. Standing nearby was a knight who Jester whispered was Theodore, the Captain of the King's Guard. The other two people, Jester informed her, were the Chamberlain and Lady in Waiting. As Jester introduced her, Marion gave herself a short pep talk. This place is huge and intimidating, but you have met several kind people already. You have overcome miles of difficult terrain all alone. You must face the King and deliver your message. The worst they can do is send you back home. At the end of Jester's introduction she curtsied low, just as her mother had taught her, and with her eyes glued to the floor began her long practiced speech.
"My lord, King Caradoc, and members of the royal court I am Marion from the town of Pebblebrook beyond the causeway. I have traveled many miles, bearing a letter and a tale. My grandfather, Gawin, was a strong supporter of the crown during the wilderness years. He was unable to serve in the royal army, but was desperate to serve however he could. Our fields were often used as campground for the soldiers and our crops were gladly given to feed the royal family and the army. As reward for my family's generosity in a time of great trouble the late King Cedric promised my grandfather and all his descendents a place in the royal court. This letter expresses his promise in detail and is both signed and sealed by King Cedric himself." Marion produced a yellowed paper with a red wax seal still holding it closed. This she handed to Sir Theodore who examined it and verified that it truly was the seal of the late king.
"This letter confirms all you have said, but why do you come forward now? As you can see the court is not the lively place it once was." questioned the King.
"My mother hoped I would become a lady and catch the eye of some nobleman, but I have come to continue in the tradition of my grandfather and serve my king. I only ask to be allowed to serve in any way I can in return for food and shelter." She curtsied once again, but this time did not rise.
"My dear," the queen turned to her husband, "we could certainly use another hand around the castle to help with the cleaning and the laundry. It has become too much of a job for the Lady in Waiting to do alone. I like the looks of her; perhaps I could even take her for an hour each day and train her to be a lady. As dearly as I love Jane, our little Lavinia could use a ladylike role model."
At his wife's gentle urging the king turned to Marion, "Well, young lady, it appears you will be staying on with us. I remember your grandfather being a very kind man. He would often sneak me an extra cookie," the King remembered with a chuckle. "I hope to see that you have inherited many of his fine character qualities. Jester will show you around the castle, and later the Lady in Waiting can show you the duties you will be asked to perform."
"Oh thank you my lord, thank you!" breathed Marion as she rose from her curtsy to follow Jester back out those huge hall doors.
As the pair made their way back to the kitchen Marion turned to Jester, "Please promise me you will say nothing of all this to the others. There seems to be such an easy camaraderie between all of you. I want to be seen as merely another of the castle staff."
"Ah… the newest lady of the court does not wish to be known as a lady of the court." Jester replied with a wink. "Never fear, I will keep your secret."
"Jane! Have you met the new girl yet?" called Pepper as her friend came to take a seat for lunch.
"No, I've heard nothing of a new girl."
"Well, her name is Marion and she brought a message for the king! Jester was taking her there, but I've not seen either one since. Oh I do hope she can stay a while!"
One by one the rest of the castle staff trickled in to enjoy the noon meal together. Last to arrive was Jester with Marion following close behind.
"Ah! What perfect timing. Marion, may I introduce you to Jane, the first ever lady squire."
Before either girl could get in a word of greeting, a large shadow fell across the group and a very loud voice said, "And I am her best friend…the large, green, handsome one up on the battlements."
At the sight of dragon Marion let out a little shriek moved quickly behind Jester.
"At least someone around here realizes my marvelous ferociousness." Dragon called out with a grin.
"Pay him no mind, Marion. He's really quite harmless." said Jane as Jester led Marion to a seat at the table. She looked less than convinced.
"Harmless! Did you just call me harmless?! Why I'll have you know I've knocked down a few walls, burned a few barns, and even kidnapped a prince once. Call me harmless, huh!"
Jane laughed up at him. "Alright you great, green lizard, so you are a ferocious, terrible, dangerous Dragon. I meant that you mean her no harm. Satisfied?"
"You forgot handsome." He called out in a miffed tone. Jane only laughed.
Pepper could contain her curiosity no longer, "Oh Marion, I have been waiting all day to hear the news. Do you get to stay?"
"Yes, I hope to stay a long time. I will be helping the Lady in Waiting with cleaning the castle and doing the laundry."
"I am so glad!" squealed Pepper as she gave Marion a fierce hug. "We have needed another girl around here."
Marion felt her cheeks flush with all the attention. Biting her bottom lip, she risked a quick glace over at Smithy. The sight of his beaming smile caused her cheeks to redden even more.
The talk soon turned to the ins and outs of castle life. Jester and Jane bantered back and forth. Rake and Smithy discussed garden tools that needed mending. Pepper jumped between the two conversations, adding a little to each. Dragon sat upon the wall throwing in his own comments whenever he felt a dragon's opinion might be needed. Marion sat back and took it all in. What a lovely place and kind people. Even Dragon seems like a good type of dragon. I hope I am able to stay here for many years. The Lady in Waiting's call drew her out of her thoughts. After a quick goodbye to her friends, she hurried off to learn her new duties.