IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN YOU
A/N: thanks thetwistedpumkin what would I do with out you. hahahaha :*
R.N Zuzu I'm really glad you're excited to read the jousting part. I hope you will like this chapter..
Disclaimer: I do not own OP.
CHAPTER III
Robin rode to the tourney with Nami.
"It's even better than the books." Robin commented as they arrived in the tournament ground. They looked for a place to sit, and found a great place where they can see and can sit comfortably. Nami sat first and then Robin at her right. They were accompanied by Robin's body guard, Zoro, who was standing at her side.
There were a lot of people attending. Some were nobles and high lords while most were common folk, all there to witness a very thrilling event. Knights around the area were also present. They were fully armored and ready to ride to battle. Among those riders are well known knights while some were newly knighted squire; a younger son of a high lord or an heir to lesser houses. Young knights determined to make a name themselves.
They watched as hundreds of knights rode off, each more gallant than the last. But they were not the one Robin was looking for. She was looking for Cavendish. She had been waiting all day to watch him ride.
"There's he is." Nami pointed at the right side of the field.
And there he was, Cavendish of the white horse wearing a silver scaled armor while mounting in his snow-white stallion, Farul. A squire came rushing towards him to bring him his lance. It was a quick match. The crowd cheered wildly as soon as Cavendish unhorsed his opponent.
The jousting went all day until dusk. Nami cried out as a rider crashed into the ground. A knight struck his lance under his opponent's gorget, driving it through his throat and instantly killing him. Nami covered her eyes while Robin appeared to be quiet and calm towards the situation.
The joust continued. It was already down to two riders. Cavendish of the white horse and Portgas Ace, "fire fist" as they called him. He was also a skilled rider. He was about a few years older than Cavendish. He inherited his father's business after his untimely death.
The riders took their positions. Both men couched their lances. Ace leaned forward as he steadied his lance to the target. Cavendish raised his shield just before the impact. The wood shattered as Ace struggles to remain in his seat. Fire fist managed to remain in his saddle. Cavendish throws away the shattered lance and grabbed a new one.
Ace gallops forward, as Cavendish rode to meet him for the second time. Both lances exploded as fire fist rolled in the dirt.
The crowd cheered wildly when Cavendish took off his helm. He runs his fingers through his long flowing blonde hair. Robin doesn't take her eyes off him as he slowly rides around the fence. She thought her heart would burst when Farul stopped in front of her. She tried to contain her feeling and remained calm. Cavendish plucked out a red rose.
"Will you accept my favor Lady Robin?" He smiled as he gave the rose to Robin.
"Thank you my lord I am honored." Robin timidly accepts the flower. She inhaled the sweet fragrance of the rose as Cavendish rode off.
"Come Nami, let's go back and prepare for the feast tonight." She stood up. Eyes were watching her as she walks out of the tournament grounds. Most ladies envied her because the gallant knight, Cavendish gave her his favor.
Robin arrived at the ballroom with Nami. She wore a short sleeved, navy blue gown embroidered with delicate brocade in an ornamental petal design while Nami wore a simple rosy pink v-neck dress. She braided her hair in a cascading waterfall braid making her look gorgeous.
They stand there at the side. The orchestra started to play and people danced. A handsome dark haired man wearing a deep blue doublet approached Robin. He was carrying two goblet filled with wine.
"May I offer you a drink my lady?"
"You look beautiful tonight Lady Robin." He praised her as she took the cup.
"Thank you my lord. You look charming as well." She said before drinking the wine.
"I see you have finally met the great fire fist ace." Cavendish interrupts their conversation.
"Lady Robin." Cavendish kissed her hand.
"Such lovely music. Shall we dance?" he offered his hand.
"I thought you'd never ask." She replied.
Cavendish led her out on the dance floor leaving Ace.
"Ace really has a keen eye for beauty." Cavendish said as they bowed to each other and started waltzing round the room.
"He was too kind." She replied.
"Yes, a lot of Ladies think he'd make a good husband." He pointed out.
"Why not? He's handsome, gallant and kind."
"And still single too. How about you my lady? Are you taken?" He smiled.
"Depends on who is asking." She giggled.
They continued waltzing around the room. Robin felt happy that she had gotten to dance with Cavendish, her knight in shining armor. Thus their blissful moment ended when Cavendish's younger brother, Hakuba whispered something in his ear. It must be urgent for Cavendish to leave Robin alone in the dance floor.
Robin was exhausted. She left the ballroom and went to her room, but she accidentally entered another.
"I just can't with you like this." A girl said. Robin immediately hid as soon as she heard a voice.
"Please don't go. I don't really love Robin; father wanted me to court her. I never intended to marry her. It's you that I love." A familiar voice replied.
Robin peeped and saw Cavendish with a pink haired girl.
"Rebecca, please. Don't go." He pleaded.
Cavendish took her into his arms and kissed her. Robin sneaked out before they would notice. Upset, she walked outside get some air. She found Zoro drinking by the garden. She sat beside him.
"I could use some of that." Robin gestured him to give her the wine.
"Should you be inside with your knight? Is everything alright?" He asked.
"No it isn't." she gulped down the wine.
Zoro smiled. He had never seen this side of Robin. She was mostly calm and lady-like.
"It was so foolish of me to think that we could be together." She babbled and continued to drink the wine.
"You really liked him do you?" He asked.
"I'm so stupid." She claimed.
"No, you're not. He's an idiot for hurting a beautiful lady such as you." The swordsman pointed out.
"How could a man even hurt someone like you?" He added.
Robin gazed through his eyes for a moment and then to his lips. She felt a sudden urged to kiss him. She slowly leaned forward, closed her eyes and pressed her lips against his.
Robin pulled back. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have." She apologizes.
"Don't be. I should have kissed you first." He said before he pulled her back and kissed her.