DRAGONJULS Storybook
~ The Black Knight and the Lady ~
Part Five
© 2000 J M Dragon
e-mail: jmdragon1@hotmail.com
Disclaimers: See
Part One
Chapter Eight:
Once upon a time…
The master at arms knocked heavily on the large ornate oak door. Within seconds the door was whisked open and Sophia looked at the bulky man standing there. She stared at him intently, wondering why he would be at her sister’s door.
“Milady sorry to disturb you, but I have a visitor who seeks an audience with Lady Alicia.” Paul stated politely, his bulky frame moved slightly to reveal the tall presence of the Black Knight from his obscurity to the eye of the young woman.
Sophia gasped as she saw the one person who could bring the light back into her sisters eyes. “Black Knight?” the words whispered in awe.
The Black Knight moved her painfully aching body into full view. Paul moved away so she would fill the doorway without moving too much, wasting any essential strength. “Yes, Milady. Is Alicia in her chamber?” the measured voice of the Knight asked quietly.
“Of course. Of course, please Sir, come inside.” Sophia waved an agitated arm gesturing the Knight forward.
“Thank you. Paul, I will need to know immediately if the arrival of the army should enter the area earlier than I anticipate.” The Knight turned and addressed the bulky man, who in turn nodded his head, then went back to lean easily on the wall opposite the door smiling as he did so.
Sophia had by this time left the doorway and rushed to her sister who was starring unseeingly into the dark recesses of the courtyard.
“Alicia! He is here, the Black Knight is here!” Sophia expounded excitedly at the prospect of the reunion of two people, obviously in love. It warmed her tender heart.
Alicia stiffened at the words and slowly turned to look first at her sister whose eyes shone with the truth of the words. Then she glanced towards the doorway and saw for herself the tall black as night form of her lover to be!
“It’s you? It really is you?” her voice whispered unable to bear it should the picture before her suddenly disappear as Edwina had earlier in the evening.
Edwina was light-headed through her injury, but the light-headedness she felt now had nothing to do with that. The beautiful sight before her simply took her breath away.
“At your service Milady.”
Edwina moved gingerly forward and released a grateful breath that she was able to do so unaided.
Alicia rushed forward and without a concern for the open doorway, or the master at arms, who was merely whistling merrily to himself, or her sister who was trying to leave the room discreetly.
The Black Knight lifted her visor and blue eyes met green, each relaying a message of love.
The full lips of the Knight creased into a smile that warmed Alicia from her head to her toes. “I love you!” Simple words said with so much feeling that Edwina wanted to throw caution to the winds and make love to the young woman here and now!
Edwina smiled an even bigger smile if that were possible and reached out a gauntlet hand to gently caress the pale silky skin of Alicia’s face; which now had the pearl drops of tears seeping slowly down to remind Edwina of a waterfall.
“Milady, we need to talk.”
Alicia wanted to take her Knight into her arms not talk and to the devil with convention. But the expression and the serious tone of the woman before her caused her to hold back brimming emotions for the moment anyway. A click was heard as the door was closed behind the retreating figure of Sophia.
“My sister obviously agrees. So please dear Knight, pray tell me what it is that makes your eyes troubled with such a burden.”
Alicia walked over to the window. The breeze moved the heavily brocaded curtains in a gentle motion. The moonlight shedding light into the darkened recess of the balcony. The Black Knight inhaled a deep breath and walked with concealed difficulty towards the woman she loved.
“Milady this night, I have vanquished the nobleman who saw fit to bring a war to your household.” Edwina stated matter of factly.
Alicia turned a bright smile to Edwina and soon displaced it with a frown as she saw the silent mask of worry on her beloved’s face.
“That is not all Edwina?” Alicia wasn’t about to keep up the formality of courteous names, as they were now alone.
“No! No, it is not my…Alicia,” Edwina smiled briefly as she saw a lightening of the frown on her loves face. “The army had been despatched prior to my battle with the man. It will arrive in little over an hour.”
Alicia turned to face the Knight. They were inches away, but the heavy gauge helmet obscured her vision.
“I see. What will that mean to us?”
Her hand reached up and stroked a finger over t
he lips that quivered at her touch and captured them and caressed them with a kiss that
set Alicia’s heart racing at the sensual reaction.
Releasing her hold on the delicious finger at her lips she answered. “I want to try and talk to them before they begin the battle and both sides lose lives needlessly.” Blue eyes wandered to the slowly approaching dawn and the hills that would herald their opponents in battle.
Alicia pondered the serious profile she could barely see. The pallor of the skin that she placed at the door of the strain of the night and Edwina’s previous encounter in battle. “Will you do me the honour of taking off your helmet so that I may look upon your face prior to your leaving me once more?”
The softly spoken words cut into the Black Knights heart. For without a doubt, if she removed her helmet, then her love would see the injury she was loath to show.
“I cannot Alicia, what if I should be called and forget my helmet in the haste of the moment?” Edwina tried to prevaricate and saw the disappointment flood the expressive face before her. That was her undoing and if this were her final moments with the woman she loved, so be it. They must have no secrets. Removing the helmet carefully and sucking in a swift breath as the metal chaffed against the cloth that was clearly blood soaked and resting on her injured shoulder.
Alicia looked at the slow removal of the helmet and heard the intake of breath that spoke of pain and then spied the nature of the difficulty. A crimson coloured cloth that had once been as white as the driven snow resting as a bandage on Edwina’s shoulder.
“Edwina you are hurt!” Alicia cried out. Her anguish evident on her face, this was no superficial injury. She had nursed many a fine Knight in her days at Camelot. Hands tender and with a featherlight touch removed the offending cloth to enable her to see the damaged shoulder and her gasp was one of both pain for the Knight and distress at the possible consequences this could have on their future together.
“That is a truth Alicia, but it will have to wait until the battle is either aborted or it is finished. I cannot and will not abandon my responsibility as the protector of this house until we know the final outcome.” Words spoken defiantly to the flashing green eyes, for as her blue ones fell into those pools of emerald, she could so easily abandon her will and take the woman away on Raven to a safe haven.
Alicia vied with her love, for Edwina and her well-being, her responsibility to her father and the people who lived in the castle, as well as the outlying areas. Replacing the cloth gently to hide the wound and hopefully ease the blood loss, she looked earnestly into the beloved face before her. “I will accept your wish Edwina. But know this, I too have a wish and that is you come back to me and marry me as you promised!”
Edwina felt the heaviness of her responsibilities for a brief time flow away into the tempestuous waters of a raging river, to be replaced by the calmness of a gently trickling stream on a warm summer’s day. “I too want that more than anything in this world or the next Alicia. I will endeavour to keep my promise to you. For you are my world.” Edwina had tears of her own shimmering close to the surface and dare not cry for if she did, she could not see the tears ever leaving her until she held the woman in her arms by that trickling stream.
“Then I will pray for you Edwina. Let us hope that god be merciful and allow you to come home to me!” this time Alicia’s hands went up to draw the tall head down, careful not to hurt the wound of her love. There was suddenly a need that craved sustenance and that was the capture of her Knight’s lips in passion and love. As she approached the lips, blue eyes locked with green and a message passed that said simply ‘I’m yours’ and nothing would ever come between them.
A thunderous knock on the door stopped the final fulfilment of the promise. Both eyes glared at the door as it swung open wildly and the Master at Arms rushed forward, refusing to look at them said. “Sir Black Knight the enemy approaches over the ridge. We have but a little time to stop them before they reach the castle.”
“Paul, round up the small force we agreed upon. I will be there in a moment. Please have Raven at the gates also.” Edwina remained close to Alicia. But, she had replaced the lover persona, for that of a true Knight, ready to approach battle and her death, if that was to be her fate this day.
The door was left partly ajar and the Black Knight looked at it first and then made a swift decision. Turning and looking into the embanked passion filled eyes of her love, she smiled gently and bent her head and stole a chaste kiss before Alicia could do more than stare in surprise.
“I love you Alicia Lascelles. If god wills it this day, I will return and you and I will experience all that love has to offer. That is a pledge from an honourable Knight.” Turning away from the Lady before the look Alicia gave her broke her heart and sent all her resolve shattering to the floor in pieces.
Alicia watched the slowly retreating back stagger slightly with her injury. It was a major measure of her own resolve not to run over to Edwina and help her and if at all possible stop her. That would have not helped the proud Knight. If that was their destiny not to fulfil their love in this world, she knew in her heart that it would be in the next, for the fates could not be so cruel to let their love part a second time!
“I love you Edwina D’Argent Lion. Let love be your saviour this day.” Words spoken halted the step of the Black Knight who glanced back one more time and placed a gauntlet hand to her heart and then towards Alicia in recognition and acceptance of the pledge.
Echoing footsteps in the stone corridor made Alicia shed tears as she walked back to her position at the window. This time knowing in her heart, if there were any miracles in this world, she hoped it would be for Edwina this day.
The proud Black Knight walked towards the gates. Her normally speedy gait wavered slightly, but only slightly. There would be no man tonight to see the Black Knight fail at ‘his’ given task.
Raven saw the approach of his mistress and knelt without summons. It was a remarkable sight for everyone, the sombre Black Knight on the equally magnificent dark horse called Raven.
The house of Lascelles was proud this day, for if all fell at the hands of the enemy they would know that it had been a battle for love. And who better to lead them than the Knight who loved the Lady of the house. Who better indeed!
**********
Chapter Nine:
Sir Louis Destant had ridden over the ridge and saw the luminous Castle lit to effect by a full moon glorious in splendour and quietly waiting the dawn of a new day. He turned slowing in his heavy armour to take in the small force he had control over. They would take the Castle unexpectedly, and swiftly he surmised.
Only he knew that there was another reason other than the claiming of the house for Count John Devries, that being the demise of Devries father. John had said that his father would be staying the night and would fight to defend the home of his friend Count Lascelles. What fitting way for a nobleman to die, fighting for what he thought was a just cause. He himself had been offered the guardianship of the Lascelles Castle and the hand of the younger daughter Sophia. If she refused, he would take her anyway. Who would there be to stop him? That so-called gallant Black Knight would be no match for the numbers here. The paltry guards in this Castle were laughable, if his memory of a visit several seasons ago were anything to judge by.
Destant smiled with an evil glint in his eyes once more towards the Castle that looked peaceful and serene. Then waived his arm to indicate they proceed and with greater speed. What better time than now to take the Castle, especially after a party, no one would be expecting this surprise assault.
All the men looked at their commander, as several changed the way they wore their weapons, the entourage shifted up a level and moved ever more swiftly to their target!
*********
Edwina was waiting patiently with three men from the Castle that she had personally hand picked to accompany her. They had been the best in each of their fields of combat when she trained them recently.
They had taken their stance at the lower level of the ridge. Edwina was alone with Raven waiting for the approaching foe to see her, which they would do that in a very short time. Her mind was now focused on the only thing that was important, the saving of the Castle Lascelles from the enemy. If she forfeit her life to that end, she would die happy. Her only regret was, she had not had any more time with her lady, for Alicia was the driving force in her determination to succeed.
Glancing towards the outcropping of rock, which David was crouched with his crossbow protecting her back, her eyes moved to the trees to her left where, Daniel with his sword and Francis and his long staff were awaiting the outcome of the next few minutes... If it went terribly wrong, then Francis had been given the task to leave the battlefield immediately and raise the alarm at the Castle, so Paul would be ready for the onslaught.
The silence around the small area the men and the Knight had taken, as their final stand was strange and eerie. Yet, it had a feeling about it that brought hope to each of the people at that point in time. It was as if this was a preordained destiny here, and that the world would remember them, even if they failed.
The three men’s horses were snorting quietly, tethered in a secure spot behind a thicket and hidden by large oaks. It was as if they knew that something was about to happen and the quiet was essential; their collective snorts slowly blowing in the early morning cool breeze, making it visible to the naked eye.
Raven was waiting just as quietly. He looked splendid in the early morning light. His dark flanks gleamed with the brushing that Edwina usually did herself. But this day a young stable hand had meticulously taken care of the war-horse. He was as resplendent in his armour as he would have been, had she herself carried out the task. Maybe next time….
The Black Knight saw the small army move toward her direction. She was certain that her presence had been seen. It was now or never for the plea to the leader to stop the battle before it had begun. After all, the true perpetrator was dead, there was no need, no need at all for any more carnage this day!
“They have passed the ridge. Are you all ready?” Edwina questioned gently, but audible so that her comrades in arms could clearly hear.
“Yes.” They all responded and watched as the Black Knight gently pressed his magnificent steed forward and headed for the point that would be the talk of the day. Either end the battle, or the inevitable death of the proud heroic Knight, who stood between them and the Castle that held his love. What better reason to die, than for the love of your life!
A pain so acute seized Edwina it nearly tumbled her from the horse. It was only because her beloved Raven knew her body’s posture, she was able to remain in the seat. She remained as ever stoically of bearing. Her thoughts as she faced the oncoming foe head on, was of Alicia’s sweet face. That certainly was the most important thing now, the safety of the woman she loved.
“For the house of Lascelles, for honour and in the face of adversity of numbers, in god, I beseech you to look upon us with favour. For my love, I will honour your request, until I have given my last breath.” Words given to the new day so quietly any living thing would not have heard it, unless close to the lips of the Knight themselves.
**********
Count Lascelles had waited long enough to seek out his elder daughter. The Black Knight had gone to the front of the battle some time previously. Sophia had been unable to gain access to her sister’s chambers, as Alicia had locked the door.
Henri had decided enough was enough. He had with the aid of his great friend, the Count Devries had all the able noblemen fitted with an appropriate weapon. They would defend the Castle of Lascelles and the women and children therein, at all cost, even with the last breath of their lives.
Now, for his headstrong daughter, did the Black Knight really know exactly what she was taking on becoming betrothed to Alicia? Now, if it had been Sophia - what a difference in temperament? Walking with a purposeful stride towards his elder daughters chambers, he smiled to himself as he remembered when he had taken this stance once before. It had been long ago.
“You will not marry my daughter Henri Lascelles. She is wanted elsewhere!” the voice harsh and refusing to see the love of the young man before him.
“No! I will contest anyone for the hand of your daughter. She is mine!” Henri said with much passion, even the man before him looked astonished at the fervour of the words.
“You! You think you could take on the heroic Knight Claude Fessilur? Please, Henri go home to your small Castle in Normandy. Find a local woman to give you children!” the exasperated Count said, thinking the nobleman dis-illusionary.
“I will not be denied. If I defeat the Knight, will you honour my request to marry your daughter?” Henri inquired, his intentions most definitely clear to the older man.
“Henri if you defeat the Knight, you may take my lands also. I will change the will accordingly and all my lands pass to your offspring. But, remember this, what if Antoinette is not of the same mind? My daughter is very headstrong. She could say no!” The older man retorted, confidant that the opponent would win. This man was far too meek. He was a lover of music and stories; admittedly he could spin a good tale, but for a son-in-law, doubtful.
“I will ask the question.” Henri replied and left the room. Walking purposefully towards the corridor that lead to the chambers of woman he loved, it would be, as he wanted, he just knew it.
The chambermaid reluctantly allowed him entrance to Antoinette’s chambers, and then moved skittishly to the side of the door. Her headstrong mistress was always restless and she would not tolerate this interruption by a young nobleman. “Sir, please, I will announce you.”
“So be it.” Henri replied, and waited, shuffling nervously from one foot to the other. He might love the woman from a far, but what pray, did she think of him?
Henri turned as he heard someone enter the room. He was pacing in agitation. Then his green eyes beheld the most magnificent blue ones he had ever seen. He had fallen under the spell of the eyes and the young noblewoman months ago when he had seen her at a party.
“Sir you wish to speak to me?” the voice harsh and irritated at his being in her chambers.
“I…I…I!”
“Enough! Sir, if you have something to say, please say it. I have no time to spare.” The words harsh once more, Henri wondered if the woman before him had any softness in her at all.
Henri collected his thoughts and proceeded to tell her a story of how he had fallen in love with her from a distance and that he was prepared to die to marry her.
“You would sacrifice your life for me? Why?”
“You are my destiny Antoinette. It is written long before we were born that you would marry me. In time, our children will have a destiny that shapes other peoples lives for good! I will die this day for you, in turn, in time you will want to die for me,” words spoken solemnly.
The young women with the blue eyes that at most times would freeze a stream to an iceberg, looked at him with speculation. As green met blue, it was the passing of souls long dead, but alive in memory! Both had a heavy breathing session as it was revealed to each, their destinies were intertwined.
“I will take the sword to win you Antoinette. If I do not win, at least I went into battle with love in my heart. For that I will die for, and defend you for.” Henri said in quiet conviction and saw the startled expression in the cobalt blue eyes.
“You love me? But, we have never met.”
“I saw you from afar. From that day you have been mine. I will defend your honour to the end. If I win and you do not want me, I will depart because I love you.”
“Henri Lascelles have you ever put your life forward in this way before?”
“No! I have never been in love before,” simple words conveyed the depth of the true emotion, that is, if you were prepared to listen.
“If you win this battle Sir, I will honour your love to the end of my days.” Antoinette responded, her words softly spoken, but emotively.
“Then, I will be blessed with your love and savour it, forever.”
“Go, Sir. But, first, do you want any pledge from me?” Blue eyes locked with sea green, a message that was as old as time pasted between them again, making each of them catch a breath at the contact.
“Would you do me the honour of placing your arm on mine this once. And we see your father together, as one?” Henri requested solemnly, not sure if he had asked the right question.
Antoinette smiled as she placed her delicate hand on the extended arm of the pleading nobleman. It was with great fortitude that she did not take her arm away in haste as she felt a surge of energy pass swiftly between them.
The Count Lascelles smiled at the remembrances of his past. For no matter what happened now, he would be reunited with his love should he die today? If not, he had wonderful memories to impart to his grandchildren. Now to convince his daughter of such!
**********
Sir Louis Destant looked with relish at the Black Knight, who with his dark stallion proudly guarded the road towards the Castle. It would be quite the spectacle taking down the lone Knight. Some people never knew when it was wise to leave, rather than defend to the death. Today it would be his death. Who could stop their force? It was far superior to the band of peasants that were so called castle guards?
“Sir, do you want us to take on the Black Knight?” One of his horsemen enquired as he brought his horse to the left side of Sir Destant.
“Ah, that would be so easy to do Claude. But, alas, this is one opponent, I must vanquish on my own. Whatever would our merry band think if I, myself did not take this opportunity”? Destant smiled a devilish grin that glinted in his eyes.
“As you wish Sir. But what if he should take the advantage?” Claude questioned serenely, not wanting to feel the wrath of the Knight who was as cruel, if not worse, than the young Count Devries.
“I will not loose the challenge Claude. All the stories we have heard of the Black Knight are only fiction. They are not based on fact. Had they been factual, he would have been a Knight of the Round table in Camelot. I know through my cousin, he was not!” Destant snarled at the man to his left as they gradually came closer and closer to the Black Knight blocking the road.
“Was your cousin a Knight of King Arthur’s court?” Claude enquires cautiously.
“Of course, he was Claude. My cousin even beat the Black Knight in a small personal dispute, and then the Knight fled the country in disgrace. Arnold was very clear about that. I can defeat my cousin Sir Debouis with ease. Therefore, with those facts, this Knight has no meaning to me, just a fly to be swatted.” Destant curled his lip in a gesture of distaste as he came within ten yards of the Black Knight.
“I will await your orders Sir.” Claude responded, pulling the reins of his horse in the direction of the advancing army as he raised his arm to halt their forward movement.
Destant moved closer, with complete confidence and went within striking distance of a jousting lance; should the Black Knight have one, which he did not!
“So the coward of Camelot wants to try to regain his honour this day? Pity you are not of any competition for me.” Destant spoke with derision and saw nothing to tell him that the Knight even heard his words.
Edwina looked through the slits that gave her a limited, but sufficient view of the golden armoured Knight seated boldly atop a broad chestnut mare. The amour gleamed as the sun rose in the sky behind her. If the words were meant to anger her, she refused to play the game. She sat proudly and remained stoically silent, watching the very confident Knight speak the words, which could hurt no one, for they were untrue.
“WHAT! The coward of Camelot has no tongue? Sir, you are little more than a peasant. For that, I will kill you and feed you to the pigs as swill for that is all you are worth in my eyes.” Destant spit out and moved forward in a menacing way.
Edwina had winced inwardly at the verbiage, but decided her need was to use her strength to either speak sense to this man or defeat him in combat. Lifting a black gauntlet towards the golden form on horseback, she stopped his advance as he looked at her and waited.
“Sir, I do not know you, or of you. But the reason you are here is finished. Your leader is dead!” simply stated, but factual.
“What do you know of who is leader here today? That is I, you pretentious nave. I assure you, it is not a phantom on this horse. So the coward is delusional as well?” Destant snorted and moved slightly closer.
“So, you do not ride on behalf of the young Count Devries?” Edwina inquired with a forceful tone and saw the golden Knight stare in surprise.
“Count Devries is dead?” The question was hesitant, the first indication that the man had a slight puncture in his confidence.
“Yes.”
“How?”
“I killed him. He no longer needs the Castle. So, Sir Knight, before we shed unnecessary blood, please depart whence you came.” Edwina had a suspicion that it was not going to be that easy and kept her mind attuned to any change from the golden figure before her.
“You?” The derisive tone sounded disbelievingly.
“Yes, I! Please turn your army round. There is no need for more bloodshed this day.” Edwina pleaded, but she knew it was a fruitless plea. The Knight was committed. He had much to gain from his expression.
Slamming down his visor, the Knight in golden armour withdrew his sword from its sheath and swiftly began an assault.
Edwina gave one last pray to the gods for her saviour that day and removed her own sword from the scabbard on Raven’s back. Her final thoughts, ‘for you Alicia and love!’
**********
Alicia was at her vigilant position at the window when her father walked in and dismissed the maid who was attending her mistress.
Walking over to her position at the window, her father placed a tentative hand on her shoulder and was relieved when Alicia turned to him and buried her head in his chest in comfort. She had always been the more sensitive child of the two. His heart bled for her at this time.
“I don’t want her to die father.” The anguished words flooded out of the tearful woman.
“I know. I know, but daughter, who’s to …… I have yet to meet anyone that could match her in battle.” Lascelles said to his daughter, stroking her hair soothingly.
“Papa, she’s hurt!”
Lascelles flinched at the words. What did Alicia mean by that remark.
“Hurt? Hurt Alicia, what do you mean?” Lascelles asked anxiously.
“When she battled the Count Devries, she suffers an injury. I do not think she is able to encounter a fray with a strong knight Father. I think she will be too weak to defend herself properly.” Alicia spoke through her tears, watching the look of despair pass over her father’s eyes.
“I did not know this! Or, I would never have agreed to let her go. I must send more men to help!” Lascelles was beside himself. This was not part of the plan at all!
“She would still have gone Papa. She will defend the Castle and our family to the bitter end.” Alicia spoke solemnly.
“No! How can this be? I allow a Knight so injured to defend the honour of my name and a woman as well!” Lascelles did not realise what he had said and was rounded on by his daughter.
“You will not allow because the Black Knight is a woman? Papa she saved your life! She brought me home. She had to fight one of the Knights of the Round Table to do so, and you say that?” Alicia was distraught with the statement.
“Daughter please, please! I meant only that with her injuries, she should not go into battle alone. I know of her valour and her expertise. She is still the only hope we have of safety and saving our lives. Although daughter, I want her to be saved as well.” Lascelles responded softly, but truthfully into the strawberry blonde hair of his daughter as he kissed the top of her head in comfort.
Looking up into the green eyes that mirrored her own she sighed heavily. “Papa, I will die inside also, if she does.”
Lascelles knew that in his heart and smiled wryly. “Daughter how could there be any other? For you have found the soul mate everyone craves in life. Should you lose it now, at least know this daughter, you felt it for a brief passage in time and many do not.”
“Papa, you are such the romantic.” Alicia smiled slowly. Her tears ceased and green eyes turned towards the early dawn.
“I want to tell you a story Alicia. One that I have never told before. It is a tale of a man so in love with a woman that he will battle any foes for her hand, even though he’s not sure if the woman loves him.”
Green eyes locked with green and he continued. “He battles the foes and lies injured awaiting the final blow when an unexpected hand of fate crosses his path. The woman he loves finally decides she loves him as well!” Lascelles chuckled as the old memory came. It was as if it was yesterday, how he wished his beautiful Antoinette were here to laugh along side him.
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