The Knight

[Sky Jade]

"You're a fool Malcolm!"

She lasted till the last moment to blockthe attack with her sword. She shifted her wrist and used his momentum to circle the sword downward, sidesteping in the same motion. Her other hand came up in the same motion, her gantleted fist hitting him square in the face. There was a sickening cruch aas his nose broke under the impact.

As he stumbled backwards to grasp his bleeding nose, she lunged forward, grabbing his sword hand. She quickly dropped her sword and used both hands to jerk his sword from his hand.

She stepped backwards from him as she lifted a hand and motioned forward. Two of her knights came forward, their swords pointing at him.

"This battle is over."

 

[shadowoftheheart]

He just looked ... shocked. His gauntleted hand pressed to his nose, trying to stop the flow of blood.

Then ... his look of shock turned into one of hate.

"You should have killed me, Rose. As long as I live, I swear ... I will watch you. And when I can ... I will have my revenge!"


Isabelle was elated! She saw Rose defeat Malcolm expertly, and realized her dream had come true! Rose, her dear sweet rose, had come to her rescue, swept in as the Gallant Knight, defeated the Villian, and now ... the swept-into-her-knight's-strong-arms routine.

"Mmfghgh... ofgh .... Mmmghrhg?"

 

[Sky Jade]

Rose sighed for a moment at Malcom's words.

"Those words would be possible if you live long enough. We shall see what our Lord thinks of this. Fergin, take him prisoner."

The Lt. grinned for a moment as he moved forward towards Malcom. He lifted his sword as if to strike him down but suddenly changed his attack. The hilt of his sword caught the captain in the temple over his helemt, knocking him sideways into the wall, unconscious. The other two Knights quickly stripped him of his armor and tied him up. One picked him up while the other gathered up his armor.

Rose smiled as she turned moved to the princess. She removed the gag from her before kissing her softly.

"It's time to head home m'dear."

She giggled and lifted the princess up carefully, carrying her outside, the rest of her men following. The bandits looked around as they were let go and ran while they had the chance.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

(OOC: I assume Rose unties Isabelle as oppsed to just picking her up, hogtie and all!)

Isabelle sighed into Rose's kiss, and settled into her arms, wrapping her own arms around Rose's neck, head resting against her shoulder.

She felt safe now ... protected and acutely aware of the depth of her love for Rose. Sighing again, she nuzzled weakly against Rose's neck. Her strength was draining away quickly.

"Oh Rose. Thank you. I love you."

She closed her eyes and drifted into a light but secure sleep.

 

[Sky Jade]

Rose smiled as the princess fell asleep. She placed the princess on Silver carefullyso that she was leaning against Rose for the ride. It was nearly dusk by the time they returned to the castle, the princess's parents overjoyed to see her again.

Rose quickly told the story of what happened and Malcom was thrown into a cell in the dungeon. The princess was laid to sleep in her own bed. Rose gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead before leaving her to meet with the King and Queen once more.

"You said you wished to talk to me my liege, about something."

"Yes dear Rose. As I had said before the Queen and I know of your courting of our daughter in secret. We know that you are different than both the other ladies and the men, but you are special to us. You are like a second daughter. And we feel that you would be right for giving the kingdom what it needs...An heir, a kind ruler, and taking care of our daughter."

"My Liege? Are you saying that you would allow us to...marry?"

"Of course my child. If that is truly what you both wish, we shall allow it."

"But what of our allies? Would they not object?"

"Perhaps, but times have been changing."

"Thank you my liege and My queen."

Rose gave both of the smile and left the castle, lighter in her heart. She fell asleep in her bed, dreaming happy dreams.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Isabelle had awakened in darkness, shuddering violently. The experience she had finally caught up with her, and she realized that she had been in real danger.

Or .. had seemed to be. She wasn't shure if it had all been some strange dream. It seemed too unreal, like something out of a story.

She rose, and looked out her window. Red on the distant horizon. Dawn soon. She sighed, bathed, and changed into a blue dress with red trim.

She was uncertain how to feel. She didn't want Rose to ever leave her side again! She knew, though, that Rose was the King's most trusted, highly ranked knight. She would be called to further service, and what could Isabelle say or do about that? What would they ever be to one another? She knew that bearing a son to receive the crown when he became old enough would be one of her chief duties as princess, and possibly as queen one day. How could that happen with Rose?

Again, she sighed, and took comfort in the old, dusty tomes of the former wizard. Magic was a constant. She didn't understand it fully yet ... but she could feel that it was a flow, a stream, that never left, was never far from her control ... with simple control ... what would not be possible?

 

[Sky Jade]

Rose woke up refreshed, if not a little sore from the battle the day before. She was much happier from the talk of the night before. Even her men could tell their was a different, livelier glow about her. She went about the morning as usual, training her men in combat. She helped out a couple of the squires, who seemed to be a little slow in picking things up.

After breakfast she wrote a small note to Isabelle, requesting to see her in the garden after the noon bells tolled. She signed it with a rose and her name as well. She gave this to her personal servent, a girl who was only a little young than Rose. The young girl had become infauateted with Rose with she had first arrived at the castle, though it turned more into a friendship than anything.

Rose sat cross-legged in the middle of the castle garden, a pile of dandelion's in her lap. She hummed a soft tune as she waited to see if the princess would respond, making a crown of flowers.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Isabelle left the Wizards' old chambers with a sigh, her little case full of several parchments containing information on several more magical spells. If they worked, she would be able to bring forth a small globe of light that would give her steady, even, unburning candle-like light, and also give her eyes that could see in the dark. She wasn't quite sure why she would need both, but copied both just in case.

She had figured that each of these little spells she was copying was taking around 4 or 5 hours to get to the point that she could 'cast' them. The True Love cantrip had worked in a few minutes. Her healing spell she had never yet had a chance to try (she was glad in one sense that Rose, or any one else, had not needed her to try it!) but she had been able to summon small ceramic statuettes and actually have them remain real. She had also been able to make little light shows appear before her, that moved and gyrated like living fireworks. Nothing really special, nothing really important. But every little bit of magic she did made the next time easier. She didn't know magic burnt pathways through the body, and the mind. She didn't know that what she was doing was unusual, or that many wizards in training her age were still struggling to cast their first spell with success. And all with no formal tutor. No, she had other things on her mind. Another person.

"Princess?" A small, submissive voice behind her spoke.

She turned, and saw Rose's young servent. Actually, she wasn't really younger than Isabelle, but her submissive demeanor made Isabelle think of her as a young girl compared to herself.

"There is a note for you from my Mistress."

Isabelle smiled, thanked her, and took the note from her.

She nodded at the artistic drawing of a rose, and grinned as she also signed her name. There was no doubt in Isabelle's mind that this was a genuine note.



The last echoes of the noonbells were fading away just beyond the edges of hearing, when Isabelle quietly snuck into the garden. From the cover of a rose-bush, she watched her Love absently humming, weaving dandelions into some kind of wreath.

She grinned widely, and tip-toed up behind Rose until she was right behind her. Waiting until she was done weaving one flower into the circlet she was forming, then cupped her hands over her eyes, leaning into Rose's back and whispering "Guess who?" into her ear, before giving her earlobe a soft and playful kiss.

 

[Sky Jade]

Rose blinked for a moment as her eyes were coevered and then she smiled as she felt breasts pressing into her back. The voice could only belong to one that she knew of.

"Mmm...that bosom could only belond to my love."

She reached up and pulled Isabelle's hands down before tilting her head a little to kiss her cheek softly. She turned around to face her, placing the wreath upon her head.

"A perfect fit m'love. You would look dazzling as a Queen."

She reached up and placed a finger upon the princess's lips before she could speak.

"I have some wonderful news you might want to hear. Your father has given his blessing to me, if you would have my hand in marriage."

 

[shadowoftheheart]

"Mmm...that bosom could only belond to my love."

Isabelle blushed, and grinned softly. Rose pulled her hands down, turned her head and gave her a kiss on her cheek, which deepened Rose's blush.

She turned, and placed the wreath -- actually a garland or headband -- upon her head.

"A perfect fit m'love. You would look dazzling as a Queen."

Nothing served yet to relax her blush, and it deepened again.

"I have some wonderful news you might want to hear. Your father has given his blessing to me, if you would have my hand in marriage."

Isabelle blinked. She took a step backward, and stumbled, falling rather heavily on her rear. She gave a soft cry of pain.

"What ... I ... Marriage? But ... My father? I ... how?"

She gaped, eyes wide in shock.

 

[Sky Jade]

Rose sighed softly at the princess's reaction. It wasn't quite wwhat she had expected. She shifted to sitting on her legs in front of the princess.

"If it is your wish not to do so, I would understand. I did not mean to startle you so."

She looked down at the ground for a moment, her eyes downcast. She was silent for a few moments, her hands on her knees.

"I...I just.. I love you m'lady."

She lifted her head once more, smiling softly.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

"If it is your wish not to do so, I would understand. I did not mean to startle you so."

"Oh gods no Rose!'

She smiled widely.

"I...I just.. I love you m'lady."

"Rose. Gods, Rose! I love you! I want to marry you, to spend the rest of my life with you! I ... I never thought Father would ... consent to our marrying. I ... I know he wants me to have children and ... well ... that isn't possible between us. I ... may be a virgin but I am not exactly ignorant about ... such things."

She blushed again, and shrugged.

 

[Sky Jade]

Rose smiled and took Isabelle's hand in hers, kissing it softly.

"Do not worry about not being able to have children my love. Sucha thing would be possible...but I can not say why just yet."

She blushed for a moment before she reached out and pulled Isabelle to her, holding her close. She kissed her cheek softly for a moment.

"We should tell the King and Queen the wonderful news."

She didn't move though, only wanting to hold Isabelle close to her. It wasn't quite close enough for what she wished, wearing her armor, but things would come true soon enough.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Isabelle smiled as Rose took and kissed her hand.

"Do not worry about not being able to have children my love. Sucha thing would be possible...but I can not say why just yet."

She blinks. Magic? She hadn't heard of that ... but she imagined magic could do almost anything.

Rose blushed, then pulled her close, kissing her cheek.

"Rose," Isabelle whispered into her ear, "I accept your proposal. Marry me!"

"We should tell the King and Queen the wonderful news."

"Yes love, yes. We must tell them!"

Rose made no indication she wanted to move. Isabelle sighed, relaxing into Rose's grasp. Even with her armor, Isabelle felt the softness and warmth of Rose surrounding her and she felt safe and at peace.

 

[Sky Jade]

Rose closed her eyes as she held Isabelle for a little longer before pulling away gently. She gave the princess a soft kiss and giggled a little.

"Going to wear your crown of flowers while we announce our intentions?"

She reached up and stroked her fingertips along her love's cheek softly before standing up, pulling her up gently as well.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

She smiled brilliantly, sighing at her soft kiss and touch, wanting to simply stay in her arms, caressing and kissing her over and over.

"Going to wear your crown of flowers while we announce our intentions?"

"Of course, love. I wouldn't take it off after you put so much thought and effort into making it for me. It is ...."

She giggles,

"It is my engagement ring. At least, for right now."

She grins, sighing again at her strength as she is pulled up to her feet.

"Shall we, my love?"

She took Rose's hand, squeezing tightly. She beams. Her heart is beating quickly, her breathing is quick and ragged, and Rose is close enough that she can hear her excitement, her eagerness. Her nervousness as well.

Isabelle trusted her Rose entirely, but she still was confused as to why her father consented to this marriage. Well, obviously her father knew something she didn't. She was happy. No, ecstatic! She had thought of little else but this since learning Rose was her Love, her Anonymous Suitor.

 

[Sky Jade]

"We shall."

She squeezed back gently before leading Isabelle out of the garden. She giggled and smiled to a couple of her knights they had passed in the hallway, a look of confusion on the face for a moment. Then they just chuckled and gave Rose a salute and a bow to the princess.

In the throne room where the Queen and King where alone, talking between themselves, Rose knelt.

"My Liege and my Queen. The princess and I wish to get married."

They stopped talking for a moment, turning to look at the young ladies before them, a smile on their face. The Queen spoke first.

"Congradulations. It was about time something good came from our wait."

Rose blushed deeply at that before the King spoke.

"Then we shall have a wedding and feast setup. Is a week too soon for you Rose?"

"Not at all m'lord. Thank you."

She looked over at the princess with a smile, happy that her dream of being with the princess was coming true.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Isabelle simply beamed as her Lady and future wife led her through the halls of the castle, toward her parents' room. Several Knights grinned, bowed, and saluted Rose. Isabelle began to blush as she began to feel herself the center of attention.

When they entered the throne room, Rose released Isabelle's hand and knelt before the king and queen. Isabelle courtseyed formally to her parents.

"My Liege and my Queen. The princess and I wish to get married."

Isabelle smiled, and nodded in support of her Love.

They turned to look, and their faces broke out in delighted smiles.

"Congradulations. It was about time something good came from our wait."

Isabelle grinned widely at her mother's comment.

"Then we shall have a wedding and feast setup. Is a week too soon for you Rose?"

A week?! Isabelle rather wished her father had asked her. A week? How would she get ready for a wedding in a week? Isabelle had read what she would have to do as the bride, to be ready for a wedding, and a week seemed like hardly enough time.

Of course, her mother and the female servents would all be there to help her. My oh my oh my oh my!

"Not at all m'lord. Thank you."

Rose and Isabelle shared a glance, and a smile. Isabelle realized this was the fulfillment of everything she had dreamed about since a little girl. And the lady Rose simply had stolen her heart. She had fallen in love so hard, so deep, that even thinking about being with anyone else had become impossible. Now, she didn't need to fear ever being apart from her Rose.

 

[Sky Jade]

The Queen smiled and moved from her throne to stand, holding her hand out to her daughter.

"Come now my dear, we must start getting you prepared for your wedding."

Rose watched as Isabelle's mother lead her off and out of the throne to begin the preparations. She looked back at the king for a moment.

"If there are things which I must do as well to prepare, please tell my servent. And if there is anything you wish for me to do as well, you just have to ask my liege."

The King smield and chuckled for a moment.

"Of course Rose. I shall do as you request. Go and prepare yourself as well."

Rose gave another bow to him before she left the throne room to prepare.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

The two weeks whirlled by in a blur!

Isabelle was at the center of the whirlwind, and for all the confusion, the business, and anticipation, the lingering nerves, it was the happiest time in her life up to that point.

Her mother had lent her her dress, and in a carefully guarded room Isabelle was dressed in it, and it was tailored for her body. The 'groom' of course could not see her in it, so the female servents and Rose's knights kept a quiet but amused vigil to keep the Lady Knight from that room.

There was so much to do! Oh, Isabelle didn't have to do most of it, but she was insistent that everything be done right so she was there for everything.

Isabelle hadn't much time for any studies during that week, but she had reviewed and used one of the wizard's old spells. She enchanted the crown of dandelions that Rose had woven for her, and it remained new and fresh, and formed the topmost decor of her wedding attire.

Her father had secured the church and a priest, of course. She didn't have to worry about that, but of course she did worry about that. She worried about everything, and was barely able to sleep at nights.

Once or twice, she saw Rose in the castle, and gave her a wink, or a hug, or even a kiss now and then, but mostly they spent the two weeks apart. Apart, with time to think about one another, and about the day that was fast approaching. And ... the night that was to follow.

Finally, The Day arrived. Isabelle was literally shivering with anticipation. She was fully dressed, her crown of flowers, her veil, her dress, everything in place. Only ... only a few more minutes. The hardest minutes. Two weeks of flurrious action. Why were ten minutes of nothing so hard?!

Isabelle's new young servent, a girl a few months younger than Isabelle herself, stood beside her mistress. Her father had called her a wedding present: All young ladies must have a personal servent, he had said. This young girl, Fiona was her name, was a quiet and placid girl, who was all too willing to do all that was ordered of her. She wasn't a slave, since slavery had been outlawed some time before, but Isabelle thought of her as one because of how readily she took instruction.

Fiona smiled softly at Isabelle, and took her hand gently to give her mistress strength. Isabelle gave her hand a soft, nervous squeeze and thin smile.

"Soon enough, my lady. Soon enough."

 

[Sky Jade]

While isabelle was being fitted for her wedding dress, Rose was as well. Her personal servant Gabriella had made a dress to wear for special occasions, but Rose had been too embarrased to wear it. It hadn't even been tailored to fit her properly. Between fittings, Rose had her hands full in dealing with all of the Knights.

When the King had placed her in charge on the campaign against Nouve, it seemed that the two battilons there took her as the Commander, second to the King. When she defeated Malcom, the Black Knights looked at her the same way. She had to pick out a new Captain for the Black Knights and promoted Fergin at Captain to the Rose Knights as well. It was of course approved by the King.

The knights even held a mock tournment, the winner getting a kiss from Rose. It would only be a cheek on the cheek, but it was worth it anyways. Fergin ended up being the winner to recieve the kiss.

On the day of the Wedding, Rose shivered with anticipation. Gaberiella had the dress fit prefectly, the silken material hugging her soft curves. It was a soft red, the top cut just down enough to show a small amount of cleavage. The sleeves of the dress went down to her elbows, ending with small ruffles. She wore a pair of red gloves which went up just past the middle of her forearm. The hem of the skirt stopped just short of her ankles, showing her pair of small red slippers. The skirt was bellowed out a little,starting at the waist. Her hair was tied back in a french-braid, a golden necklace around her neck.

She whispered softly to Gabriella who stood just a couple of feet away.

"I feel so exposed."

"Well, that is what you get for wearing your armor all the time mistress. You look very beautiful..and I don't believe your bride will be scared too much tonight."

Rose blinked and blushed deeply for a moment. She was even more fidgety until the priest land a hand on her shoulder lightly.

"Be calm m'lady. It would not help matters to be so nervous."

"Yes father. I will try to stay calm."

She watched the main door with a smile, waiting to see her love come through. The priest coughed for a moment before stepping back to his place.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

She heard the fanfare, and saw the doors open. An usher motioned urgently to Isabella, and she took a deep breath. Grasping her bouquet, she left the safety of her secure room, and peeked around the usher to the main room of the church. Everyone was standing, the servents walking down the aisle, her own Fiona just now reaching the middle part of the church.

The usher touched her arm lightly, her signal. She nodded to her father, the King, who smiled.

"You are beautiful, my darling. You will make Rose happy."

He gave her a soft kiss, and led her out into the room.

She was in a full white silk dress. The sleeves hugged her wrists, and puffed out along her forearms and shoulders. The bodice hugged her curves tightly, the liquid silk highlighting her curves from her neck down to her hips, where the massive skirt belled out. Covered with layers of lace and satin in weblike patterns, the skirt flowed seamlessly into a massive train that flowed out behind her, carried by four serving-girls. She seemed to float on a river of silk toward Rose, the priest, and the various attendants who had various roles in the wedding ceremony.

Behind her veil, which gave a silky mistlike quality to the entire world, Isabelle blushed a deep red which she feared would be visible through the veil. All eyes were on her, and she was both loving and hating it.

Isabelle was surprised to see Rose in a dress, a beautiful red dress that showed off her lovely, curvy body that she so often hid behind her stiff, rigid armor. Isabelle shivered, and realized that after the ceremony she would have the right, the honor, to see that body in all its glory, to be with, to experience, Rose in her most basic Form. Isabelle was still uncertain what form their love would take, but felt utterly assured that whatever would be would result in the greatest pleasures she had ever experienced.

The walk seemed to last forever, but it was actually a minute or two, before the King finally had brought Isabelle to Rose's side, nodded to her with a big smile, and placed her daughter's hand in Rose's. Isabelle again shivered at the feeling of Rose's hand around hers, and she felt her cheeks again burn with a blush.

 

[Sky Jade]

As the door opened and they saw Fiona come down the asile first, Gaberialla couldn't resist teasing her misstres more, whispering softly.

"Do you think she will enjoy every inch?"

Rose blushed deeply and resisted the urge to kick back at her servent. Fiona was always trying to tease and get her in trouble somehow. Rose gave a cough for a moment, trying to get the girl to quiet down. Gaberiella just giggled softly for a moment.

Rose held her breath as she took in her bride's gown. She was beautiful. Words couldn't seem to do her justice at the moment. She took a deep breath and did her best to stay calm. It wouldn't do for things to mess up before it was time.

She smiled back to Isabelle as their hands were placed together. She squeezed back gently before looking to the priest as he began the ceramony.

(ooc: Hehe, blah, blah..)

"Do you Rose take Isabelle to be your lawfully wedding wife, to have and to hold, till death do you part?"

"I do."

"Then place the ring upon her finger."

She didn't have anyplace to hold a ring, so Gaberiella was holding it. The girl stepped forward and placed the ring in Rose's hand, who placed it carefully on Isabelle's ring finger.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Isabelle didn't hear a word of what the priest said through the ceremony, as her eyes were locked onto Rose. The words were just that, words, until the magical moment when he would declare them joined.

"Do you Rose take Isabelle to be your lawfully wedding wife, to have and to hold, till death do you part?"

"I do."

"Then place the ring upon her finger."

Isabelle shivered, feeling first her glove removed, and then the gold and diamond band slid onto her finger by the warm, soft hands of her love, Rose.

Isabelle could feel the assemblage tense with excitement, as the priest turned to Isabelle.

"And do you Isabelle take Rose to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, till death do you part?"

Isabelle cleared her throat, to say quickly and clearly:

"I do."

"Then place the ring upon her finger."

Fiona gave to Isabelle the ring for Rose's finger, and with a bright smile (that Rose could only barely see behind her veil) she took Rose's hand, sliding the gold and diamond band onto her finger.

She squeezed her hand, and the two looked expectantly to the priest, for the final, magical part of the ceremony.

 

[Sky Jade]

"You may now kiss the bride."

The priest smiled to them, closing his bible. It seemed as if a hush had fallen on the room after those words. Rose pulled her hands from isabelle's slowly and reached up, pulling the viel away. She gazed at her bride's beautiful face for a moment before she stepped forward, kissing her softly and deeply for a few moments before breaking it. She licked her lips slowly as she tasted the lingering taste of Isabelle.

There was cheer from everyone in the church before Rose took Isabelle's, leading her out of the church and to the great hall, Isabelle's servents doing their best to keep the train up. A magnifiacnt feast had been setup and their seats were placed next to the King's and Queen's at the head table.