The Dragon Bride

By Oryanna Corsey ( Obaba )
©April 2000 Sleeping Dragons Inc.

     This is a story I thought up in April of 2000. It was a abstract dream that took a life of it's own. My characters have been remarkable in the fact they act out things like these without and sometimes against all supervision. It's a nice little parable about life and relationships, if not a sad one. Enjoy.

(*Ed. Note: For those of you that know me you may recognize the conversational format of the story. Thank you to those who taught me there is more than one way to skin a dragon...so to speak)

 

 

 

 

 

Sir Kay................ Kagale the Lion
Ger.................... Ger the Dragon
Princess Lucille....... Lucy the Otter
Handmaidens............Ayanna, Amyah,Vicky
Serving Wench..........Pawma
Messenger.............. Sorrel the Fox

Other Players
The King (Princess Lucille's Father)
Prince Edward, a Stoat

 

Once upon a time, things were cut and dry. Dragons were evil, princes were heroes, and everyone had a happy ending. But things end, and not everyone noticed. One of these people was a knight, Sir Kay. There were rumors of a great deed to be done in the legendary city by the sea. A princess had been kidnapped by a dragon, and needed rescue. This was a deed for a virtous knight to save the virtue of a damsel. Sir Kay decided that this was the deed that he would be known for. The one that minstrels would write ballads about.

            And there was talk of a reward, but that was besides the point.

           

            He had audience with the king, who explained his plea,

King:             My daughter ! That dragon spirited her away and means to do something terrible to her. I only wish for her safe return.

Sir Kay:          Not to worry, My Liege. I vow to see to safety.

King:              I thank you. You will be well rewarded for you efforts.

            Sir Kay tried to not let his eagerness show. Knights were suppose to be creatures of chivalry, not personal gain. But he did need to pay his bills, and the price for a good suit of armor was outrageous.

Sir Kay:          I do this because it is my duty. Rest assured, Princess Lucille will be back in your care within three nights.

King:              That is good. We have lost so many in the effort. Ten and eight as of this week. ::shakes his head:: . Pity that.

            Sir Kay's visage stumbled a moment.

Sir Kay:          ::thinks:: That many?! ::regains his composure:: Then I will avenge    their deaths as well. You may put your faith in me.

            The King nodded and summoned a messenger.

King:              It is settled then. Inform Prince Edward of this. The matter will be settled by the week's end.

             The messenger hurried off leaving with a quick bow.

Sir Kay:          ::thinks:: Prince Edward? That's the first I've heard of him in these parts.   What's that bastard to do with this? Probably the one summoned the aid of the dragon.

            Sir Kay closed his meeting with the King and made preparations for his departure. So much needed to be done in the morning, and he didn't even have a horse.

***

            And he never got one. He left the grounds of the castle at dawn. The hand maidens, friends of the princess, and other palace folk, made for fanfare as he departed. It was embarrasing without a steed, but the people didn't care. He was a hero now. If he didn't return, he'd at least be a maytr. If he did happen to return, then he would be a legend in life. And all the more comfortable for it.

It's not that he wanted to be grossly wealthy and selfish, but being a knight, though noble, was not profitable and good deeds often went unrewarded and unappreciated. He was a dying breed. And if he wished to survive, he would need to adapt. It was week prior he went without food to get his joboquin repaired. That was his reality. Kinghts of Virtue were now as rare as a summer's frost.

 

            The first few hours of his march, were uneventful. He shot a hare with a small crossbow, and decided to have that for lunch. He skipped lunch, and decided to covered twenty miles first. Only then did he settle down to eat. A few hours past noon. He sat down under a rowan tree, cooked the hare and had it with some weak ale and stale bread. He would have prefered wine, or even some good local brew, but his finannces were as thin as ale itself. He sighed an made ready to trudge off again, when he heard some commotion in the woods by the hunter's trail.

 

Sir Kay:          That's certainly going to scare the game off. Someone's snares did their job, more likely than not.

            It was then he heard the cry for help.

Sir Kay:          What the...? ::muses:: Someone in trouble? I don't have time for this!

 

            He continues to pack up again. The cries continued with heightened urgency. Sir Kay eventually sighed and put his equipment away. He moved toward the racket in the brush. There he found what seemed to be a dragon whelp caught in a snare. It was mewing rather pitifuly and was clearly ensnared. It looked to him.

Ger:              ::whimpers:: Please help me out here. I'm stuck tight and I have to be home soon.
Sir Kay:             ::scowls::Sorry, but I have more important things to attend to. I'm on a mission decreed by the King. Besides, why would anyone in their right mind aid a dragon?

     The dragon's eyes looked down a moment sadly, searching...

Ger:             Wouldn't that depend on the dragon?

     Sir Kay stopped a moment and mused it over. This was a dragon, like the very creature he was hunting. If it knew anything about the rouge dragon that made off with Princess Lucille, his life would become a great deal easier. He turned back to the dragon, face brimming with goodwill.

 

Sir Kay:             Well said, young dragon. Well said indeed. I believe I shall release you. It's only proper of a honorable knight to reward such wisdom.

     Sir Kay drew his dirk and worked on the bonds.

Ger:             ::blinks:: A...knight?
Sir Kay:             ::nods:: Yes. And don't squirm so much. You'll be cut for sure if you do.

     The dragon did just that, and in that moment of stillness, the two of them actually looked at one another. Somewhere deep down, any mistrust they had withered. Sir Kay shook his head to clear it and severed the last few bonds.

 

Sir Kay:             ::wipes his brow:: There you go. From now on,I'd be ...*oof*
Ger:             ::glomps on Sir Kay:: Thank you!! I'm so gald you helped me!
Sir Kay:             ::chuckels muffled by overzealous dragon:: Think nothing of it.

     It was now clear how big this "dragon cub" was. It outwieghed and out sized him, nearly double on both counts. Pale gold wings against a green hide, and a peculiar mop fur on his head. It seemed to hold none of the feirce qualities of it's breed, until it's snout opened to reveal his carnivorous heritage. It was still a dragon. There was no doubting it.

Ger:             Oh! ::blinks a moment and looks around:: Did you see a ball around here?
Sir Kay:             ::raises a brow:: Eh? Ball? No I didn't. Why?
Ger:             ::scurries about nose to the ground:: I have to find it! I got traped trying to return it to it's owner.*sniff sniff snort*

     Sir Kay shook his head. This wasn't normal behavior for a dragon, but nothing seemed normal about this one in particular. He turned to leave and headed back to where he had left his camp. Almost reaching the road, he caught a shimmer of light out the corner of his eye. To the side in the undergrowth was an object of exquisite design. Silver inlaid with small stones of obvious vaule. The light played on it, and when he lifted it, it chimed a sweet note to his ear. It also looked remarkably like...

 

Sir Kay:             A ball?
Ger:             There it is! You found it! ::hugs the living daylights out of Sir Kay::
Sir Kay:             ::struggles to breathe:: Ack!

     Sir Kay was dropped in a heap as the dragon seized up the ball in his paws. He was slightly annoyed as he dusted himself off and straightened his joboquin. Looking at the dragon he sighed to himself. This could become complicated.

 

Sir Kay:             *Ahem*::clears throat::Excuse me one moment, my friend.
Ger:             ::looks up curiously:: Yes?
Sir Kay:             I mean to make your aquaintence. I am Sir Kay the Just. Who do I have the pleasure of addressing? ::thinks:: He has to know something. But can't let on what I'm planning.
Ger:             ::waffles a bit:: err...Ger.::fumbles the ball in his paws::
Sir Kay             Humm. Simple enough. I was wondering, Friend Ger, do you know of any other dragons in these parts? Relatives of yours, perhaps? ::grins to himself :: That's it. Get him to tell you that some distant cousin is ravaging the countryside and feasting on princesses. That will be great.
Ger:            I don't think so. I'm not from around here. Just running an errand for a friend.::cringes a bit::

     Sir Kay notices that Ger was becoming fidgety. He turned a bright smile on, to smooth out the dragon's apprehensions.

Sir Kay:             ::pats Ger's head reasurigly:: What's the matter, Ger ?
Ger:             ::bites his lip and whispers:: I...I'm not suppose to talk to strangers.

     Sir Kay started a moment. This moved him to such a fit of laughter, Ger scooted back a moment, not knowing what to make of it. Innocence in a dragon ? Unheard of! He slowly came about and rested a paw on Ger's shoulder.

Sir Kay:             ::still laughing slightly:: Oh what a prize among dragons you are. But I am no stranger. You know me as well as you know good from evil. It is my duty to do only what is right. Therefore, you have no need to fear me as a stranger.
Ger:             You only do good things? And what's right?
Sir Kay:            ::nods:: Yes. I protect all that is good and right in the world.

     Ger seemed to be slightly put off by Sir Kay's words, but soon nodded in return.

Ger:             I think I understand...
Sir Kay:             Thata boy! ::grins::
Ger:             ...so I'm going to help you! ::beams::
Sir Kay:             alright...::facefaults:: What!
Ger:             I want to help. I want to do what's good and right. And maybe I'll make more friends like you.

     Sir Kay's face twitched a moment. He wanted Ger's help, but not this! Things would become very complicated if the terrible dragon that he was hunting turned out to be a closer relative than a cousin...Ugly would be the more appropriate word.

Sir Kay:             Ger, you have no idea what you're asking of me. I am a Knight of the Realm...
Ger:             I know...but that doesn't mean I can't do what's right. Or what's good. Let me help you.

     Sir Kay let out a deep breath. Ger looked down at the silver ball as it chimed lightly to both of their ears. It was a pure sound that sung to the deep part of the heart that knew of hope. Sir Kay shook himself to clear it from his mind, but he wondered if that was the dragon trying to bewitch him.

Sir Kay:             All right. Then you may aid me. But you must understand that I am dutybound to my task, and when the time comes, you must not interfere with what must be done.
Ger:             ::nods:: I won't. That is what you were doing before you met me, so that is you have to finish. Right?
Sir Kay:             ::smiles:: I like you, Ger. You are a reasonable dragon.

 

      They set off not to long after that. The day wore on and miles fell behind them. While Sir Kay was a veritable wealth of stories to tell, Ger was a willing audience. When one story winded down, he remained eager for the next. So it went that way into the night, Sir Kay's stories of knights, bravery, and heroisim, and Ger attentive to his every word.

Sir Kay:             ...If you had seen the look on his face when I showed up. ::laughs:: You should have been there!
Ger:             ::smiles:: You've done everything!
Sir Kay:             Well, not everything, but I tend to get out enough. ::stokes the campfire a bit:: That all happened back in the day...there were more knights then...::trails off::
Ger:             ::looks into the fire sadly:: What happened to them all? All of your friends. They seemed so full of life.

     Sir Kay doned a dour expression. He knew very well what had happened to them all. There were wars, sure enough, but nothing like facing that one defining danger, the one act of heroisim, that brought fame. It also tended to bring matyrdom. That was the act of slaying a dragon. This was not a subject he wanted to bring up...

Sir Kay:             What does it matter. ::sighs dismissively:: They all went bravely. All in the line of duty.
Ger:             But what will happen to you then? :: puts his head to rest on his paws, thinking::
Sir Kay:             ::thinks as well:: I would hope to become a hero, but in life perhaps. In this way many people would benefit from my work. In this way, I could make many people happy.
Ger:             :: taken aback:: Really? ::sighs:: That's good. I don't want you to die. You have to tell me all your other stories!
Sir Kay:             ::laughs::Yes Ger, that too!

     Sir Kay watched the fire die down a bit, then stretched...

Sir Kay:             ::yawns:: Well, that will be enough of the stories for tonight.
Ger:             ::pouts::Awww...
Sir Kay:             Now none of that. We have all day tommorow, and a lot of traveling, so we need to get some rest. I'll have more to tell you then.
Ger:             I guess...
Sir Kay:             ::pulls his blanket out:: It's alright. Good night, Ger.

     Sir Kay pulls that balnket over himself, and turns his back to the fire. It warmed him and his eyes closed. It's was then that he noticed a light chime. It was an eerie tone that seemed warped in it's origin...

Ger:             Knights slay dragons...don't they?

     Sir Kay sat up with a start. He looked to Ger, curled with his back to the fire. He had been playing with the ball. It chimed away and it seemed less bright in it's voice. He wondered if he had dreamt those words. But Ger stopped the the ball's song abruptly. He was waiting for an answer. A look of hurt crossed Sir Kay's brow. But he felt no need to be obsiquious about his role.

Sir Kay:             ::swallows hard:: Yes Ger, they do.

     Ger visibly cringed and sniffed a moment. Then he was stll. Sir Kay turned back to his sleep. He had found it hard at first, the screams of fallen commrades and dragons in battle, haunted his thoughts. But sleep soon found him.

     In the morning, Sir Kay found Ger gone. He had done so without goodbye, which was probably just as well. The journey today would be the last part, mostly straight up a cliff face to a lair at the top. Nothing too fancy for the assent, except for a good length of rope, and a grappling hook.

     The climb took it's toll on his equiptment. It dinged, dented, and scratched on everything. He took it slowly as there was no want to rush. He foresaw a delicate manuver ahead that required him to swing from a overhanging rock to a climbable surface to the east. Otherwise, he was going to make little or no progress due to the difficulty of the angles and the like. Before he did so, he finished the last of his rations. This would lighten the load, but he left those essentials in a spot nestled in the rock. If he returned, he would be back for them later. If not...

     He then started to siwing the rope deftly, hook in hand. His first toss found nothing. As did the next five. On the seventh toss, the hook found purchase in the percipace above. A tug confirmed it, and he pulled himself up. after a little, he swung to the east. Soon momentum built up and he was readying another hook for the new destination.

      Then the rope slipped. He plummeted as the hook that suspended him, draged through loose gravel. Sir Kay quickly swung the hook in his hand to what seemed a likely place to hold. It clattered off the rocks and to the cliff base, more than a 2000 feet down. As his suspention rope lost all grip, it stopped suddenly. He began to rise. Someone was pulling him up!

     At the edge of the outcroping, he pulled himself up. A paw reached out to help him. He was thankful for the assitance...

Sir Kay:             ::pants a bit:: I am most fortunate that you happened this way ::looks up::...GER?!?
Ger:             ::smiles weakly:: Hi there.
Sir Kay:             You are a sight for sore eyes! ::ruffles Ger's fur::
Ger:             ::looks away sadly:: I guess.

     The dragon looks at Sir Kay distantly. A heavy saddness was there. Sir Kay attempted to ease the dragon's heart.

Sir Kay:             I am in debt to you for this. I would have surely perished without your aid.
Ger:             ::still looking at him sadly:: I know.
Sir Kay:             ::shakes his head:: Ger, what was said last night was true. Knights slay dragons. They do other things that are good too, but they are mostly known for that.
Ger:             ::furrows his brow:: That is to say that dragons are not good...
Sir Kay:             Maybe I thought that once, but now I'm glad I can question that misconception.
Ger:             ::closes his eyes:: Maybe you shouldn't question your duty.
Sir Kay:             ::blinks:: What do you mean, "I shouldn't"?

      Ger's eyes snapped open. The look in them almost resembeled contempt, but it was something else. A deep sense of hurt.

Ger:             ::ponts up::Are you trying to get to the top?
Sir Kay:             ::nods:: Yes . I was havig a slight problem with my method.
Ger:             I'll take you there.
Sir Kay:             What? How?
Ger:             ::stoops and spreads his wings a bit:: We fly, of course. Hop on.

      This was an unexpected turn of events. He approached Ger, seating himself in front of the wings. Ger tensed a moment, then bounded over the edge. A slight drop sent Sir Kay wheeling, but the updraft found Ger's open wings and they were carried up. It was so swift. The air was wonderful, and the ground fell away. In a blink of an eye, it was over. Ger settled in an hangar-like entrance in the rock face.

Sir Kay:             ::hops down:: Now Ger, I want you to stay here. This is what I came here for.

     Ger looked at him with a slight indifference, and watched him go. Sir Kay approached the cave cautiously. Within he began to notice forms and shapes.Armor and weaponry of the slain knights that had come before him. He steadied himself, resting a paw on the hilt of his sword. A shadow fell across his shoulder, and he whirled about, ready to engage. He saw it was Ger's shadow falling from the light from the enterance.

Sir Kay:             Ger?! I told you to...::stumbles::

     Sir Kay's foot fell on something in the dim of the cave. He fell into the debris. A slight chime rung out and echoed in the cave. He had stepped on the silver ball. It sang a moment and the truth of the matter was clear.

Ger:             I never needed permission to enter my own house before.
Sir Kay:             ::looks to Ger:: I didn't want to believe it, I guess.
Ger:             You should have known better. You have come to kill me.
Sir Kay:             But you don't have to do any of this. You coud release the princess and I could leave you in peace. We could even stay friends.
Ger:             ::scowls:: You are a knight that knows nothing of his duty. If you did, one of us would be dead now.
Sir Kay:             ::taken aback:: What? You are a dragon. What do you know of it yourself?
Ger:             ::roars back::Dragons live and die on duty, as should a knight! You say you protect what's good and right, but you can not. They are two entirely different things. Like the knight and dragon. In the end, only the truth is the only reality.

     Sir Kay was silent. Was this the same dragon whelp that he released in the woods? The silver ball rang feircely. It rang in Ger's words. Ger looked on the verge of tears, but everyone knows that dragons don't cry.

Sir Kay:             So what is the truth then? If not good is right and evil is wrong. What is suppose to be my duty, if not to uphold these things.
Ger:             Can you truly tell me that doing a good deed is always the right thing?

     The bell sang brightly and Sir Kay nooded. He understood. He looked to the other fallen knights. He recognized some of the coats of arms as that of his friends. The ones the dragon had heard about not a day before. Releasing the dragon, knowing he had done this to his friends. Was that a good thing, maybe not. But it was the right thing. Sir Kay hung his head.The ball slowly winded down it's tune

 

Ger:             ::looks to him sadly:: I would have liked to hear more of your stories.
Sir Kay:             I would very much like to stay your friend, Ger.
Ger:             That isn't to happen in ths story. One of us will die.
Sir Kay:             ::grips the sword hilt again:: I hate this story. Good Luck to you, Ger.
Ger:             ::smiles:: Good Luck to you, Sir Kay the Just.

      Without another moment of hesitation, Ger came at Sir Kay, his dragonish nature revealed at last. Sir Kay drew his sword and struck back. A sort of battle dance ensued, and Ger soon came to a realization after a few blows. Sir Kay was holding back. He repeatedly fended off Ger with the flat of his sword. Ger was slightly offended by this.

Ger:             You had better start taking this seriously. You'll wear yourself out if you continue fighting like that.

     Sir Kay didn't answer. He was tiring. Ger stepped back in quickly and brought his jaws to bear on his shoulder. Sir Kay yelled as Ger's teeth worked their way though some of the flaws in his armor. He swung back with his good arm, this time with the blade flashing. Ger hopped back out of it's range. He had the taste of first blood. It was intoxicating.

      Crimson now stained Sir Kay's side and arm. Ger moved low and out of range, as the knight swung the blade again. His wounded arm was not enough to bare the wieght of the sword any longer. He had to change stratgey. A quick move by Ger sent his sword flying from his grasp. Unarmed he made ready for what he dreaded as his last effort. Then he remembered his dirk. Ger lunged at him and he drew the dirk and slashed back. Ger doubled back in pain and roared at him. Sir Kay made a break for his sword. Ger came after him. The knight reached it and dogded off to the side. Ger corrected his projectory and came to bear on him again, but this time, Sir Kay rolled over and braced the swords hilt on his unwounded shoulder. Ger fell upon it and the battle was over.

 

     Sir Kay rose slowly, pain still raking his body. Was the dragon dead? He heard Ger still suffering from his fatal wound. He came about pulled his sword free. Blood pooled in it's wake. The dragon stirred.

Ger:             ::weakly:: Sir Kay will be a hero now?
Sir Kay:             ::rests a paw on Ger's head:: Yes he will. Thanks to you.

     Ger smiled a moment, then he was gone. Sir Kay wondered at the innocence that infused his final utterance. He died as a knight's friend.

     At that moment a creaking door opened in the wall of the cave. A pleasant, warm light fell upon him. This was the other matter he was to attend to. He scooped up the silver ball and entered the room.

     It was an atrium of sorts.A garden within the cave that was lush with beauty. As he moved in awe of it, the ball chimmed with his pace. His presence didn't go unnoticed.

Princess Lucille:             ::running through the hedge maze:: Ger? Is that you?

      She stopped abruptly. She saw Sir Kay there with the ball. His bloody sword in hand. Her eyes widened in disbelief. She feared what she knew to be true.

Sir Kay:             ::looks at he apoligetically:: I'm sorry, My Lady...but Ger...::hangs his head::
Princess Lucille:             ::shakes her head:: No! GER! ::sobs::

     Sir Kay moved to steady her, but she wrenched from his grasp and drew his sword.She leveled it at him threatningly.

Princess Lucille:             ::aims the sword at his throat:: Why have you done his evil thing! Ger never did anything to you!
Sir Kay:             ::goes down on one knee graciously::He was my friend, My Lady. I never wished any ill of him, but he reminded me of my duty and wished me a hero. Unfortunately that came to pass. I am truly sorry.

     The sword wavered in her grasp.

Princess Lucille:             Then you are the one. The knight he bestowed the title of hero upon?
Sir Kay:             ::nods:: I wished it didn't have to be this way, but I suppose he did.
Princess Lucille:             Then arise Sir Knight, and hero. Ger told me of your coming. Come with me and sit. We shall discuss this further.

     The princess was a gracious hostess. Sir Kay explained his encounter with Ger. She listened and came to understand.

Princess Lucille:             He came last night to tell me that he had chosen someone. I didn't know how soon you would come, but I wish you hadn't.
Sir Kay:             Because of Ger?
Princess Lucille:             ::shakes her head:: There is that, but other reasons trouble me. I suspect they want me back at the castle then?
Sir Kay:             ::nods:: Yes. Your father wishes My Lady back at the castle. He has sent for Prince Edward as well, though I don't see the logic in such actions.
Princess Lucille:             ::smiles sadly:: I see they have not informed you of the gravity of the matter. Let us depart in the morning for my father's kingdom.

      Sir Kay agreed and the rested in the garden. It was lovely and the smells touched their dreams and lulled their hearts.

     In the morning, they found the garden had withered in the night. The princess explained that it was part of Ger and died with him. It also revealed a passage that was conceled by the dense foliage. This, Lucille said, lead out to the base of the cliff. Sir Kay agreed that this was better than the climb down the treacherous face. He even decided to leave his leftover rations on the rocks. They desended the stairs and exited out an abandoned well

 

Sir Kay:             You knew of this passage all this time, and never tried to escape?
Princess Lucille:             ::giggles:: Whoever said I wanted to escape?

      With the time they saved in the passage, they made it to Princess Lucille's kingdom before sunset. Along the way, he told her stories,and she became his entralled audience.

 

     In the fanfare of her return, she weeped as her friends came to greet her. Sir Kay was invited to a hero's feast in the court of the king. This was the payoff, but it seemed sort of hollow now.

      That night at the feast,an all male affair, the King pressed Sir Kay for details of his exploits...

King:             So, Sir Kay, how did you vanquish this dragon. You seem to have taken a few knocks from it ::indicates his bandages::
Sir Kay:             ::sips his wine thoughtfully:: I was disarmed momentarily, so I fought with my dirk, Then recaptured my sword, and used that.

     He kept the details to a minimum. It would not serve Ger's memory to be remembered as anything less than a feirce dragon.

Prince Edward:             ::sly sidelong glance::Did you find anything of value there? You know what they say about dragons hording treasure. A wealth of a thousand kings.
Sir Kay:             Nothing of value there, save the Princess herself.
Prince Edward:             ::balks:: Surely something was there...I mean even the dragon itself would fetch a good price.

     At this, Sir Kay was visibly irritated. He had no fondness for this prince. He was arrogant and cruel to his subjects. He set his jaw as Edward rambled on to the King about the going price for dragon on the market.

King:             I understand there may be medicinal qualties involved as well. Perhaps a expedition may be in order to recover the remains.
Prince Edward:             ::laughs:: That would be an excelletnt proclomation, Your Majesty.

     Sir Kay slammed a fist on the table.

Sir Kay:             ::roars::I have heard enough! You plan desecration!
King:             Now see here! I will do as I see fit!

     At this moment, Princess Lucille comes into the dining hall. She wore a delicate shell blue dress with an embroidered hem.Her crown was replaced with a ring of blue forget-me -nots. She intervened in the quarrel...

Princess Lucille:             Now father, you must understand that many of his friends lost their lives there. We would desecrate their resting place if we ventured in that cave.
Prince Edward:             Lucille! What are you doing here?!
Princess Lucille:             I wished to bid my savior a good night, Edward.Your boast threatened to keep me from my rest in any case.::turns to the knight, smiling:: Good evening, Sir Kay.
Sir Kay:             ::bows an kisses her paw:: Good evening to you, My Lady. Your presence is most welcome in the company of rouges like Prince Edward.
Princess Lucille:             ::blushes:: Well, Edward is a rouge all unto himself. Unless you feel that my father is a rouge as well.
King:             ::whispers warningly::Lucille, my dear, don't you know that it is bad luck for the groom to see his bride prior to the wedding! You should get back to your quarters.
Sir Kay:             ::brow furrows in surprise:: Bride?
Princess Lucille:             Then tell Prince Edward not to look if he wishes no bad luck to befall him.::smiles weakly::
Sir Kay:             His Bride?! ::points to Prince Edward::
Prince Edward:             ::storms out:: This is insufferable!
Princess Lucille:             ::leads the knight to the side:: Sir Kay, a word with you...

      Lucille led him to the gardens. Her face was grave and pace quick.

Sir Kay:             How is it that you are to marry a wretch like Edward?
Princess Lucille:             ::sighs::It is politics, plain and simple. He threatened to war on my father's kingdom and I became a baragaining chip that fell to Edward.
Sir Kay:             ::frowns:: Do you love him?
Princess Lucille:             No.
Sir Kay:             Then why?!
Princess Lucille:             If he had made war on this kingdom, many would die in battle. If they lost, still more would suffer from his cruelty. I can't not allow my people to suffer to make me happy. It is not a good thing that I do this, but it is the right thing. It is my duty.
Sir Kay:             ::nods:: I understand.
Princess Lucille:             In this way, I may even be able to affect a change. I will see that the people of his kingdom wiil not suffer his cruelties any longer. That is a good thing.
Sir Kay:             Yes I believe you will. You have much of what Ger taught me. He shared that with you as well.
Princess Lucille:             ::hangs her head:: It was the reason I went to him in the first place.
Sir Kay:             You went to Ger? Why? I thought you were kiddnaped!
Princess Lucille:             ::laughs:: Hardly. I escaped when I first found out about the engagement. I found Ger and told him of my plight. He agreed to the task and kept me company. But he always said I will have to return and marry Edward. And that he would make the one brave knight a hero, and fulfill his duty. I will keep my end of the bargain. It's all part of the story.
Sir Kay:             What story is that?
Princess Lucille:             The story of a brave knight who slays the dragon, saves the princess and lives happily ever after.
Sir Kay:             I told Ger I didn't like this story.
Princess Lucille:             As did I. Sir Kay, I wish to ask on more deed of you. Would you grant it to me?
Sir Kay:             Of course, My Lady. What do you wish of me?

      Instead of a response, the princess fell into his arms and began to weep. He was the only other who knew of she secret friendship with Ger. She had kept her feelings locked away up to this point, and never gave herself the time to mourn. So that was how they stayed for quite some time that night. Just remembering their friend.

***

 

     The next morning was the wedding. The princess wore a gown with hand-worked pearl beading, and an empire waistline with embroidered silver and lace. She passed Sir Kay and gave him a glance through her veil. He had new armor. It truly shined, as they say. The ceramonies came and went and the bride and groom were making their final goodbyes. Sir Kay made a threat toward the drunken Edward, that if he ever did anything to bring dishonor to "His Lady, The Most Honorable, Princess Lucille" that he would personally come to turn his hide into a cloak for her. The prince laughed it up a bit, but even it his stupor, he came to realize that it was not an idle threat. This was a knight who had slayed a dragon, after all.

     He also had a chance to have a final encounter with the princess. She hugged him...

Sir Kay:             ::smiles::I would say congragulations are in order, but I fear the groom is no prize.
Princess Lucille:             He will come around. Give him time. Do you really have to go? Edward's kingdom could use someone such as yourself.
Sir Kay:             Yes. I must go. There are other deeds to be done, be them good or right, I have to continue on that path. Looking to reveal the truth. I will be sure to visit if I am around.
Princess Lucille:             Then I want to give you a gift

     She produced a box and handed it to him. He opened it and found Ger's ball inside. It chimed lightly to him, as it first done the day he picked it up in the woods.

Princess Lucille:             This little ball divines truth. I've had it n my family for genrations. I would take it with me, but Edward would be all to likely to use it for personal gain. Besides, it would serve you better
Sir Kay:             ::bows:: I thank you for this gift. I will put it to good use.
Princess Lucille:             ::smiles:: And I mean another gift for you…

         The princess leaned down and kissed him on the lips. They both blushed fiercely and Sir Kay even wavered a bit.

Princess Lucille:             ::recovers:: I give you my favor.

Sir Kay:             ::head still down, unable to look at her:: I will put that to use as well.

     So, Sir Kay with a hero’s honor, and a maiden’s favor, left Edward’s lands. He did many more deeds, both right and good. The Princess eventually became queen, and her rulership tamed Edward’s harsh hand. She became a saint to the people and the knight that “saved” her. But through the years of her reign, there were songs of a knight who sought truth by aiding a dragon.

 

If you wanted backstage passes, here ya go!