Beyond Time (closed)

[heartofcourage]

Dylan stepped into her room ahead of Ashien, pausing when she saw the gown that he had left for her on the bed. She had read about cloth of gold back in her time, but she had never seen something so lovely as the real thing waiting for her. She turned to look at her husband as he stepped in behind her, her eyes bright with disbelief.

"Ashien...this is too...too much." She murmured as she moved towards the bed and looked down at the lovely gown that was made just for her. "Love, this must have cost a fortune."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Nevermind the cost, love." Ashien came to pick up the gown, holding it in front of her in the mirror. "I wanted something to match this beautiful blonde hair. And it's a timeless style so you can wear it for a long time to come."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Thank you." She said, kissing him soundly in thanks for the beautiful gown that he had given her. "You'll spoil me. I might let you if you keep this up."

She laughed softly as she finally reached out to touch the beautiful fabric, the soft gauzy material slipping between her fingers like water.

"You'll make me cry sooner or later, Ash." Dylan said with a happy grin on her features as she took the gown from him to get dressed.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ashien let her go while he got ready too, putting on his best officer's uniform and pinning his selection of medals in place. He was ready a bit before Dylandra, and went to check on John and make sure his own uniform was flawless. It was a sudden announcement, but the coming of a new knight meant that every noble, knight, squire, and page in London would be there, not to mention military officers and strategists.

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylan came down the stairs a while later, her gown glittering in the candle light. She had placed a set of topaz earrings on each ear and a topaz necklace was at her throat. She looked like a golden lioness, which is perhaps what Ashien had wanted. When she saw her husband waiting, she smiled brightly, moving to kiss him in thanks for the beautiful dress all over again.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I dare say you might steal the show tonight," Ashien told her softly, kissing her once more. He was a dark contrast to her in a black uniform, but he'd tucked a yellow kerchief in his chest pocket and wore a yellow shirt under his jacket and a yellow sash about his waist to complement her. John soon came out in his maroon jacket and dark trousers, but he was struck by the sight of Dylandra.

"Ash... I'm taking her back," he said, making Ashien laugh.

"Too late, friend. I've stolen her forever."

 

[heartofcourage]

"The ring on my finger says no." Dylan said with a smile towards John. "But I dare say that you might end up with a beautiful redhead on your arm before the evening is over. You look very handsome in that uniform, John."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Really? I dunno if this is my color," John commented, looking down at himself.

"It is, friend. Trust me. If there's anything I'm good at, it's choosing color. I fancy myself a fine decorator as well as in artist. And that suits your eye and hair color well while still giving you some proper color."

Lothair was soon to join them too, dressed primarily in green and dark grey.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Never second guess Ashien. He's never wrong." Dylan teased her husband, kissing his cheek as Lothair joined them in his own dark uniform. "You are very dashing in your uniform as well, Lothair. The ladies of the court won't know what hit them with the three of you there."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well from what I've seen, only one of us is available." Lothair chuckled and motioned them on. "Let's get going and beat the crowd."

"Van, are you coming?" Ashien called, only for Van to walk in the front door.

"The carriage is waiting," Van told them.

"And here I thought you were a slow old man." Ashien patted his shoulder as they walked outside.

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylan took Ashien's hand to step into the carriage, pausing when she saw Ballas watching them from the front door. She looked down at her husband and then back at the tiger that she adored.

"Is he not coming as well?" She asked, raising an eyebrow in expectation.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ballas! Come on!" Ashien called, and the great cat quickly bounded up and into the carriage. Ashien pulled the kerchief from his chest pocket and tied it round Ballas' neck to better mark him as their pet, and of course the tiger knew to stick close in public.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I see that he just needs an invitation." Dylan said with a smile as Ballas sat there and purred loudly as Ashien wrapped the kerchief around Ballas's neck. "The only other man that I want to be there with me tonight."

She adored the tiger that seemed to adore her just as much. She smiled as she scratched behind his ears, laughing as he stretched out and lazily flicked his tail as she did so.

 

[KieranSoares]

The ride was quick and easy, and they were met by a group of Royal guardsmen including the captain of the guard, who escorted them into the courtyard and into the palace. John was all nerves suddenly, and Ashien took up his part as John's mentor, staying by his side. "Love," he said to Dylandra as they paused outside the massive ballroom. "The Prince will enter first as the visiting royalty, then we'll go in together seeing as I'm John's mentor. Then John will come in behind us." He wanted to make sure she was aware of how the ceremony would go.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Think I'll embarrass you?" Dylan asked him softly with a smile on her lips. "Don't worry, Ash. I wouldn't do that...not right now, anyway."

She leaned in and kissed her husband, still smiling as she pulled back to straighten some of the medals that hung on his chest. She knew just how seriously he took training someone and he was even more proud that the newest knight was John.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ashien kissed her in return. "You're too good to me."

Lothair entered first as was custom, taking a place beside Henry who awaited them in his finest royal robes. Elizabeth was at his other side in a gorgeous rose-colored gown. Perhaps Ashien had planned for John and Elizabeth to match.

Ashien let Dylandra take his arm and Ballas kept pace with her at her other side and they entered much to the wonder of the onlookers. Few had seen Dylandrs before, and all were stunned by her beauty and her great tiger beside her that was so under control despite being able to move freely with only the kerchief around his neck.

Once Dylandra and Ashien came to Lothair's side, Ashien let go Dylandra's arm and stepped out in front of Henry alone.

"Today we usher in a new brave knight of our realm," Henry's voice boomed over the room. "A fellow who, though he has not been with us long, has become a dear friend and protector to myself, the Princess, and our visiting Prince of the Holy Roman Empire. Prince Lothair has requested that knighthood be granted early for this friend, as he saved the Prince's life from an unexpected threat and did so without hesitation. His mentor, Cavalry Major Sir Ashien Vincent Ghis attests to his ability and pure intentions."

"Ladies and gentlemen," Ashien spoke up at his cue. "I have trained this man for one purpose: to serve the Princess Elizabeth above all. But in doing so, he has proven himself a defender of England's friends as well in his protection of Prince Lothair. But I can also attest to his good heart. After the Prince was wounded and his would-be assassin put down, my student spent every waking moment watching over and guarding the Prince as if he were a personal bodyguard, as well as a dear friend. And so I will second the Prince in requesting John Davies' knighthood be granted ahead of schedule. He has the skill, the heart, the courage, and the spirit "

Ashien stepped aside, and Henry called, "John Davies, step forward." To John's credit, he looked solidly confident even though those who knew him well knew he was quaking. His stride was sure and even as he made his way down the aisle and came to stand before Henry.

"My lord," John said, bowing before Henry.

"Elizabeth," Henry turned to his daughter, and in a surprise to everyone, he drew his ceremonial blade and laid it in her hands. "This is your man. He was trained for you, not me. If you agree that he should become a member of England's council of knights and join your defenders, make it so."

John knelt down then, bowing his head because he wasn't sure if he could show his face and the absolute fear that she would refuse to protect him or because she didn't think he was ready.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Papa?" Elizabeth asked him softly as he placed the blade in her own hands, letting her make the choice as to whether John were her knight or not.

She was quiet as she looked down at the silver blade and then at John's bowed head. He meant a great deal to her and becoming her knight would mean that they could spend a great deal of time together. She took in a deep breath and nodded towards her father.

"John Davies, in service to the crown of England, I knight you." Elizabeth said as she tapped each of his shoulders with the silver blade and looked over at her father and then at Ashien. "Rise, Sir John of England."

 

[KieranSoares]

John rose before her, and she could see the absolute pride and adoration in his eyes. Another two knights came to her side, one with a medal in the shape of a four a pointed star, and the other with a beautiful steel sword in a leather-wrapped sheath. The medal was only worn by English knights and presented to them upon entering knighthood, and the sword was a gift given at the same time, made specially by the king's own blacksmith. Elizabeth was to present them.

 

[heartofcourage]

Elizabeth took the medal first and pinned it to John's coat. She gave him a small smile as she felt his chest shaking beneath her fingers. She glanced up into his gaze and chuckled softly.

"You're shaking like a leaf." She murmured in a soft whisper. "Don't be nervous. This is just a formality."

 

[KieranSoares]

"What can I say? Formalities make me nervous as hell," he murmured in return with a smile. "But looking at you certainly helps. You look amazing."

As John secured the new blade at his side, he knew his part was to draw the blade, kneel once more, and offer it to Elizabeth as a show of his protection over her, which she would return with her blessing. And then the celebration would begin and John would choose a woman to dance with first. No one but his dear friends there knew he was definitely choosing Elizabeth if Henry would forgo the first dance with her.

 

[heartofcourage]

"It makes me a little sad that I missed your knighting ceremony." Dylan murmured to her husband as she took his hand and squeezed it gently. "To see you nervous as hell would make you handsome."

She leaned in and kissed Ashien's cheek, giving him a warm smile as John knelt and offered his blade to Elizabeth, who did her duty and returned it to him with a grin. It was sweet watching the two of them fall in love. It would be even sweeter on the day that the two of them were joined together as man and wife.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ashien chuckled, kissing her in return before whispering back, "You didn't miss much. It was even more spur-of-the-moment than this, and just in front of Henry's council. But I gave my sword to Elizabeth too."

John rose and Ashien left Dylandra's side once more to shake John's hand. "Sir John of London, at your leave, we will start the evening with a dance. Who would you like to join you?"

"My lady, the Princess," John spoke up, smiling to her. "That is, if the King will allow it. I know you always reserve the first dance with her, your majesty."

Henry pretended to be conflicted, but those closest to him could see the smile about to break out across his face. "I suppose... just this once."

"Milady?" John asked, offering his hand to Elizabeth while Ashien returned to Dylandra and offered her his own with a grin.

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylandra laughed softly as Ashien moved to finish his role in the ceremony. When Elizabeth took John's hand and he pulled her out onto the floor, Dylan took Ashien's hand and allowed him to dance with her. She leaned in and pressed her lips against his own, her forehead pressing lightly against his for a moment.

"I should be offended that you never offered me your sword." Dylan murmured, a grin on her face. "But, I guess I took your heart, so we are more than even."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I offer you anything you want, my love. Let the princess have at least one thing," Ashien laughed. "But I can pledge myself to more than one lady, if you want me to make a big deal of it. Still, I'd rather offer you my tiger than a blade. I think you'll like him more."

At that moment, Ballas was sitting obediently where Dylandra had left him, enjoying some attention and the admiring- though slightly fearful- gazes of the guests.

Meanwhile, John was in top form dancing with Elizabeth. He'd learned just to be able to compliment her. All nervousness aside, he was in his element with her.

 

[heartofcourage]

Elizabeth was beaming as John danced with her as if he had been born to it. She was falling in love, that much she knew. Where that love would take them, she wasn't sure. However, she was determined to enjoy the ride no matter the circumstances.

"You make me very happy, John." She said softly, for his ears only in the middle of the crowded room. "Very happy."