As You Wish

Christopher laid down the brush he had been painting with and stood from his stool stretching, his tired stiff bones popping with his movements, and yawned loudly.

"Finally, my work is complete, and all in good time I must say. I am to turn this over to the royal palace first thing in the morning before the weekends festivities begin."

Yvette stood from the chair where she was warming by the fire and moved across the room to where Christopher stood gazing at his work.

"Ahhh, the King and Queen. Your work is magnificent and so life like, but do tell, why is it that the royal palace requested a portrait of themselves for this festivity I am hearing so much about?"

Christopher laughed, picking up his brushes from the easel and placed them in a wooden bowl of water allowing them to soak as he began putting away his paints and tools.

"You so tickle me young miss. Do tell me how it is that you lived in just the next village ruled by the same king, but yet know so little of him and the events that take place?"

With a frown upon her face she sat on the stool picking up a paint brush from the bowl of water and grabbed a rag, tenderly drying it off as she spoke.

"My mother and I didn't travel into town much. Father would come alone for the most part when supplies were needed for the farm. I guess he was calling himself trying to protect us from such an evil man.

I had heard stories about him from neighbors and friends, of how cruel he was to commoners, raiding their homes and tossing them into the streets while he took everything from them and of how he would spit on them when they would bow to him in the town square. I've only had the so called honors of meeting the King twice in my life, but both times he cut his eyes away from us only acknowledging the rich who paraded around us. I knew then that the stories I had heard must have been true. I never cared to learn anymore of him.

When my family died in the fire I struggled for a year to make money to live off of, but it wasn't enough, and the kings men were soon on my doorstep demanding money for their taxes and insisting my father owed a lot of debts. I knew my father owed them nothing."

She said in anger, as Christopher took the brush from her hand as she offered it to him, and placed it inside it's wooden case, watching as she picked up another and began to dry it with the same care.

"I sold everything I owned, except for Beauty of course, and gave the kings men their money with very little left in my pocket. After that I came to town where I met Lance and ended up here."

Christopher offered her a warm smile, taking yet another brush from her hand, and placed it into it's case, turning back to her and taking her hands into his.

"That story does sound a sad one, but to be truthful with you, I am glad you ended up on Lances doorstep. He now has a good friend, as well as a beautiful one, and I so love having you as my house guest. You are welcome here for as long as you need, so never you worry yourself about a home."

"Here, here."

Christopher and Yvette turned to the new voice that filled the room and smiled as Lance removed his coat, hanging it on the rack by the door, and walked to the two of them greeting each one with a hug.

"Please pardon my intrusion, but I was brought some exciting news today before leaving out to give away the days leftovers and I had to rush right over to share it with my two best friends."

Taking his hand, Yvette pulled him over by the fire and playfully pushed him into the chair dropping to her knees in front of him to share in his excitement.

"Well do come on and keep us in suspense no longer. What is your good news?"

"I have been chosen to be a part of the next line up of the Princes noblemen and have been invited to the festivities as an honored guest."

"That is great news." Christopher said, patting Lance on the back as he pulled his chair closer to the fire, sitting down next to him.

"Forgive me for my ignorance, but what does all of this mean exactly dear Lance?"

Yvette said, her brows creasing in confusion.

"This, my dear, means that our Lance is no longer a commoner. He is now part of the royal palace."

"Not yet." Lance laughed, "I must be picked. And should I be picked, it means that I will be able to travel the world with the Prince serving duties in battle." He smiled proudly. "It has been my dream since I was a child."

"Battle?"

Yvette rose to her feet, her voice cracking as she spoke, and turned her back to the two men, gazing into the fire, causing the two men to look to one another in confusion.

"Yvette?"

She turned her head to the side looking away from Lance as he rose from his chair, placing a hand on her shoulder as he stood at her side.

"Do tell me what troubles you."

"You will be going away, and these battles.....well...."

She turned her head looking up into his eyes as her own brimmed with tears.

"They are so dangerous. You and Christopher are the only ones I call friends, and the thought of you going away....."

"Hush now." Lance said, wrapping his arms tightly around her as he pulled her into an embrace and kissed her forehead lovingly.

"My journeys may take me far, but I will send telegraphs and keep you informed on how I am. You are a dear friend to me Yvette and I promise I will remain safe and return home to see you. You will have Christopher here and the two of you will be great comfort to one another, Besides, I have more good news. The two of you are to be my guest at the festivities."

Christopher stood from his chair and quickly walked to the kitchen, returning shortly with three goblets and a bottle of homemade wine pouring each of them a glass, and passing them around.

"Let us celebrate. A toast to Sir Lancelot. May his wishes of becoming a nobleman be granted, and may his journeys into battles be safe ones."

"HERE, HERE."

The three shouted in unison, as they raised their glasses clicking them together and taking a long drink in the wishes of their good friend.

@Lancesharmony: HarmonyProductions 2005