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The old and half crazed mage Merlin who was friend of Sir Charles heard of the tournament, realizing that he was the only one who could get word to the knight, had set about making a magic spell to transport himself to the Northern Woods. A weeks time had passed already. Deep in the northern forest, Sir Charles tracked his foe totally unaware of the tournament. He was a fine and noble looking man as he set upon his beautiful white mare. The Mage merlin suddenly appeared before him starteling him and his horse. Charles was pleased to see his old friend and greeted him warmly. Merlin told him of his plight and of all that had transpired. Telling also of the tournaments decree. Sir Charles sat with his friend and took in all the information as he thought to himself. Even had he heard of the tournament at the begining he would have been hard pressed to make such a journey. Now with only one weeks time remaining he thought it an impossible task. Wondering aloud he said, “Why would the King do a thing such as this?” Merlin, with his crackley old voice then spoke saying, “The present king is not as his father was before him.” Sir Charles then asked Merlin, “How then shall I make the journey on time, even if I were to have ridden all day and night for the entire week forthcoming, I would be hard pressed to make the tournament on time.” “None the less,” Merlin said, “ This is what thee must do. I fear that the king shall remove thy knighthood should ye fail to show thyself. Under order of the decree all eligable knights shall participate in the tournament or lose their title.” The Mage then handed Sir Charles a crystal hanging on a fine golden chain. He told Charles that this crystal would protect him from outside evil. He was to wear it around his neck and it would serve him as a talisman. Charles slipped it over his head and felt its’ warmth against his heart. He smiled and knew it did indeed hold true magic.

Meanwhile at the castle, in her personal chambers, Princess Sheila pondered the upcoming event. She was looking forward to the tournament and wondered of the outcome. She knew all the knights and was fond of none. Her main servant and confidante was Lady Tina, who was a good friend but tended to prattle on and on. Because of this Princess Sheila was kept informed of any and all gossip in the kingdom all that was important and even gossip that wasn’t. Because the princess was a kind and loveing girl, she did not mind her friends idel chatter. Together they planned and schemed as young girls do. But this day was of more serious conversation. Together they were planning one of the very most important times of the princesses life. It was extremely important what kind of gown to wear and how to fashion her long and lovely tresses. This day for which she planned would be the day she met her future husband, father to her children and future ruler of the kingdom. As they planned and talked Princess Sheila asked, “Which of the knights do ye think shall be victorious in the tournament?” Lady Tina sighed and replied, “M’lady, only time shall tell, and she shall not tell her secret till she is ready for such to be known.” The two continued their talk of fashion and other pleasantries.

In the Northern Forest Sir Charles set about his journey to the tournament. He traveled from deep within the heart of the northern woods. With as little rest as he could afford it still took him three days ride to reach the forest edge. There his eye beheld a beautiful lake. So refreshing and crystal clear. This he decided was a very good place to reward his mare with a well deserved rest. The mare drank of the clear and cool water as did Sir Charles. Longing to be further refreshed he knew he dared not take more time than he could ill afford. As soon as he had tended to his mares needs and deemed her fit and rested sufficiently to travel again, they set out once more.He knew this part of the trip would be particularly hard on his mare for he would be unable to stop for all but a breif moment. He traveled next through the upper highlands, a beautiful and rich land. All was green and lush around him. Trees and shrubery and cool fresh breezes. He was unable to enjoy the scenery for he was hurriedly on his way. Next onto the Lower Highlands where he saw many peasants working hard in their lands and fields. Very few did he meet up with on his journey. He wanted to hasten this part of the journey and urge his mare onward ever faster but he dared not. For he was within one days travel of his destination.

The other knights had gathered for the tournament. Their squires were busy with tasks of prepareing the armor and sharpening their swords and adding coronals, small crowns, to the lances. This they did to minimise injuries. Meanwhile the knights met with the king and his counsel. They discussed the rules of the competition and the schedule of events that were to take place. There was to be a parade of knights, all would be atop horseback with full ceremony dress. Then as they arrived infront of the princess they were to stop and make an introduction. They were to speak very little to her and pay homage to the king. Next there would be a joust or tilting where each knight had a chance to show his abilities and horsemanship. Then a sword throwing contest followed by hand to hand combat. The tournament was ment to be held over several days.

As the knights made their preparations also did the princess. She with the help of Lady Tina had chosen to wear a lovely sky blue gown of silk and embroirdered with gold leaf. Its square neckline showed much of her top bossem. This she cared not for, but t’was the fashion of the day. The blue of the gown matched her eyes and made them look more beautiful than Tina had ever seen. She also decided to wear her tresses pulled up on her head in a knot with wayward curls hanging in ringletts. These ringletts shone like the very sunlight itself. She thought this would surely please the knights as it did please she herself. The princess pinched her cheeks and bit her lips slightly to put color in her face. She was so fair skinned and the color made her face more beautiful. Tina nodded in approval with a very large smile.

The morning of the tournament King John recieved word that Sir Charles was nowhere to be seen. This pleased him so, feeling that he was to have a most outstanding day. Little did he know that with the break of dawn came new hope to the young knight. Charles, knew that he would make the tournament not lest he forced his mare onward, urged the mare to full gallop. Knowing this would jepordize his sucess at the tournament he had no choice. For he believed it better to uphold his honor as a knight and arrive on time than to be delinquet in his endevor. If he was unable to make the tournament all that he had strived for would be for naught.

The sun was midway in the sky when King John signaled the parade to begin. Usually for a tournamet such as this the starting time would be early morning, but the king decided to do thngs a bit differently. Four trumpeteers played as the knights began to file in one by one. Each knight sat high upon a horse both adorned in their cerimonial splender. All the pomp and pagentry pleased the king. As each approached the platform where the royalty sat, he dismounted. Then climbing the steps that lead to the royals, the first knight arrived and went to one knee kissing the princesses dainty hand. In a deep and low voice he said, “I am Sir Edward and I wish to tell M’lady that I shall fight for the right to marry thee.” Then the knight arose and stepped to the king and thanked him for the opportunity to try and win his daughters hand. Then he knelt and kissed King Johns ring to show his loyalty. One by one each knight followed suit and did as the first knight had done to please the king. As the last knight had finished his introduction and was just about to mount his horse a rummbling came over the crowd. This caught the princesses attention and she looked up. She noticed the crowds attention was taken by a comotion at the castle gates. She also noticed the sound of a horses hoves beating out a rythym at full gallop. The rider she saw was a common man dressed in of all things, a kilt. She thought to herself that this was no knight just a common messenger. The horse foaming from the mouth stopped before her, looking as if it would soon collaps. The strange man dismounted and began to climb the stairs. As he approached she noticed that he was covered in dirt and sweat. His face had painting of blue upon it, the same blue as was in the tartan of his kilt. The princess looked toward Lady Tina and noticed that she was as puzzled as she herself was. As he approached her she also noticed he was a tall and handsome man beneath all the dirt and dust. He walked directly towards her.

Sir Charles put his gaze upon the beautiful princesses face, and something struck him deep within. He had never felt as this in all his years. He had seen beauty before but the princess was as beautiful as the setting sun. He thought that he would indeed tell her this. As he stepped closer, Lady Tina placed her hand upon the princesses shoulder. Lady Tina feared this strange looking man. Sir Charles went to one knee takeing her hand in his, then gently he placed his lips to it. Princess Sheila felt the warmth of his breath on the back of her hand and that with the soft and tenderness of his lips it sent a shiver up her arm. Sir Charles noticed this and raised his head to her. Looking deep into her eyes he smiled and said, “Princess Sheila I beg thee pardon my appearance for I have ridden far and long to join in the tournament. I must say to thee EX ANIMO, MIRABILE VISO, IN AETERNUM, TO TIS VIRIBUS, IN OMINA PARATUS, INTER NOS.” Lady Tina squeezed her shoulder as Sir Charles rose and stepped to the king. The princess looked again to Lady Tina beseeching her to tell what the knight had said to her for she knew not. Her companion bent to whisper to her, “He hath said, From the heart, you are wonderful to behold, forever, with all ones might,I am ready for all things, between ourselves.” With that the princesses heart did begin to beat faster. She wondered just who this strange man indeed was. Straining to hear, the princess tried hard to hear what was being said to her father but was unable to make it out. Then the stranger turned and walked down the steps. As he walked to his mare, he spoke to her in soothing tones for the poor horse was still breathing heavily from the ride. Then takeing her by the reigns he did not mount but lead her gently off the courtyard. Princess Sheila turned to her father and asked,” Who was that wonderful man?” Her father curtly replied, ” Do not worry thyself my little one for he stands not a chance in the tournament. He is without armament and did thee not see his horse, the creature shall never last.” Then the king stood and declared, “Now we shall feast, for the tournament begins soon.”

The king, princess and all the knights retired to long tables filled with roast bore, breads,and fruits. All were talking excitedly about the upcoming tournament. Meanwhile Sir Charles rested his mare and prepared himself as best he could. He was not of wealth thus had no squire nor page to do these tasks for him. The time came near for the joust to begin as the royal trumpeteers began their revelry. The knights gathered outside the lists or playing feild and were seperated into two groups. Pair after pair entered all dressed in newly polished armor sept one. The princess noticed this and turned to Lady Tina saying, “What would posses a man to wear not an armor? Is he truely crazed?” Her confidante did not comment on this statement. Just then the signal was given for the joust to begin.

The first pair came charging at one another from each end of a long divider. Each in his own lane so that the horses would not collide. One knight wore silver the other adorned in black. The lance belonging to the knight in black struck the other square in the chest, knocking him from atop his mount. Two pages came running to attend to the downed knight. The other did trot his horse proudly then bowed his head as he rode past the royals. Paying homage. Pair after pair repeted this fete till t’was time for Sir Charles to take to the field. He climbed atop his mare with ease since he wore no heavy armaent. Positioning himself to begin the charge. As he did so he turned his gaze to the princess then touching his fingertips to his lips then to his heart. As he did this he closed his eyes to set his mood. The signal to begin jolted him out of his deep thoughts. He dug his heals into the mare hard and she raised up and began to gallop onward. Sir Charles lowered his lance as did the other knight, then just as they were about to meet he slid side ways on his mare. The other knight had no target at which to aim and was unable to think quickly enough to change course. As a result Sir Charles’ lance found its’ mark and threw the heavily armored knight from atop his mount. The king who had envisioned a totally different outcome could not believe what he had witnessed. He turned to those nearest him and said, “What sort of man fights in such a manner, as to deny his opponent a clear target?” The princess thought to herself that he indeed was a very smart and brave man for it was a dangerous thing indeed to go out onto the tournament feild without protection. The joust went on and on till all had had their turn. At the end of it all but a few were left injured. Those few would be allowed to continue in the tournament the following day.

That night a huge feast was held with all the knights left were invited. The king had decided that each knight would be allowed to sit and spend time with the princess. They sat at the head of the huge handcarved oak table in large plush chairs. The remaining knights sat around the table and enjoyed the music and food. One by one each knight sat with the princess and entered into conversation. This the young princess did but out of a sense of duty for the knights words seemed to pass her by as she had no interest. She instead had set her gaze upon Sir Charles watching his every move and gesture. It seemed an eternity before it became Sir Charles turn to sit with her. As soon as he sat the princess could hold her excitement no longer and spoke first. Her curiosity had overtaken her and she had to know all there was to know of this stranger. She first asked of him why she had never seen him before. He inturn replied, “I live in the distant Mystical forest by order of the king.” She was puzzled as to why her father would have sent so brave a knight so far from their castle for there was always a need for protection. By the time a few questions were asked and answered both felt totally at ease as if they had known one another all their lives. Sir Charles thought to himself how lovely and careing she is and that he must do his utmost to win on the tournament floor the following day. Princess Sheila found herself stareing into his eyes as he spoke loseing herself also in deep thought. They continued with insignificent talk smileing and enjoying each other, then the king looked over and noticed that they had their eyes fixed upon one another. This was not to his satisfaction, so he stood and declared the festivities were over. Then also that he was to move the tournament time up to dawn of the following day. He thought to himself that this was an excellant move and he could end this nonsence that was now before his eyes. As the knights bid the princess a good night she only had her eye set upon one. When Sir Charles approached her she slipped a note into his palm.

(c)1998