That Most Precious Gift Page 2

CHAPTER TWO

  “Master! Master! What a great shot that was!” yelled James while running towards a stricken buck.

  “It was, if I don't mind saying so myself! These woods are truly blessed with the finest breed around. What is the name of this region again?”

  “Tis the land of Ponder, my lord.”

  “Ponder. Ye, I remember. We shared banquet with the King and his lot a few months ago, did we not?”

  “Yes my lord,” answered the lad. “The princess? Does your heart also speak of her.”

  Maxwell fondly remembered the fair princess Lenee. Though he had tried, he had never forgotten that certain touch of warmth within his heart.

  “Oh, I seem to remember the mention of such a wench,” said the noble knight.

  “My lord, what if we were to pay a fond visit to the King of this region which has given up so many a stout beast? Would it not assure the possibility of hunting in times to come?”

  “Well, since we do plan more exploration, we should show gratitude. Correct you are my fine lad. Let us ride into the village to pay homage,” answered the knight who had secretly sought an opportunity to see the princess again.

  Meanwhile, an excited princess called to the queen.

  “Mother, come here. Look at the beauty,” proclaimed Lenee while coming into the castle from the garden. “Roses, truly kissed by God!”

  “Yes, my love. Kissed indeed,” said the queen, noticing a piece of parchment in the hand of the princess. “I also see you have received word once again from Lord Randall. You still find no favor in his interest?”

  “Oh, just a casualty of your deception, mother. An unknowing victim from thy banquet.”

  “As the Lord above gives us to breath, so to I believe that Cupid has still not forgotten thee.”

  “Belief is not of mine. The truth I find is more of a reality from these flowers than an answer to a silly dream of love.” said the princess. “The loneliness has quickly become my friend.”

  “Have faith my child. Have faith,” said the queen as she left her side.

  Slowly, Princess Lenee walked to a nearby opening within the walls and peered out to the bright blue spring sky.

  “Lord?” whispered Lenee. “If you were to send me an angel, howst would I to know? And if Thou did, would my hardened heart be willing to accept such a gift? How can I give love when my own heart feels uncertainty? Wo, leave me be to become aged with these roses if that be Your will.”

  The fair maiden then sat amid the flowers planted by her love.

  Outside the King's chamber, a castle guard announced, “Your royal highness, a knight and his steward are waiting to address you,”

  “My kingdom has no need of a knight's service at this time.”

  “I believe it is to pay your kingdom homage for a successful venture in the south forest, my King.”

  “Summon them hence. Let me hear of their challenge,” stated the King while reaching for his crown placed nearby.

  “Your wish, my Lord.”

  Shortly then-after, the guard returned with the knight and his steward. The two approached the royalty and bowed down before him.

  “You may rise, great knight. You also, steward,” ordered the king. “So why hast thou blest us with a visit in this land?"

  “Gracious King Jacob, your fine stock in thy forest has given to us well. We come to pay thee homage.”

  The king smiled proudly, then seemed to look confused.

  “Sir knight, have we not had the pleasure of meeting once before? Your crest on thy shield looks familiar to my eyes.”

  Maxwell suddenly remembered to his sudden departure at the banquet and the embarrassment of the tales untold. His steward, James, slowly looked toward his master.

  “Why yes, my lord. I was one of the VERY many invited to celebrate spring's arrival at that most glorious feast. I am bewildered of how well preserved thy memory is, since there were SO MANY in attendance,” maneuvered the young knight. “And surely, the event found favor with the fair princess. Her beauty must be within the realm of another's castle walls by now.”

  “Nay. Inherited with her beauty and charm, comes also a royal trait of stubbornness. One which she holds the most!” cracked the king.

  James noticed a small smile of relief, and an unfamiliar glisten in the eyes of his master. He had suspected, yet only realized at that moment, the dear feelings his lord held for the lady.

  “Steward, leave us now so that your master and I may share wine and tale,” said the king. “I would like to hear more of the triumphs within my great forest.”

  As James waited in the large hallway outside the room, he tried to mastermind a plan for the princess and knight to meet.

  “Dear boy! Art thou lost amongst these many chambers?” questioned the approaching queen.

  The steward immediately removed his hat and dropped to one knee.

  “You may rise, lad. So tell me, why art thou here?”

  “My master, Sir Maxwell, Knight of Maryknoll, is being granted time with the great King. We were in the forest hunting and thought we . . .”

  “Knight, you say?” interrupted the queen.

  “Yes, my lady. We were hunting in the forest and thought . . . ”

  “Was his company present at the banquet? Has he met the fair princess Lenee?” interrupted the queen once again.

  “Why yes, my lady. He was present yet had to leave abruptly.”

  “Oh, THAT knight! Hmm,” pondered the queen as she looked toward the garden. “Dost thou know if this knight found favor in my daughter's beauty and charm?”

  “In fact, dear queen, tis why I seemed a bit lost when her majesty found me,” explained James. “You see, my master holds that stricken look. The one which follows Cupid's strike? And so, I . . . .”

  “You were trying to plan a, a chance meeting between the two?” continued the queen while remembering what the princess had told her in confidence.

  “Why yes, gracious queen!”

  “Well steward, pass this task on to me, for I believe I hear Cupid whispering in my ear. This is what we shall do . . ”

  Once the queen's plan was set and a short time thereafter, the meeting with the King concluded. The doors of the royal chamber opened amid a bellowing of laughter from the King.

  “Bless you dear knight, and thank you for sharing such a light-hearted story such as that! Have a safe journey and remember, stay as long as you may wish!”

  “Thank you, your highness. Bless you and your fine land,” concluded the knight as he exited the room.

  “James? James! Tis time to gather our things,” beckoned Maxwell. “Where hast that lad taken too?”

  “Has thou lost something, great knight?” asked the queen as she approached.

  The knight quickly dropped to his knee and presented his sword.

  “You may rise. So answer this queen! Why art thou yelling about my halls?” retorted the lady sternly.

  “Your majesty, forgive me for my rudeness, but it seems as if I have misplaced my steward. While in chambers with thy king, he must of wandered,” stammered the young knight. “Fear not, for I will find the lost servant!”

  “Dost this servant go by the name of James?”

  “Why yes, great queen. Hast thou seen him?”

  “I sent him into the garden to fetch roses to place upon our evening table. You will find him there,” directed the queen, a hint of mischief in her eyes.

  “Thank you, my lady. I shan't be long.”

  Sir Maxwell quickly advanced to the garden. With the foliage so high, he had to call out for his steward.

  “James. James,” whispered the knight. “James, where art thou? We must be leaving this place. The King has shown favor with us, so we may stay on a . . . .”

  Suddenly through the foliage appeared the princess. Her auburn hair danced with the colors of the roses held in her apron. Her emerald eyes enhanced by the fairness of her face. Ov
ertaken by her beauty, Maxwell stammered for words.

  “Thou aren't James!”

  “I should say not!” said Lenee while looking down upon her breast. “What art thou doing in MY garden?”

  “I, ah, I was in search of my servant, James.”

  “Dost thou always lose servants in strange castles?” smirked the lass.

  “Forgive me, my lady, but your . . . .”

  “Hast thou been in my presence before?” she stated studying the face which she fondly remembered from the banquet. “Wait, I know of thee! You are the GREATEST of all knights who left my gathering. Hast thou more stories to tell or more quail to eat!”

  “Princess Lenee, I humbly apologize for my actions. Duties henced my presence elsewhere,” explained Maxwell.

  “Another banquet, I presume!”

  “Na, no.” He then paused. “My, what a most beautiful garden thou hast made,” he said in a feverish attempt to change the subject. “The Lord has truly given you a talent for life!”

  As time passed, the two found their way to a nearby bench and conversed further. The queen and James quietly peeked from a window above to find how the plan was unfolding.

  With each word spoken, the two soon became engulfed in interest for each other. The princess found herself lost in his eyes and then caught by the lips of the attentive knight, watching each breath as it was released. The knight soon found himself entranced by the lady's beauty and wisdom. As each moment passed, they discovered they had so many ways of the world in common.

  “Let us leave them be, James,” whispered the queen. “Cupid has taken the reins for now.”

  The queen and steward retreated from the window, though not before taking one last peek.

  “So steward . . . tell me about this Maxwell, Knight of Maryknoll,” she said as the two walked from the window.