The Royal Dance

The Royal Dance

 

Shuffling through the thick woodland in the outskirts of Valeria, the Silent Knight made his way to heart of the forest, where the only waterfall within the kingdom resided. He was named ‘Silent’ not for his combat style, no, but for his inability to speak, or so it was said and know. This time around he wasn’t wearing his armor either, just adorned with a hooded robe that hid slender features perfectly. Skittering along a path he knew very well, jumping above some fallen trees, he hurried even though he knew he was not nor will be late. It was almost midnight when he arrived, in the bright night sky the silver light from the crescent moon illuminated the clearing around the waterfall whilst dancing on the splashing droplets themselves making a stunning view. Straightening up and clasping his hands behind his back, he took a deep breath. Fresh air filled his lungs, making sure to pick up all the marvelous scents that particular place had to offer, ranging from wild lilies spread all around the meadow, or the lotus flowers twirling freely in the stream or the tall pine trees and cones. His senses were tingling, the ceaseless grumbling of the waterfall where it met the stone below, the restless nightlife of the birds, the slight breeze that made the summer eves enjoyable. A jolt of ease ran through his shoulders rendering his posture restful, knowing full well that this was a rare moment of respite from all the quarrels he left behind in a city.
Out of a hidden pouch, he took out and curled the small missive open just to double check what he read earlier, and what he read was written in beautiful and neat handwriting in costly silver ink, which made the royal seal even more authentic. There was no mistake from whom the message was, despite being highly unlikely that it was actually meant for him, a Knight only in title. People didn’t see past his disab – a small crack of twigs  came behind him. With his honed surviving skills he wasn’t startled one bit, since no animal would dare pounce him. He didn’t change his posture, making the brigand fall in a false sense of security that he or she was somehow in an advantageous position. Nevertheless the intruder seemed supple on its steps, however the Knight could still feel its presence. A pair of hands smoothly come over his chest, while he stood idly, and undid the knot that held his cloak. It fell gracefully on ground nearby revealing both his apparel and his face. A well built, stout form yet young and svelte with pointy ears and bright white hair.
“Sa-elasa Tera Silent Knight-” a soft and elegant voice greeted him. It was her voice. He has heard it million times over while on duty and it’s burnt deep inside his mind. Vivian Silvermoon, was her name, Princess of the Wood. She circled around him to get a better look, since often she saw him only in his battle regalia. A gust of wind blew his hair and revealed a scar on the side of his face that isn’t usually seen. She tried to caress it with her palm but he tilted his head just a bit just so he’d deny her the pleasure.
“Now, now, never be ashamed of a scar. It simply means you were stronger than whatever tried to hurt you.” Now forcing her hand, still tenderly, on his cheek. Puffing out through his nose with a smirk that spoke for itself…that she was right, but still he did not enjoy the fact that someone physically was touching a memory he need not be reminded of. Vivian ran her fingers through his hair, playfully curling few locks.
“You know-” she continued now resting her chin on his shoulder, still dangling with his locks “-when I first saw you without your helmet I immediately fell in love, and you smiled back because you knew.” Both showing in color and in warmth his cheeks went red. She spun and directed herself right in front of him “-ha! I knew it, you share those feelings too, don’t you?” He looked bashfully downwards, which evoked a broad smile on her face; she was swept away by the silent response, and it was by far the prettiest smile he’d ever seen. Spinning again, so the Knight could eye her top to bottom and she was a sight to be behold – long blond hair, reaching up to her waist line, big sea blue eyes, but not as tall as a human in her years – then back, and this time with her back into his loving hug. She undid her red and gold cloak and took him by his sweaty palms. She knew he was nervous, and he knew she noticed it, though he did not try and hide it by any means.
“Come, dance with me Knight Thaneron-” she smiled slyly, knowing he’d be puzzled by both the dance request and how she came about his real name. “What, you thought I wouldn’t know-” tugging him closer “- and I am willing to bet you think of me as a empty-headed goody-goody two shoes princess who sits back and enjoys going to opulent balls and royal parties instead of hunting and staying true to the wild call.” Throwing back her head in a dastardly laugh, yet again she was amused in his perplexed expression “- well you’re not wrong, but I doubt you’d match my skill at-” with one eye close, she gestured like she just loosened an arrow from an imaginary bow.
Both smiling and embracing tightly they began dancing, his hands on her hips, hers around his neck. Thanerons instinctive nature allowed him to follow the steps closely, dancing at right pace, intensifying his personal enjoyment. Affectionately resting each other’s foreheads, they closed their eyes and let themselves go. They danced slowly, fluidly like they’ve done it many times before, carelessly like there wasn’t a single soul in the kingdom, freely like the moon shone only for them. He sought solace, comfort in her presence; she a place to reside her youthful nature from the latest calamity that struck the cities. Their heartbeats almost as if they synced, slaking the moment like a drunken galoot on a Fire Festival. They did not care if anyone stumbled upon them, this tryst, this night was something neither of them would forget. It seemed like hours have passed without uttering a single word, until he clumsily tripped over a pine root. They tumbled together, but he made sure he’d take the fall, not like she was fragile or anything but because he wanted to; it would server him as a reminder that this was not a lucid daydream. The ground felt cool and reassuring, and they rolled so he would be on top, so he could see all of who she was, not just the face she presented to the world.            Almost in a daze, he searched her eyes and didn’t find the answer he was looking for, so he pushed himself up. Swiftly running around picking up few flowers then disappearing into the darkness. When he got back, and it was pretty darn fast, he found her laying down in the grass hands behind her head, biting her lower lip. Gently putting the braided flower crown on her belly, she sat upright, surprised. Not only was this a present no one ever thought of giving her, but also that it was made by a man who was renowned for his martial skill, not for as kind and gentle a skill as this. She couldn’t not believe what was she holding, how beautiful it actually was; for good few second she was stunned in awe just looking at it. First the Knight motioned her to put it on, then reached out a hand so she can stand up. Pushing her delicately, they walked over by the calmer bit of the stream. With the bright moon shining, she could see her reflection flawlessly, and even more mesmerizing was how beyond the crown fitting on her head perfectly, its colors suited her attire too. And the smell, oh heavens the smell of the of the flowers stinging lightly, made her feel as if dazed. Some of them smelled like a bowl of sun warmed ripened fruit, other flowers like a kiss of the early morning sun on the face of the waking earth. So engulfed was she that it made her a bit too lightheaded; her knees weak, arms heavy. The Knight was there to catch her, hands gripping his sleeve. And right as he did so he whispered in her ear softly “-thank you for this.” Fainting more rapidly into a state she actually enjoyed for a reason she could not name straight away. It was high time to lay her down and she fell asleep with a smile, murmuring in her dreams.
When she woke up she was more than annoyed jutting her chin, shaking her fist. There was consolation see how she was quite cozy and her neck wasn’t hurting, one cloak wrapped up as a pillow and the other as a cover. Confused she tried to recall about last night’s conclusion and had hard time doing so. Not after few minutes when she sobered up from the morning laziness and some of the agitation went away that she realized that something in her pocked was poking her. It was the same note that she had used to ‘lure’ Thaneron here. And on the back it said
“ Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in my heart.”
Whatever it meant, she put the note on her chest, closed her eyes and hoped that it was not the last time she ever saw him.