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Date: 10-06-08
Poster: Maureen McLoughan
Post # 1
Knighting
of Maureen and Maeve
Now that Valandil was several months old, Noir had begun to assume her
duties again. One of those included something she had wanted to do
before she had become Andrew's wife. She knew that there were women
seeking to become knights, and that there was a feeling among others
that there should be a division especially created for them. With that
thought in mind, and after speaking to both Queen Honeee and to Andrew,
she sent messages asking for a meeting. They would start small of
course, but expand. She waited inside the Spar Hall with her usual
patience. Dressed for the cooler weather, she wore a tunic of gold and
blue silk over a white poet's shirt. Pants of black were tucked into her
favorite thigh high boots. As always, her sword, one of the Empowered
ones of Heathfield, hung at her side.
Andrew was wearing a white robe over royal attire. A finely stitched
white shirt with embroidery throughout cut in a poet's styling but finer
detail and stitching. Same for the dark brown pants and boots that were
a perfect fit. He arrived moments after Noir as he'd been to the
ethereal planes but wished to be present during this ceremony. Having
taught her how to set the empowered swords to one's hand, this would be
the first time she made use of the knowledge. In his hands, laid over
them, he carried two of the swords wrapped up in cloaks of silk. A
deep purple on the outside and a faint thistle pink on the inside that
complimented the darker color well. It was his mother's choosing of the
colors representing the female warrior division of Heathfield. The first
female knights in true standing of the lands. There had been female
warriors throughout the years here but nothing set up just for them. He
appeared as per usual for him. Shadows shifted, dispelled with the light
as he stepped through an ethereal door, the shimmer of gold over skin,
clothing and hair for the few seconds between dimensions. "I came
as soon as I could." Normally he would have escorted his wife here
but the royal guards stepped in for him. Luckily he was able to make it,
more for himself than he felt a need for Noirin's abilities had
grown in the time together.
Mo received the request, not something a person set aside and would
be prompt as well! Not so much there would be a punishment otherwise but
for sheer respect of the woman and of the Crown. She went right to Maeve,
attired in her best warrior clothing, golden poet's shirt, brown woolen
vest and tailored linen pants with boots lacing up. She wore the knives
Aiden gifted her with more out of habit but now they meant even more to
her. Maybe there had been a reason more than friendship at the time, for
certainly it had been a kind gesture but even with how kind Aiden was,
he didn't go around giving others finely crafted expensive knives! The
thought flickered but was set aside as she joined up with Maeve and
straight to the spar hall. The guards stepped aside, there seem to be a
few of the royal ones here this night as she smiled cordially to them in
passing within. As soon as she saw not only Noirin but Andrew, she went
to a bend of knee before them. Bowing her head and kept the position.
Mikhail knew of the event that would take place this night and having
been with a few of the royal guards, joined them in escorting Noir to
the hall. He had taken a stance near the back door, arms folded over his
chest in one honored to be witness for his own connections under the
Crown and of the Queen's sons, Crown of Kildare.
Maeve was surprised to receive the message in some ways but not in many
others. It seemed more and more this was the path she should follow and
now she felt she had confirmation. She wore a poet's shirt of dark green
beneath a sleeveless tunic of black with knotwork done in gold. Black
pants were tucked into the well made boots of Elven design. She was glad
for Maureen's company as they made their way inside the Hall. She too,
went down on one knee, head lowered. There was no nervousness in her
demeanor only respect for the Royal couple who stood there.
Noir knew the moment her husband neared, even if he was as of yet
unseen. She smiled and turned in his direction, her eyes saying more
than words would say. "Just in time, my love." She
answered softly before she turned back to the two women. "Maureen
and Maeve, you have been called here this night to become the first
female knights of this land. You will also be the first of a very
important division. Though you will be sworn, as other knights have been
to the protection of the lands, your duty will be specifically to
protect the Queen and all the Royal Ladies of the realm. This protection
will extend to their children as well." She paused and turned to
Andrew, hands out to take the first of the two swords.
"Always in time of importance, my heart." Words spoken low
with a smile that touched the line of his mouth, more in the piercing
blue of his eyes as he set the swords wrapped in the capes on a table in
easy access. They were of the one hundred swords but these in particular
were of a lighter weight than for the males. Otherwise there was no
difference from the exquisite forging of the sword to the finely
detailed hilt. He took up the first of the two to unwrap it from the
cape, setting that aside for the moment as he unsheathed the sword, the
scabbard as well set aside with the cape before he was over, the
length laying flat over the palms of his hands to offer Noirin. She
could probably read a lot more in his eyes as they met in that moment.
It seemed that this evening her travels had lead Grace to a town called
Heathfield. Her small feet moving along the walkway of the town admiring
the buildings and such. It seemed like a very pleasant place, and also a
very populated one. She had little desire to sleep at the moment so
decide to wander the streets. As she did she happened to come upon the
hall to which everyone was adjourning tonight. Slipping silently inside
the dark auburn haired lady took a seat in the back not wishing to be a
bother but only to watch what was happening.
Being Mikhail was near the back door, he would silently gesture to the
lass to take one a seat there on the benches if she wished to stay and
watched the event taking place.
Turning her eyes to the man at the door she nodded her head to him in
thanks and undid the clasp of her white cloak as she watched everything.
Mo's sight was upon the floor of the spar hall, a place many days had
been seen since she came to these lands. Every word was committed to
memory as her heart pounded in her chest, a realization of many long
hours of training, practicing, and showing her worth as a female warrior
amongst men. Finest skilled men at that she had ever encountered.
Diverse as well. She would keep this position until Noir or the Prince
told her otherwise. She was aware of Mikhail here and another that had
quietly arrived.
Maeve was as still as the marble statues that had graced the courtyards
of her homeland. Though she was sad that none of her family was here,
there was joy too. She was part of a larger family now and knew her
father would have been proud. She was pleased that she was about to
receive this honor with Maureen, her friend and sister in arms.
The smile that graced her lips when her eyes met his, faded but still
glowed in ocean blue eyes as she turned back to the women. She
approached Maureen first, her gaze dropping to the woman..
"Maureen, do you swear by your honor and your life to be faithful
to the Crown and her sister lands? That you will serve the Queen of
Heathfield, and myself, as your Commander, with fidelity and the Kingdom
of Heathfield first and foremost? To uphold justice, your word, your
honor, to show valor in combat to the best of your abilities, to guard
and protect the Queen, the Royal women of the court, and their children
from harm, and to become a sister to those who will serve with you and
under you as my Second, and to follow the codes of old that many have
followed before?"
"I swear on my word of honor, I will be faithful to these lands of
Heathfield and all her sister lands to my last breath if needed. I will
serve Queen Honeee and yourself as my commander, fidelity in words and
deeds. I will uphold justice, to fight with valor and courage in defense
of those here I am sworn to in guarding, the Queen and all royal women
of the court, adhering to the codes of old." Eyes lifting with the
tip of her head up in all due respect so Noir could see it in her
eyes, her words meant. She remained kneeling.
Noirin smiled slightly as she continued. "Maureen McLoughan, I
commit you into the service of the Queen, and myself, and the lands of
Heathfield and her sister realms by your acceptance." She lowered
the sword to touch lightly upon her left shoulder, lifting up and over
to next touch the right. "Please rise, Dame Maureen McLoughan of
Heathfield.." Once she rose, the first of two pages who were
standing near, was over to present a finely tooled leather sheath,
embossed not only with the Dragon, Thistle and Cross that symbolized
Heathfield but with an owl for the Order. A second page was over with
the cape, weather resistant cloth of deep purple lined with thistle
pink, the crest of Heathfield embroidered for all to see. The lad,
folded the edges over her shoulders as the third came forward with a
shield, finely polished brass finished layered with the crest of
Heathfield embossed. "I will now set the sword to your hand."
Though she kept her head lowered, Maeve was listening closely. This was
all new to her but every moment would be kept in her memory.
She rose with a bright smile. Wishing for a moment Sir Aiden and Sir
Gabriel especially could be here but she knew they were seeing to duties
elsewhere and this ceremony meant to be kept small. They might not even
be aware of it for the arrival of the request this very night. Most
likely due to when the Princess and Prince could be here for their
duties of the extraordinary kind. She glowed in the honor as she let the
page affix the cape around her shoulders, helping him so it went quickly
and smooth before taking the scabbard to affix around her waist to
sheathed the sword once set to her hand. She couldn't help admire the
beauty in craftsmanship as well. She was fully attired at this point and
felt a true warrior knight for the first time in her life. Oh how she
wished her brothers could see her now but unfortunately she didn't even
know where they were in the Colonies, that being their last destination
she knew of. She was ready for Noir to set the sword to her hand, right
handed so the shield was held in the left.
-c-
Maureen McLoughan (Mo)
From Mail-Order-Bride to
warrior-knight in training,
Life ever-changing |
