“How do I get into these things?” Nicholas Gold muttered to himself.
He caught sight of his son, beaming from ear to ear, practically dancing as he walked around the small stall area in front of the Knights quarters. Ah – that was why.
He looked down at his costume, butter soft light brown leather jerkin, darker leather pants. He wasn’t sure if he was supposed to be a knight of old or a rockstar. All he knew is he felt ridiculous.
“Neal!” Gold called.
Neal ran over. “It’s Baelfire today dad! Remember?”
“Yes of course,” Gold agreed with a soft smile. “Now Bae ….”
“Can I go up to the castle?” Neal asked excitedly, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
Gold eyed the nearby cliff edge. “Not until I can take you.”
Neal pouted but nodded in agreement. “This is so cool!”
Gold was glad none of his business associates were here to see him. He couldn’t help but smile at his son’s obvious happiness. For the last year Neal had become obsessed with fairytales, Knights, anything medieval. When he had heard a renaissance faire was coming to Storybrooke, a nearby coastal town just a couple of hours from their home in Boston, Neal had been begging to go. When Gold had inquired, he’d found that there were no sightseers welcome, just participants in the fun. If anything that had made Neal even more ecstatic and Gold had never been able to deny his boy anything.
“You’re going to be great dad!” Neal enthused. “You are so going to win.”
Gold hissed in alarm. He didn’t want to disappoint Neal and his fencing days at university were more years than he cared to remember behind him.
“I’ll do my best but I might not win,” Gold cautioned.
“Hey do you think my dad will win?” Neal suddenly asked.
Gold looked up in horror. One of the passing ladies, dressed in traditional gown and corset had been passing. She was young and very beautiful. She smiled warmly at Neal.
“Oh I think he looks like a winner to me,” she teased. “I am Lady Belle.”
She curtseyed and laughing Neal bowed in front of her. She pulled a ribbon from her gown.
“A knight can’t fail to win with a ladies favour.” She tied the ribbon around his arm.
Gold’s arm tingled with her soft touch. He smiled hesitantly at her. Belle leant over and lightly kissed his cheek. Gold felt himself blush. There was an announcement from the herald but Gold didn’t make out the words. Belle nudged him.
“It sounds like your bout is next.”
Aw, it’s not like he has to fight a crown tourney – but it’s adorable that he let his son talk him into competing anyway.
I bet Belle has a Laurel or is well on her way to one.
I’m guessing you know something about the reenactment circuit .. or the actual historical thing it’s based on .. or renaissance faires .. or something because I have no clue what you mean. What is a “crown tourney”? and what is a “laurel” and why is Belle getting one?
I did think maybe I would expand this next month but I’m thinking I might need to do a fair bit of research first. I just liked the visual but I really have no clue about it at all, which is not really very good for writing. Yup, research, definitely a good idea. Half remembered movies, might be good for a visual but not for detail.
Thanks for commenting! You’ve certainly given me a lot to think about 🙂