Royal Feud

Chapter 57

Chapter 57

"Aye. I bless the day that the Lord gave you to me. Hermione, my dearest love, my beautiful wife, I promise to love you and cherish you, for the rest of our lives." The tears spilled over on to Hermione's cheeks. "Oh, Delvin, I love you."

"Then why all the tears?" He smiled at her, tenderness overflowing his heart, as he

gently wiped her tears away with his thumbs.

"I never thought you could love me, I am so ugly and deformed."

"Nay, you are not ugly. You could never be ugly to me. I forbid you to even think

that again. Understand?"

She smiled at him through her tears. "Aye, milord." "Oh, Hermione, I love you so much."

Delvin captured her lips, wrapping his arms around her and gathering her tightly to him, sealing their love with their kiss. His joy and happiness was so overwhelming he

wondered if his heart would burst. He reveled in his wife's arms, rejoicing in her love.

On the last Sunday of May, Hermione woke gradually to sunlight streaming into their chamber. Delvin was sitting in a chair, putting on his hose and shoes. She marveled again how changed her relationship with him was, now that they had openly declared their love for one another. Every day was a delight; every day was spent in harmony and sharing.

Hermione threw off the covers and started to sit up, only to be brought short by the wave of nausea and dizziness that caught her unaware. She gingerly lay back down. waiting for the sick feeling to pass.

"Still abed?" Delvin teased, coming over to sit down beside her.

"Delvin, I feel a little dizzy. I think 'tis from hunger." "Probably. I did give you a thorough loving last night. It undoubtedly used up all your strength. Shall I go get you something to eat?" "Aye, please. Just some bread. "Tis all I want." "All right." He leaned down and lightly kissed her. "I will be right back."

Hermione waited in bed until Delvin returned with a tray of food and two cups of ale. He set the tray on the floor next to the bed and handed her a large piece of bread. She gratefully took a bite and ate it. Delvin chewed on the rest of the bread as he watched her.

"Feeling any better?" he asked.

"Ave, a little."

"I found I was hungry as well," Delvin remarked as he bit off another piece of bread. "Breakfast will be no doubt be late today, what with the knighting ceremony after mass. "Tis good to have some food now."

Hermione declined his offer of ale and determinedly ate the rest of the bread. Feeling

her stomach settle, she cautiously sat up and stood.

"Are you all right now?" Delvin asked.

"Aye, I am fine now. I just needed to eat something."

She washed quickly and slipped on a clean chemise, then sat down to pull on her hose and shoes. "Are you waiting for me?" she asked. Usually he left their chamber to attend to castle business before mass.

"Aye." Delvin lounged back on the bed. "I spoke with Hugh when I got the food.

There is nothing requiring my attention this morning, so I will escort you to mass." She smiled at him and donned her best kirtle, the gold gown with red embroidery. When she finished tying the laces, he came up to her and smoothed his hands down

the arms of the gown.

"You look beautiful," he said huskily.

"Why, thank you, milord." She twined Delvin bent to kiss her, leisurely exploring her mouth before drawing back. "That

her arms around his neck.

will have to keep us until later."

"Aye." She sighed. She reluctantly stepped out of his arms to brush and braid her hair. After securing the diaphanous ivory veil on her head with a gold circlet, she turned to Delvin. "I am ready."

He held out his hand to her and dropped a light kiss on the hand she extended to him before escorting her out of the chamber. When they reached the chapel, they saw Langston standing in the center aisle, at

the base of the steps leading to the altar, upon which his new armor and sword rested. He bowed deeply to Delvin and Hermione as they paused in front of him, before taking their places in the front row on the right side of the chapel. Hermione smiled at Damien with pride and happiness. She glanced at Alarie's face after she took her seat. He greeted her with a small smile, one eyebrow raised. Her joyous heart full of her love for him, she gave him a smile before turning her attention to the mass.

She had not seen Langston since yesterday at supper. Last night, he had completed a silent, all-night vigil in the chapel. This morning he was to have had a ritual purification bath, attended by Hugh and Ralph, before dressing in the white vesture that Elizabeth and Clare had made for him. Hermione thought Damien looked very handsome in the elaborate garments the women had designed, but not anywhere near as handsome as Delvin, dressed in his own brilliant blue tunic.

After the entire congregation had filed in and sat down, Langston turned to the altar and genuflected. He then took his seat in the front row on the left side of the chapel, joining Hugh and Ralph, who were already seated. Hermione listened intently to Father Thomas's sermon exhorting the young man to the duties and obligations of a knight: to be loyal to God, his king and his overlord, to protect the weak and helpless, and to honor women. After his sermon, the priest blessed Langston's armor and sword

"May the Lord bless the one who carries this sword, so he will use it only with honor and righteousness." Father Thomas made the sign of the cross over the sword lying on the altar. "May the Lord bless the one who wears this armor and shield. protecting him from all harm." The priest likewise made the sign of the cross over the armor and shield as he spoke the blessing.

After mass, Delvin held Hermione's hand and led her from the chapel. Langston exited after them while Hugh and Ralph carried his armor, shield, and sword out of the chapel. The rest of the congregation filed out of the church and arranged themselves around the inner ward. Hermione had ordered the ward cleared and cleaned for the ceremony. Colorful banners hung from poles placed around the bailey, adding to the festive mood. After everyone was assembled, Delvin climbed the steps of the chapel and addressed Langston, who stood before him.

"Damien Langston," Delvin stated, his voice carrying to the furthest reaches of the inner ward, "you have completed the rigorous training required of a Knight. You have proved yourself to be honorable, loyal, honest, and courageous. Don your armor. Take up your sword."

Hugh and Ralph, attended by two squires, carried the armor forward. While the squires held the armor, Hugh and Ralph ceremoniously dressed Langston. A solemn, expectant quiet filled the bailey as the spectators watched the robing ritual. Hugh and Ralph pulled the chain mail hauberk over his head and settled it over his shoulders. They placed the mail coif on Langston's head. One by one, they held out the gauntlets into which he placed his hands. Ralph knelt to fasten the spurs on his boots, after which Hugh buckled the scabbard around his waist and handed him the sword. The older men stepped back, and the knight candidate turned to face his overlord.

Delvin came down the steps to stand in front of Langston. "Please kneel." Langston knelt on one knee before the Earl and bowed his head. Delvin pulled his sword from the scabbard at his side and placed the blade of his sword flat on top of Langston's right shoulder.

"In the name of God." Delvin declared, "and St. Michael and St. George, I dub thee knight; be brave and loyal." Delvin placed his sword flat against Langston's left shoulder as he completed the accolade. He sheathed his sword and extended his hands to Langston, who placed his hands into Delvin's.

"My lord." Langston declared, "I pledge to you my fealty, my loyalty, and my obedience. I will serve, protect, and defend you and your family to the best of my ability. So help me God."

Hugh handed the shield to Delvin. Delvin released Langston's hands and took shield, offering it to the new knight.

the

"As a token of my duty to you." Delvin stated, "and the protection I owe to you. I give to you this shield. May God guard you and protect you in my service." Langston took the shield, bowing to Delvin. "Arise, Sir Damien," Delvin instructed.