Elenis (The Witch of Laverlock)

Chapter 9 The voice

There was a slight delay for the afternoon tourney due to a slight overcast but the sun emerged slowly and soon the games would once again commence. Frankly Elenis did not care either way, she thought to think of an excuse not to attend but upon walking into the game the garden she heard excited chatter coming from the women that were strewn about.
Surprised, she looked about her and found that the noble women who had come with their lords crowded the lawns filled with flower beds. Rolling her eyes heavenward she was about to turn away when her name was called out. She turned to search the area for the one who called out to her but she was drawn suddenly to the fountain situated at the center.
She spied a young lady whose hair was as light as wheat and shone like spun gold against the sun. Elenis was held spellbound by her immaculate face, her skin was flawless, her features delicate. The young lady turned and stared right back at Elenis and for awhile their gazes caught and held. She saw a gentle innocence about the maid that immediately caught her attention but the spell was soon broken and the maid turned away shyly when Elenis heard her name called out once more.
Turning to her immediate right she spied her cousins and sisters seated by a stone bench with some familiar ladies and walked toward them. Taking an empty seat beside Gertrudis she sat down feeling a strange tingling as she remembered her brief encounter with the girl by the fountain. When she looked again, the girl was gone, the fountain had been abandoned.
Elenis shrugged averting her eyes from the crowd as she tried dismiss the sensation.
"Is something amiss sister?" Gertrudis asked a frown of concern etched on her brow.
"Nothing is amiss" Elenis replied dismissively "What have I missed?" She whispered to her sister.
They were joined by some noble ladies chattering about the afternoon tourney. Some of them were discussing their thoughts on who would win placing bets on their favored champions.
"We were just discussing the afternoon list. Sir Blackthorne will be facing Sir Ivarson" Gertrudis reported excitedly. "It should be a feat to watch, Sir Ivarson has been a champion for most jousts.."
"Then it should be an interesting match" Elenis replied forcing a smile for her sister's benefit.
"The main event should be more interesting for Sir Fitzwilliam will be up against Lord Montague." One of the ladies said. "Both of them have been popular in jousts as well. Did you see his sister, Lady Montague? It's a rare treat for her to be about."
"Nay I believe we are not acquainted" Elenis replied to the lady. "Who is she?"she asked curiously as the tingling feeling returned.
"She was the lady seated by the fountain not long ago" Susan replied. "She's not far from your age Elenis"
"Why is it a rare treat for her to be about?" Elenis asked.
"I am surprised you have not heard of her Lady Elenis" the lady smiled curiously "She is considered one of the most beautiful ladies in the realm.  Her brother keeps her hidden for it is said that when he had brought her to court once, the king  had favored her.  They had to remove her from the castle with the queen's help or else" the lady clucked her tongue and shook her head.
"Well, the pageant will begin this afternoon before the favored list will begin their games, you will get to see her as the noble houses will parade more formally." Susan added.
"Haven't we met them already?" Elenis whispered on Gertrudis ear.
"Not all of them sister. Let us freshen up and then watch. We do have the best seats in the house" Gertrudis replied gaily.
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On queue, the parade began in the early afternoon. Each noble house in the higher list was presented before sir Fitzriley and his family. Some of them brought their families forward as part of the entourage,  their symbols raised in flags that waved against the blowing wind.
There were ten noble families in all, Elenis counted, each one ready to face the Barfois. Smiling until her cheeks hurt, she kept up appearances as she acknowledged each family with their wives or siblings. Her smile froze in place as Sir Wulfric was presented with his entourage of Knights and squires representing the Fitzwilliam's. She could not meet his glance instead she kept her eyes averted.
When Lord Montague stepped forward, he introduced his wife and sister. Elenis was immediately captivated by his golden haired sister. She smiled shyly at Elenis before turning to leave.  The prickling feeling began in her hands and drifted up to her arms when she saw Lord Junstin Fitzhugh of Laverloch. He bowed before Oranya and Getrudis, winking briefly at Elenis before he turned away.
The saucy greeting made her cheeks warm as she looked away quickly. The gall of the man! How dare he behave that way in front of her father and mother, she thought as she finally took her seat.
Seeing the crowd gather outside the pavilions she searched for the young lady Montague and found her seated just in front of the black an white pavilion with the crest of a bear. She was as beautiful as they had described earlier and her innocence was palpable. Try as she might, Elenis could not take her eyes away from the young lady, she seemed transfixed for some strange reason.
The sound of the trumpet being blared distracted her finally and she looked away as the horses hooves started thundering on the field. She watched in fascination as the mighty Knights fought to win, each with such strength she had not witnessed earlier.
As the Knights took to the field, they sought favors from their favored ladies, she spied Lord Montague approach his wife and his opponent also bore a token.
"What's the point of it?" She whispered her question to Gertrudis.
"The token is for luck dear sister. If you stopped frowning so much perhaps someone will be brave enough to ask a taken from you" her sister teased.
"I find this all ridiculous!" Elenis remarked tartly.
"On the contrary sister, it's rather romantic." Gertrudis gushed "At least I have my champion, father does not have to relinquish my hand to the winner. You on the other hand" she clucked her tongue. "Be nicer Elenis, you cannot escape papas decree, perhaps you will find a champion of your own this day."
"Hardly." Elenis snorted , turning back to watch as a knight took a favor from lady Montague. The knight was young and bold as he approached the young lady, she watched as the lady smiled at the knight bestowing her ribbon.
"Do not be so dismissive sister, sir Fitzwilliam is coming toward us" Gertrudis warned "At least offer the knight a smile."
As soon as he was upon her, he bowed from where he sat atop his stallion.
"Lady Elenis, it would be an honor if You were to bestow a token" he lifted his visor and she could see his eyes as they looked at her. There was a challenge within their depth that made her look away.
"But....I " she felt an elbow on her rib turning to see her sister's eyes signaling to her.
Standing up she approached the barrier and took a ribbon in Crimson that was tied to her braid she handed it to the knight who tied it on his arm. She did not return to her seat, instead she watched as he bowed toward her before taking his place on the field.
She looked at his opponent, he was the same knight who took the token from lady Montague, she looked at the pavilion of the montagues and found the same lady had stood and stayed by the barrier.
"Come sit sister"Gertrudis called out.
Elenis turned back to her seat, a feeling of warmth spread throughout her entire body as the leaves on the nearby trees started to shake. The game began as she held her breath and soon the men raced their horses against each other their lances poised for battle. Neither one was felled, a shudder raised through her body as they took another round. Elenis knew someone would be defeated holding on to her chair her eyes remained fixed on the Knights.
"Wulfric is your champion" the voice whispered clearly in her head. Sucking her breath she was caught spellbound by the movement of the Knights. The young knight was finally felled but he managed to get up and mount his horse, there was a dent to his armour and she could see he was injured but it did not seem to faze him.
The Knights clashed again until both of them were felled, they immediately drew their swords making Elenis jump from her seat and approach the barrier, holding on to it tightly she watched as both Knights fought bravely.
"Say it" the voice whispered "Say it......"
"Wulfric is my champion" she whispered holding her breath as the young knight fell to the ground. Wulfric had won the round. Turning to The Barfois he spied Elenis who stood still looking at him with astonishment. Their gazes locked for what seemed like eternity before the noise from the crowd had broken the spell.