Mist on the Moon

"Dear, I know what you're thinking."

"Cara," said Trent. "Can you look at me rather than whatever you're focused on now?"

"I'm sorry. I'm just so concerned for Justin. See, he and Gianna are coming on the dance floor now."

"Cara, we can stop and watch them if you prefer."

She nodded her head. "No, that would be silly. I am enjoying dancing with you. And this new style, its fun, though wish I could be more smooth like you.

Cara saw that Trent smiled at her words. "Carina you are doing beautifully. No one would know that it's your first time."

She smiled at his compliment and then looked at her sister and Richard who were dancing nearby. "Evie, where did you learn to do this dance so well?"

"I don't know," she answered. "Guess it just comes naturally to me."

Suddenly, there was a great thump followed by much commotion on the floor. Apparently a man had fallen down hard. There was a rush of people toward him and through the crowd Cara saw Gianna kneeling at the side of Justin. Quickly, a burly man who Cara recognized as one of the blacksmiths picked him up. With the help of another man they pulled him, legs dragging, over to a chair at the side of the dance floor. A crowd gathered around him, obscuring Cara's view. "Trent," she said, holding onto his arm. "I can't see Justin with all those people around him. We need to make sure he's OK."

Trent took her hand, and making the announcement himself said, "Make way for the king. Make way for the king."

The crowd, seeing it was him, gradually parted, though not quickly for it was a tight circle that surrounded Justin. Finally, they reached Justin and Gianna. Cara saw Justin sitting on a chair and next to him was Gianna who was also sitting on a chair. "Justin, we heard the sound when you hit the floor. Are you alright?" asked Trent.

Justin, looking comfortable as he sat back in the chair, waved his hand to dismiss any concern and said, "I'm fine. It was just a fall."

Gianna added, speaking above the noise of the crowd, "Thank God he didn't hit his head. He says it's nothing but obviously I'm concerned."

Trent leaned down to put a hand on Justin's shoulder. "So, my friend, you're doing OK?"

"Not to worry, Trent. I'm fine." The two men made the distinctive knight handshake and Trent turned to Cara saying, "He's good. Let's go back to our table."

They parted through the crowd, Cara taking a moment to look back at Trent.

Later, after the music had started up again, Justin and Gianna joined them around the table. Cara noticed as he came that he seemed as steady as he usually was. She asked him, "Justin, why did all those people surround you after you fell down?"

Justin answered with a smile saying simply, "They like me."

Gianna entered the conversation. "I didn't realize why until recently, but now I understand. Justin was a commoner, a stable boy taking care of horses. Then when he saved you, Cara, when you were captured by the Magyars, Trent recognized his valor and made him a royal knight. After that, we all learned that he was the one who saved Trent's life, but almost was killed doing it. He's a hero to the common people." Leaning in to be next to Justin she added, "He's my hero too."

Justin put his arms around Gianna and she looked up to give him a big smile. They kissed. Then, addressing those around the table Justin said, "What I did was what anyone would have done had they been in my position. I'm just glad that I was there at the right time to make a difference."

"Oh, Justin," said Cara, you've always been so modest. But I saw, even when you were a stable boy that you were a far cut above the average man." Cara thought it, but didn't say out loud that if Trent had not visited her father's small kingdom she might very well have married Justin.

The musicians started playing again and many of those in the hall returned to the dance floor. Cara noted when she was dancing with Trent that Justin and Gianna did not at this time come. Only later, when the music was of a more stately variety did they return to the floor for some of the last melodies. By then, the hour was growing late and gradually people were leaving including most of the knights and their ladies. Justin and Gianna told them they were leaving too, and soon afterwards Trent and Cara returned to their royal suite. Cara checked with the sitter about the children, and after the woman left she sighed, saying to her husband. "It was quite a night, wasn't it?"

"Yes, it was my queen."

The both began undressing from their evening wear. Cara turned to see Trent eyeing her. "I loved the gown you wore tonight. You looked so appealing and yet still like a queen, my beautiful queen. And yet now, without any of that to me you look even lovelier."

Cara came closer to her husband, giving him a smile. "Dear, I know what you are thinking."

Trent suddenly seemed reflective. "You know, when we first met, I had the feeling that there might have been someone else in your life. Now, after tonight, I think I know who he was. Am I right?"

Cara chose her words carefully. "Well, dearest, when I first met you I was bit afraid that you were the kind that liked to order people around, including me. But that was just my own thinking at the time and I didn't take into account that you were acting quickly to protect my father's kingdom from attack. Once I came to know you better I realized your finer qualities."

Trent stepped close and there was no separation between them. He smiled. Cara knew she didn't really answer his question. She added, "Once I knew you, I loved you more than anyone." Then she whispered into his ear, "Trent, take me. You know I'm yours alone."