From: ssalter@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (-=[SLS]=-)
Subject: Reunion and a Promise [CASTLE]
Organization: OFSA
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 01:38:59 GMT

	Sunshine streamed down over the soaring battlements of the
Castle of Romance. The surrounding fields were golden with ripened
grain that rustled softly in the gentle breeze. Immense, puffy clouds
scudded across the flawless blue sky and the dark green and brown
colours of the forest defined an exquisite backdrop beyond the
silver-gray stone of the castle walls. Directly before the two travelers, massive, iron-bound doors gaped freely open to welcome them.      

	T'zu trotted beside the Feral Knight, still in a dark mood.
his disposition was lightened somewhat by the Feral Knight, who's
heart seemed to burst with happiness. He had returned at last! The
long journeys he had undergone had tried him to his very core and had
taught him that there was only place where his heart and soul
belonged. Here in the Land of Romance, the realm of the Goddess. He
took a deep breath of the crisp air and stepped forward to enter the
gate. A tall figure appeared there, dressed in blue trousers and
shirt. His bright red hair caught a stray sunbeam and flamed with
color.          

	"Welcome back my friend!", Sir Chris beamed with pleasure as
he strode forward to embrace the Feral Knight in a tight bearhug. 

	"Thank you , Chris, it is so good to see you again.", he
replied. "I appreciate your lack of armor. The last time I saw this
place everyone was encased in armor or bearing bloody weapons. You
have repaired the gates too!"   

	"Yes, we have been busy in these months you have been gone.
The fall harvest is well started and though the yield is less than in
previous years, there will be plenty for the winter. The Dark One and
his minions caused much damage and death but the Land has bloomed
extravagantly, as if in joyous celebration.", Chris said fervently.    

	The three walked into the courtyard and were greeted by others
that dwelled in or around the Castle. T'zu sighed as he moved nimbly
out of the way of huge human feet and effortlessly leaped to the Feral
Knight's shoulder to better view the crowd. He noticed the Lady Elaine
as she came forward and hugged the Feral Knight and transferred his
perch to her shoulder.     

	"Welcome back, T'zu. We have missed you." she smiled at him. 

	T'zu rubbed his head against her cheek and purred grandly.
There was so much happiness in the air it was infectious! He stayed
with Elaine until she had backed out towards the Castle entrance and
then leaped down gracefully and slipped through the door to the
interior.    

	Morgana moved forward and embraced  him tightly. She smiled
as did Trog, beside her.

	"Yes, we are still here, my friend. Our sons are growing with
speed and health in this most excellent of Lands. It is so good to see
you again."

	A bundle of energy leaped at the knight and nearly knocked him
over. 
	"JEebers! It is so good to see you again , Feral Buddy",
Elotheria chirped happily. Meghan moved forward also and embraced him
more sedately.

	Feral Knight greeted his old comrades and renewed acquaintance
with the ones that had appeared shortly before he had left.  Wolverine
snickered as he noticed FK's head swiveling around.   

	"Looking for someone , bub?" he smirked.

	"Ahh, well, I haven't seen...uh, Phantom or Kathrea or..the
Lady Brianna" FK replied, noticing the smirk on Wolverines's face. He
wondered where Brianna was. Surely, she would come out to see him!  

	Eowyn and the DArk Knight stepped before him and both grabbed
him in a three way hug! 
	
	"Welcome back my old friend", rumbled Dark Knight, "We hae
missed you and now that you are back, everything appears complete"

	"Dear Knight, you seem to glow from within. Your long journeys
must have been exactly what you needed", Eowyn smiled.

	"Well, some of the places I visited were good, some were bad,
most were in between. I learned so much about human nature and about
myself." he answered, "I learned of my weakness of the past and how
the Dark One was able to manipulate me then. I feel whole again."

	Warm arms stretched up and grabbed him and the Phantom kissed
him soundly.  
	"You have returned, fair Knight.", she greeted him, "There are
many who have missed you sorely" 

	"It is so good to see you again, Phantom. How have things been
while I was away journeying?" he asked . "What have you been doing?
Are there new people here? What about Kathrea and Brianna?" he
continued artlessly.   

	"Oh, it has been much work and repair here in the Land. You
are well now, aren't you? I sense a deep tranquility within you now."
she whispered. "You have healed and your inner being shines with it's
well being. As to Brianna, well , she is around somewhere I am sure",
she smiled.    

	"I learned much, of other places, other people and most of
all, myself. Yes, my dear friend, I am healed from much of the past
now. What remains will proceed naturally...I cannot begin to estimate
what your help and protection has done for me in the past.  Because of
you, my sweet friend, I am here today."    

	Phantom blushed and then looked startled as a man clothed in
grey slipped in front of her. He was of medium height and wearing a
grey cloak. An irreverent grin creased his face and his eyes sparkled!
	
	"Salutations sir! I am Mikandric, a purveyor of lost goods and
missing information. I am new to the Castle here and with all this
hubbub going on decided to greet you myself. Welcome back, from
whereever you were. You are the Feral Knight, eh? I have heard many
tales of you here and am honored to meet you. May I give you a
welcoming hug!?" he said rapidly in a clear voice.     

	Reaching out he embraced the knight swiftly and then squawked
as the Feral Knight gripped his wrist tightly.  

	"It is good to see you also, Mikandric. I do not know you but
I do know that this dagger in your hand was resting in it's sheath on
my belt. Very deftly done, I must say, but I have more than the usual
awareness of  myself and my possession." he smiled grimly. "So do
others here, so I suggest you be very careful. Others are not as ,
tractable as I am"    . 

	"Oh! Why I just noticed it appeared a bit discolored and was
going to polish it up for you. Besides, "he muttered, "got to keep in
practice". Mikandric released the dagger with a charming smile and
backed away from FK who gave him a warning glance.   

	Kathrea appeared in the entrance to the rose garden and made
her way to the knight. He looked at her intently, she seem troubled
with something. His heart ached for this lady, with her enormous power
and a deep mystery about her that she seemed unable to speak of. She
reached him and they embraced warmly. A small smile graced her face
and the Feral Knight bent to kiss her softly.

	"How has it been for you, Kathrea?" he murmured, worried about
the tenseness in her body.

	"It has been busy, as you might expect, but we are all doing
well. I will talk with you later my friend. It is wonderful to have
you back in the Land. Things feel complete here again now.", she
answered, then moved quietly away.

	The Feral Knight gazed at her and remembered all the
assistance she had given not only him, but the entire Land, in the
past. He looked about again and then worked his way to the door that
entered the Castle proper.  Opening it , he strode in, looking for a
particular person. The halls rang with salutations as he passed
through and his smile grew broader and yet a bit strained as he
wandered about. One hand felt in his pocket and his visage grew
somewhat nervous and yet happy also. Then he felt the another pocket
and his brow furrowed. Where was it? He was sure it had been there
when he had entered the courtyard.

	"Milord" a soft, husky voice said softly behind him.

	He whirled about and beheld a tall, dark haired woman with a
tremulous smile. Light streaks of grey flowed through the long dark
hair and the corners of her eyes held small wrinkles. The sunlight
from the open window bathed her in it's rich glow and he stood silent,
awed at her beauty. Her slender frame curved deliciously within the
confines of her dress and her eyes sparkled.     

	"Bri...Brianna...I..I am back." he stuttered, his heart
starting to pound. 

	"Yes, Feral Knight, you are. I have wondered every night where
you were and when you would return. Jimmy helped keep me updated and
told me this morn you would arrive. I.."her voice dropped into silence
as her eyes filled with tears of happiness.   

	He moved forwards and embraced her tightly. Their bodies
thrilled to be touching again after so many months and their hearts
leapt in joyous reunion! The long months apart had made them realize
what they were missing...what they needed.    

	"Brianna, it is so very good to see you again. Through all my
journeys I always saw you in my minds eye. My heart ever ached for
you." he breathed softly in her ear. "When I saw a wren alight on a
slender twig and it bent beneath the scarce weight, I thought of you.
When the moon gleamed in the starry sky I longed for you. As I drifted
over the boundless waves of an unknown sea, I dreamed of you."      

	"Oh Steven, I have dreamed of you over these long months. I
have pestered Jimmy so much to relay info and messages and the times
he was unable to catch up with you, my heart would sink. I have
worried so very much about you ."   

	Feral Knight hugged her tightly once again and then reached
into a pocket. He looked into her warm, beautiful eyes and smiled gently. 

	"One land I traveled through contained a race of small people
who lived beneath the ground. They had been enslaved by a demon and
when I helped them throw off their chains and defeated the demon, they
wanted to give me some reward. I refused, at first, but when they
showed me their artistry I could not resist."    

	He raised his hand and slowly opened it. A slender circle of
gold gleamed there, holding a large flawless gem that caught the
sunlight and cast multicolored rays of light about the room. Brianna
gasped as the diamond ring glittered brilliantly in his hand . He
reached out with his free hand and took her left hand in his. Gazing
deep into her eyes, he swallowed and lifted the ring.     

	"Brianna, my dear sweet love, I love you so very much. Would
you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" he breathed softly, his
voice low and husky.  

	Her eyes filling with tears of joy, Brianna smiled tremulously
and gasped out, 
	"Yes, oh yes...yes my love".

	The Feral Knight slipped the ring on her slender finger and
held both her hands in his. The two kissed softly and then held each
other for a very long time. totally absorbed in each other and not
noticing the two cats that watched them from above on the rafters, one
of which had a tear slipping down his face, or the people that walked
quietly by, happy smiles on their faces as they observed the two
lovers.      

				-=<0>=-

- Feral Knight
  (10/07/92)


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