Peggy Carter

He listened as she spoke about wanting to have peaceful moments together when the war was done.

Peggy shook her head. “You didn't speak out of turn. I asked. I promise I’m understanding and you can tell me anything.” 

She took another bite. “I’m adept at cooking; I’ve had years and years of practice. But I couldn’t do anything like this. There’s better food than this? That’s luxurious. I can’t imagine.” This really was one of the best things Peggy had ever had. 

“Oh I’m sure one day I’ll want to slow down.  I can’t keep doing this forever.  Being an old man and a knight aren’t exactly congruent.  But I also assumed one day I’d meet someone that would want me to stay home more.  I don’t know.  I suppose I would have still been expected to go out.”  He shrugged and shook his head.  “In anycase, it brought me to you.  So I think we should both be grateful for that.”

He smiled softly and reached over and caressed your cheek. “You are too good to me, princess.  I’m sure I don’t deserve it.” 

“Oh yes,” he said, nodding enthusiastically.  “You will be so surprised to see a royal feast.  I have never eaten as well or as lavishly than at the palace during a celebration.” 

Peggy’s breath caught in her throat as he stroked her cheek. That would’ve affected her regardless of this story, but Steve just touching her often made her heart skip a beat even in life. She imagined it would affect the princess, starved for human contact and affection, faced with this handsome knight and the man of all her dreams. “You deserve the world, my darling knight."

She smiled. “I look forward to that. I wonder if I’ll ever be able to cook again. I did grow fond of it.” Princess Margaret was so different from Peggy herself; she’d never been good at cooking or fond of it until Steve had returned to her. 

She raised her eyebrow. Oh, now they were getting somewhere. “Until?” she asked. “Oh, well, it’s alright if you don’t want to elaborate.” She took his hand. “I think you should find love, but don’t rush it. Find the right lady, and spend time with her. Share a life with her.” And goodness, how the princess wanted it to be with her.

Peggy nodded and went back to her lobster and crab, finishing off her potatoes and green beans. She let out a rather inappropriate moan in delight as she took a rather decadent bite of the lobster and crab dipped in butter. “Goodness, this is divine. This is the best thing I’ve ever eaten in my life.”

He smiled and nodded.  “Yes.  That’s how I feel.  I like being a knight, and there were important things to do.  I had to save you for example.  I didn’t want to leave a bride behind while I put my life at risk.  Maybe I’ll settle one day, but there was no one I met that felt right for that.”

He frowned and poked at his food with his fork.  “I spoke out of turn.  I shouldn’t…” he intentionally trailed off again, letting his doubt and desire hang in the air.

He laughed as she praised the food. The lobster did look good, so he wouldn’t be surprised if this was close to true in real life as it was in the story.  “I am so glad you’re getting to enjoy some good food.  You will have so much nicer in the palace.  I promise you that.”

Peggy shook her head. “You didn't speak out of turn. I asked. I promise I’m understanding and you can tell me anything.” 

She took another bite. “I’m adept at cooking; I’ve had years and years of practice. But I couldn’t do anything like this. There’s better food than this? That’s luxurious. I can’t imagine.” This really was one of the best things Peggy had ever had. 

He laughed. “That is flattering.  I suppose it’s unusual for a man my age not to be married.  Life as a knight is hard.  I travel a lot and put my life at risk. It doesn’t grant a lot of stability in general.  I know many men that just sire they’re children, and send home coin.  I don’t want that to be my life or the life of my family,” he said.

He nodded.  “I am sure you’re right.  People keep telling me to find a bride and start a family.  I just never felt that pull.  Until…” he intentionally trailed off, leaving the hint in the air. 

“Never mind.  You are right.  We should eat.  I would be honored if after our meal you would have your first dance with me.”  He went back to eating his stew.

She raised her eyebrow. Oh, now they were getting somewhere. “Until?” she asked. “Oh, well, it’s alright if you don’t want to elaborate.” She took his hand. “I think you should find love, but don’t rush it. Find the right lady, and spend time with her. Share a life with her.” And goodness, how the princess wanted it to be with her.

Peggy nodded and went back to her lobster and crab, finishing off her potatoes and green beans. She let out a rather inappropriate moan in delight as she took a rather decadent bite of the lobster and crab dipped in butter. “Goodness, this is divine. This is the best thing I’ve ever eaten in my life.”

She shivered as he looked at her, taking in her face, her lips, and her curves, and she wondered if Steve himself was craving a kiss as much as she was. They were so into these characters, and goodness she was having fun. “I hope not,” she replied, a little breathless. Once again, she was about to ask if her knight would grant her wish to be her first kiss. It would only make sense, wouldn’t it? But she remembered they were taking it slow. 

“I’d just like to know why she hurt us,” Peggy said. “I want answers, but also to be able to defend myself.”

Steve smiled as Peggy talked about the romance novel Princess Margaret had read. It was funny to think about the evil witch bringing her smut books to read.  But it sure was one way to keep her placated.

“Honestly, I think most people go into those kinds of things blindly.  Everyone thinks they’re experts until they’re faced with the reality of it.  Look at me.  I’m still single.  I could have married.  There have been plenty of opportunities for me.  But nothing ever felt right.  I didn’t want a wife I wasn’t excited to come home to. Not even if she did come with a big dowry, the ability to cook, and child bearing hips.  I want something that feels more real.  That speaks to my heart,” he said.  “Maybe I’ve read too many fairytales and romances too.” 

He nodded. “You will.  I promise,” he said.  He was starting to want to eat faster so they could get to his dance.  He wanted that moment when he couldn’t stop himself.He nodded again.  “I hope you have a chance to get all the answers you desire, princess,” he said.

Peggy laughed. “I was going to say you're the handsomest man I’ve ever seen - but you're the only man I’ve ever seen. Well, except these men here at the inn. But still, you're special and I’m sure that many ladies have thought so. But yes, I’m sure it’s deeper than that. Something more real.” She nodded. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting real love, real romance. I think that’s what everyone dreams of - to be really loved and cared for? Sure, some people dream of other things too - glory, greatness, other achievements - but to be loved is universal.”

She nodded. “I hope so too. Now my darling knight, we’re talking so much and our meals are getting cold. Let’s eat and then you said you’d show me how to dance?”

Peggy caressed his hand. “You do, my darling knight. More than you know.” She nodded. “I look forward to seeing it all and sharing this with you.”

Peggy smiled. “This will be fun! And by the time we see her again, we can defeat her!”

He chuckled and shrugged. “I suppose.  I don’t know.  I guess it depends on the couple,” he said. “My parents seem happy enough. I wouldn’t want to assume for every couple.”

He looked down at her hand at the mention of a first kiss.  His eyes traveled slowly up her body and then linger on her lips. “Yes.  Well, I’m sure you won’t have to wait too long for that.”

He nodded.  “Of course, we’ll make her pay for everything she did to you.  I don’t want her going out and hurting any more families,” he said.

She shivered as he looked at her, taking in her face, her lips, and her curves, and she wondered if Steve himself was craving a kiss as much as she was. They were so into these characters, and goodness she was having fun. “I hope not,” she replied, a little breathless. Once again, she was about to ask if her knight would grant her wish to be her first kiss. It would only make sense, wouldn’t it? But she remembered they were taking it slow. 

“I’d just like to know why she hurt us,” Peggy said. “I want answers, but also to be able to defend myself.”

She nodded and took a sip of her wine. “I’m glad to hear it. I’m also eager to meet them. I’ve been dreaming of them my whole life. And I’ve been dreaming of the knight who’d rescue me. That dream has come true, it seems.”

Peggy grinned. “Oh I’m sure you will. Perhaps by then I’ll have learned from you how to defend myself, and we can face her together.”

She nodded. “I want to experience it all!”

He laughed and nodded his head from side to side. “I guess that’s true.  Or they just love sex a lot, I suppose.  But -” he pulled a face.  “I don’t want to think about my parents like that.”  He smiled and caressed her hand. “I hope so too.  Maybe one day.” 

He chuckled and nodded. “I’m glad.  You deserve to have your dreams come true.  I hope I can live up to that dream.  I will get you home safely, and do my best to show you what good the world has to offer you.” 

He grinned at her.  “Oh yes.  I will teach you to fight. You deserve that too.  A chance to make her pay for what she did to you.” 

Peggy caressed his hand. “You do, my darling knight. More than you know.” She nodded. “I look forward to seeing it all and sharing this with you.”

Peggy smiled. “This will be fun! And by the time we see her again, we can defeat her!”

Peggy frowned. “Well I guess that’s why it’s so important that they get me back. I’ve been in that tower for twenty years. I don’t know anything but that. And that’s a long time for parents to miss me and hope for my return.”

She shrugged. “I imagine we’ll hear from her again and we can find out. Revenge perhaps? Maybe she and my parents had a disagreement, but I was innocent and she couldn’t bring herself to kill me. It was just enough to hurt them.” 

She smiled. “I just wanted to try something I’ve never had before. I’m not disappointed in the least.”

He laughed. “It is a lot, I suppose.  I guess my parents couldn’t keep their hands off each other.  I get along with my siblings pretty well.  Some more than others.  Being I was the seventh son my parents left me to do my own thing a lot.  I think my oldest brother resented that because so much was expected of him and there’s a big age gap.  I feel in some ways I resented my sister for being doted on when I was mostly ignored.  But there’s no bad blood between anyone.  We are always happy to see each other when we’ve been apart for some time.  Maybe one day you can meet them,” he explained.

He nodded. “I don’t know them well, but the story I heard was that they were heartbroken when you were taken as a babe, and did not ever want to feel like they were replacing you.  They are known for being good and loving rulers.” 

He scowled, trying to look very serious and stern for her.  “If she makes a move to hurt you or take you back, I will be ready for her.  She’ll never hurt you again.” he said. 

He smiled and nodded. It definitely made sense in the story that the princess would want to try as many things as she could.  “I can understand that.  It’s a whole new world opening up to you.” 

She nodded and took a sip of her wine. “I’m glad to hear it. I’m also eager to meet them. I’ve been dreaming of them my whole life. And I’ve been dreaming of the knight who’d rescue me. That dream has come true, it seems.”

Peggy grinned. “Oh I’m sure you will. Perhaps by then I’ll have learned from you how to defend myself, and we can face her together.”

She nodded. “I want to experience it all!”

“I’d like to learn all those things too. So you’re the second son - since first borns don’t go into knighthood? You have siblings? Do I have siblings at all?”

She nodded again. “I learned to boil the water to make it clean, and there was a stream near the tower that provided clean water.” She forgot that in medieval times ale was more common to drink, so she had to make something up immediately. “I didn’t see the witch very often, and she wasn’t very kind or talkative, but she did provide food and supplies for me. For that I am grateful.”

She went back to eating her lobster, crab, as well as her delicious potatoes and green beans. “This meal really is delicious.” 

He shook his head.  “Oh not the second,” he said.  “I’m the seventh.  There is a sister after me.  She’s very doted on.  Being a knight was really the best path for me to follow.  I had a natural talent for it, and I’m so far down the ladder of succession, I couldn’t even hope to be married off to a lady with lands of her own.  But it’s okay.  I like being a knight.”

Steve considered for a moment what to say about Peggy’s Princess.  For a moment he considered saying she had a brother who had died in a horse riding accident, but it felt like it might hit too close to home.  So he just shook his head.  “No.  No siblings.  After you were taken they were too heartbroken to try again.”

He nodded in understanding. “I do wonder why the witch took you.  No one ever said.  Why keep you like that if she had no plans to use you?  If it were just revenge, why not kill you?”  He didn’t know if there would be an answer to that in the story, but he did wonder what it could be if there was one.

“It looks very good.  My stew is very good too,” he said. “But it looks much less fancy.” 

Peggy frowned. “Well I guess that’s why it’s so important that they get me back. I’ve been in that tower for twenty years. I don’t know anything but that. And that’s a long time for parents to miss me and hope for my return.”

She shrugged. “I imagine we’ll hear from her again and we can find out. Revenge perhaps? Maybe she and my parents had a disagreement, but I was innocent and she couldn’t bring herself to kill me. It was just enough to hurt them.” 

She smiled. “I just wanted to try something I’ve never had before. I’m not disappointed in the least.”

He nodded. “Exactly, my lady,” he said. “This is all new to you.  All of it.  Let’s not get all caught up in what ifs because you’re worried you’ll become a prisoner again.  There’s no evidence that would be true.  Your parents could have just given you up for dead and had more children if what they were worried about is forcing a child to marry a certain man and locking them away to serve.  They didn’t.  They have spent their days trying to get you back and mourning your loss.”

He nodded. “Most knights are nobility, my lady,” he said.  “It takes a lot of money and time to invest in a child becoming a knight.  If a son of a noble is able bodied, they’re often trained in the art.  Horsemanship, sword fighting, lancing, archery, they’re all important skills for a lord to have.  First borns tend not to go into the knighthood, but skilled later sons often do.  That was me.” 

He nodded.  “I can say one thing for your time locked up, you were lucky to have such fresh water.  You’ll find a lot of commoners drink ale because the water makes them ill with how unclean it is around the cities,” he said.

“I’d like to learn all those things too. So you’re the second son - since first borns don’t go into knighthood? You have siblings? Do I have siblings at all?”

She nodded again. “I learned to boil the water to make it clean, and there was a stream near the tower that provided clean water.” She forgot that in medieval times ale was more common to drink, so she had to make something up immediately. “I didn’t see the witch very often, and she wasn’t very kind or talkative, but she did provide food and supplies for me. For that I am grateful.”

She went back to eating her lobster, crab, as well as her delicious potatoes and green beans. “This meal really is delicious.” 

She smiled. “Right now, we’re together, and I would like to get to know you more. I already know you’re kind, brave, intelligent, and chivalrous, but what else?” The same was true for Steve, and Peggy was curious what he’d say about his character.

Peggy thought it was intimate to ask to have a sip of his ale, instead of ordering her own. “I’ve never had wine, either,” she admitted. She took a sip of his ale and wrinkled her nose. “This is…interesting, for sure.” She washed it down with her wine. “I think I like wine a bit better. I can taste the fruit, at least.” She slid his glass back to him. She tasted the lobster. “Oh this is so buttery and so delicious. Wow!” 

He nodded.  “I can understand that.  And I can’t say for sure what your life will be like, Princess.  I just know your parents have been trying to have you rescued for a long, long time, and I am the first knight who was able to get past that witch’s defences.  I am sure your family will want you to be happy as well as home.  So let’s not worry about it too much.  If you need rescuing again, I will rescue you. But even after such a short time, I am sure you will be able to stand up for yourself against the family that wants the best for you.” 

He smiled and laughed softly.  “You want to know about me?  What can I say?  I was born to a noble family in a far off kingdom.  My parents weren’t king and queen, but lords of a barony.  At seven I started my training, and when I was ten I became a squire for another knight.  I was dubbed a knight when I was seventeen years old.”

He laughed at her reaction to the beer.  “You may need to get used to ale, my lady.  You will have access to wine as a princess, but ale is more common than any other drink.  What were you drinking in the tower?”

She smiled and listened as Steve told his story. She was pleased that he was part of a noble family - and the son of a lord could marry a princess without losing her title. A princess could also marry a knight, according to her research, but it would be considered marrying below her station. Princess Margaret didn’t think like that, a person was a person, no matter the title, no matter how much money her family had. 

“You are a noble,” she said. “How wonderful. But also how wonderful that you’re a knight as well.”

She took another sip of her wine. “I had water, juice, and tea in the tower. Tea is my favorite. There are so many different kinds and flavors.”

She liked his reaction to her compliments, and found Steve all the more endearing. “You already have. You saved me.”

Peggy lifted her wine glass, clinked it with his. “To new experiences and freedom, and to you, my sweet knight. To your happiness as well. To happiness for all.” She sipped. “Might I have my first sip of ale?”

“Oh princess,” he said.  “That is a big sigh.  I understand.  You have the weight of a kingdom on your shoulders.  Why don’t we put that aside for a while.  It will be some time before I get you home.  Let us instead focus on the fact that you are free, there’s a whole world open to you to try new things.  And right now, you’re with me.”

He clinked his glass against hers and took a drink.  When she asked if she could have a first sip of ale he chuckled and pushed his glass over to her.  It was funny, he thought she would just order beer as well to play along in the game, and when she didn’t, he assumed she’d just pretend her wine was ale or that she didn’t care enough.  But it was funny that what she wanted was both.

“Of course, Princess,” he said. “Be my guest.”

She smiled. “Right now, we’re together, and I would like to get to know you more. I already know you’re kind, brave, intelligent, and chivalrous, but what else?” The same was true for Steve, and Peggy was curious what he’d say about his character.

Peggy thought it was intimate to ask to have a sip of his ale, instead of ordering her own. “I’ve never had wine, either,” she admitted. She took a sip of his ale and wrinkled her nose. “This is…interesting, for sure.” She washed it down with her wine. “I think I like wine a bit better. I can taste the fruit, at least.” She slid his glass back to him. She tasted the lobster. “Oh this is so buttery and so delicious. Wow!” 

“I hope you’re right,” she said. “Then when I have power, when I rule, I will change the laws, that no girl can be sold for marriage or cattle. That’s horrendous and inhumane, and I won’t allow it in my kingdom. People cannot be sold, workers must be paid for their work, and women are equal to men. I hope my father is prepared for the changes I’ll make.”

She nodded. “It does seem a bit silly to want the first man I’ve ever met, you're right. But you are so chivalrous and kind, handsome and sweet, intelligent and brave. I can’t imagine anyone better than you, even if they’re more suited socially, there’s no one like you. If there’s a law about knights and princesses being together, I’ll change that too.”

She sat back and gasped at the food. Peggy had had lobster and crab before but shook her head anyway. “I only had what I could prepare for myself. The witch never brought lobster or crab. Fish, ham, and chicken yes, and lots of vegetables. This looks wonderful.” 

Steve smiled affectionately at her and reached over and caressed her cheek.  “Such big plans, Princess.  See.  You must return to your home and take the crown.  You have plans to help make people’s lives better.  That’s important,” he said. 

He dropped his hand again, and blushed a little.  The compliment wasn’t directed at Steve, but he felt that Peggy had meant the words for him and her knight.  Besides, acting flattered in that way only helped his character and the story.  “Thank you, Princess.  I can only hope I live up to any of that praise you’ve bestowed on me.” 

“It does, and you deserve to be spoiled,” he said.  “Eat up.  But first -” he lifted his beer glass in a toast.  “To new experiences and your freedom,” he said. 

She liked his reaction to her compliments, and found Steve all the more endearing. “You already have. You saved me.”

Peggy lifted her wine glass, clinked it with his. “To new experiences and freedom, and to you, my sweet knight. To your happiness as well. To happiness for all.” She sipped. “Might I have my first sip of ale?”