#pt 1

My phone was dying already, so I desperately did not want to use it to get back home. But I ended up getting super lost.

I was on call with my husband originally to tell him I were on my way home, but eventually just pinged him my location to show him where I was at that moment, and

Wait a minute this could be my next flop post.

Diana

Spider

River and River on days when he is played by Michael sheen

David with child River

Steven pulled on his reigns, and his horse, Beatrice of whom he'd nicknamed Bea for short,, slowed to a trot down the path. She shook her head, ears pinning backwards as she shifted hoof to hoof, irritated. He shushed her, before looking for the source of the voice, which was quickly found.

"Down here!"

A young man was on the ground in a clearing, and at initial glance, Steven believed him to be merely sitting; it was upon closer inspection that he realized the young man had his foot trapped between rocks. His stockings were torn and darkened with blood and debris. Steven was quick to jump down from Bea, jogging over to the young man.

"Goodness, how have you managed such a thing?" Steven asked, only a few strides away. The young man was close to his age, he presumed, though he had a softer face and mischievous eyes. Steven had never seen him before, and this was his land. No doubt, the youth was not here for bird watching, but Steven couldn't simply leave him here. "Are you hurt? What's your name?"

Steven took a few steps closer, and Bea began to cry out, stomping her feet. Steve glanced back at her, frowning. She was always high spirited, but never this ornery.

"Thankfully, it doesn't currently hurt," the young man said, with a wry smile. "My name is Dustin. I am a traveler."

He had a familiar tilt to his voice that caught Stevens attention. "Are you an Irishman?"

Dustin seemed to perk up some at the same, lips curling upwards. "I am not, for myself - but some of my family has found themselves there. Would you have not helped me, if I were?"

Steven paused, thinking back on comments his father had made; Steven was not his father. "All men were created by our Lord from the same clay - no matter the circumstances of our birth. Here, give me your hand."

Dustin smiled at him, before holding out his palm. As Steven reached for him, Bea nearly screamed, startling him. If she'd not, he wouldn't have noticed the small ring of delicate white mushrooms encircling the young man. Steven faltered some, realizing the tip of his boot had nearly crossed the ring.

Loud footsteps approach the room, and enters an ironclad woman. “Yes, my lady? Are you alright?”

“No, I am not. My latest meeting with Congreve’s prince has me ruminating.”

“Oh. Shall I get your mother to accompany you?”

“No, no.” The princess pats her hand on the bed. “Come. Sit.” The knight follows as if an order was barked upon a battlefield. “Do you think he really likes me?”

“Well he brought many gifts for you, held an exotic feast in your honor. I’d say it’s quite clear he’s trying to court you.”

“Court me, yes, but does he like me? Is he just doing what he’s supposed to, going through the motions like a ship at sea?”

“I’m not sure I-“

“I don’t think he loves me. I’m not sure he even enjoys my company. I’m a princess, him a prince. It’s what we’re supposed to do.”

The knight shifts awkwardly. Canceling her betrothal would place the kingdom in a very precarious position. “My lady, I’m sure he could grow to love you in time, as I’m sure you could him.”

“Me, love him? It hasn’t even crossed my mind. How curious…” The princess’s face furrows into deep thought. “One of my staff is a lesbian, yes?”

The knight chokes in fear. “I- well, not that I’m aware of.”

“No? I had heard rumors. I thought you would’ve been told. The blonde maid with the differently colored eyes?”

The knight feels a moment of relief, the princess’s suspicions averted. “Alecia? A lesbian?” The knight wonders to herself how she couldn’t have pieced that together before. It seems so obvious now.

The princess grabs the knight’s hands, looking deep into her eyes. “Go and get her for me, knight. I have questions on how to be gay.” The knight falters, her mind focused only on her hands clasped between the princess’s. “Knight?” Her focus regained, she heeds her lady’s command, exiting in the direction of the maid’s quarters.

Could the princess possibly be interested in women? That would certainly be good news for this one-sided crush that the knight has, but alas a royal beauty such as herself would never stoop so low as to love a knight.