Chapter 40: An Old Friend

One of the really nice benefits of dreams is that it doesn't matter how tired you are when you go to bed; once you're in 'dreamland' everything is as new and fresh as you want, or in my case, as you can make it. Going in, I knew it was going to be a busy night. There was so much to do. I decided that the first thing to do was go see Bob. Unfortunately I couldn't. When I knocked on the door to his office as usual, there was no answer. I opened it anyway but the room was empty. I guess it was bound to happen eventually. Apparently the girls and I had been so wiped out that we had gone to bed much earlier than usual. Bob was still up. Most likely, Rebecca was too. Well, that at least opened up one possibility that I had not expected to be able to get in, a little rest and relaxation. I closed the door and then re-opened it to enter the glade. I found Allison and Shannon curled up on the blanket asleep. I was a little surprised to find Shannon there. The fact that they were asleep gave me time to arrange things for them. I took a moment to re-create a certain castle in the distance. Once that was done, I called the horses, within just a few seconds you could hear hoof beats in the distance. I dressed the girls in frills and lace, and myself in the garb of a knight on his day off. The usual Robin Hood look, dark, forest green breeches tucked into high, soft boots, a tunic of a lighter green, a belt of fine leather supporting my favorite sword at my hip. And of course a pointed hat complete with feather. Okay, let's get this party started.

"Come fair, maidens, we shall surely be late if you do not rise and get to moving," I said in a booming voice. The girls both started awake and then looked in wonder at the finery in which they found themselves. Okay, so I'm a little entranced by layers of sheer silk trimmed in lace.

Shannon spoke first, "Ooh, I like. Where on earth did you find this?"

"I had both specially made by a fine tailor who owes me a favor or two. I had to guess at the sizes, I hope I did not disappoint."

Allison was already slipping into her role. Of course, we had played these games for years so she had a bit of an edge. "Nay, gentle sir, once again you have outdone yourself. 'Tis the finest and most comfortable I think I have ever worn. But you spoke of being late? Pray, what is this engagement you speak of?"

"Ah, but that would be telling and I do wish to keep it as a surprise. Especially to your young, and, might I say, quite beautiful, friend. No, indeed I must say, fair Allison, your taste rivals my own. Guard her well or I shall surely steal her away."

"Oh James, you are such an unconscionable flatterer. As to my young friend here, her name is Shannon, and you should be on your own guard or she will surely steal your very heart." She took Shannon's hand and held it to her cheek. "Much as she has stolen my own."

"Alas, then I am too late."

By now Shannon had been given enough time to grasp the scene and joined in. "Never too late for such a dashing young man as yourself, sir. For in truth I am blessed with more love than my heart can contain, and fair Allison understands this and gives me leave to share it to its fullest. I pray thee, do not give up hope just yet,?"

I dropped a courtly bow. "Then prepare yourself, fair Shannon, for I also have more love than my breast can contain. And it will be my intent henceforth to shower you with it all the days of your life." I stood back up and continued, "Now then. As our steeds stand ready, we must away to yon castle ere our host become impatient at our dalliance."

And so, mounted upon three fine white horses, we rode towards the castle. The horses were spirited but well behaved. The girls could not resist the urge to let them run a little and so we raced a short ways and soon found ourselves at the drawbridge. As we crossed into the courtyard, grooms appeared to take our mounts and we climbed the steps to the main keep. Once inside the well-lit entryway a houseman led us to the throne room.

As we entered a voice to the side announced us, "The ladies, Allison Matthews and Shannon Davis, along with their escort, Sir James Matthews, greet the queen and thank her for her invitation to tea."

A large table with four chairs had been placed in the center of the otherwise empty room. Everything just reeked of royalty; the tablecloth felt like someone had spun it from a cloud. The cups were all gleaming white porcelain with intricate floral patterns. Each place setting was different while still managing to share a common motif.

I seated the girls on opposite sides and then took the chair facing the throne.

"But James, where is our host?" Allison asked, turning towards me.

"I'm right here." A voice boomed from the direction of the throne. Allison turned back quickly but the throne could no longer be seen. Instead, blocking the view was the Pink and Silver armor plated hide of a medium sized dragon. Shannon jumped out of her chair and began backing towards me but Allison jumped up and ran towards the dragon.

"Brandiy!! Oh Brandiy!" She threw herself forward and embraced the dragon's foreleg. "How have you been? Where have you been? Oh, I have missed you so much."

There came a rumbling chuckle that rattled the teacups and the dragon said, "Hi, cutie! I have missed thee also. Mayhap and introduction is in order, ere thy friend faint?"

"Oh! I'm sorry! Brandiy, this is my best friend, Shannon Davis. Shannon, this is the world's most wonderful dragon, Antoinette Elizabeth Soleil-Montes! But if you ever call her that you're going to need someone to rescue you. That's how Jimmy ended up in that dream when I was little in the first place."

I took Shannon's hand and led her around the table and up to the dragon. The shock of meeting the dragon again had blown Allison completely out of character but she recovered quickly as she went on.

"And of course your Highness knows my brother, Jimmy," Allison continued.

"Oh yes, I remember this gallant young knight. It seems but yesterday that he was charging through my garden seeking your rescue. Indeed, twas the most enjoyable afternoon I rememeber in decades. How hast thou been, James?"

I bowed low. "I have been well, Majesty. Fate has favored me with the company of these two most beautiful and intelligent young ladies, and of late I have begun to discover much about myself that had been hidden from me before." I rose again. "Though truthfully, 'hidden' may be a poor choice. Say rather that I had been blind to it, until this one," and I kissed Shannon's hand, "opened my eyes to the world around me. The revelation of my own blindness led to another, the discovery of my unique place within this realm. Twas at first overwhelming and I was lost. But fate smiled once more, and provided me the perfect guide," now I kissed Allison's hand, "in my journey of self discovery. What of yourself, Majesty? It is plain the years have been most kind to Your Highness. You are more radiant than ever."