Reprise of the Lyon
as told by Colin of Tighan
My Lords and Ladies, Spring is in the air, the birds are singing, the flowers are growing, the squires are polishing armor before Crown List...And soon, so soon, we shall have a new King on the throne. Or so rumor has it. Never would I suggest such treason as to say that something might happen to Their Majesties during such a lovely season. Still, it puts me in mind of my favorite story of the SCA. I have told this story many times, across many lands, and it has won me a few free drinks in its time. Perhaps you folks of this Tavern Yard might...? *Ahh*...that hits the spot, thank you Milady! *slurp* Where was I? Ah..It was called "Reprise of the Lyon", and a fine and enjoyable event it was. All seemed normal until Court was nigh through, and the Herald cried, "Let all the Children of the Kingdom present themselves before His Majesty!" Present themselves they did, save for one little girl (her name was "Caitlyn", I shall ne'er forget it). This wee lass cast her eyes upon The King, appraised what she there saw, and did what any fine, sensible lass would do in those circumstances. You understand, of course. No? Oh, all right then. She screamed bloody murder and tried to run for her life! Now, you Squires who would be Knights, and you Knights who would be King...what would *you* do in such circumstance? Right well easy it is to be King when folk are kneeling and crying aloud your praises. The heat of battle lends fire to your blood when you face the foe. Yet, how would *you* react to the knowledge that..."One of my subjects is afraid!"? That takes a different sort of courage, as you will see....
(Really, really sweet voice that I didn't know he had in him) Much mirth there was in the hall, for this was a sight all out of keeping with the dignity of the Throne. Yet, the mirth was tinged with respect, for in an odd way, it validated that very dignity, lent weight to it. When next I sat in that King's Court...and the call rang out for those who wished to take the Oath to come forward, I laid my hand upon the Sword of State and swore Fealty to Gareth le Bruin...because of a little girl named Caitlyn, and a cookie.
Long Live the King (to be)! |
Our King, he was a Big, BIG Man! Within that mountainous chest beat a big, BIG! heart! A hand that could crush that of a lesser man reached back without hesitation, and grabbed...a tub of cookies, given him in lieu of taxes. He came down off his lofty throne, came down to one knee, and before an hundred or more of his friends and subjects, quoth: