Alnwick Castle

Genre: Historical Romance

Band: Dir en grey(main) + Penicillin + Others

Pairing: Ano... d x s & I'm making it up along the way ^^;

Setting: in the border of England + Scotland in the Medieval times

"What is most beautiful in virile men is something feminine; what is most beautiful in feminine women is something masculine."~Susan Sontag

Parchment seven: My Lady

"Now tell me what Sir Die's crazy plan is again?" Kyo asked.

"We wait here at the gate while the villagers escape." Gisho replied, biting into an apple. "The others are spreading word about the dilemma and are helping the villagers go the back way. As for us, we're here to be watchdogs."

"What if we see the Black Knight?"

"We ring the bell."

"And....?"

"We hold them off."

"........"

Gisho finished his apple and tossed it over his shoulder.

Kyo clenched his fist in the air. "THAT"S IT!?!?!? We're simply going to 'hold them off'?!! Do you realize that this is suicide?! The Black Knight has never lost!"

Gisho picked up another apple from the large fruit basket Heidi gave him and started eating.

"ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?!"

Gisho started humming.

Kyo dropped to his knees and gave an exhasperated sigh. "Why... why do i have to get stuck with you?"
~~~

Meanwhile...

"Why do I get stuck with you?" Kamijo whined.

"Tis not to my liking either." Hakuei pointed out. He picked up some food from an empty store.

"Hey! Hey! That's stealing!"

"Majority of the villagers have left already, so be quiet!"

"Nay! You shall be punished for this."

"Oh? Who shall execute my punishment?" Hakuei stared Kamijo up and down. "You?"

"Aye! I would be proud to abide by God's goodwill."

Hakuei laughed. "You're too scrawny."

Kamijo turned beet red. "I can too punsih you!"

Hakuei laughed even more.

"I'm sure your mother would not take too kindly if she hears bout this."

"............." He returned the food. "Damn you."

Suddenly, Die came in the shop. "The villagers are all gone. Let's go! Hakuei, go get Gisho and Kyo. We'll meet you at the forrest."

"Aye, sir."

~~~~~

Shinya was at the edge of the forrest, waiting for Sir Die to return, along with the other troops. Heidi was with him, insisting to stay and see if Gisho would be alright. The other villagers have left, along with her mother and sisters. They decided to meet at Castle Niikura. The mother whispered to Shinya that it depends on whether Heidi and Gisho ever get married or not. Maybe that's why she was not reluctant to leave Heidi in their care. But there was another matter. Hagane was left behind too. The mother explained that the girl need to learn. Shinya did not understand what their mother meant, but at least Heidi and Hakuei were here to see to her safety. Then again, the child has been quite a hellion already, and they've only been waiting for one hour.

"This is ridiculous! I cannot understand why we're standing on the edge of the forrest, twiddling our thumbs, while the Black Knight pillages our village!" Hagane complained.

"Just be patient, Hagane." Heidi said in her soft, bell-like voice.

Shinya sighed. Heidi was very nice, but he often felt sick to his stomach from over-sweetness. Hagane, on the other hand, had a loud whiny voice that he wanted to shut up even more.

"This sucks!" Hagane retorted. "Why can't we just stay?"

Heidi smiled assuringly. "Not to worry, dear sister. I'm sure they are coming and we can be on our way."

"I dont want to be on our way. I want to be here! And fight! Come on. The Black Knight cannot be that dangerous!" She stomped toward the village.

Stop!" Shinya protested. "Where are you going?"

The girl turned around and glared. "I'm not going to be a coward! I will fight the Black Knight till the end!"

Shinya crossed his arms over his chest. "With what?"

"What?"

"YOu said you will fight the Knight yourself. Surely you have a plan of some sort. Or do you really think tht you yourself can beat a man twice your size --- not to mention his troops."

Hagane blanched a bit, then sneered. "What do you English know about the Black Knight?! He isnt' a constant threat to you!"

"I've heard enough fromt the villagers and the troops to know how supposedly frightful he is. So you're right. I don't know a thing about this knight everyone fears, but I do know that a little girl like you can't challenge an experienced knight. Tell me, do you know how to weild a sword? What about armour? Or a shield mayhap?"

Hagane gritted her teeth."I dont' listen to crossdressers!" She stalked off toward the village with her skirt raised above her ankles.

"Good riddance." SHinya muttered.

"Oh dear. This isnt' good." Heidi wiped her brow with a handkerchief. "We can't let Hagane out of our sight."

"Whyever not? The lil' chit thinks she could handle the man."

"Aye, but it shan't do good! Mother will be worried and Hakuei will be furious! Please, milady, bring her back!" Heidi pleaded.

"But---."

"Milady, I can't do it. Look how weak i am. I-I can't even scold the girl lest my poor heart shall break. I---." Heidi started crying.

//EEeks!// "It will be alright, Heidi. Do not worry about the lil' brat--- I mean --- your sister." He started moving toward the village. "Look, I'll bring her back, alright?"

"Please." Heidi sniffled.

~~~~~

Hakuei reached the gate. "The villagers have escaped. Let's go!"

Kyo immediately ran out the door as soon as Hakuei's words left his lips.... and ran into someone.

"Ack!"

"Fuck you!"

Hakuei went out and saw Kyo on his ass. He also saw someone else on their ass right in front of Kyo.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE???!!"

Hagane stood up and pointed to Hakuei. "I have my reasons."

"REASONS??!? You should be in the forrest with Ma."

"So?" She smirked. "You are all too cowardly to face the Black Knight yourselves! You should know how hard we worked to start the tavern business."

Hakuei rubbed his temple. "Not now, Hagane."

"Aye, now!!!!!!! YOU were too good to help us with the business, weren't ye? You wanted to fight and gain glory while the four of us worked our asses off making money!"

"You lil' brat! I did what I did for Scotland!"

"And put the rest of us second?"

"NAY! You would not be stand ing here if Prince Niikura's troops do not protect the borders! You would have been slain by the McPhearsons!"

"I suggest a cease fire betweent the boh of you." Gisho said.

"Dont' tell me what to do!" Hagane snapped.

"As you wish, milady." Gisho said, picking up the fruit basket in one hand and picking up Kyo with the other. He started running away quickly. "But I doubt the Black knight would appreciate your fervor."

Hakuei slowly turned to look otu the opening on the gate. "Holy shit!"

"What? What?" Hagane asked.

Hakuei grabbed Hagane, placed her over his shoulder, and ran.

"Let me go!" His sister screamed.

He ignored her and caught up with Gisho."Nice of you to wait for us!" He told Gisho.

"What are best friends for?" Gisho grinned.

"How can you jest at a time like this?!?" Kyo exclaimed, still being carried by Gisho.

"What's going on?" Hagane demanded.

"How can you NOT KNOW??!" Kyo screamed. "The Black Knight! The Black KNight is coming >O<!!!!!!!!!!"

"Shut up, Kyo! He'll hear you." Hakuei said.

"Why are we running away? Let me down, Oni-chan! (^^; Just had to say that.) Lemme fight the bastard!"

All 4 of them could hear distand hooves behind them. Hakuei and Gisho ran as fast as they could, hoping the McPhearsons have not seen them.

~~~~

Shinya retraced his steps back to the tavern and hoped to find Hagane close by. The place was empty and not a sound could be heard. He searched the kitchen, as well as the bar, but to no avial.

"Hagane?" he called out. "Hagane?"

He stopped once he heard sounds outside. He looked out the window and saw 2 figures whizz by toward the direction of the forest. He stuck his head out the window to see Hakuei and Gisho running for their lives. Then, he saw Hagane on Hakuei's shoulder, screaming curses while Kyo ceaselessly screamed, "Faster! Run faster!"

Shinya blinked then turned the other direction once he heard another sound. Hoofbeats. Horses. He started to see a cloud of dust on the horizon, followed by a low, deep bellow of a horn.

//The Black Knight.// He thought. //I cannot outrun him! What do i do?// He looked around the tavern. There was no back door. If he goes out the front, he's in plain sight to the McPhearsons. The McPhearsons were closingin, and he had nowhere to go. The bellow of the horn grew louder. Shinya started to sweat. Instead of running outside, the auburn head ducked under the window and pulled his knees to hsi chest, praying the riders would simply pass him by without notice.

~~~~~

Sir Die and Kamijo saw a tearful Heidi as he reached the forrest edge. "Where's everyone?"

"Oh, Sir Die. Tis awful!" Heidi sobbed. "Hagane wanted to defend our village, so she ran back there in haste. Lady Shinchan went after her."

"How long has it been since?" Die asked.

"Not hat much time has passed since, milord."

He drew his lips into a thin line, then heard a distant echo of a low horn. //They've come.// "If you see the flag of the Black Knight over the horizon, run without hesitation." He told Kamijo. "Then take Lady Heidi to Niikura Castle. hte others should knwo what to do. I'll search for Shinchan and Hagane."

Die ran into the village, gripping his helmet and feeling for his sword hilt. He walked on side streets, hoping thatit will shield him from sight. He veered toward the tavern, then paused, seeing riders stop to observe the empty village.

"My lord, it seems the villagers have flown." One of the knights said.

"It seems they were forewarned." another one said. He took off his helmet and got off his horse. He noticed a back lying on the ground. "It seems they have left in haste. They mustn't have had much time to leave."

"Aye, Gareth." the knight agreed. "which means they shan't be far away. Maybe we can still catch up to them."

Gareth frowned. "Our duty is not to capture villagers, Lachlan. We are here to kill the Niikura General. Right, Milord?'

The Black Knight did not say a word, but merely urged his black stallion forward to a slow trot. Die immediately shrank into the corner and observed the warrior. He was quiet. He hadn't spoken a word since they halted. Then again, no one has heard the Black Knight speak. The Black Knight started moving toward him. He cursed. He saw a window right next ti him and climbed in, disgusted with himself for acting in such a cowardly manner. When he landed, he heard a soft. "Oof!"' underneath him.

He opened his eyes and saw auburn hair. "Shinchan?"

"D....Die?" he whispered. He lay on his back and stared up at him.

Die's lips firmed into a thin line. "Keep quiet."

Shinya grew wide eyed. "What's going on? What are you doing here?"

"Shhh."

"You need to get off first! I'm suffocating!"

"Be quiet!" Die hissed. Die could hear the clinking sounds of the enemy's armour through the window. He cursed when he realized he forgot to close it. //Please, God. Let the Knight think nothing of an open window...//

"Die, I---!"

Die leaned over and clamped his mouth onto Shinya's.

The auburn head stiffened in surprise, then relaxed. He felt his own lips soften and be molded, despite the buring conscience screaming for him to stop because of the impropriety. He felt the warm breath of a masculine knight caressing his cheek and probing his lips with his tongue gently. the touch felt so soft and intimate. So calm and protective. As if he was trying to tell him that he would be safe here in his arms.....

When Die leaned back, he placed a finger onthe pretty one's swollen lips and stared intently into his eyes.

Shinya felt dizzy from looking at those eyes that now seem smoldering black. He wanted to ask so many questions... but. he couldn't think.

Suddenly, Die heard the clinking armour fade away. He sighed in relief. "Stay down while i look around."

Shinya did not say anything.

Die looked out the window and saw nothing. He heard Gareth say to advance. Then the sound of fading horsehooves were heard. Once he was certian no one is there, he picked up Shinya in his arms and climbed otu the window.

When Shinya realized where he was, he squirmed uncomfortably. "Let me down, you arse!"

"Amusing. I thought you rather liked being in my arms." He grinned.

Shinya's cheeks flamed. "YOU! You are SO ARROGANT! How can your Prince knight you when you're such an egotistical imbicile!"

"Ah! But I'm an imbecile with charm, aren't I? If not so, I wouldn't have persuaded you to indulge in a sweet kiss." When Shinya opened his mouth to protest, he went on. "You enjoyed it. Dont' lie. Lying is a sin, SISTER Shinchan."

"NAY!" Shinya insisted, turning beet red in anger and embarassment. "YOU----!" He sputtered. "You----are going to hell!"

"As you wish, milady."

"I am NOT a 'milady.'"

DIe looked at him. He was smiling, but his eyes contradicted his expression. "Aye. What you say is true; but what I said was not false either."

"I think you do not know what you are speaking about."

"Rest assured, I do." He said. "You may not be a lady, but you are MY lady."

//End Parchment 7//
To be cont'd: Parchment 8: The Black Knight

yk2: WELL! HOpefully that was enjoyable. C/cs?