A Knight's Story

[AroaraAngelwolf]

Avery read the letter and sat for a moment thinking. He didn't want to write back, just to say he'd changed his mind about coming out and sorry for being such a coward. He would like to wed Cody, but he'd use a spell to make his body appear like a woman's on the day. Avery went outside after changing into a simple pair of trousers and a sailor's shirt after the couple did not knowing the messenger managed to bring the letter part way before the spell of the twin pens took place. 

 

Edward didn't like sad faces, and Avery's right now was awful. So he took the pale he was using to make sandcastle and scooped up some sea water like he was going to make a moat and with a chuckle splashed some on Avery after dowsing  Alivia. 

[SkySong278]

Cody, after having sent the letter, went to the couch inside the warehouse and laid down on it to sleep for a little while. He wasn’t concerned that Ave hadn’t replied to it yet and just figured that he’d hear from him a bit later or so.

 

~•~•~
 

The messenger left to go back to the town where they lived in, figuring that he’d go back a bit later. In case he was needed to send other letters, he’d hold off on sending the response to Cody from Avery for now.

 

Alivia was in the shallow area where the water came into shore, looking for shells when Edward dowsed her with a pail of water. She let out a surprised sound before laughing a bit while shaking off some excess water from her hands and hair.

Edited February 22, 2020 by SkySong278

[AroaraAngelwolf]

Avery's cream sailor's shirt was see through although Alivia took the most of the water, whatever missed her got on him and dispite covering his chest, the sticky material made it clear he had a very flat chest and a muscular man figure. In a moment of anger he dropped the falsetto he used entirely. "I said I don't want to get wet! If you weren't the Prince I'd use a spell that'll fling out out into the ocean twenty feet!" He yelled eyes glowing as steam surrounded him, using a heat spell to dry out his clothes. 

 

Zane herd the shriek and rushed over seeing steaming Avery and a soaked Prince and Alivia he stood confused as to what went on. 

[SkySong278]

Alivia stopped laughing after a little while and frowned when she heard Avery’s angry yell towards Edward after she had gotten only a bit wet. Her eyes were wide in shock because she had never heard her yell before so she was very surprised. That faded a bit when she saw Zane approach them with an expression similar to hers and could tell that he was wondering what had happened without him asking so she said, “Edward drenched me with a pail and a bit of the water got on Avery.”

Edited February 12, 2023 by SkySong278

[AroaraAngelwolf]

Zane looked at Edward to collaborate the story but the prince looked at Avery with a blank expression. Then he spoke, voice stern. "Pack up and go home." He said to Avery who was trying his best to cover himself even though his clothes where now dry. 

Zane tilted his head and stood in between them. "Why are you sending her home?"

"Drop the act! That's a direct order, he goes home now!" Edward said squaring off with Zane who was a good five inches on the prince and thrice as strong. 

[SkySong278]

Alivia was very surprised and shocked to hear Edward tell Avery to go home as well as to find out that she was actually a ‘he’ instead but then the shock faded only to leave the surprise behind when she heard the former yell at Zane. She then looked between the two of them when they seemed to be having a stare down of sorts before asking a bit hesitantly as a suggestion after a bit of silence, “We’re going to be going back tomorrow right? Why doesn’t he instead go back early tomorrow morning and I’ll go with him?”

[AroaraAngelwolf]

"A woman should travel with a female company instead of a male. What kind of person are you?! Where you trying to get a look at your future queen while she was bathing?! I gave you an adjoining room! You could have taken advantage of her!" Edward shouted at Avery in disgust. 

 

Zane had his sword drawn in a instant, keeping it at his side and point at the sand. "But she didn't! Are you so up on your high horse to realize that Avery likes being a girl? She risked her life to study at a convent to be a scribe, she worked hard for her position and you will toss a powerful mage aside because her gender didn't match what her body was?! Avery isn't even attracted to girls! Why do you think she is dating my brother?! If she leaves early then I will go with her. Let me remind you that it's my future sister in law you're speaking to. You and I may think it's a little strange, but what does it matter to us? Avery is happiest dressing up in cute frilly dresses, having girly talk and shopping sprees. And yeah, my brother likes guys. And honestly, he was always so worried about me until he met Avery, it was kinda funny how he acts around her. It makes me happy to see how he doesn't care about how Avery looks, he loves her for her, just as much as I love my Alexandra for the bull headed, stubborn, and strong woman she is. Leave her alone. She's self confidence is already low enough. " Zane growled and shouted then growled again. He turned to help up Avery who was on his knees sobbing now. "It's okay... How about we go inside and talk about your bridesmaids dress? I heard it was going to be made in all shades of purple in a empire waistline and square neckline. Are you doing heels or flats?" He asked holding Avery to his side as they walked into the Villa. "F-f-flats..." Avery sobbed in response. 

[SkySong278]

“Avery’s as close to being female company as he can get and I’ve always felt comfortable around him. As you said I shouldn’t travel with a male which is what both you and Zane are and will be the only thing left for me to travel with if the latter goes with him early in the morning,” she said in reply before her eyes widened a bit at hearing everything he (Edward) said to Avery in disgust. She was shocked to hear him sound that way but also thought that maybe he was just surprised but also didn’t want to assume that, that actually wasn’t true.

 

She stayed that way when she heard everything Zane said to him back in reply and found that she couldn’t say anything due to her being rendered speechless at everything that was currently going on. When Zane and Avery headed back into the villa she turned her attention to be on Edward afterward and said after her shock wore off enough for her to do so, “I’m going to go back inside as well but only because I don’t want to burn too much. I might watch the sunset later on the deck after dinner if you want to join me. It might be best for you to stay here until you’ve calmed down a bit more before you’re around Avery again.” After she said what she did, she also headed inside, and went to the room she was using to start packing up some things so she wasn’t doing that when they’d go to leave in the morning.

Edited September 23, 2022 by SkySong278

[AroaraAngelwolf]

Edward stood in the surf stunned. He moved over to the porch to get out of the sun and sat on a chair thinking about his actions. 

 

Zane spoke to Avery for a while then knocked on Alivia's door. "Lady Alivia, I appreciate you standing up for Avery. She's going through some things right now. " He said softly. 

[SkySong278]

Alivia looked up when she heard a knock on the door before seeing Zane standing there and heard everything he said softly afterward. “You’re welcome. I told Edward that he should calm down a bit before he tries to approach her again. I also think it would be best if I travel with her in the morning just like we did on the way here if that’s okay. Also what had happened earlier with water getting on her was, I think, Edward’s way of trying to cheer her up. I briefly saw her frown and saw Edward see that as well and maybe he just wanted to make her smile but it had the opposite effect instead,” she said after packing a few more clothes back in her bag but leaving an outfit to travel back in out and on the chest at the foot of the bed.

Edited January 31, 2022 by SkySong278

[AroaraAngelwolf]

"I understand that he was trying to cheer him up with a laugh..... I just think his reaction to this situation is a little... Dramatic. These aren't Greek times anymore when it was easily accepted. He's been lucky to have such a tight knit support group, but I feel like this just made him take five steps back from reveling the truth. Avery told me that the current mage is a woman who uses a potion to transform her face and body temporarily into that of a man's. Apparently all the strongest mages are ... I believe the word was trans?"

[SkySong278]

“I did as well but I just didn’t want to say it in case it would’ve made matters worse. I see and that’s a good thing, to have a really strong support group. That’s possible. Who else knows the truth beside you and now me? I assume Alex knows but I’m not sure who else knows. That’s very interesting and oh okay.”

[AroaraAngelwolf]

"Let's see... My mom Rayna who makes his dresses, his mom and dad, my brother's family, so his sister mum and dad,Cody knows of course, his magic teacher... So ten or eleven people. I think.." he said trying to count on his hands. "Avery knew from when he was very young he liked playing dress up with his sister and he'd always be the princess she rescued from a dragon... At least that's what my fiancee told me. I guess it wouldn't be much of a shock if you where here when Alex revealed her true gender before becoming a knight. " He sighed softly. "And look, even if Avery saw you, it wouldn't be really anything to him. He and I spoke, he strictly likes guys so seeing you in your nightgown would be like him seeing his sister in her night shirt and pants with that adorable bedhead and..... " He stopped talking and turned around leaving abruptly. 

"Ed! I'm going home now!"

 

Edward had come inside after a moment and was going to apologise to Avery when he huffed. "Oh no you're not!  We leave tomorrow morning! " He called back as Zane rounded the corner to the living room where Avery was with a hanky, a parchment book, quill and ink and Edward standing awkwardly behind him still in his swimming outfit. 

"Nah, I can't make it another night without waking up to my wife's face and kissing her awake. " He said simply. The prince- who up to this point was blissfully unaware of the living situation of the couple- turned redder then he did outside, this time it was in embarsment. "Wait what?!"

[SkySong278]

“Oh that’s quite a bit of people. I’m glad so many people support him. That’s a good thing to figure out when young so it won’t be much of a surprise later when a bit older. I played similar games when I was younger with the maids and butlers at my house but I always played the damsel in distress. I wasn’t but I bet that was somewhat of a shock to know that the ‘boy’ Alex was actually a girl instead,” she said in reply before listening to everything else he said. “I know. I was outside and heard what you said to Edward about him liking guys. I kind of figured he’d see me like that,” she said before looking curious when he suddenly stopped in his description of his fiancé to head out of her room and call ahead to Edward who she saw was in the living room while following behind Zane to get there.

 

She giggled a bit at Edward’s embarrassed face and his confused response since she thought both were a bit cute before saying in reply to his question although it wasn’t directed at her when she got her emotions under control again, “He’s saying that they live together.” Then she suggested to his earlier statement about them leaving in the morning, “How about we go to bed in a little while to get some shut-eye, like a quick nap perhaps, and then head out just before dawn? That way it’s still morning that we leave but it’s also really early.”

Edited June 4, 2020 by SkySong278

[AroaraAngelwolf]

"Perfect! And she's my wife. Married or not, I've been calling her my wife the whole time. And yes we sleep in the same room and bed, no we don't do anything other than sleep and snuggle. And it was indeed a shock Alivia when I found out that Alex was a girl. I found it out faster than the others in the castle, but I kept it a secret for months until my father tried to hurt her and expose her in a very undignified manner and I stepped in to protect her. And then afterwards I had to knock out a few guys who tried to sneak to the woman's side of the castle to sneak a peek at her. They learned real quick to stay a good distance from her around night. " He said softly moving behind Avery who was pushing his shorter hair from his face and Zane started to make tiny braids in his hair. 

[SkySong278]

“Okay and except for at the ball. You called her your fiancé then. Okay and I bet it was. It sounds like you had her safety in mind the whole time which is good. Well I’m going to get a glass of water and go to bed now so that I can be up later before we leave,” she said in reply before hiding a small yawn behind her hand and smiling when she watched Zane start giving Avery’s short hair some braids. She then went to the kitchen, got out a small glass out of one of the cupboards there, filled it with water, and then went back to the room she was using. She packed a few more things before setting out the outfit she was going to wear later and then closed her pack afterward before laying down on the bed but not closing her eyes just yet. She was just going to stare at the ceiling for a little while before she would fall asleep.

[AroaraAngelwolf]

"That's because I smacked his head when he did so earlier and reminded him we were in a formal setting." Avery said. "Goodnight Lady Alivia."

 

Zane nodded and said goodnight then stayed up a little bit as Edward apologized and things got settled between the three of them before heading to bed one by one. Zane couldn't sleep so he kinda half slept with his eyes open until he first bird started to cherp at twilight and he got up, and burst into the connecting room to rouse the prince. 

[SkySong278]

Alivia woke up when she heard the chirping of birds outside the window around twilight, sitting up and stretching a bit before getting dressed into the outfit she had gotten out the night before. She then put her nightclothes into her pack afterward and then after she had gotten her shoes put on, she left the room after making the bed, and then went over to Avery’s main bedroom door and knocked on it to wake him up if he wasn’t already.

[AroaraAngelwolf]

Avery grumbled something about being up and opened the door  stepping out pulling his bag. He had on a beautiful but simple riding dress on pulling his bag of clothes behind him as he walked with the staff that bore a still sleeping isabo on top. Zane dragged out the prince, who was messily dressed and looking very, very tired, handed them each a biscuit for a small meal and brought them out to the horse's that he had saddled and readied earlier where he couldn't sleep. He helped all three on to their mounts then got on his stallion heading home to the castle. 

 

"Would you like to go to the castle or back home lady Alivia?" Avery yawned. 

[SkySong278]

Alivia apologized when she heard his grumpy reply and then followed him to the kitchen where she was given a biscuit by Zane. She thanked him before eating it and then following the three of them outside where she was helped onto her horse. She thanked Zane again for that and then rode with them on the way back. She was looking around their surroundings when she heard Avery’s question that was asked with a yawn afterward. “I’m tempted to say the castle but I think I’ll go back to my house for now,” she said with a small sigh but smiled at him and then had her attention go back to being on their surroundings again afterward.

Edited July 31, 2022 by SkySong278

[AroaraAngelwolf]

Avery nodded and started to escort her back to her house as Zane and Edward went twords the castle. Avery was quiet for a long time. "I'll be.. coming out soon. Cody wants to marry me... I really want to spend my life with him but... I'm just afrade of what would happen..." He said softly. 

[SkySong278]

Alivia enjoyed the silence between them for a little while before Avery started speaking and listened to everything he said. “Good luck in coming out and I’m sure everything will be just fine. I know how Edward reacted when he found out, I think he was just surprised, but maybe there won’t be other people like that and they’ll be fine with it,” she said in reply and in a way that she hoped was a comforting one.

[AroaraAngelwolf]

"Thanks..." He said with a small smile, dawn was coming as they arrived at her house. "I'm glad I discovered the cure to that sickness. The dragon's hatchlings are doing good now. They got most of their scales back. Star is grateful for the use of the rare magic weapons Zane had. He could have sold them and bought a castle with the prophets from the sales. Instead, he wanted nothing more than to get rid of them and help a magic creature. As mage I would be a advisor to you and Edward... Would you like to help me set up a small group now to help preserve and protect the magical creatures of the world... But first let's start with the kingdom. Oh! I have a drawing of a unicorn I met! She was beautiful! I had to snip three tail hairs for a potion-" Avery continued to ramble on about his potion and magic creatures he'd seen so far, his mood seeming to lighten as he spoke about his favorite subject.

 

 

-----

 

When Zane entered the city, he snapped the reins and took off ripping through the nearly empty streets straight to the palace, making sure the castle guard saw the prince enter the stables then tore off to his house.

 

Poor Edward was sleeping when his stallion jolted forward suddenly to follow after Toro. With a wide yawn he went into the stables, stumbled inside leaving the stable hands to undress the horse and flopped on one of the many loungers lining the corridors falling asleep one more.

 

Meanwhile, Zane  took off the saddle at the same time he slipped off Toro, removed the bridal and let him walk into his own stall as Zane put away the tack and headed to his own house. He entered quietly, using his own house key. Removing his shoes and shirt he got in his pajama pants downstairs then tiptoed up the steps, drew the curtains and sudders tightly to keep out the light. Slipping behind Alex and wrapping his arm around her he relaxed happy to be back with her. Once settled he was asleep, his forehead on the back of her shoulder, one arm tucked under her pillow and the other over her loosely.  Zane snored softly. 

[SkySong278]

“You’re welcome,” she said in reply with her own smile as they got to her house and she saw that dawn was approaching. She then heard everything he said after his thanks. “Me too and I’m very grateful along with everyone else in the kingdom, I’m sure. That’s very good news on both the hatchlings doing well as well as Star being able to use the weapons Zane had. I’m glad and I think he really cares for magical creatures. I’m glad that you’d be our advisor and I’d really like that a lot. Sounds good and that’s really cool. I’ve always wanted to both see and meet a unicorn. That’s so cool you were able to and I’d love to see that picture,” she said in reply before listening to everything else he said regarding potions and all of the other magical creatures he’d seen while noticing that his mood seemed to be a bit better.
 

~*~-•-~*~

 

Alex had changed her sleeping position to be laying on her side and facing towards the windows in their room instead of their door. She was sleeping peacefully and didn’t hear anyone approach. Her breathing was shallow and she was dreaming of their future together, not noticing when an arm loosely went over her. It felt familiar so she didn’t think anything of it and she was also very exhausted after not being able to sleep very well the night before so she was pretty much out of it.

Edited August 18, 2023 by SkySong278

[AroaraAngelwolf]

Avery gleefully pulled out his drawing book and showed her the unicorn picture. "Maybe some day I can talk to one to see if it would meet you. They often like maidens who are pure.... Although I'm pure, well... I'm not exactly a maiden so the unicorn was a little bit weary of me, but told me it appreciated that I kept my word in only taking three strands from her tail. " He said as they stopped at her house. "Would you like me to take care of your horse so you can get back to sleep Lady Alivia?"

 

-----

 

Zane slept soundly, only waking up when Bunny started to walk on his shoulder and purr in his ear wanting someone to fill his food bowl. When the movement was unsuccessful the cat resorted to meowing loudly. "Mooooom! Daaaad! I'm huuuunnngry! Please get up."