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The Maiden and the Knight
Characters: Dianna Morgan- the daughter of the local baker, Nora Morgan- Dianna's widowed mother, the local baker, Garrett Cohen- a knight traveling with other knights to Camelot, which was only a few miles away, They stay the night in Dianna's village

It was near the middle of winter when a group of knights came ridding into the village of Datha. Dianna Morgan, the baker's daughter was delivering a batch of bread to the tavern when they rode in. She stopped and stared at the leader. He was a tall, imposing man with shoulder length brown hair and muscles that bulged and rippled under his wool tunic and breeches. She picked up her skirts and ran after them. She tried to see around the people around her but could not. Dianna thought, Who could that man be? He must be a great warrior. She was about to push her way forward when a hand on her shoulder stopped her. Dianna turned and saw that it was Marie, a serving girl, standing behind her. Marie said “Where is that order of bread you were sent to deliver?” Dianna was about to say something but Marie said “Come with me, your mother would be furious if I let you gawk at the young soldiers.” Then she grabbed her hand and led her to the kitchen.

When they got there Dianna said “Why can't I get a good look at the men in the other room?” Marie said “Your mother does not want you to become infatuated with one of the men. Did your mother ever tell you that your father was a soldier?” Dianna looked surprised and said “My proper mama was in love with a soldier?” Marie said “Yes, he was killed a few days after you were conceived. He was fighting for the King, he was killed in his sleep by the enemy.” Dianna gasped and said “I didn't know any of this.” Marie said “Well you better get back, leave the basket. I will bring it back tomorrow.” Dianna nodded and ran back to the Bakery with millions of questions running through her head.

Later that night Dianna and her mother were working on bread to sell the next day when there came a knock on the door. Nora said “Dianna, could you get the door?” Dianna nodded, wiped her hands and went to answer the door.

Garrett stood at the Baker's shop waiting for an answer to his knock. He was about to knock again when a young girl, at least 16 years old, opened the door. Her wavy, midnight black, waist length hair was tied down her back, her face smudged with flower that stood or vividly against her honey tan skin. She said “How may I help you, Sir. . .” Garrett said “I am Sir Garrett Cohen, I would like to buy some bread for my company.” The girl said “We have some baking right now, I will bring you some tomorrow. I will have it ready for you in the morning.” Garrett nodded then walked away. He could feel her eyes on his back as he walked away. Dianna closed the door and went back to work after telling her mother about the order.

The next day Dianna went to the tavern to give him the bread and found him waiting outside for her. She said “I have your order, and I took the liberty of adding fruit, cheese and dried meat.” Garrett said “That was kind, thank you. I hope I will see you again one day.” Dianna said “So do I, Sir Garrett.” He took the bread, put it in his saddle bag and then got on his horse. Dianna about forgot about the payment as she watched him start to gallop. She quickly gained her senses and yelled “You forgot to pay me!” Garrett stopped and said “I guess I did.” He took out a purse and threw it to her. She caught it and watched him ride off. As soon as he was out of sight she opened the purse and spilled coins into her hand. She gasped as she counted the gold coins there, there were 100 in all, she then put them back in and ran to the Bakery.

Nora sat in front of the fire reading. She looked up as the door banged open and in spilled Dianna. Dianna thrust a purse into her her hands and said “Mother count the coins that the soldier gave us for the bread.” Her mother counted the coins and said “He gave us too much, we will not charge him if he should ever come back to the village.” Dianna said “I hope he will live, I want to know more about him.” Nora shook her head and said “Daughter, forget about him. He will probably die on the field of battle.” Dianna said “Alright, what do you need me to do?” Nora got up, stood before the table and said “Help me bake.” Dianna sighed and they set to work.

A few years later, a young woman with midnight black hair ran out from the tavern and stopped short when she saw a group of knights ride up. They were wearing the colors that had been branded into her memory all those long years ago. She gasped and said to the old gray haired woman “Mother, could those be the same knights that were here 3 years ago?” The gray haired woman said “Yes, I think they are Dianna. I wonder if that man is with them.” Dianna said “I hope they are mama, I want to pay that man back for all the gold.” Nora shook her head and said “Come along we have lots of work to do.” Nora took her daughter's hand and pulled her back to the bakery.

Inside the tavern the knights were settling in. Garrett said “I wonder if that girl still works at the bakery?” His room mate and friend shook his head and said “You have been obsessed with that bean pole, she is probably dead or married. You said she looked about 16 so now she should be 20.” Garrett said “I am going to take a walk, I need the clear my head.” Damian William, his friend, said “Be back before nightfall, we are leaving in the morning.” Garrett wasn't listening, he was out the door before the last word had been uttered.

Garrett wasn’t looking where he was going and when he did look around he recognized the shops around him. One was the bakery, the shop was open and his feet took him inside. A bell over the doorway dinged as he opened the door. He looked around as the door closed behind him. There were flowers on top of tall shelves, basket of rolls, loaves of bread and all kind of pies and pastries were displayed on simple but colorful cloth covered tables. Light was streaming over the floor from the multitude of open windows. He walked up to the counter and said “I want to buy some bread.” The girl that had been talking to an older woman beside her turned and gasped. She dropped her basket and quickly picked it up. Garrett said “I am sorry for starling you.” The girl said “I am alright. My name is Dianna, how may I help you?” Garrett said “I would like to buy some bread.” Dianna said “What kind would you like?” Garrett said “A kind that can be packed in a small space.” Dianna said “I have just the thing.” Then she grabbed a large cloth and put some buns and half loaves onto the cloth. She then tied the cloth into a pouch and handed it to him. He took it and reached for his purse. She said “That won’t be necessary. You paid me too much last time.” Garrett said “You are the little girl that helped me all those years ago.” Dianna said “You remembered me. I kept dreaming that you would come back.” The older woman said “You shouldn’t talk to him like that. I am sorry. My daughter must learn to keep her thoughts to herself.” Garrett said “Madame, I forgive your daughter. What may I call you?” The woman said “My name is Nora Morgan. And you are?” Garrett said “My name is Sir Garrett Cohen.” Dianna said “It is a pleasure to serve you Sir Cohen.” Garrett picked up first Nora’s hand and then Dianna’s, placing a kiss on the top of each. He then turned and walked to the door. Dianna suddenly remembered the Festival that would be going on that week and said “Are you staying for the festival? There will be jousting and sword fighting.” Garrett stopped, turned around and said “I can’t stay for the festival. I am sorry, I must get to Camelot.” Dianna sighed and said “I understand. Well it was nice to meet you again, Sir Cohen.” Garrett called over his shoulder and said “Call me Garrett, Miss Morgan.” “Dianna,” called Dianna after him but the door had already closed after him.

Dianna turned back to her mother and said “That knight is so handsome.” Nora said “Forget about him. He will only break your heart. He probably has many lovers strewn about the country.” Dianna looked into her mother’s eyes and saw pain and love shinning in them. She said “I am sorry, forgive me.” Nora said “Your father was so handsome too. I miss him.” Dianna said “Mother, will you tell me more about him?” Nora said “I will, but now we have customers that need out attention.”

Thanks for reading.