My Knight in Shining Armor

*~ Disclaimer ~* I do not own any of the characters, language, plots, or locations from A Knight’s Tale.
Brian Helgeland, the writer/director, holds all rights to A Knight’s Tale and this story is only created for pleasure, not profit.

Author’s Note: And we continue on! Not much to say right here, so please, just continue. Hope someone/people enjoy!

***

Geoff ran as fast as he could. He must stop William from riding, if he tilted against Colville, he would be taking a huge risk to being arrested and exposing himself. “Wait! Wait! Coville is Edward. The Black Prince of Wales. Future Kind of England.”

“Well he’s in disguise like me so he can compete.” Geoff nearly groaned. William was completely missing the point of the matter.

“He has never met an enemy without victory he has never attacked a town he could not defeat.”

“We’re English, Geoff, we know who he is.” Well, Wat, why don’t you explain to William why he can’t compete against him then?!

Luckily, the voice of reason spoke up. “You must withdraw, Will. Go tell them, they’re about to drop the flag.”

“Absolutely.” Without waiting for William’s certain protest, Geoff ran to save William from feeling the need to complete this match.

***

Watching William tilt against Edward, Geoff felt faint. “Oh, my giddy aunt.” That man would be the death of him. Geoff walked down to where William was riding to meet Edward in a parlay. “Are you mad? You knowingly endanger a member of the royal family?”

“He knowingly endangers himself.” That was true enough, but Geoff wondered if William truly saw the danger in riding against royalty. He waited anxiously as the two conferred and was relieved when Edward took no action again William. It wasn’t as though it was merely a matter of being punished in the stocks, William could have had his life taken away for risking the life of the Prince. And having William’s life taken away… would surely leave Geoff with nothing. Geoff moved on to follow William down the track. William was certainly a knight at heart, but what would that cost him in the end? How long would this dream last for all of them?…

***

“Here. Melt it down. Sell it. Do whatever you do.” Well, it seemed that winning the tournament wouldn’t be enough for William this time around. Geoff wondered if they would have to deal with this nasty William often. Righteous anger suited him just fine, but this was rather petulant.

“Yes, your Majesty.” Roland appeared to agree on the matter and sounded very sarcastic even as he moved to do what he was asked… well, told, really. Perhaps they could cheer him up and they could all suffer a little less.

“William, you’re tournament champion!” That was the right idea, Geoff could approve of Wat’s outright ways on this one occasion. Not that he would ever tell him that.

“I’m not champion until I defeat Ademar. Ademar withdrew.” And the thorn sinks in deeper. Well, there would always be the next tournament. Geoff could at least understand his need to exact revenge on the one who had mocked him before. As he would violate Simon and Peter, his former debtors, Will needed to knock Ademar back and prove his worth.

“Sir Ulrich.” Ah, perhaps Jocelyn could cheer up their man, Geoff thought.

“Oh.” Or maybe not.

“I’ve come to see what you’ll wear to banquet tonight.”

“Nothing.”

“Well, then we’ll cause a sensation for I’ll dress to match.” Whoa, William! If nothing else, take this chance to cheer yourself out of your slums!

“Look, don’t you ever get tired of putting on clothes?!” And he knocks himself back a peg. Geoff simply had to help him or William would certainly regret it.

“I believe she’s talking about taking them off, my lord.” If that didn’t clarify the point than Geoff was certain that nothing else could. He hoped that William would take this opportunity, though something inside him abhorred the idea. Certainly a nobleman’s daughter couldn’t truly match up with William, but hopefully after the physical aspect passed by, William could get his head out of the clouds.

“A flower is only as good as it’s petals, don’t you think?”

“A flower is good for nothing.” Oh dear, it seemed as though William had learned nothing. Geoff sighed to himself. William could certainly be dense sometimes, yet even as an artist craving beautiful situations, Geoff somehow always forgave him. Perhaps… there was just nothing he could do about William. Something inside Geoff calmed and seemed to accept his own feelings on the matter.

“Really?” Yes, really Jocelyn, Geoff muttered in his head. Don’t be daft, he’s in a mood.

“Well, you can’t eat a flower. A flower doesn’t keep you warm.”

“And a rose never knocked a man off a horse either, did it?” Geoff could admit that the girl did have some poetic flair, but surely it was little. She was the type that expected it heaped upon her, not to create it in itself. Something to inspire it or be inspired by, not something of her own. He was much better than her, in that particular sense, with poetry.

“You’re just a silly girl, aren’t you?” Geoff wasn’t even paying much attention at this point, merely standing by, somehow mollified from William’s hateful mood by the fact that he was lashing out at Jocelyn.

“Better a silly girl with a flower, than a silly boy with a horse and a stick.” And it seemed that was the last they would see of her, at least, until William came to his senses. Geoff wondered how long that would take, pride was a particular strong point with William. Geoff watched William walk away and heard a soft goodbye from Christiana to Roland. At least those two were making some headway after tiptoeing around each other this whole time.

“It’s called a lance. Helloo…” Geoff suppressed a chuckle. Wat certainly knew how to take as little as possible from the whole affair. But it did lighten the mood a fraction.

***

Geoff did not envy himself at the moment. He was walking back from the lists, attempting to prepare himself for William’s reaction to the news on the tournament challengers.

“What?” William seemed a little impatient this day. Well, time for the bad news.

“I have word. Ademar has been called back to the Free Companies. The Black Prince commanded it. He could be gone all season.” Geoff watched as William’s face became enraged and sympathized with him. To be withheld from your arch nemisis was simply wrong, just as wrong as being held from your true love. One needs their nemesis to maintain what it is they are living for. They must define themselves by their presence. The only way William would be able to make peace with himself would be to defeat the dark man. Geoff hoped that he was wrong, for once, and that Ademar would be back in the tournaments before the end of the season.

“First Jocelyn and now Ademar.” Yes, way to dig in the old wound as well. Let’s just dump heaps of salt on all of his pains, shall we, Geoff thought sarcastically.

“Argh!” And it had the exact effect that Geoff had suspected. William blew up. But at least his blew up in the opposite direction of his friends this time. Perhaps he was learning after all.

“Well done.”

“Yeah, well done.” Geoff had to second Kat on that one. Wat certainly had no tact.

“What? I…?” What a buffoon. A charming simpleton, but what an idiot sometimes.

***

“No Ademar.” Geoff was sorry to report the news to William, yet again. But there was no helping it.

“No Ademar.” At least William wasn’t blowing smoke out of his ears this time. Perhaps writing that love letter to Jocelyn really had done him some good. Geoff had been surprised to hear poetry come out of his William. It was a rare pleasure to hear such sweet melodies from the rough, simple knight-in-dreams. He paused his thoughts as Wat rode into view. William became excited to hear of Jocelyn’s response to their combined letter of love. “Wat. Wat, tell me, did you see her? Did she read the letter?!”

“Yes and yes.” Well, good news for the man at last. Now perhaps Geoff could breathe again.

“And?!”

“Ehh….” Geoff knew that kind of dramatic pause and grinned to himself. This would be good news. “She’s coming to Paris!” And he was right. Geoff gave himself an imaginary pat on the back.

“Well, did she give you anything for me in return? Did she, did she give you a letter or a token? Did she give you a token? She did?” Geoff had to admit it was quite amusing to see William scramble about in his excitement. Like a kid that just found a treat just out of his reach. Wat mumbled to himself a bit and Geoff could not read it for once. He wondered what Jocelyn could have given him for Wat to make such an uncomfortable face. “Well what is it, Wat?! Come on, give it to me!” Geoff’s eyes went wide as Wat gave William a kiss. On the lips. A pause. “Yes!! Yeah, hwooo! Hell, yes. She… she…that means she… Yeah! Yes, yes, yes, yes!!” Well, this was interesting. Apparently William was a lot more open-minded than Geoff had originally thought. And for himself, well, Geoff was finally beginning to recognize the spark of jealously that typically came with his thoughts of William. But as of now, he would have to wait and see how things turned out, as was his style. And in the meantime, he would get himself some nice cold drinks and find something else to occupy his time for a while.

***

“God, I’m good!” It would be an understatement to say that Geoff was pleased with himself. He had quite a few excellent brews last night and managed to indulge in some of his old passion, in a very controlled manner, if he did say so himself. At least he had consulted the others before allowing the French dogs to drag the money out of him. A wonderful, rowdy time, and Geoff was pleased to note that though William had passed through his mind from time to time, it was mostly his chances of winning, which were, suffice it to say, very very very good. Unfortunately for Geoff, his grin faltered at the sight of William stopping short of the full track. In confusion, he could only stare as William merely sat there and took the first hit of the joust, full on. Having faith in Kate’s armor, and by the fact that William was still on his horse, Geoff knew that he wasn’t in real pain, but he could not stop the concern that welled up inside of him. So he did the next best thing and turned it into tight sarcasm as he walked over to where William was being crowded by the others as well.

“Ah, are you blind? Didn’t you see the flag?”

“Yes, I saw it, okay?” Then what could possibly make the hard-headed man take a hit like that?

“I know, I know. You wanna drop behind for a more dramatic victory!” Geoff disagreed, though William liked the prestige of the game, he never risked points for drama, though Geoff had encouraged him to give it a little flair from time to time.

“Look, Jocelyn told me I should lose to prove my love.” Geoff could not control the hurt that welled up in his chest at those words. Not only was he losing all of his money, but he was truly losing William’s heart. If Jocelyn had this much hold over him, over his pride, then how could Geoff intercede? Even with his expertise at subtleties and scheming, he could never beat her if she held his heart. So with as much sting as he could muster, Geoff spat at William.

“Oh God, I’d rather you were blind.” And he quickly walked away.

***

“I’m gonna lose everything.” At this point, Geoff had calmed at bit. Some owing to the hope that he would be able to prove his worth to William at a later time and some owing to the threat that was being restrained right in front of him. Geoff wasn’t a huge fan of pain, but at the moment, he felt the need for more distraction. Therefore…

“That’s why it’s called gambling” A little egging on should do the trick.

“Here’s your pain!!!” And here it was. Geoff did attempt to fight back some, but mostly allowed Wat to get some of his frustration out. Geoff could tell Wat was only doing it for that reason and only directed him away from certain vital parts.

“It is very romantic, though.” Sometimes Kate could be quite annoying, Geoff thought as he received a fresh punch to the gut.

“Are you a woman or a blacksmith?” Good question, ouch!

“Sometimes I’m both.”

“Ooh, that chafes!!” Alright, now Geoff needed some relief.

“Put him down.” Yes, the voice of reason, please speak to this barbarian. Geoff winced as Wat dealt a few more throws and let him loose. At least his bruises would keep him occupied later, Geoff thought.

***

Though Geoff was still chafing at the current events, both literally and figuratively, he had to wince as he saw the bruises that William now sported. A little encouragement was in order at this point. “No one knight has distanced themselves with victories yet. You win all your remaining matches and some of your opponents take key losses, who knows, you could make the semis, even the finals.”

“At least the armor’s proven itself.” True enough, Geoff was grateful to Kate that she was such a good blacksmith.

“And your love… Have you proven that yet?” Geoff frowned at Wat, the man was obviously taking enough pain, wasn’t that enough for now? But William took it in stride and Geoff continued massaging William’s shoulders. He guiltily enjoyed the task, though he shouldn’t, as his William was so injured.

“Oh. Wat you remember church as a boy. Fear the passion. That’s what she makes me feel. And for that I say my rosary to Jocelyn and no one else.” And another stab was taken at Geoff’s heart. That woman really did inspire his William to romantic bounds. But there is always hope, wasn’t that what Kate said? That love should end with hope?

“William, that’s blasphemous.”

Geoff released William’s shoulders as his arm was released from the crank. “Ah, then may I burn in Hell.”

“Withdraw. Lose that way, just don’t take anymore punishment.” Geoff would agree, but he knew that William’s pride would stand in the way of ever withdrawing. He wouldn’t even withdraw against the bloody prince, for god’s sake!

“Oh, Roland.” They all looked up as Christiana appeared in the tent. She sent a smile to Roland, obviously glad to see him again, after their master’s spat. At least one romance was working out.

“My lady sends this message. She says that if you love her…”

“I know, I know, I must lose. Hasn’t she been watching?” Geoff watched carefully, hands on William’s shoulders for encouragement.

“She says that if you love her, you will not lose another match. She says that if you love her, you will win this tournament.” Geoff did not look at William’s expression, but he could imagine the utterly harassed look upon his face at the moment. That noblewoman was certainly something else.

***

As William had been given leave to win, finally, Geoff figured that he would play into the moment for the occasion. “There she is, the embodiment of your love, your Venus.”

“And oh how I hate her.” Geoff was inwardly pleased at the look and words and outwardly amused. A love-hate relationship was not always firm. Perhaps he could win William’s heart, after a time. Women were certainly a task.

“I don’t understand women.”

Geoff could admit ignorance when it came to that, but he could not help but poke fun at Wat in his new surge of amusement and hope. “Nor do I but they understand us… Maybe not you.”

***

Geoff could honestly say that he was extremely pleased to be on the winning end again, after so long. He would have to be careful not to overindulge, but he could not resist a fair bout of gloating at the snobby Frenchmen. “Forty-eight, forty-nine, and fifty. …Thank you very much gentlemen, it’s been excellent doing business with you. Do look us up if you’re ever in London, the World Championships maybe. Oh, come on, don’t look too sad. Here, have a drink on me. He’s quick, he’s funny, he makes me loads of money, Lichtenstein.” He sang his pleasure in his own little tune, glad to have earned plenty of loot to keep writing.

As he came around the corner, Geoff spotted Jocelyn moving amongst the tents, over towards William’s tent. He ducked into the shadows and watched her glance around for other observers. Geoff quelled the urge to make a noise and try to spook her away, as he knew her type would probably return later anyway. “Guineviere comes to Lancelot.” Well, though it pained him, Geoff supposed that William had earned this prize after a day of beatings. He could at least wish him pleasure at the end of the day. “Bed him well, my lady. Bed him well.” And he walked away, feeling his heart tug him with every step he took.

***