The Old Knight stood at the window gazing upon the land beyond. He'd marveled at what a beautiful place this was. How long had it been he wondered, as he drank in the sights and sounds.

Behind all the sounds was the even breathing of the cause of all these thoughts. Larene was still sleeping the sleep of the contented. He turned to once again gaze upon her, though no longer afraid she would be gone. It had taken weeks before he had convinced himself this was not a dream.

He thought over those weeks, the walks in the forest, the talks in the garden, and the quiet nights spent just holding each other and smiled. Had he only known....

"No," he thought, "no regrets now." he smiled to himself. Walking quietly over to his sleeping love, he gave her a kiss and went to dress. He felt the need for a bit of exercise.

He found himself on the training grounds watching the young squires practice. He'd forgotten how much he enjoyed this. Grabbing a practice sword he ventured onto the field.

The squires were more than happy to oblige the Old Knight. It took a while before they found they did not have to hold back their strokes. "Never under estimate your opponents." He explained as he thwapped a young squire on his pride.

Sweat poured off the Old Knight as he laughed. The field was full now, every available squire and a few knights had joined the session. Walking between the numerous bouts he passed out advice as to what counter was needed here, or a stroke there. To demonstrate a particular counter post counter, he called on his once squire Tanny, now a Knight of the Round Table.

The two sparred long after they had shown the young ones what they had intended. Both laughed as they battled evenly for stroke after stroke. Tanny's smile enlarged as he worked his friend around in a semi circle and then stopped his sparring.

"Whoa! Tanny, what's up young lord." The Old Knight asked as he barely stopped his own stroke.

Tanny smiled broadly and replied, "There be another who asks for a lesson." He nodded his headed in the direction the Old Knight faced.

Looking up, his heart soared to a new level, there standing in all her glory was Larene, dressed for battle and tapping a practice sword on her left hand.

"May I join Milord?" she asked as she walked towards the place Tanny vacated with a deep bow.

"Aye, M'Lady." he said laughing with joy.

The two sparred as they had years ago. It seemed the years melted away as if they were themselves squires again.

"You've not lost your stroke Lar." he said as he barley countered her thrust.

"Its like riding a horse Milord, you ever forget." she replied trying another stroke.

The Old Knight again barley countered the stroke and smiled. Between strokes he nodded at Tanny who immediately left the field grinning ear to ear.

"Is it?" he said grinning. "Are you so sure?" his eyes twinkled mischievously.

Looking sideways at the one she knew so well, something was up. "Milord, what have you done?"

"Me? I merely was wondering if it is like falling off a horse."

He pointed his sword behind Larene to the spot young Tanny now stood.

Larene turned around slowly to gaze upon a wondrous sight. A horse of the purest white, bedecked with own colors.

"She is called Lady, and she has been awaiting you." He said gently.

As if on cue, the giant war-horse reared in salute.

Larene forgot all except the magnificent steed before her. The two walked towards each other as if they were old friends. Larene quickly jumped upon Lady's saddle and the two were galloped out of the keep as if on urgent business.

"Women." The Old Knight said laughing as he called Tanny back over. "She will not return for hours."

Looking around, the Old Knight felt young again, and he wondered who had just received a gift, him or her. Both he decided as he smiled and saluted Tanny and readied again to spar.