I was assigned to a beautiful white horse."
"It must have been quite the culture shock for you. How ever did you manage to 'blend in'?" "Well, Miho and I had done some research beforehand. We knew society was based on money, and that it was required for everything, for food, clothing, and housing. Everyone needed a job. But I had no credentials, no experience in any modern jobs. I was basically going to be an 'undocumented alien'. But we discovered that there was still an opportunity for a knight..... at two places....at a Renaissance Fair and at a Medieval Dinner Theatre. So I went to apply for a job there....dressed like this...." "They were surprised by my swordsmanship and equestrian skills, but even more impressed that I already had my own 'authentic-looking costume'. So they hired me. I was assigned to a beautiful white horse." "...and they took some promotional photos..." "It was an interesting job, pretending to be a modern person's idea of what a 'knight' was. And after every performance, we were expected to mingle with the guests, and pose with them for souvenir photos...." "Have you ever been?" "Yes, actually. I remember there was this one really handsome knight, who was busy talking to a little boy who was interested in seeing his sword. I was headed over to watch, but then I got a call from work...." "...and there was a problem needing my immediate attention, so I had to leave..."
Naomi sat down. "I have so many questions, but I guess we should start at the beginning. Like, why you were 'visiting' in my time period in the first place." "That's fair...." he agreed. "Well....I was rather unhappy, having just gotten out of what I'd hoped was going to be a lasting relationship. I'd known the girl ever since I was a child...." "The Princess Grace?' "Yes. How did you know?" "Your Mother was telling me this morning, all about you and your friendship with the King and his sister, and how she had a crush on you." "My Mother can be such a busy body! Yes, we were good friends for many years, and everyone just assumed we'd become a 'couple'" "...including me." "But then she told me she wasn't interested in a romantic relationship with me. She said she thought of me as a good friend, and like a brother, and it couldn't be anything more. "She left for a while, and met someone else who she fell in love with. I tried to be happy for her, but I missed her. So I'd get together in the Tavern with the guys after work...." "but they'd soon head home to wives and girlfriends, leaving me the sole attention of the flirtatious barmaids..." "Saturday nights were spent hanging out with the other single guys who didn't have a date...." "I suppose I was bored....and lonely. I needed a break. Take some time for myself. Go somewhere where no one knew who I was. But as First Knight everyone here knew who I was, so there weren't many options...." "Then Miho suggested she could send me anywhere. As a great and powerful Sorceress, she could send me ANYWHERE. Even to a different time. She suggested the challenge of trying to fit in in a totally alien culture might be exactly what I needed. The idea sounded intriguing, but I had to think about it. I finally decided that it could be an interesting distraction, and told the King that I was taking a leave of absence. When I was ready to leave, Miho gave me a special jewel" "Take this jewel. When you are ready, or need to come back, it will bring you home." "But she never told me that 'True Love's First Kiss' would do the same."
Naomi was so happy to see Baron again.... "I was very disappointed when I woke up this morning, and you were gone, but I've actually had quite a nice day. Your Mother and Winston kept me entertained with stories about you. You certainly had the most interesting childhood. I actually felt envious." "And to grow up with such beautiful gardens..." "It reminded me of what you said last night when we were waiting for dinner in the restaurant's terrace garden....I can't believe it was only yesterday......that you loved their gardens because they reminded you of home." "Now I see what you meant...." "Your Mother's gardens are spectacular..." "Just look at all these beautiful flowers..." "We really need to talk...."
Baron had finally returned. "I'm so sorry I was gone so long....... That took way longer than I expected." "I see you've met Winston." "Well, I think the two of you probably have a lot to talk about, so I'll leave the two of you alone. It was lovely to have met you, my dear." "It was an honour to have met you as well. And thank you for a lovely afternoon. I hope we can visit again some time soon." Baron took Naomi in his arms.... "I'm so sorry I was gone so long. It was never my intention to leave you on your own all day..."
So many people have been asking how I made Winston 'fly' in the last two episodes. Easy. With strings. I strung him up with four strings - one attached to his head, two to his hips, and one to his tail - and tied those to a long wooden rod. I tried to fit 'little Baron' on his back seated below Winston's wings, but his arms were way too short to hold Winston around his neck, so he had to sit above the wings. I actually stitched 'Baron's hands onto Winston's neck, to help hold him in place so he wouldn't accidentally fall off. Then we headed down to the lake.... Jan held the rod out where I instructed, so Winston would be in the right position for the photos.... This was one of my favourite photos, taken over the concrete ruins protruding on the beach.... I removed the strings in Photoshop, and extended the concrete wall. I also shortened one of Winston's horns, so it didn't look like he was poking Baron's eye..... Here's another of the other original photos still with the strings showing.... We went to the lake a second time, with the two older boys, and that time I wanted to take the photos in the other direction so they'd be different, but when taking photos facing east I always have to be careful to pay attention that the nuclear plant isn't in the background. It wasn't sunny, so the strings barely showed up - although you can see the end of the rod.... I ended up taking the final photo turned a bit so the nuclear plant wasn't showing.... And while we were at the beach that second time, I also took the photos of Baron and Winston 'roasting' marshmallows. I had pre-burned the marshmallow on Baron's stick for the final scene, and Jan lit a match and held it close for the photo, so the flame would have the same background as the marshmallow. I took photos of several lit matches, since it was windy, in hopes that I'd capture at least one nice flame... allowing me to easily 'clone' it into place afterwards.....
Miho had excused herself since she had a few things to attend to, so Naomi and Winston took a stroll in the castle gardens.... "Baron was so lucky." "I can't even imagine growing up having a friend like you." "I always thought I was the lucky one. "You see, there were no other dragons around...." "...so it could be rather lonely. There was the Fairy Queen of course, but I missed having friends more my own age...like Baron and Prince Lawrence...." "We'd often go out on adventures together..." "I'd fly, and they'd be on their horses...." "But we couldn't go quite as far as when Baron was younger...." "Because their horses would need to take a rest every now and then...." "It all sounds so wonderful." Naomi sighed...."I wonder when Baron will be back?" Winston took her hand...... ""I'm sure he'll be back soon." 'Speak of the Devil...." "...here he is now."
Naomi was enjoying tea out in the garden with Miho and Winston, listening to Winston's stories about Baron when he was a little boy.... "Have you tried one of these? They are amazing!" "Well, not that one, but this cream puff looks delicious..." "I can't even imagine how wonderful it would have been growing up with a dragon as a friend..." "We had a lot of fun together," continued Winston. "Baron loved playing chess...." "...so we'd often have a game..." "But what he really wanted to do was fly...like me. He was small and light enough for me to carry, but Miho wasn't too sure it would be safe, so only let us fly around the castle gardens at first..." "Once she realized that we knew what we were doing, and that it was perfectly safe, we were allowed to go out on adventures together." "We'd go flying over the countryside..." "... stopping to watch any wildlife we'd come across..." "Then off we'd go again..." "Sometimes even as far as the distant ocean..." "And most times we'd bring along some marshmallows..." "Baron loved it when I'd roast marshmallows." "...although sometimes they'd end up a little overdone."
So Naomi sat down with Winston and Baron's Mother.... ...and Winston poured her some tea. "How long have you known Baron, if I may ask?" "Ever since he was a wee baby." "Yes. Winston was with me when I found him." "Yes, and whenever Miho had to go away anywhere...." "... I'd come and baby sit...." "Oh my!! A dragon babysitter!" "Yes, but with some adult supervision, of course..." "What do you mean with 'adult supervision'?" "Well, you weren't more than a 'child' yourself at the time."
Miho had invited Naomi to join her and a friend for afternoon tea in the garden, and Baron had still not yet returned, so Naomi went out to the garden.... There sat the Fairy Queen and her friend. Her friend was a dragon!! 'Of course a Fairy Queen would be friends with a dragon!!' she thought. Nothing seemed impossible in this world anymore.... 'How wonderful!' she thought.... ....as the dragon turned to notice her. "Well, hello there!" "Naomi, I'd love for you to meet Winston...." "He's one of my oldest and dearest friends..." " And Winston, this is Naomi...." "She arrived with Baron last night." Winston sprang up, and took Naomi's hand.... "It's so lovely to meet you, my dear....." "Won't you join us for some tea?"
"The very next day, Baron was knighted." "I dub thee..." "...Sir Baron...First Knight of the Realm." "So Baron became a knight, and Captain of the Royal Guard....." "... a trusted loyal friend to the King and his Queen." "And as Lawrence's close friend, Baron continued to be invited to all their family functions...." "...to banquets..." "....and family birthdays..." "Lawrence just considered Baron as part of the family." "So, I hope you can understand, that with Baron having gone for several months, and the King asking to see him as soon as he got back, that it was important for Baron to visit him right away." "Of course. I had no idea Baron was such an important man." "Well, thank you for breakfast, and telling me all about Baron and his friendship with the King. I think I should go get dressed now." "I don't know when Baron will be back, but I have a good friend coming for tea later. You are welcome to come join us. I'm sure he'd love to meet you."
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AuthorMartha Boers is an award-winning Canadian doll maker and costumer specializing in fantasy and historical-style costumes. Archives
April 2024
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