Shining Armor

The knight all clad in armor stepped in front of the large grey stone. Grasping the handle of the silver sword with both hands, and anchoring his body with his right boot on the rock, his face turned red, as he pulled on it with all his might. Sweat beading on his brow, he lingered until colors appeared in the sky, and stars emerged from their diurnal sleep. 

He heaved once more, and grasped the sword. He lost his balance, falling back to the ground, no weapon in hand for all his efforts. He sat up, and stared into the pond below, only to witness the reflection of Orion appear on the water’s surface. He closed his eyes, and drifted into sleep as he sat up, with his head between his knees.

The earth shook beneath him, as he heard the sound of a horse’s gallop becoming louder. He looked up into the hills overshadowing the basin to see a woman on horseback advancing towards his station. The morning sun forced his hand to his brow. Her long brown hair danced in the wind, and her long dress covered her ankles, even as she rode briskly. She descended the hill with full force, stalling  the horse within three yards of him. 

“I’m passing through on the way to see a friend. Are you in need of help?”

The knight remained silent, picking at wildflowers in the patch of grass in front of him. 

“Is that yours?” She eyed the weapon as it stood vertically, halfway trapped inside the boulder. 

He raised his eyebrows. “I assume it is, yes. The legend is whoever frees it from the stone inherits the right to marry the lady of the land.”

“Oh, how intriguing!” She unmounted, and stood, with her feet apart, and her forefinger upon her lower peach-colored lip. Her burgundy velvet dress shimmered in the morning light, as she stared at the monument. Removing the rings she wore from her hand, she put them securely into her pocket, and zipped it tight. She walked to the rock, and placed her booted heels on the insets abutting each side of the sword. Grasping it with both hands, she breathed deeply, and pulled it out of the rock that encased it. She fell backward onto the ground, forcing her long hair to sprawl on the freshly mowed grass behind her head. 

Standing up, she smiled. “I believe your assumption was incorrect, sir.” She slid the sword into the empty sheath at her side, fitting the blade perfectly as though it were waiting patiently for its companion. “Are you sure you don’t need anything?”

His eyes narrowed, and his voice lowered to a growl. “No, I don’t.”

“Very well, then, have a good day, sir!” She hopped onto her horse, and rode off at high speed, her horse’s mane rising and falling with each stride. ⚢