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It was no fun being a knight. Marvin had long found the role to be tedious, and the constant maintenance to his armour not to say the endless polishing to keep it shining was a task he didn’t enjoy.

He didn’t ask to be a knight. It happened one morning when he was down at the creek washing when his dad approached with the exciting announcement he was to start at knight’s school the next day.

His father’s enthusiasm was such that Marvin became infused with his father’s response and pride in having a family member embrace the sacred position of a knight to the king and so he too initially assumed the same enthusiasm.

But the life was of a knight was not all beer and skittles. The hours of training, the horsemanship, the spit and polish required to satisfy those in charge drove him crazy at times.

On top of that, there was the very likelihood of being killed an option Marvin was not in any favour of.

As it was the armour he had to wear was heavy, it rubbed against bits of him he found irritating and embarrassing to mention, and his helmet was ill-fitting despite his many overtures to Casper the Helmet Maker to have it adjusted to fit his head more comfortably.

What was the last straw in Marvin’s opinion was his first task of rescuing a maiden in distress.

The maiden in question was one Lady Marie Von Stargest who had been kidnapped by the evil Sir Woderwick Wickum and held for a King’s ransom.

Marvin’s troubles began when his horse, a steed named Rufus refused to cross the river when nearing the castle of the evil Wickum.

After much negotiating, Rufus gave in and Marvin was soon at the gates of the evil Wickum’s castle. Sir Woderwick was not happy to see Marvin especially since Marvin didn’t have the ransom in hand.

There was an exchange of insults, threats and name-calling before Marvin overpowered Sir Woderwick and grabbed the Lady Marie from her place of bondage.

Then his woes really took shape. It seems Lady Marie and Sir Woderwick had struck up a relationship and Lady Marie was reluctant to leave.

She struck Marvin a blow that set him back, his ego damaged, his resolve not what he thought it was. So, tying the Lady to his saddle, he rode back to the King’s castle with the protesting Lady across his saddle with Rufus snorting uncomfortably with the added load of a rather plump Lady Marie.

His ears having been assaulted like never before ached by the time he deposited the Lady Marie at the feet of the King. She then gave her father a right mouthful and promised never to speak to him until he agreed she marry the evil Sir Woderwick Wickum.

The King looked at Marvin and asked out of curiosity more than anything if Marvin would take her.

Marvin found an excuse in caring for his horse and oiling his armour an urgent issue and made his way quickly from the King’s chamber.

Not looking back, he hoped to never see the Lady Marie ever again.

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2018/11/22/tale-weaver-fairy-tale-198-knights-november-22nd/