“So what are we off to do first? Chess match? Pickle on a stick? I don’t even know where to go.” Sierra smiled over her shoulder and I stepped ahead to scan the marketplace.
“There.” I said pointing at a stall with several women standing behind little girls with long hair. “Hair braiding.”
Sierra stopped short hesitating. “I don’t know Andy. Those girls look pretty young and I don’t think I’ve had my hair braided since my grandmother.”
“Then what better time than now?” I guided her toward the stall and plopped her down on a stool in front of a rosy cheeked woman with grey braids at her temples and a toothy grin.
“What’ll it be love?” She asked running her fingers through Sierra mane of gold and brown hair that glinted in the light like striations of Tiger’s eye.
“Oh something simple I guess.”
“That be a right shame. Let’s braid a crown. Fit for a lovely princess.” The woman chuckled and went to work on Sierra’s hair. I could tell sitting still was hard for her, but I wanted today to be a foreplay into the future of how I wanted to tend to her needs and reward her aptly. The woman worked magic taking her time to braid and twist her hair into a crown with ribbons and flowers.
“Take a look.” She said holding up a large mirror that looked to be something out of a fairy tale.
“Oh, it’s beautiful.” Her eyes misted over and she stood up turning to hug the woman before reaching for me.
“I agree.” We walked away from the stall and our legs took us in the direction of the battlefield. Knights on horseback jousted back and forth to a cheering or jeering crowd depending on one’s point of view.
“I vote for the Green knight.” Sierra pointed at a wizened man on a sleek black horse.
“He’s the villain in the story. What about the Red knight?” I pointed at the youthful man sitting on top of a chestnut horse with gold and red banners.
“Too predictable. Everyone will cheer him on.”
“So we’re looking after the underdog?” Our gazes met and Sierra’s lip pursed like she was thinking this over.
“Maybe not quite the underdog, I mean no one seems to be cheering for the Blue knight over there.”
We checked out the guy who sat on top of a dappled grey horse who pawed at the ground waiting his turn.
“Maybe it’s because he’s a bit unassuming.” I said waiting for her reaction. This conversation felt like we were exploring more than mere knighthood and the games of court.
She fluffed out her emerald green dress and drew her knees up as we watched the procession of men and horses trot up and down the field. “He looks kind in a rather harsh competition. Even his squire seems uncertain. You’d think one of them would just take over and make it happen. Make him win not matter what.”
I mused over her answer. Was that me? Was I reading too much into this? Maybe she chose the Green knight because he matched her dress, I didn’t know.
“Is that what you needed? Back then, for someone to step in and take charge, to keep you safe.” I rolled to my side facing her, tugging on her skirt to look at me. Sierra sighed and laid back on the ground, her elbows propping her up.
“We were so young. Did anyone know what they really needed?” She flicked a lock of my hair off my forehead and then resumed her watch on the jousting match.
If only I could have let it go.
“Would that have made you stay?”
“Andrew.” Her face pinched tight and she blinked rapidly, but no tears fell. “I wish it had been that simple. I felt so many things and nothing at all. I made so many mistakes and yet I found a justification for each one that made sense. I truly thought I was doing the best thing for you.” Her head turned, tilted downward and I felt the anguish in her expression down to my soul.
“Can we try to forgive each other.”
She sat up and reached for me, “on one condition,” she said.
“Name it.”
“You feed me a turkey leg and beer.” Her face glowed with a lopsided grin.
“Firefly, anything.” I urged hoping for a more serious answer only to get none.
“There’s nothing to forgive. You were my everything and I took that with me where ever I went.”