Of Knights And Ladies

Summary: Meet the folks of Taylor, the kingdom of King Mac and Queen Stella. Which special talent does Miss Lindsay have? How do Sir Danny and Sir Don try to conquer the hearts of two certain women? And will Adam follow his dreams? - DL, FA, SMacked, Adam, Hawkes, Sid

Author's note: Yes, it's right, this is another AU fic! I didn't want to post it before I posted the last chapter of 'Howling At Night', but as I wrote this last chapter already and it will be posted soon and because I'm so very impatient, I had to post it now. This fic is set somewhere in the Middle Age, where you want to place it is up to you. It's also not real history fic, more of a saga, so there won't be any real history facts in this one. Huge thanks to Andie24 who created this story with me! Also huge thanks to Hannah554 and lily moonlight for reading and making suggestions!

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone or anything.

Rating: T

Chapter 1: The Folks Of Taylor

The sun was rising as folks of Taylor, the small kingdom of King Mac and Queen Stella, awoke from a hopefully restful night of sleep to mind their daily business. It was a day in early spring; just recently the old days were getting noticeably warmer, the first trees were carrying buds, the first flowers were starting to bloom. Slowly, ever so slowly, the small village that was edging the large hill with the mighty castle towering above it, was lit up by the early morning sun, reflecting in the white colour of the small wooden buildings with the thatched roofs. From the barns the mooing of cows and the carking of cocks was to be heard.

So early it was that barely any inhabitant of the village had left their safe, warm houses yet. Lindsay was awake for several hours already though. The young woman was an early riser and didn't like to stay in her small bed for longer than necessary. Already she had set up a boiling kettle of water for tea and had prepared a large plate with sliced pieces of bread, butter and cheese. She knew her friend, Jessica, would wake up soon and would want to find breakfast before she would have to head to the castle for her daily work as the King's and Queen's cook.

Lindsay herself didn't have to arrive at the market until the sun was standing higher above the village. Before she would leave the small house she and her friend shared to head for work, she had to get herself some more herbage and vegetables from the small garden that was to be found in front of her house, edging the slim stony path that was leading up to the wooden, green coloured door. Throwing another satisfied glance across the lovingly set table in the middle of the small room that was for living and eating, she took her thick, cotton jacket from the little hook near the door. Even though it was getting spring, still she assumed the mornings were too fresh for only wearing her dress with the soft blouse.

Stepping out of the house, Lindsay was greeted by a cool breeze. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and smiled at the smell of hay and animals, flowers and trees, mixed with all the different herbs in her little garden. Opening her eyes again, she let her gaze wander across the small houses of their little village, up to the hill with the castle. Tall and mighty it was towering up there, surrounded by the thick forest. A rocky, wavy road led up to it, often used by people of the village or other arrivals. Many times she had seen the carriages that had made their way up the hill. Many times she had also seen the knights in their shiny armors on their horses. Often they came to visit the village and many times they had also visited her own little stand. One knight in particular seemed to like to pay her a visit and sometimes she tended to wonder if he was actually using all the herbs he was buying. She didn't mind as the smiles she received from the man were always something she was looking forward to every day.

It didn't surprise her that her friend Jessica had been very excited as she had been asked if she wanted to cook for the King and Queen; a huge honor and she knew one of her friend's biggest dreams had come true with that. Lindsay wasn't sure what to think about the castle as she had never gotten anywhere close to it yet. Too much she had to do in the village itself, with selling all her goods. And with the other little business that people required ever since they knew about another hidden talent she owned.

Many years ago Lindsay had discovered her talent for the first time. It had been happened as a coincidence as she had had a look at Jessica's hand after her friend had cut herself. It had happened then that all of the sudden she had seen images in her mind. Images of events that would happen to her friend in the future. Surprised by this unexpected reaction of herself, she had shared those thoughts with Jessica, without taking them serious. Which had changed as nothing else but those events had happened, right the way she had seen them.

Since this day, many people came to Lindsay to get a little view into their future; men, women, friends, even strangers. Still she felt uncomfortable with this special gift, never even thinking about using it to earn money with it. It seemed to make people happy though and so she was doing as wished when they offered their hands to her, asking her to read their future in them.

Taking another deep breath of the fresh air, Lindsay threw another short glance up at the castle, with the sun appearing behind it now. Then, still with a smile on her face, she turned her attention to her little garden.

The bright rays of the early morning sun found their way through the dusty glass of the small, cold room. Feeling the warmth of the sun on his face, Sir Daniel stirred. Carefully he opened one eyes, just to close it immediately again as he was blinded instantly. Groaning lightly, he turned on his side, wrapping the thin cotton blanket tighter around his exhausted body, causing the bed to squeal loudly at the movement. He couldn't tell how early it was; obviously early enough for the spring sun to shine already.

For another few moments he lay there on his side on his hard, wooden bed, trying to go back to sleep but he failed. Once awake, falling asleep wasn't easy, especially when he had left the thick, dark red curtains open that usually prevented the sun from brightening up his room in the morning. Once again he opened his eyes, carefully. Lying in a different position now, he could open them fully finally. Blinking a few times, he yawned as he took in the room he called his own.

Danny was glad he was allowed to live in the castle, like the other knights. His room was small, with naked stony walls, a small window with dirty glass, an old wooden closet and an even older wooden bed. It was his own room though and after spending years with traveling along the country, he was grateful to have a roof above his head, to have a bed to sleep in. In the safety of the thick walls of a castle even. Here he lived together with King Mac and Queen Stella. Danny liked the royal couple. They weren't comparable to those he had gotten to meet in the various other kingdoms.

Next door to his bedroom he found his best friend, Sir Donald; the man who he had met a couple of months ago when he had arrived at Taylor and who had talked him into staying in town. Then there was also the magician, Sidney, a man who Danny wasn't all too sure about. He was a nice person, so much he was certain of. Occasionally though there was something creepy about him and usually he tried to not get too close to the man for the case he was in the mood to try a spell on him. Much more comfortable he felt around the kingdom's only doctor, Sheldon. Sheldon was a lovely man, always willing to help, always willing to show support for every person that lived in town. For Danny, he was the smartest man he had ever met. And then there was Adam, the boy at the barn who took care of his beloved horse. He was a funny man, a little awkward and insecure sometimes, but with a good heart.

Those were the people Danny got to see every day at the castle. But then there were also people in town. Many times Danny liked to head to the village. At the beginning he had done this for Don, who used to go to the village every day at least once to meet a certain young woman; Jessica, the cook who always created those impressive meals they got to eat every evening for dinner. Danny enjoyed watching his friend, the strong knight, getting nervous and excited around the woman with the pretty smile. He didn't have a doubt his best friend liked her more than he would admit, but he wasn't pushing him into speaking it out yet.

The reasons for his visits had changed over the months though as Danny himself had met a woman who he liked to visit as well now. Lindsay was her name and whenever he arrived in town, his way led her right to her stand where she was selling vegetables, fruits, herbs and a lot of other fine goods. Every day he bought something new at her stand, even though he didn't need any of those goods. But he needed a reason to spend so much time with talking to Lindsay and so he questioned her about all her herbs and vegetables, just to hear her explain them to him. Of course he didn't miss the glances Don gave him at that, but he didn't mind. They both liked to be around certain women, so he was sure his friend understood.

Maybe she also had herbs against the aching in his muscles? Danny was determined to ask Lindsay about that. Just the day before he had been out all day, making sure the kingdom was safe of robbing gangs or other enemies that could be dangerous for the village and castle. Unfortunately right as he had hoped to head back to town to spend maybe another visit at the market, he had met a group of robbers who had tried to take over a wagon. Fighting them off had required more strength than expected and now after a night of much needed sleep, he felt like every single muscle in his body was hurting.

Groaning lightly, he tried to roll onto his back, debating whether he should get up now or try to fall asleep again as a knock at the door answered the question for him. The door was opened before he got the chance to allow the person access and no one else but Sir Donald entered the room.

"Good morning, Danny," he greeted his friend. Don was dressed already, wearing clean brown leather pants and a fitting dark blue shirt that was either new or had gotten repaired lately. His friend was smiling almost as bright as the sun; something Danny couldn't understand at all.

"Good morning to you, too," Danny replied, managing to sit up with a sigh. "Is there a reason why you rumble into my room without giving me the opportunity to tell you to come in?"

Don smiled at him. "I knew I wouldn't be disturbing you. I highly doubt there would be any woman in your bed you could be busy with as I believe that young girl from the village isn't so easy to join you up here already."

Danny glared at his friend. "That being said by the man who made me go to the village so often in the first place and almost chokes on his food whenever a certain Miss Jessica enters the room to offer the next course."

"Alright, I take it back," Don said, rising his hands in playful defense. "But the fun aside, I came here as I believe it is time to get up if you don't want to miss breakfast. And I know you would never miss breakfast, just as you would never forgive me if I allowed you to forget about it."

"Thank you for the wake up call, but I think I might use the time I would spend for breakfast for some much needed sleep," Danny answered with another groan. "The day before has been a hard one and as I have not been getting enough sleep lately, I believe I should use my chance now."

Don laughed at the response. "Don't you say that, you will get up now and have breakfast. This will make sure you feel better. And then you will ask your sweet girl from town if she has something against aching limbs." He headed back to the door in an attempt to leave the room again before he turned back to his friend for another moment. "Regarding your lack of sleep, maybe I would rather tell your little girl you like her so much instead of keeping yourself awake with thoughts about her all night."

Rolling his eyes, Danny shook his head as Don left the room, laughing loudly. Another few moments he spent in bed before he decided to get up as well. He walked over to the small window, peeking through the dust covered glass. A smile lit his face as he glanced at the village down there at the bottom of the hill. He would make sure he would pay the market a visit later that day. Maybe Lindsay could sell him some herbs again.

When Lindsay returned into the house, she found her friend sitting at the table already, enjoying the breakfast she had prepared before. As she heard her coming in, Jessica looked up and a smile lit her face.

"Good morning," she greeted, swallowing the mouthful of bread and taking a deep sip of her tea. "Thank you for making me breakfast again. It is the most wonderful feeling to wake up to the delicious aroma of tea, warm bread and cheese."

Lindsay smiled. "You thank me every morning for that. I might repeat myself, but I'm enjoying to do that for you. I know how much you would like to taste some of the food you're cooking at the castle, so I can at least make sure you have a nice breakfast and aren't hungry when you arrive for work."

Jessica's smile widened. "Thank you for being so caring, my friend," she replied softly. "I hope soon we will have enough money for meat again, so I can cook something nice for you as well in return."

"I'm certain we will have enough money again soon to spend it on meat," Lindsay said as she joined her friend at the table.

"You're certain about that?" Jessica raised her eyebrows in curiosity. "Did you see that?"

Lindsay chuckled at the suspicion her friend immediately had had at her words. "No, it is just what I'm hoping for," she answered.

"I understand," Jessica answered. She was quiet for a moment, watching Lindsay reaching for a slice of bread and cheese as well. "I know I ask you for that almost every day. But...I haven't gotten to talk to Sir Donald in a while and do you think you could maybe tell me if it will stay for that or if I will get the opportunity to talk to him again soon?" She offered her hand to Lindsay, giving her friend a shy smile.

"Don't you tell me you didn't see Sir Donald in a long while, you just saw him two days ago!" Lindsay answered in amusement. "But because you're my dearest friend, I will have a look for you."

With that Lindsay took the offered hand. Gently she allowed her fingers to trace over the fine lines and the soft skin. Immediately images filled her mind as she concentrated on her friend. It took her just a few moments, then she knew the answers for the wished questions and a smile lit her face.

"You will meet Sir Donald at the castle today, but not only in the dining room," she answered then. "You will get an opportunity to talk to him for longer than just a moment. And it will be a nice conversation as well."

"What will we be talking about?" Jessica asked eagerly.

But Lindsay shook her head. "You know I won't tell you the details about what I got to see. You have to wait and experience it alone. You will not be disappointed though."

Jessica smiled satisfied. "Thank you so much! That is what I needed to hear." She winked lightly. "And I don't have to have such a gift to know that today you surely will meet a certain Sir as well."

Lindsay blushed immediately at her friend's words, knowing who she was referring to. "We will see about that. But don't you have to hurry? I'm sure you don't want to arrive late for work."

"Of course not!" Taking another sip of her tea, Jessica jumped up. "I will see you later. Thank you again."

A moment later, she had walked out the door on her way to the castle. Still smiling amused, Lindsay started to clean the table. After that she would head to the market. And like so many times before she caught herself by thinking that it would be wonderful if Danny visited her at her stand again so they could talk about herbs or whatever else would come to their mind.

Preview: Danny and Lindsay meet at the market where he finds out an interesting information about her. Also Don and Jessica get to meet again.