Page 34 of Chivalry in the Meadow
Just the time she’d spent with him and he with her, made her feel happy.
After she finished eating, they walked, about taking in areas of the Ren Faire where they hadn’t been before.
In the children’s area, there were games, pony rides, face painting, apple bobbing, a pie eating contest with whipped cream on the pies, archery with rubber tips for kids, and a place where they could play with wooden swords.
For teens and adults there was axe throwing, a kiss the wench booth, and a dunking booth, where a man sat saying insults and daring men to dunk him.
In another area, there was henna painting for ladies, and the Tarot card reader.
“We could have them paint some henna on us,” Lilly said.
“But we’re wearing long sleeves,” Mia said. “Where would they put it?”
“Our shoulders or our hands,” Lilly suggested.
“No, I’d rather save my money for something else that will last,” Mia said.
“Okay,” Lilly shrugged. “It was just a suggestion. We should do anything we’ve always wanted to do or try.”
“I wouldn’t mind trying archery,” Mia said. “Shooting a wooden arrow would be cool.”
“It would,” Lilly agreed. “Okay that is on your yes list. What is on yours.”
Lilly smiled and almost didn’t tell her, but then she let it burst out quietly. “Kissing a handsome knight.”
Lilly laughed. “That’s it girlfriend! Now you’re talking. Me too. Let’s make that happen.”
“I will try,” Mia giggled, feeling like a teen again. Being around Lilly often did that. Her enthusiasm and encouragement just the way it had been in high school. Sometimes it seemed strange that Lilly was often so practical. But then they were bothgrown women now and had both learned to be. It was Lilly who clung to her teenage dreams.
There were so many sights to see and so many types of character at the faire. Jugglers walked about, and stilt walkers took long strides through the faire, while women dressed as fairies flittered about entertaining children.
Off to the back of the faire, and up closer to the entrance were rows of porta potties with signs that said ‘privies.’. Mia was glad the workers had their own, back closer to their tents, especially at night, or in the morning when you really needed one. They didn’t have to wait in line with the paying Faire visitors.
Throughout the faire, there were singers, drummers and guitar players, playing in staged areas. Many vendors selling merchandise or food. There were even stocks in the middle of the faire, though no one was currently in them.
The faire was so much larger than Mia had imagined it would be. She was glad they had all weekend to look around. There was no way to see it all in one day.
Lilly led her to a tent where ribbons and trinkets were sold. “This is where we’ll buy favors,” she said.
“Oh yes, I meant to ask you about favors last night, and then forgot,” Mia said. “Did Finn explain what favors are?”
“Yes, he did,” Lilly said. “I think the cheapest would be to buy a simple ribbon in whichever color represents each of us and then to tie them in our hair.”
“Oh, that would be pretty,” Mia said. “I didn’t know we needed to choose a color.”
“Yes, like the knights have colors, so can we,” Lilly said. “Okay, so we bestow our favors upon the knight we favor in the lists. He will tie it about himself somewhere and then wear it into battle, wearing our colors just as he wears his.”
Mia lit with happiness. “Oh, that issoromantic! Yes! I want to do this!”
They spent time picking out ribbons. Lilly held back deciding until Mia chose hers.
“I thought you would choose a green one,” Lilly said. “You wear green so often.”
“Green is a good color for me. Because of my hair,” Mia said. “But I’m feeling pulled toward this pretty sky blue one because my fancy dress is blue.”
“It will look good in your hair,” Lilly said.
They purchased the ribbons, and then headed for the jousting field.
