"I bow to thee, Queen..."

Once upon a time,

There lived a Knight named Tarabas.

He was a scarred and twisty fellow with a dark past.

One day, he chanced upon a fair Maiden named Fantaghiro.

She was the youngest daughter of a Lord.

Although her beauty rivaled that of her sisters, she was unpopular.

She had the manners of a boy and reveled in adventure.

Yet...

She held the key to Tarabas's heart.

He rode his horse to the well each day where Fantaghiro would go to drink.

They shared smiles and he soon found the rose in her hiding behind the thorns.

She appeared more a woman each day, but their love was not to be...

Her unveiled charms had caught the eye of another man, those of a fair Prince

Prince Romualdo and Fantaghiro soon wed. Tarabas unable to find her love...

Heartbroken, he vowed never to be seen again.

Madness nearly drove him in revolt against the new King and his Queen

But after some time, he realised his immaturity. The error of his ways...

He learnt that although he opened her heart. He was never able to do the same.

Hiding his feelings, his past, his inner most being behind honor and duty.

Only he was to blame for love that strayed. And so he returned to the Kingdom...

Seeking to reclaim his honor and... a friend he lost.

He bowed to the Queen and her King. Proclaiming that there was no man more worthy.

To this day he remains by his Queen's side.

Defending her honor in hours of need.

His future unwritten. His love unsung. What would become of his worn heart?

TO BE CONTINUED

"I bow to thee, Queen... and King"

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