“Tis just Finn, my wee girl,” he said, tucking her arm into his right arm. “Allow me now, to show you to the mistress of the costumes. You’ll want to be ready soon. The knights ride in at sunset and it will be quite the spectacle.”
The merry trio enjoyed the walk to the other end of the Faire, away from the public areas.
“So, Finn,” Lilly said. “Where are all the good-looking men in form-fitting tights? I still haven’t seen even one man in tights, and we’ve walked all this way from the entrance. You promised me lots of manly handsome guys, dashing guys in extremely cool knight get-up, and swashbuckling pirates. You’ve dragged us all the way out here to the middle of nowhere for this, and I’m waiting on you to deliver.”
Finn laughed. “They’re here, and some may be in tights. I promise, there are eligible single men here, six are knights, and the ladies all find them attractive. Since we started training last week, and I met all the staff, I’ve now met six couples who met because of the Faire in previous years, and they’re all still happily married. So, there’s your real life happy ever after.Don’t worry, there are plenty of manly knights here, all dashing, daring, and romantic. For now, though, we need to get you two into costumes.”
They stopped at a small building, and he knocked on the door. Then, opening it a crack, he stuck his head in and called, “Tis Finn, missus McCullers. I’ve brought ye the two lasses.”
“Lands sakes, my boy, bring them in!” she called. “We’ve no royals about this day, that we need stand on ceremony. Come! Bring them in!”
He held the door, as Lilly and then Mia stepped inside.
The room filled with racks and racks of costumes, was a riot of color and clutter, with hats holding plumes, and crowns, and capes, mixed in among the dresses, jesters garb with bells on, and even a suit of armor near the door.
Finn raised his eyebrow at it and said, “Ye’ve begun dressing the knights now?”
“Nae,” she said with a shake of her head. “Tis here, to be picked up by the armorer. If ye look at the back plate, ye’ll see the gash in it.”
Mia’s eyes widened. “They hit each other that hard? I hope no one was hurt!”
“Luck would have it, this were practice, so none were hurt this time,” Missus McCullers said. “Though the position of the hit makes one wonder, it being on his back and all.” She shook her head. “So, I read me cards, and my card reading for this weekend is a warning for all to keep their wits about them.” She gave a sharp nod.
Mia noticed her speech was sometimes more Ren Faire, and sometimes more American.
It must be hard to keep up that forsooth speech. Glad I don’t have to.
Mia pulled out a blue gown and smiled at it. “I love this color,” she said.
The seamstress eyed her up and down. “I have another blue one in the back you’ll like better,” she said, then she eyed Lilly’s darker hair and skin. “And the golden gown for the lady. Wait here.” Then off she went to get them.
They waited, but also pulled a few more gowns out to look at them.
Mia was amazed by the many colors and the details. Jewels, gems stones, and embroidery made the gowns even more stunning. Only a few costumes near the door were plain serving girl costumes, in simple cotton.
“These colors are all so beautiful,” Mia said when Missus McCullers returned.
“In the medieval and renaissance periods,” Missus McCullers said, “They loved colorful fabrics and jewels, and were more apt to mix colors than we do today. Rich fabrics were also a form of wealth and status.”
“I love what you’ve done with these,” Lilly said.
Mrs. McCullers handed Mia the blue gown. “Thank you, my dear,” she said to Lilly.
Mia touched the blue lace across the top. “This makes it even more stunning.”
“Try it on,” Missus McCullers said, “so I’ll know if I need to adjust. Finn, outside now.”
“I’ll just go fer a pint, mum,” he said, before stepping outside, “I’ll be back, to escort you two over to the parade spot.”
“Out with ye then!” Missus McCullers said in a commanding voice.
And quick, he was out the door, closing it fast behind him.
“Off fer a pint, he says,” Missus McCullers shook her head. “Tis good he’s not driving ye this evening. Tis already his third pint today, before noon. I saw him in the pub at breakfast.”
“Perhaps he’s pacing himself,” Lilly said.
“Ha!” That made Missus McCullers throw her head back and laugh. “So, it’s that way, is it?”
