"Oh dear."

Violette rested back on the flat of her feet, her lower lip protruding slightly as she put backs of hands on hips.

"What ever will I do?" she asked a busy bee. Violette motioned to her large basket of berries. "I haven't enough for my preserves and my pies." She looked again to the berries just out of reach. "If only I were but a few inches taller..."

Violette sighed and slightly shrugged her shoulders. Then she picked up her basket and turned back down the path leading home. The sun shone bright in the sky, with clouds a mere whisper against the blue. The breeze tickled the wisps of blonde about her face as well as the lush greenery on each side of her homeward path. She swung the woven basket back and forth, humming and whistling as she skipped and walked along.

Once Violette arrived at the back gate of her garden, she felt a hint of surprise at the sight of an unexpected visitor wandering within. He had bluish hair, a fine-tailored suit of beige with blue trim, a scabbard of gold and etched hardened leather at his hip, and proper posture that told of his station. He turned when Violette clicked the gate shut, and she saw he had kind brown eyes and a horn in the middle of his forehead.

She smiled and stepped forward. "Hello. Have you lost your way?"

He bowed in greeting. "No, my lady." He straightened. "My name is Leo, white knight and protector of Goddess Althena--"

"A real knight?" Violette's eyes brightened. She set down her basket of berries and said "Oh how romantic!" as she clasped her hands.

The knight's serious expression relaxed somewhat. "I do apologize for the intrusion, but my horse has gone lame. I stopped here to rest. I hope it's no trouble for you to allow him rest."

Eyes widened. "Oh no, sir knight. I'm honored to be of help." Smile. "Would you care for some tea?" Violette picked up the basket as she motioned for the house. "I'm about to make preserves, there's a lovely berry patch just down that path," she told him while gesturing behind, "and I've just... come..." Violette's smile slowly disappeared as she clasped her hands to the basket.

The knight's expression registered concern as he leaned slightly forward and reached out a hand. "My lady? Are you well?"

"Oh could you come and pick berries for me?" she pleaded as she took hold of his reaching hand. "You're so much taller than myself, and it's such a waste to not use them."

Sir Leo smiled. "Of course, my lady. Anything in recompense for your hospitality."

Violette released his hand to lightly clap. "Oh thank you so. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come by." She giggled as they turned back down the path. "I had thought a different gentleman would arrive - he's so clever about arriving when I need help - but I'm so glad you've come, sir knight. I've never met a knight of Althena before. Is it very exciting?"

Sir Leo's expression showed seriousness. "A knight of Althena has many responsibilities, both spoken and silent. This makes for a... constancy of... adventure."

"Oh how thrilling. I've only read stories of adventure and rescues or escapes and chases and am so very glad I haven't been in such danger myself, but it is so romantic to read and dream." Eyes widened as her expression grew serious. "Have you had many adventures, sir knight?"

Sir Leo sent her a sidelong glance as he helped her over a fallen branch in the trail. "Enough."

"Oh could you tell the tales over tea? It's been ages since I heard one."

"I would not want to abuse my welcome."

Violette giggled. "You won't, sir knight, and I would so love to hear your stories. Please stay."

He inclined his head. "It would be an honor, my lady."

"Oh dear," she giggled. "Please call me Violette, sir knight."

"As you wish, Miss Violette." Sir Leo reached a hand for the basket. "Allow me."

"Oh thank you." Violette released the basket to his care and then accepted a hand-hold over a slight crevice in the path. "Do you come this way often, sir knight?"

"Upon occasion," he said vaguely. He released her hand. "My home is but a few days' journey beyond. Raculi."

"How exciting to have a knight of Althena so close," Violette commented, and her expression was bright. Then seriousness returned. "Have you been separated from your family long?"

"It has been a time, yet my sister recently married. She has been busily beginning her own life to worry on mine."

"Oh, but you're her brother. Certainly she must be concerned for you."

Sir Leo handed her up and over a collection of rocks. "I have left word that I am well on frequent occasions, my lady Violette."

Violette stopped, examining his face with a sincere expression before slowly releasing his hand.

Sir Leo held her gaze before inquiring, "Miss Violette?"

Violette smiled, and then she looked toward the north with a motion of her hand. "Those are the berries, and they're always my favorite, but I wasn't able to reach the ones up higher." She shifted her gaze back to Sir Leo. "And of course those are always the most juicy, and the best for making pie."

Sir Leo's expression showed soft seriousness. "Undoubtedly," he said simply. He raised the basket. "Will we require another?"

Violette slightly shook her head as the pair again walked toward the collection of greenery. "I have two others waiting by the bushes, I had hoped to pick enough berries for my preserves and a pie or two."

"Were you expecting company, Miss Violette?"

"Always. And I do so love having wonderful things to offer travelers..." She motioned to Sir Leo. "Such as yourself."

"Do you have many travelers visit?"

Seriousness returned. "Oh no." Smile. "But it is so much fun to plan."

Sir Leo slightly smiled. "Then perhaps Fate felt compassion for you and lamed my horse."

Wide-eyed horror, but an extremely softer version. "Oh I do so hope not. It isn't fair to you or your horse to be put off your return home. To think of all your friends and family eagerly waiting..." Violette shook her head, and a type of serious determination replaced the horror. "No, that isn't fair at all, sir knight."

"But what of your--"

"Oh don't worry about me," she interrupted with a smile. They stopped by the berry bushes. "I've my garden, and my butterflies and birds. I don't mind the few visitors."

Violette faced the berry bushes and stood on tiptoes to point at the topmost vines, not noticing her escort's continued scrutiny of her expressions. "There. Those are the ones that are simply too high for me to reach." She stood back on flat feet, examining the berries and the bushes with a thoughtful gaze. "I had thought to make a ladder of sorts with a third leg to keep it steady."

Violette faced Sir Leo and met his gaze. She smiled. "But now you've rescued me from having to do that." Serious, wide-eyed expression. "I plan on using that beautiful wood to fashion a bench for a green patch in my garden." Smile. "Would you like to see it?" Violette giggled. "The green patch and not the bench. You see, I haven't made it yet."

Sir Leo chuckled. "It would be an honor to see, my lady Violette. Perhaps I could lend a hand in the making of the bench?"

Her eyes brightened as she clasped her hands. "Oh would you?"

"Why, of course."

"Oh thank you so much, sir knight."

Sir Leo bowed low. "It would be my pleasure."

Violette smiled.

Berries were picked accompanied by the rhythm and soft melody of Violette's voice as she told of her childhood there at the cottage with her aged grandparents. Under their tuteledge she had learned of herbs and nature and many other things that Sir Leo commented as "Simply amazing, my lady Violette."

Then baskets overflowed and the duo walked back along the path to the cottage and the garden, Violette explaining how exactly one made preserves that tasted as perfectly wonderful as nature intended.

"And there is where I plan on putting the bench once we've built it," Violette informed him as they stood on the outskirts of the green patch. She focused on his profile as he continued to regard the patch, smiled, and then looked back to the small area. "I can hardly wait," she whispered. "I have so long dreamed of having a bench within my garden."

"You should plant a tree."

Violette looked to Sir Leo and met his gaze, eyes wide. "A tree, sir knight?"

"Yes, directly behind the bench." He looked to and motioned to the area behind the proposed portion for the bench. "There, so that during the day you will have shade and company."

Violette clasped her hands, still watching the Knight of Althena's profile. "Oh, sir Leo," he looked toward her, "that is a lovely notion. I wonder that I haven't thought of it before. My garden so does need a tree to give it shade on those warmer days."

Sir Leo's lips twitched. "I shall see to it personally, Miss Violette."

Her eyes widened. "Oh no, sir. Please. I couldn't have you trouble yourself so. I can travel to town to purchase the tree. I would be glad to do it."

"This I know, but I insist." Sir Leo opened the cottage door for her.

Violette passed after offering him a smile and a softly spoken "Thank you."

"Do excuse the mess," Violette pleaded as the two entered.

Sir Leo closed the door behind him with a slight rise of eyebrow. There was no mess to be seen except for a drawing of a bench diagram on the table within the small dining/living room. "Of course."

Violette went to stand by the diagram and offered him an eager smile as she motioned him forward. "Here is what I have planned for the bench. See? A simple thing."

Sir Leo looked over the plans with accompanying nods of encouragement. "Very well done, my lady Violette. We should have it built in hardly a moment."

"I have all the pieces cut and ready, too. I had to, for I could hardly wait to start on it." Violette giggled as she turned and made her way to the stove to set the tea on. "I would have started on it today but for the berries and bees calling my name."

Sir Leo sat at the chair at the far end of the table, placing his sword and scabbard on the table in front of him as he watched her prepare the tea. "Your commune with nature is... refreshing to see, my lady Violette. So often the youth of this generation do not appreciate its loveliness."

"I know," she said sadly. "The youth are afraid of nature. They don't realize that its power is designed to protect them if they respect and cherish it." Violette slowly lowered the teapot onto the stove, her lower lip slightly protruding. "I do so wish I could find a way to show them its beauty." She sighed. "But they believe I'm a witch."

Sir Leo blinked. "Certainly that isn't so, my lady!"

Violette sadly nodded as she focused her deep purple eyes to his brown ones. "Granmamma was said to be an evil hag and Granpapa a sorcerer. I was their witch-child birthed from the cave behind the berry bushes, brought to life using the blood--"

"It is preposterous," Sir Leo roared, and he stood to his feet. "You're a delicate creature of the forest, my lady Violette. You are no witch!"

Violette lowered her gaze to the floor as she slowly made her way to the table and chairs. She rested her hands on the back of the other head chair. "I know I'm not, and I know they don't really mean any harm. I only wish..." She sighed and raised her gaze again. "Do you fear the forest, sir Leo?" she asked softly.

Sir Leo shook his head. "No, my lady Violette, I do not. Evil is to be feared so that we stray from the action of it, but the forest is to be enjoyed and cherished."

Violette's face brightened with her smile as she leaned against her hands, which clasped the chair back. "Oh I am glad. I knew that you would understand--" The teapot began to sing, and Violette giggled. "Oh! The tea!"

She turned away as Sir Leo slowly lowered himself back into the chair, watching and listening as she set to work fixing the tea and chatting about her different adventures within the forest gathering herbs and flowers.

The two enjoyed tea and sugar biscuits while Violette shared tidbits of her life within the cottage and how she learned to cook, make tea, sew, and work with wood. Sir Leo chuckled along with her telling of failed attempts in all, even admitting his own failing with his first attempt at swinging a sword during practice - he had nearly put out his tutor's eye - and riding a horse while in full armor.

The fabrication of the bench was forgotten, tea grew cold, and sugar biscuits were held uneaten while each listened to the tales of the other.

Sir Leo was finally roused by the anxious and restless nickering of his horse. "I am afraid I must away, my lady Violette. I am sincerely sorry I allowed myself to be distracted. Now you are likely to build the bench yourself."

Violette smiled and stood as he did, escorting him to the front door as he strapped the scabbard on his hip. "I will save you the honor of first sitting upon it if you promise to bring a tree." She opened the door and stood by it as he passed through and turned. "A blossoming tree would be divine, sir Leo."

Sir Leo bowed. "Then a blossoming tree I shall bring. This I swear." He straightened and produced a hand. Violette slipped hers into it. "Thank you for your kindness and your hospitality, my lady. It has been an honor to speak with you."

"And thank you so for stopping by, sir Leo," she said, and her voice held the hint of tears. "I do hope it shan't be long before your next visit."

Sir Leo continued to hold her hand and her deepening violet gaze. "I shall do my best, my lady Violette. I have no wish to cause affront."

He touched her knuckles briefly with his lips before releasing her hand and turning to stride to and mount his waiting white horse. It pranced to the side, and Sir Leo easily handled and soothed it as he brought his attention back to the solitary figure waiting within the doorframe.

Violette took a slight step forward, hands clasped. "Do be careful, sir Leo. I hate to think you might be in danger."

Sir Leo smiled. "I shall be well, my lady Violette. See, also, that you take care."

And he urged his mount onto the road and away, Violette watching him as her blonde tresses blew in the slight breeze.

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