Give Satisfaction

A hush was around us and a glow now surrounded Honoria, a steady grey-black that while frightening was also profoundly good.

As quickly as the hush had come it fled as the stormy sea clashed upon us. I curled into Jeeves as magical energies rolled over us and through the herbal and flowery collection. I was alive with a spell of vibrant life and healing that had me wishing to dash about as I had a tendency to do now as a cat; usually in the early hours or just before bed much to Jeeves combined exasperation and fondness.

I meowed even as Jeeves petted me. Thankfully it was all over in a jiffy. The vibrant rush of life slowly receded until one could breathe as normal and not feel as if one’s skeleton was about to leap from their body and do a lively jig.

Gasping in relief, I blinked when Honoria turned eyes the hue of molten silver to me. Her smile however was kind.

“It is done. Go from this place once you are rested and make for the caves of the North. There you shall find the dwarven folk who will aid you. Ask for Ragnarr and promise him your most treasured book – for he has a love for learning, knowledge and wisdom. I sense you are a wise man as well as clever, so converse well with him and he will craft the goblet you seek.”
She addressed me then and I was all aquiver with nerves.

“Bertie, good luck with Sir Jeeves. Don’t muck this up. Be honest and faithful and you shall succeed.”

Insult and support all in one rather surprising package. I was too stunned to do more than watch as my gallant Knight accepted the package of spelled herbs and flowers. He tucked my spelled crystal, which now sparkled with an inner light that flashed like the fish in the brook, into my holdall once more and then rose with me in his arms.

Wonderfully muscular and powerful arms I must inform you.

Honoria had collected herself while Jeeves was busy, her bag and staff once more in their positions.

All three of us were quiet for a minute then I witnessed the extraordinary:
Sir Jeeves, Knight of Kindly Knots wishing farewell to H.G., Sorceress of Ravenous Reaches. One Feline Prince, merely watched in amazement as the two great people, with magnificent B.s to match exchanged pleasantries.

“Good luck Sir Jeeves – with Bertie and the Quest! Do come for a visit.”

“Thank you and farewell Sorceress of Ravenous Reaches, may our paths cross again. Until then may the air under your wings never falter.”

Honoria roared with laughter and then to my astonishment she transformed into a jet black raven. In a flash of obsidian wings the R. was airborne and flapping away.

☆☆☆


Tea-time and supper had come and gone before we resumed our confessions of earlier. As before, my Knight lay before me on the grass, the deepening dusk about us.

I sat with my paws tucked under my body, like a fluffy loaf and contemplated that I could lose Jeeves. Yet I couldn’t lie to my K. who I was dashed in loved with. So I forced myself to utter the necessary words.

“Jeeves, I am not who you think I am.”

Jeeves nodded carefully and said quietly, seriously, yet underscored with the compassion of love.

“Indeed Bertie. I am aware that you have been concealing your true identity from me.”

I meowed in frank astonishment, heart and stomach aflutter, my ears erect with bewilderment. “Why did you stay silent then?”

“Because you must have had your reasons and I knew well enough – and even moreso now – that you were a good person. After journeying with you these past few days and our adventures thus far, I believe I can securely attest to your kind and courageous nature, your honourable bent and loyalty to friends, for you did not abandon me when facing the Baron nor at facing Miss Glossop.”

His expression became stern but his eyes were still tender. “Now, if you wish to inform me of your true identity then I would be honoured, but only if you wish it.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and had to lick my paw and wipe it over my whiskers and face to collect myself. Sitting upright, with my fluffy tail wrapped snuggly around my legs I steeled my resolve. Faint heart never won fair maiden – or better yet, Sir Jeeves of Kindly Knots.

“Sir Jeeves of K.K. I am not merely a Lord, but a prince. I am Prince Bertie Wooster of the Western Wilds – my land abuts yours of Kindly Knots. The forest you discovered me in was near to my castle.”

I faltered at the shocked expression on Jeeves’ face and dread welled in my belly. Please do not let him hate me.

“I…I was scared to tell you a first, because you were so kind and wonderful to me and I feared you would stop once you knew my true title. Dash it all Sir Knight! So many try to be my friends when they realise my position, but not before because I am stupid and-”

“You are not stupid,” interrupted Jeeves. I stared up in surprise at his fierce scowl, his eyes smouldering with anger and the outrage in his voice.

“Bertie…what I said previously remains true. You are a good and faithful man and cat. You have never shirked your duty, and have vigorously withstood your Aunt Agatha, Wicked Witch of Weeping Willows from interfering unjustly with your martial state.”

The fearsome Knight inhaled as my poor brain – not on par with Jeeves’ bountiful B. – spluttered to a stop. My whiskers were quivering and my tail lashing as my fur bristled. I was as unsettled as Gussie when he had found a new newt or Bingo a new girl.

How could Jeeves still think so highly of me?

Jeeves reached out, voice now slightly shaky, but with wonder and determination in his expression. A trembling hand eased my agitation.

“Normally I would be uneasy with class differences, but I love you and I will not dishonour your love for me with protestations. Nay, I will fight for the honour to keep and nourish your – our – love. If you would still see fit to pursuing our declarations of love.”

My mind was in a right bally state but I managed to firmly assure my Knight of my opinion. “I say yes! I want us to be together and look after our lands as one – your cleverness and wisdom and my cheerful disposition will be beneficial for our peoples. Oh Jeeves, I do love you!”

My Knight gathered me up and I curled up against his chest, wrapped in those powerful arms, my heart singing in joy.

I had gained the affections of my K. and would do my best to deserve his love and a happily ever after.

☆☆☆

A.N.2.; Split over two parts due to length!