To commemorate his eldest daughter's 18th Name Day, Lord David, Earl of Derby, commands a jousting contest.

The winner of Lady Elenna's favour will be granted her hand by her father.

Open to all Knights of the Realm.

The notice was pinned throughout all the towns and cities of England, some flyers even reaching small villages and hamlets. Over the course of six months, many knights arrived in Derby for the contest, and were granted a room, just one of the hundreds within the castle walls.

As the contest neared, but a week away, most of the knights occupied themselves with training in the Yard, where many could observe each other and judge the competition. Gambling houses laid the stakes on which knights would win the fair Lady's hand, the slow murmurs of debate growing to shouts of excitement and jostling as the week drew on.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Elenna studied the visitors as they rode proudly through the gates, some with squires following meekly behind them, some not; some armoured, most not; both old and young alike. Not one of these potential suitors caught her attention. She sighed and turned away from the window, no longer interested in the men strutting through the gates and went to sit down on her bed. This was going to be a very long week, and one that she wished would soon be over.

 A/N. This may become a chaptered fic, but I'm really terrible at keeping it going, so please pester me. Um, thanks to @jellie_ellie for the title and betaing and help and stuff. Please tell me if you like! Sorry it's so short, will be updated fastly! ((A.K.A. soon :P)) FS xxx