Short story by Jacinta DeLallo
~Come, dear Reader, and have a seat while I tell you the tale of the Knight who followed the Star to the Holy Family on that blessed Christmas night.~
The Knight of whom I speak of had no king to serve. He traveled the lands with his faithful steed, searching for a master whose orders he could fulfill. As he searched, the Knight would help those he met along the road: beggars, the poor, the fatherless, giving them food or shelter whenever he could.
One night, as the Knight sat alone by a fire, a dazzling light split the sky. The Knight looked up to the stars and saw, to his amazement, a brilliant Star forming in the east. Upon seeing this light, a desire he could not place arose in his heart. Mounting his steed, the Knight set off at once, the brilliant light of the Star seemingly pointing him where to go. He knew in his heart, whatever rested beneath the starlight was of great importance.
He traveled for many days, sometimes with company, but often alone.
After he had gone a great distance, he came across three men astride camels. They wore fine clothes, and each carried bags of gold and rich cloth. The Knight drew near and greeted them. “Travelers, where do you go?”
“We are following the Star which will lead us to the King of Israel,” they replied.
“I too, am following the Star, for I knew in my heart it was good for me to behold what lies beneath it. Let us travel together, for I desire to see this king you speak of.”
Together, the three kings and the Knight traveled for many months, the Star ever present in the sky.
When at last they came to the place where the Star led, the Knight’s heart filled with joy. Here, maybe, was the end of his search. Here, perhaps, was a master he could serve.
The three Kings dismounted their camels and entered the house. Slowly, the Knight followed.
The little home was lit by only a few candles. But as the Knight’s eyes adjusted to light, he became aware of the people who sat near a dying fire. There was the Child in his Mother’s arms, looking at the strangers with interest. The Knight saw the Mother smile warmly at the Kings while the man at her side watched intently as they came close to the Babe. The Knight watched as each of the Kings knelt before the Child and offered precious gifts. Gold from the first, Frankincense from the second, and Myrrh from the third. When it was the Knight’s turn to see the Child, he realized that he had no gift to give. No gold or precious oils to offer, nothing befitting a King.
He knelt before the tiny Boy, a smile on his face. “Little King,” he said softly. “Long have I been searching for someone to serve. Alas, I have no gift to give that is worthy of You, save for this.” He took the coat of arms off his helmet and gently laid it on the ground next to the other gifts. “I give to You my allegiance. By all honor I hold dear as a knight, I shall serve You till I draw my last breath.”
He felt a hand rest upon his cheek, and when he looked up, the Knight saw the Mother smiling at him.
From that night, he slept outside near the kings, his sword ever at the ready.
When the Kings bid the Holy Family farewell and set off to their countries, the Knight stayed, shepherding the Family and taking care of them.
One night, while the Knight slept near the fire, an Angel came down from heaven.
“Knight,” the Angel said, waking him. “Arise and make ready your horse, for the Child which you have sworn your service to is in grave danger. A wicked king seeks to slaughter Him. Three of his men are approaching even now. Hurry and help them to flee and defend Him from this fate.”
“Angel,” the Knight said slowly, rising to his knees. “How is it that the Almighty should ask this of me? I am nothing but a lone knight.”
“You have shown might in virtue and grace,” the Angel replied.
The Knight, humbled, bowed his said and answered, “Whatever it is that the Lord should ask of me, I pray I have the courage to comply.”
With that, the Angel vanished from his side, and when he entered the house, he saw the Child’s father sitting up in his bed.
“You must go,” the Knight told him. “A danger is coming this way. You must hurry.”
The Father nodded. “An Angel of God has appeared to me in a dream. He has warned me of the danger,” he said softly. “I will wake my wife, and we will go.”
The Knight helped the Holy family up onto his great war horse and guided them quickly out of the city. As they were passing the last house, he saw three men astride horses riding fast towards them, swords drawn.
The Knight pulled away from the Family. “You must hurry,” he told them. “I will hold them off until you have reached the border.” He looked at the Child, at his Mother and Father, and smiled. “Hurry,” he said gently.
A look passed between the Knight and the Father, who nodded to the Knight, spun the horse around and spurred it on.
Slowly, the Knight turned and faced the men still riding towards him. They charged towards him as he stood beneath the moonlight, pulling up sharply when they came upon him.
“Who are you?” They demanded.
The Knight stayed silent, drawing his own sword from his scabbard.
“Do you really think you can stop us, Knight?” the men jeered. “What can one lone man do against us? Come, let us be done with him and hurry our pursuit.” They charged at him, and the Knight, his sword raised in salute, drew his helmet visor down and engaged the horsemen before him.
He fought with a holy purpose, his sword flashing in the moonlight and a prayer on his lips. With a battle cry to heaven, he slew his enemies with broad, strong strokes and when they all lay dead at his feet, he took his sword and planted it into the ground. With a heavy sigh, he dropped to his knees and looked up to Heaven. A deep wound bloomed in his side, and his blood fell in crimson drops upon the ground.
A warm light grew around him and the Angel appeared before him, hands outstretched and a smile upon his face.
“You have done well, good Knight. Come. Your King is calling you Home.”
The Knight smiled, bowed his head, and took the hand.
Snow began to fall gently upon the ground where the Knight last stood. His sword remained upright in the earth, and all around it, grew lilies of the valley.
~Now, some say that to this day, you can still see his sword hidden beneath those white blooms, still standing tall in the ground, a reminder of his sacrifice. But who can truly say? After all, this is just a story.~
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