The weekend was just full. Full of tasks, greetings, smiles and chuckles. Full of beauty and emotion. Lots to talk about....now that we can!

So Friday, I woke early and hopped in the car to head for Assessment by way of Raleigh. I had two bales of hay in my car and I could not think of ANYTHING plausible to explain that to Nia and Nikulai so I buzzed Padraigin and asked her if I could tell them when they got in the car.

So, we got to chat and giggle and anticipate all the way there in between my forlorn, "Are we there yet" and "How many more mountains do you think we go over?" Poor Nia, poor Nikulai.

Intersperced there are calls from D'Emma of delays...weather...traffic. But we are Pels on a mission and we decide that three Pels and a credit card could be a new TV show on Bravo.

We arrive suprisingly shortly before D'Emma having checked into the hotel and having had an impromptu rendezvous with Colin in the Food Lion parking lot. We begin to unpack and of course there are several wonderful Atlantian Knights there to help do what is necessary to make B's vigil all it can be.

Those who were trained by His Grace, Duke Anton, have specific needs concerning the raising of a pavilion. When we begin though, we are short a couple of folks trained in "The Way" but Sir Corby and Sir Colin joyfully pitch hit. I sit at ringside nursing my rib and longing for popcorn as I watch the show. The canvas is stretched and squared and the spikes pounded and we are close, so close when Sir Corby moves his foot....now many of the folks know this is not "The Way" and several others wonder how their pavilions ever stood without knowing "The Way." I sit and smile as Corby and Colin respond to their lessons with the exquisite grace and lighthearted humor that is the trademark of their house.

Meanwhile, the vigil tent is being raised several yards down the field and as we stay on task and several others join to help we rapidly have a beautiful hospitality tent complete with rushes and herbs, tables and banners as an entrance to a torchlit promenade lined with the Knight banners from ToC. Fritz has outdone himself with food and my own loving husband has sent several dishes to round out the tables heavy with sustenance for Bryce's well wishers.

By the time all is in readiness, B has been on site for sometime artfully delayed by Nia and a pavilion to raise of his own...sadly with a suprising dirth of his own friends to help him!

I will leave it to B to describe the events of the night and the next morning but suffice it to say that I have never seen anything more striking than the view through that long walkway of our Royalty waiting with Their Graces, Anton and Luned for Bryce de Byram.

B, I know that meant the world.

The rest of the night was snapshots of love, pride and humor:

Once we were settled and while we were waiting, we enjoyed the company of Mika and Ursula, Corby, Colin and Andrew...thank you for making the time between tasks a joy.

So many people want to touch these moments...it is easy for folks to get their feelings so caught up that they forget others'. I was so proud of how well everything came together from three different states with Fritz, D'Emma and us. Drea very generously brought the Elvegast banners which added so much to the intimacy and ambiance. Alesia with the strewing herbs which brought such a period flare. Lucia and Ursula pitching right in to get the ton of food prepped. Richard with his magnificient suggestion for traffic flow.

B, you are so loved.

Emma worked with a gentle grace and efficiency that made my heart swell with pride. From the pots of herbs which will later grace Kim's herb garden, to making sure that the trays were restocked and guests were greeted...she was a dynamo.

Fritz put so much detail into everything from making sure the food was appropriate to a crusader to working miracles with shortbread and making sure no dousing had ever had more ice.

Daemon masterminded the long promenade and stage set the moment of beauty that began the vigil. Not sure how much water that bucket held but it went on and on and on.

Colin had very generously made sure that I would share these moments. He invited me to share his time with B in the event that my place in line might be too late in the evening. We had a bit of a chuckle when it turned out to be my honor to ask him to join me for my visit. Thank you again C for making sure I was cared for.

Before dawn, it was finally Nikulai's turn. As we surveyed the area realizing there were still quite a few waiting to see him, Fritz gave the ultimate gift of sending us on to hotels and taking care of tear down as he waited to meet B's needs.

The morning came too early and too humid but we all gathered for the Knighting.

B, I have never seen you stand so tall or your shoulders squared so securely. It gave me great happiness. There was Kim, sitting as was her right with Duchess Luned. There was Duke Anton standing with HM Cuan for the last blow. There was Ragnarr, and Balynar and D. There was the awe inspiring site of the Atlantian Chivalry striding into court over the crest of the hill.

The ceremony... full of echoes of the past and welcome into the future. The fealty of a Knight already a Peer and a Good Man.

Memories to hold for a long time.