The Lily and the Lion

The Lily and the Lion

Part 1

Joan of Arc placed her tell-tale flower in her dark blonde hair. The young girl looked at herself in the mirror; the morning sun began peaking across her soft face from the window. Joan mentally prepared herself for the future struggle that she thoroughly disliked, but had no choice but to participate. Many of the other officers including Bertrand du Guesclin felt that Joan was too emotional for war, but even the staunchest of her doubters could not deny the loyalty and integrity she evoked in her soldiers. Once she saved the city of Orleans her doubters were silenced and respected her loyalty.

"My Lady," came a voice shortly after a soft knock on the door to her quarters.

"Yes?" her soft voice rang. "Come in."

A knight entered, face shielded by a helmet. "I 'ave a mezzege from Lord Philippe of Burgundy," he handed her the letter and bowed, "Au revoir, my lady."

"Thank you," Joan nodded before he left. She hesitantly unfolded the message.

Dear Madame,

Normandy is resting in your capable hands. Make certain to forestall any English advancement from the shores. Please meet me in Odon within a few hours to discuss other plans.

-Philippe le Bon, Duke of Burgundy; Governor of Flanders

She gently placee the note on her bed, before kneeling prayer.

………………………………..

Joan of Arc and her division of soldiers marched the few miles from Pellerin to Odon. The air she breathed in seemed heavier and thicker, as nervousness caught up to her. She had never met the famed Duke of Burgundy but he had been praised all throughout France although the King of France had often been critical of his tactics. Her assistants and leaders took control of their specific regiments and led them to an outpost inside the fortress as Joan of Arc entered the central castle to castle to meet with Philippe le Bon.

"May I ask who presents yourself?" the white armored guard asked, blocking Joan's way from the grand hall.

"Joan of Arc," she answered and two guards stared at each other, "I am to have conference with the Duke of Burgundy."

The guard nodded and stepped out of her way, "Go on ahead, milady." The two guards bowed their heads as she passed them. She entered the hall while one guards announced to the conference, "Lady d'Arc presents herself!"

The officers surrounding a large oak table turned to stare. Joan strode forward with her head held high to hide the nervousness that churned underneath. She realized that there were many high ranking officers around the table, as well as a few mercenary leaders huddled in as well.

Her eyes found a tall man in a white fur cape with long, blond wavy hair tied in the back and a faint blond wispy mustache. He had narrow kind eyes that were a deep blue.

"Philippe le Bon?" she asked bowing. The man bowed in turn, "I am, mademoiselle. Please have a seat."

He motioned to a chair beside a woman with a thin drapery cascading over her brown hair, "Zis is my assistant, Marie. She is loyal although overzealous sometimes," he chuckled slightly when Marie gave him a faint harmless glare, "I am so to protect you, my Lord."

"Marie will be leading a split force along the eastern shoreline while you, Lady of Arc, will lead your troops along the western shoreline. I don't want any aggressors on the shoreline; or at all. This is going to be truly a defense phase. No aggressiveness. That includes you Du Guesclin," le Bon directed at a short chubby man with a boyish face. He groaned, "But, my lord, 'ill we not just stare at each ozere? We 'ave to take ze offensive at some point."

Philippe sighed, "And we will, but not now. Anyway, I apologize to the mercenary contingent," he turned to two mercenary brothers; one small and had a fiery gleam in his eye, the other larger with an eased calm face, "I 'ave to separate you two. One will fight under Joan's jurisdiction, and we need the other to aid Marie's troops. We have no idea how much control the English has on the shoreline of Normandy."

"What about the internal front?" another officer asked.

"I'm not as worried about the internal front. The English has less substantial control of fortresses internally. Our main concern is more English troops coming in. Other forces must defend the inner fortresses, but be prepared to support the shoreline forces."

"Ze shoreline would be dangerous," the smaller mercenary commented, "Zey 'ave hired a deadly mercenary to watch over three units of troops. It is said that any unit he commands run into battle with the strength of wild beasts."

"John Hawkwood?" Marie asked. The mercenary shook his head, "No, he's…he's…zis mercenary is downright frightening. Just watch your backs. You'll never know where he'll turn up."

"Thank you," le Bon agreed, "Be watchful…"

"Who is he?" an officer leaned forward.

"We never found his name," came the other mercenary's deep calm voice, "He is not hard to miss; if you see him. He uses the foliage to his advantage. He can be practically invisible. I once saw him take out two units…by himself just by the element of surprise."

Two younger officers stared at each other swallowing hard.

"Either way, be on your guard," Philippe le Bon warned as he dismissed some of the officers, except for Joan, Marie and the two mercenaries. Philippe heaved back in his chair, rubbing his temples, "I am beginning to despise mercenaries. Sorry, "he apologized to the mercenary brothers before resuming, "Joan, I want you to reinforce most of the fortresses along your area. Marie, if you see any English advances, send a scout to one of the nearby divisions and another to me. I know the English will send at least one division across the English Channel. I believe that is all for now. May the lord keep you."

The four of them stood up and bowed before turning to leave the castle.

"Hold on, Lady of Arc," le Bon stopped her," I would like to speak with you privately." He motioned for her to sit back down again. She obeyed.

"What do you think?" Philippe asked vaguely.

"About what my lord?"

"About this war. How do you feel you should approach it?"

Joan's heart dropped. Did he doubt her abilities too? But that couldn't be it. He wouldn't have assigned her to such an important position if he doubted her.

"The reason why I am asking is because I want us to reach an understanding on how I go through this war," he paused. "I personally have nothing against the English. I have many fine friends in England and my sister is the wife of the Duke of Albany, who is a very kind man indeed. Upon further investigation and examination I found that this war is not between France and England rather it is between the King of France and the King of England, over something that could be resolved over a game of chess. All the others, including you and me are caught up in their webs."

"Pardon, sir, but I do not fight because of ze king, I fight for France."

Le Bon smiled and shook his head. "For France to gain what? Glroy? Freedom? France and England had an equal understanding until this blood feud clouded both kings' judgments. I entrust you to think of the English as people who suffer the same fate as all of us Frenchmen do. Our people are only divided by a channel but England has helped us in trade especially in Flanders, just as we helped him. Essentially, we are all brothers and sisters. I entreat you, my lady, to not to forget that."

"My lord," Joan said sternly, "is that why the King disagrees with your diplomacy in Flanders? Because they enforce a more peaceful resolution?"

Le Bon looked away, ashamed. "That is the only thing that can save France. Do not doubt me, my lady; I will fight on the side of France 'till ze death. But I trust very few in the dealings of war, because I know that they fight ze English as if ze English were wild, mindless beasts. They never consider the fact that every opponent they face is human, has a wife, and has a home, and children possibly. Officers on both sides constantly ignore that fact that I see in every knight, every soldier I fight. On hindsight that is probably why I am so...weak."

Joan shook her head, "I don't see you as weak. I…I'm afraid that I too am criticized for my…emotional ties in war."

Le Bon gave out a huff of dry laughter, "I guess we have similar understandings then… My only hope is that the kings will reach an understanding."

He stroked his chin in thought, "But only time will tell. Now, I wish you luck," he bowed and Joan bowed in return.

Joan led her troops on a one day march from Odon to Cherbourg. They were hindered by rain and many of the dipping slopes of the terrain were flooded so the supply wagons had trouble getting across. On the morning her troops reached Cherbourg, the sun shone brightly on the dew-glistened hills. Remnants of rain lightly dripped off the trees. The men marched with a lighter step as the fortress of Cherbourg came closer and closer into view.

The base commander rode out and greeted her, "Mademoiselle, welcome to Cherbourg."

The soldiers from the base helped Joan and her soldiers get settled in and they waited for the mercenary force led by the mercenary brother named Georges to arrive. It didn't take long. Joan felt relaxed as her men became settled comfortably in and around Cherbourg and the citizens showed tremendous respect when a group walked the streets. Night peacefully came and Joan nestled herself comfortably in her bed after her prayers.

The next few days came without much excitement. Joan could tell that her knights were becoming restless but remained well mannered. The warriors occupied themselves by roaming the streets, talking; others went on deer hunts or fishing in a nearby pond. Joan on one day saw a knight stroll the streets. The citizens turned and paused for a moment. A little boy raced out his mothers' grasp towards the knight. He stared at the faceless soldier in wonder before reaching his arms up. The knight hesitated but he lifted the little boy safely in his arms so the boy could touch his helmet. Joan smiled at the soft hearted scene and resumed her stroll.

The next day wasn't as beautiful as the others. It poured rain and the streets were empty save for a few soldiers. Joan rode outside the fortress to check on her other soldiers. They sat inside their tents trying to stay dry, but as she began to turn back, Georges and his troops came sprinting down the hill towards her.

"Lady of Arc!" he yelled moderately panicked, "A scout just informed me…the English…were sighted northwest of here!"

The soldiers peeked out of their tents, when they heard the news. Joan looked back at her men; they gripped their weapons tightly, standing upright, ready for action. She swallowed.

"All advance units will come with me! Other forces will protect Cherbourg!" Joan commanded. The soldiers gave a loud roar of excitement raising their weapons high in the air.

Joan of Arc and her troops marched some twelve miles northwest of Cherbourg, stationing themselves in a simple formation, ready for any sign of English troops. Scouts have all reported that the English were heading her way, so she decided to remain still and wait for the English forces to come to her. The rain and mist made it hard to see all the way across the field. 'Any minute now…' she reiterated in her head. Joan thought she heard a noise, and narrowed her eyes, staring at the opaque curtain of mist on the other side. Slowly, figures became recognizable, but before she knew it a whole mass of black and red soldiers, on foot and on horse, appeared running and galloping out of the mist.

Immediately, she noticed a tall young man in full jet black armor and long straight black hair that reached beyond his shoulders. He was strapping and intimidating upon his black horse, holding his lance and leading the forces across the field. He had to be some dark angel.

"Dammit," Georges cursed when he reached her side. "Is that the mercenary?" Joan asked. Georges shook his head, still staring at the figure.

"No, worse," he paused swallowing, "That's Prince Edward. The Prince of Wales."

A/N: Here it is my first fic on . Just so we are clear, many of the main characters are based on real historical figures, but the basic depiction of them is based off of Koei's Bladestorm. I am rating this M for later just in case. I don't want to get in trouble on my first fic. Please Review. Encouragement always works!!

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