Without further ado: Lady Godiva Rides at Noon

"Leofric? Leofric, where art thou?" Lady Godiva called searching for her husband.

Leofric sighed, "In here."

"Good," She rushed in light as a feather, despite her frock cluttered with adornments and heavy fabric, carrying a painting. "What doth thou think?"

"Beautiful. What is it?"

"'Tis a painting, Leofric dear."

"I know 'tis a painting, but of what?"

"'Tis of me. I intend to hang it in the abbey." She announced happily, "'Tis the third I intend to have hang. I strive to bring culture to this small village of Coventry."

"And I strive for a moment of peace without thou preaching culture. Levy 's. Levy's is what the village needs, to pay for the water supply."

"That 'tis all thou ever speaks of. Levy's this, levy's that. Why do not thou just marry thy precious levy's." She turned in a huff and ran off.

Leofric sat weighing his options for a moment, "If I go after her, I'll regret it. If I do no, she will make sure, I regret it." He sighed and frowned, "Oh, do not go off in a huff, dearest, I apologize."

Lady Godiva stood beaming at the painting. Leofric was relishing in his peaceful moment, "Art thou happy now?"

"Yes." She smiled, "I thank thou, my dear."

"Good." He sighed in relief.

"Except for one thing."

He groaned inwardly, "And what pray tell still vexes thou?"

"Well it's just on our way over I observed somewhere near twenty peasants slaving away and not one has visited one of my paintings."

"Perhaps, they have no desire to be cultured." He smirked. "Why do not thou let them return to their poverty and we shall retire home."

"But everyone needs culture!"

"Everyone needs a municipal water supply! There simply isn't enough hours in the day to become cultured and pay for the water."

"I spit on the water." She pouted.

"Save thou spit, without the water system thou may need it." He retorted,

"Come along." Lady Godiva unfolded her arms and followed her husband.

When they arrived home Leofric went to the front door and Lady Godiva crossed the yard toward the stables. "Where art thou going?"

"To the stables." She called.

"I suppose now thou art going to try to culture thine horses." He muttered to himself.

"Touché." She yelled back.

"How doth thou always hear me?"

"Born lucky, I suppose." Leofric shook his head and continued on his initial path. Lady Godiva entered the stables.

The stablewoman curtsied, "My lady."

"Rise." Lady Godiva instructed, "How art the horses?" She stroked a particularly large mare who leaned over the beam of wood when she entered.

"Very good," The woman answered. "My lady? May I ask, why thou looks so disheartened?"

"Yes you may, it is Leofric, he raises levy's a half-penny everyday. With all that work to support one's self, there is no time for anyone to appreciate the finer things in life."

"Well if you don't mind me saying so, I agree with thou. Culture is important otherwise we go right back to being druids." Lady Godiva nodded knowingly. "Thou didn't get it from I, but thou ought to tell Sir, thou feelings on the matter."

"Yes." Lady Godiva started to think. "I shall have a talk with my dear husband."

"Reduce Levy's!?" Leofric roared.

"Be careful Leofric," Lady Godiva warned. "Thou would not want to fall off thine chair." She snarled and shoved him. He looked at her in shock for a moment before getting up.

"I think thou broke my wrist."

"Do not be a baby, Leofric. Thou know as well as I, you are not hurt." She crossed her arms, "How can I get through to you?"

"I know something thou could do, to catch thee attention." He scoffed, "Thou might try riding through Coventry market on thou horse. Then I'll reduce the levy's."

"I could do that."

"Completely nude?"

"Completely nude? But whatever does that have to do with culture or levy 's?"

He was at a loss, then he figured one point he could make. "The ancient Greeks and Romans, viewed nudity as a celebration of the purity and beauty of God."

"I see," Lady Godiva pondered, knowing full well he was simply challenging her to a task he knew she's never do.

"Art thou ashamed of what God gave thee?"

"Certainly not my dear. But let me gather thine facts, ride through Coventry market on the busiest day of the picking season, clothed in what God gave me. And you would drop levy's?"

He smiled wickedly, "That is right."

"Well, Leofric dear, I accept thine challenge. I shall have the stablewoman make sure my horse is prepared , why hold off? I shall ride tomorrow. I shall retire to bed late, do not wait up." She got up and headed back to the stables, leaving Leofric confused and shocked.

She entered the stables. "My Lady."

"Rise, I shall need my horse ready for tomorrow morning."

"Going on a hunt, my Lady?"

"No, I shall be riding through Coventry market, naked." The stablewoman watched her in awe trying to decide which horse to chose. "I do not follow thee."

"Leofric promised to drop the levy's if I ride through Coventry market naked. He came up with it, not I." She said as she stroked a black mare, "I think I shall ride this one."

"If I may offer a suggestion why not ride the mare in the corner, her fur and thine hair match very well," She offered.

"Very good, I shall ride that one. Also I would like a couple of my Nurses to ride behind me, clothed of course. Thou can ride a horse, can thou not?"

"Yes, my lady." She nodded.

"I shall retire to bed, thou make sure the horses are ready for tomorrow 's ride." She instructed before leaving the stables.

In the morning Lady Godiva mounted her horse, as agreed clad in nothing but what God gave her. Her long beautiful brown hair braided neatly at the side. All that was left to do, was the nurses on their horses.

Leofric rushed out to her, "Thou is going through with it?"

"Yes."

"Art thou sure thou is not frightened?"

"No I am not frightened ," She patted one of her braids, "I have already agreed and I shall."

"But if you do I have to rid the village of levy's."

"I know you did not think me courageous enough to attempt such a feat as this. But that is where thou is mistaken."

"My courageous wife? I think thou very courageous."

"And I think thou very cowardly, Leofric. If thou will not stay true to thine word." She started.

A pained look spread across his face, "You may complete thine ride."

"And thou shall drop the levy's?"

"I shall." He promised grudgingly.