The Great Hall
The great hall was very large. The ceiling was very high. There were banners. There was a long red carpet down the middle.
The other children-to-be-knighted were lined up at one end. Tomas was the smallest.
The boy in front of him, who was eight, was practising his bow nervously. The girl in front of him was practising her bow nervously too. Everyone was practising their bows nervously.
The Queen sat at the other end of the carpet. She had a small, kind smile.
"Tomas," whispered Mara, from the watching crowd. "DON'T FALL OVER."
"Mara, ENOUGH," whispered their mama.
The first child went. They did the bow. They did not fall over. The Queen tapped them on each shoulder with a small ceremonial sword and said, "Arise, Sir." The child stood up, very tall, and went back to the side.
The next child went. The same. Tap, tap. "Arise, Sir." Back to the side.
Then it was Tomas's turn.
Tomas walked the long red carpet. It seemed even longer than he had expected. His feet were a long way from his head.
He arrived in front of the Queen.
He bowed.
He did not fall over.
The Queen smiled. She tapped him on each shoulder. "Arise, Sir Tomas of Greenwood."
Tomas stood up. He did not fall over now either. He had not fallen over once.