A Portrait of Lady Gwendolyn

Finally, I have a story for Milady Gwendolyn!
There once was a young maiden, who was courted by a knight most dash and daring. They wed on midsummers day, and enjoyed each other most throughly while taking part in the Kings Court. Then The King went out on a Crusade, taking the dashing, daring knight with him. Only the King returned. He brought the young, fair maiden the shield and sword of her husband, and explained he was slain in battle while serving The Kingdom and his King. The young, fair lady was crushed, heart-broken, but she did not show it. She instead took the sword and shield of her late husband, and began to practice with them, using the help of her husband former squire, who knew much in the ways of Knighthood. The King, being a man of generosity and kindness, decided the young, faid lady would continue to reside in His Court, for she was one of the fairest of The King's Court, as well the tallest, and most graceful of the Ladies-In-Waiting. Then one day, a horde of vicious barbarians assailed The Castle, threatening death for the men and rape for the women. The King sent all His Knights out to meet the barbarians out in battle. None returned. With the threat of return from the babrarian horde imminent, the young, fair lady took up her husband's sword and shield, gilded a new set of armor about her, set off to see The King in order to gain permission to meet the hordes in battle. The King's ministers were surprised, even scandalized, by the thought of this young, fair lady heading off to battle. Nevertheless, she persisted, and The King, knowing of her secret training and learning in the ways of Knighthood permitted her to wage war, and take command of the last remnants of his forces. She went out, seeking the barbarian horde, while in the Court many were whispering that she would fail. But she did not! She met the barbarians in battle, and lo! what a battle it was! She fought like a devil-possessed wild boar, and her skill in sword combat were matched well with her ability to lead in complex battlefield maneuvers. Not even a hundred wise men could match her strategy and tactics in the field!! When she returned triumphant, as The King knew she would, he granted a new title, dubbing her, "Lady Gwendolyne, Defender of Realm, Captain of The Knights of My Kingdom." And the barbarians were never heard from again...