I mean, as I said, shield or if you really feel weird parrying dagger. Two weapons in active use requires someone to be really good to be doing something that's essentially a party Or maybe even a festival trick and do it on par with someone using a singular weapon. If one had say, a dagger versus two daggers in active use, then you have one guy slashing and stabbing with two separate short weapons while trying to dodge and hop out of attacks while placing yourself in advantageous positions for another strike, the other guy has a hand for balance and more natural movements. Along with the 1% (3%?) ambidextrous thing. Though having another weapon that's not in active use and say, is at your belt or side could be useful in quite a few maneuvers in combat. Or just throw the thing at a guy for distraction or hoped damage through terrible actions.
Just adding my two cents about duel-wielding. Basically, it's always better to have two one-handed weapons than just one, otherwise you're wasting your other hand.
((Not so. Shields have always been considered a solid choice and in the case of heavily armored combat, being able to grapple your foe is vital.))
Right, the whole knight wrestling thing. Fun times.