Once Upon Two Kingdoms

Prologue

People should be free to choose, once they are old enough to know what they want, and can take responsibility for their choices, I whispered, watching you, my little baby, asleep so peaceful in contrast to the rage that brewed in me.

"How could your father condemn you this way while forcing me to stand by, unable to do anything but despair? I know he felt wretched. That doesn’t help the pain in my soul.

"I begged him on my knees, but it was no use. Your path in life was sealed and no human could break it asunder. All I could do was leave the sad scene, crying miserably with you in my arms.

"Still, I am not alone in my misery. Before they left, Marietta murmured that she wanted something different, but it was too late. She was as devastated as I.

I … could hardly bear the burden put on my shoulders by them. Oh, Elizabeth, I tried my child, I tried to protect you and I have failed you…

Chapter One

Royal Problems

Patrick, it is time for you to think of a wife, King Fernand called to his son from his hunting gelding.

The young man stopped his mount in mid-step. Had he heard right?

His black hair shifted, caressed by a cool breeze; a breeze that so imitated the soft touch of his mother’s hand, not felt for many years. However, nothing was soothing about his father's pronouncement.

Come, mon père, he answered, I am sure there is plenty of time for that. Why would you bring up marriage now?

You are a prince, son. That means you need to marry for the welfare of your kingdom and your kingdom is in great need right now.

And follow my mother’s path, you mean? I don’t think so.

The king’s round face filled with a confused look as his graying hair cascaded forward to hide it. You don’t even know who you would marry, son.

It doesn’t matter, mon père, I will not marry under those conditions.

The group that accompanied the royal family followed the dogs baying loudly in the distance. Only a few guards stayed close to the two.

This is a most serious matter, son…

I am in no hurry and will not consent to it.

The prince set the bow on his back out of the way, to see his father unobstructed.

Patrick, listen to me. You already have a bride.

The prince’s horse started at his loud tone, and reared suddenly.

What? That is ridiculous! I don’t know anyone that I would like to marry.

‘This certainly is most disturbing,’ Patrick thought. His heart urged him to race far from his father, but the presence of the guards stopped him. It wouldn’t do to be childish in front of them.

That has little to do with it, son, the king’s loud voice startled the prince out of his thoughts.

It was mid-day and Prince Patrick had been hunting pheasants with his father and a few other courtiers. He couldn’t understand what had gone so wrong to incite his father’s outburst. Certainly he hadn’t done anything to merit this punishment.

What do you mean little to do with it? It has everything to do with it.

This was meant to be quite simple, son. You are to marry the princess of Bella Vista and that is that, the choked words came from stout King Fernand’s crimson face. Don’t you see, we will have their kingdom for ourselves?

Patrick forced his horse to face his father.

That is impossible, mon père. Patrick stared. His father’s serious expression stopped any further words that crossed his mind.

Now, son, … this is very important, Fernand calmly repeated.

Oui, mon père, I too believe that it is important. As soon as I fall in love, I’ll let you know.

It was a beautiful day—not hot, not cold—and they had found birds aplenty. What could have upset the king so? Patrick looked up the sky to see if a storm was brewing. Nothing but blue sky met his brown eyes.

What is the name of this woman I am supposed to marry? His jaw twitched rapidly and his mouth compressed into a tight, thin line. His eyes, however, were glued to the cloudless sky, far from his father’s face.

Elizabeth, the Princess of Bella Vista, replied his father.

Just when did this happen and why wasn’t I asked?

In the distance the hunting dogs’ baying had disappeared, and the court with them. Patrick wished that he, too, could vanish from this nightmare.

When Elizabeth was born, I made a pact with her father in regards to your marriage. We thought it best for both of our kingdoms.

For all my life you've never thought it was important to bring this up? Once again, his mount turned away from his father and he had to rein him back.

There was no need for you to know before. Besides, don’t you see, we will be better off. The king’s own gelding seemed impatient for the conversation to end. They have many more trees than we’ll ever have. We need those woods if we are to survive. It is a magnificent situation.

The young prince was well aware of his kingdom’s need for the thick varieties of trees found in the neighboring realm. Although only separated by about 100 miles, Trebolett’s forests, for some inexplicable reason, were smaller and they wouldn’t grow as easily as they did in Bella Vista. Their castle, food, and industry all required wood. Eventually they would run out if the situation didn’t change.

If their trees are so important, why don’t we buy their forests instead of marrying me to their princess?

Come now, son, the marriage will also give you two kingdoms when her parents are gone.

Is that more important to you than my happiness?

How hard can it be to do your duty, Patrick?

Did you really think I would be thrilled with an arrangement like that? You don’t even know me, do you? I am quite disappointed in you, … mon père.

Come now, you know we can’t go back on our word. It would be an insult to King Nummer, the princess, and their kingdom.

Don’t try to make me feel guilty, mon père, I never made that pact. Patrick dismounted and rubbed his horse’s forelegs.

I don’t think that I like that answer, Patrick.

The prince watched as the king’s veins protruded dangerously on his neck.

She is a princess. What more can you ask for? his father shouted, as he also dismounted.

Love, mon père. I observed my own mother deteriorate for the lack of love in her life, and I made a silent vow that that would never happen to me.

Love? The monarch raised a salt and pepper eyebrow to a dangerous height.

I believe that a good marriage should be the result of love and understanding between the couple. After all, that is not such a bad idea.

Son, love has nothing to do with it, the monarch said.

It has everything to do with it. The prince turned to face his father. I could never marry someone whom I didn't love.

You don’t have time for frivolous things like falling in love, Fernand tried to calm his voice as he placed a hand on his son’s shoulder.

How could you say that?

Patrick knew better than to lower his guard when his father tried to regain his composure in the middle of an argument.

Your mère and I were married by arrangement. It was never bad for us. You will be all right.

Did you ever ask Mère if it was all right for her, mon père? The prince turned and started walking away.

Why wouldn’t it be? She had a kingdom, a son and everything she wanted.

Patrick faced his father once again.

What about love? Did you ever love her?

There you go again, the king’s voice once again was strained. Love is nothing but a feeling that makes people weak. It is always in the way. It clouds your mind and your heart. Kings cannot afford to fall in love.

He shortened the distance between him and his son with five long steps.

How can you say that, mon père? Have you ever been in love?

No, I haven’t the time or the patience for that sort of nonsense. The king turned and strode to his mount that grazed peacefully a few feet away.

That is exactly what I mean, Sire. Mon mère died of a broken heart, because she didn’t have love in her life … your love.

That only shows you that I am right, cried the king.

Love got in the way; it made your mother weak. That is why she died.

I need to think about this. … I will go to the mountains for a time. He jumped on his horse and clicked his tongue, sending his chestnut gelding into a gallop.

I will accompany you. His father’s voice stopped Patrick’s mount, but the slim, fit prince didn’t turn to look at him.

That won’t be necessary, Sire. He left before the words on the tip of his tongue came out, and he’d regret it the rest of his life.

Some time later, alone with his thoughts, the prince cried, I don’t understand.

His favorite mountain echoed back, tand then, nd.

Amused by the game, he tried again, Why did you do this to meee? and received back, mee? me?

The echoes surrounded him as he galloped closer to his favorite spot. Nature was something the prince enjoyed immensely, especially when the routine of the palace seemed oppressive.

I want to be in love. … love… ove

He had relished the time he spent with his father in other interests, rather than the tedious matters of ruling their kingdom, but after today—he didn’t care if he ever saw him again.

Chapter Two

A Betrayal

Earlier that same morning, in the neighboring kingdom of Bella Vista, the royal family was almost ready for a visit to Trebolett. Queen Elenor surveyed the grooms completing their final preparations of the riding horses. They were a gift from her father, the late king of Polienor, who had raised them from colts.

Her hand kept shielding her heart because of the purpose for this trip. Time was against her now. Almost eighteen years after the terrible day, she finally had to face the heart-wrenching secret she had kept all that time.

Are you excited about this trip, my daughter? Elenor preferred small talk to her thoughts just then.

She kept her eyes on the beautifully angelic face of seventeen-year-old Elizabeth, her pride and joy. It seemed to her that after today she would never again see her so carefree.

Yes, Mother—my first journey outside our kingdom. It’ll be like the camping trips. I am thrilled. It will be wonderful to see other places, her long strands of golden hair bounced with her excited movements.

Being your first visit would make this one even better, I suppose. The queen’s temple let a drop run down her cheek. She hurriedly wiped it away with the back of her hand.

She had obtained her wish years earlier when she had argued to allow her daughter to grow up without bearing the shadow of her betrothal to Patrick of Trebolett. She wanted to save her from that heartache for as long as she could.

Are you ready, sweetie? her father called from beside his personal black stallion.

The stable hands scurried to help the plump king ascend his mount. Once up, the king flipped his almost white hair back to where it belonged behind his shoulders.

The queen sighed and in silence climbed onto her own brown purebred. The gelding had been a gift from her father when she, too, had married for the sake of a treaty.

I am, Elizabeth responded giddily.

Elenor had grown up around horses in the kingdom of Polienor and she was an excellent rider. It was a trait she had passed to her daughter, who graciously sat upon her own chestnut thoroughbred.

Onward, the king told his personal Royal Guard.

Forward! the captain cried and the guards surrounded the royal family with the supply wagons behind them.

Hmmm, smell those new cherry blossoms, the king commented as the sun silhouetted the trees.

They are the most beautiful I have seen in a long while, the princess agreed. Father, … there are not many people with us. Is that normal?

We take just what we need, my daughter, he explained. It will help us not attract unwanted attention. Besides, the trip will only take a day and a half, then we can count on Trebolett’s resources if we need anything.

The fragrant blossoms faded as the cherry grove gave way to a street lined with green trees. The party continued for a long moment in silence, until the queen coughed to clear her throat from an unwanted sob.

I am very pleased with the young lady that you have become, she told Elizabeth.

Just then, the road turned rocky and the horse’s hooves echoed loudly.

Thanks to you, Mother, she spoke louder to be heard over the noise. You have been my example and I am thankful for your teachings.

Another silent spell came upon the queen as her mind transported her to the time when this nightmare had started.

She sent a sideways look at her daughter and her mind cried in pain, ‘I am so sorry Elizabeth. … I would have never given you life if I had known what awaited you.’

Chapter Three

Heartache

Elenor remembered well the day she had surprised her husband with the news of their child. She sat near the lovely lake close to the castle. She had arranged a picnic with her husband and had sent the help back to the palace. She loved the green and peaceful waters of that lake. She also loved the nearby shrubs dressed in their majestic colors and shapes, but most of all, the giant tree with hanging branches that swept the ground and provided a curtain around them.

Nummer had stuttered for a moment and then jumped with glee at her announcement. No being able to keep it to himself, he sent a proclamation to all the nearby lands to announce the happy occasion.

Hear ye! Hear ye!

Queen Elenor will present an heir to the throne of Bella Vista by mid-summer.

All royalty are invited to celebrate the joyous occasion at a festivity.

We will welcome you in six months from now.

By Royal Decree,

King Nummer of Bella Vista

Everything had been so marvelous as they awaited their bundle of joy. It seemed almost silly now to think about how much time they had spent wondering what the baby would be. A boy? A girl?

Queen Elenor sent another wistful gaze at the young woman’s beautiful profile—a girl, her own wonderful, now-grown daughter.

Her mind returned to the time long since gone. I hope for a girl, but I will love either one, she recalled telling her lady-in-waiting, Shanel.

They had been on the terrace enjoying the afternoon breeze after a hot day.

Yes, I know what My Lady means. I would not care either, yet I wanted my first baby to be a boy.

I suppose that these thoughts are shared with every woman.

I am sure of it, My Lady.

The king had been so content that he had visited Elenor's chambers almost every day. He was more kind and stopped at nothing to insure his wife's happiness. She must have fallen in love with her king at that time. Yes, something like that.

When the great day arrived, King Nummer paced outside the bedroom. He peppered the servants with the same question each time they opened the door, Well…?

Nothing yet, Sire.

How long does it take? he would ask.

Elizabeth arrived as all babies do, without a care in the world, after the king’s tenth query and a great deal of pain for the queen. All heard the first cry. Weeping with happiness, Elenor saw the nurse exit to announce, It’s a girl, Sire. It’s a girl.

I have a daughter? the king entered the room to take the new babe in his arms. He was delighted with his beautiful girl and had, on the spot, named her Elizabeth.

Soon after, it all came tumbling down, Elenor murmured, her words drowned by the motion of the wagon wheels behind them.

She was in the present again and sent another glance at the man who should have protected their daughter but, instead, had given her away carelessly. He had seemed set in his decision at the time, and she had felt distant from him since then.

Mother, Elizabeth interrupted her for a moment. You and father used to be good friends with the royal couple of Trebolett, did you not?

"Yes. Your father and King Fernand have been trying to outdo each other since they were children. When one does something notable, the other follows suit with something even better.

When you were born, he wasted no time in letting King Fernand know that although he might have a boy, we had a beautiful girl and in his eyes that was better.

Elizabeth laughed and Elenor smiled, although it never reached the corner of her eyes.

How about you and their queen, Mother?