The Non Royal Princess

<b>1</b>

<b>Princess Jarolyn</b>

"He's a pig, not a Prince!" the furious girl exploded as she burst through the heavy oak door of her outer chambers, wherein she burst into tears.

Bringing up the rear, I quietly closed the door so that others couldn't eavesdrop on her distress.

"Come, Your Highness, sit by the fire and calm down," I urged, a gentle hand between the girl's delicate shoulder blades, firmly guiding her to her favourite chair in front of the roaring fire at the end of the chamber that I'd lit earlier.

She moved as directed and took seat. Her long, delicate, sleeveless silk dress was stylish and perfect for active social dancing. However, spending the whole of a tedious morning standing and formally entertaining visiting provincial princes and their large and mainly uncivilised entourage in our draughty halls of court, wasn't very comforting for an adolescent princess.

I draped a warm woollen robe over her shoulders. She smiled through tears for just a moment in thanks before her anger bubbled over again.

"You were there, Tomas, discrete as usual but near enough to hear what he told me, that, that … pile of … dragon poop!"

A small smile momentarily creased my otherwise neutral but edging towards concerned countenance.

"I was, my lady, but Prince Qinocci hales from one of the Six Minor Kingdoms of Exonibia. They are coarser than we subjects of the more enlightened society in the Queendom of Shanija. Remember your political lessons, Princess Jarolyn, that the Minor Kingdoms are traditionally friendly buffer states between us and the mighty mountain-based Republic of Zenobia. The Republic's income, from mines and minerals, gives them wealth and power and we know they regard our fertile plains and forests teeming with game with covetous eyes. Indeed, they have tested our border security for years seeking weaknesses to exploit. The Minor Kingdoms are states we need strong relationships with and, where greed and power exists, the bond of family is a stronger glue than simple friendship."

"I know Momma wants this alliance, I do understand, Tomas. Her grandfather was a second cousin to Qinocci's grandmother, and closer ties with younger royals could be valuable alliances, but tomorrow is my 17th birthday and I won't consent to marry that conceited oaf a year on from tomorrow."

"Her Majesty is unmoved by your protests," I gently reminded her, handing her a cloth peeled from several folded together, drawn from my belt pouch. "Her hands are tied, my lady. Being the eldest of four princesses and, as your commoner father's daughter and Queen Sharma's step-daughter, by our laws of succession you cannot be queen. The queendom needs alliances to survive. We have no Prince and, since your father died last year and the Queen's age precludes it, there will be no crown princes from Shanija until your young half-sisters, marry and produce heirs. That happy day will not be for at least ten and twelve years respectively, when Crown Princess Lakole and Princess Sheryne come of age."

"I know, I know," she agreed in sighing despair, dabbing her wet cheeks with the soft linen cloth, "my sister Marija's only 15 and I suppose I did agree to meet this prince weeks ago and … well, I hoped he would be the prince of fairy tales… but that pig … it is sooo unfair that I cannot marry for love!"

"It is indeed, my lady," I did agree, "Qinocci is an arrogant loose-mouthed fool and completely unworthy of the sweet-natured and sophisticated Princess —"

"—but you heard—"

"I did, he called you a 'desperate non-royal princess' and unnecessarily boasted that he would maintain his harem and only 'bother' you sufficiently to birth around six princes. He even showed you how greedy he is. Telling you that his father, Minor King Hymor, handsomely pays from his treasury a golden bounty for every Prince grandchild his seven sons produce was crass. To add that his father spares not a copper farthing for any of his princesses, be they daughters or granddaughters, is enough to show how uncouth his society is. Very undiplomatic and stupid of the prince to say what he said, when he is but his father's youngest of seven sons. Qinocci will never be king. I've heard he neglected his school lessons in favour of archery and debauchery, so I fear he'll ne'er amount to anything. However, he is the only eligible Minor Kingdom prince unclaimed by any bride. Even his eldest sister and advisor, the Duchess Philoma, overheard and was much embarrassed by the pup Prince's silly speech."

"What am I to do, Tomas? I've known you forever, you're my teacher, my protector, my advisor, my friend."

"I am sorry, Your Highness, you have little choice. I've dreaded today since your dear father, Queen's Consort Morkyn died. He may have been born a humble cobbler but, by killing the Dragon that almost destroyed the Queen and all the royal party, including me, 13 years ago, he fulfilled a prophecy that indeed led as foretold, to your father and Queen Sharma being the most loving and happily married couple I've ever known. But, without a royal male-child we're back to where we were 13 years ago when the Queen ruled alone with no heir apparent."

"Yes, my father and Queen Sharma, who I'm proud has become my constant and loving mother, were so happy, we were all happy," the Princess agreed, "and there's no new prophecy when one is needed to save the day!"

"I know, the soothsayers have been far too quiet, my lady."

"Oh, Momma has her hands tied," she sighed in resignation. "Alliances are needed and I have to do my duty as the eldest princess … but I don't have to be happy about it."

"I could come with you, my lady, if you wish, and the Queen permits me to join you in Exonibia."

"Would you? I know Caroleen, my maid, would come, she swears so all the time. You'd be a comfort Tomas, you've always been with us and, when Marija and I undertook too many separate activities for you to protect us both, I'm glad that you chose me."

"Well, after your father killed the Dragon, and my knight had been burnt to a crisp, I was completely out of a job as knight's squire. I'm grateful that your father insisted on my new role as minder of the princesses in the Palace. I was only 14, you were 4 and blessed with a personality that was pleasurable to serve, while Princess Marija was as troublesome as a two-year-old as she was at 13, when I was asked to make a choice, so choosing you was an easy decision."

"Well, I'm grateful, Tomas. Now, what about you becoming a knight, surely you have served us as protector long enough to be given your spurs by now?"

"Not as a squire trained to be a knight, my lady, such a knighthood has to be learned and earned. I had served as squire to my knight for less than twelve-months when Sir Dhaniz perished in defending the Queen from that Dragon. At the ripe old age of almost 28 I am far too old to take up the remainder of my seven-year indenture. Your father told me once that even he was unable to make me a knight and he was Queen's Consort. I will forever be a servant or man-at-arms in time of war but I told him I was content to serve my Queen and Princess in either capacity. Mind you, my lady, Princess Marija hasn't talked to me once since the choice had to be made two years ago, she was very upset that I chose you."

"That girl can sometimes hold a grudge longer than is healthy; I'll have a quiet word with her tomorrow at breakfast and clear the air between you. But thank you Tomas for your offer to serve me after my marriage. I feel comforted knowing I'll have a dear friend in the wasteland of the Minors. Now, please can we go out for our daily ride? I really missed my morning exercise because of this visiting Prince and I want to get out of this finery, into my everyday riding wear, loosen my tresses, gallop freely to feel the wind in my hair and enjoy the freedom while I am still a girl and not yet a married woman!"

Within the hour we had ridden half a league from the Royal Castle, the horses had worked up a warm sweat and we were happily free of the confines of Court life, even if only for an hour or two.

It was as we topped the deserted open moor only a few hundred yards short of our intended destination, the collection of forest rides, that my mount threw a shoe, immediately stepped on a sharp stone and badly split his front right hoof. He was reduced to hobbling with a jarred knee.

I dismounted and examined my horse's leg. He was a game animal and an enjoyable ride and wanted him seen to and made comfortable as soon as possible. "I'm afraid I'll have to walk Blackie back to the stable farrier, my lady."

"Well, I am still keen to ride on and gallop up and down the King's Ride for twenty minutes or so or I'll be too wound up to sleep tonight. I'll not stray, Tomas, and will gallop past you waving farewell some three-quarters of the way through your homeward trek."

"I really shouldn't let you out of my sight, Your Highness." I always addressed her formally when in mixed company or I had sound advice to give, advice that she should take, even though I knew the headstrong girl would do what she wanted in this situation. She always knew what she wanted and said what was on her mind. I loved her honesty.

"Oh Tomas, we are still within the Royal Palace Grounds, what could possibly happen?"

"You could fall and lie on the gallops unconscious for wolves or bears to eat their fill, although they'd regard you naught but a light delicacy between proper meals."

"Tosh! There are no wolves or bears within the Palace Grounds, Tomas!" she laughed. "I'll see you soon, once I've chased away my melancholy at losing my independence before even becoming a fully growed woman."

"I'll keep an anxious eye on the road for your return, Your Highness," I bowed.

I did watch out for the Princess but she didn't pass me.

After walking more than three-quarters of the way home and not seeing her approaching in the distance, I became increasingly concerned. I abandoned Blackie to make his own way back to the stables for his evening oats and the farrier's attention. I ran all the way to the Palace to raise the hue and cry in searching for the Princess.

Although we searched high and low for many weeks and months, with proclamations read out in every town and hamlet in the Queendom, Princess Jarolyn could not be found.

[to be continued]