Hidden History

On my twelfth birthday, everything was turned upside down. Up until then, I had lived the quiet, boring life of a peasant girl in the Kingdom of Dutton. I loved our beautiful countryside of sprawling, lush greens and an array of colorful wildflowers. Growing up on my grandparent’s farm, I’d always spent hours playing outside and running around in the vast greenery. My mother was always busy attending to the crops, while my grandfather took care of the cattle. My father was a blacksmith and would leave early in the mornings to his shop, returning just before dinner.

After eating a special dinner and some cake, it was time for presents. I loved my new dress my mom sewed for me, and the earrings my father made me in his shop. My grandfather had never given me his own present, so when he pulled out a long, rectangular box tied with a red bow, I was surprised.

“Father, I hope that is not what I think it is,” my mother warned.

“It is her destiny,” he said, handing me the box.

I untied the bow slowly, to my mother’s dismay. My father learned long ago not to get involved in my mother and grandfather’s disagreements.

In the box was a little black book, a bear amulet, a large sword, with a bear and “F.A” inscribed on the scabbard, and 20,000 dollars. I looked up at my grandfather, grateful, but confused.

“My dear, there is something you must know,” he said to me.

“Father, this isn’t necessary. We have a good life, we don’t need more than this.”

“This isn’t about needing more, my daughter. This is about Maeve reclaiming what rightfully belongs to her.”

“Grandfather, what do you mean?’

“My sweet Maeve. I have a story to tell you. When I was younger, I was...involved in the government.”

“Okay…” I said, confused.

“Well...Back then the kingdom was prosperous, just, and peaceful. There were few beggars, and riots were not so common as they are now.”

“What changed?”

“There was a queen. The greatest queen this country had ever seen. Queen Frieda. She truly cared about her countrymen, and only wanted peace and goodwill for her people. Her parents arranged, when she was very young, for her to be married. She was to wed the prince and heir of a neighboring country, in her eighteenth year.” grandfather sighed and closed his eyes. “Only she was in love with someone else. Someone below her station, a knight. Deeply, utterly, truly in love. Though, to fulfill her duty to her kingdom, she married the prince anyway.”

“Father, maybe she’s not ready for this” my mother interrupted.

“Let me finish, Marjorie.” grandfather furrowed his brow and continued, “Prince Edgar Jasper wasn’t a kind husband or king. He believed women weren’t fit to lead, and therefore gave the queen no control over the country of which it was her birthright to rule. The queen fulfilled her duty and provided her kingdom with two heirs. But this wasn’t enough for the King, as she had given him daughters. He resented the queen and blamed her for not giving him a male heir. He took it out on her by treating her awfully and keeping her confined to the castle walls.

Queen Frieda was desperate. The king had ruined her country. He unnecessarily raised taxes so he could be more wealthy, worsening poverty. He passed unfair laws and violently enforced them. He started wars with countries just to fuel his ego. And to make matters worse, he began to lay his hands on the queen.

She had a message secretly delivered to the knight. Together, they devised a plan. They would poison the King, and remarry to rule the kingdom in an equal partnership, and do right by the country. Only, they were caught in the act.

The knight begged for mercy, pleading with the King to spare their lives. The King banished the queen from her own court, along with the knight, and the two princesses. The King allowed them to live, so long as they lived as peasants and stayed far from the castle.

So Frieda and the knight bought a farm and raised their daughters. The Queen swore to reclaim her throne one day. And so, the knight helped her train daily for battle, and enlisted the help of a trusted friend, Alek, to help raise an army. Day in and day out they trained, and as the princesses got older, they began to train too.

Frieda finally rode into battle with her army. The knight stayed back as she commanded, so someone would be there to care for the princesses, should the mission go wrong. And sure enough, it did. The queen fought a good fight, but ultimately...she was captured and executed.” my grandfather stopped and took a deep breath, tears in his eyes.

“Father…” my mother said.

“It’s fine... The story must continue,” he whispered, taking a deep breath, “Alek returned with the queen’s body, along with her sword, amulet, and her book. The book contained many different plans of attack and her innermost thoughts. The knight was devastated, and continued to train the princesses, hoping to one day avenge his lover’s death. The eldest daughter grew up to follow in her mother’s footsteps. She too attempted a coup, but she tragically met the same fate as our queen. To this day, the awful son of that heinous king still rules this country with brutality and injustice.”

He finished and we were all silent for a moment as I took it all in. Grandfather sighed with sadness.

“Grandfather,” I said, “Were you that knight?”

“Yes, my child. And your grandmother was that queen. And you, my strong girl,” He squeezed my wrist lovingly, “Are the eldest grandchild. Maeve, you are the rightful heir to the throne of Dutton.”

I found myself at a loss for words.

“It is your duty and your birthright, to prepare yourself to one day reclaim your throne.” my grandfather continued.

I looked at my mother.

“You don’t have to, my love,” she said.

I looked down at the box in front of me. I picked up the bear amulet and turned it over in my hands.

“The spirit of the bear will protect you. He will give you power and courage in battle.”

I picked up the little black book and opened the cover. In it, Frieda’s writing was scratched into the paper. I skimmed through, glancing over the maps and many combat terms I did not yet understand.

“Your grandmother’s wisdom will help to guide you.”

I slid my hands over the sword scabbard.

“I made her that sword, she used it in battle. It’s made of Toledo Steel, one of the most sought-after materials, it’s among the strongest and sharpest in the world, and will give you a great advantage.”

I glanced at the money.

“To pay your army and buy supplies.”

I stared at the items for a moment and considered everything. The wheels in my head turned, trying to make sense of it all. I wasn’t sure if I could do it.

“Shall you accept, we will begin your training tomorrow. And on your eighteenth birthday, you will lead your troops to the castle walls, and claim what is rightfully yours.”

I looked at my grandfather.

“I’ll need some time to consider.” I answered, “May I be excused?”

“Of course,” my mother said.

I brought the box back to my chambers and lay it on my bed. I stared at the items. My thoughts raced a mile a minute. I sat and tried to work it out in my head. How could this be? I’d felt like my whole life was a lie. The world was suddenly much bigger and more complicated than it seemed when I awoke that morning.

I thought about the stories I’d heard of King Gideon Jasper. He was a cruel ruler, who spared none of a beheading. I felt a chill run down my spine as I imagined my head on the chopping block.

I noticed the little black book and felt compelled to pick it up. The smooth, leather cover slid across my fingertips as I inspected it. I opened a random page, which turned out to be a journal entry.

My grandmother described her desperation and fear as she rode to the castle at dawn. She wrote of a lengthy, harrowing bloodbath in which she watched her strongest soldiers and most loyal noblemen die at the hands of her enemy. Her heart broke and she was shaken with terror; for every death was barbaric and inhumane. But still, she fought on. She refused to give up until she’d exhausted every resource, every maneuver she’d come up with, and every last drop of strength she possessed.

When she was finally captured, she’d found a way to hide her journal. When left alone in the King’s dungeon she’d document her experiences. She had been forced to watch those loyal to her be executed viscously. She’d endured many hours of cruel, corporal punishments. Still, she wrote of how she’d escape before her death and swore she wouldn’t concede defeat until she took her last breath.

A royal guard, who had turned against the king, was to help her escape. They planned to sneak her out at night through the castle’s underground tunnels, which led to a secret exit fifty yards from the castle. If they could make it there undetected, they’d be able to meet up with a private army general, and storm the castle without warning.

Only, they never made it. And the only reason I held this journal now was thanks to that guard. He’d attempted to save Frieda, and when he failed he still returned her body and possessions to Alek, making sure she’d reach her family for a proper burial. He truly loved his country and his queen.

I suddenly felt a spark of emotions igniting within me. Something was building; something I’d never felt before. I was livid at the Jasperian reign. I was filled with sorrow for my grandmother dying in defeat. I was terrified of what was to come. But more than anything, I felt a sense of strength and bravery rising within me. I’d made up my mind, and I would push past my fear to do what is right and honorable.

I left my chambers and met with my family to declare my choice.

“My grandmother’s death will have not been in vain. Our family name will not be erased from history. I’m ready, grandfather. Let’s get Frieda’s kingdom back.”