The Queen of Windmere Returns

The river ran backwards on the day the Queen vanished. That was commonly known lore throughout the kingdom of Windmere. None of the Elders knew where it came from, just that it was something that happened a long time ago. Their current queen, Ashland, believed it was her great-great grandmother who disappeared.

“I think,” Queen Ashland told her attendants, “that she was taken away by a troll because of her great wisdom and beauty. Such a queen is too powerful and therefore deemed dangerous to the fay and the trolls.” The attendants brushed and braided her hair and helped her put on her riding attire. “It’s a shame, though, that we don’t know what happened to her. Just that she vanished.”

King Theo knocked on the door before entering. “My beloved, are you ready to dine? It’s near noon. You’ve been sleeping in lately.” He walked in and lay upon the velvet settee. “Or are we possessed with a fever or a fainting spell?” he joked. “We must call upon the doctor.”

Ashland replied, “That happened once. Do I have to hear it over and over? Will I ever be free from this indignity?” The ladies were finished dressing her, and the queen turned around, resplendent in her finery. “How about you? Have you recovered from the horse incident?” She knew that would irritate him.

“You know there was a snake in the path, and the horse was spooked,” he retorted. “You were there.”

“I was indeed there. But I could control my horse.” She walked over to him; he kissed her cheek and escorted her to the dining room. The attendants continued with their work, cleaned the room, and made the bed. The servants, Cate, Sirdan, and Fina, finished quickly and exited the queen’s chambers.

“I hope you like today’s dish. Quail eggs with greens, potatoes, a special soup if you like. And a light but heavenly dessert.” He was proud to have the best chefs in the kingdom. Theo was always trying to impress his queen. Married for five years now, he treated her with kindness and respect, a model for his subjects of Windmere.

“What went into the soup?” Ashland asked. “I don’t want to be … uncomfortably full when we go horseback riding.” She smelled the food as the servants brought out many dishes. “It smells wonderful,” she added with a smile. “Thank you, Henry, for bringing today’s breakfast.”

“It is my honor, your majesty,” Henry replied and bowed. The Queen insisted that there be different servers each day so that she would get to know them better. That was her way of also finding out news about town. “How is your wife doing?” she asked today’s server.

Henry shyly smiled. “Much better after the fever broke. Thank you for asking, your majesty.” He returned to the kitchen with some of the empty serving vessels.

Ashland looked across the long table at her husband, the king. She was transported by carriage from her town of Beton, an arranged marriage that would have the kingdoms bonded. From the day she first saw him, she knew she could grow to love him. His effusive kindness charmed her.

“So, my dear, where do you want to go horseback riding today?” He knew she loved horses and had a bigger stable built and stocked with the finest horses. “The countryside, or the road into Beton?”

“The road along the countryside, I believe. Today’s sky looks marvelous, and I want to see the wildflowers in the field.” She finished her breakfast and put her napkin away. “Everything was lovely this morning. How do you locate the best cooks? It seems we never have the same meal.”

He smiled. “I happen to know people who know people.” He got up, putting his napkin on the table. “Let’s go riding before our meeting with the chancellors and ministers this afternoon. There’s bound to be disagreements around the table.”

They left the palace and headed toward the stable. The sun rising over the stable provided enough light to greet all the horses. Ashland talked to her favorite. “How’s Cherry today?” She scratched the horse’s nose which elicited a whinny. She continued down the line. “Good morning, Bosco. How do you do, Rose? How’s Chance this morning?” Chance was the king’s favorite.

The stable hands saddled the horses and set up a small step stool for the queen. Theo asked Ashland, “Are you ready?” He put out his hand to assist her with her mount. Sitting in the saddle with reins in hand, Ashland nodded thanks to Theo. Cherry snorted and wanted to go. “Whoa, Cherry. Hold up. Be gentle.”

Theo got up on Chance and led the way out the stable. Two royal guards followed them at a distance. The path to the main road was short, and soon they were riding along the countryside at a comfortably slow pace. Wildflowers abloom, bees and butterflies dotted the flower tops, having their own breakfast. Ashland always felt close to nature, as if she were an integral part behind why flowers bloom. “Have you ever wondered,” she asked, “where the first flower was discovered? How delicious it must have been to find the first daisy or see the first peonies.”

“I suppose I would have treated it as poison first,” Theo replied. “Humans must have attached the concept of beauty to the flowers. It could just as easily been poison ivy or nettles that we call beautiful.”

“But nettles sting.”

“And roses have sharp thorns. It’s a matter of perspective,” Theo continued. They continued riding in silence, enjoying the fresh air, the queen thinking about the concept of perspective.

“You’re right about perspective. Sometimes we judge people by their appearance and not who they really are underneath. I wish it weren’t like that.” The queen continued. “What if -”

Suddenly a man appeared over the horizon on an old mule, trotting toward them. The guards raced up in front of the king and queen. The man rode closer, and the king and queen noticed he was quite old; by the looks of his garb, he was not a well-to-do man. Ashland chided herself by assuming he was a beggar. He approached the queen, but a guard named Kinder rode before her. “That’s close enough, good sir.”

The man reined in his mule. “I have important news for Ashland of Beton.”

Theo scowled and bristled at that old form of address. “It’s Queen Ashland of Windmere now. What is this news?”

“Your majesty,” the old man was humbled to say and faced the queen. “I have news about one of your family members.”

The queen was taken aback. “I have no living family members, sir. I have no children, no siblings, parents or grandparents. A distant cousin of mine is the king of Beton. Are you sure you have the right person?”

The old man said, “The river ran backwards on the day the Queen vanished. And the Naba River is running backwards today.”

Theo asked him, “How did you come to this knowledge? Where do you hail from?”

The old man said, “I am Abram, an Elder of Breton. I know the queen who vanished. And I know why.”

Ashland spoke up. “Please join us back at the palace. I have many questions for you.” The guards kept a close eye on Abram as well as the king and queen as they returned to the stables. They dismounted and told Abram his mule would be well-taken care of. “Let us have a repast. You must be famished if you rode all the way from Beton.”

“Actually, I came from the Highlands, far beyond Beton.”

Ashley grew concerned as the Highlands had always been at odds with Beton. “And pray tell, how are you an Elder of Beton doing business in the Highlands?” Ashland asked.

“That is where I was seeking the information I needed to warn you.”

Theo commanded, “Let us get inside, out of the general eyes of the public.” They approached the castle, and Sirdan welcomed them back and lead them to the discourse room. Theo asked Henry, “Could you bring a light repast for this gentleman, and drinks for us.” Looking at Abram he asked, “Would you like coffee, mead, or ale?”

“Just water, thank you kindly.” He took a seat at the table and set his hands in his lap. “I know you have no reason to trust me, but I know why the queen vanished.”

“Which queen?” Ashland asked.

“Your great-great grandmother, Queen Tilda.”

Ashland’s eyes grew wide. “So it’s true – the rumors about her are true? What happened?”

Theo held his wife’s hand. Henry brought out the drinks and scones, setting them on table before them. He left quickly sensing a serious discussion was taking place.

“She was taken by a legion of war-like trolls. They were jealous of her position and of how well revered she was among her subjects. They thought she would banish the trolls from Beton.” Abram took a bite of his food and was obviously famished. “She needs your help.”

Ashland shook her head. “Needs my help? I thought she had passed after she vanished. She’d be so much older, she would be around…”

“…110 years old. She still lives, held captive by the trolls.”

“Why has no one informed me before this time? How could she and you still be alive?” A tumble of questions came from Ashland. “The line of succession would have stayed with her.”

“Because she is at one with all of nature. And because you are with child, and the trolls need that child’s blood to live. It was too dangerous to tell you until now.”

Ashland laughed. “No child yet.”

“You have missed your last two cycles, and you have reactions to certain foods. The child will be born just after the New Year.”

“How dare you? Who-How do you know this?” Ashland turned pale.

Theo looked at his wife to understand if this was true. He said, “That’s enough scare tactics. What proof do you have?”

Abram said quietly, “I know because I am Queen Tilda’s husband, the former King Rinough.” He drank his water. “I know because I was there the day she vanished. The river ran backward out of sadness for the lost queen. Tilda had a very special connection with nature. The trolls accused her of being a sorceress and had her taken,” he paused. “Tilda is indeed a sorceress. Now the Naba is moving backwards again because another travesty is soon to happen.”

“Proof?” Theo insisted.

“Your majesty,” he addressed the queen, “I see you are wearing the royal gold and pearl necklace with azure stones in the shape of roses.”

“Yes,” she said as she touched her neck, “you can plainly see it.”

Abram opened a small linen bag and took out a ring. “Here is the ring to the set. It belongs to Tilda. She knew you’d demand proof.”

“Let me see that,” Ashland insisted. She took the piece and inspected it. The initials of the jeweler matched the one on her necklace. “It is a match.” She looked at her husband for guidance. “What Abram says is true.”

Theo took the ring and inspected it. He agreed it matched her necklace. “So what danger is the queen in? Why are you not still the king?”

“The trolls have gathered a legion. The need the newborn to sacrifice to their gods. And I had to go underground to protect Tilda. My son Petra became king. Your great grandfather.”

“Why do they need the baby?” Ashland asked.

Abram looked down. “Because they need the blood of your royal line to survive.” He raised his head. “They’ve taken nearly all of Tilda’s blood. She doesn’t have much more to give them. I know where she is imprisoned. It’s a dangerous journey, but I can lead you there. I am your great-great grandfather, and it would be an honor for me to have you meet her. There’s a remarkable likeness between the two of you.”

Theo spoke up. “If you’ll pardon us for a moment, I need a word with my wife. Henry!” he called. “I need your assistance. We wish to be alone for a few moments.” Abram was gently escorted to the parlor down the hallway. Theo turned to his wife and asked, “Is this true? Is there a child?”

“I didn’t know for certain. I was waiting for a sign to show. Yes, I missed two cycles. But I don’t have any other signs.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this before? And how did Abram know?””

Ashland hesitated. “A sorceress would know. I didn’t want to tell you yet about my condition and then have you disappointed if I lost it.”

“I would never be disappointed in you.” He leaned over and kissed his wife. “The question is…are you up to this adventure? I didn’t want to assume you’d say no. I know you too well.”

Ashland was firm in her reply. “I want to go. She needs to be rescued. This might also answer why I feel most at home in nature. If I have her blood, I’ve got sorceress blood as well, an undeveloped art.” She thought about what she could do with this skill. “It would be good for our family. Our growing family.” She looked down and lightly touched her stomach.

Knowing there’d be no way to stop her from going, Theo replied, “I will go as well. I am just as curious about this legion of trolls and the possible danger to Beton. We should discuss this with the chancellors later.”

Ashland shook her head. “You know they’d disapprove strongly. And I certainly don’t want to announce our child to them like this.” She took his hand. “You’ll be by my side the entire time.”

Abram was welcomed back to the table. Theo addressed him. “Yes, we will go. We and our two guards will follow you to Beton.”

“She is being kept in a cave far up the hillside.” Abram added, “But not in Beton.” His tone became more serious. “We must go the Highlands. We must go through enemy territory first.”