Once Upon A Time (Historical Romance)
Read Once Upon A Time (Historical Romance) Online
Authors: Constance O'Banyon
Tags: #Historical, #Romance, #Fiction, #Medieval, #Renaissance, #15th Century, #ONCE UPON A TIME, #Adult, #Secret, #Childhood, #Adventure, #Action, #Identity, #Queen, #Country, #Talshamar, #Heir, #England, #Prince Ruyen, #Falcon Bruine, #Vengeance, #Betrayed, #King, #Murdered, #Father, #Deceased, #Common Enemy, #Freedom, #Threatened, #Hearts Prisoner
Table of Contents
Copyright © 1996 by Constance O'Banyon
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Old friendships age well, outlasting
the passing of time.
Patsy Blythe Robinson, I cannot remember a
time when I did not know you. Growing up together
we laughed, cried, and sang duets in church—you
made growing up fun.
And,
Jannette Baird Green, the sensible one—the miles and
spaces of time have only made you more dear to me.
And,
Velesta Black, with your infectious smile and
generous nature. You have been a constant friend,
and I thank you for always being there for me.
And,
Nelda Walker Reinhardt, I cannot think of
my teenage years without imagining you there
beside me.
Once upon a time there was a kingdom ruled only by women. It was a center of learning and culture unequaled anywhere in the world. So rich and prosperous was Talshamar that it was coveted by all rulers, but especially by the envious kings of England and France, its nearest neighbors.
Zealous scholars of later centuries virtually erased all traces of the existence of Talshamar from their historical accounts because they did not believe such a land could have existed. Still, the spirit of the tiny but valiant country has been held close to the hearts of women everywhere. The legend will not die, because stories of the daring and bravery of Jilliana, Talshamar's last queen, and the cunning of her ally, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, have been passed from mother to daughter for centuries.
In the year of Jilliana's birth, her kingdom had been free from discord for more than two centuries, but on her first birthday that idyllic peace was broken as King Henry II of England prepared to invade Talshamar and take its treasures as his own.
Did Talshamar really exist? I hereby pass on my account to those of you who believe in love, magic, and fairy tales.
Kingdom of Talshamar, 1167
War had been raging with England for over a year, and the valiant, peace-loving Talshamarians could no longer hold back the powerful, well-seasoned forces of Henry II.
On their march to the capital city, the English troops had methodically destroyed all farms and villages that stood between them and their target, leaving those peasants who had managed to survive the brutal invasion without shelter or food for the coming winter.
Soon the outer walls of the queen's castle, the last stronghold of the kingdom, would be breached and Talshamar would fall.
Two riders took advantage of the moonless night and the lull in the assault to make their way clandestinely toward the royal castle.
"Who goes there?" cried a man-at-arms from atop the watchtower, his trained eye picking up the movement of shadows below.
'"Tis I, Sir Humphrey of Longworth, with urgent business for the queen. Lower the drawbridge, and hurry, man! The enemy is pursuing us like the hounds of hell."
Sir Humphrey and his companion were having difficulty reining in their war-horses, for the great beasts sensed the apprehension of their riders, and were prancing nervously, prepared for action.
"State the watchword," came the stoical demand from the sentry. "Anyone could claim to be Sir Humphrey. No doubt even old Henry of England knows that he is Queen Phelisiana's most trusted supporter."
"Damn you, man—" Sir Humphrey cried out in frustration, as he tried and failed to remember the password.
The guard remained impassive, and the gate remained closed.
Sir Humphrey ground his teeth in rage. He had narrowly escaped death that night, he had so many worries and responsibilities plaguing him that he had trouble concentrating, and this fool of a guard made him flounder around for a damn password. He forced himself to clear the exhaustion from his mind, ever aware of the sounds of pursuit in the distance. "Ah, I have it," he finally announced. "The Royal Scepter! Now let us in, damn you, or when Henry's men arrive, I'll toss you over the walls to their waiting arms myself."
"Aye, you be Sir Humphrey right enough," the guard said, more to himself than for the benefit of the men who waited. He shouted an order below and told Sir Humphrey and his companion to pass within.
The lowering of the drawbridge momentarily drowned out the sounds of battle that were drawing ever nearer. The riders entered the courtyard, their horses clattering over the wooden bridge that led into a second courtyard, where a man-at-arms bearing a torch awaited them.
"Follow me, lords. Her Majesty awaits you in the Great Hall," the guard said urgently.
Quickly the two knights dismounted. Their hurried footsteps took them through a maze of brightly lit corridors and finally into a chamber where Queen Phelisiana was hurriedly giving orders to her trusted adviser and palatine, Lord Kelvin.
The young queen's golden hair was uncovered and framed her beautiful face. She was bent over a map, her mouth set in a grim line.
Sir Humphrey's heart contracted when she looked up and her eyes met his. It was apparent that she was resigned to her impending fate, and he felt helpless to stave off Henry's cruel retribution.
"At last you are here," the queen said with relief. "I had so feared you would be unable to break through the enemy lines."
Sir Humphrey knelt before her. "Only death would keep me from my appointed task, Your Majesty."
Queen Phelisiana smiled faintly in acknowledgment of his devotion. "Rise, Sir Humphrey, and present your companion to me, for there is a need for haste."
The second man wore no insignia to betray his identity, but Queen Phelisiana knew he was a trusted knight of Queen Eleanor of England.
He stepped forward and bowed. "Sir James of Middleton, Your Majesty, and I bring greetings from my noble lady."
"Sir Humphrey has told you what is to be done?" the queen asked.
"He has, Your Majesty, and I am at your service. Queen Eleanor has charged me to render to you such aid as you deem necessary."
The palatine stepped forward, his expression stern. "Your Majesty is aware that I have grave misgivings about this venture. I am not convinced that we should rely on Queen Eleanor, who, after all, is Henry's wife. I question her purpose in aiding us against her own husband. What if by making Princess Jilliana her ward, we are placing our princess within Henry's reach?"
Sir James stepped forward. "I can understand your concern, but it is unwarranted. My queen has bid me assure you that Princess Jilliana will come to no harm while under her protection. I am to remind Your Majesty that Queen Eleanor has not forgotten when you stood her friend. She pledges that your daughter will not become a pawn of either her husband or Louis of France."
Queen Phelisiana smiled at Sir James, but her words were meant to assure her palatine. "Lord Kelvin, I would trust Eleanor with my life—more still, I trust her with the life of my only child."
The palatine still looked doubtful, but he made no further protest. "If I cannot sway you in this scheme, then I implore you to leave with the princess, Your Majesty. If you remain in Talshamar, you shall surely die or become Henry's prisoner, which might be an even worse fate."
The queen waved her hand dismissively. "I will not desert my people in this, their gravest hour. But be assured that by sending Jilliana to safety, I will deny Henry the final victory."
A nursemaid had been standing in the shadows, and now Queen Phelisiana motioned her forward. Lovingly, the queen took her two-year-old daughter from the nurse's arms, and dismissed the woman. The child slept peacefully and did not stir when her mother embraced her tightly.
The queen then reluctantly turned her attention to the two knights who would soon be entrusted with the safety of her daughter. "You will each pledge to me on your lives that the princess will come to no harm."
Sir Humphrey dropped to one knee, his face shining with earnestness. "Until the Princess Jilliana is returned to Talshamar, I pledge to keep her safe at the cost of my own life, Your Majesty."
She smiled gratefully at her liegeman and then turned to Queen Eleanor's knight. "And you, Sir James?"
Sir James nodded grimly. "I pledge on my honor, and that of Queen Eleanor, that no harm shall befall the princess under my protection. I will accompany Sir Humphrey to make certain that Princess Jilliana safely reaches her destination, or forfeit my life in the attempt."
Sorrowfully, the queen touched her sleeping daughter's hand and placed a soft kiss on the rosebud lips. She knew that she was looking upon her child's face for the last time. Then with a sense of urgency, she handed the princess to Sir Humphrey.
Her eyes cleared and she straightened her back as the mother became once again the queen. "You must make haste. Leave by the secret gate at the perimeter of the castle grounds and take the mountain pass to safety."
Sir Humphrey's arms tightened about the princess. "Fear not, Your Majesty, her highness will be as safe with me as she would be sleeping in her own bed."
Queen Phelisiana's voice was unsteady. "You will ever stay near her, watching and guarding her in my stead, serving her as faithfully as you have served me?"
"This night I pledge my fealty to Princess Jilliana, Your Majesty."
"Then I am content." She handed a sealed parchment to Sir James. "Deliver this safely into the hands of your queen, and no one else. Tell Eleanor—" Her voice faltered. "Tell Queen Eleanor that I am forever in her debt."
"I will do as you command," Sir James vowed, admiring the brave young queen.
Queen Phelisiana then placed a golden object in Sir Humphrey's hand.
"This is the Great Seal of Talshamar," he said in puzzlement.
She nodded. "I place it in your keeping, Sir Humphrey, and you shall give it to Jilliana on the day she claims her birthright."
Sir Humphrey bowed his head, trying to hide the sorrow that ripped at his heart. If the queen was relinquishing the Great Seal, she expected to die. He wanted to stay by her side and protect her from the enemy, but the road he must travel in her service lay elsewhere.
He placed the Great Seal into his doublet. "I will take it for safekeeping, Your Majesty," he said gruffly, "and one day return it to
you."
Their eyes met, and there was much left unsaid between them.
"Go now, time is against you," Queen Phelisiana said urgently, then turned her back so that she would not be tempted to take her daughter in her arms once more and thus delay their departure.
The two knights bowed and backed to the door. Once they were in the corridor they hurried down dark stairs, going into the bowels of the castle, through a catacomb that led toward the edge of the royal grounds.
Sir Humphrey clasped to his breast his most precious charge, the sleeping Princess Jilliana, heir to the throne of Talshamar.
Once outside, they found fresh mounts waiting for them. Soon they left the castle behind and took the long winding road that led them through mountain passes and then finally down into a secluded valley.
On they rode into the night, both men conscious that the life of the little princess depended on them.
The sounds of battle could now be heard in the courtyard. A loud crash echoed through the marble halls as the enemy battered down the last barrier into the castle and swarmed inside. The Talshamarian Royal Guard fought bravely to deny the English entrance to the Great Hall, but they soon fell before the larger, battle-hardened force.
In a white robe, with a golden crown set atop her head, Queen Phelisiana was composed as she watched five enemy knights approach her with swords drawn.
One of the knights, apparently the leader, smiled with satisfaction as he bowed to her. "Your Majesty, may I present myself to you? I am Lord Exeter."
Her voice was cold. "I have heard of you, butcher. I suppose you have come to take me prisoner."
He shrugged. "Regretfully, Madame, that is my directive."
"I shan't be going to England with you," she said quietly.
Lord Kelvin stepped to his queen's side, unsheathing his sword and facing the enemy. Cardinal Failsham, who had been praying in the chapel, rushed into the chamber to stand on her other side.
"Do not harm Her Majesty," the cardinal said, "or your soul will be damned for all eternity."
Lord Exeter appeared unperturbed by the threat. "This is not Rome's concern," he said, roughly shoving the cardinal aside and moving toward Queen Phelisiana.
Cardinal Failsham straightened his disheveled robe and bravely stepped in front of the queen, determined to protect her. "Are you prepared to stand before God and explain what you do here this night?"
"Out of my way, priest," Lord Exeter ordered, raising his sword in a threatening manner. "I have more fear of standing before King Henry if I do not carry out his orders than of standing before God if I do not carry out yours."
"Be at peace, good Failsham," the queen said, motioning for him to step away from her. "You must not interfere in this. Go instead to the task I set for you."
The cardinal reluctantly nodded and turned to do her bidding. The queen had drawn up documents that made him overlord of Talshamar until Princess Jilliana was old enough to ascend the throne. His footsteps were heavy as he left the chamber, knowing he must put the good of Talshamar before the life of its queen. He had given his pledge to her, and difficult though it might be, he would fulfill it.
"Dispatch this man to bring your daughter to us, Queen Phelisiana," Lord Exeter said, indicating Lord Kelvin. "She will also accompany us to London, as will any attendants either of you require."
Phelisiana's laughter was chilling. "Tell Henry that his bones will bleach white before he gets his hands on Princess Jilliana. As we speak, she is far from his treacherous grasp. Report to him that I have taken precautions so he will never find her. Indeed," she said triumphantly, "I have planned her future so well that Henry Plantagenet will not only pray that she comes to no harm, he will even want to protect her himself."
Lord Exeter looked at her suspiciously. "You speak in riddles. Say what you mean."
"Can you read, Lord Exeter?" the queen asked tauntingly. "1 know reading is not a requirement for knighthood in England, while even the lowest servants in Talshamar are taught that skill at an early age." She smiled. "But even Henry has admitted that we are an enlightened people."
Lord Exeter glared at her. "I can read," he said with a snarl.
"Then look at this," she said triumphantly, thrusting a parchment at him, "and you'll understand how well I have robbed your king of his final victory."
He read the parchment and scowled at Queen Phelisiana. "What does this mean?"
"It means that if anything happens to my daughter, the king of France will be the legal overlord of Talshamar. I have named him my daughter's heir."
The knight moved to the wall sconce and held the parchment to the flame until it ignited. "So much for France," he jeered, watching the document burn and then dropping it on the floor and crushing the charred remains beneath his boot.