Elinore’S Choice

By Madelyn S. Palmer

Prince Abram has passed the test of Rimrock Island, thus winning the right to Elinores hand in marriage. He is dashing and handsome, with a touch of foreign mystique. Elinore is on the way to her happily ever after. But something doesnt feel quite right.

Then strange things start happening, Prince Abrams odd behavior, bandits in the Black Forest. It is all a fairy tale gone wrong.

Elinore finds she must choose between what is good for her country and what is right for her heart.

Madelyn S. Palmer is a family physician practicing in Littleton, Colorado. She is married with four sons. A common theme in her writing focuses on women in their journey of self-discovery. Her other interests include skiing, karate, and working with the youth in her church.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: May 8, 2013
• ISBN: 9781466992740

Madelyn S. Palmer

Madelyn S. Palmer is publishing a teen fiction series, The Land of Sterling, and is in process of writing several historical fiction novels about individuals in the scriptures. A common theme in her writing focuses on journeys of self-discovery. Madelyn S. Palmer is a Family Physician practicing in Littleton, Colorado. She is married with four sons and a beagle dog. Her other interests include gardening, sewing, karate and working with the women and youth of her church.

Book preview

© Copyright 2013 Madelyn S. Palmer.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4669-9275-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4669-9274-0 (e)

Trafford rev. 07/14/2015

21097.png www.trafford.com

North America & international

toll-free: 1 888 232 4444 (USA & Canada)

fax: [phone]

CONTENTS

Chapter 1 :The Test at Rimrock Island

Chapter 2 :Touring the Kingdom

Chapter 3 :Caught in the Storm

Chapter 4 :The Second Suitor

Chapter 5 :The Test of Strength and Skill

Chapter 6 :The Test of Wit and Worthiness

Chapter 7 :The Invasion

Chapter 8 :The Kidnapping

Chapter 9 :In the Hands of the Invaders

Chapter 10 :The Rescue

Chapter 11 :The Winner

CHAPTER 1

The Test at Rimrock Island

I t was shortly before sunrise, and Elinore sat next to her father in the shadows of the canopied royal stand. She looked out at Rimrock Island where it lay in the partly sheltered bay of the coastline. This was the fourteenth suitor (or was it the fifteenth?) this month to attempt to pass the test her father required for her hand in marriage. This man was the son of some royalty from Persia. Or was it Arabia? She wished she had brought a book to read.

Her father arose, and the five subjects standing around to witness the event seemed to wake up a little.

My People of Sterling, King Louis began. Even he doesn’t sound enthusiastic anymore, Elinore thought. We are gathered here to witness the historic attempt, ah-hem, event of Prince Abram of ah, um, Sahaja, to take The Test to win the hand of my daughter in marriage. The king paused, and nudged his daughter with his foot. She was jerked from her reverie just in time to flash her typical court smile for the group. He then turned to the suitor waiting in readiness on his horse beside the stand. You understand the rules?

The suitor looked over at Elinore, squared his shoulders, and smiled confidently. Yes! he affirmed, his voice deep and rich, and with a colorful lilting accent. I am ready.

The king looked up at the sky. The first orange colors of dawn were spilling across the horizon, and starting to light the hills behind the group gathered on the beach. All eyes were glued to where sky met sea as the sky grew brighter and brighter. Then in the center of the brightest area, a sliver of the golden sun appeared, spilling its rays onto the coastline watchers.

Now! said the king, raising his voice slightly for the benefit of his audience. Let the test begin.

Prince Abram spurred his horse and it leaped forward, slithered down a short muddy slope toward the beach, pounded across the strip of sand, and plunged into the waves dashing onto the shore. Horse and rider could be seen intermittently between upheavals of the waves, growing smaller and looking increasingly vulnerable in the powerful sea. Then suddenly they were there, rider leading his horse between the boulders strewn upon Rimrock’s shore, and up into the trees. Then they were gone. The villagers comprising the audience began to disperse.

Well, Elinore, said her father, turning to her. I’ll be giving audience again today if you should need me. Otherwise, I’ll bring you and Celia some dinner when I return. He kissed her forehead, climbed into his carriage, yawned, then began sorting through papers as it rolled away.

He has little enough time to get things done as it is, commented Elinore to her attendant, Celia, as she watched him depart. If only for his sake, I hope one of these suitors will hurry up and pass The Test, so he won’t have to waste so much time away from court matters. She sighed and turned back to face the front of the stand.

One of the villagers was standing by his horse and wagon in front of her, holding his hat respectfully in his hand. Good day to you, Princess, he grinned cheerfully.

Good morning to you, Robert of Danforth, she returned with a warm smile. He was one of the few villagers who faithfully attended the suitor contests. Where are you off to today?

I’m going to the market in Norton to trade with the mountain people. I hear their furs are some of the best. Is there anything you would like me to look for?

Elinore thought for a moment. I think I would like to get my father a fur for a warm hunting cap. Something soft, and with a bluish or white color to it. She opened her purse and withdrew some coins for him.

Robert laughed. And nothing for you, My Lady?

She shook her head. I don’t need anything, Robert. Really!

Very well, Princess, he said, winking at Celia, who winked back. I will bring you the best fur for a hunting cap that there is. He turned toward his horse, and clicked his tongue. Come, Bart. We have a trip to make this day. He tipped his hat to the two ladies, climbed up into the wagon, slapped the horse’s reins smartly and drove away, whistling a merry tune.

Well, Celia. It looks as though we have another day at the beach. What exciting activities are offered us today?

Celia put her hands on her hips. And what about your lessons, My Lady?

Elinore waved her hand. I can do those in minutes. What else is to be done?

Celia held up a basket of mending. The children’s clothes are in a sorry state, My Lady. I’m afraid they will demand much of the day to repair.

You can stop talking so formally, Celia, Elinore laughed. Father isn’t around to hear you anyway. Elinore moved her chair aside, sat down on the floor of the stand at Celia’s feet, reached into the basket and pulled out a pair of stockings. I am ready for my stitchery lesson, Madam. Where wouldst thou have me begin?

Celia drew an extra needle from a small bag on her lap, and sorted through the basket until she found a ball of yarn of the right color. Thread your needle, My Lady. Then find two stones the right size and shape to put inside the heels and toes of the stockings. Then I will instruct thee on the weave stitch to use for the holes. Celia smiled and Elinore laughed again as she took the needle and yarn.

I don’t know how I would ever have endured these many many hours of waiting for suitors without you, Celia. It’s hard enough not being able to ride my horse in the hills on these Test days. Without company I’d positively shrivel with boredom.

Ah, my Elinore. I can think of no other mistress I would rather keep company with.

They worked in silence awhile. Several villagers on foot and in wagons passed by the royal stand taking goods between the village on the sea shore and the castle on the hill; all waved or called greetings to Elinore and Celia, who smiled in return. Celia started singing a lively folk tune, and Elinore joined in. As they finished, Elinore stood up and stretched, and her gaze drifted out to sea.

I’m feeling restless today for some reason, Celia, she said after a pause. Like a colt before a terrible storm. I feel an urge to run and run until the oppressive heaviness is left far behind.

Celia looked up at the absolutely clear sky, passed her arm across her forehead, then gazed silently at Elinore.

Oh, it’s nothing, Celia. I’ll be all right. Elinore smiled. She turned away from the sea and picked another sock out of the basket. They worked again without speaking.

I wonder how far he’s gotten, Elinore, Celia finally broke the quiet. I’m sure he’s found the Golden Honeycomb in that awful beehive, and the Emerald Frog somewhere in those woods. And if he’s any faster than that fellow last week, he will already have the Jade Statuette from Widow’s Cave.

Elinore turned to Celia and laughed. "I still remember the time I got lost in there and you nearly worried