The Prince's Wife, Part I

Prince Larren was praised by all the kingdom, second-born, but truly noble of heart. he won in the lists and practice rings, on a horse or off he could fight hard, to the people he was a shining star, So good that King Rael and Crown Prince Duhran, sent him to command the west’s frontier land. He rode from the capital on the plain towards the west’s great stronghold citadel, in the hill county there he stopped at a ville, to spend a night, for his horse’s health, so much riding had not done the beast well. The town fathers put him up in fine style, and sent him a girl to help pass the while. The girl’s name was Seras, there was no name last, she was a peasant orphaned quite long ago, but she was a beauty with long, flaxen hair, and emerald eyes that sparkled and glowed, Larren was struck, and told the girl so. “Do you not have kin to look after you? Please tell that what I fear isn’t true!” Seras frowned and said,”I must do what I must, it’s the only way that I have to survive. They will not even let me live here in town, only in a hut out in the countryside, where they come when they’re wanting a ride.” She explained no more, just captured his lips, Larren was overwhelmed, and surrendered to it. The next morning he awoke, and gazed at her, then rustled her gently from her sleep. He said to her,”You need never lay with them, from now on, you lay only with me. I’ll cross blades with whomever touches thee!” He gave her gold coins, his father on one side, said,”Build up a home in which to take pride!” For three years the prince watched the west, only half a day’s ride from that sweet girl, whenever he could, he rode out to her and for a while they forgot of the world, to Larren, she was a precious pearl. Of this lengthy affair two young boys came, Larren always smiled when he said their names. But after three years a messenger came to the citadel where he kept his watch. It was time to go home and take a wife, those were his august father’s thoughts, an alliance with his neighbors he sought. Larren then rode out to his greatest love, saying,”I fear I must leave, orders from above.” There were tears, many tears, at the grim news, but Larren promised Seras one thing, every month that he remained alive a page would come, new gold would he bring, he swore his on his royal signet ring. That night he spent wrapped up in her arms, he left wondering how to forsake he charms… CONTINUES IN PART II