Once Upon A Time (Historical Romance) (6 page)

5

Neither Princess Jilliana nor Sir Humphrey spoke until they were well past the village. At last Sir Humphrey halted his mount so they could talk.

She reached out and laid her gloved hand on his. "I now know all about your loyalty. How can I ever thank you for the sacrifices you made, Sir Humphrey?"

He was speechless for a moment, knowing she was unaware how much she meant to him and the other people of Talshamar.

"Your well being is my reward, Your Highness. I can see you have thrived since last we met."

She suddenly felt like crying because they were no longer just Humphrey and Jilly. Their close relationship had been replaced by one of sovereign and subject—she almost wished herself back at the convent where he had been her friend. None of this could she say to him.

"Should we not ride on?" she said at last.

"Your Highness, first I must inform you that by nightfall we will join other Talshamarians, who will accompany you to London. Shall I explain what is to transpire tonight?"

Jilliana merely nodded, waiting for him to continue. In truth, events were moving swiftly. A few weeks ago she had thought herself one of Queen Eleanor's companions, now she found that she herself was also a queen. Although she was not yet comfortable in her new role, she schooled her face not to reflect her uncertainty.

"Tell me what I must do," she said at last.

"Your loyal subjects have been gathering for days in a secret place we will reach by nightfall. Since timing is so important, as soon as we arrive at that place, you are to be crowned. Queen Eleanor thought it best if you entered London as queen of Talshamar."

"How will this be done?"

"Cardinal Failsham has arrived from Talshamar to act as Pope Lucius's emissary."

"I know the cardinal. Do you recall he often visited the convent?"

"Yes, he came to see you so he could be assured you were doing well. By your mother's request, he has been acting as royal bailiff of Talshamar until such time as you return."

"I am certain that his has not been an easy task," Jilliana observed.

"We must hurry now," Sir Humphrey urged. "If you will allow it, I am told that His Eminence has everything you will require for the coronation. Will you agree to be crowned in this fashion?"

She was silent for a moment as she pondered his words. "The plan has merit—I see no other way it can be accomplished with such speed."

Jilliana could see happiness in Sir Humphrey's eyes just before he looked away.

"You cannot know what this day means to your subjects, Your Highness. Long have we waited for you to take your place as our sovereign."

She took notice of his silver armor and smiled. "You look very different from when last I saw you. How could I ever have mistaken you for a humble gardener?"

"Please forgive the deception, Your Highness. It was the only way I could fulfill my vow to your mother and remain near you."

Her eyes showed her concern. "Stay near me now, Sir Humphrey, for I fear I shall make many mistakes. I go into a future that I know little about. I must pledge my honor to men I do not know. I admit only to you that I am frightened because I may fail in my mission."

There was soft reverence in the old knight's eyes. "You will not fail, Your Highness. You are your mother's daughter, and she would have been proud."

He glanced to the east, where the sky had turned a rosy hue with the rising sun. "We should resume our journey, Your Highness. I would see the crown of Talshamar safely on your head before dawn tomorrow."

She heard the urgency in his voice and although many questions filled her mind, she did not give them voice. Instead she nodded.

"Then let us ride on, Sir Humphrey."

They rode silently all day, sometimes slowing to rest the horses, and sometimes going at a full gallop. Only once did they stop to eat, and at that time Sir Humphrey was watchful and tense, looking for any trouble that might arise.

It was almost dark when he led her off the road and down a narrow twisting trail. On they rode, until at last Sir Humphrey halted.

She tried to see his face, but he was no more than a dark outline. "Why do we stop here?" she inquired.

He dismounted and directed her gaze to a distant light. "That will be where your loyal subjects have gathered to welcome you. They have waited long for this moment, as have I."

She stared at the distant lights, now able to discern that they were campfires. She could see many figures gathered about the dancing flames.

"Are they not risking danger of discovery by King Henry? Is it wise for so many to gather in one place?"

"It is the only way we could think of, Your Highness. Queen Eleanor herself was instrumental in the planning of your crowning. And have no fear, for we are now on the land of a lord who is loyal to the queen. Shall we proceed?"

She nudged her mount forward and Sir Humphrey fell in behind her as they continued down the narrow path. At last they reached the circle of light and Princess Jilliana was immediately surrounded by knights and solemn-faced barons who dropped to their knees and lowered their heads in homage.

Sir Humphrey helped Jilliana from her horse and she walked among her subjects, urging them to rise. She was not prepared for the love and adoration they poured out to her. She was further startled when she saw tears in the eyes of some of the men, or was it merely a trick played by the flickering light of the campfires?

Jilliana could not speak for the lump that was forming in her throat. These were her people and she immediately felt a bond with them.

Cardinal Failsham approached her, his expression solemn, as befitted the occasion.

"Welcome, Your Highness," he said, bowing to her.

"It is good to see you again, Your Eminence," Jilliana told him.

"I am honored that you remember me. I will be further honored if you will allow me to place the crown of Talshamar upon your head as I once placed it upon the heads of your grandmother and mother."

"Then I would have none other crown me."

"My regret is that you cannot be anointed before the high altar. Nevertheless, I have in my possession the Ring, Crown, Scepter, and Sword of Talshamar."

Suddenly Jilliana felt the blood of generations of queens flowing through her veins. She raised her head, a grave expression on her face.

"We shall not allow the place to deter us, Your Eminence. I am told by Sir Humphrey that we must make haste."

The Cardinal bowed his head. "That is so, Your Highness." He moved to a stand covered with golden cloth where several items had been placed. All those present gathered about as the cardinal turned to their princess royal.

In a clear voice, he uttered the words that had been spoken to crown generations of Talshamarian queens. He spoke first to those gathered near. "Princess Jilliana is your undoubted queen, wherefore all you who are come this day to do homage and service to her say yea."

"We do so come," came the answer from a strong chorus of voices.

"Are you, Princess Jilliana, willing to do the same to your subjects?"

Queen Eleanor had instructed Jilliana in her part of the ceremony, so she now answered in a clear voice. "I am so willing," she replied.

The knights spoke in unison.

"God save Queen Jilliana!"

The cardinal then stepped forward and anointed her with oil, first on the hand, and then on the forehead.

"God crown you with a Crown of Glory and Righteousness, that by the ministry of this our benediction, having a right faith and manifold fruit of good works, you may obtain the crown of an everlasting kingdom by the gift of Him whose kingdom endureth forever."

Jilliana bowed her head while he handed her the Great Seal of Talshamar. This she clasped in her hand and then held to her breast. Then she spoke, her eyes focused on the crown the cardinal supported upon a red velvet cushion.

"I uphold the most valuable thing that this world affords. Here is wisdom. This is the royal law. This seal is the oracle of God."

"God save the queen!" the knights said.

Jilliana could not help notice that the cardinal's hand trembled as he took the crown and placed it on her head. There was a long moment of silence, and she remembered that the last head this crown adorned had been her mother's.

The cardinal then stepped back and many voices spoke in unison.

"Your liege man of life and limb and of earthly worship; and faith and truth I will bear unto you, to live and die, against all manner of foe for your sake."

Jilliana found that the crown sat lightly on her head. She looked at the knights who had just pledged her their lives. She knew them not, and yet they were her subjects and she could feel their warmth reach out to her.

She felt the sting of tears when she saw tears in the eyes of these men who had just paid her homage, their voices blending: "God save Queen Jilliana. Long live Queen Jilliana. May the queen live forever!"

At last Sir Humphrey dropped to his knees and kissed the hand of his queen.

"Your Majesty, I swear my life and my earthly goods to your service."

Barons and knights approached her, each in turn, dropping to their knees and repeating the same pledge. She bestowed upon each a smile and a nod.

When the last man had made his pledge, Sir Humphrey held up his hand.

"Her Majesty is weary and shall seek her bed. On the morrow, we shall begin the long journey to London, and then, God willing, to Talshamar. Let not any man present allow harm to befall the queen."

Sir Humphrey escorted Jilliana to a tent that had been erected for her comfort.

"Good night, Your Majesty. I regret that you will have only one servant to attend you on the journey. Her name is Netta Dermot, and she will serve you until you find someone of your own choosing."

"Thank you, Sir Humphrey. How well I treasure your devotion."

"I had always hoped to live long enough to see you crowned. Tonight that dream came true." Suddenly he looked regretful. "Would that your coronation had been held in the Richmond Cathedral for all your subjects to witness. But, no matter the place, you are still queen of all Talshamar, and your subjects revere you."

She stared down at the Great Seal of Talshamar that she still clasped in her hand, knowing it was of great significance, but not yet understanding its power. "I pray that I will be worthy of them."

Sir Humphrey bowed and backed away a few paces. "You are the queen—you are most worthy." His eyes swept her face. "Have I not seen this for myself?" His voice cracked with emotion and he quickly turned away in embarrassment.

On entering the tent, Jilliana saw a woman she judged to be in her thirtieth year. She had flaxen hair and her eager brown eyes were filled with reverence.

"You would be Netta."

The woman dropped to her knees.

"I am, Your Majesty, and it is my honor to serve you."

"Thank you, Netta."

"Your Majesty, so long have we waited for you." She lowered her head, feeling she had said too much.

"Then help me disrobe, Netta, for I am very weary."

Obediently and deftly, the woman complied. Her crown and the Great Seal were placed in a velvet-lined chest, and soon Jilliana was wearing her nightgown, her long hair brushed and gleaming. She climbed onto a cot cushioned with a soft downy mattress and her eyes drifted shut.

Soon she was asleep, unaware that a quiet celebration was taking place among her loyal followers. They drank wine from Talshamar to honor their queen. Two knights did not join in the celebration, but instead stood before the queen's tent, ever vigilant and alert to any danger.

And so it was that the newly crowned sovereign of Talshamar spent her first night as queen, lost in dreamless sleep, not knowing that she had just fulfilled her nobles' dearest wish: to once more be under the rule of their own sovereign.

The sun had not yet broken through the night sky when Jilliana awoke. After a quick meal of fruit, cheese, and a delicious cream-filled bread that was served on a golden plate, Jilliana allowed Netta to dress her.

The woman appeared nervous when she reached for the crown. She held it, not knowing how to place it on her queen's head.

This brought a smile to Jilliana's lips. "Tis only a symbol, Netta, you need not fear it."

"It is what it represents that awes me, Your Majesty. The honor of serving you is too great. That I was chosen out of all the women in Talshamar to wait upon Your Majesty has brought great respect to my family."

Jilliana was having trouble adjusting to her role of sovereign. She had lived a quiet, humble life, and to be suddenly so adored was somehow disconcerting. She took the crown from Netta and placed it on her own head.

"Come," she told the woman, striding to the tent opening, "I do not want to keep the others waiting."

When Jilliana stepped outside, a glorious sight met her eyes. Barons and knights, one hundred strong, were all wearing white, but for their golden chainmail. They were mounted on white steeds, their only ornamentation their family crests and helmets studded with brilliant gems.