Things had gotten out of hand. There was no other way to describe it.
What had started as an innocent game of bragging (admittedly fueled by a little too much beer) had ended with the wrong person overhearing the Miller bragging about his daughter.
He couldn't very well tell several well-armed men that he had been telling a tall tale when he had claimed that his daughter could spin straw into gold.
And now he and his daughter were dressed in the finest clothes they owned, and were waiting in the vestibule of the castle, waiting to be shown in.
"Now my girl, remember your place," he coached her, "'Tis not proper for a young girl of your station to actually speak to the king, unless he asks you a question directly."
"Yes papa," she replied softly.
"And of course, one should never argue with the king."
"Yes papa," she repeated.
"Good girl," he replied, kissing her on the head, trying to hide his nervousness. He wasn't a very clever man, but he was clever enough to know that he was in trouble.
After what seemed like days, but in reality was only a quarter of an hour, the miller and his daughter were shown into the throne room. They both bowed low before the king.
"I have heard that your daughter has a remarkable talent," the king said to the miller, "Is this true?"
"She is very talented," the miller replied.
"Tell me then, if your daughter has such skill, why do you live as you do?"
"We are simple folk," the miller answered, "And we like living as we do. Besides, I do not wish unwelcome attention to fall on my daughter. Every man in the country would be pounding on our door."
The king regarded the man. He couldn't tell if the miller was lying, stupid, or telling the truth. But, this was too good of a chance to pass up. The king decided to risk it.
"If what you say of your daughter is true, then the two of you could prove very useful to me. Naturally, you would receive some sort of compensation."
The girl looked to her father. "Papa?" she whispered, confused.
"Well young lady," the king addressed her directly, "Will you help out your kingdom?"
"M-me sire?" she looked up at the king. Part of her was a bit surprised at how young their king was, scarcely older than she was.
"Your father has been telling everyone of your spinning skills," the King told her.
She looked surprised. "Well, I do spin, sire… yes…"
"Why so modest?" he asked, "Unless you cannot do all that your father says that you can."
"I didn't think it would be of any use to you, your highness," she replied, "I thought you had spinners of your own."
"None like you," he replied, "So, will you help your kingdom?"
She bowed her head. "I would be honored."
"Wonderful," the king stood up, "Then you will start tonight."
"T-tonight?" she stammered.
"No time like the present," he replied, "You may say good night to your father. I shall have a room prepared for you. My men will see you to your room, and will see your father out." He pulled a cord next to the throne, and almost as if by magic, a servant appeared. The king left with the servant as two other guards arrived.
The girl turned to her father, her eyes shining. Who could ever have guessed, a girl like her helping out the king! "Papa!" she exclaimed softly. Her happy expression faded when she saw the nervous look in her father's face. "Papa are you alright?"
"I…" he looked dumbfounded.
His daughter gave him a smile. "I will be home again soon Papa, don't worry. I am sure that I can impress the king with my thread."
He just nodded.
She gave him a kiss. "I love you papa. And I know that this will help us out a lot. So don't worry about me."
He gave her a smile. "Good luck my child."
"Good night papa."
