I'm genuinely sorry for the obscene amount of time between updates. My excuses? School, procrastination, and distraction. The main problem is that I got terribly sidetracked working out the first several chapters of a modern Rapunzel adaptation, which (hopefully) will be ready to post soon. We'll see. I really shouldn't work on new stories when I so badly need to finish this one!
As always, HUGE thanks to the reviewer of the previous chapter: Silverleaf of the Faerie. I'd also like to thank everyone who has this story on alert and is still reading. I'd love to hear your comments and criticisms!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 7:
"She's not in the city?"
"No, your highness."
"How can you be sure?"
"We've met with every woman in the city, and not a single one could fit her foot into the golden slipper."
"You're certain you haven't missed one?"
"Yes."
"How certain are you?"
"Completely certain."
I cursed yet again and angrily stabbed my fork into one of the sausages on my plate. Rolf had delivered his report as I was eating breakfast with my parents. While my parents had merely sighed and shaken their heads in dismay, I had emitted a tsunami of foul words and insisted that Rolf must be mistaken. It had not been easy to make me believe that Elke had left the city. Now that I was convinced, I slumped down in my chair, shoveled steaming sausages into my mouth, and mentally berated myself for swearing so much.
You moron. You have no self-control. What would Elke think if she heard you spewing all those curse words?Shame on you. Look at your parents' shocked faces. If they see one more speck of misconduct, they'll lock you into a monastery before you can begin to apologize. Don't think they won't disinherit you and give the kingdom to your cousin Wilhelm. So stop swearing. Stop being an idiot. You should be more like Wilhelm. Or Rolf. Or Ingrid. Or Elke. Heavens above, I love that woman so much.
"Are you alright, Maximilian?" my mother the queen asked, frowning apprehensively as she observed my silent distress.
I looked up but said nothing. My mouth was full of sausage, so speaking would have been a bad idea.
"You know, little Maxi, I think you need something to do," my father declared. "You're too idle. That's why you've become so cranky."
I swallowed before asking, "What sort of activity do you have in mind?"
"Perhaps you should accompany Rolf and the soldiers as they travel about the country with that gold shoe. You'd be kept busy, you'd have a purpose, you'd see much of our land – it's very important for a king to be well acquainted with his kingdom – and you might even be useful, since you're the only one who really knows what Lady Elke looks like."
I leaned back in my chair and considered my father's words. 'Might even be useful.' What an insult. But no matter how offensive his language was, the idea wasn't bad. It would be wonderful to be actively involved in the search for Elke, to be seeking out the woman I love instead of lazily sitting in my marble palace with a plate of sausages.
"I think I'll do that," I finally said. "Rolf, please go prepare everything I'll need for the journey."
"Yes, your highness," Rolf said, bowing obediently. I knew from the tone of his voice that he wasn't pleased I was coming. Either he thought I would be a hindrance, or his ego revolted at the thought of losing some of his authority in the expedition. Perhaps both causes were equally potent.
Later, I came upon Rolf as he was packing my bag. "How go the preparations?" I asked.
"Your highness, I hope you realize that this will not be a comfortable expedition," he unexpectedly informed me.
I snorted at his condescension. "You're so pompous. Don't worry about me, Rolf. My expectations are perfectly realistic."
"If it's not too bold to say, your expectations are hardly ever grounded in reality."
He knew me far too well. Nevertheless, I objected. "I'm turning over a new leaf," I announced. "Reinventing myself, if you will. The new Prince Maximilian is a man of sense."
"Of course, your highness."
We embarked on our mission very early the next morning. Our troop consisted of me, Rolf, the ten elite soldiers who serve as my personal guard, and their captain, Sir Dietrich. Dietrich is a very efficient, practical man. He's completely unoriginal, but if I order him to do something, it will be done immediately. Rolf always enjoys bossing him around when he has the chance.
"Where do you suggest we begin our search?" I asked Rolf as we rode out of the palace complex.
"I suggest the western highway to Schlafenberg. Many noble families have country homes along that road. Is that an acceptable route?" I could almost hear him thinking, It had better be an acceptable route.
"Yes," I replied. "Remember to leave no stone unturned. Lady Elke is an unusual woman, so she may be in a very unusual place. We must search beyond the expected."
We traveled from dawn to dusk, waylaying every woman and barging into every building we encountered, requesting that every female over the age of fifteen try on the golden slipper. Of course, I knew at a glance that none of these women were my lovely Elke. In fact, I suggested to Rolf that we skip those who were clearly not what we were seeking, but he shook his head and replied, "We must search beyond the expected, your highness."
By the end of the day, I was physically and emotionally exhausted. I was hungry, thirsty, tired, grumpy, frustrated, and disappointed. However, I knew I couldn't show this to my men, so I put on a cheerful face and ate my gruel with as much slurping satisfaction as I could muster. I haven't the foggiest idea how convincing my acting was. At the very least, I tried.
The next several months were nothing but torturous monotony. We kept traveling, we kept forcing women's feet into the gold shoe, and we kept proving what we already knew: These women were not Elke. However, word gradually spread that the Prince Maximilian and his knights were on a quest to find the prince's bride. Most people interpreted this to mean that Prince Maximilian and his knights were on a quest for any bride whatsoever. Thus, it very quickly became usual to have a large crowd waiting for us at every village. Every parent wanted his or her daughter to become my wife. Most daughters were very pleased with the idea and couldn't wait to ram their feet into Elke's shoe.
I confess I winced inwardly every time an unworthy foot was placed in that hallowed slipper. Perhaps this was silly. I probably shouldn't have looked upon the shoe as some sort of relic. Nor should I have pictured Elke as an angel, for that matter. I've always heard that it's very dangerous to idealize one's future spouse.
We passed through Schlafenberg without success. Slightly discouraged, we decided to take the highway that led out of Schlafenberg south to Baumhausen. From Baumhausen, we journeyed even farther south to Feldenstadt. From Feldenstadt, west to Dienerstadt. North to Diebenheim. Southwest to Spargeldorf. West to Frauenberg. Even farther west to Kindheim.
As my father the king had hoped, I became astonishingly knowledgeable about our kingdom. For instance, I learned that Schlafenberg has the highest concentration of narcoleptics in all the land, and that Spargeldorf has an annual asparagus festival. I also learned that our kingdom contains far too many women. Less experienced men may wonder at this statement. They may indignantly ask, "How is it possible for a land to possess a surplus of women?"
It's very possible. I'm amazed Elke's shoe didn't disintegrate from wear. Let it be said again: too many women.
By the time we had passed through Kindheim, we were weary, discouraged, and extremely cynical. My ten soldiers could not have cared less about finding Elke. Even Sir Dietrich, who is unwaveringly loyal, was clearly sick of searching for my wayward lover, though he tried very hard not to show it. Though I hate himself for it, I also occasionally had to remind myself, "It is worth it. She is worth it." Clearly, we needed a long rest.
Unfortunately, we couldn't simply choose a random location at which to set up a long-term camp. We drew too much attention. We would be constantly harassed by locals if we stopped in a populated area. For that reason, Rolf and I led the men deep into the Dunkelwald, an immense forest that covers the westernmost area of the kingdom. Although the forest is perfectly habitable, very few people live there. There are scattered villages, and every so often one might come across a nobleman's secluded home.
Fortunately for us, at the end of our second day in the forest, we encountered just such a home. It appeared to be an old but well-kept hunting lodge, and I immediately decided that we would stay there regardless of whether or not the owner was at home. Sullen and footsore, my men and I approached the front door, and Rolf rapped his knuckles on the wood.
The porter opened the door and peered out at us with a puzzled yet awestruck expression. "What's all this?" he asked Rolf.
"This is Prince Maximilian von Jarlsburg, and we are his soldiers," Rolf grandly replied, gesturing to the royal standard which Dietrich bore. "We seek lodging."
Hearing this, the porter nearly flung himself at my royal feet. Of course we could enter! The master of the lodge had arrived a week earlier with his wife, daughters, and servants, and they would be delighted to receive us. Exceedingly delighted. Too delighted for words.
After hastening to announce our arrival to the master, the porter returned with another servant. This servant was to show my soldiers to their lodgings, while the porter would take me, Rolf, and Dietrich to meet the master himself.
The man was waiting in his study. Upon our entry, he immediately rose and bowed deeply. "Good evening, your Highness. Thank you for gracing my lodge with your presence. My name is Sir Wilhelm von Baumhausen."
"A pleasure," I replied, nodding respectfully but regally to him. "This is Sir Dietrich, the captain of my guards, and Sir Rolf, my manservant." Both my men bowed as I announced their names and titles.
"Please sit," said Sir Wilhelm, gesturing to a quadrangle of armchairs which occupied most of the space in the study.
I sank gratefully into Sir Wilhelm's marvelously comfortable chair, and once I had situated myself to my liking, the other men sat as well. Sir Wilhelm once again expressed his happiness at our arrival. He spoke nicely enough. No longer young, he seemed very weary and a little anxious about something. Most likely the sudden arrival of his prince was stressing him out a bit. I couldn't blame him for that.
"Now, if it isn't too bold, may I inquire as to your purpose in coming here?" Sir Wilhelm asked.
I nodded for Rolf to answer the question, because I just didn't have the energy. "Several months ago, the prince invited all the nobles in the land to a three-day ball in the hopes that the ball would give him the opportunity to select a bride," Rolf began.
"Yes, my family and I were in attendance," Sir Wilhelm interrupted. "It was a delightful event."
They were? I certainly didn't recall speaking to Sir Wilhelm at the ball. How awkward. Of course, I had been so focused on Elke that no one else had made much of an impression on me, so I wasn't exactly surprised that I was unable to remember this man.
"How kind of you," Rolf was saying. "Well, at that ball, a certain young lady made a very strong impression on Prince Maximilian, but she disappeared on the final night. We have spent the last several months searching for her."
"I'm sure my wife and daughters will find that extremely romantic," Sir Wilhelm remarked with a half-smile. "You must share the full story of your travels at dinner."
"Your family is also here?" I asked. Once again, I glanced over at Rolf. He made brief eye contact with me and nodded almost imperceptibly. Yes, he knew Sir Wilhelm's daughters would have to try on the glass slipper.
"Indeed, they are," Sir Wilhelm affirmed. "We moved here several months ago. My wife, Lady Therese, wanted to escape the bustle of Baumhausen, and I was quite happy to vanish into the Dunkelwald for a while. Gretel and Heidi, my twin daughters, are not pleased with the arrangement, but I've promised them we'll return to town soon enough."
"Of course. One mustn't keep young ladies hidden away," I remarked. I was gradually sinking deeper and deeper into Sir Wilhelm's armchair, and it felt marvelous.
Rolf and Sir Wilhelm exchanged pleasantries for a little while longer while Dietrich and I sat in contented silence, then Sir Wilhelm suggested that we be shown to our rooms. My initial reaction was to mentally curse him, because I didn't want to move. But when the porter ushered me into a warm room with a proper bed and a fire in the hearth, I praised the heavens above, fell ungracefully upon the bed, and slept. My final waking thought was the conclusion that we should stay in this blessed lodge for at least a week.
Kind of an awkward place to end the chapter, and I'm sorry about that. But you'll be happy to know I've decided exactly where I want the next several chapters to go, so they should be up soon. If not, feel free to call me all sorts of horrible names. I really am sorry for how long this story is taking!