Yay! I got reviewed! First I want to thank each of my wonderful reviewers separately, then I'll get on with the story, ok?

Teigr, okay, I'll try to make the chapters a little longer. Good idea. What happened was that Eva's mother lives a ways away (I like that, a ways away—it means a fairly long way away) and she got sick, but she's illiterate like most people were in those days, so she got the priest to write a letter to Eva, care of Will and Elen Scathelock. At the time, Will and Elen needed Eva, so they didn't let her go, but then they regretted their decision and told Mariel to find some way to tell Eva to go. Is that better? *gives Teigr a cookie*

Laur1532, wow, I'm so glad that you like it! I know you like Ella Enchanted best of all, so I'm surprised that you read this story. Yay! *gives Laur1532 a cookie*

Black Pixie, yeah, Mariel and her "parents" as you put it *grin* are really close. No self-mutilation allowed. Stop biting your nails. Thank you for the positive encouragement (that's probably a little redundant, but who cares?). I like the lengths of your chapters... That makes it worth the time it takes for you to put them up. Thank you for the wonderful advice. Thanks for your reviews, they really make my day. *gives Black Pixie a cookie*

Miss Piratess, thank you for the compliment! Yay! I finally know someone that is LDS and attends BYU!!! And, yeah, they are close. *gives Miss Piratess a cookie*

sugarsprite, I won't let anybody stare at you, don't worry. And thank you, that was nice of you to say. I don't like it either, but that's what they did with unwanted kittens back then. Glad you like it, I thought it was funny when I first decided on her name, too. Yay, you like the chapter length! Soon, I promise. Good job asking nicely. Yes, she does. I don't know if there is such a thing as good marzipan, but Mariel and Will and Elen like it because, um, they can't get good Hershey's chocolate? Yeah, pretty... *gives sugarsprite a cookie*

And that's what I have to say to my wonderful reviewers! As you can probably tell, I decided to give cyber-cookies to my reviewers today. Next time, should I give out cyber-ice cream or cyber-chocolate? Vote by clicking review!

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"My lord and lady," said a man, a guard, I think. He walked quickly and caught up to us as we approached the Great Hall. "A minstrel is here."

"A minstrel!" I cried, turning and darting back to the kitchens to tell Cookie that a minstrel had come and he would want supper, then dashing back to push ahead of Mother and Father so I would be the first one to reach the hall.

I skidded to a stop in front of the double doors leading into the Great Hall. I made sure my hair was still in place and straightened my dress. Then Mother and Father caught up with me. They entered first, and I waited until they had taken a couple steps before I followed them.

Standing beside the long table where we had eaten dinner was the minstrel the guard had told us about. He had placed his harp on the table and was taking off his wet cloak. It had started raining while we were in the kitchen. His hair was long and dark and wet, dripping down his back and face and shoulders. He shook it out of his face and saw us.

"My lord and lady," he said, offering the same greeting the guard had given Mother and Father. "My name is Alan, and I am but a poor wandering minstrel. May I beg a warm supper and a dry bed in return for entertainment?"

He offered his hand to Mother. She placed her hand in his and he raised it to his lips. I giggled, waiting for a reaction from Father, but I didn't see the one I had expected. Father looked at the minstrel as if he knew him from some far off place, but couldn't quite remember. Then he seemed to remember, but quickly hid his emotions.

"Indeed you may, Master Alan the minstrel," Father said. "I am Will Scathelock and this is my wife, Elen. Please, sit by the fire and dry yourself. Your supper will be brought up soon."

The minstrel saw me. "Is it the lovely lady Mariel I have the pleasure of addressing?" he asked, bowing.

"Indeed it is," I replied, dropping a quick curtsy.

Alan the minstrel ate his supper and dried off, then he took his harp from the table and tuned it. "What will you have first?" he asked, seating himself in the center of the room. By now, almost the entire household was gathered there, guards and servants and stablehands and everyone else that worked here.

"King Arthur," my mother suggested. "Sing of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." She loved hearing this tale and asked every minstrel that happened by to sing it for her. Alan the minstrel obliged. I didn't listen, because I had heard it so many times and it was now boring.

One of the people suggested Tristran and Isolde next. I listened this time, for the tale of the two lovers always touched me. It is a long story, so I won't really summarize it, but suffice it to say, Tristran and Isolde were not supposed to fall in love, but they accidentally drank a love potion meant for Isolde and King Mark, and from there the story gets increasingly sad. I like it anyway.

The story ended and Alan the minstrel sat with head bowed. He waited for another request.

Suddenly, I had an idea. "Sing of Robin Hood," I suggested. Mother and Father looked at me strangely, but I ignored them. "Sing of Robin Hood and the Lady Marian," I elaborated. I loved the story of the outlaw and his lady.

Alan the minstrel raised his head slowly. "Very well, Lady," he said, raising his hand to the harp.

He sang of their childhood together, of the betrothal of an unwilling Marian to the horrid Guy of Gisbourne, of her rescue by the gallant Robin and his merry men, of her help in many of his escapades, of their marriage and happiness together. Everyone applauded, the ballad was beautifully sung and played.

My father then announced that it was time for everyone to retire, as surely our guest the minstrel must have been tired from his long day. He called a serving maid to show Alan the minstrel to his room, then bid everyone good night. I hugged my mother and father and went to bed, falling asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow.

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That's all for now, my hands are tired of typing. I'll get another chapter up soon, but it might not be for this story, so, please be patient. I didn't want to summarize Tristran and Isolde for those of you who have never read the story because it is really long, and I didn't feel like writing ballads for Sir Gawain and the Green Knight or Robin and Marian. I might change that later, but for now, that's all there is. Um, yeah, so, review, I would appreciate suggestions or constructive criticism, and don't forget to vote!