1More Than Brooklyn
A/N: I made a mistake. I n chapter two I gave the maid who is friends with Hannah two names. Her name is Germaine not Gertrude. Sorry for the confusion. Thanx to all reviewers especially NewsieGoil1899, Cakes, Myka Holly, and Riley Higgins! I love you guys soo much!
Thanx to all who responded to the casting call!
Ch.3 A Hasty Departure
"It's the Small Pox"
The words rang in Germaine's ears as she dashed out of Princess Lina's Chamber and down the hallway. The word was spreading quickly about the palace. Germaine did not need to ask to discern the knowledgeable from those still in the dark.
The people who had caught wind of the disease walked quickly and stayed away from each other. Those who had not yet heard the news merely looked confused.
The secret was now out. By midday tomorrow the whole country would know that Queen Audrey, two of her maids, and her carriage driver had caught the Small Pox.
Germaine Dashed out of the palace and into the stables. She harnessed Lina's carriage and the three mares required to pull it.
The daughter of a coach driver, Germaine knew how to handle horses. She was now thankful for that training because only she and Hannah could come anywhere near Lina now that the small pox had been spreading. No one could tell who had been exposed to it and who had not.
When Hannah had settled Lina and her things into the carriage,
Germaine cracked the whip and the carriage flew out of the castle gates. The local villagers stared in awe as the black covered carriage fled the town.
A farmer's wife was working in her garden when she saw Lina, sleeping peacefully, through the carriage window.
As the coach raced by, the woman's heart beat in the same silent prayer as that of Hannah and Germaine, Mon Dieu, Mon Dieu, My God My God, Protect this child.
In La Chateau de la Fleur, Princess Lina's new home the weeks passed. Lina had been told only that her mother was very ill and she had to live with Hannah, Lina and her new servants now.
She made new friends among the village children, and was encouraged to play outdoors. Lina's life went on largely uninterrupted.
For Hannah and Germaine however, each day with no news of the Queen and the rest of the Royal family was agony. They knew that if Queen Audrey had been healed, the whole nation would rejoice!
Of course Lina would be sent for, the ruling family, and all the peoples of La Terre de Chanton would celebrate together.
But they had waited almost two months without news.
They knew that Queen Audrey's time was running out.
No one survived the small pox for more than two months, and if the Royal physicians that were treating her had not found a cure in time, then no one could help her.
Almost three months from the day they had fled the Palace,
A messenger handed Germaine a letter.
Germaine rushed through the Chateau shouting, HANNAH, HANNAH! A MESSAGE FROM COURT!
Hannah rushed to Germaine's side and opened the letter with trembling hands. She read it and when she had finished her face was white.
She stood up and announced to Germaine, "Audrey Alice Conlon, Queen of La Terre de Chanton, has passed away.
King Dylan has not sent for Princess Lina. She is to be raised by us, here away from court.
With that Hannah's resolve not to cry was broken and she collapsed to the cold stone floor, her body heaving with sobs.
Germaine saw her but stood as if dazed, in the center of the hallway. She heard an agonized wailing but did not recognize her own anguished screams.
Their grief was considerable but their fear greater. They were not teachers or women of Noble birth, Hannah the child of a gardener, and Germaine the daughter of a coach driver.
Hannah, the eldest was no more than 18, and Germaine was two years younger. The same thought lingered in their minds and made them afraid,
Who are we to raise the daughter of a king?
A/N: thanx for reading! Please review! Please? Por favor? Sil' vous plait! Le du thoil!