The Golden Braid

by Melanie Dickerson

  “Is one of my knights planning to ask for Kirstyn?” His brows lowered, his mouth open. His expression was the same as it had been when he had led his men into battle when they took back Hagenheim Castle from Claybrook. Not a look he would want directed at him.

  “No, your grace, not that I know of. I was only asking because . . . there is something important you should know, something Rapunzel is telling Lady Rose and will want to tell you. And they should be here any moment.”

  He thought he heard them in the corridor. Soon Lady Rose and Rapunzel entered the library, their arms around each other. Both women’s eyes were wet, their faces blotchy and red.

  “My dear,” Lady Rose said, reaching out to Duke Wilhelm. Her voice was halting as she said, “Rapunzel has just told me something. It seems she was told all her life that she was left with the woman who raised her when she was a small child. But that woman, who took her away from here two months ago . . .” Tears started flowing down Lady Rose’s face. “That woman, Gothel, confessed everything to Rapunzel after she stole her away. She said she took our Elsebeth from the river and ran away with her. This . . . is our Elsebeth, come back to us.”

  Lady Rose seemed to make an effort to not break down in sobs. She took Rapunzel’s hand and held it out, palm up, to Duke Wilhelm.

  It seemed wrong for Gerek to be a witness to such an intimate family moment, but Rapunzel had insisted that she’d wanted him to remain.

  Duke Wilhelm took her hand and stared down at it. Then he looked at Rapunzel’s face. “Can it be true?”

  “I think it is,” Rapunzel said.

  He enveloped them both in his arms.

  After several minutes, they seemed to realize Gerek was still in the room.

  “Come here, Sir Gerek.” Lady Rose motioned him forward with her hand as she dabbed at her eyes and nose with a cloth. “My dear,” she said, speaking now to Duke Wilhelm, “Sir Gerek and Rapunzel are in love. They want to marry. You must give them permission.”

  “Why should I give you permission to marry my daughter?” Duke Wilhelm said, but at least he wasn’t glaring. “I haven’t seen her in seventeen years. I’m not ready for you to take her away.”

  “Your grace, I know I have no right to marry your daughter, but I fell in love with her before I knew she was your daughter. I know—”

  “I’m not asking you to defend yourself, Gerek. But you will have to wait for her.”

  “Yes, your grace.” His eyes met Rapunzel’s. Her whole face seemed to emanate joy.

  And even though he didn’t want to wait, at least he had not forbidden him the request. Duke Wilhelm’s answer was the best Gerek could have hoped for.

  Rapunzel moved into the castle, into Kirstyn’s chamber that she had shared with Margaretha, since Kirstyn said she missed having Margaretha in the room with her every night.

  Rapunzel’s days were full, spending time with Sir Gerek when he was not busy with his duties and getting to know her new family. She found she did not miss being alone. For the first time she had brothers and sisters and even a father who was tender and kind, though quieter than the other members of her new family. Still, there was a quality of strength and goodness about him that filled her with joy, knowing she was his own daughter and he loved her.

  Sir Gerek was attentive and kind, so much so that one day when they were in the solar with the rest of the family, she whispered to him, “You know you cannot keep this up.”

  “Keep what up?”

  “All this kindness and goodness and giving me my own way all the time.”

  He frowned, reminding her of his old self. “I can. You told me yourself that I’d changed.”

  She laughed. “I don’t mind if you want to be grumpy sometimes. I rather like it. It reminds me of the old you.”

  His jaw twitched and he leaned down to growl in her ear, “I shall put up with your teasing because of my great fortitude and magnanimous heart.”

  She couldn’t help laughing again.

  “What are you two carrying on about?” her mother asked.

  “Sir Gerek is just reminding me of his good qualities,” Rapunzel answered.

  He gave her a warning squeeze on her arm. “And she is reminding me of her sense of humor.”

  Duke Wilhelm—Father—entered the room just then, instantly taking down the noise level and calming the younger children. He greeted them all, letting Adela give him a kiss, and then sat down in front of Sir Gerek and Rapunzel.

  “Gothel should be here within the hour. Elsebeth, would you like to confront her? It is your choice.”

  “I-I think I would, one last time, if I may.”

  Her father nodded, then sighed. “You know she is my sister, my father’s daughter—did she tell you?”

  “Yes.”

  “I did not respond to her as I ought to, when she first contacted me.” He stared at the wall behind them, then down at his folded hands. “I did not want to believe my father could have done what my mother later confirmed was true. And then, when I tried to find Gothel, to make amends, she had left Hagenheim. I had my men search for her but we never found her. I now realize she had taken you”—he nodded at Rapunzel—“and had fled the region. Perhaps if I had acknowledged and accepted her—”

  “No, Father, you must not think like that.” Rapunzel reached out and squeezed his hand. He clasped it in his. “She was a woman with warped thoughts, full of madness and spite and vengefulness. You are not to blame. No one could have imagined what she would do.”

  They sat, none of them speaking, while the rest of the family was oblivious to them and carried on their own conversations. Finally, Rapunzel spoke up.

  “I do want to speak to Gothel one last time. There is something I have decided I want to say to her.”

  As they made their way down the stairs to wait for the guards to bring Gothel, Rapunzel clutched Sir Gerek’s hand, hoping to imbibe some strength from his firm grip.

  Soon they heard a commotion in the castle yard. As they stood in the corridor, the door opened from the outside and two guards came dragging Gothel in, one on each side, while she kicked and spit at them, struggling against their hold.

  “I will get free someday, and I shall kill you all in your beds!” Gothel’s voice was so strained and her face so distorted, she was barely recognizable as the woman who used to braid Rapunzel’s hair every night.

  She suddenly saw Rapunzel standing a few feet away. “You.” Her voice was laden with accusation.

  Rapunzel felt a tremor go through her. Was she able to do this?

  Yes. She was strong. She was no longer a little girl, helpless and afraid. She was loved, protected, and safe.

  She looked Gothel in the eye. “For all the things you did to me, I realize you were only afraid of being alone. You told me you loved me, but it was fear. Fear made you do cruel things. And for those cruelties, I forgive you.”

  Gothel’s mouth went slack and she stared back as if stunned.

  The guards dragged her away, her body suddenly limp, and they half carried her toward the dungeon steps.

  Once she was out of sight, Sir Gerek put his arm around her shoulders.

  “What will happen to her?” she asked her father.

  “She will probably stay in the dungeon.” Duke Wilhelm sighed. “I don’t think I can take the risk of ever letting her go free.”

  Rapunzel nodded. Some part of her still felt pity for the woman, but this was justice.

  Every day Gerek managed to see Rapunzel, at least at mealtimes. She was no longer working in the kitchen, of course, and Gerek had other duties—more than the usual since the other knights were forcing him to make up for the time he was away. They loved teasing him about how he had been more diligent in searching for her than any of the others, and how he had snagged himself a duke’s daughter in the process. He didn’t even mind their teasing, much.

  A few times Lady Rose had given him permission to take Rapunzel on a picnic, but never alone. She’d say, “Not until Duke
Wilhelm sets a date for the wedding.”

  But they had still found ways to snatch a few minutes alone, usually by the shady beech tree behind the kitchen. Those stolen kisses and conversations were sweeter than any he had ever imagined, perhaps because he had waited for them and had never broken his vows.

  Today Duke Wilhelm was taking him and a few other knights on a journey to see Keiterhafen Castle. After hearing what the Earl of Keiterhafen had done, along with his heir, Lord Claybrook, the king had ordered that Keiterhafen no longer be under the earl’s control and his heirs would not inherit. The earl and his knights had been summoned to answer to the king for their crimes against Hagenheim, and the king had given charge of the castle and the region around it over to Duke Wilhelm.

  Traveling west, it took them only one day to reach Keiterhafen Castle. It was in a bit of disarray, but there were still some guards there who had agreed to protect it from vandals and thieves until a new lord should arrive to take charge of it.

  The gray stone castle brought back some vague memories of being sent here when he was a small boy. But he remembered little of it. This was where he had learned the news that his father had killed his mother, then killed himself. It had been the worst moment of his life, and he had returned to Castle Rimmel in great misery. His older brother had yelled at him—stricken with his own grief and misery, no doubt, so that he had been grateful to be sent to Hagenheim as a page.

  He did his best to put those thoughts and memories from his mind.

  All the guards showed deference to Duke Wilhelm when he arrived, recognizing him as the one in authority over them and over the castle. On the first evening, as they all sat down together in the Great Hall for a meal, Duke Wilhelm stood to give his speech.

  “I want to thank the knights and soldiers who chose to stay with Keiterhafen Castle and defend it. And since the earl and his nephew Claybrook behaved with treachery, the king has placed me in charge. He has given me permission to grant this great castle and the lands belonging to Keiterhafen to the man I wish to give it, a man well able to defend it and its people against attack.”

  He paused for a long moment, looking out over the crowd. “I hereby bestow it upon one of my noble knights, a man of great integrity, strength, and ability, a man who has not only been a faithful knight in my service, but whose tenacity and perseverance have restored to me my stolen daughter, Elsebeth.”

  Gerek’s mind went numb. Duke Wilhelm and the other knights were turning to smile at him.

  “And not only did he save her life, but he won her heart. I wish to bestow this castle and its lands to Sir Gerek van Hollan, who is promised to marry my daughter, Elsebeth Gerstenberg. This castle shall belong to them and their heirs, from this day and forevermore, or as long as God gives them favor.” He motioned for Gerek to come and join him at the head of the table.

  As if in a fog, Gerek made his way to Duke Wilhelm and stood beside him.

  “Your new lord, Sir Gerek van Hollan.”

  The men shouted and cheered.

  Of course, it wouldn’t be that easy. He would have to win the men over, but . . . was he truly the lord of the castle, of Keiterhafen? He would be able to give Rapunzel the kind of life she deserved. It seemed too good to be true.

  The next night and day were a blur of activity and of men welcoming him and swearing allegiance to him.

  On the third day, Gerek and Duke Wilhelm were touring the town near the castle, and they went inside the cathedral, which was rather large and ornate for a small town.

  “I suppose this is where you and Rapunzel will marry, so that your men and the townspeople can attend their new lord’s wedding. I have obtained the king’s permission and will have the banns cried this Sunday.”

  “Thank you, your grace.” Gerek’s heart was full as he pictured Rapunzel in the church, with the colors of the stained-glass windows painting her and setting her golden hair on fire. “But are you sure you won’t regret not saving Keiterhafen for one of your sons?”

  Duke Wilhelm shook his head. “Valten will inherit Hagenheim, Gabe and Sophie have Hohendorf, Margaretha and Colin have land and estates in England, and Keiterhafen can’t wait for my younger sons. It needs a strong fighting man to defend it from any possible usurpers bent on taking it. No, you are the right man to rule Keiterhafen. And since you are marrying my daughter, and since you will not be too far, I thought it most appropriate.”

  “I am more grateful than I can say.”

  “Besides, you will be the kind of ally I can always rely on, since you will be married to my daughter, and we can come and see her and our grandchildren as often as Lady Rose wishes—or almost as often.”

  When they departed the cathedral after that conversation, there was nothing left for Gerek to possibly wish for, except to be with Rapunzel.

  Four weeks later, their day had finally come. Though Rapunzel’s family called her Elsebeth and she was getting used to that name and liking it quite well, she did not mind that Sir Gerek still called her Rapunzel. And the way he said her name when they were alone made her heart turn inside out. He was still occasionally the grouchy frowner he was when she first met him. But they had both changed, and she felt no doubts or hesitancy about becoming his wife.

  Cristobel was with Rapunzel as she came down the stairs of Keiterhafen Castle in her wedding gown and veil. Gerek took the steps two at a time to meet her in the middle.

  He took her hand. “You are so beautiful.”

  “I know you like my hair down,” she whispered, for his ears only.

  “I do.” He leaned down to kiss her temple before they joined the rest of her family at the bottom.

  After a few moments of checking to make sure everyone was there—Duke Wilhelm and Lady Rose, her brothers, Valten, Steffan, Wolfgang, and Toby, and her sisters, Kirstyn and Adela, and Valten’s wife, Gisela, and their baby girl—they departed the castle through the Great Hall.

  Gerek held her hand as they walked. How her life had changed since she came to Hagenheim. The peasant girl who had longed to know how to read so she could write down her songs, who had always lived in small villages and felt like an outsider, who had believed her parents didn’t want her, who had been completely controlled by the woman she called Mother and told she should never trust men or let them hear her sing . . . that girl was now a woman with a large, loving family, the daughter of a duke, and the soon-to-be wife of Sir Gerek, the new lord of Keiterhafen.

  Rapunzel’s fortunes had reversed, and so had Gerek’s, for now he had her love—and an entire region, with men to command and a castle and town to protect.

  She gazed up at him as they neared the church, and he winked at her. “Will you dance with me tonight at our wedding feast?”

  “Of course.”

  “You aren’t to dance with anyone else. I want you all to myself tonight.”

  “That should not be a problem.”

  They approached the door of the cathedral where the priest stood. As they began to agree with the priest, as he spoke to them of their duty to each other, she kept glancing at the reverent look on Gerek’s face. Truly, he had become what she had initially thought him to be, that day on the road to Hagenheim when he had saved her from the two men attacking them—her knight and defender. And in spite of the evil that had been done to them, God had restored their hope, and their faith, in love.

  Acknowledgments

  First, I have to thank my wonderful editor, Becky Monds, for all her help in getting this book ready and in the best possible form. Becky is like a coach or personal trainer. Without her, you know you could not have achieved your full potential. Thanks, Becky, for asking the tough questions and making me do the hard work! You have a great mind for what would improve a story.

  I also want to thank my line editor, Natalie Hanemann, for whipping and shaping and smoothing, and for all your input. The book is much better for it!

  I want to thank Terry Bell for suggesting the idea for my Rapunzel heroine’s identity. It had never
occurred to me before she mentioned it on Facebook. At first I dismissed the idea, but it stuck in my mind and I quickly began to see the potential of it and how it would work into a Rapunzel retelling. I knew you had given me the perfect idea for a great heroine. Thanks, Terry! I’m so thankful for your friendship.

  I want to thank those who pray for me and encourage me often, like Regina Carbulon and Linda Bailey and Sue Williams. Also, Karma Malone, Reta Broadwater, Ken and Dene Finley, Bonita Story, Dan and Katrina Doty, Debbie Lynne Costello, Mary Freeman, Kathy Bone, and any others I am missing or don’t even know about. You are appreciated.

  For the greatest cheerleaders an author ever had, Rachel Miller and Donna Mynatt, and the best website guru, Rachel. Thank you!

  Also, my family members who support me and even help me brainstorm—Joe Dickerson, Grace Dickerson, and Faith Dickerson. I love you.

  I want to thank my critique partner and friend, Katie Clark, for whom I am so grateful, as well as Adriana Gwyn, who has been my go-to expert on all things German language. Thanks for helping me with the pronunciations!

  I thank God for you all!

  Discussion Questions

  1. Do you think Rapunzel made good use of her time in all the small villages where she lived with her mother, learning various skills?

  2. Can you imagine not being able to read and how it would feel to want to learn? Rapunzel cleaned rooms at the monastery in exchange for reading lessons. Would you be willing to do the same if it was your only chance to learn to read?

  3. How was Sir Gerek different from the other men Rapunzel had known in the villages where she’d lived?

  4. Why was Rapunzel so frightened and suspicious of men? Would you have felt the same way if you had had Gothel as a mother? Who or what has influenced your opinions and impressions of the opposite sex?

  5. Why was Sir Gerek so opposed to teaching Rapunzel to read? Did you think he was arrogant? Or just grouchy?