by Amy Sumida
Hugin had learned his skill of stargazing from a sorcerer. He'd had no idea that his master was magical until the night he temporarily changed Hugin into a raven, and bid him fly over the kingdom and learn everything he could. The old man vowed that he was more than a sorcerer, he was a god, who went by the name of Odin. Hugin was the second apprentice he'd taken on Earth. The first had been a boy named Munin, and this apprentice had pleased Odin so much, that Odin had taken Munin into his heavenly home to live forever. He made Hugin the same offer when his apprenticeship was over, but Hugin wouldn't break his vow to his family. Odin respected Hugin's loyalty so greatly that he gifted his student with a magical telescope. It was the telescope which Hugin had used to find me, and it could see everything on earth as well as within the skies. Hugin let me look through it, and I was able to see my father, pacing within his library, obviously worried.
Arnet had spent his years of apprenticeship in another kingdom entirely. His master had been the head huntsman for a Queen who ruled alone. That was a rare thing in itself. The Queen's husband had died a few years prior and left her as a guardian for his only child, a girl whom the whole kingdom adored. The child was meant to become queen as soon as she reached maturity, taking the place of the current queen. The head huntsman was old and had intended for Arnet to replace him as well, despite Arnet's insistence that he must return to his family in four years.
The old man was finally convinced to release Arnet from his service by the Queen herself, though not directly. Unwilling to give up her crown to the Princess, the Queen had ordered Arnet to take her step-daughter into the woods and kill her. She further demanded that Arnet bring her the poor girl's heart as proof that he'd accomplished the deed. Arnet had instead secreted the girl into the keeping of a mining community, deep within the forest. Then he killed a deer, leaving the carcass with the miners for food, but taking the heart with him. This is what he presented to the Queen, tricking her into believing that her step-daughter was dead. Clever, right? Arnet's old master knew he couldn't remain in the kingdom after that; the Queen would surely discover Arnet's deception eventually. So the old hunter gave Arnet his magical gun and sent Arnet on his way.
Barret was more reserved about his experiences. But after a bit of pressing and a bit more of wine, he finally told us about his years with his master. Barret had traveled the furthest of all the brothers, ending up in a kingdom past even that of the dragons. In this kingdom, his master had a shop and was tailor to the royalty. They worked hard and paid little attention to local issues. The issues in particular, which came to concern him, were of two giants who had been wrecking havoc across the kingdom. Droves of soldiers had been sent to kill the giants, but none had succeeded.
Within the tailor's house, it was all business. They only stopped to take their meals or help a customer. One day Barret had slathered a piece of bread with some jam, intending to eat it for his lunch, but he got distracted by the waistcoat he was working on. He left the bread there long enough that it attracted flies. They were buzzing about Barret, annoying him into a tizzy, until finally, he gave up his sewing to handle the situation.
He smacked and flailed at the insects, but they eluded him. Finally, his master handed him a long, thin stick, and told Barret to try again. Barret had looked dubiously at the twig, but had done as the tailor bid him. The twig was, of course, a magic wand, and the tailor had hoped to judge Barret's aptitude with this little demonstration. Well, Barret's aptitude, as it happened, was very high. Barret killed seven flies with one swish, and the rest of the insects immediately fled.
“Seven in one blow!” Barret had declared in delight.
A customer in the shop overheard him, and peeped his head into the workroom to ask, “You killed seven with one blow?”
Unknown to Barret, the customer had been conversing with his wife over the giant situation, and Barret's exclamation had interrupted them at the precise moment when the man had lamented the fact that no one seemed to be able to kill giants. Barret's master knew the mistake, but allowed it to proceed, thinking it quite humorous.
It stopped being funny when the king himself sent for Barret and demanded that he kill the giants. Barret's master felt horrible and offered to lend Barret the wand once more, assuring him that it could easily kill the giants. But it turned out that Barret didn't need the wand at all. He snuck into the forest and found the giants sleeping beneath a tree. After filling his pockets with stones, he crept up into the tree and began pelting the giants with rocks. The giants awoke several times, each time blaming the other for throwing the rocks. Barret kept tossing stones at the sleeping giants until they became enraged and fought. They killed each other over Barret's little prank. Then Barret leapt down from the tree and stabbed each of the giants with his sword, making it look as if he had killed them. When the king's men came to verify the kills, they found two dead giants, stabbed to death by none other than the tailor's apprentice.
“What a valiant tailor you are,” Arnet chuckled and slapped his brother on the back.
“Our brother, the giant killer,” Robyn proclaimed.
“Hey, don't tease him,” Hugin chided. “He killed seven with one blow.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Barret rolled his eyes and then settled his stare on me. “You see now why I didn't want to tell them about it?”
“I think it's much more impressive to win by your wits than by your brawn,” I observed.
“Well that put us in our place,” Robyn smirked at me. “I can be clever too, you know?”
“Yes, you're all very clever,” I agreed with a grin. “The four clever brothers.”
And they had stared at me, all of them with gentle smiles, and I had stared back at them wistfully. Perhaps I shouldn't go home. I could run away with one of the brothers instead. Robyn could take me to his forest hideout and we could be hooded bandits together. Or Arnet could teach me to hunt. We could live with the hidden Princess and her miners. Or I could make a home in a tower with Hugin, and stare at the stars with him all night. Or build a tailoring business with Barret, and learn to make beautiful clothing. I saw those possible futures in each face, knowing suddenly that I could have them if I wanted. I could simply say the words I knew they would be thrilled to hear. “Take me with you.” If only.
But I dropped my gaze at last, and it was settled between us. I couldn't just disappear. It would hurt my parents deeply, and even though they sometimes treated me more as property than a daughter, I knew they loved me. That scene I'd witnessed, of my father pacing anxiously, haunted me still. They would mourn me, and that wasn't fair. Being a princess came with responsibilities, and I had accepted that a long time ago. I would have to keep these few days within my heart, and make them last a lifetime.
When I looked back up, I found the brothers sharing grim looks. I wondered at that, but finally decided that they had to come to terms with our situation in their own ways. It would be best to leave them to it.
Chapter Six
The next day, we arrived at the harbor. There was a coach waiting for us, along with a contingent of soldiers. They must have seen the ship on the horizon because by the time we had docked, they were waving and shouting in joy. Congratulations were given to the brothers as they escorted me off the ship, and a crew went on board behind us, to take over the ship's keeping.
The brothers helped me quickly into the waiting coach, helping me in before the cheering became too overwhelming. I appreciated that. I was already shaking from the thought of leaving the sea behind, along with my few days of happiness. I was becoming somber again, sitting in the coach surrounded by men I had begun to care deeply for, and whom I would soon say farewell to forever. I wouldn't cry. I didn't cry when the dragon abducted me, and I sure wouldn't cry now.
But I was sad. Sadder than I'd ever been. I had never been in love, so I was unable to recognize the feeling as heartbreak. But I now know that's precisely what it was. My heart was breaking at the thought of our imminent goodbyes. As the coach rumbled
off, and the sea disappeared from my view, I rubbed my hands over my arms and shivered.
“Princess?” Arnet leaned across the coach to angle his face into mine.
The hunter's gaze was just as true as his aim. He focused on me like he was staring down the barrel of his gun. Like my heart was his target. But he had already pulled the trigger, hadn't he? I was bleeding out before him. So I didn't stop him when he knelt in front of me and pulled me into an embrace. In fact, I melted into his arms.
“Welcome home, Adelysia,” Arnet said into my ear.
I breathed him in on a gasp, his heat warming me as his scent filled my head. Pine and sunshine, that's what Arnet smelled of. His fingers trailed over mine as he pulled away, and then he eased back into his seat, across from mine.
“We have something to confess, Princess,” Barret said softly. “Please understand that the only reason we didn't tell you this sooner, is because we decided, all of us did together, that it would be easier on you, if you didn't know until the last possible moment.”
“What are you talking about, Barret?” I frowned at him. “What haven't you told me?”
“Your father offered your hand in marriage to any who could bring you home safely,” it was Hugin who replied. He looked at me steadily, but I could see the nervous twitch in his cheek. It was amazing how well I had come to know them within such a short space of time. I could read their faces like a map. “But, we went to save you as a team, because we knew it would take more than a single man to rescue you. We would rather have seen you safe, than gamble on that safety to assure our interests.”
“My father...” I trailed off, searching their faces.
Robyn's gaze promised sin-filled nights that would leave me shaking from pleasure. Arnet's vowed to dominate delightfully, using his strong body in ways I couldn't yet imagine. Hugin looked on me like he could stare at me forever, and be content with only that. But in the depths of his cerulean eyes, I saw a patience and steadiness that would no doubt endeavor tirelessly to please me. Then there was Barret. His look was shy but sweet. Here was the romantic, a man who would write me poetry and feed me strawberries before he made love to me.
My whole body began to tremble.
One of these men was to be my husband? I had never been so ecstatic in all of my life. Suddenly my future held a promise of happiness. A man I could love, and perhaps even have children with someday. I didn't even care which one of them I married. I was falling in love with them all.
“We each helped,” Barret said. “Hugin was the one who found you, and saw exactly where the dragon was keeping you.”
“But it was Robyn who was able to steal you away from the beast,” Hugin protested.
“Arnet killed the flying bastard,” Robyn shrugged.
“But it was Barret who saved us all in the end,” Arnet pointed out. “Without him, we'd be at the bottom of the ocean.”
I gaped at them. What sublime love they had for each other. I knew they wanted me, but they loved each other so much, they were arguing against themselves. I was certain this was how it would be when we went before my father. They would each list the other's contribution to my rescue. How would my father decide upon one of them? Would he ask me? Would it finally come down to my preference?
The thought consumed me for the rest of our journey, and I focused more firmly on the men, trying to decide. But my mind flew in circles, reliving the past few days as if there might be some clue within them, some key to making the right choice. But as the castle loomed into view, I knew I was no closer to picking a husband than I was to becoming queen.
Chapter Seven
I'm sure by now you've realized that there's more than one fairy tale wrapped up within my story. But I won't go further into those other events. They aren't for me to correct. Maybe the brothers will set their records straight some day. For my story though, we had finally arrived at the castle, my home. It was a relief to know it would remain so. I wouldn't be leaving the kingdom to live with another prince in his castle. As my father's only child, I was his heir. So, in the event that my husband had no kingdom of his own, we would rule this one after my father. Home would remain home. That alone was cause for celebration.
But then we were all taken in to see my father. Actually, both of my parents were waiting eagerly within the King's private library. They raced to me when I entered, and hugged me with relief. My mother was sobbing, and I began to cry too. I had thought I would never see them again.
Finally, my father pulled away and surveyed the brothers. “Which one of you has delivered me my daughter?”
First, Robyn produced Saunder's signet ring and handed it into my father's keeping. Then, they all replied just as I'd expected them to. Each one pointed to another as the key to their success. Round and round it went till my father held up his hands for silence. He frowned deeply, and then looked to me. Here it was. Time to make my choice. I could hardly believe that I was about to be given some part in deciding my own future. But my father didn't ask me to decide. He asked me what my thoughts were about the men.
“Tell me about them, Adelysia,” my father bid me, “that I may make a wise decision.”
I was a little disappointed. But honestly, I couldn't have chosen on my own. So I told my father everything I'd learned of the brothers. I told him what I admired about each of them; Robyn's charity, Hugin's keen insight, Arnet's honor, and Barret's resourcefulness. I told him how kind they'd been to me, how they made me laugh, and how their companionship helped me to get past the indignities Saunder had inflicted upon me. My father watched me carefully through the entire recital, and then went quiet for a few minutes. He looked to my mother, and her eyes went wide.
“No, you cannot,” my mother gasped.
“What?” I cried, worried that my father would refuse them all. “They are all deserving; you cannot deny one of them the prize you promised.”
My hopes for a happy future were dwindling before my eyes.
“I would never break a promise,” my father chided me. “But in all fairness, I cannot decide upon one man. It's impossible.” He turned to face the brothers, “So I ask you this, which one of you loves my daughter? Which of you will be true to her and the vows of marriage?”
They all immediately declared that they would never betray me. If given the opportunity, they would love me till we both passed from this world. I nearly fainted from happiness. Does any one woman deserve so much romance? And also... they loved me? All of them? How on earth had that happened?
“And would you let jealousy stand in your way of being with her?” my father went on. “Would you love her less, if you had to share her?”
“Share?” I whispered, my eyes growing wide. He couldn't possibly mean what I thought he meant.
“No,” my mother snarled. “That is perverse. You will make Adelysia into a laughingstock. A joke talked about behind closed doors, sneered at in the streets.”
“No one would dare!” my father shouted. “I am King, and if I say it is right and honorable, it is so. My word is like unto the word of God!”
We all just stared at him.
“I would share her if it meant I could love her,” Barret whispered, breaking the tense silence. Then he cleared his throat and looked to his brothers. “If it was my brothers whom I shared with.”
“I could do it,” Arnet nodded decisively.
“Yes, I would as well,” Hugin declared. “I have seen none who shine as bright as the Princess. Perhaps such beauty should not be treasured by one man alone.”
Robyn stared at me a long time before answering. “I would do anything to hold her in my arms again. To have her forever? Yes, I would gladly share her.”
My father beamed at the brothers and then shot his wife a smug look. “It's decided then. You all shall marry her.”
My mother fainted.
Chapter Eight
Perhaps I should have been happy, but all I could manage was shock. I tended to my mother first, calling for her ladie
s-in-waiting to help us. We got her onto a chair, and she finally opened her eyes. After some fanning, the Queen was able to sip some wine. Then she stared murderously at my father.
The King refused to be cowed, smiling back at his wife serenely. The brothers were standing together, off to one side of the room, awkward witnesses to our family drama. They looked at each other with varying expressions ranging from thrilled to smug. Guess which was the smug one. Barret was the only brother brave enough to come forward and ask after my mother.
“I'm fine,” she said primly to him. I shot her an angry look, so she added. “Thank you.”
“Your Majesty,” Barret bowed to her and retreated to the safety of his own family.
My father went to them and shook all of their hands, discussing the future with them. First, the King insisted that they go home and collect their father. We could not have their father living such a base existence as his sons married a princess. My soon-to-be father-in-law would have to be given a title and some lands of his own. By the time the brothers returned with their father, we'd have their rooms prepared for them. Rooms which would adjoin my own. Each brother was to have unlimited access to me as his betrothed.
Memories of Saunder stripping me flashed through my mind, and I started to tremble. No, they wouldn't do that to me. Would they? Four husbands. Dear god, what would my wedding night be like?
“Princess?” Robyn lost his smug look entirely as he raced forward and took my arm. “Do you need to sit down?”
Suddenly I was surrounded by the brothers, each one wearing a matching concerned expression. They began arguing amongst themselves over what was wrong with me. Arnet thought I needed to eat, Barret thought it was rest I required, Hugin said I needed air, and they should all back up, but Robyn held tight to my arm and declared it was them that I needed, their assurance that they would not hurt me like, and I quote, the bastard flying lizard had. I focused on him intently. How did Robyn know me so well already?