The Palace Library
Page 12
One of the King’s guards had accompanied them, alerted to meet them with signals, as they progressed along the south coast. Eloise and Guy of Caen had been taken separately to the dungeons in disgrace.
The sight of the big huntsman’s face and his smile had been a joy to them. So had the huge bowls of soup and mead. Without Eloise to restrain them, they all had a little much, children included and became talkative and chatty. Sophie, now fully recovered, had had to run alongside them all the way and lay exhausted under the table, curled up at their feet.
Edwin got up to look in his bag, then found what he wanted and wrapped it in a cloak, before dumping it on a table. “If we had to face any other adversary, I would have lent this to you before. But against the dragons, it would have been wrong. Now you’ve proved your worth, so it is a gift.”
“Well, what is it?” asked Grace excitedly. Like everyone, she loved presents whether they were hers or not.
“Stand up, young Harry,” said Edwin, mellow, even without his pipe, which he swore he would never touch again after the experience with the Dragons’ Bane. “And you girls shut your eyes. No peeping!”
Edwin took the gift from the package and, telling Harry to put his hands in the air, thrust it over his shoulders.
“You can open them now,” said Edwin.
“Wow!” gasped the girls as they looked at Harry, dressed in a chainmail coat.
“It’s wonderful,” said Harry. “And it’s so light.”
Master John looked at them. “Master Edwin may make a fabulous Sword of State, but he can’t make a living from that! He’s known throughout the kingdom for making the lightest and finest chainmail.”
“Surely,” said Eleanor, slightly jealously, “chainmail is for grown-ups.”
“Grown-ups,” said Edwin with good cheer, “and princes and knights, but also for dwarves, the bravest of them all. This was mine when I was younger, but now it is Harry’s! He’s as brave as a dwarf. Almost anyway.” They all laughed at that.
“How can I possibly thank you?” asked Harry.
“By wearing it with pride and honour, and living up to the bravery you’ve already shown. That is all.”
Suddenly Grace yawned and the others found it was catching. The journey and the mead were upon them, and they were all exhausted.
“To bed with you all,” said Master John. “The Queen will see you at dawn and that’s only a few hours away.”
As they pulled blankets over their tired bodies, sleep soon overcame them, even lying on straw mattresses set around the same room. But Eleanor lifted herself up on one arm and looked at Master John, sitting talking at the table. “What will happen to Eloise, Master John?”
“I don’t know, Eleanor, but I can tell you the Queen and the King are both just. Since the Queen is the only one who can understand her sign language, we may learn more tomorrow,” he replied.
It was not a good enough answer, but it would have to do and soon she too nodded off. All of them felt the beds were swaying as if they were still at sea.
It seemed to be just a moment before they were all stirred from their rest. As if by magic, the girls’ cloaks had been cleaned and Harry’s new chainmail had been polished, but it was not magic. Master John had fixed it with the Palace staff. “We cannot have you looking scruffy when you’re presented to the Queen.”
So once again, the children found themselves in the presence of Queen Eleanor, Queen of England and Duchess of Normandy and Aquitaine. This time it was no less daunting, even though the room was familiar. Sophie stood with them. Before them, on a long red velvet cushion sat the Great Sword of State. Somehow during the journey back from Hell’s Bay, Edwin had managed to gild the hilt and decorate it ready for a State occasion.
“So you have fulfilled the Prophecy. There are those who say that our lives are all predetermined and this is your destiny. But from what I have been told, it’s clear your destiny has been in your hands too. I congratulate you.
“You will present the Great Sword of State to the King and the Court this morning. It is not a moment too soon. Everyone is gathered.”
The children stood stiffly and silently. This might almost be another torment, since meeting the King himself might be as scary as meeting the dragons.
It was Eleanor who broke the silence. She could not resist asking, “What will happen to Eloise? I don’t believe she’s evil!”
“Nor do I,” said the Queen, an answer that surprised them. “But she’s a traitor. Not once, but twice over. She must be punished.”
“But Your Majesty,” stuttered Eleanor.
“Silence!” said the Queen. “You will not speak again until asked.
“I have interviewed Eloise.” At this moment, the Queen beckoned and they saw Eloise had been standing in the corner accompanied by a malevolent looking old woman, her prison warder. Eloise looked quite different. Her head had been completely shaved and she was dressed in a shapeless sackcloth, the garment of a prisoner. The children stood still and stared. Only Sophie moved and went towards Eloise nuzzling her, an indication of support, but Eloise stood stock-still. The Queen watched with interest before she continued.
“It seems that she’s been under the compulsion of Guy of Caen and of the King of France, a curse if you like. Her brother, unknown to me, is a captive of the King of France. She had been given guarantees of his safety if she did what she was asked.”
The Queen spat the next words, “I know too well what little those guarantees mean from him.
“But still, Eloise has betrayed my trust and the King’s, just as Guy of Caen has betrayed the King’s trust, pretending to be a loyal subject. Her fate will be at the mercy of the King.”
Eleanor could not wait to speak. “But she saved my life!” The Queen looked aghast at the interruption, given she had commanded them to be silent. “And she nursed my wounds,” said Harry for good measure.
The Queen softened slightly. “Well, her pride clearly prevented her from telling me that after her confession. It is in her favour, as is the fact that Sophie clearly trusts her. Her fate still lies with the King.”
A curtain at the back of the room twitched. “It most certainly does,” said a deep and angry voice.
The time it was the Queen’s turn to show surprise, as she turned and curtsied low, bowing her head. Eloise and then the girls followed suit. Harry bowed. Here was a giant of a man, his presence unexpected. King Henry II of England himself.
“Stand,” he said gruffly. “Few things have angered me more than this treachery, but then I have also heard of your heroics these last few days. That is commendable. I congratulate you.”
Uncertain how to behave in front of a King, especially an angry King, the children remained silent. Even Sophie seemed to stand at attention.
“You think this Eloise deserves mercy do you?” asked the King, his eyes boring into Eleanor’s.
“Y- y- yes, Sir.” answered Eleanor nervously.
“And you two?” said the King turning to Harry and Grace who both nodded.
“Your sense of mercy is commendable. Since this treachery remains secret, I am able to offer mercy and Eloise won’t face execution. This will be my gift of thanks and will be your reward.
“Guy of Caen deserves a far greater punishment, but in fact he will be returned to his overlord, the King of France. His safe passage will result in the freedom of Eloise’s brother, who will henceforth live under my protection and in my service. This will be her reward for the kindness she showed you and her last-minute change of heart which resulted in the capture of Sir Guy. But the punishment of Eloise is this. She will never see her brother again and she’ll be banished from the kingdom to remain an outlaw forever.”
The King turned to the Queen, “Get the girl taken to the dungeon ready to be thrown out of the Traitors’ Gate. These children must prepare for the ceremony.”
The King left as swiftly as he arrived, with the Queen curtseying low again and bowing her head, all the others follo
wing suit.
When he had gone, she turned to the children. “There. You have your answer and the King’s mercy too. You must prepare. Master John will show you what to do.” It was clear they were dismissed.
It was an hour later. The Great West Door of Clarendon Palace was thrown open and the trumpets sounded. The children led the King and the Queen into the Great Hall of the Palace as the nobles of the court stood and cheered. Harry’s arm still hurt and so the girls had to support him as he held the Sword, taller than him, and nearly as heavy, above his head. Sophie walked erect and smart beside them, after being brushed by Eleanor.
As the Sword was placed on its cushion in front of the King and Queen, seated on their thrones, the children and Sophie withdrew.
There was a sudden sense of anti-climax and disappointment. The Court’s session had started and the children were no longer the centre of attention. It was Grace who voiced what they all felt: “I want to go home now. I even miss Horrible Hair Bun.”
It was Master John who brought them away from the Great Hall.
“What does it mean to be banished?” asked Eleanor.
“Someone who is banished must live outside normal society. They may not mix with others and they become outlaws. It’s better than death though,” he answered. He might have added “only just,” but he thought better of it.
“How do we get home? Edgar said we’d need to find another door,” said Grace.
Master John looked sympathetically at her. “I can’t answer that. I don’t even know how you were brought here.” He smiled at them tenderly. “But for as long as you need it, your home can be with me.”
They all thanked him, but he knew their hearts were not in it, fond as he was of them.
“Can we go and see Eloise? I want to say goodbye,” asked Eleanor.
“Yes. We may, if we are in time,” was Master John’s reply.
So Master John led them to the dungeon. As they went Harry said, “I suppose that’s what was meant in the Prophecy: Freedom and not the end lies through the traitors’ gate.”
“Banishment doesn’t exactly sound like freedom,” said Eleanor sadly.
“Here,” said Master John, after leading them down steep stairs into the dank dungeon. “It looks like we’re just in time. There’s Eloise, waiting to be released into the forest through the Traitors’ Gate.”
They stood next to the guard, looking through the portcullis gate that had been raised. Master John looked through the gate and said, “See the beautiful day and the land beyond. You must be grateful Eloise has her freedom.”
The children and Eloise looked at each other and at John strangely. They just thought he was being optimistic. All they could see was a stone corridor stretching into the distance. Sophie began acting strangely too, her ears pricked forward and sniffing the air. She was excited.
Grace suddenly understood, “It’s the door to The Library! It’s time for us to go home. It’s not Eloise we have to say goodbye to. It’s Master John.”
Grace hugged John and skipped through the gate, into the corridor.
“Where’s she gone?” asked John who could only see the trees and the land outside.
“She’s on her way home,” said Harry with sudden realisation. “We must say goodbye, John. Thank you for everything.” Master John did not understand.
“Come on,” shouted Grace from the other side. “You never know when it might shut.”
So the farewells were swift and unsatisfactory. Three children, Eloise and Sophie went through the gate and then when they turned around, there was just a blank wall.
Master John looked through the gate at the forest, bemused. He knew he would miss them all.
23. Tea with Great Uncle Jasper
Grace bounded up the stairs with Sophie close behind her. She turned into the main reading room of The Library and ran straight into her Great Uncle Jasper. Sophie licked his hand and smiled at him. Moments later, the others were around him too.
“Well, well,” said Great Uncle Jasper kindly. “You’re all back safely. How excellent. I didn’t expect it would be quite so soon, but I should have guessed. The Library opened a door for me from my study. That doesn’t happen too often.”
He looked them up and down and said to the girls with a wry smile on his face, “I’m not sure nighties are quite appropriate at this time of day. And Harry, I would have thought it was a bit hot and heavy for chainmail in here. Let me help you.”
Whilst Harry was helped out of his chainmail, the girls looked down at themselves and saw their beautiful purple robes had vanished and they were back in their bedtime clothes. The robes had been pulled back into the books without them noticing.
“But now,” added Great Uncle Jasper. “We’re being rude. You must introduce me to your friend.”
“This is Eloise,” said Harry. Jasper held his hand out. She curtsied and was quite uncertain what to do. But he told her to stand up and he shook her hand, quietly smiling and saying, “Welcome to The Palace Library.”
“Eloise can’t talk,” added Harry, “but she’s sweet. And wise.”
“Well Edgar is a good talker,” said Jasper, “and I’m sure he’ll be happy to have a companion here. It must get lonely sometimes, even with Sophie.”
“You mean Eloise will stay here in The Library?” asked Eleanor.
“Well I think she’ll have to,” said Great Uncle Jasper knowingly. “She can’t exactly go back to Clarendon Palace can she? And I doubt The Library will let her home with us.”
Eloise looked a little bemused by this all, but Grace had other things on her mind. “Do you think Edgar has any chocolate cake?” she asked.
“Mmmm. I’m not sure. I have to tell you Edgar isn’t quite himself at the moment.”
“Is he ill?” asked Grace, worried suddenly.
“Oh no. It’s just that he’s never seen a television before and he’s quite engrossed. Although he works for The Witan, he’s quite the monarchist and obviously he couldn’t be at the last Diamond Jubilee in person. Queen Victoria made him a Privy Councillor you know. That’s where he got that lovely blue coat from. I’m quite jealous really.
“Anyway, I think we’re just in time. Come and watch. It’s all about to start.”
“What’s about to start?” asked Grace.
“It’s the service in St Paul’s for Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee,” replied Edgar. “I think you’ll like it.”
Inwardly the children groaned. A church service was boring, but they were too polite to say.
Edgar was engrossed in the screen. He gave a little wave and an indication to be quiet, quite forgetting his manners. Then they all sat down together.
The service was about to start and they saw Queen Elizabeth II step out of her carriage with Prince Phillip and move up the cathedral steps.
“I think you’ll like this bit,” said Great Uncle Jasper encouragingly. “Watch carefully.”
Then they understood what he meant, for there on the television screen they saw the Lord Mayor of London lead the Queen into the cathedral for the service. Raised in his hands was the Sword of State. It seemed like only that morning that they had been doing the very same thing.
It was only that morning, but another time and another place.
THE END
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Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
1. The Palace Library
2. Chocolate Cake
3. The Leaking Book
4. The Great West Door
5. Three Magical Books
6. Harry's Story
7. Queen Eleanor
8. The Stuff
y Carriage
9. The Prophecy
10. Eleanor's Book
11. The Blacksmith
12. The Healer
13. Dragons’ Bane
14. The Saint George
15. The Storm
16. The Navigator
17. Hell's Bay
18. Volcano's Edge
19. Nightmare
20. Treachery
21. Dragons’ Lair
22. Traitors’ Gate
23. Tea with Great Uncle Jasper