To my faithful readers: This is a story requested by an anonymous reader. I always asked for new ideas and this story was spawned from that request. I can't help myself and, in the end, it winds up being a love story, but it has lots of twists and turns getting there.
I have received many other requests and Medieval fantasies, continuation of Venus Ascending and a new version of Model Slave are all in the works. Other ideas are welcome even if you remain anonymous. I love your positive feedback and thank you for reading.
Paladin Princess
Chapter 5
The next few weeks were a whirlwind of activity. The first thing Geoffrey wanted to know was who people devoted to her were, especially those in the army of her kingdom. He also wanted to know where they may be found. He assumed that with the capture and sacrifice of Princess Ruth the loyal members of the army would be hunted, slayed, or imprisoned. So, he quickly needed to find them, get them all into a safe place and begin to train his new army. Eragon and the Queen were critical pieces of his new army.
Fortunately, most of the old palace staff were very loyal, wanted to help any way they could and were not considered a threat by the king. So, on behalf of Queen Ruth, Geoffrey began contacting them, but he knew they might consider his contacts a trap, so Queen Ruth needed to make several appearances. The question was where and how?
Any meeting with the Queen needed several things. Security was first and foremost the most important factor. Any meeting needed to be in an isolated area, someplace where they wouldn't be seen arriving or leaving and a place with a fast and easy getaway should something go wrong. Geoffrey thought this might be great practice for the Queen and Eragon. Arriving astride a dragon would also build confidence in their new Queen Ruth, especially with the army.
The next important task was to find a way to explain their quest to regain the kingdom, without giving too much strategy away. This wasn't as hard because their strategy was fluid, depending on who and the size of their army. Queen Ruth was much better with words, so this was her responsibility.
Two days after they made love, Geoffrey traveled to Ruth's kingdom to find her Lady-in-Waiting. She wasn't that hard to find, and she was still living in her parents' old house. The house was run down and in need of repair, but it was well kept. Gisele was tending a small garden trying to coax a minimal existence out of the soil. Her clothes were old, but well mended despite being thin in many places. She looked as though she had fallen on hard times but was making the best of it.
Geoffrey approached her slowly so not to scare her, but when she saw him, she jumped up from the garden, gathered her dress to her bosom and looked around trying to find an escape. He saw that she was ready to run and called out, "I come in the name of Queen Ruth, and she needs your help."
Gisele turned wary of what this man had said, and she responded, "The princess is dead, sacrificed to the dragon hoard." Still, she didn't run away, her attitude was hopeful and wanting to hear more.
Geoffrey continued, "If the Queen shows at a meeting will you hear her plea for help and bring others that are devoted to your Queen? You must be careful of whom you invite because she is still under threat of death."
Gisele gave Geoffrey a quizzical look before she responded, "I still don't believe you and I will have to think hard before I invite anyone."
Geoffrey knew this was the best he was going to get, but he asked one more favor, "If you come, the queen is in need of some royal garments. Could you please bring two or three outfits that will fit the queen and be respectful of her stature? In three days', time, she will be in the clearing behind the smithy at sunrise. Please be there."
Gisele looked more interested now and nodded her ascent before turning to leave. Geoffrey quickly mounted his horse and rode like the wind to bring the news to his Queen. It took a day of hard riding to reach his queen and he arrived in the evening before she was scheduled to meet with Gisele and the Queen was elated with the news. Now what to wear?
Geoffrey went down to the stream to wash off three days of riding, while his queen looked for ways to be royal while wearing only peasant clothes. She settled on reusing some of the ribbon she used to seduce Geoffrey mixed with the peasant clothes and the results were acceptable, but not great. She decided at the last minute to use the feathered cape once again over the top of her improvised outfit.
That night Geoffrey and Ruth snuggled together. Both had missed the touch and feel of the other and in the end, they make soft, caressing love to one another. It was not the wild lovemaking from before, but it was heart rending, satisfying the ache in both their hearts. They fell asleep in each other's arms, with Eragon guarding the entrance to the cave.
Geoffrey rose with the dawn, dressed, and quickly began to ride to the meeting place. Eragon had carried him into battle before, but with his queen on his back Geoffrey did not want to overtax Eragon. So, he rode hard to get to the meeting place before dawn the next day and Eragon would fly his queen to the meeting in the morning.
Ruth spent the day refining her outfit, trying to look queenly with what she had and practicing what she was going to say. She had a light bite to eat and slept fitfully, hoping that tomorrow would go well. Eragon seemed to sense her nervousness and he paced most of the night. Eventually both gave up trying to sleep, the queen dressed, climbed on top of Eragon and they took off.
