Rupert and the Queen, by Kelly Madden. Page 4/5
I was right about the king. He demanded straw to gold weaving two more times, and each night I left a little more dwarven cloth. The last time I told her to ask him does he want his betrothed’s pretty blue eyes all red from spinning, and like I said, it’s hard for even a greedy man to resist her. So he said he had enough gold and made her queen.
Before I left she kissed me again, and I whispered should she ever have a need just send for me. And no, I did not ask for her first born child. What would I want with a baby?
Some years go by. I never forgot her. The dryads didn’t seem as nearly as pretty. And partying all night had lost its luster. I settled down into a quiet life. One night I was warming myself by the fire pit outside my house…
No, I wasn’t hopping. I told you that already. I also wasn’t singing today I bake, tomorrow I brew. I’m a tailor, remember? And certainly I didn’t sing Rupert Sew-A-Skein, the queen will never guess. Why would I do that? She already knew my name.
So I was by the fire enjoying an outdoor meal when a royal messenger rushed up and said the queen needed me. He’d been looking a long time. Of course I said yes, and we rode like the wind to the castle.
He sneaked me up to her room and I’m devastated. Those beautiful eyes were all hollow, and when she drew back her hair I saw bruises. Thinking back I should have known. That old buzzard could never be satisfied with three rooms of woven gold.
The queen and I had a pretty good talk. Seems she did a lot of thinking during her marriage. Considered what I said about the king. And what happened to her afterwards. Even so, I was surprised, happy mind you, but surprised, when she told me who she really loved.
Well. One thing led to another, and even though my lady’s gone some things are private. Let’s just say we cared a lot about each other. But there was the little matter of the king. He wasn’t about to let his golden goose get away so to speak, not to mention their young son.
Seems like I was going to get a child after all, but that’s later.
I came to visit a couple of times after that and we worked out a plan. A pretty good one too, if I do say so myself.
I said I was a tailor, right? I told the queen what to say to the king the next time he asked her for more woven gold. She was a bit squeamish, the kindhearted thing. But I convinced her, and she did it.
I went into town and waited. Sure enough, the king’s messenger almost busted down the door and commanded me to visit the king. I act put upon, but I went. Had to hold my temper when I saw him, the old buzzard. Fat and happy, with a ring on each pudgy finger. I bowed all nice and polite. He asks can you really do this? Of course, said I. Then he bellowed do it and you will be paid well. Don’t and I’ll kill you.
Some things never change.
