Elise opened the door to her father’s library and looked about the room. She was startled to see her father and Paul standing by the window at the far corner of the room. She blushed at her intrusion and was about to turn and leave when her father beckoned her to stay.
“Elise my dear, why don’t we go for a walk in the garden? I was discussing some business matters with Sir Paul, but I am finished now.” He said with a twinkle in his eye.
Elise smiled brightly and took her father’s arm to go out. As they were about to leave there came a knock at the door and Duke Harold opened it, revealing the Count of Comingbridge.
His arm was still in a sling, but his figure was as straight and noble as ever. His eyes softened at the sight of Elise, and he seemed about to speak. But Sir Paul stepped up and interrupted him.
“Ah, Sir Count, very good to see you in nearly full health. I am sure that you must have much to speak of with Duke Harold. Elise, suppose we go see if all of King Frederick’s men are being taken care of properly.”
She nodded dumbly and followed him out the door, leaving an open mouthed Darren of Comingbridge with her father, who was more than a little amused. He quickly straightened his face however, and said graciously,
“Good Darren, do come and sit by the fire. We have much to talk over.”
Paul and Elise made their way through the vast chambers of the castle on their way to the courtyard where the men were being quartered. Elise looked sideways at Paul.
He walked with something of a limp, due to the wound that Prince Nettle had given him, but his face was as calm and composed as ever. He looked at her and smiled.
“What are you so intent about Elise?” She blushed and looked ahead while replying.
“Oh, things are just complicated. But at least they are not as messy as they were before. Both of my oppressors are gone, my father and lands are safe, and you were not terribly harmed in your fight with Nettle. Now all that is left is the rebuilding of Baton. And many hands make light work.”
“I do not believe that is all that is left Elise. But we shall see.” Paul said no more as they turned into the courtyard.
Later on that day Elise was walking with her cousin Prince Giam in the garden when they turned a corner and found her father sitting alone on a bench. He looked up and patted the seat next to him. Giam bowed to the two of them, and then went on his way with a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
Duke Harold sighed and put his arm around Elise. She snuggled into his embrace and they sat there without speaking for some time. Finally, he spoke in his deep, rich voice.
“Oh Elise. Little did I know as I held you as a babe that you would be the cause of so much trouble,” he smiled mischievously, “if only I had had some forewarning I might have been able to lock you up in a tower until it was safe. But, since that is not the case, it is now time to talk of your future.”
Elise looked full into his face with bright, eager eyes. He gazed back and looked into hers searchingly.
“Your mother looked exactly like that when she was excited. I remember on our wedding day when we had said our vows, right before we touched our lips together, she looked at me with that same expression. It was a union that was not always easy, but happy, full of love, and produced beautiful things. Such as you. Elise, you are more precious to me than anything else in this world, and the man whom you wed must be worthy of taking care of my treasure.” She hugged him, and then asked,
“Have you found such a man Father?”
“I have my darling Elise. The worthiest man in the entire land, the only one with whom I will trust my treasure. Yes Elise, Sir Paul has asked for your hand in marriage, and with your consent, I have have given it to him. Do you find this quite suitable?”
Her eyes filled with tears, and her face bloomed forth like a fresh June rose.
“Yes sir, this suits me beyond words.”
“Well then tell the happy bridegroom the answer to his face.” The bushes rustled and from them stepped Sir Paul, a devilish grin on his face. Duke Harold laughed at Elise’s face, but quickly composed himself when she pinched his arm. Paul stepped forward and took her hand.
“Well Elise, have you consented to becoming my wife?”
“I have sir, on one condition only.” Paul looked with puzzled eyes at Duke Harold, who shrugged in innocence.
“Only on the condition that you do not mind have a daughter very soon, one named Genevieve.”
Paul’s face broke into a smile, and in the same jesting tone he replied,
“Why Princess Elise, I was just going to suggest that very idea myself.”
Three weeks later a great procession could be seen making its way towards the province of Jugo in the land of Hobblestone. At its head was a bright group of nobles.
King Frederick and his wife, Queen Annika, Prince Giam and the Lady Lysbeth, the Count of Comingbridge and the Princess Lianna, Duke Harold and Princess Desria, and last but not least Sir Paul and Princess Elise.
For in those last three weeks many things had happened. Baton had been repaired and strengthened until it was more formidable than ever before. The Count of Comingbridge had been graciously refused by Princess Elise, but was soon made very happy again by King Frederick.
This kindly man recognized Darren’s good qualities and character, and therefore introduced his beautiful daughter, Princess Lianna. Their friendship was started well and within several days the proper arrangements had been made, and a double wedding was decided upon.
Prince Giam had some ideas of his own however, and after a private conversation with both his father and another, he and the sweet Lady Lysbeth made it a triple wedding.
The glittering parade wound its way to the top of a familiar hill. Here it paused, and all eyes looked down upon the small Jugoian village that Elise and Paul had saved from the raiders.
But how different it looked now! The burnt rubble had been cleared away, all of the cottages had been scrubbed clean, and the entire village was decked in wreaths of wild flowers. For Sir Paul and Elise had decided that this where they would be married, and these goodhearted villagers would share their joy.
Elise now spurred on her horse ahead of the train, and rode swiftly into the village. Sweeping off her horse she ran forward to embrace the cook. For yes, this faithful and loving lady had also been invited to share their triumph. The cook looked into her beaming face,
“Ah, me dearie, you’s just th’ prettiest thing. Ya remind me o’ my own girl, long since married.”
“Thank you dear lady, you have been a true friend and help to me. So much so that Paul and I have decided that you shall come live with us.” The cook’s eyes lighted up in joy.
“Ah dearie, you don’t know just how happy you ‘ave just made me.” Elise could hold in her eagerness no longer.
“Where is Genevieve?”
“Inside on the bed sweet, and th’ prettiest little thing you ‘ave ever seen.”
Elise dashed into the cottage and caught up the baby in her arms. Genevieve cooed with happiness, and her tiny fingers tightly grabbed onto a lock of Elise’s hair.
“Mmm, oh Genevieve.” Elise buried her face in the soft little head and kissed her again and again. Hearing Genevieve give another little gurgle of joy, Elise turned to see Paul in the doorway with Duke Harold.
He stepped forward instantly and took the baby in his own arms. She cooed and gurgled again, thrilled to be with the two people that she loved the most. Duke Harold stood at the door, thinking what a pretty picture they made. Elise then gently took the baby from Paul’s arms, and walked over to her father.
“Now Father, meet your new granddaughter. And don’t keep her forever.”
Duke Harold had a very difficult time with that command as soon as he had taken the little bundle of sweetness for himself. And never was a happier or prouder grandfather seen.
The next morning, just after sunrise, Elise stepped up to take her father’s arm. She was dressed in a flowing white gown, embroidered all over with gold flowers, and about her throat was her mother’s necklace.
Behind her Princess Lianna and Lady Lysbeth were also standing at their fathers’ side preparing to walk down the village street.
A soft, lively melody started and the three happy brides walked gracefully down the village lane. At the end of it beneath a bower stood three men, tall and proud, awaiting their lovely brides.
Paul and Elise’s vows came last, as they had desired. This time a priest had been procured without difficulty, and he now smiled at them as he joined their hands.
Their vows said, their kisses given, Paul and Elise stood together holding Genevieve in front of all of the cheering villagers. Soon they said farewell to their friends and family, and then climbed up into a carriage that was to take them on their honeymoon.
“Do you promise to come back and help me rule Baton?” Asked Duke Harold solemnly.
“We do sir, but maybe not as soon as you would like. But one day, in the future, you may see Paul and I come riding through town, and then we will stay.”
His eyes twinkled.
“And just where are you going that is so pleasurable you cannot leave?” Paul spoke up.
“To freedom and quiet Sir Father, in a place of our own.” Then cracking the reins, he started off.
A few days later, Elise and Paul were situated in their honeymoon cottage. A hut on the mountainside with a pen full of sheep and a stable of oxen was their dream, and they were content. Elise ran about the place doing her chores in a peasant’s gown. Paul plowed earth with a team of oxen, and both were happy and full.
And Genevieve grew bright and strong in that healthy mountain air, and when the family moved back to Baton to help the good Duke Harold rule, she became known as, “The Mountain Princess”. And Paul and Elise lived for many long years, having ten children, and teaching all to love the Lord.
Such were the results of the evil schemes laid, by the Cunning Count.