Ashdom
Copyrighted to Alicia
Part 6


Previously: The evil knight Vashti has been executed and the Duke has regained his town. Sir Christian has left on a pilgrimage but wants Allis to marry him on his return. Now: The conclusion and Allis' decision.

The maiden Allis found herself in a position she'd never expected to be in. She was promised to the stableman Rouen and yet she was suddenly unwilling to marry him.
Her peasant woman friend Mary was alarmed. "Child, the lad Rouen is a good man. Your parents would not have promised you to him had it been any other way. You need not fear that he will do anything but right by you."
"Mary, I do not fear Master Rouen. But I do not believe this is the path I was meant to follow."
"Your parents choose this path for you, child."
"My parents wished for me to find my own path. Why else would I be still unwed at 16 years?"
"Child, you must be married."
"Yes..." Allis had not told Mary about Sir Christian. He had left for a time but was to return to Ashdom in a month.
Christian had told Allis to go to Rouen, and so that is what she did. She had barely spoken to her intended one in all the time of their betrothal, and Allis realized that they both had wanted it that way.
She found him in the Duke's stables. "Rouen," she spoke quietly.
"Maid Allis. May I be of service?"
Allis sighed. "Well...as you know, our marriage is to commence...soon."
Rouen was frowning at her. "Do you have something to explain to me, Maid Allis?"
"What?"
"You were on the road with the duke and his men for days without chaperone."
Allis blinked in astonishment. "Are you insulting my honor?"
"It is my duty to protect your honor," Rouen replied formally.
"M'lord Rouen, a promise was made between your parents and my own and I have not broken it. That should only be done between you and I. Now that my parents are dead."
"The betrothal still stands," Rouen said calmly.
Allis shook her head and said hesitantly, "It doesn't have to."
"It is a matter of honor," Rouen frowned again. "You wish to break this bond?"
"I wish to abolish it."
"Do you have something to be ashamed of, Maid Allis?"
"No I do not. M'lord, we can part without losing honor, can we not?"
"No we can not."
"And what if the Duke d'Ashdom breaks our union honorably?"

"Maid Allis, I need a reason to break a betrothal."
"My path in the Lord's service leads me in a different direction, sire."
The duke nodded. The union was broken by his decree.

Allis was put to work in the castle, taking care of the lady Aria's affairs. Aria was to return to Ashdom only after a long visit to the king's court.
Many of the peasant people that were Allis' friends did not understand her decision.
It did not seem to matter. Allis' master understood very well. And Sir Christian would understand.

Sir Christian returned with the full moon, after the draw bridge had been closed one eve.
The duke told Allis Christian was camping outside the walls that night and they went to see him, standing in the door in the wall across the moat from him.
"Sir Christian, intend you to stay on in my kingdom? I don't think we can part with the Maid Allis." The duke smiled. "She's been working in the castle since we dissolved her betrothal."
Sir Christian stood on the other side of the moat and smiled. "Perhaps you'd make a new union between the maid and myself, Lord."
"I think that could be arranged."
Standing there with her Lord and the man she loved, Allis smiled. It was right.

The End
Note from author: This story was meant to be a fantasy/allegory. Hope you enjoyed it!

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