The Marriage Promise
by bugger424 (© bugger424, 2002)

Chapter One :: Big Mistake

“So it’s settled then.”

“Yes. You may have the hand of my daughter, Ella. I will return home soon to collect her, and we shall come back within two months.

“Very good. Farewell, Sir Peter.”

“Farewell, Sir Bowen.”

The two men shook hands. Sir Peter turned to step back into his carriage.

“Oh, and Sir Peter?”

Peter stopped and looked at the knight. “Yes?”

“I’ve heard of your previous business dealings. You have a tendency to- shall we say- turn your back on customers and “forget” promises. Be assured that I will remind you. I will marry your daughter. Nothing will stop me.”

Peter smiled wanly and stepped into his carriage. Only when he was safely in its dark confines and it started rolling away did he allow himself to shudder. Sir Bowen was certainly a disquieting individual. He was notorious throughout the town of Torlia for his callous nature. However, he was the richest suitor to ask for Ella’s hand. Perhaps Ella would not be happy with the marriage arrangement; no, of course she would. It was getting her out of her servitude, was it not? Surely Ella would see that Bowen was better than Olga for her. Yes. Yes, Ella would be contented, or else.

Suddenly the carriage stopped. Sir Peter peered out the window. Ah, they had come across the mail carrier. How wonderful. He could send a letter to his beloved Olga, as well as to Ella, informing them of Ella’s engagement.

Peter hopped out and greeted the mailman. “Sir Peter! How wonderful to see you! I must congratulate you on the wonderful fortune you’ve stumbled across. ‘Tis a pity, of course, that you have missed the wedding.”

Peter looked at the man curiously. “What wedding would that be?”

The mail carrier looked surprised at his inquisitiveness. “Why, the royal wedding. Prince Charmont’s. Ruler of Kyrria? I have your invitation right here. I tried to locate you, but I couldn’t in time.” He handed Peter a cream colored envelope with lavish gold script.

“Why on earth would I get invited to the royal wedding?” Peter wondered as he opened the invitation. He soon found out as he read the words with growing horror.

Celebrate Kyrrians!

You are cordially invited to the royal wedding of

Prince Charmont

Future ruler of Kyrria

And

Ella, daughter of Sir Peter of Frell and the Late Lady Eleanor

On December the thirtieth

The Palace

Ella had married the prince! She would become the Queen of Kyrria! The marriage was perfect!

But, what about Sir Bowen? In two months he would come to collect Ella! Oh, what had he done???

Chapter Two :: The Web of Perfection

Ella sighed with bliss. Not since her mother had been alive had she felt such joy. It was hard to believe that just two months ago, she had lived in squalor, waiting on her stepsisters hand and foot.

Now, her stepfamily was shunned by most all. She lived in a palace, married to her love, Char; could life be more perfect?

She still marveled at the miracle that had befallen her. She never thought she possibly could get rid of the curse. It was the kind of affliction that never went away. But it did. Her love for Char had surpassed her need to obey. Now she could make decisions. Now she could say no.

Char had been, to say the least, surprised to hear of the curse. He did have to admit that it explained everything. He told Ella that it made him love her that much more, the fact that she had put his safety before her happiness. Yes, their life was perfect. Or so they thought.

Their carefully spun Utopia was shattered shortly after their marriage. Ella and Char were busy having staircase-sliding races when Nancy interrupted to announce a visitor.

“Pardon me, your highnesses, but Sir Peter of Frell requests an audience.”

The monarchs reluctantly ended their game and made their way to the grand hall. Ella ranted on the way. “Are you sure I have to be a ‘Your Highness’? Can’t I just be Ella? After all, not two months ago, these servants were my superiors.”

Char smiled. He loved the humility of his wife. “Well, Ella, you are a princess, future queen. You’d better get used to it.”

Ella continued on another vein, feeling the need to complain. “I can’t believe the nerve of Father. To just march in here! He didn’t even come to the wedding! Not that I care, of course. But now he’s probably just going to congratulate me and then ask for a loan.”

Finally, they came face to face with Sir Peter. He looked extremely nervous, his eyes darting back and forth, as if someone was after him.

He addressed Ella first. “My dear, I cannot be happier about your marriage. I know you will make a wonderful wife and queen. I regret not being there for your wedding.”

“Now, ‘give a few KJs to me, your dear father, please.’ Just watch,” Ella murmured to Char under her breath.

Now Peter addressed them both. “I’ve made a terrible mistake. You see, I received the news of your marriage to late to attend the event, to even know that you were unavailable.”

“Unavailable? Whatever do you mean?” Ella inquired.

Her father took a deep breath. “Ella, I promised your hand to Sir Bowen, a knight from Torlia, two months ago. I swear, I didn’t know of your engagement. I told him I would bring you to his estate in two months. This is- not a good man. He is very rich, which blinded me to his shortcomings. When I don’t bring you to him, he will come for you. If he finds you are married, it will not matter. He’ll take you without a second thought. You must be prepared-prepared to protect yourselves.”

At that moment, Ella felt her invisible web of perfection shatter.

Chapter Three :: Preparation

Sir Bowen was seething. How dare he! How dare he promise him his daughter, and then let her marry someone else? She was his! Well, no one cheated Sir Bowen of Torlia and lived to tell the tale. He stood up. “Neil!” he called.

A servant appeared at the doorway. “Yes sir?”

“Prepare the carriage!” Bowen smiled malevolently. “We’re going to pay a little visit to the prince-and his lovely new bride.”



“Father! How could you do this to me? I have taken orders from you my whole life! I’ve always obeyed you! How could you promise me into a marriage without my consent?” Ella was in a rage. Her father, in his ever- present quest for money, had put all of their lives in danger. The nerve!

Her father’s face, which had been filled with worry, now became indignant. “I told you. I hadn’t the slightest notion you were to be queen. If I had, of course I would not have promised you to him. Aside from that, you knew I needed money and would probably find a husband for you. I hardly think it is entirely my fault when-“

Ella ran off. She couldn’t take it anymore. She had only just found happiness. Now it was being ripped from her without the slightest thought? There was only one person who could help her now. She ran into the kitchen.

“Mandy! Mandy!”

Mandy, sweet, familiar Mandy, came into view. How Ella loved her, from her frizzy gray hair to her tiny fairy feet. Mandy would use magic. Mandy would make everything better. “What is it, sweet? What’s wrong?”

Ella collapsed into Mandy’s welcoming arms. And told her the whole account.

If Ella thought she was mad at her father, it was nothing compared to Mandy’s livid rage. “That monster! Selling his daughter off to the highest bidder like some horse! Putting a few gold KJs before his own daughter’s happiness! I wish I could…”

Ella cut off Mandy’s rant. “Please, save your revenge for later. Just, do some magic. Please.”

Mandy looked at Ella, her expression one of compunction. “Oh, Lady. I’m sorry. The magic would be too big. Remember that night, after the third ball? Where I said nothing is small magic at a time like this? Well, this is that kind of time. With the ever present danger and the- oh honey, I can’t.”

Ella’s eyes filled with tears. “So we’ll just let this man walk in and snatch me away to be his…” the tears spilled over.

Ella cried and Mandy hugged, neither aware when Char came into the kitchen, looking for Ella. Seeing the pair, he walked over and joined the hug.

After Ella had quieted down a bit, Char spoke to her, quiet words of reassuring, “Don’t worry, Ella. I won’t let him get you. No one can take you from me. We’ll be prepared. We’ll have guards, and protection, and…oh, don’t worry. I’ll take care of you. We’ll take care of each other.”

Mandy, gently cleaning away her own tears, left the couple. They still sat there on the kitchen floor, letting the scullery maids gawk at the future sovereigns clinging to each other on the ground.

Chapter Four :: Never Trust a Beggar

Sir Bowen reached Kyrria at the dead of night. Perfect. He would wait about a week; let the royals think they’re safe. Sir Peter would have undoubtedly have warned them by now. But he’d get there. He would have Ella. She would be his bride.



Each day, Ella woke up with the same thought: “Is this the day Sir Bowen comes?” It stayed with her as she got up and went about doing her royal duties. It lurked in the dark recesses of her mind at all hours of the day. Her only respite was at night, the only time she did not think of her father’s deceit.

Char always consoled her, quieted her fears for a spell. Mandy did as well. Everyone she met was supportive and strove to keep her safe.

Her father had not been allowed in the royal presence since he broke the news of his “business dealing”.

Two weeks had passed, and Ella’s fears were diminishing somewhat. Her father’s “payment” had been due long ago. Surely, if the ruthless Sir Bowen had wished to take her, he would of done so by now. No, not even he would risk coming to the palace. He would just have to find some other inauspicious girl to be his wife.

Char had to attend meetings with his father all day, learning how to be a kind and thoughtful ruler. Ella was bored. What was there to do now? Certainly not any staircase sliding. Where was the fun without an opponent? She could sit in her bedchamber and read, but reading didn’t exactly hold an appeal with Ella. A walk? The castle grounds were quite beautiful. A walk it was, then.

Ella strode casually amidst the blooms. It was the first time she had been outside alone since the danger of Sir Bowen had come to her attention. It felt good to leave the pesky guards inside and enjoy the beauty of nature unaccompanied.

She stopped by the greenhouse, where the summer plants were stored all year. Someone was walking inside, someone without the customary green uniform of the royal gardeners. Ella walked in to investigate.

The person in question wore a dirty brown smock with brown pants and shoes so worn, bits of toe stuck out the top. He had a threadbare wool cap on his head, and his face was covered with dirt. It was a hobo.

Ella smiled at him kindly. “You know, sir, that it is illegal to live here in the royal greenhouse, don’t you?”

The mendicant got a panicked look on his face. “Oh, kind lady!” he cried. “I beg of you, do not turn me in! I’ll go away, I swear! Do not have me arrested, please!”

Ella shook her head. “Oh, I wouldn’t do that,” she replied. “I know full well what it is like to need shelter. Just, hide from the gardeners, please?”

The beggar’s smile was radiant. “Thank you, kind lady. I should repay your kindness.” His voice dropped. “Would you like to see a most wondrous sight, seen by a select few, a sight so fantastic it changes the life of all who see it?”

Ella’s smile turned to a condescending one. This was an insane beggar, then. “Sure, why not? Take me to it!”

The beggar walked out the door and into the garden. Ella followed close behind. They kept walking until they reached the edge of the gardens, near the gate. They finally came to a halt in front of a nondescript black carriage.

Ella looked around. “Why are we here? Where is this sight?”

The door to the carriage opened; the beggar pushed her into two large arms waiting for her. Then he hopped into the driver’s seat and started the horses.

“Why, my dear Ella, I am the sight. I must thank Neil for describing me so kindly.”

“Who-who are you?” Ella asked, knowing the answer before he spoke.

“You must excuse me, I’ve lost all my manners. I am Sir Bowen, knight of Torlia, and your future husband.”

Chapter Five :: Kidnapped

Ella sighed. How stupid could she possibly have been? Sure, let’s just follow strangers to wherever they may lead. Well, no matter. She’d charmed the pants off of those ogres, hadn’t she? What was one, little knight to compare with all her other triumphs?

She put on her best smile for the troll sitting beside her in the darkened carriage. “Please turn the carriage around. I hate to inform you, but I’m already married.”

Sir Bowen just laughed. “I’ve heard of your stupid parlor tricks, girl. Trying to beguile me like you did to those ogres, correct? Sorry to inform you, but I’m smarter than your average man, and most likely twice as intelligent as an ogre. You’re little magic won’t work on me.”

Ella started getting mad. She deserved a happily ever after, and no overgrown pig with a title was going to steal it from her! “Well, sorry to inform you, sir, but my husband-my current husband- is a prince. He has a whole army to command. And my father knows where you live. They will come for me. Wouldn’t it be easier to just turn around now? You know, bring me back, let us forget it ever happened?”

Bowen just laughed again. “Ah, my dear, you underestimate me. I’ve already considered that possibility. We’ll be going to another estate of mine, one that no one knows of. No one can see it either. It is protected by fairy magic.”

Ella tried again, on another vein. “Well, you know I can’t marry you, right? A marriage cannot be legal if one party is already married. Even if I weren’t married, I wouldn’t consent. So, what is the point of kidnapping me?”

Bowen replied, “Girl, do you realize you are talking about legalities to a man who just kidnapped you? Do you think I care if the marriage is legal? Second, as for your consent…” his voice dropped. “…If I order you to marry me, I suppose you will just have to follow that order won’t you?”

Ella smiled inwardly. Sir Bowen thought that she still had her curse! If she just followed all his orders, perhaps he would leave her alone for a spell. Then she could get away.

“Now sit back!” Bowen commanded.

Ella complied. She had a plan now. She would outsmart Bowen. She would get out of here. She would get her happiness back.



Char hung his head in wretchedness. Ella was gone! No doubt Sir Bowen took her. He never should of left her alone! He should have been with her!

Well, there was no point in wallowing in self-pity now. He had to save Ella. Sir Bowen’s estate was in Torlia? Then he would go to Torlia.

“Sir Stephan!” Char called out.

Stephan appeared at the doorway. He looked heartsick; he, too, missed Ella. “Yes, sir?”

“Assemble your finest knights. We leave in the morning for Torlia.”

The knight nodded. “Right away, your highness.”

Char’s steely gaze at the empty room reflected his determination. He would cross rivers. He would cross mountains. He would get Ella back.