Lost In Underland

10: Where Is Amber and The Prince?

Barely seconds after the meeting had the search for Amber and Arnold begun. It was led by the King's men who scouted the riverside of the village.

Spiritedly, the searchers in different canoes looked for them, calling out their names but there was no response. After foraging the surrounding bushes, there was no sign of them. By sundown when the height of the river was at its lowest, the searchers were all over the water. With sticks, they poked around the riverbed, hoping to find their bodies as by this time, they were feared dead.

The search went on with shouts of "Amber" and "Prince" but their calls were only met with echoes that faded into silence so that as night drew near, the sounds of calling birds and crickets filled the air and the exhausted search party returned home.

After keeping up for another week, the search finally stopped, erasing all hope even from Prince and Amber's loved ones. Three days later, Miriam was miserable as she sat outside her front porch with Cressida. The ache of missing Amber was evident in her worn-down look and there was a gloomy air surrounding them.

"I felt for your daughter when I first saw her at the house of Isis because of the meanness I endured with them but then, it wasn't my business," Cressida explained.

"I understand. And I appreciate your regular visit since the disappearance of Amber and Arnold."

Cressida heaved a sigh, head down with feelings of regret.

"I do it out of guilt Miriam."

"Like I keep telling you Cressida, it's not your fault so free yourself. Deep down I suspected she wasn't happy there but she kept denying it."

"Sad. I wonder, how did she get the job?"

"We needed such a job for her and fortunately, she heard gossip in the market that Isis was looking for a new maid as usual. It seems her maids do not last though no one could tell why."

"The ex-maids may be afraid to talk. Isis is a wealthy woman. Look at me. I never even had to guts to tell anyone. What's the point anyway? If you don't like the job, you leave."

"I should have stopped her from working there."

"You couldn't have. It's too late for regrets. I suggest we mention their abusive ways to the king." Cressida advised but Miriam shook her head.

"It's of no use because there is no evidence. I just want my star back. That's all I want."

Miriam was fighting back tears of grief and Cressida placed a comforting hand over hers, to console her.

They heard the sound of approaching horse hooves clicking on the ground. They both sighted the queen's horse-drawn carriage approaching she was seated inside with her maid. A horseman on another chariot bearing foodstuffs escorted them with two guards on separate horses guarding them.

Surprised at the sight, Miriam and Cressida rose and watched them draw near before walking down the porch to acknowledge their presence. The riders alighted and the queen walked closer to Miriam and Cressida who curtsied in acknowledgment.

"My queen, what a surprise." Miriam greeted.

The queen leaned forward and hugged a surprised Miriam who slowly, with hesitation, gingerly placed her arm around the queen, hugging her back. When they disengaged, a look of concern furrowed the queen's brow as she looked at Miriam.

"How are you holding up?" she asked.

"Not good. I should ask you the same but I already know the answer. Still, I am surprised to see you in my humble home."

The queen sighed.

"I find that I need to be around one who understands the pain I've been feeling."

Miriam considered her words touching and replaying them in her head, she sensed some befuddling undertone. How could a queen desire the company of an ordinary peasant like her? She reasoned and was not prepared for the queen's next words which jolted her out of her thoughts.

"May I stay here a few days Miriam?" she had just asked, the question triggering an exchange of glances between a surprised Miriam and Cressida. Miriam noticed the cart carrying foodstuffs and became clearer on the queen's intentions.

Miriam felt bad for the queen but then why her? She wondered. Yet, she knew she didn't need to ask that question because it had already been answered. ("I find that I need to be around one who understands the pain I've been feeling." She had said). At this point, it was only fair to ask some relevant questions and reason with her concerning the issue at hand, Miriam thought.

"My queen, what will the king say?" she asked.

"Oh, he's aware."

"But... but my house is small."

The queen smiled and Miriam couldn't help but admire the woman's kind features.

"I wasn't born rich. We will manage, please? I need this."

Miriam and Cressida exchanged glances again, stupefied as they couldn't believe what was happening. When Miriam looked back at the queen, the woman had that smile again which defined her kind features, and Miriam couldn't help but smile back and nod her approval.

This time when the queen hugged her, she warmly returned the hug, glad to have the company of such a dignitary who could have chosen the best home where the rich resided.

Even though she knew it was because of the tragedy they now shared, Miriam was inwardly feeling a bit comforted as she realized she now wanted what the queen wanted which had driven her to her humble home.