The Star King

The Long Slog Towards Heaven

As they trundled along, the sky suddenly came over black, as black as night. Elisabeth looked up surveying the sky " I think it's going to rain" as she said that a crash of thunder echoed across the valley and lightening forked its way across the sky.

The horses bolted, Elisabeth grabbed the reins tightly trying to calm her horse. Rain started to full a heavy downpour, hurting her skin and soaking her to the bone. Grabbing hold of the boys reins they made their way cantering along the road till they found a small inn by the roadside. Barely seen in the heavy downpour.

Both drenched and shivering they entered the small inn finding a room. The boy was scared of the thunder and the flashes of lightning that lit the sky. Elisabeth held him close and sang songs as she used to do with her own children until he fell asleep.

As the rain pummeled the windows and the wind ferociously raged outside. Elisabeth sat on the bed picturing her own children, imagining their faces and her mothers kind gaze as she drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

Elisabeth awoke with aching limbs, gently waking the boy they went and found the inn keeper who gave them some bread, a lump of cheese and an apple for the journey.

The storm had disappeared without a trace but it was cold.Breathing Elisabeth could see her breath, a small cloud Looking up at the sky, grey clouds threatened snow and before Elisabeth knew it.It started to snow at first small wisps fluttered to the ground but gradually it fell heavier until it blanketed the ground.

Eventually she started to recognize the surroundings, they went through the woods and out the other side and as if like a dream the valley appeared and the town nestled inside.

The castle with its flag fluttering proudly. Elisabeth felt her heart contract and felt like she wanted to break down in tears. Dismounting from the horse she stood for a moment, the boy joined her and they stood in silence just staring at the scenery.

The town was like a painting her mind whirled trying to tell her it was real after envisioning it for so long. It was blanketed in a carpet of pure white snow. It was now dark as the sun had set some hours ago as the two made their away across the last of the fields.

The small town was quiet apart from a dog barking from somewhere, as they got closer. The moon appeared from behind the clouds casting a glistening silver light, shining on the snow making it sparkle like a million little lanterns.

Gazing towards the hill at the opposite side of the valley she saw her home shrouded in darkness. She imagined her children tucked up in bed and Bertha snoring loudly in the next room. Elisabeth turned to the boy pointing to the house " That across the valley is your new home" the boy looked up his eyes glistening in the moonlight as he met her gaze.

Leading the horses on they made their way to the town passing animal tracks left in the snow and heard an owl hooting in the distance.

Going through the quiet town making tracks in the snow covered streets they trudged silently. The boy looked around taking in the small lines of shops and the small cobbled streets. Coming to the castle the boys eyes widened " Does the King come here sometimes?" Elisabeth still walking ahead smiled " His father did , occasionally but so far he hasn't" a picture of Hal came unbidden in her mind, the feeling of being in his embrace. Sighing she inwardly chastised herself she had done so well on the journey not to think about him.