Bartley finally comes to a ranch where he asks for work and to his relief is given without much ado.
He sets down the baby on his rickety bed and looks at it in awe.
"Oh sweet pea. What are we gonna name you now?" He asks.
He then remembers that his mother made him promise that if he ever had a daughter, he would name the child after her. So he named the child Elsa.
Just as he was about to figure out what to do with the baby, he hears the sound of hooves and fills in for himself that it is the queen's troops after them.
He looks around frantically then finally notices a pile of hay, grabs Elsa and hides behind the hay carefull not to wake her.
"Search every corner yah here! We are to find the bastard child dead or alive!" Shouts one of the guards.
He sits still cradling the baby and secretly hoping that they are not found out. The guards turn everything upside down as they search and finally giving up, they go on their way.
Sighing in relief, he comes out of their hiding place and sets Elsa down. Just as he is about to start thinking again, he hears footsteps.
Instinctively, he grabs a stick to face whoever is there and sees a little boy. "What do yah want lad?" He asks.
"I..I saw you were in trouble so me ma sent me to help yah." Answers the boy trembling in fear.
Bartley softens his gaze then takes the sack offered by the boy. "Thank her for me will yah." He says as he looks inside and finds some supplies and a map.
"Well sweet pea, looks like it's me and you now." He says as he packs up a few necesities.
***
Pacing up and down, she can't help but feel empty without him. If she hadn't let them leave, they would all be dead. If she took off with them they would be together.
She hears the royal horns being blown. Only few ocassions were they blown; a funeral, a decree or a wedding. In this case it was a funeral, her funeral to be exact.
Nobody would ever know that she escaped, not even Bartley. How she longed to hold him and their daughter in her arms.
Gerald then appears before her in a black suit, "How do I look?" He asks making a face to display his 'grief'. "Anyone would fall for the act Ger." She answers.
And with that, he goes off to the palace to attend the burial. If only they knew.
He is met by the queen, his aunt and his cousin sister Hayley who are both wearing a sombre look. Of which that of the queen is fake.
The ceremony is carried out with utmost care as no member of the royal family would like to do or say anything that would spark revolt.
After the ceremony, many of the nobles especially those that interacted with Olivia paid their respects and left for their homes.
YOU ARE READING
Destined Hope
Historical Fiction"Go! They will surely have our heads if they know of this!" She says handing the baby to him. The guards are catching on and there is no time left. With one last look, she says, "Promise me you will never let her out of your sight." "But..." he sta...
