To Love in Peace: 10th Anniversary Edition

by Kathleen Bird

  “She shouldn’t do that! Keep the title so that Helen has something to look forward to, other than living on the charity of her aunt and uncle. I can run both Suffrom and Adven. It’s what would happen either way.”

  A smile. “Ralyn might be willing to compromise with that.”

  Sophia interrupted with a little cry followed by a yawn and a stretch. Her fist found its way to her mouth and settled. Sleep was soon to follow. Her parents laughed.

  “It’s amazing how quickly she falls asleep,” Michael said as he passed her back to her mother.

  “I wonder who she gets that from,” Katherine said as she wrapped the blanket tighter around the sleeping baby.

  A splash from the fountain and water down the back of her dress met the remark. Michael stood looking mischievous as he dried his hand on his pants. Shocked, Katherine rushed to the fountain and splashed Michael, careful not to get Sophia wet. He wiped the water from his face and splashed her again. This time the water spilled onto a surprised Sophia, who cried in protest. Katherine retreated from the scene of the crime with a glare over her shoulder. Trying to look as innocent as possible, Michael caught up with her as they turned the corner and passed out of sight of Adam and Edwin, who’d been watching from behind a hedge. They laughed until they cried and walked in the opposite direction.

  “Are Your Majesties sufficiently dried off?” Adam teased as he entered the dining hall. The couple was enjoying the last little bit of lunch as the servants washed dishes and scrubbed floors. Even chores felt fun when there was no threat of disaster waiting at the door.

  “Adam! You were spying on us!” Katherine smiled as Michael choked. She laughed as her husband tried to compose himself instead of bursting into laughter. “Is that the example you have set for our counselors?”

  “Laughing in the worst situation? Of course! What better trait could I teach him?”

  A lone pea went flying at Michael, who ducked just in time. “Are you sure we’re parents? I feel like I should be yelling at myself to stop playing with my food.”

  Adam laughed. “I believe you have a little while before Sophia is old enough to avoid her vegetables. Where is the little one?”

  “With Ralyn and Edwin. Edwin is watching Sophia and keeping Ralyn company while she watches Helen.”

  “You left Edwin in charge of your heir?” Adam’s smile betrayed him. He wasn’t really surprised. Edwin had taken a shine to the tiny princess the moment he’d met her. The girl cooed and ceased to cry in his presence. There couldn’t be a more perfect relief for Katherine and Michael. Every spare moment he got; he was spending watching Sophia. He’d make a perfect guardian if she ever felt the need to travel.

  “You know very well that Edwin is perfectly capable of taking care of Sophia. Probably more qualified than Katherine or I.”

  “Speak for yourself, Michael!” The pea flew back at her. She laughed and picked up both plates. “I’d better get these to the kitchen before we start a full-scale war.”

  “We’ve had enough of that,” Adam added before he sat down at the table with Michael. Katherine drifted out of the room towards the kitchen. The king sat watching her until she was completely out of sight.

  “Do you ever regret it?”

  “Regret what?” Michael turned his attention to Adam’s question.

  “Marrying her. You could have stayed completely out of the war. Stayed healthy and uninjured. Been ruler of your own people. Never had to watch your brother die. Was it worth it?”

  Without a second thought he replied, “Absolutely! There’s no guarantee the war wouldn’t have found us. We could have been easily overthrown if that madman had ever decided he wanted to destroy us. As for being ruler, I still am! But now, God has blessed me by providing me the opportunity to rule both Adven and Suffrom, neither of which would I have ruled had I stayed home.” A pause. “Technically, I didn’t watch Evan die, but I feel as if I did. Evan was my only brother, my big brother. He took care of me, watched me grow up, and was more of a father than my own father sometimes. It pains me to watch Ralyn mourn everyday. I pray that God will give her peace. He has already blessed me with an abundance of it.”

  “Of what?”

  “Peace. Peace to know that no matter what happens everything will be okay. Peace to trust that God is in control. Peace to know that He will take care of my family, my country, and myself. It’s that peace that overwhelmed Katherine when everything looked bleak. At the point when the world was crashing down on her, she put all her faith in God, giving up even her love for me. I love her so much.”

  Adam smiled and waited for Michael to continue.

  “I guess that’s what I would miss most. If I had stayed, I wouldn’t have met Katherine. I wouldn’t have married her. We wouldn’t have a beautiful little girl. Ah, Sophia. She’s the light of my life! What a miracle being a parent is! God is so gracious to allow us that experience. Just as He has adopted us into His family and become our Father; He allows us to experience the joy and sorrow of fatherhood.”

  Katherine came back in right at this moment and overheard the last phrase.

  “Speaking of the joy of fatherhood, perhaps you’d like to rescue Edwin from Sophia? She’s tired and doesn’t want to sleep. Edwin and Ralyn have tried everything. Even Helen is becoming upset by her fussing.”

  Michael flashed a smile at Adam. “It would be my pleasure.”

  He grabbed Katherine and pulled her out the door, putting his arm around her waist and kissing her cheek as he did so. Adam shook his head. He smiled after the happy couple. “It was obviously worth it.”

  “Ralyn?”

  The Queen was standing solemnly on the balcony of the guest room. She rocked the sleeping Helen in her arms and stared into the distance. Startled by the intrusion of her thoughts, she turned around. A slim smile spread across her face.

  “Katherine. Did you and Michael finally get Sophia to sleep?”

  “It took both of us. That little girl was determined that sleep would not win!” Katherine laughed and put her arm around Ralyn’s shoulders. “And Helen?”

  “Calm again. She doesn’t like to be woken up.” The smile faded. “She’s like her father in that respect. He always waited until the last minute to get out of bed.” Ralyn’s eyes misted over as they looked out towards the horizon. “I’m going to miss him.”

  Katherine didn’t know what to say. She almost understood, but Michael had lived against all odds! What kind of comfort was that to her sister, whose husband had died fighting in a war that wasn’t even his own?

  “I’m sorry, Ralyn. Is there anything I can do?”

  “No, I don’t suppose so.” A sigh.

  “You know we’re willing to help in any way we can, right?”

  “I know.” Ralyn pulled away from her sister. Katherine frowned at her sister’s back. She wasn’t making this easy.

  “Ralyn,” she started. “Michael and I have been meaning to ask you what your plans are.”

  “I don’t have any.” Her voice sounded so empty, devoid of hope. “I suppose I should go back to Suffrom.” She shook her head. “It will be very lonely without Evan.”

  Katherine moved closer to the grieving widow. “I know. That’s why I asked Michael if you could stay here with us. Helen and Sophia could grow up together. You and I would be together. It would be like when we grew up.”

  “No, things will never be like when we grew up. Mother and Father are gone. We are both mothers. I’ve lost a husband.” Her voice shook as she continued, “Things will never be the same.”

  “I know it won’t be exactly the same. Things are different now.” Katherine moved beside her sister. “Everywhere you look there are people that have never heard the truth about God. A few years ago, they would never have had the opportunity.” Joy filled her voice and she spoke faster and faster. “Now, they have a King and Queen that love God. We get to tell the whole kingdom! Someday Adven will be just like Suffrom, a place that serves the one true God.”
<
br />   Ralyn chanced a smile. “I look forward to that day, Katherine. You and Michael have a bright future ahead of you.” She looked down at the sleeping baby in her arms. “I wish I could say the same for my little girl. If I stay here, I will have to abdicate the throne. Michael will rule and I will be nothing but a widow in my sister’s castle.”

  “No! You can remain the Queen! Michael will help you of course, he can travel much faster and more easily than you; but that way Helen will remain a princess and next in line for the throne. There can be a bright future for the both of you.”

  “I suppose.” She stared with empty eyes across the vast landscape.

  Katherine leaned close to her and whispered. “Don’t give up hope. Trust God. Even when we don’t understand what He’s doing, we can trust Him. He knows what’s best for both you and Helen. Everything will be okay.”

  “I hope so, Katherine. I hope so.”

  The sun slowly set. The days were grower longer and longer as spring rose to the height of its glory. Red, orange, and yellow rays of sunlight danced on the outside of the castle walls and the floor of the royal couple’s bedroom. Katherine sat in the chair with Sophia in her lap, cooing softly. Michael stood looking out the window, watching the waning activity in the courtyard as the castle prepared for sleep.

  Sophia yawned and stretched her tiny arms. The sound caused Michael to turn around and smile. “She is beautiful, isn’t she?” He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead, then kissed his wife on the cheek. “Just like her mother.”

  “I spoke with Ralyn today.”

  “So that is why you’ve been so thoughtful tonight. You hardly spoke during dinner. Weren’t Adam and Edwin’s distractions enough to make you laugh?”

  Her laughter erupted to the point that tears ran down Katherine’s face as she recalled the antics of the two men. “They certainly are something else. Where would we be without them?”

  Michael’s smile faded as he remembered the dark days of captivity. Even Katherine didn’t know everything that had gone on during their forced separation. “Lost and alone.” He shook the memory aside and the smile returned. “But God is good.”

  “Yes, He is. I only hope that Ralyn remembers that.”

  “Is she considering denying her faith?” His arm rested on Katherine’s shoulder and his face was etched with concern. “I thought that it was her greatest help when your mother died.”

  “It was for both of us. But this has been too much for Ralyn to bear. Just when life was going well for her, with a family to take care of and a kingdom to rule, everything changed. Evan’s dead. She feels like God has betrayed her.”

  Michael squeezed her shoulder. “It sounds like you speak from experience.”

  She nodded and shivered a little, pulling Sophia closer to her. “I don’t ever want to feel that way again. That’s why I’m so worried about her.”

  “Everything will be okay. God is in control, even when we don’t understand Him.”

  “I know.” She handed Sophia to Michael and watched him as he carefully finished rocking her to sleep. “But I’m glad He gave me someone to remind every once and awhile.” She kissed him and they stood together, husband and wife, enjoying the moment as a family.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  It was another feast day, a celebration of peace. The dining hall was decorated with bright colors and fragrant flowers. The knights danced with their ladies, and children ran in between their parents’ legs. King Michael and Queen Katherine sat in their thrones on the raised dais. They watched the joy and laughter on their people’s faces, enjoying every moment.

  Adam and Edwin were goofing off together as usual. They laughed and talked with anyone who would listen to them. Their stories grew crazier and the songs louder, but today was a day for such things. The threat of war was past. Peace was reigning in the hearts and minds of the people. Fear was cast far away in places unheard of.

  Little Lilly was peering into the cradle where Princess Sophia lay. Her big brown eyes took in every new sight and sound while her fingers reached for a lock of Lilly’s hair.

  “She’s very pretty, Your Majesties.”

  Katherine smiled at her attempt to be polite. “Thank you, Lilly. Would you like to hold her?”

  The girl’s eyes grew as big as the sun and sparkled like stars. “Can I? I won’t drop her. I promise!”

  Carefully, Katherine picked the child up and handed her to Lilly. If it was possible, both Lilly and Sophia’s smiles grew. “I think she likes me!”

  Michael bent down to put his arm around both Sophia and Lilly. “I think you’re right. Maybe you will get to help us take care of her. What do you think?”

  Lilly was speechless. After the shock passed, she said, “Could I really? I’ll teach her how to cook and sew and read and climb trees and play…”

  He interrupted the excited flow of talking. “Of course. And could you teach her one really important thing for me?”

  The little girl nodded furiously.

  “Teach her to love life as much as you do.”

  A tear slipped down Katherine’s face. All of her fears seemed to not matter. Sophia had been born a beautiful princess. The kingdom was free. Michael loved her more than ever. God really did have everything in control!

  Lilly smiled and held the little princess. “I can do that, Your Highness. Can I go tell my mom?”

  “Of course.” He took Sophia back and Lilly ran off through the crowd to tell her mother of her special mission from the king. Michael turned to see the solitary tear running down Katherine’s cheek. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to. He saw the joy on her face and the peace in her heart. “Everything is okay.” He brought Sophia to her mother and passed her to her open arms. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “You are a seal over my heart.”

  She whispered back. “And I’ll love you forever.”

  The two smiled, and Sophia let out a loud squawk. Michael laughed and said, “We’d better start the ceremony; the princess is impatient.”

  He raised his hand for quiet. The laughter stopped, and the talking subsided to a quiet hum. Adam and Edwin even stopped their foolishness and paid attention. The children were caught by their parents and made to stand still.

  Michael smiled at the antics of the people before him. “It is great to stand here as your king but also as your friend. It warms my heart to see your smiles and hear your laughter.” A few giggles from the children. “We have made it!” Cheers erupted, and he had to wait a few moments before he could continue. “God is good!” Even louder cheers echoed through the big hall. He raised his hands and let the smile on his face grow. Even Katherine was laughing.

  “He deserves your praise, but I will never finish in time for the feast if I am unable to continue!” Silence immediately swept through the room. No one wanted to miss the feast that had been prepared in anticipation of this very day. “Today you are free, not only from your enemies; but you are also free from yourselves. I look at you and see just how many of you have put your trust in God. He has gained much from our trials, as have we. Where would we be without the lessons we have learned from these hard times?” A murmur of agreement.

  “Today is a day of rejoicing and giving glory to God for what He has done.” Cheers. “But,” he paused, “there are others that we have to reward.” Katherine stepped forward to stand beside her husband. Sophia squirmed in her arms.

  “Adam.”

  The crowd made space in front of the raised dais for him to come forward. Adam walked to where he stood immediately before Michael. He drew his sword and laid it at his king’s feet, then knelt.

  Michael stepped forward again. “Rise.” He rose. “You have been a good servant of your king. There is no reward that I could give to repay you for all you have done. You followed me from your home, in search of a new kingdom. You have given me good advice. You have helped to train those valiant knigh
ts who fought outside these very gates.” Here he was interrupted by a cheer from the valiant knights. Adam smiled. “You have been one of my dearest friends.” A pause.

  “Therefore, I place you in charge of training all future knights of this realm. I personally charge you to train both Princess Sophia and Princess Helen in swordsmanship and warfare. Prepare them for their future roles as rulers of Adven and Suffrom. Also, you are to be one of my chief advisors in all matters.” He leaned forward and whispered. “God bless you, my friend.”

  The people clapped their hands and cheered as Adam walked back to his place beside Edwin. The knights were the loudest, excited that their teacher would remain their teacher. Michael raised his hands for silence. “Edwin,” he said when the crowd had quieted.

  Nervously, the young man walked to the space in front of Michael. He also drew his sword and laid it at the king’s feet. He knelt but ran a nervous hand through his wild red hair as he did so.

  Michael smiled. “Rise. You have nothing to fear.” The crowd laughed and Edwin jumped to his feet. “You also have given much in the service of Adven. Though you were engaged in the army of the enemy, you sought to help us escape at all costs. You have not allowed your youth to stop you. You fought valiantly in the battle and singlehandedly saved the Queen’s life.” Cheers. Katherine smiled and Sophia cooed.

  “In return for your sacrifice you are to be put in charge of that which you love. All horses of Adven are to be trained by you. I also wish you to teach the princesses how to ride and any others who may wish to learn.” Lilly’s happy squeak could be heard, followed by little bits of laughter all around the room. “You also are to be one of my chief advisors, a help in all circumstances.”

  Katherine stepped forward and bowed her head in a sign of respect. “Thank you, Edwin. You have saved me more than once, with no concern for yourself. You have indeed earned your reward. Thank you, my friend.” She stepped back, and Edwin blushed. He clumsily wandered back to his place. Adam clapped him on the back, and the people clapped and cheered.