Same evening. Eleanor returned home and met Helen, her foster mother, telling her little son a story in the bedroom. Helen was a wonderful storyteller, and every member of the household enjoyed her storytelling.
Eleanor didn't just listen to a regular story from Helen, Eleanor only listened to stories of her birth mother. She put her sword in the sheath beside her bed, then she started stretching her weakened bones.
" Are you ever going to leave behind what is meant for the men alone?" Helen asked with a softer tone.
" The women of Abothorn only share similar dreams. Many dream about finding a good husband, some dream about marrying a wealthy man, a thousand dream about having many male children, and being a good wife. But I, Eleanor... dream about being a warrior. A politician, and a wielder."
" Those dreams are only some typical examples of your mother." Helen said with an amiable smile on her face.
" Is father not willing to return home from hunting?" Eleanor asked. Pestered, then she frowned.
" Maybe he got stuck trying to hunt a rabbit again." Helen ridiculed and laughed.
" I thought as much. This is why I demanded to join him, but he refused my help."
" In ninety days you will be turning twenty-one, yet you do not wish to marry. Do the duties of a woman alone, Eleanor. Leave the men to their work. Stop thinking like the women of Abelak whose duties compare to that of the men."
" That reminds me, it was your promise to give me a story about my mother."
" Come through already, and I shall tell you." Helen said, beckoning Eleanor to come over.
" What about me, Mother?" Feeling slightly jealous, Gideon whined alongside a grimace.
" We will save yours for the night so that you may have a peaceful sleep." Helen convinced. " Now go have supper in the kitchen." Helen insisted, and Gideon paid heed.
Eleanor sat on the floor, just closer to Helen's legs. She leaned on Helen's legs as Helen plaited her hair.
" Since you were my mother's personal maidservant as of then, can you tell me exactly what her avocation was?"
" She liked to fight. Verily, the women of Abelak has a particular avocation. Fighting. Just like you. And she was a great cook, just like you, too." Helen told, smiling. " I remember the day she first arrived in Abothorn. She was extremely gorgeous. She was adorned with gold. Rebecca wore a luxe fabric which could only be found in Messea because of its expensive cost."
" Have you no idea the family my mother belong to in Abelak? She sent Hannah and me to the castle in Abelak, claiming the nobles are her friends."
" Nobody told, not even her. Perhaps, she was a friend of a princess." Helen said. " Your mother was a woman of virtue. Very amiable, a woman with a big heart, very liberal. Every maidservant in the fortress desired to be her personal servant, and I got lucky."
" Did she ever fight a battle?"
" She did. She fought for Abothorn, and we won the battle." Helen disclosed. " Your mother was a true warrior, and she believed in fighting for peace and what is just. Her dream was to fight for innocent people, not only with a weapon as in the battlefield. But with words of peace, with love, care and every good she had to offer." Helen said.
" I wish to be like my mother. To fight for those who are in trouble." Eleanor said, slowly caressing the medallion she wore with her fingers. Her mother's medallion.
"She was known in Abothorn for fighting with the Sword of Peace and Justice. She was the person who rose the sword in Abothorn's fight with the Kingdom of Jevins. That sword is made of luck. Many years ago, when the first battle of all kingdoms ended, each kingdom sacrificed everything they had for the sword to be made. The sword is as a symbol of peace. A curse was laid on the sword that whichever kingdom arose a reason for a battle to be declared, that kingdom would suffer the wrath of darkness. Therefore, every kingdoms honored the Sword of Peace. Wherever the Sword of Peace and Justice is raised to the air, an action for peace must be taken. And if these actions are not taken, darkness must be upon them who refuse to concur."
" According to the Sword, did any kingdom neglect the Sword of Peace?"
" Yes. Kingdom of Delikin. Also, our Kingdom of Abothorn in King Jooper's reign."
" Is there a way this curse can be broken?"
" Yes. It happened when I was little, very little and afraid. Owing to King Jooper's ignorance, our people suffered. No food, our waters dried up. We could not see the light of the day, darkness covered the whole of Abothorn. Our people both at home and in foreign lands died day after day. They died either from many strange diseases, unexpected death, hunger, or thirst. No kingdom came to our aid, as it was a law. And whosoever crossed Abothorn's boundaries, bit the dust. The only way in which the curse was to be broken, was either the king and his entire family in their own will be wiped out. The entire citizens fast with an empty stomach for ten days, or the heads of a hundred citizens be sacrificed to the gods by burning, including the king's head."
" Which ritual did Abothorn performed ?"
" We fasted. It is a memory I wish not to remember because I lost my entire family in the plague, only I was unscathed by grace."
" I must say, that was doleful." Eleanor sympathized. "You said my mother raised the Sword of Peace in a battle. How did the sword rest in her hands?" curious, Eleanor asked.
" Nobody knows. Ultimately, the Sword of Peace and Justice rested in the hands of the Abelak. Abelak was and is still the most powerful kingdom. No kingdom which fought a battle against Abelak emerged in victory. As we all know, both men and women of Abelak fights a battle."
" What happened to the sword after my mother passed away?"
" According to hearsay and slander, Jooper traded the sword to a kingdom which is unknown to the entire Kingdom of Abothorn. No story about the sword is certain yet. That sword is the ultimate reason we suffer today. Following King Jooper's death, the truth concerning the sword's whereabouts remained untold. Abelak took away everything Abothorn had. They left us with nothing to survive with. Every kingdom turned against us."
" Mother. Judging by my mother's ornaments the day she arrived in Abothorn, and the fact she had the Sword of Peace and Justice. Do you not think my mother was a highborn in Abelak?"
" Your mother did not discuss herself to anyone. Although I think she was just an ordinary citizen of Abelak." Helen said.
" Eleanor. The princess would like to see you." a maid walked in and informed, then she took her leave. Eleanor intended to follow her immediately, but Helen held her back.
" I hope Matilda does not want you sneaking into the fortress again today? You know what would happen if you are seen anywhere in or around the castle, you might get killed." Helen complained in glum.
" Mother. I promise, I will return home safely. Trust me."
" I hate it when you promise me like this."
" This time you have to trust me, Mother." Eleanor reassured. " Try not to troubled yourself, believe that I am a warrior."
" Goodness, Eleanor. Do you not know that death knows no warrior?"
" I know, but I certainly will return safely." Giving Helen the last assurance, she kissed Helen's forehead before taking her leave.
******
In Ephraim's parlor, Eleanor felt delighted to see him. Ephraim was the reason she still exists. If there was a person to honor for the rest of her life, then it must be Lord Ephraim.
Eleanor stood before him, and bowed.
" How have you been, Eleanor?" Ephraim asked.
"Good, Lord Ephraim." She answered. " I may say, it has been a very long time since we met. Why do I owe this invitation?"
" Because your help is needed." Ephraim answered.
" You can ask anything of me, Lord Ephraim."
" Eleanor. This I want to tell you, will be very difficult for you. You must not agree to whatever I ask of you, do not look at the good I did for you. This will demand you following your heart."
" And what is it that I must know?"
" Eleanor. The people of Abothorn harmed you, and you deserve to show no mercy to them. They do not deserve your goodness, neither do they deserve your help." Ephraim saved a breath. " But for the sake of those people you cherish, save Abothorn."
" What may I do?"
" You know Matilda is incapable of everything. You know her condition. And that is why she needs you to attend the consort pick in Messea." Ephraim revealed.
As Ephraim's words fell on Eleanor's ears, her heart fell in the abyss of anxiety. She doubted her faith, and apprehended the idea. Was she to think about the implications which may occur when she gets caught, or she was to think about the loving people she would leave behind?
Considering helping the people, who had done her much harm than good, was one reason she might decide not to take the risk. But thinking about her loving people in Abothorn who are suffering, accepting to take the risk might worth it.
Taking the risk might restore her people's joy, but Eleanor did not want to leave her family behind for the sake of Abothorn. She rather dies in Abothorn with her family, than to risk her life for what would benefit the king and the entire Abothorn.
Matilda noticed that Eleanor was feeling quite uneasy about the idea, and she might disagree with it. Matilda quickly walked up to Eleanor.
" I know that it must be difficult for you, but you know that I will not put you up to this if I am capable of doing it myself. Look at me, Eleanor, I am sick. And I may die...
" Do not mention, Princess. I do not want you to die, so you should not mention dying." Eleanor cut in. Eleanor still seemed sad and uneasy. It might not be a hard task, but the consequences would definitely be much on her. " And how am I supposed to carry on with this?"
" I may not have enough time on Earth. I know my family caused you so much pain, and you deserve not to have mercy on them. But remember what your mother always said to us. There is no rancor in the heart of the righteous. God forbid, if our kingdom remains like this, what will become of our people? My hope and the hope of our people, is you. And only you. Please do not fail me." Matilda convinced in tears.
" Eleanor. The choice is yours, not ours. And bear in mind, that if you be accepted by the crown prince... You will forever be married to him." Ephraim revealed. Regarding the truth, Eleanor's eyes widened in terror. " But if unfortunately you get rejected by the crown prince, just know that you had tried the best you can to make your kingdom a better place. Now, do you agree... or not?"
Eleanor felt no good about the idea. It was her will to disagree, but considering Matilda's condition, and also her family who needed her help, Eleanor tried convincing herself to agree. Moreover, Ephraim is the reason she still breathes, and if there was another reason to agree, then it will be for his sake as well.
It felt almost impossible that Eleanor would leave her dreams behind to marry the crown prince if he eventually chooses her. Eleanor came to understand the reason Ander said those words to her earlier, he knew she was leaving and things may not go as planned.
" How can I not agree? After all the good you have done in my life...
" Eleanor, I did you no favor. It was deserving that you live." Ephraim corrected.
" Before you make up your mind, it is necessary you bear in mind that you may be brought to light. But do not fear, you are not alone in this."
It still felt very difficult for Eleanor to agree. Eleanor did not wish to be selfish, rather she chose to give her life for the good of her loving people as it was demanding of a true warrior.
Eleanor wished to be a true warrior, she wished to take her mother's steps, why then was she afraid to take the risk? A true warrior knows no fear. A true warrior is willing to lay down his life for the sake of victory for what is just. Just like Constable Joshua, who died for her to live. Brave, optimistic, true, and successful, was whom Eleanor must be.
" I, Eleanor... At this moment agree to go to Messea."
" Eleanor. Do you wholeheartedly agree to this?" Ephraim asked to be certain.
" Wholeheartedly, I do agree." Eleanor spoke in a way which seemed as though she was nervous.
" God bless you, Eleanor." In felicity, Matilda wiped off her tears. " It does not have to be successful. As long as you attend the ceremony, then I will be happy for your kind efforts."
" No, Matilda. If leaving for Messea will be the reason Abothorn will suffer no further, then I promise you on this day... I shall capture the crown prince's heart, and buy his attention to our kingdom. It is my promise, and that alone I must do." Eleanor promised.
All these while, Ander stood near the door listening to their conversation. Tears rolled down his face as he heard Eleanor say she agrees to attend the consort pick. He knew that Eleanor would definitely agree. Now he has everything to lose, he had become hopeless.
But he made up his mind for one thing... Even though Eleanor would be accepted, he would go to Messea to fight for what is his. Eleanor is his, and nobody else can have her when he's still alive.