A Friend for Grace: Part Four

Hello girls! Emma (Masse:) here with part four! I hope you like it!

Once in her own room, (actually, the room that she shared with Lily and Margaret) Grace threw herself onto her bed, her thoughts swirling round and round. Why is Wilhelm here? Will he stay long? What is he really like? Then, a sudden thought struck Grace and she smiled. "Maybe, just maybe, he's the brother that I've been praying for!" For a long time, Grace had prayed and asked God for a brother. When He had given her twin sisters instead, she prayed even harder.  Maybe now, her prayer was being answered in a most unexpected way. 

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At the dinner table that night, Wilhelm didn't say anything-just nodded yes or no and shoveled food in like he hadn't eaten in days. Grace herself only picked at the chicken, mashed potatoes and creamed carrots-her favorite. She managed to eat some of the rice pudding for dessert-to please her mother. After they had all finished eating, Grace, her mother and her sisters rose to clear the table. As Grace carried dishes back to the kitchen, she heard her papa, trying to talk with Wilhelm, trying to get him to open up a little, but it was no use. He remained as quiet as a mouse, and he looked like one too-so shy and small, Grace guessed him to be of about eleven or twelve, around her own age. As she dried the dishes her sisters handed her, she thought again of the thought that had occurred to her in her bedroom. She imagined her and Wilhelm racing each other across fields in the spring, riding horses together down woodsy trails, and maybe even playing some baseball, when she could sneak past her mother's watchful eye. She looked at Wilhelm sitting at the table, his eyes downcast, his hands folded, and she hoped with all her heart that she would be right.

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As soon as the dishes had been taken care of, the family eased themselves into comfortable positions in the parlor, the ladies bringing out knitting or sewing projects and Papa leaning back into his armchair to light his pipe. The fire crackled cheerily upon the hearth, and for a moment, Grace forgot all about Wilhelm-that is until she caught sight of him sitting on a small footstool, tucked away in a corner. She walked over to him and stood beside him. "Would you like to come sit with us?" she asked quietly. Wilhelm looked up at her, a puzzled expression on her face. Then Grace remembered-he didn't speak English! He was from Germany! Oh dear, this is going to be difficult! thought Grace. She smiled again at Wilhelm, and motioned with her hand towards the fire. Wilhelm shook his head, his eyes still on her face. She nodded her head and walked back to her seat. "Well!" Papa declared after a few moments. "Who's up for a little music?" "We are! Oh, please Papa!" Lily and Margaret cried. Grace herself grinned and joined in the pleading. Papa's green eyes twinkled as he carefully pulled the fiddle out of it's beautiful brown case. This was Grace's favorite part of the day-the time her father seemed to come out of his shell. After tuning it and plucking a few strings, he played a lively tune he had learned as a boy. At once, Lily and Margaret jumped up and began to dance with each other. Trula and Evie, both teenagers, considered themselves far above child's play. Even though Grace considered herself to old for games as well, she smiled and allowed herself to be pulled into the small ring and danced and laughed until she was out of breath. When Papa had finished that, he played a German folk song-another one that he had learned as a boy. As soon as he heard the tune, Wilhelm's eyes lit up and his foot began to tap to the music. Again, Grace walked over to him, but this time, she didn't have to say anything. He jumped up and grabbed her hand and whirled her around the room. Then he let go and began dancing by himself-a complicated dance, full of twists and turns. Grace's mama quickly reached for a hankie and Papa smile was so wide, Grace feared his face might burst. Lily and Margaret shyly crept over to watch and Wilhelm danced with them too. Trula and Evie stayed seated, but their pretty faces were lighted with smiles as well. They danced and danced and Papa played and played and finally the song ended. Wilhelm sat down again, but this time, his cheeks were pink and his eyes sparkled. Maybe this won't be so hard after all! Grace smiled to herself-maybe Wilhelm was the answer to her prayers

I hope you enjoyed it! I can't wait to see what happens next!!

{Emma}

A Friend for Grace: Part 3

Once Papa had all of the horses prepared for their ride home, he beckoned for Grace and Wilhelm to come.  Grace couldn't help but smile and just imagine the life ahead of her, with Wilhelm.  She knew that it would be very different with another person living with them, but she could just feel that it was a good different.

Once they arrived home, Grace showed Wilhelm the guest room, where he would be staying.  She helped him unpack, and get settled in.  She tried to be as kind as possible, and tried to get him to smile.  However, he still couldn't understand her and showed no emotions of sadness, or happiness.

Grace decided he might just want to be alone, so she left the room without saying a word.

xx emma || http://emmakate101.blogspot.com

A Friend for Grace... Part 2

“Mama,” I whisper, “why’d we come to town today?” More importantly, why are we at the train station? She doesn't answer me or maybe she didn't hear me. I glance around, trying to find a clue as to why we’re here. I find nothing. If I had the courage to ask Papa, I would-- but I’m not in the mood to hear him snap at me to “hush up.”

A newspaper stand next to the ticket booth-- if it could be called that-- snags my attention and, suddenly, I know why we’re here: to see the German immigrants arriving today, Tuesday. I’d read about it a couple of days ago in Papa’s newspaper. One question solved, a new one unanswered: why are we here to see the German immigrants? To greet them? No way. Papa is not the greeting sort-- he doesn't even say “good morning.” To be honest, if it wasn't for mama, my four sisters and I would die from lack of love.

A distant hoot! snakes into my thoughts, indicating that the answer to my question is to arrive soon. Looking at my sisters, I notice that they’re puzzled too and, yet, like me, they ask no questions. Correction: I did ask one-- but it wasn't answered, so that doesn't count. Hearing the hoot! closer, I devote my attention to the mammoth, black monster charging our way. Definitely scary looking. But what scares me more is the mystery the black monster will soon reveal. Positive thoughts, Grace, and stop being overly dramatic.

The train halts, emitting an ear-splitting screech. I wince. A small group of people straggle off the train. Definitely German. I scrutinize each person, viewing them as a possible threat. Or maybe I‘m just curious. Eventually, they all move away from the platform-- all except one boy clutching a small carpet bag, his eyes darting furtively from side to side.

Compassion fills my heart, then quickly fades away as Papa moves swiftly to the frightened boy and exchanges a few words with him. Maybe frightened is not the best word to describe him. Vulnerable yet strong is more fitting. There's a matureness about him that clashes with his young age-- maybe a year or two younger than me.

Papa reaches us, the boy at his side. He thrusts the boy forward. “This is Wilhelm,” Papa says in his usual brusque voice, “he will stay with us for an indefinite amount of time. His parents died on the voyage here to America. He’ll earn his stay by helping out on the farm.” Translation: he’ll become Papa’s slave. The pieces slam together in my brain. How many times had I heard Papa complain about having five daughters and no sons to help out with the farm? That the farm was too much for one man to manage by himself? Well, not quite by himself.

Protectiveness rises in my chest. It doesn't matter that Wilhelm is a stranger, he had just suffered a terrible loss. I will do all in my power to comfort you-- even if it means doing double my share of chores. It’s clear that mama and my sisters feel the same way as they make up for Papa’s coldness by welcoming Wilhelm warmly and embracing him. I stand in front of Wilhelm and beam my brightest smile. Taking his hand, I give it a warm shake. My welcome needs no words, I doubt he would understand me anyway.

His eyes lose some of their iciness, but he doesn't smile. I release his hand and  look around for Papa. He must have slipped off to prepare the horses for the journey back home. It’s just as well, I wouldn't want him overhearing my next words. I take hold of Wilhelm’s hand once again and peer into his pale blue eyes. “Wilhelm, I’m so sorry about your parents and I’m sure you must be frightened in this strange land all by yourself,” I say slowly, not caring that he probably doesn't understand me. These words must be said out loud. “I promise to care for and comfort you. I always wanted a brother,”-- I smile,--“and I pray that one day we’ll become the best of friends.” And, who knows?, you just might be the miracle I prayed for, to show Papa what it means to truly love.

A Friend For Grace.... Part 1

I remember the day exactly. The first day of Fall, of the year 1867.  7:38 A.M.

I was sitting at my desk, writing. I love writing on days filled with sunshine and good weather.
Looking out my window, I could just feel and see the events of Fall happening already.

"Grace!" Mother called.
"Coming!"

When I came from downstairs, Mother was waiting for me, as usual, so she could immediately tell me what needs to be done so I could start helping.

"Grace, I need you to get some eggs for breakfast, and feed the chickens, your Father
refilled the bucket with the feed last night, and said for you to give them three scoops
in the bucket, and to give them water." Said Mother.

"Alright!" answered Grace.
"You seem in a very joyful mood this morning Grace!"
"Yes! I love Fall!"
"Well we have a quite a bit of things to do so you will need it!"
"Okay Mother."

As I went outside, I just wanted to stop and glance at this wonderful season God had given us.
But, then I remembered, breakfast, and the chickens. So I hurried off, and feed the chickens, three scoops exactly, just as Father asked. And gave them water, collected the eggs, and headed to the house.

"Here you are Mother!" As I handed her the collection basket filled with enough eggs to feed our family of seven.

"Thank you Grace!" said Mother.
"Your Welcome!"
"Grace, could you start dusting the sitting room?"
"Yes."
"Thank you dear Grace! I don`t know what I would do without you some days!"

As I walked into the sitting room, I picked up the duster, and started to dust.
When I headed over to the tall wooden drawer cabinet, I saw a newspaper for that day.
I assumed it was Fathers from this morning. I picked it up, and read the headline.

                          "IMMIGRANTS FROM GERMANY
                      ARRIVING TUESDAY!"

                                                  
                                       To Be Continued.....

Thank You!

Thank you, girls, for making Hiding from Royalty such an awesome story!! You guys did great!

Kianna Rose, you get to start the next story!

It can be any time period, any place, with any characters. It's all up to you! Have fun!

~Kathryn

They End

Robert pulled the arrow out and saw it said M.O.J. All three girls started running. It was to late,The guards were everywhere. They did not look like normal guards. The all had something covering their face and it was only black cloth. They had mainly daggers,but some had bow and arrows. An hour later the merry men were all tied up to trees. Robert was tied up too. Hannah and Isabella were on the back of a horse with another man. Maria was tied to the front of a horse. The guards with their horses rode off. All the girls screamed. Then the man with the 2 sisters on his horse said "Girls it's okay". We are the Men Of Justice. Just then he took of his mask. It was father!!! "Daddy"! "Father"!! "Girls be quiet". "We do not want the guards to here you". "Yes,Father". Then, he gave a wink to they other men. They took of their masked too. The man that had Maria was her father. "We must go back" said Hannah. "Why", asked father. "Rob and his men are tied up. You see,they helped us escape. They were on our side.If we never go back then they would soon escape." "So"? "Then they would go to the castle because they thought you were guards. They think were in the castle locked up. "You are right". My father asked another man something. Then that man rode of. A long time after ,He came back with Rob and his men behind him. We all said our good bye's and took of. Our horse headed towards home. We got there and Mother was waiting outside. She ran up and gave us all a hug. They End. I started this story and want to give you some true history that I got from Wikipedia. John's personal life impacted heavily on his reign. Contemporary chroniclers state that John was sinfully lustful and lacking in piety.[121] It was common for kings and nobles of the period to keep mistresses, but chroniclers complained that John's mistresses were married noblewomen, which was considered unacceptable.[121] John had at least five children with mistresses during his first marriage to Isabelle of Gloucester, and two of those mistresses are known to have been noblewomen.[122] John's behaviour after his second marriage to Isabella is less clear, however. None of John's known illegitimate children were born after he remarried, and there is no actual documentary proof of adultery after that point, although John certainly had female friends amongst the court throughout the period.[123] The character of John's relationship with his second wife, Isabella of Angoulême, is unclear. John married Isabella whilst she was relatively young – her exact date of birth is uncertain, and estimates place her between at most 12 and more probably towards nine years old at the time of her marriage.[125][nb 13] Even by the standards of the time, Isabella was married whilst very young.[126] John did not provide a great deal of money for his wife's household and did not pass on much of the revenue from her lands, to the extent that historian Nicholas Vincent has described him as being "downright mean" towards Isabella.[127] Vincent concluded that the marriage was not a particularly "amicable" one.[128] Other aspects of their marriage suggest a closer, more positive relationship. Chroniclers recorded that John had a "mad infatuation" with Isabella, and certainly John had conjugal relationships with Isabella between at least 1207 and 1215; they had five children.[129] In contrast to Vincent, historian William Chester Jordan concludes that the pair were a "companionable couple" who had a successful marriage by the standards of the day.[130] John's lack of religious conviction has been noted by contemporary chroniclers and later historians, with some suspecting that John was at best impious, or even atheistic, a very serious issue at the time.[131] Contemporary chroniclers catalogued his various anti-religious habits at length, including his failure to take communion, his blasphemous remarks, and his witty but scandalous jokes about church doctrine, including jokes about the implausibility of the Resurrection. They commented on the paucity of John's charitable donations to the church.[132] Historian Frank McLynn argues that John's early years at Fontevrault, combined with his relatively advanced education, may have turned him against the church.[18] Other historians have been more cautious in interpreting this material, noting that chroniclers also reported John's personal interest in the life of St Wulfstan of Worcester and his friendships with several senior clerics, most especially with Hugh of Lincoln, who was later declared a saint.[133] Financial records show a normal royal household engaged in the usual feasts and pious observances – albeit with many records showing John's offerings to the poor to atone for routinely breaking church rules and guidance.[134]

Hiding From Royalty, Part 17

 Hiding from Royalty, Part 17, by Kathryn

Rob's blue eyes looked at the three helpless girls. 

Three children, he thought. Three children being chased by Royal Guards of the evil King John. This ought not be! Why should young children be kidnapped to work in fields of cotton and grain? Why?  


"Sir? Whom did you promise?" Maria asked again. He turned and looked earnestly in the girl's faces.

"Hannah and Isabella's mother."

"Mother?" Hannah exclaimed. "Where did you see her?"

"Wandering through the woods, calling out Hannah's name. She was crying so, and we knew she needed our help. That's when she told us how her two daughters and husband and been kidnapped by King John, that brute. Now, she didn't tell me about you." He knelt down in front of Maria.

"This is Maria, another girl who was kidnapped. She escaped with us." Isabella squeezed her new friend's hand.

"Ah, I see. Well, we must get going! We have a rather long hike back to your home." Rob stood up.

"Sir Hood? Who is we? I mean, are you traveling alone?" Hannah asked, looking admiringly at the man's bright green outfit and large bow and arrow. 

"Certainly not." Suddenly, Robert whistled loudly. From behind bushes and trees appeared the faces of many men, dressed similar to Rob.

"These, my fair ladies, are my merry men."


                                                                             ****

Isabella staggered along, trampling the brush that was in her way. They had been traveling through the woods for an hour at least, and she was exhausted.

"How much further, Rob?"

"Oh, we're a few miles away. Would you like to stop and take a rest?" Isabella nodded her head and sank against the base of a moss covered tree.

While the merry men laughed and told jokes, Isabella closed her eyes and rested. She had just started to nod off, when a high-pitched, whizzing, noise sounded.  She opened her eyes and shrieked in fear as an arrow cracked the bark of the tree right above her head.


To be Continued!!!