Chapter 1....

“Wait here my dear, I will be back with my wife.”  With that he turned and left the room. Many courtiers milled about and children played with dolls and toy swords.  It was a very warm atmosphere. As I looked around I noticed a young man standing in the far corner under the shadow of a suit of armor. He was tall and broad shouldered. Dressed in knights garb, he wore a chainmail shirt over which was the same tabard the prince wore. A large sword hung from his trim waist. Thick, glossy black bangs hung over his eyes as he stared into a gold bejeweled chalice, which he held to his chest. I found I was staring. Not wanting to be rude I turned, just as I did he looked up. My eyes beheld two sparkling black diamonds. I was stuck like an animal caught in the light.  I felt my heart beating hard, all other sounds disappeared as my heart beat drummed in my ears.  His expression was one of a wild animal, hard and mean. I blinked slowly and for a second he expression softened.  If I wasn’t mistaken it was a look of longing.  
“Here we are.” Prince George said as he came up to me with a lady. She smiled and put out her hands.
“I am Princess Carina, my husband has told me all about you. We have a job for you here in the castle, come let us find you a room.”  I looked at them.  
“Thank you your highnesses, you are so kind.” I curtseyed holding back my tears.
“My child, Carina said, what is you name?”
“I am Kristin Anderson your highness.” I looked at tall lady before me; she had warm brown hair done in braids and emerald green eyes. Her forest green dress hung loosely around her midsection, as she was at least four months pregnant.

As I went with Carina I turned and looked back for I wanted to see that knight, but he was gone.  George noticed my glance and raising an eyebrow looked about the room.
Carina took me to a spacious chamber. Rich oak furniture was spread throughout and deep red carpets covered the floor. The canopy bed was very large and hung with blue drapes embroidered with a pattern of gold and silver horses. A small blue shield hung above the headboard, over it was a set of fancy throwing knives spread out in a fan pattern. The blue coverlet was thick and embroidered with the royal crest, a large rising sun in hues of red and orange. The blue pillows were trimmed in a crown motif done is gold thread.  What wonderful craftsmanship I thought as I looked at these beautiful things.  The room had a warm inviting feeling to it that made me feel very comfortable.
“This is a lovely room your highness, I hope I haven’t put anyone out.”
“Nay, Carina smiled, this is my son’s room, he will stay with his brother for awhile till we can get you your own.”
Taking in my surroundings I could tell that this was a man’s room. There were swords of all shapes and sizes lined up against the far wall, the smell of saddle soap permeated the air.  A young girl came to the door and curtsied.  Carina brought her over to me.
“This is Sarah, she is one of my ladies in waiting. I will assign her to you, she will make sure your well looked after.”
Sarah was my own age and had such a sweet smile, he brown hair was done up in buns around her head, her cheeks shined as she bowed.  
“Thank you your highness, I am overwhelmed.” Carina smiled and took my hands.
“You have been through so much but it will be alright, you need a nice bath and a rest.”  
As the princess left Sarah and I curtsied.  She looked at me and giggled.  I smiled, she was so sweet, and her white pinny was stained with chocolate, I could tell she was into the Christmas candy early. Sarah had a tub brought in and filled it with water. I took a long bath in front of the fire. It had been a long time since I could enjoy such a luxury and I sat back and looked around the room. On the mantle piece over the fire was an ornate walnut clock flanked by trophies.  Each one was for a different event, jousting, sword fighting, and longbow.  He is quite skilled I thought to myself.  Sarah was sitting next to me mending a pair of sox’s, she giggled as I looked around.
“I see your looking at his trophies” I looked at her.
“Who is he?”
 “Prince Gustaf.” she stated in a deep mocking voice and shot me smile.
“What are you trying to say Sarah?”
 “Oh nothing.” She went back to her sewing.
 “Am I in danger?” I gave her a frightened look.
“Nay, but I think the prince is.” she giggled.  I looked at the fire, what would a prince want of me?  I am not a princess, but that knight.  I cannot shake his gaze from my mind. After my bath I ate and then dressed in some nightclothes that Sarah brought me.  The room felt so warm and comfortable, the scent of saddle soap made me feel a home in a way. So many weapons and trophies, this prince must like to fightI had never heard of Prince Gustaf before, but there was one Prince we all feared, the Black Prince.  It had been years since he had been to my village and we all thanked god for that. But now all I could think of was rest. Yawning, I went to the big bed and pulled back the covers. Sarah made sure I had all I needed.
“Goodnight m’lady, if you need anything pull this cord.” She pointed to a long red velvet rope ending in a tassel that hung next to the bed.
“I will, good night Sarah.”
The girl smiled and left to her room.  I laid back and put my face into the soft pillows.  The smelled musky but clean.  Hmm…I thought like a man should smell.  

Chapter 2

The next day I started my new job, I was to work with the seamstress’s mending and repairing dresses and clothing.  The head seamstress, Millie, a short plump woman in her fifties with long blond braids arranged around her head set me to work.  I mended dresses and the like, the other girl were very chatty and talked about many things.  Millie walked in with a frustrated look on her face.
“That man has done it again!” she scowled. I looked up to see her holding set of richly embroidered horse trapping.  All the girls shrugged and turned away.
“Oh they are beautiful,” I said. “I will work on them”.  Everyone stared at me in horror.
“Those belong to Prince Gustaf, no stitches can ever fix the messes he makes.” Andrea said.
“Aye.” the other girls chimed in. I raised my chin.
“I have climbed mountains, skinned deer and set broken bones, I can do this.”  I took the trappings into my lap. “He will never break these stitches again”.  Millie looked to see Prince Gustaf at the door; he was looking at Kristin with admiration.  I looked up as I felt a gaze trained at my back, but no one was there.  Reaching into my pocket of my smock I took out my own set of sewing things. The girls gathered around me as I sewed.
“This thread is made from deer gut and is as strong as leather.  So when the prince pulls back hard on the reins he will not tear the coverings.” Millie smiled.
“His highness will be impressed, still nothing seems to satisfy Prince Gustaf.”
“Why pray tell?” I looked up at her. Millie sighed and pulling up her chair began her story.
 “Prince Gustaf has always been the castle brat, he was stronger and taller then the other children and always got his way. His ego increased as his skills on the field became the very best here in Gotland. He has won every joust he’s ever attended. It is said there is no weapon he cannot use.  Hence, he has became lofty and self-righteous”.
 “Why was he not corrected?”
“Oh his parents tried there best to keep Gustaf in line, but everyday he managed to get into more trouble.”  I looked at Millie.
 “I have never seen the prince, pray, what does he look like?”
“Handsome.” Lily piped up before looking back down at her work quickly. Millie sighed.
  “It is true, Prince Gustaf is very handsome.”  
“Aye, shame though as he want’s no women and none want him for his heart is cold.” Andrea said breaking a thread between her teeth. I looked at Millie.
“I see, doesn’t he know anything of love?”  All the girls giggled as a blush came to my face.  
“Ah but you do, your face is flushed, pray tell who has caught you eye?” Millie put her finger to her nose. “I can tell” she smiled. Holding onto the horse trapping tightly I looked up.
“I saw a knight the other day and I dare say I was taken by his rough good looks.”  
“Oh!” the girls all chimed in. “Tell us!”  
I wasn’t use to such banter and being the center of attention was not a comfortable feeling.
“Well, I saw him in the great hall upon my arrival. He has the most striking dark eyes and hair as black as jet and a strong square chin with a deep clef in it. He was tall with very broad shoulders and he wore knight’s colors, blue like this.” I held up the bride cover.  
Everyone stared at me.
“Did he speak to you?” Andrea’s voice croaked in a whisper.
“Nay...” I looked at there bewildered faces. “I don’t understand.”
Millie looked at me then smiled.
“Perhaps you are the Christmas wish he prays for every night.”
 “Who?” As I looked at her a ball turned in the pit of my stomach, this conversation was getting out of hand. I could feel their eyes one me.
“His Royal Highness, Prince Gustaf Andrew Thernhard II, heir to the throne of Gotland to be exact.”  
I sat back and trembled, it made sense now.  It was he who came and kissed me, someone so tough and mean to give me a tender kiss and be so very shy.  I smiled, a warm blush sat on my cheeks, the other girls stared in wonder.
“Back to work everyone.” Millie called.  

As I rode I felt frightened but elated at the same time.  I had seen the Prince but his harsh words hurt, I had been warned, but the thought of his kiss washed all the hurt away as I rode through the snow.
 The steward was surprised to see me on Gustaf’s steed. He took the reins as I slide off the big horse.  Smiling, I went and petted his nose.  It was soft like velvet and marked with a pretty pink patch.
“I see Gallahad likes you,” the steward observed.
“It would seems so,” I giggled.
“It is odd, no one could ride him but the young prince”. The old man scratched his head under his hat. I shrugged.
I thanked the Steward and went up to my room.  As I closed the door it opened quickly behind me.  I turned to see Gustaf; his face was red and his breath short.
“I…. am sorry” He gritted his teeth and looked at the floor.  I could see he was cold and that he ran all the way. I threw off my cloak and taking his arm set him on the large sofa by the fire.  Gustaf sat and looked down at his hands as I put more wood on the fire.  
“I know a way to make your hands feel better.”
I sat next to him and gathered my courage.  I slowly put my hands on his, I noticed his palms were marked with calluses.  I could feel his eyes on me, my cheeks burned as I set to work.  Gently I rubbed his large hands, my shoulder was pressed against his and I could feel him tremble a bit.
“Why are you so nice to me after what I did?” he said quietly. His voice, it sounded so different, it was deep and rich and had a nice lilt to it.  I wanted hear it again.
“Because, I know that side of you is truly not who you are.”
Gustaf turned to me and looked into my eyes.
“How can you tell?”
“The tender kiss I received could only come form a man with a good heart.”  
A blush ran up Gustaf’s face and he looked down.
“I was hoping you would not know I kissed you, for only rouges kiss ladies in their sleep. You are the first lady I have ever kissed.”
I looked at him, his eyes were so sad as he stared at the floor; the circulation was coming back to his hands. Gustaf flexed his fingers and stood.
 “Thank you m’lady. I shall leave you to your rest as I have caused you enough grief tonight.”
I stood and looked up him; his dark features were highlighted by the firelight making him look fierce.  His deep brown eyes studied me as I grasped my skirts and curtseyed.
“Goodnight Prince Gustaf.” As I rose he took me in his arms.  I trembled; his embrace was gentle and inviting.  I could smell his musky scent and my heart began to hammer in my chest.
“This time my I ask you for a kiss?”
“You may...” I looked at his lips, my eyes closed as his met mine.  Such a sweet kiss.  I could feel him trembling; no doubt it was his first.
“Good night pretty angel.” His deep voice droned softy.  As he withdrew his warm arms from my waist I felt cold, as I wanted to stay in his embrace.
“Good night.” I whispered. He saw the look in my eyes and setting his square jaw firmly turned and left the room. That night I slept content, I had seen my prince and he kissed me with a passion I never felt before.  I hoped I would see his handsome face again.

“M’lady I…I must confess you do something to me, I don’t understand.”
“Is it a feeling in your heart and your stomach that is pleasant but hurts as wel?”
“Aye.” his eyes brightened. “What is it Kristin?”
I sucked in by breath; he was in love with me.  
“Love” I whispered, “I feel it too.”
“You do?” He looked at me wistfully.  We were now at the stables, a steward had lead Gallahad out to a mounting block.  We climbed up onto the horse and went out to the roads. We traveled past the town and through the countryside. The air was so still and fresh, I took a breath and let out, I looked back at Gustaf and giggled.  He fought back the urge to laugh.  Suddenly I felt his body stiffen.  All that happened next went so fast I could barely come to my scenes.
Two black wolves charged out of the forest and jumped onto Gallahad’s shoulders.  The horse reared high, I slipped from the saddle and landed in a snow bank.
I heard Gustaf call to me as the wolves growled and yelped. Gallahad whinny loudly as I dug myself out.  Panic came to my heart, wolves so close to town!   Flustered I emerged from the snow bank to see a sight from hell: Gustaf was off his horse and had both wolves clinging to his arms.  He had them by their throats as they snapped at his face. He stared at them and cussed them through clenched teeth; the look on his face could scare the devil himself!  All my emotions raced through my heart: I love him and I must help him!  I drew my knife and charged at the one on his right.  As I tore my blade into the animal it turned and snapped at my nose.
 “Nay!” Gustaf shouted and with a swift jerk snapped the wolf’s neck. I backed up trembling as Gustaf killed the other wolf with another gut wrenching snap. I stood there trembling as the prince took the wolves’ carcasses and threw them into the woods.
“Huh, that will keep anymore pests from coming into my forest!” He barked and strode up to me, fury lit his eyes.
“Why in gods name did you do that!” His voice thundered.  “You could have been hurt!”
“I was trying to help you.” I wisphered knowing now I had made a big mistake.
“What!” He growled. “Help me? I…” Gustaf rang his fists and shouted his frustrations to the sky.  Frightened, I backed away and tripped falling into the snow.  I watched as he stood there his body heat rising like steam in the cold air.  He let out a sigh and went over to me and glared.
“Get up” he ordered.
“Right” I snapped. “You have no manners”.  I stood and brushed myself off.  I ran my hand over my face and saw blood.  I touched my nose: the wolf had nicked me with its teeth.  Gustaf’s eyes narrowed.
“You’re bleeding,” his voice lightened.
“Aye, it’s what I get for caring about you.” I turned from him and tried to hold my tears.  I felt his hand on my arm.
“Kristin I…I am sorry” I turned and looked at him, my tears worsened as I saw the large scratch on his face.  Shaking, I reached into my bodice and pulling out a handkerchief placed it on the wound.
“You…you’re hurt.” I said through my tears. I could see his heart beginning to melt as he looked at me.  Gently he embraced me and all my strength gave out.  He lifted me in his arms and held me.  

Chapter 4

The winter ball was a big event here at the royal castle.  At work I had so many dresses to mend I thought I would never get to make my own.  At the sewing circle all the girls looked at me and blushed.  It was no doubt they heard about Gustaf and I.  Question is what did they hear?
 “So the loathsome Gustaf has been made you protector” Lily said
 “Aye, it was a punishment” Andrea’s voice chimed. The girls giggled. “Not such a bad punishment.” they nudged me.  
“Nay” I bushed and continued with my work.  I thought of his kiss and lost myself in the moment.  The girls giggled as they saw I was sewing two dresses together.   I looked down and quickly began to undo the mess I made.  Millie smiled.
 “Are you going to the ball tonight Kristin?” I looked at her and sighed
“Nay, I don’t have a dress”
“Oh that is a shame, prince Gustaf will be there”
 “I know,” I said holding back the urge to just throw the dress I was working on into the air and sob.
 At quitting time I put away my needles and prepared to leave when Millie called me over.
“I have something for you, this was once Queen Gwen’s”.
She unveiled a dress I could only gape at.  It was a soft blue ballerina dress, the skirts was full but not floor length, it was sleeveless and the neckline dipped down low.  It was covered with diamonds and pearls.  I put my hand to my mouth as she showed me the tiara and wings that went with it.  Tears came to my eyes and I hugged the old women.
“Thank you.” I sobbed into her shoulder.  Millie smiled.
“You must look your best for the one you love”
“Do you think he will like it?
“Oh Aye, he will love it” Millie wiped a tear from her eye and smiled brightly.
  Back at my room Sarah helped me get ready for the ball.  I had never worn anything as fine as this I thought as I looked down at myself.  Sarah busied herself fixing the skirt.
“Oh Kristin, this will be the best costume!”
“Costume?” I looked at her.
“Aye, it’s a masquerade ball!”  She went over to the bed and picked up the mask, it was light blue and shaped like a butterfly.  The eyeholes were lined in diamonds. The tiny little slippers I wore also were studded with tiny diamonds.  
“Sarah I think I am dreaming.”  I turned and looked at myself in a full-length mirror.  Sarah moved my hair aside and placed my wings on my back and beamed. My blonde hair was braided with strings of pearls and was wrapped around the tiny silver tiara and fell down my shoulders in curls.
“I look like an angel.”  I wondered what Gustaf would go as.  My nerves flushed my cheeks.  
“Come m’lady let me start your face”. I sat on the end of the bed as Sarah powdered my nose carefully.  She them put something on eyelids and lips.
 “You’re so blushed and pink you don’t need anymore help” she giggled.  I looked in a hand mirror.  The young maid had put sparkling powder on my face that made me look luminescent.  She had placed a silver powder on my eyelids and a pink gloss on my lips.
“Just a little more,” she said as she puffed the powder on my arms and décolleté. “Perfect” she smiled.  The clock on the mantelpiece struck seven.
“It is time m’lady!”  I was so nervous, I would see my prince.  I gripped Sarah’s hand as we walked to the grand ballroom. At the door I turned and hugged her.
“Thank you Sarah, you’re a good friend”
“So are you m’lady, enjoy yourself.”  

Chapter 4...

Taking my hand he led me out of the ballroom.  We traveled to a part of the castle I had never been before.  We came to a door and he gave me a wicked grin.  
 “Close your eyes and take my hand”. I did and was led into the room.
“Now look up” he said. I looked up and gasped, we were in a room that was at the top of one of the castle spires. The ceiling was a night sky so perfect I almost thought the roof was gone.  Across the star filled sky a comet raced and plants of all colors hung like jewels.  I looked again, they were jewels and each star and orb was a large precious stone.  Gustaf walked up to me and putting his hands on his hips smiled.
“Do you like it?
“Aye Gustaf it’s wonderful and so are you.” The prince blushed.
“Then it’s yours, you can come here anytime” I smiled excitedly and hugged him.
“Thank you” I whispered. He looked down and into my eyes.
“Come, there is one more thing I want to show you” Taking my hand he led me out of the room.  We went down to the side door that led to the castle ramparts.  There Sarah placed my cape on my shoulders, she giggled and kissed my cheek. I smiled at her and turning took the princes outstretched hand as we went out into the cold.  Up on the ramparts we could see the whole town below and the mountains.  I never thought I would go from a mountaineer to being romanced by a prince. So much has happened, it felt like a dream.   I thought of that day on the road and how I thought I was going to die. As a mountain person I knew death was as close as losing your footing on the ice or being buried in an avalanche like my father.   I felt the prince’s hand on my arm and a warm feeling came to my heart. Gustaf drew me to him.
 “I…I know I haven’t been the best suitor for you and I know I have made some bad mistakes.  But, I do know that I love you Kristin”.  He went into the cuff of his glove and pulled out a long gold necklace studded with sparkling blue sapphires.  
“Will you wear this, it is an engagement chain. It belonged to my grandparents.”  Trembling I looked up at him.
“Are you asking me to wed you?”  My heart raced could this be true? Gustaf removed his mask and knelt before me.
“Aye Kristin, will you wed me and be my princess, for there is no one in this world I adore more then you.”  I put my hand on his, I could barely speak.
“Aye Gustaf I will” The prince rose and put the chain around my neck. He took off my mask and looked at me, he dark eyebrows rose and a gentle smile warmed his features.  He leaned in close and our lips met, his kiss reminded me of that first kiss he gave me, so tender and sweet. As we parted we smiled at each other.
“We will have a new life together Kristin, I will make you so very happy and I promise to curb my temper.”
“You look so charming when you’re angry.”  I giggled as he frowned, then I saw that wicked look shine in his eyes. Bursting into laughter he picked me up and spun my around.  What a wonderful night it was.