The Sapphire Broach

Chapter 20 (rough draft)

"Bonnie, I can explain." Ivy shivered, though she did not feel cold.

"There is nothing to explain." Bonnie took her hand. "When I asked if we had met before, I know now it was because you look so startlingly like your mother. From your slender build to your copper-blond hair and the very shape of your face. Only, as I recall, your mother had brown eyes."

Ivy smiled at the memory of her mother. "It was my father who had crystal-blue eyes."

"I think I remember."

"Did you know my parents?" They were still several days from the palace and Ivy wasn't sure how Bonnie would have known them.

"Not personally, child. I knew them—and loved them—as our king and queen. I cannot believe that you, the Missing Child, stand here before me in Chesterville, on the steps of my own home." She pulled Ivy into a warm embrace.

Ivy hugged her back, weak with the relief of sharing her secret with someone. It felt so good to share her burden, if only for a moment. Then she pulled back, suddenly struck with the realization that Bonnie's knowledge put her at risk.

"You mustn't tell anyone, Bonnie. Anyone!"

"I will speak to no one."

Ivy shook Bonnie's shoulders. "I mean it! Even Kenric doesn't know, yet look what has happened to him just because he was near me. He nearly died! You cannot speak of it."

"I will not even tell my husband. I promise."

Ivy hugged her again. "Thank you."

"Are you on your way to the palace?" Bonnie asked.

Ivy released her and turned to watch the sun rise in orange brilliance, like a blazing fire that lit the sky. Was she really going to the palace? Could she do it? "I suppose so."

"To challenge King Rymond?"

Ivy swallowed hard. "Yes."

"May every king of the past, including your beloved father, go with you." Bonnie pulled her into a tight embrace again. Then her shoulders heaved. "You are the answer to our prayers."

Ivy stepped back, surprised at Bonnie's emotion. "Whatever do you mean?"

Bonnie sniffed and brushed at her nose. "I have a friend who lives three farms down. Her husband is imprisoned for not paying the enormous tax King Rymond has imposed upon all of us. We will likely have to sell our farm to pay what we owe, and if we cannot make enough money from the sale, then Carl will be imprisoned as well."

"Oh, Bonnie! No!"

Bonnie nodded her head.

Ivy stared at the sweet woman who had taken them in and cared for them, who desired nothing more than to live peaceably with her husband and son on their farm. How could Rymond destroy such a beautiful thing? He wouldn't. She would not let him.

"You will not lose your home nor your husband, Bonnie. As soon as Kenric is well, I will finish my journey to the palace and make things right again. You will see."

Bonnie sniffled again.

They stood in silence, then, until the clopping of horse hoofs disturbed the morning. Ivy turned her head and saw the physician approach.