The Golden Braid (41 page)

As if in a fog, Gerek made his way to Duke Wilhelm and stood beside him.

“Your new lord, Sir Gerek van Hollan.”

The men shouted and cheered.

Of course, it wouldn't be that easy. He would have to win the men over, but . . . was he truly the lord of the castle, of Keiterhafen? He would be able to give Rapunzel the kind of life she deserved. It seemed too good to be true.

The next night and day were a blur of activity and of men welcoming him and swearing allegiance to him.

On the third day, Gerek and Duke Wilhelm were touring the town near the castle, and they went inside the cathedral, which was rather large and ornate for a small town.

“I suppose this is where you and Rapunzel will marry, so that your men and the townspeople can attend their new lord's wedding. I have obtained the king's permission and will have the banns cried this Sunday.”

“Thank you, your grace.” Gerek's heart was full as he pictured Rapunzel in the church, with the colors of the stained-glass windows painting her and setting her golden hair on fire. “But are you sure you won't regret not saving Keiterhafen for one of your sons?”

Duke Wilhelm shook his head. “Valten will inherit Hagenheim, Gabe and Sophie have Hohendorf, Margaretha and Colin have land
and estates in England, and Keiterhafen can't wait for my younger sons. It needs a strong fighting man to defend it from any possible usurpers bent on taking it. No, you are the right man to rule Keiterhafen. And since you are marrying my daughter, and since you will not be too far, I thought it most appropriate.”

“I am more grateful than I can say.”

“Besides, you will be the kind of ally I can always rely on, since you will be married to my daughter, and we can come and see her and our grandchildren as often as Lady Rose wishes—or almost as often.”

When they departed the cathedral after that conversation, there was nothing left for Gerek to possibly wish for, except to be with Rapunzel.

Four weeks later, their day had finally come. Though Rapunzel's family called her Elsebeth and she was getting used to that name and liking it quite well, she did not mind that Sir Gerek still called her Rapunzel. And the way he said her name when they were alone made her heart turn inside out. He was still occasionally the grouchy frowner he was when she first met him. But they had both changed, and she felt no doubts or hesitancy about becoming his wife.

Cristobel was with Rapunzel as she came down the stairs of Keiterhafen Castle in her wedding gown and veil. Gerek took the steps two at a time to meet her in the middle.

He took her hand. “You are so beautiful.”

“I know you like my hair down,” she whispered, for his ears only.

“I do.” He leaned down to kiss her temple before they joined the rest of her family at the bottom.

After a few moments of checking to make sure everyone was there—Duke Wilhelm and Lady Rose, her brothers, Valten, Steffan,
Wolfgang, and Toby, and her sisters, Kirstyn and Adela, and Valten's wife, Gisela, and their baby girl—they departed the castle through the Great Hall.

Gerek held her hand as they walked. How her life had changed since she came to Hagenheim. The peasant girl who had longed to know how to read so she could write down her songs, who had always lived in small villages and felt like an outsider, who had believed her parents didn't want her, who had been completely controlled by the woman she called Mother and told she should never trust men or let them hear her sing . . . that girl was now a woman with a large, loving family, the daughter of a duke, and the soon-to-be wife of Sir Gerek, the new lord of Keiterhafen.

Rapunzel's fortunes had reversed, and so had Gerek's, for now he had her love—and an entire region, with men to command and a castle and town to protect.

She gazed up at him as they neared the church, and he winked at her. “Will you dance with me tonight at our wedding feast?”

“Of course.”

“You aren't to dance with anyone else. I want you all to myself tonight.”

“That should not be a problem.”

They approached the door of the cathedral where the priest stood. As they began to agree with the priest, as he spoke to them of their duty to each other, she kept glancing at the reverent look on Gerek's face. Truly, he had become what she had initially thought him to be, that day on the road to Hagenheim when he had saved her from the two men attacking them—her knight and defender. And in spite of the evil that had been done to them, God had restored their hope, and their faith, in love.

Acknowledgments

First, I have to thank my wonderful editor, Becky
Monds, for all her help in getting this book ready and in the best possible form. Becky is like a coach or personal trainer. Without her, you know you could not have achieved your full potential. Thanks, Becky, for asking the tough questions and making me do the hard work! You have a great mind for what would improve a story.

I also want to thank my line editor, Natalie Hanemann, for whipping and shaping and smoothing, and for all your input. The book is much better for it!

I want to thank Terry Bell for suggesting the idea for my Rapunzel heroine's identity. It had never occurred to me before she mentioned it on Facebook. At first I dismissed the idea, but it stuck in my mind and I quickly began to see the potential of it and how it would work into a Rapunzel retelling. I knew you had given me the perfect idea for a great heroine. Thanks, Terry! I'm so thankful for your friendship.

I want to thank those who pray for me and encourage me often, like Regina Carbulon and Linda Bailey and Sue Williams. Also, Karma Malone, Reta Broadwater, Ken and Dene Finley, Bonita Story, Dan and Katrina Doty, Debbie Lynne Costello, Mary Freeman, Kathy Bone, and any others I am missing or don't even know about. You are appreciated.

For the greatest cheerleaders an author ever had, Rachel Miller and Donna Mynatt, and the best website guru, Rachel. Thank you!

Also, my family members who support me and even help me brainstorm—Joe Dickerson, Grace Dickerson, and Faith Dickerson. I love you.

I want to thank my critique partner and friend, Katie Clark, for whom I am so grateful, as well as Adriana Gwyn, who has been my go-to expert on all things German language. Thanks for helping me with the pronunciations!

I thank God for you all!

Discussion Questions

1. Do
you
think Rapunzel made good use of her time in all the small villages where she lived with her mother, learning various skills?

2. Can you imagine not being able to read and how it would feel to want to learn? Rapunzel cleaned rooms at the monastery in exchange for reading lessons. Would you be willing to do the same if it was your only chance to learn to read?

3. How was Sir Gerek different from the other men Rapunzel had known in the villages where she'd lived?

4. Why was Rapunzel so frightened and suspicious of men? Would you have felt the same way if you had had Gothel as a mother? Who or what has influenced your opinions and impressions of the opposite sex?

5. Why was Sir Gerek so opposed to teaching Rapunzel to read? Did you think he was arrogant? Or just grouchy?

6. Why did Sir Gerek not want to marry a peasant? Do you think he had a good reason for wanting to marry someone wealthy?

7. Why did Rapunzel want to get a job in town?

8. Why do you think Gothel told Rapunzel it was “indecent” to show her hair and forced her to cover it? Are there any parallels to “rules” people followed through history? Can you think of any parallels to certain “rules” of propriety some people follow today?

9. Do you think Rapunzel was justified in leaving Gothel without telling her she was leaving or where she was going? At what age should a young woman be able to make her own decisions and live on her own?

10. What happened when Balthasar broke through the door and threatened Rapunzel? Do you think God would forgive her for killing Balthasar? Why?

11. When Rapunzel was trapped in the tower, what did she say about who she would—and wouldn't—sing for, and why? How do you keep hope alive when you've prayed for something a long time but still have not received it?

12. Do you understand why Rapunzel forgave Gothel in the end? What did she say was her reason? Do you think Gerek forgave his brother Mennek for how he treated him when they were boys? Have you ever forgiven someone who hurt you very deeply?

About the Author

Melanie Dickerson is a two-time Christy Award
finalist and author of
The Healer's Apprentice
, winner of the National Readers' Choice Award for Best First Book in 2010, and
The Merchant's Daughter
, winner of the 2012 Carol Award. She spends her time writing romantic medieval stories at her home near Huntsville, Alabama, where she lives with her husband and two daughters.

Website:
www.MelanieDickerson.com

Twitter:
@melanieauthor

Facebook:
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