Can you believe this is the last part? I’ll post the Behind-the-Scenes post next Tuesday, so stay tuned!
~The Sacrifice~ 
Part Twenty-seventh: Farewell
Once the Princess and her mother both stopped crying, the Royal Family and Sir Richard made their way back. There a celebration was held, greater than any the City had seen since its founding. The day after their return was given over completely to feasting, and dancing, and singing, and rest. Sir Richard put off his armor and wore blue and gold satin for the festival. Gimel—and all the of the Shepherds besides—wore burgundy and sage-green wool, as usual, but they remained in the City and took up its customs after that Summer for the dragon had killed their flocks. Cedric and Eleanor dressed in scarlet and purple, and Henry in sky-blue and silver. The City was decked with flowers and the King’s banner was hung on every street—white with a green circle, like the Valley amongst snowy mountains. The Princess’s dress matched them: a milk-white gown with flowing bell-sleeves under a sleeveless kirtle colored like Lily-of-the-Valley’s leaves. Her hair was left down, falling over her shoulders, and on it was a coronet of dark green velvet with gold and diamonds.
That evening the Royal Family and the Knight and the Shepherd supped together in a small room in the castle.
“I must pack my things tonight,” Sir Richard announced, after they had eaten. “I take leave in the morning.”
“So soon?” asked Penelope, who was sitting on the floor beside the fire—gown, coronet, and everything—with Cyrus’ head in her lap.
“Yes, Your Highness,” the Knight answered. “I am going to Jerovack to get tidings of things West of the mountains. That was not the only dragon in the world, and you are not the only Princess. A Knight of the Eagle does not carry a sword of Ereth simply to impress people.”
“I suppose not,” Penelope said, gently rubbing the German Shepherd behind the ears.
“It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Princess. I’ll miss you,” Sir Richard said. “And so will Cyrus,” he added with a laugh at the dog who lay with peaceful, half-closed eyes.
Penelope smiled as she softly caressed the furry head on her skirt.
~*~
“How can I ever thank you, sir?” Penelope asked. She and Henry stood just inside the City Gate, which stood open, ready to let Sir Richard out.
“Just be the brave Princess that you are—and try to stay out of trouble now,” the Knight said smiling.
He was wrapped in a dark-red cloak with the old sword concealed and most of his armor in a bundle behind him—just like when he had come, only now the shield on his arm was green not red. King Cedric had offered him any boon he could give, but Sir Richard had asked only for a shield to carry, since the dragon had destroyed his. The Knight did not really mind; his sword was alright, and he could get another shield with the Golden Eagle on it the next time he came to Haken—and he would have to wheedle his way into the next City instead of just displaying the red and gold, and that would be less monotonous.
“I never tried to get into trouble,” the Princess argued.
“She’ll stay out of it.” Henry’s face was serious, but his eyes twinkled. “I’ll see to that. Good-bye, sir—and thank you.”
“Good-bye, Your Highness.” Sir Richard smiled at the pair, and turned Jael towards the Gate.
“Good-bye.” Penelope ran her hand along Cyrus’ back. He wagged his tail, but he was all for business today, and hurried after his master. The gray mare trotted out into the Valley, and the Gate was drawn closed.
Henry took his sister’s hand and led her up to the top of the Wall. He put his arm around her shoulders as they watched the Knight vanish into the green grass of the Valley—green that still seemed to reflect the sunrise like water at this hour of morning, for the flowers were still in bloom.
The End
*sobs* Oh I’m so happy but I’m so SAD too! It’s over! My brain can barely register that I’ll never be checking your blog over and over again every posting day for another part of ‘The Sacrifice’! I just can’t believe it! *cries more*
This was wonderfully written, Hanna. Such a beautiful ending! Your serial story was so much fun to read 🙂 . I loved it SO much and was always excited when it was one of your posting days, because then I got to read more of the adventure! Will you be posting another serial story sometime (you must! you must! my poor brain won’t be able to comprehend it if you don’t!)?
I can’t wait to read the behind the scenes post!
Still can’t believe it’s actually over … *sniff* *sniff*
“That’s highly restricted information you’re asking for”, Savannah. 😉 Okay, fine: yes, there will be more serial stories on here, because. . . plot bunnies. We’re just still working on exactly WHEN.
Thank you, that really means a lot. I’m so glad you liked it!
WE’RE GOING TO GET MORE STORIES!!! *happy dance* I can’t wait! Any rough idea about when? This year? Next year (I hope it’s not next year …)
I didn’t just like it, I LOVED it! I may very well copy it down and print it and keep it with my books … #MyWheelsAreTurning
Aw, thanks! Would you like me to print off the word document and give it to you? It would be easier for me, as I already have it all together.
And I’m afraid I’m not ready to answer that question. Or maybe I’m just mean. . .
Sure, that’d be great (and save me a lot of time 😀 )! We’ll be seeing each other on June 9th (*squeals*), so I suppose you can give it to me then?
I’m guessing this year. Yeah, this year. It HAS to be this year. *nods*
IT’S REALLY OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *Sobs* But it was such a happy part that I can’t cry! Penelope and Sir Richard didn’t get married- oh well. Maybe next time! 😉 This was a REALLY great ending, Hanna!
Ooh, behind the scenes?…. 🙂 I can’t wait to see it! That’ll be pretty cool to see! Thanks again for posting this story on your blog, Hanna! You are certainly a true writer. 😉
Can’t wait to see you in June! It’s been FOR. EVER!!!!!
– Jai
I knew you would mention that. 😉 Next time? My, my!
Thank you, I’m glad you liked it!
Yes, it’s been way too long!
Great story, Hanna! I’m excited to read the behind the scenes post too!
Love you!
Aw, you did check my blog! #WarmFuzzies
Thank you!!
Aww……..that’s so sweet. ?????????
IT’S OVER???!?!?!?!?! ????????????? LOVED THIS SO MUCH!!!!!! You’re such a talented writer, Hanna, keep writing for the glory of God!!!!! ??☺️? Everything was perfect………Sir Richard should have kissed Penelope before he left………?☺️?????
I seriously loved it, girl. Well done!!! Can’t wait for the behind the scenes!!!!! ??☺️??????❤️
ELLEN!! Seriously, that wasn’t happening. Just no. Penny’s saving her first kiss for her wedding, just sayin’. . .
I’m glad you liked it. I plan to keep writing! 😉
Haha, it’d be on her forehead, silly!!!!! Come on, just a little love….;-) ;-P
Still a kiss, girl!!
Nice try, Ellen 😀 .
COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!
What wedding? And whom shall she be married too….????
😉 -Jai
Oh, you girls are impossible!
Hey, at least you know they really like the story when they start trying to get people married 😀 .
Um, thanks, but I think they’d match-make whether they liked the story or not. They wouldn’t be able to help it. 😀
#truth #lol
This story was so so so SOOO good!!!!! I wish it never had to end!!! It’s so SAD that this is that last part…….. *Sniff*
Thank you! At least you can still read the Behind-the-Scenes, if that’s any comfort?
This was such an amazing story!!!!! Your descriptions of places and people are wonderful. I could picture what was going on. Please, please, please keep posting the stories you write.
Thank you so much!
And don’t worry, I plan to. 😉
Beautiful characters, beautiful land, cute animals- keep writing, Hanna!!!! I can’t wait to see the next one! And I can’t wait to see behind-the-scenes!!!!
-Ariel
Thank you, Ariel! I’m excited about the Behind-the-Scenes post as well! It’s been fun to work on!
I bet it has! I’ve never done a behind the scenes post, but it sounds like fun…. 😉 I should try that when my serial story’s done. 😉
-Jai
You should!
=)
Hanna!!!!! Absolutely amazing!!!!!
P.S. The only reason I stopped reading (which was only two times) is because I had to finish my school day and my laptop was about to die!!! 😉 😉
AWESOMENESS
(I don’t even know if that’s a word) 😉
Hi Hanna!
I found your blog through…. actually, I don’t remember now whose blog I saw the link on, but the point is, I found it, and decided to give your story a go.
I must say, I was pleasantly surprised! It was really wonderful! I found myself loving all the characters, but esspecially Henry. I just loved him. Actually, in a story I am currently writing, I have a character not unlike him! As in, he is a loving older brother, nothing else. My story is set in modern times anyway. 🙂
Like I was saying, I loved it and I wanted to say Good Job!! I would enjoy reading more of your work!
Y’know, I even liked Lord Abadalyx the Insatiably Greedy! I enjoyed his evilness, and that he was not a softy, or just pure evil. He was really quite enjoyable! All the characters were, and even though I’m not a dog person, Cyrus was definitely one of my favorite characters.
Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much, that’s encouraging! I’m glad you were able to find my blog, and that you enjoyed it! I’m hoping to post another story soon. . .
Thanks for commenting!