The Banished, Medieval Queen

   “You do make it difficult for me to be kind to you, my dear.” The Queen Mother complained. “I have a gift here, from Charlemagne. He wishes you to know how much he values you.” She withdrew her hand. Her fingers slowly opened, revealing an object with a chain dangling from it. A beautiful piece of jade, bound in a gold oval, lay in Bertrada’s hand. The jade radiated calming warmth. Despite herself, Himli caught her breath, transfixed by the depth of color in the gem.
      “This is the traditional stone for fidelity,” Bertrada murmured. “My son knows he can depend on your obedience, on your understanding of his need.” She smiled brightly at Himlitrude, truly believing her bribe would dull the young woman’s protests.
       “Get out! Get out!” Himiltrude shouted. “Leave me alone in my misery!” She felt a momentary satisfaction. The Queen’s gown was dark from the water flagon she had thrown. But Himli’s delight was negated by the queen’s crude effort to buy her acceptance. “I hope never, ever to see you again! Get out!” Queen Bertrada pocketed the necklace and marched toward the door of the bedchamber.
      Himli wept bitterly as she walked quickly across the room to pick up her son. He was whimpering, confused by the shouting in the chamber. Himli shushed and rocked little Peppin in her arms. Her tears dropped onto the little boy’s face. He stopped moaning as a tear splashed into his mouth. At the salty drop, he squinched his eyes, reaching toward his mother. From the corner of her eye, Hilmi saw Queen Bertrada leave the room, a hand in her pocket around the jade amulet.

.AT LAST COMMUNICATIONS presents an historical romance of the eighth century... Acacia Oak's THE BANISHED, MEDIEVAL QUEEN!

Queen Bertrada, Charlemagne's mother, banishes his first wife, Himiltrude, sending her and her little son from the court. Given no warning, Himiltrude can do nothing but accompany her small escort to her new home. Along the way, she agrees to aid Adelchis, a visiting prince of Lombardy, who is ill with a raging fever. She reduces the man's temperature and continues her journey.

Knowing she has no recourse, Himiltrude gathers her strength, re-orients her interests, and begins to learn all she can about managing a small manor. Her future and that of her son depend on her abilities to adjust. She wins the hearts of the people who work in her manor and, together, they begin building and improving their daily lives. Almost a year later, a soldier approaches the manor, looking for a healer. Again, Prince Adelchis--now King Charlemagne's brother-in-law--has been struck down by some unknown illness and lies unconscious. Himiltrude realizes the prince will die without adequate nursing and care. In the midst of a cold, winter day, she and her men move him to her manor where she can adequately care for him.

Unknown to either Himli or Adelchis, the King of Lombardy--Adelchis' father--plots to goad King Charlemagne into war, to defeat the King, and to merge the Lombard kingdom with the Frankish realm. Adelchis makes a good recovery and plans to return home. As he readies himself to leave, he and Himli realize they have fallen in love. Still, Adelchis must return home and, once there, must confront his father's ambitions. What is he to do: support his father's dream of conquest or return to Himli and compromise her safety?

Although King Charlemagne defeats the Lombard king and will banish Adelchis if he finds him, the Prince returns to Himli and Pippin and proposes a plan whereby they can become a family.

After hardship and betrayal, Himiltrude finds love and happiness with a man who truly values her.

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