Helen told Peter of her situation and he agreed to help her.
During her stay with the guys she began to notice a pattern of their comings and goings. She was especially interested when they went to town for supplies.
“Peter, do you recall any of the castle staff there?” Helen asked.
“Yes.”
“Is there an older woman with them?”
“Yes.”
“Does she wear a medallion with a crown in center?”
“Yes. Who is she?” Peter asked.
“Her name is Nanny Flossie. She practically raised me until I was sent to school. Thank heavens she is still there! Peter, you have to contact her. I have to meet with her and Sir Nigel of the King’s council to find out what is going on.”
“Well, since your ankle is healed, why don’t you dress like a boy again and come into town with us?” Peter asked.
“Oh no. Peter, please don’t tell the others about my ankle. I need a little more time until I find out about my father,” Helen pleaded.
“OK. I won’t tell,” Peter assured her.
“Peter, thank you for being so kind to me. The person I said you reminded me of, it is Prince Halsten. The resemblance is amazing. You believed in me from the start. Mike and Davy are starting to come around, but Micky! He just doesn’t give up! But I know he‘s just looking after your safety. You must believe me Peter, I would never put you in any harm,” Helen sighed.
“Don’t worry about Micky. He’ll be alright. Now what do we need to do to get the meeting set up?”
Five days later, the boys went to the market for supplies. Peter saw Nanny Flossie and walked over to her. When the old lady looked into Peter’s face, she gave him her full attention. Peter just smiled and placed his finger to his lips, handed Nanny Flossie the note and then disappeared into the crowd.
When Nanny Flossie returned to the castle, she made sure the kitchen staff put the supplies away properly, and then retreated to a corner to read the note:
Nanny, The young man who delivered this note was not Halsten. His name is Peter. I am alive and well thanks to Peter and his friends. Sir Nigel, you and I must meet, but you must not tell anyone else. Meet me by Webster Lake Thursday night at 12:30.
Helen
“The saint’s preserve us! Helen is alive!” Nanny Flossie sighed as she held the note to her heart.
Thursday Night:
Helen thought the boys would never go to bed. Mike seemed to want to practice more than usual. Finally at 10:45 that night, four very tired musicians fell into their beds. Helen lay very still pretending to be asleep. About thirty minutes later, she finally heard the soft steady breathing that indicated that the four boys were asleep. Careful not to make a sound Helen quickly left the Pad in the Woods.
“Flossie, how do you know this note is true and not a hoax?” Sir Nigel asked.
“I know her handwriting. It is a true note,” Nanny Flossie answered.
The two travelers from the castle waited in the dark near the lake for the writer of the note to appear. Suddenly, they saw a figure approach them in the shadows.
“Who goes there?” Sir Nigel called as he drew his sword.
“I am unarmed,” The figure walked into the lighted spot off the clearing and stood still. It was a female and she and she was dressed as a warrior.
“Go to sleep little one
You had a busy day.
And now that it is done,
Fairies will lead the way,”
Helen recited.
“Helen! It is Helen, Sir Nigel! Only the princess would know that little poem!” Flossie cried as she ran to the Princess. “Child, we thought you were dead! Oh, your father and Prince Halsten will be elated!”
“Yes, but we must be careful. I have heard of the way things are being run in the kingdom. Tell me Sir Nigel,” Helen said.
“The Queen has placed herself in charge. She has disbanded the council unofficially. She keeps the ruse that she is only in charge until the King recovers, but we do not believe this to be true.”
“My father, what has become of him?”
“He is a prisoner. The Queen keeps the King isolated. He sees only Prince Halsten because the Queen has no control over the prince. She has also been horrible to the staff. Nanny Flossie here especially,” Sir Nigel reported.
“Aye, and there is a strange tea she gives the King. It keeps him groggy. Her daughter is also trying to capture the eye of the young prince. She throws herself at him, but he ignores her. His main concern is the welfare of the King,” Nanny Flossie added.
“Come back with us and reclaim your father’s throne, Sire Nigel pleaded. We can rally an army tomorrow.”
“No, I cannot come to the castle now. I do not know my father’s wife, but after all I have been told, I cannot help but suspect that she was involved on the attack on my coach. We, on the other hand, must develop a plan,” Helen stated.
The three sat until the wee hours of the morning when a plan was finalized.
“Are you sure you won’t consider returning with us?” Sir Nigel asked Helen again.
“No, if this plan is to work we will need the help of Peter. I must stay with them until it is time,” Helen answered. “Sir Nigel, I will need a sword. I do anticipate a battle before Halsten arrives.”
“A sword? What do you know about such a weapon?” Sir Nigel asked surprised.
“Prince Halsten will explain,” Helen answered as she took the sword from Sir Nigel. “Please make sure we have a reliable army loyal to my father. Nanny, give, if you can, father and Halsten my love.”
With that Helen secured the sword, embraced Nanny Flossie, and then disappeared back into the woods.
Walking as silently as she could, Helen re-entered the Pad in the Woods, went behind the screen the boys had made to give her privacy, changed into her bed clothes and slipped into her cot. Secure in the thoughts of their plan, Helen drifted off into a very deep sleep. What she didn’t know as she entered the Pad in the Woods was that she was being watched.
Micky saw her return without the staff and in warrior dress. He smiled to himself.