The Queen's Token Read online

  CONTENTS

  A Gift From Millicent

  Dandy Disappears

  Hal in Danger

  A Narrow Escape

  The Queen’s Token

  CHAPTER ONE

  A GIFT FROM MILLICENT

  Cheerfully, Hal Dibden swallowed his last crust of bread and few crumbs of cheese.

  “You can’t beat a bit of cheese,” he told the cat.

  “Very tasty!”

  The cat meowed hopefully.

  “Go catch a mouse!” said Hal.

  “We’ve got nothing to spare.”

  He glanced at his grandfather, who had fallen into a doze.

  Five years earlier, Hal’s parents had died, and he now lived with the old man.

  Granfer worked as a gardener for a rich family near the New Forest.

  Hal often helped him because he was strong, and could push the wooden wheelbarrow.

  Sometimes, Hal worked in the stables, raking out the dirty straw.

  Or he would exercise Dandy, the pony who belonged to Millicent, the rich man’s daughter. Then she would reward him with a few small coins.

  Suddenly, Granfer opened his eyes. “You still here, lad?” he demanded. “Get over to the stables and earn your keep!”

  He spoke roughly, but Hal knew the old man loved him.

  “I’m just going, Granfer,” he grinned, and set off at a run.

  Millicent was about to be married to a wealthy man. Hal found her waiting outside the stables.

  “I’ve a gift for you,” she told him. “When I am married I shall need to ride a more elegant animal. Dandy is yours, if you want him, also the saddle and bridle.”

  Hal couldn’t believe it. A pony of his own! As he stammered his thanks, Millicent hurried away, her long skirt held up to avoid the muddy cobbles underfoot.

  “Some gift!” said Tommy, the stable lad.

  “The old nag could collapse any day.”

  Hal grinned.

  “I don’t care.

  I shall ride the long way home tonight, so everyone will see us.

  Granfer is in for a big surprise!”

  Tommy fetched some horse blankets and shook them. “How is your grandfather?”

  “Still gardening,”Hal said proudly.

  “Granfer will work until he drops!”

  “And when he does, you’ll be homeless,” said Tommy.

  Hal had often thought about that. When Granfer died, a new gardener would move into their house. But Hal had a plan that he’d been dreaming about for many years.

  “I shall go to London,” he told Tommy. “I shall work as a gardener in King Henry’s palace at Whitehall.”

  Tommy laughed. “Work for King Henry? You’re mad!”

  “Why shouldn’t I?” asked Hal. “I already know about trees, shrubs and flowers, and I can learn more.”

  Tommy lowered his voice. “You watch your step, young Hal. The king’s a powerful, rich man, but they say he has a terrible temper.”

  Hal laughed. “But I’d work hard. King Henry would never be angry with me.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  DANDY DISAPPEARS

  When Hal finished his work, he saddled up Dandy and set off for home. He felt rather grand riding his own pony.

  As he passed a woman washing clothes in the river, he pretended he was king and gave her a gracious wave. The woman hooted with laughter and waved back.

  Hal rode on. They moved slowly because Dandy was hungry. Grass and wild flowers were plentiful, and the old pony nibbled everything in sight.

  Thoughts of King Henry filled Hal’s mind. He knew the king of England was handsome, could make music and enjoyed hunting. People also said he liked good food.

  “He’s a good king,” Hal said aloud. “And his wife Catherine is a good queen. She comes from Spain and everyone loves her, and now she’s learnt how to speak English as well.”

  Dandy pricked up his ears at the sound of Hal’s voice.

  Hal grinned. “I thought you’d agree with me, Dandy!”

  Granfer stared in astonishment as Hal rode up. He was amazed to hear what had happened.

  “Well, bless my buttons!” he said, scratching his head.

  “That’s a bit of luck for you, lad.”

  Hal went to bed that night with a big smile on his face. He was no longer just Hal Dibden – he was the owner of a pony.

  A week later, Hal was riding in the forest, dreaming of his exciting future. He didn’t hear the music and laughter that was coming from somewhere among the trees. And he didn’t see the rabbit that popped up in front of them and startled Dandy.

  Suddenly, the old pony stopped in his tracks, and poor Hal lost his balance. As he fell from the saddle, Dandy galloped off into the greenwood.

  Hal sat up, rubbed his head and counted his arms and legs.

  “I’m still in one piece.” He scrambled to his feet. “Now where is that silly animal!”

  Hal called out again and again, but there was no sign of Dandy anywhere. He set off in search of the pony, but had only taken a few steps into the trees when he was grabbed from behind.

  “What have we here?” demanded a gruff voice.

  Hal was lifted up and shaken until his teeth ached. Turning his head with difficulty, Hal saw that his captor was dressed in the uniform of the king’s guard. He began to panic.

  “Stop wriggling, boy,” the guard said gruffly. “I’m taking you to see the king!”

  CHAPTER THREE

  HAL IN DANGER

  “Let me go!” cried Hal. “I’m looking for my pony, who has run away.”

  “A likely story.” The guard glared at Hal with fierce, dark eyes. “I reckon you were spying on the king!”

  “No, you’re wrong! I’m not a spy!” Hal was puzzled. How could he be spying on the king? Surely the king was miles away, in his palace in London.

  Then, for the first time, he noticed the sound of music and laughter. The New Forest was usually a peaceful place, where pigs and horses could roam at will. What on earth was happening?

  The guard scowled. “King Henry is enjoying a picnic with Queen Catherine and their lords and ladies. You’ve been spying on them!”

  “I haven’t,” Hal insisted.

  “You must believe me. I have to find my pony!”

  Holding him by the arm, the guard led Hal deeper into the forest. Hal remembered what Tommy had told him about King Henry’s temper, and began to feel very afraid.

  Suddenly, they came to a clearing. Fallen tree trunks covered with furs had been arranged around the grassy space, and elegantly dressed men and women were sitting on them. Hal had never seen so many silks and velvets. The lords and ladies were being entertained by an acrobat, who was turning cartwheels, while another man walked around on stilts. A group of musicians played lively music, and a table was set with all kinds of wonderful food.

  King Henry and Queen Catherine sat in the middle of their lords and ladies. The king was smiling and clapping his hands, and Hal began to feel more hopeful.

  The guard threw Hal on the ground in front of the king.

  “I’ve caught a spy, Your Majesty,” he announced. “Sent by your enemies, no doubt.”

  The music ended abruptly, the acrobat stopped his cartwheels, and the man fell off his stilts. Everyone stared at Hal.

  “I’m not a spy!” Hal cried into the dreadful silence.

  King Henry stood up, put his hands on his hips and glared.

  “So you say!”

  “I’m a stable boy.” Hal’s throat was so dry, his voice was no more than a croak.

  One of the men bellowed, “He’s lying, Your Grace!”

  Another said, “He looks like a spy to me, Your Majesty.”

  “Send him to the Tower!�
�� cried one of the ladies, and all her friends nodded in agreement.

  Soon everyone began to suggest horrible punishments.

  “Throw him into the deepest dungeon!”

  “Chop off his head!”

  Hal was terrified. Tommy had spoken the truth. King Henry was a very dangerous man – or so it seemed…

  CHAPTER FOUR

  A NARROW ESCAPE

  Queen Catherine held out her hand towards her husband.

  “My sweet lord,” she said gently.

  “I beg you, stop this game.

  You’ve all had your fun, but the poor boy is frightened half to death! He is so very young, I cannot think he is a spy.”

  She turned to Hal with a kindly smile, and he gave a little nod in return. Her elegant, green velvet gown and headdress sparkled with precious stones, and Catherine looked every inch a queen.

  Hal was so grateful that he thought her the most wonderful woman in the world. But would the king grant his wife’s request?

  He held his breath.

  Suddenly, the king began to laugh, and everyone joined in, cheering and clapping.

  Hal felt weak with relief. It had all been a cruel joke. His trembling grew less, and his heart stopped thumping inside his chest.

  King Henry sat down again.

  “If you are not a spy, then what are you? Tell us truly, and you shall be given a chicken drumstick from the royal table!”

  So Hal told him about Granfer and the gardening, and how he had come by his pony.

  The king tossed him a chicken leg, which Hal just managed to catch.

  Then, greatly daring, Hal told the king about his dream.

  King Henry was all smiles now.

  “Then we shall find work for you in the royal gardens when you need it,” he promised.

  Hal stammered his thanks, and King Henry turned back to his friends.

  The queen beckoned Hal closer. “The king may have forgotten you by that time,” she whispered, “so I will give you a token of our good faith.”

  To Hal’s surprise, the queen tugged a velvet-covered button from the cuff of her gown and pressed it into his hand. “When you arrive at the palace, show this button to the guards and tell them it is my token. Say they are to bring you to me post-haste. I shall remember you, Hal.”

  Dandy arrived home before Hal got back that day, so Granfer was relieved to see that Hal was safe, and amazed to hear what had happened.

  Two years passed, and Hal grew taller and stronger. He helped his grandfather, and learned as much as he could about seeds and soil and plants.

  One morning, when the cold winter was giving way to spring, Hal woke to find that Granfer had died during the night.

  Three days later, the old man was buried in the nearby churchyard. Hal walked home,

  his eyes full of tears, for he had loved his grandfather very much. Now he was all alone in the world.

  “It’s time to go to London,” he said aloud. “Time to follow my dream.” He spoke bravely, but he felt sad inside, and was fearful of the long journey ahead.

  When he arrived home, he found a man and woman unloading a rickety cart. Two small children ran about, exploring. Hal’s belongings were in a bundle by the roadside.

  The new gardener had arrived.

  Hal put on Dandy’s saddle and bridle. “You can have the cat,” he told the new gardener.

  “He’s good at catching mice.”

  Then, without another word, Hal turned his back on his home, and set off for London.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  THE QUEEN'S TOKEN

  That night, Hal slept under the stars, huddled in his blanket.

  The last thing he did before he went to sleep was to check the sleeve of his shirt. He had hidden Queen Catherine’s button inside, where no one would see it. He must never lose the queen’s token.

  His journey to London took weeks, and Hal was often very tired and almost starving.

  One day, he saw a man with a bow and arrows, practising his archery. The archer told Hal he wanted to join the king’s army.

  Further on, Hal was attacked by a nasty-looking thief who carried a stout stick.

  He beat Hal with his stick and demanded money.

  Hal showed him his empty pockets.

  “Then I’ll take the old nag.”

  There was nothing Hal could do. In despair, he watched the thief ride off towards London.

  Hal trudged on. But now he had no money, no food, and no pony. He would have to beg for food and water.

  “Will I ever reach the king’s palace?” he wondered.

  His dream was fading fast.

  The next day, however, he came across an old man sitting under a hedge, looking very dejected.

  “I was on my way to London,” he told Hal, “but I fell from the back of a hay cart and hurt my leg.”

  Hal cheered up at once.

  “We’ll go on together,” he said.

  “Put your arm round my shoulder and I’ll help you.”

  The man, who was a wandering storyteller, smiled gratefully as he struggled to his feet.

  “I’ll tell you lots of stories to help pass the time,” he promised.

  They could only move slowly, but after many weeks the two friends reached London. They wished each other well, shook hands, and parted company.

  Weary but triumphant, Hal made his way to the king’s palace. He stumbled up to the gates, and asked to see King Henry.

  “The king has promised me work in his garden,” he said, proudly.

  The guard laughed rudely and said, “Get away from here. The king doesn’t see ragamuffins!”

  When Hal tried to argue, the guard lost his temper. “Argue with the king’s guard, would you?”

  He grabbed hold of Hal and dragged him into the palace, where the king was sitting with his ministers.

  King Henry was not in a good mood. “Work in the gardens? I know of no such promise,” he snapped. “Give the boy a good beating and throw him out.”

  Hal’s heart was thumping with fear, but he held out the beautiful, velvet button.

  “Your Majesty, this button was given to me by the queen. She gave it to me as a token of good faith. She told me to show it to you and ask to speak with her.”

  The king hesitated, clearly shocked. He took the button and studied it carefully. “Find Queen Catherine,” he told the guard.

  “Take the button with you.”

  Hal waited, weak and anxious. Things were not looking good.

  But when the queen arrived, she was smiling cheerfully. “How you have grown, Hal!” she cried.

  Gently, she reminded the king about the meeting in the forest two years earlier. “This is Hal Dibden, the young spy!” she laughed.

  “Remember how we teased the poor lad? Then you promised him work in the royal gardens. The button from my cuff was our token.”

  At last the king’s frown was replaced by a broad smile.

  “Then I shall certainly keep that promise,” he told the queen, then he turned to Hal. “Tell the head gardener to set you to work, and find room for you in the royal stables.”

  Hal breathed a sigh of relief. Somehow, he had survived the journey. The worst was over.

  Later that night, Hal climbed wearily onto the straw in the big room above the stables, which he shared with two other young gardeners and three stable boys.

  After many long and weary weeks, his dream had finally come true.

  “Thanks to the queen’s token!” he whispered.

  Tomorrow he would start his new life.

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