Copyright © 2004, Joanna Hollier
Published by Whiskey Creek Press LLC

Reviews For ROARY O'ROURKE Book 2: ROARY, THE PRINCESS, AND DOOLEY DO by Joanna Hollier

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The Preparations Begin

All of Elfdom twittered with excitement, making preparations in the City of Undertrees for the wedding of Princess Lacey Lovelyful and the newly-anointed Prince Roary O’Rourke as her consort. Princess Lacey’s father, King Leaningtree had made Roary a Prince the day he had brought the Princess home, after rescuing her from the evil Baron Barnabuss Bramble, who had kidnapped her.

*****

Roary had encountered many dangers on his quest to rescue the princess. The Baron had kidnapped the princess and taken her off to Bramble Castle on Dark Clouds Peak in the Milesaround Mountains. The townspeople of Undertrees had chosen Roary O’Rourke, the bravest lad in all Elfdom, to rescue the princess and bring her back home.

Roary’s mission was successful with the help of new friends he met along the way. Jolly Judy and Jingle Jim let Roary rest at Laughable Tavern and sent him on his way with food and encouragement. They took care of his traveling companions, Shaggy Sam, Roary’s faithful large dog and Moonbeam, his strong horse.

Dooley Do, one of the Mountain Men got help from all those who were willing. Then he, Roary, and the Mountain Men vanquished the Evil Baron, and Roary escaped with Princess Lovelyful down the backside of the mountain.

Roary, with the princess in front of him, traveled at top speed on Moonbeam until they reached Sunny Village. They met Smiley Face and Mama at the Sunny Inn. Again, these new friends fed them, Shaggy Sam and Moonbeam included, and set Roary and the princess on a new but dangerous way home. Led by a mule named Wendy, they traveled over the dangerous trail. When they reached South Elfdom, they knew they were safe at last. Roary had learned from Smiley Face that Dooley Do was the rightful heir to Bramble Castle, now called Dark Clouds Peak Castle. Roary wanted to help Dooley get his kingdom back. Dooley was a good friend. Besides, Roary wanted to right any injustice he saw. He didn’t like injustice anywhere.

*****

Roary made preparations for the wedding to his beloved Princess Lacey He’d only dreamed this was possible, a dream of many years. He couldn’t believe it was really happening. His Mamajosey and his Papa O’Rourke nearly burst with pride at the thought that their son, Roary O’Rourke would rule all of Elfdom with the princess.

Garlands of flowers and greenery decorated the Castle. The Grand Hall glowed from the scrubbing it had received. Cooks prepared food for the multitudes of guests arriving to witness the marriage. King Leaningtree announced the royal couple would soon be rulers of the Kingdom of Elfdom. He was tired and wanted to turn the rule over to them.

*****

Old king Leaningtree moved with a renewed spring in his step. The love of his life, his only daughter, Princess Lacey Lovelyful was to be married to the bravest and strongest boy in all of Elfdom. If only Queen Mother Fulloflove had lived to see the wedding. King Leaningtree was sure she would have approved and been happy for Lacey. King Leaningtree chuckled to himself when he thought of the splendid grandchildren he would bounce on his knee.

*****

Princess Lacey sat at her dressing table, brushing her hair. She wanted to brush it herself this morning. Her maid, Chauncy was dismayed at the thought, but the Princess always had her own way. As she brushed her gleaming hair, she visualized the wedding and the kiss she’d give Roary O’Rourke when Rev. Billphil pronounced them man and wife. She would become Queen Lacey Lovelyful and Roary would become her consort, Prince Roary O’Rourke. She was sad to think her father wanted to give up the throne, that meant he was feeling too old.

Her heart beat faster when she thought of a life with Roary. Their love would be forever. Their life would be exciting and rewarding. She’d declare two days of Celebration and Holiday for all of Elfdom.

“Yes,” she said out loud, “My first duty, I declare a two day Holiday and Celebration to honor my wedding to Roary. No, she corrected herself, make it a week of Celebration and Holiday, with dancing and singing. That should keep all busy while Roary and I slip away to the Royal Cottage by Swift River, deep in the Green Forest. That shall be one of my wedding gifts to Roary.”

Chauncy returned with tea and sweet cakes. “Princess, you must eat, you’ll be faint, if you don’t.”

“Oh, All right. Chauncy, you’re so good to me. I have decided to keep you as my personal maid, that is, if you don’t interrupt the Royal Couple’s privacy. Agreed?” Princess Lacey shook her finger at Chauncy.

“Oh, thank you, your Majesty. I will see to it that Prince Roary is well cared for, too. He’s not used to having a personal valet, your Majesty, but we will select a special man to be his valet.” Chauncy laid her finger beside her lips, “Who shall it be, your Majesty?”

“I only wish I could get word to his Mountain Man Friend, Dooley Do. He would be perfect for the job,” said Princess Lacey.

Little did Dooley Do know, he was more royalty than Roary.

“I know it is dangerous to try to get back to Barely Pass where Dooley Do lives. I’m sure things are topsy turvy with the downfall of Baron Bramble. Wait, what was it Roary said about communicating with the Mountain Men? They have a smoke language. I’ll ask Roary if he knows how to get a smoke signal to Dooley Do. Chauncy, you’re wonderful. Wait until you meet him. You’ll love him. I mean, according to Roary, he’ s a very likable character, strong and brave, too. I thought the Mountain Men would be giants , but they’re only a little bigger than we are and mostly handsome, too.”

“Your Majesty,” said Chauncy, I’m about to tell you a secret that I’ve shared with no one. Only my mother and I know the secret. I never knew my Father. My mother said he’d been killed when Baron Bramble and his henchmen did battle for the control of Dark Clouds Peak Castle. They killed many of the Mountain Men. My father was one of them. Mother fled and carried me to safety through the secret passageway under The Sea of Rain. We came to her native village, here, Undertrees. We have lived here ever since. Your Highness, my Father, a Mountain Man, fought beside Dooley Do’s Father, the Earl of Dark Clouds Peak. Baron Bramble changed the name of the Castle to Bramble Castle and has reigned in his evil, heartless way since that time. It would mean so much to me, too, to have Dooley Do come here.

“How exciting, Chauncy. We’ll do it.”

There are a few of us halflings that I know. One is the cook from the Palace’s own kitchen. His name is Strongsteele. He was old enough to remember the war. My mother has a journal telling how to use the Smoke Language. Perhaps Strongsteele could climb the Castle roof and seek out the cook chimney, the highest on the roof. He could build a roaring fire in the fireplace with things that would make lots of smoke. He could see if he could get a message to Dooley Do.”

Princess Lacey clapped her hands, “Chauncy, you’re a lady after my own heart. Let’s do it, let’s do it. This is so exciting. This will be a special wedding present to Roary. It will be the best present I could give him. The week of celebration can be for all people from both of us. We have to move fast. The wedding is only three days away. Be off with you. Go to your mother’s house right away. I’ll summon Strongsteele.Tell the guard on your way out. Tell him I want to see Strongsteele right away.” She shoved Chauncy to the door.

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