Melkorka: the Thrall Prinsessa's saga

Melkorka starts off as a precocious young woman known as Princess M l Curcaig who plans her escape for the morning with cook's husband. They set off together, under guard, for Kilcullen Monastery to pick up the beer ordered for the spring fete which was to be celebrated that very evening. Her intent for this venture was to get a sneak preview of a book made by the local monks at this monastery. In the 10th century a hand-made book would have been worth a king's ransom which only the very wealthy could afford. This piece of art was to be her father's gift to her and her future husband whom she was to meet that very night at the spring fete - for the very first time Unfortunately for this young princess she is in the wrong place at the wrong time. A surprise attack by a horde of Vikings hiding out in the early morning mist kidnap her and take her off to Norway to be sold as a slave, known there as a thrall. Sea sick and traumatized she sinks into a silence that appears to be choking the life out of her, death is all she desires. Now enslaved, Melkorka's character morphs into a meek, silent, frail looking young woman, who convinces the slave trader and the other thralls that she is a mute - maybe even deaf and dumb? She embraces her own silence since it is the only thing she has control over. Keeping her voice to herself helps her deal with this daunting, horrifying situation. Not long after arriving in Norway she is sold to an Icelandic chieftain who plans to take her to his homeland as a gift for his wife, but while in Norway he makes her his mistress. Several months after arriving in Iceland she gives birth to a son, Olaf, who becomes the only light in her miserable life. It takes almost two years before this chieftain discovers she can speak but when this discovery is made known, all hell break loose. His jealous wife unleashes her fury and the only way to resolve this new situation is to give this thrall her freedom. He sets her up on her own small farm not far from his estate. Gossip and sarcasm thrive in this land, it doesn't take long for the locals to dub this new neighbour as 'the thrall prinsessa'. Until this 'thrall prinsessa' can find a way to total freedom she focuses on raising her son. The lives of Melkorka and Olaf's intertwine in this saga, making it a story for all ages, including young adult 12-18. This is a tale of love, hate, forgiveness and finally, self-determination.