Red Boots

Preview image for 'Red Boots'

This storyline is probably the closest I’ve come to embedding an entire Austen-​esque romance novel in the story.

A little case of mistaken identity is parlayed into a practical joke on a pompous young gentleman, but that’s when the characters’ true characters are exposed.

It’s a classic love story with ups and downs, handkerchiefs and cheering, and it conveniently closes with the “happily ever after”, even though there is tragedy later to come.


Theme: Romance with a twist of absurdity

Rating: PG (slight violence, nudity)

Chapters: 49
Written between November 26, 2006, and January 15, 2007.

Ethelwyn is rudely treated November 6 1083
Mouse goes into hiding November 6 1083
Mouse informs herself November 16 1083
Lili and Sophie pledge their aid November 24 1083
Lili has a few thoughts November 27 1083
Egelric attempts to do his part December 5 1083
Ethelwyn does not make it back to the hall December 14 1083
Ethelwyn is a very rude man December 14 1083
Ethelwyn escapes December 14 1083
Egelric calls in a few favors December 16 1083
Ethelwyn is stuck in the middle December 16 1083
Ethelwyn is reassured December 16 1083
Hetty asks Egelric's opinion December 16 1083
Ethelwyn gives his word December 16 1083
Ethelwyn awaits his fate December 16 1083
Mouse turns the corner December 16 1083
Egelric gets what's coming to him December 16 1083
Egelric has his fun December 16 1083
Ethelwyn lets fly the dart December 16 1083
Hetty does something bold December 16 1083
Ethelwyn gets a lesson December 16 1083
Mouse gets a lesson December 16 1083
Ethelwyn gets permission February 2 1084
Ethelwyn fails at mental arithmetic February 2 1084
Mother Curran arranges things February 2 1084
Ethelwyn gets past the gate February 2 1084
Ethelwyn gets past the door February 2 1084
Ethelwyn comes into the crowded room February 2 1084
Ethelwyn wishes Mouse a happy birthday February 2 1084
Ethelwyn tells someone March 26 1084
Egelric’s quiet castle is invaded April 20 1084
Ethelwyn prepares to run May 27 1084
Mouse gives some misdirected advice June 3 1084
Ethelwyn is shocked out of somber thoughts June 7 1084
Ethelwyn’s neck is again threatened June 7 1084
Cat chases sunbeams into the dark June 16 1084
Cat is saved from the curse of mice June 16 1084
Egelric is poorly treated June 28 1084
Hetty meddles too late July 1 1084
Cat tries to help Mouse July 1 1084
Egelric puts the bat out July 1 1084
Wulf finds a distraction July 5 1084
Mouse is the first thing July 5 1084
Cat goes back July 10 1084
Ethelwyn sees a summer fire August 6 1084
Ethelwyn meets a memory on the stairs August 17 1084
Ethelwyn walks out on the bridge August 17 1084
Ethelwyn decides August 18 1084
Ethelwyn Ealstan does something absurd August 18 1084