Bertrice Small, The Dragon Lord’s Daughter

The Dragon Lord's Daughter

Bertrice Small

Kensington, Feb 2004, $15.00, 384 pp.

ISBN: 1575668572

"Averil". In Everleigh, Godwine Fitzhugh extracts a deathbed promise from his son Rhys to care for his legitimate heir six year old Mary and to "steal an heiress", suggesting the Pendragon girl. Rhys journeys to Dragon Lair in Welshry and abducts Averil Pendragon to be his wife, but not realizing that she, like him, is illegitimate.

"Maia". The legitimate heir Maia rejects all her suitors insisting that her beloved, who she has met in her dreams, will come for her soon. Emrys Llyn, the Lord of the Lake, arrives to court Maia. He claims to be a descendent of Lancelot and the Lady of the Lake. He admits he lost two previous wives who suddenly died for no known reason. As Emrys and Maia fall in love, will the jealous Lady of the Lake tragically end their relationship?

"Junia". Two years later, Junia misses her married sisters, but meets Simon de Bohun and over time they fall in love. Simon tells his dad that he wants to marry Junia, but his cruel father Hugo will never accept a Pendragon. Over a century ago, a feud between the clans formed leaving no hope for the star-crossed lovers. When Junia and Simon meet to say goodbye, Hugo captures her, making it even more impossible for the lovers.

The three novellas are refreshing well-written tales that move forward the Arthurian legend a few centuries though the audience needs to know that Junia is raped. The three sisters, descendents of Arthur, make delightful protagonists that fans of Bertrice Small and the Camelot mythos will value highly and want a sequel starring their brother Brynn.

Harriet Klausner