THISTLEDOM
Synopsis
Thistledom is a tiny kingdom hidden somewhere in the Land of the Mitten. It is home to very intelligent and resourceful little people known as Nobbies. The story of Thistledom told in a five- book series spanning two hundred annual cycles recounts their struggle to live in harmony with nature while facing a parade of outside dangers that threaten to destroy them. As the story begins, a wise old Counselor named Lord Norbert is responding to questions from Queen Julia. It is the eve of her sixteenth birthday and also, her tenth anniversary as Queen of Thistledom. Julia wants to know how and why she was chosen as Queen, and desperately wants to know the circumstances of her father's untimely death long ago when she was only five.
Lord Norbert begins with the story of an orphan named Zygmunt, raised in the woods by his kindly grandfather, and a pendant worn around his neck with the inscription: “A Seed’s Power Lies in its Promise.” We learn about a secret ceremony held within the mysterious beam of the North Star that transfers the wondrous powers of the Nobby Master, Francis, to Zygmunt. Much later Zygmunt’s life with Irene and their two sons, Bo and Theodore, in the hamlet of Thistleville, will create powerful personalities and a partnership that would forge and shape a kingdom. A tragedy linked to an eerie, unseen presence in the bog at the base of the mountain alters forever the course of Nobby history. Throughout this nightlong visit with Julia, Lord Norbert reveals dramatic discoveries and events, including deaths and weddings, setting the stage for the founding of the Royal Family DuBois and the Kingdom of Thistledom.
. . . The following evening after all the festivities, Julia and her older sister, Princess Emily, are reminiscing with royal cousins. Lord Norbert joins them, but is besieged with more questions about DuBois castle, its rockwood beams and shutters, secret passages, underground chambers and tunnels, invisible soaring towers, and huge moat. There is no escape. The tale that follows involves ten generations revealing the history of the castle and kingdom, great moments of glory, as well as haunting disappearances, deep family anguish, and courageous feats of heroism. They also hear about the deeds of famous ancestors, discover the sources of great works of art, and relive a dark night of terror and triumph when Troggs and doogles breached the walls and stormed the castle.
The epic Tale of Thistledom, however is far from over. The life and times of six more generations must follow at another time and place revealing the amazing discovery of huge subterranean caverns. The wealth and complexity of Nobby life grows dramatically as Thistledom is changed forever by the addition of new alien citizens and a royal decree announcing the formal adoption of giant forest creatures. Henceforth, they will live under the protection of the King of Thistledom.
In the final chapters of Book V, the royal family ponders the notion of revealing the Kingdom to humans who unwittingly now live within its boundaries. However, a grisly discovery during an investigation of a human castle raises a dilemma. As Nobby sentinels search the structure, they discover heads of forest animals hanging in nearly every room. They are shocked! Plaques near the heads rejoice in the killing, boasting that these horrible acts of violence were done for sport. Nobbies had become close friends with several human children. They were not like this! How could Nobbies ever reconcile the fact that human children shared Nobby values, while adults did not? For the first time, Nobbies realized that the inscription on their pendants had a double meaning. The power of the promise that lies within a seed can be used for evil as well as good. This was a disturbing revelation. As citizens of Thistledom ponder their vision of a future in such a cruel world, their young human friends beg them not to leave. For the first time ever, humans will speak directly to the citizens of Thistledom. Will the children be able to offer a future in their world that will safeguard Nobby culture and values? Is it even possible to reach a compromise between good and evil?
Will the great Kingdom of Thistledom be lost forever in isolation, or is there a way for it to serve as a beacon for all who love life as they do? The answers lie in the hearts and minds of the children standing before them who argue that “A Seeds Power Does Lie in its Promise, but that Promise must be encouraged, guided, and nurtured.” How persuasive will they be? Only time will tell.
