Happily Ever After Part 1

Trifecta: Week Sixty-six

I'm trying something a little...well, crazy here this week.  I have been writing and linking up to several prompts every week.  I've combined prompts and I've written separate stories to the individual prompts.  This week my goal is to write one story, and split it into parts.  Each part fitting one of the prompts I use.  It's my hope that each part stands alone, yet makes one understandable tale all together.
So?  Here goes nothin"!


Congrats to all of our winners.  Check them out if you haven't already.  And give some love to our Featured Trifectans this week, your mug may be up there next.  On to the weekly challenge.

DOCTOR (noun)

1

a : an eminent theologian declared a sound expounder of doctrine by the Roman Catholic Church —called also doctor of the church

b : a learned or authoritative teacher

c : a person who has earned one of the highest academic degrees (as a PhD) conferred by a university

d : a person awarded an honorary doctorate (as an LLD or Litt D) by a college or university

2

a : a person skilled or specializing in healing arts; especially :one (as a physician, dentist, or veterinarian) who holds an advanced degree and is licensed to practice

b : medicine man

3

a : material added (as to food) to produce a desired effect

b : a blade (as of metal) for spreading a coating or scraping a surface

Please remember:

• Your response must be between 33 and 333 words.

• You must use the 3rd definition of the given word in your post.

• The word itself needs to be included in your response.

• You may not use a variation of the word; it needs to be exactly as stated above. 

• Only one entry per writer.
• Trifecta is open to everyone.  Please join us.

This week's challenge is community-judged.

• For the 12 hours following the close of the challenge, voting will be enabled on links.  
• In order to vote, return to this post where stars will appear next to each link.  To vote, simply click the star that corresponds with your favorite post.
• You can vote for your top three favorite posts.
• Voting is open to everyone. Encourage your friends to vote for you, if you wish, but please don't tell them to vote on a number.  The numbering of the posts changes regularly, as authors have the ability to delete their own links at any time.
• You have 12 hours to vote.  It's not much time, so be diligent! We'll send out reminders on Twitter and Facebook.

This week's word is doctor.  

Meeribel was a shepherds daughter in the farthest reaches of the Realm of Windmore. Her father was widowed and poor, unable to raise a young girl. So, he bartered his daughter to the local herbwife for a breeding ewe.

"Ye'll larn 'ow ta be a fine ly-day 'ere," he said as he led his prize ewe away. 

Meeribel smiled shyly at her new "grandmother".  

The old woman's eyes narrowed, "Dun be asmilin' at me, ye sassy git!  I give me bes' lambie maker away fer a pair o' workin' arms.  Start workin'!"  

Meeribel's smile faded to confusion. "Is that 'ow I'll learn ta be a ly-day, Grandmother?"

"I ain't yer granny!  An' if ye wants ta be a ly-day, afta ye finish tha chores here, get up to Witch Willin's.  If'n ye dust an' sweep her porch, mayhap she'll learn ye ta be a high ly-day." She nearly doubled over with screechy laughter.

So, Meeribel began a life of servitude to a crotchety old herbwife and an equally crotchety old witch.
She did learn to speak and act like a lady.  

She also learned the use of herbs from the herbwife. And the use of spells from Witch Willin.

Which came in handy when Arlord, Prince of the Realm, wandered into the farthest reaches of Windmore in search of a wife.  

She stole the correct herbs from the herbwife.  She ripped a page from the spellbook of Witch Willin. Then she spent an entire night concocting the perfect potion.

The morning of Prince Arlord's wifeless departure, she used the potion to doctor a cup of tea for his highness.  
She smiled shyly as she offered him a farewell drink for his journey.  Sighing, Arlord accepted the brew. One more more common girl trying to catch his attention. 

******

Meeribel waved gaily at the herbwife and Witch Willin as she left the farthest reaches of Windmore.  She leaned into Arlord's embrace as she congratulated herself on her brilliance.