It is time once again for FRIDAY FICTIONEERS. That is the challenge where about 100 authors use 100 words to tell 100 stories about 1 picture.
This is our picture.
PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
Here is my story:
Not Home Anymore
by JE Lillie
Johan strode into the white-marbled hall.
A woman in an organza gown lifted her nose in the air. She fanned herself twice and drew the nosegay at her wrist to her face with a disdainful gaze.
Johan thought back to the little farm he had worked with his own hands these last years. The mountain streams he had fished. Lisse, the faithful, common wife he had shared his bed with.
“Johan my son! You have returned!” King Ecthbert called. The old man gathered Johan into his meaty arms as courtiers gasped in dismay.
The palace was not home anymore.
Find the other stories realted to this picture by clicking the underlined link above.
Lillie-Put 
It is very hard to come home, sometimes.
Yes it is.
So good, Pastor J!
Thanks Debbie!
I know which life I’d rather lead, and it wouldn’t be in a palace! Nice one
Click to read my FriFic tale
I am with you Keith. Thanks for reading.
Very intriguing story. You’ve given so many clues to the backstory – I’d love to know the conclusion!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
I am going to have to hold on to this one for a while and see what comes.
I wonder if he will stay.
I’m thinking not, but maybe if Lisse will join him.
That’s a good, unusual take on the prompt. It’s an intriguing version of the parable of the prodigal son, too, with that uncompromising last line. You’ve written this fluently, and told us a lot of story in your 100 words!
Thank you Penny. Strangely I think Johan is not going to stay with his father. Unlike the Prodigal son he has not come home in his heart.
Oh I wonder if you can ever accept disdain… I think Johan will return
I think so too. I even think that is the right thing to do.
I like this. I read the last sentence two ways. For Johan, home is where he worked, lived and loved. But if he stays and becomes king, there would be considerable changes, and the place wouldn’t be home for the pampered courtiers any longer either.
Wonder how he is going to fit back in or how he would adjust that portion of his story in his timeline!
That is an interesting question. I don;t think he fits back in. I think he is the male version of Princess Michal from the Bible, taken from her royal husband David and pushed off on a commoner with whom she fell in love (apparently) until King David came to reclaim her. She was never the same.
Possible!
I think he will recognise the oddness and shallowness of palace life and go back to his wife.
He has too. The glittering image no longer holds any allure for him.
How wonderful that his father, the King, welcomed him so warmly—but I don’t think he’s going to stay.
I don’t think so either, but you never know. Lisse could agree to come and be part of the court, which presents a whole new set of issues.
Reminds me of Don Maclean song, Castle in the Air. Lovely that he’s gone home.
I am glad you liked the story.