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No More Heroes #flashfiction

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Hugh W. Roberts

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April 8, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that “rethinks the hero.” Define the hero, comparing or contrasting to the classic definition. Break the mold. What happens to the hero in the cave? Is it epic or everyday? Is there resistance or acceptance? Go where the prompt leads!

No More Heroes – by Hugh W. Roberts

As she ascended the scaffold, an image of her husband stood before her. His cloak, scruffy beard and stocky build still made him the hero she deeply loved.

Kneeling before him, she looked up.

Praising him, she told those around her that he was a gentle and sovereign lord.

Bowing her head, she waited for his forgiveness.

As the executioner struck Anne Boleyn’s head off with a single swing of his sword, Henry made his way to the woman he would marry a few days later. She’d become his hero, but not until she delivered him a male heir.

***

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch. Click here to join in.

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25 responses to “No More Heroes #flashfiction”

  1. April Story Chat Summary – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write avatar
    April Story Chat Summary – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

    […] Hugh W. RobertsThis story reminded me of an episode of The X-Files where Mulder and Scully investigated horrible going-ons in a neighbourhood where even one blade of grass was out of place, got something horrible happening to the house owner of the garden said blade of grass was. Even a flickering street light outside a house was seen as not acceptable. I can’t remember the episode’s outcome, other than some kind of monster came out of the floor at night to take away the resident who had not fixed the fault. […]

    Reply
  2. Marsha avatar
    Marsha

    Historical fiction! My favorite genre. We see his full jerkiness at the end. His duplicity was revealed in her hopes for forgiveness. WOW, spellbinding. :)

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thanks, Marsha. High praises indeed. Glad you enjoyed this little piece of flashback.

      Reply
      1. Marsha avatar
        Marsha

        I’ve added a link to it in this month’s Story Chat Summary which will come out on Tuesday.

        Reply
        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
          Hugh W. Roberts

          That’s so kind, thank you, Marsha. Writing flash fiction where there is a word count limit is a great challenge for all writers. It really makes you think about the story. Every single word has to count.

          Reply
          1. Marsha avatar
            Marsha

            It is a huge challenge. I am getting better at the 99 word challenge. I am using that instead of the 9 word summary for my Story Chat Summary. I’ve done a few of Charli’s challenges, but recently I’ve been swamped. with Photo Challenges.

            Reply
            1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
              Hugh W. Roberts

              Lol, so I see. You’re doing a great job, though.

  3. Rethinking the Hero « Carrot Ranch Literary Community avatar
    Rethinking the Hero « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

    […] No More Heroes by Hugh W. Roberts […]

    Reply
  4. Charli Mills avatar
    Charli Mills

    Well done, Hugh! i love that you can find a good twist even in history.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thanks, Charli. I’m enjoying these trips back into history.

      Reply
  5. Liesbet @ Roaming About avatar
    Liesbet @ Roaming About

    Love it! Well done. A beautiful historical twist, Hugh. Is it a new phase you’re in? :-)

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      It seems so, Liesbet. I don’t know whether this piece of flash fiction has anything to do with the recent death of Prince Phillip. I also recall being fascinated at school when we studied Henry VIII and his six wives in history lessons. I remember thinking how Henry VIII was a hero of mine back then. When the story came, royalty seemed to be on my mind.

      Reply
  6. willowdot21 avatar
    willowdot21

    Oh! Hugh that’s an excellent job 🦋🦋

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thank you, Willow. Glad you enjoyed my brief look back into history.

      Reply
      1. willowdot21 avatar
        willowdot21

        I did enjoy it Hugh 💜

        Reply
  7. Becky Ross Michael avatar
    Becky Ross Michael

    Wow…so gripping! Well done!

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  8. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar
    Terri Webster Schrandt

    A great twist, Hugh! I’m loving your latest historical fiction genre these days. Hope you had a good weekend. I’m back to SS this Sunday in time for the violet color challenge 😁

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      I’m not sure where all this historical fiction is coming from, Terri. I found this week’s prompt especially hard, so I had to work on the story a lot longer than I did on last week’s piece. But I love a challenge. I’m not sure if Prince Phillip’s death also played its part and steered me towards Kings and Queens.
      I’m looking forward to welcoming you back to the world of blogging and especially hearing lots more about your new home. I hope you’ve settled in.

      Reply
  9. Cathy avatar
    Cathy

    You made that quite chilling, Hugh. Good job :)

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thanks, Cathy. I can’t imagine what it must have been like viewing an event like that.

      Reply
      1. Cathy avatar
        Cathy

        No, me either.

        Reply
  10. Ritu avatar
    Ritu

    Ooh, good way to incorporate the prompt!

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thank you. This one really challenged me and had me thinking and writing it all weekend.

      Reply
      1. Ritu avatar
        Ritu

        Great job, Hugh@

        Reply

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