SOLVED. YA book- orphaned peasant boy, maybe a bard, travels with noble girl [s]

[Mikah]

I read this book in the mid 90s and the book was probably published in the mid to late 80s because I remember the book jacket looked a bit aged. The cover had a cloaked figure going through a dark forest. And the one phrase that has stuck with me 20 some years later is "Untold Tale". I just don't remember if that's the title, a subtitle, or what.

The book was about a newly orphaned boy (who may have been a bard/minstrel) who is traveling to find work. He meets a few people on the road, and eventually meets up with a young noble girl (on the run? kidnapped?). In time they make it to her home city, which if I recall is on a coastal cliff and well defensed.

At some point there is a civil war/battle and (view spoiler)[the young man is accidentally killed, shot in the back with an arrow if memory serves (hide spoiler)].

I wish I remembered more, but after 20 years and lots of attempt to track it down, those are still the only details I remember.

Thank you in advance.

[She]

This reminds me a bit of "The Innocent Wayfaring" by Marchette Chute.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Innocent-Wa...
It was written in the 1950s, it was one of my favorite books in high school (about 7 years ago).
Very similar plot, but the guy does not die, there is a happy ending actually, but it is a very good book. I hope you check it out, and I hope you find the book you are looking for :)

[Mikah]

I do like the sound of that book, and maybe I am misremembering (after 20 years, not a surprise lol) about him dying, and yet that was one of the most potent parts of the story that I remember.

I will put your book on my to read list tho, thank you!

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Amy, are you still looking for this?

[Mikah]

I am, no luck yet though. Found every other book I've looked for but this one. Wish I could remember more about it. :)

[Julia]

Amy wrote: "I am, no luck yet though. Found every other book I've looked for but this one. Wish I could remember more about it. :)"

Sounds a lot like Untold Tale by Erik Christian Haugaard: http://www.amazon.com/untold-tale-Eri...


If it is, you can borrow it for free here: https://openlibrary.org/books/OL50780...

I'm not sure if it fits your description perfectly, but it seems to be close?

[Mikah]

oh. my. god. this is it!!! I've been looking for 20+ years, thank youuuu!!! I remember that cover and everything!

[Julia]

No problem, hope it's as good as you remember it :)