Aetheling Nineteen

[ismenin]

Three of Primmie's lovely pics!


Hello there, dear friends. Well, it is July and so - of course - I have just put the central heating on, as one does in that month. Mad, isn't it?

Still, the sun is bravely trying to shine, so that's good. :D

I was hoping that some of you might be ready for a little Anglo Saxon excitement. So without further ado, here it is. Hugses.




Thank you to ladysunrope as always, for her beta.


Aetheling - 19


The morning dawned fair, and when Dom and Lighe woke, Horsa was coming back down the rise from the castle, a satisfied expression on his wrinkled. old face.

"I gave the message secretly to Aiden, my lords, and he went straight away to pass it on the French soldier, like you said."

Horsa unslung a flask from his shoulder, and drank deeply from it. He sat on a bale of hay and grinned up at the two men. "I waited for him to come back, and the French lord had sent a message for you both."

Here he took another swig, and Lighe had to tamp down his impatience to hear what Jean had said. "He said," grinned Horsa,"not to stray far from the castle. He said one of the three men you know of has cast... something... and was warning of a fight. He said to try to come back within the keep walls, and stay out of sight until you hear the sound."

Dom nodded, and turned to a mystified Lighe. "Jean has a whistle he carries everywhere. Its sound penetrates the thickest wall, for it is a high note, and loud. If he blows it, all his men will run towards that sound."

He rubbed his chin. "I wonder which of them cast the runes, Lighe. Badi said he would not do it again until the battle was over..."

Lighe let out a long sigh. "So there will be a battle? Well, let it come. I, for one, will be glad when it is all over, and there is peace again in the land."

Two of the ostlers came in carrying baskets of food, but before they had a chance to eat, someone called from the doorway for a lord's horse, and Dom and Lighe moved quickly to the back of the stables and busied themselves with the horses there.

As soon as the horse and groom had gone, Dom pulled up the trap-door and soon Dan came out, followed by Rufe and Swidwulf, puffing a bit as he heaved his bulk over the edge of the opening.

They sat in a nest made of bales of hay, that hid them from prying eyes, and ate the meal whilst discussing what had happened that morning.

"How are you going to get back into the keep without being seen?" Swidwulf asked, wiping his mouth free of grease with the sleeve of his shirt.

"I do not think we need worry over much about being seen," Lighe commented, putting the last piece of cheese in his mouth. "It is being recognised that concerns me. However, I am sure no-one will be looking at two servants taking empty baskets back to the kitchens. I am willing to try it, if you are."

Dom smiled back as Lighe looked questioningly at him. "I see no problems. The guards are on the look-out for strangers, not servants coming out of the stables, which they will see us do, if they care to look. I am sure their eyes will be fixed on the long pathway."

It was decided that Swidwulf, Dan and Rufe should stay where they were for the present, as too many men coming from the stables might occasion remark.

"Come immediately when you hear the whistle," Dom said, quietly to Swidwulf before they left. "You will hear it. Have you arms?"

Swidwulf nodded. "We have. You need not fear for us. We will try to defend the king as best we can, no man can be asked to do more."

***

Dom and Lighe left the stables, each with a pile of empty reed baskets on his shoulder, and the two guards, busy talking to each other, did not cast them even a cursory glance.

They went into the buttery where they were told they might find an ally, and they were lucky, for Eafa was there, fetching the king some milk.

He beckoned in a peremptory manner to them, ordering them to carry the jug and other vessels and follow him. The maids there were not interested in two such poorly dressed men, and spared them only the briefest of glances before returning to flirt with Eafa, as he picked up a small cheese and prepared to leave.

It was still early and most of the people were either still abed, or, if a servant, preparing for the day ahead. No-one looked at them as they passed through the corridors and went straight to the king's room.

As they approached, Eafa said quietly to the two men behind him. "The guard this morning is a good friend of ours, that is how we are able to take the king and the Lady Ermyngarde extra food."

The guard grinned at Eafa as they stopped outside the door, but did not look at the other two. "Go on in, friend, but do not be long about it. Leofric has not been to check on things this morning as yet. He had a rough night of it, after falling foul of the Frenchie’s temper; his man said he was too drunk to stand."

Eafa patted the man on the shoulder and ushered Dom and Lighe into the room.

The king looked up as Eafa spoke, and then he saw his son and Dom beside him.

"Why did you not bring your brother to see me?" the king asked in a petulant tone, as Ermyngarde came out of the other room. Before Lighe could answer his father, the lady embraced Lighe - and, to his surprise, Dom - and told him to leave before Leofric made his morning visit.

Eafa had hidden the foodstuffs in a large, wooden chest by the door, and closing the lid, stood against the wall in silence.

"Thrydwulf is in the stables, my lord," Lighe said, staring into the fire. All his old concerns regarding his father's lack of feeling for him came, once more to the surface. "It was thought he was too tall and remarkable a figure to be able to sneak into the keep like a common scullion. Dom and I are too unprepossessing a pair to be noticed."

Ermyngarde glared at her sister's husband, who could not see - or did not care - about the effect his words were having on his eldest son. "Be glad they are both alive, Cerdic. Your spleenish humours do us no good at this point. We are fortunate to be alive, as are your sons. Be grateful."

Cerdic ran an unsteady hand over his face. "I am sorry, my son. I meant no disrespect to Lighe, Mina. He knows already that I have not valued him as I ought. I just wanted to see both my sons, together, that is all..."

There was the sound of a sword hitting the door and it did not need Eafa's frantic signal to make Dom and Lighe run into the other room. The guard, apologising for his clumsiness, opened the door and Leofric entered, with a jug of wine.

"Ah! I was just coming down for that, my lord," Eafa said in a quiet voice. "There was no need for you to trouble yourself..."

Leofric waved the servant away. "I wished to speak with my uncle in any case, Eafa. Get you back to your duties. I will see to it that Cerdic's thirst is fully quenched."

Eafa bowed, and left the room. There was nothing else he could do. Before Leofric could pour the drugged wine into the two cups on the table, Ermyngarde had snatched it off him, and thrown the contents into the fire.

"We will have none of your filthy potions today, you dog..." she began, but Leofric silenced her with a heavy blow to the side of her head that sent her reeling to the floor.

"You will do as I say, woman! You are only here on sufferance. I'd have killed you like a stuck pig, but my father says he has a better use for you, after this business is over."

Leofric leered at the stricken woman, then turned to his uncle. "We are expecting lords from the Witan to come to our calling, in the next few days, uncle, to see for themselves that you are in no case to remain king. They will either see you lying in bed - sick, as they will think, but drugged - or lying in bed, dead. Afterwards, we will allow you to be escorted to your estates in Malpas, well-guarded and private as they are. You will not trouble us there. Make your choice."

Cerdic looked at his nephew, hatred for him in his old eyes. "Do what you will. I am powerless to stop you."

Leofric nodded, satisfied. "I will send more wine. See that you drink it - both of you," he said, then left the room.

Lighe rushed back in and helped his aunt to her feet, white with anger. "The dog that he is to strike a woman!" He helped her into a chair whilst Dom went to the door, and listened. He could just hear Eafa's voice talking to the guard outside.

"Lighe, we must leave! It may be that the guard is about to change..."

Then Eafa came in, and called them away.

Lighe turned to his father and Ermyngarde. "I swear to you, my lord; these insults to your persons will not go unavenged."

The king smiled, much to his son's astonishment. "I know. Thank you, my son. Tell Wulf I long to see him - to see you both - free from this coil. Go now!"

Lighe and Dom bowed and left the room, following Eafa wherever it was he led them.

*****

It was a long day. Dom and Lighe hid in plain sight, lugging flour and vegetables and other foodstuffs from storeroom to kitchen, under the eye of a man Eafa had told them was a friend, but who did not know who they were.

"Do not speak in front of him, except the odd word of acknowledgement here and there, my lord," he had whispered, before he left them. "He might recognise your voice, if not your face. And that would fright him, knowing he has charge of the Aetheling."

"Nor you," he said to Dom. "Your foreign accent will give you away as sure as eggs is eggs. Just contrive to be in the Great Hall for the evening meal, in case anything happens. I have heard from Swifred that there is a plan, of sorts, to free the king."

"If anyone questions why you are sent there, say I said for you to be present. The other servants can't argue with an order from the king's man, however low his status may now be."


They sat together alone in a corner, eating food given them for the mid-day meal. Most of the other servants crowded about the table, but there were a few, Dom noticed, excluded from that company, who sat against the walls.

"I wish I knew where Wulf and Lando were," Lighe whispered as Dom bit into his piece of cheese. "I have kept my eyes open, and they do not seem to have come down into the kitchen area. I am feared they might have been caught."

Dom moved a little closer to his lover's side. "No fear of that," he whispered back. "The castle would be in uproar, soldiers and guards running everywhere; for had they been apprehended, it would be obvious that they had not come alone. Do not let that worry you."

Lighe breathed out heavily. "You are right, of course. It is just that my brother is so lately returned to me. I thought - as did he of me - that I would never see him more."

Dom wished that he could take Lighe in his arms and hold him close, so little love it was that had come Lighe's way. He contented himself, however, with a sweet smile, and was happy to see Lighe's anxious expression soften into something far more intimate.

Then the man who had been given charge over them nudged Lighe's foot, and told them gruffly to follow him, and they were kept busy until just before the evening meal to be served at the Great Hall.

"You can go, now," the man said, as servants began passing them, carrying the meats into the Hall. "Before you go, wash yourselves in the buttery, and brush the flour off your clothes. None of the lords will want you in their presence looking like that, Eafa's orders or not!" he said, half smiling as he waved them off.

They did as he suggested, and each of them carried a huge dish piled with bread into the Hall, and placed it on the tables. The High Table was still empty, but they could hear the sounds of loud voices through the doorway at the top end of the room, and hurried to stand behind the chairs as they had before, so that their faces would not be seen.

However, other men had got there before them, and they had to content themselves with standing at the side, still far enough back from the seats to remain unnoticed unless someone called them.

Lighe dug his elbow into Dom's arm, and gestured slightly with his head, and Dom saw Lando and Wulf coming in, carrying huge platters of roast fowl. Their burdens deposited on the table, they made for the nearest wall, and glanced about them until they saw Dom and Lighe. It could not be said that Lando winked at them, but, Lighe thought, with a sigh of relief as he caught his brother's glance, he came perilously close to it...

...and then the men in the Hall fell silent, and stood as Seaned and Leofric strode in, with Jean and Caspar following them, and Viggo, Boyd and Badi carrying musical instruments entered behind them.

Dom stared at Jean and Caspar, for they were not wearing informal clothing but the full panoply of their Order, except the headgear, but including both chain mail, swords and daggers. He could see, across the room, that Lando had noticed this unusual occurrence, and that he was also puzzled by it.

Then Dom saw Lando's expression relax, and realised that his cousin knew what was happening, and he whispered to Lighe under cover of the scraping of chairs and shuffling into seats that Lando was aware of the reason for this formal - and potentially threatening - attire.

Lighe leaned his head slightly towards Dom as he whispered in his ear, but his eyes rested on Badi. The tall, black-skinned man had his sword buckled at his waist, and Lighe, although he did not know why, itched to get his hands on it again.

He had handed it back to its rightful owner at the mill as they prepared to climb into the floursacks. Badi had bowed as Lighe offered it to his new friend and ally. It was obvious that the Aetheling could not take such an item into the keep if he were to remain disguised as a servant.

"I shall ward it with care, for you, my prince, until you are able to clasp it once more in your hands, and fulfil with it, your destiny," Badi had said, his face set, and serious, as he took the sword and thrust it into his wide belt before he rode off with the main company.


Lighe brought his mind back to the present. He saw Eafa standing in one of the doorways opposite, and although the man looked at his prince, he made no move to call him out of his place against the wall.

Everyone settled down as more food was brought in, and although Lighe could not hear what was being said, he could hear Leofric and Jean talking together with Caspar sitting beside Seaned, could be seen chatting amiably enough to the king's usurping brother.

Lighe ground his teeth. It took all of his considerable self control not to dash forward and slit his uncle's throat. But he had no doubt that Jean and Caspar had a plan. They were clever men, and expert tacticians. He would wait and see what transpired.

The meal was soon over. There was no sitting and chewing bones this night. As soon as the boards were cleared, Leofric stood.

"Tonight we are to be delighted with more songs by the Celtic druid, Buide, which I know you will like. He will sing to us the story of Bendigaedfran, and Bran's Magic Copper Bowl"...

...here a cheer went up. There had been little music of late, and the old bard was failing. Music lifted the spirits, and the men needed it.

Boyd came forward and ran his hand over the strings of his harp, silencing the crowded hall.

The song was long, and complex, but every man there had known it from his youth. There were stampings and cheerings and clappings as Boyd finished, and lay down his harp on the floor.

Leofric stood, and filled his goblet full of the wine they had been drinking.

"Now we will see a bout of excellent swordsmanship between the Frankish lords Jean and Caspar, and they have promised to show us many new tricks that they have learned in the East. It may be we can profit from them. But first..."

...he raised the cup, "...I would pledge the bard for his unrivalled singing. Waes hael!" and he took a mouthful, and held the goblet out to Boyd.

A servant came rushing forward, and took the cup to Boyd, who grasped it, smiling. But immediately the smile became a rictus of pain, and he cried out loud, dropping the cup to the floor.

Badi and Viggo came swiftly to his side, and each held a hand as the Celt stood, twisting in agony. Then he spoke.

"Murder and treachery! This creature -" he opened his eyes, and glared at Leofric with such venom that the man fell back into his seat, whilst his father stood and demanded to know what Boyd meant.

The three friends stood almost paralysed by shock, as whatever lingering essence of evil it was that had transmitted itself from Leofric's cup to Boyd's hand was passed to his companions.

Viggo cried out, "No! Do not harm them!" but it was too late. Whatever evil it was that they had seen, had already been done.

Boyd stalked up to the table, regardless of his own safety, and faced Leofric. The usurping prince's men came together and ranged themselves behind their master's chair as Seaned called for re-enforcements.

Suddenly, Jean stood and blew six sharp notes on his whistle. Immediately the men of the Company came forward, weapons drawn, and the three doors into the Hall slammed shut, cutting off the aid that Seaned had requested.

Some of the men in the Hall remained undecided, for they did not know what was happening - or whom to support.

Suddenly Lighe and Wulf bounded forward, tearing the cloths off their heads, so that men might know them - but it was to Boyd that Lighe spoke. "Tell us!" he pleaded, and the bard's eyes filled with tears.

He pointed a quivering finger at Leofric. "This...thing...for I cannot call him a man, has murdered a woman and her daughter, and all their maids - all their party. With his own hand he slit the women's throats."

Dom had come forward and placed his arm around Lighe, waiting for the Celt to speak.

Boyd turned his pain-drenched eyes on Lighe and Wulf. "I am sorry, lads. More than I can say."

It was Wulf that whispered it. "Mother? He has murdered our mother...and Hilda?"

The men nearest him spread the news and a great cry went up in the Hall. "He has murdered our Queen!"

Whilst Lighe and Wulf stood motionless with shock, those men who did not know whose side they should support in the present struggle for power, decided now, for the Queen had been a sweet and gentle lady, and her daughter also.

"Vengeance!" they cried, and Jean and Caspar and their men joined with them against Seaned's supporters, the two groups divided down the length of the Hall.

Then Lighe stirred from his shock, and grabbed his brother's arm. "Go to the king! Protect him and our aunt!"

Wulf nodded tersely, and called for several of his friends to join him. The group stood by the door as Jean sent three short blasts through his whistle, and the door opened to let them out, then closed again behind them.

Lighe looked at Leofric, standing beside his father, sword in hand. He walked forward slowly, and Dom walked beside him. The only two men who moved.

"Now, Leo - now you shall pay for your crimes against us. My mother was a douce and gentle lady..."

Leofric laughed at Lighe's distress. "So she was, coz. She didn't even squeak when I..."

Dom was trembling with anger and deep concern for his lover, who had just heard of his mother's and sister's deaths in the most cruel fashion. His voice cut across Leofric's like a knife.

"Dare to say one more word, and I will kill you myself, though there be others before me in the lists!"

"You will do nothing, Frankish pig!" Seaned spoke in a harsh and bitter tone. "It is my time, now - the king is as good as dead. I have more men here than do you." He glanced about the room, and one or two more men came forward reluctantly to join those standing behind Seaned. It was true; he had the larger force, for they outnumbered Lighe's friends two to one.

Seaned glared at Lighe, and laughed cruelly. "If you wish to fight me, nephew, so be it - but I will prevail! Fight and die! Men, draw and prepare for battle! But let him make the first stroke, so that all here may say, afterwards, in truth, that we were attacked first."

Lando ran across the room to stand at Lighe's side, and the Aetheling felt a hard object pressed into his hand. It was Badi's sword.

"Take it and conquer, my prince. This evil must be stamped out."

Lighe breathed deeply a few times to calm his anguished spirit, then, glancing once at Dom, all his love for the man in his gaze, he took a step forward, and raised the curved sword high.

"You may later say those words in truth, Seaned, but it will be the only time the truth has ever left your mouth - that is, if you live long enough to utter them."

"To the death!" the Aetheling cried, and lunged at Leofric.

Comments

[aprilkat.livejournal.com]

Aaaaa! I knew you were going to end it right there! I was breathlessly racing through to find out what was going to happen next!

Great suspense!

Poor Queen. :(

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I am kroel, aren't I? Giggles. Glad you enjoyed it, anyway! ;D xxx

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

Oh, no! What a thrilling chapter this is. So much tension running through it as they prepare to face down Leofric and Seaned. I was afraid you'd leave us with a cliffhanger, and you surely have. A whole week to wait before we learn what happens. Well done, Issi.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you!I do enjoy ratcheting up the tension! Hope you enjoy the next series as much. ;D xxx

[aliensouldream.livejournal.com]

Let battle commence! Is that true about the Queen? Evil evil Leofric! And is Boyd going to be alright? *worries* I liked Lighe's finally getting to face Leofric with his crimes. And they're outnumbered two to one! I hope Badi is right about Lighe's desinty :-) This is building to a very exciting climax!

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

It is, indeed, true about the Queen. What a swine Leofric is! Boyd will be fine! ;D xxx

[pattilovesviggo.livejournal.com]

Now we come to the climax, I hope the sword is going to conquer, and time the evil is stamped out indeed. A cliffhanger yes, but an exciting one :)

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Ta, love. Did enjoy the film today - hope you did, too. ;D xxx

[mother2012.livejournal.com]

What a relief it must be to finally be able to *do* something about this evil man! And perfect timing. Horrid as it is that the women have died, it would lend strength to Lighe to avenge them.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I'd like to have stuck pins in his eyeballs myself! Not really, but the thought is nice! ;D xxx

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

Well, there's no turning back now! Leofric is crueler than we had thought (perhaps), and has committed an act that Lighe cannot ignore. The bastard.

Here's hoping that the sword Badi brought to Lighe aids him.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

The sword plays its destined part, yes. Bless it. In the next part? YaY!!! ;D xxx

[verangel.livejournal.com]

I will have to read this again. It was so freakin suspenseful. I felt like I was holding my breath as Dom and Lighe were in the midst of those who would kill them without thinking. I LOVED Lighe's reaction to his aunt after Leofric hit her. I wonder if the King will live. His wife and daughter shockingly gone...*freakin shocked* I was. I was as stunned as Lighe was and wondered how you pull together. But, they are there to protect him and he was given the weapon and he has murder in his heart to avenge. Lighe will be THE Avenging Angel...and won't he look magnificent to Dom and all around as take the Sword and claims it and claims vengence and his kingdom. Oh fantastic!!!
hugs you close and can't wait. xoxooxoxxoxooxo Avenging Angel (don't you love it) v

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Suspense is my middle name! I do like that sort of thing - you must have guessed that, though. ;D xxxx

[mole-caz.livejournal.com]

I have sound effects to accompany this chapter and as I read the last few lines the thunder is drawing close....I feel an oppression in the air which is well matched and that not everyone will live to see their bed.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Well, not long to wait, now. It's all coming to a conclusion where the sun shines bright! ;D xxx

[ourdramaqueen.livejournal.com]

Eeeeeeeeeh!!! So now Lighe will fulfill his destiny... and avenge his poor mother and sister, and everyone else who has been harmed or killed by Seaned and Leofric. Eeeep!!!

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

There is avenging coming very, very soon, yes there is! Grins. ;D xxx

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

Wow! What an exciting chapter and what a cliffhanger - you've left us dangling there until next week... ;-)

I'm worried about Boyd and as for the Queen, what a dreadful end!

Can't wait to see how this turns out, but I suppose I'll have to... Looking forward to the next thrilling installment!

Thanks very much, as always.
XXXX

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Don't get tangled in your dangles, and breathe deeply. More suspense? Of a different sort, perhaps. ;D xxx

[frolijah-fan-54.livejournal.com]

What a cliffhanger!! And how evil is Leofric to murder the Queen and Elijah's sister - I sure hope you are going to give him an end that matches all the evil he has done. And not only evil but stupid to not realize that would alienate him from the people (and some of his supporters) even more.

I can't wait for the next chapter!!

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Yes, he is a bit of an idiot - his evil nature overcomes his commion sense, at times. I like that in a villain - it means he makes mistakes. ;D

Not long till the next part - a few hours, to be exact! xxx

[http://users.livejournal.com/tweedle_/]

OMG! So glad I can dash straight on to the next chapter. Love heroic Lighe. :) xxoo

[lisabellex.livejournal.com]

Oh! Leofric so deserves what's coming to him! Here's hoping Badi's sword hits its mark and dispatches the nasty, murdering swine. This is very exciting, indeed.

Have caught up two more chapters now - I'll get up to speed and catch up properly one day, you'll see!

x

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

No rush, my love. It'll be there until you're ready!! Glad you liked it - hope you like the next one, too. Hugses. ;D xxx

[lisabellex.livejournal.com]

Go Lighe! Wow, such excitement! I'm going directly on to the next to find out how they fare in battle!

:D