Aetheling Twenty One - THE END!

[ismenin]

Well, here I am, my loves. Not very well at the moment, so you'll have to excuse me not commenting on all your posts. I am trying, but I can't sit for long.

Still I've done TONS of writing, and my new fic is just up my street. Or Road, in my case. ;D

Anyway, time to say good-bye to The Aetheling, and all his chums. I hope you've enjoyed it.





Thanks to ladysunrope for beta.


Aetheling - 21

Lighe woke up to find himself alone. He had not been well enough that day to receive all the Eorls of the Witan, but three of those lords who knew him best came to see him, assuring him, in their bluff way, that all would wait until he was well enough to join them in the Great Hall.

"For there is no point, my lord, in trying to elect a king, if that king be lying a-bed, sick, and sipping a posset. We can delay another day!" one of the older men remarked, smiling happily down at Lighe.

Lighe smiled back, but he did not feel much like laughing. There were too many problems occupying his mind, and his body was still weak from lack of blood.

An hour later, a dust-covered rider rode to the keep. He carried a message from Dom's father, the Frankish king, asking after the welfare of his son. Dom read it to his lover before they broke their fast...


I am daily awaiting news of you, my beloved son. I have received today both Jean d'Arminac's report, and your message, and I understand well your feelings of loyalty to the Aetheling whom you have befriended, and whom you have tried so valiantly to protect. I am sure you have become fast friends, and understand your wish to stay with him until all his difficulties may be past. For that is the kind of man you are - loyal until death.

I will like it very much when, at some time in the future, you will return to that land and fetch him home to meet with me - if that be possible, and he is willing to treat with his fellow kings.

It will go far in cementing the alliance between our two great nations. And as you think so highly of him - you who are never susceptible to the false flattery of men or women - I know I will be pleased with him, as you are never wrong concerning the hearts of men.

d'Arminac must have told you the story as far as I know it, and he has told me, as you requested of him, what the real Prince Thrydwulf had revealed. I trust, by now, you and the Knights of St Iago have rid that land of those pestilent knaves, and that the Aetheling is now ruling in his father's stead. Cerdic is not fit to govern such a douce land. Too weak...far too weak for kingship, even if he has proved not to be a villain.

I commend to you my love, and that of your brother and his family, my dear and most obedient of sons, and pray you will return to my side as soon as it is possible for you to do so, for I miss you sorely. In my heart you ever have a place.

Ever your loving father, Dagobert Rex...


When Dom looked up from the letter, it was to see Lighe pressed against the pillows, his hands covering his face, weeping like a child. For a moment Dom did not understand what had caused his lover's distress, but then Lighe whispered, "oh, to have such a father's love!" and Dom took him tenderly in his arms and held him, close, motioning all who came to the room away, until Lighe was more composed.

"I am sorry, Dom. I never weep, except before you. I blame my weakened state. My mother and sister have gone, and I mourn their passing. They were innocent pawns of those...things... I shall not speak their evil names."

"I know it seems selfish of me, Dom, but I cannot help but feel it - I feel bereft, except that I have Wulf.
For it is no surprise to me, after all, that my father - such a father as he is - feels not the slightest tenderness for his eldest son. I know he feels guilt, and shame, but it is not the same."

Dom could make no answer to this, for Lighe was right, it was not the same, nor would it ever be so.

"You have my love, Aethelighe; can you be content with that?" Dom asked, a wistful tone to his voice, and Lighe nodded, fervently - "always, always, my love! I did not mean..." and kissed him gently.

"You are the only man I have ever kissed, Dom of Amiens. The only man I have loved except my brother, and that, as you know, is not the same love, is it?"

Dom laughed at that, and Lighe smiled, and Dom dressed his love, and they sat quietly together either side of the fire, and talked until Ragno came with food.

Lighe was interested to discover how Ragno had escaped death, unlike poor Lando's man and their other servants, whom they found had been mercilessly butchered by Leofric's men.

Ragno told of the cook's ingenuity in keeping him hidden, and interspersed the telling with such bawdy comments as must surely raise a smile when men talk of such things.

Then Lando and Emgard came in, and Emm, dressed in her finest gown, dropped a deep curtsey before the Aetheling.

"I have come, lord prince, to ask your permission to marry the Lord Siglandus," she said in formal tones, but smiling at her cousin, nonetheless.

Lighe took her hand in his. "Should it not be he who asks me for your hand, my Emm?" he teased, as she was in danger of becoming far too stiff in his presence for his liking.

She disarmed him by sitting on the arm of his chair, and putting her arm carefully around his good shoulder. "Yes, Lighe, it should. I asked my uncle for permission, but he said it was nothing to do with him any longer - what happened in this kingdom - and that I should apply to you. So here I am."

She glanced up at her lover, who was sharing a look with Dom. "He is far too nervous to ask for himself. He thinks there might be an...impediment."

Lighe's brow creased. "How so, Lando? What impediment?"

Lando remained silent, nervously twisting his hands together. It was Emm who answered. She blushed and looked down at her hands. "He thinks you might say he was not suitable, being...being..."

"Being what, Emm. Spit it out, for Frig's sake!" Lighe laughed, but stopped when he saw she was being serious.

"I think Emm means that Lando has been known to share his favours with me and with...other men, my love," Dom said, quietly, not needing to mention the name of one other man, in particular, and Lighe stared in amazement at the men, now both standing before him. "It may be he thinks you will find him unworthy to mate with your house."

Lighe opened his mouth, twice, and closed it again, dumbfounded, before he found his voice.

"Unworthy? A man who has shed his blood with me, and for me? Who has risked his life a dozen times over, so that I may live? Who has starved with me, and lain in the bracken in the rain beside me, and eaten mushrooms until his belly purged, because he was so weak from lack of other food - and the wounds he got for me - and all this by his own free will?...and he thinks I may deem him unworthy?... by Thor's sweaty balls, Lando, you...you...are an idiot!"

He held his hands out to Lando who grasped them, and then he put them into Emm's with a smile. "How will you do this? Be joined? Has your God a ritual that you would wish to follow?"

Lando grinned from ear to ear. "He has, O puissant prince, and Emm has consented to it. This very day - if you permit, this very hour - Caspar will unite us in Holy Wedlock, for he was ordained by the Archbishop of Rhiems himself - my gracious uncle - and says he will be honoured so to do."

Dom sat down on the bed. "Is that why Emm is wearing her bettermost gown, and you are dressed up like a pox-doctor's clerk, dear coz?"

Amidst the laughter there was a cough at the doorway, and Jean and Caspar, dressed in the full panoply of their order, asked permission to come in.

"I thought the small hall next to the...well, the small hall might be suitable for the ceremony, Lord Aetheling," Caspar said, with a little restraint, for no-one cared to see Emm wed in the place her father and brother died. "For there is not enough room here for everyone who wishes to see such a union conducted. Even the lord Cerdic has asked Emm if he might attend."

Lighe's eyes opened wide at his cousin. "Indeed! Do you think he feels more at peace, now, that he would ask such a thing?"

It was Jean who answered. "I have spoken much to him of late days, my lord. I believe what I had to say has calmed his mind somewhat."

Lando smiled at his future wife. "Shall we go and see that fresh rushes are strewn in the hall, my love? And flowers...?"

Lighe happily waved them away. "Send a servant for me when you are ready, and send to find Wulf, too; he will wish to be witness."

Everyone bowed and left, and Dom was still sitting on the bed. "I would carry you downstairs if my wound was not so fresh. How will you manage it? Is it too far for you to walk?"

Lighe thought for a moment. "Badi may help me. He is as strong as an ox, so I will be hardly more to him than a babe newborn. I do not mind, as once I would, men seeing me thus. There is no shame in being aided by kindly people - you showed me that."

"It is the sensible thing, and men, as you well know, Dom, have no dignity left to them when they are sick and have been unable to perform the smallest personal task for themselves. Come, help me into some clothing more suitable for the occasion, and my dignity. Send for Dan..."

And an hour later, Emm and Lando knelt before a cross fashioned out of two huge stanchions from the barn, tied together, and were made one flesh. Few of those present understood the words, but it was the love that was put into the words that mattered, and after Lando and Emm had been feasted, they were sent off, blushing mightily, to consummate their union. Lighe, looking about the room at the assembly, saw that his father was drawn towards the rough-hewn cross propped against the far wall, and stood near it, resting a hand on its rough surface.

"I do not understand why..." said Cerdic, later, to his eldest son, as Badi came to take Lighe upstairs again, "...why it should be so, but I find much to think on in the contemplation of that symbol."

Jean smiled at the former king. "It may be that, as many men have died fighting for - and, indeed, against - those who hold to that cross, that it treasures moments of peace wherever they may be found."

One of the Eorls came up before Lighe left the room and asked if he would meet with them on the morrow. "We all have business to attend to elsewhere, my lord Aetheling, and mine, at least, I fear, cannot be much longer delayed. We will wait if we must, and if it be long, I will leave another to speak for me if necessary, but we would be pleased if you could spare us an hour. It should not take much longer than that."

Lighe consented and returned to his bed with a heavy heart. Tomorrow. He could not hide from his responsibilities for ever. He sighed, deeply. Well, he would see.

He lay in bed drinking the wine, herbs and water that Badi and Ermyngarde had recommended to increase his blood, and thinking of tomorrow. Wulf had come and taken Dom away for some reason, and Lighe was left alone to sleep, but rest would not come. Ever he thought of the morrow, and what it would bring.

It was Viggo who came to see him, interrupting his tangled thoughts by bringing some wine from Jean's jealously guarded store.

The tall man sat opposite Lighe by the fire, his long legs crossed in front of him. He watched his companion sip the wine, and ventured a comment.

"Dom is concerned about you, Lighe. He has seen that you are troubled, yet you do not speak of it to him. He is afraid to ask you - he thinks you have suffered enough distress of late - but there will be more, will there not, when he returns to his father?"

Lighe put down his cup, his hand less than steady. "It is of this I am thinking, man of the north. He has his duties and I have mine. Our lives lie on separate paths..."

He raised his anguished eyes to Viggo's. "I do not think I can bear it. I have grown so used to his loving kindness. Life will mean little to me if he is no longer at my side. Yet so it must be. One cannot give up one's duty just because it is inconvenient."

Lighe stared into the fire, and Viggo drank another draught of wine before speaking. "It may be there are other roads to follow, little prince. Have you not thought of that?"

****


Dom rose from the wall they were sitting on outside the main door, where they had been watching the sun go down over the stables, and sharing the evening meal from a basket at their feet.

"I must go to him, now, Jean. He is still far from his usual self. And we do not have long together...."

Jean smiled, wistfully. "I can offer you no advice, Dom, mon brave. He will have to decide for himself. Go, now, and take him in your arms, and cherish him. He will be strong enough for that, and it may be it will take his mind off any more unpleasant thoughts he may have. Caspar, Boyd and I are setting off with a small troop to see if we can find the bodies of the Queen and her daughter. They deserve a better burial than they had a death. Adieu"

Dom pressed his friend's hand and went back inside. In truth he had stayed out longer than he needed. His business with Wulf has been soon done, and foodstuffs, clothing, and materials and men to build up or replace the decrepit homes and build more boats had been despatched to Aethelred and the fisher-folk as compensation from the two grateful princes.

Jean’s farewell had delayed him even further.

But the thought of returning to Lighe's room, and seeing that drawn face and those haunted eyes was more than Dom could bear. He would weep, he knew it. Lighe tore at his heart as no-one else had ever done. The prospect of leaving his love here whilst he went home to his father was agonising - yet he knew that he had to go.

There were many responsibilities that he held there; responsibilities his father had shared out of his overflowing bowl of cares, with both his sons, and with Siglandus, trusting they would all honour them. It was not fair that his brother should have to shoulder his share for any longer than was completely necessary.

The bedside candles were being lit as Dom entered the room. Lighe was sitting up in bed, looking anxiously through the doorway, waiting for Dom to return, and he smiled at his love as he threw his cloak on the chair.

There was a tray of food, untouched, on the table, but Dom said nothing of it. He began removing his clothing and waited until Dan had bowed himself out, before stripping and climbing in beside Lighe. Neither man said a word.

Lighe reached out his arms and Dom sank into them. They stayed there, just holding each other, until they fell into a troubled sleep. Dom had felt a dampness on his shoulder, but said nothing. In truth his face was also wet, and he felt that they would both fall apart if they acknowledged their grief. He could not bear it.


Lighe had already risen when Dom awoke. He was dressed and sat in the chair, sipping a cup of warm mead. There was a morsel of white bread in a dish, and Lighe had broken a piece off it and, dipping it in his cup, tried to eat it. He knew he needed strength for the day's doings, but he could not eat.

Ragno came in with Dom's fresh clothing, and talked quietly to his master. Dom refused food, also, but accepted some ale, which he drank whilst still in bed.

"How do you feel?" he asked, quietly as Lighe put down his cup.

Their eyes did not meet. "Much the same as do you, I expect," came the quiet answer, and Dom rose, and kissed his love gently on the lips. Lighe put up his hand as if to ward off a danger. "Please..." he began, but Dom had moved away as Ragno returned.

Lighe dressed in silence, and, indicating that he felt able to walk unaided, the two men went slowly downstairs, side by side, into the Great Hall.


Chairs had been placed in a large circle around the room, for all those concerned in the meeting were equals - all Eorls of the land. All with a right to speak and vote at the Witan.

There were others sitting on benches at the far end of the Hall to witness the proceedings, and Dom saw Swidwulf there, with the lads, and Swifred, Aiden and the other lords and servants - including Eafa - who had helped them in their trials.

All rose when they entered, and bowed, and Dom saw that Cerdic sat next to Wulf, and that on his right side there was a chair for Lighe. Dom knew he had no place in the Witan and would have moved down the Hall to sit next to Jean and Caspar, but Lighe stopped him by grasping his hand, and beckoned to a servant, who hurriedly made a space and placed a chair for Dom.

No-one remarked upon this, and Dom supposed it was because he was the son of a king that this liberty was permitted.

As soon as they had been seated, a grey-haired man wearing the tabard of a herald strode forward, and banged his staff of office sharply, three times on the floor.

"Hear ye! All men concerned with the business of this Witanagemot - this meeting of wise men - are gathered. Those who are entitled to vote within this assembly are seated within the circle. The company has selected the Eorl Hrothgar, Lord and Bishop of Witanceaster, to speak for them. All give ear to him, and attend!"

The Bishop arose and Dom saw it was one of the men who had visited Lighe in his room.

"We were sent for by those whose names shall not be mentioned here, upon a different matter, but the outcome is now the same. Cerdic King has made it known to us that he no longer wishes to wear the crown of this land, and we, the Eorls, have agreed to grant his request. He shall retain his Eorldom and all his titles, and the lands attached to them, and retire where he will to live out the rest of his life in peace, as far as it is possible for any man so to do."


The Bishop sat down, and a murmur of assent was heard in the room. Cerdic stood. "I thank you all for your kind mercy," he said, loudly enough for all to hear, and retook his seat.

"The Witan," the Bishop continued, running his hand through his thick, black curls, "has debated long on this matter, and has come to its decision. Many of those present have the casting votes for all other members of the Witan, who could not attend this moot through sickness, or other pressing personal matters, but now we have present three more Eorls entitled to enter the vote - Cerdic, Aethelighe and Thrydwulf."

The tall, spare-framed man looked out of the circle to the rest of the assembly before he spoke again. "I must inform you all, that in solemn conclave, we had chosen the Aetheling, Aethelighe to be our king, before we arrived here to answer the peremptory summons of despots and tyrants, now dead, and I now ask for the vote of the three Eorls named to ratify this choosing. All who agree, please raise your hand."

Every Eorl in the circle raised their hand - every Eorl, but two. Cerdic and Lighe.

The men in the circle began to protest. Those watching the proceedings from the seats further down, joined them, and soon there was uproar in the Hall.

"Silence!" cried Cerdic, and a remnant of his former authority was heard in his voice. He stood and faced his eldest son.

"I have been a worthless king and a careless father, I acknowledge it to my shame. I have not behaved towards either of my sons as I ought. I trust they have it in them to forgive me for it."

Thrydwulf was heard to say "I do forgive."

Lighe inclined his head towards Cerdic. "I, too, forgive, my lord. But I would know why you now agree with my own assessment of my inability to govern this land. If you would share it with us all, for you have never said it to my face direct, but only commented upon it in sneers and jibes. Why did you say nothing, father?"

Cerdic remained standing, and Wulf stared at his father, not understanding what was happening. Lighe felt Dom's hand clasp his arm, and he was grateful for it.

Then the former king spoke, his voice filled with sorrow. "Aethelighe was my firstborn son, and the Aetheling by right. If he proved worthy he would be chosen king..."

Wulf leapt to his feet, his face pale with fury. "Do not dare say he is not worthy, my lord! He is eminently worthy! No-one has worked harder than has my brother to earn the kingship! No-one has tried harder to be what you wished him to be. I have watched him, year by year, strive to earn your approval - strive and fail." Wulf sank into his seat again, confused and disturbed.

Cerdic smiled at his younger son. "I have not said he is unworthy, Thrydwulf. I agree, he is worthy to hold any high office. What he is, I believe, is unsuited to the task. I saw it in him as a child, and I see it now. He has many attributes, but he is too like me. He finds it hard to treat easily with his fellow men. Only those who have known him for some time are privy to his thoughts - but never his feelings. This makes him seem cold, as I must have seemed cold to him. It is not a good way for a king to appear to his people."

"Yes, I see in him my own faults, but I was never the man he is to face them, and to own them, and to vote against myself. I only strove to stop him becoming as unhappy as I. I was happy only in my marriage, but even that has been taken from me, and now I have lost the only thing that made the kingship bearable - my wife. I would save him from a similar pain. The crown is not for him."


Wulf flew to his feet to protest again, but this time it was Lighe who rose, and waved his brother down. "Eorl Cerdic is right. I am not suited. What you, Wulf, can achieve by instinct, I have to work upon. I have not the easy rapport with men that you have. I have to strive with it, for I am not as open as you. It is a trial to me to appear to be so, when I do not feel it in my heart."

"Such closeness with my fellow men is not...natural for me, as I have said - I have always known that. There is one who has lately helped me to change - to see what before I could not see - and I am blessed in him, but I still would point those who know me now, to the man I was... before he came. If I am forced to remain here, to leave him to return to his own kingdom, my heart will grow cold again, and I shall sink once more into being what I was. A man doing his duty, not a man doing what he loves. I will be a man struggling against his nature - and alone, I shall lose my way."

All were silent as Lighe spoke. The murmuring that had continued as he began to speak had died down, and all present gave him their attention.

"It seems that my father knew of this...struggle. It is a thousand pities that he did not share his thoughts with me, for I have grown to manhood feeling that I was alone in my distress."

Cerdic looked down at his feet, and murmured, "I am truly sorry for it. I did not know how to do it...to share."

Lighe drew up his shoulders and looked around the circle of men. "If you insist on choosing me as your king, I will do my duty. I will work unstintingly for the land, and for its people - but my heart will not be in it. It will be across the sea with Dominic of Amiens, under the blossoms of the fruit trees, in the warmth of the Frankish sun."

Lighe walked forward and holding out his hand to his brother, drew him to his feet. "Here is a king fit for you, my lords. One who does not have to gather his courage before he speaks to men, as I have had to gather mine today. One who sees what needs to be done without being told - one who is loyal, and loving and brave. Grant me the peace to go with my love, and give the kingdom to a worthier man."

Wulf drew Lighe into his embrace and the two brothers stood there a moment, before returning to their seats.

The Bishop spoke. "I do not say that Lord Thrydwulf is the worthier man. Aethelighe has proved himself most worthy by recognising within himself that he is not suited for kingship. It takes a special heart to look within and find itself lacking. I commend him to the Witan as a great and honourable man."

There were shouts of assent about the Hall, and Lighe, blushing fiercely, acknowledged them, before looking toward the Bishop once more.

"I do not say Thrydwulf is the worthier man," repeated the Bishop, "but I think it has been proved by his brother, and by his own generous defence of Aethelighe, that he is the more suitable man. All who wish for Thrydwulf as King, please raise your hand."

The vote was unanimous, and there was stamping and shouting in the Hall as all men came forward to swear allegiance to their new king.

Lighe knelt at his brother's feet and put his hands between Wulf's in the gesture of fealty, and his eyes were filled with tears. Wulf stood and drew his brother up.

"I know you full well, Lighe, and I can see plainly that the tears in your eyes are tears of joy, not of sorrow. Have you been given so much of it by this release?"

Lighe kissed his brother's hand. "My heart is full - so much, I cannot tell you the half of it. Dom..."

Dom came forward and took the new king's hand. "I offer you the friendship of the kingdom of France, Thrydwulf King, and pray you will visit us in our home, beneath the fruit trees, when the time is convenient for you so to do."

Hand in hand Dom and Lighe left the Hall, and went out into the morning sun, where Horsa was taking a hawk back to its sheltered perch near the stables.

"A great burden has been lifted from my heart, Dom."

They sat on the wall, for Lighe's legs were weary, and Dom smiled at his love, and gently touched his cheek. "Yes, I can see it in your eyes. They are shining again, and it gladdens my heart to see it. But I must tell you, my love, that, unlike you, I was born to be king, I wish to be king, and..."

"...and you will excel at it, never fear. And if all the gods are willing, I will remain by your side to aid and support you in your duty, until the ending of the world, for I love you, man of my heart."

And under Horsa's tolerant and friendly gaze, they kissed each other, and for a moment, the world was forgot, as they touched hands, lips and hearts, beneath the pleasant sun.