"Then you will certainly be anxious to be on your way," said Brand smoothly. "Now you will excuse me, as I see my mother. Come, Mairin!" They moved away from Eric Longsword.

Eric smiled, but felt a deep-seated anger burning within him. The young puppy had dismissed him as if he had been a servant, and not an equal. An excess of pride obviously ran in the blood of Aldwine Athelsbeorn's children.

"Brand!" Eada had dismounted from her horse, and held out her arms to her beloved son.

"Mother!" He slid from his own beast, hugging her. As he did he felt again like a small boy, for smelling her familiar lavender fragrance seemed to bring back so many memories. He had not realized until this very moment how much he had missed her.

Her eyes searched his face anxiously, but then she smiled warmly at him. "You have become a man," she said. "I am so proud of you!"

"Father?"

"He will not come until the treaty is totally agreed upon, but it was best Mairin return home, and so here we are."

"Now don't go blaming our return all on me, mother," laughed Mairin. "You have been longing to return to Aelfleah since the moment we rode through its gates last!"

"I cannot deny it!" came the heartfelt reply. Both of her children laughed at Eada's obvious relief. At that moment Eric joined them, and Eada said to her son, "You have met Eric Longsword, Brand? I do not know what we would have done had he not been kind enough to escort us from Dover. He has managed to find us decent lodging in the most desolate of places. I hope you will offer him our hospitality at Aelfleah, my son."

"Eric Longsword is always welcome at Aelfleah, mother, but surely he will want to leave us now to return to his own home."

Eric smiled with false joviality. "Your home is but another day away while mine is several days' ride. I have released my men, for I would not impose upon your generosity too greatly. As for myself I shall be glad to partake of your kindness. As anxious as I am to see my own parents, another day or two will not matter after seven years. By now my messenger will have reached them at Denholm. They will know at least of my safe arrival."

Mairin almost shrieked with her frustration. She had hoped to be rid of Eric Longsword today. There was nothing she could do now that would not have been rude, and so she was forced to bear his company further. Strangely he did not trouble her for the next few days, being far too busy with Brand.

They arrived at Aelfleah, and Eada wept with happiness at the joy of seeing her home again. Within a day it was as if she had never left. She immediately became involved with the running of her household, shaking her head and clucking about all the things that had not been done properly since her departure.

Mairin quickly realized that she had nothing to do. Aelfleah was Eada's, and would one day belong to Brand's wife. Slipping from the house she hurried off to refamiliarize herself with The Forest. In all the months in Byzantium she had never once thought of it, but now suddenly all the memories of her childhood were rising up to a.s.sault her.

Within The Forest nothing seemed to have changed, and she felt comforted for a time. To her delight the dainty fox vixen was still alive, and although skittish of her, seemed to recall Mairin. When she had left Aelfleah she had been an innocent child. Now she was a woman. Well perhaps not a real woman, but no one knew that but herself and her mother. To all intents and purposes she was indeed a woman. A woman without her own home. Her parents were correct. It irritated her slightly to have to admit it. She would never be respected in England unless she had a husband, and her own home.

Mairin sighed. It seemed so unfair that in order to have a proper place in the world she needed a husband. Why couldn't a woman have her own place? No one, she knew, would have an answer to that question. She wasn't even certain she could think of an answer. So, she thought, I must remarry, but to whom? Not Eric Longsword! That much she knew. He was arrogant, ill educated, and she suspected had a mean streak within him. No, she couldn't. Nay, wouldn't marry Eric.

That evening it rained, a steady gentle rain that gave every indication of continuing all night. The excitement of being home had finally caught up with Eada. Exhausted, she had taken to her bed almost immediately after supper. Brand had without warning slipped away also. Mairin suddenly found herself alone in the Hall with their guest. Before she might excuse herself from her place by the fire he came to stand next to her, saying, "Your brother has given me his permission to court you."

"Brand does not have that right," she answered.

"As long as your father is away he is the head of this household, Mairin."

She looked up at him, her eyes devoid of emotion as she said, "Why do you wish to court a woman who cannot stand the sight of you? Have I not made myself clear, Eric Longsword? Do you think, perhaps, that I play the coy maiden with you? You waste your time with me. I will not accept your suit! Surely you understand that?"

"You must marry again," he said obdurately.

"I know that, but I will not marry you. I loved Prince Basil, and he loved me. I do not love you."

"The prince loved Bellisarius," he replied cruelly. "Even a woman's intelligence can understand that, and you, I am told, are more intelligent than most women. The prince and his lover chose to enter death's kingdom together leaving you behind. How can you still offer your loyalty to a man who so betrayed you? It matters not to me whether you love me or not. I will wager, however, I can teach you to love me if you must have love to be content." He pulled her to her feet, and holding her tightly against him looked down into her face as he said, "You fill my senses, and you intoxicate me, Mairin. Indeed I believe you have cast an enchantment upon me. I desire you as I have never before desired a woman. I will have you, or no man will! You are mine!" His mouth then descended fiercely upon hers, and he kissed her soft lips with a bruising pa.s.sion.

She was stunned by the suddenness of his attack. When she tried to struggle against him she realized he had learned from their last encounter, and pinioned her in such a way that it was impossible to defend herself from him. She shuddered with revulsion as his lips moved slowly over her lips. He called himself a man, yet Basil's kisses had been far sweeter. Unable to bear another moment of this insult Mairin resorted to the only weapon left available to her. Forcing her arms from his iron grip she quickly reached up, and with all ten fingernails raked his face deeply.

With a surprised yelp he released her, his blue eyes glittering. For a moment they stood staring at each other. She could see that he was bleeding. Then turning from him she forced herself to walk slowly from the Hall. The look she had seen within those blue eyes bespoke murder, and she was hard pressed not to show fear.

"h.e.l.lcat," he called after her, "you have marked me as your own by that impetuous act!"

Stopping she turned to face him. "When you ride from Aelfleah tomorrow, Eric Longsword, do not return. There will never be a warm welcome awaiting you here from me. I will kill myself before I ever become your bride! No! I will kill you!"

His dark laughter echoed about the room. "Woman," he said, "you but whet my appet.i.te!"

Part Three.

THE HEIRESS OF AELFLEAH.

England, 1065106 8.

Chapter 8.

While Mairin and her family had been in Byzantium Earl Harold had conquered Wales in the name of King Edward. Gryffydd, the King of Cymru, as the people of Wales called their land, was murdered. Technically Harold's hands were clean of the deed for Gryffydd's own men had lured him into ambush to brutally slaughter him. It was whispered, however, that the earl had made it known he would reward those who saw to Gryffydd's death. Harold had then forced Gryffydd's queen, Edyth, into marriage. Edyth's father had been Aelfgar, Earl of Mercia. Brand had seen that his father knew all of this.

Several weeks after their return to Aelfleah, they learned that Harold had arranged to have built a hunting lodge at Portskewet in Wales in the hope of entertaining the king. When it was ready, Caradoc, the son of the dead Gryffydd, brought a force of men to Portskewet on August 25th, St. Bartholomew's Day. They totally destroyed the lodge, killed the retainers there, and made off with all the wealth meant to impress the king.

As if Harold did not have enough trouble grasping at the slippery succession, all the thegnes in Yorkshire and Northumberland met in hastily called session. With one voice they outlawed Earl Tostig, Earl Harold's youngest brother, choosing in his place to be their earl the younger of Earl Aelfgar's sons, Morkar, whose loyalty was to Harold. Then they killed all of Tostig's retainers that they could find, both Danish and English, seizing all of Tostig's weapons, gold and silver.

Again there were the soft voices suggesting Earl Harold did not care that his brother, and his brother's family were forced to flee England to take refuge in Flanders with William of Normandy's father-in-law. Tostig had been a great favorite with King Edward and now that he was gone, the ailing king had no diversions from his wife and her retainers, all of whom lobbied for Harold G.o.dwinson to be named England's heir.

"He has no royal blood," the dying king maintained, and refused to make any public preference.

Just before Mairin's birthday, on October 27th, the eve of St. Simon and St. Jude's Day, the king granted Harold's request that his brother-in-law, Morkar of Mercia, be granted Tostig's earldom. The northerners had antic.i.p.ated Morkar's confirmation while waiting for the king's decision. At Northampton they pillaged the area, indulging themselves in a bout of burning, killing, and cattle stealing before returning to their own homes.

One afternoon a messenger arrived at Aelfleah in the form of a traveling monk. He brought word that Eric Longsword's family, loyal to Tostig, had suffered in the uprising. Both his parents had been killed and his lands confiscated. Eric had gone with Earl Tostig to Flanders. He would, however, eventually return to England when his earl did. As Thegn of Denholm, he was offering for Mairin's hand in marriage.

Brand laughed. "The man is bold," he noted, "but he is also a fool to think I would allow my sister to wed with one of Tostig's outlaws. Thegn of Denholm, indeed! The lands are no longer his nor, I doubt, will they ever be again. He would be wise to return to service with the emperor in Byzantium."

"Poor man," said Eada sympathetically. "I will pray for his parents."

"Good riddance!" said Mairin. "I know I must marry again, but at least we shall not be troubled by that pompous fool any longer."

"Any candidates?" teased Brand.

"I think father means me to marry a Norman lord, and you a Norman lady, brother."

"Harold will be England's next king, sister. Even I see the way the wind blows. If Edward will not change the succession then Harold will forcibly take the kingdom."

"And Duke William will take it away from Harold," Mairin replied. "I agree with father, Brand. England cannot go on like this. Edward is the first Anglo-Saxon king of England in many years and he is actually half-Norman. England's rulers have been Danish, Norwegian, Swedish. The northmen are forever squabbling over our land. It is time for change. We need a strong ruler, and I do not believe Earl Harold is that man.

"I do not trust a man who out of ambition puts aside his wife of many years to marry an enemy's widow because he feels her brothers will be of service to him in his battle for England's throne. Such behavior does not speak well of Harold's loyalty. We cannot be certain that he was not behind the uprising in York that unseated a rival brother. Look who is put in his place. Morkar! A mere boy! A boy who can be used and manipulated. Earl Harold will never bring peace to England, Brand."

"And you think William can?"

"Yes, I do. William is strong. With him upon the throne I do not believe outsiders will ever again attack us. That has been one of our greatest problems. We have been prey to all those seeking new lands. As for our people I believe that they will welcome the eventual peace that comes with the advantage of having a strong ruler."

"You do not think the Normans who come with William will be seeking new lands? His army will be made up of a host of younger sons all eager to make their fortunes. I do not like Harold G.o.dwinson, but at least he is English. I am not certain I want some foreign-born king ruling over me."

"Duke William is a fair man. Father has always said so, Brand. He will not confiscate the lands belonging to those who support him. Only those who rebel against him."

"Nonetheless," said Brand, "for the first time in my life I am glad to live in this backwater on a small and not very tempting estate. With luck father and I shall be able to stay put until after the fighting, and then simply pledge our loyalty to the winner."

Mairin chuckled. "Brother Bayhard always said I was the more intelligent, but I do not think it so, Brand. I think father would very much approve our staying clear of factional fighting."

"We are safe for now, Mairin. Father's first loyalty is pledged to King Edward. I can pledge no loyalty other than what my father ordains. As long as the king lives, and father remains in Constantinople, Aelfleah is safe."

King Edward enjoyed a happy Christmastide at Westminster, during which time the great church he had spent his reign building was hallowed. This was done on the Feast of the Holy Innocents, December 28th. Shortly thereafter the king fell mortally ill. He died on Twelfthnight, January 5th. When word of his death was brought to all the four corners of England there was other news as well. The king had been buried immediately on January 6th, after which the mourners had allowed Harold G.o.dwinson to crown himself king of England.

It was mid-January when word of this finally filtered into Aelfleah. The following dawn Brand and Mairin released the last two of Timon Theocrates' black-and-white pigeons with a message capsule attached to a leg of each bird. The simple note was written in Mairin's clear hand. Edward is dead. Harold crowned. Come home.

If either of the birds got through to Constantinople Aldwine Athelsbeorn would return by the spring.

Meanwhile like every other manor in rural England, Aelfleah anxiously awaited the outcome of Harold G.o.dwinson's piracy of the English throne. It was not long in coming.

Duke William protested that Earl Harold had broken a pledge made two years prior supporting William's claim to England's throne. Harold ignored the Norman ruler. It was a serious and foolish breach, for among the kingdoms in Europe a man's word was neither given nor taken lightly. Those who might have been sympathetic toward Harold now questioned his honesty. William prepared for invasion while obtaining the support of the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry IV, and the pope.

On the night of the 24th of April there appeared in the sky what some called a long-haired star, and others called a comet. For seven nights it blazed so brightly across the skies of Europe and England that it could even be seen during daylight. Tides were abnormally high and there were great showers of shooting stars on at least three nights. Both women and animals gave birth prematurely in the hysteria surrounding the phenomenon. Some felt the comet portended the end of the world. Others interpreted it as G.o.d's obvious displeasure with Harold G.o.dwinson's usurpation of England's throne. They said the comet was being used to light William of Normandy's way to victory over Harold. The pope obviously agreed for he publicly declared his support for Duke William, and excommunicated Harold.

The comet disappeared as quickly as it had come, but Harold's troubles were just beginning. Suddenly his brother, Tostig, arrived on the Isle of Wight where he was greeted warmly, and given ships, money and provisions. Meanwhile Harold gathered about him a huge army with which to repel William when he came. All of England waited poised.

At Aelfleah, however, there was a celebration to welcome home Aldwine Athelsbeorn. He had wisely stopped at Duke William's court first and sworn his fealty. Since Edward's death, Aldwine was free to pledge his loyalty to whom he chose.

"You English are always swearing me fealty," said the duke wryly, "but once you gain the safety of your own sh.o.r.es you deny me."

"Am I the only Englishman to swear to you since the death of King Edward?" the Thegn of Aelfleah asked.

"No," said William, "you are not."

"And do you distrust the others also, my lord?"

The duke chuckled. "I can see why my cousin Edward sent you to Byzantium. You are clever, Aldwine Athelsbeorn."

"I am also a man of my word, my lord. Norman blood runs in my veins also, but even if it didn't I would still think you the best king for England. There is no advantage to my having come here for my holding is isolated and unimportant. Although I have always been happy with Aelfleah, I doubt any among your followers would want my poor lands. I am not a man of ambition, and I seek nothing of you, my lord. I might have hurried home through Flanders, as did my five companions, but I chose to come and swear my loyalty to you, and if you will accept it, I will never betray you." Then the thegn knelt, bowing his head in submission to the duke.

William of Normandy nodded almost imperceptibly. Looking down at the bowed head his hard, handsome face softened a little, and he said, "I accept your loyalty, Aldwine Athelsbeorn, and that of your son and family. I am grateful for it. I shall need good friends when I come to England. Rise now, and go in safety."

The thegn rose to his feet, and bowed again to the duke. "I shall look for your coming, my lord," he said. "When will I see you again?"

"I plan to be crowned in London by Christmas at the latest, Aldwine Athelsbeorn. You and your family are invited to my coronation."

When the Englishman had departed the duke turned to his single companion, saying, "Well, Josselin, what do you think?"

"He seems sincere, my lord William, but one can never really be certain. If, heaven forfend, you lose in your battle to Harold G.o.dwinson, I suspect he would as quickly swear his fealty to Harold."

"That, my young friend, is called survival," laughed the duke. "I shall find lands for you in England, Joss. When you must defend your own holding we will see how firm your ideals are. I will wager you quickly learn the fine art of compromise yourself."

The younger man smiled. "I have decided upon a motto for my crest," he said. "What do you think of Honor Above All?"

"That you set your descendants an overly hard task," replied the duke. "Do not, my young friend, feel that because of the circ.u.mstances of your birth you must strive harder."

"Haven't you, my lord?"

"Touche, Joss. Perhaps I have at that, but there comes a time when a man must stop berating himself for something that was not of his making. It is true that you and I were both born out of the bonds of holy wedlock, but both of our fathers loved our mothers, and they recognized our births. Neither of us has really suffered the stigma of b.a.s.t.a.r.dy other than that occasional taunt from someone not even worthy of our notice. If Raoul de Combourg had been married to your mother when you were conceived, could he have loved you any more? I think not."

"Still," said Josselin de Combourg, "the circ.u.mstances of my birth have made it impossible for me to reap any gain in Brittany. My younger, legitimate brother is my father's heir. I pledged myself to your service over twenty years ago, but were you not bound for England in the spring I should yet be landless. A man without lands is nothing, my lord William."

The duke nodded his agreement. "If there were no English throne, Joss, I should find an estate somewhere with which to reward you for your loyalty to me all these years. I owe you much. Had you not been my messenger and bolstered Matilda's confidence during the years I courted her, during the years that the pope refused us permission to wed, I do not think she would have had the strength to wait. There were others who would have seen her wed elsewhere. In England you shall make your fortune, my good and true friend. I shall need you there for I have not many friends such as that humble thegn, Aldwine Athelsbeorn.

"He is not a man of the court, but my cousin Edward wrote that in a world where so many men are not what they seem, Aldwine Athelsbeorn was exactly as he appeared. An honest man. He is also a skilled negotiator. We may eventually make use of him, but for now I wish him G.o.dspeed in the last days of his long journey home."

Aldwine Athelsbeorn did not know of Duke William's blessing upon his journey, but the same day that he left the duke's court he embarked for England. Within three days he rode across the little Aldford river and through his own gates. He had seen as he came from the coast the open preparations for the coming war, but in Aelfleah's valley there were only preparations for the spring planting. The meadows held a b.u.mper crop of lambs who gamboled in the spring sunshine. There was peace here, and he was relieved.

A young lad had seen him as he crossed over the river, and dropping his hoe the boy ran toward the manor house shouting as he ran, "The lord comes! The lord is home!"

Eada ran from the house, and seeing her, Aldwine spurred his horse. He leapt from the big beast's back as they met and caught her up in his arms, kissing her soundly. Mairin came from The Forest with a basket of new herbs and roots but upon seeing her parents, she dropped her basket and ran to greet her father, almost colliding with Brand who had hurried from the fields where he had been supervising the serfs. Hugging, laughing, and weeping with their joy they moved into the house. Eada called for food and drink to be brought to her husband.

"What news?" demanded Brand, unable to wait even though his mother sent him a reproving look.

"Preparations for war, of course," replied the thegn. "It's evident everywhere. I stopped in Normandy to pledge my fealty to the duke."

"Do they prepare for war in Normandy, father?" Mairin asked.

"Aye, and G.o.d help England if they resist."

"But it is said that Harold G.o.dwinson has a larger army than the duke," said Brand. "How can the duke hope to beat such great numbers?"

"Harold G.o.dwinson is a fine warrior, but William of Normandy is a better one, Brand, and he is a leader to whom men flock. From all over the French kingdoms, from Brittany, from Flanders, from Aquitaine and the Languedoc men are coming to join his army for he inspires loyalty. He has endless monies and great resources, and in the end he will prevail. I but pray it is sooner than later for the sake of England and her peoples."

"What will you do, father," said Mairin, "if Harold G.o.dwinson calls for the Fyrd to be raised? How can you not go?"

"Once again I thank G.o.d for Aelfleah's isolation. But if we are called, I shall find myself too ill from my long journey, and unable to answer Earl Harold's request. As for you, my son, you will then be forced to remain here protecting Aelfleah as I will be unable to do so. Remember, Brand, there is nothing dishonorable in refusing to commit a foolish act even if everyone else around you does. There are those who will speak of honor and duty in this matter, but having pledged my fealty to Duke William, it would be dishonorable for me to fight against him. Our duty, Brand, is to your mother, your sister, our people, and to Aelfleah."

All during the summer of 1066 England waited for the invasion to come. Though William of Normandy was more than ready the winds would not cooperate and blew steadily from the wrong direction. Earl Harold had indeed called for the Fyrd to be raised. They learned it from a traveler pa.s.sing through the valley. No one, however, had come to Aelfleah. In the invasion hysteria they had been overlooked. Along the coast facing Normandy the English army waited and waited for the attack that never came.

The army that had been raised from the Fyrd, which was a local militia under the command of its various thegns, grew restless. Many had come from a great distance and as the summer wore on the local people grew tired of feeding the great horde of men who did nothing but eat, drink, wench, and polish their weapons. Then messages began to arrive for the waiting thegns from their wives. It was harvest time, and there were no harvesters.

The coming of Earl Tostig on the Isle of Wight caused momentary excitement particularly when he sailed into the Humber with sixty ships. Mercia's young Earl Edwin came with a large land force, and drove Tostig off. Aldwine Athelsbeorn, hearing of the battle, smiled grimly and said, "Englishmen fighting Englishmen. This is what Harold G.o.dwinson and his brothers have brought us to. There will be worse to come, you may be certain. Tostig has gone to Scotland, but you can be sure we have not heard the last of him."

In September Harold G.o.dwinson was finally forced to disband his army. It was obvious that William of Normandy would not be coming to England this year, and the harvest would not wait any longer. The good weather was almost over, and the winds had kept William at bay all summer. Soon the waters that separated England and Normandy would be too unpleasant to navigate and only the heartiest fisherfolk and traders would venture out upon that choppy sea.