New Stories: Artur and Gwenlian (Happened)

If "Artur" doesn't ring a bell for those of you who read the novel, just substitute the name "Ansovald". You can tell at the point of this story I still had not done my research... I had named Lawrence's friend a French name, but in 767 AD there was no language French. So I created the Frankish diplomat's son, Ansovald, to be lawrence's best buddy. Artur's fate in the upcoming stories is quite different and probably somewhat more entertaining than Ansovald's, but no way as useful for villainizing Gaylorde/Gadfrid further.

The significant change from the old stories is the parentage of Tavish. Check out The Birth of Tavish and the old stories that follow to learn who Tavish's mom and dad started out to be.

Spring-Summer 767

ne of the first things Lawrence did after the move to the new castle and capital of Lawrencium was send for an old friend from his boy years, Sir Artur LeMieux. Artur had been fostered at King Arneth's court and though Lawrence's older brother's, age, had become the second prince's friend immediately upon his arrival. Artur had joined the forces fighting against the usurper Roland and settled in to oversee aspects of the building of the new capital on his friend the young King's behalf.

With the castle finished Artur had sent for his young wife, a Celt from Northumbria named Gwenlian, from their home in France and she had been living at the castle with him for some time. Both had met the King and Queen on their arrival and Gwenlian, the young very pregnant wife of the French knight had been in charge of settling Peter in the new royal nursery.

When Lawrence had shown Josephine the castle he left her in her new bedchamber and went into the Great Hall. Sir Artur was there, talking near the huge hearth with a number of the other knights, some who had just come with the royal party from Lincoln and some who had arrived before. He saw Lawrence as he came into the Hall smiling and stood and went to him. He went down on one knee before him and greeted, "My liege, bienvenue à votre chateau."

Lawrence reached down for his hands and raised him, then embraced him heartily. "Seigneur Artur, friend of my boyhood, what joy to see thee again!" He looked about, "And thy lady wife?"

Artur beamed, "She is caring for thy little son in the royal nursery. But she shall not be doing that for much longer as she is nearing her own time of lying in herself!"

Lawrence clapped him on the shoulder. "'Struth! My felicitations to thee, my friend, on joining me in the pleasures of fatherhood." He threw an arm across Artur's shoulders and they went to the hearth and shared some ale and talk with the knights.

In the royal nursery the very pregnant Gwenlian was fussing over the prince when Josephine came in. Gwenlian curtsied as well as she could in her condition, and the Queen laughed and bade her stay standing. "I know how that doth feel, Gwenlian! Please, do not feel thou hast to curtsy to me.. or the King for that matter." She went to the radiantly smiling Gwenlian and took her hands. "How good to see thee again. Is our son giving thee much trouble?"

Gwenlian allowed herself to be led to a bench and sat as Josephine went to look at her sleeping son. "Oh, no my lady! He is an angel."

That evening Artur and Gwenlian sat on either side of the royal couple at feast. It being the first feast with both the King and Queen present it was a grand affair. Shannon the minstrel from Ireland entertained with music on his lute and with his songs. There were other diversions as well, dancers, mummers, and jonglers.

Artur shared stories about the building of the castle and town and the reshaping of the outlaw's lives in their new homes and businesses. "Mon roi, it is a thing to see, these men with their families all about them again and finding honest work. They are all so eager to learn and to make thy capital a thriving place and an important market town!"

Gwenlian, not at all shy, jumped in. "Aye, and 'tis so good to see the children of these men in better homes and clothing and eating better than they e'er have. One mother came up to me in the street and thought I was thee, my lady, and knelt and put her arms around my legs and wept for thanks. It was sweet.. but I made sure that she knew I was not thee!"

Lawrence smiled, "Two ladies with child, an understandable mistake." He and Artur exchanged proud looks.

Josephine smiled warmly at her friend. "Oh nay, my lord, I am hardly showing yet, but look at Gwenlian! She will bear a huge son I think."

Gwenlian laughed. "'Tis true, I can tell. And he kicks! He will be a mighty warrior."

Gwenlian helped the Queen settle into the new castle that bore her nickname and into the new routine of their lives there. Her sunniness and good humor kept Josephine in good spirits as life began to take on that sameness it has a habit of doing. It was good to be with Lawrence again, and he was more attentive and thoughtful than ever, but she could not help but remember that her life had been a little more exciting just a few months before.

Gwenlian had also taken charge of the garden, and as Josephine had thought, the application of soil from the river had enriched the beds and the flowers were growing heartily. The two women spent time in the garden, the Queen on her knees pampering plants while Gwenlian sat on a marble bench and fussed over not being able to do much more than coach the Queen.

"Do not be foolish," Josephine chided her. "Thou art the best company I couldst ask for."

For their parts, Lawrence and Artur spent much time wandering the streets of Lawrencium with Lorin inspecting the work still being done. Artur introduced Lawrence and the Duke to the outlaws and other men establishing businesses and homes. There was the brewer, the baker, the butcher, many farmers, the man who was building a fulling mill some distance from town on the river. Some of the outlaws had been artisans. Lawrence praised the work of the stonemasons he met at their workshop. The metalworker was not an outlaw but a man who had lived in the area where Lawrencium was built, a Celt named Cedric. Lawrence promised much work for the castle to him and to the many others he met in the town.

There was one man he admitted to Artur he did not much care for the look of. The man was one of the two brewers in the town and his name was Hugh. Lawrence thought there was something about his features that was familiar, but mostly he thought the man seemed shifty. "That one will bear keeping an eye on, my friend," the King had said.

Artur had grinned and nodded. "N'avez vous pas peur.. I have tasted his ale.. he shall not be in business long." And he and the King had laughed.

The King was also glad to have his hunting companion with him. Lorin was not a hunter, and of course neither was Shannon. The young knights were eager, but it was Artur who shared Lawrence's pleasure in the whole ritual of the hunt, not just the killing or competition. Lawrence enjoyed the time in the forest, the strategizing of the hunt, and as much as anything, the time by the fire sipping wine and talking over the day. Artur shared the same love.

However as the time came closer for Gwenlian's lying in Artur became more distracted and tense. As hearty as the young woman had seemed, this late in her pregnancy she began to feel tired much of the time. The King had said to his wife, "But that is usual, is it not?"

Josephine had looked worried. "Not this tired. I am in fear for her."

Gwenlian was brought to childbed in July, when Josephine herself still had three months to go before her child was born. It was very hot that day. Josephine had arranged for a serving woman to fan Gwenlian as she lay sweating . It became clear quickly that Gwenlian and her child were in distress. The babe was full term so the midwife said she thought there must be some problem with its size or position. She prescribed herbs for relaxing the mother's muscles and to calm her. She tried to examine the birth canal but could not see anything untoward.

Artur was with the King and Lorin, pacing and tense. He continuously chattered in French. Both Lawrence and Lorin had flawless French and knew exactly what the knight's fears were. They shared them.

A servant rushed in late that night to the King's council chamber where the three men were waiting. "My liege," the man cried. "The child is born!"

Artur did not even glance at the King but tore out of the room to where his wife and child were. Lorin had stayed to ask the servant how the lady fared. The servant just shook his head.

Artur dashed into the room to find his wife deathly pale on the soaked sheets and pillows. He knelt by her side and put his hand on her cheek. "Mon amour, ma vie," he cried. Her eyes slowly opened and she tried to smile.

"We have a healthy son, my darling," she said to her husband in a faint voice. A wave of pain crossed her features.

"My dearest Gwenlian, I am so happy. And now thou will get stronger and we.." Artur almost argued.

The woman's smile had turned sad. "Nay, nay, my love. I shall not. I shall leave thee now. Take care of our boy, Artur. And please name him for my brother."

Artur started to insist she was wrong, but she lifted a weak hand and put her fingertips to his lips.

Lawrence and Lorin looked in. Josephine saw them and shook her head. She motioned them away and followed them out, leaving Artur and his wife with only the midwife attending the dying woman.

Josephine told her husband and brother, "The child was too big for her, methinks. He is well, but she hath bled too much. We cannot stop it." She hung her head.

Lawrence looked up stricken at the door, then back at his beloved. "OH my dear one, I am so sorry." He took Josephine in his arms and she buried her face in his chest.

Lorin was standing a bit away looking somber. He had not long before lost his own wife and child. Lawrence told him he should go and distract himself and the Queen's brother thankfully bowed and rushed away.

In the chamber Artur held his wife's hands as she slipped quietly away. When he knew she was gone, he sobbed into the covers next to her. Outside the door the Queen bit her lip and the King grimaced and held her tighter hearing his sobs.

When Artur came out of the room, he too was as pale as death. He was holding a bundle. He held the baby for the King and Queen to see. It was a red faced boy with a remarkable amount of brown curls. "Just like his mother," Lawrence said kindly.

Artur nodded mournfully.

Josephine looked into the man's face. "She asked thee to name the child for her brother. What is his name?"

Artur looked blank for a moment, then roused himself. "Was, my lady. He is dead. His name was Tavish."

The Queen looked in on the tiny motherless child. "Hello, Tavish," she said, unaware that before long the boy would be her own.

Next: The Brewer of Lawrencium

New Stories: The Brooch (Happened)

I didn't put jocelyn into the novel, though the character Percy, rechristened Ronan, who is her betrothed and later husband does appear.

April 767

Mature content.

osephine sat at her dressing table and fingered the delicate brooch her would be lover had given her. It was pewter and intricate, with three stylized horse's heads surrounded by the intricate knot work of his people and her mother's. The horses reminded her of their many rides across the meadows and into the forests and she smiled at the memory.

Then she sighed, took the thick sheet of parchment she had set on the table for this purpose and placed the thing in the middle of the little volume of Latin love verse she already had set there. She touched the book with delicate fingers. A wistful smile played about her lips.

She had already written the letters that would accompany the keepsakes back to their owner, the gallant Breton knight, now in virtual exile in the north. She looked over the brief note meant for him.

Sir, I appreciate much your thoughtfulness in these gifts, but I can not retain them.

I pray that you are well.

Josephine, Queen

She tried not to think of what he would make of the message, so sparse, so cool. She wrapped the brooch in the message and placed it again on the book.

Then she turned to her other letter. This one was for her childhood friend, Jocelyn, whom she knew she could utterly and completely trust with her life, no less this clandestine act.

My dear friend,

I send thee my greetings and fond remembrances. I hope yet to encourage thee to come to me and be my lady in waiting, but we shall be living in the King's new capital within a moon, so thou must come there.

Jocelyn, I must ask a boon of thee. These items, the one wrapped in a letter and the book, I am returning to a man who sought to win my love and hath been sent to the northern outposts by my lord husband. Methinks these things are of value in his family, and I am loathe to dispose of them. My lord hath only asked me not to bring the book to Lawrencium, so I feel I may send them back to the man.

I do not wish to endanger the young and honorable knight, who delivers them to thee, so I have told him they are gifts for thee. I ask that thee find a way to send the items on to the man whose name the outer parchment bears.

Dear, dear friend of my youth, I thank thee for this favor and shall e'er remember thee for thy kindness and good faith. No one may know of these things but thee.

Jo

She carefully wrapped the letter to Jocelyn and all the other treasures in a larger piece of heavy parchment. She secured it tightly with string and set her seal upon the knot. She had written Jocelyn's name clearly on the outer parchment. She held the package a moment and then called for Sir Percy to be sent to her.

Sir Percy was a young man, newly knighted, from her own country. He was being sent back to the court of her late father and mother to protect her and her brother's interests there as a soldier. He was smitten with the Queen, as all the young knights were, and loyal to the woman he saw as his Queen, whether at home or in Christenlande.

He knelt and kissed her hand. "I have an errand for thee, Sir Percy," she began. "I have gifts for my dear friend Lady Jocelyn who lives in the castle where thou art bound, and I wish thee to carry them and give them into her hands." She hesitated a moment, then let the packet leave her hand for his.

He took it and bowed, "My lady, 'tis an errand I shall carry out though my life be forfeit for it," he said earnestly.

This chilled her a moment.. what did he know? Then she realized he was overstating his devotion, not alluding to the danger involved in carrying gifts to someone many saw as her paramour. She smiled. "I do not think it shall come to that."

He rose with the packet and bowed deeply to her. "I am leaving this very morning, my lady, and shall deliver thy gift into thy friend's hands."

Josephine put a hand on his arm. "I thank thee, sir knight, and.. do place it in her hands and hers alone, will thee?"

He struck his chest with his fist, "On my honor, I shall, your majesty." He bowed and turned and left. She smiled fondly after him. She watched from her window as later he rode away with his men to the north.

Lawrence came in and saw her at the window. "Thou shall miss the boy, my dearest?" She turned and saw an indulgent smile on his face. She smiled and nodded absently.

The Queen took sad leave of her garden, her bedchamber, the nursery, and even the King's chambers. This had been her home since just before her marriage and she knew she would miss it. She gave gifts and fond embraces to the servants who would remain, holding back tears.

Josephine rode beside her husband as they set out for their new capital. She let his excitement and pride overcome her nostalgia. He was effusive and as cheerful as a young boy. He described, for the fourth or fifth time to her the many wonders of their new castle and the town. "My love, thou shalt be able to see the sea from thy chamber window."

For the last leg of their journey the party rode along the banks of the River Welland. Centuries of flowing and bringing soils from the midlands made the riverside lush and verdant. Josephine thought about how lush the soil might make a new garden at the Castle of Sunshine, and her heart lightened and she began to share the king's excitement in earnest.

They had their first sight of Lawrencium, in particular the castle, as they approached the mouth of the river where it flowed in the bay called The Wash. The flag of Christenlande, with its sunburst flanked by swords set to resemble crosses, flapped from the highest tower. The castle gleamed in brilliant light. Coming over a rise Josephine then saw the harbor and town. The harbor had but a little dock, but the sight of the town made her eyes wide. Lawrence saw and grinned. "Fair, is it not?"

The town was new, the buildings new, and the streets as yet clean and straight. As they entered the town, the men who owed Lawrence their livelihoods and their reunions with wives and children, cheered them along with their families. Josephine looked at Lawrence and laughed delightedly. He beamed.

They entered the gates of the castle and she saw that a garden was already laid out and was being planted with the flowers and other plants she had requested. The King dismounted before the entrance to the strong square keep where they would live out much of the rest of their lives, and he came to her and helped her down from her horse. She insisted on seeing to it that Peter was being cared for and was well after the many days ride, then allowed Lawrence to take her by the hand and lead her into his castle.

She was pleased with the Great Hall, with its high ceilings and tall narrow windows that let in much light but not too much chill. The hearth on one side was the largest she had ever seen, so big she guessed that twenty men could stand in it without stooping. The walls were festooned with bright colored banners and tapestries. She saw that at the center of the high table two ornately carved chairs awaited their royal occupants for that night's feasting.

Next Lawrence took his wife to her bedchamber and the royal nursery. Peter was already being put into his crib for a nap, and the nursemaids fussed at the men who were too noisily bringing in wooden boxes and wicker baskets of the Prince's things.

In her bedchamber Josephine exclaimed, "Oh Lawrence! Glass!" She was looking at the windows in her room, both glazed from sill to top. "However…?" she began. He just smiled. "And does thy chamber have glazed windows as well?"

"Nay my love, for I shall keep thee warm there," he smiled.

She started for the door. "Let us see thy chambers now." He stopped her, with an impish look. And led her to a door in the opposite wall she had not noticed at first. She looked at him questioningly as he opened the door and ushered her into a narrow stairwell. He took her hand again and led her up. The stairs were lit with thin torches. At the top he opened another door. They went into his own chamber.

The Queen looked at him with delight. "A privy stairway! Thou art truly a devil!" She laughed. She turned and looked about the room. There was a good sized hearth in this room, as well as tall narrow windows covered with drapery. The walls were covered with tapestries save for one long section. The bed was massive and heavy with thick draperies of its own. She indicated the door on the far wall.

"That goes through to an anteroom where my page shall live and thence to the corridor," Lawrence explained. He went over to two chairs in the Roman style near the flaming hearth and sat down. He sat watching her as she examined everything in the chamber.

Josephine turned to him and gave him a long look. She smiled. ""Tis a manly room. A very manly room."

She went to him and sat on his lap, facing him. She took his face and pressed her lips onto his. She kissed him passionately, then wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him even harder.

"My lady," he exclaimed when he could. "What hath gotten into thee?" His face was flushed and happily surprised.

She kissed him again and reached inside his jerkin to caress his chest. He put his own arms around her and held her tight, joining enthusiastically in the passionate kiss. He began to undress her as she did himself. He lifted her and guided her to the bed, laying her on it on her back. He finished loosening his own clothing.

Their lovemaking was intense, as it had been so much of late, and Josephine cried out with pleasure when he entered her and began to move within her. She called out, "Oh Lawrence, my dear love, my dear and only love."

He reacted to "my only love" by casting a burning look into her eyes and increasing the force of his thrusts. She cried "Oh dearest, harder!' He complied.

The King and Queen lay in his new bed. When she could speak, Josephine said, "Lawrence, that was magnificent." His look was dazed but happy. She went on, "I wanted to tell thee later this evening, my dearest, but I want to tell thee now."

He looked at her tenderly. "Aye my darling?"

She smiled into his eyes, "I am again with child."

He gathered her up in his arms and kissed her. She said over and over, "Oh my dear, my only love."

Next: Sir Artur and Gwenlian

Table of Contents: New Stories

Completed!

Prelude

The BetrothalsThe story of Lawrence's journey to Affunshire to be betrothed to josephine.

Becoming King -- and Queen

Origins I
Lawrence, his brother and father leave for war.
Origins II
The war takes a deadly turn.
Origins III
Lawrence returns to Lincoln the King.
Origins IV
The marriage of Lawrence and Josephine.
Being a King
The first months of Lawrence's and Josephine's reign and marriage.

The First Usurping

Ambush on the Road
Lawrence is ambushed by his brother Roland's men and rescued by a band of outlaws.
A Queen in Peril
Josephine is held hostage by the usurper Roland.
To Regain the Throne
Lawrence struggles to defeat Roland and regain the throne and his queen.
To Love a Child
Alone and far from home, Josephine gives birth to Roland's child.
Separations
The king and queen must endure unwanted time apart.
A Brief Respite
Lawrence and Josephine reunite.

The War with Mercia

Calamities: The War with Mercia
Lawrence is wounded in a border skirmish.
Calamities: A Close Call
Lawrence's wound worsens, and a very pregnant Josephine waits and worries.
Calamities: Grave Condition I
A strange healer named Aelflynn is called in to treat the king's wound.
Calamities: Grave Condition II
Aelflynn performs surgery.
Calamities: Grave Condition III
Aelflynn's evil brother commits a heinous crime.

Lawrencium

The Birth of Peter
Lawrence arrives just after the birth of Peter, but marital tensions drive the two apart yet again.
Sir Robert de Riffet
A dashing young knight falls in love with the queen while she is estranged from her royal husband.
Lawrence Learns about Sir Robert
Lawrence is called home from Lawrencium by Lorin who has seen the tension heat up between Josephine and Robert.
Lawrence Deals with Sir Robert
Lawrence sends Robert/Elerde away to guard the Affynshire frontiers.
Mementos
Lawrence comes across a gift from Elerde that Josephine has failed to return.
The Brooch, and the Move to lawrencium
Josephine finds another of Elerde's gifts and tries to hide it. The royal family moves to their new citadel.

Sir Artur

Sir Artur and Gwenlian
Lawrence's old friend arrives with his new wife who is pregnant.
The Brewer of Lawrencium
Aelflynn's brother turns up in Lawrencium.


To Expose a Murder
The widowed Artur rides to Grantham to learn more about Hugh

To Expose a Murder I
To Expose a Murder II
To Expose a Murder III
The King's Justice

Rory Comes to Críslicland

The Journey to Ireland I
Shannon O'Neill brings an old friend back with him to Lawrencium.
The Journey to Ireland II
Heather is unhappy about the trip to ireland,
Shannon and Rory Reunite
Shannon runs into his childhood friend, Rory McGuinness, and they decide to
travel together.
Two Bastards
Shannon meets his son, then learns he is himself a bastard.
Returning from Ireland
Shannon and Rory arrive at the new citadel. Rory is instantly smitten with the
Queen.
Rory's Vow to Love the Queen, Part 1
Rory's Vow to Love the Queen, Part 2
Rory tells the Queen of his love.

The Hunting Accident

The Hunting "Accident", Part 1
The Hunting "Accident", Part 2
The Hunting "Accident, Part 3
During an inspection trip to the Affuynshire frontiers, Lawrence manages to
shoot Elerde with an arrow.
Lawrence Tells Josephine about the Hunting Accident
Afraid of her anger, the king confesses to the queen that he nearly killed her
would-be lover.
Josephine's Dilemma About Rory, Part 1
Josephine's Dilemma About Rory, Part 2
Josephine fears Lawrence will not take kindly to Rory's professed debotion to
her.
Josephine and Her Brother
Josephine and Lorin have an insightful conversation about Elerde.

Josephine's Sword

Josephine Learns About Shannon's Past
Josephine and Shannon talk about his abused childhood after she helps him rescue
a child being beaten buy its father.
After the Child Beating Incident
The father is punished. The queen expresses her desire to learn to use a sword.
Jo and the Sword
How Josephine gets a sword and learns to use it.
Queen of the Angles
Shannon watches Josephine's progress with the sword and writes a song.
Shannon and heather Start to Unravel
During a journey to a wedding, it becomes obvious that Shannon and Heather will
not be able to hold it together.
The Sword Challenge
Josephine proves her mastery of the sword.


Shannon and Heather Come Apart Entirely Part 1
Shannon and Heather Come Apart Entirely, Part 2
Heather tosses Shannon out of their cottage after convincing herself he has been
unfaithful.

The War in Affynshire

The Queen Goes to Affynshire, Part 1
The Queen Goes to Affynshire, Part 2
The Queen Goes to Affynshire, Part 3
Josephine learns her mother's brother is dying. Shannon and Rory ask to accompany her to Affynshire.
The Long Road to Keito Uxello
On the way to her uncle's compound in the mountains, Josephine makes a brief
stop at Ratherwood.
War Plans Take Shape
Malcolm's and Elerde's cabal put the last touches on their plan to take Affynshire.

A Mountain Beltane
In the magic of the moment, Rory kisses Josephine, then flees at her reaction.
The Fall of Ratherwood
Malcolm and his coconspirators take the fortress of Ratherwood.
Encounter in the Woods
Josephine and Elerde meet in the woods. He lets her go, begging her to leave Affynshire.
A Day Apart
Lawrence, Josephine, Elerde, Rory and Shannon all spend a day apart reflecting on what has come to pass.
Preparing for War, Part I
Preparing for War, Part II – Gathering at Lincoln
The king and his armies gather in preparation for taking the bridge across the Trenta.
The Battle Begins
Assault on a Bridge
Lawrence's armies successfully take the bridge.
Rory Falls In with Elerde
Trying to ascertain what has happened to the queen, Rory is captured by Elerde.
Malcolm Makes his Plans, Part 1
Malcolm Makes his Plans, Part 2
The next phase of the war is the topic of discussion after Malcolm, angry that Elerde did not capture the queen, demotes him.
Josephine Resists
Josephine and her cousins create a resistance, and Josephine kills for the first time.
Elerde and Rory
Elerde's and Rory's Understanding
Elerde discovers who Rory is and they choose to make a pact to protect the queen.
Preparing for a Siege
Arriving at Ratherwood, Lawrence realizes Malcolm's strategy.
Sad News for the Queen's Family
The queen and her cousins learn of Earl Ceretic's death.
An Uncomfortable Reunion
Elerde's new commander is an Irish mercenary who has long been obsessed with Rory.
Shannon Finds the Queen
Shannon finds Jjosephine with her cousins and arranges for her to go to the king's camp at Ratherwood.
Rory's Choice
During an ambush, O'Donnell surprises all by exchanging Rory for the queen.
A Royal Reunion
Time Together
Talking Over Siege Strategy
Lawrence and Josephine gave a brief reunion before she must go back to Críslicland. Her knowledge of Ratherwood provves useful for planning how to capture the fortress.
Rory's Next Choice
O'Donnell attempts to force Rory to have sex with him.
The Execution of Rory McGuinness
After rejecting O'Donnell, Rory is sentenced to hang, but an unexpected ally helps him get away.
The Leave-taking
Josephine leaves for Críslicland with Shannon.
Supply Lines Are Cut
Malcolm's confederates take over the road to Lincoln while the Queen is traveling on it.
Fleeing South
Josephine and Shannon escape Sveyn's men.
Lawrence Learns of the Attack
The king hears of the attack on the queen's party and rushes to learn what has become of her.
No Sign of Her
When they arrive at the scene of the ambush, there is no sign of Josephine or Shannon.
Continued Flight South
Shannon proves invaluable as he and the queen continue their escape.
"They Hanged Him!" Part 1
"They Hanged Him!" Part 2
Arriving near Hucknall, Shannon goes in to find out what happened to Rory and the queen waits in a small church.
Help From an Unexpected Quarter
Deliverance from an Unexpected Quarter
MacDhui helps the queen and Shannon cross into Críslicland.

Skirmish on the Road to Lincoln
While looking for sign of the queen, the king's force is engaged by two forces.
Limping Back to the Siege
The king and his remaining forces return to the siege camp.

Change of Allegiance
Elerde decides to cut his losses and leave.
The Re-taking of Keito Uxello
Josephine's kin's estate is retakenfby Elerde.

Josephine's Homecoming
Shannon Falls Apart, Part I
Shannon Falls Apart, Part II
Something is Rotten in Lawrencium
Back in Lawrencium, Josephine senses trouble and asks Shannon to stay sober to help her.

Affynshire Rallies to its Queen, Part 1
Affynshire Rallies to its Queen, part II
Affynshire Rallies to its Queen, part III
Josephine's cousins convince Affynshire Celts to fight against the cabal.

The Second Fall of Ratherwood, Parrt 1
The king's forces prepare to retake Ratherwood,

Elerde Reemerges in Lawrencium
Josephine is appalled but secretly glad when Elerde turns up on Gaylorde's side.

The Second of Ratherwood, Parts II and III

The Siege Is Broken, the Battle Begin
Breach!
More retaking of Ratherwood.

Gaylorde Lays It Out for the Queen
Josephine takes refuge in the royal nursery to protect her children.

Malcolm Faces Judgment
Malcolm and his conspirators still in Ratherwood are executed.
Usurped!
Lawrence learns that his cousin has taken his throne.

Caithness Falls Ill
Tension grows in the nursery as one of the twins becomes ill.

Retaking the Bridge at Lincoln
The armies of Críslicland retake the bridge near Lincoln.

A Healer Visits Caithness
Elerde is pressed into service to help.

Advancing on Grantham
The king decides that they need to retake the secondary strongholds starting with Grantham.

The Plot to Rescue Lorin
Shannon enlists Elerde to help him abnd Larisa to rescue the High Reeve.

Retaking Grantham, Part 1
Retaking of Grantham, Part 2
A clever strategy allows the king to retake Grantham.

An Attempt Is Made on the King's Life
Elerde's lieutenant tries to kill the king.
The King Is Captured by Bandits
A Little Girl helps the King Escape
When bandits find the unconscious king and take him captive intending to ransom him, a little girl comes to his aid.

Shannon and Rory on their Separate Roads
The bards each learns of lawrence's "death" as they travel in opposite directions.

Lagu Brings Proof of the King's Death
Elerde Persuades Josephine to Flee
Elerde's lieutenant brings the king's distinctive cloak soaked in sheep blood, and Elerde uses it to convince  the queen her family is in danger and to let him take her away.

Shannon Reaches Grantham
Shannon finds respite and a bedmate in the town of Grantham.

The Bandits Realize Who Their Prisoner Was
The Bandits Decide to Rescue the King
Shannin Gets Suspicious About Grantham's Mad Prisoner
How the Bandits and Shannon Rescued the King
The king has been captured by the Earl of Grantham. Only Shannon and the bandits know who he is and provide him with a slapstick rescue.

The Queen Arrives in Northumbria
Josephine takes refuge at Lindisfarne.

Lawrence Rejoins his Army 
The King Gets Back to the War
The Army Arrives at Lawrencium
Gaylord Faces Lawrence
The Plan to Take the Fortress
Sneaking In
Shannon and Lorin Rejoin the King's Forces
The Death of Gaylorde 
The king, after punishing the Earl of Grantham, makes a beeline with his armies for Lawrencium and retakes the fortress and kills Gaylorde.

Josephine Sends Elerde Away
After spiritual council, Josephine finally tells Elerde she will never leave Lawrence.

Lawrence Faces an Eptry Hearth
The king learns that his wife and children escaped with Elerde.

Rory Finds the Queen
Rory follows the queen to Lindisfarne and reunites with her there. They learn that the king has retaken his throne and is searching for her.

Homecoming
The queen, the children and ERory get a warm welcome in Lawrencium.

New Stories: Mementos (Happened)

The only change in this story is the name of the world-be paramour. This scene relates of Elerde of Leon and is at least in part in the novel.

March 767

Adult content.

ir Robert Elerde de Riffet of Brittany left many things behind when he left his beloved Queen with her husband at Ratherwood Castle. He was on his way to serve Queen Josephine of Christenlande by commanding a trio of outpost garrisons in her and her brother's birthright, Affynshire. Her husband the King had commanded it but in the mercenary knight's mind and heart the man only did it on his wife's behalf.. and that was how Robert intended to look at it.

When he set out for the far northern country, he dropped much of his name.. shortening it to Sir Elerde of Brittany. He also cut his hair short to make it simple, and so he could leave a long lock of it where Josephine would find it someday, in a book of verse he had given her. Shorter, his hair curled. And he left behind any chance of seeing the lady for years and of ever finding a wife and having children and an heir for himself.

Sir Elerde knew exactly why he was being sent so far and for so long. He had dared to love the Queen. The King, who had left the perfect creature alone for so long and to heartache so bitter had come back and made sure his rival was not there to remind him of his stupidity. Sir Elerde had wondered why the man had not killed him.. he certainly could have and received no condemnation for it.. except perhaps from his wife. He wondered if Josephine had interceded on his behalf with her husband. If so, it told Elerde much about this King, and he tucked the knowledge away for use at some possible future date.

He did not hate Lawrence but he also did not envy him his wife. The love he held for her himself was something apart. The King may possess her but Elerde knew a Josephine that perhaps this man would never.. vibrant, risk taking, and aglow in a way Elerde was confident belonged only to him. He would have her in his life one day, he was sure of it.

As he rode north with his contingent of men at arms he fingered a soft leather treasure he had in his sleeve. He did not know if the item would be missed, save by the lady herself.. one glove, the right, with the scarlet stitching around the wrist. It had been a gift from her husband to her he knew.. but it also had been the hand he had held on their walks through the snowy forest paths. He smiled privately as he felt the texture of the delicate stitching.

At Ratherwood Castle in Lincoln the King waited in the Queen’s chamber while she said her goodnight to the infant Peter in the nursery. Lawrence walked idly about the room, feeling content in anticipation of having Josephine in his arms again that night. He cast about fond glances at the things that were hers, and touched some, picked some up, smiled at all.

He happened to look into a small chest that lay on a table, open, with curled and beribboned parchments, odd items of jewelry and some small hand bound books. He lifted one whose spine stuck out.. and opened it. It was in Latin and he recognized the names of the love poets whose work was beautifully illuminated inside: Catullus, Ovid, Virgil and Pompertius. He smiled with affection at his wife’s owning such a thing, so sweet, so romantic. He riffled through a few pages and was startled when something fell out. His smile disappeared as he looked at the thing on the table where it now lay. It was a lock of hair.. long, dark and of unquestionable origin. “Robert..” he breathed bitterly.

The King stood a moment and stared at the lock. Did she know it was here? And was the book a gift from the would be paramour? His heart felt dull and heavy. He heard motion in the corridor and swiftly snatched up the lock, putting the book back where it had lain under two others in the open chest. He walked over to the hearth and impulsively tossed the lock of hair in. It caught fire instantly and burned up.

Josephine came in with the smile she always had when she had been with her child. She saw Lawrence at the hearth with his back to her. “My dearest, what an odd smell. What may have burned in the fire?”

When Lawrence turned she was startled by his expression. She could not read it. He seemed perhaps to be a bit paler than usual, but he was clearly trying to hide it. He caught her own puzzled look and covered his unease more successfully. He smiled, not quite his usual warm smile, and came to her.

“I believe it came from out of doors,” he lied. “I noticed it but a little while ago. It shall pass soon. Come to me, my dearest love.”

She went to him and pressed into him to be enveloped in his arms. He held her tight, then leaned to kiss her with an even more than customary intensity. “Lawrence!” she cried a bit breathless when he finally let her lips go. He only responded with another hungry kiss.

Lawrence felt his ardor multiplying by the second. The sight of the lock of Robert’s hair made him want Josephine more than ever. He felt an almost frightening need to possess her, to make clear to -- to whom? To her? To himself? -- that she was his and his alone. He looked into her eyes with a fervent lust and was gratified to see her respond. He could not help a fleeting thought, “Is this what she wants? Is this what she has not gotten from me that she seeks in another?” The thought only made him more urgently need her.

He did not latch the door, he did not take her to the bed. He put his arm behind the small of her back and bent her so her weight was held only by his own arms. He kneeled, lowering her to the floor. He lay atop her, pressing her knees apart with his own. He took her head in both of his hands and pressed his lips to hers ravenously. He overwhelmed her and made her breathless with his passion. He took her there, on the floor, leaving them both gasping and spent after.

Josephine lay with her head on his shoulder, his arm around her, thrilled at the sudden passion her husband had displayed, but still wondering, what had brought it about? He was ever an ardent lover, but this had been different, had been unexpectedly urgent. It reminded her of the first night he was back from Lawrencium. But this time he had not gone without lovemaking for a long time. In fact, they had made love that morning before rising. Might there have been more than just longing on both occasions? She could not guess that knowing about Sir Robert was the impetus for both.

Distracted by plans afoot to move the court to Lawrencium now that spring weather made the roads passable and residence in the castle possible, Josephine did not notice her husband’s frequent speculative looks. In his mind he was playing over his thoughts at seeing the lock of Robert’s hair and the book of love poems. Had there been more to her friendship with the Breton knight? He did not suspect adultery – he trusted her more than that. But he also knew she was capable of not realizing how her demeanor might communicate something less innocent, more inviting to a man smitten with her. He wondered if the book had been a gift from the Breton, and again as he had before, if she had known the lock of hair was tucked into it. If so, he wondered, why did she keep them? The thoughts pressed on him, made him question his own ability to please her and keep her happy. Their lovemaking was colored by this mixture of self doubt and the urgent need to possess her. He noted her puzzled pleasure at his intensity.

The Queen instructed her servants on packing her own and the baby’s things, but there were some personal treasures she chose to go through herself. One was the small chest she kept on a table in her bedchamber. She waited for solitude to open it and go through the contents. It held small mementos, a few pieces of jewelry, some prized books, and other keepsakes. She carefully took the book of Latin love verse out and smiled remembering the private moment when Robert had given it to her. They had discussed Latin verse on more than one occasion and she had expressed a liking for Ovid in particular. How he had obtained such a rare item she did not know, but she suspected it was something of his own.

When Robert had been sent away she had brought out the book and read every poem, stopping with surprise when she found the lock of his hair pressed between pages near the middle next to this poem of Ovid’s:

He Commends Himself to his Mistress by the merits of his Poetry, by the Purity of his Morals and by his Vow of Unchangeable Fidelity

My prayer is just: let the fair one who has so lately captivated my heart love me ever, or so act that I shall love her ever. Nay, but 'tis too much I ask! Only let her suffer herself to be loved. May Cytherea incline her ear to all my prayers. Vouchsafe thy favours to a lover who swears that he will serve thee through the years, who knows how to love with pure and lasting fidelity. If I have no long line of famous ancestors to recommend me, if the founder of our family is but a simple Knight; if innumerable ploughs be not required to till my fields; if my father and mother are constrained to husband our resources, at least let Apollo and his choir the Nine, and the discoverer of the vine, plead with thee in my behalf and Love who gives me unto thee, and faith that shall fail not, irreproachable morals, guileless sincerity and modesty that knows how to blush. I am none of those who love a hundred women at a time; I am no fickle philanderer. Thou and only thou, believe me, wilt ever be beloved by me. Whatsoever the tale of years the fates may spin for me, I will pass them at thy side, and, dying, be lamented by thee.

Vouchsafe to be the joyful subject of my song, and my songs shall be worthy their theme. 'Twas poesy that gave renown to the nymph Io, affrighted at her horns, and to the fair Leda whom the divine adulterer seduced by taking on the semblance of a swan, and to Europa who, carried off by a fictitious bull, traversed the sea, grasping in her virgin hands the wide horns of her captor. We too shall be sung throughout the world, and ever my name shall be united with thine own.

Josephine’s heart had fairly stopped. What a rash and risky act Robert had done by placing this lock of hair here in a book she should not have accepted and certainly should not keep. What if someone else had found it? What if Lawrence had found it? She cast about for something to do with the hair. She took it in her fingers, thinking to throw it out the window or into the fire, but the feel of it stopped her. A pang of loneliness for Robert touched her heart. It was too precious a thing to destroy. But it was too dangerous a thing to keep. She sat in panic for a few moments, then pushed the lock back into the book, resolving to find a way to dispose of it in a way that would not dishonor Robert. O rash impetuous man! She pushed the book under two others in the chest and closed the lid.

Now as she looked through the book while preparing her things for the move, she planned what she would do with the memento the knight had left just for her. She would walk in her garden, a beloved spot at Ratherwood Castle she knew she would miss in Lawrencium and the site not only of many lovely walks with Robert but of many more with Lawrence. She would scatter the lock among the flowers that were just beginning to bloom. It would be a fitting way to honor and remember the gallant man who had helped her through the loneliness and despair of the past winter.

But at the Ovid poem she gasped and put the fingers of her right hand on her lips. The lock was not there! She started to look frantically in the chest but then remembered the odd smell of burning from the evening several days before. Realizing suddenly that Lawrence must have found the lock and thrown it into the fire she dropped the book and cried aloud. Tears sprang to her eyes. She had known that Lawrence knew something of the incident with Robert. He had revealed that in both where he had arranged the knight to sit in the Hall at supper, at the furthest point from the high table, and by dispatching the man to the furthest outposts of their frontier for untold time and untold dangers. But he had said nothing to her about what he knew or suspected. She had hoped, vainly now she realized, that her husband simply trusted that she would not hurt or betray him and had decided the less said the less pain.

Now Josephine had to add to this confusing state of affairs the fact that while he had obviously found and burned the lock of hair, Lawrence still had not mentioned any of it to her. In fact, she could not remember even hearing Robert’s name from his lips. What did it mean? Then her mind ran to the sudden and overwhelming passion of their lovemaking that night.. and now that she thought of it, every night since. She questioned now whether that passion had been love or anger.. or both? She chided herself bitterly, “Why did I not destroy the lock and this book as soon as I found it? Now what will I do to let Lawrence know I have not shared my love with anyone but him? Will he e'er trust me again?” The tears spilled from her eyes and flooded down her cheeks.

Lawrence noticed her tension over the rest of that day. He noticed every nuance of her expression or movements or voice during this time after discovering the memento Robert had left behind. He could not help but examine her behavior for clues to her feelings. He worked hard to convince himself that Josephine had been unaware of the secret treasure the book held, and that this itself was proof that the book meant little to her and was no indication of more feeling between her and her knight. He bit his own lip at the thought, “her knight”. What was he doing, thinking like that? Did he not trust her? Was he trying to sabotage his own faith in her?

Josephine herself was distracted by trying to find a solution to the problem. How could she broach the matter with Lawrence? The very thought made her tremble and go pale. She must find a way to demonstrate to him that the lock and the book had no meaning for her. She would find a way to give the book away to someone carelessly as if it was of no value to her and make sure he saw this take place. But just as she hatched the plan she realized, and guilt gripped her as she did, that the book and the lock did matter to her. She felt she could not part with either. No that was not true, she could part with them, but never carelessly. This would not work. She was not the sort of person who could carry out such devious plans.

What’s more did such a subterfuge not make her exactly what she wanted the King not to think of her? Did it not make her a cheat and a liar? All she could do, she admitted to herself, was tell Lawrence the truth about it all. She could no longer live on the hope that Robert’s name and the whole sad affair would be lost in the silence for herself and her beloved husband.

Josephine resolved to speak to the King as soon as they were alone in her chamber as they often were just before going down to supper in the Great hall. She took the book of verse from the chest and looked around for the best place to put it where he would not fail to see it. Not on the bed, as that was too intimate a place. Not on the table, for he might intentionally try to overlook it there. She finally determined to place it on the large clothing chest along the wall where he could not help but notice something out of place. She then sat on the bed and waited for him.

As chance would have it, he did not come. Instead a messenger rapped at the door, causing her heart to skip a beat, and came in with a note from the King saying he was delayed and would join her during supper. Repressing tears of strain, she finished getting ready and went down to the Hall.

Lawrence was not over late. He arrived, smiling and kissed her on the cheek. He conversed animatedly with his general, Horsa, who sat by him on the opposite side of him from Josephine. Lorin, who sat at the Queen’s side, perceptively noted her unease and asked if she was well. She nodded distractedly and left him looking at her puzzled and anxious.

Lawrence turned his full attention at length to his wife. He saw the same discomfort that her brother had, and, in fact, exchanged looks with the Duke. He leaned confidentially to his wife and asked in a soft voice, “Dearest, art thou unwell?”

His voice startled the Queen out of her racing thoughts. She looked up at him pale and responded, “Oh, my lord, I am sorry.. I want to speak with thee after supper when we are alone about a matter of.. about a matter.” She saw his look grow solemn. He nodded. “May we leave now?” Lawrence took her hand and they stood, causing the assemblage all to stand until they had left the Hall. The courtiers’ smiles were suggestive as they passed from the room.

Lawrence waited in the corridor to see where Josephine wanted to have their discussion. She took his hand and led him directly to her chamber. She opened the door and ushered him in, and she turned to close the door and latch it. The King stood just inside fearful of what this revelation might be. Then he glanced over and saw the book, recognizing it immediately. He cast his eyes down rather than risk looking into her eyes at that point when he had not a chance to control how they might appear to her.

She wrung her hands, coming to him. She spoke, “My lord, it is about this book and ...something that was in it.” Lawrence looked up at her. He nodded, then cast his eyes down again. She understood that he knew that she was talking about the lock of hair. She continued, “I owe you an explanation. Both of these items were given to me by...Sir Robert... but I did not encourage him to give me them.” Here her voice faltered slightly as she lost confidence that she was entirely blameless, but she pressed on, “I confess that I find the book very beautiful and I was loathe to get rid of it, though I ought to have. The other...item...appeared only recently and I had not thought how to dispose of it. You may find it difficult to understand this, but I could not simply throw it away. Again, I ought to have. I fear I must appear...very foolish...nay worse, I fear that you may doubt me."

Had she looked up into his face a moment before she did, at the point when she had said, “I could not simply throw it away,” she would have seen the troubled look that crossed his face. But she did not look at him until her last word was said, and the look she gave him was full of anguish.

The King’s heart melted at the sight of her pain and fear. He said, “Oh my dearest darling,” and gathered her up in his arms. He held her tight with his cheek pressed to the side of her head. The Queen sank into him, shocked at his reaction, but also feeling the erratic rhythm of his breathing. In an uneven voice he said, “Jo, we have not spoken of the knight ere this. I had hoped we ne’er would need to. Aye, I found the lock and I did burn it. It grieves me that it meant so much to thee that thou dist not destroy it thyself. But I do not doubt thy constancy.”

She felt him either sigh or sob silently. She lifted her face to his, heartbroken at the look she saw there, of self doubt, of fear, of deep hurt. “Lawrence, I love only thee and have ne’er willingly been with any other man than thee. And so shall I be constant to thee so long as thou love me.” She put her head back on his chest, for comfort and also to avoid continuing to see the expression on his face.

He sighed, “I must wonder many things, my love. I must wonder if thou knowest I sent the man away to keep him from thee, not to keep thee from him..” He felt her squeeze him tighter. “And..” he hesitated, then went on, “I wonder what is lacking in me that thou shouldst find such pleasure in the man’s companionship. But I realize that I didst leave thee alone and with us on unhappy terms, so I must bear the responsibility for that. I am truly sorry, my darling, I am so truly sorry.”

Josephine’s heart went out to him. “Oh Lawrence, please, do not. “Tis not thy fault.“

The King continued to hold her. “My love, this is most difficult for me to ask. I do not question thy truthfulness at all. I simply want to.. need to.. know what the knight’s behavior was towards thee.. did he press his suit.. did he hurt thee in anyway?” He pushed her back just far enough to look into her face.

Josephine shook her head, “He did not hurt me. He took some liberties, but he stayed himself the moment I said him nay…”

The King’s face reddened with anger. “Took liberties with thee?~ How dare he. I will kill the man!”

Josephine looked up at him alarmed. She put her fingers to his mouth. “Nay, nay my lord, please do not do any more than thou hast done by sending him away! It is not entirely he that was to blame. I was very foolish; I indulged my pleasure in having so well-read and accomplished a companion. In your absence, there was no one else here with whom I could share such things. I should have realized how it would appear to others..."

Lawrence thought to ask if her brother was not such a companion, but thought better of it. He allowed his anger to subside. He asked, “What did he do? What liberties did he take? I must know.”

She looked into his face with all the earnestness that was in her heart. “He kissed me. That is all.”

The King’s face now displayed anguish. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply. For a few moments Josephine felt locked out of his mind. She pursued, “He started to, Lawrence, that is all. I stopped him. He apologized. I told him I would no longer speak to him or spend time with him. He accepted all with honor.”

Her voice cut through his pain. He opened his eyes and looked into hers, finding only sincerity and truth. He nodded. “I believe thee. I shall not punish the man further, for it would be a dishonor to myself and thee as well as him to do so. And I do not wish to give the wagging tongues any more fuel for their fires.”

It struck Josephine then how her husband must have felt if he had learned about the idle gossip. As it no doubt embroidered the entire incident into something far more significant and scandalous than it had in fact been, it was to the King’s credit that he had held his hand at all, no less had been so circumspect in how he handled the knight’s advances to his wife. She looked at him with profound sympathy. “Oh my darling, I am so sorry if my foolish and thoughtless ways have brought thee so much pain.”

He tried to smile. “Josephine, I love thee with all my heart and soul. I would gladly die for thee. I shall e’er be utterly devoted to thee and our children. I just hope that is enough for thee. If there is aught I can give thee more, do tell me. I shall do my best to make thee feel complete.”

She embraced him and said, “Oh, my dear, my dear, thou doth. Thou are my lord and my life.”

“The book. It was from him. I must ask thee now to leave it behind and not bring it to Lawrencium..” he ventured.

She did not reveal her reluctance when she told him, “I shall not bring it to thy capital.”

He murmured, “No more secrets between us, Josephine? I cannot bear it.”

Josephine promised, “My dearest, no more secrets.”

Then she remembered the brooch Robert had given her the morning of that ill fated winter ride.

Next: The Brooch, and the Move to Lawrencium

New Stories: Lawrence Deals with Sir Robert (happened)

I changed the category of this story to "happened" because there is almost an identical scene involving Elerde of Brittany in the novel. I have to thank my husband for his input on this one. He helped me with insights into the psychology of a man whose woman is wanted by another man. I also appreciate laura's insights into what Josephine would put up with.

January 767

Lawrence woke to find his wife gazing at him from the pillow next to his. He smiled back, yawned and stretched. He saw he was still dressed and remembered. "Oh," he said with a smile and reached to pull her into his arms. Josephine happily snuggled into them. "What is the hour, my love?" he asked her.

She sighed languorously. "I know not, my darling, but the light outside is failing. It must be on to late afternoon."

"Methinks we should rise and make ourselves fit to be seen by others.." With that last word he recalled that particular "other", the man who had fallen in love with his wife.

Josephine felt his slight jerk as he thought of Sir Robert. She looked up. "Lawrence, is thy leg hurting?" Her eyes were filled with concern.

"'Tis nothing," he evaded. He saw her look. "Truly."

She nestled into him again, "Then can we not stay like this but a little while more?"

Lawrence kissed the golden hair on the top of her head and held her tight. "Aye, my Sunshine, we may." They lay together, drinking in the warmth and pleasure of each other.

While Lawrence was in his own chamber where his servants had already unpacked his clothing, he called for the captain of the guard. He dressed to be fit for the evening feast. When the captain arrived, bowing to the King, Lawrence sent the other servants away. "Captain, I have orders for thee to convey to thy men."

The man nodded, "Aye, your majesty."

"Under no circumstances is the Breton knight Sir Robert de Riffet to be allowed to approach the Queen in any way unless I am there as well. Doth thou understand?" Lawrence watched for a reaction. The captain made none except to bow again and affirm that the King's orders would be carried out. Lawrence continued, "This may be more difficult. I do not want the Queen to see him detained, hurt, distressed or held in any way. She is not to know he is being watched."

The captain replied, "Then with thy leave, my liege, I shall select men I know can be subtle and discreet to watch the knight. They can more easily take steps to make sure he doth not disturb her majesty."

Lawrence nodded. "Good. I shall make sure this assignment need not go on long."

The captain understood and nodded. "Very good, my lord." The King dismissed him.

Josephine still wondered if Lawrence had been told anything about the Breton knight. She most assuredly hoped he had not. She knew she could never tell from her brother, who was inscrutable at the worst of times. Lawrence had said nothing more than that he should never have left her alone. She knew that if he had gained intelligence of Sir Robert's infatuation, the King did not see fault in her, and that he loved her as much or more than e'er he had. She supposed she would see what transpired this evening.

Resplendent in their feasting garb, the King and Queen were in their magnificent chairs at the high table when the feast began. Sir Robert, unable to stay away for wanting to see how his beloved was faring, if there were signs her royal husband knew about him and had done harm to her, and finally to see if he was cold to her and no longer loved her, went in to the feast. He found himself ushered by a servant not to his usual place above the salt - he had known he would not be at the high table, by order of the Queen herself -- but far down the table, placed out of his rightful place of honor due to his rank. "He knows," the Breton knight thought. He looked up at Lawrence.

Lawrence had seen Sir Robert enter. He himself was beside his Josephine, whose hand was on his arm as she spoke animatedly about their son. Lawrence hid his glance in Robert's direction from her but she noticed when he visibly pulled himself to his full seated height and turned an especially fond look into her eyes. She was able to cast a sidelong glance of her own and saw the knight being seated far down the table. Her eyebrows went up but she said nothing. She thought to herself, "He knows." She prayed that Lawrence's temper would stay checked and there would be no scene.

Lawrence pierced her inward reverie with a question, "Who are those two men preparing to entertain us?" He nodded in the direction of a red haired man who held a lute and a dark haired man of strong build who was taking the stool next to the lutenist. "Oh, I think I know one of them. Is that not Sean the Scotsman? Not the fiery haired fellow, but the taller one?"

Josephine looked over where the two minstrels were preparing to provide an accompaniment to the feast. "Aye, that is Sean. Thou remembers him as a soldier, no doubt."

Lawrence nodded. "Was he not injured badly during the war with Mercia?"

"Aye, and has given up soldiering for minstrelsy, having a very fine voice and a vast knowledge of Scots melodies."

Lawrence approved. "Aye, I have heard him sing in camp with the army.. most rousing battle songs, and not a few sweet love songs." He turned to look at her and leaned in to kiss her. He resisted the urge to see if Robert had seen. "And the other, the one with the lute?"

Josephine's smile, left over from the kiss, was cast in the lutenist's direction now. "That is Shannon O'Neill. He is a friend of Sean's. They and their wives arrived here at Ratherwood Castle just after the new year. " She looked in the direction of the two women she had referred to. It meant she had to look at the end of the table where the Breton sat among his lesser. She quickly looked away. "Their wives, Sean's Emily and Shannon's Heather, are down at the end of the table."

Lawrence looked down and saw two modestly dressed and very young women who clearly were friends for many years. One was tiny, raven haired and smiling, talking animatedly with of all people, him. The other, chestnut haired and solemn, listened to her friend's conversation. Robert's and Lawrence's eyes met. They locked for a moment, the King's gaze steely, the knight's gaze searching. Lawrence took Josephine's hand and kissed it.

Josephine for her part was trying to ignore the tension that was almost palpable across the length of the large room. "My lord, thou art in for a treat. O'Neill is a famous singer and player. He breaks ladies' hearts where'er he goes."

Lawrence turned his smiling attention entirely to her. "And what doth his pretty wife think of that?"

Josephine smiled ruefully, "Well, my dearest, that is a tale for another time." Lawrence laughed.

The Irishman was playing his lute.. a quiet instrument, and most of the chatter in the Hall lessened so all could hear. He was an able lutenist and Lawrence enjoyed his lyrical style of playing. He and Sean joined voices for a sweet love song next, and Lawrence noted the sighs from female voices in the Hall. All except the solemn woman sitting next to Robert. Her gaze remained on her trencher and what she was eating. This time he ignored the Breton.

Lawrence remembered the many times he had heard Sean's rich deep voice and recognized it now. The other man's voice was higher, but not by much. It had a mellifluous quality and the man knew how to milk an audience. His glances into the feasting company were flirtatious, knowing, and downright seductive. His wife, Lawrence assumed, was the one studiously "not noticing". Lawrence joined the cheers when the minstrels' set was done. He made a mental note to seek both out, Sean to reminisce and Shannon to praise.

He turned to Josephine, "Methinks we need to keep these fellows here to entertain us."

Josephine's face was bright. "Aye, though we may not keep the Scotsman long. His little wife is with child and they wish to return to their home to farm and raise their family."

"Methinks the Irishman's wife is not so fond of his allure with other women," Lawrence stated.

She laughed. "Aye, and I know the feeling.. I care not for all the ladies here that swoon for thee!" She realized she was on dangerous ground and stopped. But Lawrence only took her hand again and kissed it.

"My darling love, I have no interest in any woman save thee." His eyes were full of love.

She looked into them. "My lord, I do and could ne'er love any man but thee." Her voice was full of emotion. The King smiled happily and leaned to kiss her, this time long and sweetly.

The courtiers noted all and filed all away for gossip later.

Over the next few days Lawrence spent as much time as he could with Josephine, alone or in company. He did find time to call for Sir Robert to come to him in his council chamber. The Breton's face was guarded as he bowed, then stood before the King, who was seated at a table looking over parchments, intentionally averting his focus away from the knight.

"My liege, thou didst call for me?" Sir Robert said in a thin voice.

Without looking up, Lawrence replied absently, "Aye, sir, we did." He went on looking over a document. He made Robert stand where he was and wait. Robert knew exactly what the King was doing. He waited.

When Lawrence finally turned his eyes to the Breton they were cool and measuring. "Sir, we have an assignment for thee."

Robert was struck off guard with the question. "An assignment, my liege?"

Lawrence referred to a document. "Aye, we need a capable man to go our outpost in Affynshire. Our holdings there are ever at risk from raiders. We need a man who canst command the garrisons and ensure that we do not lose sovereignty. We need thee to be that commander."

Robert pursed his lips. "Is my lady displeased with me?"

Lawrence glowered. "My lady hath said nothing whatsoever about thee. And I shall thank thee not to mention her to me, doth thou understand?"

Robert bowed his head, but not from deference. "My lord, as thou doth command."

Lawrence nodded. "Thou shalt leave immediately. It will be a long and most difficult posting."

Robert replied evenly, "I am certain that it is. I shall leave willingly. But I ask only one boon of thee ere I leave."

Lawrence scowled. "And what might that be, sirrah?"

Robert cleared his throat. "Permit me to speak with the Queen just once ere I leave."

Lawrence's look was dark. "Upon the condition that I be present when thou doth speak to her."

Robert nodded resignedly. "Then sire, I shall go."

Robert shot a sharp look at the King "Sire, may I have thy assurance that the lady is safe and well cared for with thee?"

Lawrence swelled with anger. "Thou seeketh to threaten me, sir?"

Robert allowed a smile to touch his lips. "If thy lady is happy with thee, then thou hast nothing to worry about."

The King cast a faint look of approval at the man. He smiled grudgingly. "Then thou shalt ne'er more set foot in my kingdom," he replied with confidence and not a little swagger. "Thou wilt leave immediately."

Robert bowed slightly. "I shall prepare immediately and leave as soon as I may have my audience with my la.. with the Queen."

The King nodded and turned his attention away, dismissing the man. Robert bowed and left the chamber.

Lawrence carefully orchestrated Robert's leave taking from the court and from the Queen. It was to take place in company, with many about the royal pair. Lawrence was seated with his legs crossed and his long arms stretched out along the backs of the chairs on either side of his, one of which was graced by Josephine. She had Peter in her arms, and was talking and cooing at the tiny laughing face. Emily was seated near her, leaning in to tickle the little Prince. Shannon sat to the side with his wife, teasing her a little, and occasionally winning smiles from the shy solemn woman. She blushed when he stole a quick kiss. Others were about talking and engaged in various activities, chess, needle work, idle conversation.

Sir Robert entered in riding clothes. Lawrence saw him first, nodded almost imperceptibly, and the Breton advanced to kneel before Josephine. She was startled, not having seen him come in. She allowed a short, "Sir Robert!" She glanced up at her husband, whose expression told her nothing. The others in the room, except Shannon and Heather, stopped what they were doing to listen and watch. Shannon was still whispering to his wife.

Lawrence told Josephine, "Dearest, I have need of this worthy knight in Affynshire to protect thy and thy brother's birthright at outpost garrisons there. I have ordered him to leave immediately."

Josephine looked at Lawrence again. Still nothing to read.

Sir Robert said, "I have come to take my leave of thee.. if thou will grant it."

Lawrence looked at the Queen who was looking at her son.

She sighed. She slowly looked up at Sir Robert, keeping her look formal. "It is an honorable thing to serve me and my brother, Sir Robert. If thou art leaving for that reason, then I will honor thee with leave to do so." She searched his face.

Lawrence frowned as Robert returned the Queen's searching look. "My lady, my dear lady, if thou art well and happy, I can leave with assurance that my presence is no longer needed."

Looks were exchanged in the chamber. Lorin, who sat alone, glanced at the King. The King looked darts at the knight.

The Queen looked frankly into the Breton's eyes. "I thank thee, sir. Thy concern is much appreciated. I am fortunate among women to have a husband who is so understanding.. and so forgiving. And whom I love and am loved by so dearly." She reached and took Lawrence's hand. Lawrence relaxed visibly. Even Shannon noticed that.

Sir Robert wanted to take her hand and kiss it in farewell, but she had arranged that both hers were occupied, one in her husband's and the other wrapped around and cradling their child. "Then I give thee leave, sir, with gratitude for thy kind friendship here at Ratherwood."

Sir Robert nodded, stood, bowed, and, with one last look, vowed as well to the King and left.

Josephine turned to look at Lawrence. He was looking at little Peter, a happy smile on his face. A twinge of sadness touched her heart, then she too cast her gaze on their precious child.

Shannon whispered to Lorin, "Och, and who be that tense fellow?"

Lorin looked at the minstrel. "His name is Sir Robert Elerde de Riffet, a mercenary Knight of Brittany."

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Next: Mementos

New Stories: Lawrence Learns about Robert (Cut)

It could be said that this story does happen in the novel after a fashion. I blended the old Robert with the old Elerde and then smoothed away the differences to make him one person.

We are still not out of the letters yet. Amazing how much happened in just a few epistles! :)

October 766 - January 767

Adult Content

Lawrence sat at his work table staring at Lorin’s message. His presence was urgently needed, but no further details. He called back the messenger and grilled him but the man could shed no light on the urgency. As far as the man knew there was no impending danger, no illness, no matter of state that threatened the kingdom’s stability, although the man confessed he would be unlikely to know about any such as that last. He had been carefully chosen for his discretion by Lorin who had strictly counseled him not to speak of any scandal or rumor about the Queen.

The King dismissed the man with his thanks, and reread the message. Lorin was not prone to using words idly. If he said Lawrence was needed urgently, that was in fact the case. He called for his servants to make ready for him to journey back to Ratherwood Castle in his former capital of Lincoln.

It had been about three months since he had left Josephine standing in the courtyard at Ratherwood gazing sadly as he rode away. Lawrence found the memory almost unbearable. He regretted his decision to leave greatly. The ride to the new town and capital of Lawrencium had been hard, both emotionally and physically, as immediate loneliness ate at his heart and the constant motion of riding pulled at his thigh wound. He almost called for the party to reverse direction and go back to Lincoln, but he did not. He pressed forward determined to stay with his original plan. The anticipation of seeing his new capital helped him strengthen that resolve.

Coming into the town and seeing the Castle of Sunshine atop its ridge was glorious. He had a moment of regret that Josephine was not at his side for this arrival. He recalled that he was there to make her new home ready for her and their son.. and future children.. and allowed Athelwick, who had ridden up to meet him, to usher him through the town to see the many new buildings and facilities for the new inhabitants, and to the dock on the shore of the River Welland where it emptied into the sea and where ships were already arriving to trade their goods.

The King was pleased with every aspect the former outlaw showed him, but he was most anxious to see the castle, his new home. The road up to it was well prepared. He found himself already fantasizing Josephine’s arrival up that road into his arms. The castle itself was a stout walled courtyard with several buildings, including the keep and the armory, forge, laundry, a large brimming well and a place carved out for the middens. He noticed and asked about an older building embraced with the others by the thick castle walls. Athelwick explained, “’Tis part of the old Roman fort, my liege. It seemed strong and a pity to remove it entirely. We built it back up and it can house thy soldiers if thou chooses.” This was the same building that years hence Elerde would enter to save the Queen as it burned to the ground.

The only occupants of the keep itself now was a skeleton crew of servants who were making ready the place to house the King and his family, the Duke and his family and the many officials and nobles who lived at court, some with their own families. The King proved to be the keep’s first resident noble. He moved into the chamber he would occupy for many, many years, which he had ordered made with a privy stairway down to the Queen’s chambers on the level below. He had only a camp bed for now. The major furniture was being made or imported. The castle was very chilly, for although there were large hearths aplenty kept bright with roaring fires, there were as yet no tapestries or other wall hangings to keep the chill of cold stone from the rooms, and no window coverings from the mostly unglazed tall narrow windows. The King had sent a merchant to trade abroad for glass for the Queen’s chamber and the royal nursery, but it had not been delivered yet.

The King wrote briefly to his wife, letting her know he had arrived and how beautiful the town and castle were. He realized after dispatching his message that his words could have been read as formal or cool although he had not intended them to be anything but bright and cheerful. He sighed inwardly, then distracted himself with work.

In early November the sad news of Lorin’s wife’s and child’s death came to him and he grieved for them himself and for his beloved’s loss of a dear friend. He longed to be with her and comfort her.

At his arrival in Lawrencium, the King had had some considerable pain from his wound due to riding for so long. He had had to take his walking tours of the castle and town carefully and slowly, but by the end of November it was much better, healed, knitting well inside, and the pain in his thighbone eased. One morning he awoke in his camp bed to realize that he had had a dream of making love to Josephine. He took care of his own sexual need himself, and spent much of the day happy at the thought that perhaps he was still a man after all. He began to hope that he could send for his wife and son sooner than later. Those around him saw the solemn visage replaced by a smiling one.

He wrote again to Josephine about her coming to Lawrencium for Christmas, but blizzards temporarily prevented the message from going out and then made it apparent that travel for her and her infant child would be out of the question. He began to think of a reunion in January after the new year and after his own natal day. This scarred and weathered King would be turning 21.

The weather presented another impediment to the reunion he longed for. The wintry weather was making it hard for trade, and many of the things needed to make the castle livable were not able to get through by boat or land. As Christmas approached he sadly had to admit that without the furniture and wall and window coverings the keep would not be a fit home for a young mother and her baby. He steeled himself for a longer wait. Little word came from the castle since the news of Anne’s death. The roads were mostly impassable nearer the capital. Lawrence understood that this part of the equation in choosing this location for his capital had not entered his mind. He hoped that most winters would not be so harsh.

Lawrence wrote to his Queen.

My beloved wife,

I am sore at heart to have to delay thy coming to Lawrencium. The weather is chill and the castle not yet fitted for warmth. I myself am closeted in my chamber covered with many furs in my small bed at night. I cannot allow thee to come and bring our son to a place where thou wouldst both be miserable and might become ill.

I do long for thee, my precious one, and to see our Peter again. I shall try to come to Ratherwood in the new year since thou canst not come to me. I do dream of taking thee into mine arms and holding thee close. I promise it shall be as soon as I am able to leave here.

Thy adoring husband

At Ratherwood the Queen discovered this message for her the morning after her misadventure in the woods with the Breton knight. She sighed deeply. “Soon, my darling, soon, I beg thee.”

In Lawrencium the King anxiously waited for weather to improve. Then came this cryptic, alarming message from Lorin. The King set forth through the snow to Lincoln making all haste that he could.

Lorin had received a message of his brother-in-law’s impending arrival by the Duke’s own returning messenger who had been sent ahead of the returning King. He told his sister, whose reaction was mixed. She seemed elated and at the same time anxious. She looked hard at her brother and asked, “Lorin, didst thou tell him about Sir Robert and our rides?”

Lorin truthfully denied imparting such information. His sister pressed, “Lorin, I have nothing to hide, I was and am not unfaithful to mine husband.”

Lorin smiled affectionately, “My lady, I know that. I have complete trust in thy word.” He did not say that he did not entirely trust her heart or her body with such loneliness and such comfort conspiring together to lead her astray.

The Queen had carefully avoided Sir Robert de Riffet since they had returned form their ill fated ride that day. He had kissed her, she had rebuked him, and she had sworn to him she would never be alone with him again. She was able now with Lawrence’s impending arrival to banish some of the memory of the knight’s touch, his kiss. But other memories, of the King’s distant behavior when he had come back from Grantham, made her worried. Worst of all was wondering why Lawrence was coming to her now, when he had just written to say he would not come until January. It could not be a coincidence. He must have heard something, some wag’s unkind rumor mongering.

Josephine heard the halloo that signaled riders approaching the castle. Her heart leapt in two different directions. She called for her cloak and hurried down to the courtyard to meet her beloved. Her eyes were filled with love when she saw him astride his horse, coming through the castle gate. He was tall and straight in the saddle. He was magnificent.

Lawrence saw her too, small and delicate standing with her hands folded in front of her. His own heart swelled at the sight. He urged his mount forward and leapt deftly as he neared her, hiding a twinge of pain in his thigh when his feet hit the ground. He hurried to her. He saw her face was full of trepidation, and he thought to himself, “I was so unkind to her before.. she knows not how I shall treat her now.” He put his most loving smile on his face and went to her and gathered her up in his arms.

She had seen his look of concern and the transformation of his face into the old familiar loving sweetness. Her heart rejoiced as he took her in his arms. “He loves me! He loves me!” she chanted to herself.

Lawrence held her tight, then leaned to kiss her with all the ardor he had saved up for this moment. She yielded to him hungrily. When he pulled free of the kiss, his eyes were misty with desire. “My darling one, I want to stay with thee now, but I have had an urgent missive from thy brother and I must see him first.” He lifted her hands to his lips and gazing hard into her eyes kissed them lovingly. "Forgive me?"

Her eyes were bright with happiness. “Oh, aye, my love. But be not long.” She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him.

As Lawrence stepped past her, after casting a longing look back at her, she heard him catch sight of someone and greet him. “Sir Robert, well met!” The Breton made no reply. She thought with a skip of her heartbeat, “Lawrence does not know!” But then she thought, “But no doubt that is what Lorin will tell him.. that he needs to be home keeping an eye on his foolish wife.” She cast down her eyes and turned and hurried past the knight, not seeing the look of heartbreak on his face.

Lawrence was met by Lorin inside the keep and led to the Duke's own office. The King stopped and took Lorin's shoulders in his hands and said, "My dear brother, my sorrow for the loss of thy dear wife and child is great. How are thee?'

Lorin bowed his head and nodded. "My liege, I thank thee. It has been hard to bear, but I have business I must discuss with thee."

The King gave Lorin a squeeze with his hands on his shoulders then let him go and settled back against the edge of a table. Lorin noted a slight discomfort on the King's face, then that he shifted his weight to his other leg and looked up at the Duke expectantly. Lorin wrung his hands and turned away, walking aimlessly across the room.

"My lord, there is a certain young knight here at Ratherwood Castle who has conceived an improper affection for.. the Queen," he explained measuredly.

Lawrence stood up straight, an angry look on his face. "Who? Who is this blackguard?"

Lorin looked up at him and saw he would have to say the name. "My lord, it is a Breton, Sir Robert de Riffet." He saw Lawrence curl his hands into fists. "Lawrence, please, it is improper but not deliberate. The man is smitten. He has showered attention on her in her loneliness. It is innocent."

Lawrence's face worked as he thought of the kind greeting he had just given the man in the presence of his own wife. "Bastard! But much am I to blame for making my beloved so lonely. If the man is not pressing his affections on her, I may let him live. But what is it that made thee call for me? I think 'twas more than just comfort for thy sister, though that shouldst be quite enough."

"The court loves a scandal, my lord, as thou knowest. Although the Queen has made it clear to the knight and to all that she hath no heart for any man but thee, I fear that thy continued absence would allow malicious tongues to wag."

Lawrence roared, "Malicious tongues? Are they speaking ill of the Queen? Then they shall have to reckon with me! Her virtue is without question! Nor is it a permissible topic for courtiers' idle speculation!"

Lorin nodded. "My liege, thou shalt be making my sister very happy and easing her burden if thou stayed."

Lawrence calmed and agreed. "Aye, had I ne'er left in the first place. I fear mine own actions hath set these disgraceful matters afoot. I must go to her and assure her of my love and devotion."

Lawrence went in search of his wife, a sharp angry look a-ready should the Breton show his face again. He did not see him, but thinking of him made the King slow his pace. He had to think about how he had left his beloved in so cool and unthinking a manner. Perhaps he had in fact asked for some man to come along who could calm her fears and make her smile. It was high time he was with her, and it was now his job to make her happy and smiling.

Lawrence found his lady waiting for him on a cushioned bench near the entrance to the keep. She stood as he approached. He took her hands in his and lifted them to his lips. He saw that her smile was tinged with apprehension. He carefully covered his own regretful thoughts with a loving smile. Her own face cleared and she smiled dazzlingly into his eyes. He took her in his arms.

"My own darling, canst thou e'er forgive me for the cold and heedless lout I have been, to go and leave thee so unhappy?" He held her tight.

"My lord, that is all forgotten now that thou art with me again." She looked up at him and smiled. He kissed her sweetly, then put his chin on the top of her head.

"Oh my dearest, dearest one. I have so longed for thee."

"And I for thee, my darling."

He squeezed her. "And how is our beautiful little son, my dearest?"

She grinned and took his hand. "Come and see!" She led him to the nursery where the pale haired prince slept peacefully in his crib. Lawrence put his arm around Josephine's shoulders as they watched. Little Peter yawned once and screwed tiny fists into his tiny eyes. The parents sighed together, "Ahhhh."

Lawrence turned to face Josephine and put his arms around her. "My lady, he is the precious fruit of our bodies, our love making." He looked down and then up again into her eyes. "My darling Jo, I have longed these many weeks to make love to thee." He saw her loving smile and took her hand, and led her to her own chamber.

Lawrence shut and latched the door behind them. He went to her and took her chin in his hand. He leaned to kiss her. He lingered with his lips on hers long, then bent to pick her up. She put her arms around his neck and he gazed lovingly and desirously into her eyes as he carried her to the bed. He placed her on it and climbed up beside and on her. His voice was thick when he sighed, “Dearest one, I do so much love and desire thee."

He lay half on and half off her as he reached to undo her clothing. He spread open her bodice to reveal her breasts, still swollen with nursing. He leaned and put his lips to one nipple and kissed it. He reached to his own clothes and loosened first the jerking, then he unbuckled his belt and let it clatter to the floor beside the bed. He reached for her skirts and pulled them up. She lay breathing hard, her lips constantly seeking his, and gasped when he pulled her skirts up far enough that he could enter her. The feel of him in her was like a jolt of energy. She cried out. His lovemaking was urgent, almost uncontrolled. Her entire body was suffused with an intense and overwhelming thrill. He did not take long before he had spent himself in her. He opened his eyes as it happened and his look to her was like pain and rapture all in one. Her body quaked with the glow of its own release.

They lay gasping together, unable to move or speak. She was finally able to turn her head and look at him. He gazed with heavy lidded eyes and parted lips at her. He reached a hand to her face and stroked it. Josephine drew nearer him and nestled into him. They lay for sometime and then slept.

The Queen woke to fading light in the room and the sight of the King’s face near hers on the pillows. His eyes were closed and his face slack. Her own face filled with love and a sweet smile touched her lips. "My lord is here with me,” she sighed to herself.

Deep within her two of his seed had reached her waiting egg and entered it at once together. The cells began to divide rapidly and two little lives began to grow.

Next: Lawrence Deals with Sir Robert