Lord Aldhelm of Mercia

Lord Aldhelm blog for @thelastkinggomrp Main: @Lord-Aldhelm

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Lord Aldhelm of Mercia

Name: Lord Aldhelm

Birthplace: Hreopandune (Repton)

Birthdate: December 29, 862

Sex: Male

Gender Identity: Male

Sexuality: Heterosexual; Demisexual

Marital Status: Unmarried (but devoted to Aethelflaed)

Religion: Christian

Nationality: Mercian

Hobbies: Writing poetry, singing, drawing, nature hikes, tutoring Aelfwynn.

Horse: A dark bay gelding named Æsce (Ash)

Sword: Oathkeeper

Bio: Lord Aldhelm was the chief advisor for Lord Aethelred, as well as the captain of the Mercian hearth guard. He had a falling out with the mercurial Lord of Mercia, and lost his rank and titles. Fortunately, the Lady Aethelflaed took him into her estate at Saltwic, where he is her trusted friend, close advisor, and ... maybe more.

Family: He is the eldest son of the ealdorman Lord Eadgar of Hreopandune (Repton). His mother was the Lady Mildburg of Elmet (Anglisc Northumbria). He had an older sister Wynnflaed (who passed away a few years ago), and has a younger brother Beorhtric, who currently is the acting Lord of Legacæstir, having married the daughter of the previous Lord of Legacæstir. Since that lord had no male heirs, Beohtric was accepted as his heir.

History: Aldhelm was born in Repton in 862. His father, Lord Eadgar, was a powerful ealdorman who served as the chief advisor for King Burgred. In 874 (when Aldhelm was 12), the Great Heathen Army invaded Mercia, decimating his father's estate and leaving his family without a home. Aldhelm, his father, and brother were living in Tamworth at the time, so their lives were spared. However, King Burgred was expelled later that same year and King Ceolwulf was installed as the puppet king of Mercia. His father, due to his loyalty and service to the previous king, was accepted as Ceolwulf's advisor. In 880 when his father passed, Aldhelm was made chief advisor to King Ceolwulf II.

Since Ceolwulf left no heirs, the witan had to select the next Lord of Mercia to lead once he passed. Aethelred was the main contender for the crown, but there were other lords that were under consideration from the witan. Aethelred made Aldhelm a deal: guarantee that Aethered was selected by the witan as the Lord of Mercia, and he would keep Aldhelm as the chief advisor, as well as promote him to captain of the guard. He also promised to grant Aldhelm an estate so he would have land and title once more.

Upon the king's passing, Aethelred fulfilled his first two promises, but reneged on the third, keeping Aldhelm a landless ealdorman and at Aethelred's mercy.

Affiliated with The Last Kingdom RP group on Tumblr.

[theladyofmercia]

After a short visit with Aldhelm's brother Beorhtric at his fortress in Legacæstir, Aldhelm and Aethelflaed return to their home in Saltwic. When they had left, they had only just started exploring their relationship with one another, and everything was still very new and awkward. It was strange being back in that place after only a short absence; everything felt and looked a little different to Aldhelm, everything was just a little off. The place that had been his home for many years now felt like a foreign place and he was not sure how things would change.

They arrive in the early evening of the fourth day of traveling, and ate an austere meal compared to the feasts that had enjoyed in Legacæstir and Rumcofa. After the meal, Aldhelm speaks to Aethelflaed, voicing his concerns about their future together.

"So much has changed in the past few weeks," he starts, the nervousness apparent in his voice. "I assume that I am still to sleep in my own chambers?" he asks hesitantly.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

Sipping from her wine, Aethelflaed uses the time to formulate a reply. She lowers the chalice to the table, her fingers tapping on the side, then raises her gaze to Aldhelm.

"Well," she says hesitantly. "There are ways in which we could make it feasible to share a bed. You are an early riser, so you could sneak out before the rest of the household rises. Or... we trust that Sable would keep confidence, as she is the only other person to enter my chambers. So long as you are comfortable with those options, anyway.

"Or do you have a suggestion?"

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm froze at the mention of Sable; he did not relish the idea of her casually walking into the chamber and seeing the both of them in a compromising situation together.

"Perhaps this will not be as easy as I had anticipated. I did not think this through very thoroughly. It seems even in our own home we need to exercise caution and be discreet." Suddenly he finds himself missing Rumcofa, where they had more freedom.

"For now I suppose it is best that we do not share a bed." All the confidence he had gained and the comfort they had built together seemed to crumble apart as his anxiety escalates.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Sadness washes over Aethelflaed as she sees Aldhelm struggling with the reality of their situation. She sighs while trying to think of another option that would allow them the comfort of sharing a bed as they had while away from Saltwic.

Short of Aethelred's death, Aethelflaed comes up blank for any other solution. She leans across the table and takes Aldhelm's hand in her own.

"We may no longer have the opportunity to share a bed, but we will still have time together," she says softly, trying to console both Aldhelm and herself.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm's eyes widen as he realizes the uncomfortable position he put Aethelflaed in. "Of course. And for that I am grateful," he says, smiling warmly at her to ease her mind. But inside he is a little disappointed and depressed; he wishes so badly that they could love each other openly, but knew that they would still never be at peace while her husband lived, no matter how far away he was.

And he is grateful that they at least were under the same roof, and had at least crossed the line and allowed themselves to love one another, even if it was cautiously.

"I did not meant to cause you distress," he tells her, seeing how what he thought was a simple expression of concern seemed to upset her. He strokes the hand that held his. "It is my fault," he continues quietly, keeping his voice low so his brother and his family, who are in the guest chambers, do not overhear them talking. "I got so caught up in momentary bliss that I temporarily forgot how dire the situation is. I know I cannot realistically expect that can continue. But I would be lying if I told you it will not be more difficult now. But we will manage. We have no choice. At least we still have each other and that is all that really matters."

The sound of katydids rasping in the trees outside of the manor fills the silence that followed, which only seems to accentuate the uncomfortable reality which hangs over their heads.

"The hour grows late," he says just after finishing his small ale. "I am going to read Aelfwynn a story and make sure she is settled in for the night, and then I will retire to my chambers. We will have a busy day tomorrow preparing for the witan. Goodnight, Aethelflaed."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

"Aldhelm--" she sighs, rubbing at her temples with thumb and forefinger. She lowers her hand and looks at him. "You needn't feel bad, you didn't upset me. It's just..." shaking her head, Aethelflaed shrugs lightly as her gaze drops. "We became spoiled while away." She gives him a small smile, unable to hide the hint of sadness. "I will think of something, I promise."

She reaches out for Aldhelm's hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. "Thank you," Aethelflaed says softly, "for everything you do with Aelfwynn. I am glad she has an admirable father figure whom she adores, and that there is a good man in our lives who cares for us."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

He gives her a soft smile to reassure her.

"Do not worry yourself about it. There are more pressing matters we must concern ourselves with. This is unimportant."

The small gesture of her hand on his is enough to calm his troubled mind. Navigating their newfound relationship was not going to be as easy as he anticipated.

"I am honored to assist with Aelfwynn's care. She is like a daughter to me, and seeing her happy and prosper brings me joy. I am glad she is able to thrive here, despite her rough beginning."

He gives her a gentle smile once more, and leaves the great hall to tend to her daughter before heading to his own chambers for the evening.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Sighing as Aldhelm leaves, Aethelflaed leans back in her chair.

This is not unimportant, she thinks, his words still ringing in her ears.

She suspects that Aldhelm said it as a means to comfort himself in some fashion, or to placate her, and prevent added stress. It is, after all, his way. She smiles to herself, briefly, at the thought of Aldhelm's drive to protect her, her heart softening.

If only God had seen fit for our circumstances to be more favorable for one another... though who knows if we would have been granted similar opportunities if our lives had been different heretofore.

Aethelflaed is pulled from her thoughts by Sable bustling in.

"Lady, do you need anything before I turn in for the night?"

Smiling at her, Aethelflaed shakes her head. "No, thank you, Sable. Peace be with you for the night."

Sable briefly bows her head in respect and turns away, though Aethelflaed, suddenly thinking of something, calls her back. "Do you have a few moments to speak?"

"Of course, Lady," Sable responds and steps closer to the table. Aethelflaed gestures to the seat across from her with a smile, and they begin speaking in hushed voices.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm enters Aelfwynn's bedchambers and finds her curled up in a ball in her bed, her arms wrapped around her fox. Her face is tense and her brows are furrowed, and Aldhelm assumes she is upset because he is late to read her story. He had dealt with her moodiness before and knew how to get her to come around.

"I apologize for my tardiness, Lady," he says softly to her, kneeling down beside her bed so he is on her level. "I will accept whatever punishment you see fit," he jokes.

Aelfwynn groans but does not reply, which is not like her. "Perhaps you would prefer a song instead of a story tonight?" he pleads.

Her face scrunches up even further and she groans even louder.

"What is the matter?" he asks, slightly concerned, since she never usually acts like this.

"My belly hurts," she tells him.

"I see," Aldhelm replies, "I will get you something." He goes to the kitchens and finds some ginger root and honey, and makes her a ginger tea to soothe her stomach. He returns to her chambers and gives her the concoction to drink, which she does while making a disgusted face.

"No storytime tonight," he tells her. "I will make it up to you when you are feeling better."

He leaves to return to his own chambers, but thinks it best to inform Aethelflaed of Aelfwynn's illness before retiring for the evening.

As he approaches the solar to speak to Aethelflaed, he overhears voices; it sounds like Aethelflaed is speaking to Sable. He gently knocks on the outside of the door and enters to speak to her. He is slightly mortified to feel both of their eyes on him when he enters; Aethelflaed with a smirk and Sable with a wide eyed stare, which turns into a strange smile which made him nervous.

He clears his throat. "Lady Aelfwynn complained of a stomach ache. I gave her a ginger honey tea, and she is resting now. The inn we stayed at yesterday had food that I fear was not so fresh, and she must have gotten sick from something she ate there. We should keep an eye on her for a few days, but it should pass."

The smirk never left Aethelflaed's face as he spoke, and she thanks him for the information. He face starts to flush, and he feels a little awkward as if he was being scrutinized by the both of them.

"I apologize for interrupting what seems like an important meeting," he says, one eyebrow raised, wondering what on earth they were discussing. "I just thought you should know and did not want to wait until morning."

He bows slightly and exits the solar, seeking the comfort of his own bedchambers which is a welcome sight after traveling for so long.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

After a short visit with Aldhelm's brother Beorhtric at his fortress in Legacæstir, Aldhelm and Aethelflaed return to their home in Saltwic. When they had left, they had only just started exploring their relationship with one another, and everything was still very new and awkward. It was strange being back in that place after only a short absence; everything felt and looked a little different to Aldhelm, everything was just a little off. The place that had been his home for many years now felt like a foreign place and he was not sure how things would change.

They arrive in the early evening of the fourth day of traveling, and ate an austere meal compared to the feasts that had enjoyed in Legacæstir and Rumcofa. After the meal, Aldhelm speaks to Aethelflaed, voicing his concerns about their future together.

"So much has changed in the past few weeks," he starts, the nervousness apparent in his voice. "I assume that I am still to sleep in my own chambers?" he asks hesitantly.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

Sipping from her wine, Aethelflaed uses the time to formulate a reply. She lowers the chalice to the table, her fingers tapping on the side, then raises her gaze to Aldhelm.

"Well," she says hesitantly. "There are ways in which we could make it feasible to share a bed. You are an early riser, so you could sneak out before the rest of the household rises. Or... we trust that Sable would keep confidence, as she is the only other person to enter my chambers. So long as you are comfortable with those options, anyway.

"Or do you have a suggestion?"

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm froze at the mention of Sable; he did not relish the idea of her casually walking into the chamber and seeing the both of them in a compromising situation together.

"Perhaps this will not be as easy as I had anticipated. I did not think this through very thoroughly. It seems even in our own home we need to exercise caution and be discreet." Suddenly he finds himself missing Rumcofa, where they had more freedom.

"For now I suppose it is best that we do not share a bed." All the confidence he had gained and the comfort they had built together seemed to crumble apart as his anxiety escalates.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Sadness washes over Aethelflaed as she sees Aldhelm struggling with the reality of their situation. She sighs while trying to think of another option that would allow them the comfort of sharing a bed as they had while away from Saltwic.

Short of Aethelred's death, Aethelflaed comes up blank for any other solution. She leans across the table and takes Aldhelm's hand in her own.

"We may no longer have the opportunity to share a bed, but we will still have time together," she says softly, trying to console both Aldhelm and herself.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm's eyes widen as he realizes the uncomfortable position he put Aethelflaed in. "Of course. And for that I am grateful," he says, smiling warmly at her to ease her mind. But inside he is a little disappointed and depressed; he wishes so badly that they could love each other openly, but knew that they would still never be at peace while her husband lived, no matter how far away he was.

And he is grateful that they at least were under the same roof, and had at least crossed the line and allowed themselves to love one another, even if it was cautiously.

"I did not meant to cause you distress," he tells her, seeing how what he thought was a simple expression of concern seemed to upset her. He strokes the hand that held his. "It is my fault," he continues quietly, keeping his voice low so his brother and his family, who are in the guest chambers, do not overhear them talking. "I got so caught up in momentary bliss that I temporarily forgot how dire the situation is. I know I cannot realistically expect that can continue. But I would be lying if I told you it will not be more difficult now. But we will manage. We have no choice. At least we still have each other and that is all that really matters."

The sound of katydids rasping in the trees outside of the manor fills the silence that followed, which only seems to accentuate the uncomfortable reality which hangs over their heads.

"The hour grows late," he says just after finishing his small ale. "I am going to read Aelfwynn a story and make sure she is settled in for the night, and then I will retire to my chambers. We will have a busy day tomorrow preparing for the witan. Goodnight, Aethelflaed."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

"Aldhelm--" she sighs, rubbing at her temples with thumb and forefinger. She lowers her hand and looks at him. "You needn't feel bad, you didn't upset me. It's just..." shaking her head, Aethelflaed shrugs lightly as her gaze drops. "We became spoiled while away." She gives him a small smile, unable to hide the hint of sadness. "I will think of something, I promise."

She reaches out for Aldhelm's hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. "Thank you," Aethelflaed says softly, "for everything you do with Aelfwynn. I am glad she has an admirable father figure whom she adores, and that there is a good man in our lives who cares for us."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

He gives her a soft smile to reassure her.

"Do not worry yourself about it. There are more pressing matters we must concern ourselves with. This is unimportant."

The small gesture of her hand on his is enough to calm his troubled mind. Navigating their newfound relationship was not going to be as easy as he anticipated.

"I am honored to assist with Aelfwynn's care. She is like a daughter to me, and seeing her happy and prosper brings me joy. I am glad she is able to thrive here, despite her rough beginning."

He gives her a gentle smile once more, and leaves the great hall to tend to her daughter before heading to his own chambers for the evening.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

After a short visit with Aldhelm's brother Beorhtric at his fortress in Legacæstir, Aldhelm and Aethelflaed return to their home in Saltwic. When they had left, they had only just started exploring their relationship with one another, and everything was still very new and awkward. It was strange being back in that place after only a short absence; everything felt and looked a little different to Aldhelm, everything was just a little off. The place that had been his home for many years now felt like a foreign place and he was not sure how things would change.

They arrive in the early evening of the fourth day of traveling, and ate an austere meal compared to the feasts that had enjoyed in Legacæstir and Rumcofa. After the meal, Aldhelm speaks to Aethelflaed, voicing his concerns about their future together.

"So much has changed in the past few weeks," he starts, the nervousness apparent in his voice. "I assume that I am still to sleep in my own chambers?" he asks hesitantly.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

Sipping from her wine, Aethelflaed uses the time to formulate a reply. She lowers the chalice to the table, her fingers tapping on the side, then raises her gaze to Aldhelm.

"Well," she says hesitantly. "There are ways in which we could make it feasible to share a bed. You are an early riser, so you could sneak out before the rest of the household rises. Or... we trust that Sable would keep confidence, as she is the only other person to enter my chambers. So long as you are comfortable with those options, anyway.

"Or do you have a suggestion?"

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm froze at the mention of Sable; he did not relish the idea of her casually walking into the chamber and seeing the both of them in a compromising situation together.

"Perhaps this will not be as easy as I had anticipated. I did not think this through very thoroughly. It seems even in our own home we need to exercise caution and be discreet." Suddenly he finds himself missing Rumcofa, where they had more freedom.

"For now I suppose it is best that we do not share a bed." All the confidence he had gained and the comfort they had built together seemed to crumble apart as his anxiety escalates.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Sadness washes over Aethelflaed as she sees Aldhelm struggling with the reality of their situation. She sighs while trying to think of another option that would allow them the comfort of sharing a bed as they had while away from Saltwic.

Short of Aethelred's death, Aethelflaed comes up blank for any other solution. She leans across the table and takes Aldhelm's hand in her own.

"We may no longer have the opportunity to share a bed, but we will still have time together," she says softly, trying to console both Aldhelm and herself.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm's eyes widen as he realizes the uncomfortable position he put Aethelflaed in. "Of course. And for that I am grateful," he says, smiling warmly at her to ease her mind. But inside he is a little disappointed and depressed; he wishes so badly that they could love each other openly, but knew that they would still never be at peace while her husband lived, no matter how far away he was.

And he is grateful that they at least were under the same roof, and had at least crossed the line and allowed themselves to love one another, even if it was cautiously.

"I did not meant to cause you distress," he tells her, seeing how what he thought was a simple expression of concern seemed to upset her. He strokes the hand that held his. "It is my fault," he continues quietly, keeping his voice low so his brother and his family, who are in the guest chambers, do not overhear them talking. "I got so caught up in momentary bliss that I temporarily forgot how dire the situation is. I know I cannot realistically expect that can continue. But I would be lying if I told you it will not be more difficult now. But we will manage. We have no choice. At least we still have each other and that is all that really matters."

The sound of katydids rasping in the trees outside of the manor fills the silence that followed, which only seems to accentuate the uncomfortable reality which hangs over their heads.

"The hour grows late," he says just after finishing his small ale. "I am going to read Aelfwynn a story and make sure she is settled in for the night, and then I will retire to my chambers. We will have a busy day tomorrow preparing for the witan. Goodnight, Aethelflaed."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

After a short visit with Aldhelm's brother Beorhtric at his fortress in Legacæstir, Aldhelm and Aethelflaed return to their home in Saltwic. When they had left, they had only just started exploring their relationship with one another, and everything was still very new and awkward. It was strange being back in that place after only a short absence; everything felt and looked a little different to Aldhelm, everything was just a little off. The place that had been his home for many years now felt like a foreign place and he was not sure how things would change.

They arrive in the early evening of the fourth day of traveling, and ate an austere meal compared to the feasts that had enjoyed in Legacæstir and Rumcofa. After the meal, Aldhelm speaks to Aethelflaed, voicing his concerns about their future together.

"So much has changed in the past few weeks," he starts, the nervousness apparent in his voice. "I assume that I am still to sleep in my own chambers?" he asks hesitantly.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

Sipping from her wine, Aethelflaed uses the time to formulate a reply. She lowers the chalice to the table, her fingers tapping on the side, then raises her gaze to Aldhelm.

"Well," she says hesitantly. "There are ways in which we could make it feasible to share a bed. You are an early riser, so you could sneak out before the rest of the household rises. Or... we trust that Sable would keep confidence, as she is the only other person to enter my chambers. So long as you are comfortable with those options, anyway.

"Or do you have a suggestion?"

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm froze at the mention of Sable; he did not relish the idea of her casually walking into the chamber and seeing the both of them in a compromising situation together.

"Perhaps this will not be as easy as I had anticipated. I did not think this through very thoroughly. It seems even in our own home we need to exercise caution and be discreet." Suddenly he finds himself missing Rumcofa, where they had more freedom.

"For now I suppose it is best that we do not share a bed." All the confidence he had gained and the comfort they had built together seemed to crumble apart as his anxiety escalates.

@theladyofmercia

[lord-aldhelm]

Aldhelm & Aethelflaed | The Last Kingdom 4.06

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

@theladyofmercia Aldhelm being a supportive sweetie as always

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

White Wolf of Hreopandune

I was messing around with Coat of Arms maker (link) and made this for Aldhelm. I am planning on drawing/painting an official version of his banner at some point, but I thought this was fun to mess around with! The sigil I have in mind for his banner is a wolf running on all fours, but this is cool too.

[mournfulroses]

Anne Sexton, from a letter featured in Anne Sexton; A Self-Portrait In Letters

[lord-aldhelm]

Aldhelm and Aethelflaed | The Last Kingdom 4.05

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Lord Aldhelm rescuing his Lady like a knight in shining armor.

@theladyofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

It is mid morning when Aldhelm and Aethelflaed depart Rumcofa. The early spring weather is pleasant and delightfully warm, and their short journey is decorated with more flowers in bloom.

Legacaester is only a half-hour ride from Rumcofa, and on the way Aldhelm informs Aethelflaed about his brother and his family.

"His wife is Lynne, and they have a son that is Aelfwynn's age named Cynefrith. I do not know if you ever had the chance to visit Legacaester, but it is impressive. It was built by the Romans over eight hundred years ago, and the original fortress walls are still standing. A beautiful city." He smiles as he tells her about the town.

It is not long before the fortress comes into view. The massive stone ramparts tower over the surrounding forests, walls of pale grey stone standing in stark contrast to the green backdrop. They approach the gate and the guards ask them to wait while Beorhtric is informed of their arrival.

After a few moments, Aldhelm's brother arrives at the gate to greet them. He resembles Aldhelm superficially, although Beorhtric is slightly shorter and stockier than his older brother, with shoulder length pale brown hair and a round, friendly, open face.

He bows slightly at Aethelflaed, smiling warmly at her. "Lady Aethelflaed. Welcome to Legacaester! It is an honor to have you here; you look as lovely as ever!"

He turns to his brother. "Aldhelm!" Beorhtric exclaims, pulling the taller man in for a rough hug that nearly knocks the wind out of him. "I have not seen you for ages! How have you been, brother?"

"Well, thank you," Aldhelm says, distractedly smoothing out his tunic. "I cannot thank you enough for watching Aelfwynn for us. I apologize for imposing on you; it was a last minute change of plans."

"No worries, brother!" Beorhtric exclaims, slapping Aldhelm on the back. "It was our pleasure. Lady Aelfwynn is a gem and we are delighted to have her here." Beorhtric hands Aldhelm's wolf sigil ring back to him. "We are always happy to help."

Beohrtric glances back and forth between the two of them, grinning broadly. "Please, both of you, make yourselves at home. I will let Aelfwynn and Sable know you have arrived."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Smiling cordially, Aethelflaed nods to their new host. "Thank you, Lord Beohrtric. As Aldhelm shared, plans had to be changed at rather the last moment, as we had received news that had me, and your brother, quite concerned for the safety of my daughter.

I am certain that as soon as possible, we will fill you in on what could be a large threat to the safety and longevity of Mercia." She looks to Aldhelm, her lips drawn into a tense line as the reality of it settles back into her awareness.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm and Aethelflaed follow Beorhtric through the courtyard and into the great hall. Beorhtric's wife Lady Lynne greets them both, and motions for a servant to offer them food and drink. Aldhelm and Aethelflaed both stand in the hall near the massive firepit, looking around at the decor. There are dozens of tapestries hung on the stone walls, and wooden beams with ornate wood carvings of stylized animals and interlace patterns decorated every edge and corner. Old Roman tile mosaics are inlaid on the floor, depicting their gods and goddesses and scenes from their mythology. It is a bit jarring to see the juxtaposition of the ancient Roman artwork with the Anglo-Saxon designs, stone and wood, old and new.

Lady Lynne leaves the great hall to seek out Aelfwynn, who was playing with her son and a few other children their age in another part of the house. While she is gone, Aldhelm speaks to his brother.

"Lady Aethelflaed and I were invited to visit Rumcofa to speak with King Alfred. When we arrived, there were Saxon guards everywhere, and the mood was tense. We had no idea what had happened, so we felt it was best to keep her somewhere safe. What started out as a casual family visit turned into a very tense confrontation, that I will fill you in on later."

Aldhelm looks over at Aethelflaed, and she nods at him, so he continues. "There is talk of a possible threat from the north. Rumors of an alliance between Wihtgar, who is the new Lord of Bebbanburg, and Guthred in Northumbria, have indicated the possibility of an incursion. You will need to be prepared for the possibility of war very soon. We will be heading back south to speak with the other ealdormen to gather more information."

"That is grave news," Beorhtric replies. "I will increase the number of scouts in the area, and the guards will be readied. Does Aethelred know of this? Is he preparing at all?"

Before Aldhelm could speak, Lynne returns with Aelfwynn following her. As soon as Aelfwynn sees Aldhelm, she makes a beeline for him, and jumps up into his arms. Aldhelm's face reddens, acutely aware of the implications of her actions, and sets her down. "Go to your mother," he says calmly.

All eyes were on Aldhelm, and he was keen to keep the conversation going before uncomfortable questions were asked.

"I do not know where Aethelred is or if he is making preparations. The last I heard of him, he was sequestered in his home in Gloucester, but that was months ago. Who knows where he is or what he is doing now."

Beorhtric nods in agreement. "I certainly do not. He has cut off the ealdormen from his plans."

Aldhelm shakes his head; Aethelred was always a delinquent.

"Will you be joining us for Easter Mass before heading back to your home?" Beorhtric asks the both of them.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Aelfwynn pouts, but goes to Aethelflaed, smiling when she picks her up to embrace her.

"I've missed you, little lamb," Aethelflaed says softly after kissing the girl's forehead and smiling at her, then turns her attention back to the conversation.

"For all we know, my husband could potentially be involved in this threat. The fact that we have heard nothing from or about him in many weeks is enough to raise my suspicions."

She glances at Aldhelm before continuing. "Aethelred has made attempts at taking my life, so anything, sadly, is possible. His loyalties are to himself, not Mercia, and he cares only for power, not the Mercian people."

Ordinarily, she would refrain from speaking so freely against her husband, but Aethelflaed felt that Beorhtric could be trusted with this information.

She sighs as she continues. "And lately, King Alfred seems more keen on playing petty manipulations and revenge on men who have fought for him than assisting in quelling any threats to our borders. He is supposed to be on the road back to Wessex, currently, and I am not certain that he would render aid if asked."

Aethelflaed had to fight to keep the bitterness from her voice, but it burned in her chest like betrayal. She looks at Aldhelm and can feel that he knows how hard it is for her to speak against her father, let alone admit that there is strife between them. She can see the understanding in his eyes, and it soothes a bit of the ache in her heart.

"I wouldn't wish to impose upon you for Easter mass, Lord, though I'm sure it will take some time to send word to all the ealdormen for a witan."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Beorhtric's eyes widen and the effervescent smile leaves his face. "Aethelred has attempted to take your life, Lady? This is the first I have heard of this, and it is very disturbing. I always knew your marriage was tumultuous, but I would have never guessed he would stoop so low! This is grievous. He is truly unfit to rule this kingdom."

Beorhtric glances at his brother, whose solemn face reinforces the gravity of the situation. "And apparently King Alfred it seems may be reneging on the alliance too? These are troubling times. Calling a witan is a wise decision. Sadly, I do not have any informants in Northumbria, so I am as much in the dark about this situation as you, Lady."

The smile returns to his face at Aethelflaed's reply. "Lady, it is no imposition, none at all. We would love to have you and your family here to join us for Easter mass. And then I get to spend some time with my aloof brother!" He slaps Aldhelm on the shoulder as he says that, much to the chagrin of the older man, who groans and rolls his eyes. "Although I do understand if you are in haste to return to your estate and begin planning the witan."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Nodding gravely, Aethelflaed speaks gently. "It is my concern for Mercia that is the reason I share this about my husband. But bear in mind, I tell you this in confidence, Lord Beorhtric. I fear that if this was shared beyond this room, it would only increase the animosity toward me shared by my husband and his supporters."

She smiles again when he shows brotherly affection toward Aldhelm. "I am happy that you two have an opportunity to spend time together. Because he has such a keen mind and is my most trusted advisor," Aethelflaed looks at Aldhelm and puts an affectionate hand on his arm as she speaks, "I keep Aldhelm rather busy, I'm afraid - you can blame me for keeping him from you.

Perhaps you and your family could join us when we leave for Saltwic - you will attend the witan, yes?"

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Beorhtric raises an eyebrow and a wolfish grin spreads from ear to ear as his eyes dart between Aethelflaed and Aldhelm. "Oh, I bet you keep him busy!" he snickers. "Never fear, my Lady. Nothing said inside this room will spread beyond the walls. You have my word. And my loyalty. And yes, my Lady, I will be attending the witan. Lady Lynne and our son would be delighted to join you; Cynefrith is quite fond of Aelfwynn already and I am sure he would be overjoyed to spend more time with her."

Aldhelm glances sidelong at his brother's not so subtle implication, and grimaces uncomfortably; he wonders if the whole world knew and they were just pretending that they didn't notice.

Beorhtric ignores his brother's discomfort and continues speaking to Aethelflaed. "I am honored you will be joining us for Easter Mass, Lady! We have a beautiful church here, and our bishop is a kindly man and an energetic preacher! Did Aldhelm tell you he used to sing in the choir?"

"Beorhtric!" Aldhelm exclaims, shooting him a look of annoyance.

"He had such a beautiful voice, ethereal and angelic. Perhaps he will sing for you on Sunday! One of the hymns from Saint Aldhelm, a favorite of his!" Beorhtric continues, pointedly ignoring his brother's protests.

Aldhelm groans, and puts his face in his hands, mortified by his brother flippantly and casually talking about him to Aethelflaed.

Beorhtric grins at his brother's beet red face, proud of himself for cracking through his stoic exterior and agitating him. "I will leave you two to relax and settle in after your harrowing journey. It sounds like you have been through a lot in the past few days and deserve some rest. The guest chambers are down the east hall on the left, and you have your choice of rooms at the moment since we are not expecting any guests. I will see you both at the feast this evening!" Beorhtric left the great hall, leaving Aethelflaed, Aldhelm and Aelfwynn alone.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Aethelflaed listens to Beorhtric with an amused glint in her eyes and small smile on her lips. After he leaves her and Aldhelm, she turns to Aldhelm.

"I do believe you offered once to sing me a song, and I still haven't taken you up on it. Now that I know you were a choirboy, perhaps the time has come."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm's face turns a deep crimson, his eyes averted to glance at the ornate tile floor.

"You have heard me sing before," he replies softly and quietly, "I had sung to Aelfwynn when she had an especially intractable temper tantrum, shortly after I moved to Saltwic."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

The amusement in her eyes turns to mischief as her smile widens. "Yes, but that was not singing to me, was it?" Aethelflaed couldn't resist teasing him; mischief-making, afterall, was in her nature, and had been since she was a small child.

It was that mischief that used to vex her mother, but Aethelflaed remembers many times in which her father would be smirking or trying to hide a smile in response to her antics. It came naturally for her, and she would be lying if she were to say that she found no delight in flustering the normally unflappable man beside her.

Sliding her hand through his arm to link hers around it, Aethelflaed changes the subject - perhaps to spare Aldhelm from further embarrassment. "Would you like to show me around? Perhaps to select appropriate rooms for us?" She leans in closer and lowers her voice. "Perhaps adjoining rooms?" She smiles up at him.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm grins through a clenched jaw at Aethelflaed's remark. "You are right; perhaps I should sing for you, if you would like that." His eyes meet hers; he sees the mischief in her gaze, but knew it came from a place of love. He knew he should not be embarrassed, but he was still a very shy and reclusive man, and it would take some time to feel completely comfortable with certain things he felt were more personal. Especially regarding being open with his feelings, something he has been suppressing for so long.

As Aethelflaed slid her arm in his, he could not miss the spark in her eye as she suggested they select their rooms.

"Yes we can certainly do that. Let's have a little stroll to stretch our legs and find Sable so she can take Aelfwynn while we choose our accomodations."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Genuine remorse flickers across her face as Aethelflaed looks up at Aldhelm. "I apologize for embarrassing you," she says. "I hope you know that was not my intent." She gives him a warm smile as she brings her other hand to rest on his arm. "I would never ask you to do anything you would rather not."

Aethelflaed takes in their surroundings as Aldhelm leads her through to the guest rooms. It is peaceful here, unlike Uhtred's manor in Rumcofa, where house guards and people of all sorts were constantly coming and going. Not to mention the stress of her father's presence there, and all the drama that unfolded.

With that realization, a minute sense of the release of tension flows over Aethelflaed, and she sighs pensively. Until the scope of the threat from the north was fully known, any respite they find will be temporary; it was no wonder she and Aldhelm were finding it as often as possible within each other.

She looks up at Aldhelm, her cheeks turning pink as she realizes he had been speaking. "I apologize, I lost myself in my thoughts."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm smiles genuinely down at Aethelflaed after her apology. "It is quite alright. You did not cause me embarrassment; the remark just brought up unpleasant memories, recalling the unsavory tasks your husband would always order me to do. I made the comment in jest to lighten the mood, since the situation was rather tense. I did elicit a laugh from you, though, if I recall. I honestly did not know that you would remember that; and it took me off guard. I would be honored to sing for you, if you would like."

They walk side by side through the long corridor, taking in all the elaborate decorations on the walls. The inlaid stone mosaics on the floor continue down the hallway, and there were many more tapestries hanging on the walls. There was a great deal of wealth here, and Aldhelm explained that Legaceaster was one of the wealthiest burhs in Mercia.

Aethelflaed seems lost in her thoughts, and Aldhelm pauses to glance at her. Her pensiveness is shared by him, and he knows what bothers her. Ruling a kingdom weighs heavy on her, especially when her husband is a selfish miscreant. He knows he can offer her little to ease her mind, since he shares the same worries with her.

She apologizes again, and he takes her hand in his to give her some comfort and let her know he is present for her. She offers him a small smile, and he nods to her, communicating to each other without words. They always seemed to know what the other was thinking, as if they had a spiritual connection that linked their souls to each other.

As he gazes down at her, something catches his attention out of the corner of his eye. On the far wall hangs a large tapestry. It was deep forest green, and in the middle was a huge running white wolf, embroidered with a border of bright gold thread. It wasn't a tapestry at all, but a banner, such as the ones that kings would display on their war marches.

He motions with his head to the banner and she turns to look at what caught his gaze. "That is the sigil of my family: the white wolf of Hreopandune. It was given to my brother for safe keeping, but it belongs to me." He pauses for a moment of silence, caught up in the emotion of seeing his sigil on display for the first time in decades.

"The noblemen of Hreopandune were Iclingas, descended from the kings of the Angles in Germania. Well, they are a sister branch, descended from the brother of King Penda of Mercia, and were never considered for the crown since all of his sons ruled instead. This banner is all I have left of my ancestors. That and my ring. I am sure our family treasure and other artifacts are long gone, taken by the Danes when they sacked our home."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

"That is a magnificent banner," she remarks as she takes it in, listening to Aldhelm's explanation. Aethelflaed looks up at him with a small, affectionate smile. "Descended from long lines of kings, hm? The more I know and learn of you, the more of a shame it seems that Aethelred is the lord of Mercia, not you." She can't help the note of bitterness in her voice when she says her husband's name.

"You are much better suited to it than he could ever dream of... if he cared." Aethelflaed sighs and shakes her head. "I am deeply sorry for all that he put you through." She looks up into Aldhelm's eyes. "He doesn't know or deserve at his side the honorable man you are."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm gives her a sad smile. "I knew there was no chance the witan would choose me, despite my lineage, and it was not something I had ever entertained. He had close ties to Burgred, the last king, and was from a much wealthier family. And of course, my lack of estate meant that I would be bypassed regardless. However I was not bitter about it; I really had no interest in being a king. I did not desire power or wealth; I just wanted to see Mercia prosper. And I thought I could do that through Aethelred."

He sighs, relieving the stress of ages. "When he appointed me as his advisor, he was young and impetuous, but I had hoped that I could influence him, and guide him to be a proper leader. I believed all he needed was to mature and be set on the right path. I was wrong. I foolishly missed all the bad signs, or perhaps I was just hoping he would change. He turned out to be intractable, and his capacity for cruelty grew beyond ability to reason with him."

"It is fortunate that you have taken up the burden of ruling in his stead, at least trying your best to keep Mercia from falling to pieces. And I can support you in doing so, although in a much lesser capacity than I had before."

He does not need to tell her that when Aethelred stabbed him, and left him for dead, he essentially lost all remaining rank and station, rendering him powerless. He went from being the captain of the Mercian hearth guard and second in command to the Lord of Mercia, to basically being an outcast. Rather than being bitter at all he lost, or humiliated by his lost of rank, he handled it with grace and humility, and did his best to serve Aethelflaed as best as he could.

"There is no point in wishing for things that could have been, or hoping for things that cannot be. The most important thing is that we make do with what we have here and now, and persevere," he said gently, his soft eyes full of love for her.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

"That you had such optimism for him speaks more of your capacity for goodness than of his... deficits. It takes a good man to hope for good in others, even if hindsight proves the optimism was misplaced," Aethelflaed smiles wryly.

"I'm not sure that you are assisting in a lesser capacity," she says softly as she moves to stand before Aldhelm, closing some of the distance between them. "Your counsel is invaluable to me, and Mercia benefits from it directly."

Looking down, Aethelflaed takes both of Aldhelm's hands in hers, interlacing their fingers. "Always so wise," she murmurs and looks back up at him, her heart swelling with affection and warmth. "I may not be able to offer you the same standing and notoriety as Aethelred, but I believe I can offer you something much better," she gives him a teasing half-smile.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm blushes at Aethelflaed's compliments. No one has ever called him a good man, no one else sees past the stoic exterior to the man within. Just what services he can render, tasks he can perform, and then stay out of the way and be quiet otherwise. She truly sees him for the man he is, which makes him feel vulnerable but also valued.

"I have never considered myself to be a good man, and I am humbled and honored that you think that of me. I carry an incredible burden from my time serving Aethelred, and the things that I have done. Knowing how the consequences of my actions and decisions have affected others, including you, cause me endless grief and regret. There is not a day that goes by that I don't wish that I could have done more to stop him, to prevent him from hurting so many people, especially you. I carry this in my heart and it weighs on me."

As she wove her fingers in his, the warmth in her gaze lightens his spirit and heals his soul. He is eternally grateful that the woman he loved so deeply and for so long reciprocated, and makes him feel complete and whole for the first time in his life.

"I do not desire standing or notoriety. The sound of your laughter and sight of your smiling face is worth more to me than all the gold in England, and any rank or station anyone else could give me. To stand beside you until the end of my days is all I could want in this world."

Aldhelm shoots a sideways glance down the hallway, and when he is satisfied that no one is there, he disentangles one of his hands from hers and gently caresses her face, holding her jaw in his hand while stroking down her cheek lightly with his thumb. Her eyes flutter closed to his caress as she leans into his touch. Taking advantage of their alone time, he leans forward and presses his lips to hers, a very brief light touch, and then pulls back slightly to gaze at her. The time he has spent with her in the past week has made him so much bolder and more confident than ever. His caution was superseded by the excitement and passion of their moments together.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

"That you regret those things is only furthering my belief that you, Aldhelm, are a good man. An evil or tyrannical man wouldn't spare a thought for those he has done harm along the way. But please, do not let it weigh so heavily on your heart that it consumes you."

Aethelflaed's breath catches in her throat at his passionate declaration, love and warmth filling her chest at the words that seem to fall effortlessly from his lips. "Oh, Aldhelm..." she whispers, and melts into his reverent touch. Her eyes flutter closed as he lowers his head to brush his lips across hers, and she can't help following as he pulls away, not yet ready to lose that brief moment of contact.

She looks up into his eyes, smiling gently, not needing words to fill the space between them in the moment, and she places a hand over his where it still rests on her cheek. Aethelflaed can't help the brief pang of sadness that comes unbidden, but as quickly as it appears, it's gone again. "We make do with what we have, hm?" She says softly, though her voice is laced with a wistful tone.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

"It will not consume me, not as long as I have you to be my strength," he smiles at her.

The subtle shift in her expression does not go unnoticed by Aldhelm, who also perceives the slight strain in her voice. She does not have to tell him for him to be painfully aware of their situation. They would never know peace while Aethelred lived, and would never be able to openly express their love for one another. Fleeting moments of happiness were punctuated with the reality and gravity of their situation, which always hung at the back of their minds.

"Yes, we make do with what we have," he says as he presses his forehead against hers. "At least I am with you always. We do not need to be parted from one another for indefinite periods of time. We are fortunate in that regard."

He pulls back from her and turns to face the door they are standing in front of. "I believe these rooms here will do. If I recall these two are adjoined, as you requested." He shot her a sly look, raising a mischievous eyebrow which conveyed more intent than any words could.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Aethelflaed's smile grows at the look on Aldhelm's face. Seeing that hint of playfulness on him is still fairly new, but she hopes to see it more often.

They enter the first room, and she takes it in, nodding in approval. "If anyone should ask, I will share the bed with Aelfwynn, and it is for her benefit that you will be sleeping so close. That seems like a perfectly acceptable explanation, does it not?"

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm's smirk blossoms into a full blown smile at her suggestion. "Of course, Lady. No one would question that. I am your loyal guardian."

The smile on his face turns into a slight grimace as he recalls his brother's remarks from earlier. "I don't believe he would dare say anything although it is still best to be cautious. I am more concerned with what people will think about your daughter's enthusiastic greeting earlier than anything else. I hope that no one suspects anything from her overly familiar interaction with me."

His face softens again as his thoughts drift to more pleasant things. "It is still several hours before the Easter feast. What would you like to do in the meantime?"

@theladyofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

It is mid morning when Aldhelm and Aethelflaed depart Rumcofa. The early spring weather is pleasant and delightfully warm, and their short journey is decorated with more flowers in bloom.

Legacaester is only a half-hour ride from Rumcofa, and on the way Aldhelm informs Aethelflaed about his brother and his family.

"His wife is Lynne, and they have a son that is Aelfwynn's age named Cynefrith. I do not know if you ever had the chance to visit Legacaester, but it is impressive. It was built by the Romans over eight hundred years ago, and the original fortress walls are still standing. A beautiful city." He smiles as he tells her about the town.

It is not long before the fortress comes into view. The massive stone ramparts tower over the surrounding forests, walls of pale grey stone standing in stark contrast to the green backdrop. They approach the gate and the guards ask them to wait while Beorhtric is informed of their arrival.

After a few moments, Aldhelm's brother arrives at the gate to greet them. He resembles Aldhelm superficially, although Beorhtric is slightly shorter and stockier than his older brother, with shoulder length pale brown hair and a round, friendly, open face.

He bows slightly at Aethelflaed, smiling warmly at her. "Lady Aethelflaed. Welcome to Legacaester! It is an honor to have you here; you look as lovely as ever!"

He turns to his brother. "Aldhelm!" Beorhtric exclaims, pulling the taller man in for a rough hug that nearly knocks the wind out of him. "I have not seen you for ages! How have you been, brother?"

"Well, thank you," Aldhelm says, distractedly smoothing out his tunic. "I cannot thank you enough for watching Aelfwynn for us. I apologize for imposing on you; it was a last minute change of plans."

"No worries, brother!" Beorhtric exclaims, slapping Aldhelm on the back. "It was our pleasure. Lady Aelfwynn is a gem and we are delighted to have her here." Beorhtric hands Aldhelm's wolf sigil ring back to him. "We are always happy to help."

Beohrtric glances back and forth between the two of them, grinning broadly. "Please, both of you, make yourselves at home. I will let Aelfwynn and Sable know you have arrived."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Smiling cordially, Aethelflaed nods to their new host. "Thank you, Lord Beohrtric. As Aldhelm shared, plans had to be changed at rather the last moment, as we had received news that had me, and your brother, quite concerned for the safety of my daughter.

I am certain that as soon as possible, we will fill you in on what could be a large threat to the safety and longevity of Mercia." She looks to Aldhelm, her lips drawn into a tense line as the reality of it settles back into her awareness.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm and Aethelflaed follow Beorhtric through the courtyard and into the great hall. Beorhtric's wife Lady Lynne greets them both, and motions for a servant to offer them food and drink. Aldhelm and Aethelflaed both stand in the hall near the massive firepit, looking around at the decor. There are dozens of tapestries hung on the stone walls, and wooden beams with ornate wood carvings of stylized animals and interlace patterns decorated every edge and corner. Old Roman tile mosaics are inlaid on the floor, depicting their gods and goddesses and scenes from their mythology. It is a bit jarring to see the juxtaposition of the ancient Roman artwork with the Anglo-Saxon designs, stone and wood, old and new.

Lady Lynne leaves the great hall to seek out Aelfwynn, who was playing with her son and a few other children their age in another part of the house. While she is gone, Aldhelm speaks to his brother.

"Lady Aethelflaed and I were invited to visit Rumcofa to speak with King Alfred. When we arrived, there were Saxon guards everywhere, and the mood was tense. We had no idea what had happened, so we felt it was best to keep her somewhere safe. What started out as a casual family visit turned into a very tense confrontation, that I will fill you in on later."

Aldhelm looks over at Aethelflaed, and she nods at him, so he continues. "There is talk of a possible threat from the north. Rumors of an alliance between Wihtgar, who is the new Lord of Bebbanburg, and Guthred in Northumbria, have indicated the possibility of an incursion. You will need to be prepared for the possibility of war very soon. We will be heading back south to speak with the other ealdormen to gather more information."

"That is grave news," Beorhtric replies. "I will increase the number of scouts in the area, and the guards will be readied. Does Aethelred know of this? Is he preparing at all?"

Before Aldhelm could speak, Lynne returns with Aelfwynn following her. As soon as Aelfwynn sees Aldhelm, she makes a beeline for him, and jumps up into his arms. Aldhelm's face reddens, acutely aware of the implications of her actions, and sets her down. "Go to your mother," he says calmly.

All eyes were on Aldhelm, and he was keen to keep the conversation going before uncomfortable questions were asked.

"I do not know where Aethelred is or if he is making preparations. The last I heard of him, he was sequestered in his home in Gloucester, but that was months ago. Who knows where he is or what he is doing now."

Beorhtric nods in agreement. "I certainly do not. He has cut off the ealdormen from his plans."

Aldhelm shakes his head; Aethelred was always a delinquent.

"Will you be joining us for Easter Mass before heading back to your home?" Beorhtric asks the both of them.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Aelfwynn pouts, but goes to Aethelflaed, smiling when she picks her up to embrace her.

"I've missed you, little lamb," Aethelflaed says softly after kissing the girl's forehead and smiling at her, then turns her attention back to the conversation.

"For all we know, my husband could potentially be involved in this threat. The fact that we have heard nothing from or about him in many weeks is enough to raise my suspicions."

She glances at Aldhelm before continuing. "Aethelred has made attempts at taking my life, so anything, sadly, is possible. His loyalties are to himself, not Mercia, and he cares only for power, not the Mercian people."

Ordinarily, she would refrain from speaking so freely against her husband, but Aethelflaed felt that Beorhtric could be trusted with this information.

She sighs as she continues. "And lately, King Alfred seems more keen on playing petty manipulations and revenge on men who have fought for him than assisting in quelling any threats to our borders. He is supposed to be on the road back to Wessex, currently, and I am not certain that he would render aid if asked."

Aethelflaed had to fight to keep the bitterness from her voice, but it burned in her chest like betrayal. She looks at Aldhelm and can feel that he knows how hard it is for her to speak against her father, let alone admit that there is strife between them. She can see the understanding in his eyes, and it soothes a bit of the ache in her heart.

"I wouldn't wish to impose upon you for Easter mass, Lord, though I'm sure it will take some time to send word to all the ealdormen for a witan."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Beorhtric's eyes widen and the effervescent smile leaves his face. "Aethelred has attempted to take your life, Lady? This is the first I have heard of this, and it is very disturbing. I always knew your marriage was tumultuous, but I would have never guessed he would stoop so low! This is grievous. He is truly unfit to rule this kingdom."

Beorhtric glances at his brother, whose solemn face reinforces the gravity of the situation. "And apparently King Alfred it seems may be reneging on the alliance too? These are troubling times. Calling a witan is a wise decision. Sadly, I do not have any informants in Northumbria, so I am as much in the dark about this situation as you, Lady."

The smile returns to his face at Aethelflaed's reply. "Lady, it is no imposition, none at all. We would love to have you and your family here to join us for Easter mass. And then I get to spend some time with my aloof brother!" He slaps Aldhelm on the shoulder as he says that, much to the chagrin of the older man, who groans and rolls his eyes. "Although I do understand if you are in haste to return to your estate and begin planning the witan."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Nodding gravely, Aethelflaed speaks gently. "It is my concern for Mercia that is the reason I share this about my husband. But bear in mind, I tell you this in confidence, Lord Beorhtric. I fear that if this was shared beyond this room, it would only increase the animosity toward me shared by my husband and his supporters."

She smiles again when he shows brotherly affection toward Aldhelm. "I am happy that you two have an opportunity to spend time together. Because he has such a keen mind and is my most trusted advisor," Aethelflaed looks at Aldhelm and puts an affectionate hand on his arm as she speaks, "I keep Aldhelm rather busy, I'm afraid - you can blame me for keeping him from you.

Perhaps you and your family could join us when we leave for Saltwic - you will attend the witan, yes?"

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Beorhtric raises an eyebrow and a wolfish grin spreads from ear to ear as his eyes dart between Aethelflaed and Aldhelm. "Oh, I bet you keep him busy!" he snickers. "Never fear, my Lady. Nothing said inside this room will spread beyond the walls. You have my word. And my loyalty. And yes, my Lady, I will be attending the witan. Lady Lynne and our son would be delighted to join you; Cynefrith is quite fond of Aelfwynn already and I am sure he would be overjoyed to spend more time with her."

Aldhelm glances sidelong at his brother's not so subtle implication, and grimaces uncomfortably; he wonders if the whole world knew and they were just pretending that they didn't notice.

Beorhtric ignores his brother's discomfort and continues speaking to Aethelflaed. "I am honored you will be joining us for Easter Mass, Lady! We have a beautiful church here, and our bishop is a kindly man and an energetic preacher! Did Aldhelm tell you he used to sing in the choir?"

"Beorhtric!" Aldhelm exclaims, shooting him a look of annoyance.

"He had such a beautiful voice, ethereal and angelic. Perhaps he will sing for you on Sunday! One of the hymns from Saint Aldhelm, a favorite of his!" Beorhtric continues, pointedly ignoring his brother's protests.

Aldhelm groans, and puts his face in his hands, mortified by his brother flippantly and casually talking about him to Aethelflaed.

Beorhtric grins at his brother's beet red face, proud of himself for cracking through his stoic exterior and agitating him. "I will leave you two to relax and settle in after your harrowing journey. It sounds like you have been through a lot in the past few days and deserve some rest. The guest chambers are down the east hall on the left, and you have your choice of rooms at the moment since we are not expecting any guests. I will see you both at the feast this evening!" Beorhtric left the great hall, leaving Aethelflaed, Aldhelm and Aelfwynn alone.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Aethelflaed listens to Beorhtric with an amused glint in her eyes and small smile on her lips. After he leaves her and Aldhelm, she turns to Aldhelm.

"I do believe you offered once to sing me a song, and I still haven't taken you up on it. Now that I know you were a choirboy, perhaps the time has come."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm's face turns a deep crimson, his eyes averted to glance at the ornate tile floor.

"You have heard me sing before," he replies softly and quietly, "I had sung to Aelfwynn when she had an especially intractable temper tantrum, shortly after I moved to Saltwic."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

The amusement in her eyes turns to mischief as her smile widens. "Yes, but that was not singing to me, was it?" Aethelflaed couldn't resist teasing him; mischief-making, afterall, was in her nature, and had been since she was a small child.

It was that mischief that used to vex her mother, but Aethelflaed remembers many times in which her father would be smirking or trying to hide a smile in response to her antics. It came naturally for her, and she would be lying if she were to say that she found no delight in flustering the normally unflappable man beside her.

Sliding her hand through his arm to link hers around it, Aethelflaed changes the subject - perhaps to spare Aldhelm from further embarrassment. "Would you like to show me around? Perhaps to select appropriate rooms for us?" She leans in closer and lowers her voice. "Perhaps adjoining rooms?" She smiles up at him.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm grins through a clenched jaw at Aethelflaed's remark. "You are right; perhaps I should sing for you, if you would like that." His eyes meet hers; he sees the mischief in her gaze, but knew it came from a place of love. He knew he should not be embarrassed, but he was still a very shy and reclusive man, and it would take some time to feel completely comfortable with certain things he felt were more personal. Especially regarding being open with his feelings, something he has been suppressing for so long.

As Aethelflaed slid her arm in his, he could not miss the spark in her eye as she suggested they select their rooms.

"Yes we can certainly do that. Let's have a little stroll to stretch our legs and find Sable so she can take Aelfwynn while we choose our accomodations."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Genuine remorse flickers across her face as Aethelflaed looks up at Aldhelm. "I apologize for embarrassing you," she says. "I hope you know that was not my intent." She gives him a warm smile as she brings her other hand to rest on his arm. "I would never ask you to do anything you would rather not."

Aethelflaed takes in their surroundings as Aldhelm leads her through to the guest rooms. It is peaceful here, unlike Uhtred's manor in Rumcofa, where house guards and people of all sorts were constantly coming and going. Not to mention the stress of her father's presence there, and all the drama that unfolded.

With that realization, a minute sense of the release of tension flows over Aethelflaed, and she sighs pensively. Until the scope of the threat from the north was fully known, any respite they find will be temporary; it was no wonder she and Aldhelm were finding it as often as possible within each other.

She looks up at Aldhelm, her cheeks turning pink as she realizes he had been speaking. "I apologize, I lost myself in my thoughts."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm smiles genuinely down at Aethelflaed after her apology. "It is quite alright. You did not cause me embarrassment; the remark just brought up unpleasant memories, recalling the unsavory tasks your husband would always order me to do. I made the comment in jest to lighten the mood, since the situation was rather tense. I did elicit a laugh from you, though, if I recall. I honestly did not know that you would remember that; and it took me off guard. I would be honored to sing for you, if you would like."

They walk side by side through the long corridor, taking in all the elaborate decorations on the walls. The inlaid stone mosaics on the floor continue down the hallway, and there were many more tapestries hanging on the walls. There was a great deal of wealth here, and Aldhelm explained that Legaceaster was one of the wealthiest burhs in Mercia.

Aethelflaed seems lost in her thoughts, and Aldhelm pauses to glance at her. Her pensiveness is shared by him, and he knows what bothers her. Ruling a kingdom weighs heavy on her, especially when her husband is a selfish miscreant. He knows he can offer her little to ease her mind, since he shares the same worries with her.

She apologizes again, and he takes her hand in his to give her some comfort and let her know he is present for her. She offers him a small smile, and he nods to her, communicating to each other without words. They always seemed to know what the other was thinking, as if they had a spiritual connection that linked their souls to each other.

As he gazes down at her, something catches his attention out of the corner of his eye. On the far wall hangs a large tapestry. It was deep forest green, and in the middle was a huge running white wolf, embroidered with a border of bright gold thread. It wasn't a tapestry at all, but a banner, such as the ones that kings would display on their war marches.

He motions with his head to the banner and she turns to look at what caught his gaze. "That is the sigil of my family: the white wolf of Hreopandune. It was given to my brother for safe keeping, but it belongs to me." He pauses for a moment of silence, caught up in the emotion of seeing his sigil on display for the first time in decades.

"The noblemen of Hreopandune were Iclingas, descended from the kings of the Angles in Germania. Well, they are a sister branch, descended from the brother of King Penda of Mercia, and were never considered for the crown since all of his sons ruled instead. This banner is all I have left of my ancestors. That and my ring. I am sure our family treasure and other artifacts are long gone, taken by the Danes when they sacked our home."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

"That is a magnificent banner," she remarks as she takes it in, listening to Aldhelm's explanation. Aethelflaed looks up at him with a small, affectionate smile. "Descended from long lines of kings, hm? The more I know and learn of you, the more of a shame it seems that Aethelred is the lord of Mercia, not you." She can't help the note of bitterness in her voice when she says her husband's name.

"You are much better suited to it than he could ever dream of... if he cared." Aethelflaed sighs and shakes her head. "I am deeply sorry for all that he put you through." She looks up into Aldhelm's eyes. "He doesn't know or deserve at his side the honorable man you are."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm gives her a sad smile. "I knew there was no chance the witan would choose me, despite my lineage, and it was not something I had ever entertained. He had close ties to Burgred, the last king, and was from a much wealthier family. And of course, my lack of estate meant that I would be bypassed regardless. However I was not bitter about it; I really had no interest in being a king. I did not desire power or wealth; I just wanted to see Mercia prosper. And I thought I could do that through Aethelred."

He sighs, relieving the stress of ages. "When he appointed me as his advisor, he was young and impetuous, but I had hoped that I could influence him, and guide him to be a proper leader. I believed all he needed was to mature and be set on the right path. I was wrong. I foolishly missed all the bad signs, or perhaps I was just hoping he would change. He turned out to be intractable, and his capacity for cruelty grew beyond ability to reason with him."

"It is fortunate that you have taken up the burden of ruling in his stead, at least trying your best to keep Mercia from falling to pieces. And I can support you in doing so, although in a much lesser capacity than I had before."

He does not need to tell her that when Aethelred stabbed him, and left him for dead, he essentially lost all remaining rank and station, rendering him powerless. He went from being the captain of the Mercian hearth guard and second in command to the Lord of Mercia, to basically being an outcast. Rather than being bitter at all he lost, or humiliated by his lost of rank, he handled it with grace and humility, and did his best to serve Aethelflaed as best as he could.

"There is no point in wishing for things that could have been, or hoping for things that cannot be. The most important thing is that we make do with what we have here and now, and persevere," he said gently, his soft eyes full of love for her.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

"That you had such optimism for him speaks more of your capacity for goodness than of his... deficits. It takes a good man to hope for good in others, even if hindsight proves the optimism was misplaced," Aethelflaed smiles wryly.

"I'm not sure that you are assisting in a lesser capacity," she says softly as she moves to stand before Aldhelm, closing some of the distance between them. "Your counsel is invaluable to me, and Mercia benefits from it directly."

Looking down, Aethelflaed takes both of Aldhelm's hands in hers, interlacing their fingers. "Always so wise," she murmurs and looks back up at him, her heart swelling with affection and warmth. "I may not be able to offer you the same standing and notoriety as Aethelred, but I believe I can offer you something much better," she gives him a teasing half-smile.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm blushes at Aethelflaed's compliments. No one has ever called him a good man, no one else sees past the stoic exterior to the man within. Just what services he can render, tasks he can perform, and then stay out of the way and be quiet otherwise. She truly sees him for the man he is, which makes him feel vulnerable but also valued.

"I have never considered myself to be a good man, and I am humbled and honored that you think that of me. I carry an incredible burden from my time serving Aethelred, and the things that I have done. Knowing how the consequences of my actions and decisions have affected others, including you, cause me endless grief and regret. There is not a day that goes by that I don't wish that I could have done more to stop him, to prevent him from hurting so many people, especially you. I carry this in my heart and it weighs on me."

As she wove her fingers in his, the warmth in her gaze lightens his spirit and heals his soul. He is eternally grateful that the woman he loved so deeply and for so long reciprocated, and makes him feel complete and whole for the first time in his life.

"I do not desire standing or notoriety. The sound of your laughter and sight of your smiling face is worth more to me than all the gold in England, and any rank or station anyone else could give me. To stand beside you until the end of my days is all I could want in this world."

Aldhelm shoots a sideways glance down the hallway, and when he is satisfied that no one is there, he disentangles one of his hands from hers and gently caresses her face, holding her jaw in his hand while stroking down her cheek lightly with his thumb. Her eyes flutter closed to his caress as she leans into his touch. Taking advantage of their alone time, he leans forward and presses his lips to hers, a very brief light touch, and then pulls back slightly to gaze at her. The time he has spent with her in the past week has made him so much bolder and more confident than ever. His caution was superseded by the excitement and passion of their moments together.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

"That you regret those things is only furthering my belief that you, Aldhelm, are a good man. An evil or tyrannical man wouldn't spare a thought for those he has done harm along the way. But please, do not let it weigh so heavily on your heart that it consumes you."

Aethelflaed's breath catches in her throat at his passionate declaration, love and warmth filling her chest at the words that seem to fall effortlessly from his lips. "Oh, Aldhelm..." she whispers, and melts into his reverent touch. Her eyes flutter closed as he lowers his head to brush his lips across hers, and she can't help following as he pulls away, not yet ready to lose that brief moment of contact.

She looks up into his eyes, smiling gently, not needing words to fill the space between them in the moment, and she places a hand over his where it still rests on her cheek. Aethelflaed can't help the brief pang of sadness that comes unbidden, but as quickly as it appears, it's gone again. "We make do with what we have, hm?" She says softly, though her voice is laced with a wistful tone.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

"It will not consume me, not as long as I have you to be my strength," he smiles at her.

The subtle shift in her expression does not go unnoticed by Aldhelm, who also perceives the slight strain in her voice. She does not have to tell him for him to be painfully aware of their situation. They would never know peace while Aethelred lived, and would never be able to openly express their love for one another. Fleeting moments of happiness were punctuated with the reality and gravity of their situation, which always hung at the back of their minds.

"Yes, we make do with what we have," he says as he presses his forehead against hers. "At least I am with you always. We do not need to be parted from one another for indefinite periods of time. We are fortunate in that regard."

He pulls back from her and turns to face the door they are standing in front of. "I believe these rooms here will do. If I recall these two are adjoined, as you requested." He shot her a sly look, raising a mischievous eyebrow which conveyed more intent than any words could.

@theladyofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

It is mid morning when Aldhelm and Aethelflaed depart Rumcofa. The early spring weather is pleasant and delightfully warm, and their short journey is decorated with more flowers in bloom.

Legacaester is only a half-hour ride from Rumcofa, and on the way Aldhelm informs Aethelflaed about his brother and his family.

"His wife is Lynne, and they have a son that is Aelfwynn's age named Cynefrith. I do not know if you ever had the chance to visit Legacaester, but it is impressive. It was built by the Romans over eight hundred years ago, and the original fortress walls are still standing. A beautiful city." He smiles as he tells her about the town.

It is not long before the fortress comes into view. The massive stone ramparts tower over the surrounding forests, walls of pale grey stone standing in stark contrast to the green backdrop. They approach the gate and the guards ask them to wait while Beorhtric is informed of their arrival.

After a few moments, Aldhelm's brother arrives at the gate to greet them. He resembles Aldhelm superficially, although Beorhtric is slightly shorter and stockier than his older brother, with shoulder length pale brown hair and a round, friendly, open face.

He bows slightly at Aethelflaed, smiling warmly at her. "Lady Aethelflaed. Welcome to Legacaester! It is an honor to have you here; you look as lovely as ever!"

He turns to his brother. "Aldhelm!" Beorhtric exclaims, pulling the taller man in for a rough hug that nearly knocks the wind out of him. "I have not seen you for ages! How have you been, brother?"

"Well, thank you," Aldhelm says, distractedly smoothing out his tunic. "I cannot thank you enough for watching Aelfwynn for us. I apologize for imposing on you; it was a last minute change of plans."

"No worries, brother!" Beorhtric exclaims, slapping Aldhelm on the back. "It was our pleasure. Lady Aelfwynn is a gem and we are delighted to have her here." Beorhtric hands Aldhelm's wolf sigil ring back to him. "We are always happy to help."

Beohrtric glances back and forth between the two of them, grinning broadly. "Please, both of you, make yourselves at home. I will let Aelfwynn and Sable know you have arrived."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Smiling cordially, Aethelflaed nods to their new host. "Thank you, Lord Beohrtric. As Aldhelm shared, plans had to be changed at rather the last moment, as we had received news that had me, and your brother, quite concerned for the safety of my daughter.

I am certain that as soon as possible, we will fill you in on what could be a large threat to the safety and longevity of Mercia." She looks to Aldhelm, her lips drawn into a tense line as the reality of it settles back into her awareness.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm and Aethelflaed follow Beorhtric through the courtyard and into the great hall. Beorhtric's wife Lady Lynne greets them both, and motions for a servant to offer them food and drink. Aldhelm and Aethelflaed both stand in the hall near the massive firepit, looking around at the decor. There are dozens of tapestries hung on the stone walls, and wooden beams with ornate wood carvings of stylized animals and interlace patterns decorated every edge and corner. Old Roman tile mosaics are inlaid on the floor, depicting their gods and goddesses and scenes from their mythology. It is a bit jarring to see the juxtaposition of the ancient Roman artwork with the Anglo-Saxon designs, stone and wood, old and new.

Lady Lynne leaves the great hall to seek out Aelfwynn, who was playing with her son and a few other children their age in another part of the house. While she is gone, Aldhelm speaks to his brother.

"Lady Aethelflaed and I were invited to visit Rumcofa to speak with King Alfred. When we arrived, there were Saxon guards everywhere, and the mood was tense. We had no idea what had happened, so we felt it was best to keep her somewhere safe. What started out as a casual family visit turned into a very tense confrontation, that I will fill you in on later."

Aldhelm looks over at Aethelflaed, and she nods at him, so he continues. "There is talk of a possible threat from the north. Rumors of an alliance between Wihtgar, who is the new Lord of Bebbanburg, and Guthred in Northumbria, have indicated the possibility of an incursion. You will need to be prepared for the possibility of war very soon. We will be heading back south to speak with the other ealdormen to gather more information."

"That is grave news," Beorhtric replies. "I will increase the number of scouts in the area, and the guards will be readied. Does Aethelred know of this? Is he preparing at all?"

Before Aldhelm could speak, Lynne returns with Aelfwynn following her. As soon as Aelfwynn sees Aldhelm, she makes a beeline for him, and jumps up into his arms. Aldhelm's face reddens, acutely aware of the implications of her actions, and sets her down. "Go to your mother," he says calmly.

All eyes were on Aldhelm, and he was keen to keep the conversation going before uncomfortable questions were asked.

"I do not know where Aethelred is or if he is making preparations. The last I heard of him, he was sequestered in his home in Gloucester, but that was months ago. Who knows where he is or what he is doing now."

Beorhtric nods in agreement. "I certainly do not. He has cut off the ealdormen from his plans."

Aldhelm shakes his head; Aethelred was always a delinquent.

"Will you be joining us for Easter Mass before heading back to your home?" Beorhtric asks the both of them.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Aelfwynn pouts, but goes to Aethelflaed, smiling when she picks her up to embrace her.

"I've missed you, little lamb," Aethelflaed says softly after kissing the girl's forehead and smiling at her, then turns her attention back to the conversation.

"For all we know, my husband could potentially be involved in this threat. The fact that we have heard nothing from or about him in many weeks is enough to raise my suspicions."

She glances at Aldhelm before continuing. "Aethelred has made attempts at taking my life, so anything, sadly, is possible. His loyalties are to himself, not Mercia, and he cares only for power, not the Mercian people."

Ordinarily, she would refrain from speaking so freely against her husband, but Aethelflaed felt that Beorhtric could be trusted with this information.

She sighs as she continues. "And lately, King Alfred seems more keen on playing petty manipulations and revenge on men who have fought for him than assisting in quelling any threats to our borders. He is supposed to be on the road back to Wessex, currently, and I am not certain that he would render aid if asked."

Aethelflaed had to fight to keep the bitterness from her voice, but it burned in her chest like betrayal. She looks at Aldhelm and can feel that he knows how hard it is for her to speak against her father, let alone admit that there is strife between them. She can see the understanding in his eyes, and it soothes a bit of the ache in her heart.

"I wouldn't wish to impose upon you for Easter mass, Lord, though I'm sure it will take some time to send word to all the ealdormen for a witan."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Beorhtric's eyes widen and the effervescent smile leaves his face. "Aethelred has attempted to take your life, Lady? This is the first I have heard of this, and it is very disturbing. I always knew your marriage was tumultuous, but I would have never guessed he would stoop so low! This is grievous. He is truly unfit to rule this kingdom."

Beorhtric glances at his brother, whose solemn face reinforces the gravity of the situation. "And apparently King Alfred it seems may be reneging on the alliance too? These are troubling times. Calling a witan is a wise decision. Sadly, I do not have any informants in Northumbria, so I am as much in the dark about this situation as you, Lady."

The smile returns to his face at Aethelflaed's reply. "Lady, it is no imposition, none at all. We would love to have you and your family here to join us for Easter mass. And then I get to spend some time with my aloof brother!" He slaps Aldhelm on the shoulder as he says that, much to the chagrin of the older man, who groans and rolls his eyes. "Although I do understand if you are in haste to return to your estate and begin planning the witan."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Nodding gravely, Aethelflaed speaks gently. "It is my concern for Mercia that is the reason I share this about my husband. But bear in mind, I tell you this in confidence, Lord Beorhtric. I fear that if this was shared beyond this room, it would only increase the animosity toward me shared by my husband and his supporters."

She smiles again when he shows brotherly affection toward Aldhelm. "I am happy that you two have an opportunity to spend time together. Because he has such a keen mind and is my most trusted advisor," Aethelflaed looks at Aldhelm and puts an affectionate hand on his arm as she speaks, "I keep Aldhelm rather busy, I'm afraid - you can blame me for keeping him from you.

Perhaps you and your family could join us when we leave for Saltwic - you will attend the witan, yes?"

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Beorhtric raises an eyebrow and a wolfish grin spreads from ear to ear as his eyes dart between Aethelflaed and Aldhelm. "Oh, I bet you keep him busy!" he snickers. "Never fear, my Lady. Nothing said inside this room will spread beyond the walls. You have my word. And my loyalty. And yes, my Lady, I will be attending the witan. Lady Lynne and our son would be delighted to join you; Cynefrith is quite fond of Aelfwynn already and I am sure he would be overjoyed to spend more time with her."

Aldhelm glances sidelong at his brother's not so subtle implication, and grimaces uncomfortably; he wonders if the whole world knew and they were just pretending that they didn't notice.

Beorhtric ignores his brother's discomfort and continues speaking to Aethelflaed. "I am honored you will be joining us for Easter Mass, Lady! We have a beautiful church here, and our bishop is a kindly man and an energetic preacher! Did Aldhelm tell you he used to sing in the choir?"

"Beorhtric!" Aldhelm exclaims, shooting him a look of annoyance.

"He had such a beautiful voice, ethereal and angelic. Perhaps he will sing for you on Sunday! One of the hymns from Saint Aldhelm, a favorite of his!" Beorhtric continues, pointedly ignoring his brother's protests.

Aldhelm groans, and puts his face in his hands, mortified by his brother flippantly and casually talking about him to Aethelflaed.

Beorhtric grins at his brother's beet red face, proud of himself for cracking through his stoic exterior and agitating him. "I will leave you two to relax and settle in after your harrowing journey. It sounds like you have been through a lot in the past few days and deserve some rest. The guest chambers are down the east hall on the left, and you have your choice of rooms at the moment since we are not expecting any guests. I will see you both at the feast this evening!" Beorhtric left the great hall, leaving Aethelflaed, Aldhelm and Aelfwynn alone.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Aethelflaed listens to Beorhtric with an amused glint in her eyes and small smile on her lips. After he leaves her and Aldhelm, she turns to Aldhelm.

"I do believe you offered once to sing me a song, and I still haven't taken you up on it. Now that I know you were a choirboy, perhaps the time has come."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm's face turns a deep crimson, his eyes averted to glance at the ornate tile floor.

"You have heard me sing before," he replies softly and quietly, "I had sung to Aelfwynn when she had an especially intractable temper tantrum, shortly after I moved to Saltwic."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

The amusement in her eyes turns to mischief as her smile widens. "Yes, but that was not singing to me, was it?" Aethelflaed couldn't resist teasing him; mischief-making, afterall, was in her nature, and had been since she was a small child.

It was that mischief that used to vex her mother, but Aethelflaed remembers many times in which her father would be smirking or trying to hide a smile in response to her antics. It came naturally for her, and she would be lying if she were to say that she found no delight in flustering the normally unflappable man beside her.

Sliding her hand through his arm to link hers around it, Aethelflaed changes the subject - perhaps to spare Aldhelm from further embarrassment. "Would you like to show me around? Perhaps to select appropriate rooms for us?" She leans in closer and lowers her voice. "Perhaps adjoining rooms?" She smiles up at him.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm grins through a clenched jaw at Aethelflaed's remark. "You are right; perhaps I should sing for you, if you would like that." His eyes meet hers; he sees the mischief in her gaze, but knew it came from a place of love. He knew he should not be embarrassed, but he was still a very shy and reclusive man, and it would take some time to feel completely comfortable with certain things he felt were more personal. Especially regarding being open with his feelings, something he has been suppressing for so long.

As Aethelflaed slid her arm in his, he could not miss the spark in her eye as she suggested they select their rooms.

"Yes we can certainly do that. Let's have a little stroll to stretch our legs and find Sable so she can take Aelfwynn while we choose our accomodations."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Genuine remorse flickers across her face as Aethelflaed looks up at Aldhelm. "I apologize for embarrassing you," she says. "I hope you know that was not my intent." She gives him a warm smile as she brings her other hand to rest on his arm. "I would never ask you to do anything you would rather not."

Aethelflaed takes in their surroundings as Aldhelm leads her through to the guest rooms. It is peaceful here, unlike Uhtred's manor in Rumcofa, where house guards and people of all sorts were constantly coming and going. Not to mention the stress of her father's presence there, and all the drama that unfolded.

With that realization, a minute sense of the release of tension flows over Aethelflaed, and she sighs pensively. Until the scope of the threat from the north was fully known, any respite they find will be temporary; it was no wonder she and Aldhelm were finding it as often as possible within each other.

She looks up at Aldhelm, her cheeks turning pink as she realizes he had been speaking. "I apologize, I lost myself in my thoughts."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm smiles genuinely down at Aethelflaed after her apology. "It is quite alright. You did not cause me embarrassment; the remark just brought up unpleasant memories, recalling the unsavory tasks your husband would always order me to do. I made the comment in jest to lighten the mood, since the situation was rather tense. I did elicit a laugh from you, though, if I recall. I honestly did not know that you would remember that; and it took me off guard. I would be honored to sing for you, if you would like."

They walk side by side through the long corridor, taking in all the elaborate decorations on the walls. The inlaid stone mosaics on the floor continue down the hallway, and there were many more tapestries hanging on the walls. There was a great deal of wealth here, and Aldhelm explained that Legaceaster was one of the wealthiest burhs in Mercia.

Aethelflaed seems lost in her thoughts, and Aldhelm pauses to glance at her. Her pensiveness is shared by him, and he knows what bothers her. Ruling a kingdom weighs heavy on her, especially when her husband is a selfish miscreant. He knows he can offer her little to ease her mind, since he shares the same worries with her.

She apologizes again, and he takes her hand in his to give her some comfort and let her know he is present for her. She offers him a small smile, and he nods to her, communicating to each other without words. They always seemed to know what the other was thinking, as if they had a spiritual connection that linked their souls to each other.

As he gazes down at her, something catches his attention out of the corner of his eye. On the far wall hangs a large tapestry. It was deep forest green, and in the middle was a huge running white wolf, embroidered with a border of bright gold thread. It wasn't a tapestry at all, but a banner, such as the ones that kings would display on their war marches.

He motions with his head to the banner and she turns to look at what caught his gaze. "That is the sigil of my family: the white wolf of Hreopandune. It was given to my brother for safe keeping, but it belongs to me." He pauses for a moment of silence, caught up in the emotion of seeing his sigil on display for the first time in decades.

"The noblemen of Hreopandune were Iclingas, descended from the kings of the Angles in Germania. Well, they are a sister branch, descended from the brother of King Penda of Mercia, and were never considered for the crown since all of his sons ruled instead. This banner is all I have left of my ancestors. That and my ring. I am sure our family treasure and other artifacts are long gone, taken by the Danes when they sacked our home."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

"That is a magnificent banner," she remarks as she takes it in, listening to Aldhelm's explanation. Aethelflaed looks up at him with a small, affectionate smile. "Descended from long lines of kings, hm? The more I know and learn of you, the more of a shame it seems that Aethelred is the lord of Mercia, not you." She can't help the note of bitterness in her voice when she says her husband's name.

"You are much better suited to it than he could ever dream of... if he cared." Aethelflaed sighs and shakes her head. "I am deeply sorry for all that he put you through." She looks up into Aldhelm's eyes. "He doesn't know or deserve at his side the honorable man you are."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm gives her a sad smile. "I knew there was no chance the witan would choose me, despite my lineage, and it was not something I had ever entertained. He had close ties to Burgred, the last king, and was from a much wealthier family. And of course, my lack of estate meant that I would be bypassed regardless. However I was not bitter about it; I really had no interest in being a king. I did not desire power or wealth; I just wanted to see Mercia prosper. And I thought I could do that through Aethelred."

He sighs, relieving the stress of ages. "When he appointed me as his advisor, he was young and impetuous, but I had hoped that I could influence him, and guide him to be a proper leader. I believed all he needed was to mature and be set on the right path. I was wrong. I foolishly missed all the bad signs, or perhaps I was just hoping he would change. He turned out to be intractable, and his capacity for cruelty grew beyond ability to reason with him."

"It is fortunate that you have taken up the burden of ruling in his stead, at least trying your best to keep Mercia from falling to pieces. And I can support you in doing so, although in a much lesser capacity than I had before."

He does not need to tell her that when Aethelred stabbed him, and left him for dead, he essentially lost all remaining rank and station, rendering him powerless. He went from being the captain of the Mercian hearth guard and second in command to the Lord of Mercia, to basically being an outcast. Rather than being bitter at all he lost, or humiliated by his lost of rank, he handled it with grace and humility, and did his best to serve Aethelflaed as best as he could.

"There is no point in wishing for things that could have been, or hoping for things that cannot be. The most important thing is that we make do with what we have here and now, and persevere," he said gently, his soft eyes full of love for her.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

"That you had such optimism for him speaks more of your capacity for goodness than of his... deficits. It takes a good man to hope for good in others, even if hindsight proves the optimism was misplaced," Aethelflaed smiles wryly.

"I'm not sure that you are assisting in a lesser capacity," she says softly as she moves to stand before Aldhelm, closing some of the distance between them. "Your counsel is invaluable to me, and Mercia benefits from it directly."

Looking down, Aethelflaed takes both of Aldhelm's hands in hers, interlacing their fingers. "Always so wise," she murmurs and looks back up at him, her heart swelling with affection and warmth. "I may not be able to offer you the same standing and notoriety as Aethelred, but I believe I can offer you something much better," she gives him a teasing half-smile.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm blushes at Aethelflaed's compliments. No one has ever called him a good man, no one else sees past the stoic exterior to the man within. Just what services he can render, tasks he can perform, and then stay out of the way and be quiet otherwise. She truly sees him for the man he is, which makes him feel vulnerable but also valued.

"I have never considered myself to be a good man, and I am humbled and honored that you think that of me. I carry an incredible burden from my time serving Aethelred, and the things that I have done. Knowing how the consequences of my actions and decisions have affected others, including you, cause me endless grief and regret. There is not a day that goes by that I don't wish that I could have done more to stop him, to prevent him from hurting so many people, especially you. I carry this in my heart and it weighs on me."

As she wove her fingers in his, the warmth in her gaze lightens his spirit and heals his soul. He is eternally grateful that the woman he loved so deeply and for so long reciprocated, and makes him feel complete and whole for the first time in his life.

"I do not desire standing or notoriety. The sound of your laughter and sight of your smiling face is worth more to me than all the gold in England, and any rank or station anyone else could give me. To stand beside you until the end of my days is all I could want in this world."

Aldhelm shoots a sideways glance down the hallway, and when he is satisfied that no one is there, he disentangles one of his hands from hers and gently caresses her face, holding her jaw in his hand while stroking down her cheek lightly with his thumb. Her eyes flutter closed to his caress as she leans into his touch. Taking advantage of their alone time, he leans forward and presses his lips to hers, a very brief light touch, and then pulls back slightly to gaze at her. The time he has spent with her in the past week has made him so much bolder and more confident than ever. His caution was superseded by the excitement and passion of their moments together.

@theladyofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

It is mid morning when Aldhelm and Aethelflaed depart Rumcofa. The early spring weather is pleasant and delightfully warm, and their short journey is decorated with more flowers in bloom.

Legacaester is only a half-hour ride from Rumcofa, and on the way Aldhelm informs Aethelflaed about his brother and his family.

"His wife is Lynne, and they have a son that is Aelfwynn's age named Cynefrith. I do not know if you ever had the chance to visit Legacaester, but it is impressive. It was built by the Romans over eight hundred years ago, and the original fortress walls are still standing. A beautiful city." He smiles as he tells her about the town.

It is not long before the fortress comes into view. The massive stone ramparts tower over the surrounding forests, walls of pale grey stone standing in stark contrast to the green backdrop. They approach the gate and the guards ask them to wait while Beorhtric is informed of their arrival.

After a few moments, Aldhelm's brother arrives at the gate to greet them. He resembles Aldhelm superficially, although Beorhtric is slightly shorter and stockier than his older brother, with shoulder length pale brown hair and a round, friendly, open face.

He bows slightly at Aethelflaed, smiling warmly at her. "Lady Aethelflaed. Welcome to Legacaester! It is an honor to have you here; you look as lovely as ever!"

He turns to his brother. "Aldhelm!" Beorhtric exclaims, pulling the taller man in for a rough hug that nearly knocks the wind out of him. "I have not seen you for ages! How have you been, brother?"

"Well, thank you," Aldhelm says, distractedly smoothing out his tunic. "I cannot thank you enough for watching Aelfwynn for us. I apologize for imposing on you; it was a last minute change of plans."

"No worries, brother!" Beorhtric exclaims, slapping Aldhelm on the back. "It was our pleasure. Lady Aelfwynn is a gem and we are delighted to have her here." Beorhtric hands Aldhelm's wolf sigil ring back to him. "We are always happy to help."

Beohrtric glances back and forth between the two of them, grinning broadly. "Please, both of you, make yourselves at home. I will let Aelfwynn and Sable know you have arrived."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Smiling cordially, Aethelflaed nods to their new host. "Thank you, Lord Beohrtric. As Aldhelm shared, plans had to be changed at rather the last moment, as we had received news that had me, and your brother, quite concerned for the safety of my daughter.

I am certain that as soon as possible, we will fill you in on what could be a large threat to the safety and longevity of Mercia." She looks to Aldhelm, her lips drawn into a tense line as the reality of it settles back into her awareness.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm and Aethelflaed follow Beorhtric through the courtyard and into the great hall. Beorhtric's wife Lady Lynne greets them both, and motions for a servant to offer them food and drink. Aldhelm and Aethelflaed both stand in the hall near the massive firepit, looking around at the decor. There are dozens of tapestries hung on the stone walls, and wooden beams with ornate wood carvings of stylized animals and interlace patterns decorated every edge and corner. Old Roman tile mosaics are inlaid on the floor, depicting their gods and goddesses and scenes from their mythology. It is a bit jarring to see the juxtaposition of the ancient Roman artwork with the Anglo-Saxon designs, stone and wood, old and new.

Lady Lynne leaves the great hall to seek out Aelfwynn, who was playing with her son and a few other children their age in another part of the house. While she is gone, Aldhelm speaks to his brother.

"Lady Aethelflaed and I were invited to visit Rumcofa to speak with King Alfred. When we arrived, there were Saxon guards everywhere, and the mood was tense. We had no idea what had happened, so we felt it was best to keep her somewhere safe. What started out as a casual family visit turned into a very tense confrontation, that I will fill you in on later."

Aldhelm looks over at Aethelflaed, and she nods at him, so he continues. "There is talk of a possible threat from the north. Rumors of an alliance between Wihtgar, who is the new Lord of Bebbanburg, and Guthred in Northumbria, have indicated the possibility of an incursion. You will need to be prepared for the possibility of war very soon. We will be heading back south to speak with the other ealdormen to gather more information."

"That is grave news," Beorhtric replies. "I will increase the number of scouts in the area, and the guards will be readied. Does Aethelred know of this? Is he preparing at all?"

Before Aldhelm could speak, Lynne returns with Aelfwynn following her. As soon as Aelfwynn sees Aldhelm, she makes a beeline for him, and jumps up into his arms. Aldhelm's face reddens, acutely aware of the implications of her actions, and sets her down. "Go to your mother," he says calmly.

All eyes were on Aldhelm, and he was keen to keep the conversation going before uncomfortable questions were asked.

"I do not know where Aethelred is or if he is making preparations. The last I heard of him, he was sequestered in his home in Gloucester, but that was months ago. Who knows where he is or what he is doing now."

Beorhtric nods in agreement. "I certainly do not. He has cut off the ealdormen from his plans."

Aldhelm shakes his head; Aethelred was always a delinquent.

"Will you be joining us for Easter Mass before heading back to your home?" Beorhtric asks the both of them.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Aelfwynn pouts, but goes to Aethelflaed, smiling when she picks her up to embrace her.

"I've missed you, little lamb," Aethelflaed says softly after kissing the girl's forehead and smiling at her, then turns her attention back to the conversation.

"For all we know, my husband could potentially be involved in this threat. The fact that we have heard nothing from or about him in many weeks is enough to raise my suspicions."

She glances at Aldhelm before continuing. "Aethelred has made attempts at taking my life, so anything, sadly, is possible. His loyalties are to himself, not Mercia, and he cares only for power, not the Mercian people."

Ordinarily, she would refrain from speaking so freely against her husband, but Aethelflaed felt that Beorhtric could be trusted with this information.

She sighs as she continues. "And lately, King Alfred seems more keen on playing petty manipulations and revenge on men who have fought for him than assisting in quelling any threats to our borders. He is supposed to be on the road back to Wessex, currently, and I am not certain that he would render aid if asked."

Aethelflaed had to fight to keep the bitterness from her voice, but it burned in her chest like betrayal. She looks at Aldhelm and can feel that he knows how hard it is for her to speak against her father, let alone admit that there is strife between them. She can see the understanding in his eyes, and it soothes a bit of the ache in her heart.

"I wouldn't wish to impose upon you for Easter mass, Lord, though I'm sure it will take some time to send word to all the ealdormen for a witan."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Beorhtric's eyes widen and the effervescent smile leaves his face. "Aethelred has attempted to take your life, Lady? This is the first I have heard of this, and it is very disturbing. I always knew your marriage was tumultuous, but I would have never guessed he would stoop so low! This is grievous. He is truly unfit to rule this kingdom."

Beorhtric glances at his brother, whose solemn face reinforces the gravity of the situation. "And apparently King Alfred it seems may be reneging on the alliance too? These are troubling times. Calling a witan is a wise decision. Sadly, I do not have any informants in Northumbria, so I am as much in the dark about this situation as you, Lady."

The smile returns to his face at Aethelflaed's reply. "Lady, it is no imposition, none at all. We would love to have you and your family here to join us for Easter mass. And then I get to spend some time with my aloof brother!" He slaps Aldhelm on the shoulder as he says that, much to the chagrin of the older man, who groans and rolls his eyes. "Although I do understand if you are in haste to return to your estate and begin planning the witan."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Nodding gravely, Aethelflaed speaks gently. "It is my concern for Mercia that is the reason I share this about my husband. But bear in mind, I tell you this in confidence, Lord Beorhtric. I fear that if this was shared beyond this room, it would only increase the animosity toward me shared by my husband and his supporters."

She smiles again when he shows brotherly affection toward Aldhelm. "I am happy that you two have an opportunity to spend time together. Because he has such a keen mind and is my most trusted advisor," Aethelflaed looks at Aldhelm and puts an affectionate hand on his arm as she speaks, "I keep Aldhelm rather busy, I'm afraid - you can blame me for keeping him from you.

Perhaps you and your family could join us when we leave for Saltwic - you will attend the witan, yes?"

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Beorhtric raises an eyebrow and a wolfish grin spreads from ear to ear as his eyes dart between Aethelflaed and Aldhelm. "Oh, I bet you keep him busy!" he snickers. "Never fear, my Lady. Nothing said inside this room will spread beyond the walls. You have my word. And my loyalty. And yes, my Lady, I will be attending the witan. Lady Lynne and our son would be delighted to join you; Cynefrith is quite fond of Aelfwynn already and I am sure he would be overjoyed to spend more time with her."

Aldhelm glances sidelong at his brother's not so subtle implication, and grimaces uncomfortably; he wonders if the whole world knew and they were just pretending that they didn't notice.

Beorhtric ignores his brother's discomfort and continues speaking to Aethelflaed. "I am honored you will be joining us for Easter Mass, Lady! We have a beautiful church here, and our bishop is a kindly man and an energetic preacher! Did Aldhelm tell you he used to sing in the choir?"

"Beorhtric!" Aldhelm exclaims, shooting him a look of annoyance.

"He had such a beautiful voice, ethereal and angelic. Perhaps he will sing for you on Sunday! One of the hymns from Saint Aldhelm, a favorite of his!" Beorhtric continues, pointedly ignoring his brother's protests.

Aldhelm groans, and puts his face in his hands, mortified by his brother flippantly and casually talking about him to Aethelflaed.

Beorhtric grins at his brother's beet red face, proud of himself for cracking through his stoic exterior and agitating him. "I will leave you two to relax and settle in after your harrowing journey. It sounds like you have been through a lot in the past few days and deserve some rest. The guest chambers are down the east hall on the left, and you have your choice of rooms at the moment since we are not expecting any guests. I will see you both at the feast this evening!" Beorhtric left the great hall, leaving Aethelflaed, Aldhelm and Aelfwynn alone.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Aethelflaed listens to Beorhtric with an amused glint in her eyes and small smile on her lips. After he leaves her and Aldhelm, she turns to Aldhelm.

"I do believe you offered once to sing me a song, and I still haven't taken you up on it. Now that I know you were a choirboy, perhaps the time has come."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm's face turns a deep crimson, his eyes averted to glance at the ornate tile floor.

"You have heard me sing before," he replies softly and quietly, "I had sung to Aelfwynn when she had an especially intractable temper tantrum, shortly after I moved to Saltwic."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

The amusement in her eyes turns to mischief as her smile widens. "Yes, but that was not singing to me, was it?" Aethelflaed couldn't resist teasing him; mischief-making, afterall, was in her nature, and had been since she was a small child.

It was that mischief that used to vex her mother, but Aethelflaed remembers many times in which her father would be smirking or trying to hide a smile in response to her antics. It came naturally for her, and she would be lying if she were to say that she found no delight in flustering the normally unflappable man beside her.

Sliding her hand through his arm to link hers around it, Aethelflaed changes the subject - perhaps to spare Aldhelm from further embarrassment. "Would you like to show me around? Perhaps to select appropriate rooms for us?" She leans in closer and lowers her voice. "Perhaps adjoining rooms?" She smiles up at him.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm grins through a clenched jaw at Aethelflaed's remark. "You are right; perhaps I should sing for you, if you would like that." His eyes meet hers; he sees the mischief in her gaze, but knew it came from a place of love. He knew he should not be embarrassed, but he was still a very shy and reclusive man, and it would take some time to feel completely comfortable with certain things he felt were more personal. Especially regarding being open with his feelings, something he has been suppressing for so long.

As Aethelflaed slid her arm in his, he could not miss the spark in her eye as she suggested they select their rooms.

"Yes we can certainly do that. Let's have a little stroll to stretch our legs and find Sable so she can take Aelfwynn while we choose our accomodations."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Genuine remorse flickers across her face as Aethelflaed looks up at Aldhelm. "I apologize for embarrassing you," she says. "I hope you know that was not my intent." She gives him a warm smile as she brings her other hand to rest on his arm. "I would never ask you to do anything you would rather not."

Aethelflaed takes in their surroundings as Aldhelm leads her through to the guest rooms. It is peaceful here, unlike Uhtred's manor in Rumcofa, where house guards and people of all sorts were constantly coming and going. Not to mention the stress of her father's presence there, and all the drama that unfolded.

With that realization, a minute sense of the release of tension flows over Aethelflaed, and she sighs pensively. Until the scope of the threat from the north was fully known, any respite they find will be temporary; it was no wonder she and Aldhelm were finding it as often as possible within each other.

She looks up at Aldhelm, her cheeks turning pink as she realizes he had been speaking. "I apologize, I lost myself in my thoughts."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm smiles genuinely down at Aethelflaed after her apology. "It is quite alright. You did not cause me embarrassment; the remark just brought up unpleasant memories, recalling the unsavory tasks your husband would always order me to do. I made the comment in jest to lighten the mood, since the situation was rather tense. I did elicit a laugh from you, though, if I recall. I honestly did not know that you would remember that; and it took me off guard. I would be honored to sing for you, if you would like."

They walk side by side through the long corridor, taking in all the elaborate decorations on the walls. The inlaid stone mosaics on the floor continue down the hallway, and there were many more tapestries hanging on the walls. There was a great deal of wealth here, and Aldhelm explained that Legaceaster was one of the wealthiest burhs in Mercia.

Aethelflaed seems lost in her thoughts, and Aldhelm pauses to glance at her. Her pensiveness is shared by him, and he knows what bothers her. Ruling a kingdom weighs heavy on her, especially when her husband is a selfish miscreant. He knows he can offer her little to ease her mind, since he shares the same worries with her.

She apologizes again, and he takes her hand in his to give her some comfort and let her know he is present for her. She offers him a small smile, and he nods to her, communicating to each other without words. They always seemed to know what the other was thinking, as if they had a spiritual connection that linked their souls to each other.

As he gazes down at her, something catches his attention out of the corner of his eye. On the far wall hangs a large tapestry. It was deep forest green, and in the middle was a huge running white wolf, embroidered with a border of bright gold thread. It wasn't a tapestry at all, but a banner, such as the ones that kings would display on their war marches.

He motions with his head to the banner and she turns to look at what caught his gaze. "That is the sigil of my family: the white wolf of Hreopandune. It was given to my brother for safe keeping, but it belongs to me." He pauses for a moment of silence, caught up in the emotion of seeing his sigil on display for the first time in decades.

"The noblemen of Hreopandune were Iclingas, descended from the kings of the Angles in Germania. Well, they are a sister branch, descended from the brother of King Penda of Mercia, and were never considered for the crown since all of his sons ruled instead. This banner is all I have left of my ancestors. That and my ring. I am sure our family treasure and other artifacts are long gone, taken by the Danes when they sacked our home."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

"That is a magnificent banner," she remarks as she takes it in, listening to Aldhelm's explanation. Aethelflaed looks up at him with a small, affectionate smile. "Descended from long lines of kings, hm? The more I know and learn of you, the more of a shame it seems that Aethelred is the lord of Mercia, not you." She can't help the note of bitterness in her voice when she says her husband's name.

"You are much better suited to it than he could ever dream of... if he cared." Aethelflaed sighs and shakes her head. "I am deeply sorry for all that he put you through." She looks up into Aldhelm's eyes. "He doesn't know or deserve at his side the honorable man you are."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm gives her a sad smile. "I knew there was no chance the witan would choose me, despite my lineage, and it was not something I had ever entertained. He had close ties to Burgred, the last king, and was from a much wealthier family. And of course, my lack of estate meant that I would be bypassed regardless. However I was not bitter about it; I really had no interest in being a king. I did not desire power or wealth; I just wanted to see Mercia prosper. And I thought I could do that through Aethelred."

He sighs, relieving the stress of ages. "When he appointed me as his advisor, he was young and impetuous, but I had hoped that I could influence him, and guide him to be a proper leader. I believed all he needed was to mature and be set on the right path. I was wrong. I foolishly missed all the bad signs, or perhaps I was just hoping he would change. He turned out to be intractable, and his capacity for cruelty grew beyond ability to reason with him."

"It is fortunate that you have taken up the burden of ruling in his stead, at least trying your best to keep Mercia from falling to pieces. And I can support you in doing so, although in a much lesser capacity than I had before."

He does not need to tell her that when Aethelred stabbed him, and left him for dead, he essentially lost all remaining rank and station, rendering him powerless. He went from being the captain of the Mercian hearth guard and second in command to the Lord of Mercia, to basically being an outcast. Rather than being bitter at all he lost, or humiliated by his lost of rank, he handled it with grace and humility, and did his best to serve Aethelflaed as best as he could.

"There is no point in wishing for things that could have been, or hoping for things that cannot be. The most important thing is that we make do with what we have here and now, and persevere," he said gently, his soft eyes full of love for her.

@theladyofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

It is mid morning when Aldhelm and Aethelflaed depart Rumcofa. The early spring weather is pleasant and delightfully warm, and their short journey is decorated with more flowers in bloom.

Legacaester is only a half-hour ride from Rumcofa, and on the way Aldhelm informs Aethelflaed about his brother and his family.

"His wife is Lynne, and they have a son that is Aelfwynn's age named Cynefrith. I do not know if you ever had the chance to visit Legacaester, but it is impressive. It was built by the Romans over eight hundred years ago, and the original fortress walls are still standing. A beautiful city." He smiles as he tells her about the town.

It is not long before the fortress comes into view. The massive stone ramparts tower over the surrounding forests, walls of pale grey stone standing in stark contrast to the green backdrop. They approach the gate and the guards ask them to wait while Beorhtric is informed of their arrival.

After a few moments, Aldhelm's brother arrives at the gate to greet them. He resembles Aldhelm superficially, although Beorhtric is slightly shorter and stockier than his older brother, with shoulder length pale brown hair and a round, friendly, open face.

He bows slightly at Aethelflaed, smiling warmly at her. "Lady Aethelflaed. Welcome to Legacaester! It is an honor to have you here; you look as lovely as ever!"

He turns to his brother. "Aldhelm!" Beorhtric exclaims, pulling the taller man in for a rough hug that nearly knocks the wind out of him. "I have not seen you for ages! How have you been, brother?"

"Well, thank you," Aldhelm says, distractedly smoothing out his tunic. "I cannot thank you enough for watching Aelfwynn for us. I apologize for imposing on you; it was a last minute change of plans."

"No worries, brother!" Beorhtric exclaims, slapping Aldhelm on the back. "It was our pleasure. Lady Aelfwynn is a gem and we are delighted to have her here." Beorhtric hands Aldhelm's wolf sigil ring back to him. "We are always happy to help."

Beohrtric glances back and forth between the two of them, grinning broadly. "Please, both of you, make yourselves at home. I will let Aelfwynn and Sable know you have arrived."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Smiling cordially, Aethelflaed nods to their new host. "Thank you, Lord Beohrtric. As Aldhelm shared, plans had to be changed at rather the last moment, as we had received news that had me, and your brother, quite concerned for the safety of my daughter.

I am certain that as soon as possible, we will fill you in on what could be a large threat to the safety and longevity of Mercia." She looks to Aldhelm, her lips drawn into a tense line as the reality of it settles back into her awareness.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm and Aethelflaed follow Beorhtric through the courtyard and into the great hall. Beorhtric's wife Lady Lynne greets them both, and motions for a servant to offer them food and drink. Aldhelm and Aethelflaed both stand in the hall near the massive firepit, looking around at the decor. There are dozens of tapestries hung on the stone walls, and wooden beams with ornate wood carvings of stylized animals and interlace patterns decorated every edge and corner. Old Roman tile mosaics are inlaid on the floor, depicting their gods and goddesses and scenes from their mythology. It is a bit jarring to see the juxtaposition of the ancient Roman artwork with the Anglo-Saxon designs, stone and wood, old and new.

Lady Lynne leaves the great hall to seek out Aelfwynn, who was playing with her son and a few other children their age in another part of the house. While she is gone, Aldhelm speaks to his brother.

"Lady Aethelflaed and I were invited to visit Rumcofa to speak with King Alfred. When we arrived, there were Saxon guards everywhere, and the mood was tense. We had no idea what had happened, so we felt it was best to keep her somewhere safe. What started out as a casual family visit turned into a very tense confrontation, that I will fill you in on later."

Aldhelm looks over at Aethelflaed, and she nods at him, so he continues. "There is talk of a possible threat from the north. Rumors of an alliance between Wihtgar, who is the new Lord of Bebbanburg, and Guthred in Northumbria, have indicated the possibility of an incursion. You will need to be prepared for the possibility of war very soon. We will be heading back south to speak with the other ealdormen to gather more information."

"That is grave news," Beorhtric replies. "I will increase the number of scouts in the area, and the guards will be readied. Does Aethelred know of this? Is he preparing at all?"

Before Aldhelm could speak, Lynne returns with Aelfwynn following her. As soon as Aelfwynn sees Aldhelm, she makes a beeline for him, and jumps up into his arms. Aldhelm's face reddens, acutely aware of the implications of her actions, and sets her down. "Go to your mother," he says calmly.

All eyes were on Aldhelm, and he was keen to keep the conversation going before uncomfortable questions were asked.

"I do not know where Aethelred is or if he is making preparations. The last I heard of him, he was sequestered in his home in Gloucester, but that was months ago. Who knows where he is or what he is doing now."

Beorhtric nods in agreement. "I certainly do not. He has cut off the ealdormen from his plans."

Aldhelm shakes his head; Aethelred was always a delinquent.

"Will you be joining us for Easter Mass before heading back to your home?" Beorhtric asks the both of them.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Aelfwynn pouts, but goes to Aethelflaed, smiling when she picks her up to embrace her.

"I've missed you, little lamb," Aethelflaed says softly after kissing the girl's forehead and smiling at her, then turns her attention back to the conversation.

"For all we know, my husband could potentially be involved in this threat. The fact that we have heard nothing from or about him in many weeks is enough to raise my suspicions."

She glances at Aldhelm before continuing. "Aethelred has made attempts at taking my life, so anything, sadly, is possible. His loyalties are to himself, not Mercia, and he cares only for power, not the Mercian people."

Ordinarily, she would refrain from speaking so freely against her husband, but Aethelflaed felt that Beorhtric could be trusted with this information.

She sighs as she continues. "And lately, King Alfred seems more keen on playing petty manipulations and revenge on men who have fought for him than assisting in quelling any threats to our borders. He is supposed to be on the road back to Wessex, currently, and I am not certain that he would render aid if asked."

Aethelflaed had to fight to keep the bitterness from her voice, but it burned in her chest like betrayal. She looks at Aldhelm and can feel that he knows how hard it is for her to speak against her father, let alone admit that there is strife between them. She can see the understanding in his eyes, and it soothes a bit of the ache in her heart.

"I wouldn't wish to impose upon you for Easter mass, Lord, though I'm sure it will take some time to send word to all the ealdormen for a witan."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Beorhtric's eyes widen and the effervescent smile leaves his face. "Aethelred has attempted to take your life, Lady? This is the first I have heard of this, and it is very disturbing. I always knew your marriage was tumultuous, but I would have never guessed he would stoop so low! This is grievous. He is truly unfit to rule this kingdom."

Beorhtric glances at his brother, whose solemn face reinforces the gravity of the situation. "And apparently King Alfred it seems may be reneging on the alliance too? These are troubling times. Calling a witan is a wise decision. Sadly, I do not have any informants in Northumbria, so I am as much in the dark about this situation as you, Lady."

The smile returns to his face at Aethelflaed's reply. "Lady, it is no imposition, none at all. We would love to have you and your family here to join us for Easter mass. And then I get to spend some time with my aloof brother!" He slaps Aldhelm on the shoulder as he says that, much to the chagrin of the older man, who groans and rolls his eyes. "Although I do understand if you are in haste to return to your estate and begin planning the witan."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Nodding gravely, Aethelflaed speaks gently. "It is my concern for Mercia that is the reason I share this about my husband. But bear in mind, I tell you this in confidence, Lord Beorhtric. I fear that if this was shared beyond this room, it would only increase the animosity toward me shared by my husband and his supporters."

She smiles again when he shows brotherly affection toward Aldhelm. "I am happy that you two have an opportunity to spend time together. Because he has such a keen mind and is my most trusted advisor," Aethelflaed looks at Aldhelm and puts an affectionate hand on his arm as she speaks, "I keep Aldhelm rather busy, I'm afraid - you can blame me for keeping him from you.

Perhaps you and your family could join us when we leave for Saltwic - you will attend the witan, yes?"

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Beorhtric raises an eyebrow and a wolfish grin spreads from ear to ear as his eyes dart between Aethelflaed and Aldhelm. "Oh, I bet you keep him busy!" he snickers. "Never fear, my Lady. Nothing said inside this room will spread beyond the walls. You have my word. And my loyalty. And yes, my Lady, I will be attending the witan. Lady Lynne and our son would be delighted to join you; Cynefrith is quite fond of Aelfwynn already and I am sure he would be overjoyed to spend more time with her."

Aldhelm glances sidelong at his brother's not so subtle implication, and grimaces uncomfortably; he wonders if the whole world knew and they were just pretending that they didn't notice.

Beorhtric ignores his brother's discomfort and continues speaking to Aethelflaed. "I am honored you will be joining us for Easter Mass, Lady! We have a beautiful church here, and our bishop is a kindly man and an energetic preacher! Did Aldhelm tell you he used to sing in the choir?"

"Beorhtric!" Aldhelm exclaims, shooting him a look of annoyance.

"He had such a beautiful voice, ethereal and angelic. Perhaps he will sing for you on Sunday! One of the hymns from Saint Aldhelm, a favorite of his!" Beorhtric continues, pointedly ignoring his brother's protests.

Aldhelm groans, and puts his face in his hands, mortified by his brother flippantly and casually talking about him to Aethelflaed.

Beorhtric grins at his brother's beet red face, proud of himself for cracking through his stoic exterior and agitating him. "I will leave you two to relax and settle in after your harrowing journey. It sounds like you have been through a lot in the past few days and deserve some rest. The guest chambers are down the east hall on the left, and you have your choice of rooms at the moment since we are not expecting any guests. I will see you both at the feast this evening!" Beorhtric left the great hall, leaving Aethelflaed, Aldhelm and Aelfwynn alone.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Aethelflaed listens to Beorhtric with an amused glint in her eyes and small smile on her lips. After he leaves her and Aldhelm, she turns to Aldhelm.

"I do believe you offered once to sing me a song, and I still haven't taken you up on it. Now that I know you were a choirboy, perhaps the time has come."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm's face turns a deep crimson, his eyes averted to glance at the ornate tile floor.

"You have heard me sing before," he replies softly and quietly, "I had sung to Aelfwynn when she had an especially intractable temper tantrum, shortly after I moved to Saltwic."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

The amusement in her eyes turns to mischief as her smile widens. "Yes, but that was not singing to me, was it?" Aethelflaed couldn't resist teasing him; mischief-making, afterall, was in her nature, and had been since she was a small child.

It was that mischief that used to vex her mother, but Aethelflaed remembers many times in which her father would be smirking or trying to hide a smile in response to her antics. It came naturally for her, and she would be lying if she were to say that she found no delight in flustering the normally unflappable man beside her.

Sliding her hand through his arm to link hers around it, Aethelflaed changes the subject - perhaps to spare Aldhelm from further embarrassment. "Would you like to show me around? Perhaps to select appropriate rooms for us?" She leans in closer and lowers her voice. "Perhaps adjoining rooms?" She smiles up at him.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm grins through a clenched jaw at Aethelflaed's remark. "You are right; perhaps I should sing for you, if you would like that." His eyes meet hers; he sees the mischief in her gaze, but knew it came from a place of love. He knew he should not be embarrassed, but he was still a very shy and reclusive man, and it would take some time to feel completely comfortable with certain things he felt were more personal. Especially regarding being open with his feelings, something he has been suppressing for so long.

As Aethelflaed slid her arm in his, he could not miss the spark in her eye as she suggested they select their rooms.

"Yes we can certainly do that. Let's have a little stroll to stretch our legs and find Sable so she can take Aelfwynn while we choose our accomodations."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Genuine remorse flickers across her face as Aethelflaed looks up at Aldhelm. "I apologize for embarrassing you," she says. "I hope you know that was not my intent." She gives him a warm smile as she brings her other hand to rest on his arm. "I would never ask you to do anything you would rather not."

Aethelflaed takes in their surroundings as Aldhelm leads her through to the guest rooms. It is peaceful here, unlike Uhtred's manor in Rumcofa, where house guards and people of all sorts were constantly coming and going. Not to mention the stress of her father's presence there, and all the drama that unfolded.

With that realization, a minute sense of the release of tension flows over Aethelflaed, and she sighs pensively. Until the scope of the threat from the north was fully known, any respite they find will be temporary; it was no wonder she and Aldhelm were finding it as often as possible within each other.

She looks up at Aldhelm, her cheeks turning pink as she realizes he had been speaking. "I apologize, I lost myself in my thoughts."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm smiles genuinely down at Aethelflaed after her apology. "It is quite alright. You did not cause me embarrassment; the remark just brought up unpleasant memories, recalling the unsavory tasks your husband would always order me to do. I made the comment in jest to lighten the mood, since the situation was rather tense. I did elicit a laugh from you, though, if I recall. I honestly did not know that you would remember that; and it took me off guard. I would be honored to sing for you, if you would like."

They walk side by side through the long corridor, taking in all the elaborate decorations on the walls. The inlaid stone mosaics on the floor continue down the hallway, and there were many more tapestries hanging on the walls. There was a great deal of wealth here, and Aldhelm explained that Legaceaster was one of the wealthiest burhs in Mercia.

Aethelflaed seems lost in her thoughts, and Aldhelm pauses to glance at her. Her pensiveness is shared by him, and he knows what bothers her. Ruling a kingdom weighs heavy on her, especially when her husband is a selfish miscreant. He knows he can offer her little to ease her mind, since he shares the same worries with her.

She apologizes again, and he takes her hand in his to give her some comfort and let her know he is present for her. She offers him a small smile, and he nods to her, communicating to each other without words. They always seemed to know what the other was thinking, as if they had a spiritual connection that linked their souls to each other.

As he gazes down at her, something catches his attention out of the corner of his eye. On the far wall hangs a large tapestry. It was deep forest green, and in the middle was a huge running white wolf, embroidered with a border of bright gold thread. It wasn't a tapestry at all, but a banner, such as the ones that kings would display on their war marches.

He motions with his head to the banner and she turns to look at what caught his gaze. "That is the sigil of my family: the white wolf of Hreopandune. It was given to my brother for safe keeping, but it belongs to me." He pauses for a moment of silence, caught up in the emotion of seeing his sigil on display for the first time in decades.

"The noblemen of Hreopandune were Iclingas, descended from the kings of the Angles in Germania. Well, they are a sister branch, descended from the brother of King Penda of Mercia, and were never considered for the crown since all of his sons ruled instead. This banner is all I have left of my ancestors. That and my ring. I am sure our family treasure and other artifacts are long gone, taken by the Danes when they sacked our home."

@theladyofmercia

[mournfulroses]

Katherine Mansfield, from a letter to John Murry, featured in The Letters of John Middleton Murry and Katherine Mansfield

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

It is mid morning when Aldhelm and Aethelflaed depart Rumcofa. The early spring weather is pleasant and delightfully warm, and their short journey is decorated with more flowers in bloom.

Legacaester is only a half-hour ride from Rumcofa, and on the way Aldhelm informs Aethelflaed about his brother and his family.

"His wife is Lynne, and they have a son that is Aelfwynn's age named Cynefrith. I do not know if you ever had the chance to visit Legacaester, but it is impressive. It was built by the Romans over eight hundred years ago, and the original fortress walls are still standing. A beautiful city." He smiles as he tells her about the town.

It is not long before the fortress comes into view. The massive stone ramparts tower over the surrounding forests, walls of pale grey stone standing in stark contrast to the green backdrop. They approach the gate and the guards ask them to wait while Beorhtric is informed of their arrival.

After a few moments, Aldhelm's brother arrives at the gate to greet them. He resembles Aldhelm superficially, although Beorhtric is slightly shorter and stockier than his older brother, with shoulder length pale brown hair and a round, friendly, open face.

He bows slightly at Aethelflaed, smiling warmly at her. "Lady Aethelflaed. Welcome to Legacaester! It is an honor to have you here; you look as lovely as ever!"

He turns to his brother. "Aldhelm!" Beorhtric exclaims, pulling the taller man in for a rough hug that nearly knocks the wind out of him. "I have not seen you for ages! How have you been, brother?"

"Well, thank you," Aldhelm says, distractedly smoothing out his tunic. "I cannot thank you enough for watching Aelfwynn for us. I apologize for imposing on you; it was a last minute change of plans."

"No worries, brother!" Beorhtric exclaims, slapping Aldhelm on the back. "It was our pleasure. Lady Aelfwynn is a gem and we are delighted to have her here." Beorhtric hands Aldhelm's wolf sigil ring back to him. "We are always happy to help."

Beohrtric glances back and forth between the two of them, grinning broadly. "Please, both of you, make yourselves at home. I will let Aelfwynn and Sable know you have arrived."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Smiling cordially, Aethelflaed nods to their new host. "Thank you, Lord Beohrtric. As Aldhelm shared, plans had to be changed at rather the last moment, as we had received news that had me, and your brother, quite concerned for the safety of my daughter.

I am certain that as soon as possible, we will fill you in on what could be a large threat to the safety and longevity of Mercia." She looks to Aldhelm, her lips drawn into a tense line as the reality of it settles back into her awareness.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm and Aethelflaed follow Beorhtric through the courtyard and into the great hall. Beorhtric's wife Lady Lynne greets them both, and motions for a servant to offer them food and drink. Aldhelm and Aethelflaed both stand in the hall near the massive firepit, looking around at the decor. There are dozens of tapestries hung on the stone walls, and wooden beams with ornate wood carvings of stylized animals and interlace patterns decorated every edge and corner. Old Roman tile mosaics are inlaid on the floor, depicting their gods and goddesses and scenes from their mythology. It is a bit jarring to see the juxtaposition of the ancient Roman artwork with the Anglo-Saxon designs, stone and wood, old and new.

Lady Lynne leaves the great hall to seek out Aelfwynn, who was playing with her son and a few other children their age in another part of the house. While she is gone, Aldhelm speaks to his brother.

"Lady Aethelflaed and I were invited to visit Rumcofa to speak with King Alfred. When we arrived, there were Saxon guards everywhere, and the mood was tense. We had no idea what had happened, so we felt it was best to keep her somewhere safe. What started out as a casual family visit turned into a very tense confrontation, that I will fill you in on later."

Aldhelm looks over at Aethelflaed, and she nods at him, so he continues. "There is talk of a possible threat from the north. Rumors of an alliance between Wihtgar, who is the new Lord of Bebbanburg, and Guthred in Northumbria, have indicated the possibility of an incursion. You will need to be prepared for the possibility of war very soon. We will be heading back south to speak with the other ealdormen to gather more information."

"That is grave news," Beorhtric replies. "I will increase the number of scouts in the area, and the guards will be readied. Does Aethelred know of this? Is he preparing at all?"

Before Aldhelm could speak, Lynne returns with Aelfwynn following her. As soon as Aelfwynn sees Aldhelm, she makes a beeline for him, and jumps up into his arms. Aldhelm's face reddens, acutely aware of the implications of her actions, and sets her down. "Go to your mother," he says calmly.

All eyes were on Aldhelm, and he was keen to keep the conversation going before uncomfortable questions were asked.

"I do not know where Aethelred is or if he is making preparations. The last I heard of him, he was sequestered in his home in Gloucester, but that was months ago. Who knows where he is or what he is doing now."

Beorhtric nods in agreement. "I certainly do not. He has cut off the ealdormen from his plans."

Aldhelm shakes his head; Aethelred was always a delinquent.

"Will you be joining us for Easter Mass before heading back to your home?" Beorhtric asks the both of them.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Aelfwynn pouts, but goes to Aethelflaed, smiling when she picks her up to embrace her.

"I've missed you, little lamb," Aethelflaed says softly after kissing the girl's forehead and smiling at her, then turns her attention back to the conversation.

"For all we know, my husband could potentially be involved in this threat. The fact that we have heard nothing from or about him in many weeks is enough to raise my suspicions."

She glances at Aldhelm before continuing. "Aethelred has made attempts at taking my life, so anything, sadly, is possible. His loyalties are to himself, not Mercia, and he cares only for power, not the Mercian people."

Ordinarily, she would refrain from speaking so freely against her husband, but Aethelflaed felt that Beorhtric could be trusted with this information.

She sighs as she continues. "And lately, King Alfred seems more keen on playing petty manipulations and revenge on men who have fought for him than assisting in quelling any threats to our borders. He is supposed to be on the road back to Wessex, currently, and I am not certain that he would render aid if asked."

Aethelflaed had to fight to keep the bitterness from her voice, but it burned in her chest like betrayal. She looks at Aldhelm and can feel that he knows how hard it is for her to speak against her father, let alone admit that there is strife between them. She can see the understanding in his eyes, and it soothes a bit of the ache in her heart.

"I wouldn't wish to impose upon you for Easter mass, Lord, though I'm sure it will take some time to send word to all the ealdormen for a witan."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Beorhtric's eyes widen and the effervescent smile leaves his face. "Aethelred has attempted to take your life, Lady? This is the first I have heard of this, and it is very disturbing. I always knew your marriage was tumultuous, but I would have never guessed he would stoop so low! This is grievous. He is truly unfit to rule this kingdom."

Beorhtric glances at his brother, whose solemn face reinforces the gravity of the situation. "And apparently King Alfred it seems may be reneging on the alliance too? These are troubling times. Calling a witan is a wise decision. Sadly, I do not have any informants in Northumbria, so I am as much in the dark about this situation as you, Lady."

The smile returns to his face at Aethelflaed's reply. "Lady, it is no imposition, none at all. We would love to have you and your family here to join us for Easter mass. And then I get to spend some time with my aloof brother!" He slaps Aldhelm on the shoulder as he says that, much to the chagrin of the older man, who groans and rolls his eyes. "Although I do understand if you are in haste to return to your estate and begin planning the witan."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Nodding gravely, Aethelflaed speaks gently. "It is my concern for Mercia that is the reason I share this about my husband. But bear in mind, I tell you this in confidence, Lord Beorhtric. I fear that if this was shared beyond this room, it would only increase the animosity toward me shared by my husband and his supporters."

She smiles again when he shows brotherly affection toward Aldhelm. "I am happy that you two have an opportunity to spend time together. Because he has such a keen mind and is my most trusted advisor," Aethelflaed looks at Aldhelm and puts an affectionate hand on his arm as she speaks, "I keep Aldhelm rather busy, I'm afraid - you can blame me for keeping him from you.

Perhaps you and your family could join us when we leave for Saltwic - you will attend the witan, yes?"

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Beorhtric raises an eyebrow and a wolfish grin spreads from ear to ear as his eyes dart between Aethelflaed and Aldhelm. "Oh, I bet you keep him busy!" he snickers. "Never fear, my Lady. Nothing said inside this room will spread beyond the walls. You have my word. And my loyalty. And yes, my Lady, I will be attending the witan. Lady Lynne and our son would be delighted to join you; Cynefrith is quite fond of Aelfwynn already and I am sure he would be overjoyed to spend more time with her."

Aldhelm glances sidelong at his brother's not so subtle implication, and grimaces uncomfortably; he wonders if the whole world knew and they were just pretending that they didn't notice.

Beorhtric ignores his brother's discomfort and continues speaking to Aethelflaed. "I am honored you will be joining us for Easter Mass, Lady! We have a beautiful church here, and our bishop is a kindly man and an energetic preacher! Did Aldhelm tell you he used to sing in the choir?"

"Beorhtric!" Aldhelm exclaims, shooting him a look of annoyance.

"He had such a beautiful voice, ethereal and angelic. Perhaps he will sing for you on Sunday! One of the hymns from Saint Aldhelm, a favorite of his!" Beorhtric continues, pointedly ignoring his brother's protests.

Aldhelm groans, and puts his face in his hands, mortified by his brother flippantly and casually talking about him to Aethelflaed.

Beorhtric grins at his brother's beet red face, proud of himself for cracking through his stoic exterior and agitating him. "I will leave you two to relax and settle in after your harrowing journey. It sounds like you have been through a lot in the past few days and deserve some rest. The guest chambers are down the east hall on the left, and you have your choice of rooms at the moment since we are not expecting any guests. I will see you both at the feast this evening!" Beorhtric left the great hall, leaving Aethelflaed, Aldhelm and Aelfwynn alone.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Aethelflaed listens to Beorhtric with an amused glint in her eyes and small smile on her lips. After he leaves her and Aldhelm, she turns to Aldhelm.

"I do believe you offered once to sing me a song, and I still haven't taken you up on it. Now that I know you were a choirboy, perhaps the time has come."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm's face turns a deep crimson, his eyes averted to glance at the ornate tile floor.

"You have heard me sing before," he replies softly and quietly, "I had sung to Aelfwynn when she had an especially intractable temper tantrum, shortly after I moved to Saltwic."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

The amusement in her eyes turns to mischief as her smile widens. "Yes, but that was not singing to me, was it?" Aethelflaed couldn't resist teasing him; mischief-making, afterall, was in her nature, and had been since she was a small child.

It was that mischief that used to vex her mother, but Aethelflaed remembers many times in which her father would be smirking or trying to hide a smile in response to her antics. It came naturally for her, and she would be lying if she were to say that she found no delight in flustering the normally unflappable man beside her.

Sliding her hand through his arm to link hers around it, Aethelflaed changes the subject - perhaps to spare Aldhelm from further embarrassment. "Would you like to show me around? Perhaps to select appropriate rooms for us?" She leans in closer and lowers her voice. "Perhaps adjoining rooms?" She smiles up at him.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm grins through a clenched jaw at Aethelflaed's remark. "You are right; perhaps I should sing for you, if you would like that." His eyes meet hers; he sees the mischief in her gaze, but knew it came from a place of love. He knew he should not be embarrassed, but he was still a very shy and reclusive man, and it would take some time to feel completely comfortable with certain things he felt were more personal. Especially regarding being open with his feelings, something he has been suppressing for so long.

As Aethelflaed slid her arm in his, he could not miss the spark in her eye as she suggested they select their rooms.

"Yes we can certainly do that. Let's have a little stroll to stretch our legs and find Sable so she can take Aelfwynn while we choose our accomodations."

@theladyofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

It is mid morning when Aldhelm and Aethelflaed depart Rumcofa. The early spring weather is pleasant and delightfully warm, and their short journey is decorated with more flowers in bloom.

Legacaester is only a half-hour ride from Rumcofa, and on the way Aldhelm informs Aethelflaed about his brother and his family.

"His wife is Lynne, and they have a son that is Aelfwynn's age named Cynefrith. I do not know if you ever had the chance to visit Legacaester, but it is impressive. It was built by the Romans over eight hundred years ago, and the original fortress walls are still standing. A beautiful city." He smiles as he tells her about the town.

It is not long before the fortress comes into view. The massive stone ramparts tower over the surrounding forests, walls of pale grey stone standing in stark contrast to the green backdrop. They approach the gate and the guards ask them to wait while Beorhtric is informed of their arrival.

After a few moments, Aldhelm's brother arrives at the gate to greet them. He resembles Aldhelm superficially, although Beorhtric is slightly shorter and stockier than his older brother, with shoulder length pale brown hair and a round, friendly, open face.

He bows slightly at Aethelflaed, smiling warmly at her. "Lady Aethelflaed. Welcome to Legacaester! It is an honor to have you here; you look as lovely as ever!"

He turns to his brother. "Aldhelm!" Beorhtric exclaims, pulling the taller man in for a rough hug that nearly knocks the wind out of him. "I have not seen you for ages! How have you been, brother?"

"Well, thank you," Aldhelm says, distractedly smoothing out his tunic. "I cannot thank you enough for watching Aelfwynn for us. I apologize for imposing on you; it was a last minute change of plans."

"No worries, brother!" Beorhtric exclaims, slapping Aldhelm on the back. "It was our pleasure. Lady Aelfwynn is a gem and we are delighted to have her here." Beorhtric hands Aldhelm's wolf sigil ring back to him. "We are always happy to help."

Beohrtric glances back and forth between the two of them, grinning broadly. "Please, both of you, make yourselves at home. I will let Aelfwynn and Sable know you have arrived."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Smiling cordially, Aethelflaed nods to their new host. "Thank you, Lord Beohrtric. As Aldhelm shared, plans had to be changed at rather the last moment, as we had received news that had me, and your brother, quite concerned for the safety of my daughter.

I am certain that as soon as possible, we will fill you in on what could be a large threat to the safety and longevity of Mercia." She looks to Aldhelm, her lips drawn into a tense line as the reality of it settles back into her awareness.

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm and Aethelflaed follow Beorhtric through the courtyard and into the great hall. Beorhtric's wife Lady Lynne greets them both, and motions for a servant to offer them food and drink. Aldhelm and Aethelflaed both stand in the hall near the massive firepit, looking around at the decor. There are dozens of tapestries hung on the stone walls, and wooden beams with ornate wood carvings of stylized animals and interlace patterns decorated every edge and corner. Old Roman tile mosaics are inlaid on the floor, depicting their gods and goddesses and scenes from their mythology. It is a bit jarring to see the juxtaposition of the ancient Roman artwork with the Anglo-Saxon designs, stone and wood, old and new.

Lady Lynne leaves the great hall to seek out Aelfwynn, who was playing with her son and a few other children their age in another part of the house. While she is gone, Aldhelm speaks to his brother.

"Lady Aethelflaed and I were invited to visit Rumcofa to speak with King Alfred. When we arrived, there were Saxon guards everywhere, and the mood was tense. We had no idea what had happened, so we felt it was best to keep her somewhere safe. What started out as a casual family visit turned into a very tense confrontation, that I will fill you in on later."

Aldhelm looks over at Aethelflaed, and she nods at him, so he continues. "There is talk of a possible threat from the north. Rumors of an alliance between Wihtgar, who is the new Lord of Bebbanburg, and Guthred in Northumbria, have indicated the possibility of an incursion. You will need to be prepared for the possibility of war very soon. We will be heading back south to speak with the other ealdormen to gather more information."

"That is grave news," Beorhtric replies. "I will increase the number of scouts in the area, and the guards will be readied. Does Aethelred know of this? Is he preparing at all?"

Before Aldhelm could speak, Lynne returns with Aelfwynn following her. As soon as Aelfwynn sees Aldhelm, she makes a beeline for him, and jumps up into his arms. Aldhelm's face reddens, acutely aware of the implications of her actions, and sets her down. "Go to your mother," he says calmly.

All eyes were on Aldhelm, and he was keen to keep the conversation going before uncomfortable questions were asked.

"I do not know where Aethelred is or if he is making preparations. The last I heard of him, he was sequestered in his home in Gloucester, but that was months ago. Who knows where he is or what he is doing now."

Beorhtric nods in agreement. "I certainly do not. He has cut off the ealdormen from his plans."

Aldhelm shakes his head; Aethelred was always a delinquent.

"Will you be joining us for Easter Mass before heading back to your home?" Beorhtric asks the both of them.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Aelfwynn pouts, but goes to Aethelflaed, smiling when she picks her up to embrace her.

"I've missed you, little lamb," Aethelflaed says softly after kissing the girl's forehead and smiling at her, then turns her attention back to the conversation.

"For all we know, my husband could potentially be involved in this threat. The fact that we have heard nothing from or about him in many weeks is enough to raise my suspicions."

She glances at Aldhelm before continuing. "Aethelred has made attempts at taking my life, so anything, sadly, is possible. His loyalties are to himself, not Mercia, and he cares only for power, not the Mercian people."

Ordinarily, she would refrain from speaking so freely against her husband, but Aethelflaed felt that Beorhtric could be trusted with this information.

She sighs as she continues. "And lately, King Alfred seems more keen on playing petty manipulations and revenge on men who have fought for him than assisting in quelling any threats to our borders. He is supposed to be on the road back to Wessex, currently, and I am not certain that he would render aid if asked."

Aethelflaed had to fight to keep the bitterness from her voice, but it burned in her chest like betrayal. She looks at Aldhelm and can feel that he knows how hard it is for her to speak against her father, let alone admit that there is strife between them. She can see the understanding in his eyes, and it soothes a bit of the ache in her heart.

"I wouldn't wish to impose upon you for Easter mass, Lord, though I'm sure it will take some time to send word to all the ealdormen for a witan."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Beorhtric's eyes widen and the effervescent smile leaves his face. "Aethelred has attempted to take your life, Lady? This is the first I have heard of this, and it is very disturbing. I always knew your marriage was tumultuous, but I would have never guessed he would stoop so low! This is grievous. He is truly unfit to rule this kingdom."

Beorhtric glances at his brother, whose solemn face reinforces the gravity of the situation. "And apparently King Alfred it seems may be reneging on the alliance too? These are troubling times. Calling a witan is a wise decision. Sadly, I do not have any informants in Northumbria, so I am as much in the dark about this situation as you, Lady."

The smile returns to his face at Aethelflaed's reply. "Lady, it is no imposition, none at all. We would love to have you and your family here to join us for Easter mass. And then I get to spend some time with my aloof brother!" He slaps Aldhelm on the shoulder as he says that, much to the chagrin of the older man, who groans and rolls his eyes. "Although I do understand if you are in haste to return to your estate and begin planning the witan."

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Nodding gravely, Aethelflaed speaks gently. "It is my concern for Mercia that is the reason I share this about my husband. But bear in mind, I tell you this in confidence, Lord Beorhtric. I fear that if this was shared beyond this room, it would only increase the animosity toward me shared by my husband and his supporters."

She smiles again when he shows brotherly affection toward Aldhelm. "I am happy that you two have an opportunity to spend time together. Because he has such a keen mind and is my most trusted advisor," Aethelflaed looks at Aldhelm and puts an affectionate hand on his arm as she speaks, "I keep Aldhelm rather busy, I'm afraid - you can blame me for keeping him from you.

Perhaps you and your family could join us when we leave for Saltwic - you will attend the witan, yes?"

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Beorhtric raises an eyebrow and a wolfish grin spreads from ear to ear as his eyes dart between Aethelflaed and Aldhelm. "Oh, I bet you keep him busy!" he snickers. "Never fear, my Lady. Nothing said inside this room will spread beyond the walls. You have my word. And my loyalty. And yes, my Lady, I will be attending the witan. Lady Lynne and our son would be delighted to join you; Cynefrith is quite fond of Aelfwynn already and I am sure he would be overjoyed to spend more time with her."

Aldhelm glances sidelong at his brother's not so subtle implication, and grimaces uncomfortably; he wonders if the whole world knew and they were just pretending that they didn't notice.

Beorhtric ignores his brother's discomfort and continues speaking to Aethelflaed. "I am honored you will be joining us for Easter Mass, Lady! We have a beautiful church here, and our bishop is a kindly man and an energetic preacher! Did Aldhelm tell you he used to sing in the choir?"

"Beorhtric!" Aldhelm exclaims, shooting him a look of annoyance.

"He had such a beautiful voice, ethereal and angelic. Perhaps he will sing for you on Sunday! One of the hymns from Saint Aldhelm, a favorite of his!" Beorhtric continues, pointedly ignoring his brother's protests.

Aldhelm groans, and puts his face in his hands, mortified by his brother flippantly and casually talking about him to Aethelflaed.

Beorhtric grins at his brother's beet red face, proud of himself for cracking through his stoic exterior and agitating him. "I will leave you two to relax and settle in after your harrowing journey. It sounds like you have been through a lot in the past few days and deserve some rest. The guest chambers are down the east hall on the left, and you have your choice of rooms at the moment since we are not expecting any guests. I will see you both at the feast this evening!" Beorhtric left the great hall, leaving Aethelflaed, Aldhelm and Aelfwynn alone.

@theladyofmercia

[theladyofmercia]

Aethelflaed listens to Beorhtric with an amused glint in her eyes and small smile on her lips. After he leaves her and Aldhelm, she turns to Aldhelm.

"I do believe you offered once to sing me a song, and I still haven't taken you up on it. Now that I know you were a choirboy, perhaps the time has come."

@lordaldhelmofmercia

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Aldhelm's face turns a deep crimson, his eyes averted to glance at the ornate tile floor.

"You have heard me sing before," he replies softly and quietly, "I had sung to Aelfwynn when she had an especially intractable temper tantrum, shortly after I moved to Saltwic."

@theladyofmercia