The Rightful King
Gainsborough, England - November 1107
King Eadgar sat at the raised table and seemed to fidget even though he kept a pleasant smile on his face. Hextilda reached over to squeeze at his hand and he stopped as he leaned over to give her a kiss. She whispered into his ear, “He is coming…soon, I promise.”
He leaned over her to smile at Lord Skuli seated next to the Queen and then turned back to give a questioning face to the Prince seated next to him, though there was an empty place between them.
Eadward shifted with a smile of his own, “I am certain that the channel waters may have been choppy at this time of year, Your Grace. I know that he has landed as his letter told me so. He is but delayed.”
The King did not return the smile as he looked out over the varied guests that he had invited to rejoice at the homecoming of his first son and heir. That frown had little time to last as a page stepped forward to announce a new arrival.
“The Prince Uhtræd of England and Wales and the Duke of Meissen!!”
All eyes in the room turned to face the doors to the hall and watched as the robust figure of the Prince and Heir to the Crown of England and Wales entered. He led beside him a young man that looked to be his twin from many years ago. Hextilda forgot all protocol and jumped from her seat to rush and embrace her son, “Oh my sweet boy!! How we have all missed you!”
As she repeatedly kissed at his cheek, Uhtræd smiled and looked past her to his father. He kept the embrace for some time before finally moving to present his companion, “Mother…my father, Your Grace…may I present to you my son, Oscytel.”
Uhtræd led the boy forth and gave him a quick wink before they both offered deep bows to the King. The room remained silent as Eadgar sat at the table with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. It took several moments before he finally stood and moved around the table so he might stand before them both. He looked the boy over and gave him a nod with a serious face. Then he looked deeply to his son that he had not seen for fifteen years. If there was pleasure in his eyes, it did not seem readily apparent.
“It has been too long in coming,” the King suggested with an arched brow.
Uhtræd looked confused, “Father…are you not pleased to see me?”
As Eadgar continued to look on his eldest son, the silence in the room would have made a pin dropping to the stone floor seem the loudest noise in the world. The King looked back to the boy next to him with a stern face, “How old are you, son?”
Oscytel looked up with a questioning eye, “I have passed fourteen summers, sir…Your Grace.”
The King looked the boy over once again, “You hold a lanky frame that requires filling out and there is an accent to your voice, methinks.”
“He lives in Meissen, Your Grace and has not yet found his full form,” Uhtræd was quick to answer.
Eadgar shot his son a harsh eye, “I did not ask the question to you, sir. I asked the boy.”
“Your Grace,” Hextilda moved to her husband and held at his arm, “Let us have a fine reunion…please.”
He looked to his wife with pained eyes but still returned his gaze to Oscytel, “The boy may answer.”
The teen tried to stand tall and in doing so nearly equaled the King’s height, “Your Grace…I would ever strive to be the picture of health and strength as you are. My father teaches me of all the ways in England and I work ever more to lose that which makes me of Meissen and find everything that makes me your loyal and faithful servant.”
Eadgar looked around the room and then finally found his smile as he held out arms to take in the youth, “That is well said, sir! Well said indeed!”
The room erupted into applause as Uhtræd allowed a nervous laugh. He watched the King embrace his son and took a step forward, “It is good to look upon you, father.”
“And you, my fine Prince!” Eadgar made a show of pulling Uhtræd into the embrace.
As Uhtræd and his son found way to wriggle from the King’s arms, Eadgar turned to the high table, “Eadward…young Beorhtmaer…look who has returned to us! Come and greet your brother!”
The Chancellor and his younger brother both moved to give Uhtræd an embrace as the King turned to the crowd, “Look here at my three fine boys! All strong and healthy. And together once again!”
Hextilda smiled at her children together and gestured for the high table, “Come, come…let us feast.”
“Indeed!” Eadgar moved to put a hand on young Oscytel’s back and lead him to a seat, “You must be famished after such a long journey.”
Uhtræd smiled at his brothers as he followed and soon it seemed as if the last fifteen years had never occurred. Music played and the King made many showy gestures of pointing out this change and that to the keep at Gainsborough. Eadgar made a point to include Oscytel in his discussion and even praised Eadward’s good works over the last years. The sumptuous food did soon run low and many of the guests begged the King’s forgiveness to take their leave. The King allowed it but kept his gregarious spirit until his wife finally stood. She nodded her head that it may be time to turn in.
“But I have had so little time,” Eadgar begged her with pleading eyes but she stood firm and so he was forced to say goodnight.
“I will see you both on the morrow, my princes,” he looked to his sons with pride, “Do not stay up too late for we have much to discuss. I would remain, but my lady wife does not permit such late hours anymore.”
Prince Uhtræd stood and moved to give his father a deep embrace, “I am sorry that I have been away from you for so long. It is mine own fault and none of yours.”
Eadgar moved to put his son at arm’s reach so he could look on him with a deep smile and a slight tear in his eye, “That is fine. That is very fine.”
Hextilda shifted to speak with young Oscytel, “There are rooms for you as well, young master. We would make all as if it were your own bed at home. Come and see.”
Uhtræd smiled at his mother and then winked at his son, “She will take great care of you, sir. Listen to all she wishes to say.”
As the King and Queen moved to leave the hall, Uhtræd could not help but keep the smile. He watched his father walk away with some trouble due to too much drink and his mother continue to dote on the boy. He finally turned to Eadward, “It seems a fine reunion, does it not?”
Prince Eadward held out a hand to show Duke Skuli limping forward, “This Lord may wish to say goodnight as well, brother.”
The aged Marshal gave a slight bow, “My good and lawful son is too gracious as I be certain that you two may have many hours together and many things to speak about.”
“Lord Skuli,” Uhtræd held out a warm hand and grasped at the Duke’s arm, “There be none more that I may wish to see at this time than you. I am sorry that we have not had much chance this night to speak.”
Skuli grinned, “You have been well busy, my Prince. I would not take away such a moment when it is so long in coming. It is well to see you in any case. But sadly, I too grow old and infirm and may no longer revel with the young men as in the past.”
“I take no offense,” Uhtræd was quick to reply, “And if my journey home has done anything, it allows me to look upon the face of a hero once again.”
“You are too kind to me, my Prince,” Skuli offered with a bow. “I may say to you that you have a fine boy and I am glad of it.”
The Prince laughed, “And now you are too kind. He is young and requires more training than I may be fit to give him. I fear that he may tend towards the priesthood. His mother has coddled him.”
The Marshal winked at Uhtræd, “If he be your boy, my Prince, he will turn into a fine man. Do not doubt it.”
The two said their goodbyes and finally Uhtræd turned to his brother in the empty hall, “Things have most assuredly changed, brother.”
Eadward sat back down and picked at his trencher for some last morsel of meat, “You have been gone a long time.”
“I did not expect to enjoy myself as much as I did,” Uhtræd smiled as he moved to find another pitcher of ale.
“It was…touch and go, at first,” Eadward grinned.
Uhtræd found two goblets and poured them both a drink, “Quite. What
was that?”
Eadward tried to smile, “Our father has his demons and you may be one of them, I am sad to say.”
“He still smarts at my leaving after all of these years?” Uhtræd asked as he sat and handed his brother a goblet.
“Mayhap,” Eadward nodded, “But he also wished for a grander reunion that did not come. You would not be away from Meissen at the Mass of Christ and so he cannot have his family all together as he may have wished.”
“So now he blames me for this?” Uhtræd questioned.
Eadward smiled, “Think no thing of it, brother. No matter his desire, our sisters could not be here anyway. Mildrith and Mathilda have both just had child and Sifflæd has a new husband in Connaught even though she continues her days with her young son in Saintonge.”
Uhtræd moved to take a drink, “I was sad to hear about her Silvestor.”
Eadward followed his brother and took a long pull from his goblet before answering with a nod, “Time long since gone in this realm, sir. You will grow used to it.”
“Beorhtmaer seems a strapping lad, however,” Uhtræd flashed a grin. “I should have him ride out with Oscytel so he may teach him a thing or two.”
“That may be wise,” Eadward nodded again, “Our young brother shows your same brilliance at martial skills. He will be most useful in the years ahead.”
Uhtræd took another drink as he looked to his brother with question, “Useful?”
Prince Eadward moved to pour the rest of the ale into his goblet, “You will need all the help you may get, my brother.”
“That was a full pitcher,” Uhtræd moved to place his own goblet under the spilling ale.
Eadward looked up with a silly grin, “I fear I may be drunk.”
Uhtræd sat the ale aside and held at his brother’s hand with a smile, “You should celebrate, I am told. You are now Earl and master of Perfeddwlad.”
“I am that and I thank His Grace for his kindness,” Eadward nodded.
“I hear you even put men in the field, sir,” Uhtræd joked.
Eadward took another drink and looked to his brother with a wary grin, “I would follow my father anywhere.”
Uhtræd smiled, “You mean your wife’s father…and of course. There is no better time to get your spurs wet.”
“His is a stupid war…” Eadward started to slur, “…but I would do my part. After all…I am Earl! And this Norman Duke may go and screw!”
“The House of Normandy remains a trouble even after all of these years,” Uhtræd nodded his head.
“Trouble?” Eadward pointed a finger, “You have no idea!”
Uhtræd did not smile as he answered, “I think I may have some. I faced the forces of the Bastard many years ago, brother.”
Eadward look at him with sad eyes, “I forget. I am sorry.”
The younger brother moved to find more ale and stumbled in his attempt causing Uhtræd to stand and steady him, “Why do you not sit? Let us continue to talk.”
Eadward pulled away and found another pitcher of ale. He turned with a sheepish grin, “Your suggestion today is a demand in future, is it not?”
“Are we not well met, Eadward?” Uhtræd asked as he sat once more and offered a curious smile.
The younger Prince sat with a thud and poured himself another goblet, “It is fine to see you home.”
Uhtræd looked to him with a wary eye, “And yet I think you be jealous of me.”
Eadward offered a wide grin, “Why in heaven would I be jealous of you? Because you are heir to the crown? Because you and your wife couple as if rabbits and have spawn that will not cease? Because you are the great general that all respect and love? Because our father makes every place for you and little to none for me or our young brother? Why on Earth would I be jealous of you?!”
“It is there,” Uhtræd put a finger on the table, “Because you find your place wanting. Do you not rejoice at being Earl and great Chancellor to the King?”
“It took long enough,” Eadward looked up with some scorn. “But why do you say so? I have worked hard for what has come to me!”
“Of course you have, brother,” Uhtræd answered as he moved to pull away Eadward’s drink. “I may hope for your same diligence when the sad day comes when I too must wear this crown.”
The younger brother looked to his old mentor and reached a hand across the table to grasp his arm, “I am sorry, Uhtræd. I do not mean to scold or find pettiness. But with our father…”
“It is hard,” Uhtræd nodded his head and stood to help Eadward from his seat. “You should be abed and not let these worries take away from such a fine night. Come…I will help you.”
Eadward accepted the arm but looked to his brother with a sincere face, “No, sir…I will help you.”
The two brothers moved to find Eadward’s chamber and put him to bed and Uhtræd found his way to his own room. His sleep that night was fitful and the dawn hour found him at an open window looking out towards the lands of Gainsborough with a fur around him to keep out the chill morning air. His thoughts had been many and would have remained that way without a knock on his door.
His younger brother entered with a white face and bags under his bloodshot eyes, “I fear I had too much ale last night.”
“I believe you speak truth,” Uhtræd responded as he turned with a smile.
Eadward hesitated for a moment before finally answering, “I wish to apologize.”
Uhtræd kept his smile, “For what? You were drunk and drunken men say foolish things. All may be forgiven.”
“I may have shown you a poor side of myself,” Eadward took a step forward.
“You should not find worry,” Uhtræd pulled out a chair for him to sit, “If nothing else, it is but a reminder that no matter how much things may have changed here in these past many years, so many more remain just the same.”
His brother took the offered seat but looked to Uhtræd with curiosity, “What mean you by this?”
Uhtræd shifted to stoke a low fire, “Eadward, I came home to see you and the rest of the family as much as I did to find my interest in this place once more. Did my joy of this land even still exist?”
“England is your home,” Eadward answered with certainty.
“Not anymore,” Uhtræd turned to face him with a slight smile, “My home now is with my beautiful if not sometimes harrowing wife and my six fine children. It is a far cry from my time here with all the memory that comes with it.”
Eadward shifted in his chair, “But those days are long over, Uhtræd! England is a stable realm and waits longingly for your great return.”
Uhtræd returned to look out the window, “All that you say has the ring of truth to it, but one may find holes in each argument. It is true that those bad days are many years in the past and I have put my mind right to all of it.”
“Were these days so terrible?” Eadward asked with incredulity.
“You would never know, my brother,” Uhtræd turned slightly as he brought many of them back to mind. “By God, I hope you never do.”
Eadward was about to answer but Uhtræd turned fully and leaned against the stone wall, “England may be stable at the now and she has had a fine King during these last many years.”
“Our father has his moments,” Eadward offered a brief laugh.
“And he is old,” Uhtræd kept his serious face. “I did not think such a thing possible for the great Eadgar of Wessex. How did he get so old?”
Eadward leaned forward, “The King has a great many worries.”
Uhtræd held up a finger as he moved to warm his backside by the fire, “That is just it. And while the people may wish my so called great return, not all would feel this way, methinks.”
“Uhtræd, your support is sound,” Eadward turned his body towards his brother, “Take my word for it if nothing else as I do have the pulse of the realm.”
“I certainly will,” Uhtræd offered a slight smile, “And I am pleased to see that we remain brothers as tightly woven together now as we were when we were children. I have so much love for you, dear brother and I would not wish to hold such an awesome position without your assistance and guidance now that you grow into such an astute man.”
Eadward sat back with a curious look, “And yet, that may not be enough for you because you do not find your heart in the role. Is that it?”
Uhtræd turned to warm his front as he suggested over his shoulder, “I told you that you were astute.”
Eadward kept his curious gaze as he asked his brother, “Uhtræd…do you want to be the King?”
Looking down at the fire before him, Uhtræd answered as honestly as he could, “I do not know.”
A nervous laugh escaped Eadward’s lips as he looked to his brother with a shocked face, “Well…I do not even…I know not how you may not be? How would that even work? Father has put into place direct plans for your succession. If somehow you refused…you could not be compelled, I suppose…but then it would fall to your young son, I imagine.”
“He is not ready for any such thing and I would no more allow him travel for such a gauntlet than I would cut off mine own head,” Uhtræd kept looking to the fire.
Eadward stood with a flash of irritation, “Then what? You mean to say that you would willingly plunge this realm back into the chaos of years past simply for your own comfort?”
Uhtræd turned to face his brother, “Even if I did return, Eadward….would we not find the same? Do you think these Lords will accept it as willingly as our father thinks they might? Why? Just because he has decreed it and they have said that they would follow? If you have the pulse, then you know full well that the minute our father’s body turns cold, they will each look to pull what scrap of morsel they can find off of that carcass like carrion over the battlefield.”
“The Lords are beholden to the crown now, brother,” Eadward tried to suggest.
Uhtræd offered a raised brow, “Why? Because the great King Eadgar gives them place and position? That he has married into these great families? When he is dead, which of these means a whit in the face of a man’s desire? When mine own brother finds jealousy over his position next to mine own, what may these Lords consider when the time comes?”
Eadward lowered his head, “I did not mean what I said last night, Uhtræd.”
“There was some truth to it,” Uhtræd answered with certainty, “That is not the point. There is a French phrasing…
plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose…it matters not what great stability our father may have brought to this realm. He is not King because of the man…he is King because of his claim. His was greater than a Norman foreigner, a Yorkist pretender or even an ineffectual Godwin that could not follow in his father’s footsteps. And the great Eadgar had the means and support behind him to make it so no matter their worth or righteousness.”
“Uhtræd…you cannot mean that you would forfeit your birthright…” Eadward answered him with worry in his voice.
Uhtræd called his brother over to him with his hands, “I have not said I would do so, but it remains tightly in my mind.”
Eadward accepted an embrace from his older brother as he offered his allegiance, “I would be there always, Uhtræd…no matter their actions. I would see to it that you had every and all means to secure your reign and make it glorious.”
“I believe that you would,” Uhtræd answered as he held Eadward tight, “And I have much to consider.”
