The Bold Prince
Gainsborough, England - October 1128
Her reception at the court at Gainsborough was very different than the last time she traveled there. Where once Madrun was subjected to the withering eye of the great magnates of England and forced to swear to the victorious King Eadgar, now she was ushered into a hall devoid of anyone save Uhtræd himself and his brother standing beside the seated King. In all of it, she remained proud and as her guards released her, she stood tall, free of chains and strong just as she had done before. The King did not say a word but kept his gaze to her with a sharp eye until she finally offered him a deep bow and then stood with a smile.
“Do you find us well met, my Lady?” Uhtræd asked with a grin as he huddled in his fine chair.
Madrun kept her smile, “Having not met you before, I would say that I do not. I expected a greater presence.”
Uhtræd offered a slight laugh, “Not quite the picture of my father, I suspect.”
“In a word...” Madrun allowed a grin, “...no. Do you be unwell...again?”
“I have seen better days, my Lady,” Uhtræd suggested, “And yet I would not miss this moment with you.”
“Then I am doubly wounded,” Madrun replied, “Not only have I been bested but by a sickly King. I am mortified.”
The two kept their eyes locked on one another as Uhtræd laughed once more, “I may gather what others see in you, my Lady. You have a wit and goodly spirit. I believe that I like it well.”
Madrun dipped her head, “Your father said much the same when I had the pleasure of his audience. Others too have found me...desirable.”
Uhtræd turned briefly to Eadward before looking to her once more, “Your Lord husband of Kildare, to be certain.”
“He is one...” she smiled in her reply, “...among many. My Lord does still smart at his defeat at Burgh and I must commend you for your great bravery at that place.”
“Was he there? For I did not see him,” Uhtræd questioned.
Madrun took on a slight frown, “Likely not. Poor that was as he should have tasted your steel as his men were caused to do.”
“Indeed a shame,” Uhtræd suggested with a grin, “If he is half as charming as you, I would have liked to take his measure.”
“He is not,” Madrun returned the grin, “So you will have to do with mine.”
Uhtræd laughed again, “That is a fair trade. And I do hope that your progress to this place was not terribly a burden.”
“I do not think to call it a progress...Your Grace. More a forced march.”
“I would see you one way or the other, my Lady,” Uhtræd continued to smile.
Madrun allowed a nod, “Indeed you would. Come all the way to call on me at my home.”
“You were not easy to track down,” Uhtræd suggested, “And yet Bangor Fawr found you, my Lady, and so we found Bangor Fawr.”
“And I wished that I might say that it was my pleasure that you did so...but you know that it is not,” Madrun dropped her smile as she allowed a brief look to Eadward.
“So...” Uhtræd shifted in his chair, “...what shall we do here?”
Madrun stood tall once more, “I should think that you would name your terms for I am bested and at your mercy...Your Grace.”
Uhtræd raised a brow, “It need not have been this way, Lady Madrun. I do believe that my brother here did offer you a safer road to travel.”
She looked at Eadward again, “A forked tongue does offer two routes and I be happy with the one of my choosing.”
“Either way...” Uhtræd smiled once more, “...it brings you here to me.”
Madrun returned the smile, “Indeed...all roads do lead to England it would seem.”
Uhtræd struggled to stand but made his way down the few steps and took her hand, “My terms would remain the same, my Lady. I would hold you as my Lord in Gwynedd as you have been. I did not wish this hardship upon you. I hold great affection for you as does my brother.”
“He does indeed,” Madrun stared at Eadward.
“So I would ask of you now...” Uhtræd gripped her hand tightly, “Do you accept?”
Madrun kept an icy stare towards Eadward before looking back to the King with a smile and bending to a knee. She clasped her hands together before him and lowered her head, “I would have little choice but to become yours if you would have me, Your Grace.”
Uhtræd placed his own hands upon hers, “Then rise, my Lady of Gwynedd and count me as your liege Lord and true benefactor in every way.”
“You are the King of Wales, Your Grace...I could do no other,” Madrun stood and smiled to the King before looking to Eadward once more with a sharp eye, “Yet...am I to answer to him?”
“My brother?” the King allowed his own smile to her before moving back to his raised chair, “Of course, for he is the Chancellor of the realm and my most trusted confident. Yet...I think to keep you for myself.”
Eadward was shocked but did not say a word. Madrun saw the look and found a great grin, “It would be my honor to be your personal vassal, Your Grace. I can think of no other that I would rather serve.”
“That is very good to hear,” Uhtræd answered as he took some pains to sit once more, “I would have you now fly free back to your lands and know that you are comforted in our love.”
Madrun offered a deep bow, “I would know that at least one member of the House of Wessex has great love for me, Your Grace. I thank you.”
Uhtræd squared her face and gave a nod, “You may now go, my Lady. Peace be with you.”
“And also with you, Your Grace,” Madrun replied as she backed from the hall.
When she was gone, Uhtræd turned to his brother, “So tell me of Glamorgan...this Earl Cadwgan...how soon may we move?”
Eadward remained in shock, “This was not what we planned!”
The King craned his neck with some pain to give question, “Whatever do you mean? I had wish to gain Gwynedd and have now done so. I would see Glamorgan as well. You know this, brother.”
“I was to be her Lord,” Eadward answered quickly.
Uhtræd struggled to stand but found some purchase as he leaned against his chair, “Brother...get off of that. I believe that you have had plenty of her in your many years. It is time for this Lady to find a new champion and you have many other duties at the now.”
The Prince lowered his head, “Of course I do.”
The King reached out and grabbed at his brother’s coat, “Eadward...I do not know what time I have left. I must needs see this thing come. You will help me and not sulk!”
Eadward stuffed down his rage and tried to smile, “So it is Glamorgan. I will do what I am able.”
“Do more than that, sir.” Uhtræd answered him as he started to shuffle from the hall, “I would see it...and soon.”
The Prince watched his brother walk away, clearly in pain. He felt lied to and was incensed by it. He would likely never have the same relationship with Madrun as before, but he knew well that she had left him already. Yet, he had held out some hope. And then there was his wife. Judith would surely be happy with this outcome. She
was the strong one and their relationship had grown better. Perhaps it was for the best. It was only after much deep thought that Eadward finally looked down and realized that he was sitting in the King’s chair.