51

MAJESTY

Theo glanced over his shoulder at Henry. So he came, a god cursed knight, like a page or squire and refilled the glass. His father finished his drink and held the cup out to him again.

"Don't get me wrong, Your Majesty. But the Earl of March is a nuisance."

Of course he is. He shagged the queen.

The king snapped his fingers and motioned for Henry to add wood. For stuff like that, Henry had thrown a hell of a lot of tantrums in the beginning and gotten some hell of consequences. So he just gritted his teeth and angrily threw two logs into the fire, sending sparks flying.

The two men looked at him menacingly, but by God, he was a knight! So they ignored him again.

"You're right, Theo. But the people would know why I hang him. They would know it would be an excuse to get him away from my wife."

"Who cares, Sire?"

The king laughed mirthlessly and snapped his fingers again. This time he raised his mug. Henry poured happily. Because he had stolen the trick from Norbert's squire and spat into it beforehand. Get it, you filthy pigs.

Then a guard came in and bowed deeply. "My Lord of White Knight."

Henry's mood had gone. Raven was here. And he wasn't even allowed to look at him...

"Just come in with him!" The king's flick was heard.

So Henry served Raven and ducked into the small dark corner where he could barely see Rven. He came into the room so arrogant and condescending that the king could have taken it as an insult. Without a word of greeting, he bowed and waited for the motion to sit down.

"My Lord, how is the White Knight?"

"As always, Sire."

Father looked sharply at Raven. "One finally learns respect, does the other lose it immediately?"

The king sighed in irritation. "Not again, gentleman! I want to dine with you in peace. Is that possible without family quarrels?"

As always, Raven didn't say a word, but Theo boiled over. Of course he didn't let anyone know. Surprisingly, the king snapped at Henry. He almost didn't believe it.

He stood next to Raven to top up the king and exchanged a quick look with him. The first in over half a year. When Henry wanted to retreat, Raven got up. "Your Majesty, I have an urgent request. Let me talk to my cousin for a moment."

The King exchanged a look with Father, so Henry had lost. As expected, he was herded into his secluded corner.

But Raven wasn't done. "Your Majesty, I only need to speak to Henry for five minutes. I beg of you."

Theo must have sensed what was going on and was about to say something when the king raised his hand. "None of my lords need beg me."

"One of them has to serve you." Henry mumbled, causing everyone present to turn to him.

"May I remind you why you are here, Lord Henry?"

Henry stepped forward uninvited and grinned crookedly. "Your Majesty, if what I think is true, is my cousin telling me that my child is here?"

But Raven shook his head and looked at him intently. "But soon."

Then the king was forgotten. Henry's temper got the better of him. "And you left her alone!?"

Theo got up abruptly. "Think of your king and show respect!"

"Oh, shut up, okay?" Huffed Henry, ignoring his father again. "Is she suffering?"

"She squirms, but well... she very brave."

And I'm not with her... Henry felt angry and the horses threatened to bolt. "Let me home, sire."

But the king shook his head. "I let you go to your chambers. Behave yourself and be there in the morning."

But Henry shook his head. "My lord, it's my first child. You know how it feels to be a father when you can't be there."

"Had you obeyed my command and married Felicity, you could see yours as a bastard whenever you wanted."

Raven unobtrusively took his elbow. "Don't say anything now, Henry."

But it was Henry Campbell, always riding some devil. So he didn't follow that advice. "If you intend to make me regret marrying Lady Elizabeth, you wait in vain, sire."

Theo frowned, but his voice was calm. "Enough, Henry. Don't say another word."

Although the good-natured tone of voice irritated Henry, he ignored his commander. "I will not regret this marriage. I love my wife and if I could do it differently tomorrow, I would give it up and do everything exactly as I did before."

Now the king also rose. "Out with him."

So Henry was taken away with his arms unnecessarily tied.

I spooned the porrige back and forth, going through some parchments I'd been putting off for a while. I was supposed to eat and store up my strength, but I just wasn't hungry. So long I've been in the bed with the bed curtains all day.

I lifted my eyes from the lease report and looked out the window. The castle walls of Nashville were lightly fringed with ivy and red flowers, the people in the courtyard worked with joy and little stress, and the male servants scurried about the village. Because a child would come in this castle and most men got sick at the thought.

Suddenly angry because the fact of being alone didn't bother me anymore, I threw the parchment away and went to the window. The bitterness I tried to play down just couldn't be tamed any longer. I would go through someone's worst agony all alone, raising a child who would probably blame me for the absence of their father. Or yourself.

The pain came back again, forcing me back into bed. I breathed for a few agonizing seconds, then offended I took my embroidery kit and the baby blanket.

I had started to embroider a sword surrounded by flowers in one corner. The blanket was velvety soft and one side had the softest fur I've ever touched. The other side was white and soft but smooth.

The next contraction that came was very different and wouldn't go away any time soon...

AVAN

I screamed, clutching the pillow and flexing my entire body. The midwife held my knees and nodded in concentration.

It was afternoon when a shrill scream echoed through the hallways. "It's a boy, my lady."

They put a bundle in my arm, which clenched its fists in a huff. A young. He was red from both of our efforts. And big as expected. I wiped his face clean with a cloth and rocked it gently. After I put it on, he was immediately reassured.

How enchanted I looked at him and thought; Henry would be immensely proud of him.

Just as I was about to fall asleep, the door swung open.

He almost cried when he saw her. Not just because he hadn't seen her for so long. Because he had hoped so much to experience this exact moment with her. But also because she looked so tired and exhausted.

He had just arrived at the castle when he heard first her and then the child scream.

A tear trickled down Elizabeth's cheek as he sat down next to her and kissed her on the spot. He almost couldn't believe how relieved he was suddenly and deepened the kiss for a moment. Until his child complained.

He looked carefully at the little human and put his hand around his head as carefully as if it were one of the many flowers in the hall. "It's very soft..."

In a tired, trembling voice, she agreed. "A boy, Henry."

For a moment he was afraid of hurting him, but then the longing won and he took him from Elizabeth's arms for a moment. He was big and heavy and yet so tiny and light. And it was the most beautiful and best thing he had ever done.

He looked at her and was so grateful to her. He couldn't put into words exactly why. "I have missed you so much..."

Elizabeth smiled bravely as only she could, but the tears kept falling. There was nothing worse than seeing the woman you loved cry. He kissed her again, leaning his forehead against hers and struggling to hold himself. That's what he'd been distorting himself for eight damn months after.

"Give me my baby, Henry..." she looked at him the same way Henry did. She rocked him gently and stroked the velvety cheek. "What shall we call him?"

"I have no Idea."

"Try hard, because neither do I."

He looked after the midwife who would get her money and disappear and thought. "What do you think of Raven?"

Elizabeth chuckled. "That was clear, wasn't it?"

Henry brushed the damp ends of her hair away from her forehead. "What do you think of..." he looked at the little one who was sleeping blissfully. "avan?"

She blinked against her tiredness and thought. The bed was rumpled and sweaty, the dirty varnish was gone. He got her the cup filled with wine at the window and took it back afterwards. "And?"

"Avan sounds... powerful."

"I think so too." Absently he kneaded the little foot.

She yawned and nodded. "I like Avan very much."

"I'll put him in the cradle. Sleep peacefully."

"Will you lie down with me?"

"I swear." He purred and leaned his head back against hers. She was so worn out and exhausted and yet so beautiful. Her breathing slowly became even and calm. She was sleeping.

So he took Avan and hugged him. Then he went to the window, leaned against the wall and couldn't take his eyes off Avan. Such a vulnerable, vulnerable baby.

He would do better than Theo. He had to. And more importantly, he would protect Avan from Theo. No matter what he would have to do. Henry kissed his Avan and placed him in the cradle at the end of the bed, awkwardly wrapping him in a blanket.

Then he snuggled up to Elizabeth and pulled her to him. This was all his. wife, child, home. He was responsible for that. And it was fine like that.

"Come in." I heard Henry's voice murmur. "Put it by the window. Thanks."

I forced my eyes closed and stayed snuggled against his chest. Now I wasn't lonely anymore. But when Avan moaned quietly, my sleep was over immediately and I sat up.

Henry watched me handle Avan for a moment and then stretched. "I missed that so much."

"Me too. It was terrible without you..."

He made a sad face for a moment. "I'm so glad to be back." He got the dinner tray from the window and got back in bed.

"How did it happen? That you're here again?"

Henry looked at me somberly. "Theo. He put in a good word for me to be there for the birth." He shook his head. "A man doesn't usually give it that much. We don't know about it and we don't want to. But the Campbells have a family bond of their own."

I remembered his grandfather with all the bastards but he loved them all. "Especially Theo..."

"Surprising isn't it?"

"Well, considering he slipped me an address in case I got a bastard from you..."

He looked at me dumbfounded. "Honest?"

"However." He offered me bread, but I was still too exhausted from the birth and felt sleep approaching me again.

"Poor little Avan. As soon as you're born, the devil's after you."

After Sohnemann was full, I rolled him back into his blanket and crawled back under the blanket with Henry. What had I suffered without him...

"What is Theo up to?" My eyes were already closing.

"Don't worry. He can't do anything. Avan is my son, not his. Theo has no power over him."

"But about you."

He kissed my forehead and stretched out beside me. "Not anymore. Never anymore."

I wanted to ask him what he meant, but then I fell asleep again.

A BINDING PROMISE

I'd had a bath, dressed myself and little Avan, and gone downstairs for breakfast with Henry. He was against it and wanted me to lie still, but I wanted to be with him.

I filled Henry in on the castle and listened to the few things he wanted to tell me about his time at court. "You wouldn't believe how annoying those courtiers are. They always need the smallest frills. And for that they need someone to help them with it. Besides, there are only rumors and gossip around there."

I smiled and put the porridge in my mouth. "Did you find out anything interesting?"

Henry suddenly grinned mischievously and leaned forward. "The king. He doesn't like lying with men. He likes with boys."

A chill ran down my spine. "That's not true."

"Unfortunately, yes. Apparently it's pure coincidence that little Edward came about."

"That...is disgusting."

"And yet not the worst thing they talk about there. Some say Prince Edward is not the king's son at all, but was bought from a fisherman's wife."

Henry growled softly when his mug was empty and poured more. "He's a spitting image of his father. Now that he's running and destroying, you can see his father's temper."

Then he grabbed Avan from the crook of my arm, held him in front of his face and kissed the little tip of his nose. "You look like me, but you have blond hair." The boy played uncontrollably with the back of Henry's hand with his little fingers. Henry watched him in fascination.

"Didn't you have much to do with Raven's children?"

"Not when they were so small. I prefer strangers' children when they are old enough for practical jokes."

Sounded like the prospects were rosy... Then our steward Thomas came up to the table and nodded to Henry. "Good to see you again, my lord."

"How are you Thomas." With an amorous look he gave me Avan back.

"Everything as usual. Would you like to remain undisturbed?"

Henry shook his head, drained his mug and followed Thomas out into the courtyard. I put Avan in his bassinet and set about getting my hall back in shape. Then the first maids rushed into the hall to give me a hand.

Around noon Henry came back with Thomas. "We should also consider what to do with the two widows. They can't work, and they can't support themselves or protect themselves."

"There's nothing to think about. We take care of the women. As it should be."

Thomas nodded contentedly. "Then do I send men to them? Once a month?"

"Twice. If they get sick or winter comes, four times."

"Good. See you later then, sir."

"See you later." The maids bowed their heads as Henry made his way toward me. "No, ladies, don't. That kiss reminds me of my father."

The girls giggled and let it go. But Henry was somewhere else with his thoughts and snuggled up to me. "How is my son?"

"How should he be? Eat, sleep and be admired. That's how he feels."

Henry immediately sauntered over to the cradle with his son and worshiped him from there. He was so uncharacteristically relaxed that I thought again about his words last night. What would make Henry so happy?

"Did you kill Theo?"

Immediately his head jerked up from the cradle and stared at me. "What are you saying?"

"

Henry nodded and sat down at the laid table with a sigh. "I threatened him. That's all. I told my father not to come near you or Avan. Otherwise I'll kill him in cold blood. I swore allegiance to my king to my commanders again. But I finally had a reason why I won't let him treat me like that anymore."

I motioned to the maids and sat down next to him. "And it just went so well? Why didn't you do it years ago?"

He grinned boorishly. "Years ago I wasn't determined enough to put the blade to his throat." He shook his head a little confused. "It did worry me how much I liked his blood on my sword."

Involuntarily I looked at Avan as if he would understand something. "Did he swear what?"

"No. But I promise."

"You trust that?"

"No." He smiled wryly. "But I'll kill him if he breaks his promise."

"But Henry the King..."

But Henry shook his head indignantly and looked at the platter of fried chicken. The hall was already filling up with the workers. The nobles called servants to it. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. Because I was a farmer's daughter myself.

Henry surveyed the life in his hall and smiled appreciatively at me. "For the fact that no one taught you how to run a castle, you really did something."

Embarrassed, I waved him off.

"You made a home. That's something!"

Suddenly the smith jumped up, raised his mead mug and called out, "Welcome home, my lord!"

As the other men and women also raised their cups and welcomed Henry again, Henry beamed. Here he was at home.

"To you, your lady and your magnificent son!"

It was evening and Henry only now came into his room. Elizabeth sat by the window combing her long silky blond hair. Worried, she looked into the bright night. Without saying anything, he put his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. "Don't worry about the king."

"Then finally enlighten me."

Henry saw that she deserved it. "The king won't give me any problems.

SHOCKING NEWS

Henry saw Raven patrolling his soldiers on his parapet, quietly taking a tour himself.

Almost nine months had passed since Avan's birth. It was December and the snow was knee high. However, it was still snowing incessantly, which promised that it would soon have to rise from the knees to the waist.

The snow in the yard was shoveled out and melted. Nevertheless, fine snow dust flew up when Raven came galloping in with his stallion. Raven looked a little tense, but when he saw his cousin he grinned cheerfully. "Hello, father."

Henry grinned flattered and pointed to his goal. "Let's go in and have a Hypocras. I'm freezing all over."

As soon as the gate was opened, the blond little Avan crawled towards them. He stared at the stranger with wide eyes and stock still. Raven was thrilled and picked him up on his hips. "What eyes he has."

Henry could only agree. The boy had dark blue eyes that tended to black depending on his mood. "Well? Who did you escape from this time, brat?"

A distraught maid appeared immediately. "Forgive me, my lord. He's gotten so fast."

"It's not the first time, Elza."

She took the stubborn boy, who immediately flailed his arms in disgust, and carried him back into the warm hall. Henry and Raven followed her, but instead of going to the thick fur in front of the fireplace where Avan was frolicking, they went straight to Elizabeth at the table.

Henry worried about her. She slept a lot and restlessly, was constantly exhausted and sometimes irritable. When she saw Raven, she immediately got up and hugged him. "You look frozen! Come, sit down. Elza, get wine and something to eat."

Barely escaping the babysitter's watchful eye, Avan made his way to the blackboard. He tugged at Henry's pants until he picked them up, beaming.

"What brings you here, Raven?" Elizabeth took the wet coat from the cousin and handed it to another maid.

"I'm coming to pick up your husband." Henry almost laughed, then realized that Raven wasn't joking. For he looked wearily at the little boy. "It's going on in France. The king couldn't hold France because he had no money. Now he is calling to arms to protect what the French have not recaptured."

Henry instinctively hugged Avan, who was beginning to fuss. The boy immediately calmed down and pouted. "Calais?"

"We'll form up over there in the harbor. The camp is away."

Stunned, Elizabeth staggered back to her seat. She rubbed her forehead nervously, but didn't say anything at first. Henry was no different.

When the food was uncovered, no one could really eat. Raven stared exhausted at the steaming casserole. "I'm telling you, Henry. There's another 100 years of war."

"If the king doesn't get his till in order soon, I'll even believe you."

"I can't come this time..." Elizabeth murmured.

Henry took her hand. But he didn't know what to say. Men had to go to war, women stayed at home. Not that Henry liked that. But it was better to have his wife and son safe than in a camp that could be wiped out by the enemies at any moment.

Shortly after dinner a terrible storm began. Raven and Henry retreated to the hall to drink and talk. I soon got tired in our chamber and bathed Avan. So that he was nice and warm when he fell asleep. Then I sat down by the fireplace with his cradle and rocked him to sleep.

The time since Henry was back home seemed so short. After such a long time, I had Henry back and now he had to go again. Just now...

Dejectedly, I looked at Avan's golden curls and the fisted baby cheeks that shimmered in the fawn. He was such a good kid and hardly ever cried. So I didn't worry about being alone with him. I worried about the Frenchman who would one day stand in front of Henry again to kill him.

How many times could a man make it out of war alive without a life-threatening injury? How much happiness in all the unhappiness was possible?

It wasn't until Henry kissed the top of my head lightly that I realized he was here. He sat down next to me with the padded little stool and stared into the fire. We found nothing to say. It was too early to say goodbye. He couldn't promise me to stay, and I couldn't ask him to. I couldn't smile bravely either. Because I still had something to confess.

Just as I was about to do it, he looked up and smiled mischievously. His dimple bulged and one eyebrow arched charmingly. "Where can I get a squire now?"

I genuinely smiled. "You mean a whipping boy?"

Immediately his mouth twisted as if he were smelling spoiled milk. "Aren't you going to forgive me for that sometime?"

"No, my lord."

He grinned and put his head back on my lap.

"What is?"

"Your butt already impressed me then."

"Oh, Henry! Our child lies here!"

"He doesn't understand that yet." Grinning, he got up and pulled me with him. His strong arms wrapped around me. And that lewd glint in his eyes spoke volumes.

So I let him pull me on the bed and let him put my worries away...

After that we didn't bother to get dressed and stayed snuggled under our furs. Henry was almost asleep, only the crackling and an annoying owl somewhere on the roof could be heard. I gently shook his arm.

"Henry?"

"... ..."

"Henry!"

"... uh?"

"How long have you been gone?"

Henry cleared his throat and stretched stubbornly. "Long time. But we come by every now and then for new soldiers and other excuses..."

I took his arm and thought about the following. "You must promise me, no matter what happens here, that you will obey the king."

"What?" He woke up a little again and looked at me. "What do you think?"

"Promise it."

"Fine. I promise..."

I turned around and thus straight onto his chest. "Henry, I'm pregnant."