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  “Aye.” Broc appeared lost in thought as he watched the flames of the fire dance in the hearth. Once he seemed to get his emotions back under control, Broc turned back around. “I’d like to apologize for my actions this evening.”

  William casually waved Broc’s words away with a swipe of his hand. “You should be saying those words to Wulf. You hit him, not I. What I don’t understand is why. I thought you liked the boy.”

  Broc shrugged his shoulders. His expression said he found it hard to explain even to himself. “I do, maybe more than I should.”

  “Do you want to talk about it?” William could see how affected Broc was by all that had taken place.

  “Not particularly. But there is one thing you can do for me.”

  “And what is that?”

  “I have come to the decision that I’m ready to take a wife. I should start begetting heirs now that I have land to pass on. Do I have your permission to marry?”

  “Of course. Do you have anyone in mind?” William didn’t like the sound of this.

  “Not at the moment. I’ll tell you when I’ve made my choice.”

  Getting the answer he wanted, Broc left William alone. The king shook his head. This did not bode well for the girl. He only prayed Ariel would reveal herself to Broc before it became too late. If she didn’t, his friend would not have a very happy life ahead of him.

  * * * *

  It took a few minutes, but Ranulf finally found Wulf in the stable. He sat inside one of the empty stalls in the clean straw with his legs drawn up to his chest. His head rested on top his knees. At the sound of footsteps he jerked his head up. Tears streamed down his face. With a jolt Ranulf realized Wulf was not what he first appeared to be.

  Ranulf wondered why he had not seen it before. “Wulf” was too pretty, even for a boy. Her features too delicate for a man’s. And those eyes, shimmering with tears, were a breathtaking blue. All he could do was kneel in the straw before her. The girl automatically tensed.

  She looked at him guardedly. “What do you want?”

  “The king sent me to fetch you. He wants to speak to you in his chamber.” Ranulf could tell she was felt leery around him as she eyed him closely.

  “All right.”

  She stood and scrubbed her face with her sleeve. Ranulf watched her every move. She gave him a questioningly look, then brushed past him and headed back to the hall. Ranulf matched her pace so he could walk beside her. He was still at her side when she reached the king’s chamber door. At her knock, William opened the door and stepped aside for her to enter. But before he could close the door Ranulf stepped inside as well. William stared at him before he shut the door.

  “I see you’ve made a new friend. May I ask why you have decided to stay, Sir Ranulf?”

  Pulling himself up straighter, Ranulf replied, “Aye, sire. I think Wulf is not what he seems.”

  The girl gasped in surprise. “At least one of my knights can see what is staring him in the face. It looks as if young Ranulf has seen through your disguise, Ariel.”

  A shocked look came over Ranulf’s face. “You know her, sire?”

  The king chuckled. “Aye, I do, Sir Ranulf. I see you have made the girl quite speechless.” Stepping closer to Ariel, William put his arm around her shoulders and turned her to face Ranulf. “Sir Ranulf, this is Ariel of Elmstead, or should I say Sir Ariel.”

  Ranulf opened and closed his mouth a few times before he could bring himself to speak coherently. “You mean she really is a knight?”

  “That she is. You saw her performance in the hall. It would be a shame to waste such talent.”

  “Sir Broc willingly knighted a woman?” Ranulf felt scandalized thinking such could take place.

  The king pulled Ariel closer as she stiffened under his arm. “Sir Broc turns out not to be as observant as you. All he sees is a young Saxon boy, not the woman.”

  “But how?”

  William shook his head. “I have no idea. Now let’s talk about what happened in the hall. How is your jaw, Ariel?”

  Ariel pulled out of the king’s grasp and moved so she faced both of them with hands on her hips. The position of her hands made the curves of her body seem more pronounced. There could be no mistaking her for anything else than what she was—a woman.

  “My jaw is not broken, but it still hurts.”

  “Excellent. Now are you going to tell Broc who you are?”

  “Nay! You know I will not tell him.”

  “Your silence will only escalate this situation into an unmanageable problem if you do not speak now.”

  “I have done some thinking. I would like your permission to go home. You’re correct. If I stay everything could easily get out of hand quite quickly. The less I see of Broc the better.”

  William’s brows drew together. He obviously was not satisfied with her answer. “Then what will you do when Broc returns to Elmstead?”

  “My father has a separate hall from the one Broc occupies. I will live in my father’s hall.”

  Sighing, William thought over Ariel’s request then nodded. “You may leave, but only on the condition you don’t go alone.”

  “That’s not necessary, sire. I can find my own way to Elmstead.” Ariel seemed to want to protest further, but must have thought better of it.

  “I realize you can protect yourself. I would just feel better knowing you didn’t travel alone that is all.”

  Knowing this was a chance to get to know this unusual woman better, Ranulf spoke up. “If it is acceptable with you sire, I would like to accompany Ariel to her home.”

  A smile formed on the king’s lips. “All right, Sir Ranulf. You may go and you may stay at Elmstead for as long as you wish. I’ve heard of your interest in learning more of the Saxon way of life. What better way to learn than from the Lady Ariel?” William put up his hand before Ariel could protest. “I will hear no more. I suggest you leave with the dawn. Now both of you get some rest. I will tell Broc on the morrow of your departure.”

  * * * *

  The hall was empty except for the king who sat in his chair on the dais. He sipped ale from a tankard. When he saw Broc enter he motioned him to sit with him.

  “Well Broc, how do you feel this morn?”

  “As well as one can feel after making an utter ass of oneself.”

  William had to chuckle at his friend’s dour expression. “Don’t beat yourself up too much about it. I’m afraid the others are applauding you for striking a Saxon, especially a Saxon who had the impertinence to become a knight.”

  Broc’s face became grave. “They really think that way about Wulf?”

  “Aye. I have to admit I made a mistake asking you to bring him to court. At least the problem has been rectified in a way that will suit everyone.”

  “What do you mean?” Broc looked at him questioningly.

  “I sent the boy back to Elmstead. After how you treated him last night he asked to go home. To avoid any more problems I gave my consent. And don’t worry about him going off alone, I sent Ranulf with him.”

  Broc didn’t seem all that relieved that he would not have to confront Wulf. “Why did Ranulf go with Wulf?”

  “It seems the pair has struck up a friendship. Ranulf asked to accompany Wulf and I could think of no reason why he should stay here. I gave him permission to stay at Elmstead as long as he wished.” William knew what he was doing to Broc, but the man needed a little prodding in the right direction if he was to be happy.

  A full range of emotions flitted across Broc’s face—regret, anger then finally acceptance, before he got himself under control to comment. “Since you wish him to stay at Elmstead, I have no objections. Now if you will excuse me, I would like to reacquaint myself with London.”

  “Go ahead, my friend. We will talk later.”

  Chapter 21

  At the sight of Elmstead, Ariel felt a sense of well being wash over her. She was home and there she planned to stay from now on. She had been away from Colwyn too much in hi
s short life. He was her future and he deserved better from her. Starting now her son would be her first priority. Reaching the outskirts of the village, Ariel pulled her horse to a halt. Ranulf brought his mount up next to hers.

  “So this is where you live?” Ranulf asked as he looked around Elmstead.

  “Aye, this is Elmstead. I know it probably is smaller than what you are used to, but at least the food is good and the people will welcome you.”

  “I will be glad for the change. Court life loses its luster after awhile.”

  Ariel understood exactly what Ranulf meant. “My short experience there has led me to believe it’s not all pomp and glitter.”

  Turning in her saddle, Ariel’s gaze drifted over Ranulf. On their travels he had treated her with respect. Not once had he tried anything inappropriate towards her. Now having reached her home, Ariel felt she had gained a new friend. So much so she felt she could trust Ranulf.

  “Ranulf, there is something I must tell you before we go to my father’s hall.” Ariel could see she had his full attention. He had twisted around in his saddle and now looked at her intently.

  “What might that be, my lady?”

  Taking a deep breath, Ariel started to speak. “There is a reason why I hide my true self and pretend to be a man. That reason is in my father’s hall.” Ariel looked right into Ranulf’s eyes, then plunged ahead. “I have a son and his father is Broc.”

  Ranulf’s eyes widened in shock. “I don’t understand. You told me Broc knew you only as a man. How can you have had a son by him?”

  “I first met Broc when he came to England when Edward was still king. He simply doesn’t recognize me this way.”

  Ranulf shook his head in what appeared to be wonderment. “To put it quite bluntly, Broc is a fool. If it had been me, I would be able to see through your disguise. You are too beautiful to be a man, Ariel.”

  At his words, Ariel flushed. “Well, Broc must not think the same way you do. For after taking what he wanted from me, he left without so much as a backward glance.”

  “All the more fool is he. I never would have left you.”

  Ariel grew uncomfortable listening to Ranulf. She had to admit she did find him attractive. Ranulf was a good looking man. If she had met him before Broc, she may have let nature take its course. But after all she had gone through with Broc, Ariel didn’t think she could give herself to another man.

  Ariel sighed. “Be that as it may, Broc must never know about Colwyn. I trust you to keep my secret.”

  “Your secret is safe with me. Besides, it’s not my place to inform Broc.”

  That was what Ariel had wanted to hear from Ranulf. Giving him a quick nod, she then started into the village. Ranulf followed her as she greeted the villagers she past. Showing their loyality to her, they all called her by the name she had given herself.

  Ariel knew the village was small, but she hoped Ranulf would notice that the huts were well maintained, which showed her father’s goodwill towards his people. She led him past the main hall and took him to the smaller hall that sat a short distance behind the village. As they neared, she could see her father stood out in front of the hall with Colwyn in his arms. Seeing that a stranger accompanied her, he pulled the blanket that was around Colwyn over his head.

  She practically jumped off her horse and set off at a run. Ariel threw herself into her father’s arms. Ranulf slowly dismounted as she greeted Swein. Taking Colwyn out of Swein’s arms, she walked to where Ranulf stood waiting. She then pulled the blanket away from Colwyn’s face.

  From Ranulf’s shocked expression, Ariel knew he could see the resemblance between father and son. Colwyn’s small face was so much like Broc’s. She hoped he understood why she had kept Broc away from Colwyn, especially now that he had seen Broc’s treatment of her while at court.

  Ariel’s face beamed with maternal pride. “Ranulf, this is my son, Colwyn.”

  “My God, Ariel, he is the very image of Broc. I don’t see how you’ll be able to keep him a secret for very long. You cannot keep him locked away for the rest of his life you know.”

  “I know. I’ll decide what has to be done when the time comes. For now, a blanket will suffice.”

  * * * *

  With the Norman away, Swein could almost believe their lives had gone back to what they once had been. A smile absently formed on his lips as he watched his daughter playing with her son. He did have to give the Norman credit though. He had given Ariel a beautiful child.

  Now another Norman had come to Elmstead. Sir Ranulf was younger than Broc and truly seemed to be forthright and honest. He didn’t share most Normans’ attitudes that Saxons were of a lower class. Not that Broc had ever treated them that way, but he had come and taken Elmstead as his own. This other man seemed interested in the Saxon way of life. If his old eyes saw clearly, the young man also seemed extremely interested in Ariel.

  Ranulf sat on the floor beside Ariel, sharing in a game with Colwyn. Swein had to admit to himself, he could find nothing to really dislike about this Norman. In some ways this young man would be better for Ariel than Broc, but his daughter was not responding to him in that way. It was a shame because Ranulf seemed to treat her better than Broc had so far.

  He had seen the bruise on Ariel’s jaw, even though she had tried to hide it from him. It was not hard to guess who had left the mark on her. Broc’s continued absence told all. Why else would he still be at court and Ariel return home before the expected time? Even though he had pushed his daughter to tell him what had happened, it had been Ranulf who told him what had taken place. Ariel would never have told him.

  The sound of Colwyn’s laughter filled the hall. It was a sweet sound to his ears, one that Swein had missed through the years. His wife had only been able to give him Ariel. Swein sighed. His wife would have loved her grandson very much.

  Swein watched as Ariel brought playtime to an end and picked Colwyn up. “It’s time for this young man to get ready for bed. Can you entertain Ranulf, father? I have to bathe Colwyn before he goes to sleep.”

  Swein nodded. “Aye, daughter. I’m sure we will find something to keep ourselves amused.”

  Ariel disappeared into her chamber leaving the two men alone. Signaling Ranulf over, Swein poured two goblets of mead and handed one to him. Already sitting at a trestle table, Ranulf sat down next to him.

  “So how do you find Elmstead? I’m sure it does not compare to London.”

  Ranulf smiled. “What I have seen of it so far, I find appealing. It’s nice to get away from the court once in a while.”

  “Ariel told me you have come here to learn about the Saxons.”

  “Aye, we must now live together. We should have a better understanding of how each of us lives.” Swein could see Ranulf meant what he said.

  “Not too many of your countrymen would agree with that. They only have one interest in us—taking over what lands we have and making them their own.”

  “That’s why I wish to know more of your way of life. Maybe with the knowledge I learn here I can make the changes easier on your people.”

  Swein laughed. “I’m afraid that will never happen. We are a proud people. We have been on this island for generations. I can tell you, William will never have a peaceful moment now that he has made himself king. We never wanted him in the first place. Now he takes away our lands to give to others as he sees fit. We will fight him.”

  Ranulf’s eyes narrowed. “Are you saying you would fight against him?”

  Swein chuckled. “Nay, I’m too old for such goings on. Besides, I must think of Ariel and Colwyn. I would never jeopardize them in that way. Broc so far has treated us well, I have no complaints. I would not like another to take his place.”

  Ranulf relaxed at Swein’s words. “William respects him. He even calls Broc a friend.”

  Swein refilled their goblets. “I didn’t know Broc was so close to the king.”

  “He is. The friendship started shortly after Broc came to court. He is a
younger son, so he will inherit no lands from his father. What else could he do but go to court? I don’t know much about Broc, he mostly keeps to himself. I would not say we’re friends, more like acquaintances. What little I do know about him, I know he will not be too pleased having me stay here. Even with the king’s permission.”

  Swein had a feeling Ranulf would not be too far off the mark with that. Especially if Broc saw how well Ariel got along with Ranulf. “Just how long do you plan to be at Elmstead?”

  “However long it takes to learn what I need to know.”

  “It should prove interesting when Broc returns.”

  Ariel returned to the hall. Sitting down on the bench next to Swein, Ariel accepted a goblet of mead he passed to her. “How did the bath go?”

  “Very well. He had fun soaking everything in the chamber as well as himself. Now he’s asleep.”

  “Ranulf told me he will be staying at Elmstead for a while. Since he will be here for the Christ mass, we will be able to show him how we Saxons celebrate the season.”

  “It would only be the proper thing to do. With Broc still at the king’s court, we should be able to celebrate without having to pretend what we are not.”

  Wisely, both men remained silent.

  Chapter 22

  The Christ mass revels had come and gone and William was now truly the King of England. The coronation had taken place on the day of Christ’s birth. It had been a moving sight for Broc, to finally see all of William’s dreams realized. All had culminated in the placing of the crown on his head. This was what they had all fought for, to see this day come to be.

  To get the Saxons to more readily accept him as their king, William had used the ancient English rites. He had only made a few changes to it, thinking of his Norman nobles. All went smoothly and no one could deny William his throne.

  Now with some misgivings, Broc was now on the road heading back to Elmstead. It would be interesting to see the boy’s reaction at the sight of him arriving with the others who traveled with him. Looking over his shoulder Broc saw the four other people who followed him a few paces behind. His betrothed was among them. She was Lady Alwen, a Saxon lady, whose father had been the Earl of Essex. Her father, Lord Theodoric, rode beside her with two of his men acting as guards.