Nay, Maelgwn decided, he would certainly never doubt such a thing.
"He sleeps." Rhiannon's voice interrupted his thoughts. "It might be a good time to introduce Rhun to his new brother." A smile touched her lips. "Now—when Bridei is not howling loud enough to deafen everyone in the room."
"He's certainly a noisy one." Maelgwn rose and walked toward the door. "For all his smallness, there is nothing amiss with my son's lungs."
Most of Degannwy was waiting in the hall when Maelgwn entered. They gave a rousing cheer as they saw him and gathered around eagerly.
He gestured for silence. "The queen has been safely delivered of a healthy son," he announced. "We have named him Bridei."
The cheers erupted again. Maelgwn savored them briefly, then his eyes searched the crowd for the golden sheen of Rhun's hair. He spied the boy next to Sewan and Balyn. For a moment, Balyn's eyes caught his, and the old affection flowed between them, unspoiled and strong as ever.
Maelgwn gestured for Rhun to come forward. Rhun's small face was jubilant. His expression of pleasure deepened as he approached his father.
Laying his hand on Rhun's shoulder, Maelgwn again gestured for silence. "Rhun has a brother now, but that does not diminish his place in my heart." He gazed at the boy fondly, then continued. "I mean to raise my sons as friends and companions. Someday when I am gone, I vow they will rule my kingdom side by side." There was another chorus of cheers, and the men pounded on the heavy oaken tables. Maelgwn let a smile break free before turning and leading Rhun from the hall.
"Lady Gwenaseth told me that he will sleep and eat all the time at first. I must not be disappointed he can't play with me. I must be very quiet and gentle and hold him as I would a small and helpless puppy. But if I am patient, she said, someday he will grow up and play with me and look up to me as his big brother. I think I will like that part the best. I've always wanted a brother. Dogs are nice, but they don't talk to you. A brother will talk to me, maybe someday he can share my pallet, and we can sleep together in the barracks.
Rhun prattled on, making Maelgwn smile so hard his jaw ached. His chest ached, too, filled with the same exhilarating sweetness that settled there the first time he held Bridei in his arms.
"Hush now," he told Rhun as they entered the antechamber. "We don't want to wake your brother. I'll warn you, he can make a fearsome racket."
Rhun nodded and clamped his mouth shut.
The room was quiet as they entered. They neared the bed, and Maelgwn saw Rhiannon gazing silently down at the baby in her arms. Rhun hesitated. Maelgwn grasped the boy's shoulder and pulled him forward.
Rhiannon watched her husband and stepson approach the bed. She was tired and sore everywhere, but her physical discomfort seemed a paltry thing compared to the joy that filled her. Her soul soared as if it flew with the eagles above Degannwy.
"Come, Rhun," she coaxed. "Say hello to your brother." The boy stepped forward. His lower lip caught in his teeth in an expression of uncertainty. He reached out a slim hand, grimy and scarred from the adventures of boyhood. Gingerly, he took the baby's tiny fingers in his own.
"Gwenaseth was right," he said. "He's very small. I think even Belga's puppies were born bigger."
Rhun looked up. His blue eyes, shot with wonder, reminded Rhiannon immediately of her husband. She laughed and sought Maelgwn's gaze, drowning herself in the compelling blue.
"This is a dream come true," Maelgwn said, moving closer. "I have waited all my life for this."
Rhiannon shook her head. Tears made her vision blur. "Oh, Maelgwn—the dream has only begun."
Author's Note
Dear Readers,
The writer of a romance based on historical characters must find a balance between the pitiless facts and the reader's need for a happy ending. While Dragon of the Island, the first book in the Dragon trilogy, evokes the historical Maelgwn the Great's ruthless reputation and military successes, it does not deal with the other aspects of his life recorded by the chroniclers of his time, and I realized that my sequel must weave some of those more awkward details into my story.
Most challenging was a need to explain why, at the height of his power, Maelgwn the Great chose to renounce his kingdom and retreat to a monastery for several years. (He later changed his mind and returned to being a formidable warlord.) What, I wondered, could make a man such as I had created, do such a thing? Sadly, I realized the only explanation I could write. Aurora, the beloved heroine of my first book, must die. Only the terrible grief her death would cause him could explain Maelgwn's utter defeat and despair.
It is not easy to kill a character of your own creation, let alone one who is as appealing and moving as Aurora. In a sense, I did not kill her. She dies between books, thus sparing me the trauma of having to write her death scene. Yet my grief for Aurora is real, and it fuels Maelgwn's bone-deep anguish and loss.
The Celts believed that death was only another dimension of life and not to be feared, and I have explored that philosophy in depth in this story. Aurora continues to touch the lives of those who knew her and to reach out, even to Rhiannon, the woman who takes her place in Maelgwn's life. Aurora lives on, immortal to those who loved her, as we all are.
As Maelgwn comes to realize that Aurora's death is not the end, I hope readers will too. Rhiannon's story is as important as Aurora's was, and in a sense, a more inspiring one. Rhiannon must triumph over not only misunderstanding, jealousy and treachery, but the soul-scarring effects of abuse and degradation. Although not a traditional one, she is a true heroine as she grows from a victimized child-woman to a powerful, dynamic woman-goddess who chooses her own destiny.
If you are still disturbed by Aurora's death, I apologize. Her death is simply that aspect of reality that I cannot deny, even when writing a romance. My life journey has convinced me that the Celts were right—death is a part of life, and we can take comfort in the knowledge that love transcends death, time and all realities.
Happy reading.
P.S. I always enjoy hearing from readers. Please write me at:
P.O Box 2052 Cheyenne, WY 82001
A S.A.S.E. is appreciated.
Table of Contents
Dragon's Dream by Mary Gillgannon
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Author's Note
Dragon's Dream Page 38
