Dragon of the Island

by Mary Gillgannon

  “No wonder it is called ‘fortress of eagles’,” she said softly. “You have to be able to fly to get there.”

  Elwyn laughed. “It’s not much farther, and the track gets better, truly it does.”

  They climbed and finally reached the summit. Aurora slowed her mare, transfixed. As the sun ate into the mist, it turned the air around them into a frothy dazzle. Where it had cleared completely, they could see a huge rainbow arcing majestically over the mountains. Below, the fog lingered, forming a steaming pathway across the valley. It seemed to lead to a large fort in the distance, glowing bronze in the sun.

  “It’s so beautiful,” gasped Aurora. “I feel as if we could step off the mountain and float away into fairyland.”

  Elwyn smiled back at her, intoxicated by the breathtaking scenery and Aurora’s radiant smile. He had never seen any woman look as beautiful as the queen did now. Her long hair floated behind her like the waves of a dark sea, dancing with rich reddish lights. Her pale face was lit with wonder, and her blue eyes shone with a luminous, lavender light.

  They could not stop long, with the rest of the baggage train pressing on behind them, and so they quickly descended into the valley. The world grew gloomy and forbidding again, and Aurora’s elation vanished.

  They reached the valley, where the track followed a river that wound through small stands of hawthorn and beech. They must be almost there, Aurora thought with a mixture of anticipation and dread. She noticed a cluster of rude brown huts scattered on the edge of the hill among the trees.

  “Is this the village?” she asked.

  Elwyn nodded. “The farmers here grow barley and rye in small fields along the river.”

  Aurora looked doubtfully at the narrow striplike fields along the river banks. It was a wonder that the people of Caer Eryri ever got enough to eat. There hardly seemed room to grow enough crops to feed a household the size of her father’s, let alone an entire fortress, and the rest of the land in the valley was too rocky and rough for anything but pasture. No wonder the Cymru had to rob their wealthy neighbors.

  At the edge of the valley they met the track leading to the fortress and the going was easier. The path was wide and level, although growing soft and muddy from the many feet which had trod it ahead of them.

  Aurora stared up at Caer Eryri. With its high round towers and massive walls, the fortress seemed like a formidable, comfortless place. It reminded her of the burial mounds of the Old Ones. There was an air of antiquity about the crumbling walls, and Aurora imagined that she could already detect the sour, musty odor of ancient stones.

  The track crossed fortified ditches on the way up the hill and then reached a massive wooden gate. Aurora and Elwyn were at the very end of the army train, and by the time they reached the fortress, almost everyone else was inside. The sounds of celebration echoed clearly through the thick fortress walls, and Aurora’s heart sank as they entered.

  Once inside, Aurora could make out the sturdy squareness of the old Roman buildings as well as a clutter of newer ones made of timber. She had never seen such commotion—children raced jubilantly in the mud, followed by eager barking dogs. Everywhere people were shouting, laughing, embracing. Servants ran to and fro, trying to care for the livestock and unload the wagons. In the noise and confusion, it seemed to Aurora that she would never find Maelgwn. She halted her horse just inside the gate, frozen with apprehension.

  She might have waited there forever if Elwyn had not offered to help her dismount. He did not leave her as she expected, but stayed loyally at her side. Tears of gratefulness filled Aurora’s eyes. What would she have done on this lonely, friendless trip without him?

  A small, tawny-haired woman came running toward them.

  “Elwyn,” she cried. “I am so glad you are safe!” Aurora caught a glimpse of a girlish, freckled face before it was lost in Elwyn’s exuberant embrace.

  Elwyn was obviously very pleased to see the girl, but he did not forget his duty. Within moments he had released the young woman, and holding her arm, presented her to Aurora.

  “Gwenaseth, I would like you to meet our new queen, Lady Aurora, daughter of King Constantine of Viroconium.” He subtly pulled at Gwenaseth’s hand as he spoke, and she dropped awkwardly into a curtsy, managing a breathless greeting of, “My lady.”

  It was clear the girl did not expect to meet her new queen under such circumstances. She gazed at Aurora with a startled expression as Elwyn explained how Maelgwn had come to be married.

  The turmoil in the courtyard intensified, and it was a while before Aurora was able to locate Maelgwn. She finally caught sight of him surrounded by a large group of people. Even then Aurora did not have the nerve to approach her husband. Her relationship with him was too uncertain for her to be sure of her welcome. She stood miserably with Elwyn, hoping the young soldier did not pity her too much.

  At last Maelgwn noticed her and gestured for her and Elwyn to come forward. Aurora glimpsed a dark-haired woman standing next to Maelgwn. Her brooding, deep-set eyes and proud features marked her unmistakably as Maelgwn’s kin. Aurora noted critically that the woman’s face was too fleshy for beauty, but her dark coloring and piercing blue eyes were striking. Her bearing was regal, almost haughty, and like Maelgwn, she made the other people around her seem small and insignificant.

  The woman watched Aurora walking toward her as a cat might watch a mouse, stalking Aurora with cold interest. Aurora’s heart sank with every step, and she could only look desperately at Maelgwn, hoping he would give her a welcome that would make her place at Caer Eryri clear. Elwyn walked behind her protectively and Aurora vowed to repay his kindness someday.

  Maelgwn smiled at her as she neared him, but his warm expression did little to soothe Aurora’s nerves. She could not forgive him for leaving her alone and overlooked for so long. She felt her face harden into a rigid mask.

  “Aurora, I would like you to meet my sister, Lady Esylt.”

  Aurora acknowledged the other woman with a cool stare and a light dip of her head. She would not curtsy or bow, she thought disdainfully—she was Esylt’s equal.

  Esylt inspected Aurora. An icy smile played upon her lips, and then she spoke in a low, cruel voice: “Brother, you said you had taken a Cornovii princess for a bride, but I see before me only a frightened, simpering child. Is this the best those soft-headed, Romanized fools can do for royalty?”

  Aurora heard Elwyn suck in his breath sharply behind her. Maelgwn’s jaw muscles twitched dangerously. She herself felt stunned, as if she had been slapped in the face. She could think of nothing at all to say in retort, and she turned helplessly to Maelgwn, begging him with silent, pleading eyes to defend her.

  Maelgwn’s face was full of the white-hot fury she had seen before, but when he spoke, Aurora thought his response was ridiculously weak and conciliatory. “I have made a most advantageous alliance with this match, Esylt. I expect you to honor my decision.”

  Without another word, Maelgwn walked off, leaving Aurora to face Esylt alone, with only the faithful Elwyn behind her. Esylt grinned maliciously at her, and Aurora tried in vain to meet her flashing eyes with a calm, confident stare.

  “Does your father count you among his precious things, little one?” Esylt purred. “If so, you would be wise to return to him. There is no place in Gwynedd for you, and you’ll soon find there is no room in Maelgwn’s heart for a weak, spoiled girl.”

  She gestured to Aurora’s cheek, still bruised and swollen from Maelgwn’s blow. “Why, I see he has begun to tire of you already.”

  Aurora was so breathless with outrage and fury, she could not speak. Esylt walked away with lazy contempt, and Aurora leaned gratefully against Elwyn’s strong arm.

  “Come, my lady,” he said gently. “Let me take you to the king’s chambers “

  Aurora’s anger helped her hold her head high while Elwyn led her across the courtyard. They climbed the dark, narrow stairs to Maelgwn’s sleeping chamber. The stairway had a musty, oppressive smell,
but the tower room seemed fresh and airy. Soft breezes blew through the narrow open windows, bringing in the scent of damp pine. The round room was small, but well-furnished and comfortable, and the furniture—though obviously old—was of a well-made, Roman style. There was a chair, a stool by the fireplace, a small table and a large wooden bed covered with a soft purple blanket.

  Aurora sat down wearily on the bed, trying to collect her thoughts. Elwyn stood beside her for a moment and then moved toward the door.

  “I will have someone come and help you dress for the feast.” He paused, and his voice grew softer and less formal. “Don’t let Lady Esylt trouble you. She is an evil, vicious woman. No one at Caer Eryri cares a fig for what she thinks.”

  After Elwyn left, Aurora sank back on the bed, trembling with outrage. Her arrival in her new home had been disastrous. She would never forgive Maelgwn for letting his sister say those terrible things to her, and the thought of him touching her filled her with fury. He did not deserve her! He was a brute and a savage! How could her father have made her marry him? Helpless tears began to flow down Aurora’s cheeks, and she buried her face in the soft blanket that covered Maelgwn’s bed.

  Chapter 10

  Elwyn hurried across the courtyard to Maelgwn. “I have taken the queen to your chambers and she is resting there,” he announced breathlessly.

  Maelgwn favored the young soldier with a warm smile. “I owe you a debt of gratitude for escorting her on this journey. Your loyalty and service will not be forgotten.” Maelgwn turned to leave, but Elwyn stopped him.

  “My lord,” he said awkwardly, staring at his commander. “I am very concerned about the queen. I think Lady Esylt upset her greatly.”

  “My sister is a meddling fool. Aurora will have to learn to ignore her.”

  “Aurora deserves better than to be left alone with no defense against Esylt’s sharp tongue. She is a princess—and your wife—you must take more of an interest in her feelings.”

  Maelgwn looked at Elwyn in surprise, and there was a mocking, hostile edge to his voice: “You seem to know quite well what my duty is to my wife. Bear in mind, though, that she is my wife, and I don’t need your advice on how to deal with her.”

  Elwyn’s heart leapt into his throat as he realized how he had spoken to his king, but he pressed on as tactfully as he could.

  “Of course, Maelgwn, I would not presume to interfere. But it does seem to me that a lady must be found to wait on the queen. She does not even have a servant to help her dress.”

  Maelgwn nodded. He had promised Aurora a maid. She would have a slave to see to her basic needs, but she also needed a woman to help her with her hair and attire and to serve as a companion. Maelgwn wrinkled his brow in thought. It was difficult. Most of the noble women of Caer Eryri either had families or were too closely tied to Esylt to risk asking one of them to serve his queen.

  Just then, Gwenaseth came looking for Elwyn. She stopped when she saw him talking to Maelgwn, but Maelgwn motioned for her to approach.

  “My lord,” she said to Maelgwn, bowing low. Then she turned to Elwyn. “Your father and brother are here for the victory feast. I thought you might wish to speak to them.”

  “Of course. I will come shortly,” Elwyn answered, feeling embarrassed. He had been so involved in Aurora’s problems that he had not thought of anything else, including his own family.

  “Gwenaseth.” Maelgwn spoke her name gently, and the girl looked up at him in awe. “Your father has sent you to me to see that you learn all the arts of running a noble household.”

  Gwenaseth nodded, looking slightly puzzled. It was common enough for the sons and daughters of noble families to be sent for fosterage when they were of an age. She was not sure what Maelgwn was leading up to.

  “My wife...” Maelgwn paused and his forehead creased slightly. “She is from a fine Cornovii household. Now that she has come to Caer Eryri, she needs a woman to assist her and keep her company. I think you could learn much from her, and I am asking you if you would be willing to serve as her lady’s maid and companion.”

  Gwenaseth smiled broadly. “I would be most honored to serve the queen.”

  “Of course, we will have to make other arrangements after you marry and have a family,” Maelgwn added quickly. “And speaking of that matter—I was thinking of asking your father if he had any objection to a match with young Elwyn,” he nodded in Elwyn’s direction. “I can certainly ask him, if you would like me to.”

  “Of course I would.” Gwenaseth’s smile was luminous. “I would like nothing better.”

  “Good,” Maelgwn said heartily. “As soon as I can get away to the coast, it will be done. Now I think it is time you went to the queen.”

  After Gwenaseth hurried off, Maelgwn turned back to Elwyn, looking pleased with himself. “I hope you are satisfied with this arrangement, Elwyn. I have given you your bride and her a place of honor in my court. Now perhaps you can turn your attentions back to being a good soldier.”

  Elwyn nodded stiffly. “Thank you, my lord.”

  Maelgwn walked away, and Elwyn stood still for a moment, feeling let down. He loved Gwenaseth, he was sure of that, but his feelings were not quite the same since he had met Aurora. Even now, he felt responsible for the young queen, and it angered him that Maelgwn had so obviously relieved him of his duties toward her. If Maelgwn continued to be so indifferent to Aurora’s feelings, she would need him more than ever.

  Gwenaseth climbed the steep stairs to the tower room and paused at the door. She was embarrassed and shy to be attending Maelgwn’s new wife. It was obvious that Lady Aurora was from a refined and wealthy background, and Gwenaseth hoped she would know how to please her. Gwenaseth had grown up on the coast where a brisk trade with Gaul and even Greece and Rome still flourished, and she was accustomed to fine and expensive things. But in the many years since her mother had died, she had been around few women who could really be called ‘noblewomen.’ Despite her nervousness, Gwenaseth was looking forward to serving this elegant foreign princess that Maelgwn had so unexpectedly brought home. She took a deep breath and knocked.

  “Come in.” Aurora looked up, expecting to see Elwyn or one of the other soldiers bringing up her things. She gazed in surprise as the small, slim figure of Gwenaseth entered and bowed low before her.

  “I am to be your lady-in-waiting,” Gwenaseth said carefully, suddenly aware of her lilting, coastal accent. “How may I serve you?”

  “Elwyn sent you?”

  “No, King Maelgwn. I am to be married to Elwyn, though, so we will both serve you,” she added, blushing prettily.

  Aurora found herself rather taken back. For all her haughty demands of Maelgwn, she had never had her own maid before. She was uncertain how to treat the dainty creature who stood before her, waiting for instructions. Elwyn had told Aurora a little about his betrothed, and he had not exaggerated Gwenaseth’s beauty. She was as tiny as a bird, with graceful arms and neck, and a pert, pretty face lit up by warm, melting eyes. Only her rather wispy hair was anything but perfect.

  “Well, most of all, I would like to bathe,” Aurora said quickly. “Can you show me to the baths?”

  It was Gwenaseth’s turn to stare at Aurora in startled confusion. “The baths?” she asked hollowly.

  “Aye, surely you have baths here. It was a Roman garrison at one time.”

  “I’m sure there was once a bathhouse outside the fort, but it has been years...”

  “What do you do to get clean?” Aurora asked impatiently. “Surely you don’t go without bathing!”

  Gwenaseth was bewildered and a little embarrassed. “Well, in the summer we go bathing in the river—or we get water from the spring and wash with that.”

  “I don’t understand. How can you get clean without heated water?” Aurora was beginning to feel the first prickling of alarm. Surely, the people of Gwynedd washed regularly. She had noticed a certain stale smell among the soldiers, but she thought that was because they had no way to wash w
hile traveling.

  Gwenaseth hung her head, looking dismal. “I know the Romans believed in taking their daily baths—there was an old bathhouse near my father’s house at Llanfaglon I used to play in as a child. But here in the hills...” she looked doubtful, “... it is too cold much of the year to bathe everyday, and people have given up the practice.”

  Aurora tried to suppress the stab of homesickness that went through her. She must try to adapt to her husband’s people and their customs. “I understand, I guess, but I have been traveling and there is to be a great feast of celebration tonight. I sorely need to bathe and to wash my hair.”

  “Of course,” Gwenaseth said briskly. “I didn’t mean to suggest we could not accommodate you. I will send for a slave to bring some water, and I believe there must be a tub somewhere you could wash in.”

  Gwenaseth was all quiet efficiency then, giving orders to a plain, brown-haired slave boy with an authority Aurora could never have managed. It was only a matter of time before a large bronze caldron was found and filled with a mixture of cold and heated water to form a tepid mixture for Aurora’s bath. Even chilled, Aurora found a luxurious contentment in being clean. After they had washed and rinsed her hair, and the grime of the road filled the bottom of the caldron, Aurora sat upon the bed and relaxed as Gwenaseth expertly untangled her damp tresses.

  “What will you wear to the feast?” Gwenaseth asked.

  “I guess the dress I wore for my wedding. It is a lovely color, and it is made of a special kind of cloth, called ‘silk.’ “

  Gwenaseth nodded. “I have heard of silk—it is very rare and valuable. You will look beautiful,” Gwenaseth added warmly. “You have such lovely, thick hair, and I truly envy your coloring.”

  “My coloring?” Aurora exclaimed doubtfully. “Surely it is better for a woman to have light hair like yours.”