“No! I don’t believe you!” Aurora protested. “She was not like that. She was kind to me, and she was concerned for the future of Gwynedd.”
“I don’t want to hear your stories and justifications. I will let you know what I decide to do with you tomorrow. In the meantime, I will send Gwenaseth to see to your needs.”
Then he was gone. The door shut behind him with a finality that made Aurora jump.
Chapter 25
Maelgwn found Balyn just leaving the great hall.
“I need to have you do something immediately.”
“Of course, Maelgwn, what is it?”
“I want a guard posted outside the tower. It does not matter who visits Aurora, but I don’t want her leaving there.”
“By the gods, what has happened?”
“See to it!” Maelgwn snapped. Then his voice softened. “Then meet me in the council room. I need to talk to you.”
Balyn hurried away without another word, and Maelgwn trudged wearily toward the barracks. His head was spinning. He needed quiet and time to think. A few hours ago, he had been determined to try again with Aurora—to make things right with her. Then everything had fallen apart. First, there had been Aurora’s awkward and obvious attempt to discredit Esylt with her story of the spy in the village and the plot against him. If that had not been bad enough, she had dragged up the old pain of Dinas Brenin and thrown that in his face.
But the final blow was the poison. Maelgwn sighed deeply. How had things come to this—how had the sweet young woman he married become so warped by hate that she would plot murder? Or, had Esylt been right all along? Had Aurora always been capable of treachery, and he had been too besotted to see her for what she was?
Maelgwn felt the cold pain twisting in his belly. Aurora had told him that she loved him. She had finally said the words he longed to hear from her lips. But it was too late. He could never believe her. He could never be sure that it wasn’t just another clever attempt to manipulate him.
Maelgwn reached the office and kindled a torch to illuminate the large, nearly empty room. He knew what he must do. He must banish Aurora from his life forever. He sat down heavily. How would he find the strength? Even now all he could think about was going to Aurora, of holding her in his arms once again. He tried to hang onto his hate, his anger. It was futile. His love was stronger than those feelings would ever be.
Maelgwn turned as he heard the hollow echo of Balyn’s footsteps.
“My lord,” his friend said tentatively.
“Come. Sit.” Maelgwn said, gesturing toward the stool that Aurora had sat upon only a few hours before.
Balyn settled his bulky frame upon the small stool. His big open face looked worried.
“Ah, Balyn. You have been right all along. I do love her.”
“That is good news. So why are you keeping her a prisoner?”
“Perhaps for now she is locked up so she will be safe from me.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I. I love her, but it seems she is poison for me. Hah—poison, that is a good one!” Maelgwn said humorlessly.
“What has she done?”
Maelgwn shook his head. “She accused Esylt of treason and then admitted she was planning to poison her.”
“Aurora? Poison Esylt? I don’t believe it.”
“Aye, it’s hard to imagine. I’m not sure she would have ever gone through with it, but in these things, intentions do count for something. I will never be able to trust her again.”
“So, you have decided to send her back to Viroconium?”
Maelgwn nodded. “If I can find the strength to do it.”
Balyn looked thoughtful. He rubbed his meaty hands together nervously. “Well, there is another possibility, you know.”
“What is that?”
“Get rid of Esylt.” Balyn looked directly into Maelgwn’s eyes. “It would solve your problems with Aurora. And... I’ve never really liked Esylt much myself.”
“How do you propose that I get rid of her?”
Balyn shrugged. “You could send her away.”
“She would go straight to one of my enemies and raise an army against me. What kind of a solution is that?”
“But she couldn’t win.”
“Are you suggesting that I fight a war over a woman?”
“It wouldn’t be the first time. You’ve heard of Helen of Troy—”
“Aye, I’ve heard of her,” Maelgwn interrupted impatiently. “But what kind of a king would I be if I did that? Risking men’s lives because I can’t control my own lust?”
“You could have Esylt killed.”
“That would make it tidy, wouldn’t it? All of Britain already thinks I’ve killed off the rest of my family in my lust for power. Cadwallon’s eaglets they called us—squabbling amongst ourselves until only one eaglet is left in the nest.”
“If only one eagle is to survive, would it not be better for Gwynedd if it is you rather than Esylt?”
Maelgwn sighed heavily. “I do not know if I could do it. It is one thing to kill a man in battle, but it is another to murder a woman because she interferes in your life. I already take enough guilt to bed each night because of Dinas Brenin. If I killed Esylt so I could have Aurora, it would ruin something for me. I think I would always blame Aurora for forcing me into something so evil.”
“It is odd,” Balyn said softly. “Your reputation is so bloodthirsty and cruel, but you have always been a just king, a fair one. It doesn’t seem right you can’t have the woman you love, just like any other man.”
Maelgwn leaned his head on his hands wearily.
“I never wanted to be king. But now that I am, I know that I am not like other men anymore. Sometimes the king is the stag, the sacrifice that makes the fields ripen with abundance and women’s bellies quicken with life. This land does not yet demand my life, but it is time for me, no matter what the pain, to put aside my feelings for Aurora and do what is best for Gwynedd.”
“You have decided then?” Balyn asked.
Maelgwn nodded. “I’ll tell her tomorrow.”
* * *
Gwenaseth rushed up the tower stairs. Balyn’s weary, patient face when he came to tell her to go to Aurora had alarmed her, but not nearly so much as seeing the armed guard waiting by the tower entrance. It seemed Aurora was in trouble, grave trouble.
Gwenaseth felt a stab of guilt. She had not paid enough attention to Aurora lately. She had been busy setting up her own household and adjusting to married life. No, that was not true. The truth was that her feelings were hurt when Aurora had been so cold and distant after Lughnasa. She had been selfish, and now things were worse than ever between Aurora and Maelgwn. Gwenaseth sighed. If Aurora were sent back to Viroconium, she would never forgive herself for not doing more to help.
The tower room door was unbolted, and Gwenaseth barely knocked before opening it and hurrying in. Aurora was seated on a stool, staring into the lamplight, her face pale and stricken.
“My lady, what is it? What has happened?”
Aurora looked up with dull eyes, and her voice was empty and harsh. “I don’t know Gwenaseth, truly I don’t. I’ve tried, but it seems it is no use.”
“Did Maelgwn tell you—did he say he was going to send you away?”
Aurora shook her head. “No, he said he would let me know what he plans to do with me tomorrow. I would be grateful if all he plans to do is send me back to my father. I think he may have me killed instead.”
“No! Maelgwn would not do such a thing!”
Aurora shook her head numbly. “He said it would be best for both of us. He was furious, I’m surprised he did not murder me then and there.”
“What did you do, Aurora? Why is he so angry?”
“I got some poison from a woman in the village. Maelgwn thinks I was going to use it to kill Esylt.”
Gwenaseth gasped. “You were not, surely you were not really going to do it?”
“I don’t know. I
was desperate. I believed Esylt was plotting to betray Maelgwn, and that I was the only one who could stop her.”
“Did you tell Maelgwn that?”
“Of course. He called me a liar, as always.”
Gwenaseth stared at Aurora’s swollen eyes and pathetic face. What was wrong with Maelgwn? Why could he not see his wife for what she was—a lonely, frightened young woman? But it seemed he could not. For some reason Maelgwn was determined to punish Aurora. Would it be death? Death hardly seemed appropriate for Aurora’s mistakes, and killing Aurora would bring war and bloodshed. It was not right. She could not let Maelgwn do it. But first, Gwenaseth realized, she had to be sure of his intentions.
“I’ll take leave of you now, Aurora,” Gwenaseth said softly. “I need to talk to Elwyn. But I promise you, I won’t desert you. I will help you somehow.”
* * *
Elwyn hurried toward the barracks, the blood humming in his veins and his feet churning frantically beneath him. Even in battle, he had never felt so tense and desperate. He could hardly believe the story his wife had just brought to him: that Maelgwn was planning to kill Aurora. It defied reason—all of it. He could not believe Aurora had planned to poison Esylt. Aye, Esylt was a bitch, and evil at that, but poison? It seemed impossible that the sweet, tender-hearted queen he knew could even consider such a thing. And then, to think that Maelgwn was planning to have Aurora put to death for her mistake—that was madness, too. Anyone could see Maelgwn was being eaten alive by his passion for Aurora. Her death would solve nothing, except to destroy Maelgwn as well.
Elwyn reached the barracks and saw with a mixture of relief and dread that the light in Maelgwn’s office still burned. Gwenaseth had sent him to find out what Maelgwn intended to do, and find out he must. Still, he dreaded this confrontation with his king. He could not help remembering the last time he had tried to intervene in Maelgwn’s relationship with his wife. Elwyn took a moment to slow his breathing and steady his nerves before entering.
Maelgwn looked up as he walked in. The king was seated at the table as if working, but nothing lay before him. His eyes were dark and hollow, his face streaked with shadows. Elwyn had never seen him look so old. The proud, powerful warrior was gone, and in his place sat a weary, dispirited man.
Maelgwn said nothing. Elwyn burst out bluntly: “My lord... I was wondering. What are you planning to do with Aurora?”
“What do you think I must do?” Maelgwn answered in a dull, heavy voice. “She has plotted to kill my sister. That is treason, even for a queen.”
“But she is so young, so frightened,” Elwyn protested. “Surely you must take that into account.”
“Don’t you see, Elwyn,” Maelgwn answered in a voice of utter anguish. “I can’t let my feelings interfere with my duty. I must do what is best for Gwynedd, for my people, even though it tears out my heart.”
“But there will be war. Constantine will surely never endure such a thing without retaliating!”
“Maybe,” Maelgwn agreed thoughtfully. “But I went to Viroconium expecting to go to war. There will always be war.”
Silence loomed between the two men for awhile. When Elwyn finally spoke, his voice sounded very soft, very frail in the large, empty room.
“Maelgwn, I must tell you—I can’t go along with your decision. I can have no part in this.”
“Very well, Elwyn, it is not your decision to make. Nor your burden to carry.”
Maelgwn spoke no more, and the silence stretched between them again. Finally, Maelgwn looked up.
“If that is all you have come to say, you may go. I have several other decisions to make tonight.”
Elwyn bowed curtly and left the room. It seemed as though his knees might give way beneath him as he hurried to the small house he shared with Gwenaseth.
“You were right,” he blurted out as he stumbled into the darkened room. “Maelgwn intends to have Aurora put to death for treason. He says he does not want to, but he must put the good of Gwynedd first.”
Gwenaseth gaped at her husband, and then her face turned hard. “Stupid man! He will never forgive himself. Doesn’t he know that honor matters little compared to love? Well, we won’t let it happen!” she added in a determined voice. “We will keep him from making the worst mistake of his life.”
“How can you speak so?” Elwyn asked in a shocked voice. “How can you dare to defy our king’s wishes?”
Gwenaseth shook her head. “You are a soldier, Elwyn, and you have been taught to obey no matter what, but my father raised me to be a princess and to think for myself. This thing that Maelgwn intends to do is wrong, and we must stop him.”
* * *
Gwenaseth smiled at the young guard as she opened the door. “I’m taking the queen some clothes and food,” she said, gesturing at the large basket she carried.
“So late?” the man asked lazily. “I can’t believe you are still up. I know I would be in bed already if I were not ordered to stay here.”
“When does your relief come?”
“Not for another hour or two.” The soldier yawned. “I hope I can stay awake that long.”
“After I get these things to her, I’m going to prepare the queen for bed. It should be quiet the rest of the night.”
“Tell me,” the soldier said with a conspiratorial wink. “Why does Maelgwn have his wife locked up like this? Does he think she sneaks out to meet someone else?”
“I don’t know,” Gwenaseth answered impatiently. “Men sometimes get strange fancies regarding their wives.”
“I concede that Queen Aurora’s looks could drive any husband to jealousy, but Maelgwn’s means seem extreme. Wouldn’t it be easier for him to guard her himself by sleeping next to her every night? It would certainly save us soldiers a lot of trouble.”
“Perhaps I’ll mention it to him,” Gwenaseth said as she hurried up the stairs.
Aurora had barely changed position since Gwenaseth had been to see her earlier. She still sat on the stool, staring at nothing and twirling her rings endlessly around on her fingers.
“I sent Elwyn to speak to Maelgwn, Aurora,” Gwenaseth said gently, kneeling down beside the queen. She laid a tender hand on her arm. “You were right. He does intend to put you to death.”
Aurora gave an anguished cry. “I’m afraid to die, Gwenaseth. I don’t even know what gods are real, which ones will help me!” She shuddered, and her voice became breathy and strained. “What if he decides to burn me to death? Oh, please, Gwenaseth!” she pleaded. “Please beg him not to do that. It is an awful way to die... the smoke... the smell of the fire!”
“Hush!” Gwenaseth cried, giving the terrified woman a shake. “I’m not going to let him do it. I’m going to get you out of here!”
Aurora seemed to calm herself. “Aye. You are right. I must fight him. I must not go meekly to my death.” She looked at Gwenaseth uncertainly. “But there is only one way out of here... and the guard.”
“No, there are two ways out,” Gwenaseth answered, pointing to the window.
Aurora stared uneasily at the window that looked out over the valley. “I don’t know, Gwenaseth. It is like riding a horse is to you. I am very afraid of heights.”
“Well, you’d better get over your fear, at least for tonight. I could get you out of the tower by distracting the guard, but I could not get you out the gate. The only way you can escape is to climb out the window and down the fortress wall.”
Aurora looked toward the window and gave a shiver of fear. “How will I climb down?”
“With this,” Gwenaseth answered, pulling a braided leather rope out of the bottom of the basket. “It is not quite long enough to reach the ground, but you can jump that far.”
“How will I get away? On foot, I will never escape before morning.”
“I have thought of that,” Gwenaseth answered. “Elwyn has gone outside the fortress. He told the guard that he has to see about the fire in the village this afternoon. He will get Paithu and saddle her for you.
She will come when you call her, won’t she?”
Aurora nodded. “It’s a good plan, Gwenaseth, but I am afraid for you and Elwyn. What will Maelgwn do to you if he learns you’ve helped me?”
Gwenaseth shrugged. “He will probably banish us, but we can go live with my father. I could not stand to stay here anyway if you do not get away, and Maelgwn... does what he plans to do.”
Aurora reached out for the petite, red-haired woman. “Oh, Gwenaseth, what would I have done without you?”
“There is no time for hugging and tears, Aurora. We must hurry. The guard changes in but a little while, and we must be done before then. The man down there now is so sleepy and lazy that I doubt he will notice any strange sounds or bother to investigate them.
* * *
It was well past midnight when Maelgwn left the office. It seemed that the rest of the fortress slept peacefully. Out of force of habit, he glanced up at the tower room. All was dark; Aurora must have gone to bed. Maelgwn flexed his muscles. He had been sitting so long that he was stiff. He looked up again at the tower, and a wave of longing washed over him. He let out his breath in a long, drawn-out sigh, and then began walking toward the tower.
“Is all quiet?” he asked the guard by the door.
The man nodded. “I just took over the watch a few minutes ago.” The soldier looked at Maelgwn curiously. “Are you going up?”
“Aye,” Maelgwn answered abruptly. “It seems I can’t stay away.”
Maelgwn took the steps heavily. He wished he was not so tired. He could not properly say good-bye to his wife if he fell asleep immediately. But would she even have him, he wondered? She had spoken of love earlier, but once she knew that their marriage was over, would she welcome him into her bed one last time?
Maelgwn paused at the door, wondering if he should knock. It was really his room after all... and his wife... for a little while longer.
He opened the door. It creaked noisily on its ancient hinges. The room was dark. There was no sound of Aurora stirring. Maelgwn took his sword off and sat down on the bed to remove his boots. Aurora must be deeply asleep. Usually she woke as soon as he came into the room. No doubt she was exhausted by the day, much as he was. Perhaps for now they should just sleep together and find comfort in the presence of each other. There would be time for lovemaking in the morning.
Dragon of the Island Page 24
