The Circle of Ceridwen: Book One of The Circle of Ceridwen Saga

by Octavia Randolph

  “Yes, the fourteenth day of May.”

  “That is a long time.”

  “Yes, but my breasts are heavy and sore, the way they always are before my Moon.”

  She laughed and took my hand in hers, and spoke to me with love and wonder in her voice.

  “My dear daughter, I think you are with child. You have not bled for many weeks, and your breasts are sore? Do you not know that often a woman’s breasts are sore in just this way, when she has gotten herself a babe? And you say you have felt tired, and not yourself. You are with child, my darling daughter.”

  Now she was hugging me, and me her, and she was laughing and crying at the same time.

  “A child! So soon! And you are so strong, so full of vigour, the babe is sure to be a strong one. How happy I am; how happy Godwulf will be! It has weighed on him so, to think no grand-child was left behind. It was sorrow enough with Godwin and Edgyth, but then when we thought Gyric was lost to us...Now all of that is changed, and the new year will bring new life!”

  I could not help but laugh, too, for the wonder of it, and for the silly surprise of it, for now that she spoke of it I felt it to be true. I put my hand on my flat belly, and she laughed again at me, and laid her own white hand over my own.

  “Shall I bring Gyric?” she wanted to know.

  I felt flustered. It did not seem right for us to know and him not to, but it was all so new.

  “You need time,” she decided, and so answered her own question. “There is no hurry.”

  “I will tell him right away; I want to.”

  She leaned over and kissed my forehead. “That is good. It will give him such joy to hear it.”

  As she finished speaking someone knocked on the door, and then we heard Gyric’s voice.

  “Ceridwen? Is all well?”

  Modwynn rose and opened the door. “Everything is well, Gyric,” she told him, in a voice full of cheer. “Now I must return to the kitchen yard.”

  She moved past him, and I rose and came to Gyric and touched his arm.

  He took my hand and said, “Godwin told me you two walked out of the hall together, and that you looked weak. Are you well?”

  “Yes, I am very well. Both of us are.”

  He sounded uncertain at this. “You mean - you and Modwynn?”

  “No, me and our child.”

  “Our child?”

  “Yes. I have got your babe; I am with child. I did not know it until just now; but I am sure.”

  “A babe?”

  “Yes.”

  He said no more, nor did I, for his arms closed around me, and he held me tight to his chest. He put his hand under my head-dress and stroked my hair, and touched my face.

  Finally I whispered to him, “Are you happy, my love?”

  His answer sounded as if it was coming from far away. “Yes. I do not know how to think, but I know I am happy.” He shook his head and almost laughed. “I always believed that one day I would wed, and have children of course, but now that it is true -” His voice grew soft. “But nothing happened as I expected it.”

  “But you are happy, Gyric?”

  “How could I not be? To have a wife such as you, who loves me as you do, and to have a babe with you? And so soon...”

  “That is what your mother said,” I told him, and knew my cheek was red.

  He held me in his arms again and spoke low in my ear. “Of course it happened so soon. I cannot stay away from you. You are so - beautiful, and your body is so soft, and warm, and lush...”

  His words died out, and he stiffened in my arms.

  “What are you thinking of?” I asked.

  “Of Godwin.”

  “O.”

  “You will give me a child soon, and he has none. And he will be the next ealdorman of Kilton, and have no son.”

  I had no answer for this.

  His thoughts went on, for his next words were, “Godwulf will be pleased when he hears your news.”

  “Modwynn said that as well.”

  “She is right. Will she tell him now, or wait for you to tell him?”

  The thought of telling Godwulf that I was with child was not an easy one. “I hope she will tell him. Or you tell him.”

  This made him laugh, and he kissed me.

  Modwynn did tell Godwulf, and I knew it the moment I entered the hall that night, for he looked at me with an eager eye, and smiled upon me, and he did not often smile upon anyone. The smell of the food did not bother me, and I ate well; but the smell of the ale made me queasy, so Modwynn had broth brought for me instead.

  As we left the table that night she told us that she and Godwulf would come to us again in the bower-house, and so Gyric knew as well that his father had been told. The Moon lit our path to the house, and I looked far up at the shining face and touched my belly and laughed, and whispered my thanks to him.

  I lit all the cressets in the bower-house as we waited for them, and I thought of that first night they had come to us, to bless our marriage. Now I heard them on the path, and they came in, and Modwynn’s eyes were full of love and Godwulf’s full of pride.

  He came to me, and took my hand, and kissed it; and then drew from his tunic a silver chain, at the bottom of which hung a lustrous pearl, almost as large as that which Ælfwyn had. He gently dropped it into my hands, and then straightened up and spoke.

  “I gave this pearl to Modwynn when she was my bride. Today when she told me of your news, she offered it to you, to show you our joy in this babe.”

  I wanted to embrace him, and her as well, for the love shown in this gift, but he cleared his throat and went on. “I have grown old. Until lately I feared going to my grave without knowing who would inherit after Godwin. Then you came into my hall, and brought back my son to me, and now you bring his child to come as well. From today I know my name will live, and not die with this aged flesh of mine.”

  Now I did embrace him, and Modwynn too, and gave her great thanks for the glistening pearl. She put it around my neck, as was right as it had been worn by her for many years. The pearl looked just like an egg, and the egg is the token of fertility; and we all knew this as we stood there, but I did not blush. I felt proud to be with babe so soon, and filled with love for Gyric for his seed, and great gratitude for the endless kindnesses of Modwynn and Godwulf.

  When we were alone Gyric said to me, “My father esteems you greatly. I have never heard him speak so before.”

  His words were slow and thoughtful, and for answer I took his hand.

  “You give to him what he had begun to despair of ever having. You are precious, Ceridwen, in every degree. You have given me everything; given so much to all of us.”

  He reached out and found the silver chain as it hung against my breast. His fingers slipped down to the pearl, and closed gently around it.

  In the morning Gyric told Godwin of our news, but I was not there with them, for I felt too queasy when I woke to go to the hall. In the afternoon when Gyric and I sat out in the pavilion, Godwin came up to us, and took my hand and embraced me.

  “I am glad for you,” he told us, but his voice was tight as he spoke. He turned away, joy and sorrow mingling in his face, and I was thankful that he did before Gyric felt it in him.

  Chapter the Seventy-fourth: Ælfred, King

  THE day before Ælfred was expected two riders came down the clay road through Kilton, bearing each the banner of the King of Wessex. They rode quickly, so that the golden dragons upon the dark banners streamed out behind them in flight. The riders were come to say the King would arrive early on the morrow, and to be certain all was in readiness to receive him.

  Modwynn received their message with pleasure. The great body of the work was done. Three oxen had been slaughtered and dressed, hundreds of loaves baked, scores of fish were being drawn up from the fish weirs, and cups, platters and bedding all gathered. Godwin and the horse-reeve had taken charge of all outside the hall, and fodder and g
rain for four score extra horses had been gathered.

  Modwynn and I went back into the treasure room, where we had been sorting linens.

  “I have never seen a King before,” I told her, and I think some concern shown in my voice.

  “Only watch me, and you will be fine,” she counselled. “You will stand by Gyric’s side as always, and I by Godwulf’s. When they kneel before Ælfred, you and I will curtsey. That is all.”

  My face showed I could hardly believe it.

  “Ælfred is like a third son to me, tho’ he now be King. There is nothing to fear,” she laughed.

  That night in the hall everyone spoke in heightened voices, and moved more quickly than usual; all were in good cheer. Only Gyric was quiet. I knew a part of him was eager to once again be with Ælfred, and that another part, just as strong, feared the hour of their meeting, when Ælfred should once again behold him, but behold him so changed. It was always thus with Gyric, I thought, as I held him in the dragon bed that night. A war went on within him, a war without victory or truce.

  In the morning we were all up and ready at first light. I dressed myself in the watery-green silk gown I had worn the first day we came to Kilton, and tied the pheasant sash with my ring of keys about my waist. I regarded myself long in my small silver mirror. I knew I was richly dressed and looked well; the mirror told me that. But much else was within me that the mirror did not show. Gyric had told me that I gave to everyone, but I felt it was me who had received so much: his love, the love of his people, and now the joy of our babe. I only wanted all to be well for Gyric, as well as it could be; and for this meeting with Ælfred to be a boon and comfort to him.

  Word had come that Ælfred would soon arrive, and we stood together in the hall as we waited for the horn to sound.

  When it blew, all heads lifted. The great door was swung open, and we stepped out into the warm Sun of a fair morning. All the thegns of Kilton were there, waiting, and they fell in behind us as we walked to the palisade gate. The yard folk lined the way for us. There would be no work done that day, and they stood expectantly, jostling each other slightly as they tried to be still. The horn kept sounding, and then we gained the gate and stood outside it on the hard clay road; and then before us came Ælfred, King, and all his train.

  Two riders came before him, carrying each a long dark banner upon which a golden dragon flew. Then rode the King, quite alone, mounted upon a chestnut stallion. Behind him rode a line of perhaps eight nobles, ealdorman, I thought, by the richness of their dress and the worth of their horses. Behind these rode three long files of thegns, each in full war-gear. At the very end were ten or more waggons, pulled by horses.

  We had now taken our places before the gate. The two riders with the dragon banners stopped, and Ælfred came towards us, and reined his horse in as well. He swung down from it, and Ælfred stepped forward and looked on us.

  He was not over tall, and was slightly built, like Gyric. The hair which fell upon his shoulder was coppery-gold, like Gyric’s, but far darker in colour, or perhaps it was the paleness of his skin that made it seem so. His mouth was mild, almost tender; and his eyes a bright blue; but it was in his eyes that the weight of his rule showed, for tho’ I knew he was just the same age as Gyric he looked much older. He wore a tunic of blue, without any rich trim, but the gold pin which held his light mantle was studded with jewels, and he wore about each wrist a gold bracelet such as I now wore. About his brow was a circlet of gold; but it was broad and heavy-looking, and cut into it were letters which I could not see clearly to read; and the circlet was set also with gemstones of every colour. He wore a sword and seax, too, and had his left hand upon the hilt of his sword as he approached us.

  Modwynn curtseyed, and so did I, with more reverence and feeling than I had ever before done. Godwulf and Godwin fell upon their knees, and Modwynn must have touched Gyric, for he too dropped down and knelt. Godwulf pressed the palms of his hands together before him, and held them out before his young King, and Ælfred at once clasped both of his hands over those of the old ealdorman, and received his homage from him.

  He still held the old man’s hands and pulled upon them to make him rise; and Godwulf did, and stood before Ælfred, King. Then Ælfred embraced Godwulf, and Godwulf clasped him as a son.

  Ælfred stood back and turned to Godwin, and Godwin extended his hands as Godwulf had, and Ælfred took them in his own, and lifted him too to his feet; and they embraced as brothers, and Godwin’s face shone with pleasure.

  Then Ælfred came to where Gyric still knelt, and Gyric felt him there, and pressed his hands together and held them out to his King. And then the King did that which made tears spring to my eyes, and to the eyes of all about us, for he bent down and kissed the hands that Gyric held up to him, and then enfolded them in his own.

  Gyric stood, and they embraced, and the face of the young King was pressed against that of Gyric, and I saw him close his eyes in sorrow as his brow brushed against the white linen that hid Gyric’s maiming.

  The King loosed his grasp upon Gyric, and went to Godwulf, and Godwulf turned to his own waiting thegns, and lifted his arm in the air, and all Godwulf’s thegns sent up a cry in response, and welcomed their King with their cheers. And the watching folk of the burh joined in this cry of welcome, so that this joyous noise drowned every other.

  We all turned to walk through the palisade gate, and Ælfred gestured that Gyric should come by his side. Ælfred took his arm, and the tears overflowed my eyes to see Gyric honoured thus.

  All the great train that followed Ælfred came behind us, the nobles first, slowly walking their horses, and the long files of thegns; all crowded in. We gained the hall, and Ælfred stepped in first, holding still to Gyric, and then came Godwulf and the rest of us, and for a moment we were alone in the hall before it filled with ealdorman and thegns and serving men.

  “I must kiss my second mother,” were the first words I heard the King say, and in response Modwynn was before him in a moment, and she kissed Ælfred and he, her; and they laughed together. His voice was low and measured, pleasant to hear. Looking at and listening to him I knew why he must be so well loved, for he wore his nobility with ease, and yet with a soberness far beyond his years. All of this gave him a sort of grace which I had never yet seen in man or woman, and I was greatly struck by it.

  Then the King’s eye fell upon me, and Modwynn motioned me to come forward, but it was Godwulf who spoke. He came up beside me, and took my hand and that of Gyric’s, and so presented us to Ælfred.

  “This is the young maid that you have heard of, she who snatched my son from the jaws of Death.”

  Godwulf said this so gravely, and with such strength, that he might have been speaking of the deed of a great warrior; and Ælfred looked at me with eyes full of respect and even wonder.

  Gyric spoke, and his voice was rich with love. “She is maid no more, for she is my wife, and even now carries my babe.”

  Ælfred looked at me again, and tho’ I lowered my eyes for a moment, I raised them to his gaze.

  “I thought I would find no woman to be Gyric’s equal,” he said. “Now she stands before me.”

  All the colour came into my cheek, but the young King went on. “Gyric saved my life, not only on that day, but many times before; and you saved his. Therefore I will honour you as a sister, just as I honour him always as a brother. And I will take special interest in your child, and do all I can to further it.”

  Gyric pressed my hand, and I felt his pride in me. I could say nothing to Ælfred; my heart was too full. I could but murmur, “My Lord,” and I bowed to him.

  When I raised my head I saw the eyes of Godwin upon me, and that the colour was fled for a moment from his face. I saw in that moment his own deep yearning for a child.

  There was no time for anything more; the hall was crowded with men, and then Godwulf and Godwin were greeting the nobles; and all of them came up to Gyric and spoke to him; and around us eve
ry table in the hall was being set up, and swarms of serving folk were bringing out platters of food and ewers of drink; and the clatter of cups and calling of voices filled the hall.

  A third chair was brought to the head table, one which came from the treasure room, for I had seen it there. It had a high back, and sides and arms deeply carved, and looked to be of great age. It was placed for the King between the chairs of Godwulf and Modwynn, and all the other benches set up, and so we took our places.

  We stood at the table as our cups were being set out, and I saw that a thegn of the King’s unwrapped a goblet and brought it forth and set it before Ælfred. It was of solid gold, and set all about with dark ruby stones. Modwynn took up one of two silver ewers, and poured out golden mead into the golden cup of Ælfred; and then she poured out for Godwulf, and then did me great honour by passing the ewer to me. So I poured out for Godwin, and for Gyric, and for Dunnere the priest, and for all of the nobles, and since I did not know their rank I chose to serve the eldest first, as a mark of respect, and so poured out for each of them, and they smiled upon me and nodded as I did.

  Lastly I poured out for myself, feeling warmed through without drink.

  We took our cups in hand, and then Ælfred himself raised his hand, and all fell silent, and the young King’s eye was bright as he turned to Godwulf.

  “The Danes have left Wessex, and have set up in Lundenwic, and have sworn on their most sacred talismans to leave us. A leader has emerged amongst them, the jarl Healfdene, and they call him their King; and he pledged to me in his own blood. And in return I gave him treasure of 12,000 pounds of silver, and this treasure I took him myself with three hundred thegns riding behind me, and behind them I had one thousand armed ceorls. This is why he accepted the treasure and left, for due to you and those others pledged to me, I was able to show him such strength in number of arms and men that the Danes resolved to fight us no more, but to be content with the treasure and warning I gave. By the mercy of God this is the news I have come to give you.”