Ancient Things We Hold

Chapter 8

The Loss of Two Dear Things

—-

Aldwyn wondered home at a complete loss. He did not even care that Ariel had become distressed again over him being absent for so long. He just stared at her blankly, until she quietened down and sent him to his chambers.

He looked like a ghost as he walked. His siblings, who had been looking on from the safety of the third floor balcony, shared looks of confusion.

"Perhaps he is heartbroken at his betrothed leaving," suggested Lysa innocently.

"You must be joking. He's been happier these last few days since her departure than he's ever been before. Lord knows why. She's a darling thing and a true match. His children will have royal blood through their veins. If only I were not already betrothed, then I would jump to have a match like that," said Godric. Alfred agreed quickly. All summer he had been looking at Faeryn longingly, but as the youngest son there was no hope. He would be betrothed last out of all his brothers.

Godric, as the eldest and thus the most eligible sons of the Daegels, had been betrothed even before he was born. She was an heiress to a very large, profitable estate in the southern lands, meaning that when she married the husband would become considerably wealthy. Therefore, her match was based on money for a title. Godric would be made a larger landowner than his father and she would become Lady of Carreg Llwyd once he came into the inheritance. However, she had to be five and twenty before inheriting, meaning they could not wed for another five years.

However, Lady Faeryn could not be betrothed to Brant either. At sixteen, he was of marriageable age. Nonetheless, he was promised to the Knights in the capital, meaning he would move to the King's right hand at eighteen to defend him along with many other second sons of noblemen. As a Knight, one was required to remain celibate until at least ten years service.

Therefore, in order to secure the northwest for the King, it was Aldwyn's duty to marry her. And certainly she was a catch  by anyone's standards, except he had been made miserable by it. While he was pleased she was no longer terrified at the prospect of their wedding, he was still desperately wishing that it would all just slip away.

"He doesn't love her," said Mercia.

"Seldom does one love their spouse, Mercia. Poor Cwen does not want to go to the east, but it is a duty we must all withstand," said Godric, "Well, apart from Brant who was lucky enough to enlist as a knight the second he could." Brant smiled smugly, causing his older brother to smack him on the back of his head.

Amongst this roughness, Mercia suddenly grew a little melancholy. She had always been over fond of Brant, who she looked up to as a warrior and as a brother. "I don't want you to go," she said to him. He held her hand and hugged her from the side.

"There, half pint. I shall come and visit you as much as I can. Even when you one day get married, I won't let any husband stop me from seeing you," he promised.

She hugged him tightly. However, she then pushed him roughly away and declared, "I shall never get married, especially after seeing what the mere prospect of it has done to Aldwyn. I want to be a soldier with you,"

"Then you can fight off any men who try to marry you," laughed Alfred.

"Come on, then, Mercia," said Brant, "Let's go practise right away." He began to stand up. He brushed himself off, ready to rush down to the weaponry room and grab Aldwyn's sword- which should be light enough for Mercia.

"Now?" she said, "It's so late!"

"We'll be quiet. Do you want to learn to fight?"

"More than anything,"