Ancient Things We Hold

Chapter 12

Leviticus 19:18

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For the past four years of his life, Aldwyn had been walking on a precipice, unsure all the while when the shaky foundation would break away at his feet. He looked over his shoulder constantly and held his breath whenever news came from the King. So far, all had been well. Lady Faeryn had not yet started bleeding, meaning there was little point in marriage.

Everyone around him was increasing in anxiety over this. After all, everyone expected her to be ready by fourteen. Now she was at that age and no blood had come. Not only was everyone around her stressing, but she too was working herself into quite a state. She found herself travelling to the Fareway Spring in outside of the capital as much as possible so as to ensure she was fertile. There, she would pray and bathe in the waters regardless of how cold it was.

The Queen tried to assure her it was normal to be later than the expected. Some were early, some were late. However, with even the King becoming concerned that she would be unable to marry Aldwyn and hence secure the northwest, there was little hope for her peace of mind.

Aldwyn sympathised with her. He did not want her to be made so unhappy by this, but selfishly he thanked the Gods every night. Nonetheless, he wished those around her would stop making her feel so wretched for it. Each month, he wrote a letter trying to reinforce the Queen's message that her worth was not lessened. How cruel her peers were! They placed all her value in her ability to have children, then disparaged her relentlessly for not being able to yet.

Why did his relief have to come at the price of her peace of mind?

Her only hope of pleasing the King was marriage, after all. He felt somewhat rotten for complaining about marrying her when it was men such as him that had built a system in which women are forced into dependency unless in fortunate situations. Women were always so much better than their circumstances.

In all the old legends and myths, marriage was built on love. Wars were fashioned in the name of love, yet even though they all idolised such stories, none of them were free to love whom they wished. He thought of all he loved and all he could. Hodaya, whose mere presence had lifted his spirit as a child, was once where his affection lied. Now that he had seen her again, he could hardly think of anything else.

At that moment, he decided he should go mad if he could not speak to her at least once more. Therefore, he rushed up to his chambers with a handful of parchment and ink. His mother passed him and scolded him for running about the castle, so he smiled and slowed to a rapid walk. However, the second he was out of her sight he began running again. He had to write this as quickly as possible.

Dear Hodaya

Please meet me at the tree tomorrow at high noon. If you cannot tomorrow, then I shall be there for the next seven days. Would you trust me?

Aldwyn

Upon sealing him, he called for the nearest servant. "Do you know how to get to Elisentev? The Jewish village?" he asked. The boy nodded. "Will you please take this note to a girl named Hodaya? Go to the rabbi in the temple and ask him where she lives. He will know. She is eighteen years of age with curly brown hair and she is a little tall. Do not let anyone else see this note's content. Do you swear?" Again, the boy nodded and took the note eagerly in his hand. "Take a horse. Thank you very much," said Aldwyn.

He released the breath he had been holding in when the servant left. However, he remained a little anxious. If anyone knew he was contacting a Jewish girl and asking to meet her, there would be an utter scandal. Nonetheless, he had to know.