As the verdant landscape spread out before them, Aurora’s thoughts turned to the place they traveled to, the land beyond her father’s domain. She knew almost nothing of her new home, of how she would live and what would be expected of her. She turned to the young soldier who had helped her earlier.
“Elwyn—that is your name, is it not?”
“Aye. How may I serve you my lady?”
“I wish to know how far... how long we will be riding.”
“Seven days, my lady. On horseback by myself, I could ride it in but four, but with the army it takes much longer.”
Aurora nodded. She had never been more than half a day’s ride from her home. Gwynedd might as well be across the sea or even in Rome itself for all she knew of it.
As if reading her thoughts, Elwyn asked kindly, “Have you ever been away from home before?”
“No. I have read about many places in my lessons, but I have never left Viroconium.”
“You can read?”
“Aye,” she answered proudly. “For a while we had a Greek teacher who taught us. My writing is poor,”—she thought of Arion’s despair over her scribbling—”But I do like to read.”
She glanced over to see Elwyn staring at her with a look of awe.
“Is it so odd? My sisters and I were raised to be noblewomen, and it is a very useful skill to have when running a household.” She stopped, thinking of how her lessons had ended, with her father’s friend, Antillus, warning Constantine that no man wanted a woman who was more learned than he. Aurora looked at the young soldier next to her with apprehension. Would her learning be held against her in her new home?
Elwyn’s reassurance came quickly. “Truly, it is wonderful that you can read and write. I have often wished that I could learn.”
“It isn’t difficult. Perhaps I could teach you...” Aurora bit off the words in midsentence. What was she thinking of? She barely knew this young soldier. It was just that he reminded her so much of Marcus.
Elwyn stared at Aurora for a moment and then turned away, moving his horse slightly behind hers. Aurora felt her isolation anew. Oh, let him be my friend, she thought desperately. She needed one so badly now.
They rode in silence as the sun grew hotter and Aurora felt the sweat dripping down her forehead. She pulled her veil more closely around her face to shield it from the sun. Despite her Roman blood, she burned easily, and she remembered how Marcus had always admired her smooth, creamy skin.
The landscape was changing slightly, becoming hillier, pasture instead of cropland. Stands of grayish white sheep frosted the hills, with the dark figures of shepherds moving among them. The shepherds stopped to watch the huge army passing by them. Even from far away, Aurora could sense their awe and fear. For the common people, soldiers and armies meant death and destruction, and they avoided them as much as possible.
Aurora wondered again what Gwynedd was like. She had heard it was wild and mountainous, but she didn’t know if it was forested or open pasture. Her curiosity slowly overcame her fear of embarrassing Elwyn further.
“Is Gwynedd anything like this?” she asked him, gesturing toward the rich green landscape.
“No, tis not much like this,” he answered gravely. “It is rocky and high, wetter and cooler than your land, too. But it is beautiful,” he added loyally. “There are waterfalls and green meadows, lakes and high overlooks where it seems you can see forever—when the sun shines, the colors are so bright they hurt your eyes.”
Aurora tried to imagine it, but could not. Already she was homesick for the lazy, tranquil beauty of her home.
Still, the land was not as important as whether she would be accepted by Maelgwn’s people. Aurora had heard her father speaking of a place called Caer Eryri, Maelgwn’s headquarters. The name sounded forbidding, and Aurora wondered if it was a huge army camp or a town like Viroconium.
Aurora turned to face her escort. “Please, Elwyn, tell me of Caer Eryri.”
“What would you like to know?”
“What it looks like, how many people live there.”
Elwyn thought a moment “Caer Eryri has a long history,” he began. “The name means “fortress of eagles,” and the Cymru have lived there since before the Romans came. A part of it dates from ancient times, such as the walls and towers where Maelgwn and his sister have their sleeping chambers.”
“His sister?” Aurora interrupted. “I thought the rest of Maelgwn’s family were dead.”
“No, he has an older sister named Esylt,” answered Elwyn. “She has been at Maelgwn’s side since they were children.”
A sister. Aurora was both intrigued and disturbed by this new insight. It would be nice to have another royal woman to talk to—Aurora had been fond of her sisters and she knew she would miss them sorely. Still, she was unprepared to find another woman in Maelgwn’s life. It might make it harder for her to be accepted.
“His sister, what is she like?”
“She looks very much like Maelgwn. She is tall for a woman and has dark hair and blue eyes.”
Aurora frowned in concentration. Somehow it was hard to imagine a woman looking like Maelgwn. There was something so cold and forbidding about his appearance. Did that mean her children would look like him, too? Aurora had always imagined her children as blond and adorable, with fine delicate features such as Marcus had.
“Esylt is a very capable woman,” Elwyn continued. “She runs Maelgwn’s household. All the servants and craftsmen answer to her when he is away.”
“Does she rule with him?” Aurora asked hesitantly. She had not planned on competing with another woman who was already established as queen. It might make it harder for her to be accepted in Maelgwn’s household.
“No, she has no real authority in the rule of Gwynedd.”
Aurora sensed Elwyn’s hesitancy and her curiosity was piqued. “Does he listen to her counsel in private then?”
Elwyn laughed nervously. “Not if he can help it. Maelgwn often seems to be trying to avoid her for fear she will bend his ear on some subject.”
Aurora got the distinct feeling that Elwyn was very uncomfortable talking about Esylt. She turned back to questions of her new home.
“You were telling me of Caer Eryri. Please continue.”
“Aye. As I was saying, the fort itself is old, but when the Romans made it a garrison for their troops, they built barracks and many other buildings that are still used. Maelgwn’s officers, as well as the craftsmen and freemen of the tribe, live within the fortress walls.”
“Is it a town then, like Viroconium?”
“Not exactly. There is a village down by the river, where the farmers grow their crops. The fortress is more of a military headquarters. Most of the people who live there aren’t farmers or herdsmen, but warriors who serve in Maelgwn’s army and help protect Gwynedd.”
“Do all these soldiers live there?” Aurora asked, gesturing to the mass of troops ahead of them.
Elwyn shook his head. “Most of these men will go back to their homes—scattered throughout the hills—until they are needed again. There aren’t a lot of people in Gwynedd. It is a poor land in some ways, and makes for a hard living. But while our people work hard, the Cymru are a hearty, merry people who love music and tales.” Elwyn continued: “There are festivals and celebrations during the summer, and feasts during the winter when everyone gathers to hear the bards tell of the past.”
“Do you observe the rituals of the old gods?” Aurora asked. While her family had converted to the new faith of the Christ, many other gods were still worshiped by the people of Viroconium.
“Aye, feasts are held at Beltaine, Lughnasa, Samhain and Imbolc. And you—you are a Christian, aren’t you?”
“I suppose so,” Aurora answered, feeling uncomfortable. She was not really sure what she believed.
“I have heard that the Christian god is jealous of all others, and that is why the Christian holy men are so intolerant.”
“So it would seem. I am not ve
ry devout. Not like my sister, Carina, who is always in prayer. I think my father and the priest spoke to Maelgwn of raising our children as Christians, but I am not sure he agreed.”
Elwyn nodded. “I’m sure you could go to the priory in the valley if you wish to worship.”
“The priory?” Aurora asked in surprise.
“Aye, some holy brothers have begun a settlement at the other end of the valley that Caer Eryri overlooks—they have a chapel there.”
“And Maelgwn permits this?” Aurora asked in amazement. People had led her to believe that Maelgwn was a backward heathen.
“I’m not sure of his personal beliefs, but Maelgwn has always permitted the worship of all gods in Gwynedd, even the practices of the druids.”
Aurora’s eyebrows went up in shock. She had been raised to believe that the druids were a hideous cult which practiced human sacrifice. She knew they had settled in the west after the Romans drove them out of the rest of Britain, but she did not realize that the sect still had followers.
“But how can he tolerate their barbaric rites?” she asked hotly. “It’s not decent!”
“It’s true that some of their cults go too far in carrying out the old rituals, but druids have much knowledge and power, too. Many of them are physicians and bards. It is even said that Esylt, Maelgwn’s sister, knows some of the old magic arts.”
“She is a sorceress?” Aurora asked in horror.
Elwyn smiled nervously. “I’m sure if she had any real power, she would have used it against her enemies long ago. No doubt it is just a story told by the common people.”
They rode in silence for a while. Although she sensed his reticence to talk further, Aurora finally dared to ask the young man beside her the question that had been troubling her all along: “Elwyn, I must ask you, and you must be honest for my sake—will the people of Gwynedd accept me as queen?”
The young man looked distinctly uncomfortable, and Aurora sensed that he did not want to answer her. He looked away and then back at her. “You do not look much like a Cymraes,” he said softly. “But certainly we could not hope to have a more lovely queen.”
The compliment made Aurora blush, but she was not satisfied with his flattering answer. He seemed to be avoiding the intent of her question completely.
“But will they...” Aurora searched for a dignified way of asking if she would ever be treated as anything other than a war trophy, “Will they respect me?”
Elwyn sighed. “I don’t know. The Cymru are not over-fond of outsiders, but Maelgwn is a strong king and you are his wife, so no one will dare mistreat you or show you disrespect.”
The young man’s face seemed very earnest and sincere, and Aurora knew he didn’t mean to upset her, but Elwyn’s words did little to reassure her. There was something in his manner that led her to believe that her reception at Caer Eryri would not be pleasant.
“And Maelgwn’s sister?” she asked Elwyn, thinking out loud. “Will she accept me?”
Elwyn looked startled, and Aurora’s uneasiness grew. After a moment, Elwyn regained his composure, and when he spoke, she sensed that he was choosing his words with the utmost care.
“You must remember that Maelgwn has never had a wife or a consort before, and his sister has always managed his household. It will be a change for her, and she is a woman who loves power. I... I’m afraid Esylt may not greet you graciously.”
Aurora could not stop the chill that ran through her at
Elwyn’s words. Her place at Maelgwn’s side seemed very much in doubt. It was quite possible Maelgwn would continue to regard his sister as the most important woman in his household. Aurora might well be relegated to being nothing more than his bed partner.
They stopped to eat well past midday. Elwyn brought Aurora soldier’s rations of dried meat and coarse bread and some disgusting heather beer. She sat on the sheepskins he had spread on the ground for her and ate the dry, tasteless food, feeling uncomfortable and very lonely. Elwyn ate with the other soldiers a few paces away, and the sound of their quiet, comfortable talk increased Aurora’s misery and sense of isolation.
Although she tried to quell it, her seething resentment of Maelgwn was returning. Why had he not let her bring a maid to wait upon her? How was she to manage with only a group of soldiers for assistance? She thought she would die of embarrassment when she had to walk to a secluded grove of trees to relieve herself and several of the soldiers began to follow her. Fortunately, Elwyn guessed her mission and called them back, but Aurora still fumed at Maelgwn’s lack of consideration. As she returned to the soldiers, something inside of her seemed to snap. She was hot and dirty, miserable and lonely. She decided Maelgwn deserved his reputation as a barbarian. Certainly he had no idea how to treat a decent woman. She had to change that. When she saw him tonight she must make his responsibilities to her very clear. He had to do something to improve her situation while they traveled, and while she was at it, she would also speak to him about her role in his life when they arrived at Caer Eryri.
* * *
All day Maelgwn’s mind had turned irresistibly to the thought of Aurora’s soft, yielding body beneath his. To his delight, his new wife had turned out to be a wildly passionate woman. Their lovemaking this morning had been intoxicating, and it made Maelgwn smile just to think of it. The eagerness he had sensed in Aurora in the garden had been real enough, and she had unfolded to him like a flower blooming—a lush, perfect flower. She was so beautiful and smelled so wonderful, he could hardly believe she was his.
It had disturbed him to see how sad and desolate she looked when their lovemaking was over, but perhaps that was normal. He had always heard it was not so good for women the first time. But from now on it would get better. He would do all the things he knew to please her. If only night would come, so he could go to her. The day dragged on, hot and tedious. Maelgwn was glad he could occupy his mind with the details and problems of moving such a large army. More than once he thought of going back to see her but decided against it. The sight of Aurora would arouse too many delicious memories, and he would be uncomfortable the rest of the day.
At last it was sunset, and they were able to set up camp. Maelgwn ate quickly and saw to the few items that couldn’t wait. Then, with the bawdy jests of his men echoing in his ears—was his eagerness that obvious?—Maelgwn made his way to his tent. Elwyn was standing guard nearby.
“How does the queen?” he asked the young soldier.
Elwyn looked uncomfortable. “I do not think she is very happy. Perhaps she is homesick.”
Maelgwn lifted up the tent flap with a smile. He would make her happy now, he thought with satisfaction.
“Good evening, my lady,” he greeted Aurora, bowing and smiling. He moved close for a kiss, but she backed away.
“Maelgwn, I must talk to you,”
“Talk to me?”
“I cannot stand it!” she said emphatically. “I will not travel this way—eating horrible food and always feeling dirty and uncomfortable.”
“The food?” Maelgwn was puzzled. He had not thought of what his wife was to eat.
“I must have some cheese or fresh meat, some grains or vegetables. And I must have water to wash with... and I have no one to help me dress and take care of my clothes!”
Maelgwn shook his head slowly. “There is no woman in camp who could attend you. But I will try to get you better food, and water to wash with.” He was confused. Why was she so angry with him over these little things that could be easily arranged? He took another step toward her, longing to quiet her angry mouth with a kiss, but she moved away from him and spoke accusingly.
“What of when we reach Caer Eryri? What do you intend to do with me then? They say you are a powerful, wealthy man. How can you expect me to live in some ancient fortress with no servants to attend me? I am a princess, after all!”
“Of course you will have a maid,” Maelgwn said impatiently “And my chambers are comfortable and well-appointed—even if they aren’t R
oman.” He was growing tired of her accusations. She acted if he were going to keep her in a dungeon.
“But what kind of queen am I to be? Your sister runs your household. What am I to do with myself? Am I nothing more than a hostage for my father’s goodwill?”
Maelgwn was startled. He was concerned as to how Aurora would be accepted by Esylt, but he had not really thought ahead to what she would do with her days, how she would spend her time. He had always assumed that the woman he chose as his wife would be busy sewing and having babies. He certainly didn’t want to be discussing these things now, when his whole body was throbbing with eagerness for lovemaking.
“Your role in my household will be to please me, and you can begin right now by taking off your clothes and getting into to bed!” he answered harshly.
His crude order infuriated Aurora. She no longer cared about being a good wife and she lashed out with the first angry words that came to mind.
“So, I am to be your concubine... your whore, after all. How do I even know if our children will be recognized as your heirs?”
Maelgwn took another step forward and Aurora’s eyes flashed. “And what of your sister? Does she rule Gwynedd, too, as well as your household?”
Maelgwn’s face turned as cold as ice, but he tried to control his voice. “My sister is no concern of yours. She is very skilled at managing things at Caer Eryri. You will have to find other means of occupying yourself. I advise you to stay out of her way.”
“You have no right to treat me like this!” Aurora said in a voice of muffled rage. “You made an agreement with my father to marry me. You can’t push me aside like a slave girl when we reach Gwynedd.”
“I can do whatever I wish. Right now I command you to take off your clothes and lie down.”
Maelgwn’s eyes were dark and deadly, and he looked as if he might force her if she did not obey him. Aurora was desperate; if she backed down now he would never respect her, never treat her as a queen. She searched her mind frantically for a weapon to use against him.
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