Alred rises

Egelric stood straighter than he had in many weeks. Baby had come bouncing out of bed that morning and demanded an egg as if she had never been ill. Better still, shortly afterwards Matilda herself had come galloping up to his door on her tall Ruby, and when he had gone out to find the source of the commotion, she had cried, “He woke this night! He speaks! I’m off to tell Sigefrith!” And, laughing with joy, she had raced up the hill towards the downs.

Now Egelric stood at his lord’s bedside, and though Alred slept, Egelric’s heart was easy, because it was plain to look at him that the fever had passed, and he slept peacefully.

It was some time before Alred realized he was there.

“Egelric!” he cried weakly, smiling broadly. His voice had already begun to return. “Did you bring that Baby of yours?”

“No, she’s been ill lately, and though she seemed well this morning, I didn’t want either of you to excite the other.”

Alred chuckled. “I want to see that girl. She’s the only one of you who believed in me. ‘None of your nonsense!’ she said.”

Egelric smiled.

“Listen, old man – are you alone?”

“Aye. Her Grace is resting. She wore herself out with her rejoicing.”

“Jupiter, she’s beautiful, isn’t she?” Alred sighed in satisfaction.

“If Your Grace won’t slay me for saying so, then yes, she is.”

“Never mind, Egelric, I know you like your women short and blonde. Now then.” He threw the blanket off his scrawny body and began to sit up.

“Your Grace!” Egelric cried in alarm.

“Hush, man! Now, are you my squire or are you not? Help me dismount!”

“Shouldn’t I be preventing you from killing yourself?” But Alred was determined, and so Egelric helped him rise.

“How long have I been in this bed?” he asked after he had gained his unsteady feet.

“A month or thereabouts.”

“Jupiter! I’m not getting back into it unless there’s a woman in it, is that clear?”

Egelric couldn’t help but laugh. “Then we shall have to install Her Grace on the other pillow, because you are not ready to leave it.”

“Egelric, you don’t understand. I’m well!”

Egelric’s heart contracted painfully. Of course he wasn’t well. He had only fought off the worst fever so far – but there would be others.

Alred frowned. “You don’t believe me. Listen, Egelric – I can breathe! I had forgotten that it was possible to breathe without effort. I haven’t breathed so easily since I left for Ely, do you hear?”

Could it be true? Egelric’s smile wavered between hope and uncertainty.

“Your Grace,” he began, but he was interrupted when a small, dark person squeezed past him and stopped, gazing up at Alred.

“Father, you’re standing!” the little boy breathed.

“That’s so!” Alred laughed. “And you’re going to help me walk, my boy. I’ll just lean on your head and toddle along behind you!”

Dunstan lifted up his arms to embrace his father, and Egelric decided that Alred might rather be alone with his boy.

“I shall just leave you two,” he said softly, “But you had better return to your bed before Her Grace finds you, if you value your newfound health.”

Alred laughed. “I believe you’re right, Egelric. This adventure shall have to remain our secret, gentlemen,” he said, winking at his son.