Eadgith runs into the King

“Now, everyone slow down,” the King chuckled.

Eadgith gasped and jumped away, startled. She had been staring at her feet even though hurrying out of Britamund’s room, and she had nearly run into the King, who was just then coming down from his own.

“I beg your pardon,” she whispered, for she had forgotten how to use her voice.

“No harm done. I am happy to meet you. I was beginning to think you were a myth, like the unicorn. Everyone knows someone who has seen you, but I never do. If I weren’t so vain, I would think you were trying to avoid me.”

“Oh, no! I mean – I’m certain you are busy.”

“That’s so, but I’m growing a poor warrior in my old age, and have many habits. You might know that I visit the children every morning after their breakfast.”

“I wouldn’t wish to intrude…”

“Nonsense. We’re family. You will make Brit resent me if she believes that you come later so as to avoid me.”

“I don’t try to avoid you, of course.”

“No? If you did, I would like to know why,” he said softly.

“I don’t, though.”

“You might prove it by coming to visit me sometimes.”

She looked up at him, but she could not long hold his gaze. “If you would like me to.”

“Of course I should like you to. I miss our chats up in your tower. I mean – we could chat in the hall, now that you are living with your brother, who can defend you from all manner of dragons.”

She tried to smile.

“You might come have supper with us some evening. We are only family and friends then, as you know.”

“If you like.”

“The invitation is hereby made for an evening of your choosing.”

“Thank you, I… shall come soon.”

“Very good. Ah – one more thing,” he said as she ducked her head and tried to walk around him.

She stopped and look up again.

“I haven’t said anything yet, as I still don’t know how to properly thank you, but I believe I ought to begin by at least saying it: I thank you for coming to see my daughter every day, and I thank you especially if you came back to live with your mother for that purpose, as she has given me reason to believe.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say…”

“It has meant a great deal to her. She adores you, you know. Every day I hear of the adventures of the mythical Eadgith.” He laughed. “I have told your father that your family must have some enchantment over mine: I followed your father around like a puppy when we were young, Cubby has your brother, and Brit has you.”

She smiled.

“I don’t know what I was thinking at the time, but I certainly could not dream up a finer sister for her than you are. Well, I shall allow you to get along to wherever you were so absent-​​mindedly and so urgently going. Don’t forget I hope to see you at supper one of these evenings.”

She smiled and nodded before scuttling away. Of course – a sister! Idiot! Idiot!