Sigefrith shows up late
“If it isn’t Duncan Mac Dogface and his pack of mangy hellhounds!” Sigefrith growled from the doorway.
“Your Majesty!” Egelric began a bow, but Sigefrith had already embraced him.
“What, I’m no longer your English dog?”
“I wouldn’t dare outside of Scotland!” Egelric laughed.
“I don’t know,” Malcolm chuckled. “We’re three against his one.”
“Right here, Magog,” Sigefrith said, pointing to his shoulder. “You first. One at a time, but I’ll take you all.”
Malcolm punched at him playfully.
“Boo!” Sigefrith said, lunging at him, and Malcolm leapt away.
“I’m next,” Colban growled.
“Oh, not you!” Sigefrith laughed. “You’re just going to squeeze the breath out of me!”
“That’s so!” he cried, grabbing the King in a hearty bear-hug.
“I’m sorry I have kept you waiting,” Sigefrith said, turning back to Egelric. “I came as soon as the servant found me. I was visiting Alred.”
“How is he?” Egelric asked softly.
“I should warn you, so you don’t get the surprise I did. He’s very ill. You will hardly recognize him, or if you do, you will hardly believe he’s alive. He’s been much worse since I came home. He had a terrible shock a few weeks ago when his daughter was born.”
“Oh, no…”
“Matilda was terribly ill, close to death even, and the wise woman made the baby come too early. Somehow Alred got away from us and went up to Matilda’s room and – I don’t know. Saw what he shouldn’t have, I suppose. He passed out and broke his nose – again – and didn’t wake for hours. And then he lay in a dreadful state for two days. We hardly dared speak to him. Then Colburga mentioned something about Matilda, and Alred nearly hit the ceiling. It seems that he believed for two days that she was dead. Somehow we had never mentioned it, and he didn’t ask.”
“My God!”
“Once he knew she wasn’t, it was all we could do to keep him in bed. Finally we had to let him go up and lie next to her, and the two of them are convalescing side by side.”
“And the baby?”
“Oh, the baby lives. It’s a pretty little girl – they named her Gwynn. She was born dreadfully tiny, but she doesn’t give up. Goody Hogge is helping to nurse her.”
“Oh – Gunnilda has had her baby, of course.”
“She has,” Sigefrith smiled, “But I will leave her to tell you about that!”
“Has Your Majesty seen my daughter?” Egelric asked then.
“I have. She’s more beautiful than ever, and always asks about you. Now – Egelric, weren’t you supposed to bring home a new mama for her? Did none of those black-eyed beauties please you?”
“No him!” Colban cried. “He thinks him too good for all of his she-cousins, even when we sent them at him by twos and threes!”
“That’s the worst kind!” Egelric said. “I don’t need any yammering womenfolk cluttering up my nice, quiet house.”
“Besides, he likes his women blonde and three feet tall,” Malcolm laughed.
“When do we see this elfling?” Colban asked. “I shall no believe it until I have seen it.”
“I wanted to wait here for his Majesty,” Egelric explained. “I’m dying to see her myself.”
“I won’t keep you long, then, Egelric. Where are you going to put these ruffians tonight?” Sigefrith asked. “Surely you don’t plan on having them sleep here. They’re like to slit your throat in your sleep and steal your treasure.”
“They need me alive,” he laughed. “I haven’t told them where I buried it yet!”
“We aren’t soft maidens like you Englishmen, to need a downy bed!” Malcolm said.
“Then you may have chaff in your mattresses, but you shall sleep at the castle,” Sigefrith replied.
“What about Your Majesty’s treasure?” Egelric smiled.
“I’ve forgotten where I buried it!” Sigefrith laughed.
