Sigefrith sees the one man who could cheer him up

Sigefrith sat before the fire in his hall, alone. Theobald had returned home, Cenwulf was with Colburga, and Alred was no doubt enjoying the unalloyed bliss of his family life. There was only young Malcolm sitting behind him beneath the torch, where the light was better, studying his Latin. His own children were already in bed and Maud was… he knew not where.

He hadn’t had enough to drink to make him forget, only enough to make him too lazy to get up and pour himself another. It was a bother – where were the servants when they were needed? Perhaps he could ask young Malcolm to go for him.

He had not yet recovered from Theobald’s treachery; he could not understand. They had ridden together to Durham and back. They had talked long hours around their fires and as they rode across the country, side by side. Theobald had told him so much about his life, and about his plans and his hopes, and he had thought he had come to know the man. He had thought they were friends.

But Theobald had not trusted him, and now he did not know whether he could trust Theobald. Had he told all he knew? Or were there other things that he thought ‘wouldn’t matter’?

Sigefrith heard footsteps coming up the stairs outside. If it was a servant he would send him out for wine. Perhaps music as well.

It was a servant. “Your Majesty, there is a – ”

But the servant was pushed aside, and a deep voice boomed, “My brother!”

“By God, it’s Gog!” Sigefrith cried, staggering over to meet him.

But before he reached him, young Malcolm had leapt from the chair and dashed into his father’s arms, chattering violently away in Gaelic. And a moment later a second boy appeared from behind Colban’s kilts, and the two brothers embraced quickly before tearing off in a joyous game of tag around the great hall like two puppies.

“My turn!” Sigefrith said as Colban crushed him in one of his legendary hugs.

“By God, the one man on earth who could cheer me up tonight!”

“I came all the way for that very reason!” Colban laughed, pounding his back furiously.

“This calls for wine!” Sigefrith said, signaling to the servant.

“Better call for something to eat, too. We didn’t have a supper, fearing to find Your Majesty in bed if we didn’t hurry this night.”

“I shall join you – I have suddenly regained my appetite. But where’s Magog? He didn’t come?”

“He’s busy with other things. That’s half the reason I came. But the other half is better news yet, so I shall tell it first. Come here, boy,” he called to Malcolm. “I have the pleasure to announce you that you now have a young brother, name of Lulach.”

“A son!” Sigefrith cried. “That is good news!”

“And I remembered my brother’s promise to me.”

“I am happy you did. I shall be honored!”

Maud came wandering in just then, blinking in surprise, and looking anxiously around the room like a startled deer.

“Maud!” Sigefrith cried, grabbing her roughly by the arm. “Look who’s here!”

“I see,” she said. “Welcome.”

“Gog’s had a boy! And it’s my turn to be godfather! What do you think of that?”

“I congratulate you,” she said quietly to Colban, who only nodded.

“And I suppose this is Gog’s other boy – what’s his name again – Gog too?” Sigefrith asked.

“Colban, also. He looks more like his mother than Malcolm does, but Maire seemed an odd name for a boy.”

“What’s the other news, Gog? What’s Magog’s business?”

“Malcolm is to be married this summer,” Colban said quietly. “I would have my brother there as well.”

“Malcolm married!” Sigefrith laughed. “It’s about time he started stamping his name on his offspring.”

“So I have long said.”

“I shall be twice honored! When?”

“I hope to take my brother home with me in a few days, if he is not busy with other affairs.”

“There is nothing – nothing! – I should like more just now than to get away from this accursed valley. I was itching to start a war to give myself an opportunity to get away, but this shall do nicely! Where are you going, Maud?” he asked suddenly. “Won’t you stay and celebrate with us?”

“I was only going to check on the children,” she said softly, her eyes down. “I shall leave you with your friend.”

“Why don’t you bring Colban down? Let his godfather have a look at the fine boy he is now? He’s a year old now, you know! You won’t recognize him.”

“I suppose I shall,” Colban said.

“No, Sigefrith, he’s sleeping,” Maud said. “I shan’t bring him down here into the noise and the light. Perhaps… perhaps Colban will like to come with me, just to have a peek?”

“Perhaps I should like to have a peek as well? Did you consider that, Maud?” Sigefrith asked, annoyed.

“I don’t want to excite him, Sigefrith.”

“Perhaps I should go up for just a moment,” Colban said. “We shall see him tomorrow, but I should like to see him sleeping. Why don’t you have a look at my two boys while we’re gone so you can tell me which one of us has raised ours better so far?”

“Very well, but don’t be long. I believe I hear your supper coming up the stairs.”