King’s Knight (Medieval Warriors #4)

Epilogue

Talisand, December 1092

Merewyn kissed the fine hair on the head of her young son. The babe already had Alex’s gray eyes and she assumed he would eventually have his father’s raven locks. Alex had named him “William Renaud”, after the king and his grandfather, but everyone called him “Rennie”. Born in the last days of May, Alex made sure all of Talisand had glimpsed the babe at least once. The memory of her proud warrior carrying his infant son through the village brought a smile to her face.

“Can I hold him?” Lora asked, reaching out for the babe. Rennie gave Lora a huge smile and lifted his little hands toward the woman who had become like a second mother to him.

“Aye, take the little rascal. He is getting sleepy and should give you no trouble. I must seek the privy. This second child I carry has me seeking the chamber pot often.”

When she returned, Lora asked, “Where is Jamie? I did not see him when I came in.”

“Showing Alex the King of Gwynedd’s gift, I think.”

Lora bounced Rennie on her knees and the babe grinned with glee. “’Tis not every child who is given a Welsh pony in his first year.”

The grateful King of Gwynedd had managed to deliver the pony to Talisand despite his country was immersed in a war with King William. With the pony, the king had sent a missive expressing his gratitude for “the extraordinary gesture of kindness” she had shown him. He added a note telling her the pony had been named Dyfodol, which means “Future” in Welsh. Rennie was the future, to be sure, but mayhap the king had hoped their two countries could, in the future, be at peace. It was her fervent wish, as well.

“Then there is the wolf dog,” said Merewyn, looking down at the sleeping whelp lying next to the hearth, already bigger than his young master. Sir Geoffroi and Lady Emma had given Rennie a pup from their female hound’s last litter and suggested they name him “Magnus” after her beloved hound that had died many years ago. “Already, Rennie and Magnus are inseparable. The pup sleeps by his cradle each night.”

The fire crackled invitingly and Merewyn lifted the cup from the small table next to her and sipped the warm spiced cider. Holding the cup between her palms, she watched the flames of the fire, her mind going over all that had happened in the last year. December was a time for reflection.

The month Rennie was born, King William had invaded the lands north of Talisand, capturing Carlisle, held by the Scots for more than a hundred years. Alex, Rory and Guy had gone with the king though they found the prospect of seizing Carlisle distasteful after the agreement with the Scots they had witnessed the year before.

By the time Alex and his men returned, little Rennie had been born. Alex had been frantic with worry for her and the babe, but she had been able to greet him with a warm smile and assure him both she and his babe were well.

Once she was up and around, she continued Cecily’s lessons all through the summer. Joined by Ancel and Tibby, the three of them had become good enough for real arrows.

But it was Lora’s good news that made her smile. Merewyn always looked forward to Christmas and the feasting and celebrations it brought. But this year would also see her closest friend’s marriage to Sir Jamie blessed by Father Bernard.

“So you have agreed to a Christmas blessing on your marriage?” she asked Lora.

“Aye, it was Jamie’s wish and since I made him wait so long, I could hardly say him nay. Now that my father has returned, my whole family will attend the feast. ”

“I am glad for it, Lora. Jamie is a good man and an honorable knight. He will also be a good father.”

Lora stared down at Rennie, who had fallen asleep in her arms. “I want children and so does Jamie.” Raising her gaze to Merewyn, she added, “Just think, our children will be raised together.”

“Aye, and they will be watched over by my students of the bow. Cecily’s skill will one day rival Lady Serena’s and then there are Tibby and your brother, Ancel, racing to catch up.”

“Those three may lead our little ones into trouble!” Lora remarked.

Merewyn chuckled. “You are right. We will have to watch them all.”

Just then, the door from the bailey opened and Alex and Jamie stepped in, brushing snow off their shoulders. Hanging their cloaks on the pegs next to the door, they strode to where Merewyn and Lora sat.

The heavy tread of their feet woke the pup sleeping next to the hearth. He rose from the floor and went to Alex, who reached down to scratch the pup’s ears. Alex smiled at Merewyn, then went to Lora and accepted the sleeping Rennie from her.

Holding the babe close, he looked into his face. “Made himself tired, did he?”

“Aye,” said Merewyn.

Jamie leaned over to kiss Lora’s cheek. “You looked quite at home with Merewyn’s babe in your arms.”

Lora blushed and flashed him a smile.

Alex took a seat beside Merewyn, kissing her temple. His lips were cool on her skin that had been warmed by the fire. “Good eve, love,” he whispered to her.

She looked at him holding their child and her heart melted. Touching the soft skin on Rennie’s cheek and then the rougher skin on Alex’s manly face, she said, “Father and son, my loves.” She rose and walked to the trestle table a short distance away. “Maggie has made a new batch of the spiced cider,” she told the men. “I think ’tis her best thus far.”

Handing each man a cup, she said. “Soon it will be Christmas and the hall will be filled with our friends and families. I can hardly wait.”

“All my brothers are home for the feast,” added Alex.

Jamie reached over to take Lora’s hand. “And we will finally have our marriage blessed.”

Merewyn sighed with happiness. All winter long, they would burn the candles and share stories around the hearth fire. Some of the women would embroider and stitch while Merewyn and Lady Serena would make fletchings. When the work was done, there would be games and, mayhap, dancing. Some evenings, she and Alex would take walks in the snow and admire the stars.

The life she had always wanted, but never thought possible, was hers and, for that, she was more grateful than she could say.

Alex stood and, with his free hand, reached out to her. “Come, love, let us put the babe to bed and leave Jamie and Lora to the fire.”

She rose, bid their friends good eve and walked with Alex through the wide opening that led to the manor and up the stairs. What Alex had not said, but she knew he was thinking, was that it was time for them to go to their bed, as well. Long winter nights and a sleeping child meant hours of loving for them.

“Come, Magnus,” said Alex, and the pup scrambled from the floor, hurrying to catch up.