Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 9, 2025
When Alfred returned to Aescendune he found Elfric eagerly awaiting him; he had not been so well in the absence of his brother, and every one saw symptoms of the coming end.
"Send the leech Sigebert to us in the morning he must report Elfric unwell for he will hardly get up to hear Dunstan mumble mass." "Perhaps your royal highness had better rest also." "And bring suspicion upon us both? No," said Edwy, "one will be enough to report ill at once; Dunstan is an old fox."
As they heard of the marvels of London, and of the court, home and its attractions seemed to become dim by comparison, and Elfric especially longed to share such happiness. Their father seemed to wish to change the conversation, as he asked the prince whether he had been long in Mercia.
He grew red with pleasure at my saying, and Elfric broke in on our talk. "I would that I might see many more meetings of brave foes like this. Then would peace come very shortly." "Why, father," said Egil, "Redwald and I have not any hate for each other, though we must fight on opposite sides." "That is well. I would that it were ever so." Then Egil changed his tone, for we were nearing shore.
"But, my lord," said Alfred, "may I ask but one favour, that you will permit me to proceed and relieve the anxiety of my people with the tidings of your approach?" "If you must leave our side, such an errand would seem to justify you. Poor Elfric! I remember him well. I could not have thought him in any danger from Redwald." "Redwald is his, is our bitterest foe."
So those two most royal ones bade me farewell, and I went away to Elfric, and found Godwine there. The young earl was high in favour with Cnut, and rightly. Presently came one from the king with somewhat for me, and that was a goodly gift of money, which I hardly cared to take at first. Then Godwine laughed at me.
The riches of our peaceful Wessex were as yet unknown to the vikings, save by hearsay; indeed, it has been said that these three ships came to spy out the land. And then came the question as to which of us two was to go. That was ended by Thorleif himself. I said that Elfric should go, and he was most anxious that I should be freed from the clutches of the Danes.
"Yes, yes," said Elfric, disregarding the testimony of both his eyes that they were all perfectly sober. Just then his eye caught a very disagreeable object, and he turned somewhat pale. "What are you looking at?" said Edwy. "There is that old fox, Dunstan, talking with my father; he will learn that I am here." "What does it matter?" "Only that he will easily persuade my father to take me home."
"I shall keep a vacant place for you by my side," said Ella, "so that we may feast together, my son, when the king releases you; it is a great honour that he should think of you now." Elfric followed the messenger, who led him into the interior of the palace, where he found Edwy impatiently awaiting him in the royal dressing chamber.
Excited by the wine he had drunk, Elfric became as wild in his talk as the other young men, and as the intoxicating drink mounted to his brain, seemed to think that he had just learnt how to enjoy life. The ladies retired at last, and Edwy followed them. Elfric was on the point of rising too, but a hint from his companions restrained him.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking