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Updated: June 9, 2025
Again, the conversation of the previous night had given him more confidence in Edwy, and more hope of seeing Elfric again, like the returning prodigal, than he had previously had.
The Mercians had not yet reached that side of the camp, which was concealed by woods which were clear of all enemies, and he rode on rapidly. "What has become of Elfric, my Leofric?" he said to one of his faithful train. "I fear me he is dead: I saw him fall in the last struggle." "Poor Elfric! poor Elfric! then his forebodings have come true; he will never see his father again."
A table covered with manuscripts, both in Latin and Anglo-Saxon, occupied the centre of the room, and there Elfric was seated, looking somewhat aimlessly at a Latin vocabulary, while Edwy was standing listlessly at the window.
One of the bearers blew his horn loudly, and the summons brought the warder to the little window over the postern gate. "Who are you, and what do you seek?" was the cry. "We are bringing my young lord, Elfric of Aescendune, home from the battlefield wounded." "Wait a while." A few minutes passed; then the drawbridge was lowered, and the bearers bore their burden into the courtyard.
Elfric looked round with a mute appeal which they all comprehended, and left him alone with Dunstan. "Father, pardon me!" he said. "Thou askest pardon of me, my son of me, a sinner like thyself; I cannot tell thee how freely I give it thee; and now, my son, unburden thyself before thy God, for never was it known that one pleaded to Him and was cast out."
But a few days had passed before Elfric learned the secret of Redwald's influence over the young prince. Breakfast followed, and then the king on ordinary days gave the whole forenoon to business of state, and he thought it his duty to see that each member of the royal household had some definite employment, knowing that idleness was the mother of many evils.
At midday they lay down to feed and to rest, and while thus resigning themselves to repose, with the guards posted carefully around, the sound of cavalry was heard in the distance, and shortly the royal party appeared. Elfric was alert to receive them, but could not conceal his surprise when he saw their diminished numbers, and perceived the absence of Redwald.
His face was one which inspired interest at a glance: his large blue eyes, his golden hair which floated over his shoulders, his sweet voice, his graceful bearing, all united to impress the beholders. Elfric, Alfred, and their sister Edgitha, completed the company at the high table.
'Here, she will say, 'is the companion whom I needed, and a friend of our Redwald's, moreover, and you have not brought her. I pray you, come with us. Do you ask her, Redwald; I am rough, and you are courtly." Then I said: "Lady, this is all that Elfric would wish for you. I cannot tell you of the great kindness that is waiting for you in the thane's home."
"Beware, my son," added Ella, "lest the curse which fell upon Oswald fall upon you, and your younger brother succeed to your inheritance." "It is not a large one," said Elfric, "and in that case, the king whom I serve will find me a better one." "Is it not written, 'Put not your trust in princes? O my son, my son; you will bring my grey hairs with sorrow to the grave!" It was of no avail.
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