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Updated: June 11, 2025
A body of fifty English soldiers was passing on the road, which lay at the distance of a few hundred yards only, travelling at a considerable speed, as if they anticipated the emergency of Aescendune, and hurried to the rescue. Alfgar knew them at once; they were Elfwyn and his troops; oh, if they had but arrived earlier, thought he, and started to see how completely English his sympathies were.
In short, I dare not say all I know or suspect, for there can be little doubt who will reign in England now." All were silent. At length Edric continued, "none can deny that we have grounds for our suspicions." "Yes, I do deny it," said Elfwyn, "the more so when I remember who makes the accusation." "You do well to reproach me; I deserve it, I confess, and more than deserve it.
But before I went my brother and I sent to Alfgar that we might speak to him, and prevail upon him to stay with us the night. "Alfgar," said Elfwyn, "the night is very stormy and blustering, and we wish you to remain with us, and share our hospitality till the morn. Your father will not miss you?" "I do not think he will; for after one of these debauches he generally sleeps far into the next day.
This morning we said the office and mass for the dead, as usual on All Souls' Day. My brother Elfwyn and his children were, of course, present. That boy, Bertric, with all his boyish spirit and brightness, is very pious. When I had told them the story, I saw my brother was anxious to say a few words to me. "Cuthbert," he said, "have you seen the young Dane, Alfgar, lately?"
Elfwyn and Herstan talked of the old days of Dunstan; Alfgar and Hermann of the events of the recent war; the good bishop and Father Cuthbert on ecclesiastical topics; the ladies upon some question of dresses and embroidery for the approaching festivity, which seemed to interest them deeply, when an attendant entered, and approaching the king, whispered a message in his ear. "What! in this house?
She referred him, with her own full consent, to her father; and Elfwyn says, not unwisely, that he cannot consent until the land is at peace; that it is currently reported that Thurkill, a Danish earl, is at hand with an immense fleet, and that to marry might both hamper a warrior's hands and be the means of bringing up children for the sword.
"He affected to disbelieve the intelligence, and said sarcastically that the safety of Wessex could not be neglected for Aescendune. The Northmen would never hurt a place which had so distinguished itself on St. Brice's day." Here he sighed heavily. "Elfwyn," I said, "my brother, we must not be ungrateful to God. Here are ruins indeed, but they cover no dead bodies; all have escaped."
"One thing we all must do," said Edric; "we must all help to find the murderer. The first step to that effect will be to note all present appearances. First, where is the weapon?" "Here," said Alfgar, extending it. "Why, Alfgar, it is your own dagger," said Elfwyn; "one which he gave you himself." Alfgar uttered a plaintive and pitiful cry. Edric possessed himself of the blood-stained weapon.
Elfwyn, Hilda, Herstan, Bertha, and Hermann, with his sisters indeed all the kindred of the bride were there. Of the kindred of the bridegroom but one, so far as we know, is living his father Anlaf. It has been a warlike race, and nearly all the members of the family have found a warrior's grave.
Again I resume my diary, at the great monastic house of Abingdon, where I have rejoined my brethren. I have already told how, in company with Elfwyn, Father Adhelm and I sought the forest farm where our beloved ones had found refuge from the cruel oppressor.
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