Edward's best friend
Edward:"Aviana?...(*Aviana lifted her head*)...why are you crying?"
Aviana:(*she caressed his head*)"You are very sick, Edward!...(*Edward sighed*)...and it scares me...it scares me to death and I don't want to lose you!"
Edward:"You will not lose me, sister!...(*Aviana wiped away a few tears*)...where are mother and Æthelflæd?"
Aviana:(*she shrugged her shoulders*)"Æthelflæd is, as far as I know, in her chambers and I can well imagine that mother is looking after her at this moment!...(*Edward slightly smiled*)...you scared the hell out of me, Edward! Your condition reminds me of Æthelflæd's sickness a few years ago..."
Edward:"What sickness did Æthelflæd have at that time?...(*Aviana lowered her head*)...and who nursed her back to health?"
Aviana:(*she slightly smiled*)"Nobody knows exactly what kind of sickness Æthelflæd suffered at that time, but the woman who saved her from death was called Iseult!...(*Edward tilted his head*)...she was Uhtred's wife at the time and I miss her every day..."
~~~~~~
Aviana sighed and Edward took her hands in his! Tears rolled down Aviana's cheeks and sobs escaped her lips! Edward sighed, watching his sister shatter inside...shatter because he was sick and nobody knew, what sickness he was suffering from! Meanwhile: Lady Ælswith braided Æthelflæd's hair and told her stories about how the palace was built and how Aviana tried to climb onto the throne, when she was just a little girl! Æthelflæd giggled and Lady Ælswith forgot her worries for a moment...when she was around her children she felt safe! Her three children were her rock, her heart and her soul! And even though Aviana and her argued more often than they told each other they loved each other, she knew she could always rely on her eldest daughter! Meanwhile: Sihtric, Uhtred, Finan and Osferth stood outside of Edward's chambers and waited for Aviana! After a while the door opened and she finally left his chambers! Sihtric immediately shot her a questioning look, but was soon busy, wiping her tears from her beautiful face!
~~~~~~
Uhtred:"How is he? Is there any improvement in his condition?...(*Aviana slightly nodded*)...that's a bit more positive news! How long do you think it will take until he is completely healthy again?"
Aviana:(*she shrugged her shoulders*)"I don't know, but I can see it in his eyes: he is suffering massively!...(*Finan lowered his head*)...and it breaks my heart to see him like this! Knowing that I can't take away his pain and agony..."
Osferth:"He still knows that he can always rely on you, sister!...(*Aviana looked at Osferth*)...even if you cannot take away his pain and agony, he knows that you are doing everything to find a cure for his sickness!"
Finan:(*he nodded*)"And we will help you do it!...(*Aviana slightly smiled*)...shall we go see your mother and Æthelflæd?"
Aviana:"Yes, I think I would like that!...(*they walked towards Æthelflæd's chambers*)...the only positive thing about this day is that the child inside me hasn't kicked me for several hours!"
~~~~~~
They laughed and then Aviana knocked on Æthelflæd's door! Lady Ælswith soon asked them to come in and she smiled, when the small group entered Æthelflæd's chambers! Sihtric and Finan leaned against the wall besides the window, whilst Uhtred and Osferth sat down on two chairs, which stood in the middle of the room! Aviana sat down besides her sister and watched as she happily showed her, her braided hair!
~~~~~~
Aviana:"Has mother braided your hair again?...(*Æthelflæd happily nodded*)...you look beautiful, my angel!"
Æthelflæd:(*she snuggled against Aviana's chest*)"Thank you, big sister!...(*Aviana kissed her temple*)...how is Edward? Is there any improvement in his condition?"
Aviana:"I have spoken to him and he says he is already feeling a little better!...(*Lady Ælswith exhaled with relief*)...yet I'm afraid he'll need a few more days to get fully healthy again!"
Lady Ælswith:(*she sighed*)"Do we know in the meantime what sickness he has?...(*Aviana shook her head*)...couldn't the healer find out anything at all?"
Aviana:"The healer only said that Edward needs bed rest and plenty to drink!...(*Finan looked at Sihtric*)...but knowing him, he'll be running around the palace again tomorrow!"
Sihtric:(*he sighed*)"Then I guess you'll have to catch him tomorrow and put him back to bed!...(*Aviana turned her head*)...I mean as long as the child in your stomach allows it, of course!"
Finan:"When do you think you will give birth, Ana?...(*Aviana thought briefly*)...it won't be too much longer, will it?"
Aviana:(*she shook her head*)"Looking at this ball, I guess I'll be giving birth to my child in the next few days!...(*Sihtric's eyes widened*)...and if we are completely honest: I never thought that I would feel such fear of giving birth..."
~~~~~~
Lady Ælswith took Aviana's hands into hers and squeezed them slightly! Then the two widely smiled at each other and soon after, the small group left Æthelflæd's chambers! Meanwhile: Edward took a sip of his water, when suddenly Steapa knocked on his door! He asked him to come in and moments later, Steapa stood right in front of his bed, looking down at him in worry! Edward tilted his head and saw, that Steapa was holding a letter! Wanting to know for whom the letter was, Edward asked Steapa a few unnecessary questions...
~~~~~~
Edward:"Steapa, who is that letter you are holding in your hand for?...(*Steapa tilted his head*)...is the letter for me?"
Steapa:(*he shook his head*)"Can you read yet?...(*Edward nodded*)...and can you already write?"
Edward:"Yes, because father taught me!...(*Steapa smiled*)...I miss father..."
Steapa:(*he sighed*)"Believe me, Edward, we all do!...(*Edward lowered his head*)...he was a great man whom I always respected!"
Edward:"Father was one of the kindest and most good-natured men these lands have ever seen!...(*Steapa nodded*)...yet he made some decisions without thinking twice beforehand..."
Steapa:(*he raised an eyebrow*)"What decisions are you talking about?...(*Edward lifted his head*)...what are you getting at?"
Edward:"Did you think the decision to make Ana heiress to the throne and eventually Queen was well-considered?...(*Steapa lowered his head*)...father didn't give it a second thought and Ana was caught off guard, when she wasn't even ready to take on such a big responsibility..."
Steapa:(*he sighed*)"And yet she is the best and kindest Queen your father could have wished for his people!...(*Edward's eyes lit up*)...Aviana would never abandon her people! She swore something important to your father before he passed away and he left her this letter! Do you happen to know where I can find your sister?"
~~~~~~
Edward thought briefly, but soon shook his head! Steapa thanked him anyway and left his chambers, soon after their conversation was over! Meanwhile: Aviana and Sihtric walked towards Hild's house, to see if Samarthia was ready to go home! But their daughter wasn't and as they couldn't deny her anything, they agreed on letting her draw some more flowers in Hild's house! So after they left Hild's house again, Steapa eventually nearly ran into them! Aviana widely smiled at him and he immediately handed her the letter! Her smile faded the moment she saw, who the letter was from...she swallowed and felt how tears filled her eyes! Sihtric tilted his head and waited for an explanation, but Aviana only read the letter...
~~~~~~
Letter content:
To my sweet daughter, Aviana! I know, that I wasn't always the perfect father and I also know, that I made you a big target, when I decided to make you the heir to my throne, but I want you to know, that there could never be a better, smarter, kinder and gentler Queen, as you are! You are my light, my sun, my heart and my soul and I love you more than you can ever imagine! You, Æthelflæd and Edward are my biggest achievement in life and without you, my life wouldn't be complete! By making you the heir to my throne, I decided without asking you first and without realising, that you weren't ready...at least not yet! But I know for a fact, that you have the will and strength to to master this challenge and I will forever be extremely proud of the woman you've became! With your enchanting smile and with your gorgeous face, the men went crazy over you, even when you were only three back then! Now you're a grown woman and I heard, that you're now a wife and mother...how does this feel? Isn't that a strange, yet beautiful feeling? How's your little one called and whom did you marry? Did you marry that Dane, who's name is Sihtric? You two are a match made by god...(or how he would call it: by the gods)! Please never change and stay my little perfect, kind-hearted and mature girl forever, okay?
In love, your father!
~~~~~~
Aviana's eyes were filled with tears and Sihtric was still confused! Suddenly and without any warning, Aviana pressed the letter in his hands and waited for him to read it! Steapa stood besides him and together the two men read the King's letter to his eldest daughter! After a while the two of them were done reading and even Steapa wiped away a few tears! The King's words were beautiful and true! There could indeed never be a better, smarter, kinder and gentler Queen, than Aviana was! Sihtric sighed before he looked at his wife and gently took her hands into his own and squeezed them slightly...
~~~~~~
Sihtric:"Baby, what your father said in that letter is nothing but the truth!...(*Aviana lowered her head*)...there could indeed never be a better, wiser, kinder and gentler Queen than you are!"
Steapa:(*he nodded*)"And I thank God every day for giving us such a great and sincere queen!...(*Aviana wiped away her tears*)...I love you, my little one!"
Aviana:"I love you too, Steapa!...(*Steapa pulled her into a tight hug*)...and I am forever grateful to you for making me the woman I am today and for always accompanying me in my life!"
Steapa:(*he smiled*)"If I hadn't done that, your father and mother would have ripped my head off!...(*Aviana slightly laughed*)...it has been and still is an honour to stand by your side, Aviana!"
Sihtric:"Watching the two of you makes me sentimental!...(*Aviana turned her head*)...but I also want you to know that I will be by your side forever and will never leave you!"
~~~~~~
Steapa let go of Aviana and she immediately fell around Sihtric's neck! He instantly wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to his chest! She laid her head on his shoulder and he kissed her temple! Steapa widely smiled at them and after a while, Uhtred and the other two joined the three of them! Steapa turned his head, when he felt a hand on his shoulder and he slightly laughed, when he saw that it was Finan's hand! Uhtred and Osferth watched Sihtric and Aviana, whom were still hugging! A few minutes later the two of them broke away from each other and noticed their friends! Meanwhile: Lady Ælswith knocked on Edward's door and he asked her to come in! He widely smiled, when he caught sight of his mother and he immediately made space on his bed for her...
~~~~~~
Lady Ælswith:"How are you, my darling?...(*she sat herself down*)...can you breathe better again?"
Edward:(*he nodded*)"Yes, my breathing is better again, thank you mother!...(*Lady Ælswith smiled*)...has Steapa found Ana?"
Lady Ælswith:"I don't know, why do you ask?...(*Edward sighed*)...was Steapa here earlier?"
Edward:(*he nodded again*)"Yes, and he had a letter with him that wasn't for me and then he asked for Ana!...(*Lady Ælswith raised an eyebrow*)...then we talked about father..."
Lady Ælswith:"Oh really?...(*she slightly smiled*)...was the conversation at least nice?"
Edward:(*he tilted his head*)"A little! She made me sad rather than happy!...(*Lady Ælswith sighed*)...I think Steapa misses dad as much as we do!"
Lady Ælswith:"Yes, that may well be possible!...(*she stood up*)...I have to go back to the throne room now, Eadith has asked for me! See you later, my angel!"
~~~~~~
She walked towards the door, opened it and then she disappeared! Edward sighed and closed his eyes for a little nap! Meanwhile: Eadith was waiting in the throne room and even Gisela was there! When Lady Ælswith opened the doors, Gisela and Eadith immediately turned their heads! With bright smiles on each their faces, the three women hugged each other tight! Then Eadith began talking and Lady Ælswith instantly sighed...
~~~~~~
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top