Chapter 6: Kingdom of Mercia

She had all day to think about what happened. Her thoughts tormented her. How could he leave without so much as a goodbye, she wondered. She held the blue stone in her hand, between her thumb and index finger. What was that stone doing in Arledge’s room? She asked herself. And where have I seen it before?

She sighed as more thoughts flooded her mind. The door opened. She turned to see her stepmother smiling.

“Winfred, there you are. I haven’t seen you all day. Your little brother Prince George asked about you.”

She put on her best smile, “I’ve been thinking.”

“About?”

“Nothing really and everything.”

Queen Godgifu sighed, “I understand completely,” she said as her hands touched Winfred’s face, “They’ll be coming soon to pack up your things; the dressmakers thought it would be a great idea to finish your dress at the castle in Northumbria since the design has so many intricate jewels and pieces.”

“I don’t need anything too fancy.”

“Nonsense, you only get married once. You may as well do it up!”

She watched as the Queen strutted out of her room. Moments later, three women entered and bowed, “Your Grace, we are here to help you pack your things.”

Princess Winfred nodded. Her mind was filled with thoughts about Arledge as she sat by the window staring at the stables where she used to see him with the horses. She dropped the stone. It rolled next to one of her servant’s feet.

The woman bent over to retrieve the item. She walked over to the window, “M’lady, I believe this is yours,” she said as she placed the stone into Winfred’s hand. When she touched Winfred, she had a vision. She smiled.

Winfred made a face, “What is it?”

The woman shook her head rapidly, “It’s nothing, M’lady. I was just—”

“Gunna, we have a lot of work, leave the Princess be.”

Gunna bowed and hurried along to finish packing the chest. The older woman was still in the room after the two younger ones left. “Ma’am what is your name,” Winfred asked.

“I’m no one M’lady.”

“We are all someone. Please tell me your name.”

“I am Agnes.”

“I haven’t seen you around.”

“I was brought into service with the other two women from Northumbria not long ago.”

“And your name is not Saxon.”

The woman shook her head, “No. But we have lived here for some time. We have been baptized and follow the Christian ways.” She made the sign for the cross, “I should get back to work. There is still much to be done.”

Princes Winfred nodded. The woman left her. The princess turned, her eyes toward the stables. She decided there was no need to cry any more tears. She stared at the stone in her hand and smiled. I will keep this stone. Perhaps you left it for me as a symbol of our forbidden love, she thought as she imagined his face.

“Cousin,” she heard Lady Darleen’s voice.

She turned around and saw her dressed magnificently.

“Our things are almost ready. We’re leaving by first light tomorrow.”

She smiled. “You look lovely,” Winfred commented.

“Don’t I always.”

Winfred smiled, “Yes, of course. It’s just you are radiating.”

“I’m excited about the possibilities.” She reached for her necklace, but it wasn’t on her neck.

“What happened to your lovely necklace?”

“It’s being repaired.”

“Do you think you can have your jeweler make me something nice with this stone I found,” she opened her hand and showed it to Darleen.

Darleen froze, “Where on earth?”

“Can you keep a secret?”

“You know I can.”

“I think Arledge left it for me. I found it in his room.”

“Did you and Arledge?”

“Of course not,” she replied quickly, “but you know, that I loved him. And he loved me. He knew we could never be wed. So he left me this stone before he went away.”

Darleen held the stone. She knew that it was the stone that was missing from her necklace. And her cousin was giving it to her to make a symbolic piece of jewelry for her and Arledge’s love. “I’ll see what I can do,” she said reluctantly.

“Nothing too fancy. Something simple. A ring. Or a bracelet.”

“Sure,” she replied as she cleared her throat, “I’ll get to it promptly. Perhaps it will be done before the morning.”

Winfred smiled.

The jeweler’s shop had several shelves lined with precious pieces. Darleen walked inside. The old man spotted her, “Lady Darleen, I was going to have your order sent to the castle.”

“Well, I’m here now.”

He looked over the top of his glasses, “You certainly are,” he grinned as he looked at her plump breasts, “let me grab the necklace for you.” He shuffled over to a locked drawer and pulled out the necklace, “I couldn’t find the exact stone that matched the others, but I think this is a nice replacement,” he stated proudly about his work.

He set a clear stone with a blue tint in the center spot, where the lost one once occupied space. “It’s lovely.”

“Allow me,” he said as he placed the necklace on her neck and fastened it.

She turned to him and showed him the stone. He took it from her hand, “Well, imagine that. It matches the stones in your necklace. I can replace—”

“No, no, It’s fine the way it is. I love what you’ve done. I just. I want to use this stone as a gift to the princess as a wedding gift. What can you do with it?”

He studied it, “Several things. I can make a nice ring. I can add more stones and make another necklace. How much would you like to spend?”

She looked inside of her purse and pulled out a few gold coins, “Whatever this can buy. I need it by the morning.”

“I should get to work then. I will work on it all night and have it ready by the morning.”

Darleen smiled. When she left, her heart ached. She touched the new stone on the necklace.

Darleen was in a daze as she walked toward her room. She ran into Queen Godgifu, “For heaven’s sake, Darleen!” The Queen exclaimed. “what on earth are you so preoccupied with?” she asked with concern.

“I’m fine. Really.”

Queen Godgifu scanned her suspiciously. She noticed her necklace, “I see you had your mother’s necklace repaired.”

“Yes. I have. I found the stone.”

Her head tilted, “But you have a different piece in the center.”

“I know. Winfred handed it to me hours ago. She thinks Arledge left it in his quarters as a token of their love. She wanted me to have something made for her with the stone.”

The Queen sighed, “Well, I say it’s a small price to pay for ruining her happiness.”

“But what if she realizes the stone once belonged to me? That it came from this necklace.”

“How could she? Many stones look similar.” She touched her chin, “Don’t worry so much. You’ll develop wrinkles on your forehead. And you aren’t married yet.”

“I know. How long will it be before I can get Prince Liam?”

“All things in due time. Now run along. Go see how Winfred is doing. Poor thing.”

Darleen nodded.

Winfred was in her room reading when the servant entered. She looked up; their eyes connected, “Gunna?”

She paused and stood looking down.

Winfred placed her book on the bed and walked over to her. She smiled, “You don’t have to be afraid.”

She bowed, “Your Grace.”

“Earlier, you touched my hand. You smiled. You were about to say something, but you stopped.”

“It was nothing, M’lady.”

She saw how nervous the woman was. Winfred read many books and learned of people who could sense things. She often wondered how true it was or if it was just foolishness. “Did you see something about my future?”

The woman smiled and nodded rapidly, “It’s just ... I wouldn’t want to say anything that offends.”

Winfred’s eyebrows lifted. Her heart raced, “You have permission to speak freely.”

The woman looked around, “Are you sure?”

“It’s fine; it’s late. No one is up at this hour.”

“You are with child.”

Winfred touched her belly, “Are you certain?”

“I saw it. A beautiful baby girl.”

Winfred gulped. It’s a good thing I’m getting married in a few days, she thought.

You and the Prince have already been intimate.”

Winfred smiled, “Of course. We figured we were getting married anyway.”

As the woman was about to leave, Winfred reached for her wrist, “You can’t speak of this to anyone.”

Suddenly the woman had another vision.

“What is it?” asked Winfred.

“You will have a hard pregnancy.”

“Will the baby survive?”

She nodded, “There will be a woman. She will be your saving grace. Protect her. She will be your greatest friend.”

Winfred nodded, “I want to give you something,” she said sweetly, Winfred walked over to a stand and pulled out a beautiful comb with pearls, “This is for you. You have beautiful hair,” she added as she placed the comb on the right side of Gunna’s hair.

Gunna smiled, “You are very kind and generous.” Gunna turned to leave, she grabbed the last of the things to be placed on the cart before walking out. The door closed and Gunna continued on her path.

As she walked blissfully, she had a weird feeling. She held several garments in her arms. She turned. There was nothing. She continued until she was outside by the cart.

She placed the fine garments into a sack and under a cover with the rest of the items to accompany Winfred and Darleen. Just as she turned around, her head was struck with a rock.

Her body hit the ground. Blood spilled from her head. A soft hand reached down and removed the pretty comb from her head.

Two men lifted the body and took it away.

Ife, Northwest Africa

Enofe was visibly upset at just about everyone for what transpired between his son and Yande. He fussed at Mahammadu, “You have brought great shame upon yourself. Getting beat by a girl.”