The Bold Prince
Gainsborough, England - April 1129
“I told you,” he heard his father say.
“But I am here!” Uhtræd shouted and then opened his eyes to the dark room around him. Cloth had been draped over the windows to shut out the light that was so painful and he would allow no candles lit even though it was dusk.
Maud sat by his bed and held at his hand, “Was it a frightful dream, my love?”
In the gloaming, he was able to make out her face, “You would send for my brother...”
“He is already here at Gainsborough,” Maud caressed his hand.
Uhtræd did his best to pull his other hand to hold at hers, “Then you must send him in at the now. I must needs see him.”
She looked to him with worry, “Do you be well?”
“Do not find concern,” he allowed another brief caress, “Your care is most wanted and I am ever thankful for it.”
“Then I will call for Prince Eadward,” Maud answered with great fear and stood slowly to leave the chamber.
Alone in his thoughts for a moment, Uhtræd saw in his mind’s eye his fine Kingdom. He saw the shape and the size and all those within. Everything was easier with a map. And then the push. Put a sword in his hand with an idea of his enemy, and he might will out. This latest, however...he could seem to find no way to conquer it.
It did not take long before Eadward knocked upon the chamber door and entered. The younger brother moved to light a candle and Uhtræd was quick to shout, “Put it out!”
“I cannot see, brother,” Eadward answered him though he complied.
Uhtræd offered a sigh, “You need not see to know.”
The Prince stumbled to find the bedside chair and reached to hold his brother’s hand with concern, “What has happened?”
“You may know well what has happened,” Uhtræd strained to grasp at the offered hand, “Brother...I believe that I am done.”
Eadward found some shock, “How can that be? You were up and about just some few days ago! Surely this is but a setback and no thing other.”
Uhtræd struggled with a laugh, “I would applaud your nature, sir. So very positive. I wish that this were so. And yet? I cannot move.”
“What mean you?” Eadward was quick to question, “Do you mean that your gait is slowed? It has been for some time and still you have moved forward!”
“No, brother...” Uhtræd held tightly to his hand, “...I truly cannot move a thing. Every action comes with it pain and I know not that this time will find a cure.”
Eadward still held to some anger at his perceived slights and what had occurred over Gwynedd and yet it all seemed to slip away as he reached out a hand to brush at his brother’s face, “We have always found the cure, brother. You will be well!”
“I do not think so,” Uhtræd took some pains to hold at his brother’s other hand, “I believe this to be the end of me. And now...I need you more than ever.”
“You are caustic when you should find cheer,” Eadward suggested, “This is but an episode as we have seen before. You are not one to look the enemy in the face and accept defeat.”
Uhtræd found his brother’s eye in the light that was left in the room and tried to smile, “I may know when I have been defeated, sir. I have spent my life at it. Many regrets do I have, but I do know when to retreat. The time is now.”
“I will not hear of this,” Eadward answered him with a slight tear in his eye, “You are King and a great man...we will see you to health!”
Even in the darkness, Uhtræd looked over his brother’s shoulder and saw their father looking over them as he smiled, “I am most happy that you do not hold me in disregard, brother. You have always been there...from the day that you were born. How blissful were we to play with our soldiers, eh?”
Eadward squeezed more tightly at his brother’s hand, “You were always better than I.”
“And yet,” Uhtræd smiled to him, “You always did think of some way to avoid the ruckus.”
“It need not always be battle,” Eadward returned the smile.
Uhtræd struggled in his bed so he may sit up slightly and pulled his brother close, “And it does not need to be now! When father passed it was you that held the fort. So too must you do it again!”
Eadward helped the King to rest comfortably again but kept his question, “What do you say?”
“You will be regent for the now,” Uhtræd found some comfort with his pillow, “I cannot do it as much as I may wish it. There be too much at stake. We remain with enemies without and within and only you may keep them at bay.”
“Brother...” Eadward tried to calm him, “...you will be well.”
Uhtræd found a laugh, “I do not know that...nor do you. As father did before us, we must look to what comes next.”
“You are not yet dead,” Eadward was certain, “Do not speak on such things!”
“And yet, I must,” Uhtræd found his brother’s hand again and held it tight, “There is a realm at stake...and our House. Father did not work so hard to find it lost because of me. I must needs see you carry on for I know that you will do your duty. It was you that suggested it to me so many years ago.”
“Your mind remains clear...” Eadward suggested, “...even if your body does give you question. I say to you again...we will find this cure.”
Uhtræd tried to smile, “I know not if there is a cure...but I do know of what I need of you...what the realm needs of you. You must send word to Oscytel at the now. He must needs know that he is required. If he is my son, then he may have the very same question that I found...but you must convince him of his own duty.”
Eadward lowered his head, “I have done it once so I be sure that I may do it again...but it is too soon.”
Uhtræd held to Eadward’s hand with some strength, “My fine brother...I have not always been kind to you but I have always loved you so. It was never my thought to treat you poorly...”
“I know,” Eadward gave a sad nod.
“But you are the rock of this family,” Uhtræd held even tighter, “As much as father ever thought of me or Beo, he counted more upon you. Mother too...I do believe that you were her favorite.”
“No, brother,” Eadward was quick to correct, “You were the favorite in every way and I hold no spite about it. You are the best person that I have ever known and so should you be. Mother and father would be proud at what you have accomplished and I do not count you out yet.”
Uhtræd reached out with some pain to grab at his brother’s neck with love, “I hope that you are correct. I would like to see your face for many years to come. You have always done me well, Eadward...”
“I do so because I love you in every way,” the Prince held up his own hand.
“So you will reach out to my son?” Uhtræd asked with a smile.
Eadward gave nod, “I will.”
“And you will help me in the meantime?”
“I do so swear,” Eadward answered with sadness.
Uhtræd fell back to the bed with some pain but kept his smile, “I have always counted upon you and I thank you for it. I never did wish this...any of it...but it is what we must needs do. I trust you in every way.”
“You would get your rest,” Eadward followed with his own smile and allowed another touch to his brother’s face, “You may trust in me...and Beo...and you will be well.”
The King found his slumber as it was clear that he was tired and still at pain. Eadward could do no other but to rise from his seat and move to the chamber door with great question. What was he to do now?
A letter to write to Meissen, and surely one to Beo. There was no need to include his sisters at the now. He’d not even had chance to discuss the new Lord of Bedford or who might replace the Steward. Robert of Normandy had made great pains to endear himself to the crown, and yet...there remained a question. The greater one was his brother’s health. How could England and the House of Wessex carry on without the strength of Uhtræd? He was known as the bold King. Could Eadward now be the bold Prince?
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